PRESENTATION OF THE HYPOTHESIS: The hypothesis that is presented consists of two parts. First, that shell ornamentation is the result of sexual selection. Second, that such sexual selection has caused the divergence in shell shape in different species.
TESTING THE HYPOTHESIS: The first part of the hypothesis may be tested by searching for sexual dimorphism in shell ornamentation in gonochoristic snails, by searching for increased variance in shell ornamentation relative to other shell traits, and by mate choice experiments using individuals with experimentally enhanced ornamentation. The second part of the hypothesis may be tested by comparing sister groups and correlating shell diversity with degree of polygamy.
IMPLICATIONS OF THE HYPOTHESIS: If the hypothesis were true, it would provide an explanation for the many cases of allopatric evolutionary radiation in snails, where shell diversity cannot be related to any niche differentiation or environmental differences.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 1294 married Malaysian older couples who were randomly selected from all 14 states in Malaysia. The data were collected by trained enumerators using a set of validated questionnaires consisting of eight sections, namely sociodemographic characteristics, chronic diseases, perceived health status, life satisfaction, body mass index, disability status (World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule), social support (Lubben Social Network Scale) and sexual intimacy.
RESULTS: Having good social support (AOR 0.57, 95% CI 0.45-0.74) from family and friends were protective determinants against poor sexual intimacy in later life. Meanwhile, those who were aged 70-79 years (AOR 1.81, 95% CI 1.35-2.42), aged >80 years (AOR 35.49, 95% CI 4.80-262.18), women (AOR 1.47, 95% CI 1.13-1.90), non-Malay (AOR 1.93, 95% CI 1.50-2.48), received only informal education (AOR 1.81, 95% CI 1.35-2.42), had gastritis (AOR 2.62, 95% CI 1.58-4.34), had a stroke (AOR 3.83, 95% CI 1.04-14.12), perceived their current health status was satisfactory (AOR 1.52, 95% CI 1.15-2.00) and disabled based on the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (AOR 3.14, 95% CI 1.34-7.36) were at risk of poor sexual intimacy.
CONCLUSIONS: The majority of older Malaysian couples were having poor sexual intimacy despite being still married and sleeping with their partners, reflecting the presence of underlying barriers towards sexual intimacy in later life among older Malaysians. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 492-496.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an observational case review study of all sexual assault cases from 2012-2017 at the OSCC of a suburban, tertiary hospital in Malaysia. A total of 304 cases were analysed.
RESULTS: The median age of the survivors was 15 years old. Majority were females (n=291, 95.7%), single (n=290, 95.4%), students (n=235, 77.3%), and from low socio-economic class (n=230, 75.7%). Rape constitutes the majority (n=246, 80.6%) with 153 cases (62.1%) were statutory rape. The most common perpetrator was the victim's boyfriend (n=107, 35.2%) while only 60 cases (19.7%) involved strangers. Delayed presentations were more likely among victims who previously knew their perpetrators (AOR 2.53, 95% CI: 1.37 to 4.68, p<0.01). The median duration for management at OSCC was 6.48 hours.
CONCLUSION: Majority of sexual assault survivors were females, teenagers, and from low socio-economic class. Rape, mainly statutory rape, made the majority of cases. Therefore, sexual and safety education targeting primary intervention should be started early. Multidisciplinary teams must work together to optimise the management of sexual assault.