Traditionally it was thought that fitness-related traits such as male mating frequency, with a history of strong directional selection, should have little additive genetic variance and thus respond asymmetrically to bidirectional artificial selection. However, recent findings and theory suggest that a balance between selection for increased male mating frequency and opposing selection pressures on physiologically linked traits will cause male mating frequency to have high additive genetic variation and hence respond symmetrically to selection. We tested these hypotheses in the stalk-eyed fly, Cyrtodiopsis dalmanni, in which males hold harems comprising many females and so have the opportunity to mate at extremely high frequencies. We subjected male stalk-eyed flies to artificial selection for increased ('high') and decreased ('low') mating frequency in the presence of ecologically realistic, high numbers of females. High line males mated significantly more often than control or low line males. The direct response to selection was approximately symmetric in the high and low lines, revealing high additive genetic variation for, and no significant genetic constraints on, increased male mating frequency in C. dalmanni. In order to investigate trade-offs that might constrain male mating frequency under natural conditions we examined correlated responses to artificial selection. We measured accessory gland length, testis length and eyespan after 7 and 14 generations of selection. High line males had significantly larger accessory glands than low line males. No consistent correlated responses to selection were found in testis length or eyespan. Our results suggest that costs associated with the production and maintenance of large accessory glands, although yet to be identified, are likely to be a major constraint on mating frequency in natural populations of C. dalmanni.
The family Poritidae formerly included 6 genera: Alveopora, Goniopora, Machadoporites, Porites, Poritipora, and Stylaraea. Morphologically, the genera can be differentiated based on the number of tentacles, the number of septa and their arrangement, the length of the polyp column, and the diameter of the corallites. However, the phylogenetic relationships within and between the genera are unknown or contentious. On the one hand, Alveopora has been transferred to the Acroporidae recently because it was shown to be more closely related to this family than to the Poritidae by previous molecular studies. On the other hand, Goniopora is morphologically similar to 2 recently described genera, Machadoporites and Poritipora, particularly with regard to the number of septa (approximately 24), but they have not yet been investigated at the molecular level. In this study, we analyzed 93 samples from all 5 poritid genera and Alveopora using 2 genetic markers (the barcoding region of the mitochondrial COI and the ITS region of the nuclear rDNA) to investigate their phylogenetic relationships and to revise their taxonomy. The reconstructed molecular trees confirmed that Alveopora is genetically distant from all poritid genera but closely related to the family Acroporidae, whereas the other genera are genetically closely related. The molecular trees also revealed that Machadoporites and Poritipora were indistinguishable from Goniopora. However, Goniopora stutchburyi was genetically isolated from the other congeneric species and formed a sister group to Goniopora together with Porites and Stylaraea, thus suggesting that 24 septa could be an ancestral feature in the Poritidae. Based on these data, we move G. stutchburyi into a new genus, Bernardpora gen. nov., whereas Machadoporites and Poritipora are merged with Goniopora.
Enhanced muscle strength is seen when resistance exercise is combined with the consumption of nutritional supplements. Although there is a limited number of studies available about the efficacy of gamma oryzanol supplementation with resistance exercise in humans, but its usage as a nutritional supplement for strength is common in athletes. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of gamma oryzanol supplementation during 9-week resistance training on muscular strength and anthropometric measurements of young healthy males.
Handgrip strength is useful for screening the nutritional status of adult population as it is strongly associated with physical disabilities and mortality. Therefore, we aimed to determine the predictors of handgrip strength among adults of a rural community in Malaysia using a cross-sectional study design with multistage sampling. All adults aged 30 years and older from 1250 households were invited to our study. Structured questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics, medical history, occupation history, lifestyle practices, and measurements, including anthropometry and handgrip strength were taken. There were 2199 respondents with 55.2% females and majority were of Malay ethnicity. Their mean (standard deviation) age was 53.4 (13.2) years. The response rate for handgrip strength was 94.2%. Females had significantly lower handgrip strength than males (P < .05). In the multiple linear regression models, significant predictors of handgrip strength for males were age, height, job groups, and diabetes, while for females, the significant predictors were age, weight, height, and diabetes.
Skulls of the red-cheeked squirrel (Dremomys rufigenis) from various geographical locations: Malaysia (peninsular area), Vietnam (south district)-Laos, and Thailand (north district) were osteometrically examined. The skull size of the squirrels in the southern (Malaysia) population was fundamentally larger than that in the northern (Vietnam, Laos and Thailand) populations. The proportion indices indicated that the splanchnocranium was relatively longer in the Malaysia population, and that the interorbital space was narrower in Vietnam-Laos, and Thailand populations. We suggest that the long nose and laterally-oriented orbits in the skull may be better adapted for terrestrial-insectivorous life in the Malaysia population and the binocular sense facilitated by rostrally-oriented eyes contributes to the arboreal-fruit eating behavior in the two northern populations. The Malaysia population was clearly distinguished from the other populations by the principal component analysis. We suggest that the geographical barrier of the Isthmus of Kra influences the morphological variation of the skull among the squirrel populations.
Body measurement is the first process that must be encountered before any
custom-made compression garment can be designed. The current practice of
obtaining the measurement is by traditional methods using tools like
measuring tape. However, this method is considered to be time-consuming
and usually not accurate. The most popular solution to the problem is by using
non-contact measurement. The development of the 3D whole body scanner
has made non-contact body measurement become a reality due to its capacity
to capture a vast amount of information. However, the cost to buy the whole
body scanner is quite expensive. Moreover, their sizes are also bulky which
make them less portable. Thus, a handheld body scanner provides a solution
to the problem. Despite that, current handheld scanner only provide image
and visualization aspect, but not the measurement aspect. This paper reports
the development of a method to acquire body data from a 3D handheld
scanner. In this new method, the point cloud of a body part was collected
using the handheld scanner. Then, the data was transformed into point
coordinates. Several processes were developed to filter the number of points
to allow for faster processing time and increasing the measurement accuracy.
In the first process, only points at specific height/layers are selected. In the
second process, the remaining points are rearranged according to their height
and angle. In the last process, the number of points is further reduced. In this
process, the number of points per layer is limited to 72 points. Results show
that the method can be used to determine body measurement.
Some diseases may underlie finger clubbing. However, there is a dearth of information about early stage of finger clubbing because only few researchers have shown interest in it. We determined the Digital Index of normal, healthy subjects by using thread and manual Vernier calipers, the time used for the procedure, and its interrater reliability. The value of Digital Index was 8.86 ± 0.29 (Mean ± SD) with a range of 8.15 to 9.41. Interrater reliability was excellent with Pearson's correlation coefficient of 0.966. Overall, the time taken to measure the Digital Index ranged from 21.93 to 68.80 minutes with an average of 35.97 ± 9.16 (Mean ± SD). Determining Digital Index need much time, but this can be overcome if we use Digital Index Quantitator (DIQ). Availability of DIQ in the hospital wards will be of much benefit. DIQ can also be used to accurately quantify the progression or regression of the clubbing process. This article proves that we need morphometry of digital clubbing as well as the correlation of the physical sign of clubbing with Digital Index.
Abdominal pain is one of the key symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Studies have indicated an increase in the incidence of IBS in Asia. However, yet the pathophysiology of this disease remains unknown. Women are more likely to develop the condition than men, especially the constipation-predominant type. Essential fatty acid (EFA) malnutrition is one of several theories discussing the mechanism of IBS.The authors hypothesized that significant EFA deficiency may cause abdominal pain in patients with IBS. However, because patterns in the oral intake of EFAs differ between cultures, the authors narrowed this study to examine the nutritional status of Asian female patients with IBSThe authors investigated Asian female patients with IBS and compared them with a group of healthy controls. Thirty patients with IBS and 39 healthy individuals were included in this study. The participants' age, height, weight, and waist size were recorded. The 24-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale was documented. Both erythrocyte and plasma fatty acid content were analyzed through gas-liquid chromatography.The authors found that patients with IBS exhibited significantly higher scores for depression, higher proportions of plasma saturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids, and lower proportions of docosahexaenoic acid and total omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in plasma are associated with IBS in Asian female patients. Further study is indicated to confirm the causality of this association.
Acetobacter xylinum strains are known as efficient producers of cellulose. A. xylinum is an obligate aerobic bacterium that has an oxygen-based metabolism. The dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration in a rotary discs reactor (RDR) is one of the most important factors that need to be observed during the cellulose synthesis by these bacteria. In this study, the effects of different discs rotation speed (5, 7, 9 and 12 rpm) and fermentation period (3, 4, 5 and 6 days) on the DO concentration and production of bacterial cellulose in a 10-L RDR were examined. The highest yield was obtained at 7 rpm with a total dried weight of 28.3 g for 4 days fermentation. The results showed that the DO concentration in the 10-L RDR increased in the range of 13 to 17% with increasing of discs rotation speed from 7 to 12 rpm. However, fermentation with high discs rotation speed at 12 rpm reduced the bacterial cellulose production. Analysis of data using Statistica 8.0 showed a high coefficient of determination value (R2 = 0.92). In conclusion, discs rotation speed gave more significant effect on the DO concentration and production of bacterial cellulose in 10-L RDR compared to fermentation period. This was further combined with synergistic effect from sufficient consumption of oxygen for the enhanced production of bacterial cellulose and providing the controlled environment for encouraging bacterial growth throughout the fermentation process.
Anochetus maryatiae, a new species of Formicidae from the subfamily Ponerinae, tribe Ponerini from Ulu Gombak is described and illustrated. This ant genus was last studied in Malaysia by Brown in 1978. Observations were made on morphometric characters which included parameter measurements of total length, head length, head width, mandible length, scape length, antenna length, maximum eye length, oculomandibular distance, funicular length segment 1 to 4, pronotum width, propodeum height, petiole length, petiole height, dorsal petiole width, cephalix index and mandibular index. It was followed by a brief diagnosis, description of morphological structure, microsculpture, pilosity and discussion. Although it has resemblance with Anochetus tua, it could be easily distinguished from other species in having reticulate pronotum. This is the only species from Malaysia with such microsculpture on the pronotum. In addition to that, A. maryatie varies with A. tua in having smaller total length, less than 7.5 mm and lighter colour.
Sexual dimorphism is a common phenomenon in the animal kingdom. To test the consistency of sexual dimorphism patterns among sympatric species of the same genus, ten morphometric characteristics of mud crabs Scylla olivacea, S. tranquebarica and S. paramamosain were measured and compared using Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA). The descriptive analysis revealed that in all three species, body size dimensions and cheliped dimensions were significantly larger in males whereas the abdomen width was female-biased. Also, we described a morphological variation (carapace width, CW ≤ CW at spine 8, 8CW) that is unique to S. olivacea. Discriminant function analysis revealed that all nine morphometric characteristics were sexually dimorphic in S. olivacea, S. tranquebarica (except right cheliped's merus length, ML) and S. paramamosain (except 8CW). The obtained discriminant functions based on the morphometric ratios (with CW as divisor) correctly classified 100% of adults of known sex of all three species. Further, based on the selected body traits, DFA was able to almost completely distinguish males (94%), but not females (74%), among the three Scylla species. This study highlights that congeneric species of portunids (e.g., Scylla spp.) show similar sexually dimorphic characteristics (body size and secondary sexual characteristics).
Accurate values are a must in medicine. An important parameter in determining the quality of a medical instrument is agreement with a gold standard. Various statistical methods have been used to test for agreement. Some of these methods have been shown to be inappropriate. This can result in misleading conclusions about the validity of an instrument. The Bland-Altman method is the most popular method judging by the many citations of the article proposing this method. However, the number of citations does not necessarily mean that this method has been applied in agreement research. No previous study has been conducted to look into this. This is the first systematic review to identify statistical methods used to test for agreement of medical instruments. The proportion of various statistical methods found in this review will also reflect the proportion of medical instruments that have been validated using those particular methods in current clinical practice.
Matched MeSH terms: Weights and Measures/instrumentation; Weights and Measures/standards
In the initial clinical examination of a child with ambiguous genitalia an accurate measurement of the corporeal length is needed. Most often the corporeal length is measured with a ruler from the symphysis pubis to the tip of the glans of a stretched penis. More recently, ultrasound has been successfully used to measure corporeal length. This study aimed to (i) establish normal values for corporeal length in normal male newborns using ultrasound measurement, (ii) compare these measurements to stretched corporeal measurements, (iii) compare the corporeal length of newborns of different races, and (iv) determine the relationship between corporeal length and birth weight, birth length and head circumference. This was a prospective study of 141 newborns. Ultrasound imaging was done in an oblique parasagittal plane such that the corpus could be included in a single image and measured, Stretched corporeal length was measured with the penis stretched alongside a wooden spatula and the length from the pubic bone to the tip of the glans was marked on the spatula and measured. By ultrasound measurement the mean corporeal length of the normal newborn was 3.18 +/- 0.56cm. There was no significant difference in the mean corporeal length when determined by ultrasound and by stretched corporeal measurement. There was no significant difference in the mean corporeal length of the different races when the length was determined by either ultrasound or stretched corporeal measurement. There was a positive correlation between ultrasound length and birth weight and birth length. However, there was no correlation between ultrasound length and head circumference. There was no significant correlation between the stretched length and either birth weight, birth length or head circumference.
Matched MeSH terms: Body Weights and Measures/statistics & numerical data
In this data article, we provide energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) spectra of the electrospun composite (SnO2-TiO2) nanowires with the elemental values measured in atomic and weight%. The linear sweep voltammetry data of composite and its component nanofibers are provided. The data collected in this article is directly related to our research article "Synergistic combination of electronic and electrical properties of SnO2 and TiO2 in a single SnO2-TiO2 composite nanowire for dye-sensitized solar cells" [1].
We put attention on Intrinsic Josephson Junction (IJJ) to study the fundamental physic for device applications. Convenient self-flux method was used to grow BSCCO single crystals. We investigated the lid effect to examine the single crystal growth of high TC (Critical Temperature). We found that for the crystal growth with no lid, two stage transitions of TC ≅ 61 K and 77 K were observed. While for the crystal growth with lid, the BSCCO has TC ≅ 80K, ΔTC = 10K and approximately average size5x2mm 2 . When we increased weight of lid, the single crystal have increased to TC =80K, ΔTC = 4K and the typical size was ≅7x3mm 2 . TC and the crystal growth show a tendency to increase by the effect of the lid. From observed quasi-particle characteristics, c-axis direction changed from semiconductor to intrinsic Josephson characteristic with decreasing temperature.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) incorporates steatosis, non-alcoholic steato-hepatitis (NASH) and liver cirrhosis, associating with diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is protective of CVD. We aimed to determine whether TRAIL protects against insulin resistance, NAFLD and vascular injury. Twelve-week high fat diet (HFD)-fed Trail -/- mice had increased plasma cholesterol, insulin and glucose compared to wildtype. Insulin tolerance was impaired with TRAIL-deletion, with reduced p-Akt, GLUT4 expression and glucose uptake in skeletal muscle. Hepatic triglyceride content, inflammation and fibrosis were increased with TRAIL-deletion, with elevated expression of genes regulating lipogenesis and gluconeogenesis. Moreover, Trail -/- mice exhibited reduced aortic vasorelaxation, impaired insulin signaling, and >20-fold increased mRNA expression for IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. In vitro, palmitate treatment of hepatocytes increased lipid accumulation, inflammation and fibrosis, with TRAIL mRNA significantly reduced. TRAIL administration inhibited palmitate-induced hepatocyte lipid uptake. Finally, patients with NASH had significantly reduced plasma TRAIL compared to control, simple steatosis or obese individuals. These findings suggest that TRAIL protects against insulin resistance, NAFLD and vascular inflammation. Increasing TRAIL levels may be an attractive therapeutic strategy, to reduce features of diabetes, as well as liver and vascular injury, so commonly observed in individuals with NAFLD.
Several studies have shown a positive association between variable resistance training (VRT) and improvements in muscular performance. However, the effects of VRT on body composition among untrained individuals remain unclear. The objective of this study was to examine the comparison between of methods of VRT on body composition, muscular strength and functional capacity among untrained male adults. Fifty healthy untrained males (age: 21.5 ± 1.95 years) were selected randomly and assigned into three groups: combined weight and chain (WC), combined weight and elastic band (WE), and free-weight (CG). All three groups completed 12 weeks of high intensity resistance training (70-80% of one-repetition maximum) with three sets of 8-12 repetitions two times per week. Approximately 65% of the whole resistance was provided by free-weights, while the other 35% of the resistance was provided by chains and elastic bands for the WC and WE groups, respectively. Dependent variables including body composition, muscular strength and functional capacity using bioelectrical impedance analyzer, one-repetition maximum and maximum repetitions to muscular fatigue were measured, respectively in pre-test, post-test 1 (week 6) and post-test 2. Significance level was set at P < 0.05. No differences existed among all groups at baseline for depended variables. A mixed model ANOVA with repeated measurements analysis revealed that although there were not significant differences in body composition among the groups (P > 0.05), all groups showed a significant reduction in fat mass and significant increase in fat-free mass during and after the intervention (P = 0.0001), and these differences were insignificantly greater in WE and WC groups compared with CG group. Furthermore, all three groups showed significant improvements in muscular strength and functional capacity during and after intervention (P = 0.0001), and muscular strength and functional capacity were greater in WE and WC groups compared with the CG group, but there were not significant differences in muscular strength and functional capacity between WE and WC groups. However, the WE group showed insignificantly more improvement in muscular strength and functional capacity compared with the WC group during and after the intervention. The results of this study show that VRT has a slightly better effect than free-weight to improve body composition during and after 12 weeks intervention. Also, WE training had a slightly better effect than WC training in improving muscular strength and functional capacity during and after 12 weeks of VRT among untrained male adults.
Kenaf fibre that is known as Hibiscus cannabinus, L. family Malvaceae is an herbaceous plant that can be grown under a wide range of weather conditions. The uses of kenaf fibres as a reinforcement material in the polymeric matrix have been widely investigated. It is known that epoxy has a disadvantage of brittleness and exhibits low toughness. In this research, liquid epoxidized natural rubber (LENR) was introduced to the epoxy to increase its toughness. Kenaf fibres, with five different fibre loadings of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25% by weight, were used to reinforce the epoxy resins (with and without addition of epoxidized natural rubber) as the matrices. The flexural strength, flexural modulus and fracture toughness of the rubber toughened epoxy reinforced kenaf fibre composites were investigated. The results showed that the addition of liquid epoxidized natural rubber (LENR) had improved the flexural modulus, flexural strength and fracture toughness by 48%, 30%, and 1.15% respectively at 20% fibre loading. The fractured surfaces of these composites were investigated by using scanning electron microscopic (SEM) technique to determine the interfacial bonding between the matrix and the fibre reinforcement.
High consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) among adolescents has turned into a global concern due to its negative impact on health. This cross-sectional study determined the amount of SSB consumption among adolescents and its associated factors. A total of 421 adolescents aged 13.3 ± 1.3 years (41.8% males, 58.2% females) completed a self-administered questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics, physical activity, screen-viewing behavior, sleep quality, frequency of eating at fast food restaurants, home food availability, peer social pressure, parenting practice, and SSB consumption. Weight and height were measured. Results showed that the mean daily consumption of SSBs among adolescents was 1038.15 ± 725.55 mL. The most commonly consumed SSB was malted drink, while the least commonly consumed SSB was instant coffee. The multiple linear regression results revealed that younger age (β = -0.204, p < 0.001), higher physical activity (β = 0.125, p = 0.022), higher screen time (β = 0.147, p = 0.007), poorer sleep quality (β = 0.228, p < 0.001), and unhealthy home food availability (β = 0.118, p = 0.032) were associated with a higher SSB intake. Therefore, promoting a healthy lifestyle may help to reduce the excessive consumption of SSBs among adolescents.