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  1. Hani AF, Kumar D, Malik AS, Ahmad RM, Razak R, Kiflie A
    Rheumatol Int, 2015 Jan;35(1):1-16.
    PMID: 24879325 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-014-3052-9
    Early detection of knee osteoarthritis (OA) is of great interest to orthopaedic surgeons, rheumatologists, radiologists, and researchers because it would allow physicians to provide patients with treatments and advice to slow the onset or progression of the disease. Early detection can be achieved by identifying early changes in selected features of degenerative articular cartilage (AC) using non-invasive imaging modalities. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is becoming the standard for assessment of OA. The aim of this paper was to review the influence of MRI on the selection, detection, and measurement of AC features associated with early OA. Our review of the literature indicates that the changes associated with early OA are in cartilage thickness, cartilage volume, cartilage water content, and proteoglycan content that can be accurately, consistently, and non-invasively measured using MRI. Choosing an MR pulse sequence that provides the capability to assess cartilage physiology and morphology in a single acquisition and advanced multi-nuclei MRI is desirable. The results of the review indicate that using an ultra-high magnetic strength, MR imager does not affect early OA detection. In conclusion, MRI is currently the most suitable modality for early detection of knee OA, and future research should focus on the quantitative evaluation of early OA features using advances in MR hardware, software, and data processing with sophisticated image/pattern recognition techniques.
    Matched MeSH terms: Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods*
  2. Al-Dulaimi RI, Ismail N, Ibrahim MH
    Ann Agric Environ Med, 2014;21(1):42-8.
    PMID: 24847548
    Water is one of the most important precious resources found on the earth, and are most often affected by anthropogenic activities and by industry. Pollution caused by human beings and industries is a serious concern throughout the world. Population growth, massive urbanization, rapid rate of industrialization and modern techniques in agriculture have accelerated water pollution and led to the gradual deterioration of its quality. A large quantity of waste water disposed of at sea or on land has caused environmental problems which have led to environmental pollution, economic losses and chemical risks caused by the wastewater, and its impact on agriculture. However, waste water which contain nutrients and organic matter has possible advantages for agricultural purposes. Therefore, the presented study was undertaken to assess the impact of Dairy Effluent (treated and untreated waste water) on seed germination, seedling growth, dry matter production and the biochemical parameters of lady's fingers (Abelmoschus esculentus L.).
    Matched MeSH terms: Waste Disposal, Fluid/methods*
  3. Aboodarda SJ, Byrne JM, Samson M, Wilson BD, Mokhtar AH, Behm DG
    J Strength Cond Res, 2014 Aug;28(8):2314-23.
    PMID: 24796986 DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000000498
    Previous investigators have speculated that applying additional external load throughout the eccentric phase of the jumping movement could amplify the stretch-shortening cycle mechanism and modulate jumping performance and jump exercise intensity. The aims of this study, therefore, were to determine the effect of increased eccentric phase loading, as delivered using an elastic device, on drop jumps (DJs) performed from different drop heights. Of specific interest were changes in (a) the kinetics; eccentric and concentric impulse, rate of force development (RFD), concentric velocity and (b) the electromyographic (EMG) activity of leg muscles. In a randomized repeated-measure study, 15 highly resistance trained male subjects performed DJs from 3 heights (20, 35, and 50 cm) under 3 different conditions: body weight only (free DJ) and with elastic bands providing downward force equivalent to 20% (+20% DJ) and 30% (+30% DJ) of body mass. All DJs were recorded using video and force plate data that were synchronized with EMG data. Results demonstrated that using additional tensile load during the airborne and eccentric phases of the DJ could enhance eccentric impulse (p = 0.042) and RFD (p < 0.001) and resulted in small to moderate effect size (ES) increases in quadriceps intergrated EMG across the eccentric phase (0.23 > ES > 0.51). The observed greater eccentric loading, however, did not immediately alter concentric kinetics and jump height nor did it alter muscle activation levels during this phase. The findings indicated that, in addition to the conventional technique of increasing drop height, using a tensile load during the airborne and eccentric phases of the DJ could further improve eccentric loading of DJs. As it has been suggested that eccentric impulse and RFD are indicators of DJ exercise intensity, these findings suggest that the loaded DJs, using additional elastic load, may be an effective technique for improving DJ exercise intensity without acute effects on the jumping performance and neuromuscular activation level in highly trained athletes.
    Matched MeSH terms: Physical Conditioning, Human/methods*
  4. Siow SL, Mahendran HA
    Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech, 2014 Apr;24(2):134-9.
    PMID: 24686348 DOI: 10.1097/SLE.0b013e31828fa951
    We propose a standardized technique of repair and lavage with the outcomes of 50 consecutive patients treated at our institution. The perforation was closed primarily and reinforced with omental patch. It was then followed by peritoneal lavage in a focused sequential manner that involved quadrant to quadrant lavage with tilting of operating table and changing of position between the surgeon and the camera surgeon. None of our patients had postoperative intra-abdominal complications, but unfortunately 1 patient succumbed to respiratory complications. Respiratory complications was the most common postoperative complication in our series (9 patients), whereas 2 patients had ileus. There were no leaks or reoperations in our series. Laparoscopic repair and sutured omentoplasty, followed by focused sequential lavage in a systematic manner, if performed diligently, will yield good outcomes.
    Matched MeSH terms: Gastric Lavage/methods*
  5. Harun H, Anuar AN, Ujang Z, Rosman NH, Othman I
    Water Sci Technol, 2014;69(11):2252-7.
    PMID: 24901619 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2014.156
    Aerobic granular sludge (AGS) has been applied to treat a broad range of industrial and municipal wastewater. AGS can be developed in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) with alternating anaerobic-aerobic conditions. To provide anaerobic conditions, the mixed liquor is allowed to circulate in the reactor without air supply. The circulation flow rate of mixed liquor in anaerobic condition is the most important parameter of operation in the anaerobic-AGS processes. Therefore, this study investigates the effect of circulation rate on the performance of the SBR with AGS. Two identical reactors namely R1 and R2 were operated using fermented soy sauce wastewater at circulation rate of 14.4 and 36.0 l/h, respectively. During the anaerobic conditions, the wastewater was pumped out from the upper part of the reactor and circulated back into the bottom of the reactor for 230 min. A compact and dense AGS was observed in both reactors with a similar diameter of 2.0 mm in average, although different circulation rates were adopted. The best reactor performance was achieved in R2 with chemical oxygen demand removal rate of 89%, 90% total phosphorus removal, 79% ammonia removal, 10.1 g/l of mixed liquor suspended solids and a sludge volume index of 25 ml/g.
    Matched MeSH terms: Waste Disposal, Fluid/methods*
  6. Yusof S, Ismail A, Alias MS
    Mar Pollut Bull, 2014 Aug 30;85(2):494-8.
    PMID: 24731878 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.03.022
    Glyphosate is globally a widely used herbicide, yet there is little information on their toxicity to marine fishes. Java medaka, a small tropical fish native to coastal areas in several Southeast Asian countries, is viewed as a suitable candidate for toxicity test and thus was used for this study. Java medaka adults were cultured in the laboratory and the fertilized eggs of the F2 generation were exposed to different concentrations of glyphosate-based herbicide (100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 ppm) until they hatched. The survival and hatching rates of the embryos, changes in the heart rate and morphological impairments were recorded. Generally, survival and hatching percentage decreased as glyphosate concentration increased. Absence of pectoral fin(s) and cornea, permanently bent tail, irregular shaped abdomen, and cell disruption in the fin, head and abdomen are among the common teratogenic effects observed. Furthermore, risk factor also increased with the increased in glyphosate concentrations.
    Matched MeSH terms: Toxicity Tests/methods
  7. Hunt EA, Duval-Arnould JM, Nelson-McMillan KL, Bradshaw JH, Diener-West M, Perretta JS, et al.
    Resuscitation, 2014 Jul;85(7):945-51.
    PMID: 24607871 DOI: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2014.02.025
    Previous studies reveal pediatric resident resuscitation skills are inadequate, with little improvement during residency. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education highlights the need for documenting incremental acquisition of skills, i.e., "Milestones". We developed a simulation-based teaching approach "Rapid Cycle Deliberate Practice" (RCDP) focused on rapid acquisition of procedural and teamwork skills (i.e., "first-five minutes" (FFM) resuscitation skills). This novel method utilizes direct feedback and prioritizes opportunities for learners to "try again" over lengthy debriefing.
    Matched MeSH terms: Education, Medical, Graduate/methods*
  8. Kawai M, Nagao N, Tajima N, Niwa C, Matsuyama T, Toda T
    Bioresour Technol, 2014 Apr;157:174-80.
    PMID: 24556370 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2014.01.018
    Influence of the labile organic fraction (LOF) on anaerobic digestion of food waste was investigated in different S/I ratio of 0.33, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0g-VSsubstrate/g-VSinoculum. Two types of substrate, standard food waste (Substrate 1) and standard food waste with the supernatant (containing LOF) removed (Substrate 2) were used. Highest methane yield of 435ml-CH4g-VS(-1) in Substrate 1 was observed in the lowest S/I ratio, while the methane yield of the other S/I ratios were 38-73% lower than the highest yield due to acidification. The methane yields in Substrate 2 were relatively stable in all S/I conditions, although the maximum methane yield was low compared with Substrate 1. These results showed that LOF in food waste causes acidification, but also contributes to high methane yields, suggesting that low S/I ratio (<0.33) is required to obtain a reliable methane yield from food waste compared to other organic substrates.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biotechnology/methods*
  9. Mansourvar M, Ismail MA, Raj RG, Kareem SA, Aik S, Gunalan R, et al.
    J Forensic Leg Med, 2014 Feb;22:26-9.
    PMID: 24485416 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2013.11.011
    Recently, determination of skeletal age, defined as the assessment of bone age, has rapidly become an important task between forensic experts and radiologists. The Greulich-Pyle (GP) atlas is one of the most frequently used methods for the assessment of skeletal age around the world. After presentation of the GP approach for the estimation of the bone age, much research has been conducted to examine the usability of this method in various geographic or ethnic categories. This study investigates on a small-scale and compares the reliability of the GP atlas for assessment of the bone age for four ethnic groups - Asian, African/American, Caucasian and Hispanic - for a different range of ages.
    Matched MeSH terms: Age Determination by Skeleton/methods*
  10. Dhippayom T, Chaiyakunapruk N, Krass I
    Diabetes Res Clin Pract, 2014 Jun;104(3):329-42.
    PMID: 24485859 DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2014.01.008
    This review aimed to explore the extent of the use of diabetes risk assessment tools and to determine influential variables associated with the implementation of these tools. CINAHL, Google Scholar, ISI Citation Indexes, PubMed, and Scopus were searched from inception to January 2013. Studies that reported the use of diabetes risk assessment tools to identify individuals at risk of diabetes were included. Of the 1719 articles identified, 24 were included. Follow-up of high risk individuals for diagnosis of diabetes was conducted in 5 studies. Barriers to the uptake of diabetes risk assessment tools by healthcare practitioners included (1) attitudes toward the tools; (2) impracticality of using the tools and (3) lack of reimbursement and regulatory support. Individuals were reluctant to undertake self-assessment of diabetes risk due to (1) lack of perceived severity of type 2 diabetes; (2) impracticality of the tools; and (3) concerns related to finding out the results. The current use of non-invasive diabetes risk assessment scores as screening tools appears to be limited. Practical follow up systems as well as strategies to address other barriers to the implementation of diabetes risk assessment tools are essential and need to be developed.
    Matched MeSH terms: Risk Assessment/methods*
  11. Amin L, Jahi JM, Nor AR
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2013;2013:516742.
    PMID: 24381520 DOI: 10.1155/2013/516742
    Public acceptance of genetically modified (GM) foods has to be adequately addressed in order for their potential economic and social benefits to be realized. The objective of this paper is to assess the attitude of the Malaysian public toward GM foods (GM soybean and GM palm oil) and GM medicine (GM insulin). A survey was carried out using self-constructed multidimensional instrument measuring attitudes towards GM products. The respondents (n = 1017) were stratified according to stakeholders' groups in the Klang Valley region. Results of the survey show that the overall attitude of the Malaysian stakeholders towards GM products was cautious. Although they acknowledged the presence of moderate perceived benefits associated with GM products surveyed and were moderately encouraging of them, they were also moderately concerned about the risks and moral aspects of the three GM products as well as moderately accepting the risks. Attitudes towards GM products among the stakeholders were found to vary not according to the type of all GM applications but rather depend on the intricate relationships between the attitudinal factors and the type of gene transfers involved. Analyses of variance showed significant differences in the six dimensions of attitude towards GM products across stakeholders' groups.
    Matched MeSH terms: Drug Industry/methods
  12. Abdul Rashid RM, Mohamed M, Hamid ZA, Dahlui M
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2013;14(10):5901-4.
    PMID: 24289597
    OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of different methods of recall for repeat Pap smear among women who had normal smears in the previous screening.
    DESIGN: Prospective randomized controlled study.
    SETTING: All community clinics in Klang under the Ministry of Health Malaysia.
    PARTICIPANTS: Women of Klang who attended cervical screening and had a normal Pap smear in the previous year, and were due for a repeat smear were recruited and randomly assigned to four different methods of recall for repeat smear.
    INTERVENTION: The recall methods given to the women to remind them for a repeat smear were either by postal letter, registered letter, short message by phone (SMS) or phone call.
    MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number and percentage of women who responded to the recall within 8 weeks after they had received the recall, irrespective whether they had Pap test conducted. Also the numbers of women in each recall method that came for repeat Pap smear.
    RESULTS: The rates of recall messages reaching the women when using letter, registered letter, SMS and phone calls were 79%, 87%, 66% and 68%, respectively. However, the positive responses to recall by letter, registered letter, phone messages and telephone call were 23.9%, 23.0%, 32.9% and 50.9%, respectively (p<0.05). Furthermore, more women who received recall by phone call had been screened (p<0.05) compared to those who received recall by postal letter (OR=2.38, CI=1.56-3.62).
    CONCLUSION: Both the usual way of sending letters and registered letters had higher chances of reaching patients compared to using phone either for sending messages or calling. The response to the recall method and uptake of repeat smear, however, were highest via phone call, indicating the importance of direct communication.
    Study site: Klinik Kesihatan, Kelang, Selangor, Malaysia
    Matched MeSH terms: Early Detection of Cancer/methods*
  13. Lachumy SJ, Oon CE, Deivanai S, Saravanan D, Vijayarathna S, Choong YS, et al.
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2013;14(10):5553-65.
    PMID: 24289545
    Plants play important roles in human life not only as suppliers of oxygen but also as a fundamental resource to sustain the human race on this earthly plane. Plants also play a major role in our nutrition by converting energy from the sun during photosynthesis. In addition, plants have been used extensively in traditional medicine since time immemorial. Information in the biomedical literature has indicated that many natural herbs have been investigated for their efficacy against lethal irradiation. Pharmacological studies by various groups of investigators have shown that natural herbs possess significant radioprotective activity. In view of the immense medicinal importance of natural product based radioprotective agents, this review aims at compiling all currently available information on radioprotective agents from medicinal plants and herbs, especially the evaluation methods and mechanisms of action. In this review we particularly emphasize on ethnomedicinal uses, botany, phytochemistry, mechanisms of action and toxicology. We also describe modern techniques for evaluating herbal samples as radioprotective agents. The usage of herbal remedies for combating lethal irradiation is a green anti- irradiation approach for the betterment of human beings without high cost, side effects and toxicity.
    Matched MeSH terms: Phytotherapy/methods
  14. Ng ZX, Chua KH, Kuppusamy UR
    Food Chem, 2014 Apr 1;148:155-61.
    PMID: 24262540 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2013.10.025
    This study aimed to investigate the changes in the proteome of bitter gourd prior to and after subjecting to boiling and microwaving. A comparative analysis of the proteome profiles of raw and thermally treated bitter gourds was performed using 2D-DIGE. The protein content and number of protein spots in raw sample was higher when compared to the cooked samples. Qualitative analysis revealed that 103 (boiled sample) and 110 (microwaved sample) protein spots were up regulated whereas 120 (boiled sample) and 107 (microwaved sample) protein spots were down regulated. Ten protein spots with the highest significant fold change in the cooked samples were involved in carbohydrate/energy metabolisms and stress responses. Small heat shock proteins, superoxide dismutase, quinone oxidoreductase, UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase and phosphoglycerate kinase play a role in heat-stress-mediated protection of bitter gourd. This study suggests that appropriate heat treatment (cooking methods) can lead to induction of selected proteins in bitter gourd.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cooking/methods*
  15. Gokula K, Earnest A, Wong LC
    Radiat Oncol, 2013;8:268.
    PMID: 24229418 DOI: 10.1186/1748-717X-8-268
    This meta-analysis aims to ascertain the significance of early lung toxicity with 3-Dimensional (3D) conformal irradiation for breast carcinomas and identify the sub-groups of patients with increased risk.
    Matched MeSH terms: Imaging, Three-Dimensional/methods*
  16. Shukor MY, Tham LG, Halmi MI, Khalid I, Begum G, Syed MA
    J Environ Biol, 2013 Sep;34(5):967-70.
    PMID: 24558814
    Near-real-ime assay is anassay method that the whole process from sampling until results could be obtained in approximately Iess than one hour. The ElIman assay for acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) has near real-time potential due to its simplicity and fast assay time. The commercial acetylcholinesterase from Electrophorus electricus is well known for its uses in insecticides detection. A lesser known fact is AChE is also sensitive to heavy metals. A near real-time inhibitive assay for heavy metals using AChE from this source showed promising results. Several heavy metals such as copper, silver and mercury could be etected with IC50 values of1.212, 0.1185 and 0.097 mg I-1, respectively. The Limits of Detection (LOD) for copper, silver and mercury were 0.01, 0.015 and 0.01 mg I-1, respectively. TheLimits of quantitation (LOQ) or copper, silver and mercury were 0.196, 0.112 and 0.025 mg I-1, respectively. The LOQvalues for copper, silver and mercury were well below the maximum permissible limit for these metal ions as outlined by Malaysian Department of Environment. A polluted location demonstrated near real-time applicability of the assay with variation oftemporal levels of heavy metals detected. The results show that AChE from Electrophorus electricus has the potential to be used as a near real-time biomonitoring tool for heavy
    Matched MeSH terms: Environmental Monitoring/methods*
  17. Menke JM
    Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 2014 Apr 1;39(7):E463-72.
    PMID: 24480940 DOI: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000000230
    STUDY DESIGN: Meta-analysis methodology was extended to derive comparative effectiveness information on spinal manipulation for low back pain.
    OBJECTIVE:
    Determine relative effectiveness of spinal manipulation therapies (SMTs), medical management, physical therapies, and exercise for acute and chronic nonsurgical low back pain.
    SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Results of spinal manipulation treatments of nonsurgical low back pain are equivocal. Nearly 40 years of SMT studies were not informative.
    METHODS: Studies were chosen on the basis of inclusion in prior evidence syntheses. Effect sizes were converted to standardized mean effect sizes and probabilities of recovery. Nested model comparisons isolated nonspecific from treatment effects. Aggregate data were tested for evidential support as compared with shams.
    RESULTS: Of 84% acute pain variance, 81% was from nonspecific factors and 3% from treatment. No treatment for acute pain exceeded sham's effectiveness. Most acute results were within 95% confidence bands of that predicted by natural history alone. For chronic pain, 66% of 98% was nonspecific, but treatments influenced 32% of outcomes. Chronic pain treatments also fit within 95% confidence bands as predicted by natural history. Though the evidential support for treating chronic back pain as compared with sham groups was weak, chronic pain seemed to respond to SMT, whereas whole systems of clinical management did not.
    CONCLUSION: Meta-analyses can extract comparative effectiveness information from existing literature. The relatively small portion of outcomes attributable to treatment explains why past research results fail to converge on stable estimates. The probability of treatment superiority matched a binomial random process. Treatments serve to motivate, reassure, and calibrate patient expectations--features that might reduce medicalization and augment self-care. Exercise with authoritative support is an effective strategy for acute and chronic low back pain.
    Matched MeSH terms: Manipulation, Spinal/methods
  18. Hadi MA, Alldred DP, Briggs M, Munyombwe T, Closs SJ
    Clin J Pain, 2014 Nov;30(11):1006-14.
    PMID: 24480911 DOI: 10.1097/AJP.0000000000000063
    OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of pharmacist-led medication review in chronic pain management.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six electronic databases (Medline, Embase, PsycInfo, CINHAL, CENTRAL, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts) reference lists of retrieved articles and relevant websites were searched for randomized controlled trials published in the English language involving adults with chronic pain. Studies were included if one of the intervention arms had received pharmacist-led medication review independently or as part of a multidisciplinary intervention. Risk of bias was assessed for all the included studies.

    RESULTS: The search strategy yielded 583 unique articles including 5 randomized controlled trials. Compared with control, meta-analysis showed that participants in the intervention group had: a 0.8-point reduction in pain intensity on a 0 to 10 numerical rating scale at 3 months [95% confidence interval (CI), -1.28 to -0.36] and a 0.7-point reduction (95% CI, -1.19 to -0.20) at 6 months; a 4.84 point (95% CI, -7.38 to -2.29) and -3.82 point (95% CI, -6.49 to -1.14) improvement in physical functioning on a 0- to 68-point function subscale of Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index at 3 and 6 months, respectively; and a significant improvement in patient satisfaction equivalent to a "small to moderate effect."

    DISCUSSION: Pharmacist-led medication review reduces pain intensity and improves physical functioning and patient satisfaction. However, the clinical significance of these findings remain uncertain due to small effect size and nature of reported data within clinical trials that limits recommendation of wider clinical role of pharmacist in chronic pain management.

    Matched MeSH terms: Pain Management/methods*
  19. Lim PK, Jinap S, Sanny M, Tan CP, Khatib A
    J Food Sci, 2014 Jan;79(1):T115-21.
    PMID: 24344977 DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.12250
    The objective of this study was to evaluate the precursors of acrylamide formation in sweet potato (SP) (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam) chips and to determine the effect of different types of vegetable oils (VOs), that is, palm olein, coconut oil, canola oil, and soya bean oil, on acrylamide formation. The reducing sugars and amino acids in the SP slices were analyzed, and the acrylamide concentrations of SP chips were measured. SP chips that were fried in a lower degree of unsaturation oils contained a lower acrylamide concentration (1443 μg/kg), whereas those fried with higher degree of unsaturated oils contained a higher acrylamide concentration (2019 μg/kg). SP roots were found to contain acrylamide precursors, that is, 4.17 mg/g glucose and 5.05 mg/g fructose, and 1.63 mg/g free asparagine. The type of VO and condition used for frying, significantly influenced acrylamide formation. This study clearly indicates that the contribution of lipids in the formation of acrylamide should not be neglected.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cooking/methods*
  20. Abolfathi Momtaz Y, Ibrahim R, Hamid TA
    Psychogeriatrics, 2014 Mar;14(1):31-7.
    PMID: 24299124 DOI: 10.1111/psyg.12036
    Social support that may contribute to the physical and mental health of older adults is widely studied. However, much of the existing research has focused on the impact of receiving support; the effects of giving support have largely been neglected. Using the biopsychosocial perspective, this study aimed to examine the independent impact of giving support to others on older adults' perceived health status.
    Matched MeSH terms: Geriatric Assessment/methods*
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