MyMedR

AIMS: The concept of using specific dietary components to selectively modulate the gut microbiota to confer a health benefit, defined as prebiotics, originated in 1995. In 2018, a group of scientists met at the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics annual meeting in Singapore to discuss advances in the prebiotic field, focussing on issues affecting functionality, research methodology and geographical differences.

METHODS AND RESULTS: The discussion ranged from examining scientific literature supporting the efficacy of established prebiotics, to the prospects for establishing health benefits associated with novel compounds, isolated from different sources.

CONCLUSIONS: While many promising candidate prebiotics from across the globe have been highlighted in preliminary research, there are a limited number with both demonstrated mechanism of action and defined health benefits as required to meet the prebiotic definition. Prebiotics are part of a food industry with increasing market sales, yet there are great disparities in regulations in different countries. Identification and commercialization of new prebiotics with unique health benefits means that regulation must improve and remain up-to-date so as not to risk stifling research with potential health benefits for humans and other animals.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF STUDY: This summary of the workshop discussions indicates potential avenues for expanding the range of prebiotic substrates, delivery methods to enhance health benefits for the end consumer and guidance to better elucidate their activities in human studies.

Matched MeSH terms: Congresses as Topic*

The energetic brain - A review from students to students

Bordone MP, Salman MM, Titus HE, Amini E, Andersen JV, Chakraborti B, et al.

J Neurochem, 2019 10;151(2):139-165.

PMID: 31318452 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14829

The past 20 years have resulted in unprecedented progress in understanding brain energy metabolism and its role in health and disease. In this review, which was initiated at the 14th International Society for Neurochemistry Advanced School, we address the basic concepts of brain energy metabolism and approach the question of why the brain has high energy expenditure. Our review illustrates that the vertebrate brain has a high need for energy because of the high number of neurons and the need to maintain a delicate interplay between energy metabolism, neurotransmission, and plasticity. Disturbances to the energetic balance, to mitochondria quality control or to glia-neuron metabolic interaction may lead to brain circuit malfunction or even severe disorders of the CNS. We cover neuronal energy consumption in neural transmission and basic ('housekeeping') cellular processes. Additionally, we describe the most common (glucose) and alternative sources of energy namely glutamate, lactate, ketone bodies, and medium chain fatty acids. We discuss the multifaceted role of non-neuronal cells in the transport of energy substrates from circulation (pericytes and astrocytes) and in the supply (astrocytes and microglia) and usage of different energy fuels. Finally, we address pathological consequences of disrupted energy homeostasis in the CNS.

Matched MeSH terms: Congresses as Topic/trends

Why some family planning program fail

New Philipp, 1976 Apr;40(1):32-3.

PMID: 12309355

PIP: 40 experts representing Nepal, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Korea, and the Philippines participated in a 3-day workshop in Manila in March 1976 for the purpose of discussing and proposing ways of dealing with the financial problems confronting the population programs of the individual countries. The Inter-Governmental Coordinating Committee for Southeast Asia Family/Population Planning sponsored the workshop. The recommendations made at the meeting were: 1) standardization of financing reporting procedures by the region's country programs on family planning; 2) closer coordination between donor agencies and policy-making bodies of country programs in the disbursement of funds; 3) frequent exchanges of experiences, ideas, technicaL knowledge, and other matters pertaining to the financial management of such programs; and 4) inclusion of applicable financial management topics in the training of clinical staffs and those involved in follow-up operations. Additionally, a proposal was made that national population organizations or committees develop research and evaluation units. Workshop discussion sessions focused on financial planning and management, accounting and disbursement of funds, use and control of foreign aid, cost of effectiveness and benefit analysis, and financial reporting.

Matched MeSH terms: Congresses as Topic*

Second regional plasmapheresis conference and workshop for Southeast Asia (SEA) on the immunomodulatory role of plasma exchange in central and peripheral nervous system disorders, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 9th December 2017

Viswanathan S, Hung SKY, Goyal V, Apiwattanakul M, Thirugnanam UN, Abdullah S, et al.

J Clin Apher, 2018 Oct;33(5):559-568.

PMID: 29626354 DOI: 10.1002/jca.21630

In December 2017, 79 delegates attended the 2nd regional plasmapheresis conference and workshop for Southeast Asia (SEA) on the immunomodulatory role of plasma exchange in central and peripheral nervous system disorders in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This meeting featured 6 plenary lectures, interactive sessions dedicated for experience sharing, case presentations, and a practical session for paramedics. Clinical experts and researchers from 7 SEA countries and India shared experience and challenges in treating autoimmune neurological disorders. While the spectrum of diseases and neurology practice remained largely similar, there was great disparities in accessibility of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) within SEA countries and between urban or rural settings. Costs, human resources, and healthcare policies are common challenges in providing sustainable TPE services. Novel techniques and innovative ideas in performing TPE were explored. A working consortium comprising of key opinion leaders was proposed to improve standards of TPE and enhance future research.

Matched MeSH terms: Congresses as Topic*

Patient safety initiatives from around the world

Tingle J

Br J Nurs, 2017 May 25;26(10):572-573.

PMID: 28541112 DOI: 10.12968/bjon.2017.26.10.572

John Tingle, Reader in Health Law at Nottingham Trent University, and Jen Minford, Junior Doctor Co-ordinator, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, discuss initiatives presented at a global summit on patient safety.

Matched MeSH terms: Congresses as Topic*

Turning around a medical education conference: Ottawa 2020 in the time of COVID-19

Nadarajah VD, Er HM, Lilley P

Med Educ, 2020 08;54(8):760-761.

PMID: 32337741 DOI: 10.1111/medu.14197

Matched MeSH terms: Congresses as Topic/organization & administration*

Global Coalition for the Fight Against Heart Disease and Stroke: A Global Coalition for WHF Second Global Summit on Circulatory Health

Wood D, Asma S, Bettcher D, Wei Chieh JT, Greenland R, Italianer F, et al.

Glob Heart, 2018 Mar;13(1):37-44.

PMID: 29248363 DOI: 10.1016/j.gheart.2017.10.002

Matched MeSH terms: Congresses as Topic*

Turning cold tumours hot: oncolytic virotherapy gets up close and personal with other therapeutics at the 11th Oncolytic Virus Conference

Dyer A, Baugh R, Chia SL, Frost S, Iris, Jacobus EJ, et al.

Cancer Gene Ther, 2019 03;26(3-4):59-73.

PMID: 30177818 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-018-0042-1

The 11th International Oncolytic Virus Conference (IOVC) was held from April 9-12, 2018 in Oxford, UK. This is part of the high-profile academic-led series of meetings that was started back in 2002 by Steve Russell and John Bell, with most of the previous meetings being held in North America (often in Banff). The conference brought together many of the major players in oncolytic virotherapy from all over the world, addressing all stages of research and development-from aspects of basic science and cellular immunology all the way through to early- and late-phase clinical trials. The meeting welcomed 352 delegates from 24 countries. The top seven delegate countries, namely, the UK, US, Canada, The Netherlands, Germany, Japan and South Korea, contributed 291 delegates while smaller numbers coming from Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, China, Finland, France, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Malaysia, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. Academics comprised about half of the attendees, industry 30% and students 20%. The next IOVC is scheduled to be held on Vancouver Island in autumn 2019. Here we share brief summaries of the oral presentations from invited speakers and proffered papers in the different subtopics presented at IOVC 2018.

Matched MeSH terms: Congresses as Topic*

Films that deliver

Shetty P

Lancet, 2013 May 18;381(9879):1709-10.

PMID: 23691551

Matched MeSH terms: Congresses as Topic

B.C.G. vaccination in Sabah

Roy RN

Bull Int Union Tuberc, 1972 Aug;47 Suppl 2:162-4.

PMID: 4145661

Matched MeSH terms: Congresses as Topic

Fulltext Capturing the wisdom of the crowd: health professions' educators meet at a virtual world café

McKimm J, Ramani S, Kusurkar RA, Fornari A, Nadarajah VD, Thampy H, et al.

Perspect Med Educ, 2020 12;9(6):385-390.

PMID: 33051804 DOI: 10.1007/s40037-020-00623-y

BACKGROUND: Conversations about educational challenges and potential solutions among a globally and culturally diverse group of health professions' educators can facilitate identity formation, mentoring relationships and professional network building. The COVID-19 pandemic has made it even more important to co-create and disseminate knowledge, specifically regarding online and flexible learning formats.

APPROACH: Based on the principles of social learning, we combined speed mentoring and world café formats to offer a virtual Zoom™ workshop, with large and small group discussions, to reach health professions' educators across the globe. The goal was to establish a psychologically safe space for dialogue regarding adaptation to online teaching-learning formats.

EVALUATION: We aimed to establish psychological safety to stimulate thought-provoking discussions within the various small groups and obtain valuable contributions from participants. From these conversations, we were able to formulate 'hot tips' on how to adapt to (sometimes new) online teaching-learning formats while nurturing teacher and student wellbeing.

REFLECTION: Through this virtual workshop we realized that despite contextual differences, many challenges are common worldwide. We experienced technological difficulties during the session, which needed rapid adaptation by the organising team. We encouraged, but did not pressure, participants to use video and audio during breakout discussions as we wanted them to feel safe and comfortable. The large audience size and different time zones were challenging; therefore, leadership had to be resilient and focussed. Although this virtual format was triggered by the pandemic, the format can be continued in the future to discuss other relevant global education topics.

Matched MeSH terms: Congresses as Topic

Special issue - Learning and teaching of veterinary parasitology

Jabbar A, Gasser RB

Vet Parasitol, 2018 04 15;253:120-121.

PMID: 30173728 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2018.02.020

Matched MeSH terms: Congresses as Topic

Labor migration in Asia

Martin PL

Int Migr Rev, 1991;25(1):176-93.

PMID: 12316776

"A recent conference sponsored by the United Nations Center for Regional Development (UNCRD) in Nagoya, Japan examined the growing importance of labor migration for four major Asian labor importers (Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore) and five major labor exporters (Bangladesh, Korea, Pakistan, Philippines, and Thailand).... The conference concluded that international labor migration would increase within Asia because the tight labor markets and rising wages which have stimulated Japanese investment in other Asian nations, for example, have not been sufficient to eliminate migration push and pull forces...."

Matched MeSH terms: Congresses as Topic*

Putting quality of life on the agenda

Kitatani K

Earthwatch, 1991;?(41):5-6.

PMID: 12284002

PIP: At the Population and Natural Resources Workshop of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) General Assembly in Perth, Australia, December 1990, population and quality of life issues were stressed as one of the central items to be placed on the 1992 Agenda of the UN Conference on Environment. The pace of environmental degradation is quickening, the causes are becoming more entrenched, and indecision will narrow our options. Poverty and population growth are making development unsustainable. Technological miracles will not appear to restore balance. Deforestation, soil erosion, decertification and loss of water resources are fueling urbanization. Therefore the World Commission on Environment and Development, known as the Brundtland Commission, ranks human resources development as a top priority in sustainable development and quality of life. Human resources can be improved by providing maternal and child care, family planning and improving the status of women. Successful family planning programs as seen in Thailand and Malaysia can show results very quickly once national population policies, institutions and capacity are in place.

Matched MeSH terms: Congresses as Topic*

Fulltext Is 2020 the year when primatologists should cancel fieldwork?

Reid MJC

Am J Primatol, 2020 08;82(8):e23161.

PMID: 32583538 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23161

Year 2020 has brought the greatest global pandemic to hit the world since the end of the First World War. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and the resulting disease named coronavirus disease 2019 has brought the world to its knees both financially and medically. The American Society of Primatologists has postponed their annual meetings from the end of May 2020 until the end of September 2020, while the International Primatological Society have postponed their biennial congress from August 2020 to August 2021, which has also resulted in their 2022 meetings in Malaysia being pushed back until 2023. Here, I explore the potential dangers of pursuing any primate fieldwork during this pandemic on our study species, their ecosystems, and local peoples. I believe that the risk of bringing this virus into our study ecosystems is too great and that primatologists should cancel all field research until the pandemic ends or a vaccine/reliable treatment is widely available. This is the year we all must become One Health practitioners!

Matched MeSH terms: Congresses as Topic/trends

Displaying publications 41 - 60 of 84 in total