METHODS: The bone health status of Malaysians aged ≥40 years was assessed using CM-200 and DXA. Sensitivity, specificity, area under the curve (AUC) and the optimal cut-off values for risk stratification of CM-200 were determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and Youden's index (J). Results: From the data of 786 subjects, CM-200 (QUS T-score 0.05). Modified cut-off values for the QUS T-score improved the performance of CM-200 in identifying subjects with osteopenia (sensitivity 67.7% (95% CI: 62.8-72.3%); specificity 72.8% (95% CI: 68.1-77.2%); J = 0.405; AUC 0.702 (95% CI: 0.666-0.739); p < 0.001) and osteoporosis (sensitivity 79.4% (95% CI: 70.0-86.9%); specificity 61.8% (95% CI: 58.1-65.5%); J = 0.412; AUC 0.706 (95% CI: 0.654-0.758); p < 0.001). Conclusion: The modified cut-off values significantly improved the performance of CM-200 in identifying individuals with osteoporosis. Since these values are device-specific, optimization is necessary for accurate detection of individuals at risk for osteoporosis using QUS.
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: T-score discordance between hip and spine is a common problem in bone mineral density assessment. A difference ≥ 1 standard deviation (SD) (regardless of diagnostic class) is considered minor, and a difference more than one diagnostic class is considered major discordance. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors of hip and spine T-score discordance in a population aged ≥ 40 years in Klang Valley, Malaysia.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, subjects answered a demographic questionnaire and underwent body composition and bone health assessment using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Chi-square and binary logistic regression analysis were used to assess the prevalence of T-score discordance among the subjects.
RESULTS: A total of 786 Malaysians (382 men, 404 women) subjects were recruited. The prevalence of minor and major discordance was 30.3% and 2.3%, respectively. Overall, factors related to T-score discordance were advanced age, decreased height, and being physically active. Sub-analysis showed that decreased height and being physically active predicted T-score discordance in men, being menopausal and Indian (vs Chinese) were predictors in women.
CONCLUSIONS: T-score discordance between hip and spine is common among Malaysian middle-aged and elderly population. Diagnosis of osteopenia/osteoporosis should be based on the T-score of more than one skeletal site as per the current recommendations.
METHODS: By comparing the patterns of floral visitation and levels of genetic diversity in adherent pollen loads among floral visitors, we evaluated the contribution of each flower visitor to pollination.
KEY RESULTS: The big-eyed bug, Geocoris sp., a major thrips predator, was an inadvertent pollinator, and importantly contributed to cross-pollination. The total outcross pollen adhering to thrips was approximately 30% that on the big-eyed bugs. Similarly, 63% of alleles examined in S. acuminata seeds and seedlings occurred in pollen adhering to big-eyed bugs; about 30% was shared with pollen from thrips.
CONCLUSIONS: During mass flowering, big-eyed bugs likely travel among flowering S. acuminata trees, attracted by the abundant thrips. Floral visitation patterns of big-eyed bugs vs. other insects suggest that these bugs can maintain their population size between flowering by preying upon another thrips (Haplothrips sp.) that inhabits stipules of S. acuminata throughout the year and quickly respond to mass flowering. Thus, thrips and big-eyed bugs are essential components in the pollination of S. acuminata.
METHOD: In total, 24 female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups. The first group was sham-operated, and the other two groups were ovariectomized. After two months, the right femora of the rats were fractured under anesthesia and internally repaired with K-wires. The sham-operated and ovariectomized control rat groups were administered olive oil (a vehicle), whereas 60 mg/kg of alpha-tocopherol was administered via oral gavage to the alpha-tocopherol group for six days per week over the course of 8 weeks. The rats were sacrificed, and the femora were dissected out. Computed tomography scans and X-rays were performed to assess fracture healing and callus staging, followed by the assessment of callus strengths through the biomechanical testing of the bones.
RESULTS: Significantly higher callus volume and callus staging were observed in the ovariectomized control group compared with the sham-operated and alpha-tocopherol groups. The ovariectomized control group also had significantly lower fracture healing scores than the sham-operated group. There were no differences between the alpha-tocopherol and sham-operated groups with respect to the above parameters. The healed femora of the ovariectomized control group demonstrated significantly lower load and strain parameters than the healed femora of the sham-operated group. Alpha-tocopherol supplementation was not able to restore these biomechanical properties.
CONCLUSION: Alpha-tocopherol supplementation appeared to promote bone fracture healing in osteoporotic rats but failed to restore the strength of the fractured bone.
METHODS: Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats (200-250 g) were used. Twenty-four animals were adrenalectomized and received intramuscular injection of dexamethasone (120 μg/kg/day). They were simultaneously administered with either Piper sarmentosum water extract (125 mg/kg/day), GCA (120 mg/kg/day) or distilled water as vehicle by oral gavage for two months. Eight animals were sham-operated and given vehicle daily, i.e. intramuscular olive oil and oral distilled water.
RESULTS: Following two months treatment, dexamethasone-treated adrenalectomized rats had significantly lower 11β-HSD1 dehydrogenase activity and higher 11β-HSD1 expression in the femoral bones compared to the sham-operated and baseline group. The rats supplemented with Piper sarmentosum water extract had significantly higher 11β-HSD1 dehydrogenase activity and lower 11β-HSD1 expression in the bones.
CONCLUSION: The results showed that Piper sarmentosum water extract had the ability to prevent glucocorcoticoid excess in the bones of glucocorticoid-treated adrenalectomized rats through the local modulation of 11β-HSD1 expression and activity, and may be used as prophylaxis for osteoporosis in patients on long-term glucocorticoid treatment.
METHODS: Pollen dispersal patterns and male fecundity variation of Shorea leprosula and Shorea parvifolia ssp. parvifolia on Peninsular Malaysian were investigated during two general flowering seasons (2001 and 2002), using a neighbourhood model modified by including terms accounting for variation in male fecundity among individual trees to express heterogeneity in flowering.
KEY RESULTS: The pollen dispersal patterns of the two dipterocarp species were affected by differences in conspecific tree flowering density, and reductions in conspecific tree flowering density led to an increased selfing rate. Active pollen dispersal and a larger number of effective paternal parents were observed for both species in the season of greater magnitude of general flowering (2002).
CONCLUSIONS: The magnitude of general flowering, male fecundity variation, and distance between pollen donors and mother trees should be taken into account when attempting to predict the effects of management practices on the self-fertilization and genetic structure of key tree species in tropical forest, and also the sustainability of possible management strategies, especially selective logging regimes.
METHODS: Human Müller cells were cultured in low and high glucose conditions. Cells were treated with xamoterol (selective agonist for β1-AR), salmeterol (selective agonist for β2-AR), isoproterenol (β-ARs agonist) and propranolol (β-ARs antagonist), at 20 µM concentration for 24 h. Western Blotting assay was performed for the gene expression analysis. DNA damage was evaluated by TUNEL assay. DCFH-DA assay was used to check the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Cytochrome C release was measured by ELISA.
RESULTS: Xamoterol, salmeterol and isoproterenol showed no effect on Caspase-8 but it reduced the apoptosis and increased the expression of BDNF in Müller cells. A significant change in the expression of caspase-3 was observed in cells treated with xamoterol and salmeterol as compared to isoproterenol. Xamoterol, salmeterol and isoproterenol significantly decreased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) when treated for 24 hours. Glucose-induced cytochrome c release was disrupted in Müller cells.
CONCLUSION: β-ARs, stimulated by agonist play a protective role in hyperglycemic Müller cells, with the suppression of glucose-induced caspase-3 and cytochrome c release. B-Ars may directly mediate the gene expression of BDNF.