The balance between cognitive reserve and brain imaging biomarkers of cerebrovascular and Alzheimer's diseases.

The cognitive reserve hypothesis explains the disparity between clinical and pathological phenotypes and why, in two individuals with the same extent of neuropathology, one may be demented while the other remains cognitively intact. We examined the balance between brain magnetic resonance imaging measures of the two most common pathologies associated with brain ageing, cerebrovascular disease and Alzheimer's disease, and parameters of cerebral reserve in well-characterized participants born in 1936, for whom childhood intelligence is known. Brain magnetic resonance imaging was carried out at 1.

Initiation, growth and cryopreservation of plant cell suspension cultures.

Methods described in this paper are confined to in vitro dedifferentiated plant cell suspension cultures, which are convenient for the large-scale production of fine chemicals in bioreactors and for the study of cellular and molecular processes, as they offer the advantages of a simplified model system for the study of plants when compared with plants themselves or differentiated plant tissue cultures. The commonly used methods of initiation of a callus from a plant and subsequent steps from callus to cell suspension culture are presented in the protocol. This is followed by three different techniques for subculturing (by weighing cells, pipetting and pouring cell suspension) and four methods for growth measurement (fresh- and dry-weight cells, dissimilation curve and cell volume after sedimentation).

Prevalence of abnormal glucose tolerance and risk factors in urban and rural Malaysia.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes among rural and urban Malaysians.

Research Design And Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted among 3,879 Malaysian adults (1,335 men and 2,544 women). All subjects underwent the 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).

Identification of Achromobacter xylosoxidans by detection of the bla(OXA-114-like) gene intrinsic in this species.

Achromobacter xylosoxidans is an emerging pathogen among patients with cystic fibrosis. Here we describe a specific PCR for identification of this organism, based on detection of bla(OXA-114-like). Comparison of isolates by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis revealed evidence of cross-infection in some cases, but most patients harbored their own strain.

Prevalence of overweight and obesity among adult Malaysians: an update.

A total of 4428 adults (>18 years old) from 5 different selected regions in Peninsular and East Malaysia participated in this health survey. Using World Health Organization recommendations for body mass index (BMI), the prevalence of overweight and obesity were found to be 33.6% (95% CI= 32.

Gene expression profiling in ethnic Malays with type 2 diabetes mellitus, with and without diabetic nephropathy.

Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the most common cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients (DM) in Malaysia. This study used microarray analysis to determine the gene expression profiling in ethnic Malay patients with type 2 DM.

Methods: A total of 312 patients were recruited; 25 were on dialysis due to ESRD, 128 were classified as normoalbuminuric, 93 as microalbuminuric and 66 as macroalbuminuric, based on urine albumin to creatinine ratio of <3.

Biphasic activity of CD137 ligand-stimulated monocytes on T cell apoptosis and proliferation.

CD137L (4-1BBL) is a member of the TNFSF and is expressed on APCs as a transmembrane protein. Reverse signaling by CD137L in monocytes causes cell activation and differentiation to mature inflammatory DCs that can stimulate T cell proliferation. However, CD137L agonists have also been reported to induce apoptosis in PBMCs.

Metastasis tumour suppressor-1 and the aggressiveness of prostate cancer cells.

Previous studies have suggested that metastasis tumour suppressor-1 (MTSS1) plays a key role in cancer metastasis. Firstly, in this study we assessed MTSS1 expression levels in prostate cancer cell lines to reveal any changes in cell properties. Secondly, we aimed to clarify the cellular function of MTSS1 in prostate cancer cells.

Safety and tolerability of once or twice daily neutral protamine hagedorn insulin in fasting pregnant women with diabetes during Ramadan.

Aim: To evaluate the safety and tolerability of once or twice daily neutral protamine hagedorn (NPH) insulin in fasting pregnant diabetics during Ramadan.

Methods: This was a prospective cohort study conducted during Ramadan 2006 and 2007. Twenty four pregnant diabetic women were given NPH insulin once at 5 pm or twice daily at 5 pm and 5 am.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its risk factors in adult Malaysians: results of a nationwide survey.

Aim: To report the national prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its risk factors among adult Malaysians (>18 years old) based on World Health Organization (WHO), the National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel III (ATP III)(,) International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the 'Harmonized' criteria.

Methods: A multi-stage stratified sampling method was used to select 4341 subjects from Peninsular and East Malaysia. Subjects underwent physical and clinical examinations.

Thyroid autoantibodies and associated complications during pregnancy.

This study was undertaken to determine the presence of thyroid autoantibodies and associated pregnancy complications from 49 pregnant women with thyroid disease. There were 31 (63%) women with Graves' disease (GD) and 18 (37%) with primary hypothyroidism (PHT). A total of 26 (53.

Calcium Intake, Vitamin D and Bone Health Status of Post-menopausal Chinese Women in Kuala Lumpur.

Bone health status was investigated in 178 free-living Chinese post-menopausal women in Kuala Lumpur. Body mass index (BMI), body composition (using whole body DXA), calcium intake and serum 25-OH vitamin D status were measured along with biochemical markers of bone turnover, that is, pro-collagen Type 1 N-terminal peptide (P1NP), osteocalcin (OC) and C-telopeptide β cross link of Type 1 collagen (CTX- β). Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured using DXA (Hologic, USA) at the lumbar spine, femoral neck and total hip.

Steven Johnson syndrome in a patient with Cushing's disease.

Cushing's syndrome is a pathological condition associated with excessive cortisol production, the commonest etiology being Cushing's disease. Corticosteroids in high doses have been used in the management of Steven Johnson Syndrome (SJS) with favourable outcome. We describe a patient with Cushing's disease who developed SJS, one week after taking sperulina a product from sea-weed while waiting for transphenoidal surgery.

Gluteal compartment syndrome: a case report.

Introduction: Gluteal compartment syndrome is a rare, often unrecognized syndrome that may manifest as renal failure, sepsis, and death. Delay in diagnosis can result in significant morbidity and possible mortality. We report a case of occult gluteal compartment syndrome causing unresolving rhabdomyolysis.

Hypercoagulable state and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T mutation in patients with beta-thalassemia major in Kuwait.

Introduction: Patients with thalassemia major often present with a hypercoagulable state, the pathogenesis of which is still not understood.

Materials And Methods: This study evaluates the risk factors for hypercoagulability in 50 beta-thalassemia major patients and 50 healthy controls. Fasting total homocysteine, protein C (PC), protein S (PS), antithrombin (AT), activated protein C resistance (APCR) and lupus anticoagulant (LA) were assessed.

Metabolic changes of salicylic acid-elicited Catharanthus roseus cell suspension cultures monitored by NMR-based metabolomics.

The effect of salicylic acid (SA) on the metabolic profile of Catharanthus roseus suspension cells throughout a time course (0, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h after treatment) was investigated using NMR spectroscopy and multivariate data analysis. When compared to control cell lines, SA-treated cells showed a high level of sugars (glucose and sucrose) up to 48 h after treatment, followed by a dynamic change in amino acids, phenylpropanoids, and tryptamine. Additionally, one compound--2,5-dihydroxybenzoic-5-O-glucoside--was detected solely in SA-treated cells.

Wall motion abnormalities with low-dose dobutamine predict a high risk of cardiac death in medically treated patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Background: Severe and extensive coronary artery disease is the underlying cause of stress-induced wall motion abnormalities (SWMA) with low-dose (10 microg/kg/min) dobutamine suggesting that these abnormalities may identify those with poor outcome.

Hypothesis: We assessed the prognostic value of low-dose SWMA in medically treated patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Methods: Low- and peak-dose dobutamine echocardiography was performed in 235 patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ejection fraction 31% +/- 8%) who were treated with medical therapy.

Recovery after resuscitation from cardiac arrest in ST-elevation myocardial infarction: a computer-based medical decision-support tool.

Prediction of outcomes in ST-elevation myocardial infarction with cardiac arrest often presents difficult clinical decision making. Using the observed results from our institution's data, we introduce a customized, computer-based decision support tool to assist in evaluating and predicting outcomes in such situations. We conclude that this tool can be beneficial to clinicians in decision making or triage of this condition.

Mechanical complications of long-term Tesio catheters.

Vascular access catheters such as Tesio-Caths are preferentially inserted in the internal jugular vein and serve as access for hemodialysis. Complications related to the removal of these types of lines are uncommon. We report four patients in whom the tip of the Tesio-Cath broke and was left stuck in the superior vena cava.

Biosynthesis of salicylic acid in fungus elicited Catharanthus roseus cells.

Feeding experiments using [1-(13)C]-d-glucose to Catharanthus roseus (L.) G.Don cell suspension cultures followed by elicitation with Pythium aphanidermatum extract were performed in order to study the salicylic acid (SA) biosynthetic pathway and that of 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,3-DHBA) as a comparison.

Survival and neurologic recovery in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction resuscitated from cardiac arrest.

Objectives: We examined outcomes of patients resuscitated from cardiac arrest owing to ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and predictors of survival and neurologic recovery.

Background: Immediately after resuscitation from cardiac arrest owing to STEMI, many patients show signs of neurologic impairment, and benefits of percutaneous coronary intervention and subsequent prognosis are not well defined.

Methods: Between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2006, we retrospectively identified consecutive patients resuscitated from cardiac arrest, regardless of time to return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and neurologic status, and reviewed the outcomes of those who had STEMI.

A case of Hashimoto encephalopathy in a Malay woman with Graves disease.

Hashimoto encephalopathy (HE) is a poorly recognised steroid-responsive encephalopathy, with prominent neuropsychiatric features. Diagnosis is often difficult due to its heterogeneous clinical presentation, especially since the thyroid status or anti-thyroid antibody titres may not be related to the disease state. Here, the case of a 23-year-old Malay woman with Graves disease who presented with progressive encephalopathy diagnosed as HE is presented.

Prevalence and risk factors for anabolic-androgenic steroid abuse among Jordanian collegiate students and athletes.

Background: The study was conducted to measure the extent of androgenic steroids abuse among two targeted groups in Jordan, college students and athletes, and the risk factors associated with this abuse.

Methods: Five hundred and three Jordanian collegiate students and 154 bodybuilding athletes completed a three section questionnaire that investigated demographic information, prevalence of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) and attitude towards steroids abuse.

Results: Of the investigated collegiate students, 4.

Sweet's syndrome in a patient with Crohn's disease: a case report.

Background: Sweet's syndrome, also known as acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis, has been associated with malignancy, autoimmune disease and collagen vascular disease. The association of Crohn's disease and Sweet's syndrome is rare. We report a case of Sweet's syndrome in a patient with Crohn's disease.