A 16-Week Home-Based Progressive Resistance Tube Training Among Older Adults With Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus: Effect on Glycemic Control.

Research has proven that aerobic exercise improves glucose homeostasis among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Elastic resistance (tube or band) is suggested as a good alternative for home-based strength training among older adults including those with T2DM due to its low cost, simplicity, portability, and versatility. This study aimed to measure the effects of 16-week home-based progressive resistance training (PRT), using a resistance tube on glucose homeostasis and cardiovascular risk factors among older adults with T2DM.

Testing dataset for head segmentation accuracy for the algorithms in the 'BGSLibrary' v3.0.0 developed by Andrews Sobral.

This dataset consists of video files that were created to test the accuracy of background segmentation algorithms contained in the ++ wrapper 'BGSLibrary' v3.0.0 developed by Andrews Sobral.

A new method of mark detection for software-based optical mark recognition.

Software optical mark recognition (SOMR) is the process whereby information entered on a survey form or questionnaire is converted using specialized software into a machine-readable format. SOMR normally requires input fields to be completely darkened, have no internal labels, or be filled with a soft pencil, otherwise mark detection will be inaccurate. Forms can also have print and scan artefacts that further increase the error rate.

Novel calcium infusion regimen after parathyroidectomy for renal hyperparathyroidism.

Aim: Calcium infusion is used after parathyroid surgery for renal hyperparathyroidism to treat postoperative hypocalcaemia. We compared a new infusion regimen to one commonly used in Malaysia based on 2003 K/DOQI guidelines.

Methods: Retrospective data on serum calcium and infusion rates was collected from 2011-2015.

Examining the Disability Model From the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health Using a Large Data Set of Community-Dwelling Malaysian Older Adults.

Objective: This study examines the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health model (ICF) using a data set of 2,563 community-dwelling elderly with disease-independent measures of mobility, physical activity, and social networking, to represent ICF constructs.

Method: The relationship between chronic disease and disability (independent and dependent variables) was examined using logistic regression. To demonstrate variability in activity performance with functional impairment, graphing was used.

Factors associated with dietary diversity score among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Studies on diet quality among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are scarce. This crosssectional study aimed to assess the diet quality and to determine its associated factors among individuals with T2DM at the Medical Outpatients Department, Serdang Hospital, Selangor, Malaysia, from July 2010 to March 2011. Subjects were interviewed for sociodemographic data.

SRJ23, a new semisynthetic andrographolide derivative: in vitro growth inhibition and mechanisms of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in prostate cancer cells.

Purpose: 3,19-(3-Chloro-4-fluorobenzylidene)andrographolide (SRJ23), a new semisynthetic derivative of andrographolide (AGP), exhibited selectivity against prostate cancer cells in the US National Cancer Institute (NCI) in vitro anti-cancer screen. Herein, we report the in vitro growth inhibition and mechanisms of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induced by SRJ23.

Methods: 3-(4,5-Dimethythiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used in assessing in vitro growth inhibition of compounds against prostate cancer (PC-3, DU-145 and LNCaP) and mouse macrophage (RAW 264.

Sweet potato for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is among the most nutritious subtropical and tropical vegetables. It is also used in traditional medicine practices for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Research in animal and human models suggests a possible role of sweet potato in glycaemic control.

A randomized placebo-controlled trial of alphacalcidol on the preservation of beta cell function in children with recent onset type 1 diabetes.

Background & Aims: This participant-blinded parallel-group randomized placebo-controlled study demonstrated that alfacalcidol (vitamin D analogue) preserves beta cell function in newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes (T1DM) in children.

Methods: Subjects from outpatient clinic were randomized to intervention and control groups. Inclusion: (1) age 8-15, (2) T1DM, (3) duration <8 weeks, (4) no chronic diseases, (5) stable diet.

Colesevelam for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Colesevelam is a second-generation bile acid sequestrant that has effects on both blood glucose and lipid levels. It provides a promising approach to glycaemic and lipid control simultaneously.

Objectives: To assess the effects of colesevelam for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Malignant melanoma of the foot in patients with diabetes mellitus--a trap for the unwary.

Melanomas on the foot are difficult to differentiate from diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). In particular, acral lentiginous and amelanotic melanomas have a high chance of being misdiagnosed. We present two patients with diabetes mellitus and malignant melanomas of the foot initially diagnosed as DFU.

Pre-operative serum alkaline phosphatase as a predictor for hypocalcemia post-parathyroid adenectomy.

Background: Post-operative hypocalcemia (POH) may complicate parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism. This study investigates the relationship between POH and pre-operative risk factors to identify a simple method to predict POH risk.

Methods: Retrospective data on risk factors for 29 patients was collected for age, pre-operative serum calcium, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), parathyroid hormone (PTH), adenoma size, gender, and bisphosphonate pre-treatment.

Sweet potato for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is among the most nutritious subtropical and tropical vegetables. It is also used in traditional medicine practices for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Research in animal and human models suggests a possible role of sweet potato in glycaemic control.

Vitamin D status and associated factors in recent-onset type 1 diabetic children in Iran.

Background: In this study, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was assessed in a group of children and adolescent patients with recent-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

Methods: Fifty-three patients with age 8-18 years and duration of T1DM less than 8 weeks were recruited. A food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to assess dietary vitamin D and calcium intake.

Carbohydrates for improving the cognitive performance of independent-living older adults with normal cognition or mild cognitive impairment.

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an intermediate state between normal cognition and dementia in which daily function is largely intact. This condition may present an opportunity for research into the prevention of dementia. Carbohydrate is an essential and easily accessible macronutrient which influences cognitive performance.

Assessment of factors influencing morale in the elderly.

Background: We examined the relationship between morale measured by the Philadelphia Geriatric Morale Scale (PGC) and disability, social support, religiosity, and personality traits. Instruments predicting morale were then tested against PGC domains.

Methods: The study utilized a cross-sectional survey with a multistage cluster sampling design.

The National Stem Cell Therapy Patient Registry of Malaysia--measuring clinical outcomes of stem cell therapy.

Very few registries worldwide focus on clinical outcomes of stem cell therapy (SCT) as the large number of applications and rapid development of the field complicates registry design considerably. The National Stem Cell Therapy Patient Registry of Malaysia aims to accommodate this by using a main protocol which covers the overall design and administration of the registry, and condition-specific sub-protocols which deal with outcome measures. The registry will start with a few sub-protocols covering existing modes of SCT in Malaysia, with new sub-protocols released periodically as the need arises.

Efficacy of an intravenous calcium gluconate infusion in controlling serum calcium after parathyroidectomy for secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Introduction: Intravenous calcium gluconate has been used to prevent postoperative hypocalcaemia (POH) following parathyroidectomy for secondary hyperparathyroidism in chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Materials And Methods: Retrospective data were obtained for 36 patients with CKD stage 4 and 5 after parathyroid surgery, correlating albumin-corrected serum calcium with the infusion rate of calcium gluconate. Calcium flux was characterised along with excursions out of the target calcium range of 2 to 3 mmol/L.

Articular cartilage regeneration with autologous marrow aspirate and hyaluronic Acid: an experimental study in a goat model.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to determine whether postoperative intra-articular injections of autologous marrow aspirate (MA) and hyaluronic acid (HA) after subchondral drilling resulted in better cartilage repair as assessed histologically by Gill scoring.

Methods: In a goat model we created a 4-mm full-thickness articular cartilage defect in the stifle joint (equivalent to 1.6 cm in the human knee) and conducted subchondral drilling.

Metabolic control in type 2 diabetes correlates weakly with patient adherence to oral hypoglycaemic treatment.

Introduction: Patient adherence to treatment is viewed as essential to good metabolic control in diabetes. Our primary objective was to determine if self-reported patient adherence correlated strongly with metabolic control. Our secondary objective was to determine the natural grouping of factors which influence adherence.

Intraepidermal nerve fiber density as a marker of early diabetic neuropathy.

The purpose of the study was to reliably identify an early stage of diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) by measuring injury to epidermal nerve fibers. We compared intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) at the ankle and thigh of 29 diabetic subjects who had no clinical or electrophysiological evidence of small- or large-fiber neuropathy to that of 84 healthy controls. The mean ankle IENFD of diabetic subjects was 9.

Calcinosis cutis with siliconomas complicated by hypercalcemia.

Objective: To report a case of extensive calcinosis cutis presumably caused by silicone injections, which was complicated by hypercalcemia.

Methods: A long-standing case of calcinosis cutis with subsequent development of hypercalcemia is presented, and possible mechanisms for the underlying metabolic dysfunction are discussed.

Results: A 78-year-old woman presented with severe hypercalcemia and was found to have extensive subcutaneous calcifications on the anterior chest wall and abdomen, likely related to previous silicone injections.