Publications by authors named "W L Oo"
Cardiovascular Disease [CVD], the leading cause of death globally, poses a significant burden on the healthcare sector. Its association with stress and Cushing's Syndrome has driven cortisol, the 'stress hormone,' to be a potential candidate in determining CVD risk. Cortisol synthesis and release through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal [HPA] axis are regulated by several hormones and receptors involved in the pathological cascade towards CVD.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe pitviper species Trimeresurus caudornatus was recently described based on only two specimens from Nabang Town, Yingjiang County, Yunnan Province, China. Here, we provide additional data on this species based on a re-examination of 19 preserved specimens, 16 specimens reported in earlier literature sources, and additional photo-documented records from northern Myanmar (Burma) and adjacent China. All new specimens were previously identified as Trimeresurus albolabris sensu lato or Trimeresurus septentrionalis sensu lato.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUsing atomic force microscopy experiments and molecular dynamics simulations of gold nanoislands on graphite, we investigate why ultralow friction commonly associated with structural lubricity can be observed even under ambient conditions. Measurements conducted within a few days after sample synthesis reveal previously undiscovered phenomena in structurally lubric systems: , a drop in kinetic friction of an order of magnitude shortly after the onset of sliding; , a significant increase in kinetic friction forces after a rest period of 30 min or more; and , spontaneous jumps between distinct friction branches. These three effects are drastically suppressed a few weeks later.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Osteoarthritis is a common condition, but the link between specific serum biomarkers like calcium, vitamin D, and C-reactive protein (CRP) and mortality in these patients is not well understood.
- This study analyzed data from over 500,000 individuals, focusing on 49,082 with osteoarthritis, to assess the impact of these biomarkers on mortality over 15 years.
- High serum calcium, low serum calcium, vitamin D insufficiency, and high CRP levels were all significantly related to increased all-cause mortality and cardiovascular deaths among the osteoarthritis population.
Article Synopsis
- Osteoarthritis is a major disability cause, and exploring antidiabetic medications as disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOADs) could significantly improve treatment options.
- A comprehensive analysis involving genetic methodologies identified 14 potential drug targets among clinical antidiabetic medications, revealing different relationships between these drugs and osteoarthritis risk.
- Notably, certain medications, like sulfonylureas, increased osteoarthritis risk, while thiazolidinediones and others were linked to reduced risk in specific joints, hinting at promising new therapeutic approaches.