Lower plasma selenoprotein P levels in regularly exercising young adults / Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies

Objective@#Physical exercise can provide many health benefits in humans. Exercise-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and its downstream signaling cascades are reported to induce mitochondrial biogenesis in exercising tissues. Selenoprotein P (SELENOP) is the antioxidant hepatokine whose hypersecretion is associated with various metabolic diseases. It was reported to impair exercise-induced reactive oxygen species signaling and inhibit subsequent mitochondrial biogenesis in mice. However, the relationship between selenoprotein P and mitochondrial dynamics in humans has not yet been reported. While reduction of plasma selenoprotein P becomes an attractive therapeutic target for metabolic diseases, the role of regular exercise in this regard is still unknown. This study aimed to analyze the influence of regular habitual exercise on plasma selenoprotein P levels and its association with leucocyte mitochondrial DNA copy number in healthy young adults.@*Methodology@#Plasma selenoprotein P levels and leucocyte mitochondrial DNA copy numbers were compared in 44 regularly exercising subjects and 44 non-exercising controls, and the correlation between the two parameters was analyzed. Plasma selenoprotein P levels were measured by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay, and leucocyte mitochondrial DNA copy numbers were measured using the qPCR method.@*Results@#The regular-exercise group had lower plasma selenoprotein P levels with higher leucocyte mitochondrial DNA copy numbers than the non-exercise group. There was a tendency of negative correlation between the two variables in our studied population.@*Conclusion@#Regular habitual exercise has a beneficial effect on reducing plasma selenoprotein P levels while raising mitochondrial DNA copy numbers.

Validation of MyDiagnostick tool to identify atrial fibrillation in a multi-ethnic Asian population

INTRODUCTION@#MyDiagnostick is an atrial fibrillation (AF) screening tool that has been validated in the Caucasian population in the primary care setting.@*METHODS@#In our study, we compared MyDiagnostick with manual pulse check for AF screening in the community setting.@*RESULTS@#In our cohort of 671 candidates from a multi-ethnic Asian population, AF prevalence was found to be 1.78%. Of 12 candidates, 6 (50.0%) had a previous history of AF and another 6 (50.0%) were newly diagnosed with AF. Candidates found to have AF during the screening were older (72.0 ± 11.7 years vs. 56.0 ± 13.0 years, P < 0.0001) and had a higher CHADSVASC risk score (2.9 ± 1.5 vs. 1.5 ± 1.1, P = 0.0001). MyDiagnostick had a sensitivity of 100.0% and a specificity of 96.2%. In comparison, manual pulse check had a sensitivity of 83.3% and a specificity of 98.9%.@*CONCLUSION@#MyDiagnostick is a simple AF screening device that can be reliably used by non-specialist professionals in the community setting. Its sensitivity and specificity are comparable and validated across various studies performed in different population cohorts.

Hand washing and occurrence of diarrhoea and acute respiratory tract infection.

This cross-sectional study done in 2014 explored the hand-washing practice and its relation with the occurrence of acute diarrhoea and acute respiratory tract infection (ARI) among grades 9 and 10 students from No.1 Basic Education High School, North Okkalapa Township, Yangon Region. Altogether 380 students were selected: inclusive of 190 students from ninth grade and the same number of students from tenth grade by using multistage sampling procedure. Anonymous self-administered questionnaires were used in data collection. Results indicated that only 19.7% (95% CI = 15.9%, 24.1%) of students reported proper handwashing practices. The occurrence of acute diarrhoea and ARI among students within last three months were reported as 40.8% (95% CI = 35.9%, 45.8%) and 98.2% (95% CI = 96.2%, 99.2%), respectively. There were statistically significant associations between age (p = 0.002), gender (p =0.002), grade (p = 0.001), socio-economic status (p = 0.05) and practice of hand-washing. Moreover,proper hand-washing practice significantly influenced the occurrence of acute diarrhoea (p =0.001) and occurrence of ARI (p = 0.004) among students. Therefore, the enabling environment for hand-washing should be created for children at school as well as in their home settings. This may lead the children to adopt and sustain proper hand washing-practice in regular manner.

HIV-Related Stigma and Discriminatory Attitudes among a Semi-Urban Population Running title: HIV-related Stigma and Discriminatory Attitudes

Background: Stigma and discriminatory attitudes (SDAs) have a negative impact on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention, testing, and treatment as well as on family and social networks. There is a lack of understanding about HIV-related SDAs among people living outside large cities. Objective: This study is aimed to determine the level of HIV-related SDAs among a semiurban population in Malaysia and to compare the SDA results among people with different sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: A sample of 106 respondents was generated by convenience sampling during the screening campaign in Alor Gajah, Malaysia. Data collection was carried out based on a pre-tested questionnaire via face-to-face interviews. Results: More than half of the respondents (62.3%) thought that an HIV-positive teacher should not be allowed to continue teaching at school; 81.1% were unsure or were unwilling to care for their family member with AIDS at home; 81.2% thought children with HIV/AIDS should not continue to be raised in families; and 77.3% thought they would not reveal if a family member had HIV/AIDS. Conclusion: Priority should be given to evidence-based interventions to reduce HIV-related SDAs. This study did not reveal any significant relationship between sociodemographic profiles and HIV-related SDAs. Therefore, further research with a larger sample size is needed to investigate the underlying causes of HIV-related SDAs.

Assessing HIV and AIDS information needs of the General public using a telephone hotline in Yangon

To reduce the further spread of HIV infection and its impact on the society through the dissemination of correct information about HIV transmission and prevention in a confidential and anonymous discussion over the telephone and to assess information needs of people calling the hotline, a hotline number was advertised in three major journals and in one news paper for December 1, World AIDS day. the counsellors took note of demographic characteristics and reason for calling the hotline. A simple questionnaire was filled up by the counsellors to reflect demographic characteristics as well as behaviour risk of callers. The data gathered was analyzed using the software EpiInfo 6. Only calls during World AIDS Day were analyzed. Out of 74 calls on world AIDS Day, most of the callers were males and the mean age of female callers was 26.32 years, while males was 31.52 years, Majority of the callers were in their 20's (47 per cent) and 30's (21 per cent). Most of the callers were single. Regarding the risk practices, (26 per cent) admitted risk behaviour of whom 52 per cent said that they had multiple sexual partners, while nearly a quarter of callers said they injected drugs (21 per cent) and a quarter said they had sexual partners who had multiple sexual partners (26 per cent). When they talk about condom use, most of the young male callers asked about how to use condom properly. Regarding HIV/AIDS knowledge more than half of the callers had misconception about the basic information about HIV/AIDS. More than two thirds of the callers wanted to know how HIV is transmitted and prevented. Some of the callers expressed concern about their feelings towards the disease and some were concerned about their own personal behaviours that could put them at risk for infection. almost a quarter asked about the HIV/AIDS services available in Yangon. At least one hotline service should be established to disseminate the HIV AIDS information and also for the people who are worried about their risks. The anonymity of the conversations in the hotline might encourage people to discuss freely their sexual activities.

Evaluation of preoperative nutritional assessment in elective gastroduodenal surgery

This study is aimed "To evaluate the role and significance of nutrition in surgical practice, especially in the prediction of post-operative complications". Eighty-five patients electively operated for gastroduodenal disease in Y.G.H were studied during a period of six months, from 1-4-93 to 30-9-93. The nutritional assessment included Clinical, Anthropometric, Biochemical and Immunological parameters. Clinical malnutrition was 49.4 percent in total patients and 90 percent in complicated group during post-operative period. History of weight loss more than 20 percent was significant to predict post-operative complication. Mid-Arm Circumference (MAC), Tricep Skinfold Thickness, (TSF) and Hand Grip Strength (HGS) were also predicted nutritional markers. Serum Albumin (< 3.4 g/dl) and Total Lymphocyte counts (< 1400/dl) were also significant for prediction of post-operative morbidity. This study confirmed that preoperative nutritional status well correlated with the operative outcome and had reliable predicted capacity for the risk of postoperative complications. Hippocrates, the father of Medicine, was one of the first to recognize the association between the Nutrition and diseases. Malnutrition is one of the major causes of surgical complications. Buzby (1079) and Muller (1982) found that preoperative parenteral nutrition in gastric surgical patients reduced the postoperative mortality and morbidity. Many nutritional assessments and parameters were developed to select the proper patients for nutritional support before surgical intervention.

Measurement of heart size by mass chest X-ray in medical students

Mass miniature P-A view chest X-ray films of 83 students were taken at the TB clinic and were used for measuring the heart size. Measurements taken on 70 mm film were changed to the equivalent values for standard 6 foot chest films, by multiplying with a factor 5.23 which is the ratio between 70 mm mass miniature X-ray film and 6 foot chest film. Frontal cardiac area was also calculated. The mean heart diameters and frontal cardiac area for 54 male students were transverse diameter-11.30 cm, length-11.98 cm, breadth- 10.32 cm, frontal area-106.50 sq. cm and aortic diameter-5.3 1 cm. Those for 28 female students were: transverse diameter-10.27 cm, length-11.56, breadth-9.45 cm, frontal area-88.70 sq cm and aortic diameter-4.75 cm.

Growth pattern of Burmese school children in Mandalay and Patheingyi

A cross-sectional study of the growth and development of Burmese school children between the ages of 7-16 years was undertaken. Standing height, body weight, two chest circumferences were measured. Growth of urban and rural boys and girls were compared in corresponding age groups. The values for the urban boys are generally greater than those for rural boys. Significant difference was found especially in adolescence. The values for urban girls with a few exceptions, are higher than the rural groups.