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.

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.