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Osteoporosis is characterized by skeletal degeneration with low bone mass and destruction of microarchitecture of bone tissue which is attributed to various factors including inflammation. Women are more likely to develop osteoporosis than men due to reduction in estrogen during menopause which leads to decline in bone-formation and increase in bone-resorption activity. Estrogen is able to suppress production of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1, IL-6, IL-7, and TNF-α. This is why these cytokines are elevated in postmenopausal women. Studies have shown that estrogen reduction is able to stimulate focal inflammation in bone. Labisia pumila (LP) which is known to exert phytoestrogenic effect can be used as an alternative to ERT which can produce positive effects on bone without causing side effects. LP contains antioxidant as well as exerting anti-inflammatory effect which can act as free radical scavenger, thus inhibiting TNF-α production and COX-2 expression which leads to decline in RANKL expression, resulting in reduction in osteoclast activity which consequently reduces bone loss. Hence, it is the phytoestrogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative properties that make LP an effective agent against osteoporosis.

У статті на підставі системного аналізу норм чинного кримінального, цивільного та кримінального процесуального законодавства, наукових джерел з криміналістики, кримінального та кримінального процесуального права, судової медицини та інших наук, а також на підставі системного аналізу слідчо-судової практики розслідування та судового розгляду кримінальних проваджень про вбивства, вчинені з особливою жорстокістю, визначені обставини, що підлягають доказуванню у вищезазначених кримінальних провадженнях, а також обставини, що відносяться до події кримінального правопорушення, які необхідно з’ясовувати на початковому етапі розслідування вбивств з особливою жорстокістю. Визначено, що такими обставинами, окрім способу вчинення злочину у широкому розумінні, що включає в себе підготовку, механізм та приховання слідів злочину, є час вчинення злочину, його тривалість, місце вчинення злочину, обставини, що свідчать про те, що злочинець усвідомлював, що він завдає потерпілому особливих фізичних страждань, шляхом заподіяння великої кількості тілесних ушкоджень, тортур, мордування, мучення, в тому числі з використанням вогню, струму, кислоти, лугу, радіоактивних речовин, отрути, яка завдає нестерпного болю, тощо), а також має бути з’ясований та доведений факт усвідомлення винуватою особою (злочинцем), що він завдає потерпілому психічних чи моральних страждань. В роботі зроблена спроба розкритий зміст вищезазначених понять, а саме велика кількість тілесних ушкоджень, тортури, мордування, мучення, психічні, моральні страждання. Запропоновані процесуальні заходи (слідчі (розшукові) дії, судові експертизи), й криміналістичні методи, що мають бути проведені на початковому етапі розслідування та в результаті яких ці обставини можливо з’ясувати з великим ступенем ймовірності. Зроблено висновок, що оскільки мова йде про особливо тяжкий злочин, то всі кваліфікуючі ознаки цього діяння мають бути чітко визначені й закріплені у законі про кримінальну відповідальність.

Hip fractures cases are common in elderly population. After a hip fracture, around 80% of patients were unable to carry out at least one independent activity of daily living (ADL). This review attempted to provide an evidence-based literature on ADL of elderly hip fracture patients. A computerised literature search using Medline (OVID) and Scopus databases were conducted to identify relevant studies on ADL of elderly hip fracture patients that was assessed with Katz ADL score. Only articles that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included in this review. Initial search identified 314 potentially relevant articles but after careful screening, only 5 full-text articles were selected for the present review. Three studies showed an increase dependent level of the patients' ADL after hip fractures. Two studies showed not more than half of the patients were unable to regain their pre-fracture ADL level after one year of hip fracture incidence. Feeding/eating showed the highest independent activity while bathing was the lowest independent activity among patients. In conclusion, elderly hip fracture patients have declined ADL with the risk that they may never regain their pre-fracture ADL level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reflects on the areas of development in Pharmacovigilance and Adverse drug reactions reporting system. It discusses the pharmacovigilance gained momentum after thalidomide disaster, ADR definitions and classifications as proposed by the Uppsala monitoring centre and the World Health Organisation and importance of recognizing ADR , and suggests there should be balanced approach by health authorities to explain harmful effects and related benefits when a new drug is introduced.

Osteoporosis is known as a silent disease because bone density slowly decreases with advancing age and without symptoms. The incidence of osteoporosis is increasing yearly worldwide. Measuring bone mineral density (BMD) using conventional bone densitometry (DXA) is practical in diagnosis of osteoporosis but the cost is high and cannot be implemented in community. However, quantitative ultrasound (QUS) is a modern technique to measure the bone density and also for the diagnosis of osteoporosis. It is comparatively easy, reliable, less costly, and a safe method compared to other techniques. QUS consists of two main parameters which are known as broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and speed of sound (SOS). QUS can also predict fracture risk of BMD. QUS showed significantly associated with BMD, bone micro architecture and mechanical parameters for In vitro studies and in human studies, QUS were found to be associated with BMD. Hence, QUS is capable to be new technique for bone assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel germanium (Ge)-doped silica glass fibres tailor-made in Malaysia are fast gaining recognition as potential media for thermoluminescence (TL) dosimetry, with active research ongoing into exploitation of their various beneficial characteristics. Investigation is made herein of the capability of these media for use in diagnostic imaging dosimetry, specifically at the radiation dose levels typically obtained in conduct of Computed Tomography (CT). As a first step within such efforts, there is need to investigate the performance of the fibres using tightly defined spectra, use being made of a Philips constant potential industrial x-ray facility, Model MG165, located at the Malaysian Nuclear Agency Secondary Standards Dosimetry Lab (SSDL). Standard radiation beam qualities (termed RQT) have been established for CT, in accord with IEC 61267: 2003 and IAEA Technical Reports Series No. 457: 2007. A calibrated ionisation chamber has also been utilised, forming a component part of the SSDL equipment. The fabricated fibres used in this study are 2.3 mol% flat fibre (FF) of dimensions 643 × 356 μm2 and 2.3 mol% cylindrical fibre (CF) of 481 μm diameter, while the commercial fibre used is 4 mol% with core diameter of 50 μm. The dopant concentrations are nominal preform values. The fibres have been irradiated to doses of 20, 30 and 40 milligray (mGy) for each of the beam qualities RQT 8, RQT 9 and RQT 10. For x-rays generated at constant potential values from 100 to 150 kV, a discernible energy-dependent response is seen, comparisons being made with that of lithium fluoride (LiF) thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLD-100). TL yield versus dose has also been investigated for x-ray doses from 2 to 40 mGy, all exhibiting linearity. Compared to TLD-100, greater sensitivity is observed for the fibres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study was done in the ovariectomized rat model to optimize the dose of Marantodespumilum (MP) for the treatment of open wound healing activities. Materials and Methods: Total fifty-six rats were taken for this study which was split into four groups based on four extracts such as Marantodes pumilum var. pumila (MPvp) leaf and root extracts and Marantodes pumilum var. alata (MPva) leaf and root extracts; each group contains fourteen rats. Each group was further divided into seven subgroups with equally distributed rats which consisted with one control group without treatment (Control) and six treated groups with different concentrations: 0.1% Conc, 0.5% Conc, 1.0% Conc, 2.0% Conc, 3.0% Conc and 4.0% Conc of each MP extract. After punch biopsy, rats were treated with ointment prepared by cetomacrogol emulsifying agent and MP extract on daily basis, beginning from the wound creation until healed completely. The parameters studied were the macroscopic observation andthe wound area measurement. Results: Wounds with treated 1.0% and 4.0% Conc of MPvpleaf and root extracts and 2.0%, 3.0% and 4.0% Conc of MPvaleaf and root extracts were healed completely at day 9, whereas wounds of control groups were healed at day 12 for each extract group. The wound area was significantly reduced in the treated groups with 1.0% and 4.0% Conc of MPvpleaf and root extracts (p < 0.05) and 2.0%, 3.0% and 4.0% Conc of MPvaleaf and root extracts (p < 0.05) than their respective control group. Conclusion: The dose of 1.0% concentration for both leaf and root extracts of MPvp and 2.0% concentration for both leaf and root extracts of MPva exhibited the best effect to expedite for open wound healing compared to control group and other concentrations in the ovariectomized rat model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]