The purpose of this study was to shed light on the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a rural community and examine whether or not serum adipocytokine levels are associated with the Diagnostic Criteria for MetS and how many MetS components laid down in the standards subjects have. The subjects were 2,858 people (1,744men and 1,114 women, mean age 49.8+/-9.9 yrs) who had participated in our health screening program between April and December, 2005. After obtaining informed consent from them, we measured serum leptin, adiponectin and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels, while performing routine blood tests. In the present study, these measurements were used in combination with the number of MetS components applicable to the conditions of our subjects. Two hundred men (11.5%) and 25 women (2.2%) were diagnosed with MetS. The number of MetS women was extremely small. Those women who were above the standard waist circumference of above 90cm accounted for 8.7% of the total. Thus, most women subjects were excluded as MetS candidates here. The leptin levels of the MetS group were higher than those of the non-MetS group in accordance with the number of applicable components in the diagnostic standards for MetS. Especially, the MetS group which met three MetS criteria showed significantly high leptin levels (p/5=0.0081) of 5.26+/-1.86 (ng/ml) compared to 3.31+/-1.44 (ng/ml) of the non-MetS group with waist circumference below 85cm. On the other hand, no significant difference was noted between the groups in adiponectin level. However, in contrast to leptin levels, adiponectin levels were lower in the group having three MetS components than the non-MetS group 4.37+/-1.57 (ng/ml) as against 5.52+/-3.34 (ng/ml). High-sensitivity CRP levels did not show any significant difference between the two groups.As regards the cutoff value of women's waist circumference, further study needs to be done. It was suggested that serum leptin levels might be closely related to the diagnostic criteria for MetS and the number of MetS components applicable.
Human Females ; Leptin ; ng/mL ; seconds ; adiponectin

To determine the prognostic factors such as age, diagnosis, number of cycle attempts and semen parameters on the pregnancy rate of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) /intrauterine insemination (IUI). Three hundred and seventeen women who underwent 507 consecutive COH/IUI cycles were recruited from 1st January 2002 to 31st December 2005 inclusively. This retrospective study was done in University Malaya Medical Centre, a tertiary care academic centre. The main outcome measure was pregnancy rate according to age, infertility diagnosis, duration of infertility, semen parameters, and the number of treatment cycles. The overall pregnancy rates were 16.9% per cycle and 25.9% per couple. Pregnancy rates decreased with advancing maternal age. Pregnancy rate was also significantly lower in patient with postwash total motile sperm count (TMSC) < or = 20 million/ml compared to those with TMSC >20 million/ml. The cumulative pregnancy rates varied greatly by diagnosis from 16% for patients with male factor infertility to 60% for patients with ovulatory disorder. Pregnancies among patients with male infertility, tubal factors infertility and endometriosis were achieved during the first three cycles. There is a clear age-related decline in fecundity associated with COH/IUI treatment. Women of > 40 years old, couple with postwash TMSC < or = 20 million/ml, severe endometriosis and tubal factors have a particularly poor prognosis.
Pregnancy ; Infertility ; Intrauterine artificial insemination ; /mL ; Diagnostic

Seven Malaysian medicinal plants were screened for their antiplasmodial activities in vitro. These plants were selected based on their traditional claims for treatment or to relieve fever. The plant extracts were obtained from Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM). The antiplasmodial activities were carried out using the pLDH assay to Plasmodium falciparum D10 strain (sensitive strain) while the cytotoxic activities were carried out towards Madin- Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cells using MTT assay. The concentration of extracts used for both screening assays were from the highest concentration 64 microg/ml, two fold dilution to the lowest concentration 0.03 microg/ml. Goniothalamus macrophyllus (stem extract) showed more than 60% growth inhibition while Goniothalamus scortechinii root and stem extract showed a 90% and more than 80% growth inhibition at the last concentration tested, 0.03 microg/ml. The G. scortechini (leaves extract) showed an IC50 (50% growth inhibition) at 8.53 microg/ml, Ardisia crispa (leaves extract) demonstrated an IC50 at 5.90 +/- 0.14 microg/ml while Croton argyratus (leaves extract) showed a percentage inhibition of more than 60% at the tested concentration. Blumea balsamifera root and stem showed an IC50 at 26.25 +/- 2.47 microg/ml and 7.75 +/- 0.35 microg/ ml respectively. Agathis borneensis (leaves extract) demonstrated a 50% growth inhibition at 11.00 +/- 1.41 microg/ml. The study gives preliminary scientific evidence of these plant extracts in line with their traditional claims.
ug ; /mL ; seconds ; Concentration ; Psychological inhibition

In the present study we examined the effect of E. longifolia methanol extract (TA164) on the GSH levels of P. falciparum infected erythrocytes and uninfected erythrocytes. Our study on parasite growth shows the IC50 and IC75 values of TA164 to be 0.17 g/ml and 6 g/ml respectively while for BSO was 25.5 g/ml and 46.5 g/ml respectively. About 95% to 100% growth inhibition of P. falciparum infected erythrocyte was observed when treated with TA164 and BSO at 16 g/ml and 64 g/ml respectively. The study on GSH contents indicated that non-infected erythrocytes treated with 6 g/ml (IC75 values) of TA164 at 24 hours incubation showed less GSH content as compared to non-treated erythrocytes. A similar observation was seen on treated trophozoite infected erythrocyte (10% parasitemia) when treated with 6 g/ml at 3 hours incubation. Analysis of the GSH contents of parasite compartments treated with TA164 at the same concentration (6 g/ml) for 3 hours incubation indicated a reduction of GSH contents. At the same concentration, TA164 did not affect the GSH contents of enriched trophozoite infected erythrocytes (60-70% parasitemia). TA164 did affect the GSH content of non-infected erythrocyte at 24 hours (accept IC50 value) as well as the parasite compartments (trophozoite infected erythrocyte and parasite itself) but fails to affect the GSH content of enriched trophozoite infected erythrocyte.
Erythrocytes ; g <3> ; /mL ; Parasites ; Affect

Platelet-activation factor (PAF), one of the potent proinflammatory mediators, is produced from a large range of cells, including polymorphonuclear neutrophils, monocytes, and natural killer cells. To study the role of PAF in the pathogenesis of silicosis, we determined the PAF in silicotic patients and in healthy persons. The results showed that the concentration of PAF in the plasma of silicotic patients was significantly higher than that of healthy persons. Our in vitro experimental results showed that the total numbers of fibroblasts were markedly raised with added PAF from 0 to 1 μ g/ml. Adding 1 μ g/ml PAF significantly increased the total numbers of fibroblasts after culture for 48, 72, 96 hrs. Therefore, we suggest that PAF be possibly involved in the pathogenesis of silicosis. However, the mechanism remains to be further elucidated.
Platelet Activating Factor ; g <3> ; Pathogenesis ; /mL ; Effective

Use of synthetic hydroxyapatite (HA) in biomedical applications is well warranted. It has shown to have an excellent biocompatibility in human tooth and bones. Additionally it has been documented to possess antibacterial potentials. The present study was conducted to assess the presence of any such potential in locally produced (HA) using Streptococcus mutans, a common pathogen in the oral cavity. The study was carried out using 50, 100, 150, 200, 300, 400 and 800 mg/ml concentration of HA. The antibacterial property of HA was assessed using Miles and Misra method. Our studies showed that bacterial growth inhibitions of S. mutans occurred from 50 mg/ml, and complete inhibition was perceived at concentrations at 200mg/ml of HA. The antibacterial property HA should be used to good advantage as a bioactive biomaterial in dental and maxillofacial applications.
Sjogren's syndrome B antibody ; /mL ; Durapatite ; Antibacterial ; biomaterial compatibility