1.Histopathological changes of Macaca mulatta infected with Plasmodium knowlesi
L CHEN ; GQ LI ; YZ LU ; ZL LUO
Chinese Medical Journal 2001;114(10):1073-1077
Objective To study the histopathological changes of relevant intemal organs of Macaca mulatta infected with Plasmodium knowlesi ( P. knowlesi). Methods Histopathological examination of 3 monkeys who died of P. knowlesi infection, 2 P. knowlesi infected monkeys who died of treatment failure with artesunate suppository and 1 P. knowlesi infected monkey that was cured by piperaquine phosphate (PQP) but died of trauma and necrosis of the fore limb. Results The heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, brain, pancreas, parathyriod, pituitary and lymph nodes showed severe pathological changes in 3 monkeys (No. 1, 7 and 12) who died of P. knowlesi infection and 1 infected monkey (No. 72) who died of treatment failure with artesunate suppository. Red blood cells containing rmalarial parasites and pigments were concentrated in the capillaries of these organs. Malarial pigments were deposited in many organs or phagocytized by macrophages in 1 monkey (No. 131 ), it was cured by piperaquine phosphate but died of trauma and necrosis of the fore limb; cellular atrophy and disappearance of pancreatic islets, parathyroid and pituitary cells were also observed. One monkey (No. 33) treated with artesunate suppository, showed that blood parasites became negative but recrudesced and pituiary later died from a gavage accident. Its organs showed a significant difference to those of the infected monkeys receiving no treatment. Only the liver Kupffer cells and cerebral matrix contained malarial parasites and pigments; many relevant intemal organs showed repair. Conclusion The pathological changes of relevant internal organs of Macaca mulatta infected with P. knowlesi were examined in detail, especially cellular atrophy and the disappearance of pancreatic islets, parathyoid and pituitary cells and myolysis of cardiac muscles. These changes have not previously been reported elsewhere.
2.Impact of Knowledge and Attitudes on Lifestyle Practices in Preventing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
Benson Wg ANG ; Mui Yee TAN ; Cheryl My GOH ; Sylwan RAHARDJA ; Beatrice Y LIM ; Wenqi CHIEW ; Thurston Yj HENG ; Kuang Ian TAN ; Jenies Hx FOO ; Sarah Zl THAM ; Jason Ks CHNG ; Wei Jie SEOW ; Nan LUO
Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 2019;48(8):247-263
INTRODUCTION:
Diabetes mellitus is a major public health issue in Singapore. To shape healthcare policies for the primary prevention of diabetes, it is crucial to understand Singaporeans' knowledge, attitudes and practices related to diabetes and its prevention. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and lifestyles of individuals without diabetes.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
A cross-sectional household survey was performed between 31 January to 3 February 2019 to examine knowledge, attitudes and practices related to diabetes. Inclusion criteria of the participants included: 1) Singaporeans/permanent residents, 2) between 30 to 64 years old, and 3) who did not have a diagnosis of diabetes. Logistic and linear regression models were used to analyse the association of knowledge and attitudes with physical activity and diet habits, respectively.
RESULTS:
Among 806 participants, 72.2% did not meet the Health Promotion Board's physical activity recommendation. Physical activity was associated with better diabetes knowledge (odds ratio [OR] 5.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.65-17.53, = 0.049), stronger beliefs in diabetes prevention (OR 3.36, 95% CI = 1.02-11.12, = 0.047) and lower levels of worry about diabetes (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.17-1.00, = 0.049). Neither knowledge nor beliefs or worries about diabetes was associated with diet.
CONCLUSION
There is a need to reinforce the importance of physical activity and healthy diet in preventing diabetes. Although improving the knowledge level of diabetes may increase physical activity of the population, it is unlikely to improve dietary choices without effective behavior change interventions.