The influence of extended warranty policy in Malaysian culture perspective : a case study in automobile

The term of extended warranty has recently appeared in Malaysia industrial market, although it has appeared in the developing countries for quite since the passage of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty—Federal Trade Commission Improvement Act in 1975. Since that era, researchers and scholars has been extensively studied it. In this paper our goal is to study the Malaysian consumers’ perception toward the extended warranty policy, where we have taken Automobile industrial market as our case study to support our believe that Malaysia which is one of the developing countries in terms of industry, and the automobile market represent from the high marketing level. From that perception, we believe that we can obtain a high investigation records in terms of scale of consumers perception. In this paper we have under taken a survey method as a methodology for conducting the data collection. In particular we have designed questionnaire as our instrumental to assist our investigation in collecting required information from the Malaysian consumers. SPSS software has been used to aid the statistical analysis and analyzed of the data that have been collected using the questionnaire methodology. As a summary, by conducting our survey and gathering the data collection from respondents, we are able to analyze our data and come out with results that can answer our research questions and fulfill our objective

Staphylococcus induced bone loss and destruction in osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis and Septic arthritis are infections of the bone or joint / subchondral bone respectively, which results in significant patient morbidity and mortality. The incidence of osteomyelitis is as high as 1 in every 5,000, with the most causative microorganisms to induce these infections being Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, respectively. S. aureus and S. epidermidis are two gram positive bacteria that are found to colonise humans in high frequency as part of the normal bacterial flora. They are termed ‘opportunistic pathogens’ because when they gain access to typically sterile areas in the body they can cause infection. Osteomyelitis and Septic arthritis cause severe irreversible bone loss and destruction, and treatment of these infections are reliant on antibiotics. Unfortunately due to antibiotic resistant staphylococcal strains this treatment has become increasing unsuccessful and therefore elaborating the pathogenic mechanisms has become imperative. Currently the infectious mechanism(s) by which Staphylococci colonise, infect and induce bone loss / destruction is poorly understood. This research thesis identifies that Staphylococcal cell wall proteins mediate attachment to osteoblasts, resulting in multiple signals that may account for bone loss and destruction in patients. Understanding the molecular mechanism of Staphylococcal induced bone infections may help aid in the development of better and new treatments, rather than our over reliance of antibiotics that we have in our hospitals today. We describe for the first time the virulence of S. aureus SpA, expressed in \u3e 90% of S. aureus strains, in binding to osteoblasts and inducing multiple signals for bone loss and destruction. We have identified that S. aureus SpA binds to highly expressed Tumour necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1) on osteoblasts, contributing to ~ 50% of the overall binding interaction. S. aureus SpA mimics TNF-a in binding TNFR1, and upon doing so activates downstream signalling of NFkB transcription. NFkB results in adverse effects on osteoblast, in terms of bone formation and resorption. S. aureus SpA induced apoptosis (Caspase 3 and Annexin V), inhibited osteoblast proliferation and osteogenic marker expression (alkaline phosphatase, osteopontin and subsequent mineralisation). Furthermore S. aureus SpA led to a bone resorptive state by the induction of RANKL and inhibition of OPG signalling from infected osteoblast, resulting in preosteoclast migration towards infected cells and consequent initiation of osteoclastogenesis. These adverse events were not observed when using S. aureus isogenic mutant strain defective in SpA or TNFR1 silenced osteoblast, while over expressing SpA in an isogenic mutant of S. aureus led to an increase of these adverse effects on bone formation and resorption. Moreover we have identified S. epidermidis SdrG, expressed in \u3e 90% of S. epidermidis strains, facilitates binding to an unknown osteoblast integrin. This binding interaction was strong in the presence of fibrinogen but not abolished in the absence of it, and may suggests that SdrG utilises a fibrinogen bridge to bind to an osteoblast integrin which may bind also to fibrinogen. SdrG effected osteoblast proliferation by inhibition and removal of SdrG did not completely recover osteoblast growth, and is indicative of a secondary binding interaction. Moreover S. epidermidis binding additionally induced osteoblast cell death independently of SdrG, raising an emphasis to elucidate on the other binding mechanism(s) of S. epidermidis to osteoblasts to induce bone infections

The osteogenic potential of the marine-derived multi-mineral formula aquamin is enhanced by the presence of vitamin D.

Bone degenerative diseases are on the increase globally and are often problematic to treat. This has led to a demand to identify supplements that aid bone growth and formation. Aquamin is a natural multi-mineral food supplement, derived from the red algae Lithothamnion species which contains calcium, magnesium and 72 other trace minerals. It has been previously reported to increase bone formation and mineralisation. This study aimed to investigate the 28 day in vitro osteogenic response of Aquamin supplemented with Vitamin D. The osteogenic potential of MC3T3-E1 osteoblast-like cells was analysed in standard osteogenic medium supplemented with Aquamin +/- Vitamin D3, and the controls consisted of osteogenic medium, +/- Vitamin D3. Proliferation of osteoblasts, metabolic activity and cell viability did not differ between Aquamin and the osteogenic control groups. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels and mineralisation were increased by the supplementation of Aquamin, and the addition of Vitamin D3 increased mineralisation for all groups. The combination of Aquamin and Vitamin D3 yielded a significant increase in ALP and mineralisation over Aquamin alone and the standard osteogenic control +/- Vitamin D3. This study demonstrates that Aquamin aids osteogenesis, and that its osteogenic response can be enhanced by combining Aquamin with Vitamin D3

Staphylococcus aureus protein A plays a critical role in mediating bone destruction and bone loss in osteomyelitis.

Staphylococcus aureus is the most frequent causative organism of osteomyelitis. It is characterised by widespread bone loss and bone destruction. Previously we demonstrated that S. aureus protein A (SpA) is capable of binding to tumour necrosis factor receptor-1 expressed on pre-osteoblastic cells, which results in signal generation that leads to cell apoptosis resulting in bone loss. In the current report we demonstrate that upon S. aureus binding to osteoblasts it also inhibits de novo bone formation by preventing expression of key markers of osteoblast growth and division such as alkaline phosphatase, collagen type I, osteocalcin, osteopontin and osteocalcin. In addition, S. aureus induces secretion of soluble RANKL from osteoblasts which in turn recruits and activates the bone resorbing cells, osteoclasts. A strain of S. aureus defective in SpA failed to affect osteoblast growth or proliferation and most importantly failed to recruit or activate osteoclasts. These results suggest that S. aureus SpA binding to osteoblasts provides multiple coordinated signals that accounts for bone loss and bone destruction seen in osteomyelitis cases. A better understanding of the mechanisms through which S. aureus leads to bone infection may improve treatment or lead to the development of better therapeutic agents to treat this notoriously difficult disease

A Natural, Calcium-rich Marine Multi-material Complex Preserves Bone Structure, Composition and Strength in an Ovariectomized Rat Model of Osteoporosis

Calcium supplements are used as an aid in the prevention of osteopenia and osteoporosis and also for the treatment of patients when used along with medication. Many of these supplements are calcium carbonate based. This study compared a calcium-rich, marine multi-mineral complex (Aquamin) to calcium carbonate in an ovariectomised rat model of osteoporosis in order to assess Aquamin’s efficacy in preventing the onset of bone loss. Animals were randomly assigned to either non-ovariectomy control (Control), ovariectomy (OVX) plus calcium carbonate, ovariectomy plus Aquamin or ovariectomy plus Aquamin delay where Aquamin treatment started 8 weeks post OVX. At the end of the 20-week study, the trabecular architecture was measured using micro computed tomography, bone composition was assessed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the mechanical properties were assessed using nanoindentation and three-point bend testing. The study demonstrates that oral ingestion of Aquamin results in less deterioration of trabecular bone structure, mineral composition and tissue level biomechanical properties in the tibia of rats following ovariectomy than calcium carbonate. This study has shown that in an animal model of osteoporosis, Aquamin is superior to calcium carbonate at slowing down the onset of bone loss

A Natural Calcium-rich Multi-mineral Complex Preserves Bones Structure, Composition and Strength in an Ovariectomized Rat Model of Osteoporosis

Calcium supplements are used as an aid in the prevention of osteopenia and osteoporosis and also for the treatment of patients when used along with medication. Many of these supplements are calcium carbonate based. This study compared a calcium-rich, marine multi-mineral complex (Aquamin) to calcium carbonate in an ovariectomised rat model of osteoporosis in order to assess Aquamin’s efficacy in preventing the onset of bone loss. Animals were randomly assigned to either non-ovariectomy control (Control), ovariectomy (OVX) plus calcium carbonate, ovariectomy plus Aquamin or ovariectomy plus Aquamin delay where Aquamin treatment started 8 weeks post OVX. At the end of the 20-week study, the trabecular architecture was measured using micro computed tomography, bone composition was assessed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the mechanical properties were assessed using nanoindentation and three-point bend testing. The study demonstrates that oral ingestion of Aquamin results in less deterioration of trabecular bone structure, mineral composition and tissue level biomechanical properties in the tibia of rats following ovariectomy than calcium carbonate. This study has shown that in an animal model of osteoporosis, Aquamin is superior to calcium carbonate at slowing down the onset of bone loss

Staphylococcus aureus Protein A Binds to Osteoblasts and Triggers Signals That Weaken Bone in Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis is a debilitating infectious disease of the bone. It is predominantly caused by S. aureus and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. It is characterised by weakened bones associated with progressive bone loss. Currently the mechanism through which either bone loss or bone destruction occurs in osteomyelitis patients is poorly understood. We describe here for the first time that the major virulence factor of S. aureus, protein A (SpA) binds directly to osteoblasts. This interaction prevents proliferation, induces apoptosis and inhibits mineralisation of cultured osteoblasts. Infected osteoblasts also increase the expression of RANKL, a key protein involved in initiating bone resorption. None of these effects was seen in a mutant of S. aureus lacking SpA. Complementing the SpA-defective mutant with a plasmid expressing spa or using purified protein A resulted in attachment to osteoblasts, inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis to a similar extent as wildtype S. aureus. These events demonstrate mechanisms through which loss of bone formation and bone weakening may occur in osteomyelitis patients. This new information may pave the way for the development of new and improved therapeutic agents to treat this disease

Olfactory derived stem cells delivered in a biphasic conduit promote peripheral nerve repair in vivo

Peripheral nerve injury presents significant therapeutic challenges for recovery of motor and sensory function in patients. Different clinical approaches exist but to date there has been no consensus on the most effective method of treatment. Here, we investigate a novel approach to peripheral nerve repair using olfactory derived stem (ONS) cells delivered in a biphasic collagen and laminin functionalized hyaluronic acid based nerve guidance conduit (NGC). Nerve regeneration was studied across a 10-mm sciatic nerve gap in Sprague Dawley rats. The effect of ONS cell loading of NGCs with or without nerve growth factor (NGF) supplementation on nerve repair was compared to a cell-free NGC across a variety of clinical, functional, electrophysiological, and morphologic parameters. Animals implanted with ONS cell loaded NGCs demonstrated improved clinical and electrophysiological outcomes compared to cell free NGC controls. The nerves regenerated across ONS cell loaded NGCs contained significantly more axons than cell-free NGCs. A return of the nocioceptive withdrawal reflex in ONS cell treated animals indicated an advanced repair stage at a relatively early time point of 8 weeks post implantation. The addition of NGF further improved the outcomes of the repair indicating the potential beneficial effect of a combined stem cell/growth factor treatment strategy delivered on NGCs

Incorporation of the natural marine multi-mineral dietary supplement Aquamin enhances osteogenesis and improves the mechanical properties of a collagen-based bone graft substitute.

Aquamin is a commercially-available supplement derived from the algae species Lithothamnion, which has proven osteogenic potential. By harnessing this potential and combining Aquamin with a collagen scaffold, with architecture and composition optimised for bone repair, the aim of this study was to develop a natural osteo-stimulative bone graft substitute. A fabrication process was developed to incorporate Aquamin into scaffolds to produce collagen-Aquamin (CollAqua) scaffolds at two different Aquamin concentrations, 100F or 500F (equivalent weight% of collagen or five times the weight of collagen respectively). CollAqua constructs had improved mechanical properties which were achieved without reducing the scaffold׳s permeability or porosity below the minimum level required for successful bone tissue engineering. The fabrication process produced a homogenous Aquamin distribution throughout the scaffold. Release kinetics revealed that in the first 12h, the entire Aquamin content was released from the 100F however, less than half of Aquamin in the 500F was released with the remainder released approximately 21 days later giving an initial burst release followed by a delayed release. Osteoblasts cultured on the CollAqua scaffolds showed improved osteogenesis as measured by alkaline phosphatase, osteopontin and osteocalcin expression. This was confirmed by increased mineralisation as determined by von Kossa and Alizarin red staining. In conclusion, a cell and growth factor free collagen-based bone graft substitute with enhanced mechanical properties has been developed. The addition of Aquamin to the collagen biomaterial significantly improved mineralisation by osteoblasts and results in a new product which may be capable of enhancing osteogenesis to facilitate bone repair in vivo.</p