Gender Inequality Affecting Women’s Career Progression in Malaysia

The objective of this research is to assess whether gender inequality affects women’s career progression in Malaysia. The study examines the relationship between patriarchy, gender stereotypes, organisational cultural factors, family factors, and individual factors with women’s career progression. The study has adopted the Glass Ceiling Theory and feminist theory. A total of 250 questionnaires were collected from women employees working in Malaysia. The study revealed that patriarchy, organisational cultural factors, and family factors had a significant relationship with women’s career progression while gender stereotypes and individual factors had no significant relationship with women’s career progression. The findings of this study contribute to women’s empowerment in society, and for companies and the Government of Malaysia to have a better understanding of the factors involved in women’s career progression in Malaysia. This study contributes to the Glass Ceiling Theory and feminist thought by determining the relationship of these theories with regard to women’s career progression in Malaysia

Voxel-wise analysis of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose metabolism in correlation with variations in the presentation of Alzheimer’s disease: a clinician’s guide

Diagnostic imaging can be applied in the management of Alzheimer’s disease as it provides structural and functional information to exclude possible secondary causes and offers additional information, especially in atypical cases of Alzheimer’s disease. The utility of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) can help in the noninvasive diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease by voxel-wise quantification of cerebral 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) metabolism. Methods: This prospective study was conducted among 10 subjects with Alzheimer’s disease and 10 healthy control subjects who underwent neuropsychological testing and 18F-FDG PET/CT scans. Images of the brain were postprocessed using voxel-wise analysis and segmented into 20 regions of interest. The standardized uptake value (SUV)max/SUVmean/standard deviation of SUVmean results were analyzed accordingly and correlated with the subjects’ Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) results that were adjusted for age and education level. Results: Hypometabolism at the right parietal lobe significantly correlated with increasing age and lower MoCA scores. Global hypometabolism was observed in subjects who had advanced Alzheimer’s disease but preserved primary somatosensory cortices (S1) region metabolism. Predominance of frontal lobe hypometabolism was a feature of subjects with Alzheimer’s disease having associated depressive symptoms. Conclusions: 18F-FDG PET/CT voxel-wise analysis can be used for quantitative assessment and can assist clinicians in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and other variations of the disease spectrum

Pathogenesis and therapeutic implications of EBV-associated epithelial cancers

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), one of the most common human viruses, has been associated with both lymphoid and epithelial cancers. Undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), EBV associated gastric cancer (EBVaGC) and lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) are amongst the few common epithelial cancers that EBV has been associated with. The pathogenesis of EBV-associated NPC has been well described, however, the same cannot be said for primary pulmonary LELC (PPLELC) owing to the rarity of the cancer. In this review, we outline the pathogenesis of EBV-associated NPC and EBVaGCs and their recent advances. By drawing on similarities between NPC and PPLELC, we then also postulated the pathogenesis of PPLELC. A deeper understanding about the pathogenesis of EBV enables us to postulate the pathogenesis of other EBV associated cancers such as PPLELC

The neurobiology of smartphone addiction in emerging adults evaluated using brain morphometry and resting-state functional MRI

The characteristics of smartphone addiction (SPA) can be evaluated by neuroimaging studies. Information on the brain structural alterations, and effects on psychosocial wellbeing, however, have not been concurrently evaluated. The aim of this study was to identify abnormalities in gray matter volume using voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and neuronal functional alterations using resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) in emerging adults with SPA. We correlated the neuroimaging parameters with indices for psychosocial wellbeing such as depression, anxiety, stress, and impulsivity. Forty participants (20 SPA and 20 age-matched healthy controls) were assessed using VBM and rs-fMRI. The smartphone addiction scale –Malay version (SAS-M) questionnaire scores were used to categorize the SPA and healthy control groups. DASS-21 and BIS-11 questionnaires were used to assess for psychosocial wellbeing and impulsivity, respectively. VBM identified the SPA group to have reduced gray matter volume in the insula and precentral gyrus; and increased grey matter volume in the precuneus relative to controls. A moderate correlation was observed between the precuneus volume and the SAS-M scores. Individuals with SPA showed significant rs-fMRI activations in the precuneus, and posterior cingulate cortex (FWE uncorrected, p<0.001). The severity of SPA was correlated with depression. Anxiety score was moderately correlated with reduced GMV at the precentral gyrus. Collectively, these results can be used to postulate that the structural and neuronal functional changes in the insula are linked to the neurobiology of SPA that shares similarities with other behavioural addictions

Impact of cardiac arrest centers on the survival of patients with nontraumatic out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest : a systematic review and meta‐analysis

Background The role of cardiac arrest centers (CACs) in out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest care systems is continuously evolving. Interpretation of existing literature is limited by heterogeneity in CAC characteristics and types of patients transported to CACs. This study assesses the impact of CACs on survival in out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest according to varying definitions of CAC and prespecified subgroups. Methods and Results Electronic databases were searched from inception to March 9, 2021 for relevant studies. Centers were considered CACs if self‐declared by study authors and capable of relevant interventions. Main outcomes were survival and neurologically favorable survival at hospital discharge or 30 days. Meta‐analyses were performed for adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and crude odds ratios. Thirty‐six studies were analyzed. Survival with favorable neurological outcome significantly improved with treatment at CACs (aOR, 1.85 [95% CI, 1.52–2.26]), even when including high‐volume centers (aOR, 1.50 [95% CI, 1.18–1.91]) or including improved‐care centers (aOR, 2.13 [95% CI, 1.75–2.59]) as CACs. Survival significantly increased with treatment at CACs (aOR, 1.92 [95% CI, 1.59–2.32]), even when including high‐volume centers (aOR, 1.74 [95% CI, 1.38–2.18]) or when including improved‐care centers (aOR, 1.97 [95% CI, 1.71–2.26]) as CACs. The treatment effect was more pronounced among patients with shockable rhythm ( P =0.006) and without prehospital return of spontaneous circulation ( P =0.005). Conclusions were robust to sensitivity analyses, with no publication bias detected. Conclusions Care at CACs was associated with improved survival and neurological outcomes for patients with nontraumatic out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest regardless of varying CAC definitions. Patients with shockable rhythms and those without prehospital return of spontaneous circulation benefited more from CACs. Evidence for bypassing hospitals or interhospital transfer remains inconclusive

Effects of Anacetrapib in Patients with Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease

BACKGROUND: Patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease remain at high risk for cardiovascular events despite effective statin-based treatment of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. The inhibition of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) by anacetrapib reduces LDL cholesterol levels and increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. However, trials of other CETP inhibitors have shown neutral or adverse effects on cardiovascular outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 30,449 adults with atherosclerotic vascular disease who were receiving intensive atorvastatin therapy and who had a mean LDL cholesterol level of 61 mg per deciliter (1.58 mmol per liter), a mean non-HDL cholesterol level of 92 mg per deciliter (2.38 mmol per liter), and a mean HDL cholesterol level of 40 mg per deciliter (1.03 mmol per liter). The patients were assigned to receive either 100 mg of anacetrapib once daily (15,225 patients) or matching placebo (15,224 patients). The primary outcome was the first major coronary event, a composite of coronary death, myocardial infarction, or coronary revascularization. RESULTS: During the median follow-up period of 4.1 years, the primary outcome occurred in significantly fewer patients in the anacetrapib group than in the placebo group (1640 of 15,225 patients [10.8%] vs. 1803 of 15,224 patients [11.8%]; rate ratio, 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.85 to 0.97; P=0.004). The relative difference in risk was similar across multiple prespecified subgroups. At the trial midpoint, the mean level of HDL cholesterol was higher by 43 mg per deciliter (1.12 mmol per liter) in the anacetrapib group than in the placebo group (a relative difference of 104%), and the mean level of non-HDL cholesterol was lower by 17 mg per deciliter (0.44 mmol per liter), a relative difference of -18%. There were no significant between-group differences in the risk of death, cancer, or other serious adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease who were receiving intensive statin therapy, the use of anacetrapib resulted in a lower incidence of major coronary events than the use of placebo. (Funded by Merck and others; Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN48678192 ; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01252953 ; and EudraCT number, 2010-023467-18 .)

Does language turn you on? : Racial preferences and language attitudes among heterosexual and homosexual women in Singapore

As Singapore prides itself on equal treatment of all races and not holding a bias against any race (Constitution of the Republic of Singapore, 1985), is our support for multiracialism as strong as we think? This study examines the language attitudes of heterosexual and homosexual women from the three main racial groups in Singapore. Adopting the verbal guise technique, it compares the attitudes of 45 heterosexual and 45 homosexual women within the age range of 21 to 25 toward the three local accents in terms of dimensions such as “likeability”. Building on the premise of racial preferences and language attitudes, this study shows that heterosexual women appeared to have a high level of in-group preference toward their own racial groups, while their heterosexual counterparts were more tolerant and receptive to other racial groups as they did not show any discriminatory attitudes toward any particular accent. This suggests that heterosexual women preferred partners of the same race in Singapore while homosexual women appeared to not have a preference. Correspondingly, it has also shed light on the difference between heterosexual and homosexual women pertaining to racial issues in Singapore. In particular, it has been observed that the Chinese accent was the most likeable, while the Malay and Indian accents were less likeable among heterosexual women. Meanwhile, there were no obvious differences in which accent was the most or least likeable among homosexual women. This shows that being the majority race may have a certain overt appeal to the heterosexual women. Alternatively, it could be a possible case of “Chinese Privilege” among heterosexual women (Chew, 2018), where the minorities could potentially move up the racial class through gaining access to their Chinese partners’ racial privilege, resulting in the positive attitudinal responses toward the Chinese accent. In stark contrast to the Chinese, racial minorities are likely to experience instances of negative and differential treatment and experience (Mathews, 2016), a possible reason for the negative attitudinal responses toward the Malay and Indian accents. On the lack of obvious differences in which accent was the most or least likeable among the homosexual women, this suggests that they held more progressive racial attitudes than others. Ultimately, it can be concluded that there was a difference between heterosexual and homosexual women pertaining to racial issues in Singapore.Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics and Multilingual Studie

Persistent hyperthyroidism and de novo Graves’ ophthalmopathy after total thyroidectomy

We report a patient with Graves’ disease who remained persistently hyperthyroid after a total thyroidectomy and also developed de novo Graves’ ophthalmopathy 5  months after surgery. She was subsequently found to have a mature cystic teratoma containing struma ovarii after undergoing a total hysterectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy for an incidental ovarian lesion

Corrigendum ‘Black Drum Fish Teeth: Built for Crushing Mollusk Shells’ [Acta Biomaterialia 137 (2022) 147-161]

The authors regret to report that several errors were discovered in the manuscript. - Supplementary note: The calculated bite force quotients (BFQs) in Tables S1-S4 were incorrect. The corrected supplementary materials are now updated online.- Manuscript Introduction paragraph 4 sentence 4: The corresponding explanation of the Figure 1E should be corrected as “Based on the comparative results, the black drum has one of the highest BFQ values among all fish species (∼134–891, Table S1, and Fig. 1E) [13,16,18,19].”- Figure 1E: The dashed reference lines (BFQ = 90/110/120) were incorrect, and should be corrected by deletion. The corrected full Figure 1 is now provided below along with the original figure caption.Although the corrections do not affect any findings and conclusions reported in this work, the authors sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and confusion caused. DOI of original article: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2021.10.02

Black Drum Fish Teeth: Built for Crushing Mollusk Shells.

With an exclusive diet of hard-shelled mollusks, the black drum fish (Pogonias cromis) exhibits one of the highest bite forces among extant animals. Here we present a systematic microstructural, chemical, crystallographic, and mechanical analysis of the black drum teeth to understand the structural basis for achieving the molluscivorous requirements. At the material level, the outermost enameloid shows higher modulus (Er&nbsp;=&nbsp;126.9 ±&nbsp;16.3&nbsp;GPa, H&nbsp;=&nbsp;5.0&nbsp;±&nbsp;1.4&nbsp;GPa) than other reported fish teeth, which is attributed to the stiffening effect of Zn and F doping in apatite crystals and the preferential co-alignment of crystallographic c-axes and enameloid rods along the biting direction. The high fracture toughness (Kc&nbsp;=&nbsp;1.12 MPa⋅m1/2) of the outer enameloid also promotes local yielding instead of fracture during crushing contact with mollusk shells. At the individual-tooth scale, the molar-like teeth, high density of dentin tubules, enlarged pulp chamber, and specialized dentin-bone connection, all contribute to the functional requirements, including confinement of contact compressive stress in the stiff enameloid, enhanced energy absorption in the compliant dentin, and controlled failure of tooth-bone composite under excessive loads. These results show that the multi-scale structures of black drum teeth are adapted to feed on hard-shelled mollusks. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The black drum fish feeds on hard-shelled mollusks, which requires strong, tough, and wear-resistant teeth. This study presents a comprehensive multiscale material and mechanical analysis of the black drum teeth in achieving such remarkable biological function. At microscale, the fluoride- and zinc-doped apatite crystallites in the outer enameloid region are aligned perpendicular to the chewing surface, representing one of the stiffest biomineralized materials found in nature. In the inner enameloid region, the apatite crystals are arranged into intertwisted rods with crystallographic misorientation for increased crack resistance and toughness. At the macroscale, the molariform geometry, the two-layer design based on the outer enameloid and inner dentin, enlarged pulp chamber and the underlying strong bony toothplate work synergistically to contribute to the teeth's crushing resistance