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Optimization of solid state culture conditions for the production of adenosine, cordycepin, and D-mannitol in fruiting bodies of medicinal caterpillar fungus Cordyceps militaris (L.:Fr.) Link (Ascomycetes)

Lim L, Lee C, Chang E

Int J Med Mushrooms, 2012;14(2):181-7.
PMID: 22506578

In general, Cordyceps sinensis is much more popular than C. militaris, though both species contain quite similar bioactive ingredients and exhibit medicinal activities. Many bioactive ingredients have been isolated from C. militaris, such as adenosine, cordycepin, D-mannitol, and exopolysaccharides. C. militaris is claimed to have extensive pharmacological properties, such as: anti-inflammatory; anti-fatigue; anti-bacterial; anti-diabetic; improve lung, liver, and kidney functions; to be beneficial for treating cancer as well as male and female sexual dysfunctions. C. militaris is fast gaining momentum for its so-called health benefits, and it is often used as a substitute for C. sinensis. In view of the growing popularity of C. militaris, nowadays C. militaris cultivation for stroma is also done. There is a great diversity of compounds from different strains of Cordyceps and different artificially cultivated products. This study is to determine the optimum culture parameters integrated with substrate of choice to bring the indoor-cultivated C. militaris to a higher and more consistent level of quality. To achieve the above objective, the resultant products after growth were analyzed for adenosine, cordycepin, and D-mannitol using the high-performance liquid chromatography method. The optimum culture condition to produce a high level of adenosine is by using millet as solid substrate. It must be cultivated in the dark for the first 7 days and harvested on day 40. The optimum culture condition to produce a high level of cordycepin is by using soybean as solid substrate. It must be cultivated in the dark for the first 14 days and harvested on day 50. While a high level of D-mannitol is achieved with millet as the solid substrate. It must be kept in the dark for the first 7 days and harvested on day 50. The adenosine level decreased and cordycepin increased from day 40 of culture to day 50 generally.
Predictors of Handgrip Strength among the Free Living Elderly in Rural Pahang, Malaysia

Moy F, Chang E, Kee K

Iran J Public Health, 2011 Dec;40(4):44-53.
PMID: 23113102

BACKGROUND: Reduced handgrip strength is an aging process that significantly influences the living activities of elderly. It is linked to premature mortality, disability and other health complications among elderly. Therefore, we aim to determine the associated predictors with handgrip strength among the free living elderly in Malaysia.
METHODS: This was a cross sectional study conducted in a rural state in Malaysia. A total of 434 elderly individuals performed handgrip assessment. Socio-demographic characteristics, medical conditions, occupational history, functional ability (ADL) and depression (GDS) were enquired. Anthropometric measurements (weight and height) were also obtained.
RESULTS: Majority of the respondents were Malays with mean age of 67.9 ± 6.3 years. Maximum handgrip strength of males and females were 28.8±9.2 kg and 18.9±6.9 kg respectively (P<0.05). The aborigines had significantly lower handgrip strength (P<0.05) compared to Malays, Chinese and Indians. Handgrip strength was positively correlated (P<0.05) with weight, height and ADL, while negatively associated (P<0.05) with GDS for both gender. In the multivariate linear regression analysis; weight, height and race significantly predicted handgrip strength among both male and female elderly after adjustment for all potential confounders. However, GDS and ADL were only found to significantly predict handgrip strength among the male elderly; while age was only significant among the females.
CONCLUSION: Our sample population has significantly lower handgrip strength than the Western counterpart. Weight, height and race significantly predict handgrip strength among both male and female elderly. GDS, ADL are only found to be significant in males while age was only significant among the females.
Reuse of dialysis reverse osmosis reject water for aquaponics and horticulture

Chang E, Lim JA, Low CL, Kassim A

J Nephrol, 2021 02;34(1):97-104.
PMID: 33394342 DOI: 10.1007/s40620-020-00903-0

BACKGROUND: Water crisis is becoming a threat to the well-being of the human population worldwide and use of water for healthcare contributes substantially to this resource depletion. Hemodialysis consumes large quantities of water. A huge volume of high purity dialysis water is required to safely perform dialysis treatment. In this process, up to 60-70% of source water is discarded. Many strategies have been suggested to promote green dialysis, and these include reuse of water, however, very few dialysis facilities have taken the preliminary steps to employ it.
METHODS: We share our experience in a developing country on an innovative reject-water reuse program combining aquaculture, hydroponic and horticulture activities. This is by far the first report on a "green dialysis" project involving aquaponics that reuse dialysis reverse osmosis (RO) reject water.
RESULTS: Our expereince suggests that reject water can be reused to promote water conservation with encouraging results. It provides a good and biosecure environment for fish breeding and vegetable farming . This project promotes a reduction in carbon footprint, a reduction in water waste, a sustainable organic food source, may lead to income generation, and provides a shared purpose and sense of pride among staff and dialysis patients.
CONCLUSIONS: Encompassing "environmental protection" practices into a hemodialysis unit can be done with relatively simple and practical steps.
Magnetic resonance imaging of Asians with multiple sclerosis was similar to that of the West

Chong HT, Ramli N, Lee KH, Kim BJ, Ursekar M, Dayananda K, et al.

Can J Neurol Sci, 2006 Feb;33(1):95-100.
PMID: 16583730

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain is the most important paraclinical diagnostic test in multiple sclerosis (MS). The appearance of MRI in Asians with MS is not well defined. We retrospectively surveyed the first brain and spinal cord MRI in patients diagnosed to have MS, according to Poser's criteria in seven regions throughout Asia to define the MRI changes among Asians with MS. There were 101 patients with first brain, and 86 with first spinal cord MRI, 66 of whom had both. The brain MRI showed a mean of 17 lesions per patient in T2 weighted images, mostly asymptomatic. Almost all the lesions were in the white matter, particularly in the juxtacortical, deep and periventricular white matter. A third of the lesions were greater than 5 mm, 14% enhanced with gadolinium. There were more supratentorial than infratentorial lesions at a ratio of 7.5: 1. Ninety five percent of the spinal cord lesions were in cervical and thoracic regions, 34% enhanced with gadolinium. The lesions extended over a mean of 3.6 +/- 3.3 vertebral bodies in length. Fifty (50%) of the brain and 54 (63%) of the spinal MRI patients had the optic-spinal form of MS. The MRI of the optic-spinal and classical groups of patients were similar in appearance and distribution, except that the optic-spinal MS patients have fewer brain but longer and more severe spinal cord lesions. In conclusion, the brain and spinal cord MRI of Asian patients with MS was similar to that of the West, although, in this study, Asian MS patients had larger spinal cord lesions.