Thirty one cases of malignant tumours of the maxillary sinus presenting to the Department of Otolaryngology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia over a four year period from 1982 to 1986 are reviewed. 18 cases (58.1%) were squamous cell carcinoma while seven cases (22.5%) were Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. There were four cases (12.0%) of adenoid cystic carcinoma while in two cases (6.5%) the tumours were undifferentiated. Presentation was generally late. Nasal obstruction, facial swelling and epistaxis were the main presenting symptoms. Nasal involvement was found in 61.3% of cases, while 51.6% had involvement of the palate as well. Metastasis to the cervical lymph node were uncommon (6.5%). Surgery and radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy were the main modes of treatment in the management of malignant tumours of the maxillary sinus.
In the present study, to establish the optimum gelatin extraction conditions from pangasius catfish (Pangasius sutchi) bone, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with a 4-factor, 5-level Central Composite Design (CCD) was conducted. The model equation was proposed with regard to the effects of HCl concentration (%, X1), treatment time (h, X2), extraction temperature (°C, X3) and extraction time (h, X4) as independent variables on the hydroxyproline recovery (%, Y) as dependent variable. X 1 = 2.74 %, X 2 = 21.15 h, X 3 = 74.73 °C and X 4 = 5.26 h were found to be the optimum conditions to obtain the highest hydroxyproline recovery (68.75 %). The properties of optimized catfish bone gelatin were characterized by amino acid analysis, SDS-PAGE, gel strength, TPA and viscosity in comparison to bovine skin gelatin. The result of SDS-PAGE revealed that pangasius catfish bone gelatin consisted of at least 2 different polypeptides (α1 and α2 chains) and their cross-linked chains. Moreover, the pangasius catfish bone gelatin was found to contain 17.37 (g/100 g) imino acids (proline and hydroxyproline). Pangasius catfish bone gelatin also indicated physical properties comparable with that of bovine and higher than those from cold water fish gelatin. Based on the results of the present study, there is a potential for exploitation of pangasius catfish bone for gelatin production. Furthermore, RSM provided the best method for optimizing the gelatin extraction parameters.
The fungal transformations of ethynodiol diacetate (1) were investigated for the first-time using Botrytis cinerea, Trichothecium roseum, and R3-2 SP 17. The metabolites obtained are as following: 17α-Ethynyl-17β-acetoxyestr-4-en-3-one-15β-ol (2), 19-nor-17a-ethynyltestosterone (3), and 17α-ethynyl-3β-hydroxy-17β-acetoxyestr-4-ene (4). The new metabolite, 2 (IC50 = 104.8 µM), which has ketone group at C-3, and the β-hydroxyl group at C-15, resulted in an almost equipotent strength with the parent compound (IC50 = 103.3 µM) against proliferation of SH-SY5Y cells. The previously reported biotransformed product, 3, showed almost equal strength to 1 against acetylcholinesterase. Molecular modelling studies were carried out to understand the observed experimental activities, and also to obtain more information on the binding mode and the interactions between the biotransformed products, and enzyme.
Weight stigma, defined as pervasive misconceptions and stereotypes associated with higher body weight, is both a social determinant of health and a human rights issue. It is imperative to consider how weight stigma may be impeding health promotion efforts on a global scale. The World Obesity Federation (WOF) convened a global working group of practitioners, researchers, policymakers, youth advocates, and individuals with lived experience of obesity to consider the ways that global obesity narratives may contribute to weight stigma. Specifically, the working group focused on how overall obesity narratives, food and physical activity narratives, and scientific and public-facing language may contribute to weight stigma. The impact of weight stigma across the lifespan was also considered. Taking a global perspective, nine recommendations resulted from this work for global health research and health promotion efforts that can help to reduce harmful obesity narratives, both inside and outside health contexts.