Epidemiology of prostatitis: new evidence for a world-wide problem

We review new data on the epidemiology of chronic prostatitis. These population-based studies used reasonable case-definitions to survey various populations from North America, Europe and Asia. Overall, 2-10% of adult men suffer from symptoms compatible with chronic prostatitis at any time and approximately 15% of men suffer from symptoms of prostatitis at some point in their lives. Other epidemiologic data suggest that chronic prostatitis may be associated with an increased risk for development of benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer. These data suggest that chronic prostatitis is an important international health care problem that merits increased priority from clinicians and researchers.     

Chondrocyte antigen expression, immune response and susceptibility to arthritis

The association of HLA-B27 with certain forms of arthritis implies a role for MHC class I-restricted T cells in the arthritic process. Our aim was to study CD8(+) T cell responses towards specific antigens localized in joint tissue. Known determinants were introduced into chondrocytes of transgenic (TG) mice, under the control of the cis-regulatory sequences of the human type II collagen gene (COL2A1). Two Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase (beta-gal)-expressing lines were derived (CIIL73 and CIIL64) as well as two lines (CIINP) expressing influenza A virus nucleoprotein (NP). Expression of the antigens could be demonstrated in cartilaginous tissues. The TG lines showed variable degrees of responsiveness towards the transgene-introduced antigens; whilst 75% of CIIL73 mice had an impaired cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response towards beta-gal, the response in CIIL64 mice was essentially normal. However, both lines displayed normal proliferative and antibody responses to beta-gal. A reduced CTL response was seen to NP in the CIINP lines in approximately 65% of the animals. In spite of the persistence of T cell responses to the transgene antigens in these lines, induction of CTL responses alone has so far failed to induce clinical signs of arthritis. Interestingly, some animals expressing beta-gal were susceptible to arthritis following challenge with type II collagen alone, whilst their non-TG littermates and TG mice from other lines remained unaffected. As beta-gal is expressed by E. coli, a component of the normal gut flora, this suggests a possible role for gut-derived immune responses. We believe these lines could form the basis of a model for studying links between intestinal inflammation and arthritis.     

Breastmilk feeding status and weight gain of low birth weight infants in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

A prospective observational study of feeding in low birth weight (LBW) infants with birth weight (BW) of at least 1.8 kg admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) showed that nearly 80% of mothers provided expressed breastmilk (EBM) and a further 14% breastfed their infants before discharge. Weight gain was overall poor at a mean of 9.48 +/- 7.82 grams per kg per day with those on predominant EBM feeding (EBM > 70%) doing worse than those on predominant preterm formula (PTF) feeding (EBM < 31%), weight gain being 5.40 +/- 6.88 and 11.10 +/- 8.15 grams per kg per day respectively (p < 0.01). Weight gain was also poorer (7.72 +/- 5.55 grams per kg per day) in patients with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) compared to those who did not have RDS (12.02 +/- 9.58 grams per kg per day). p < 0.05. Incidence of infants < 10th centile body weight at birth was 16.8% and at discharge was 69.1%.     

Morphological and biochemical changes of andrographolide-induced cell death in human prostatic adenocarcinoma PC-3 cells

Andrographolide was extracted and purified from Andrographis panicula using hexane and water partitioning followed by ethyl acetate extraction and chromatography. It showed selective cytotoxicity to prostate cancer PC-3 cells in vitro. The morphological and biochemical changes induced by the extract in carcinoma PC-3 cell death were studied. In andrographolide-treated cells, evidence of apoptosis such as cell shrinkage and surface microvilli loss after 4-hour treatment and chromatin condensation and fragmentation in H&E-stained cells between 4 to 8 hours after treatment were observed. Under electron microscopy, membrane blebbing and apoptotic bodies formation were seen after 8-hour treatment. Using immunocytochemistry staining and cellular caspase-3 activity assay, andrographolide-treated cells showed considerable caspase-3 activation and caspase-8 in PC-3 cells at 4 and 2 hours after treatment, respectively. This suggests andrographolide-induced cell death was achieved through the apoptotic pathway, via the activation of an extrinsic caspase cascade.     

Sociodemographic determinants of Malaysian household’s use of and expenditure on alcohol: a regional comparison

Abstract

Aims: Alcohol consumption has become a serious public health concern. The objective of the present study is to investigate sociodemographic factors associated with alcohol consumption across regions of Malaysia.

Methods: Data are obtained from the Malaysian Household Expenditure Survey 2014, which contains 10,665 observations. Double-hurdle model is used to examine the consumption decision and amount decision of alcohol among households. Analyses are stratified by regions (Northern, East coast, Central and Southern).

Findings: Results show that age, household size, gender, ethnicity, marital status, education, employment status, location of residence and tobacco consumption are independently associated with alcohol consumption. Households headed by males and well-educated individuals are more likely to consume alcohol and also spend more compared with households headed by females and less-educated individuals. Being employed, non-Bumiputera and tobacco consumption seem to increase the likelihood of consuming alcohol. Household size is negatively associated with the amount spent on alcohol.

Conclusion: In conclusion, sociodemographic factors play an important role in determining alcohol consumption. It appears that factors associated with alcohol consumption vary across regions. Hence, policies that address regional differences in the sociodemographic factors associated with alcohol consumption are needed.     

Demographic and lifestyle factors associated with sexual activity among adolescents in Malaysia

Having a better understanding of the factors associated with sexual behaviour among adolescents is important as it may assist government in lowering the prevalence of teen pregnancy. The objective of the present study is to examine the effects of demographic and lifestyle factors on the likelihood of engaging in sexual intercourse with a focus on Malaysian adolescents. Using a nationally representative data collected by the Ministry of Health Malaysia, the present study finds that age, self-rated academic performance, parents’ marital status, alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking can significantly affect the sexual behaviour among adolescents. The present study concludes by discussing the policy implications of these findings. As a measure towards reducing underage sex, successful policies should be targeted primarily at adolescents who aged more than 16 years self-rate their academic performance as poor, have single parents, and adopt alcohol drinking and cigarette smoking behaviours.     

Older people's experiences of acute hospitalisation: an investigation of how occupations are affected

Background/aim: Few qualitative studies have investigated older people’s experiences of hospital admission and none has done so from an occupational perspective. The purpose of this study was to examine older people’s experience of acute hospitalisation. Methods: In‐depth semi‐structured interviews were conducted with six participants recruited from the Alfred hospital, Melbourne, Victoria. Data were analysed using Colaizzi’s (1978) approach to phenomenological analysis. Results: Five themes describing older people’s experience of acute hospitalisation emerged from the analysis: (i) not part of ‘normal life’; (ii) undesirable, but for the good of my health; (iii) understanding my condition and abilities; (iv) subject to approval; and (v) getting back into life. The importance of the individual’s occupational narrative emerged as a central theme in understanding the older person’s experience of acute hospitalisation. Conclusions: Occupational therapists have a unique contribution to make in encouraging meaningful occupation on hospital wards. Identifying the manner by which occupational therapists can most effectively implement the assessment of occupational performance in the acute care setting should constitute a research priority for future investigations.