BackgroundMenopausal symptoms can be assessed by several tools, and can be influenced by various socio-demographic factors.ObjectivesTo determine the commonly reported menopausal symptoms among Sarawakian women using a modified Menopause Rating Scale (MRS).MethodsBy using modified MRS questionnaire, 356 Sarawakian women aged 40-65 years were interview to document of 11 symptoms (divided into somatic, psychological and urogenital domain) commonly associated with menopause.ResultsThe mean age of menopause was 51.3 years (range 47 - 56 years). The most prevalent symptoms reported were joint and muscular discomfort (80.1%); physical and mental exhaustion (67.1%); and sleeping problems (52.2%). Followed by symptoms of hot flushes and sweating (41.6%); irritability (37.9%); dryness of vagina (37.9%); anxiety (36.5%); depressive mood (32.6%). Other complaints noted were sexual problem (30.9%); bladder problem (13.8%) and heart discomfort (18.3%). Perimenopausal women (n = 141) experienced higher prevalence of somatic and psychological symptoms compared to premenopausal (n = 82) and postmenopausal (n = 133) women. However urogenital symptoms mostly occur in the postmenopausal group of women.ConclusionsThe prevalence of menopausal symptoms using modified MRS in this study correspond to other studies on Asian women however the prevalence of classical menopausal symptoms of hot flushes, sweating was lower compared to studies on Caucasian women.

The growth of Hopea odorata and Mimusops elengi seedlings under drought and various fertilization rates under nursery conditions was investigated. Both H. odorata and M. elengi seedlings responded differently to fertilizer application and drought. Application of slow-release fertilizer (Best Tab, 20:10; 5 NPK) at 30 and 50 g promoted greater height growth for H. odorata and M. elengi seedlings, respectively. M. elengi seedlings were able to tolerate high fertilizer application (50 g), but the resulting form (small trunk diameter and excessive height) was not suitable for urban planting. Growth of H. odorata seedlings was greatly promoted through application of 30 g of fertilizer under well-watered conditions, resulting in a much more balanced growth in terms of shoot and root ratio, which is vital for plants growing in the harsh urban environment where competition for water and nutrients is usually intense.

Xylem sap abscisic acid (ABA) and leaf ABA of Hopea odorata Roxb. and Mimusops elengi L. were measured under conditions of soil compaction and drought to investigate the role of ABA in the regulation of stomatal conductance. A rapid and substantial increase in xylem sap ABA concentration but not leaf ABA concentration was correlated with soil drying in both species. However, xylem ABA concentration was lower in M. elengi seedlings than in H. odorata seedlings. The increase in xylem sap ABA concentration observed at high soil bulk density was correlated with reduced stomatal conductance. These results suggest that xylem ABA may act as a stress signal in the control of stomatal conductance. Reduced xylem ABA levels may explain the lower urban stress tolerance M. elengi seedlings relative to H. odorata.