Molecular characterization of clinical isolate of Vibrio cholera isolated from outbreaks cases in Malaysia

A total of 32 clinical strains of Vibrio cholerae, including members of the 01 and 0139 serogroup were collected from Klang, Selangor; Penang Island; Samarahan, Sarawak and Miri, Sarawak in Malaysia. In general, all the isolates except the 0139 serotype expressed low resistance to all the antibiotics tested with their Multiple Antibiotic Resistance (MAR) indices ranged from 0.10 to 0.48. The presence of ctx gene that encoded the cholera toxin was confirmed in all these clinical isolates by polymerase chain reaction. The results from the RAPD-PCR were analyzed using the RAPDistance software (Version 1.04). From the dendrogram generated, two main groups were observed which were subdivided into two clusters each. The Selangor's isolates and the 0139 Penang's isolates formed one group whereas the Samarahan, Sarawak isolates and the Miri, Sarawak isolates made up the other group, thus delineating their different sources of origin based on their geographical location

Generating topological order from a 2D cluster state using a duality mapping

In this paper we prove, extend and review possible mappings between the two-dimensional Cluster state, Wen's model, the two-dimensional Ising chain and Kitaev's toric code model. We introduce a two-dimensional duality transformation to map the two-dimensional lattice cluster state into the topologically-ordered Wen model. Then, we subsequently investigates how this mapping could be achieved physically, which allows us to discuss the rate at which a topologically ordered system can be achieved. Next, using a lattice fermionization method, Wen's model is mapped into a series of one-dimensional Ising interactions. Considering the boundary terms with this mapping then reveals how the Ising chains interact with one another. The relationships discussed in this paper allow us to consider these models from two different perspectives: From the perspective of condensed matter physics these mappings allow us to learn more about the relation between the ground state properties of the four different models, such as their entanglement or topological structure. On the other hand, we take the duality of these models as a starting point to address questions related to the universality of their ground states for quantum computation.Comment: 5 Figure

Plasma Glucose and Lipid Profiles Following High-Fat Diet and Acute Aerobic Exercise

PURPOSE: To examine the effects of a 3-week high-fat (HF) diet on plasma glucose, lipids, and lipoproteins following an acute bout of aerobic exercise in middle-aged men. METHODS: Physically active (non-elite, competitive marathon runners), male participants (N=8, age=39.5±9.9 years) volunteered for the study. Participants maintained their habitual high-carbohydrate (HC) diet (60-70% caloric intake from carbohydrate) prior to switching to the HF diet (70% caloric intake from fat, not exceeding 50g of carbohydrates) for 3 weeks. At the end of each diet trial, participants performed an acute bout of aerobic exercise, which consisted of running at varying paces (personal race paces) on a treadmill for 50 minutes (split into 5, 10-minute periods with 2 minutes of rest in between). Following a 20-minute recovery from the treadmill exercise, participants additionally ran a 5-km time trial (average run time = 23.69±2.41 minutes) on an outdoor road course. Overnight fasting blood samples were collected before and 24 hours after exercise for the HC and HF diet trial to analyze glucose, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), lipoprotein(a), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C). The data were analyzed using a two-way ANOVA [2 (diet: HC and HF) X 2 (time: pre and post-exercise)]. Any significant interactions were further analyzed using a Tukey’s post-hoc test. A p-value was set at \u3c 0.05. RESULTS: A glucose level was higher (p=0.046) in the HC diet (96.81±2.45 mg/dL) than the HF diet (89.6±2.45 mg/dL). As compared with the HC diet, the HF diet showed a higher level of TC (142.58±4.75 vs. 171.71±4.75 mg/dL, p=0.001), HDL-C (49.26±3.01 vs. 58.58±3.01 mg/dL, p=0.037), and LDL-C (91.51±4.91 vs. 111.20±4.91 mg/dL, p=0.008), respectively. TG significantly decreased (p=0.03) from 65.68±5.93 to 38.46±5.93 mg/dL at 24 hours of post-exercise. CONCLUSION: The 3-weeks of HF diet modestly increased plasma lipids and lipoproteins within the desirable range. Implementing a relatively short-term HF diet does not appear to significantly elicit negative cardiovascular disease risk markers in non-elite, healthy middle-aged male runners. However, it is strongly recommended for future studies to investigate the safety and beneficial effects of a long-term HF diet on cardiovascular disease risk factors in a variety of population including the untrained

Estimating the cost of mental illness in Australia: a standard of living approach

This paper estimates the costs of mental health in Australia using the standard-of-living approach. We analyse data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey using an extended random-effects estimator. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the cost of mental illness in Australia using the standard of living approach with a nationally representative longitudinal data set. Results from the main specification show that people with a mental illness need to increase their equivalised disposable income by 50% to achieve a similar living standard as those without a mental illness. The cost estimates vary considerably with measures of mental illness and standard of living. An alternative measure of mental illness using the first quintile of the SF-36 mental health score distribution resulted in an increase of estimated costs to 80% equivalised disposable income

Five Week Summer School Program Improved Glucose and Lipoprotein Profiles in Hispanic Female High School Students

There has been a drastic rise in obese children and adolescents in the past few decades. Evidence suggests that adolescents decrease physical activity during the summer months, contributing to this rise. Purpose: To investigate whether a 5-week summer school program involving physical activity has an effect on plasma glucose levels and lipid profiles among Hispanic female high school students. Methods: Thirty-three female high school students (15-17 years) from an underprivileged Hispanic area in southern Texas were randomly assigned to either an experimental group that participated in a summer school program (n=17) or a control group that did not participate (n=16). All participants had a body mass index (BMI) greater than the 85th percentile. The summer school program was held 5 days per week (08:00-16:00) for 5 weeks, involving a variety of physical activities (aerobic exercise, muscular strength and endurance training, sports games, and fun activities such as tag and ball games etc.) for 90 minutes each day. Non-summer school attendants maintained normal summer activity. Overnight-fasting blood (5 mL) was collected pre- and post-study to analyze changes in plasma glucose and lipid profiles. All data were analyzed by a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with the Sidak’s post-hoc test for any significant interactions. When LDL-C and glucose variables were different between baseline groups, the delta analysis was conducted (p \u3c 0.05). Results: Regardless of summer school attendance, HDL-C was reduced by 1.77 mg/dL (42.75±0.63 mg/dL to 40.98±0.63 mg/dL), which was statistically significant (p=.033). After participation in the summer school program, LDL-C and glucose levels decreased by 12.44±5.16 mg/dL and 5.55±3.83 mg/dL, respectively, as opposed to the levels of these parameters in non-participants which increased by 4.10±5.51 mg/dL and 8.13±5.09 mg/dL, respectively. No other variables were significantly different. Conclusion: LDL-C and plasma glucose levels were reduced significantly in participants in the summer school program as compared to those of non-summer school participants. Although HDL-C decreased independently of the summer school program, it remained within a healthy range. Therefore, the summer school program may be an effective method of improving plasma glucose and lipid profiles

Investigating the relationship between preoperative laboratory values and postoperative complications in radical nephrectomy patients.

INTRODUCTION: Cancer involving the kidney and/or renal pelvis is one of the more frequent causes of cancer in the United States with a prevalence of more than 10 per 100,000. Radical nephrectomy is a common treatment modality for renal cell carcinoma. In an effort to optimize patient safety, many preoperative parameters are used to evaluate and assess a patient\u27s overall health. These include, but are not limited to, patient comorbidities, tumor anatomy, and standard laboratory values. Unfortunately, the literature surrounding these values, among other preoperative laboratory values, in relation to postoperative surgical outcomes is limited. The purpose of this study is to review multiple preoperative labs in effort to identify any associations with increased adverse outcomes in the postoperative period of patients who underwent radical nephrectomy. METHODS: Data for this study was collected from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) database. NSQIP data from 2019 and 2020 was looked at for radical nephrectomy patients, producing a study patient population of 9,526. Patient data regarding preoperative laboratory values was organized based on whether the recorded values for each variable fell below, above, or within the normal range. Following categorization of the preoperative laboratory values, incidence of adverse outcomes or complications was investigated. Statistical analysis of the data was done with the Wilcoxon test, which served to compare the mean occurrences of adverse outcomes across the different categories of preoperative laboratory values. RESULTS: Wilcoxin test showed that patients with low preoperative sodium values had a higher occurrence of unplanned reoperation than patients than with sodium values within normal limits (p=0.0012). Occurrence of unplanned reoperation was also found to be more common in patients with high blood urea nitrogen compared to those with preoperative values within the normal range (p=0.0005), and a similar pattern was found regarding creatinine values (p=0.0068). DISCUSSION: The data show that preoperative laboratory values may hold significant influence in the occurrence of postoperative complications for patients undergoing radical nephrectomy. Through gaining a deeper understanding of the relationship between preoperative laboratory values and incidence of adverse postoperative events providers may be able to be more prepared to combat complications and make more informed decisions on when to perform a radical nephrectomy based on a patient’s preoperative laboratory values

If you build it, they may not come: Why Australian university students do not take part in outbound mobility experiences.

Universities around the world seek to internalise students to prepare them for an increasingly globalised world. Outbound mobility experiences (OMEs) are recognised as one of the most effective ways to foster independent thinking, cultural sensitivity, and a sense of 'worldmindedness'. This article takes a case study from an Australian university and explores efforts to increase student participation rates in OMEs

"Hey, I'm having these experiences" : Tumblr use and young people's queer (dis)connections

This article explores LGBTIQ+ young people’s use of Tumblr—a social media platform often associated with queer youth cultures. Drawing on data from surveys (N = 1,304) and interviews (N = 23) with LGBTIQ+ young people in Australia, we argue that existing notions of “queer community” through digital media participation do not neatly align with young people’s Tumblr practices. Our participants use Tumblr for connecting with others, yet these connections can be indirect, short term, and anonymous. Connections are often felt and practiced without directly communicating with other users, and many participants described their connections to the Tumblr platform itself as intense, pivotal to learning about genders and sexualities, and sometimes “toxic.” We suggest that Tumblr use intensities reflect many young people’s (dis)connections to queer life. Participant accounts of Tumblr use for identity, well-being, and (dis)connection practices can usefully inform health, education, and community workers engaging with LGBTIQ+ young people

Basic income in Australia: an exploration

Purpose – Basic income (BI) is predicted to be the major economic intervention in response to raising income inequality and accelerating technological progress. Financing is often the first question that arises when discussing a BI. A thorough answer to this question will determine the sustainability of any BI program. However, BI experiments implemented worldwide have not answered this question. This paper explores two options for a BI program in Australia: (1) BI and (2) top-up basic income (TBI). Design/methodology/approach – The authors employ “back-of-the-envelope” calculations with the latest publicly available data on income distribution, the poverty line and the share of income tax in the government revenue to estimate the costs of implementing BI in Australia. Findings – Even without any change in the current tax regulations, the TBI option, which requires a contribution of 2–3% disposable income from net contributors, will guarantee that no Australian family lives under the current national poverty line. The BI for all options is not financially feasible under the current tax and transfer regulations because it requires an additional tax rate of at least 42% of disposable income from net contributors. Practical implications – The results of this study can serve as inputs for the design and implementation of BI options in Australia and similar countries. Originality/value – This is the first paper that examines the macroeconomic effects of BI options in Australia