Dual level searching approach for solving multi-objective optimisation problems using hybrid particle swarm optimisation and bats echolocation-inspired algorithms

A dual level searching approach for multi objective optimisation problems using particle swarm optimisation and modified adaptive bats sonar algorithm is presented. The concept of echolocation of a colony of bats to find prey in the modified adaptive bats sonar algorithm is integrated with the established particle swarm optimisation algorithm. The proposed algorithm incorporates advantages of both particle swarm optimisation and modified adaptive bats sonar algorithm approach to handle the complexity of multi objective optimisation problems. These include swarm flight attitude and swarm searching strategy. The performance of the algorithm is verified through several multi objective optimisation benchmark test functions and problem. The acquired results show that the proposed algorithm perform well to produce a reliable Pareto front. The proposed algorithm can thus be an effective method for solving of multi objective optimisation problems

Association of ABO blood groups with diabetes mellitus

Objective: So far no studies have been performed in Malaysia to look at association of diabetes mellitus (DM) with blood groups. We studied the association of ABO blood groups with DM type 2. Patients and methodology: It was a case control study conducted at Kepala Batas Hospital Batas, Penang, Malaysia in the year 2009, involving 70 patients with DM type 2 and 140 healthy controls. Ethical approval was obtained from Universiti Sains Malaysia. Blood samples were collected from the patients after consent. Samples were tested for ABO blood groups using ID-Card gel method. Results: Chi-square test results showed that there was an association between the ABO blood groups and DM type 2. It was found that A and O blood groups were negatively associated with DM type 2 (P<0.05) with higher percentage of A and O groups individuals were non-diabetic. No significant association was noted between DM type 2 and blood groups B (P=0.423) and AB (P=0.095). It was also noted that B blood group was distributed with highest percentage among patients with DM type 2 (53.71%) compared to controls (22.52%), but no statistical significance achieved. Conclusion: The results obtained suggest that there was a negative association between ABO blood groups A and O with DM type 2, with A and O group having less chances of diabetes. Large studies in other ethnic groups are needed to confirm these results.Keywords: blood group A; blood group O; diabetes mellitu

Molecular Characterization of Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency in a University Community in Malaysia

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency among staff and students of a university community in Malaysia as well as to identify molecular genetics by determination of G6PD mutations.Methods: Cross-sectional and experimental studies were carried out on the staff and students of Advanced Medical and Dental Institute (AMDI) of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) from July 2009 to April 2010. Venous blood samples were collected from 87 individuals (45 males and 42 females), all of whom gave informed consent. Full blood count, reticulocyte count, screening test and quantitative determination of G6PD were performed. The deficient subjects were confirmed by standard PCR restriction enzyme. DNA samples from these subjects were analyzed for certain known G6PDmutations by digesting them with appropriate restriction enzymes.Results: Out of the 87 subjects (80 were Malay, 2 were Chinese, 1 was Indian and 4 were others). The total prevalence of G6PD deficiency among the subjects was 4.59 % (4/87), all of whom were Malay males. One of the deficient subjects had G6PD Viangchan, while the other three were G6PDMahidol (487 G>A).Conclusion: The finding of this study demonstrate that the most common mutation among AMDI staff and students is Mahidol (487G>A), followed by mutation Viangchan (871G>A).Keywords: Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase, Mahidol, Viangchan, Haemolytic anaemi

Molecular Characterization of Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency in Abu Dhabi District, United Arab Emirates

Purpose: To investigate the frequency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) variants and their associated enzyme deficiencies among different age groups of individuals in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).Methods: A total of 15,995 patients (6302 UAE nationals and 9693 non-UAE nationals) who presented at Mafraq Hospital, Abu Dhabi, UAE between January 2006 and January 2009 were screened for G6PD deficiency using fluorescent spot test. Molecular analysis including polymerase chain reaction– restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) and DNA sequencing were utilized to identify common mutations in individuals with G6PD deficiency.Results: The prevalence of G6PD deficiency among UAE nationals was 7.4% and non-UAE nationals 3.8%. UAE males showed prevalence of 11.6% while for UAE females it was 3.6%. The prevalence of G6PD deficiency among non-UAE nationals was 5 and 1.7% for males and females, respectively. The Mediterranean mutation, 563C→T, was predominant in non-UAE nationals.Conclusion: G6PD Mediterranean mutation is the most prevalent mutation underlying G6PD deficiency followed by Aures mutations in both UAE nationals and non-UAE nationals. On the other hand, Africa Awas found to be more in non-UAE compared with UAE nationals.Keywords: Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase deficiency, Mutation, Abu Dhabi, Polymerase chain reaction–restriction, Fragment length polymorphis

In vitro Anti-proliferative and Apoptotic Activities of Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Simaroubaceae) on HL-60 Cell Line

Purpose: To investigate the anti-proliferative, apoptotic and differentiating activities of Eurycoma longifolia root extracts on HL-60 leukemic cells.Methods: HL-60 cells were treated with different partially purified sub-fractions (F1 – F3) derived from the resin chromatography of the crude methanol root extract of E. longifolia roots, at different doses andtime points. The anti-proliferative activity of E. longifolia was assessed via cell counting and trypan blue exclusion. Apoptosis was evaluated via Annexin-V FITC/IP and Hoechst staining. Flow cytometry and Wright staining were used to assess its differentiation activities.Results: F1 showed unremarkable growth inhibition rate while F2 and F3 showed growth inhibitory effects with median inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 15.2 and 28.6 ìg/ml, respectively. Treatment with F2 and F3 (100 ìg/ml) for 96 h increased cell death from 3.3 to 95.5 and 76.3 %,respectively. Treatment with F2 (50 ìg/ml) induced apoptosis by 14, 19.5 and 25 % after 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively. No differentiation activity was observed, as indicated by absence of myeloid maturation and a non-significant CD14 positivity (p > 0.05).Conclusion: E. longifolia extract (F2) showed promising anti-leukemic activity and can be a candidate for the development of a drug for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL).Keywords: Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), HL-60 cells, Eurycoma longifolia, Apoptosis, Antiproliferation, Differentiatio

Microalgae production in fresh market wastewater and its utilization as a protein substitute in formulated fish feed for oreochromis spp.

Rapid growing of human population has led to increasing demand of aquaculture production. Oreochromis niloticus or known as tilapia is one of the most globally cultured freshwater fish due to its great adaptation towards extreme environment. Besides, farming of tilapia not only involves small scales farming for local consumption but also larger scales for international market which contributes to a foreign currency earning. Extensive use of fishmeal as feed for fish and for other animals indirectly caused an increasing depletion of the natural resource and may consequently cause economic and environmental unstable. Microalgae biomass seems to be a promising feedstock in aquaculture industry. It can be used for many purposes such as live food for fish larvae and dried microalgae to substitute protein material in fish feed. The microalgae replacement in fish feed formulation as protein alternative seem potentially beneficial for long term aqua-business sustainability. The present chapter discussed the potential of microalgae as an alternative nutrition in fish feed formulations, specifically Tilapia

Factors associated with dental visit and barriers to utilisation of oral health care services in a sample of antenatal mothers in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aims of this study were to determine factors associated with dental visit and to describe barriers to utilisation of oral health care services among antenatal mothers attending the Obstetric and Gynaecology Specialist clinic in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A structured, self-administered questionnaire was used obtain information on the variables of interest pertaining to the current pregnancy from 124 antenatal mothers.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The majority of the mothers claimed that their oral health status was good (67.0%) or very good (2.4%). On the contrary, most of them admitted of having had at least one oral health problem (59.7%) including cavitated (43.5%) and painful teeth (15.3%), bleeding gum (21.0%), and bad breath (10.5%). However, only 29% of the mothers visited dentist during the current pregnancy. Factors associated with the mothers' dental visit were exposure to oral health education before the pregnancy and awareness of relationship between poor maternal oral health and adverse pregnancy outcomes with odds ratio of 4.06 (95% CI: 1.67-9.78) and 3.57 (95% CI: 1.30-9.77) respectively. Common excuses given by most mothers include perceptions of not having any oral health problems (65.9%), long waiting time at the clinic (71.6%), and no immediate treatment given by the dentist (64.8%).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Utilisation of oral health care services among antenatal mothers was low. Mothers who reported dental visit were more likely to be those who had received oral health education before the current pregnancy and knew of the association between poor maternal oral health and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Dissatisfaction with the services rendered and perceptions of not having any oral health problems were the main barriers.</p

Worldwide trends in diabetes since 1980: a pooled analysis of 751 population-based studies with 4.4 million participants

BACKGROUND: One of the global targets for non-communicable diseases is to halt, by 2025, the rise in the age-standardised adult prevalence of diabetes at its 2010 levels. We aimed to estimate worldwide trends in diabetes, how likely it is for countries to achieve the global target, and how changes in prevalence, together with population growth and ageing, are affecting the number of adults with diabetes. METHODS: We pooled data from population-based studies that had collected data on diabetes through measurement of its biomarkers. We used a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate trends in diabetes prevalence—defined as fasting plasma glucose of 7·0 mmol/L or higher, or history of diagnosis with diabetes, or use of insulin or oral hypoglycaemic drugs—in 200 countries and territories in 21 regions, by sex and from 1980 to 2014. We also calculated the posterior probability of meeting the global diabetes target if post-2000 trends continue. FINDINGS: We used data from 751 studies including 4 372 000 adults from 146 of the 200 countries we make estimates for. Global age-standardised diabetes prevalence increased from 4·3% (95% credible interval 2·4–7·0) in 1980 to 9·0% (7·2–11·1) in 2014 in men, and from 5·0% (2·9–7·9) to 7·9% (6·4–9·7) in women. The number of adults with diabetes in the world increased from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014 (28·5% due to the rise in prevalence, 39·7% due to population growth and ageing, and 31·8% due to interaction of these two factors). Age-standardised adult diabetes prevalence in 2014 was lowest in northwestern Europe, and highest in Polynesia and Micronesia, at nearly 25%, followed by Melanesia and the Middle East and north Africa. Between 1980 and 2014 there was little change in age-standardised diabetes prevalence in adult women in continental western Europe, although crude prevalence rose because of ageing of the population. By contrast, age-standardised adult prevalence rose by 15 percentage points in men and women in Polynesia and Micronesia. In 2014, American Samoa had the highest national prevalence of diabetes (>30% in both sexes), with age-standardised adult prevalence also higher than 25% in some other islands in Polynesia and Micronesia. If post-2000 trends continue, the probability of meeting the global target of halting the rise in the prevalence of diabetes by 2025 at the 2010 level worldwide is lower than 1% for men and is 1% for women. Only nine countries for men and 29 countries for women, mostly in western Europe, have a 50% or higher probability of meeting the global target. INTERPRETATION: Since 1980, age-standardised diabetes prevalence in adults has increased, or at best remained unchanged, in every country. Together with population growth and ageing, this rise has led to a near quadrupling of the number of adults with diabetes worldwide. The burden of diabetes, both in terms of prevalence and number of adults affected, has increased faster in low-income and middle-income countries than in high-income countries. FUNDING: Wellcome Trust