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Numerical solution of fractional order advection-reaction diffusion equation
No full textIn this paper, the Laplace transform method is used to solve the advection-diffusion equation having source or sink term with initial and boundary conditions. The solution profile of normalized field variable for both conservative and non-conservative systems are calculated numerically using the Bellman method and the results are presented through graphs for different particular cases. A comparison of the numerical solution with the existing analytical solution for standard order conservative system clearly exhibits that the method is effective and reliable. The important part of the study is the graphical presentations of the effect of the reaction term on the solution profile for the non-conservative case in the fractional order as well as standard order system. The salient feature of the article is the exhibition of stochastic nature of the considered fractional order model
Do the dynamic stress mobility radiographs predict the postoperative vertebral height restoration, kyphosis correction, and cement volume injected after vertebroplasty for osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebral fractures with intravertebral cleft?
No full textBackground: This prospective clinical–radiological study was conducted to determine whether the dynamic mobility stress radiographs can predict the postoperative vertebral height restoration, kyphosis correction, and cement volume injected after vertebroplasty. Methods: Patients included had the diagnosis of significant back pain caused by osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture secondary to trivial injury. All the patients underwent routine preoperative sitting lateral spine radiograph, supine stress lateral spine radiograph, and supine anteroposterior spine radiograph. The radiological parameters recorded were anterior vertebral height (AVH), middle vertebral height (MVH), posterior vertebral height (PVH), MVH level below, wedge endplate angle (WEPA), and regional kyphotic angle (RKA). The supine stress versus sitting difference (SSD) for all the above parameters were calculated. Results: A total of 28 patients (4 males; 24 females) with the mean age of 75.6 ± 7.7 years were recruited into this study. The mean cement volume injected was 5.5 ± 1.8 ml. There was no difference between supine stress and postoperative radiographs for AVH (p = 0.507), PVH (p = 0.913) and WEPA (p = 0.379). The MVH (p = 0.026) and RKA (p = 0.005) were significantly less in the supine stress radiographs compared to postoperative radiographs. There was significant correlation (p 0.05). Only the SSD-MVH had significant correlation with cement volume, but the correlation was weak (r = 0.39, p = 0.04). Conclusions: Dynamic mobility stress radiographs can predict the postoperative vertebral height restoration and kyphosis correction after vertebroplasty for thoracolumbar osteoporotic fracture with intravertebral clefts. However, it did not reliably predict the amount of cement volume injected as it was affected by other factors
Prevalence of oral cancer, oral potentially malignant disorders and other oral mucosal lesions in Cambodia
No full textObjectives: To obtain data on the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions (OMLs) among Cambodians, and to assess the relationship between known risk habits of oral diseases with prevalence of oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs). Design: This was a population-based, cross-sectional study whereby subjects were adults aged 18 years old and above. A workshop on the identification of OML was held to train and calibrate dental officers prior to data collection in the field. Sociodemographic and risk habits data were collected via face-to-face interview, whilst presence of OML and clinical details of lesions such as type and site were collected following clinical oral examination by the examiners. Data analysis was carried out using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 12.0. The association between risk habits and risk of OPMD was explored using logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 1634 subjects were recruited. Prevalence of OML for this population was 54.1%. Linea alba was the most common lesion seen (28.7%). This study showed an overall OPMD prevalence of 5.6%. The most common type of OPMD was leukoplakia (64.8%), followed by lichen planus (30.8%). Subjects who only smoked were found to have an increased risk for OPMD of almost four-fold (RR 3.74, 95%CI 1.89–7.41). The highest risk was found for betel quid chewers, where the increased risk observed was more than six times (RR 6.75, 95%CI 3.32–13.72). Alcohol consumption on its own did not seem to confer an increased risk for OPMD, however when practiced concurrently with smoking, a significant risk of more than five times was noted (RR 5.69 95%CI 3.14–10.29). Conclusion: The prevalence of OML was 54.1%, with linea alba being the most commonly occurring lesion. Smoking, alcohol consumption and betel quid chewing were found to be associated with the prevalence of OPMD, which was 5.6%
What are the determinants for individuals to undergo cardiovascular disease health checks? A cross sectional survey
No full textBackground There is a need to improve public’s participation in health checks for early identification of individuals at high risk of CVD for prevention. The objective of this study is to identify significant determinants associated with individuals’ intention to undergo CVD health checks. These determinants could be used to develop effective strategies to improve CVD health check participation. Methods This was a cross sectional survey using mall intercept interviews. It was carried out in a hypermarket surrounded by housing estates with a population of varying socioeconomic backgrounds. Inclusion criteria were Malaysian nationality and age 30 years and older. The validated CVD health check questionnaire was used to assess participants’ intention and the determinants that influenced their intention to undergo CVD health checks. Results A total of 413 participants were recruited. The median age of the participants was 45 years (IQR 17 years) and 60% of them were female. Participants indicated they were likely (45.0%) or very likely (38.7%) to undergo CVD health checks while 16.2% were not sure, unlikely or very unlikely to undergo health checks. Using ordinal regression analysis, perception of benefits, drawbacks of CVD health checks, perception of external barriers and readiness to handle outcomes following CVD health checks were the significant determinants of individuals’ intention to undergo CVD health checks. Conclusions To improve individuals’ participation in CVD health checks, we need to develop strategies to address their perception of benefits and drawbacks of CVD health checks, the perceived external barriers and their readiness to handle outcomes following CVD health checks
Southwest monsoon onset dates over Malaysia and associated climatological characteristics
No full textIn Malaysia precipitation prevails throughout the year. However, the southwest monsoon (late May to September) is characterised with low precipitation, less cloud, high outgoing long-wave radiation (OLR) and often featured by dry epochs. Therefore, onset of the monsoon here is best determined by considering multiple onset parameters such as wind, OLR, rainfall and relative humidity. We used modified Malaysian Meteorological Department wind shear index based on major convection centres during the monsoon onset. The 850 hPa winds were chosen to investigate the onsets of the monsoon in view of the marked orographic and mesoscale processes. The next criterion was the presence of sustained westerlies averaged between 850 hPa and 600 hPa from all the available radiosonde stations data over Malaysia for at least 5 days. As the strongest convective activity in the tropics is represented by OLR of less than 220 W m-2, the third criterion was to check whether the value of OLR was greater than 220 W m-2 over the region. The mean date of the summer monsoon onset over Malaysia is found to be 19 May, with a standard deviation of 8 days. Further, climatological composites show that there is a gradual change from easterlies to westerlies from the surface up to 500 hPa in Malaysian stations both in Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia during May. OLR and rainfall analysis reveal that, the southwest monsoon daily rainfall over Malaysia is less than 10 mm and OLR is greater than 220 W m-2. Additionally, monsoon onset tends to be late during the El Niño years and earlier during the La Niña years
Near-Infrared Activatable Phthalocyanine–Poly-L-Glutamic Acid Conjugate: Enhanced in Vivo Safety and Antitumor Efficacy toward an Effective Photodynamic Cancer Therapy
No full textWe previously developed a new zinc(II) phthalocyanine (ZnPc) derivative (Pc 1) conjugated to poly-L-glutamic acid (PGA) (1-PG) to address the limitations of ZnPc as part of an antitumor photodynamic therapy approach, which include hydrophobicity, phototoxicity, and nonselectivity in biodistribution and tumor targeting. During this study, we discovered that 1-PG possessed high near-infrared (NIR) light absorptivity (λ max = 675 nm), good singlet oxygen generation efficiency in an aqueous environment, and enhanced photocytotoxic efficacy and cancer cell uptake in vitro. In the current study, we discovered that 1-PG accumulated in 4T1 mouse mammary tumors, with a retention time of up to 48 h. Furthermore, as part of an antitumor PDT, low dose 1-PG (2 mg of Pc 1 equivalent/kg) induced a greater tumor volume reduction (-74 ± 5%) when compared to high dose ZnPc (8 mg/kg, -50 ± 12%). At higher treatment doses (8 mg of Pc 1 equivalent/kg), 1-PG reduced tumor volume maximally (-91 ± 6%) and suppressed tumor size to a minimal level for up to 15 days. The kidney, liver, and lungs of the mice treated with 1-PG (both low and high doses) were free from 4T1 tumor metastasis at the end of the study. Telemetry-spectral-echocardiography studies also revealed that PGA (65 mg/kg) produced insignificant changes to the cardiovascular physiology of Wistar-Kyoto rats when administered in vivo. Results indicate that PGA displays an excellent cardiovascular safety profile, underlining its suitability for application as a nanodrug carrier in vivo. These current findings indicate the potential of 1-PG as a useful photosensitizer candidate for clinical PDT
Childhood overweight/obesity and social inequality in peri-urban regions of Taipei
No full textA cross-sectional analysis of 33,942 schoolchildren at 6th grade (peri-urban New Taipei, N = 25,028; urban Taipei, N = 8914), representing >50% of children population of the age in Taipei metropolitan area, was examined for the disparity in overweight/obesity prevalence between urban and expanding peri-urban regions. Overweight/obese prevalence of schoolchildren at the age level is 30.4%. Peri-urban schoolchildren had higher overweight/obesity prevalence than urban peers (Girls: 26.0% vs 20.6%, P < 0.001; Boys: 37.1% vs 33.8%, P < 0.001). Children in both regions spent substantially more time on homework/reading than television viewing and computer use. Peri-urban children spent less time on homework/reading and more time on television and computer use than their urban counterparts (P < 0.001). Children with parental education category at “No College” were 54.8% in peri-urban area against 24.8% in urban area (P < 0.001). They were 1.0 cm shorter in height and ∼1.0 kg heavier in weight, and spent less time on homework/reading than those at “College” (P < 0.001). This is the first report presents a disparity in childhood overweight/obesity prevalence between peri-urban and urban places. Public efforts are needed to solve the childhood overweight/obesity problem secondary to social inequality in places at developing stages during urbanization
Upper Instrumented Vertebrae (UIV) Tilt Angle Is an Important Postoperative Radiological Parameter That Correlates With Postoperative Neck and Medial Shoulder Imbalance
No full textStudy Design. Retrospective study. Objective. To investigate the association between postoperative upper instrumented vertebrae (UIV) tilt angle with postoperative medial shoulder and neck imbalance. Summary of Background Data. Studies had found that current recommendations for UIV selection were not predictive of good postoperative shoulder balance. Methods. A total of 98 patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with Lenke 1/2 curves who underwent posterior spinal fusion between 2013 and 2014 with minimum follow-up of 2 years were recruited. Radiological parameters: UIV tilt angle, T1 tilt, cervical axis, and clavicle angle were measured preoperatively, postoperatively, and at final follow-up. Results. Mean age was 16.2±6.2 years. Mean follow-up was 37.9±6.5 months. There were 73.5% Lenke 1 and 26.5% Lenke 2 curves. Significant factors affecting postoperative T1 Tilt were postoperative UIV tilt angle, preoperative T1 tilt, and preoperative UIV tilt angle. Postoperative UIV tilt angle and preoperative cervical axis were significant factors affecting cervical axis at final follow-up. UIV level was not significant independent factor that affected postoperative T1 tilt and cervical axis. There was strong correlation between postoperative UIV tilt angle and T1 tilt for the whole cohort (P<0.001), when UIV was at T2 (P<0.001), T3 (P<0.001), and T4 (P<0.001). Postoperative UIV tilt angle also had significant correlation with cervical axis when UIV was at T2 (P=0.021) and T3 (P=0.009). Conclusion. Postoperative UIV tilt angle was an independent factor, which had significant correlation with postoperative T1 tilt and cervical axis measurement. There was strong correlation between postoperative UIV tilt angle and T1 tilt for the whole cohort, when UIV was at T3 and T4. There was very strong correlation between postoperative UIV tilt angle and T1 tilt when UIV was at T2. There was also moderate and significant correlation between postoperative UIV tilt angle and cervical axis for the whole cohort
Multiplex MPN-PCR for the enumeration of three major Vibrios in raw fishes in Malaysia
No full textVibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio vulnificus are the most notorious fish borne-pathogens responsible for several deadly diseases in human. However, the prevalence of these three pathogenic vibrios in Malaysian fishes has not been thoroughly investigated, leaving a study gap for the tracing of possible Vibrio outbreak through carrier fish consumption. The most-probable-number-PCR (MPN-PCR) assays are highly sensitive for the identification of a single bacterial pathogen but they have not been applied for the discrimination of major vibrios in a multiplex platform. This study coupled MPN method with Multiplex PCR to differentiate three major vibrios in a one test platform. A total of 120 fish samples were analyzed and the prevalence of V. parahaemolyticus, V. cholerae, and V. vulnificus was 48.33%, 27%, and 32.50%, respectively. When simplex MPN-PCR was applied similar results were obtained at P < 0.05, validating the accuracy of multiplex MPN-PCR. The microbial loads of V. parahaemolyticus, V. cholerae, and V. vulnificus in the tested samples were 0–2.43 × 106, 0–2.16 × 106, and 0–4.93 × 105 MPN g−1, respectively. Primers based on housekeeping pntA gene amplified V. parahaemolyticus (409 bp) and V. cholerae (338 bp) but virulent vvhA gene detected V. vulnificus (205 bp). Thus the 27–48% prevalence of targeted vibrios in consumable fishes indicated there is considerable risk of Vibrio onset in Malaysia due to the consumption of undercooked or raw fish products
Convergence between the microcosms of Southeast Asian and North American pitcher plants
No full textThe ‘pitchers’ of carnivorous pitcher plants are exquisite examples of convergent evolution. An open question is whether the living communities housed in pitchers also converge in structure or function. Using samples from more than 330 field-collected pitchers of eight species of Southeast Asian Nepenthes and six species of North American Sarracenia, we demonstrate that the pitcher microcosms, or miniature ecosystems with complex communities, are strikingly similar. Compared to communities from surrounding habitats, pitcher communities house fewer species. While communities associated with the two genera contain different microbial organisms and arthropods, the species are predominantly from the same phylogenetic clades. Microbiomes from both genera are enriched in degradation pathways and have high abundances of key degradation enzymes. Moreover, in a manipulative field experiment, Nepenthes pitchers placed in a North American bog assembled Sarracenia-like communities. An understanding of the convergent interactions in pitcher microcosms facilitates identification of selective pressures shaping the communities