Browse publications by year: 2014

  1. Biomechanical evaluation of two commonly used external fixators in the treatment of open subtalar dislocation--a finite element analysis
    Ramlee MH, Kadir MR, Murali MR, Kamarul T
    Med Eng Phys, 2014 Oct;36(10):1358-66.
    PMID: 25092623 DOI: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2014.07.001
    Subtalar dislocation is a rare injury caused by high-energy trauma. Current treatment strategies include leg casts, internal fixation and external fixation. Among these, external fixators are the most commonly used as this method is believed to provide better stabilization. However, the biomechanical stability provided by these fixators has not been demonstrated. This biomechanical study compares two commonly used external fixators, i.e. Mitkovic and Delta. CT imaging data were used to reconstruct three-dimensional models of the tibia, fibula, talus, calcaneus, navicular, cuboid, three cuneiforms and five metatarsal bones. The 3D models of the bones and cartilages were then converted into four-noded linear tetrahedral elements, whilst the ligaments were modelled with linear spring elements. Bones and cartilage were idealized as homogeneous, isotropic and linear. To simulate loading during walking, axial loading (70 N during the swing and 350 N during the stance phase) was applied at the end of diaphyseal tibia. The results demonstrate that the Mitkovic fixator produced greater displacement (peak 3.0mm and 15.6mm) compared to the Delta fixator (peak 0.8mm and 3.9 mm), in both the swing and stance phase, respectively. This study demonstrates that the Delta external fixator provides superior stability over the Mitkovic fixator. The Delta fixator may be more effective in treating subtalar dislocation.
    MeSH terms: Biomechanical Phenomena; Dislocations/physiopathology; Dislocations/radiography; Dislocations/surgery*; Humans; Stress, Mechanical; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; External Fixators*; Weight-Bearing; Finite Element Analysis*; Foot Joints/injuries*; Foot Joints/physiopathology; Foot Joints/radiography; Foot Joints/surgery; Mechanical Processes*
  2. Fulltext Molecular Cloning and Optimization for High Level Expression of Cold-Adapted Serine Protease from Antarctic Yeast Glaciozyma antarctica PI12
    Alias N, Ahmad Mazian M, Salleh AB, Basri M, Rahman RN
    Enzyme Res, 2014;2014:197938.
    PMID: 25093119 DOI: 10.1155/2014/197938
    Psychrophilic basidiomycete yeast, Glaciozyma antarctica strain PI12, was shown to be a protease-producer. Isolation of the PI12 protease gene from genomic and mRNA sequences allowed determination of 19 exons and 18 introns. Full-length cDNA of PI12 protease gene was amplified by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) strategy with an open reading frame (ORF) of 2892 bp, coded for 963 amino acids. PI12 protease showed low homology with the subtilisin-like protease from fungus Rhodosporidium toruloides (42% identity) and no homology to other psychrophilic proteases. The gene encoding mature PI12 protease was cloned into Pichia pastoris expression vector, pPIC9, and positioned under the induction of methanol-alcohol oxidase (AOX) promoter. The recombinant PI12 protease was efficiently secreted into the culture medium driven by the Saccharomyces cerevisiae α-factor signal sequence. The highest protease production (28.3 U/ml) was obtained from P. pastoris GS115 host (GpPro2) at 20°C after 72 hours of postinduction time with 0.5% (v/v) of methanol inducer. The expressed protein was detected by SDS-PAGE and activity staining with a molecular weight of 99 kDa.
  3. Fulltext Late-Onset Glycogen Storage Disease Type II (Pompe's Disease) with a Novel Mutation: A Malaysian Experience
    Fu Liong H, Abdul Wahab SA, Yakob Y, Lock Hock N, Thong WK, Viswanathan S
    Case Rep Neurol Med, 2014;2014:926510.
    PMID: 25093132 DOI: 10.1155/2014/926510
    Pompe's disease (acid maltase deficiency, glycogen storage disease type II) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by a deficiency of lysosomal acid α-1,4-glucosidase, resulting in excessive accumulation of glycogen in the lysosomes and cytoplasm of all tissues, most notably in skeletal muscles. We present a case of adult-onset Pompe's disease with progressive proximal muscles weakness over 5 years and respiratory failure on admission, requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation. Electromyography showed evidence of myopathic process with small amplitudes, polyphasic motor unit action potentials, and presence of pseudomyotonic discharges. Muscle biopsy showed glycogen-containing vacuoles in the muscle fibers consistent with glycogen storage disease. Genetic analysis revealed two compound heterozygous mutations at c.444C>G (p.Tyr148∗) in exon 2 and c.2238G>C (p.Trp746Cys) in exon 16, with the former being a novel mutation. This mutation has not been reported before, to our knowledge. The patient was treated with high protein diet during the admission and subsequently showed good clinical response to enzyme replacement therapy with survival now to the eighth year. Conclusion. In patients with late-onset adult Pompe's disease, careful evaluation and early identification of the disease and its treatment with high protein diet and enzyme replacement therapy improve muscle function and have beneficial impact on long term survival.
  4. Fulltext Multi-item multiperiodic inventory control problem with variable demand and discounts: a particle swarm optimization algorithm
    Mousavi SM, Niaki ST, Bahreininejad A, Musa SN
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:136047.
    PMID: 25093195 DOI: 10.1155/2014/136047
    A multi-item multiperiod inventory control model is developed for known-deterministic variable demands under limited available budget. Assuming the order quantity is more than the shortage quantity in each period, the shortage in combination of backorder and lost sale is considered. The orders are placed in batch sizes and the decision variables are assumed integer. Moreover, all unit discounts for a number of products and incremental quantity discount for some other items are considered. While the objectives are to minimize both the total inventory cost and the required storage space, the model is formulated into a fuzzy multicriteria decision making (FMCDM) framework and is shown to be a mixed integer nonlinear programming type. In order to solve the model, a multiobjective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) approach is applied. A set of compromise solution including optimum and near optimum ones via MOPSO has been derived for some numerical illustration, where the results are compared with those obtained using a weighting approach. To assess the efficiency of the proposed MOPSO, the model is solved using multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA) as well. A large number of numerical examples are generated at the end, where graphical and statistical approaches show more efficiency of MOPSO compared with MOGA.
    MeSH terms: Algorithms*; Decision Making; Models, Theoretical*
  5. Fulltext Role of rutin on nitric oxide synthesis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells
    Ugusman A, Zakaria Z, Chua KH, Nordin NA, Abdullah Mahdy Z
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:169370.
    PMID: 25093198 DOI: 10.1155/2014/169370
    Nitric oxide (NO), produced by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), is a major antiatherogenic factor in the blood vessel. Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of various cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis. Decreased availability of endothelial NO promotes the progression of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Rutin is a flavonoid with multiple cardiovascular protective effects. This study aimed to investigate the effects of rutin on eNOS and NO production in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). HUVEC were divided into four groups: control; oxidative stress induction with 180 μM H₂O₂; treatment with 300 μM rutin; and concomitant induction with rutin and H₂O₂ for 24 hours. HUVEC treated with rutin produced higher amount of NO compared to control (P < 0.01). In the oxidative stress-induced HUVEC, rutin successfully induced cells' NO production (P < 0.01). Rutin promoted NO production in HUVEC by inducing eNOS gene expression (P < 0.05), eNOS protein synthesis (P < 0.01), and eNOS activity (P < 0.05). Treatment with rutin also led to increased gene and protein expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in HUVEC. Therefore, upregulation of eNOS expression by rutin may be mediated by bFGF. The results showed that rutin may improve endothelial function by augmenting NO production in human endothelial cells.
    MeSH terms: Humans; Hydrogen Peroxide/metabolism; Nitric Oxide/metabolism*; Rutin/pharmacology*; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III/metabolism; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/drug effects*; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/metabolism*
  6. Fulltext Role of EEG as biomarker in the early detection and classification of dementia
    Al-Qazzaz NK, Ali SH, Ahmad SA, Chellappan K, Islam MS, Escudero J
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:906038.
    PMID: 25093211 DOI: 10.1155/2014/906038
    The early detection and classification of dementia are important clinical support tasks for medical practitioners in customizing patient treatment programs to better manage the development and progression of these diseases. Efforts are being made to diagnose these neurodegenerative disorders in the early stages. Indeed, early diagnosis helps patients to obtain the maximum treatment benefit before significant mental decline occurs. The use of electroencephalogram as a tool for the detection of changes in brain activities and clinical diagnosis is becoming increasingly popular for its capabilities in quantifying changes in brain degeneration in dementia. This paper reviews the role of electroencephalogram as a biomarker based on signal processing to detect dementia in early stages and classify its severity. The review starts with a discussion of dementia types and cognitive spectrum followed by the presentation of the effective preprocessing denoising to eliminate possible artifacts. It continues with a description of feature extraction by using linear and nonlinear techniques, and it ends with a brief explanation of vast variety of separation techniques to classify EEG signals. This paper also provides an idea from the most popular studies that may help in diagnosing dementia in early stages and classifying through electroencephalogram signal processing and analysis.
    MeSH terms: Dementia/diagnosis*; Electroencephalography/methods*; Humans; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted
  7. Fulltext A facile thermal-treatment route to synthesize ZnO nanosheets and effect of calcination temperature
    Al-Hada NM, Saion EB, Shaari AH, Kamarudin MA, Flaifel MH, Ahmad SH, et al.
    PLoS One, 2014;9(8):e103134.
    PMID: 25093752 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0103134
    A facile thermal-treatment route was successfully used to synthesize ZnO nanosheets. Morphological, structural, and optical properties of obtained nanoparticles at different calcination temperatures were studied using various techniques. The FTIR, XRD, EDX, SEM and TEM images confirmed the formation of ZnO nanosheets through calcination in the temperature between 500 to 650 °C. The SEM images showed a morphological structure of ZnO nanosheets, which inclined to crumble at higher calcination temperatures. The XRD and FTIR spectra revealed that the samples were amorphous at 30 °C but transformed into a crystalline structure during calcination process. The average particle size and degree of crystallinity increased with increasing calcination temperature. The estimated average particle sizes from TEM images were about 23 and 38 nm for the lowest and highest calcination temperature i.e. 500 and 650 °C, respectively. The optical properties were determined by UV-Vis reflection spectrophotometer and showed a decrease in the band gap with increasing calcination temperature.
    MeSH terms: Hot Temperature*; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Nitrates/chemistry; Povidone/chemistry; Surface Properties; Thermogravimetry; Water/chemistry; Zinc Oxide/chemistry*; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Zinc Compounds/chemistry; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Nanostructures/chemistry*
  8. Fulltext New thiosemicarbazides and 1,2,4-triazolethiones derived from 2-(ethylsulfanyl) benzohydrazide as potent antioxidants
    Nazarbahjat N, Nordin N, Abdullah Z, Abdulla MA, Yehye WA, Halim SN, et al.
    Molecules, 2014;19(8):11520-37.
    PMID: 25093989 DOI: 10.3390/molecules190811520
    New thiosemicarbazide derivatives 2-6 were synthesised by reacting 2-(ethylsulfanyl)benzohydrazide with various aryl isothiocyanates. The cyclisation of compounds 2-6 under reflux conditions in a basic medium (aqueous NaOH, 4 N) yielded compounds 7-11 that contain a 1,2,4-triazole ring. All of the synthesised compounds were screened for their antioxidant activities. Compounds 2, 3, and 7 showed better radical scavenging in a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, with IC50 values of 1.08, 0.22, and 0.74 µg/mL, respectively, compared to gallic acid (IC50, 1.2 µg/mL). Compound 3 also showed superior results in a ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay (3054 µM/100 g) compared to those of ascorbic acid (1207 µM/100 g).
    MeSH terms: Antioxidants/chemical synthesis*; Antioxidants/pharmacology*; Azides/chemistry*; Ferric Compounds/chemistry; Models, Molecular; Molecular Conformation; Semicarbazides/chemical synthesis*; Semicarbazides/pharmacology*; Triazoles/chemical synthesis*; Triazoles/pharmacology*; Free Radical Scavengers/chemical synthesis; Free Radical Scavengers/pharmacology
  9. Microwave-assisted fabrication of titanium implants with controlled surface topography for rapid bone healing
    Kutty MG, De A, Bhaduri SB, Yaghoubi A
    ACS Appl Mater Interfaces, 2014 Aug 27;6(16):13587-93.
    PMID: 25095907 DOI: 10.1021/am502967n
    Morphological surface modifications have been reported to enhance the performance of biomedical implants. However, current methods of introducing graded porosity involves postprocessing techniques that lead to formation of microcracks, delamination, loss of fatigue strength, and, overall, poor mechanical properties. To address these issues, we developed a microwave sintering procedure whereby pure titanium powder can be readily densified into implants with graded porosity in a single step. Using this approach, surface topography of implants can be closely controlled to have a distinctive combination of surface area, pore size, and surface roughness. In this study, the effect of various surface topographies on in vitro response of neonatal rat calvarial osteoblast in terms of attachment and proliferation is studied. Certain graded surfaces nearly double the chance of cell viability in early stages (∼one month) and are therefore expected to improve the rate of healing. On the other hand, while the osteoblast morphology significantly differs in each sample at different periods, there is no straightforward correlation between early proliferation and quantitative surface parameters such as average roughness or surface area. This indicates that the nature of cell-surface interactions likely depends on other factors, including spatial parameters.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Bone and Bones/drug effects; Bone and Bones/pathology*; Cell Adhesion; Cells, Cultured; Microwaves*; Osteoblasts/cytology; Osteoblasts/ultrastructure; Particle Size; Titanium/pharmacology*; Wound Healing/drug effects*; Porosity; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Prostheses and Implants*
  10. Genetic variants associated with phenytoin-related severe cutaneous adverse reactions
    Chung WH, Chang WC, Lee YS, Wu YY, Yang CH, Ho HC, et al.
    JAMA, 2014 Aug 6;312(5):525-34.
    PMID: 25096692 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2014.7859
    The antiepileptic drug phenytoin can cause cutaneous adverse reactions, ranging from maculopapular exanthema to severe cutaneous adverse reactions, which include drug reactions with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and toxic epidermal necrolysis. The pharmacogenomic basis of phenytoin-related severe cutaneous adverse reactions remains unknown.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anticonvulsants/adverse effects*; Anticonvulsants/pharmacokinetics; Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases/genetics*; Eosinophilia/chemically induced*; Eosinophilia/genetics; Female; Humans; Japan; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Pharmacogenetics; Phenytoin/adverse effects*; Phenytoin/pharmacokinetics; Stevens-Johnson Syndrome/genetics*; Taiwan; Case-Control Studies; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Genome-Wide Association Study; Young Adult; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C9
  11. High cut-off hemofiltration versus standard hemofiltration: a pilot assessment of effects on indices of apoptosis
    Atan R, Virzi GM, Peck L, Ramadas A, Brocca A, Eastwood G, et al.
    Blood Purif., 2014;37(4):296-303.
    PMID: 25096908 DOI: 10.1159/000363220
    To measure plasma pro-apoptotic and pro-necrotic activity in severe acute kidney injury (AKI) patients within a randomized controlled trial of continuous veno-venous hemofiltration with high cut-off filters (CVVH-HCO) versus standard filters (CVVH-Std).
    MeSH terms: Aged; Cell Line; Cell Survival; Female; Hemofiltration/methods*; Hemofiltration/standards*; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Plasma/metabolism; Plasma/chemistry; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Treatment Outcome; Apoptosis; Annexins/metabolism; Caspase 3/metabolism; DNA Fragmentation; Acute Kidney Injury/blood*; Acute Kidney Injury/therapy*
  12. Fulltext Culturable bacterial endophytes isolated from Mangrove tree (Rhizophora apiculata Blume) enhance seedling growth in Rice
    Deivanai S, Bindusara AS, Prabhakaran G, Bhore SJ
    J Nat Sci Biol Med, 2014 Jul;5(2):437-44.
    PMID: 25097431 DOI: 10.4103/0976-9668.136233
    BACKGROUND: Endophytic bacteria do have several potential applications in medicine and in other various sectors of biotechnology including agriculture. Bacterial endophytes need to be explored for their potential applications in agricultural biotechnology. One of the potential applications of bacterial endophytes in agricultural is to enhance the growth of the agricultural crops. Hence, this study was undertaken to explore the plant growth promoting potential application of bacterial endophytes.

    OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the effect of endophytic bacteria from mangrove tree (Rhizophora apiculata Blume) for their efficacy in promoting seedling growth in rice.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight endophytic bacterial isolates (EBIs) isolated from twig and petiole tissues of the mangrove were identified based on their 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) gene sequence homology. Separately, surface sterilized paddy seeds were treated with cell-free broth and cell suspension of the EBIs. Rice seedlings were analyzed by various bioassays and data was recorded.

    RESULTS: The gene sequences of the isolates were closely related to two genera namely, Bacillus and Pantoea. Inoculation of EBIs from R. apiculata with rice seeds resulted in accelerated root and shoot growth with significant increase in chlorophyll content. Among the isolates, Pantoea ananatis (1MSE1) and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (3MPE1) had shown predominance of activity. Endophytic invasion was recognized by the non-host by rapid accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and was counteracted by the production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and lipid peroxide. The results demonstrated that EBIs from mangrove tree can increase the fitness of the rice seedlings under controlled conditions.

    CONCLUSION: These research findings could be useful to enhance the seedling growth and could serve as foundation in further research on enhancing the growth of the rice crop using endophytic bacteria.

  13. Fulltext Perspectives from the academic leadership camp (IV) of the AIMST University, Malaysia
    Premkumar R, Bhore SJ
    J Nat Sci Biol Med, 2014 Jul;5(2):501-4.
    PMID: 25097449 DOI: 10.4103/0976-9668.136296
  14. Paecilomyces lilacinus fungaemia in an AIDS patient: the importance of mycological diagnosis
    Ding CH, Tzar MN, Rahman MM, Muttaqillah NA, Redzuan SR, Periyasamy P
    Pak J Med Sci, 2014 Jul;30(4):914-6.
    PMID: 25097544
    Fungaemia due to Paecilomyces lilacinus is generally not considered in AIDS patients because this condition is not categorised as an AIDS-indicator illness. We report a case of a 25-year-old lady who presented to our hospital with Guillain-Barré Syndrome, with the subsequent development of refractory fungaemia, multi-organ failure and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. Amphotericin B was given as empirical antifungal therapy. HIV screening was reactive and Paecilomyces lilacinus was isolated from her blood. The fungaemia did not resolve after one week of amphotericin B treatment. The addition of itraconazole was also unsuccessful in clearing the fungaemia. Accurate mycological diagnosis is important in the care of AIDS patients with fungaemia because of the risk of treatment failure with empirical therapy.
    MeSH terms: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Adult; Amphotericin B; Antifungal Agents; Female; Hospitals; Humans; Hypocreales; Paecilomyces; Penicillium; Fungemia; Treatment Failure; Itraconazole; Guillain-Barre Syndrome
  15. Fulltext Impact of adipogenic differentiation on stemness and osteogenic gene expression in extensive culture of human adipose-derived stem cells
    Safwani WK, Makpol S, Sathapan S, Chua K
    Arch Med Sci, 2014 Jun 29;10(3):597-606.
    PMID: 25097593 DOI: 10.5114/aoms.2014.43753
    Adipose tissue is a source of multipotent adult stem cells. Most studies on human adipose-derived stem cells (ASC) have been on the early passages. Studies in extensive expansion have not been well established yet. In this study, we aim to investigate the effects of extensive expansion on the adipogenic differentiation capability of ASC.
  16. Fulltext A randomized control study of psychological intervention to reduce anxiety, amotivation and psychological distress among medical students
    Saravanan C, Kingston R
    J Res Med Sci, 2014 May;19(5):391-7.
    PMID: 25097619
    BACKGROUND: Test anxiety aggravates psychological distress and reduces the motivation among graduate students. This study aimed to identify psychological intervention for test anxiety, which reduces the level of psychological distress, amotivation and increases the intrinsic and extrinsic motivation among medical students.
    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Westside test anxiety scale, Kessler Perceived Stress Scale and Academic Motivation Scale were used to measure test anxiety, psychological distress and motivation on 436 1(st) year medical students. Out of 436 students, 74 students who exhibited moderate to high test anxiety were randomly divided into either experimental or waiting list group. In this true randomized experimental study, 32 participants from the intervention group received five sessions of psychological intervention consist of psychoeducation, relaxation therapy and systematic desensitization. Thirty-three students from waiting list received one session of advice and suggestions.
    RESULTS: After received psychological intervention participants from the intervention group experienced less anxiety, psychological distress, and amotivation (P < 0.01) and high intrinsic and extrinsic motivation (P < 0.01) in the postassessment compared with their preassessment scores.
    CONCLUSION: Overall psychological intervention is effective to reduce anxiety scores and its related variables.
    KEYWORDS: Anxiety; motivation; psychological distress
    MeSH terms: Adult; Anxiety*; Humans; Malaysia; Motivation; Students, Medical; Universities
  17. Fulltext Vitamin E in sarcopenia: current evidences on its role in prevention and treatment
    Khor SC, Abdul Karim N, Ngah WZ, Yusof YA, Makpol S
    Oxid Med Cell Longev, 2014;2014:914853.
    PMID: 25097722 DOI: 10.1155/2014/914853
    Sarcopenia is a geriatric syndrome that is characterized by gradual loss of muscle mass and strength with increasing age. Although the underlying mechanism is still unknown, the contribution of increased oxidative stress in advanced age has been recognized as one of the risk factors of sarcopenia. Thus, eliminating reactive oxygen species (ROS) can be a strategy to combat sarcopenia. In this review, we discuss the potential role of vitamin E in the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia. Vitamin E is a lipid soluble vitamin, with potent antioxidant properties and current evidence suggesting a role in the modulation of signaling pathways. Previous studies have shown its possible beneficial effects on aging and age-related diseases. Although there are evidences suggesting an association between vitamin E and muscle health, they are still inconclusive compared to other more extensively studied chronic diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases and cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, we reviewed the role of vitamin E and its potential protective mechanisms on muscle health based on previous and current in vitro and in vivo studies.
    MeSH terms: Aging; Antioxidants/therapeutic use*; Humans; Vitamin E/therapeutic use*; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism; Oxidative Stress; Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism; Sarcopenia/drug therapy*; Sarcopenia/pathology; Sarcopenia/prevention & control
  18. Fulltext The status quo and unmet needs in the management of allergic rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis: a Malaysian perspective
    Prepageran N, Wang de Y, Nair G, Maurer M
    Asia Pac Allergy, 2014 Jul;4(3):142-8.
    PMID: 25097849 DOI: 10.5415/apallergy.2014.4.3.142
    Allergic rhinitis and rhinosinusitis, common and debilitating conditions, should be managed in accordance with guideline recommendations. Guideline adherence shows regional differences. As of now, there is little data from Asia and none from Malaysia on the current treatment practices and unmet needs in the management of these conditions.
    MeSH terms: Asia; Malaysia; Sinusitis; Guideline Adherence; Rhinitis, Allergic
  19. Fulltext Dimensional model for estimating factors influencing childhood obesity: path analysis based modeling
    Kheirollahpour M, Shohaimi S
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:512148.
    PMID: 25097878 DOI: 10.1155/2014/512148
    The main objective of this study is to identify and develop a comprehensive model which estimates and evaluates the overall relations among the factors that lead to weight gain in children by using structural equation modeling. The proposed models in this study explore the connection among the socioeconomic status of the family, parental feeding practice, and physical activity. Six structural models were tested to identify the direct and indirect relationship between the socioeconomic status and parental feeding practice general level of physical activity, and weight status of children. Finally, a comprehensive model was devised to show how these factors relate to each other as well as to the body mass index (BMI) of the children simultaneously. Concerning the methodology of the current study, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was applied to reveal the hidden (secondary) effect of socioeconomic factors on feeding practice and ultimately on the weight status of the children and also to determine the degree of model fit. The comprehensive structural model tested in this study suggested that there are significant direct and indirect relationships among variables of interest. Moreover, the results suggest that parental feeding practice and physical activity are mediators in the structural model.
    MeSH terms: Child; Humans; Obesity/epidemiology*; Socioeconomic Factors; Models, Statistical*
  20. Fulltext A comprehensive review on adaptability of network forensics frameworks for mobile cloud computing
    Khan S, Shiraz M, Wahab AW, Gani A, Han Q, Rahman ZB
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:547062.
    PMID: 25097880 DOI: 10.1155/2014/547062
    Network forensics enables investigation and identification of network attacks through the retrieved digital content. The proliferation of smartphones and the cost-effective universal data access through cloud has made Mobile Cloud Computing (MCC) a congenital target for network attacks. However, confines in carrying out forensics in MCC is interrelated with the autonomous cloud hosting companies and their policies for restricted access to the digital content in the back-end cloud platforms. It implies that existing Network Forensic Frameworks (NFFs) have limited impact in the MCC paradigm. To this end, we qualitatively analyze the adaptability of existing NFFs when applied to the MCC. Explicitly, the fundamental mechanisms of NFFs are highlighted and then analyzed using the most relevant parameters. A classification is proposed to help understand the anatomy of existing NFFs. Subsequently, a comparison is given that explores the functional similarities and deviations among NFFs. The paper concludes by discussing research challenges for progressive network forensics in MCC.
    MeSH terms: Computer Systems*; Information Storage and Retrieval/methods*; Forensic Sciences/methods*
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