Association of Interleukin-6 and Myeloperoxidase with Insulin Resistance in Impaired Fasting Glucose Subjects

Impaired fasting glucose (IFG) is a high risk subclinical condition for the progression of type 2 diabetes mellitus and the hyperglycemia seen in this condition is because of the development of insulin resistance (IR). Obesity, inflammation, oxidative stress and many other factors have been implicated in development of IR in type 2 diabetes mellitus and its successive complications. Current study was aimed to ascertain the correlation of inflammation and oxidative stress markers [interleukin-6 (IL-6) and myeloperoxidase (MPO)] with IR in subjects with IFG. In this study, 80 subjects (40 IFG, 40 healthy controls) aged 25–45 years were selected based on their fasting plasma glucose (FPG) values and clinical history. Serum insulin, IL-6 and MPO were estimated by ELISA method and IR was calculated using Homeostatic Model Assessment Index 2 (HOMA 2) calculator. Pearson’s correlation coefficient and independent sample ‘t’ test were used for statistical analysis. IL-6 and MPO were found to be significantly elevated in IFG group and both correlates significantly with IR (r 0.413, r 0.645). Only MPO had significant correlation with FPG (r 0.388). In conclusion, the association of altered levels of IL-6 and MPO with IR are suggestive of a role of inflammation and oxidative stress in the initiation and progression of IR in individuals with IFG.     

Pre-service teachers’ attitude towards inclusive education for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Malaysia

In this study, the pre-service teachers’ attitudes towards the educational inclusion for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) were investigated to identify their attitudinal patterns and predictors. An attitudinal survey was conducted with 264 pre-service teachers in a teacher training programme in Malaysia. The study involved 151 special education pre-service teachers and 181 pre-service teachers in Special Education, Sciences, and in English teacher training programmes, in order to identify the effects of teaching specialisations and societal attitude on their inclusive education attitudinal measures. The findings revealed that the special education pre-service teachers were less in favour of the total inclusion of students with ASD in the mainstream, when compared with the non-special education pre-service teachers. The findings also revealed the combined effects of societal attitude and a categorical teacher training model in shaping the pre-service teachers’ attitudes towards inclusive education for the students with ASD in Malaysia. Such combined effects offered a perspective to explain the delay in the implementation of inclusive education, and also the prospect of its future development in the Southeast Asian region.     

Nonlinear acoustic response of a cylindrical shell

A mathematical theory is developed for the nonlinear flexural response of an elastic, infinitely long, thin cylindrical shell submerged in an acoustic medium. The non- linearities examined pertain solely to the elastic field. Application of the theory is displayed in the context of a specific interaction problem. Inadequacies resulting from the use of existing interaction theories which employ a linear shell theory are displayed and critically examined.     

Paired values of serum fructosamine and blood glucose for the screening of gestational diabetes mellitus: A retrospective study of 165 Saudi pregnant women

This study reports the utilization of serum fructosamine and blood glucose for the screening of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Blood samples from 165 pregnant women were analyzed for fasting blood glucose (FBG), random blood glucose (RBG) and serum fructosamine. The actual fructosamine levels were corrected for serum protein (c-Fruct) for more precise presentation. Two cut-off values of FBG (>5.3 mmol/L and >7.0 mmol/L) and RBG (>7.8 mmol/L and >11.0 mmol/L) were used to classify hyperglycemic subjects for subsequent evaluation. The average values±standard deviations for FBG, RBG and cFruct were 5.865±1.95, 7.767±3.21 and 2.387±0.47 mmol/L, respectively. FBG levels were significantly correlated with RBG (Pearson correlation=0.597, P<0.001). Significant correlations were also observed between cFruct and FBG (Pearson correlation=0.673, P<0.001) or RBG (Pearson correlation=0.641, P<0.001). Out of 165 subjects, 24 (14.5%) cases were classified as hyperglycemic on the basis of FBG>7.0 mmol/L or RBG>11.0 mmol/L; use of lower cut-off values resulted higher frequencies of hyperglycemia. Whereas, a combined criteria of FBG>5.3 mmol/L and cFruct >2.5 mmol/L predicted 35 patients as the most probable hyperglycemic as compared to 32 patients identified using the criteria of RBG >7.8 mmol/L and cFruct >2.5 mmol/L. These criteria were associated with 4.8% and 3.6% false-positivity at the expense of 3.6% and 3.0% false-negative outcomes, respectively. The levels of FBG, RBG and cFruct were significantly higher in hyperglycemic groups (irrespective of grouping criteria) as compared to the respective normal groups. In conclusion, these findings clearly indicate that the paired values of cFruct with FBG or RBG could help in filtering high-risk individuals for OGTT and therefore avoiding a unnecessary OGTT.     

Evaluating student satisfaction of quality at international branch campuses

The aim of this research is to present the determinants of students’ perceptions of quality and experience of study at international branch campuses in Malaysia, a country that is set to become an academic hub in Asia. This study used a multi-method approach for data collection. The respondents comprised 245 students (both undergraduate and postgraduate) from six renowned international branch campuses operating in the country – three from Australia, two from the UK and one from India. In addition, a total of 21 face-to-face interviews were conducted after the survey. The results revealed that across the seven dimensions examined concerning education and non-education qualities – university reputation/image, programme quality, lecturers and teaching quality, student learning environment, effective use of technology, counselling and academic advising support, and social life (direct/indirect) facilities – the students were largely satisfied. The paper adds to the existing body of research on higher education service quality, particularly on students’ perceptions and expectations of international branch campuses.     

Psychometric Properties of the Malay Version of the Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment for Geriatrics (M-LOTCA-G) Among the Malaysian Elderly Population

Current cognitive screening tests are difficult to use due to their deficit in cultural and conceptual significance and translation into other languages. The purpose of this study was to translate the Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment for Geriatrics (LOTCA-G) into Malay language and test its reliability and validity for assessing cognitive deficit among institutional elderly who undergo occupational therapy. The study was based on a single group test–retest design of 52 selected subjects (among the elderly). Cronbach's alpha values were used to examine the reliability of the instrument. Convergent validity was also assessed by comparing the adapted Malay version to the original English version for any inconsistencies and abnormality in interpretation. This study concluded that the Malay version of the Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment for Geriatrics is reliable as the overall Cronbach's alpha value was more than .90. This study also indicated that both the adapted Malay version and the original English versions of the instruments were consistent in their performance in cognitive components. The findings pointed out that the Malay version of the Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment for Geriatrics is appropriate and reliable in identifying deficits in cognitive components in relation to occupational performance for the Malaysian elderly population.     

Acceptance of mobile technologies and M-learning by university students: An empirical investigation in higher education

Education and Information Technologies - Mobile-learning (M-learning) apps have grown in popularity and demand in recent years and have become a typical occurrence in modern educational systems,...     

PRInK: Environmental virtual interactive based education and learning model for STEM motivation

Education and Information Technologies - Pollution from quarry activities has a substantial environmental impact on many countries. This issue should be addressed accordingly as its impact may...     

Oxidative stress and antioxidant status in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia

Chronic myeloid leukemia is a myeloproliferative disorder with a unique rearrangement, the Philadelphia chromosome. Oxidative stress, a pervasive condition of an increased number of reactive oxygen species, is now recognized to be prominent feature of various diseases and their progression. Thus antioxidants, which control the oxidative stress state, represent a major line of defense regulating overall true state of health. The relationship between antioxidants status and levels of well-known markers of oxidative stress that are measured as lipid peroxides and oxidized proteins reflect better health indices and postures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of oxidative stress in pathophysiology of Chronic myeloid leukemia by measuring the circulating plasma lipid peroxide levels in terms of malonyldialdehyde, total lipid hydroperoxide and oxidized proteins as protein carbonyl whereas antioxidant status were estimated in terms of reduced glutathione and total thiol in plasma of Chronic myeloid leukemia patients. The present study included 47 Chronic myeloid leukemia patients and 20 age-and sex-matched healthy subjects. Out of 47 Chronic myeloid leukemia patients, 31 were in chronic phase (CML-CP) and 16 in accelerated phase (CML-AP). The median age of Chronic myeloid leukemia patients was 33 years and that of controls was 32 years. Oxidative stress and antioxidant status in plasma were evaluated by spectrophotometric procedures. There was a significant increase (p<0.05) in plasma malonyldialdehyde, total lipid hydroperoxide and protein carbonyl levels in Chronic myeloid leukemia patients as compared to healthy subjects. Our results also showed that plasma malonyldialdehyde and protein carbonyl levels were markedly elevated (p<0.05) in both chronic phase (CML-CP) and accelerated phase (CML-AP) as compared to healthy volunteers. Antioxidant status was found to be significantly decreased (p<0.05) in Chronic myeloid leukemia patients and its phases as compared to healthy participants. It could be concluded that oxidative stress may be associated with the pathophysiology of Chronic myeloid leukemia.