Multi-objective optimization for multi-type transportation problem in intuitionistic fuzzy environment

Multi-objective optimization is an emerging field concerning optimization problems associated with more than one objective function, each of them has to be optimized simultaneously. Multi-objective optimization is widely used in logistics and supply chains to reduce the cost and time involved in transportation. With the increase in Global Supply Chains, many organizations are facing the challenges of delivering products to their customers at a fast pace, low cost, and high reliability. There are numerous factors that may affect the goal of an organization to optimize the cost, time, and effort during the transportation of their products to the end customers. For instance, in the existing transportation problems, the type of vehicles used for the movement of the products is not focused. Transportation of the goods is considered to utilize any type of vehicle irrespective of the nature of the goods. However, in real-life scenarios, there are certain constraints in the vehicle used to transport the finished goods or raw materials from a source to a destination. Vehicles such as tanker trucks, top open trucks, closed trucks, etc. need to be booked based on the nature of goods to be transported. Also, the cost and time of transportation are uncertain in nature. In this paper, we formulate the Multi-Objective Solid Transportation Problem (MOSTP) by considering the above issue. The uncertain parameters of the problem are considered as Pentagonal Intuitionistic Fuzzy Numbers (PIFN). Magnitude method is used for defuzzification. An algorithm to find the solution of formulated Intuitionistic Fuzzy Multi-Objective Solid Transportation problem (IFMOSTP) is provided. The proposed model is illustrated by a numerical example which is solved with the help of LINGO software.

Untangling huge literature to disinter genetic underpinnings of Alzheimer's Disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Drug discovery for Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is channeled towards unravelling key disease specific drug targets/genes to predict promising therapeutic candidates. Though enormous literature on AD genetics is available, there exists dearth in data pertinent to drug targets and crucial pathological pathways intertwined in disease progression. Further, the research findings revealing genetic associations failed to demonstrate consistency across different studies. This scenario prompted us to initiate a systematic review and meta-analysis with an aim of unearthing significant genetic hallmarks of AD. Initially, a Boolean search strategy was developed to retrieve case-control studies from PubMed, Cochrane, ProQuest, Europe PMC, grey literature and HuGE navigator. Subsequently, certain inclusion and exclusion criteria were framed to shortlist the relevant studies. These studies were later critically appraised using New Castle Ottawa Scale and Q-Genie followed by data extraction. Later, meta-analysis was performed only for those Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) which were evaluated in at least two different ethnicities from two different reports. Among, 204,351 studies retrieved, 820 met our eligibility criteria and 117 were processed for systematic review after critical appraisal. Ultimately, meta-analysis was performed for 23 SNPs associated with 15 genes which revealed significant associations of rs3865444 (CD33), rs7561528 (BIN1) and rs1801133 (MTHFR) with AD risk.

Closed-tube field-deployable loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay based on spore wall protein (SWP) for the visual detection of Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP)

Hepatopancreatic microsporidiosis (HPM) is an infectious shrimp disease caused by the microsporidian Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP). In recent years, the widespread occurrence of EHP poses a significant challenge to the shrimp aquaculture industry. Early, rapid and accurate diagnosis of EHP infection is very much essential for the control of HPM crop-related losses. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a robust, sensitive, cost-effective disease diagnostic technique. Here, we demonstrate an improved, simple, closed-tube, colorimetric EHP LAMP diagnostic assay. LAMP assay was illustrated with the specific EHP spore wall protein (SWP) gene primers. Naked eye visual detection of LAMP amplicons was achieved using Hydroxy naphthol blue (HNB) or Phenol red dye without opening the tubes. This LAMP assay is efficient in detecting the EHP pathogen in all clinical samples include shrimp hepatopancreas, FTA card samples, feces, pond water, and soil. Also, the elution of EHP DNA from FTA cards was demonstrated within 17 min using a simple dry bath. In clinical evaluation, the visual LAMP assay established 100% diagnostic sensitivity and 100% diagnostic specificity. The visual LAMP assay is rapid, can detect the EHP pathogen within 40 min using a simple dry bath, and does not require any expensive instruments and technical proficiency. In conclusion, this visual LAMP protocol is a user-friendly, specific assay that can be conceivably operated at the farm-site/ resource-limited settings by the farmer himself with simple equipment.

Erectile Dysfunction in Migraine in Indian Patients

Background:

Migraine is one of the common causes of primary headache worldwide. Migraine headaches significantly affect family and social activities. Migraine also impacts the sexual function of the sufferers. There are no published studies in India so far where they have studied the erectile function in male migrainers. This study is done to look for erectile dysfunction in male migrainers.

Materials and Methods:

This case-control study was done to look for presence of erectile dysfunction in male migrainers and the factors affecting it. Thirty age matched males with migraine and without migraine were studied. The International Headache Society's International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3^rd Edition, was used to diagnose migraine with or without aura. Migraine disability assessment scale was used to assess migraine-related disability, Numerical Rating Scale was used assess to the severity of headaches, Migraine-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire to assess the quality of life, and International Index of Erectile Function score was used to assess the erectile function.

Results:

The mean age of the cases was 38.83 ± 5.7 years and that of the controls was 38.63 ± 5.3 years. The erectile dysfunction was seen in 80% of migrainers and none in the control group had erectile dysfunction. Those with erectile dysfunction had more severe headache which were severely disabling.

Conclusion:

Erectile dysfunction is common in migraine. There is a significant negative correlation of erectile dysfunction with severe disabling migraine.

Quality of life among patients on MDR-TB treatment in a district tuberculosis centre of a metropolitan city

Background: MDRTB is a global health concern with its current prevalence in India being 2.3% and 17.2% respectively among newly diagnosed and previously treated cases. Besides its clinical impact, the disease affects the QOL of patients suffering from MDR-TB. The objective of the study was to assess the quality of life among MDR-TB cases in comparison with non-MDR TB cases and TB cured subjects (Category I, RNTCP).Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in all the 14 TUs under District Tuberculosis Centre of Municipal Corporation of Bengaluru (BBMP). Study subjects comprised of 52 MDR-TB Cases, 53 Non-MDR-TB cases and 54 Category I TB cured subjects. WHOQOL BREF questionnaire was used to assess the QOL among study subjects. Median [IQR] scores of QOL in each of the domains among various groups were compared using Kruskal Wallis test. P<0.05 was considered as statistically significant.Results: Median age among MDRTB cases was 35 years [IQR: 26-50] whereas it was 37 years [IQR: 28-47] among Non MDRTB cases and 30.5 years [IQR: 22-45] among TB cured subjects. Out of 52 MDRTB cases, 26(50%) were females compared to 14 (26.4%) among Non MDRTB cases and 26(48.1%) among TB cured subjects (p=0.0024). As compared to non MDRTB cases, physical and environmental domains’ scores of MDRTB cases were significantly low (p=0.01 and p=0.001 respectively).Whereas, as compared to TB cured subjects, physical and psychological domains’ scores of MDRTB cases were significantly low (p<0.001 and p<0.001 respectively).Conclusions: The QOL of patients suffering from TB is affected and the impact is even worse in MDRTB. Hence prompt treatment of TB and early diagnosis of MDRTB will reduce the disease severity and improve the QOL.

Ethical gaps in conducting research among adult survivors of child sexual abuse: a review

Although there have been numerous studies, especially in the last few decades, on the impact of child sexual abuse (CSA) on adult survivors, there is a dearth of studies focusing on the ethical aspects of research in this area. Against this background, we reviewed the literature published between January 2000 and December 2016 on the reporting of ethical guidelines followed in research on adult survivors of CSA. We conducted a PubMed (MEDLINE) and Google Scholar search to find published research, using the keywords: "child sexual abuse", "adult survivors", "research", "guidelines" and "ethics". Our findings suggest that no particular assessment method is superior in terms of disclosure of information or reduction of distress. The use of developmentally appropriate educative materials, sensitisation, and debriefing sessions have shown some benefit in reducing distress. There is a lack of legal or social consensus on mandatory legal reporting of information provided by adult survivors of sexual abuse, with most researchers working on the premise that adults have the freedom of choice. Often, a constraint among researchers is the lack of structured training or supervision in sensitive research, which may negatively impact both the participant and the researcher. Institute ethics boards and institutions currently lack the framework to consider protocols and facilitate research, and this poses serious obstacles to fostering research. In this situation, ongoing research needs to focus on ethical aspects. Together with this, we recommend certain ethical practices drawn from various studies that may be employed for participants, researchers, and institutional ethics boards.

Inheritance and Allelic Relationship Among Downy Mildew Resistance Genes in Pearl Millet

Pearl millet downy mildew (DM), caused by Sclerospora graminicola, is of serious economic concern to pearl millet farmers in the major crop-growing areas of the world. To study the inheritance and allelic relationship among genes governing resistance to this disease, three DM-resistant pearl millet lines (834B, IP 18294-P1, and IP 18298-P1) and one susceptible line (81B) were selected on the basis of disease reaction under greenhouse conditions against two isolates of S. graminicola (Sg 526-1 and Sg 542-1). Three resistant parents were crossed with the susceptible parent to generate F₁, F₂, and backcross BC₁P₁ (susceptible parent × F₁) and BC₁P₂ (resistant parent × F₁) generations for inheritance study. To carry out a test for allelism, the three resistant parents were crossed with each other to generate F₁ and F₂ generations. The different generations of these crosses were screened for disease reaction against two isolates (Sg 526-1 and Sg 542-1) by artificial inoculation under greenhouse conditions. The segregation pattern of resistance in the F₂ and corresponding backcross generations revealed that resistance to DM is controlled by a single dominant gene in 834B and IP 18294-P1 and by two dominant genes in IP 18298-P1. A test for allelism inferred that a single dominant gene for resistance in 834B is nonallelic to that which governs resistance in IP 18294-1, whereas one of the two dominant genes for DM resistance in IP 18298-P1 against the test isolates is allelic to the gene for DM resistance in 834B and a second gene is allelic to the resistance gene present in IP 18294-P1.

Spectrum of malignancies in human immunodeficiency virus - positive patients at a Tertiary Care Centre in South India

CONTEXT

India has a very large number of patients living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Opportunistic infections in these patients are commonly encountered. However, malignancies in such patients also do occur.

AIM

The aim was to study the spectrum of malignancies in HIV-positive patients at a tertiary health care center.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

Retrospective study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The cases were retrieved from pathology record files at our Institute from January 2003 to December 2008. The follow-up was obtained from Medical oncology records. The morphology of each case was reviewed along with immunohistochemistry wherever done.

RESULTS

There were 61 such cases (51 males, 10 females). The age range was 7-78 years with a median of 35 years. The clinical presentation varied according to the malignancy. The largest group was non-Hodgkin lymphoma (18 nodal, 23 extra-nodal). The others included carcinoma breast (4), chronic myeloid leukemia (3), Burkitt Leukemia (2), squamous cell carcinoma anal region (2), multiple myeloma (2) and one each of miscellaneous malignancies (7).

CONCLUSION

Malignancies in HIV positive individual occurred in younger individuals. Non-Hodgkin lymphomas, especially extra-nodal lymphomas, were the most common malignancy. There were no cases of proven Kaposi's sarcoma or invasive cervical carcinomas. There were two cases of multiple myeloma which are infrequently reported.

A clinicopathologic study of malignant melanoma based on cytomorphology

CONTEXT

Melanoma accounts for 1-3% of all malignancies. It is usually diagnosed as metastasis in the draining lymph nodes, that is inguinal lymph node. Due to paucity of cytological studies on melanoma in India, the present study was undertaken.

AIM

To study the cytomorphology of malignant melanoma and to correlate the cytological diagnosis with histopathology and clinical details.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

Sixteen cytomorphological features were studied and analysed from the cases diagnosed as melanoma on cytology with histopathological correlation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty patients diagnosed with malignant melanoma on fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) were studied over a period of 10 years and compared by histopathology. Papanicolaou (Pap)- and May Grunwald Giemsa (MGG)-stained smears were studied and analysed for the cytomorphological spectrum of melanoma.

RESULTS

Among the 30 patients studied, males were 19 and females were 11 (M:F:1.7:1) with a mean age of 49.3 years. The commonest primary site was foot followed by maxilla and thigh. The most common site for metastasis was inguinal lymph node. All 30 cases had histopathological correlation. Pigmented melanophages (83%) was the predominant feature followed by presence of melanin pigment (77%) and pseudo-inclusions (73%). Condensed chromatin was observed in the majority of the patients (53%). Smooth and irregular nuclear contours were seen in combination in 37% of the cases. A combination of nuclear placement, that is eccentric and central was observed as a predominant feature (53%). Spindle cell pattern was the predominant shape. Among cytoplasmic features, melanin granules and vacuoles were equally distributed (50%). Mixed pattern, that is singly scattered plasmacytoid cell pattern and cell clusters was the predominant cell architecture.

CONCLUSION

A spectrum of cytomorphological features in correlation with clinical details leads to greater precision in diagnosis and helps to avoid pitfalls in diagnosing melanoma.

Should we apply suction during fine needle cytology of thyroid lesions? A prospective study of 200 cases

INTRODUCTION

Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a well-established first line diagnostic tool in evaluating palpable thyroid lesions. However, the technique depends on suction and thus is at times painful, sometimes traumatic and yield haemorrhagic material for cytological study. In more recent times, a modified technique called fine needle sampling without aspiration (FNS) has come into vogue which obviates the use of suction and therefore is more patient friendly.

AIMS/OBJECTIVES

To investigate whether fine needle sampling without aspiration (FNS) gives quantitatively and qualitatively superior cytologic material as compared to the conventional technique of fine needle aspiration (FNAC) in thyroid lesions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

It is a prospective study of 200 cases carried out in the Department of Pathology during two years period. Both techniques were executed on the same thyroid swelling / nodule in the same clinical session beginning with FNS followed by FNAC. The observation recorded by two pathologists were based on the scoring system proposed by Mair et al., Statistical analysis was done by Student's paired t-test using SPSS 13 software. Observation/Results: A total of 200 cases were studied. The non-aspiration technique yielded less diagnostically adequate but more diagnostically superior smears when compared with aspiration technique. The average score per case was 5.31 by aspiration technique and 6.35 by non-aspiration technique.

CONCLUSION

Both the techniques have their own merits and demerits and neither is absolutely superior to the other. A combination of both the technique gives better result.

Optimization of selective production media for enhanced production of xylanases in submerged fermentation by Thielaviopsis basicola MTCC 1467 using L16 orthogonal array

Enzymes have been the centre of attention for researchers/industrialists worldwide due to their wide range of physiological, analytical, food/feed and industrial based applications. Among the enzymes explored for industrial applications, xylanases play an instrumental role in food/feed, textile/detergent, paper and biorefinery based application sectors. This study deals with the statistical optimization of xylanase production by Thielaviopsis basicola MTCC 1467 under submerged fermentation conditions using rice straw, as sole carbon source. Different fermentation parameters such as carbon source, nitrogen source, inorganic salts like KH2PO4, MgSO4 and pH of the medium were optimized at the individual and interactive level by Taguchi orthogonal array methodology (L16). All selected fermentation parameters influenced the enzyme production. Rice straw, the major carbon source mainly influenced the production of xylanase (~34 %). After media optimization, the yield of enzyme improved from 38 to ~60 IU/ml (161.5 %) indicating the commercial production of xylanase by T. basicola MTCC 1467. This study shows the potential of T. basicola MTCC 1467 for the efficient xylanase production under the optimized set of conditions.

Histopathological changes due to the effect of selenium in experimental cockerels

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES

Selenium usually acts as an antioxidant at optimal levels in the body and increased levels are toxic. In this study an attempt was made to evaluate the effect of an optimum dose (0.14 mg) of selenium on histopathological changes in experimental hypercholesterolemia in cockerels.

METHODS

The effect of selenium (0.14 mg) was investigated on histopathological changes in four tissues namely liver, kidney, heart, and descending aorta in cockerel animal model. Animals were either fed with stock diet (group C), stock diet with cholesterol (group CH), stock diet with selenium (group Se), stock diet, selenium and cholesterol (group CH+Se) for six months. Animals were sacrified and the tissues were isolated and subjected to histopathological study.

RESULTS

Xanthochromatic collections in liver were observed in group CH; hydropic degeneration in group Se and lobular disarray, hydropic degeneration and kuppfer cell hyperplasia in group CH+Se were observed. In kidney, mild mononuclear infiltration was observed in interstitium in groups CH, Se and CH+Se. myocyte disruption, and mononuclear infiltration in group CH and c0 H+Se, and disruption of muscle bundles with vascular congestion in group Se were observed. Smooth muscle proliferation in the media of blood vessel was observed in groups CH, Se and CH+Se.

INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS

The results of the present study suggested that the optimum dose of (140 μg/day) feeding induced atherogenesis by inflammation and smooth muscle proliferation in cockerels with experimentally induced hypercholesterolaemia.

Multicentric extramedullary myeloid tumor

Granulocytic sarcomas or extramedullary myeloid tumors represent the soft tissue counterpart of acute myeloid leukemia. The term is used for any solid collection of leukemic cells. There have been reports of these tumors occurring before the involvement of blood or bone marrow. Our patient had simultaneous involvement of three sites, which was diagnosed on cytology. Further confirmation was done on peripheral blood and bone marrow evaluation.

Induction of phenolics and defense-related enzymes in coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) roots treated with biocontrol agents

The effect of soil application of biocontrol agents (Pseudomonas fluorescens, Trichoderma viride and T. harzianum) in combination with chitin on induction of phenolics and defense enzymes in coconut roots infected with Ganoderma lucidum, the causal agent of Ganoderma disease, was investigated. Soil application of these biocontrol formulations in combination with chitin induced a significant increase in the activities of peroxidase (PO), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), chitinase and beta-1,3-glucanase in the G. lucidum infected palms. Activities of both PAL and PO reached maximum levels within 3 d while the activity of PPO reached the maximum level 6 d after application of a mixture of P. fluorescens, T. viride and chitin. Isozyme analysis revealed that unique PO3 and PPO2 isozymes were induced in coconut palms treated with P. fluorescens + T. viride + chitin. Accumulation of phenolics was recorded 3 d after treatment and reached maximum levels 9 d after treatment application. Activity of chitinase was significantly increased from the third day after treatment imposition and continued to increase up to 9 to 12 d in all treatments. Chitinase isozyme analysis revealed that a unique Chit3 isoform was induced in coconut roots treated with P. fluorescens + T. viride + chitin. The beta-1,3-glucanase activity was maximum 9 d after treatment application. The mechanisms by which P. fluorescens + T. viride + chitin reduced the incidence of Ganoderma disease in coconut may be related to its ability to induce defense mechanisms in coconut palms.

Effect of amount and source of supplemental dietary vegetable oil on broiler chickens exposed to aflatoxicosis

1. Addition of sunflower oil (SFO) at 30 or 60 g/kg or three vegetable oils, namely SFO, soybean (SBO) or groundnut (GNO), at 30 g/kg to isocaloric and isonitrogenous broiler chicken diets were evaluated for possible counteractive effects against aflatoxin (AF) (0.3 microg B1/g diet) from 0 to 42 d of age. 2. Body weight, food intake and serum concentration of protein were lower in the AF group than in the control, whereas in the SFO and SBO supplemented groups they were comparable with those of the control. Sunflower oil at both concentrations exerted similar effects on growth. Groundnut oil did not improve growth or food intake in AF-fed birds. 3. The serum concentration of cholesterol and triglycerides decreased with AF feeding and was increased by supplementation of any of the three oils both in the control and in AF-fed groups. 4. Liver and giblet weight and liver fat content were increased by AF; these effects were countered by dietary oil inclusion, except for liver weight at 60 g/kg SFO. Weights of pancreas and gall bladder were increased by AF. Oil supplementation reduced the weight of pancreas in chickens given AF. 5. Humoral immune response was depressed by AF and dietary oil supplementation (particularly SFO or SBO) countered this effect. Other variables, namely, serum gamma glutamyl transferase activity, bone mineralisation, weights of lymphoid organs, kidney and adrenals, ready-to-cook yields and fat content in muscle and skin showed little or no effect of dietary oil supplementation. 6. It is concluded that dietary inclusion of SFO or SBO at 30 g/kg may alleviate the adverse effects of 0.3 microg/g of AF B1 in commercial broiler chickens. Groundnut oil, although showing beneficial effects on some biochemical variables, failed to improve growth performance.

Induction of resistance in host against the infection of leaf blight pathogen (Alternaria palandui) in onion (Allium cepa var aggregatum)

The Pseudomonas fluorescens isolate Pfl was found to inhibit the growth of pathogen Alternaria palandui, in vitro. In the present study, foliar application of a talc-based formulation of Pfl significantly reduced the incidence of leaf blight of onion, caused by A. palandui. Induction of defense-related proteins viz., chitinase, beta-1,3 glucanase, peroxidase (PO) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) by application of Pfl, was studied against A. palandui infection in resistant (IHR 56) and susceptible (MDUI) onion cultivars. Chitinase in both cultivars, with or without challenge-inoculation of A. palandui revealed changes in the isoform pattern. The Native-PAGE of PO showed induction of PO2 isoform in both the cultivars, in response to inoculation of pathogen. Isoform analysis of PPO also exhibited induction in the Pfl-treated plants challenged with pathogen. Similarly, the activity of beta-1,3-glucanase was greatly induced in Pfl-treated plants, challenged with pathogen as compared to controls. Thus, the P. fluorescens-treated plants showed significant increase in the levels of the defense enzymes, in comparison to the plants challenged with the pathogen.