Prevalence of needle stick injuries and compliance to infection control guidelines among health care workers in a teaching hospital, Malaysia

Introduction: Health care workers (HCW) are constantly exposed to blood-borne illnesses through needle stick injuries (NSI). Despite the increasing trend of NSI, evidence regarding the actual practice of universal precautions among these HCWs is lacking. This study assessed the practice of universal precautions towards prevention of NSI among HCWs in a teaching hospital setting. Methods: This cross-sectional survey involved a newly-designed self-completed questionnaire assessing demographic data, exposure to NSI and practice of universal precautions. Questionnaires were distributed to every ward and completed questionnaires were collected after a period of 7 days. Results: A total of 215 HCWs responded to the survey. 35.8% were exposed to bodily fluid, with 22.3% had NSI in the last 12 months. Blood taking was the commonest procedure associated with NSI. Of practices of universal precautions, recapping needle and removing needle from syringe were still wrongly practiced by the HCWs assessed. Conclusion: NSI among HCW are still common despite the introduction of universal precautions in our hospital. Incorrect practices in handling sharps should be looked into in order to reduce the incidence of blood-borne illnesses through NSI in the hospital

A review of performance asphalt mixtures using bio binder as alternative binder

This paper provides an overview of the performance in asphalt mixture using bio-binder from biomass as alternative binder. The bio-binder considered from the previous research was produced by pyrolysis process. The aim of this study is to review the performance of asphalt mixture modified by bio-binder. The Rotational Viscometer (RV), Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR), Rolling Thin Film Oven (RTFO), Pressure Aging Vessel (PAV) and Bending Beam Rheometer (BBR) were conducted to evaluate the rheological properties of bio-binder in asphalt mixtures. Many previous studies focused on the chemical composition, physical properties and performance of bio-binder in asphalt mixtures. Several research studies have evaluated the viability of bio-binder in asphalt pavement mixtures. Therefore, in many of these case the bio-binder was evaluated in minimal proportions (<10 percent). This is necessary in order to identify a mixtures containing bio-binder at higher blending proportions (up to 50% replacement). Additionally, a review will be a positive step in the direction of achieving mixture modified with bio-binder has shown similar or improved performance when compared to conventional mixtures

A simple and sensitive fluorescence based biosensor for the determination of uric acid using H2O2-sensitive quantum dots/dual enzymes

A novel optical detection system consisting of combination of uricase/HRP–CdS quantum dots (QDs) for the determination of uric acid in urine sample is described. The QDs was used as an indicator to reveal fluorescence property of the system resulting from enzymatic reaction of uricase and HRP (horseradish peroxidase), which is involved in oxidizing uric acid to allaintoin and hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide produced was able to quench the QDs fluorescence, which was proportional to uric acid concentration. The system demonstrated sufficient activity of uricase and HRP at a ratio of 5U:5U and pH 7.0. The linearity of the system toward uric acid was in the concentration range of 125–1000 µM with detection limit of 125 µM

Synthesis and surface modification of biocompatible water soluble core-shell quantum dots

In this study, the applications of CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) and its role in advanced sensings has been explored. The CdSe/ZnS was synthesized by using hot injection method with the shell ZnS layer was made using successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method. The morphology of the CdSe/ZnS QDs was studied using Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and the average particle size was in 10-12 nm range. The prepared QDs were optically characterized using spectrofluorescence and strong emission was observed at 620 nm. Comparison of the fluorescence emissions of CdSe/ZnS capped with various capping ligands such as L-cysteine, thioglycolic acid (TGA), mercaptopropionic acid (MPA), mercaptosuccinic acid (MSA) and mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) were studied. The CdSe/ZnS capped with TGA gave the strongest fluorescence emission compared to others

Factors Influencing the Prevalence of Mental Health Problems among Malay Elderly Residing in a Rural Community: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:Mental health problems are common in old age, but frequently remain undetected and untreated. Mental health problems in the elderly are the result of a complex interaction of social, psychological and biological factors. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of mental health problems (depression, anxiety, and emotional stress) and their associated factors among the Malay elderly in a rural community of Perak, Malaysia. METHODS:It was a cross-sectional study. The Malay elderly aged 60 years and above were selected through convenient sampling to give a total of 230 respondents. The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) was used to assess the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Bivariate analyses were performed using chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the association between the factors and each of the mental health statuses assessed. RESULTS:The results showed that the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among the elderly respondents was 27.8%, 22.6%, and 8.7%, respectively. The significant factors for depression were single elderly (Adjusted OR = 3.27, 95%CI 1.66, 6.44), living with family (Adjusted OR = 4.98, 95%CI 2.05, 12.10), and poor general health status (Adjusted OR = 2.28, 95%CI 1.20, 4.36). Living with family was the only significant factor for anxiety (Adjusted OR = 2.68, 95%CI 1.09, 6.57). There was no significant factor for stress. CONCLUSIONS:Depression and anxiety among the Malay elderly in the rural community were very worrying. More equity in health should be created or strengthened in order to intensify the opportunity to identify, diagnose, and treat those with mental health problems. Living arrangement in the rural community was an important factor that had influenced depression and anxiety. Therefore, further research is recommended for more comprehensive information, as a result of which appropriate intervention can be made

Rheological properties of modified binder incorporating coconut char

Coconut char derive from coconut shell is a waste product that is anticipated to be potential alternative for modified binder. Coconut char has great potential to be used as the base material for modifier because it is safe to use. In this study the coconut char was used as additive in asphalt modified binders. This paper presents the rheological properties of modified bitumen incorporating coconut char. Rheology can be defined as the fundamental measurements associated with the flow and deformation characteristics of bitumen, evaluation of the flow and permanent deformation of time-temperature dependent materials, such as bitumen, that are stressed through the application of force. The modified bitumen was tested under different aging conditions using Rotational Viscometer (RV), Rolling Thin Film Oven (RTFO) and Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR). Coconut char was blended with 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25% by weight of the penetration grade 80/100. DSR was employed to measure the rutting resistance, the G*/sin at temperature 46–76 °C. Based on the findings, it is shown that the increase in coconut char percentage can effectively give highest G*/sin and affect the rutting performance under ageing condition. It also found that modified bitumen samples enhanced the rheological properties of the bitumen in terms of fatigue cracking and rutting

Chemical properties of modified bitumen incorporating coconut char

Agriculture waste have many advantages such as high specific strength and modulus, low density, renewable nature, biodegradability and absence of health hazards. This advantage is good for construction industry because it can improve the properties of the composites. The coconut fruits contain 40% coconut husk, 30% fiber and 30% dust, consisted of flesh, shell and fiber and chemical composition such as cellulose, lignin, charcoal, acid and potassium. The advantages of coconut shell are strong, rigid and lightweight material, very economical as large amounts are available as agricultural waste material and environmentally friendly. This paper presents the performance of modified binder incorporating coconut char in terms of chemical properties. Fourier Transform Infrared Test (FTIR), Particle Size Analyzer Test (LPSA) and Elemental Analyzer Test (EA) were used to analyze the chemical properties on modified binder. Based on the findings, the increased content of char affects the performance of bitumen significantly, as the bitumen maintains stability and homogenous state even though placed in high temperature condition. The testing result value of FTIR and LPSA are increased with the increased content of coconut char. Based on the results, the modified mixture has the higher chemical components and porosity compared to original bitumen and coconut shell because of the modification

Respondents’ characteristics by depression, anxiety and stress status.

<p>Respondents’ characteristics by depression, anxiety and stress status.</p

Multiple logistic regression analysis of respondents’ characteristics and stress.

<p>Multiple logistic regression analysis of respondents’ characteristics and stress.</p