Biofuel potential within chaetoceros species (bacillartophyceae) from coastal water of Pahang, Malaysia

Several marine diatoms have been known for their high lipid content. Chaetoceros is the largest genus of marine planktonic diatoms with approximately 400 species described. Lipid is important as primary storage for nutrient and essential for cell's growth and function. Nowdays, there are increasing in demands for alternative source of fuel with several attempts have been conducted to find the best ways for fatty acid collection and algae have been listed as potential source for lipid. This study was-aimed to analyze the production of fatty acids from marine algae Genus Chaetoceros. The results showed three species had been identified as Chaetoceros baculites, Chaetoceros anostomosans and Chaetoceros affinis var. willei. Chaetoceros baculites had higher growth rate compared to other species mention earlier. All species had more than 40o/o of total lipid detected during exponential phase of their growth. Based on accumulation, Chaetoceros baculites has higher lipid percentage than other species followed by Chaetoceros ffinis var. willei and lastly Chaetoceros anastomosans. This indicates that Genus Chaetoceros can be treated as potential sources biofuel industry in Malaysia

Cause-specific mortality estimates for Malaysia in 2013: Results from a national sample verification study using medical record review and verbal autopsy

Mortality indicators are essential for monitoring population health. Although Malaysia has a functional death registration system, the quality of information on causes of death still needs improvement, since approximately 30% of deaths are classified to poorly defined causes. This study was conducted to verify registered causes in a sample of deaths in 2013 and utilise the findings to estimate cause-specific mortality indicators for Malaysia in 2013.This study was funded by the Ministry of Health, Malaysi

Validation of verbal autopsy: determination of cause of deaths in Malaysia 2013

Background Mortality statistics by age, sex and cause are the foundation of basic health data required for health status assessment, epidemiological research and formation of health policy. Close to half the deaths in Malaysia occur outside a health facility, are not attended by medical personnel, and are given a lay opinion as to the cause of death, leading to poor quality of data from vital registration. Verbal autopsy (VA) is a very useful tool in diagnosing broad causes of deaths for events that occur outside health facilities. This article reports the development of the VA methods and our principal finding from a validation study. Methods A cross sectional study on nationally representative sample deaths that occurred in Malaysia during 2013 was used. A VA questionnaire suitable for local use was developed. Trained field interviewers visited the family members of the deceased at their homes and conducted face to face interviews with the next of kin. Completed questionnaires were reviewed by trained physicians who assigned multiple and underlying causes. Reference diagnoses for validation were obtained from review of medical records (MR) available for a sample of the overall study deaths. Results Corresponding MR diagnosis with matched sample of the VA diagnosis were available in 2172 cases for the validation study. Sensitivity scores were good (>75%) for transport accidents and certain cancers. Moderate sensitivity (50% - 75%) was obtained for ischaemic heart disease (64%) and cerebrovascular disease (72%). The validation sample for deaths due to major causes such as ischaemic heart disease, pneumonia, breast cancer and transport accidents show low cause-specific mortality fraction (CSMF) changes. The scores obtained for the top 10 leading site-specific cancers ranged from average to good. Conclusion We can conclude that VA is suitable for implementation for deaths outside the health facilities in Malaysia. This would reduce ill-defined mortality causes in vital registration data, and yield more accurate national mortality statistics.This study was funded by the Ministry of Health, Malaysia

Integrated approach of heavy metal evaluation using geostatistical and pollution assessment index in soil of bauxite mining area

Heavy metals contamination in soil is one of the global issues, posing a threat not just to the environment but also to human health. Identifying the source and distribution of heavy metal pollutants around mining areas can provide a scientific basis for future environmental control. Distributions of the heavy metals (Cd, Cr, As, and Ni) in this study were evaluated using descriptive and multivariate statistics and further described using a geostatistical approach and pollution indices. The total content of Cr, Cd, and Ni in surface soil was observed with a higher concentration level according to the Dutch target values and the 95% Investigation Levels determined for Malaysia soil. Statistical analyses, geostatistics, and GIS mapping suggested that Cd, Cr, and Ni were derived mainly from anthropogenic sources, including mining and agricultural activities, while As could be derived from lithogenic and anthropogenic sources. Geoaccumulation index analysis demonstrated that the contamination that occurred with Cd posed the greatest risk of contamination, followed by Cr, Ni, and As. A spatial interpolated map showed a higher concentration of heavy metals in the vicinity of the mining area. These findings highlight the effectiveness of principal component analysis, geostatistics, and geospatial analyses in evaluating heavy metal contents in the study area. The obtained results could be used by authorities to identify areas requiring remediation management and establish scientific baseline data related to soil quality

Mahathir Mohamad as a World-Class Leader: A View from The Great Man Theory of Leadership

Mahathir Mohamad's leadership as the Prime Minister of Malaysia is an example of excellent leadership. His stint is peculiar as he is the longest-serving leader in the world and the oldest Prime Minister to ever lead a country. The impact of his leadership establishes his reputation as an outstanding leader as supported by the Great Man Theory of Leadership. As an effort to comprehend his leadership excellence, this study examined Mahathir's leadership through the lens of the Great Man Theory of Leadership, which elevates leadership based on extraordinary achievements and considers the leader to be born a leader. The research was conducted by using a narrative review approach. Data were gathered qualitatively using thematic analysis, from secondary sources including academic journals, dissertations, books, and published articles pertaining to the topic of Mahathir's leadership. The results found that his leadership approach is indeed aligned with the underlying elements of the Great Man Theory of Leadership, namely charismatic, intelligent, politically skilled, and wise. Past studies reported that Mahathir possesses the quality of being visionary, trustworthy, authentic, resourceful, pragmatic, people-oriented, good communication skills, highly ethical, and core value-based, thus strengthening his premise as an outstanding leader. His excellence in leading the country has been proven beneficial to both Malaysia and its people while the attention that he received from the international community further reinforced his relevance and influence at both the local and international levels. It is indeed a pride for Malaysia as a Southeast Asia country to have a world-class leader

Nutritional and non-communicable disease (NCD) status association with fall among older persons in Malaysia : findings from National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) Malaysia 2018

Fall is a health problem for older persons. This study investigates the potential factors of concern: the nutritional status of older persons and non-communicable disease association with incidence of falls. This study used data from NHMS 2018, and conducted a cross-sectional design by applying two-stage stratified cluster sampling. Descriptive statistics such as the percentage of each variable were done. Factors associated with falls were determined at both univariate and multivariable levels using simple logistic regression and multiple logistic regression. The data were presented as standard values for each analysis and adjusted odds ratios with 95% CI with p values (<0.05). A total of 3,867 from 3,977 elderly (mean age 68.2+ 6.85) were recruited with the response rate of 97.2%. Factors associated with fall were 70 years old and above (AOR= 1.34, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.64), obesity (AOR=1.55, 95% CI: 1.21, 1.98), undernutrition (AOR=1.59, 95% CI: 1.30, 1.94), persons with 2 NCDs (AOR=1.49, 95% CI: 1.15, 1.92) and persons with 3 NCDs (AOR=1.63, 95% CI: 1.23, 2.16). Advanced age, malnutrition, obesity, and having two or more NCDs are associated with falls in the NHMS 2018 study. In conclusion, falls are prevalent among older persons. There is an urgent need for public health strategies and programmes to decrease the incidence of modifiable risk factors and early identification of those at risk. Implementation of fall preventive programs which includes multifactorial interventions at hospitals and homes can also significantly reduce incidence of falls among older persons

Validation of verbal autopsy: determination of cause of deaths in Malaysia 2013

Abstract Background Mortality statistics by age, sex and cause are the foundation of basic health data required for health status assessment, epidemiological research and formation of health policy. Close to half the deaths in Malaysia occur outside a health facility, are not attended by medical personnel, and are given a lay opinion as to the cause of death, leading to poor quality of data from vital registration. Verbal autopsy (VA) is a very useful tool in diagnosing broad causes of deaths for events that occur outside health facilities. This article reports the development of the VA methods and our principal finding from a validation study. Methods A cross sectional study on nationally representative sample deaths that occurred in Malaysia during 2013 was used. A VA questionnaire suitable for local use was developed. Trained field interviewers visited the family members of the deceased at their homes and conducted face to face interviews with the next of kin. Completed questionnaires were reviewed by trained physicians who assigned multiple and underlying causes. Reference diagnoses for validation were obtained from review of medical records (MR) available for a sample of the overall study deaths. Results Corresponding MR diagnosis with matched sample of the VA diagnosis were available in 2172 cases for the validation study. Sensitivity scores were good (>75%) for transport accidents and certain cancers. Moderate sensitivity (50% - 75%) was obtained for ischaemic heart disease (64%) and cerebrovascular disease (72%). The validation sample for deaths due to major causes such as ischaemic heart disease, pneumonia, breast cancer and transport accidents show low cause-specific mortality fraction (CSMF) changes. The scores obtained for the top 10 leading site-specific cancers ranged from average to good. Conclusion We can conclude that VA is suitable for implementation for deaths outside the health facilities in Malaysia. This would reduce ill-defined mortality causes in vital registration data, and yield more accurate national mortality statistics