Level of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in selected marine fish (pelagic) from Straits of Malacca

Fish is a good source of protein, supply important vitamins and other essential nutrients including essential fatty acids (EFA), the EPA and DHA which help to reduce risk of death from coronary heart diseases. However, diet and food of animals’ origin are the most predominant sources of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) to human which accounts to over 90%, with fish as one of the major routes of contaminants in human body. PCBs are a group of extremely stable aromatic chlorinated compounds which are relatively resistant to biological degradation and very persistent in the environment. This study has identified the type and level of 12 congeners of PCBs that are most toxic to humans. The maximum permitted level of PCBs in muscles meat of fish and fishery products is 4 pg/g, as recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) using the WHO-TEFs. Meanwhile, the highest amount of PCBs concentration was in Rastrelliger kanagurta (Indian mackerel), with the level of PCBs at 1.37 pg/g wet weight. Other species like Scomberomorus guttatus (Spanish mackerel), Pampus argenteus (Silver pompret), Megalapsis cordyla (Hardtail scad), Eleutheronema tradactylum (Fourfinger threadfin) and Chirocentrus dorab (Dorab wolfherring) showed PCBs levels ranging from 0.35 pg/g to 1.05 pg/g wet weight. Thus, the PCBs in all the samples were below the permitted level. It can be concluded that the studied pelagic fish are safe to consume. Although the levels were not high, it is still important to set limits for the PCBs in fish and shellfish species so as to make a better estimation of the risk of exposure to human through dietary intake of fish, specifically fatty fish to meet nutritional requirement for EPA and DHA

PCDDs and PCDFs in pelagic fish along the straits of Malacca

Fish and shellfish are rich sources of long chain fatty acids, especially DHA and EPA. High consumption of fish helps to elevate the level of these compounds in the body. However, fish also are easily exposed to chemical contaminants, such as dioxins (PCDDs) and furans (PCDFs). Exposure to PCDDs and PCDFs may lead to negative health effects, such as cancer, chloracne, hyperpigmentation and others. Level and type of PCDDs and PCDFs were determined in 20 pelagic fish samples of six different species collected from the Straits of Malacca using HRGC/HRMS. The most toxic congener (2,3,7,8-TCDD) was found in all the samples at a very low level of 0.04-0.05 pg/g sample, except in Spanish mackerel (south-T2) and Indian mackerel (middle-T1). Meanwhile, the level of the total PCDDs and PCDFs ranged from 0.13 pg/g to 0.38 pg/g of the wet weight of the samples. The value of the total PCDDs and PCDFs was in a descending order of Hardtail scad, Spanish mackerel, Indian mackerel, fourfinger threadfin, silver pomfret and dorab wolfherring. Generally, the results of this study indicate that fish and shellfish caught along the Straits of Malacca are safe as in terms of PCDDs and PCDFs levels and the data can serve as baseline information for future monitoring of these organochlorine compounds

Assessment of Ta’widh and Gharamah in Islamic Financing Contract and Its Applicability Potential for Construction Works Contracts

Ta'widh and gharamah are the Shariah compliant late payment charges primarily used for Islamic financial contracts. Seven identified themes were used to qualitatively compare and contrast between the Guidelines on Late Payment Charges for Islamic Banking Institutions (2012) against the provisions of interest for late interim payment from four Malaysian construction works contracts. The findings revealed similarities and differences for identification of Shariah compliance. Recommendations were made for the harmonisation of ta’widh and gharamah in the construction works contracts while ensuring its practical and legal applicability. The outcome is beneficial for Islamic organisations and Muslims involved with the construction works.  Keywords: ta’widh and gharamah, late payment, interest,construction, eISSN: 2398-4287© 2020. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v5i15.250

Doctrinal analysis on interest for late interim payment for Malaysian construction works contracts

The doctrinal analysis is a legal methodology adopted to understand a particular area of law's principles and practices. In the context where interest is used as a charge for late interim payment, related provisions in the Malaysian construction works contracts are confined by minimal details. Hence, this study aims to identify relevant legal provisions bearing the principles and practices of interest for a late interim payment for the Malaysian construction works contracts using the doctrinal analysis approach. Fifteen cases were selected from the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Law Reports from 2015 until 2018 for the analysis. The doctrinal analysis was conducted in two stages; the first stage was to locate the law sources, and the second stage was to synthesis the findings of the analysis. Through the analysis, seven themes and nineteen sub-themes based on the case judgements and principles related to interest for late interim payment were developed. The findings were subsequently presented to legal experts for validation and comments. This study helps the employer and the contractor be more prudent in forming and treating contractual interest provisions for late interim payment. Also, a better understanding of the legal implications for the said provisions might reduce disputes between the contracting parties

Cardamonin inhibits nitric oxide production modulated through NMDA receptor in LPS-induced SH-SY5Y cell in vitro model

Background: Cardamonin is a naturally occurring chalcone from the Alpinia species. It is known to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Our previous studies have shown that cardamonin has antihyperalgesic and antiallodynic effects on CCI-induced neuropathic pain in mice. Although the evidence of the association between cardamonin and neuropathic pain has been reported in animal studies, specific targets using in vitro models are still lacking. Objectives/Methods: This study aims to investigate the effect of cardamonin on nitric oxide production using the LPS-induced neuropathic pain-like SH-SY5Y in vitro model through NMDA receptor expression. Results: Cardamonin administration in differentiated SH-SY5Y cells significantly reduced nitric oxide production assessed using Griess reagent. Western blot analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in GluN2B receptor expression in the cardamonin treated SH-SY5Y cells compared to the vehicle treated group. Conclusions: These data suggest that cardamonin reduces nitric oxide production modulated through NMDA GluN2B receptor subunit. Our results provides preliminary data to support the in vivo studies using cardamonin and may contribute to further understanding the mechanisms of action of cardamonin

Assessment of Ta’widh and Gharamah in Islamic financing contract and its applicability potential for construction works contracts

Ta'widh and gharamah are the Shariah compliant late payment charges primarily used for Islamic financial contracts. Seven identified themes were used to qualitatively compare and contrast between the Guidelines on Late Payment Charges for Islamic Banking Institutions (2012) against the provisions of interest for late interim payment from four Malaysian construction works contracts. The findings revealed similarities and differences for identification of Shariah compliance. Recommendations were made for the harmonisation of ta’widh and gharamah in the construction works contracts while ensuring its practical and legal applicability. The outcome is beneficial for Islamic organisations and Muslims involved with the construction works