Hubungan Antara Kepekatan Plumbum Darah Dengan Status Pemakanan Murid-Murid Sekolah Rendah Di Kuala Lumpur

Satu kajian keratan rentas telah dijalankan untuk mengenalpasti hubungan antara kepekatan plumbum darah dengan status pemakanan di kalangan murid-murid sekolah rendah di Kuala Lumpur. Seramai 225 orang murid-murid Melayu berumur antara 6.3 hingga 9.8 tahun yang terdiri daripada 113 lelaki dan 112 perempuan telah dipilih sebagai responden kajian menggunakan kaedah rawak terstratum. Sampel darah murid-murid diambil mengikut kaedah cucukan hujung jari. Kepekatan plumbum darah diukur menggunakan instrumen Spektrometer Serapan Atom Relau Grafit model GBCAA 908AA. Status pemakanan responden dinilai menerusi status ferum, pengambilan nutrien dan antropometri. Dua indeks status ferum iaitu kepekatan hemoglobin dan % hematokrit digunakan untuk mengenalpasti kejadian anemia. Pola pengambilan makanan ditentukan menggunakan Soal Selidik Kekerapan Pengambilan Makanan manakala pengambilan nutrien (tenaga, protein, lemak, karbohidrat, kalsium dan ferum) diukur menggunakan kaedah Peringatan Semula Diet 24-jam

Knowledge and practice of laptop ergonomics and prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among university students

Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of laptop ergonomics and prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among university students. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 197 volunteers from a public university student in Selangor. Volunteers were 101 health science and 96 non-science students who completed a self-administered questionnaires consisting of general information, knowledge and practice of laptop ergonomics and self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms. Result: Overall, the students had knowledge scores of 74.1% and practice scores of 70% on laptop ergonomics. However, the knowledge among health science students was significantly higher than the non-science students (p<0.01). Meanwhile, there was no significant difference observed in the practice between health science and non-science students. There were 67% of the students who experienced musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) in at least one part of their body and the most common musculoskeletal symptom were shoulder pain (46.2%), neck pain (41.1%), upper back pain (39.1%) and lower back pain (34.5%). There was no significant association between knowledge and practice of laptop ergonomics with the prevalence of MSS. No association was found between age, gender, BMI category, physical activity and duration of laptop use with prevalence of MSS. Conclusion: Although there was no association found between knowledge, practice and other contributing factors with MSS, the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among UPM students was 67%. Hence, this study emphasized the need to promote ergonomics awareness program on musculoskeletal pain and healthy postures while using laptop in order to minimize the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among the students

Developing a risk control modifying matrix in assessing occupational stress in port terminal

Occupational stress is a universal phenomenon which lead to increase the adverse health effect, performance and general well-being of a worker. These problems need to be assess using a suitable risk assessment matrix. Current method available does not integrate the element of existing risk control measures. In this study, port terminal was chosen as a workplace due to its heavy daily operations.Based on the safety and health data available, a framework of this new proposed matrix was then developed accordingly.Thus, this paper explained the overall process of the development on Occupational Stress Risk Assessment Matrix (OSRAM) which emphasize on a risk control modifying matrix in the port termina

Mercury accumulation in marine fish most favoured by Malaysian women, the predictors and the potential health risk

We identified marine fish species most preferred by women at reproductive age in Selangor, Malaysia, mercury concentrations in the fish muscles, factors predicting mercury accumulation and the potential health risk. Nineteen most preferred marine fish species were purchased (n = 175) from selected fisherman’s and wholesale market. Length, weight, habitat, feeding habit and trophic level were recognised. Edible muscles were filleted, dried at 80 °C, ground on an agate mortar and digested in Multiwave 3000 using HNO3 and H2O2. Total mercury was quantified using VP90 cold vapour system with N2 carrier gas. Certified reference material DORM-4 was used to validate the results. Fish species were classified as demersal (7) and pelagic (12) or predators (11), zoo benthos (6) and planktivorous (2). Length, weight and trophic level ranged from 10.5 to 75.0 cm, 0.01 to 2.50 kg and 2.5 to 4.5, respectively. Geometric mean of total mercury ranged from 0.21 to 0.50 mg/kg; maximum in golden snapper (0.90 mg/kg). Only 9 % of the samples exceeded the JECFA recommendation. Multiple linear regression found demersal, high trophic (≥4.0) and heavier fishes to accumulate more mercury in muscles (R 2 = 27.3 %), controlling for all other factors. About 47 % of the fish samples contributed to mercury intake above the provisional tolerable level (45 μg/day). While only a small portion exceeded the JECFA fish Hg guideline, the concentration reported may be alarming for heavy consumers. Attention should be given in risk management to avoid demersal and high trophic fish, predominantly heavier ones

Critical Literature Review: Preparation Strategies

The imperative needs for, and characteristics of an effective critical literature review, provide the foreground baseline deliberation. A visual model depicting synthesized major modular components of a research project delineate impact points of literature review inputs. The three major modules represent preparation, data capture, and data rendering-analysis-interpretation phases of research. Within each module, the literature review elements to be incorporated are elaborated. Steps and optimal articulation-action strategies are highlighted and embedded with examples from literature and theses. Development of competency and efficacy in critiquing and evaluating, which comprised mandatory skills to acquire, is especially focussed

Repeatedly heating cooking oil among food premise operators in Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang and determination of peroxide in cooking oil

Introduction: The repeatedly heating cooking oil in preparation of fried food has become a main dietary habit among Malaysian which can cause health impacts on humans. The peroxide value (PV) can be applied to identify cooking oil’s quality through the oxidative change that takes place in fats or oils. High peroxide value indicates bad quality of cooking oil. This research was conducted to identify the awareness and practice of repeatedly heating cooking oil among food premise operators and to determine the peroxide value in repeatedly heating cooking oil samples. Methods: A total of 124 food premise operators in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, participated in this research. A face-to-face interview was carried out by using the structured questionnaire for data collection to obtain socio-demographics information as well as awareness and practice of repeatedly heating cooking oil among respondents. The peroxide values analysis was performed on five samples of respondent’s most favourable brands of cooking oil by using iodometric titration method. Results: Majority of respondents had moderate awareness (53.2%) and practice (50.0%) level regarding repeatedly heating cooking oil. The PV analysis showed that the peroxide value begin to exceed the AOCS standard limit of 10 meqO2/kg following the 5th cycles of frying. Conclusion: Relevant actions need to be taken by the governmental food authorities to address this issue and ensure safe consumption of fried foods by consumers

Ultra high performance liquid chromatography technique to determine imidacloprid residue in rice using QuEChERS method

Imidacloprid residue analysis in paddy samples was conducted using the simplified and validated QuEChERS preparation method. Samples were extracted with acetonitrile (ACN) and salts anhydrous magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) and sodium chloride (NaCI) while cleaning was by treating with primary secondary amine (PSA). Imidacloprid residue was quantified with Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC) using short and narrow C18 column to reduce analysis duration and solvent consumption. The pumps were programmed to mix acetonitrile and water at a ratio of 2:8 to form the mobile phase, with a flow rate of 0.1 mL/min and10 μl injection volumes. Imidacloprid was detected at 270 nm using UV detector. The method was validated in term of linearity, range, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), precision (repeatability and intermediate precision), and accuracy (recovery). The LOD was 0.001 mg/L whereas LOQ was 0.003 mg/L. The validated method provides good analytical results wherein the linearity r2 was 0.9996, recoveries 80−120% and RSDs <20%. This method can be implemented in routine laboratories as it yields a higher sample throughput and reduced solvent consumption compared to the traditional Luke method approach

Low blood lead concentrations and cognitive development of primary school children from three areas in Malaysia.

A study on to identify the relationship between blood lead and cognitive development was conducted on primary school children in Malaysia. About 413 children aged 6½ - 8½ years from urban (236), rural (80) and industrial areas (97) were studied. Blood lead was analyzed using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (GFAAS). Cognitive development was measured by the ‘McCarthy Scales of Children’s Abilities Test’ (MSCA). Significant differences found in the mean cognitive scores between the urban (94.40), industrial (102.90) and suburban children (101.24) (p ≤ 0.001), with the blood lead between the urban (3.66 μg/dL), industrial (3.54 μg/dL) and suburban children (3.04 μg/dL) (p = 0.022). Significant inverse correlations between blood lead and cognitive scores found for all groups (p ≤ 0.001), urban (p ≤ 0.001) and suburban children (p < 0.001). Low blood lead significantly influenced the cognitive development for all children after adjusting for confounders (p ≤ 0.001). The urban children’s cognitive scores were significantly influenced by blood lead levels and household income (p ≤ 0.001). However, for the suburban children, the cognitive score were significantly influenced by the blood lead levels, the mothers’ education, number of siblings, sequence in the family and the household income (p < 0.001). Blood lead below 10 μg/dL influenced the cognitive development. Urban children had higher blood lead but suburban children with lower blood lead were also vulnerable to the effect of lead on their cognitive development

Research excellence: the imperative primers

Research excellence characteristics are comprehensively delineated, encompassing creativity through transnationality and translation-capability. The research iterative primers of “Re” and “search” as the underlying push-engine, is briefly illustrated. Subsequently, a visual model depicting three major modules of the entire research tasking-process illustrates the need to balance the preparation and the rendition of data and interpretation components, through the mediating role of data capture. Traits of the primers characterising research excellence are consequently deliberated and discussed thoroughly using the acronym R-E-S-E-A-R-C-H. The initial three entities, RES, fittingly portray the literature review matrix; with reviewing of references through examining “slacks” or gaps in available literature. The E is then envisaged as representing exclusivity through ethical considerations; A as audience through imbibition of overt and covert objectives, to audit trail analysis; R as rationale through research frame (interpretive, analytical, simulative); C as encompassing creativity through coherence (tone, voice, style); and, H as the human factors-trailing from biases through needs/wants to influences. Optimising values of these primers are deemed imperative to achieve excellence in a research project process and outcome

Determination of arsenic and lead level in blood of adults from coastal community in Melaka, Malaysia

Introduction: Accumulation of heavy metals through seafood consumption constitutes a significant potential threat to human health. Biomonitoring of whole blood heavy metals level gave an insight into the internal body burden to the exposure of heavy metals. The aims of this study were to assess the blood heavy metals (arsenic and lead) level among the coastal community of Melaka and to determine their association with sociodemographic background and potential sources of heavy metals accumulation. Methods: Respondents were recruited through purposive sampling technique based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The questionnaires were distributed to obtain sociodemographic information, the frequency of seafood intake and smoking habit. Blood samples were obtained on a voluntary basis. A total of 63 respondents completed all the information required. The heavy metals concentration in blood was determined by inductively coupled plasma- mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results: The blood arsenic (BAs) concentration of respondents was 0.076 (0.059 – 0.107) μg/L and the blood lead (BPb) concentration of respondents was 1.204 (0.670 – 2.094) μg/L respectively. A significant association was observed between seafood-based product frequency intake and BPb concentration (p < 0.05). Other seafood frequency intake and background factors were not significantly associated with the BAs and BPb concentration of respondents. Conclusion: The findings showed that arsenic and lead levels in the blood of respondents along the coastal area of Melaka did not exceed the blood heavy metals reference levels and there was also lack of associations between blood heavy metals concentration and the potential factors of heavy metals accumulation studied