Geofractionation of heavy metals and application of indices for pollution prediction in paddy field soil of Tumpat, Malaysia

The present study investigates the concentration of Pb, Cd, Ni, Zn, and Cu in the paddy field soils collected from Tumpat, Kelantan. Soil samples were treated with sequential extraction to distinguish the anthropogenic and lithogenic origin of Pb, Cd, Ni, Zn, and Cu. ELFE and oxidizable-organic fractions were detected as the lowest accumulation of Pb, Cd, Ni, Zn, and Cu. Therefore, all the heavy metals examined were concentrated, particularly in resistant fraction, indicating that those heavy metals occurred and accumulated in an unavailable form. The utilization of agrochemical fertilizers and pesticides might not elevate the levels of heavy metals in the paddy field soils. In comparison, the enrichment factor and geoaccumulation index for Pb, Cd, Ni, Zn, and Cu suggest that these heavy metals have the potential to cause environmental risk, although they present abundance in resistant fraction. Therefore, a complete study should be conducted based on the paddy cycle, which in turn could provide a clear picture of heavy metals distribution in the paddy field soils

Heavy metals uptake by Asian swamp eel, Monopterus albus from paddy fields of Kelantan, Peninsular Malaysia: preliminary study

Swamp eel, Monopterus albus is one of the common fish in paddy fields, thus it is suitable to be a bio-monitor for heavy metals pollution studies in paddy fields. This study was conducted to assess heavy metals levels in swamp eels collected from paddy fields in Kelantan, Malaysia. The results showed zinc [Zn (86.40 µg/g dry weight)] was the highest accumulated metal in the kidney, liver, bone, gill, muscle and skin. Among the selected organs, gill had the highest concentrations of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and nickel (Ni) whereas muscle showed the lowest total metal accumulation of Zn, Pb, copper (Cu), Cd and Ni. Based on the Malaysian Food Regulation, the levels of Zn and Cu in edible parts (muscle and skin) were within the safety limits. However, Cd, Pb and Ni exceeded the permissible limits. By comparing with the maximum level intake (MLI), Pb, Ni and Cd in edible parts can still be consumed. This investigation indicated that M. albus from paddy fields of Kelantan are safe for human consumption with little precaution

Copper and zinc speciation in soils from paddy cultivation areas in Kelantan, Malaysia.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the present concentration of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), and factors controlling the bioavailability of metals in paddy cultivation soils collected from Kelantan. Cu and Zn levels in soil samples were extracted by using the sequential extraction procedures, which are namely easily or freely, leachable and exchangeable (EFLE), acid-reducible, oxidisable-organic and resistant fractions. The highest concentration of Cu was found in the oxidisable-organic fraction (19.77±1.89 µg/g) for March, while the resistant fraction (18.29±0.87 µg/g) was the highest in April. In contrast, Zn concentration was the highest in the resistant fraction for both months. Statistically, Cu and Zn results showed a non-significant difference among these two months in the fraction of paddy soil studied. These results indicate a low bioavailability of Cu and Zn in the paddy cultivation soils. Therefore, the anthropogenic-based Cu and Zn in the paddy cultivation areas of Kelantan are expected to originate from applications of chemical fertilizers and pesticide, not from the lithogenic sources

Health risk from Cu and Zn contamination through consumption of paddy eel, Monopterus albus

The main objective in this study is to determine Cu and Zn concentration in edible tissues (skin and muscle) of paddy eels, Monopterus albus. The collection of M. albus samples was based on four paddy seasons (plowing, seedling, growing and harvesting). A total of 163 individuals of M. albus were collected. Edible tissues were dissected, digested and analyzed using an atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS) for metal concentration. Results showed bioaccumulation of Cu and Zn in skin was higher than in muscle tissues. Comparison with the Malaysian Food Regulation showed Cu and Zn concentrations in muscle and skin tissues were within the permissible limits. The estimation of chemical doses was calculated in order to evaluate the health risk of Malaysian population via the consumption of M. albus. Result showed Cu and Zn levels were low in muscle and skin tissues, thus suggesting edible tissues of M. albus are safe for consumption

Model Pendidikan Karakter Berbasis Literacy Gardens di Paud

Kemajuan suatu bangsa di masa depan dalam berbagai sektor kehidupan, sangat tergantung pada generasi muda yang mungkin saat ini masih berada pada kelompok anak usia dini. Kelompok usia tersebut akan menjadi investasi, dan akan menjadi sumber daya manusia yang berkualitas apabila orang dewasa (seperti orang tua, guru) mampu membangun potensi kreativitas sejak dini. Adapun, yang menjadi permasalahannya berdasarkan hasil studi pendahuluan terhadap banyak Taman Kanak-kanak (TK) pada umumnya pembelajaran di TK belum sesuai dengan tahap perkembangan anak, mengingat pembelajaran lebih banyak mengkondisikan anak-anak bermain di dalam kelas, agar anak cepat dapat membaca, menulis, dan berhitung. Dengan kondisi tersebut, menjadi sangat jarang anak-anak TK bermain di halaman sekolahnya, sementara dari hasil kajian literature bahwa bermain di lingkungan outdoor classroom, seperti di halaman sekolah memberikan banyak manfaatnya bagi berkembangnya seluruh aspek perkembangan anak termasuk sangat potensial untuk membentuk karakter anak. Menyikapi kondisi realitas dan hasil kajian literature, maka penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengembangkan model pendidikan karakter berbasis literacy gardenss di PAUD. Penelitian ini menggunakan desain penelitian kualitatif yang bersifat studi kasus.Sesuai dengan karakteristik studi kasus, pengumpulan data penelitian, digunakan beberapa instrument penelitian, yaitu observasi, catatan lapangan, dokumen hasil karya siswa, photo, rekaman dengan menggunakan video, wawancara, dan penilaian. Setiap instrument tersebut digunakan saat berlangsungnya proses pembelajaran. Adapun analisis data dilakukan meliputi kegiatan: penjodoan pola, pembuatan eksplanasi, dan analisis deret waktu. Untuk memperoleh kesimpulan penelitian, analisis data dilakukan secara berkelanjutan setiap kali proses pembelajaran, yang dilanjutkan dengan interpretasi hasil analisis data melalui konfrensi secara berkolaborasi dengan guru. Selain laporan penelitian sebagai kelengkapan hasil penelitian, luaran yang diharapkan dari penelitian ini adalah: (a) menghasilkan dokumen prototype model, (2) menghasilkan buku ajar, (c) menghasilkan CD pembelajaran sesuai model, (d) artikel untuk diajukan pada jurnal nasional atau Internasional yang terakreditasi

Ethnic differences in glycaemic control and complications: the adult diabetes control and management (ADCM), Malaysia

INTRODUCTION: Ethnicity is an important factor in diabetes care. The understanding of its effect in this country may help to improve diabetes care, glycaemic control and diabetic complication rates. This study was to determine the diabetes control profile in relation to complication rates between the three main ethnics group in Malaysia. METHODS: This nested cross-sectional study was part of the Audit of Diabetes Control and Management (ADCM), an ongoing cohort patient registry focused on diabetes control and management in the primary care setting in Malaysia. This registry registers all diabetes patients aged 18 years old and above. Demographic data, diabetes duration, treatment modalities, as well as various risk factors and diabetes complications are reported. Data was handled by statisticians using STATA version 9. RESULTS: A total of 20330 patients from 54 health centers were registered at the time of this report. The majority were type 2 diabetics (99.1%) of whom 56.6% were female. The mean age was 57.9 years (SD 11.58). Malay accounted for 56.3%, Chinese 19.5% and Indian 22.5%. There were 30.3% who attained HbA1c < 7%. Among three main races more Chinese had HbA1c < 6.5% (Chi-square: X2 = 71.64, p < 0.001), but did not show less complications of nephropathy (Indian suffered significantly more nephropathy, Chi-square: X2 = 168.76, p < 0.001), ischaemic heart disease (Chi-square: X2 = 5.67, p = 0.532) and stroke (Chi-square: X2 =15.38, p = 0.078). CONCLUSION: This study has again emphasized the existence of ethnic differences in glycaemic control and complication profiles. The Chinese diabetics suffer as many diabetes-related complications despite better glycaemic control. Further studies will need to look into other socio-genetic factors in order to provide a more personalized effective diabetes care

Gycaemic control and treatment profile amongst 20646 adult type 2 diabetes mellitus: a descriptive report

An audit of Diabetes Control and Management-Diabetes Registry Malaysia (ADCM-DRM) was started to monitor the provision of diabetes care in the country. A total of 20,646 patients were registered in the registry until 31st December 2008. This report set out to determine the Type 2 diabetes controls and treatment profiles of these cohorts of patients. This was a registry-based observational study conducted from May to December, 2008. An online standard case record form was available for site data providers to register their diabetic patients aged 18 years old and above annually. Demographic data, diabetes duration, treatment modalities, as well as various risk factors and diabetes complications were reported. Data were analyzed using Data Analysis and Statistical Software (Stata) version 9. A total of 81 centres, 6 of which were hospitals, participated in this registry until 31st December 2008, contributing a total of 20646 patients. A majority of them (99.2%) had Type 2 diabetes mellitus. The mean HbA1c was 8.0% (SD 2.10), with 30.1% and 17.9% of the patients who attained HbA1c < 7% and HbA1c < 6.5%, respectively. Metformin was prescribed more than sulfonylurea while only 11% had insulin. A review of the diabetic care policy and strategies in the primary health care clinics is needed to implement a more effective treatment of diabetes in this country

Optimization of cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase production by response surface methodology approach.

The aim of the study was to optimized cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase (CGTase) production using local isolated strain MK6 which was identified as Bacillus sp. Optimum activity obtained at temperature of 70 °C and the enzyme shows a wide range of pH stability ranging from 4-10 when stored at 4 °C for 24 h and temperature stability ranging from 30-80 °C at 1 h incubation period. The CGTase activity was even maintained at 0.4 U mL-1 at 90 °C for 40 min incubation. Prior to optimization of CGTase production, selection for the best carbon source through detection using modified phenolphthalein method containing different types of starch were performed. Sago starch gave significant result and was used for further optimization using statistical analysis namely Response Surface Methodology (RSM) approach. The optimal calculated values were 3.34% sago starch, initial pH of 10.15 and agitation speed of 187 rpm; with predicted activity of 2.07 U mL-1 of CGTase. These predicted optimal parameters were confirmed in the laboratory and the final CGTase activity obtained was very close to the predicted value of 2.56 U mL-1

Predictors of poor glycaemic control in older persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus

INTRODUCTION: We assessed the predictors of poor glycaemic control among older patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Malaysia. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used the data of 21,336 patients aged ≥ 60 years with T2DM from the Adult Diabetes Control and Management Registry 2008-2009. RESULTS: Predictors of poor glycaemic control were: age groups 60-69 years (odds ratio [OR] 1.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.66-2.33) and 70-79 years (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.20-1.71); Malay (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.41-1.66) and Indian (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.19-1.46) ethnicities; T2DM durations of 5-10 years (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.35-1.58) and > 10 years (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.59-1.91); the use of oral antidiabetic agents only (OR 5.86, 95% CI 3.32-10.34), insulin only (OR 17.93, 95% CI 9.91-32.43), and oral antidiabetic agents and insulin (OR 29.42, 95% CI 16.47-52.53); and elevated blood pressure (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.01-1.20), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.38-1.59) and triglycerides (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.51-1.73). Hypertension (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.64-0.80), hypertension and dyslipidaemia (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.61-0.75), pre-obesity (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.82-0.98) and obesity (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.70-0.84) were less likely to be associated with poor glycaemic control. CONCLUSION: Young-old and middle-old age groups (i.e. < 80 years), Malay and Indian ethnicities, longer T2DM duration, the use of pharmacological agents, and elevated blood pressure and lipid levels were associated with poor glycaemic control. The presence of comorbidities, pre-obesity and obesity were less likely to be associated with poor glycaemic control

Matrix interpretation of multiple orthogonality

In this work we give an interpretation of a (s(d + 1) + 1)-term recurrence relation in terms of type II multiple orthogonal polynomials.We rewrite this recurrence relation in matrix form and we obtain a three-term recurrence relation for vector polynomials with matrix coefficients. We present a matrix interpretation of the type II multi-orthogonality conditions.We state a Favard type theorem and the expression for the resolvent function associated to the vector of linear functionals. Finally a reinterpretation of the type II Hermite- Padé approximation in matrix form is given