Potential of Using ROSA Centifolia to Remove Iron and Manganese in Groundwater Treatment

Groundwater is source for water supply because of its good natural quality. However, groundwater may be exposed toward to contamination by various anthropogenic activities such as agricultural, domestic and industrial. Groundwater quality problem are typically associated with high hardness, high salinity and elevated concentration of iron, manganese, ammonium, fluoride and occasionally nitrate and arsenic.  Therefore, groundwater should be treated to acceptable level before consumption. This study is carried out with the objectives to optimize the feasibility condition of contact time, biosorbent dosage and pH range in removing heavy metal by using Rosa Centifolia (R. Centifolia) and also to determine the water quality of groundwater sources.  A dried Rosa Centifolia pretreated before being used as biosorbent. Experiment was done by varying contact time, biosorbent dosage and pH range to get the optimum value. The removal characteristic of Iron and Manganese by Rosa Centifolia was analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The optimum condition is achieved at 240minutes, 0.05g/ml and pH 5 respectively. The optimum percentage removal of Iron and Manganese was found to be more than 70%. The finding indicated that Rosa Centifolia is a promising biosorbent in treating groundwater from RECESS UTHM well

道徳と幸福 : カント倫理思想の一考察

Asthma is a serious health problem and during the last decade various experimental models of asthma have been developed to study the pathogenesis of this disease. In this study we describe a new mouse model of asthma that uses the spores of Alternaria alternata and Cladosporium herbarum, two allergenic molds recognized as common inducers of rhinitis and asthma in humans. Here we demonstrate that A. alternata and C. herbarum spores are immunogenic when injected into BALB/c mice, and induce the production of specific IgM and IgG1 antibodies and strongly increase IgE serum levels. To induce the allergic response, mice were sensitized by two intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections and then intranasaly (i.n.) challenged with A. alternata and C. herbarum spores. Bronchoalveolar lavages (BALs) from these mice contained numerous macrophages, neutrophils, eosinophils and lymphocytes whereas neutrophils were the predominant BAL inflammatory cells in nonsensitized mice. Histological studies demonstrated an influx of eosinophils in peri-vascular and peri-bronchial areas and the presence of numerous epithelial goblet cells only in sensitized mice. Increased expression of mRNA specific for various chemokines (eotaxin, MIP-1α, MIP-2) and chemokine receptors (CCR-1, CCR-2 and CCR-5) was observed in the lungs of nonsensitized mice challenged with the spores. Expression of CCR-3 mRNA in the lungs and Th2 cytokine (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13) secretion in the BAL was additionally observed in sensitized and challenged mice. Finally we demonstrate through whole-body plethysmography that mold spore sensitization and challenge induce the development of an airway hyperreactivity in response to nebulized methacholine

Clinical-epidemiological pattern of primary immunodeficiencies in Malaysia 1987-2006: a 20 year experience in four Malaysian hospitals

Aim of study: To determine the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients seen with primary immunodeficiencies referred at four Malaysian Hospitals between 1987 to 2007 Methods: Patient data were retrospectively obtained from patient records and supplemented by information from a standardized questionnaires taken at the time of diagnosis from 4 participating hospitals. The completed data were transferred to document records kept by the first author. The diagnoses made were based on criteria set by WHO Scientific Committee 1986. Results: Fifty one (51) patients with completed records satisfied the criteria of primary immunodeficiencies based on WHO Scientific Committee 1986. Predominant Antibody deficiency (40.4%) is the commonest of the class of primary immunodeficiency (based on modified IUIS classification) followed by phagocytic defect (17.3%), combined immunodeficiencies (15.4%) and other cellular immunodeficiencies (11.5%). The commonest clinical presentation is pneumonia (54%). A positive Family history with a close family relative afflicted was a strong pointer to diagnosis for PID (52.6%) Primary immnodeficiencies are seen in all the major ethnic groups of Malaysia, predominantly among Malays. As observed in other patient registries, diagnostic delay remains the major cause of morbidity and mortality. Conclusion: Primary immunodeficiencies is relative rare but is an emerging disease in Malaysia. Creating awareness of the disease, may reveal more cases within the community. It is sufficient to be a health issue in Malaysia as in other developing countries in the future

Protocol of the baseline assessment for the Environments for Healthy Living (EHL) Wales cohort study

Background Health is a result of influences operating at multiple levels. For example, inadequate housing, poor educational attainment, and reduced access to health care are clustered together, and are all associated with reduced health. Policies which try to change individual people's behaviour have limited effect when people have little control over their environment. However, structural environmental change and an understanding of the way that influences interact with each other, has the potential to facilitate healthy choices irrespective of personal resources. The aim of Environments for Healthy Living (EHL) is to investigate the impact of gestational and postnatal environments on health, and to examine where structural change can be brought about to optimise health outcomes. The baseline assessment will focus on birth outcomes and maternal and infant health. Methods/Design EHL is a longitudinal birth cohort study. We aim to recruit 1000 pregnant women in the period April 2010 to March 2013. We will examine the impact of the gestational environment (maternal health) and the postnatal environment (housing and neighbourhood conditions) on subsequent health outcomes for the infants born to these women. Data collection will commence during the participants' pregnancy, from approximately 20 weeks gestation. Participants will complete a questionnaire, undergo anthropometric measurements, wear an accelerometer, compile a food diary, and have environmental measures taken within their home. They will also be asked to consent to having a sample of umbilical cord blood taken following delivery of their baby. These data will be complemented by routinely collected electronic data such as health records from GP surgeries, hospital admissions, and child health and development records. Thereafter, participants will be visited annually for follow-up of subsequent exposures and child health outcomes. Discussion The baseline assessment of EHL will provide information concerning the impact of gestational and postnatal environments on birth outcomes and maternal and infant health. The findings can be used to inform the development of complex interventions targeted at structural, environmental factors, intended to reduce ill-health. Long-term follow-up of the cohort will focus on relationships between environmental exposures and the later development of adverse health outcomes, including obesity and diabetes

Viruses exacerbating chronic pulmonary disease: the role of immune modulation

Chronic pulmonary diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality and their impact is expected to increase in the future. Respiratory viruses are the most common cause of acute respiratory infections and it is increasingly recognized that respiratory viruses are a major cause of acute exacerbations of chronic pulmonary diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cystic fibrosis. There is now increasing evidence that the host response to virus infection is dysregulated in these diseases and a better understanding of the mechanisms of abnormal immune responses has the potential to lead to the development of new therapies for virus-induced exacerbations. The aim of this article is to review the current knowledge regarding the role of viruses and immune modulation in chronic pulmonary diseases and discuss avenues for future research and therapeutic implications

Influence of Ureolytic Bacteria Toward Interlocking Compressed Earth Blocks (ICEB) in Improving Durability of ICEB

Interlocking compressed earth blocks (ICEB) are soil stabilized based blocks that allows for mortarless construction. Various studies have been conducted to improve the durability of bricks by using environmental friendly solution. This is because common method used by the construction industries generally involving the use of chemical based substances which will promote pollution to the surrounding. This paper provide the results of Ureolytic Bacteria (UB) in improving the compressive strength and water absorption properties with the percentage of 1%, 3% and 5% UB for 7th ,14th and 28th days of testing. The bacteria were added as partial replacement of limestone water in ICEB. The results of compressive strength and water absorption show that the increment of 15.25% strength and reduction of 15.66% water absorption with 5% of UB on the 28th days of testing compared to the control specimen. Therefore it is hoped that the positive results on using bacteria will continue to improve the durability of the ICEB as one of the environmental friendly solution in order to achieve sustainable construction

Influence of Ureolytic Bacteria Toward Interlocking Compressed Earth Blocks (ICEB) in Improving Durability of ICEB

Interlocking compressed earth blocks (ICEB) are soil stabilized based blocks that allows for mortarless construction. Various studies have been conducted to improve the durability of bricks by using environmental friendly solution. This is because common method used by the construction industries generally involving the use of chemical based substances which will promote pollution to the surrounding. This paper provide the results of Ureolytic Bacteria (UB) in improving the compressive strength and water absorption properties with the percentage of 1%, 3% and 5% UB for 7th ,14th and 28th days of testing. The bacteria were added as partial replacement of limestone water in ICEB. The results of compressive strength and water absorption show that the increment of 15.25% strength and reduction of 15.66% water absorption with 5% of UB on the 28th days of testing compared to the control specimen. Therefore it is hoped that the positive results on using bacteria will continue to improve the durability of the ICEB as one of the environmental friendly solution in order to achieve sustainable construction

Steel Slag and Limestone as a Rock Filter for Eliminating Phosphorus from Domestic Wastewater: A Pilot Study in a Warm Climate

Phosphorus input with excessive use of fertilizers and manure as one of the main sources of nutrient pollution has increased recently in the wastewater as result of intensive farming and industrialized and densely populated areas. The novelty of the current work lies in improving a Vertical Aerated Rock Filter (VARF) using steel slag and limestone media to enhance the efficiency of a rock filter (RF) to eliminate total phosphorus (TP) from domestic wastewater. RF was designed with steel slag and limestone (calcium hydroxide) as a pilot scale called vertical aerated steel slag filter (VASSF) and optimized based on hydraulic loading rates (HLR) (0.16 to 5.44 m3/m3 day) and airflow rates ranging from 3 to 10 L/min. The highest removal for the design of the laboratory scale steel slag filter (LSSSF) was achieved by approximately 58%, while for the laboratory-scale limestone filter (LSLSF), it was 64%. The VASSF achieved a removal percentage at 30% of TP, biological oxygen demand (BOD; 89%), chemical oxygen demand (COD; 75%), total suspended solids (TSS; 73%), and total coliforms (TC; 96%), recorded with 7 L/min of an airflow rate and 1.04 m3/m3.day of hydraulic loading rate (HLR) at potential of hydrogen (pH) 7.3 and 5.09 mg/L of dissolved oxygen (DO). These findings indicated that the steel slag is higher than limestone in TP removal, because of ion exchange between phosphorus hydrolysis and the adsorption process. Moreover, in the pilot study, the removal efficiency needs more investigation to determine the best conditions for TP considering the temperature, which is unstable, and presence of other pollutants, which might negatively affect the removal efficiency under unstable conditions

Prevalence of sleep disordered breathing symptoms among Malay school children in a primary school in Malaysia

Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) is increasingly being diagnosed in children. However, there is no prevalence study done in Malaysia. The study objective was to evaluate the prevalence of SDB symptoms based on parental reports and associated risk factors among Malay school children aged 6 to 10 years old in a primary school using a translated University Michigan Paediatric Sleep Questionnaire (Malay UM-PSQ). The children whose parents responded to the questionnaire and consented were examined, documenting height, weight, skin fold thickness, neck and abdominal circumference, tonsillar size, nostril examination and presence of micrognathia or retrognathia. There were 550 respondents. The prevalence of parental report of SDB symptoms was 14.9 % (95 % CI 11.9, 17.9). Two hundred and eighty-five (51.8%) school children were males with mean age of 8.5 years (SD 1.1). The associated risk factors for SDB symptoms are male, obesity, large neck and waist circumference, positive history of asthma, history of recurrent tonsillitis, enlarged tonsil (> 4+) and enlarged nasal turbinate. Multivariate analysis showed that male gender is the only significant independent risk factor of SDB symptom