Comparison Of Growth And Reproductive Responses Of Calves To An Intratesticular Injection Of Zinc Tannate And Castration

A study was carried out to demonstrate that intratesticular injection of 6% zinc tannate to indigenous Kedah-Kelantan (KK) calves will result in better growth rates and superior carcass characteristics than calves castrated with burdizzo and that it would selectively destroy the spermatogenic cells and not the interstitial cells ( Leydig cells) . Thirty KK male calves aged 9 - 10 months old were selected and assigned to three treatment groups with 10 animal sin each group . Animal sin group 1 were castrated with a burdizzo(BC) , group 2 animals were injected intratesticularly with 6% zinc tannate (ZT ) and intact animals in group 3 as a control group (CT ) . The dose o f 6% zinc tannate injected was based on scrotal circumference . All the animals were slaughtered after 368 days post-treatment .There was no significant difference ( P >0 . 05 ) in average daily weight gain of animals injected with zinc tannate (0.38±0.007 kg ) , castrated ( 0.34±0.07 kg ) and intact (0.43 ± 0.007 kg ) animals; but intact animals showed higher ( P<0.05 ) gain than the castrated animals. Zinc tannate animals had lower daily feed intake and better feed conversion ratio than castrated and intact animals . No significant differences were observed in chilled dressing percent , muscle and bone percent and muscle : bone ratio of the three treatment groups but a higher percentage of f at was found in castrated animals . This study revealed that zinc tannate is an irreversible chemical sterilant . Histological section of testes indicated complete destruction of spermatogenic cells with intact Leydig cells in the interstitium . No spermatozoa were observed in the ejaculates and the animals produced high levels o f testosterone hormone . It is concluded that zinc tannate could be used as a substitute for burdizzo cast ration and as an alternate procedure for the preparation o f teaser bulls

Exploring the role of digital citizenship and digital empowerment to enhance academic performance of business students

In the changing educational environment brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, this study investigates the dynamic interactions between digital citizenship, digital empowerment, and academic performance. Data is collected from a survey of students at the College of Business, Al-Ahliyya Amman University. The Partial Least Squares (PLS) method of structural equation Modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the collected data. The findings reveal how digital empowerment is directly impacted by digital education, respect and protection. It was also discovered that digital empowerment directly improves academic performance, highlighting the significance of promoting digital settings that are safe, respectful, and conducive to learning. With the changing educational landscape, this study adds to a better understanding of how digital citizenship influences students' academic performance and learning experiences. It provides educators, organizations, and legislators with useful information to help them better prepare students for success in a fast-evolving educational landscape by enhancing their digital skills and competences

Study of Heavy Metal Levels among Farmers of Muda Agricultural Development Authority, Malaysia

Heavy metals, particularly cadmium, lead, and arsenic, constitute a significant potential threat to human health. This study was conducted to determine the levels of cadmium, lead, and arsenic in nail samples from farmers at Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA), Kedah, Malaysia, and evaluate factors that can contribute to their accumulations. A total of 116 farmers participated in this study. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to analyze concentration of heavy metals in the nail samples and questionnaires were given to participants to get demographic, health status, and their agricultural activities data. In this paper, the level of heavy metals was within the normal range and varies according to demographic factors. We found that there were significant correlations between working period with level of lead and arsenic (r = 0.315 and r = 0.242, resp., P < 0.01) and age with lead level (r = 0.175, P < 0.05). Our findings suggested that agricultural activities could contribute to the accumulation of heavy metals in farmers. Hence, the control of environmental levels of and human exposure to these metals to prevent adverse health effects is still an important public health issue

Analisa sitogenetik sel bukal petani di Tanjung Karang dan Kelantan yang terdedah kepada pestisid

Pestisid dan baja kimia digunakan secara meluas dalam sektor pertanian bagi meningkatkan hasil pertanian dalam kalangan petani. Namun, pendedahan kepada pestisid akan memberi potensi risiko kepada kesihatan manusia. Kajian ini bertujuan menganalisa kekerapan pembentukan mikronukleus (MN) dan binukleus (BNu) pada mukosa sel bukal petani yang terdedah kepada pestisid dengan menggunakan asai MN. Perbandingan kekerapan MN dan Bnu dilakukan di dua kawasan iaitu Tanjung Karang, Selangor dan Kelantan kerana aktiviti pertanian dan jenis pestisid yang digunakan adalah berbeza. Pengambilan sel bukal dilakukan pada petani di Tanjung Karang (n = 32) dan petani di Kelantan (n = 43) dengan mnggunakan kayu penyendal lidah. Borang soal selidik juga digunakan untuk mendapatkan data demografik para petani. Analisa sitogenetik dilakukan dengan menggunakan pewarnaan Akridin Jingga (AO) 0.0025% (w/v). Kekerapan MN dan BNu yang terbentuk melalui analisa dibawah mikroskop fluoresen dijadikan sebagai petunjuk kerosakan sitogenetik. Keputusan kajian menunjukkan kekerapan MN dan BNu petani di Tanjung Karang adalah lebih tinggi secara signifikan (p 0.05) dan amalan pemakaian PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) (p > 0.05). Selain itu, ujian korelasi yang dijalankan menunjukkan terdapat korelasi positif antara kekerapan MN dengan tempoh pendedahan pestisid petani di Tanjung Karang (p > 0.05, r = 0.015) dan Kelantan (p > 0.05, r = 0.0158). Manakala, kekerapan BNu juga mempunyai korelasi positif dengan pendedahan pestisid petani di Tanjung Karang (p > 0.05, r = 0.036) dan petani di Kelantan (p > 0.05, r = 0.013). Justeru, kajian ini membuktikan bahawa pendedahan pestisid boleh meningkatkan pembentukan MN dan BNu dalam kalangan petani dan ini menjelaskan bahawa penggunaan pestisid dalam jangka masa panjang boleh mengaruh genotoksisiti dan kerosakan DNA kepada manusia

Micronucleus analysis in buccal swabs of paddy farmers from the East Coast of Malaysia

Pesticide exposure may cause genotoxic effects by inducing the formation of micronucleus (Mn). Mn are fragments of chromosomes that remains after cells division. The increase in Mn may increase the risk of cancer formation. Our study aimed to determine the effects of lifestyle and pesticide exposure on the formation of Mn in epithelial cells from buccal swabs among paddy farmers in Malaysia. About 40 farmers who were exposed to pesticides were chosen as subjects and 30 personnels whose not directly exposed to pesticides, were chosen as the control group. Demographic and anthropometric data were obtained from questionnaires developed. Analysis of Mn formation was done using Giemsa staining (10% v/v) and the frequency of Mn formation was scored from 1000 cells per sample. Kruskal-Wallis test done between Mn frequency with age group showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in Mn frequency in farmers as compared to the control in the age group of 30-39 , 40-49 years, and 50-59 years. Significant increased (p < 0.05) were observed between Mn frequency groups of normal BMI, pre-obese, and grade 1 obese as compared to control. Significant increase of Mn frequency (p < 0.01) was also seen among smokers and farmer’s group (15.39 ± 3.34) as compared to controls (4.76 ± 1.26). The maximum numbers of Mn found in farmers are 7 Mn per cell whereas for control group is only 3 Mn. However, most farmers had only 1 Mn (81.75 ± 6.42%) and 2 Mn (15.28 ± 5.14%). Mn frequency with the duration of exposure to pesticides in a month and the use of PPE revealed no significant difference (p = 0.27). In conclusion, the increased frequency of Mn was influenced by age, gender, BMI and smoking status of farmers besides commonly repeated duration of exposures and the use of PPE. Further studies are needed to analyze the causes of an increased in Mn among farmers

Determination of mineral content in the ficus deltoidea leaves

Ficus deltoidea leaves were widely used as a tea beverages in Malaysia with no information of its mineral content. Hence the mineral content of two species of Ficus deltoidea leaves were investigated. The dried leaves of F. deltoidea var. angustifolia and F. deltoidea var. deltoidea were acid digested and mineral elements of Na, Mg, K, Ca, Mn, Cr, Fe and Zn were determined using ICP–MS. Magnesium, potassium, sodium, manganese, iron and zinc were found to be present in the leaves of F. deltoidea var. angustifolia and F. deltoidea var. deltoidea. Concentration of magnesium (1934 mg/L), manganese (58.37 mg/L), iron (6.89 mg/L) and zinc (1.77 mg/L) in F. deltoidea var. deltoidea species were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than in F. deltoidea var. angustifolia species with concentration of 317 mg/L, 29.62 mg/L, 4.55 mg/L and 1.26 mg/L for magnesium, manganese, iron and zinc respectively. Meanwhile, concentration of sodium in F. deltoidea var. deltoidea species (3.13 mg/L) was found to be significantly (P < 0.05) lower than the concentration in F. deltoidea var. angustifolia species (9.11 mg/L). The finding showed that the leaves of F. deltoidea var. deltoidea has higher nutritional value than the leaves of F. deltoidea var. angustifolia. Leaves of Ficus deltoidea especially the F. deltoidea var. deltoidea species contain high amount of magnesium, manganese and potassium. Therefore, tea made of this leaves can be served as a good source of minerals for human consumption

The Effect of Forgiveness and Spouse Social Support on Marital Satisfaction from the Perspective of Islamic Ethics

This study aims to examine the effects of forgiveness and spouse social support on marital satisfaction in working wives from the perspective of Islamic ethics. This quantitative study involved 225 participants from Indonesia and employed purposive sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire with a Likert scale model and were analyzed using multiple regression analysis techniques with the aid of the SPSS 22 program. The findings show that 1) forgiveness and spouse social support variables have a simultaneous effect on marital satisfaction variables. The variables of forgiveness and spouse social support have a combined influence of 63.8% on the marital satisfaction variable, with the remaining 35.9% influenced by other unexamined variables; 2) The forgiveness variable has a partial effect on the marital satisfaction variable; and 3) The spouse social support variable has a partial effect on the marital satisfaction variable. Ethical entities such as forgiveness and spouse social support, in fact, have a significant influence in preventing larger conflicts that threaten the level of satisfaction and happiness in marriage. Happiness in general is seen as cognitive, conative, and accidental according to Islamic ethical theory. The harmonization of these three elements is crucial in Islamic ethical principles and, even further, becomes an important factor in achieving happiness. The implication of this research is that factors such as forgiveness and spouse social support play a significant role in marital satisfaction among working wives, particularly within the framework of Islamic ethics

Faktor yang Mempengaruhi Paras Kromium dalam Kalangan Petani di Daerah Bachok dan Pasir Puteh, Kelantan

Kromium merupakan mineral yang penting dan kofaktor insulin yang memainkan peranan penting sebagai hormon yang membantu dalam regulasi gula dalam darah. Penduduk Kelantan sering dikaitkan dengan pengambilan makanan berasaskan gula. Petani merupakan golongan yang berisiko tinggi kerana pendedahan terhadap pestisid dan pengambilan makanan bergula boleh mempengaruhi paras kromium. Objektif kajian ini adalah untuk mengetahui status paras kromium dalam kalangan petani yang terdedah kepada pestisid dan baja kimia di Kelantan. Kajian ini adalah kajian keratan rentas yang dilakukan di Bachok dan Pasir Puteh, Kelantan. Responden adalah seramai 113 petani yang terdedah kepada pestisid atau baja kimia tidak kurang daripada satu tahun. Subjek ditemu bual menggunakan soal selidik pengetahuan, sikap dan amalan (KAP) yang telah divalidasi untuk informasi berkaitan data demografi k. Sampel kuku dan rambut telah dianalisia dengan menggunakan kaedah pencernaan asid dan Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICPMS) untuk mendapatkan paras kromium. Hasil kajian menunjukkan 81.4% adalah petani lelaki dan 18.6% adalah perempuan. Paras kromium kuku (125.82 ± 47.81 μg/L) dan rambut (39.63 ± 5.70 μg/L) petani adalah lebih rendah berbanding julat piawai kuku (6200 μg/L) dan rambut (100-2500 μg/L). Tiada perbezaan paras kromium yang signifi kan (p > 0.05) menurut jantina, umur, glukosa darah, tempoh pendedahan pestisid dan pemakanan. Petani yang merokok menunjukkan paras kromium yang lebih rendah (p < 0.05) berbanding petani yang tidak merokok. Kesimpulannya, paras unsur kromium petani di Bachok dan Pasir Puteh adalah rendah berbanding julat normal dan petani harus berhenti merokok kerana merokok akan merendahkan paras kromium

Paras selenium, zink dan kromium dalam kalangan pesawah yang terdedah pestisid di MADA, Perlis dan komuniti nelayan di Mersing, Johor

Pendedahan terhadap pestisid dapat menyebabkan penurunan paras unsur surih di dalam badan manusia. Unsur surih memainkan peranan penting dalam metabolisma tubuh. Kajian ini dijalankan untuk mengkaji paras unsur surih selenium, zink dan kromium dalam kalangan pesawah yang terdedah kepada pestisid di Wilayah I, MADA, Perlis. Kajian keratan rentas ini melibatkan 70 orang pesawah dan 57 orang yang tinggal di perkampungan nelayan sebagai kumpulan kawalan yang berumur di antara 21 hingga 80 tahun. Maklumat sosiodemografi pesawah dilakukan melalui temuduga borang soal selidik yang telah divalidasi. Pemeriksaan tekanan darah dan glukosa darah pesawah dilakukan. Paras selenium, zink dan kromium sampel kuku dan rambut dianalisis dengan menggunakan kaedah penghadaman asid dan mesin Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Hasil kajian mendapati bahawa paras selenium pada rambut (5.11 ± 17.05 µg/L) dan kuku (4.92 ± 2.17 µg/L) adalah lebih rendah secara signifikannya (p < 0.05) berbanding paras selenium pada rambut (15.67 ± 10.59 µg/L) dan kuku (6.67 ± 2.81 µg/L) kumpulan kawalan. Paras kromium pada rambut (31.83 ± 15.17 µg/L) dan kuku (87.64 ± 23.30 µg/L) kumpulan pesawah juga didapati lebih rendah secara signifikannya (p < 0.05) berbanding paras kromium pada rambut (85.19 ± 56.90 µg/L) dan kuku (99.36 ± 56.89 µg/L) pada kumpulan kawalan. Walau bagaimanapun, tiada perbezaan paras unsur surih yang signifikan (p > 0.05) menurut tempoh pendedahan pestisid. Kesimpulannya, paras selenium dan kromium pada kuku dan rambut pesawah yang terdedah kepada pestisid adalah lebih rendah berbanding kumpulan komuniti nelayan