Waste management: a qualitative study exploring the perception of flood waste management among the community of Pasir Mas

The purpose of this paper is to examine the 2014 post-flood waste management in affected area. For this purpose, Pasir Mas in Kelantan was chosen as the sample area and interviews were conducted with the residents. The interviews aim to gather information about post-flood waste produced, sources of the waste, actions taken by the residents and related authorities bodies to clear the waste, impact of the waste on their living surroundings and health, and assistance needed to manage the waste. A total of 39 respondents consisted of 20 men and 19 women were selected at random for focus group discussion. These respondents represent persons of age 25 years old and above, local and whose living quarters have been affected by the flood. The large volume of mud left by the flood has been identified by the participants as the main source of the post-flood waste. In addition, good cooperation between government agencies and the residents is important to speed up the waste clearing works. However, residents are in much needed support, awareness and education about the impact of long due waste clearing on their health and living environment

Thermal Stability and Rheological Properties of Epoxidized Natural Rubber-Based Magnetorheological Elastomer

Determination of the thermal characteristics and temperature-dependent rheological properties of the magnetorheological elastomers (MREs) is of paramount importance particularly with regards to MRE applications. Hitherto, a paucity of temperature dependent analysis has been conducted by MRE researchers. In this study, an investigation on the thermal and rheological properties of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR)-based MREs was performed. Various percentages of carbonyl iron particles (CIPs) were blended with the ENR compound using a two roll-mill for the preparation of the ENR-based MRE samples. The morphological, elemental, and thermal analyses were performed before the rheological test. Several characterizations, as well as the effects of the strain amplitude, temperature, and magnetic field on the rheological properties of ENR-based MRE samples, were evaluated. The micrographs and elemental results were well-correlated regarding the CIP and Fe contents, and a uniform distribution of CIPs was achieved. The results of the thermal test indicated that the incorporation of CIPs enhanced the thermal stability of the ENR-based MREs. Based on the rheological analysis, the storage modulus and loss factor were dependent on the CIP content and strain amplitude. The effect of temperature on the rheological properties revealed that the stiffness of the ENR-based MREs was considered stable, and they were appropriate to be employed in the MRE devices exposed to high temperatures above 45 °C

Late-Onset Glycogen Storage Disease Type II (Pompe’s Disease) with a Novel Mutation: A Malaysian Experience

Pompe’s disease (acid maltase deficiency, glycogen storage disease type II) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by a deficiency of lysosomal acid α-1,4-glucosidase, resulting in excessive accumulation of glycogen in the lysosomes and cytoplasm of all tissues, most notably in skeletal muscles. We present a case of adult-onset Pompe’s disease with progressive proximal muscles weakness over 5 years and respiratory failure on admission, requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation. Electromyography showed evidence of myopathic process with small amplitudes, polyphasic motor unit action potentials, and presence of pseudomyotonic discharges. Muscle biopsy showed glycogen-containing vacuoles in the muscle fibers consistent with glycogen storage disease. Genetic analysis revealed two compound heterozygous mutations at c.444C>G (p.Tyr148*) in exon 2 and c.2238G>C (p.Trp746Cys) in exon 16, with the former being a novel mutation. This mutation has not been reported before, to our knowledge. The patient was treated with high protein diet during the admission and subsequently showed good clinical response to enzyme replacement therapy with survival now to the eighth year. Conclusion. In patients with late-onset adult Pompe’s disease, careful evaluation and early identification of the disease and its treatment with high protein diet and enzyme replacement therapy improve muscle function and have beneficial impact on long term survival

Kualiti Perkhidmatan dan Kemudahan Sukan bagi Program Pembangunan Atlet Berprestasi Tinggi di Majlis Sukan Negeri

Perkhidmatan dan kemudahan sukan memainkan peranan penting dalam menggalakkan aktiviti fizikal dan penyertaan sukan pada masa lapang. Kemudahan sukan yang lengkap untuk kegunaan atlet dalam persediaan menghadapi kejohanan akan meningkatkan prestasi ke tahap yang lebih baik. Justeru, kajian ini bertujuan mengenal pasti kualiti perkhidmatan dan kemudahan sukan yang sediakan oleh Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan (PBT) bagi program pembangunan sukan prestasi tinggi Majlis Sukan Wilayah Persekutuan (MSWP). Kajian ini menggunakan kaedah tinjauan yang melibatkan 211 responden yang terdiri dari atlet, jurulatih dan pentadbir sukan yang dipilih secara persampelan rawak. Data dari instrumen SERVQUAL (service quality) dan tahap kepuasan dianalisis menggunakan statistik deskriptif dan inferensi. Hasil dapatan menunjukkan skor min kualiti respon adalah tinggi bagi ketiga-tiga kategori responden iaitu atlet (M=3.82), jurulatih (M=3.45) dan pentadbir sukan (M=3.43). Keputusan analisis ANOVA pula menunjukkan terdapat perbezaan yang signifikan antara tahap kepuasan terhadap kualiti perkhidmatan kemudahan sukan berdasarkan tiga kategori responden tersebut F (2, 208) = 7.438; p<.05. Hasil kajian ini diharapkan dapat membantu jurulatih dan pentadbir sukan membangunkan program pembangunan atlet yang lebih berkesan dengan menyediakan kemudahan dan teknologi sukan moden bawah pentadbiran sendiri bagi memastikan atlet mencapai prestasi cemerlang pada masa hadapan

Biodegradition of monochloroacetic acid by a presumptive Pseudomonas sp. strain R1 bacterium isolated from Malaysian paddy (rice) field

A bacterial strain tentatively identified as Pseudomonas sp. R1 was isolated from a paddy (rice) field that could degrade monochloroacetic acid (MCA) for concentrations ranging from 5 to 40 mM. Quantitative agreement between the amount of MCA introduced and chloride released was also found. MCA dehalogenase activity in this strain was found to be inducible. Cell-free extracts displayed dehalogenating activity with specific halogenated organic compound with no activity on dichloropropionic acid or monochloropropionic acid. The estimated Km values for MCA was 0.14 mM. The optimal pH range for MCA dehalogenase activity (between pH 6.5 and 8.0), whereas the thermal stability profile stable up to 50 °C. The results of our current study demonstrated the potential use of Pseudomonas sp. R1 as suitable biological agent for biodegradation of MCA in contaminated agricultural area.This study was funded by a Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation of Malaysia under Vot numbers 79073 (MOSTI e-Science Fund) and 74190 (RMC-IRPA RM-8 Research Grant) and both sources of funding are gratefully acknowledged by SNI, AMT and NHJ

Clinical and Mutational Analysis of the GCDH Gene in Malaysian Patients with Glutaric Aciduria Type 1

Glutaric aciduria type 1 (GA1) is an autosomal recessive metabolic disorder caused by deficiency of glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase enzyme encoded by the GCDH gene. In this study, we presented the clinical and molecular findings of seven GA1 patients in Malaysia. All the patients were symptomatic from infancy and diagnosed clinically from large excretion of glutaric and 3-hydroxyglutaric acids. Bidirectional sequencing of the GCDH gene revealed ten mutations, three of which were novel (Gln76Pro, Glu131Val, and Gly390Trp). The spectrum of mutations included eight missense mutations, a nonsense mutation, and a splice site mutation. Two mutations (Gln76Pro and Arg386Gln) were homozygous in two patients with parental consanguinity. All mutations were predicted to be disease causing by MutationTaster2. In conclusion, this is the first report of both clinical and molecular aspects of GA1 in Malaysian patients. Despite the lack of genotype and phenotype correlation, early diagnosis and timely treatment remained the most important determinant of patient outcome

Pengukuran Kualiti Perkhidmatan: Penilaian Penyedia Kemudahan Sukan Bagi Pembangunan Atlet Majlis Sukan Negeri

Kualiti perkhidmatan dan kemudahan sukan dalam sesebuah organisasi sering dikaitkan dengan kesempurnaan dan kepuasan. Kemudahan sukan yang lengkap untuk kegunaan atlet dalam persediaan menghadapi kejohanan akan meningkatkan kepuasan dan prestasi ke tahap yang lebih baik. Justeru, kajian ini bertujuan mengenalpasti kualiti perkhidmatan dan kemudahan sukan yang sediakan oleh Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan (PBT) bagi program pembangunan sukan prestasi tinggi Majlis Sukan Wilayah Persekutuan (MSWP). Kajian ini menggunakan kaedah tinjauan yang melibatkan 147 responden atlet yang dipilih secara persampelan rawak. Data dari instrumen SERVQUAL (service quality) dan tahap kepuasan dianalisis menggunakan statistik deskriptif. Hasil dapatan menunjukkan kualiti responsif adalah paling tinggi dengan skor min M=3.82, SD=0.833. Manakala kualiti empati menunjukkan skor min paling rendah iaitu M=3.36, SD=0.819. Hasil dapatan kepuasan atlet terhadap kualiti kemudahan sukan yang disediakan oleh pihak PBT pula menunjukkan tahap sederhana dengan skor min M=3.66, SD=0.924. Hasil kajian ini diharapkan dapat membantu pihak pengurusan MSWP membantu PBT menambahbaik kualiti perkhidmatan dan kemudahan sukan bagi memastikan atlet mencapai prestasi cemerlang pada masa hadapan

Genotype, phenotype and treatment outcomes of 17 Malaysian patients with infantile-onset Pompe disease and the identification of 3 novel GAA variants

Abstract Background Pompe disease is a rare glycogen storage disorder caused by deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme acid alpha-glucosidase (GAA), leading to glycogen deposition in multiple tissues. Infantile-onset Pompe disease (IOPD) patients present within the first year of life with profound hypotonia and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Treatment with enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) has significantly improved survival for this otherwise lethal disorder. This study aims to describe the clinical and molecular spectrum of Malaysian IOPD patients, and to analyze their long term treatment outcomes. Methods Seventeen patients diagnosed with IOPD between 2000 and 2020 were included in this retrospective cohort study. Clinical and biochemical data were collated and analyzed using descriptive statistics. GAA enzyme levels were performed on dried blood spots. Molecular analysis of the GAA gene was performed by polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing. Structural modelling was used to predict the effect of the novel mutations on enzyme structure. Results Our cohort had a median age of presentation of 3 months and median age of diagnosis of 6 months. Presenting features were hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (100%), respiratory insufficiency (94%), hypotonia (88%), failure to thrive (82%), feeding difficulties (76%), and hepatomegaly (76%). Fourteen different mutations in the GAA gene were identified, with three novel mutations, c.1552-14_1552-1del, exons 2–3 deletion and exons 6–10 deletion. The most common mutation identified was c.1935C > A p.(D645E), with an allele frequency of 33%. Sixteen patients received ERT at the median age of 7 months. Overall survival was 29%. Mean age of death was 17.5 months. Our longest surviving patient has atypical IOPD and is currently 20 years old. Conclusions This is the first study to analyze the genotype and phenotype of Malaysian IOPD patients, and has identified the c.1935C > A p.(D645E) as the most common mutation. The three novel mutations reported in this study expands the mutation spectrum for IOPD. Our low survival rate underscores the importance of early diagnosis and treatment in achieving better treatment outcomes

Abstracts of the International Halal Science Conference 2023

This book presents the extended abstracts of the selected contributions to the International Halal Science Conference, held on 22-23 August 2023 by the International Institute for Halal Research and Training (INHART), IIUM, Malaysia in collaboration with Halalan Thayyiban Research Centre, University Islam Sultan Sharif (UNISSA), Brunei Darussalam. With the increasing global interest in halal products and services, this conference is timely. Conference Title:  International Halal Science ConferenceConference Acronym: IHASC23Conference Theme: Halal Industry Sustainability Through ScienceConference Date: 22-23 August 2023Conference Venue: International Islamic University (IIUM), MalaysiaConference Organizer: International Institute for Halal Research and Training (INHART), International Islamic University (IIUM), Malaysi