Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 250 in total

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  1. Leong YH, Azmi NI, Majid MIA, Wen S
    PMID: 34014804 DOI: 10.1080/19440049.2021.1922758
    An average 50 ml breast milk samples were collected from 21 lactating primiparous mothers (range 25 to 45 years, mean 33 years), 4-8 weeks after delivery in Penang Island, Malaysia. The geometric mean concentration of the most toxic congeners, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD) was 0.14 pg WHO2005-TEQ g-1 zlipid. The most abundant congeners of PCDD/Fs were octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (OCDD) (5.9-75.4%), followed by 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-heptachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD) (1.1-30.7%). The geometric mean level of total dioxins and dl-PCBs was 2.2 pg WHO2005-TEQ g-1 lipid, significantly lower than those in developed countries or highly contaminated areas. The total dioxins and dl-PCBs in pg WHO2005-TEQ levels in breast milk were significantly correlated with years of residence at potential contaminated site. The average daily intake of 11.8 pg WHO2005-TEQ kg-1 body weight was estimated for a breastfed infant at 6 months of age. This demonstrates the exposure risk to infants, especially from Penang region, to these pollutants from human milk intake are potentially high during the lactation period.
    Matched MeSH terms: Environmental Pollutants
  2. van der Ent A, Edraki M
    Environ Geochem Health, 2018 Feb;40(1):189-207.
    PMID: 27848090 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-016-9892-3
    The Mamut Copper Mine (MCM) located in Sabah (Malaysia) on Borneo Island was the only Cu-Au mine that operated in the country. During its operation (1975-1999), the mine produced 2.47 Mt of concentrate containing approximately 600,000 t of Cu, 45 t of Au and 294 t of Ag, and generated about 250 Mt of overburden and waste rocks and over 150 Mt of tailings, which were deposited at the 397 ha Lohan tailings storage facility, 15.8 km from the mine and 980 m lower in altitude. The MCM site presents challenges for environmental rehabilitation due to the presence of large volumes of sulphidic minerals wastes, the very high rainfall and the large volume of polluted mine pit water. This indicates that rehabilitation and treatment is costly, as for example, exceedingly large quantities of lime are needed for neutralisation of the acidic mine pit discharge. The MCM site has several unusual geochemical features on account of the concomitant occurrence of acid-forming sulphide porphyry rocks and alkaline serpentinite minerals, and unique biological features because of the very high plant diversity in its immediate surroundings. The site hence provides a valuable opportunity for researching natural acid neutralisation processes and mine rehabilitation in tropical areas. Today, the MCM site is surrounded by protected nature reserves (Kinabalu Park, a World Heritage Site, and Bukit Hampuan, a Class I Forest Reserve), and the environmental legacy prevents de-gazetting and inclusion in these protected area in the foreseeable future. This article presents a preliminary geochemical investigation of waste rocks, sediments, secondary precipitates, surface water chemistry and foliar elemental uptake in ferns, and discusses these results in light of their environmental significance for rehabilitation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Environmental Pollutants
  3. Koriem KM, Arbid MS, Emam KR
    Environ Toxicol Pharmacol, 2014 Jul;38(1):14-23.
    PMID: 24860957 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2014.04.029
    Octylphenol (OP) is one of ubiquitous pollutants in the environment. It belongs to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC). It is used in many industrial and agricultural products. Pectin is a family of complex polysaccharides that function as a hydrating agent and cementing material for the cellulose network. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of pectin in kidney dysfunction, oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by OP exposure. Thirty-two male albino rats were divided into four equal groups; group 1 control was injected intraperitoneally (i.p) with saline [1 ml/kg body weight (bwt)], groups 2, 3 & 4 were injected i.p with OP (50 mg/kg bwt) three days/week over two weeks period where groups 3 & 4 were injected i.p with pectin (25 or 50 mg/kg bwt) three days/week over three weeks period. The results of the present study revealed that OP significantly decreased glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase (GR) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels while increased significantly lipid peroxidation (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) and protein carbonyls (PC) levels in the kidney tissues. On the other hand, OP increased serum urea and creatinine. Furthermore, OP increased significantly serum uric acid but decreased significantly the kidney weight. Moreover, OP decreased p53 expression while increased bcl-2 expression in the kidney tissue. The treatment with either dose of pectin to OP-exposed rats restores all the above parameters to approach the normal values where pectin at higher dose was more effective than lower one. These results were supported by histopathological investigations. In conclusion, pectin has antioxidant and anti-apoptotic activities in kidney toxicity induced by OP and the effect was dose-dependent.
    Matched MeSH terms: Environmental Pollutants/toxicity*
  4. Leong YH, Chiang PN, Jaafar HJ, Gan CY, Majid MI
    PMID: 24392728 DOI: 10.1080/19440049.2014.880519
    A total of 126 food samples, categorised into three groups (seafood and seafood products, meat and meat products, as well as milk and dairy products) from Malaysia were analysed for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs). The concentration of PCDD/Fs that ranged from 0.16 to 0.25 pg WHO05-TEQ g(-1) fw was found in these samples. According to the food consumption data from the Global Environment Monitoring System (GEMS) of the World Health Organization (WHO), the dietary exposures to PCDD/F from seafood and seafood products, meat and meat products, as well as milk and dairy products for the general population in Malaysia were 0.064, 0.183 and 0.736 pg WHO05-TEQ kg(-1) bw day(-1), respectively. However, the exposure was higher in seafood and seafood products (0.415 pg WHO05-TEQ kg(-1) bw day(-1)) and meat and meat products (0.317 pg WHO05-TEQ kg(-1) bw day(-1)) when the data were estimated using the Malaysian food consumption statistics. The lower exposure was observed in dairy products with an estimation of 0.365 pg WHO05-TEQ kg(-1) bw day(-1). Overall, these dietary exposure estimates were much lower than the tolerable daily intake (TDI) as recommended by WHO. Thus, it is suggested that the dietary exposure to PCDD/F does not represent a risk for human health in Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Environmental Pollutants
  5. Sanagi MM, Loh SH, Wan Ibrahim WA, Hasan MN, Aboul Enein HY
    J Chromatogr Sci, 2013 Feb;51(2):112-6.
    PMID: 22776739 DOI: 10.1093/chromsci/bms113
    In this work, a two-phase hollow fiber liquid-phase microextraction (HF-LPME) method combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is developed to provide a rapid, selective and sensitive analytical method to determine polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in fresh milk. The standard addition method is used to construct calibration curves and to determine the residue levels for the target analytes, fluorene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene, thus eliminating sample pre-treatment steps such as pH adjustment. The HF-LPME method shows dynamic linearity from 5 to 500 µg/L for all target analytes with R(2) ranging from 0.9978 to 0.9999. Under optimized conditions, the established detection limits range from 0.07 to 1.4 µg/L based on a signal-to-noise ratio of 3:1. Average relative recoveries for the determination of PAHs studied at 100 µg/L spiking levels are in the range of 85 to 110%. The relative recoveries are slightly higher than those obtained by conventional solvent extraction, which requires saponification steps for fluorene and phenanthrene, which are more volatile and heat sensitive. The HF-LPME method proves to be simple and rapid, and requires minimal amounts of organic solvent that supports green analysis.
    Matched MeSH terms: Environmental Pollutants
  6. Mokhtar MB, Murad W
    J Environ Health, 2010 Apr;72(8):24-9.
    PMID: 20420051
    Environmental health problems in Malaysia are mostly attributed to atmospheric pollution, water pollution, climate change, ozone depletion, and solid waste management, as well as toxic, chemical, and hazardous waste management. The Ministry of Health, Malaysia, has been vigorously pursuing the environmental health agenda by collaborating with other agencies at district, state, national, and international levels. This article discusses the issues and management framework of environmental health in Malaysia. Some issues requiring further investigation in order to clearly understand the trade-off between atmospheric change and environmental health are suggested. These suggestions are developed with particular reference to appraisals concerned with the development and implementation of environmental policy, programs, and practice. Research on the relevant issues is discussed and a framework is built involving a comprehensive review of the literature and existing framework of Malaysian environmental health.
    Matched MeSH terms: Environmental Pollutants
  7. Foo KY, Hameed BH
    J Hazard Mater, 2010 Mar 15;175(1-3):1-11.
    PMID: 19879688 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2009.10.014
    Concern about environmental protection has increased over the years from a global viewpoint. To date, the percolation of pesticide waste into the groundwater tables and aquifer systems remains an aesthetic issue towards the public health and food chain interference. With the renaissance of activated carbon, there has been a consistent growing interest in this research field. Confirming the assertion, this paper presents a state of art review of pesticide agrochemical practice, its fundamental characteristics, background studies and environmental implications. Moreover, the key advance of activated carbon adsorption, its major challenges together with the future expectation are summarized and discussed. Conclusively, the expanding of activated carbon adsorption represents a plausible and powerful circumstance, leading to the superior improvement of environmental preservation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Environmental Pollutants
  8. Veysi R, Heibati B, Jahangiri M, Kumar P, Latif MT, Karimi A
    Environ Monit Assess, 2019 Jan 05;191(2):50.
    PMID: 30612195 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-018-7182-5
    The ambient air of hospitals contains a wide range of biological and chemical pollutants. Exposure to these indoor pollutants can be hazardous to the health of hospital staff. This study aims to evaluate the factors affecting indoor air quality and their effect on the respiratory health of staff members in a busy Iranian hospital. We surveyed 226 hospital staff as a case group and 222 office staff as a control group. All the subjects were asked to fill in a standard respiratory questionnaire. Pulmonary function parameters were simultaneously measured via a spirometry test. Environmental measurements of bio-aerosols, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds in the hospital and offices were conducted. T-tests, chi-square tests, and multivariable logistic regressions were used to analyze the data. The concentration of selected air pollutants measured in the hospital wards was more than those in the administrative wards. Parameters of pulmonary functions were not statistically significant (p > 0.05) between the two groups. However, respiratory symptoms such as coughs, phlegm, phlegmatic coughs, and wheezing were more prevalent among the hospital staff. Laboratory staff members were more at risk of respiratory symptoms compared to other occupational groups in the hospital. The prevalence of sputum among nurses was significant, and the odds ratio for the presence of phlegm among nurses was 4.61 times greater than office staff (p = 0.002). The accumulation of indoor pollutants in the hospital environment revealed the failure of hospital ventilation systems. Hence, the design and implementation of an improved ventilation system in the studied hospital is recommended.
    Matched MeSH terms: Environmental Pollutants
  9. Rizal S, H P S AK, Oyekanmi AA, Gideon ON, Abdullah CK, Yahya EB, et al.
    Polymers (Basel), 2021 Mar 24;13(7).
    PMID: 33805242 DOI: 10.3390/polym13071006
    The exponential increase in textile cotton wastes generation and the ineffective processing mechanism to mitigate its environmental impact by developing functional materials with unique properties for geotechnical applications, wastewater, packaging, and biomedical engineering have become emerging global concerns among researchers. A comprehensive study of a processed cotton fibres isolation technique and their applications are highlighted in this review. Surface modification of cotton wastes fibre increases the adsorption of dyes and heavy metals removal from wastewater. Cotton wastes fibres have demonstrated high adsorption capacity for the removal of recalcitrant pollutants in wastewater. Cotton wastes fibres have found remarkable application in slope amendments, reinforcement of expansive soils and building materials, and a proven source for isolation of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). Several research work on the use of cotton waste for functional application rather than disposal has been done. However, no review study has discussed the potentials of cotton wastes from source (Micro-Nano) to application. This review critically analyses novel isolation techniques of CNC from cotton wastes with an in-depth study of a parameter variation effect on their yield. Different pretreatment techniques and efficiency were discussed. From the analysis, chemical pretreatment is considered the most efficient extraction of CNCs from cotton wastes. The pretreatment strategies can suffer variation in process conditions, resulting in distortion in the extracted cellulose's crystallinity. Acid hydrolysis using sulfuric acid is the most used extraction process for cotton wastes-based CNC. A combined pretreatment process, such as sonication and hydrolysis, increases the crystallinity of cotton-based CNCs. The improvement of the reinforced matrix interface of textile fibres is required for improved packaging and biomedical applications for the sustainability of cotton-based CNCs.
    Matched MeSH terms: Environmental Pollutants
  10. Ngatiman M, Jami MS, Abu Bakar MR, Subramaniam V, Loh SK
    Heliyon, 2021 Jan;7(1):e05931.
    PMID: 33490684 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e05931
    The formation of struvite crystals or magnesium ammonium phosphate (MgNH4PO4) in palm oil mill effluent (POME) occurs as early as in the secondary stage of POME treatment system. Its growth continues in the subsequent tertiary treatment which reduces piping diameter, thus affecting POME treatment efficiency. Hypothesis. The beneficial use of the crystal is the motivation. This occurrence is rarely reported in scientific articles despite being a common problem faced by palm oil millers. The aim of this study is to characterize struvite crystals found in an anaerobic digester of a POME treatment facility in terms of their physical and chemical aspects. The compositions, morphology and properties of these crystals were determined via energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), elemental analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD). Solubility tests were carried out to establish solubility curve for struvite from POME. Finally, crystal growth experiment was done applying reaction crystallization method to demonstrate struvite precipitation from POME. Results showed that high phosphorous (P) (24.85 wt%) and magnesium (Mg) (21.33 wt%) content was found in the struvite sample. Elemental analysis detected carbon (C), hydrogen (H), nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) below 4 wt%. The crystals analysed by XRD in this study were confirmed as struvite with 94.8% struvite mineral detected from its total volume. Having an orthorhombic crystal system, struvite crystals from POME recorded an average density of 1.701 g cm-3. Solubility curve of struvite from POME was established with maximum solubility of 275.6 mg L-1 at pH 3 and temperature 40 °C. Minimum solubility of 123.6 mg L-1 was recorded at pH 7 and temperature 25 °C. Crystal growth experiment utilizing POME as the source medium managed to achieve 67% reduction in phosphorous content. This study concluded that there is a potential of harnessing valuable nutrients from POME in the form of struvite. Struvite precipitation technology can be adapted in the management of POME in order to achieve maximum utilization of the nutrients that are still abundant in POME. At the same time maximization of nutrient extractions from POME will also reduce pollutants loading in the final discharge.
    Matched MeSH terms: Environmental Pollutants
  11. NURDIYANA ROSLAN, MAZIDAH MAMAT, MAZIDAH MAMAT, KU HALIM KU BULAT
    MyJurnal
    Batik industryiswell known intheEast Coast of Malaysia, particularly in Terengganu and Kelantan. This industry consumes a lot of waterforthe batik making processwhich contributes tohigh dischargeof wastewater containingexcess dye pollutants. Hence,in this study, ananionic clayofnickel/aluminium-layered double hydroxide (NiAL) was investigatedas a potential adsorbent for the removal of anionic dyeof Eriochrome Black T (EBT). The NiAL was synthesized via self-assemblymethod and characterization of NiALwas carried outusing powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR). The composition and morphology of NiAL was further analyzed using carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulphur elemental analyzer (CHNS), thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) and scanning electron microscope (SEM).The potential of NiAL as an adsorbent for the removal ofEBT in aqueous solution was tested at different dosages of NiAL. Theadsorptionabilitywasanalyzedby using two common adsorption isotherms, which were Langmuir and Freundlich models. The adsorption of EBT onto NiAL was governedby Freundlich isotherm model indicating that the adsorption occurs in heterogeneous system.
    Matched MeSH terms: Environmental Pollutants
  12. Assafiri O, Song AA, Tan GH, Hanish I, Hashim AM, Yusoff K
    PLoS One, 2021;16(1):e0245354.
    PMID: 33418559 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245354
    Klebsiella pneumoniae are opportunistic bacteria found in the gut. In recent years they have been associated with nosocomial infections. The increased incidence of multiple drug-resistant K. pneumoniae makes it necessary to find new alternatives to treat the disease. In this study, phage UPM2146 was isolated from a polluted lake which can lyse its host K. pneumoniae ATCC BAA-2146. Observation from TEM shows that UPM2146 belongs to Caudoviriales (Order) based on morphological appearance. Whole genome analysis of UPM2146 showed that its genome comprises 160,795 bp encoding for 214 putative open reading frames (ORFs). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the phage belongs to Ackermannviridae (Family) under the Caudoviriales. UPM2146 produces clear plaques with high titers of 1010 PFU/ml. The phage has an adsorption period of 4 min, latent period of 20 min, rise period of 5 min, and releases approximately 20 PFU/ bacteria at Multiplicity of Infection (MOI) of 0.001. UPM2146 has a narrow host-range and can lyse 5 out of 22 K. pneumoniae isolates (22.72%) based on spot test and efficiency of plating (EOP). The zebrafish larvae model was used to test the efficacy of UPM2146 in lysing its host. Based on colony forming unit counts, UPM2146 was able to completely lyse its host at 10 hours onwards. Moreover, we show that the phage is safe to be used in the treatment against K. pneumoniae infections in the zebrafish model.
    Matched MeSH terms: Environmental Pollutants
  13. Aziz HA, Puat NNA, Alazaiza MYD, Hung YT
    PMID: 30104522 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15081734
    In this study, a sequential batch reactor (SBR) with different types of fibers was employed for the treatment of poultry slaughterhouse wastewater. Three types of fibers, namely, juite fiber (JF), bio-fringe fiber (BF), and siliconised conjugated polyester fiber (SCPF), were used. Four SBR experiments were conducted, using the fibers in different reactors, while the fourth reactor used a combination of these fibers. The treatment efficiency of the different reactors with and without fibers on biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonia-nitrogen (NH₃-N), phosphorus (P), nitrite (NO₂), nitrate (NO₃), total suspended solids (TSS), and oil-grease were evaluated. The removal efficiency for the reactors with fibers was higher than that of the reactor without fibers for all pollutants. The treated effluent had 40 mg/L BOD₅ and 45 mg/L COD with an average removal efficiency of 96% and 93%, respectively, which meet the discharge limits stated in the Environmental Quality Act in Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Environmental Pollutants
  14. Abdullah SRS, Al-Baldawi IA, Almansoory AF, Purwanti IF, Al-Sbani NH, Sharuddin SSN
    Chemosphere, 2020 May;247:125932.
    PMID: 32069719 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.125932
    Due to the increasing importance of diesel and petroleum for industrial development during the last century, petrochemical effluents have significantly contributed to the pollution of aquatic and soil environments. The contamination generated by petroleum hydrocarbons can endanger not only humans but also the environment. Phytoremediation or plant-assisted remediation can be considered one of the best technologies to manage petroleum product-contaminated water and soil. The main advantages of this method are that it is environmentally-friendly, potentially cost-effective and does not require specialised equipment. The scope of this review includes a description of hydrocarbon pollutants from petrochemical industries, their toxicity impacts and methods of treatment and degradation. The major emphasis is on phytodegradation (phytotransformation) and rhizodegradation since these mechanisms are the most favourable alternatives for soil and water reclamation of hydrocarbons using tropical plants. In addressing these issues, this review also covers challenges to retrieve the environment (soil and water) from petroleum contaminations through phytoremediation, and its opportunities to remove or reduce the negative environmental impacts of petroleum contaminations and restore damaged ecosystems with sustainable ways to keep healthy life for the future.
    Matched MeSH terms: Environmental Pollutants
  15. Abbas SZ, Rafatullah M, Khan MA, Siddiqui MR
    Front Microbiol, 2018;9:3348.
    PMID: 30692985 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.03348
    The industrial contamination of marine sediments with mercury, silver, and zinc in Penang, Malaysia was studied with bio-remediation coupled with power generation using membrane less open (aerated) and closed (non-aerated) sediment microbial fuel cells (SMFCs). The prototype for this SMFC is very similar to a natural aquatic environment because it is not stimulated externally and an oxygen sparger is inserted in the cathode chamber to create the aerobic environment in the open SMFC and no oxygen supplied in the closed SMFC. The open and closed SMFCs were showed the maximum voltage generation 300.5 mV (77.75 mW/m2) and 202.7 mV (45.04 (mW/m2), respectively. The cyclic voltammetry showed the oxidation peak in open SMFCs at +1.9 μA and reduction peak at -0.3 μA but in closed SMFCs oxidation and reduction peaks were noted at +1.5 μA and -1.0 μA, respectively. The overall impedance (anode, cathode and solution) of closed SMFCs was higher than open SMFCs. The charge transfer impedance showed that the rates of substrate oxidation and reduction were very low in the closed SMFCs than open SMFCs. The Nyquist arc indicated that O2 act as electron acceptor in the open SMFCs and CO2 in the closed SMFCs. The highest remediation efficiency of toxic metals [Hg (II) ions, Zn (II) ions, and Ag (I) ions] in the open SMFCs were 95.03%, 86.69%, and 83.65% in closed SMFCs were 69.53%, 66.57%, and 65.33%, respectively, observed during 60-80 days. The scanning electron microscope and 16S rRNA analysis showed diverse exoelectrogenic community in the open SMFCs and closed SMFCs. The results demonstrated that open SMFCs could be employed for the power generation and bioremediation of pollutants.
    Matched MeSH terms: Environmental Pollutants
  16. Othman AR, Bakar NA, Halmi MI, Johari WL, Ahmad SA, Jirangon H, et al.
    Biomed Res Int, 2013;2013:371058.
    PMID: 24369531 DOI: 10.1155/2013/371058
    Molybdenum is very toxic to agricultural animals. Mo-reducing bacterium can be used to immobilize soluble molybdenum to insoluble forms, reducing its toxicity in the process. In this work the isolation of a novel molybdate-reducing Gram positive bacterium tentatively identified as Bacillus sp. strain A.rzi from a metal-contaminated soil is reported. The cellular reduction of molybdate to molybdenum blue occurred optimally at 4 mM phosphate, using 1% (w/v) glucose, 50 mM molybdate, between 28 and 30 °C and at pH 7.3. The spectrum of the Mo-blue product showed a maximum peak at 865 nm and a shoulder at 700 nm. Inhibitors of bacterial electron transport system (ETS) such as rotenone, sodium azide, antimycin A, and potassium cyanide could not inhibit the molybdenum-reducing activity. At 0.1 mM, mercury, copper, cadmium, arsenic, lead, chromium, cobalt, and zinc showed strong inhibition on molybdate reduction by crude enzyme. The best model that fitted the experimental data well was Luong followed by Haldane and Monod. The calculated value for Luong's constants p max, K(s), S(m), and n was 5.88 μmole Mo-blue hr(-1), 70.36 mM, 108.22 mM, and 0.74, respectively. The characteristics of this bacterium make it an ideal tool for bioremediation of molybdenum pollution.
    Matched MeSH terms: Environmental Pollutants
  17. Ansar S, Iqbal M
    Hum Exp Toxicol, 2016 Dec;35(12):1305-1311.
    PMID: 26825963
    The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of diallylsulphide (DAS) against mercuric chloride (HgCl2)-induced oxidative stress in rat livers. Rats were randomly divided into four groups of six rats each and exposed to HgCl2 (50 mg/kg/body weight (b.w.)) intraperitoneally and/or DAS (200 mg/kg/b.w.) by gavage. HgCl2 administration enhanced alanine aminotransferase (AST) and aspartate aminotransferase (ALT) levels (p < 0.05) with reduction in the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). However, treatment with DAS markedly attenuated HgCl2-induced biochemical alterations in liver and serum transaminases (AST and ALT; p < 0.05). Further, biochemical results were confirmed by histopathological changes as compared to HgCl2-intoxicated rats. Histopathology of liver also showed that administration of DAS significantly reduced the damage generated by HgCl2 The present study suggests that DAS shows antioxidant activity and plays a protective role against mercury-induced oxidative damage in the rat livers.
    Matched MeSH terms: Environmental Pollutants/toxicity*
  18. Nisha AR, Hazilawati H, Mohd Azmi ML, Noordin MM
    Toxicol. Mech. Methods, 2017 Mar;27(3):215-222.
    PMID: 28030985 DOI: 10.1080/15376516.2016.1273432
    Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are persistent pollutants and chemically a class of structurally similar chemical compounds characterized by the presence of fused aromatic rings. This research was undertaken to find out immunotoxic effects produced by pyrene, phenanthrene and fluoranthene. These chemicals were injected into developing chicks at three dose levels (0.2, 2 and 20 mg per kg) through allantioc route to rule out possible mechanisms involved in immunotoxicity. DNA adduct produced by PAHs in immune organs were analyzed by DNA adduct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit and DNA damage was assessed by comet assay. A significant increase in the DNA adduct levels was found in thymus and bursa in 2 mg and 20 mg dose levels of pyrene, fluoranthene and phenanthrene treated groups, whereas those in spleen simulated the value of controls. Comet assay indicated that PAHs especially pyrene, fluoranthene and phenanthrene were capable of inducing increased level of comet parameters in thymus at all the dose levels. Bursa of Fabricius and spleen also showed a gradual rise in comet parameters corresponding to all dose levels, but the increase was more marked as in thymus. Thus, it can be concluded that DNA adducts produced by PAHs lead to single-strand breaks and reduced DNA repair, which ultimately begin a carcinogenic process. Hence, this experiment can be considered as a strong evidence of genotoxic potential of PAHs like pyrene, phenanthrene and fluoranthene in developing chicks.
    Matched MeSH terms: Environmental Pollutants/toxicity*
  19. Koriem KM, Fathi GE, Salem HA, Akram NH, Gamil SA
    Toxicol. Mech. Methods, 2013 May;23(4):263-72.
    PMID: 23193971 DOI: 10.3109/15376516.2012.748857
    Cadmium has been classified as an environmental pollutant and human carcinogen. Pectin is a family of complex polysaccharides that function as hydrating agents and cementing materials for the cellulosic network. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective role of pectin against cadmium-induced testicular toxicity and oxidative stress in rats. Forty male Wistar rats were divided into five equal groups. Groups 1 and 2 were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) saline (1 mg/kg) and pectin (50 mg/kg), respectively, two days/weeks over three weeks period. Groups 3-5 were injected i.p. with 1 mg/kg cadmium two days/week while groups 4 and 5 co-administrated i.p. with 25 and 50 mg/kg pectin, respectively, three days/week over three weeks period. The results of the present work revealed that cadmium-exposed rats showed decrease in serum testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and lactate dehydrogenase. Testicular cholesterol, total protein, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, glutathione S-transferase and reduced glutathione levels were also decreased while testicular malondialdehyde level was increased after cadmium injection. On the other hand, serum luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, sex hormone binding globulin and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase were increased after cadmium exposure. Cadmium also induced sperms loss. Co-administration of pectin with cadmium restores all the above parameters and sperms to the normal levels where pectin at higher dose was more effective than lower one. These results were supported by histochemical investigations. In conclusion, pectin can counteract the testicular toxicity and oxidative stress induced by cadmium and the effect was dose-dependent.
    Matched MeSH terms: Environmental Pollutants/pharmacokinetics; Environmental Pollutants/toxicity*
  20. Idris IB, Ghazi HF, Zhie KH, Khairuman KA, Yahya SK, Abd Zaim FA, et al.
    Ann Glob Health, 2016 6 22;82(1):202-8.
    PMID: 27325078 DOI: 10.1016/j.aogh.2016.01.021
    The prevalence of asthma is increasing, especially among children in Malaysia, with environmental factors as one of the main preventable contributors. The aim of this study was to determine the association between environmental air pollutants and the occurrence of asthma among children seen in pediatric clinics in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Center (UKMMC), Kuala Lumpur. An unmatched case control study among children who attended the pediatric clinic was carried out from May to August 2015. A total of 223 children who were diagnosed with asthma (105 cases) and who did not have asthma (118 controls) were included in this study. Their parents or caregivers were interviewed using questionnaires modified from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood. Data obtained were analyzed using SPSS software version 20. There was a higher risk of asthma in those who had carpet at home (OR = 2.15 CI [1.25-3.68]), those who lived within 200 m of heavy traffic (OR = 1.72 CI [1.01-2.93]), and those who were exposed to lorry fumes (OR = 2.61. CI [1.38-4.93]). Environmental air pollutants increased the risk of asthma among children in Malaysia. Exposure to congested roads, lorry fumes, and indoor carpet were associated with asthma among children in this study. Parents or caretakers of children with asthma should be given adequate education on the prevention of asthmatic attack among these children.
    Study site: Paediatric clinic, Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    Matched MeSH terms: Environmental Pollutants/adverse effects*
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