The study presents recent data on the prevalence and pattern of nutritional anemia in the Maternity Hospital, Kuala Lumpur. A total of 309 pregnant women in their third trimester, of Malay, Chinese and Indian origin from the lower socio-economic strata were randomly selected for the study. Hematological indices (including Hb, PCV, MCHC, and TRBC), serum iron, transferrin saturation and ferritin, serum folate as well as protein and albumin were determined. Based on Hb and PCV values, 30-40 percent of the women could be considered anemic; approximately 50 percent of them presented with unsatisfactory serum iron, transferrin saturation and ferritin values; 60.9 percent had low serum folate levels; and about 30 percent may be considered to be of poor protein nutriture. Anemia in the study population was seen to be related mostly to iron and to a lesser extent, folate deficiency. Hematological, iron, folate and protein status was observed to be the poorest amongst the Indian women, better in the Malay group and generally the best amongst the Chinese women. Birth records of 169 of these women revealed that all of them had live births. Nearly all the infants were delivered by normal vaginal delivery (NVD) The mean gestational age was 38.6 weeks. One of the infants had a birth weight of <2.0 kg; incidence of low birth weight, <2.5 kg, was 8.3 percent. Although there was a trend of deteriorating hematological, iron and protein status of women from the 0, 1 -3 and >=4 parity groups, these differences were not statlstlcally significant.
PIP: The influence of socioeconomic status (ethnicity, income and parity) on electrolyte composition (sodium and potassium) in human milk is little known. We have thus quantitatively analyzed approximately 700 samples of milk (1-90 days postpartum) obtained from healthy Malaysian mothers' (Malay, Chinese and Indians) of full term infants. Results show that the mean concentration (mmol/l) of sodium is highest (48.2+or-1.7, Mean+or-SEM) in the Malaysian mothers' colostrum and this value decreased by 30% in their transitional milk and remained constant throughout subsequent days of lactation (mature milk). Ethnically, it is found that the level of sodium in colostrum of Malay and Chinese mothers were similar while the Indian mothers' colostrum showed apparently higher value (52.7+or-3.4 mmol/l) that is statistically insignificant. The transitional milk of all 3 ethnic groups studied exhibited similar levels of sodium. On subsequent days of lactation (mature milk) the Malay mothers exhibited lowest concentration (25.9+or-2.6 mmol/l) of sodium that is significantly (P0.05) different from that of Chinese and Indian mothers. Income and parity do not significantly affect the sodium level in Malaysian mothers' milk during all stages of lactation studied. The level of potassium, however did not change significantly with days of lactation. Like sodium, potassium too was not influenced by income and parity. (Author's).
Chemical forms of copper and lead in river water of the Linggi River Basin have been fractionated into ASV labile, moderately labile, slowly labile, and inert metal species, based on a previously proposed scheme. Free (hydrated) metal ions were identified by a potentiometric method using an ion selective electrode. Speciation results showed that the soluble copper and lead species occurred mainly in the moderately labile and slowly labile fractions. The speciation results are primarily interpreted in terms of organic interaction due to agricultural based and light industries, and urban discharges. The measured metal complexing capacity (MCC) of the samples reveals consistency of the results with the nature of the discharge. MCC correlates reasonably well with the value from the permanganate test on the river water. In general, the speciation pattern was found to be consistent with the findings of other workers.
Cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) partially purified from roots of Vigna mungo exhibited optimum activity at pH 5.5 to 6.0 and maximum enzyme activity at 50 degrees C. Levels of PDE activity in roots remained relatively constant from the first to the eleventh day after germination; on the twelfth day there was a 400% increase in PDE activity. The enzyme was stable for at least 48 hours at 28 degrees C, retaining 92% of its original activity. Plant growth hormones including gibberellic acid, indoleacetic acid and kinetin at 1.0 and 10.0 microM concentrations did not have any significant effect on enzyme activity. Nucleotides tested including cyclic 2'3' AMP, cyclic 2'3' GMP completely abolished enzyme activity at 1.0mM while cyclic 3'5' GMP, cyclic 3'5' GMP, 2'deoxy 5' ATP, 2'deoxy 5'GTP and 5'ADP were also inhibitory to the enzyme. The enzyme was stimulated by Mg2+, Fe2+ and NH4+ while Cu2+ and Fe3+ were inhibitory. Theophylline, caffeine, phosphate, pyrophosphate and EDTA were inhibitory to the enzyme.
The incidence of breakage of Piezon-Master ultrasonic K files were evaluated. Three groups of unused files were subjected to three treatments, namely; free vibration in air without irrigation, free vibration in root canal while minimizing contact with the wall of canal in the presence of irrigation and light filing in root canal with free flow of irrigation. Cavitation produced by files in contact and free of contact with a glass surface was examined in order to observe the relationship between cavitation defects and breakage. In addition, the fractured and unfractured files were examined under a scanning electron microscope for the presence of cavitation pits. The results indicated that more files broke in air. In water, a higher incidence of breakage occurred when files were allowed to freely vibrate while no breakage occurred when the files were used in filing. All files generated cavitation which resulted in pitting of their surfaces. However, it was considered unlikely that the pits contributed to fracture. Fatigue cracks which could be the result of the manufacturing process were observed at some of the corners of the cross sections of the fractured files and could be the main contributory factor to fracture.
This study determines the trace metal content in Anadara Granosa L., a popular seafood amongst South-East-Asians. Using the technique of instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) identification has been made of the presence of 17 trace metals including elements which are classified as toxic (As, Br, Cs) and those which are rare-earths (Eu, Ce, Lu, Tb, Yb).
A study of heavy metal contents in freshwater snails from rice fields have been made. The results indicate that the levels of heavy metals, Pb, Cu, Zn and Cd, are low and within the permissible limit of Malaysian Food Regulations. The results can serve as background data for further reference.
Aspergillus flavus produced approximately 50 U/mL of amylolytic activity when grown in liquid medium with raw low-grade tapioca starch as substrate. Electrophoretic analysis of the culture filtrate showed the presence of only one amylolytic enzyme, identified as an alpha-amylase as evidenced by (i) rapid loss of color in iodine-stained starch and (ii) production of a mixture of glucose, maltose, maltotriose and maltotetraose as starch digestion products. The enzyme was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation and ion-exchange chromatography and was found to be homogeneous on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified enzyme had a molar mass of 52.5 +/- 2.5 kDa with an isoelectric point at pH 3.5. The enzyme was found to have maximum activity at pH 6.0 and was stable in a pH range from 5.0 to 8.5. The optimum temperature for the enzyme was 55 degrees C and it was stable for 1 h up to 50 degrees C. The Km and V for gelatinized tapioca starch were 0.5 g/L and 108.67 mumol reducing sugars per mg protein per min, respectively.
The Juru River flows through largely urbanized areas and is grossly polluted by domestic wastes and discharges from pig farms. Other than carrying highly polluting organic materials, these wastes are also contaminated with heavy metals. To ascertain the extent of heavy metal pollution in the river, total and non-residual concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn, Mn and Fe in sediment samples collected along the river were determined. The results indicate that both the total and non-residual metal concentrations in sediments can successfully be used to identify heavy metal pollution sources. The speciation of Zn, Mn and Fe in the sediment samples were investigated using a sequential leaching technique which identifies the elements among six operationally defined host fractions: (1) exchangeable, (2) carbonate and surface-associated, (3) easily reducible, (4) moderately reducible, (5) bound to organic matter and sulphides and (6) residual. The results indicate that Zn is mainly associated with the reducible fractions. Zn and Fe found in the moderately reducible fraction are significantly correlated, indicating that iron oxides is the preferred host phase by Zn.
Research performed in four fishing villages in the district of Semporna, Sabah revealed a total 55 species of intertidal marine organisms were being utilized as source of food. Specimens were collected during low tides by accompanying the local people. The villages involved were Kg. Panjl, Kg. Bangau-Bangau (a resettlement area for the Sea Bajaus), Kg. Air and Kg. Kebimbangan. Idenfication of species was based on illustration described in texts as well as comparing with the collections in local muziums. Local name for each species was obtained from the population living within the vicinity of coastal areas. The total number of species collected, however, differed among the villages. Chemical analysis based on A.O.A.C of several species indicated variations in nutritive values and trace metals as well as lead content.
To compare the advantages and disadvantages of the New Bird metal cups and silicone cups in terms of maternal and foetal outcome. To study the adverse effects and factors associated with failed vacuum deliveries.
The usefulness of peripheral human lymphocytes as a bioindicator for ionizing radiation effect was tested in a survey of Malaysian workers in two industries producing technologically enhanced naturally occurring radioactive material (TENORM). Workers in amang processing plants who have been with the plant for an average of 12.9 years and who were exposed to radioactive dust showed significantly higher frequencies of chromosomal aberration compared to control and even ilmenite-processing workers. Such frequency was not significantly different between workers in ilmenite-processing plant and control. The differences in duration of employment, occupational hygiene, together with the difference in the percentage of 'old' and 'new' aberrations among the groups sampled were used to explain the high chromosomal aberration frequency among amang workers. The presence of significantly high chromosome damage (dicentrics and fragments) in workers who were chronically exposed to doses below 50 mSv per year or 20 mSv per year averaged over 5 years (ICRP, 1991) provided additional experimental data on the dose-effect relationship at these low-dose ranges. The results confirm the usefulness of using human lymphocytes as a bioindicator for chronic exposure to ionizing radiation and in cases where physical radiation detectors are not available.