Sixteen topsoil samples from Bukit Jernih, Gua Kelam and Bukit Merah were analysed for their major elements and heavy metal composition, together with several physico-chemical parameters. Major elements determined were SiO2, TiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, MnO, MgO, CaO, Na2O, K2O, P2O5, whereas heavy metals determined were As, Co, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn. Physico-chemical parameters determined were percentage of organic matter, clay, silt and sand composition, pH and electrical conductivity. The results showed that the average soil pH in limestone soil was between 6.38 to 6.93, whereas average soil pH in quartzite soil was 6.23. The average soil electrical conductivity for all sampling stations was below 1.7 mScm-1. High organic matter content average was shown in soil samples from Bukit Jernih (7.45%), followed by Gua Kelam (5.21%) and Bukit Merah (3.31%). Soil samples from Bukit Jernih and Gua Kelam showed a clayey texture with more than 35% clay content, whereas soil from Bukit Merah was sandy in texture with more than 67% sand content. In general, soil samples from limestone area of Bukit Jernih and Gua Kelam recorded higher content of heavy metals compared to quartzite soil from Bukit Merah. The average concentration of Cr and Co at Bukit Jernih at 413 µg/g and 88 µg/g, respectively, whereas the concentration at Gua Kelam was 152 µg/g dan 76 µg/g. These concentrations exceeded the potential toxic concentration in soil. The main major elements were SiO2 followed by Al2O3 and Fe2O3. SiO2 content in quartzite soil from Bukit Merah(89.45%) was higher compared to limestone soil from Bukit Jernih (59.74%) and Gua Kelam (53.16%). Nevertheless, Al2O3 and Fe2O3 content in limestone soil was higher compared to quartzite soil. The percentage of easily ignited content in limestone soil was two fold higher than quartzite soil. Other major elements were less than 2.5%. The study showed that enrichment of Cr, Zn, Pb, Ni and Cu in soil was influenced by the presence of SiO2, Al2O3 and Fe2O3.
Keywords: Enrichment; heavy metals; limestones hill; major elements; toxicity
Osteoporosis dikenali sebagai penyakit senyap kerana tidak mempunyai tanda-tanda awal. Ini disebabkan oleh kepadatan tulang yang berkurangan secara perlahanlahan seiring dengan peningkatan usia. Insiden penyakit ini semakin meningkat setiap tahun di seluruh dunia. Mengukur ketumpatan mineral tulang (BMD) menggunakan densitometry tulang konvensional (DXA) adalah praktikal dalam diagnosis osteoporosis tetapi kosnya adalah tinggi dan tidak dapat dilaksanakan dalam masyarakat. Untuk mengukur ketumpatan tulang, “quantitative ultrasound” (QUS) adalah teknik yang agak moden untuk diagnosis osteoporosis. Ianya agak mudah, konsisten, lebih murah dan kaedah yang selamat berbanding dengan teknik densitometry yang lain. Kedua-dua parameter QUS yang diukur pada masa kini adalah ultrasound jalur pengecilan (BUA) dan kelajuan bunyi (SOS). QUS juga dapat menjangka risiko patah. Ianya kini digunakan untuk memantau tindakbalas kepada rawatan anti-osteoporosis. Kajian in-vitro menunjukkan bahawa indeks QUS berhubungkait dengan BMD, bentuk tulang mikro dan parameter mekanikal. Oleh yang demikian, QUS berupaya untuk menjadi teknik baru untuk penilaian tulang.
The measurements of absorbed dose rate in air around amang plant buildings were carried out using a scintillation detector. It was found that the mean radiation levels at seven amang plants were in the range of 1.6 – 5.5 µGy h -1. The individual maximum value measured was 56 µGy h -1. The annual dose to a worker transporting the minerals to the plant was estimated to be 1.5 mSv y -1.
Hydrogeochemical investigations had been carried out at the Amol-Babol Plain in the north of Iran. Geochemical processes and factors controlling the groundwater chemistry are identified based on the combination of classic geochemical methods with geographic information system (GIS) and geostatistical techniques. The results of the ionic ratios and Gibbs plots show that water rock interaction mechanisms, followed by cation exchange, and dissolution of carbonate and silicate minerals have influenced the groundwater chemistry in the study area. The hydrogeochemical characteristics of groundwater show a shift from low mineralized Ca-HCO3, Ca-Na-HCO3, and Ca-Cl water types to high mineralized Na-Cl water type. Three classes, namely, C1, C2, and C3, have been classified using cluster analysis. The spatial distribution maps of Na(+)/Cl(-), Mg(2+)/Ca(2+), and Cl(-)/HCO3 (-) ratios and electrical conductivity values indicate that the carbonate and weathering of silicate minerals played a significant role in the groundwater chemistry on the southern and western sides of the plain. However, salinization process had increased due to the influence of the evaporation-precipitation process towards the north-eastern side of the study area.
Lecuran tar, walaupun dikelaskan sebagai kecederaan kimia, disebabkan oleh perbezaan mekanisma kecederaan dan kesukaran untuk mengeluarkan agen daripada kulit tanpa menyebabkan kerosakan kulit dengan lebih lanjutnya, merupakan satu masalah yang sukar untuk diselesaikan. Terutamanya, apabila pesakit pediatrik terlibat. Lecuran tar biasanya merupakan kecederaan pekerjaan dan kebanyakannya berlaku kepada lelaki dewasa. Dua kes dibentangkan di sini, seorang budak lelaki berusia enam tahun dan seorang gadis berusia 15 tahun yang mengalami luka lecuhan tar dan berjaya dirawat dengan menggunakan enema minyak mineral Fleet® dan paraffin tulle Bactigras®, yang mudah didapati di kebanyakan hospital.
Pengukuran ketumpatan mineral tulang oleh 'Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry' (DXA) adalah penting untuk mengenalpasti osteoporosis. Ralat ketepatan DXA adalah ukuran yang penting untuk menentukan perubahan sebenar dalam nilai ketumpatan mineral tulang. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji pekali variasi jangka pendek mesin QDR Wi DXA Discovery Hologic. Ketumpatan mineral tulang pinggul dan tulang belakang untuk lima belas sukarelawan (purata umur: 30.67 + 10.41 tahun) dan ketumpatan tulang keseluruhan badan untuk lima belas ekor tikus Sprague-Dawley betina (berusia tiga bulan) diimbas menggunakan mesin HDR Discover QDR Wi DXA. Setiap sukarelawan dan tikus menjalani imbasan sebanyak tiga kali untuk menilai kebolehulangan nilai ketumpatan tulang. Imbasan untuk subjek manusia dilakukan dalam tempoh 1 hingga 12 minggu. Untuk sampel haiwan, imbasan diulang pada hari yang sama selepas posisi semula. Ralat kepersisan dinyatakan sebagai peratusan pekali variasi (%CV). %CV diperolehi untuk tulang belakang lumbar adalah 1.8% dan 1.2% untuk tulang pinggul. %CV untuk keseluruhan BMD tikus adalah 1.4%. %CV jangka pendek yang ditunjukkan untuk kedua-dua manusia dan haiwan dalam kajian ini adalah setanding. Ralat kepersisan DXA mesti dipantau untuk memastikan prestasi yang optimum.
The geological terrain mapping conducted by the Department of Mineral and Geosciences, Malaysia (JMG) is time-consuming especially for inaccessible or remote area. In order to improve the current practice, remotely sensed data such as aerial photographs and Landsat imagery were used to identify geological terrain features in Cameron Highlands, Pahang. It was found that features such as hillcrest, sideslope, footslope, straight slope, convex slope and concave slope were easily delineated using aerial photographs draped over a digital elevation model (DEM) compared to using Landsat imagery.
This paper presents a review of the properties of fresh concrete including workability, heat of hydration, setting time, bleeding, and reactivity by using mineral admixtures fly ash (FA), silica fume (SF), ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), metakaolin (MK), and rice husk ash (RHA). Comparison of normal and high-strength concrete in which cement has been partially supplemented by mineral admixture has been considered. It has been concluded that mineral admixtures may be categorized into two groups: chemically active mineral admixtures and microfiller mineral admixtures. Chemically active mineral admixtures decrease workability and setting time of concrete but increase the heat of hydration and reactivity. On the other hand, microfiller mineral admixtures increase workability and setting time of concrete but decrease the heat of hydration and reactivity. In general, small particle size and higher specific surface area of mineral admixture are favourable to produce highly dense and impermeable concrete; however, they cause low workability and demand more water which may be offset by adding effective superplasticizer.
Natural soil minerals often contain numerous impurities, resulting in comparatively lower catalytic activity. Tropical soils are viewed as poor from soil organic matter, cations, and anions, which are considered the main impurities in the soil that are restricted to utilizing natural minerals as a catalyst. In this regard, the dissolved iron and hematite crystals that presented naturally in tropical soil were evaluated to activate oxidants and degrade pyrene. The optimum results obtained in this study were 73 %, and the rate constant was 0.0553 h-1 under experimental conditions [pyrene] = 300 mg/50 g, pH = 7, T = 55 °C, airflow = 260 mL/min, [Persulfate (PS)] = 1.0 g/L, and humic acid (HA) ( % w/w) = 0.5 %. The soil characterization analysis after the remediation process showed an increase in moieties and cracks of the soil aggregate, and a decline in the iron and aluminium contents. The scavengers test revealed that both SO4•- and O2•- were responsible for the pyrene degradation, while HO• had a minor role in the degradation process. In addition, the monitoring of by-products, degradation pathways, and toxicity assessment were also investigated. This system is considered an efficient, green method, and could provide a step forward to develop low-cost soil remediation for full-scale implementation.
Food components have long been recognized to play a fundamental role in the growth and development of the human body, conferring protective functionalities against foreign matter that can be severe public health problems. Micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals are essential to the human body, and individuals must meet their daily requirements through dietary sources. Micronutrients act as immunomodulators and protect the host immune response, thus preventing immune evasion by pathogenic organisms. Several experimental investigations have been undertaken to appraise the immunomodulatory functions of vitamins and minerals. Based on these experimental findings, this review describes the immune-boosting functionalities of micronutrients and the mechanisms of action through which these functions are mediated. Deficiencies of vitamins and minerals in plasma concentrations can lead to a reduction in the performance of the immune system functioning, representing a key contributor to unfavorable immunological states. This review provides a descriptive overview of the characteristics of the immune system and the utilization of micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) in preventative strategies designed to reduce morbidity and mortality among patients suffering from immune invasions or autoimmune disorders.
The elemental profiles of six honey samples from Malaysia had been constructed using the data obtained from both ICP-AES and ICP-MS. Potassium and sodium were the most abundant minerals covering from 69.3-78.6% and 14.1-28.7%, respectively. The ratio of potassium to sodium was more than one. Even though the minerals and trace elements composition varied dependent on the type of honey samples, there was no statistically significant difference between the analysed honey samples, namely tualang, gelam, acacia and a few forest honeys based on two-factor ANOVA and cluster analysis. The total element content of honey samples were strongly correlated with the electrical conductivity, but only have moderate correlation with the ash content and honey colour based on the regression analysis. PCA result on the available elemental data from worldwide honeys, including honey samples from Malaysia revealed that potassium and sodium were the mineral markers to distinguish honey origin. Both tualang and gelam honey samples from Malaysia have close mineral profile with sesame honeys from Egypt and multifloral honeys from India, whereas forest honeys Malaysia were near to avocado honeys from Spain and multifloral honeys from India.
Mining waste that is rich in iron-, calcium- and magnesium-bearing minerals can be a potential feedstock for sequestering CO2 by mineral carbonation. This study highlights the utilization of iron ore mining waste in sequestering CO2 under low-reaction condition of a mineral carbonation process. Alkaline iron mining waste was used as feedstock for aqueous mineral carbonation and was subjected to mineralogical, chemical, and thermal analyses. A carbonation experiment was performed at ambient CO2 pressure, temperature of 80 °C at 1-h exposure time under the influence of pH (8-12) and particle size (
Mining activities have often been associated with the issues of waste generation, while mining is considered a carbon-intensive industry that contributes to the increasing carbon dioxide emission to the atmosphere. This study attempts to evaluate the potential of reusing mining waste as feedstock material for carbon dioxide sequestration through mineral carbonation. Characterization of mining waste was performed for limestone, gold and iron mine waste, which includes physical, mineralogical, chemical and morphological analyses that determine its potential for carbon sequestration. The samples were characterized as having alkaline pH (7.1-8.3) and contain fine particles, which are important to facilitate precipitation of divalent cations. High amount of cations (CaO, MgO and Fe2O3) was found in limestone and iron mine waste, i.e., total of 79.55% and 71.31%, respectively, that are essential for carbonation process. Potential Ca/Mg/Fe silicates, oxides and carbonates have been identified, which was confirmed by the microstructure analysis. The limestone waste composed majorly of CaO (75.83%), which was mainly originated from calcite and akermanite minerals. The iron mine waste consisted of Fe2O3 (56.60%), mainly from magnetite and hematite, and CaO (10.74%) which was derived from anorthite, wollastonite and diopside. The gold mine waste was attributed to a lower cation content (total of 7.71%), associated mainly with mineral illite and chlorite-serpentine. The average capacity for carbon sequestration was between 7.73 and79.55%, which corresponds to 383.41 g, 94.85 g and 4.72 g CO2 that were potentially sequestered per kg of limestone, iron and gold mine waste, respectively. Therefore, it has been learned that the mine waste might be utilized as feedstock for mineral carbonation due to the availability of reactive silicate/oxide/carbonate minerals. Utilization of mine waste would be beneficial in light of waste restoration in most mining sites while tackling the issues of CO2 emission in mitigating the global climate change.
Limited honey production worldwide leads to higher market prices, thus making it prone to adulteration. Therefore, regular physicochemical analysis is imperative for ensuring authenticity and safety. This study describes the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of Apis cerana honey sourced from the islands of Lombok and Bali, showing their unique regional traits. A comparative analysis was conducted on honey samples from Lombok and Bali as well as honey variety from Malaysia. Moisture content was found slightly above 20% in raw honey samples from Lombok and Bali, adhering to the national standard (SNI 8664:2018) of not exceeding 22%. Both honey types displayed pH values within the acceptable range (3.40-6.10), ensuring favorable conditions for long-term storage. However, Lombok honey exhibited higher free acidity (78.5±2.14 meq/kg) than Bali honey (76.0±1.14 meq/kg), surpassing Codex Alimentarius recommendations (≤50 meq/kg). The ash content, reflective of inorganic mineral composition, was notably lower in Lombok (0.21±0.02 g/100) and Bali honey (0.14±0.01 g/100) compared to Tualang honey (1.3±0.02 g/100). Electric conductivity, indicative of mineral content, revealed Lombok and Bali honey with lower but comparable values than Tualang honey. Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) concentrations in Lombok (14.4±0.11 mg/kg) and Bali (17.6±0.25 mg/kg) were slightly elevated compared to Tualang honey (6.4±0.11 mg/kg), suggesting potential processing-related changes. Sugar analysis revealed Lombok honey with the highest sucrose content (2.39±0.01g/100g) and Bali honey with the highest total sugar content (75.21±0.11 g/100g). Both honeys exhibited lower glucose than fructose content, aligning with Codex Alimentarius guidelines. The phenolic content, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity were significantly higher in Lombok and Bali honey compared to Tualang honey, suggesting potential health benefits. Further analysis by LC-MS/MS-QTOF targeted analysis identified various flavonoids/flavanols and polyphenolic/phenolic acid compounds in Lombok and Bali honey. The study marks the importance of characterizing the unique composition of honey from different regions, ensuring quality and authenticity in the honey industry.
Primary bone lymphoma is an uncommon tumour accounting for approximately 4-5% of extra nodal lymphoma and less than 1% of all Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The radiographic appearance of primary bone lymphoma is variable. As lesions frequently resemble other disease processes namely chronic osteomyelitis and metastases, further imaging evaluation and histopathological examination allow early identification for appropriate treatment. The authors present a case of anaplastic large cell lymphoma of bone presenting with multifocal osseus involvement.
Malaysia is a tropical country in the heart of South East Asia, at the crossroads of the ancient east-west sea trade routes. Although independent from British colonial rule only in 1957, it has a recorded history dating back to at least the first century CE, when the region was already the source of valuable mineral and forest produce that found markets in China, India and further west.
The properties of a composite material depend on its constituent materials such as natural biopolymers or synthetic biodegradable polymers and inorganic or organic nanomaterials or nano-scale minerals. The significance of bio-based and synthetic polymers and their drawbacks on coating film application is currently being discussed in research papers and articles. Properties and applications vary for each novel synthetic bio-based material, and a number of such materials have been fabricated in recent years. This review provides an in-depth discussion on the properties and applications of biopolymer-based nanocomposite coating films. Recent works and articles are cited in this paper. These citations are ubiquitous in the development of novel bionanocomposites and their applications.
Madu adalah bahan semulajadi yang dihasilkan oleh lebah madu, Apis mellifera, berpunca daripada madu yang diambil dari bunga yang berkembang atau cecair dari pokok dan tumbuhan yang dikenali sebagai madu nektar dan madu serangga masing-masing. Ia adalah larutan tepu gula, yang kaya dengan protein, mineral, vitamin, asid organik dan polifenol. Madu mempunyai pelbagai khasiat, sifat penyembuhan dan profilaktik disebabkan oleh komponen-komponen yang terkandung di dalamnya. Madu mempunyai beberapa khasiat kesihatan seperti penyembuhan luka, antimikrob, antioksidan dan potensi anti-radang. Ulasan ini adalah berkaitan komposisi nutrien, antioksidan dan kesan terapeutik madu dengan penekanan kepada madu di Malaysia.
Batu Reput’ is primary sediment mineral and abundantly found in Perlis. Perlis is one of the major producers of ‘Batu Reput’ in Malaysia that content large deposit of high-purity dolomite [CaMg (CO3)2]. Pure samples of ‘Batu Reput’ recently explored in the Koperasi Rimba Mas Padang Besar Quarry were investigated for their physical, chemical and mineralogical composition. SEM and XRD analysis methods were applied. The potential of ‘Batu Reput’ as a raw material in fertilizer production was investigated in this paper.