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Psychological Distress of Health Care Workers in the Main Admitting Hospital and Its Related Health Care Facilities in Malaysia During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Razali S, Abdullah MN, Rahman NA, Azhar NA, Yaacob SS

Asia Pac J Public Health, 2021 07;33(5):667-669.
PMID: 33969738 DOI: 10.1177/10105395211014348
Survivability of Alcaligenaceae and Chromatiaceae as palm oil mill effluent pollution bioindicators under fluctuations of temperature, pH and total suspended solid

Mohamad-Zainal NSL, Ramli N, Zolkefli N, Mustapha NA, Hassan MA, Maeda T

J Biosci Bioeng, 2021 Aug;132(2):174-182.
PMID: 34074597 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2021.04.014

Alcaligenaceae and Chromatiaceae were previously reported as the specific pollution bioindicators in the receiving river water contaminated by palm oil mill effluent (POME) final discharge. Considering the inevitable sensitivity of bacteria under environmental stresses, it is crucial to assess the survivability of both bacteria in the fluctuated environmental factors, proving their credibility as POME pollution bioindicators in the environment. In this study, the survivability of Alcaligenaceae and Chromatiaceae from facultative pond, algae (aerobic) pond and final discharge were evaluated under varying sets of temperature (25-40°C), pH (pH 7-9) and low/high total suspended solid (TSS) contents of POME collected during low/high crop seasons of oil palm, respectively. Following treatment, the viability status and compositions of the bacterial community were assessed using flow cytometry-based assay and high-throughput Illumina MiSeq, respectively, in correlation with the changes of physicochemical properties. The changes in temperature, pH and TSS indeed changed the physicochemical properties of POME. The functionality of bacterial cells was also shifted where the viable cells and high nucleic acid contents reduced at elevated levels of temperature and pH but increased at high TSS content. Interestingly, the Alcaligenaceae and Chromatiaceae continuously detected in the samples which accounted for more than 0.5% of relative abundance, with a positive correlation with biological oxygen demand (BOD5) concentration. Therefore, either Alcaligenaceae or Chromatiaceae or both could be regarded as the reliable and specific bacterial indicators to indicate the pollution in river water due to POME final discharge despite the fluctuations in temperature, pH and TSS.
Current trends of tropical fruit waste utilization

Cheok CY, Mohd Adzahan N, Abdul Rahman R, Zainal Abedin NH, Hussain N, Sulaiman R, et al.

Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr, 2018 Feb 11;58(3):335-361.
PMID: 27246698 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2016.1176009

Recent rapid growth of the world's population has increased food demands. This phenomenon poses a great challenge for food manufacturers in maximizing the existing food or plant resources. Nowadays, the recovery of health benefit bioactive compounds from fruit wastes is a research trend not only to help minimize the waste burden, but also to meet the intensive demand from the public for phenolic compounds which are believed to have protective effects against chronic diseases. This review is focused on polyphenolic compounds recovery from tropical fruit wastes and its current trend of utilization. The tropical fruit wastes include in discussion are durian (Durio zibethinus), mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.), rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum), mango (Mangifera indica L.), jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus), papaya (Carica papaya), passion fruit (Passiflora edulis), dragon fruit (Hylocereus spp), and pineapple (Ananas comosus). Highlights of bioactive compounds in different parts of a tropical fruit are targeted primarily for food industries as pragmatic references to create novel innovative health enhancement food products. This information is intended to inspire further research ideas in areas that are still under-explored and for food processing manufacturers who would like to minimize wastes as the norm of present day industry (design) objective.
Novel multifunctional plant growth-promoting bacteria in co-compost of palm oil industry waste

Chin CFS, Furuya Y, Zainudin MHM, Ramli N, Hassan MA, Tashiro Y, et al.

J Biosci Bioeng, 2017 Nov;124(5):506-513.
PMID: 28736147 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2017.05.016

Previously, a unique co-compost produced by composting empty fruit bunch with anaerobic sludge from palm oil mill effluent, which contributed to establishing a zero-emission industry in Malaysia. Little was known about the bacterial functions during the composting process and fertilization capacity of this co-compost. We isolated 100 strains from the co-compost on 7 types of enumeration media and screened 25 strains using in vitro tests for 12 traits, grouping them according to three functions: plant growth promoting (fixation of nitrogen; solubilization of phosphorus, potassium, and silicate; production of 3-indoleacetic acid, ammonia, and siderophore), biocontrolling (production of chitinase and anti-Ganoderma activity), and composting (degradation of lignin, xylan, and cellulose). Using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, 25 strains with strong or multi-functional traits were found belong to the genera Bacillus, Paenibacillus, Citrobacter, Enterobacter, and Kosakonia. Furthermore, several strains of Citrobacter sedlakii exhibited a plant growth-stimulation in vivo komatsuna plant cultivation test. In addition, we isolated several multifunctional strains; Bacillus tequilensis CE4 (biocontrolling and composting), Enterobacter cloacae subsp. dissolvens B3 (plant growth promoting and biocontrolling), and C. sedlakii CESi7 (plant growth promoting and composting). Some bacteria in the co-compost play significant roles during the composting process and plant cultivation after fertilization, and some multifunctional strains have potential for use in accelerating the biodegradation of lignocellulosic biomass, protecting against Ganoderma boninense infection, and increasing the yield of palm oil.
Localization of the motor neuron somata of geniohyoid muscle in rat: A horseradish peroxidase study

Razlan ANB, Ullah M, Kapitonova MY, Liaqat Ali Khan NB, Fuad SBSA

Anat Histol Embryol, 2018 Oct;47(5):410-416.
PMID: 29888399 DOI: 10.1111/ahe.12372

The aim of the study was to investigate the location of motor neuron somata of geniohyoid muscle in rat. Nine Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. Operations were performed under general anaesthesia. Nembutal sodium, 40 mg per kg intraperitoneally was used for anaesthesia. 0.02 to 0.05 ml of 30% horseradish peroxidase (Sigma Type VI) solution in normal saline was injected into the exposed right geniohyoid muscle. After 48 hr, the animals were fixed by perfusion through left ventricle of heart, first by 100 ml normal saline and then with 500 ml of 1.25% glutaraldehyde and 1% paraformaldehyde in 0.1 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, at room temperature, and finally with 500 ml of 10% sucrose in the same buffer at 4°C. The medulla oblongata and first cervical segment of spinal cord were removed, kept in 10% sucrose in above phosphate buffer at 4°C for 24 hr. Thereafter, their serial transverse sections were cut in a cryostat at a thickness of 60 μm. The sections were treated according to tetramethyl benzidine (TMB)-horseradish peroxidase (HRP) method. HRP-labelled neuron somata were observed at the following sites: (a) In ventral part of right main hypoglossal nucleus in upper two-thirds of the closed part of medulla oblongata. (b) In ventrolateral subnucleus of hypoglossal nucleus in lower third of closed part of medulla oblongata. (c) At spinomedullary junction, they were located in dorsomedial part of right ventral grey column; a few were also seen here scattered on right side of central canal and among corticospinal fibres.
Fulltext Adaptation and validation of the malay version of the Osteoarthritis Knee and Hip Quality of Life Questionnaire among knee osteoarthritis patients

Abdul Kadir A, Mohd Arif MF, Ishak A, Hassan II, Mohd Noor N

Biomed Res Int, 2018;2018:4329751.
PMID: 29955601 DOI: 10.1155/2018/4329751

Objective: To adapt and validate the Malay version of Osteoarthritis Knee and Hip Quality of Life (OAKHQOL) questionnaire.

Design: The OAKHQOL was adapted into Malay version using forward-backward translation methodology. It was then validated in a cross-sectional study of 191 patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Patients completed the OAKHQOL and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire. Confirmatory analysis, reliability analysis, and Pearson correlation test were performed.

Results: The new five-factor model of 28 items demonstrated an acceptable level of goodness of fit (comparative fit index = 0.915, Tucker-Lewis index = 0.905, incremental fit index = 0.916, chi-squared/degree of freedom = 1.953, and root mean square error of approximation = 0.071), signifying a fit model. The Cronbach's alpha value and the composite reliability of each construct ranged from 0.865 to 0.933 and 0.819 to 0.921, respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficient between the OAKHQOL and the WOMAC showed adequate criterion validity. Known groups validity showed statistical difference in body mass index in physical activity, mental health, and pain construct. The pain domain was statistically different between the age groups.

Conclusion: The Malay version OAKHQOL questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument to assess health-related quality of life in knee OA patients.
Gatekeeper Suicide Training's Effectiveness Among Malaysian Hospital Health Professionals: A Control Group Study With a Three-Month Follow-Up

Siau CS, Wee LH, Ibrahim N, Visvalingam U, Yeap LLL, Wahab S

J Contin Educ Health Prof, 2018;38(4):227-234.
PMID: 30036213 DOI: 10.1097/CEH.0000000000000213

INTRODUCTION: There is a lack of suicide-related training in the nonpsychiatric health professional's basic education. We suggest that a continuing education through a brief gatekeeper suicide training program could be a suitable platform to improve suicide-related knowledge, self-efficacy, and attitudes. This study aimed at examining the effectiveness of the Question, Persuade, Refer gatekeeper program on improving the knowledge, self-efficacy in suicide prevention, and understanding of/willingness to help suicidal patients of Malaysian hospital health professionals.
METHODS: The Question, Persuade, Refer program materials were translated and adapted for implementation in the hospital setting for nonpsychiatric health professionals. There were 159 (mean age = 35.75 years; SD = 12.26) participants in this study. Most participants were female (84.9%), staff/community nurses (52.2%), who worked in the general medical department (30.2%) and had no experience managing suicidal patients (64.2%). Intervention participants (n = 53) completed a survey questionnaire at pretraining, immediately after training, and after three months. Control participants (n = 106) were not exposed to the training program and completed the same questionnaire at baseline and three months later.
RESULTS: Significant improvement occurred among intervention participants in terms of perceived knowledge, self-efficacy, and understanding of/willingness to help suicidal patients immediately after training and when compared with the control participants 3 months later. Improvements in declarative knowledge were not maintained at the 3-month follow-up.
DISCUSSION: This study confirmed the short-term effectiveness of the gatekeeper training program. Gatekeeper suicide training is recommended for implementation for nonpsychiatric health professionals nationwide.
PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS FOR ASYMPTOMATIC INTESTINAL MICROSPORIDIOSIS AMONG ABORIGINAL SCHOOL CHILDREN IN PAHANG, MALAYSIA

Anuar TS, Bakar NH, Al-Mekhlafi HM, Moktar N, Osman E

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2016 May;47(3):441-9.
PMID: 27405127

The epidemiology and environmental factors affecting transmission of human microsporidiosis are poorly understood. We conducted the present study to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with asymptomatic intestinal microsporidiosis among aboriginal school children in the Kuala Krau District, Pahang State, Malaysia. We collected stool samples from 255 school children and examined the samples using Gram-chromotrope Kinyoun stain. We also collected demographic, socioeconomic, environmental and personal hygiene information using a pre-tested questionnaire. Sixty-nine of the children was positive for microsporidia: 72.5% and 27.5% were low (1+) and moderate (2+) excretions of microsporidia spores, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed being aged 10 years (p = 0.026), using an unsafe water supply as a source for drinking water (p = 0.044) and having close contact with domestic animals (p = 0.031) were all significantly associated with microsporidial infection among study subjects. Our findings suggest asymptomatic intestinal microsporidiosis is common in the study population, more than previously reported. In the study population, control measures need to be implemented, such as good personal hygiene, proper sanitation and safe drinking water supply.
Compatibility of Porous Chitosan Scaffold with the Attachment and Proliferation of human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells In Vitro

Gomathysankar S, Halim AS, Yaacob NS, Noor NM, Mohamed M

J Stem Cells Regen Med, 2016;12(2):79-86.
PMID: 28096632

Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) have potential applications in the repair and regeneration of various tissues and organs. The use of various scaffold materials as an excellent template for mimicking the extracellular matrix to induce the attachment and proliferation of different cell types has always been of interest in the field of tissue engineering because ideal biomaterials are in great demand. Chitosan, a marine polysaccharide, have wide clinical applications and it acts as a promising scaffold for cell migration and proliferation. ASCs, with their multi-differentiation potential, and chitosan, with its great biocompatibility with ASCs, were investigated in the present study. ASCs were isolated and were characterized by two different methods: immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry, using the mesenchymal stem cell markers CD90, CD105, CD73 and CD29. The ASCs were then induced to differentiate into adipogenic, osteogenic and chondrogenic lineages. These ASCs were incorporated into a porous chitosan scaffold (PCS), and their structural morphology was studied using a scanning electron microscope and hematoxylin and eosin staining. The proliferation rate of the ASCs on the PCS was assessed using a PrestoBlue viability assay. The results indicated that the PCS provides an excellent template for the adhesion and proliferation of ASCs. Thus, this study revealed that PCS is a promising biomaterial for inducing the proliferation of ASCs, which could lead to successful tissue reconstruction in the field of tissue engineering.
Effect of scanning parameters on dose-response of radiochromic films irradiated with photon and electron beams

Tagiling N, Ab Rashid R, Azhan SNA, Dollah N, Geso M, Rahman WN

Heliyon, 2018 Oct;4(10):e00864.
PMID: 30364574 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e00864

Proper dosimetry settings are crucial in radiotherapy to ensure accurate radiation dose delivery. This work evaluated scanning parameters as affecting factors in reading the dose-response of EBT2 and EBT3 radiochromic films (RCFs) irradiated with clinical photon and electron beams. The RCFs were digitised using Epson® Expression® 10000XL flatbed scanner and image analyses of net optical density (netOD) were conducted using five scanning parameters i.e. film type, resolution, image bit depth, colour to grayscale transformation and image inversion. The results showed that increasing spatial resolution and deepening colour depth did not improve film sensitivity, while grayscale scanning caused sensitivity reduction below than that detected in the Red-channel. It is also evident that invert and colour negative film type selection negated netOD values, hence unsuitable for scanning RCFs. In conclusion, choosing appropriate scanning parameters are important to maintain preciseness and reproducibility in films dosimetry.
Fulltext Interventions for children with dyslexia: A review on current intervention methods

Nurul Anis MY, Normah CD, Mahadir A, Norhayati I, Rogayah AR, Dzalani H

Med J Malaysia, 2018 10;73(5):311-320.
PMID: 30350811 MyJurnal

INTRODUCTION: Dyslexia is a neurobiological impairment that primarily affects reading ability. It is commonly known as a reading disorder which is likely to be present at birth and is generally identified at pre-school level. Dyslexia is manifested through difficulties with accurate word recognition and also by poor performance in reading and writing.

METHOD: The main objective of this paper is to review the various methods or treatments that are used to manage the literacy and cognitive abilities for children with dyslexia particularly in Malaysia. The articles were obtained from online databases such as PubMed, Ebscohost and Medline during the time frame of six years starting from 2000 until 2016. An initial count of 300 articles were generated but only 13 articles met the inclusive criteria.

RESULTS: There are a few types of interventions such as the multisensory method, the phonological intervention, and the cognitive training method which can be used to improve literacy and cognitive deficits among children with dyslexia. In Malaysia, most of the treatments are focused on the aspects of language such as word mastery, alphabet identification and writing skills. The cognitive training were carried out to improve specific domain such as visuospatial skills, memory skills and psychomotor skills.

CONCLUSION: There is yet no studies which has employed the comprehensive method of combining the intervention of cognitive functions and linguistics-literacy deficits. It is imperative that researchers in Malaysia go beyond literacy skills and take into consideration the underlying cognitive functions which contribute to the specific reading and writing difficulties of Malaysian children with dyslexia.
Modification of glass ionomer cements on their physical-mechanical and antimicrobial properties

Ching HS, Luddin N, Kannan TP, Ab Rahman I, Abdul Ghani NRN

J Esthet Restor Dent, 2018 11;30(6):557-571.
PMID: 30394667 DOI: 10.1111/jerd.12413

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review was to provide an insight about the factors affecting the properties of glass ionomer cements and provides a review regarding studies that are related to modification of glass ionomer cements to improve their properties, particularly on physical-mechanical and antimicrobial activity.
METHODS: PubMed and Science Direct were searched for papers published between the years 1974 and 2018. The search was restricted to articles written in English related to modification of glass ionomer cements. Only articles published in peer-reviewed journals were included. The search included literature reviews, in vitro, and in vivo studies. Articles written in other languages, without available abstracts and those related to other field were excluded. About 198 peer-review articles in the English language were reviewed.
CONCLUSION: Based on the finding, most of the modification has improved physical-mechanical properties of glass ionomer cements. Recently, researchers have attempted to improve their antimicrobial properties. However, the attempts were reported to compromise the physical-mechanical properties of modified glass ionomer cements.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: As the modification of glass ionomer cement with different material improved the physical-mechanical and antimicrobial properties, it could be used as restorative material for wider application in dentistry.
Health-Care Workers' Perception of Patients' Suicide Intention and Factors Leading to It: A Qualitative Study

Wee LH, Ibrahim N, Wahab S, Visvalingam U, Yeoh SH, Siau CS

Omega (Westport), 2020 Dec;82(2):323-345.
PMID: 30482086 DOI: 10.1177/0030222818814331

This study explored health-care workers' perception of patients' suicide intention and their understanding of factors leading to particular interpretations. Semistructured face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted with 32 health-care workers from a general hospital in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Interview data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using the interpretative phenomenological analysis. The health-care workers were found to have four types of perceptions: to end life, not to end life, ambivalence about intention, and an evolving understanding of intention. Factors leading to their perceptions of patients' suicide intention were patient demographics, health status, severity of ideation/attempt, suicide method, history of treatment, moral character, communication of suicide intention, affective/cognitive status, availability of social support, and health-care workers' limited knowledge of patients' condition/situation. Insufficient knowledge and negative attitudes toward suicidal patients led to risk minimization and empathic failure, although most health-care workers used the correct parameters in determining suicide intention.
Fulltext Angiotensin Receptor Blockers for Erectile Dysfunction in Hypertensive Men: A Brief Meta-Analysis of Randomized Control Trials

Ismail SB, Noor NM, Hussain NHN, Sulaiman Z, Shamsudin MA, Irfan M

Am J Mens Health, 2019 12 5;13(6):1557988319892735.
PMID: 31795911 DOI: 10.1177/1557988319892735

Erectile dysfunction is common in adult men, particularly those with hypertension and diabetes. The present study determines the effectiveness of angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) drugs on erectile function in hypertensive male adults. For this purpose, CENTRAL and MEDLINE and reference lists of the articles were searched. The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were selected that compared ARBs with conventional therapy or no treatment in men of any ethnicity who were presented with hypertension and/or diabetes. A total four trials that had 2,809 men were included. Three trials reported adequate random sequence allocation, two reported adequate blinding. Attrition bias is low in one of the included studies. All three studies are of low risk of selective reporting bias. There was an improvement in sexual activity with ARBs (valsartan) (mean difference (MD): 0.71, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.66 to 0.76, I2 statistic = 0%). However, the erectile functions did not increase significantly in ARBs (losartan or telmisartan) treated men as compared to control or placebo (n = 203 vs n = 232; MD: 1.36; 95% CI: -0.97 to -3.69; I2 statistic = 80%). These results suggested that ARBs significantly improved sexual activity among hypertensive men. However, the erectile function was not significantly improved in ARBs treated men as compared to the control or placebo-treated. There were limited studies available. Hence, additional studies are needed to support findings from this review. ARBs should be considered when prescribing antihypertensive drugs to men.
Fulltext Sexual Abstinence and Associated Factors Among Young and Middle-Aged Men: A Systematic Review

Irfan M, Hussain NHN, Noor NM, Mohamed M, Ismail SB

J Sex Med, 2020 03;17(3):412-430.
PMID: 31955912 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2019.12.003

INTRODUCTION: Sexual activity is an essential human need and an important predictor of other aspects of human life. A literature review was conducted to investigate whether sexual abstinence in young and middle-aged men is generally considered a deliberate, healthy behavior and whether it has other causes and consequences.
AIM: To review the prevalence and factors associated with sexual abstinence in young (10-24 years) and middle-aged (25-59 years) men.
METHODS: Studies were retrieved from Science Direct, PubMed, and EBSCOhost published from 2008 to 2019. The selection criteria were original population- or community-based articles, published in the English language, on sexual abstinence, and in young and middle-aged men.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: This article reviewed the literature on the proportions of and factors associated with sexual abstinence in young and middle-aged men.
RESULTS: A total of 13,154 studies were retrieved, from which data were extracted for 37 population- or community-based studies. The prevalence of sexual abstinence varied from 0% to 83.6% in men younger than 60 years. The prevalence of primary sexual abstinence was 3.4%-83.3% for young men and 12.5%-15.5% for middle-aged men. The prevalence of secondary abstinence for young men ranged from 1.3% to 83.6%, while for middle-aged men, it was from 1.2% to 67.7%. The prevalence of sexual abstinence decreased with increasing age in young men but increased with increasing age in middle-aged men. The significant factors reported were age, single status, poor relationships, low socioeconomic status, sex education, religious practices, caring and monitoring parents, and not using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs. Although the variations in findings from different studies can be explained by different regions and cultures, the information cannot be generalized worldwide because of a lack of studies in Asian and Australian populations.
CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The studies on sexual abstinence in the future should use a consistent and standard definition, cover all sexual behaviors, and investigate all related factors.
STRENGTH & LIMITATIONS: The restricted timeframe (2008-2019), English language, availability of full text, and variability in definition and time duration may be the sources of bias.
CONCLUSION: Young men had higher proportions of sexual abstinence than middle-aged men, and age, unavailability of a partner, lower educational levels, low socioeconomic status, conservative and religious conditions, and no or less knowledge about sexually transmitted infections were common predictors of sexual abstinence in most of the men. Although determinants of sexual abstinence were identified, further investigation of biological factors in men younger than 60 years is needed. Irfan M, Hussain NHN, Noor NM, et al. Sexual Abstinence and Associated Factors Among Young and Middle-Aged Men: A Systematic Review. J Sex Med 2020;17:412-430.
Fulltext Zinc/Aluminium⁻Quinclorac Layered Nanocomposite Modified Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Paste Electrode for Electrochemical Determination of Bisphenol A

Zainul R, Abd Azis N, Md Isa I, Hashim N, Ahmad MS, Saidin MI, et al.

Sensors (Basel), 2019 Feb 22;19(4).
PMID: 30813385 DOI: 10.3390/s19040941

This paper presents the application of zinc/aluminium-layered double hydroxide-quinclorac (Zn/Al-LDH-QC) as a modifier of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) paste electrode for the determination of bisphenol A (BPA). The Zn/Al-LDH-QC/MWCNT morphology was examined by a transmission electron microscope and a scanning electron microscope. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was utilized to investigate the electrode interfacial properties. The electrochemical responses of the modified electrode towards BPA were thoroughly evaluated by using square-wave voltammetry technique. The electrode demonstrated three linear plots of BPA concentrations from 3.0 × 10-8⁻7.0 × 10-7 M (R² = 0.9876), 1.0 × 10-6⁻1.0 × 10-5 M (R² = 0.9836) and 3.0 × 10-5⁻3.0 × 10-4 M (R² = 0.9827) with a limit of detection of 4.4 × 10-9 M. The electrode also demonstrated good reproducibility and stability up to one month. The presence of several metal ions and organic did not affect the electrochemical response of BPA. The electrode is also applicable for BPA determination in baby bottle and mineral water samples with a range of recovery between 98.22% and 101.02%.
Biochar enhanced the nitrifying and denitrifying bacterial communities during the composting of poultry manure and rice straw

Zainudin MH, Mustapha NA, Maeda T, Ramli N, Sakai K, Hassan M

Waste Manag, 2020 Apr 01;106:240-249.
PMID: 32240940 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2020.03.029

Biochar has proven to be a feasible additive for mitigating nitrogen loss during the composting process. This study aims to evaluate the influence of biochar addition on bacterial community and physicochemical properties changes, including ammonium (NH4+), nitrite (NO2-) and nitrate (NO3-) contents during the composting of poultry manure. The composting was carried out by adding 20% (w/w) of biochar into the mixture of poultry manure and rice straw with a ratio of 2:1, and the same treatment without biochar was prepared as a control. The finished product of control compost recorded the high contents of NO2- and NO3- (366 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg) with reduced the total NH4+ content to 10 mg/kg. Meanwhile, biochar compost recorded a higher amount of total NH4+ content (110 mg/kg) with low NO2- and NO3- (161 mg/kg and 137 mg/kg) content in the final composting material. The principal component analysis showed that the dynamics of dominant genera related to Halomonas, Pusillimonas, and Pseudofulvimonas, all of which were known as nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria, was significantly correlated with the dynamic of NO2- and NO3- content throughout the composting process. The genera related to Pusillimonas, and Pseudofulvimonas appeared as the dominant communities as the NO2- and NO3- increased. In contrast, as the NO2- and NO3- concentration decreased, the Halomonas genus were notably enriched in biochar compost. This study revealed the bacterial community shifts corresponded with the change of physicochemical properties, which provides essential information for a better understanding of monitoring and improving the composting process.
Fulltext Modifications of Glass Ionomer Cement Powder by Addition of Recently Fabricated Nano-Fillers and Their Effect on the Properties: A Review

Moheet IA, Luddin N, Rahman IA, Kannan TP, Nik Abd Ghani NR, Masudi SM

Eur J Dent, 2019 Jul;13(3):470-477.
PMID: 31280484 DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1693524

The aim of this article is to provide a brief insight regarding the recent studies and their recommendations related to the modifications to glass ionomer cement (GIC) powder in order to improve their properties. An electronic search of publications was made from the year 2000 to 2018. The databases included in the current study were EBSCOhost, PubMed, and ScienceDirect. The inclusion criteria for the current study include publication with abstract or full-text articles, original research, reviews or systematic reviews, in vitro, and in vivo studies that were written in English language. Among these only articles published in peer-reviewed journals were included. Articles published in other languages, with no available abstract and related to other nondentistry fields, were excluded. A detailed review of the recent materials used as a filler phase in GIC powder has revealed that not all modifications produce beneficial results. Recent work has demonstrated that modification of GIC powder with nano-particles has many beneficial effects on the properties of the material. This is due to the increase in surface area and surface energy, along with better particle distribution of the nano-particle. Therefore, more focus should be given on nano-particle having greater chemical affinity for GIC matrix as well as the tooth structure that will enhance the physicochemical properties of GIC.
Fulltext Do depression literacy, mental illness beliefs and stigma influence mental health help-seeking attitude? A cross-sectional study of secondary school and university students from B40 households in Malaysia

Ibrahim N, Amit N, Shahar S, Wee LH, Ismail R, Khairuddin R, et al.

BMC Public Health, 2019 Jun 13;19(Suppl 4):544.
PMID: 31196033 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-6862-6

BACKGROUND: Mental illness rates among young people is high, yet the frequency of help-seeking is low, especially among those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Understanding factors influencing help-seeking, such as mental illness beliefs, stigma and literacy among B40 individuals is important, but past studies are sparse. Hence, we aimed to examine the factors associated with mental help-seeking attitude among students from the B40 income bracket. Differences in beliefs toward mental illness, stigma and help-seeking attitudes among university and secondary school students were also investigated.
METHODS: University and secondary school students from low-income households (N = 202) were involved in this cross-sectional study. Participants completed the Depression Literacy Questionnaire (D-Lit), General Help Seeking Questionnaire (GHSQ), Mental Help Seeking Attitudes Scale (MHSAS), Self-Stigma of Seeking Help Scale (SSOSH), and Beliefs toward Mental Illness (BMI).
RESULTS: Mental help-seeking attitude had a significant relationship with self-stigma on seeking help (r = -.258, p
Input of organic matter in Brunei Bay, East Malaysia, as indicated by sedimentary steroids and multivariate statistics

Pang SY, Tay JH, Suratman S, Simoneit BRT, Mohd Tahir N

Mar Pollut Bull, 2020 Jul;156:111269.
PMID: 32510409 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111269

Brunei Bay is one of the most important marine environments of East Malaysia (South China Sea), covering many productive ecosystems with activities including fisheries, tourism, and main shipping lanes for petroleum transfers. Evaluation of the sources and distributions of steroids in the surface sedimentary organic matter was carried out by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The concentrations of the total identified sterols (TIS) ranged between 0.81 and 12.69 μg g-1 dry weight, and the total sterones were between 0.11 and 5.66 μg g-1 dry weight. The coprostanol level was comparatively low (<0.10 μg g-1), and the multi-biomarker proxies indicated that the region did not exhibit significant contamination from sewage effluents. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed the coastal environment of the study area was dominated by allochthonous (mainly terrestrial) organic matter input.

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