Displaying publications 661 - 680 of 2311 in total

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  1. Climate change and variability over Malaysia: gaps In science and research information
    Tangang FT, Liew Juneng, Ester Salimun, Kwan MS, Loh JL, Halimatun Muhamad
    Sains Malaysiana, 2012;41:1355-1366.
    This paper provides an overview of the current available scientific knowledge pertaining to climate change and climate variability over Malaysia. Malaysia is situated in the western part of the Maritime Continent of the Southeast Asian region. Hence, regional climate change and climate variability over this region are of central importance to the understanding of climate change in Malaysia. The latest regional climate downscaling study indicates that, depending on the emission scenario, the mean surface temperature over Malaysia would increase by 3-5oC by the end of the 21st century. The mean precipitation is projected to decrease (increase) during Northern Hemisphere winter (summer). However, future variabilities associated with regional phenomena such as the monsoon, El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) and Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) are largely unknown. Current knowledge on the intensity and frequency of future extreme events (drought and flood) is limited. This is also the case for regional sea level rise and long-term changes in regional seas, especially in the southern region of the South China Sea. We conclude that knowledge gap in the science of climate change over Malaysia and the surrounding region remains wide.
    Matched MeSH terms: China
  2. A preliminary study of water quality index in Terengganu River Basin, Malaysia
    Suratman S, Mohd Sailan M, Hee Y, Bedurus E, Latif M
    Sains Malaysiana, 2015;44:67-73.
    The Malaysian Department of Environment-Water Quality Index (DOE-WQI) was determined for the Terengganu River basin which is located at the coastal water of the southern South China Sea between July and October 2008. Monthly samplings were carried out at ten sampling stations within the basin. Six parameters listed in DOE-WQI were measured based on standard methods: pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS) and ammonical nitrogen (AN). The results indicated the impact of various anthropogenic activities which contribute to high values of BOD, COD, TSS and AN at middle and downstream stations, as compared with the upstream of the basin. The reverses were true for the pH and DO values. The DOE-WQI ranged from 71.5-94.6% (mean 86.9%), which corresponded to a classification status range from slightly polluted to clean. With respect to the Malaysia National Water Quality Standards (NWQS), the level of most of the parameters measured remained at Class I which is suitable for the sustainable conservation of the natural environment, for water supply without treatment and as well as for very sensitive aquatic species. It is suggested that monitoring should be carried out continuously for proper management of this river basin.
    Matched MeSH terms: China
  3. Fulltext Morphological descriptions and morphometric discriminant function analysis reveal an additional four groups of Scylla spp
    Fazhan H, Waiho K, Quinitio E, Baylon JC, Fujaya Y, Rukminasari N, et al.
    PeerJ, 2020;8:e8066.
    PMID: 31915566 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8066
    There are four species of mud crabs within the genus Scylla, and most of them live sympatrically in the equatorial region. Apart from a report in Japan about the finding of a natural Scylla hybrid more than a decade ago after the division of genus Scylla into four species by Keenan, Davie & Mann (1998), no subsequent sighting was found. Thus, this study investigates the possible natural occurrence of potential hybridization among Scylla species in the wild. A total of 76,211 individuals from mud crab landing sites around the Malacca Straits, South China Sea and Sulu Sea were screened. In addition to the four-purebred species, four groups (SH 1, n = 2, 627; SH 2, n = 136; SH 3, n = 1; SH 4, n = 2) with intermediate characteristics were found, mostly at Sulu Sea. Discriminant Function Analysis revealed that all Scylla species, including SH 1 - 4, are distinguishable via their morphometric ratios. The most powerful discriminant ratios for each character and the top five discriminant ratios of males and females were suggested. The carapace width of SH 1 males and females were significantly smaller than pure species. Based on the discriminant ratios and the description of morphological characters, we hypothesize that the additional four groups of Scylla with intermediate characteristics could be presumed hybrids. Future work at the molecular level is urgently needed to validate this postulate.
    Matched MeSH terms: China
  4. Pan-Asian adapted ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for the management of patients with early breast cancer: a KSMO-ESMO initiative endorsed by CSCO, ISMPO, JSMO, MOS, SSO and TOS
    Park YH, Senkus-Konefka E, Im SA, Pentheroudakis G, Saji S, Gupta S, et al.
    Ann Oncol, 2020 04;31(4):451-469.
    PMID: 32081575 DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2020.01.008
    In view of the planned new edition of the most recent version of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Clinical Practice Guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of primary breast cancer published in 2015, it was decided at the ESMO Asia Meeting in November 2018, by both the ESMO and the Korean Society of Medical Oncology (KSMO), to convene a special face-to-face guidelines meeting in 2019 in Seoul. The aim was to adapt the latest ESMO 2019 guidelines to take into account the ethnic and geographical differences associated with the treatment of early breast cancer in Asian patients. These guidelines represent the consensus opinions reached by experts in the treatment of patients with early breast cancer representing the oncology societies of Korea (KSMO), China (CSCO), India (ISMPO) Japan (JSMO), Malaysia (MOS), Singapore (SSO) and Taiwan (TOS). The voting was based on scientific evidence, and was independent of both the current treatment practices, and the drug availability and reimbursement situations, in the individual participating Asian countries.
    Matched MeSH terms: China
  5. Craniofacial Anthropometric Profile of East Asians
    Raveendran M
    J Craniofac Surg, 2019 Mar 19.
    PMID: 30896517 DOI: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000005444
    Facial anthropometric data has significant ethnic variation. East Asia, comprised of fourteen countries, represents a significant proportion of the global population. This systematic review presents the facial anthropometric data collected from these countries. The systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. An electronic search of the MEDLINE database returned 3054 articles. Twenty articles were considered eligible for inclusion. Nine studies were conducted in China, 1 in Indonesia, 2 in Japan,3 in Korea, 4 in Malaysia, and 1 was a multicentre study conducted in China, Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Qualitative and quantitative parameters were extracted from the20 studies. No data was found for the other East Asian countries. There is a paucity of facial anthropometric data for East Asian countries despite their high burden of craniofacial anomalies and a strong demand for cosmetic facial surgery, both of which would benefit from the collection of robust craniofacial norms. It is in the interest of both the craniofacial surgeon and the East Asian patient to collect baseline facial anthropometric data for this population.
    Matched MeSH terms: China
  6. Construction of trace element in coal of china database management system: based on WebGIS
    Liu Yang, Xue Bai, Yinjie Hu, Qiqi Wang, Jun Deng
    Sains Malaysiana, 2017;46:2195-2204.
    The combination of geographic information system and mineral energy data management is helpful to promote the study of mineral energy and its ecological damage and environmental pollution caused by its development and utilization, which has important application value. The Trace Elements in Coal of China Database Management System (TECC) is established in this paper, applying the techniques of B/S three-layer structure, Oracle database, AJAX and WebGIS. TECC is the first database system which aims at managing the data of trace elements in coal in China. It includes data management and analysis module, document management module, trace elements in coal data maintenance module and authority management module. The data entry specification is put forward in the present study and the spatial data is included in TECC system. The system achieves the functions of data query, analysis, management, maintenance and map browsing, thematic map drawing as well as satellite video display, which lay the foundation for the analysis of large data of trace elements in coal. It is a practical platform for the acquisition, management, exchange and sharing of trace element research and geochemical research data of coal.
    Matched MeSH terms: China
  7. Diversity and DMS(P)-related genes in culturable bacterial communities in Malaysian coastal waters
    Kuek FWI, Aazani Mujahid, Lim Pt, Leaw Cp, Müller M
    Sains Malaysiana, 2016;45:915-931.
    Little is known about the diversity and roles of microbial communities in the South China Sea, especially the eastern
    region. This study aimed to expand our knowledge on the diversity of these communities in Malaysian waters, as well as
    their potential involvement in the breakdown or osmoregulation of dimethylsulphoniopropionate (DMSP). Water samples
    were collected during local cruises (Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, and Semporna) from the SHIVA expedition and the diversity
    of bacterial communities were analysed through the isolation and identification of 176 strains of cultured bacteria. The
    bacteria were further screened for the existence of two key genes (dmdA, dddP) which were involved in competing,
    enzymatically-mediated DMSP degradation pathways. The composition of bacterial communities in the three areas varied
    and changes were mirrored in physico-chemical parameters. Riverine input was highest in Kuching, which was mirrored
    by dominance of potentially pathogenic Vibrio sp., whereas the Kota Kinabalu community was more indicative of an
    open ocean environment. Isolates obtained from Kota Kinabalu and Semporna showed that the communities in these
    areas have potential roles in bioremediation, nitrogen fixing and sulphate reduction. Bacteria isolated from Kuching
    displayed the highest abundance (44%) of both DMSP-degrading genes, while the bacterial community in Kota Kinabalu
    had the highest percentage (28%) of dmdA gene occurrence and the dddP gene responsible for DMS production was
    most abundant (33%) within the community in Semporna. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study looking at
    the diversity of culturable bacteria in coastal waters of East Malaysia and also their potential roles in the DMS(P) cycle.
    Matched MeSH terms: China
  8. Occupational risk assessment: review of wooden scaffold board application in Malaysian oil and gas industry
    Mohd Jamil Abdul Wahab, Noor Azrieda Abd Rashid, Salmiah Ujang, Choon LS
    Sains Malaysiana, 2016;45:1139-1147.
    Timber scaffold boards have been widely utilised in the offshore construction industry. However, technical specifications
    and inspection procedure for the application of scaffold boards from a wood material were inadequate. In the development
    of the standard requirements, evaluation of actual engineering practices could indicate the level of workplace safety. A
    study was conducted to identify risk and safety measures concerning the use of timber scaffold boards in construction.
    This article discusses on the occupational risks and ergonomics issues of the scaffolding application based on the physical
    and mechanical conditions of tropical timber scaffold boards extracted from offshore oil and gas rigs. The boards were
    exposed to a seasonal climate of East Coast monsoon of South China Sea between November and February. The scaffolding
    application extended up to 20 m directly above the ocean surface and some boards were completely immersed below
    the ocean surface particularly during elevated tidal waves. Some of the boards were installed as the on-deck platforms.
    Forty scaffold boards fabricated from tropical timber species were evaluated. Physical characteristics of the boards
    were described by natural and man-made factors. A three-point bending test was conducted to determine the maximum
    load capacity of each board and the mode of fracture was evaluated. Timber identification test was conducted to identify
    the groups of the timber being used. The microscopic observation confirmed the presence of hyphae which indicated the
    biological deterioration has happened in some of the boards. Occupational risks were summarised based on the results
    of the physical and mechanical assessments
    Matched MeSH terms: China
  9. Pilot test of a fermentation tank for producing coal methane through anaerobic fermentation
    Daping Xia, Huaiwen Zhang, Xile Liu, Chaoyong Fu, Xianbo Su
    Sains Malaysiana, 2017;46:2083-2089.
    The development and utilization of clean energy has long been a focus of research. In the coal bed methane field, most coal bed biogenic methane experiments are small static sample tests in which the initial conditions are set and the process cannot be batch-fed elements and microbial strains, and the gas cannot be collected in batches. Although significant results have been achieved in the coal-to-biogenic methane conversion in China, findings are restricted to the laboratory scale. No successful commercialization of coal bed biogenic methane production has been achieved yet. This study used a large-capacity fermentation tank (5 L) to conduct biogenic methane experiments. Results were compared to those from the traditional laboratory test. The gas production rate and gas concentration were higher when the 250 mL methane test volume was increased to a 5 L fermentation volume, increasing by 20.9% and 2.3%, respectively. The inhibition effect of the liquid phase products was reduced in the large fermentation tank, and the microbial activity was extended by batch feeding trace elements (iron and nickel) and methane strains and by semi-continuous collection of the gas. However, the gas conversion rate can be increased by retaining the H2 and CO2 in the intermediate gas products in the fermentation tank. The gas production rate was increased from 17.9 to 24.6 mL/g, increasing by 37.4%. The simulation pilot test can lay a foundation for the transition from a coal bed biogenic methane laboratory static small sample test to a dynamic pilot test, optimizing the process parameters to improve the reaction efficiency and move forward to commercialization test.
    Matched MeSH terms: China
  10. Fulltext Unlocking Access To Novel Medicines In China-A Review From A Health System Perspective
    Diao Y, Li M, Huang Z, Sun J, Chee YL, Liu Y
    Risk Manag Healthc Policy, 2019;12:357-367.
    PMID: 31908552 DOI: 10.2147/RMHP.S226379
    China's healthcare reform aims to provide affordable and equitable basic healthcare for all by 2020. Access to medicines is an essential part of the healthcare. The efforts of promoting access to medicines have been moving from meeting the needs of the basic healthcare, towards increasingly dedicated resources to offer breakthrough therapies. Looking at access to novel medicines from a health system perspective, and placing the changes China has made into that system context, this paper makes a comprehensive review of the progress of access to novel medicines in China. The review drew on two sources of information, which included desk review of published and grey literature, and key informant interview. Five hurdles were identified which create barriers of access to novel medicines, ranging from regulation and financing of medicines, intellectually property rights protection, and development of innovation capacity, to other health system components. Multiple policies have been implementing in China to remove the multiple access barriers gradually. Universal access to medicines has been moving from towards the basic common conditions to the world breakthrough technologies. We see cause for optimism, but recognize that there is a long way to go. Achieving broader and better access to modern medicines for Chinese patients will require multiple and coordinated government efforts, which would need to target the whole lifecycle regulation of novel medicines with a health system perspective, from balancing IP protection, strengthening R&D and public health, to appropriate regulatory approach and financing mechanism, and to supply chain management, as well as smart use.
    Matched MeSH terms: China
  11. Fulltext The Double-Edged Sword of Urbanization and Its Nexus with Eco-Efficiency in China
    Yue L, Xue D, Draz MU, Ahmad F, Li J, Shahzad F, et al.
    Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2020 01 09;17(2).
    PMID: 31936543 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17020446
    Urbanization has made tremendous contributions to China's economic development since its economic reforms and opening up. At the same time, population agglomeration has aggravated environmental pollution and posed serious challenges to China's environment. This article empirically investigates the impacts of China's urbanization on eco-efficiency, comprehensively reflecting economic growth, resource input, and waste discharge. We first measured the provincial eco-efficiency in China from 2005 to 2015 using the Super Slack-Based model (Super-SBM). We then constructed a spatial model to empirically analyze the effects of urbanization on eco-efficiency at the national level, and at four regional levels. The results indicated that the regional eco-efficiency in China has fluctuated, but is generally improving, and that a gap between regions was evident, with a trend toward further gap expansion. We observed an effect of spatial spillover in eco-efficiency, which was significant and positive for the whole country, except for the western region. The influence of urbanization on China's eco-efficiency exhibited a U-curve relationship. The changing trend in the eastern, central, and western regions was the same as that in the whole country; however, the trend exhibited an inverted U-curve relationship in the northeastern region. To the best of our knowledge, covering a time period of 2005-2015, this article is the first of its kind to study the impact of urbanization on eco-efficiency in China at both the national and regional levels. This study may help policy-makers to create sustainable policies that could be helpful in balancing urbanization and the ecological environment.
    Matched MeSH terms: China
  12. Pan-Asian adapted ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for the management of patients with intermediate and advanced/relapsed hepatocellular carcinoma: a TOS-ESMO initiative endorsed by CSCO, ISMPO, JSMO, KSMO, MOS and SSO
    Chen LT, Martinelli E, Cheng AL, Pentheroudakis G, Qin S, Bhattacharyya GS, et al.
    Ann Oncol, 2020 03;31(3):334-351.
    PMID: 32067677 DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2019.12.001
    The most recent version of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Clinical Practice Guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was published in 2018, and covered the diagnosis, management, treatment and follow-up of early, intermediate and advanced disease. At the ESMO Asia Meeting in November 2018 it was decided by both the ESMO and the Taiwan Oncology Society (TOS) to convene a special guidelines meeting immediately after the Taiwan Joint Cancer Conference (TJCC) in May 2019 in Taipei. The aim was to adapt the ESMO 2018 guidelines to take into account both the ethnic and the geographic differences in practice associated with the treatment of HCC in Asian patients. These guidelines represent the consensus opinions reached by experts in the treatment of patients with intermediate and advanced/relapsed HCC representing the oncology societies of Taiwan (TOS), China (CSCO), India (ISMPO) Japan (JSMO), Korea (KSMO), Malaysia (MOS) and Singapore (SSO). The voting was based on scientific evidence, and was independent of the current treatment practices, the drug availability and reimbursement situations in the individual participating Asian countries.
    Matched MeSH terms: China
  13. 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.
    Matched MeSH terms: China
  14. Fulltext Innovation in Chinese internet companies: A meta-frontier analysis
    Hafeez S, Arshad NI, Rahim LBAB, Shabbir MF, Iqbal J
    PLoS One, 2020;15(5):e0233278.
    PMID: 32437383 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0233278
    The innovation of a particular company benefits the whole industry when innovation technology transfers to others. Similarly, the development and innovation in internet companies influence the development and innovation of the industry. This investigation has applied a unique approach of meta-frontier analysis to estimate and analyze the innovation in internet companies in China. A unique dataset of Chinese internet companies from 2000 to 2017 has been utilized to estimate and compare the innovation over the period of study. The change in technology gap ratio (TGR) and a shift in production function have translated into innovation which was overlooked by previous studies. It is found that the production function of internet companies is moving upward in the presence of external factors such as smartphones invention, mobile internet, mobile payments, and artificial intelligence, etc. Consequently, a sudden increase in TGR is captured due to the innovation of some companies. Hence, the average TE of the industry falls caused by the increased distance of other companies form industry production function. However, the innovation advantage defused when other companies start imitating and the average TE elevates. A steady increase in the TGR index revealed that the continuous innovation-based growth of some companies lifting the production frontier upward. This provides the opportunity for other companies to imitate and provides continuous growth in the industry. This study provides a novel methodological approach to measure innovation and also provide practical implication by empirical estimation of innovation in Chinese internet companies.
    Matched MeSH terms: China
  15. Fulltext Reassessment of species distribution and occurrence of mud crab (Scylla spp., Portunidae) in Malaysia through morphological and molecular identification
    Naim DM, Nor SAM, Mahboob S
    Saudi J Biol Sci, 2020 Feb;27(2):643-652.
    PMID: 32210683 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2019.11.030
    This study utilized genetic and morphometric approaches to assess the molecular and morphometric differentiation among commercially important species of mud crab. Molecular investigations were derived from 542 bp mitochondrial DNA COI on 249 individuals within genus Scylla from nine states in Malaysia represents four marine regions; South China Sea, Sulu Sea, Straits of Singapore and Straits of Malacca. Four specimens were obtained from Indonesia to give a robust analysis in this study. For species delimitation, Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD) method on a web interface was employed. Analysis on phylogenetics was implemented utilizing Neighbour joining (NJ) and Maximum Parsimony (MP) methods. The inter- and intraspecies genetic distances (Ds ) was computed using Kimura 2-parameter distance and executed in MEGA version 5.05. All samples were genetically and morphologically identified and clustered into four distinct species. Among the species, S. olivacea was the most abundant (n = 111), on the other hand the occurrence of S. paramamosain in Malaysia was very low (n = 29). No single individual of S. serrata from Malaysia was recorded in this study. Both genetic distance and phylogenetic approaches exhibited a correlative monophyletic association among all specimens analysed. This present study is crucial as it reports the reassessment of all species within genus Scylla in Malaysia, eventually could be employed as a reference source for subsequent research mainly on mariculture and other conservation efforts for the species.
    Matched MeSH terms: China
  16. Horizon Scan of the Belt and Road Initiative
    Hughes AC, Lechner AM, Chitov A, Horstmann A, Hinsley A, Tritto A, et al.
    Trends Ecol Evol, 2020 Jul;35(7):583-593.
    PMID: 32521242 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2020.02.005
    The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) represents the largest infrastructure and development project in human history, and presents risks and opportunities for ecosystems, economies, and communities. Some risks (habitat fragmentation, roadkill) are obvious, however, many of the BRI's largest challenges for development and conservation are not obvious and require extensive consideration to identify. In this first BRI Horizon Scan, we identify 11 frontier issues that may have large environmental and social impacts but are not yet recognised. More generally, the BRI will increase China's participation in international environmental governance. Thus, new cooperative modes of governance are needed to balance geopolitical, societal, and environmental interests. Upgrading and standardising global environmental standards is essential to safeguard ecological systems and human societies.
    Matched MeSH terms: China
  17. Examining CO2 and N2O pollution and reduction from forestry application of pure and mixture forest
    Kong Y, Ma NL, Yang X, Lai Y, Feng Z, Shao X, et al.
    Environ Pollut, 2020 Oct;265(Pt A):114951.
    PMID: 32554093 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114951
    Greenhouse gases (GHGs) carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O), contribute significantly to global warming, and they have increased substantially over the years. Reforestation is considered as an important forestry application for carbon sequestration and GHGs emission reduction, however, it remains unknown whether reforestation may instead produce too much CO2 and N2O contibuting to GHGs pollution. This study was performed to characterize and examine the CO2 and N2O emissions and their controlling factors in different species and types of pure and mixture forest used for reforestation. Five soil layers from pure forest Platycladus orientalis (PO), Robinia pseudoacacia (RP), and their mixed forest P-R in the Taihang mountains of central China were sampled and incubated aerobically for 11 days. The P-R soil showed lower CO2 and N2O production potentials than those of the PO soils (P China's plantation can be achieved at 8.79 million tonnes. With the increase of soil depths, cumulative CO2 production in PO and RP soils decreased, whereas CO2 and N2O production in P-R soil did not show similar pattern. Soil particle size fraction was the main factor influencing GHGs emissions, and the clay fraction showed negative correlation with cumulative CO2 and N2O production. In summary, compared with PO pure artificial forests, the mixture plantation mode can not only reduce GHGs pollution but also improve soil fertility, which is conducive to sustainable management of artificial forests.
    Matched MeSH terms: China
  18. Religion, Strain and Suicidality among Chinese Young Adults
    Wang W, Zhang J, Lew B
    J Relig Health, 2021 Dec;60(6):4537-4555.
    PMID: 34245434 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-021-01329-z
    This study examined the mediating effects of psychological strain (Strain Theory) as a possible explanation for the relationship between religiosity and suicidality among Chinese young adults. A questionnaire was administered that included the Religious Orientation-Revised Scale (RO-RS), Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R), and Psychological Strains Scale (PSS). Using cluster sampling, we recruited 13,250 college students across seven provinces in China. Both univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify the main determinants of suicidality. We further explored the mediation effect of psychological strains on the relationship between religion and suicidality. We found that non-believers obtained the lowest PSS. Believers of Islam and other religions obtained higher RO-RS scores compared to non-religious participants. Psychological strain imposed a complete effect between religiosity and suicidality. A positive relationship between religion and suicidality was present among the participants of the study. Individuals who are affiliated with a religion are considered as a marginalized population in China, which may lead to psychological strains, further increasing the risk of suicidality.
    Matched MeSH terms: China
  19. Fulltext Comparing breastfeeding experiences between mothers spending the traditional Chinese confinement period in a confinement centre and those staying at home: a cohort study
    Foong SC, Tan ML, Foong WC, Ho JJ, Rahim FF
    Int Breastfeed J, 2021 01 06;16(1):4.
    PMID: 33407645 DOI: 10.1186/s13006-020-00353-1
    BACKGROUND: Ethnic Chinese mothers in Malaysia adhere to 30 days of traditional postpartum practices (the "confinement period") aimed at recuperation after delivery. Recently there has been an emergence of confinement centres (CCs) where mothers stay and receive traditional confinement care. Ethnic Chinese mothers have low breastfeeding rates. There are concerns that practices in CCs could contribute to this but no data exists. We described mothers' breastfeeding experiences at CCs and identified areas for potential improvement in breastfeeding support.

    METHODS: Ethnic Chinese mothers intending to breastfeed their healthy infants were recruited post-delivery between August and October 2017 then, at 1 and 6 months, they were telephone interviewed about their experience. For every participant going to a CC after the birth, another mother going home ("home") for her confinement was recruited. Chi-square test was used to compare groups and multiple logistic regression was used to assess the effect of confinement place on exclusive breastfeeding.

    RESULTS: Of 187 mothers, 88 (47%) went to CCs. Significantly more were primipara and fewer had previous breastfeeding experience. Response rates for the 1- and 6- month interviews were 88% (CC) versus 97% (home); and 77% (CC) versus 87% (home) respectively. Exclusive breastfeeding rates were similar between the groups: 62% (CC) versus 56% (home) at 1 month (p = 0.4); and 37% (CC) versus 42% (home) at 6 months (p = 0.5). Multiple logistic regression did not show that CCs were a factor affecting exclusive breastfeeding rates at 1 month, (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.9, 3.3), or 6 months (aOR 0.9, 95% CI 0.4, 1.7). However, significantly more CC participants only fed expressed breast milk. Despite 66% of CC participants reporting that their centre supported breastfeeding, only 6 (8%) CC participants compared to 66 (69%) of home participants roomed-in with their baby (p 

    Matched MeSH terms: China
  20. Pollutant source, ecological and human health risks assessment of heavy metals in soils from coal mining areas in Xinjiang, China
    Zhang H, Zhang F, Song J, Tan ML, Kung HT, Johnson VC
    Environ Res, 2021 11;202:111702.
    PMID: 34284019 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111702
    This study aims to analyze the pollution characteristics and sources of heavy metal elements for the first time in the Zhundong mining area in Xinjiang using the linear regression model. Additionaly, the health risks with their probability and infleuencing factors on different groups of people's were also evaluated using Monte Carlo (MC) simulation approach. The results shows that 89.28% of Hg was from coal combustion, 40.28% of Pb was from transportation, and 19.54% of As was from atmospheric dust. The main source of Cu and Cr was coal dust, Hg has the greatest impact on potential ecological risks. which accounted for 60.2% and 81.46% of the Cu and Cr content in soil, respectively. The all samples taken from Pb have been Extremely polluted (100%). 93.3% samples taken from As have been Extremely polluted. The overall potential ecological risk was moderate. Adults experienced higher non-carcinogenic risks of heavy metals from their diets than children. Interestingly, body weight was the main factor affecting the adult's health risks. This research provides more comprehensive information for better soil management, soil remediation, and soil pollution control in the Xinjiang mining areas.
    Matched MeSH terms: China
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