Displaying publications 81 - 100 of 341 in total

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  1. Extended-release naltrexone reduces alcohol consumption among released prisoners with HIV disease as they transition to the community
    Springer SA, Di Paola A, Azar MM, Barbour R, Krishnan A, Altice FL
    Drug Alcohol Depend, 2017 05 01;174:158-170.
    PMID: 28334661 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.01.026
    BACKGROUND: Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) are highly prevalent among persons living with HIV (PLH) within the criminal justice system (CJS). Extended-release naltrexone (XR-NTX) has not been previously evaluated among CJS-involved PLH with AUDs.

    METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted among 100 HIV+ prisoners with AUDs. Participants were randomized 2:1 to receive 6 monthly injections of XR-NTX or placebo starting one week prior to release. Using multiple imputation strategies for data missing completely at random, data were analyzed for the 6-month post-incarceration period. Main outcomes included: time to first heavy drinking day; number of standardized drinks/drinking day; percent of heavy drinking days; pre- to post-incarceration change in average drinks/day; total number of drinking days; and a composite alcohol improvement score comprised of all 5 parameters.

    RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference overall between treatment arms for time-to-heavy-drinking day. However, participants aged 20-29 years who received XR-NTX had a longer time to first heavy drinking day compared to the placebo group (24.1 vs. 9.5days; p<0.001). There were no statistically significant differences between groups for other individual drinking outcomes. A sub-analysis, however, found participants who received ≥4 XR-NTX were more likely (p<0.005) to have improved composite alcohol scores than the placebo group. Post-hoc power analysis revealed that despite the study being powered for HIV outcomes, sufficient power (0.94) was available to distinguish the observed differences.

    CONCLUSIONS: Among CJS-involved PLH with AUDs transitioning to the community, XR-NTX lengthens the time to heavy drinking day for younger persons; reduces alcohol consumption when using a composite alcohol consumption score; and is not associated with any serious adverse events.

    Matched MeSH terms: Alcohol Drinking/drug therapy*
  2. Metabolic phenotyping of urine for discriminating alcohol-dependent from social drinkers and alcohol-naive subjects
    Mostafa H, Amin AM, Teh CH, Murugaiyah V, Arif NH, Ibrahim B
    Drug Alcohol Depend, 2016 12 01;169:80-84.
    PMID: 27788404 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.10.016
    BACKGROUND: Alcohol-dependence (AD) is a ravaging public health and social problem. AD diagnosis depends on questionnaires and some biomarkers, which lack specificity and sensitivity, however, often leading to less precise diagnosis, as well as delaying treatment. This represents a great burden, not only on AD individuals but also on their families. Metabolomics using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) can provide novel techniques for the identification of novel biomarkers of AD. These putative biomarkers can facilitate early diagnosis of AD.

    OBJECTIVES: To identify novel biomarkers able to discriminate between alcohol-dependent, non-AD alcohol drinkers and controls using metabolomics.

    METHOD: Urine samples were collected from 30 alcohol-dependent persons who did not yet start AD treatment, 54 social drinkers and 60 controls, who were then analysed using NMR. Data analysis was done using multivariate analysis including principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least square-discriminate analysis (OPLS-DA), followed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression to develop the discriminatory model. The reproducibility was done using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

    RESULTS: The OPLS-DA revealed significant discrimination between AD and other groups with sensitivity 86.21%, specificity 97.25% and accuracy 94.93%. Six biomarkers were significantly associated with AD in the multivariate logistic regression model. These biomarkers were cis-aconitic acid, citric acid, alanine, lactic acid, 1,2-propanediol and 2-hydroxyisovaleric acid. The reproducibility of all biomarkers was excellent (0.81-1.0).

    CONCLUSION: This study revealed that metabolomics analysis of urine using NMR identified AD novel biomarkers which can discriminate AD from social drinkers and controls with high accuracy.

    Matched MeSH terms: Alcohol Drinking/epidemiology*; Alcohol Drinking/urine*
  3. Trends in medical student use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs in an Irish university, 1973-2002
    Boland M, Fitzpatrick P, Scallan E, Daly L, Herity B, Horgan J, et al.
    Drug Alcohol Depend, 2006 Nov 8;85(2):123-8.
    PMID: 16735098 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2006.03.016
    Questionnaire surveys of medical students in an Irish university were carried out in 1973 (n=765), 1990 (n=522) and 2002 (n=537), with differentiation of western students (e.g., from the Republic of Ireland, the UK, or Australia) and non-western students (e.g., Malaysia). We report on changes in tobacco smoking, drinking and drug-taking over three decades, and we note that, among western students, estimated prevalence of being a current smoker has declined overall from 28.8% in 1973 to 15.3% in 1990 to 9.2% in 2002 (p<0.001), falling in both males (p<0.001) and females (p<0.01). Ex-smokers rose from 5.9% to 15.1% between 1990 and 2002, corresponding with the decline in current smokers. The prevalence of current drinkers has risen over the period, to 82.5% among western students in 2002 (p<0.05); female drinking has increased steadily since 1973 (p<0.001), and the overall proportion of CAGE-positive drinkers has risen since 1990 (p<0.001). The mean weekly alcohol consumption has risen in both sexes since 1990 (males 14.3 units to 19.4, p<0.01; females 6.0 to 9.5, p<0.001). There was an increase in the proportion of students ever offered drugs between 1973 and 2002 (p<0.001). Although smoking rates have fallen, our findings show a marked increase in alcohol and drug consumption between 1973 and 2002. Personal misuse of addictive substances by doctors may mean that doctors will fail to take misuse by patients seriously. A need for preventative and ameliorative action during the medical school years is clear.
    Matched MeSH terms: Alcohol Drinking/trends*
  4. Fulltext Hesperidin, a plant flavonoid accelerated the cutaneous wound healing in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats: Role of TGF-ß/Smads and Ang-1/Tie-2 signaling pathways
    Li W, Kandhare AD, Mukherjee AA, Bodhankar SL
    EXCLI J, 2018;17:399-419.
    PMID: 29805347 DOI: 10.17179/excli2018-1036
    Background: Delayed wound healing is a diverse, multifactorial, complex and inter-related complication of diabetes resulting in significant clinical morbidity. Hesperidin possesses potent antidiabetic and wound healing activity. Aim: To evaluate the potential of hesperidin against experimentally induced diabetes foot ulcers. Methods: Diabetes was induced experimentally by streptozotocin (STZ, 55 mg/kg, i.p.) in Sprague Dawley rats (180-220 g) and wounds were created on the dorsal surface of the hind paw of rats. Hesperidin (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) was administered for 21 days after wound stabilization. Various biochemical, molecular and histopathological parameters were evaluated in wound tissue. Results: STZ-induced decrease in body weight and increase in blood glucose, food, and water intake was significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited by hesperidin (50 and 100 mg/kg) treatment. It showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in percent wound closure and serum insulin level. The STZ-induced decrease in SOD and GSH level, as well as elevated MDA and NO levels, were significantly (p < 0.05) attenuated by hesperidin (50 and 100 mg/kg) treatment. Intraperitoneal administration of STZ caused significant down-regulation in VEGF-c, Ang-1, Tie-2, TGF-β and Smad 2/3 mRNA expression in wound tissues whereas hesperidin (50 and 100 mg/kg) treatment showed significant up-regulation in these mRNA expressions. STZ-induced alteration in would architecture was also attenuated by hesperidin (50 and 100 mg/kg) treatment. Conclusion: Together, treatment with hesperidin accelerate angiogenesis and vasculogenesis via up-regulation of VEGF-c, Ang-1/Tie-2, TGF-β and Smad-2/3 mRNA expression to enhance wound healing in chronic diabetic foot ulcers.
    Matched MeSH terms: Drinking
  5. Comparison of time-restricted feeding and Islamic fasting: a scoping review
    Ismail S, Manaf RA, Mahmud A
    East Mediterr Health J, 2019 Jun 04;25(4):239-245.
    PMID: 31210344 DOI: 10.26719/emhj.19.011
    Background: Research on the health benefits of fasting is growing; this includes time-restricted feeding and Islamic fasting.

    Aims: This article aims to review and highlight the similarities and differences between time-restricted feeding and Islamic fasting during Ramadan.

    Methods: A scoping review was undertaken to identify relevant articles that answered the research question: what are the similarities and differences in characteristics of time-restricted feeding and Islamic fasting? MEDLINE/PubMed was searched using the terms: time-restricted feeding, and weight. Inclusion criteria were: original research and review articles; written in English; and published between the years 2000 and 2017.

    Results: A total of 25 articles that answered the research question were included in the review: 15 original research papers and 10 reviews. The findings suggest that Ramadan fasting is a form of time-restricted feeding in the contemporary context because of the period when eating is not allowed. The fasting duration reported in time-restricted feeding ranged from 4 to 24 hours, which is longer than that of Islamic fasting which is between 8 and 20 hours. Both time-restricted feeding and Islamic fasting have been found to have positive health effects, including weight reduction.

    Conclusion: Time-restricted feeding and Islamic fasting have many similar characteristics and reported positive health effects.

    Matched MeSH terms: Drinking Water
  6. Development of emergency food assistance design: a nutritionally balanced, culturally tailored and cost-effective strategy for flood mitigation
    Balachanthar S, Zakaria NA, Lee LK
    Ecol Food Nutr, 2018 07 10;57(4):314-329.
    PMID: 29989434 DOI: 10.1080/03670244.2018.1492380
    Emergency food assistance forms an integral component of flood mitigation in Malaysia. A cross-sectional survey investigating emergency food assistance among 202 flood victims was conducted and alternative food assistance plan was developed using linear programming targeting post-disaster food requirement scenarios. From the study, the receipt of food aid was significantly associated with ethnicity, household income, residential area and evacuation into temporary shelters. Linear programming analysis identified nutritionally appropriate food assistance targeting mass feeding, emergency food basket, and immediate food requirement for as low as MYR 6.07 (1.55 USD), MYR 7.14 (1.82 USD), and MYR 8.00 (2.04 USD), respectively. This study provides nutritional guidelines for disaster food assistance policy.
    Matched MeSH terms: Drinking Water
  7. Non-nutritive artificial sweeteners as an emerging contaminant in environment: A global review and risks perspectives
    Praveena SM, Cheema MS, Guo HR
    Ecotoxicol Environ Saf, 2019 Apr 15;170:699-707.
    PMID: 30580164 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2018.12.048
    Generally, non-nutritive artificial sweeteners are widely utilized as sugar substitute in various applications. With various applications, non-nutritive artificial sweeteners are now being recognized as emerging contaminants with high water persistence and are chemically stable in environment. Although non-nutritive artificial sweeteners were documented on their occurrence in environment, yet their potential impacts to environment and human health remain ambiguous. Therefore, this review was prepared to provide a more comprehensive insight of non-nutritive artificial sweeteners in environment matrixes by highlighting special concerns on human health and environmental risks. Precisely, this review monitors the exploration of non-nutritive artificial sweeteners occurrences as an emerging contaminants in environment worldwide and their associated risks to human as well as environment. At present, there are a total of 24 non-nutritive artificial sweeteners' studies with regards to their occurrence in the environment from 38 locations globally, spanning across Europe including United Kingdoms, Canada, United States and Asia. Overall, the quantitative findings suggested that the occurrence of non-nutritive artificial sweeteners is present in surface water, tap water, groundwater, seawater, lakes and atmosphere. Among these environmental matrixes, surface water was found as the most studied matrix involving non-nutritive artificial sweeteners. However, findings on non-nutritive artificial sweeteners impacts on human health and environment are limited to understanding its overall potential impacts and risks. Additionally, this review also serves as a framework for future monitoring plans and environmental legislative to better control these emerging contaminants in environment.
    Matched MeSH terms: Drinking Water/chemistry*
  8. Fluoride contamination, health problems and remediation methods in Asian groundwater: A comprehensive review
    Yadav KK, Kumar S, Pham QB, Gupta N, Rezania S, Kamyab H, et al.
    Ecotoxicol Environ Saf, 2019 Oct 30;182:109362.
    PMID: 31254856 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.06.045
    In low concentration, fluoride is considered a necessary compound for human health. Exposure to high concentrations of fluoride is the reason for a serious disease called fluorosis. Fluorosis is categorized as Skeletal and Dental fluorosis. Several Asian countries, such as India, face contamination of water resources with fluoride. In this study, a comprehensive overview on fluoride contamination in Asian water resources has been presented. Since water contamination with fluoride in India is higher than other Asian countries, a separate section was dedicated to review published articles on fluoride contamination in this country. The status of health effects in Asian countries was another topic that was reviewed in this study. The effects of fluoride on human organs/systems such as urinary, renal, endocrine, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, brain, and reproductive systems were another topic that was reviewed in this study. Different methods to remove fluoride from water such as reverse osmosis, electrocoagulation, nanofiltration, adsorption, ion-exchange and precipitation/coagulation were introduced in this study. Although several studies have been carried out on contamination of water resources with fluoride, the situation of water contamination with fluoride and newly developed technology to remove fluoride from water in Asian countries has not been reviewed. Therefore, this review is focused on these issues: 1) The status of fluoride contamination in Asian countries, 2) health effects of fluoride contamination in drinking water in Asia, and 3) the existing current technologies for defluoridation in Asia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Drinking Water
  9. Public awareness level and occurrence of pharmaceutical residues in drinking water with potential health risk: A study from Kajang (Malaysia)
    Mohd Nasir FA, Praveena SM, Aris AZ
    Ecotoxicol Environ Saf, 2019 Dec 15;185:109681.
    PMID: 31561079 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.109681
    Studies on the occurrence of pharmaceutical residues in drinking water were conducted especially in developed countries. However, limited studies reported the occurrence of pharmaceutical residues in developing countries. Thus, this study is conducted to fill the knowledge gap of pharmaceutical residue occurrences in developing countries, particularly in Malaysia, along with public awareness level and its potential human health risk. This study investigates public awareness level of drinking water quality and pharmaceutical handling, the occurrence of nine pharmaceutical residues (amoxicillin, caffeine, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, dexamethasone, diclofenac, nitrofurazone, sulfamethoxazole, and triclosan) and potential human health risks in drinking water from Kajang (Malaysia) using commercially competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. In general, the public awareness level of Kajang population showed poor knowledge (82.02%), and less positive attitude (98.88%) with a good practice score (57.3%). Ciprofloxacin was detected at the highest concentration (0.667 ng/L) while amoxicillin was at the lowest concentration (0.001 ng/L) in drinking water from Kajang (Malaysia). Nevertheless, all the reported occurrences were lower than previous studies conducted elsewhere. There was no appreciable potential human health risk for all the pharmaceutical residues as the risk quotient (RQ) values were less than 1 (RQ 
    Matched MeSH terms: Drinking Water/standards; Drinking Water/chemistry*
  10. Occurrence and potential human health risk of pharmaceutical residues in drinking water from Putrajaya (Malaysia)
    Praveena SM, Mohd Rashid MZ, Mohd Nasir FA, Sze Yee W, Aris AZ
    Ecotoxicol Environ Saf, 2019 Sep 30;180:549-556.
    PMID: 31128553 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.05.051
    Occurrence of pharmaceutical residues in drinking water has been widely reported in countries that have registered steady economic growth. This can exert concerns among the general consumers, prompting them to explore the potential human health risks associated with continuous exposure to pharmaceuticals. However, such an occurrence is rarely reported in developing or under-developed countries. To give more contexts, this study looked at the presence of nine pharmaceutical residues in drinking water (amoxicillin, caffeine, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, dexamethasone, diclofenac, nitrofurazone, sulfamethoxazole, and triclosan) at Putrajaya residential area in Malaysia. Additionally, the potential health risks associated with contaminated drinking water were investigated. This study has found the presence of pharmaceutical residue concentrations up to 0.38 ng/L, with the highest concentration of caffeine (0.38 ng/L) and the lowest concentration of diclofenac (0.14 ng/L). In comparison, all the nine pharmaceutical residues were substantially lower than previously reported studies. In general, Hazard Quotient (HQ) values indicated that low potential health hazards were present for all age groups. Nevertheless, quantitative occurrences of pharmaceutical residues in drinking water will help guide future toxicological studies to examine other chronic effects, while canvassing for proper framework to look into the water risk management and regulation in Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Drinking Water
  11. Fulltext Alcohol use, its predictors and academic performance among Malaysian students of a medical college in India
    Devi V, Tan AWP, Tan TY, Subhash S, Amir SMH
    Education in Medicine Journal, 2013;5(4):72-76.
    MyJurnal
    Several studies reveal high rates of alcohol use among college students affecting their health and performances. This cross-sectional survey was done to study medical students' drinking pattern, its predictors and to develop any possible link between their academic performance and alcohol consumption. Data was collected using newly designed, validated questionnaire from students (n= 348) who consumed and not consumed alcohol. The response rate was 60% (209/348). 94% of drinkers started consuming alcohol before entering into the medical school. Most of them (85%) drank with parents' awareness. Among drinkers, 63% were of Chinese race and 35% of Indian race. None of the Malay respondents reported of drinking. 63% of drinkers and 23% of non-drinkers reported that most of their friends consumed alcohol. Drinking was not associated with smoking or drug abuse. There were no statistically significant differences in exam scores between drinkers and nondrinkers. Non-drinkers considered religious and moral obligations for not consuming alcohol. In conclusion, at our Institute, students did not allow their alcohol use to interfere with their academic performance. The drinking habit developed during school time is more likely to continue during college years. Those who have non-drinking friends are more likely not to consume alcohol themselves. Moral and religious obligations have positive impact on alcohol intake.
    Matched MeSH terms: Alcohol Drinking
  12. Endocrine disrupting compounds in drinking water supply system and human health risk implication
    Wee SY, Aris AZ
    Environ Int, 2017 09;106:207-233.
    PMID: 28552550 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2017.05.004
    To date, experimental and epidemiological evidence of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) adversely affecting human and animal populations has been widely debated. Notably, human health risk assessment is required for risk mitigation. The lack of human health risk assessment and management may thus unreliably regulate the quality of water resources and efficiency of treatment processes. Therefore, drinking water supply systems (DWSSs) may be still unwarranted in assuring safe access to potable drinking water. Drinking water supply, such as tap water, is an additional and crucial route of human exposure to the health risks associated with EDCs. A holistic system, incorporating continuous research in DWSS monitoring and management using multi-barrier approach, is proposed as a preventive measure to reduce human exposure to the risks associated with EDCs through drinking water consumption. The occurrence of EDCs in DWSSs and corresponding human health risk implications are analyzed using the Needs, Approaches, Benefits, and Challenges (NABC) method. Therefore, this review may act as a supportive tool in protecting human health and environmental quality from EDCs, which is essential for decision-making regarding environmental monitoring and management purposes. Subsequently, the public could have sustainable access to safer and more reliable drinking water.
    Matched MeSH terms: Drinking Water/analysis*
  13. Current status of arsenic exposure and social implication in the Mekong River basin of Cambodia
    Phan K, Kim KW, Huoy L, Phan S, Se S, Capon AG, et al.
    Environ Geochem Health, 2016 Jun;38(3):763-72.
    PMID: 26298061 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-015-9759-z
    To evaluate the current status of arsenic exposure in the Mekong River basin of Cambodia, field interview along with urine sample collection was conducted in the arsenic-affected area of Kandal Province, Cambodia. Urine samples were analyzed for total arsenic concentrations by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. As a result, arsenicosis patients (n = 127) had As in urine (UAs) ranging from 3.76 to 373 µg L(-1) (mean = 78.7 ± 69.8 µg L(-1); median = 60.2 µg L(-1)). Asymptomatic villagers (n = 108) had UAs ranging from 5.93 to 312 µg L(-1) (mean = 73.0 ± 52.2 µg L(-1); median = 60.5 µg L(-1)). About 24.7 % of all participants had UAs greater than 100 µg L(-1) which indicated a recent arsenic exposure. A survey found that females and adults were more likely to be diagnosed with skin sign of arsenicosis than males and children, respectively. Education level, age, gender, groundwater drinking period, residence time in the village and amount of water drunk per day may influence the incidence of skin signs of arsenicosis. This study suggests that residents in Kandal study area are currently at risk of arsenic although some mitigation has been implemented. More commitment should be made to address this public health concern in rural Cambodia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Drinking Water
  14. Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risk of arsenic ingestion via drinking water in Langat River Basin, Malaysia
    Ahmed MF, Mokhtar MB, Alam L
    Environ Geochem Health, 2021 Feb;43(2):897-914.
    PMID: 32372251 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-020-00571-w
    The prolonged persistence of toxic arsenic (As) in environment is due to its non-biodegradable characteristic. Meanwhile, several studies have reported higher concentrations of As in Langat River. However, it is the first study in Langat River Basin, Malaysia, that As concentrations in drinking water supply chain were determined simultaneously to predict the health risks of As ingestion. Water samples collected in 2015 from the four stages of drinking water supply chain were analysed for As concentration by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Determined As concentrations along with the time series data (2004-2015) were significantly within the maximum limit 0.01 mg/L of drinking water quality standard set by World Health Organization. The predicted As concentration by auto-regression moving average was 3.45E-03 mg/L in 2020 at 95% level based on time series data including climatic control variables. Long-term As ingestion via household filtration water at Langat Basin showed no potential lifetime cancer risk (LCR) 9.7E-06 (t = 6.68; p = 3.37E-08) as well as non-carcinogenic hazard quotient (HQ) 4.8E-02 (t = 6.68; p = 3.37E-08) risk at 95% level. However, the changing landscape, ex-mining ponds and extensive use of pesticides for palm oil plantation at Langat Basin are considered as the major sources of increased As concentration in Langat River. Therefore, a two-layer water filtration system at Langat Basin should be introduced to accelerate the achievement of sustainable development goal of getting safe drinking water supply.
    Matched MeSH terms: Drinking Water/analysis*; Drinking Water/standards
  15. Fulltext Trace metals contamination in groundwater and implications on human health: comprehensive assessment using hydrogeochemical and geostatistical methods
    Brindha K, Paul R, Walter J, Tan ML, Singh MK
    Environ Geochem Health, 2020 Nov;42(11):3819-3839.
    PMID: 32601907 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-020-00637-9
    Monitoring the groundwater chemical composition and identifying the presence of pollutants is an integral part of any comprehensive groundwater management strategy. The present study was conducted in a part of West Tripura, northeast India, to investigate the presence and sources of trace metals in groundwater and the risk to human health due to direct ingestion of groundwater. Samples were collected from 68 locations twice a year from 2016 to 2018. Mixed Ca-Mg-HCO3, Ca-Cl and Ca-Mg-Cl were the main groundwater types. Hydrogeochemical methods showed groundwater mineralization due to (1) carbonate dissolution, (2) silicate weathering, (3) cation exchange processes and (4) anthropogenic sources. Occurrence of faecal coliforms increased in groundwater after monsoons. Nitrate and microbial contamination from wastewater infiltration were apparent. Iron, manganese, lead, cadmium and arsenic were above the drinking water limits prescribed by the Bureau of Indian Standards. Water quality index indicated 1.5% had poor, 8.7% had marginal, 16.2% had fair, 66.2% had good and 7.4% had excellent water quality. Correlation and principal component analysis reiterated the sources of major ions and trace metals identified from hydrogeochemical methods. Human exposure assessment suggests health risk due to high iron in groundwater. The presence of unsafe levels of trace metals in groundwater requires proper treatment measures before domestic use.
    Matched MeSH terms: Drinking Water/analysis
  16. Active pharmaceutical ingredients in Malaysian drinking water: consumption, exposure, and human health risk
    Wee SY, Haron DEM, Aris AZ, Yusoff FM, Praveena SM
    Environ Geochem Health, 2020 Oct;42(10):3247-3261.
    PMID: 32328897 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-020-00565-8
    Active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) are typical endocrine disruptors found in common pharmaceuticals and personal care products, which are frequently detected in aquatic environments, especially surface water treated for drinking. However, current treatment technologies are inefficient for removing emerging endocrine disruptors, leading to the potential contamination of tap water. This study employed an optimized analytical method comprising solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (SPE-LC-MS/MS) to detect APIs in tap water in Putrajaya, Malaysia. Several therapeutic classes of pharmaceuticals and personal care products, including anti-inflammatory drugs (dexamethasone and diclofenac), antibiotics (sulfamethoxazole and triclosan), antiepileptics (primidone), antibacterial agents (ciprofloxacin), beta-blockers (propranolol), psychoactive stimulants (caffeine), and antiparasitic drugs (diazinon), were detected in the range of 
    Matched MeSH terms: Drinking; Drinking Water/analysis*
  17. Total coliforms, arsenic and cadmium exposure through drinking water in the Western Region of Ghana: application of multivariate statistical technique to groundwater quality
    Affum AO, Osae SD, Nyarko BJ, Afful S, Fianko JR, Akiti TT, et al.
    Environ Monit Assess, 2015 Feb;187(2):1.
    PMID: 25600401 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-014-4167-x
    In recent times, surface water resource in the Western Region of Ghana has been found to be inadequate in supply and polluted by various anthropogenic activities. As a result of these problems, the demand for groundwater by the human populations in the peri-urban communities for domestic, municipal and irrigation purposes has increased without prior knowledge of its water quality. Water samples were collected from 14 public hand-dug wells during the rainy season in 2013 and investigated for total coliforms, Escherichia coli, mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd) and physicochemical parameters. Multivariate statistical analysis of the dataset and a linear stoichiometric plot of major ions were applied to group the water samples and to identify the main factors and sources of contamination. Hierarchal cluster analysis revealed four clusters from the hydrochemical variables (R-mode) and three clusters in the case of water samples (Q-mode) after z score standardization. Principal component analysis after a varimax rotation of the dataset indicated that the four factors extracted explained 93.3 % of the total variance, which highlighted salinity, toxic elements and hardness pollution as the dominant factors affecting groundwater quality. Cation exchange, mineral dissolution and silicate weathering influenced groundwater quality. The ranking order of major ions was Na(+) > Ca(2+) > K(+) > Mg(2+) and Cl(-) > SO4 (2-) > HCO3 (-). Based on piper plot and the hydrogeology of the study area, sodium chloride (86 %), sodium hydrogen carbonate and sodium carbonate (14 %) water types were identified. Although E. coli were absent in the water samples, 36 % of the wells contained total coliforms (Enterobacter species) which exceeded the WHO guidelines limit of zero colony-forming unit (CFU)/100 mL of drinking water. With the exception of Hg, the concentration of As and Cd in 79 and 43 % of the water samples exceeded the WHO guideline limits of 10 and 3 μg/L for drinking water, respectively. Reported values in some areas in Nigeria, Malaysia and USA indicated that the maximum concentration of Cd was low and As was high in this study. Health risk assessment of Cd, As and Hg based on average daily dose, hazard quotient and cancer risk was determined. In conclusion, multiple natural processes and anthropogenic activities from non-point sources contributed significantly to groundwater salinization, hardness, toxic element and microbiological contamination of the study area. The outcome of this study can be used as a baseline data to prioritize areas for future sustainable development of public wells.
    Matched MeSH terms: Drinking Water/microbiology; Drinking Water/chemistry*
  18. A contingent valuation approach to evaluating willingness to pay for an improved water pollution management system in Dhaka City, Bangladesh
    Sehreen F, Masud MM, Akhtar R, Masum MRA
    Environ Monit Assess, 2019 Jun 22;191(7):457.
    PMID: 31230139 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-019-7595-9
    The city of Dhaka has been ranked repeatedly as the most polluted, the most populous, and the most unbearable city in the world. More than 19.5 million inhabitants live in Dhaka, and the population growth rate of urban areas in Bangladesh is almost double that of rural areas. Rapid urbanization is one of the leading contributors to water pollution in Dhaka and could prevent the country from achieving sustainable development. Therefore, this study estimates respondents' willingness to pay (WTP) to improve water pollution management systems and identifies factors that influence WTP in Dhaka. This study employed the contingent valuation method (CVM) to estimate WTP of the respondents. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire with CVM questions, which was distributed to households in the study areas. The results revealed that 67% of the respondents are willing to pay for an improved water pollution management system, while 31.8% of households are unwilling to pay. The study also found that socio-economic factors (e.g., income and education) and perception significantly influence WTP. Therefore, this paper will provide directives for policymakers in developing an effective policy framework, as well as sensitize all stakeholders to the management of water pollution in Dhaka. The study suggests that social institutions, financial institutions, banks, non-government organizations (NGOs), insurance companies, and the government could provide effective outreach programs for water pollution management as part of their social responsibility.
    Matched MeSH terms: Drinking Water/analysis*
  19. Occurrence, distribution, and dechlorination of polychlorinated biphenyls and health risk assessment in Selangor River basin
    Sakai N, Dayana E, Abu Bakar A, Yoneda M, Nik Sulaiman NM, Ali Mohd M
    Environ Monit Assess, 2016 Oct;188(10):592.
    PMID: 27679511
    Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were monitored in surface water collected in the Selangor River basin, Malaysia, to identify the occurrence, distribution, and dechlorination process as well as to assess the potential adverse effects to the Malaysian population. Ten PCB homologs (i.e., mono-CBs to deca-CBs) were quantitated by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The total concentration of PCBs in the 10 sampling sites ranged from limit of detection to 7.67 ng L(-1). The higher chlorinated biphenyls (tetra-CBs to deca-CBs) were almost not detected in most of the sampling sites, whereas lower chlorinated biphenyls (mono-CBs, di-CBs, and tri-CBs) dominated more than 90 % of the 10 homologs in all the sampling sites. Therefore, the PCB load was estimated to be negligible during the sampling period because PCBs have an extremely long half-life. The PCBs, particularly higher chlorinated biphenyls, could be thoroughly dechlorinated to mono-CBs to tri-CBs by microbial decomposition in sediment or could still be accumulated in the sediment. The lower chlorinated biphenyls, however, could be resuspended or desorbed from the sediment because they have faster desorption rates and higher solubility, compared to the higher chlorinated biphenyls. The health risk for the Malaysia population by PCB intake that was estimated from the local fish consumption (7.2 ng kg(-1) bw day(-1)) and tap water consumption (1.5 × 10(-3)-3.1 × 10(-3) ng kg(-1) bw day(-1)) based on the detected PCB levels in the surface water was considered to be minimal. The hazard quotient based on the tolerable daily intake (20 ng kg(-1) bw day(-1)) was estimated at 0.36.
    Matched MeSH terms: Drinking Water/chemistry
  20. Assessment of groundwater nitrate contamination hazard in a semi-arid region by using integrated parametric IPNOA and data-driven logistic regression models
    Rizeei HM, Azeez OS, Pradhan B, Khamees HH
    Environ Monit Assess, 2018 Oct 04;190(11):633.
    PMID: 30288624 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-018-7013-8
    Groundwater hazard assessments involve many activities dealing with the impacts of pollution on groundwater, such as human health studies and environment modelling. Nitrate contamination is considered a hazard to human health, environment and ecosystem. In groundwater management, the hazard should be assessed before any action can be taken, particularly for groundwater pollution and water quality. Thus, pollution due to the presence of nitrate poses considerable hazard to drinking water, and excessive nutrient loads deteriorate the ecosystem. The parametric IPNOA model is one of the well-known methods used for evaluating nitrate content. However, it cannot predict the effect of soil and land use/land cover (LULC) types on calculations relying on parametric well samples. Therefore, in this study, the parametric model was trained and integrated with the multivariate data-driven model with different levels of information to assess groundwater nitrate contamination in Saladin, Iraq. The IPNOA model was developed with 185 different well samples and contributing parameters. Then, the IPNOA model was integrated with the logistic regression (LR) model to predict the nitrate contamination levels. Geographic information system techniques were also used to assess the spatial prediction of nitrate contamination. High-resolution SPOT-5 satellite images with 5 m spatial resolution were processed by object-based image analysis and support vector machine algorithm to extract LULC. Mapping of potential areas of nitrate contamination was examined using receiver operating characteristic assessment. Results indicated that the optimised LR-IPNOA model was more accurate in determining and analysing the nitrate hazard concentration than the standalone IPNOA model. This method can be easily replicated in other areas that have similar climatic condition. Therefore, stakeholders in planning and environmental decision makers could benefit immensely from the proposed method of this research, which can be potentially used for a sustainable management of urban, industrialised and agricultural sectors.
    Matched MeSH terms: Drinking Water/analysis; Drinking Water/chemistry
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