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Drivers of sustainable waste management in Asia

Agamuthu P, Khidzir KM, Hamid FS

Waste Manag Res, 2009 Oct;27(7):625-33.
PMID: 19470545 DOI: 10.1177/0734242X09103191

Drivers of sustainable waste management are defined as groups of related factors that influence the development (or lack thereof) of industry. There has been no attempt to reasonably list the drivers that influence sustainable waste management in Asia. In this review, four groups of drivers of sustainable waste management, specifically of Asia, are explained. The four groups of drivers consist of three human elements (human, economic and institutional) and the environment as a single driving group. Typically, the first three groups have been very influential, with the environment driver, noticeably, only considered when preceded by other groups of drivers. The interconnectedness of the drivers and neglect of the environment driver is discussed. It is concluded that while the essence of the four groups of drivers can be found all over Asia, each driving group must be investigated in a local context and all information combined to devise sustainable waste management policies or strategies.
Fulltext Determinants of financial resilience: insights from an emerging economy

Hamid FS, Loke YJ, Chin PN

J Soc Econ Dev, 2023 Mar 03.
PMID: 37359359 DOI: 10.1007/s40847-023-00239-y

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Financial Literacy Survey of 2018 response is used to study the impact of financial knowledge, financial inclusion, and socio-demographic characteristics on financial resilience. The measurement of financial resilience considers elements related to keeping control of money, taking care of expenditures, having a financial cushion, handling financial shortfall or stress, and having financial planning. Using a sample of 3395 individuals across Malaysia, we find that greater financial knowledge is associated with the probability of being financially resilient. Greater financial inclusion in terms of having more bank accounts and holding more financial products is linked to the probability of being financially resilient. We also find that financial resilience varies across certain socio-demographic characteristics. Implications of the findings are discussed.
Stabilized landfill leachate treatment by coagulation-flocculation coupled with UV-based sulfate radical oxidation process

Ishak AR, Hamid FS, Mohamad S, Tay KS

Waste Manag, 2018 Jun;76:575-581.
PMID: 29503052 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2018.02.047

In this work, the feasibility of coagulation-flocculation coupled with UV-based sulfate radical oxidation process (UV/SRAOP) in the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) of stabilized landfill leachate (SLL) was evaluated. For coagulation-flocculation, ferric chloride (FeCl3) was used as the coagulant. The effect of initial pH of SLL and COD:FeCl3 ratio on the COD removal was evaluated. The result revealed that COD:FeCl3 ratio of 1:1.3 effectively removed 76.9% of COD at pH 6. The pre-treated SLL was then subjected to UV/SRAOP treatment. For UV/SRAOP, the sulfate radical (SR) was generated using UV-activated persulfate (UV/PS) and peroxymonosulfate (UV/PMS). The dosage of oxidant and reaction time were found to be the main parameters that influence the efficiency of COD removal. On the other hand, the effect of initial pH (3-7) and the type of oxidant (PS and PMS) was found to have no significant influence on COD removal efficiency. At optimum conditions, approximately 90.9 and 91.5% of COD was successfully removed by coagulation-flocculation coupled with UV/PS and UV/PMS system, respectively. Ecotoxicity study using zebrafish showed a reduction in toxicity of SLL from 10.1 to 1.74 toxicity unit (TU) after coagulation-flocculation. The TU remained unchanged after UV/PS treatment but slightly increased to 1.80 after UV/PMS treatment due to the presence of residual sulfate ion in the treated effluent. In general, it can be concluded that coagulation-flocculation coupled with UV/SRAOP could be a potential water treatment method for SLL treatment.
Removal of organic matter from stabilized landfill leachate using Coagulation-Flocculation-Fenton coupled with activated charcoal adsorption

Ishak AR, Hamid FS, Mohamad S, Tay KS

Waste Manag Res, 2017 Jul;35(7):739-746.
PMID: 28539097 DOI: 10.1177/0734242X17707572

The treatment of stabilized landfill leachate (SLL) by conventional biological treatment is often inefficient due to the presence of bio-recalcitrant substances. In this study, the feasibility of coagulation-flocculation coupled with the Fenton reaction in the treatment of SLL was evaluated. The efficiency of the selected treatment methods was evaluated through total organic carbon (TOC) removal from SLL. With ferric chloride as the coagulant, coagulation-flocculation was found to achieve the highest TOC removal of 71% at pH 6. Then, the pretreated SLL was subjected to the Fenton reaction. Nearly 50% of TOC removal was achieved when the reaction was carried out at pH 3, H2O2:Fe2+ ratio of 20:1, H2O2 dosage of 240 mM and 1 h of reaction time. By coupling the coagulation-flocculation with the Fenton reaction, the removal of TOC, COD (chemical oxygen demand) and turbidity of SLL were 85%, 84% and 100%, respectively. The ecotoxicity study performed using zebrafish revealed that 96 h LC50 for raw SLL was 1.40% (v/v). After coagulation-flocculation, the LC50 of the pretreated SLL was increased to 25.44%. However, after the Fenton reaction, the LC50 of the treated SLL was found to decrease to 10.96% due to the presence of H2O2 residue. In this study, H2O2 residue was removed using powdered activated charcoal. This method increased the LC50 of treated effluent to 34.48% and the removal of TOC and COD was further increased to 90%. This finding demonstrated that the combination of the selected treatment methods can be an efficient treatment method for SLL.
Characterization of New Alpha Zero (α0) Thalassaemia Deletion (--GB) among Malays in Malaysian Population

Yasin NM, Abdul Hamid FS, Hassan S, Mat Yusoff Y, Mohd Sahid EN, Esa E

Diagnostics (Basel), 2023 Oct 23;13(20).
PMID: 37892108 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13203286

Malaysia is a multicultural and multiethnic country comprising numerous ethnic groups. From the total population of 32.7 million, Malays form the bulk of the Bumiputera in Malaysia comprise about 69.9%, followed by Chinese 22.8%, Indian 6.6%, and others 0.7%. The heterogeneous population and increasing numbers of non-citizens in this country affects the heterogeneity of genetic diseases, diversity, and heterogeneity of thalassaemia mutations. Alpha (α)-thalassaemia is an inherited haemoglobin disorder characterized by hypochromic microcytic anaemia caused by a quantitative reduction in the α-globin chain. A majority of the α-thalassaemia are caused by deletions in the α-globin gene cluster. Among Malays, the most common deletional alpha thalassaemia is -α3.7 deletion followed by --SEA deletion. We described the molecular characterization of a new --GB deletion in our population, involving both alpha genes in cis. Interestingly, we found that this mutation is unique among Malay ethnicities. It is important to diagnose this deletion because of the 25% risk of Hb Bart's with hydrops fetalis in the offspring when in combination with another α0- thalassaemia allele. MLPA is a suitable method to detect unknown and uncommon deletions and to characterize those cases which remain unresolved after a standard diagnostic approach.
Influence of bioaugmented fungi on tolerance, growth and phytoremediation ability of Prosopis juliflora Sw. DC in heavy metal-polluted landfill soil

Hassan A, Hamid FS, Pariatamby A, Ossai IC, Ahmed A, Barasarathi J, et al.

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2024 Apr 01.
PMID: 38561536 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33018-1

The research aimed to determine the influence of endophytic fungi on tolerance, growth and phytoremediation ability of Prosopis juliflora in heavy metal-polluted landfill soil. A consortium of 13 fungal isolates as well as Prosopis juliflora Sw. DC was used to decontaminate heavy metal-polluted landfill soil. Enhanced plant growth (biomass and root and shoot lengths) and production of carotenoids, chlorophyll and amino acids L-phenylalanine and L-leucine that are known to enhance growth were found in the treated P. juliflora. Better accumulations of heavy metals were observed in fungi-treated P. juliflora over the untreated one. An upregulated activity of peroxidase, catalase and ascorbate peroxidase was recorded in fungi-treated P. juliflora. Additionally, other metabolites, such as glutathione, 3,5,7,2',5'-pentahydroxyflavone, 5,2'-dihydroxyflavone and 5,7,2',3'-tetrahydroxyflavone, and small peptides, which include Lys Gln Ile, Ser Arg Ala, Asp Arg Gly, Arg Ser Ser, His His Arg, Arg Thr Glu, Thr Arg Asp and Ser Pro Arg, were also detected. These provide defence supports to P. juliflora against toxic metals. Inoculating the plant with the fungi improved its growth, metal accumulation as well as tolerance against heavy metal toxicity. Such a combination can be used as an effective strategy for the bioremediation of metal-polluted soil.
Microplastic pollution in wild commercial nekton from the South China Sea and Indian Ocean, and its implication to human health

Chen JC, Fang C, Zheng RH, Hong FK, Jiang YL, Zhang M, et al.

Mar Environ Res, 2021 May;167:105295.
PMID: 33714106 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2021.105295

Marine biota, especially commercially important species, serves as a basis for human nutrition. However, millions of tons of plastic litter are produced and enter the marine environment every year, with potential adverse impacts on marine organisms. In the present study, we investigated the occurrence and characteristics of microplastic (MP) pollution in the digestive tracts of 13 species of wild nektons from 20 stations sampled in the South China Sea (SCS) and the Indian Ocean (IO), and assessed the human health risks of MPs. The detection rate of MPs ranged from 0.00% to 50.00% from the SCS, which was dramatically lower than that from the IO (10.00-80.00%). The average abundance of MP was 0.18 ± 0.06 items g wet weight-1 (ww-1) in the SCS, which was significantly lower than that in the IO with a concentration of 0.70 ± 0.16 items g ww-1. Most MPs were fibers in type, black in color, and polyester (PES) in polymer composition in both the SCS and IO. Interestingly, distinct profiles of MP pollution were found between the benthic and pelagic nektons: 1) The predominant MP composition was PES in the benthic nektons, whereas polyamide (PA) accounted for a larger part of the total MP count in the pelagic nektons within the SCS; 2) The abundance of MP in the benthic nektons (0.52 ± 0.24 items individual-1) was higher than that in the pelagic nektons (0.30 ± 0.11 items individual-1). Accordingly, the mean hazard score of MPs detected in the benthic nektons (220.66 ± 210.75) was higher than that in the pelagic nektons (49.53 ± 22.87); 3) The mean size of the MP in the pelagic nektons (0.84 ± 0.17 mm) was larger than that in the benthic nektons (0.49 ± 0.09 mm). Our findings highlight the need to further investigate the ecological impacts of MPs on wild nekton, especially commercially important species, and its potential implications for human health.
Fulltext Molecular and hematological studies in a cohort of beta zero South East Asia deletion (β°-thal SEA) from Malaysian perspective

Yasin NM, Abdul Hamid FS, Hassan S, Sudin A, Yassim H, Mohd Sahid EN, et al.

Front Pediatr, 2022;10:974496.
PMID: 36533237 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.974496

ABSTRACT: We report the haematological parameters and molecular characterization of beta zero (β°) South East Asia (SEA) deletion in the HBB gene cluster with unusually high levels of Hb F compared to a classical heterozygous beta zero (β°)-thalassaemia.
METHODS: Retrospective study on 17 cases of (β°) South East Asia (SEA) deletion from 2016 to 2019 referred to Institute for Medical Research were conducted. The clinical information and haematological profiles were evaluated. The mutation was analyzed, and the results were compared with other β°-thalassaemia groups. For HBB gene genotyping, all the cases were subjected for multiplex gap-PCR, 5 cases were subjected for HBB gene sequencing for exclusion of compound heterozygous with other beta variants. Co-inheritance of α-thalassaemia were determined using multiplex gap-PCR and multiplex ARMS-PCR.
RESULTS: Seventeen cases were positive for β°-thal SEA deletion. Fifteen cases were heterozygous and two were compound heterozygous for β°-thal SEA deletion. The results were compared with 182 cases of various heterozygous β° deletions and mutations. The mean Hb for heterozygous β°-thal SEA deletion (13.44 ± 1.45 g/dl) was normal and significantly higher than heterozygous IVS 1-1 and Codon 41/42 (post hoc test, p
Fulltext Microplastics pollution in salt pans from the Maheshkhali Channel, Bangladesh

Rakib MRJ, Al Nahian S, Alfonso MB, Khandaker MU, Enyoh CE, Hamid FS, et al.

Sci Rep, 2021 11 30;11(1):23187.
PMID: 34848770 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02457-y

Microplastics (MP) were recognized as an emergent pollution problem due to their ubiquitous nature and bioaccumulative potential. Those present in salt for consumption could represent a human exposure route through dietary uptake. The current study, conducted in Bangladesh, reports microplastics contamination in coarse salt prepared for human consumption. Sea salt samples were collected from eight representative salt pans located in the country's largest salt farming area, in the Maheshkhali Channel, along the Bay of Bengal. Microplastics were detected in all samples, with mean concentrations ranging from 78 ± 9.33 to 137 ± 21.70 particles kg-1, mostly white and ranging in size from 500-1000 µm. The prevalent types were: fragments (48%) > films (22%) > fibers (15%) > granules and lines (both 9%). Fourier transform mid-IR and near-IR spectra (FT-MIR-NIR) analysis registered terephthalate (48%), polypropylene (20%), polyethylene (17%), and polystyrene (15%) in all samples. These results contribute to the MP's pollution knowledge in sea salts to understand and reduce this significant human exposure route and environmental pollution source in the future.
Fulltext Evaluation of in silico predictors on short nucleotide variants in HBA1, HBA2, and HBB associated with haemoglobinopathies

Tamana S, Xenophontos M, Minaidou A, Stephanou C, Harteveld CL, Bento C, et al.

Elife, 2022 Dec 01;11.
PMID: 36453528 DOI: 10.7554/eLife.79713

Haemoglobinopathies are the commonest monogenic diseases worldwide and are caused by variants in the globin gene clusters. With over 2400 variants detected to date, their interpretation using the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG)/Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) guidelines is challenging and computational evidence can provide valuable input about their functional annotation. While many in silico predictors have already been developed, their performance varies for different genes and diseases. In this study, we evaluate 31 in silico predictors using a dataset of 1627 variants in HBA1, HBA2, and HBB. By varying the decision threshold for each tool, we analyse their performance (a) as binary classifiers of pathogenicity and (b) by using different non-overlapping pathogenic and benign thresholds for their optimal use in the ACMG/AMP framework. Our results show that CADD, Eigen-PC, and REVEL are the overall top performers, with the former reaching moderate strength level for pathogenic prediction. Eigen-PC and REVEL achieve the highest accuracies for missense variants, while CADD is also a reliable predictor of non-missense variants. Moreover, SpliceAI is the top performing splicing predictor, reaching strong level of evidence, while GERP++ and phyloP are the most accurate conservation tools. This study provides evidence about the optimal use of computational tools in globin gene clusters under the ACMG/AMP framework.
Corrigendum to "Priorities to inform research on marine plastic pollution in Southeast Asia" [Sci. Total Environ. volume 841 (2022) Article 156704]

Omeyer LCM, Duncan EM, Aiemsomboon K, Beaumont N, Bureekul S, Cao B, et al.

Sci Total Environ, 2023 Jan 20;857(Pt 3):159595.
PMID: 36308807 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159595