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Evaluation of Selected Metal Elements in Commercial Drinking Water and Tap Water in Peninsular Malaysia

Hock-Eng Khoo ; Azrina Azlan ; Mohd Aizat Idris ; Amin Ismail ; Muhammad Rizal Razman

Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences.2011;9(1):5-11.

The present study was carried out to determine the concentrations of selected metal elements (lead, copper, manganese, zinc and iron) in 51 samples of commercial drinking water and tap water available in Malaysia. The results indicated that low metal elements were found in the studied water samples. Lead, manganese, zinc and iron were not detected in some of the studied samples, except copper. The concentrations of the metal elements in the studied samples were well below the maximum permitted concentrations as recommended. Therefore these drinking water are safe for consumption and do not pose adverse effect to the health of consumers due to metal toxicity.

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Survivability of Acanthamoeba Strains Isolated from Clinical and Environmental Specimens During Axenization

Nurul Farhana Jufri ; Anisah Nordin ; Mohamed Kamel Abd Ghani ; Yusof Suboh ; Noraina Abd Rahim

Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences.2011;9(1):1-3.

Acanthamoeba is a free living protozoa that can cause keratitis and granulomatous amoebic encephalitis. Physiological characteristics of this amoeba are found to have a medical importance in which it can be related to the pathogenicity potential of the organism. This study was carried out to investigate the physiological characteristics of survivability during axenization. Six Acanthamoeba strains from three clinical isolates (HSB 1, HKL 48 and HKL 95) and three environmental isolates (PHS 2, PHS 11 and PHS 15) were used in this study. Axenization test was done by treating cysts with hydrochloric acid (3%) and Page saline containing Gentamicin (100 μg/ml). Cysts were then cultured into PYG enrich media, incubated at 30oC and the presence and proliferation of trophozoites of Acanthamoeba were observed. This study showed that PHS 15, HSB 1, HKL 48 and HKL 95 could be axenized but they have poor proliferation rate in PYG enrich media. The result showed that the difference between both clinical and environmental isolates was observed in two strains; PHS 2 and PHS 11. This indicates that there is a possibility that the physiological traits of strains from both isolates are the same and strains from the environment are able to show the pathogenic potential and capable of causing infection to human.

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Respiratory Health Study Related to Air Pollution Due to Traffic Among Primary School Children with Reference to Sekolah Kebangsaan Langgar and Sekolah Kebangsaan Demit, Kota Bharu, Kelantan

Haliza Abdul Rahman ; Noraini Mansor ; Noor Aini Hussain

Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences.2011;9(1):13-21.

Increasing number of motoring industries can contribute to air pollution which increase in turn the respiratory symptoms amongst schoolchildren. This study was done to explore the associations between respiratory symptoms and exposures to traffic related air pollution amongst schoolchildren. Cross-sectional study (schoolbased) of 10, 11 and 12 years old children would be done in two schools in Kota Bharu, Kelantan with reference to Sekolah Kebangsaan Langgar dan Sekolah Kebangsaan Demit. The total sample size in this study are 124 (n = 124). Sampling procedure employed was the probability sampling method of simple. Respondents were to answer questions by using the adaptation questionnaires from International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). Data were analysed by using Statistical Package For Social Sciences (SPSS). The finding shows that there are associations between respiratory symptoms and exposures to traffic-related air pollution amongst schoolchildren in two schools in Kota Bharu (p <0.05). The exposure to the traffic-related air pollution increased the respiratory symptoms amongst schoolchildren in studies area.

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Visual Impairment and Quality of Life Among Elderlies in Nursing Home

Rokiah Omar ; Victor Feizal Knight ; Nur Zakiah Mohd Saat ; Sazlina Kamarulzaman ; Sharifah N Syed Alwi

Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences.2011;9(1):23-27.

Visual Functions are affected by the aging process and without appropriate intervention eventually will results in diminishing visual acuity. As the situation proceeds difficulty to perform daily life activities ensureand will impact on the quality of life especially in the elderly. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of visual impairment towards daily activities and quality of life among elderly. Measurements that were conducted included visual acuity at distance using the LogMAR Chart to determine the level of visual impairment, quality of life test using the Low Vision Quality of Life (LVQOL) questionnaire and ability to cope with the activities of daily life was measured using the Barthel Index (BI). It was found that visual function progressively worsens with age, as did the BI which declined as visual function worsened. The LVQOL score reduced significantly with worsening visual ability. Thirty five percent of the elderly in this study required some form of optometric and low vision intervention. In conclusion, the deterioration in the functions among elderly can reduce the ability to cope with the daily life activities. Other than that, uncorrected visual acuity will cause reduction in the quality of life among the elderlies

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Changes in Nitrate and Nitrite Levels of Blanched Amaranthus During Refrigeration Storage

Chew SC ; Amin Ismail ; Nagendra Prasad Yang Bao

Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences.2011;9(1):29-34.

Changes in nitrate and nitrite contents (leaves and stem) of Amaranthus gangeticus (AG) and Amaranthus paniculatus (AP), resulting from blanching, storage time (0-4 days), storage temperature (0 and 4ºC), and reheating were analysed. Results showed that fresh AG (1859 ± 7.07 mg/kg) had higher nitrite content than AP (1262 ± 2.12 mg/kg). Nitrites content was 506 ± 2 and 825 ± 3.5 mg/kg for AG and AP, respectively. Reheating and storage times significantly increased the conversion of nitrate to nitrite in AG and AP. Storage at 0 and 4oC exhibited a significant change (P < 0.05) in nitrate and nitrite contents for both samples. Higher nitrite content was found in AP when stored at 4oC and 0oC. The present study indicated that storage time and temperature affected the nitrite contents in blanched AG and AP when stored in low temperatures. Apart from that reheating was also found to increase the formation of nitrite.

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Ability of Acanthamoeba Cyst to Excyst at Different Temperatures

Nurul Fariza Rossle ; Anisah Nordin ; Yusof Suboh ; Noraina Ab Rahim ; Mohamed Kamal Abd Ghani

Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences.2011;9(1):41-43.

This study was carried out to observe thermotolerance ability of Acanthamoeba spp. A total of 32 Acanthamoeba spp. isolates obtained from water taps, sinks, swimming pools and sea water were used. Trophozoites of Acanthamoeba spp. were inoculated onto non-nutrient agar (NNA) seeded with heat-killed Escherichia coli using aseptic technique and incubated for 14 days at 30°C to obtain the cyst. The cysts were subcultured onto new agar plates for thermotolerance test at 37°C and 42°C. The plates were observed until 96 hours after incubation for excystation of Acanthamoeba before being declared negative. Overall, 81.25% of samples were able to excyst at 37°C while 37.5% were able to excyst at 42°C. Thermotolerant Acanthamoeba is associated with high pathogenicity potential.

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Stature Approximation of Malays, Chinese and Indian in Malaysia Using Radiographs of Femur, Tibia and Fibula

Amal Hayati Zainal Abidin ; Khairul Osman ; Sri Pawita Albakri Amir Hamzah ; Noor Hazfalinda Hamzah ; Ab Halim Mansar ; Normaizatul Afizah Ismail

Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences.2011;9(1):45-50.

The study was conducted to create specific formulae for stature estimation of adult male population in Malaysia based on measurements of femur, tibia and fibula lengths using radiographic method. A number of thirty two Malaysians from hospitals involved as subjects in this study. The subjects were Malays (14), Chinese (8) and Indians (10) from 25-45 years old. The standing height of the subject was recorded before femur, tibia and fibula were scanned with an x-ray machine. The bones length was measured on the x-ray film in centimetres (cm) and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 19.0 for Windows. The results showed a significant relationship (p < 0.05) between stature and measurements of length of femur, tibia and fibula. Stature of Malays and Indians were significant (p < 0.05)with measurements of length of femur, tibia and fibula but insignificant in Chinese. Simple Linear Regression Analysis was used to derive regression equation for single bone and Multiple Linear Regression Analysis was used to derive regression equation for combination of femur, tibia and fibula. Six formulae for stature estimation of adult male population in Malaysia were derived. The formulae consist of three formulae for single bone, a formulae for combination bones with unknown race, a formulae for combination bones of Malays population and a formulae for combination bones of Indians population. Formulae for combination bones had the highest correlation coefficient compared to the formula using a single bone. Standard error was found to be high in all the formulae due to small sample size. Extension for this study is essential to provide Malaysia with accurate formulae.

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Cysticidal Effect of Chlorine Against Environmental and Clinical Isolates of Acanthamoeba

Nurul Farhana Jufri ; Anisah Nordin ; Yusof Suboh ; Noraina Abd Rahim ; Mohamed Kamel Abd Ghani

Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences.2011;9(2):1-3.

Acanthamoeba is a free-living amoeba that has been identified to cause Acanthamoeba keratitis and granulomatous amoebic encephalitis. Their physiological characteristics can be related to pathogenic potential which have a medical importance. This study was carried out to investigate the value of minimum cysticidal concentration of chlorine against them. Acanthamoeba strains tested were from clinical isolates from hospitals (HSB 1, HKL 48 and HKL 95) and environmental isolates (PHS 2, PHS 11 and PHS 15). The minimum cysticidal concentration of chlorine was determined by dilution process using 12 wells microtitre plate starting with 2500 ppm. 100 μl cyst suspensions standardized at 105/ml were pipetted into all wells and incubated overnight at 30°C. Cysts were then washed using Page saline and cultured on non nutrient agar overlaid with Escherichia coli. The presence of trophozoites was then observed. The lowest concentration able to prevent trophozoites formation was noted as the minimum cysticidal concentration. Minimum cysticidal concentration test showed the same concentration of 156 ppm (156 μg/ml) chlorine solution was needed to kill all cysts of Acanthamoeba isolates. This indicates that the physiological traits of environmental and clinical isolates are the same. Isolates from the environmental specimens are also able to show the pathogenic potential similar to clinical specimens, thus capable of causing disease to human.

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In vitro Antiplasmodial Activity and Cytotoxicity of Ten Plants Used as Traditional Medicine in Malaysia

Wan Omar Abdullah ; Ngah Zasmy Unyah ; Rukman Awang Hamat ; Baharudin Omar ; Mohamed Kamel Abd Ghani ; Mohammad Rayani ; Gholam Reza HAtam

Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences.2011;9(2):5-8.

Dichloromethane and methanolic extracts of each plant were tested for their antiplasmodial activity on chloroquineresistant strain of Plasmodium falciparum (FCB strain), based on lactate dehydrogenase activity. Cytotoxicity was assessed with the MTT test on MRC-5 human diploid embryonic lung cells. Most extracts of ten selected plants used in Malay traditional medicine in Malaysia had activity in vitro. This supports continued investigations of traditional medicine in the search for new antimalarial agent. The compounds responsible for the observed antiplasmodial effects are under investigation.

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Influence of Low Power He-Ne Laser Irradiation on Hemoglobin Concentration, Mean Cellular Volume of Red Blood Cell, and Mean Cellular Hemoglobin

Hend Abubaker Houssein ; Mohamad Suhaimi Jaafar ; Zalila Ali ; Farhad Mustafa ; Asaad Ismail

Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences.2011;9(2):9-13.

The effect of low power 0.95 mW He-Ne laser irradiation (λ = 632.8 nm) on the subpopulations of human blood parameters such as hemoglobin concentration (HGB), mean cellular volume of red blood cell (MCV), and mean cellular hemoglobin (MCH) were investigated by electronic sizing at the Wellness Centre of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). These parameters were correlated with human characteristics such as age, gender, ethnic, and blood types. The correlations were obtained by finding patterns in changes of blood parameters after radiation, non-parametric tests using SPSS version 11.5, centroid and peak positions, and flux variations. The analysis revealed significant changes according to human characteristics, for age (p = 0.067), gender (p = 0.044), ethnic (p = 0.094), and blood types (p = 0.099). This finding shows that the centroid and peak positions, flux peak and total flux, were highly correlated with human characteristics and can become a significant indicator for blood analysis. Furthermore, the encircled flux analysis demonstrated a good future prospect in blood research, thus leading the way as a vibrant diagnosis tool to clarify diseases associated with blood.

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