Understanding the cellular dynamics, engineering perspectives and translation prospects in bioprinting epithelial tissues.

The epithelium is one of the important tissues in the body as it plays a crucial barrier role serving as a gateway into and out of the body. Most organs in the body contain an epithelial tissue component, where the tightly connected, organ-specific epithelial cells organize into cysts, invaginations, or tubules, thereby performing distinct to endocrine or exocrine secretory functions. Despite the significance of epithelium, engineering functional epithelium in vitro has remained a challenge due to it is special architecture, heterotypic composition of epithelial tissues, and most importantly, difficulty in attaining the apico-basal and planar polarity of epithelial cells. Bioprinting has brought a paradigm shift in fabricating such apico-basal polarized tissues. In this review, we provide an overview of epithelial tissues and provide insights on recapitulating their cellular arrangement and polarization to achieve epithelial function. We describe the different bioprinting techniques that have been successful in engineering polarized epithelium, which can serve as in vitro models for understanding homeostasis and studying diseased conditions. We also discuss the different attempts that have been investigated to study these 3D bioprinted engineered epithelium for preclinical use. Finally, we highlight the challenges and the opportunities that need to be addressed for translation of 3D bioprinted epithelial tissues towards paving way for personalized healthcare in the future.

Modeling climate-related global risk maps of rice bacterial blight caused by Xanthomonas oryzae (Ishiyama 1922) using geographical information system (GIS).

Rice is a critical staple crop that feeds more than half of the world's population. Still, its production confronts various biotic risks, notably the severe bacterial blight disease produced by Xanthomonas oryzae. Understanding the possible effects of climate change on the geographic distribution of this virus is critical to ensuring food security. This work used ecological niche modeling and the Maxent algorithm to create future risk maps for the range of X. oryzae under several climate change scenarios between 2050 and 2070. The model was trained using 93 occurrence records of X. oryzae and five critical bioclimatic variables. It has an excellent predictive performance, with an AUC of 0.889. The results show that X. oryzae's potential geographic range and habitat suitability are expected to increase significantly under low (RCP2.6) and high (RCP8.5) emission scenarios. Key climatic drivers allowing this development include increased yearly precipitation, precipitation during the wettest quarter, and the wettest quarter's mean temperature. These findings are consistent with broader research revealing that climate change is allowing many plant diseases and other dangerous microbes to spread across the globe. Integrating these spatial predictions with data on host susceptibility, agricultural practices, and socioeconomic vulnerabilities can help to improve targeted surveillance, preventative, and management methods for reducing the growing threat of bacterial blight to rice production. Proactive, multidisciplinary efforts to manage the changing disease dynamics caused by climate change will be critical to assuring global food security in the future decades.

The safety and efficacy of spray cryotherapy after endoscopic sinus surgery in chronic rhinosinusitis: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a condition that affects 5-12% of the general population. Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is the preferred treatment because of its few adverse effects and highest success rates. The most common post-operative consequences include synechia, nasal blockage, and disease recurrence. Spray cryotherapy is a novel therapeutic approach with promising outcomes for the treatment of upper airway disorders.This review aimed to investigate the effects of spray cryotherapy (SCT) following ESS in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. Methods: Six electronic databases were searched for randomized clinical trials (RCTs). The selected trials were evaluated for methodological quality, and data were extracted by two independent reviewers. The Cochrane risk-of-bias tool was used to assess the quality of evidence. Results: Three RCTs with 85 patients were included in the final analysis. SCT was related to -16 and -77 reductions in Lund-McKay and SNOT-22 scores after 36 weeks of follow-up, in contrast to a placebo, which showed -10.4, -65. Regarding the side effects of SCT, no adverse effects were reported, and visual assessments showed no pain, visual field loss, or any other ocular complications. Conclusions: SCT is a new treatment modality after endoscopic sinus surgery that shows an effective post-operative management strategy with better post-operative scales (Lund-McKay, SNOT-22, POSE, and Lund-Kennedy) and less edema, obstruction, crusting, and inflammation with minimal or no side effects. However, further research with longer follow-ups, a larger sample size, and subjective assessment is needed to assess any possible long-term side effects.

Protective effects of Silibinin and cinnamic acid against paraquat-induced lung toxicity in rats: impact on oxidative stress, PI3K/AKT pathway, and miR-193a signaling.

Levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are the primary determinants of pulmonary fibrosis. It was discovered that antioxidants can ameliorate pulmonary fibrosis caused by prolonged paraquat (PQ) exposure. However, research on the precise mechanisms by which antioxidants influence the signaling pathways implicated in pulmonary fibrosis induced by paraquat is still insufficient. This research utilized a rat model of pulmonary fibrosis induced by PQ to examine the impacts of Silibinin (Sil) and cinnamic acid (CA) on pulmonary fibrosis, with a specific focus on pro-fibrotic signaling pathways and ROS-related autophagy. Lung injury induced by paraquat was demonstrated to be associated with oxidative stress and inflammation of the lungs, downregulated (miR-193a), and upregulated PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling lung tissues. Expression levels of miR-193a were determined with quantitative real-time PCR, protein level of protein kinase B (Akt), and phosphoinositide 3-Kinase (PI3K) which were determined by western blot analysis. Hydroxyproline levels (HYP) and transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) were measured by ELISA, malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione peroxidase (GSH), and catalase and were measured in lung tissue homogenates colorimetrically using spectrophotometer. Long-term exposure to paraquat resulted in decreased PI3K/AKT signaling, decreased cell autophagy, increased oxidative stress, and increased pulmonary fibrosis formation. Silibinin and cinnamic acid also decreased oxidative stress by increasing autophagy and miR-193a expression, which in turn decreased pulmonary fibrosis. These effects were associated by low TGF-ß1. Silibinin and cinnamic acid inhibited PQ-induced PI3K/AKT by stimulating miR-193-a expression, thus attenuating PQ-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

Laparoscopic Approach To Treat a Hydrocele of the Canal of Nuck: A Case Report.

The hydrocele of the canal of Nuck is a rare medical condition that usually affects females during childhood and early adulthood. It is considered the female homolog to the testicular hydrocele in males, as they share similar pathophysiology. The condition is often underreported and considered an incidental finding. On many occasions, it is mistakenly diagnosed and even managed as an inguinal hernia. The hydrocele of the canal of Nuck is usually managed surgically, either by open surgery or laparoscopy. In this case report, we will discuss the hydrocele of the canal of Nuck diagnosed in a young adult female and provide a background, case presentation, and thorough discussion.

A narrative review: 3D bioprinting of cultured muscle meat and seafood products and its potential for the food industry.

The demand for meat and seafood products has been globally increasing for decades. To address the environmental, social, and economic impacts of this trend, there has been a surge in the development of three-dimensional (3D) food bioprinting technologies for lab-grown muscle food products and their analogues. This innovative approach is a sustainable solution to mitigate the environmental risks associated with climate change caused by the negative impacts of indiscriminative livestock production and industrial aquaculture. This review article explores the adoption of 3D bioprinting modalities to manufacture lab-grown muscle food products and their associated technologies, cells, and bioink formulations. Additionally, various processing techniques, governing the characteristics of bioprinted food products, nutritional compositions, and safety aspects as well as its relevant ethical and social considerations, were discussed. Although promising, further research and development is needed to meet standards and translate into several industrial areas, such as the food and renewable energy industries. In specific, optimization of animal cell culture conditions, development of serum-free media, and bioreactor design are essential to eliminate the risk factors but achieve the unique nutritional requirements and consumer acceptance. In short, the advancement of 3D bioprinting technologies holds great potential for transforming the food industry, but achieving widespread adoption will require continued innovation, rigorous research, and adherence to ethical standards to ensure safety, nutritional quality, and consumer acceptance.

Evaluation of miRNA-146a, miRNA-34a, and pro-inflammatory cytokines as a potential early indicators for type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Type I diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is one of the most common chronic autoimmune diseases worldwide. miRNAs are a class of small non-coding RNA molecules that have been linked to immune system functions, ß-cell metabolism, proliferation, and death, all of which contribute to pathogenesis of TIDM. Dysregulated miRNAs have been identified in Egyptian TIDM patients. Aim: Several miRNAs were profiled in Egyptian TIDM patients to determine whether they can be used as molecular biomarkers for T1DM. The relationship between the investigated miRNAs and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) has also been evaluated in the development of TIDM, in addition to the creation of a proposed model for TIDM prediction. Patients & methods: Case-control study included 177 Egyptian patients with confirmed type I diabetes mellitus and 177 healthy individuals. MiRNA-34 and miRNA-146 were detected in serum samples using real-time PCR, whereas TNF-α and IL-6 levels were assessed using ELIZA. Results: Patients with TIDM showed a significant decrease in the expression of miRNA-146, with a cut-off value ≤ 3.3, 48 % specificity, and 92.1 % sensitivity, whereas miRNA-34 had the highest sensitivity (95.5 %) and specificity (97.2 %) for differentiating diabetic patients from controls. Furthermore, other diagnostic proinflammatory markers showed lower sensitivity and specificity. Conclusion: Serum levels of miRNA-34a, miRNA-146, IL-6, and TNF-α provide new insights into T1DM pathogenesis and could be used for screening and diagnosis purposes. They can be also a potential therapeutic target, as well as allowing for more strategies to improve T1DM disease outcomes.

Investigating the impact of nanoemulsion of curcumin-loaded olive oil on growth performance, feed utilization, immunological responses, and redox status of Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp with emphasis on economic efficiency of supplementation.

The trail aimed to explore the effect of dietary supplementation of curcumin loaded olive oil nanoemulsion (CUR-OLNE) on growth performance, feed utilization, blood biochemical, redox status, and immune response of Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp, considering the economic efficiency of supplementation. A total of 280 healthy shrimps (3.42 ± 0.02 g) were randomly distributed into five equal groups and were fed diets containing 0 (CUR-OLNE0), 5(CUR-OLNE5), 10(CUR-OLNE10), 15(CUR-OLNE15) and 20 (CUR-OLNE20) mg CUR-OLNE/kg diet, respectively for 16 weeks. Among CUR-OLNE treated groups, CUR-OLNE20 showed the highest growth performance and feed utilization traits, including final body weight, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, and protein efficiency ratio. Notably, the photomicrographs provided further compelling evidence regarding the potential effect of CUR-OLNE supplementation on muscle structure and integrity. Compared to the control, the levels of blood protein significantly induced in CUR-OLNE15 and CUR-OLNE20 treated groups (p < 0.05). All CUR-OLNE -supplemented groups possessed lower activities of liver enzymes as well as the levels of urea and creatinine compared to the control (p < 0.05). The addition of 20 mg CUR-OLNE/kg diet decreased the concentrations of cortisol, glucose and triglycerides. The dietary treatment significantly improved the secretion of digestive enzymes, including amylase, lipase, and protease. The lowest levels of Malondialdehyde and the highest levels of total antioxidant capacity, super oxide dismutase, catalase, lysozyme and immunoglobulin M were detected in both of CUR-OLNE15, and CUR-OLNE20 treated groups compared to the control (p < 0.05). There were considerable significant effects of dietary supplementation of CUR-OLNE on economic efficiency. In conclusion, the application of nanocarriers for the delivery of dietary immune stimulants such as CUR-OLNE to Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp is a promising strategy for improving shrimp nutrition. The addition of 20 mg CUR-OLNE/kg to the diets of can be recommended as an affective intervention to improve growth performance, feed utilization, and health status of shrimp. Implementing this intervention can maximize the economic efficiency of shrimp farming while promoting sustainable practices in the industry.

High-Throughput Bioprinting of Spheroids for Scalable Tissue Fabrication.

Tissue biofabrication that replicates an organ-specific architecture and function requires physiologically-relevant cell densities. Bioprinting using spheroids has the potential to create constructs with native cell densities, but its application is limited due to the lack of practical, scalable techniques. This study presents HITS-Bio (High-throughput Integrated Tissue Fabrication System for Bioprinting), a novel multiarray spheroid bioprinting technology enabling scalable tissue fabrication by rapidly positioning a number of spheroids simultaneously using a digitally-controlled nozzle array (DCNA) platform. HITS-Bio achieves an unprecedented speed, an order of magnitude faster compared to existing techniques while maintaining high cell viability (>90%). The platform's ability to pattern multiple spheroids simultaneously enhances fabrication rates proportionally to the size of DCNA used. The utility of HITS-Bio was exemplified in multiple applications, including intraoperative bioprinting with microRNA transfected spheroids for calvarial bone regeneration (∼30 mm 3 ) in a rat model achieving a near-complete defect closure (∼91% in 3 weeks and ∼96% in 6 weeks). Additionally, the successful fabrication of scalable cartilage constructs (1 cm 3 ) containing ∼600 chondrogenic spheroids highlights its high-throughput efficiency (under 40 min per construct) and potential for repairing volumetric tissue defects.

Dissecting the Interplay Mechanism among Process Parameters toward the Biofabrication of High-Quality Shapes in Embedded Bioprinting.

Embedded bioprinting overcomes the barriers associated with the conventional extrusion-based bioprinting process as it enables the direct deposition of bioinks in 3D inside a support bath by providing in situ self-support for deposited bioinks during bioprinting to prevent their collapse and deformation. Embedded bioprinting improves the shape quality of bioprinted constructs made up of soft materials and low-viscosity bioinks, leading to a promising strategy for better anatomical mimicry of tissues or organs. Herein, the interplay mechanism among the printing process parameters toward improved shape quality is critically reviewed. The impact of material properties of the support bath and bioink, printing conditions, cross-linking mechanisms, and post-printing treatment methods, on the printing fidelity, stability, and resolution of the structures is meticulously dissected and thoroughly discussed. Further, the potential scope and applications of this technology in the fields of bioprinting and regenerative medicine are presented. Finally, outstanding challenges and opportunities of embedded bioprinting as well as its promise for fabricating functional solid organs in the future are discussed.

A Versatile Photocrosslinkable Silicone Composite for 3D Printing Applications.

Embedded printing has emerged as a valuable tool for fabricating complex structures and microfluidic devices. Currently, an ample of amount of research is going on to develop new materials to advance its capabilities and increase its potential applications. Here, we demonstrate a novel, transparent, printable, photocrosslinkable, and tuneable silicone composite that can be utilized as a support bath or an extrudable ink for embedded printing. Its properties can be tuned to achieve ideal rheological properties, such as optimal self-recovery and yield stress, for use in 3D printing. When used as a support bath, it facilitated the generation microfluidic devices with circular channels of diameter up to 30 µm. To demonstrate its utility, flow focusing microfluidic devices were fabricated for generation of Janus microrods, which can be easily modified for multitude of applications. When used as an extrudable ink, 3D printing of complex-shaped constructs were achieved with integrated electronics, which greatly extends its potential applications towards soft robotics. Further, its biocompatibility was tested with multiple cell types to validate its applicability for tissue engineering. Altogether, this material offers a myriad of potential applications (i.e., soft robotics, microfluidics, bioprinting) by providing a facile approach to develop complicated 3D structures and interconnected channels.

Bee venom enhances performance and immune function in thinlip mullet: A promising approach for sustainable aquaculture.

As an environmentally friendly alternative to antibiotics, bee venom holds promise for aquaculture due to its diverse health advantages, including immune-amplifying and anti-inflammatory features. This study investigated the effects of dietary bee venom (BV) on the growth and physiological performance of Thinlip mullet (Liza ramada) with an initial body weight of 40.04 ± 0.11 g for 60 days. Fish were distributed to five dietary treatments (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 mg BV/kg diet) with three replicates. Growth traits, gut enzyme ability (lipase, protease, amylase), intestinal and liver histology, blood biochemistry, immune responses [lysozyme activity (LYZ), bactericidal activity (BA), nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT%)], and antioxidant status [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), malondialdehyde (MDA)] were evaluated. BV supplementation significantly improved growth performance, digestive enzyme activity, histological integrity of organs, immune responses (LYZ, BA), and antioxidant status (SOD, CAT, GPx), while declining MDA levels. Optimal BV levels were identified between 4.2 and 5.8 mg/kg diet for different parameters. Overall, the findings suggest that BV supplementation can enhance growth and physiological performance in Thinlip mullet, highlighting its potential as a beneficial dietary supplement for fish health and aquaculture management.

Posttranscriptional Modification to Modulate Progenitor Differentiation on Heterotypic Spheroids.

Cell aggregates are widely used to study heterotypic cellular interactions during the development of vascularization in vitro. In this study, we examined heterotypic cellular spheroids made of adipose-derived stem cells and CD34+/CD31- endothelial progenitor cells induced by the transfection of miR-148b mimic for de novo induction of osteogenic differentiation and miR-210 mimic for de novo induction of endotheliogenesis, respectively. The effect of the microRNA (miRs) mimic treatment group and induction time on codifferentiation was assessed in spheroids formed of transfected cells over the course of a 4-week culture. Based on gene and protein markers of osteogenic and endotheliogenic differentiation, as well as mineralization assays, our results showed that miRs directed cell differentiation and that progenitor maturity influenced the development of heterotypic cellular regions in aggregates. Overall, the success of coculture to create a prevascularized bone model is dependent on a number of factors, particularly the induction time of differentiation before combining the multiple cell types in aggregates. The approach that has been proposed could be valuable in creating vascularized bone tissue by employing spheroids as the building blocks of more complex issues through the use of cutting-edge methods such as 3D bioprinting.

Ultrasound Neuromodulation of an Anti-Inflammatory Pathway at the Spleen Improves Experimental Pulmonary Hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation is pathogenically implicated in pulmonary arterial hypertension; however, it has not been adequately targeted therapeutically. We investigated whether neuromodulation of an anti-inflammatory neuroimmune pathway involving the splenic nerve using noninvasive, focused ultrasound stimulation of the spleen (sFUS) can improve experimental pulmonary hypertension. METHODS: Pulmonary hypertension was induced in rats either by Sugen 5416 (20 mg/kg SQ) injection, followed by 21 (or 35) days of hypoxia (sugen/hypoxia model), or by monocrotaline (60 mg/kg IP) injection (monocrotaline model). Animals were randomized to receive either 12-minute-long sessions of sFUS daily or sham stimulation for 14 days. Catheterizations, echocardiography, indices of autonomic function, lung and heart histology and immunohistochemistry, spleen flow cytometry, and lung single-cell RNA sequencing were performed after treatment to assess the effects of sFUS. RESULTS: Splenic denervation right before induction of pulmonary hypertension results in a more severe disease phenotype. In both sugen/hypoxia and monocrotaline models, sFUS treatment reduces right ventricular systolic pressure by 25% to 30% compared with sham treatment, without affecting systemic pressure, and improves right ventricular function and autonomic indices. sFUS reduces wall thickness, apoptosis, and proliferation in small pulmonary arterioles, suppresses CD3+ and CD68+ cell infiltration in lungs and right ventricular fibrosis and hypertrophy and lowers BNP (brain natriuretic peptide). Beneficial effects persist for weeks after sFUS discontinuation and are more robust with early and longer treatment. Splenic denervation abolishes sFUS therapeutic benefits. sFUS partially normalizes CD68+ and CD8+ T-cell counts in the spleen and downregulates several inflammatory genes and pathways in nonclassical and classical monocytes and macrophages in the lung. Differentially expressed genes in those cell types are significantly enriched for human pulmonary arterial hypertension-associated genes. CONCLUSIONS: sFUS causes dose-dependent, sustained improvement of hemodynamic, autonomic, laboratory, and pathological manifestations in 2 models of experimental pulmonary hypertension. Mechanistically, sFUS normalizes immune cell populations in the spleen and downregulates inflammatory genes and pathways in the lung, many of which are relevant in human disease.

Clinical-Hematological Changes and Predictors of Severity in Acute Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome Reactions at Oral Food Challenge: A Multicenter Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Oral food challenge (OFC) is the criterion standard for diagnosis of acute food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES). No diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers are available, and OFC assessment criteria are not validated. OBJECTIVE: To assess clinical-hematological changes and predictors of severity of FPIES reactions at OFC. METHODS: This was an observational multicenter prospective study. Children aged 0 to 18 years diagnosed with acute FPIES were recruited at follow-up OFC in 12 tertiary centers in Spain and Italy. OFC outcomes (as positive/negative/inconclusive and mild/moderate/severe) were assessed on the basis of published "2017 FPIES Consensus" criteria. Clinical characteristics were recorded, and full blood cell count was done at baseline, reaction onset, and 4 hours later. Regression analysis was performed to assess predictors of severe reactions at OFC. RESULTS: A total of 81 children had positive OFC (mild in 11% [9 of 81], moderate in 61% [49 of 81], and severe in 28% [23 of 81]). Increase in neutrophils and reduction in eosinophils, basophils, and lymphocytes were observed (P < .05). OFC was inconclusive in 19 cases despite objective signs or neutrophilia. Regression analysis showed that a 2-day OFC protocol where only 25% of an age-appropriate portion is given on day 1 (not sex, age, culprit food, cumulative dose, and previous reaction severity) was associated with reduced odds of severe reaction compared with giving multiple doses in a single day. CONCLUSIONS: Distinct hematological changes may help support FPIES diagnosis. Current OFC assessment criteria may not capture the broad spectrum of acute FPIES presentations. This 2-day protocol may be associated with a reduced risk of severe reactions. Future work should aim to develop safer OFC and non-OFC diagnostics for FPIES.

Acaricidal Efficacy of Thirty-Five Egyptian Plants Against the Camel Tick, Hyalomma Dromedarii.

PURPOSE: Alternative and affordable tick control strategies are crucial to control and prevent tick bites and tick-borne diseases. METHODS: In this study, we evaluated the acaricidal efficacy of 35 aqueous plant extracts (17%) against the camel tick, Hyalomma dromedarii. RESULTS: The phytochemical profile indicated the presence of various secondary substances. Plants were classified into three groups according to their mortality percentage 15 days post-treatment with 17%. This highly effective group (91%-95%) comprised Ocimum basilicum, Mespilus germanica, and Viola alpine followed by Carum carvi, Cucurbita pepo (peel), and Peganum harmala. A moderately effective group (80%-90%) included Acacia nilotica, Apium graveolens, Capsicum annuum, Ceratonia siliqua, Cucurbita pepo (seeds), Equisetum arvense, Eruca sativa, Ginkgo biloba, Plantago psyllium, Phyllanthus emblica, Punica granatum, and Ziziphus spinachristi. The 20 remaining plants were assigned to the less effective group (< 80%). Viscum album (58.3%), which was the least effective reference plant. The high potency of six plant extracts as acaricides may be attributed to the high content of active principles, e.g., phenols, flavonoids, and tannins. CONCLUSION: All of these highly effective plants are recommended for use as an acaricide, in case of facing acaricidal resistance or limited options for tick control.

Vagus nerve stimulation modulates distinct acetylcholine receptors on B cells and limits the germinal center response.

Acetylcholine is produced in the spleen in response to vagus nerve activation; however, the effects on antibody production have been largely unexplored. Here, we use a chronic vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) mouse model to study the effect of VNS on T-dependent B cell responses. We observed lower titers of high-affinity IgG and fewer antigen-specific germinal center (GC) B cells. GC B cells from chronic VNS mice exhibited altered mRNA and protein expression suggesting increased apoptosis and impaired plasma cell differentiation. Follicular dendritic cell (FDC) cluster dispersal and altered gene expression suggested poor function. The absence of acetylcholine-producing CD4+ T cells diminished these alterations. In vitro studies revealed that α7 and α9 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) directly regulated B cell production of TNF, a cytokine crucial to FDC clustering. α4 nAChR inhibited coligation of CD19 to the B cell receptor, presumably decreasing B cell survival. Thus, VNS-induced GC impairment can be attributed to distinct effects of nAChRs on B cells.

From tap to table: An assessment of drinking water quality in Perak, Malaysia.

INTRODUCTION: A study on the quality of drinking water was conducted at Air Kuning Treatment Plant In Perak, Malaysia, based on a sanitary survey in 14 sampling points stations from the intake area to the auxiliary points. This was to ensure the continuous supply of clean and safe drinking water to the consumers for public health protection. The objective was to examine the physical, microbiological, and chemical parameters of the water, classification at each site based on National Drinking Water Standards (NDWQS) and to understand the spatial variation using environmetric technique; principal component analysis (PCA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Water samples were subjected to in situ and laboratory water quality analyses and focused on pH, turbidity, chlorine, Escherichia coli, total coliform, total hardness, iron (Fe), aluminium (Al), zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg) and sodium (Na). All procedures followed the American Public Health Association (APHA) testing procedures. RESULTS: Based on the results obtained, the values of each parameter were found to be within the safe limits set by the NDWQS except for total coliform and iron (Fe). PCA has indicated that turbidity, total coliform, E. coli, Na, and Al were the major factors that contributed to the drinking water contamination in river water intake. CONCLUSION: Overall, the water from all sampling point stations after undergoing water treatment process was found to be safe as drinking water. It is important to evaluate the drinking water quality of the treatment plant to ensure that consumers have access to safe and clean drinking water as well as community awareness on drinking water quality is essential to promote public health and environmental protection.

Respirable dust exposure impact on respiratory symptoms among cleaners in a Selangor Public University, Malaysia.

INTRODUCTION: Cleaners perform a vital role in environmental health by keeping the place clean, but they are also exposed to various hazards. Yet, there is a lack of effective and accessible occupational safety standard measures, thus making this to be difficult to monitor the long-term health effects of cleaners. This study aims to determine the respirable dust exposure on respiratory symptoms among cleaners in a public university in Selangor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 51 cleaners. The respondents' background information and respiratory symptoms were gathered using a series of standardised questionnaires validated by the American Thoracic Society (ATS-DLD-78-A). The 8- hour respirable dust exposure to cleaners was measured using an air sampling pump (Gillian & Sensodyne Gil Air 3). RESULTS: The mean of respirable dust was lower than permissible exposure limit with 0.63±0.57mg/m3. The respiratory symptoms among the cleaners showed no significant association between cough, phlegm, and breathing difficulties with working tenure. Meanwhile, wheezing and coughing with phlegm have an almost significant association with working tenure among cleaners with (Χ2=1.00, p=0.08) and (Χ2=1.00, p=0.07) respectively. Exposure to respirable dust has exhibited 6 times the prevalence of coughing with phlegm among cleaners (PR=6.28, 95% CI: 0.44, 89.38). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study demonstrated that the cleaners were significantly affected by the respirable dust. The cleaners' working environment has caused them to be exposed to respirable dust.