Human health risk assessment of nitrate in private well waters of shallow quaternary alluvial aquifer.

Excessive nitrate intake via ingestion pathway and dermal absorption exposures has adverse health impacts on human health. This study evaluated groundwater (GW) nitrate concentrations and health risks which focused on ingestion and dermal exposures to residents in Bachok District, Kelantan, Malaysia. Three hundred (300) samples of private wells were collected and it is found that the nitrate concentrations ranging between 0.11 and 64.01 mg/L NO3-N with a mean value of 10.45 ± 12.67 mg/L NO3-N. The possible health hazards of nitrate by ingestion and dermal contact were assessed using USEPA human health risk assessment model for adult males and females. It is observed that the mean Hazard Quotient (HQ) values of adult males and females were 0.305 ± 0.364 and 0.261 ± 0.330, respectively. About 7.3% (n = 10) and 4.9% (n = 8) of adult males and females had HQ values more than 1, respectively. It was also observed that the mean of HQderm was lesser than HQoral for males and females. The spatial distribution of HQ by interpolation method showed high nitrate concentrations (> 10 mg/L NO3-N) were distributed from the centre to the southern part of the study location, which identified as an agricultural area, indicating the used of nitrogenous fertilizers as the main source of GW nitrate contamination in this area. The findings of this study are valuable for establishing private well water protection measures to stop further deterioration of GW quality caused by nitrate.

Spatial Accessibility of Primary Care in the Dual Public-Private Health System in Rural Areas, Malaysia.

Disparities in access to health services in rural areas represent a global health issue. Various external factors contribute to these disparities and each root requires specific remedial action to alleviate the issue. This study elucidates an approach to assessing the spatial accessibility of primary care, considering Malaysia's dual public-private system specifically in rural areas, and identifies its associated ecological factors. Spatial accessibility was calculated using the Enhance 2-Step Floating Catchment Area (E2SFCA) method, modified as per local context. Data were secondary sourced from Population and Housing Census data and administrative datasets pertaining to health facilities and road network. The spatial pattern of the E2SFCA scores were depicted using Hot spot Analysis. Hierarchical multiple linear regression and geographical weight regression were performed to identify factors that affect E2SFCA scores. Hot spot areas revolved near the urban agglomeration, largely contributed by the private sector. Distance to urban areas, road density, population density dependency ratios and ethnic composition were among the associated factors. Accurate conceptualization and comprehensive assessment of accessibility are crucial for evidence-based decision making by the policymakers and health authorities in identifying areas that need attention for a more specific and localized planning and development.

Factors associated with the spatial accessibility of healthcare services measured by the floating catchment area (FCA)-based method: A scoping review.

INTRODUCTION: The floating catchment area (FCA) method has emerged as the most comprehensive and accurate method for quantifying the spatial accessibility of health care services. There were variants of the FCA-based method that was continuously improvised by the researchers to suit specific local contexts and the different nature of healthcare service delivery. This scoping review identifies factors associated with the spatial accessibility of healthcare services that were specifically measured using the FCAbased method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This scoping review was performed through electronic databases (PubMed and ScienceDirect) using keywords: 'spatial accessibility', 'floating catchment area' and 'factors'. Google Scholar and Mendeley Network were also used as additional sources to obtain relevant studies. RESULTS: A total of 32 articles were included in this review. Factors identified can be distinguished into two broad categories, which are spatial and non-spatial factors. Spatial factors were remoteness or distance from the urban centre, areas in close proximity to main roads, and some specific geographical characteristics such as mountainous and deltaic regions, whereas non-spatial factors were the degree of urbanisation, population density and various demographic profiles of the population such as socioeconomic status, health need, and minority ethnic composition. CONCLUSION: This study adds to the body of literature pertinent to the factors associated with spatial accessibility to healthcare services. These findings could give insight for researchers to consider and incorporate those additional variables to further improve the FCA-based method calculations.

A Review of Spatial Analysis Application in Childhood Malnutrition Studies.

Approximately 230 million children under 5 years old of age suffer from malnutrition and over half of the children below 5 years old deaths are due to malnutrition nowadays. To gain a better understanding of this problem, the application of spatial analysis has risen exponentially in recent years. In this review, the present state of information on the use of spatial analysis in childhood malnutrition studies was evaluated using four databases of digital scientific journals: ScienceDirect, Scopus, PubMed and CINAHL. We chose 2,278 articles from the search results and a total of 27 articles met our criteria for review. The following information was extracted from each article: objective of study, study area, types of malnutrition, subject, data sources, computer software packages, spatial analysis and factors associated with childhood malnutrition. A total of 10 spatial analysis methods were reported in the reviewed articles and the Bayesian geoadditive regression model was the most common method applied in childhood malnutrition studies. This review highlights the importance of the application of spatial analysis in determining the geographic distribution of malnutrition cases, hotspot areas and risk factors correlated with childhood malnutrition. It also provides implications for strategic initiatives to eradicate all forms of malnutrition.

PAHSAs reduce cellular senescence and protect pancreatic beta cells from metabolic stress through regulation of Mdm2/p53.

Senescence in pancreatic beta cells plays a major role in beta cell dysfunction, which leads to impaired glucose homeostasis and diabetes. Therefore, prevention of beta cell senescence could reduce the risk of diabetes. Treatment of nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice, a model of type 1 autoimmune diabetes (T1D), with palmitic acid hydroxy stearic acids (PAHSAs), a novel class of endogenous lipids with antidiabetic and antiinflammatory effects, delays the onset and reduces the incidence of T1D from 82% with vehicle treatment to 35% with PAHSAs. Here, we show that a major mechanism by which PAHSAs protect islets of the NOD mice is by directly preventing and reversing the initial steps of metabolic stress-induced senescence. In vitro PAHSAs increased Mdm2 expression, which decreases the stability of p53, a key inducer of senescence-related genes. In addition, PAHSAs enhanced expression of protective genes, such as those regulating DNA repair and glutathione metabolism and promoting autophagy. We demonstrate the translational relevance by showing that PAHSAs prevent and reverse early stages of senescence in metabolically stressed human islets by the same Mdm2 mechanism. Thus, a major mechanism for the dramatic effect of PAHSAs in reducing the incidence of type 1 diabetes in NOD mice is decreasing cellular senescence; PAHSAs may have a similar benefit in humans.

Facing flood disaster: A cluster randomized trial assessing communities' knowledge, skills and preparedness utilizing a health model intervention.

Floods occur when a body of water overflows and submerges normally dry terrain. Tropical cyclones or tsunamis cause flooding. Health and safety are jeopardized during a flood. As a result, proactive flood mitigation measures are required. This study aimed to increase flood disaster preparedness among Selangor communities in Malaysia by implementing a Health Belief Model-Based Intervention (HEBI). Selangor's six districts were involved in a single-blinded cluster randomized controlled trial Community-wide implementation of a Health Belief Model-Based Intervention (HEBI). A self-administered questionnaire was used. The intervention group received a HEBI module, while the control group received a health talk on non-communicable disease. The baseline variables were compared. Immediate and six-month post-intervention impacts on outcome indicators were assessed. 284 responses with a 100% response rate. At the baseline, there were no significant differences in ethnicity, monthly household income, or past disaster experience between groups (p>0.05). There were significant differences between-group for intervention on knowledge, skills, preparedness (p<0.001), Perceived Benefit Score (p = 0.02), Perceived Barrier Score (p = 0.03), and Cues to Action (p = 0.04). GEE analysis showed receiving the HEBI module had effectively improved knowledge, skills, preparedness, Perceived Benefit Score, Perceived Barrier Score, and Cues to Action in the intervention group after controlling the covariate. Finally, community flood preparedness ensured that every crisis decision had the least impact on humans. The HEBI module improved community flood preparedness by increasing knowledge, skill, preparedness, perceived benefit, perceived barrier, and action cues. As a result, the community should be aware of this module. Clinical trial registration: The trial registry name is Thai Clinical Trials Registry, trial number TCTR20200202002.

An in vitro evaluation of efficacy of ViaSpan, aloe vera, gatorade solution, and propolis storage media for maintaining the periodontal ligament cell viability.

Background: Replantation is a commonly performed method for avulsed tooth. A vital periodontal membrane (periodontal ligament [PDL]) is significant for the successful healing of replanted teeth. Hence, various storage media are used to preserve the viability of periodontal cells before replantation. Objectives: The present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of ViaSpan, Aloe vera, Gatorade solution, and propolis storage media for maintaining the PDL cell viability. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted on 40 recently extracted teeth which were randomly divided into four study storage groups: Group I: ViaSpan, Group II: Aloe vera, Group III: Gatorade solution, and Group IV: Propolis. Later they were subjected to centrifugation, and the cells from supernatant were colored with 0.4% trypan blue for determination of viability. The obtained data were statistically evaluated with SPSS package (21.0 version, Inc.; Chicago, IL, USA) using analysis of variance, Mann-Whitney test, and Post hoc tests. Results: The mean viable periodontal cell in Group I was 30.2 cumm, in Group II was 24.6 cumm, Group III was 14.5 cumm, and Group IV in 31.4. The difference was significant (P < 0.01). Post hoc test between different groups revealed a significant difference in mean viable periodontal cells (P < 0.001). Propolis, ViaSpan, and Aloe vera had higher pH and osmolality values. Conclusion: This study found that propolis had higher periodontal cell viability followed by ViaSpan solution and Aloe vera and least in Gatorade solution. Propolis, ViaSpan, and Aloe vera media can be used as a storage media.

Résumé Contexte: la Replantation est une méthode couramment utilisée pour la dent avulsée. Une membrane parodontale vitale (ligament parodontal [PDL]) est important pour la guérison réussie des dents replantées. Par conséquent, divers supports de stockage sont utilisés pour préserver la viabilité du parodontal les cellules avant la réimplantation. Objectifs: la présente étude a été menée pour évaluer L'efficacité de ViaSpan, Aloe vera, solution de Gatorade, et des supports de stockage de propolis pour maintenir la viabilité des cellules PDL. Matériaux et Méthodes: la présente étude a été menée sur 40 récemment dents extraites qui ont été divisées au hasard en quatre groupes de stockage d'étude: Groupe I: ViaSpan, Groupe II: aloe vera, Groupe III: Gatorade solution, et groupe IV: Propolis. Plus tard, ils ont été soumis à une centrifugation et les cellules du surnageant ont été colorées avec 0,4% de trypan bleu pour la détermination de la viabilité. Les données obtenues ont été évaluées statistiquement avec le package SPSS (version 21.0, Inc. Chicago, ILLINOIS, états-unis) en utilisant l'analyse de la variance, le test de Mann-Whitney et les tests post hoc. Résultats: la cellule parodontale viable moyenne dans le Groupe I était de 30,2 cumm, dans Le groupe II était de 24,6 cumm, le Groupe III de 14,5 cumm et le Groupe IV de 31,4. La différence était significative (P < 0,01). Essai post hoc entre différents groupes ont révélé une différence significative dans les cellules parodontales viables moyennes (P < 0,001). Propolis, ViaSpan et aloe vera avaient plus valeurs de pH et d'osmolalité. Conclusion: Cette étude a révélé que la propolis avait une viabilité cellulaire parodontale plus élevée suivie D'une solution de ViaSpan et Aloe vera et moins dans la solution de Gatorade. La Propolis, le ViaSpan et L'aloe vera peuvent être utilisés comme support de stockage. Mots-clés: aloe vera, Gatorade, cellules parodontales, propolis, ViaSpan.

Risk Factors of Unfavourable TB Treatment Outcomes in Hulu Langat, Selangor

@#Introduction: Over the last decade, tuberculosis (TB) has remained the main cause of death from communicable diseases in Malaysia. This study was aimed to determine the risk factors of unfavourable treatment outcomes (UTO) among new TB cases in Hulu Langat. Methods: A cohort study was prospectively conducted among the new TB cases registered in the government health clinics of Hulu Langat district. The event was defined as any one of the UTO (default, transferred out, treatment failure and death) whichever came first. This data was analysed using SPSS version 25.0. Survival pattern was assessed by Kaplan-Meier plots and Log rank test. Hazard ratios of unfavourable TB treatment outcomes among the new TB cases at 95% confidence interval and level of significance set at 0.05 were calculated using Cox proportional hazard model. Results: Of the 321 patients analysed, 80.4% (n=258) had favourable treatment outcomes and 19.6% (n=63) had UTO with 10.9% (n=35) transferred out, 6.9% (n=22) defaulted and 1.9% (n=6) died. There was no treatment failure. The mean survival time was 5.2 (SD=0.09) months. The risk factors of hazard probability of UTO were male, ethnicity type Others, positive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status and not done sputum at 2 months of treatment. Conclusion: Transferred out and default formed the bulk of the UTO in Hulu Langat. New interventions to improve the existing TB prevention and control program should be planned in the first three months of treatment.

Tinjauan Literatur Berkaitan Tahap Pengetahuan, Sikap dan Persepsi Orang Awam Terhadap Dasar Larangan Merokok oleh Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia (A Scoping Review on Knowledge, Attitude and Perception of the Public on Smoking Ban Policy by the Ministry of Health Malaysia) / Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia

@#Malaysia is one of the countries that have signed the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). The WHO FCTC is a form of evidence-based agreement that recognises the right of all people to attain the highest standard of health. Policies established by the government were in line with the WHO requirements to gazette the nationwide smoking ban so that enforcement measures can be taken to control smoking activities in public places. The purpose of this scoping review is to give an overview of the extent of knowledge, attitude, and the perception of the public on smoking ban policies implemented in Malaysia. The keyword search strategy was as follows: smoking AND policy AND Malaysia AND (knowledge OR attitude OR perception) for publications between the year 2015-2021, conducted through several databases including Medline (search results of 5 publications), Web of Science (search results of 9 publications) and Scopus (search results of 19 publications). A total of 12 articles were considered relevant to answer the research objectives. We found that the level of knowledge, attitude, and perception of the public towards the smoking ban policy in Malaysia was still defective and inadequate. Therefore, it is hoped that the results of this multifactorial relationship study could cultivate governance in administration and governmental policies to imbue competency and efficiency.

Distinct biological activities of isomers from several families of branched fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids (FAHFAs).

Branched fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids (FAHFAs) are endogenous lipids with antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory effects. Each FAHFA family consists of esters with different acyl chains and multiple isomers with branch points at different carbons. Some FAHFAs, including palmitic acid hydroxy stearic acids (PAHSAs), improve insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance in mice by enhancing glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS), insulin-stimulated glucose transport, and insulin action to suppress hepatic glucose production and reducing adipose tissue inflammation. However, little is known about the biological effects of other FAHFAs. Here, we investigated whether PAHSAs, oleic acid hydroxy stearic acid, palmitoleic acid hydroxy stearic acid, and stearic acid hydroxy stearic acid potentiate GSIS in ß-cells and human islets, insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in adipocytes, and anti-inflammatory effects in immune cells. We also investigated whether they activate G protein-coupled receptor 40, which mediates the effects of PAHSAs on insulin secretion and sensitivity in vivo. We show that many FAHFAs potentiate GSIS, activate G protein-coupled receptor 40, and attenuate LPS-induced chemokine and cytokine expression and secretion and phagocytosis in immune cells. However, fewer FAHFAs augment insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in adipocytes. S-9-PAHSA, but not R-9-PAHSA, potentiated GSIS and glucose uptake, while both stereoisomers had anti-inflammatory effects. FAHFAs containing unsaturated acyl chains with higher branching from the carboxylate head group are more likely to potentiate GSIS, whereas FAHFAs with lower branching are more likely to be anti-inflammatory. This study provides insight into the specificity of the biological actions of different FAHFAs and could lead to the development of FAHFAs to treat metabolic and immune-mediated diseases.

Validity and Reliability of the Malay Versions of Bloating Severity (BSQ-M) and Quality of Life (BLQoL-M) Questionnaires.

Abdominal bloating (AB) is a prevalent and bothersome symptom, but there are no specific measures for severity and quality of life (QoL) other than the Bloating Severity Questionnaire (BSQ) and Bloating Quality of Life (BLQoL). We aimed to translate the BSQ and BLQoL into the Malay language and to validate them using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) approaches. The 12-item BSQ has two components, seven-item severity in general (SevGen) and five-item severity in the past 24 h (Sev24), and BLQOL has five items. Translation to the Malay language (BSQ-M and BLQoL-M) was performed using standard forward and backward processes. EFA followed by CFA were performed in participants with AB due to functional bowel disorders, with the purpose of examining the validity and reliability of the questionnaires translated into Malay. After EFA with 152 participants, all the items of BSQ-M remained in the model. Total variance extracted was 53.26% for BSQ-M and 58.79% for BLQoL-M. The internal consistency based on Cronbach's alpha values was 0.52 for SevGen, 0.86 for Sev24, and 0.81 for BLQoL-M. After performing CFA with another 323 participants, the final measurement model for BSQ-M and BLQoL-M fit the data well in terms of several fit indices (BSQ-M: root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.050, Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.966, Tucker-Lewis Fit Index (TLI) = 0.956, and standardized root mean squared residual (SRMR) = 0.051; BLQoL-M: RMSEA = 0.071, CFI = 0.985, TLI = 0.962, SRMR = 0.021). The composite reliability for BSQ-M and BLQoL-M were satisfactory (SevGen = 0.83, Sev24 = 0.89, BLQoL = 0.80). The intraclass correlation (ICC) results showed excellent stability for BSQ-M and BLQoL-M, ranging from 0.74 to 0.93. The Malay language versions of BSQ-M and BLQoL-M are valid and reliable instruments for measuring the severity and QoL of AB for the Asian population with functional bowel disorders.

Global deletion of NTPDase3 protects against diet-induced obesity by increasing basal energy metabolism.

BACKGROUND: Ecto-nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase 3 (NTPDase3), also known as CD39L3, is the dominant ectonucleotidase expressed by beta cells in the islet of Langerhans and on nerves. NTPDase3 catalyzes the conversion of extracellular ATP and ADP to AMP and modulates purinergic signaling. Previous studies have shown that NTPDase3 decreases insulin release from beta-cells in vitro. This study aims to determine the impact of NTPDase3 in diet-induced obesity (DIO) and metabolism in vivo. METHODS: We developed global NTPDase3 deficient (Entpd3-/-) and islet beta-cell-specific NTPDase-3 deficient mice (Entpd3flox/flox,InsCre) using Ins1-Cre targeted gene editing to compare metabolic phenotypes with wildtype (WT) mice on a high-fat diet (HFD). RESULTS: Entpd3-/- mice exhibited similar growth rates compared to WT on chow diet. When fed HFD, Entpd3-/- mice demonstrated significant resistance to DIO. Entpd3-/- mice consumed more calories daily and exhibited less fecal calorie loss. Although Entpd3-/- mice had no increases in locomotor activity, the mice exhibited a significant increase in basal metabolic rate when on the HFD. This beneficial phenotype was associated with improved glucose tolerance, but not higher insulin secretion. In fact, Entpd3flox/flox,InsCre mice demonstrated similar metabolic phenotypes and insulin secretion compared to matched controls, suggesting that the expression of NTPDase3 in beta-cells was not the primary protective factor. Instead, we observed a higher expression of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP-1) in brown adipose tissue and an augmented browning in inguinal white adipose tissue with upregulation of UCP-1 and related genes involved in thermogenesis in Entpd3-/- mice. CONCLUSIONS: Global NTPDase3 deletion in mice is associated with resistance to DIO and obesity-associated glucose intolerance. This outcome is not driven by the expression of NTPDase3 in pancreatic beta-cells, but rather likely mediated through metabolic changes in adipocytes.

Clinical, radiographic, and histological findings of chronic inflammatory periapical lesions - A clinical study.

AIM: The present study aimed at comparing clinical, radiographical, and histological findings in chronic periapical lesions such as cysts, granuloma, and abscess. METHODOLOGY: The present study was conducted on 148 teeth having chronic inflammatory periapical lesions with or without nonsurgical endodontic treatment. Endodontic surgery was performed by single trained endodontist. After surgical endodontic treatment, biopsy sections of teeth were assessed histologically. All slides stained with hematoxylin/eosin and Gomori trichrome for light microscopy assessment. RESULTS: Out of 148 teeth, 41 had chronic inflammatory lesions, 34 had inflammatory cysts, and 25 had indefinite lesions. Chronic inflammatory lesions assessed histologically found chronic apical periodontitis in 86 cases and inflammatory cysts in 62 cases. The difference was significant (P < 0.05). Out of 86 cases of chronic apical periodontitis confirmed clinical radiographically, 64% found positive, whereas 36% were not histologically. Out of 62 cases of inflammatory cysts confirmed clinically and radiographically, 78% found positive while 36% were not histologically. Out of 25 indefinite lesions, 56% found chronic inflammatory lesions while 44% found inflammatory cyst. CONCLUSION: There was significant disagreement in clinical radiographic as well as histological diagnosis.

PAHSAs attenuate immune responses and promote ß cell survival in autoimmune diabetic mice.

Palmitic acid esters of hydroxy stearic acids (PAHSAs) are endogenous antidiabetic and antiinflammatory lipids. Here, we show that PAHSAs protect against type 1 diabetes (T1D) and promote ß cell survival and function. Daily oral PAHSA administration to nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice delayed the onset of T1D and markedly reduced the incidence of T1D, whether PAHSAs were started before or after insulitis was established. PAHSAs reduced T and B cell infiltration and CD4+ and CD8+ T cell activation, while increasing Treg activation in pancreata of NOD mice. PAHSAs promoted ß cell proliferation in both NOD mice and MIN6 cells and increased the number of ß cells in NOD mice. PAHSAs attenuated cytokine-induced apoptotic and necrotic ß cell death and increased ß cell viability. The mechanism appears to involve a reduction of ER stress and MAPK signaling, since PAHSAs lowered ER stress in NOD mice, suppressed thapsigargin-induced PARP cleavage in human islets, and attenuated ERK1/2 and JNK1/2 activation in MIN6 cells. This appeared to be mediated in part by glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R) and not the G protein-coupled receptor GPR40. PAHSAs also prevented impairment of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and improved glucose tolerance in NOD mice. Thus, PAHSAs delayed the onset of T1D and reduced its incidence by attenuating immune responses and exerting direct protective effects on ß cell survival and function.

Quantification of selected steroid hormones (17ß-Estradiol and 17α-Ethynylestradiol) in wastewater treatment plants in Klang Valley (Malaysia).

Steroid estrogens, such as 17ß-estradiol (E2) and 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2) are potent and were categorized as "Watch List" in Directive 2013/39/EU because of their potential risks to aquatic environment. Commercialized enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits have been used to quantify steroid estrogens in wastewater samples due to their simplicity, rapid, cost-effectiveness, and validated assays. Hence, this study aims to determine the occurrence and removal of steroid hormones in Malaysian wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) by ELISA, to identify the association of removal efficiency (E2 and EE2) with respect to WWTPs operating conditions, and to assess the potential risks of steroid estrogens to aquatic environment and human. Results showed E2 concentration ranged from 88.2 ±â€¯7.0 ng/L to 93.9 ±â€¯6.9 ng/L in influent and 35.1 ±â€¯17.3 ng/L to 85.2 ±â€¯7.6 ng/L in effluent, with removal of 6.4%-63.0%. The EE2 concentration ranged from 0.2 ±â€¯0.2 ng/L to 4.9 ±â€¯6.3 ng/L in influent and 0.02 ±â€¯0.03 ng/L to 1.0 ±â€¯0.8 ng/L in effluent, with removal of 28.3-99.3%. There is a correlation between EE2 removal with total suspended solid (TSS) and oxidation reduction potential (ORP), and was statistically significant. Despite the calculated estrogenic activity for E2 and EE2 was relatively high, dilution effects could lower estrogenic response to aquatic environment. Besides, these six selected WWTPs have cumulative RQ values below the allowable limit, except WWTP 1. Relatively high precipitation (129-218 mm) could further dilute estrogens concentration in the receiving river. These outputs can be used as quantitative information for evaluating the occurrence and removal of steroid estrogens in Malaysian WWTPs.

Dermal Exposure to Pesticides among Sprayers in Different Agriculture Subsectors in Malaysia: Observational Method using DREAM

Abstract@#Introduction: An assessment of dermal exposure to pesticide mixtures among sprayers was made as a function of crop type, in four agricultural subsectors in Malaysia. Methods: The potential and actual dermal exposures for 160 pesticide sprayers performing pesticide spraying task were estimated by using Dermal Exposure Assessment Method (DREAM). Results: Results showed that there was significant difference between nationality (p<0.001), highest education (p<0.001), monthly income (p=0.002), body mass index (p<0.001) and smoking habit (p<0.001) distributions of sprayers in different agriculture subsectors. Various types of pesticides were used by respondents, where class II (moderately hazardous) and class III (slightly hazardous) pesticides were the most frequently used pesticides. There was a significant difference in both tPDE (χ2 = 118.093, p<0.001) and tADE (χ2 = 84.980, p<0.001) between different agricultural sectors, where the prominent high tPDE was observed among paddy pesticide sprayers (151.39 ± 22.64 DU) while lowest exposure was recorded among oil palm plantation sprayers (47.67 ± 18.47 DU). Conclusion: Based on DREAM exposure categories, majority of the pesticide sprayers (68.9%) working in paddy farming were exposed in low dermal exposure while 26.7% of respondents were exposed to moderate exposure. Pesticide sprayers in other agriculture sectors were exposed to very low to low exposure level. Dermal exposure distributions on body parts were varied between sectors, influenced by several factors such as crop type, height, and spraying methods.

Development of Smart Fruit Basket for Pineapple Harvesting

Abstract@#Introduction: Pineapple harvesting work contributes to the reporting of musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) and ergonomic risks. Pineapples are harvested manually in some parts of Malaysia using rattan baskets and workers are exposed to excessive bending, pain and discomfort. This intervention study developed and tested a prototype of an ergonomic harvesting basket to potentially reduce discomfort and physiological workload during a simulation of harvesting activity. Methods: The development and testing of improved harvesting basket was performed in laboratory and workshop. The improved basket had adjustable cushion straps, foam back pad and an opening for unloading of fruits. Harvesting was simulated using improved and existing basket by human subjects and questionnaires were used to assess discomfort. Physiological workload was assessed by heart rate and energy expenditure. Results: A total of 12 male respondents with average age of 22.4 (2.2) years participated in harvesting simulation. Discomfort as measured in Likert scale (mean (standard deviation) for improved basket 4.13 (6.1) vs existing basket 12.26 (11.2); p<0.05) was significantly reduced. Average heart rate (94.13 beats/min vs 89.05 beats/min) and energy expenditure (6 kJ/min vs 5 kJ/min) improved. Conclusion: The use of improved basket was linked to reduction of discomfort and overall workload. Improving design of agricultural manual tools may be able to improve health of workers and prevent MSS. Future fabrication of the improved basket using lightweight materials has potential to be expanded into plantation sectors not limited to pineapples in Malaysia and across Asia.

Factors of Job Satisfaction among Workers Exposed to Occupational Noise

Abstract@#Introduction: Noise was evident to reduce job satisfaction among workers which will negative impacts to workers including increase job turnover, decrease motivation and increased number of accidents. This study aims to explore job satisfaction and its risk factors among workers working in a noisy workplace. Method: The study design was cross-sectional study which involved 167 workers in a cable manufacturing factory selected by simple random sampling. MSQ was used to assess employee’s satisfaction with their job on seven facets and sound level meter was used to measure workplace noise level. Results: All respondents were exposed to noise above permissible exposure limit. Most workers (49%) were moderately satisfied with their work. Factors that were rated as lowest level of satisfaction were work itself (the ability to work alone) (40%) and the way company system policies are implemented (40%). Factors with the highest level of satisfaction were their freedom to implement their judgement (responsibility) (51%) and the supervision quality of their superiors (51%). The most dominant facet predicting total satisfaction level was recognition followed by advancement and company policy and administration. All variables in socio-demographical and job characteristics were not significantly associated with their level of job satisfaction except noise. Noise was significant in predicting one facet of job satisfaction which was physical work condition. Conclusion: Overall, the average level of job satisfaction among respondents were moderate and they were exposed to occupational noise which was the only significant study variable correlated with their job satisfaction.

Adipose tissue dysfunction is associated with low levels of the novel Palmitic Acid Hydroxystearic Acids.

Adipose tissue dysfunction is considered an important contributor to systemic insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes (T2D). Recently, a novel family of endogenous lipids, palmitic acid hydroxy stearic acids (PAHSAs), was discovered. These have anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory effects in mice and are reduced in serum and adipose tissue of insulin resistant humans. In the present study, we investigate if adipose tissue dysfunction is associated with reduced PAHSA levels in human subjects and if PAHSAs influence adipocyte differentiation. Our results show that low expression of adipocyte GLUT4 and adipocyte hypertrophy, markers of adipose tissue dysfunction, are associated with reduced expression of key enzymes for de novo lipogenesis and adipose tissue levels of PAHSAs in human subjects. We also show that GLUT4 is not only a marker of adipose tissue dysfunction, but may be causally related to the observed impairments. PAHSAs may also act locally in the adipose tissue to improve adipogenesis through a mechanism bypassing direct activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARγ). The discovery of PAHSAs and our current results provide novel insights into positive effects of lipid species in adipose tissue and mechanisms by which dysfunctional adipose tissue is associated with insulin resistance and risk of developing T2D.

Methodological Issues in Studying PAHSA Biology: Masking PAHSA Effects.

PAHSAs are anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory lipids. Syed et al. identify numerous experimental differences that likely account for the failure of Pflimlin et al. to observe PAHSA beneficial effects. The differences include different HFDs resulting in minimal/no glucose intolerance, different assay conditions, an LC-MS protocol that was not validated, and use of olive oil, a bioactive nutrient that improves glucose tolerance, as a vehicle.