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Effects of reaction conditions on the emission behaviors of arsenic, cadmium and lead during sewage sludge pyrolysis

Han H, Hu S, Syed-Hassan SSA, Xiao Y, Wang Y, Xu J, et al.

Bioresour Technol, 2017 Jul;236:138-145.
PMID: 28399417 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2017.03.112

Sewage sludge is an important class of bioresources whose energy content could be exploited using pyrolysis technology. However, some harmful trace elements in sewage sludge can escape easily to the gas phase during pyrolysis, increasing the potential of carcinogenic material emissions to the atmosphere. This study investigates emission characteristics of arsenic, cadmium and lead under different pyrolysis conditions for three different sewage sludge samples. The increased temperature (within 723-1123K) significantly promoted the cadmium and lead emissions, but its influence on arsenic emission was not pronounced. The releasing rate order of the three trace elements is volatile arsenic compounds>cadmium>lead in the beginning of pyrolysis. Fast heating rates promoted the emission of trace elements for the sludge containing the highest amount of ash, but exhibited an opposite effect for other studied samples. Overall, the high ash sludge released the least trace elements almost under all reaction conditions.

Matched MeSH terms: Trace Elements
Fulltext Simulation of galvanic corrosion using boundary element method

Zaifol Samsu, Muhamad Daud, Siti Radiah Mohd Kamarudin, Nur Ubaidah Saidin, Abdul Aziz Mohamed, Mohd Sa’ari Ripin, et al.

Journal of Nuclear and Related Technologies, 2011;2011(2):78-84.
MyJurnal

Boundary element method (BEM) is a numerical technique that used for modeling infinite domain as is the case for galvanic corrosion analysis. The use of boundary element analysis system (BEASY) has allowed cathodic protection (CP) interference to be assessed in terms of the normal current density, which is directly proportional to the corrosion rate. This paper was present the analysis of the galvanic corrosion between Aluminium and Carbon Steel in natural sea water. The result of experimental was validated with computer simulation like BEASY program. Finally, it can conclude that the BEASY software is a very helpful tool for
future planning before installing any structure, where it gives the possible CP interference on any nearby unprotected metallic structure.

Matched MeSH terms: Insulator Elements
Fulltext Ion beam elemental analysis of doped SiO2 optical fibre and its thermoluminescence response when irradiated with protons

Bradley, D.A., Ramli, A.T., Hashim, S., Wagiran, H., Webb, M., Jeynes, C.

ASM Science Journal, 2010;4(1):15-21.
MyJurnal

This research was focused on the thermoluminescence (TL) response of commercially produced single-mode telecommunication optical fibre manufactured by INOCORP (Canada). The fibres were either in the form of pure silica (SiO2) or as SiO2 doped with Ge or Al at concentrations appropriate for total internal reflection, as required for telecommunication purposes. Each of these INOCORP fibres had a core diameter of 125 ± 0.1 μm. It was noted that dopant concentration was not included among the data provided in the accompanying product data sheet. A particularly important parameter for obtaining the highest TL yield in this study was the dopant concentration of the SiO2 fibre. The dopants tended to diffuse during the production of the optical fibre. To obtain this parameter, proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE) analysis was utilised. PIXE while having limited depth resolution could unambiguously identify elements and analyse trace elements with a detection limit approaching μg g–1. For Al-doped fibres, dopant concentrations in the range of 0.98 – 2.93 mol% had been estimated, the equivalent range for Ge-doped fibres was 0.53 – 0.71 mol%. A linear dose response was observed following 2.5 MeV proton irradiation for Ge- and Al-doped fibres for up to 7 min exposure.

Matched MeSH terms: Trace Elements
Distribution of Trace Elements in Core Marine Sediments of Coastal East Malaysia by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis

Ashraf A, Saion E, Gharibshahi E, Kamari HM, Yap CK, Hamzah MS, et al.

Appl Radiat Isot, 2017 Apr;122:96-105.
PMID: 28129589 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2017.01.006

A study was carried out on the distribution and enrichment of trace elements in the core marine sediments of East Malaysia from three stations at South China Sea and one station each at Sulu Sea and Sulawesi Sea. Five stations of sediment cores were recovered and the vertical concentration profiles of six elements namely Br, Cs, Hf, Rb, Ta, and V were determined using the instrumental neutron activation analysis. The enrichment factor, geoaccumulation index and the modified degree of contamination were used to calculate the anthropogenic and pollution status of the elements in the samples. Except for Cs and Hf, which by the enrichment factor are categorized from minimum enrichment to moderate enrichment in all stations and for V and Rb in Sulu Sea and Sulawesi Sea, which are categorized minimum enrichment, other elements are found to be no enrichment at all stations. The geoaccumulation index of Hf in one station shows moderately polluted and for other elements are unpolluted. However, the modified degree values of all samples are less than 1, suggesting very low contamination of elements found in all the stations.

Matched MeSH terms: Trace Elements
Fulltext EDX-SEM-XRF data from selected Precambrian Basement Complex rock samples in part of Southwestern Nigeria

Kayode JS, Yusup Y, Nawawi MNM, Ariffin KS, Kalil AE, Tagwa MG

Data Brief, 2018 Oct;20:1525-1531.
PMID: 30258956 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2018.09.014

Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis, EDX mapping, Scanning Electron Microscope, SEM, together with X-ray Fluorescence Analysis, XRF, was carried out to extract the needed data from some metamorphic rock samples in part of the Nigerian Southwestern Precambrian Basement Complex, NSPBC. The foremost aim is to obtain the detail subsurface geological structures of the rocks within the area and to enhanced understanding of the processes and the types of metamorphic evolution in the area. The techniques involved qualitative and quantitative data analysis of the major, minor and radioactive elements present in the samples of rocks analyzed. The data helped to experimentally evaluate the rocks microstructures, and to also explore the development of magmatic and metamorphic mechanisms for the recognition of textual associations in the area. Applications of the EDX, SEM, and XRF data analysis are effortlessly done to determine the varied mixtures of Si, Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, and Na, in the presence of O existing in the rocks samples.The data helped in the classification and perceptive of these rocks and it was considered as a necessary tool in the knowledge of the metamorphism and origin of the Basement Complex rocks through measurement of the intensity of the emitted X-ray and its characteristics.

Matched MeSH terms: Elements, Radioactive
Perlakuan Beberapa Unsur Major dan Unsur Surih dalam Profil Luluhawa Batuan Basalt di Segamat Johor

Baba Musta, Mohamad Md. Tan

Sains Malaysiana, 1996;25.

Highly weathered basaltic rock was exposed at PSK profile of Kuantan, Segamat Highway. The weathering profile from fresh rock soil can be observed at PKJ profile at Kg. Jabi Quarry. Twelve rock and soil samples from PSK profile and thirteen samples from PKJ profile have been collected for geochemical analysis. The objective of the analysis is to establish the behaviour of several major and trace elements in the weathering profile of the basaltic rock. The samples were analysed by XRF and XRD techniques. Petrographic study was done on fresh rock samples and concretions. The concentration of major elements (TiO2, Al2O3 and Fe2O3) appear to be increased with the increasing of the degree of weathering whereas the concentration of SiO2 and CaO are decreased. There is a clear correlation between Fe2O3 + Al2O3 with L.O.I as well as between Fe2O3 with Al2O3. Behaviour of the trace elements (Ni, Co, Cr and Zn) against the weathering process are totally different. The secondary minerals (kaolinite, nactire, geothite, hematite and gibbsite) appear to control the behaviour of the major and trace elements.
Batuan basalt yang terluluhawa sepenuhnya telah dicerap di lokaliti PSK Lebuhraya Segamat-Kuantan. Profil luluhawa yang boleh dilihat perubahan daripada batuan segar hingga tanih didapati di lokaliti PKJ Kuari Kg. Jabi. Dua contoh profil dengan masing-masing 12 sampel dan 13 sample tanih telah dikaji untuk menentukan perlakuan beberapa unsur major dan unsur surih batuan basalt yang terluluhawa. Kaedah analisis yang digunakan ialah pendarflour sinar-X (XRF) dan pembelauan sinar-X (XRF). Kajian petrografi pula dibuat pada sampel batuan segar dan sampel konkresi. Nilai unsur major TiO2, Al2O3 dan Fe2O3 bertambah dengan bertambahnya darjah luluhawa manakala SiO2 dan CaO menyusut. Hubungan korelasi Fe2O3 + Al2O3 dengan L.O.I dan Fe2O3 denagn Al2O3 adalah jelas. Unsur surih nikel (Ni) kobalt (Co), kromium (Cr) dan zink (Zn) mempunyai perlakuan yang berbeza-beza dengan luluhawa. Perlakuan yang ditunjukkan oleh unsur major dan surih tersebut dikawal oleh mineral sekunder (koalinit, nakrit, geotit, hematit dan gibsit).

Matched MeSH terms: Trace Elements
Structural and luminescence properties of Fe3+ doped antimony lead borophosphate glass

Leong PM, Eeu TY, Leow TQ, Pang XG, Zuhairi Ibrahim, Rosli Hussin

Sains Malaysiana, 2014;43:915-922.

Structural and luminescence properties of borophosphate glasses with different modifier doped with transition metal ions have been investigated in this study. The glass sample from the series of xPb 30 4:0 .2Sb20 3:0.3B 20 3:(0 .5-x)P 20 5 and ySb 20 3:0 .2Pb 30 4:(0 .5-y)B 20 3:0 .3P 20 5where x 20 mol% and 0 y 0 .1 5mol% , respectively, were doped with 0.01 mol% of Fe 20 3 system have been prepared using the melt-quenching technique. The structural properties of samples had been studied using fourier transform infrared (FT-m) spectroscopy. The FT-IR study showed the network structure of the studied glasses based on the B 20 3-P 20 5host with the 5b203 and Pb203 modifiers. The results of FT-IR showed traces of B03 and B04 with the introduction of 5b203 and Pb203 modifiers. With the increasing content of B203 which replacing content of P205 in the glass network, the intensity of the borate band decreases and shifted to lower frequency. uv-Vis spectroscopy analysed the transition of Fe3+ from ground state to excited state in the ultraviolet spectral region. The photoluminescence of samples were studied using photoluminescence spectroscopy. The result of photoluminescence spectroscopy showed the effect of photoluminescence enhancement by doping Fe3+ as activator.

Matched MeSH terms: Transition Elements
Modern influences on the breast feeding decision

Lee M

Family Practitioner, 1977;2:64-66.

Some of the factors that could contribute towards influencing a mother's decision on breast-feeding and its success were discussed. One of the most important of such factors is the information and encouragement a mother receives, or fails to receive, when she needs it most. Such information, which is mostly non-medical, includes the technique of breast-feeding. Some of the negative influences on breast-feeding discussed include old wives' tales about diet and elements secreted through the mother's milk, the fear of losing one's figure, the fear by working mothers that breast-feeding is impossible to manage, the hospital practice of separating the mother and new-born for the first 24 hours, the shyness of breast-feeding babies in front of others, the lack of confidence in their own efficiency in breast-feeding, and the belief that breast-feeding is inconvenient. Some of the positive influences which can help towards successful preast-feeding are assistance and support from Breast-feeding Associations, a supportive husband and family, and the physician who makes a point of spending a few minutes to encourage his patient to breast-feed her forthcoming infant. The author called for combined efforts towards the restoration of breast-feeding as every infant's basic right.

Matched MeSH terms: Elements
Construction of trace element in coal of china database management system: based on WebGIS

Liu Yang, Xue Bai, Yinjie Hu, Qiqi Wang, Jun Deng

Sains Malaysiana, 2017;46:2195-2204.

The combination of geographic information system and mineral energy data management is helpful to promote the study of mineral energy and its ecological damage and environmental pollution caused by its development and utilization, which has important application value. The Trace Elements in Coal of China Database Management System (TECC) is established in this paper, applying the techniques of B/S three-layer structure, Oracle database, AJAX and WebGIS. TECC is the first database system which aims at managing the data of trace elements in coal in China. It includes data management and analysis module, document management module, trace elements in coal data maintenance module and authority management module. The data entry specification is put forward in the present study and the spatial data is included in TECC system. The system achieves the functions of data query, analysis, management, maintenance and map browsing, thematic map drawing as well as satellite video display, which lay the foundation for the analysis of large data of trace elements in coal. It is a practical platform for the acquisition, management, exchange and sharing of trace element research and geochemical research data of coal.

Matched MeSH terms: Trace Elements
Pilot test of a fermentation tank for producing coal methane through anaerobic fermentation

Daping Xia, Huaiwen Zhang, Xile Liu, Chaoyong Fu, Xianbo Su

Sains Malaysiana, 2017;46:2083-2089.

The development and utilization of clean energy has long been a focus of research. In the coal bed methane field, most coal bed biogenic methane experiments are small static sample tests in which the initial conditions are set and the process cannot be batch-fed elements and microbial strains, and the gas cannot be collected in batches. Although significant results have been achieved in the coal-to-biogenic methane conversion in China, findings are restricted to the laboratory scale. No successful commercialization of coal bed biogenic methane production has been achieved yet. This study used a large-capacity fermentation tank (5 L) to conduct biogenic methane experiments. Results were compared to those from the traditional laboratory test. The gas production rate and gas concentration were higher when the 250 mL methane test volume was increased to a 5 L fermentation volume, increasing by 20.9% and 2.3%, respectively. The inhibition effect of the liquid phase products was reduced in the large fermentation tank, and the microbial activity was extended by batch feeding trace elements (iron and nickel) and methane strains and by semi-continuous collection of the gas. However, the gas conversion rate can be increased by retaining the H2 and CO2 in the intermediate gas products in the fermentation tank. The gas production rate was increased from 17.9 to 24.6 mL/g, increasing by 37.4%. The simulation pilot test can lay a foundation for the transition from a coal bed biogenic methane laboratory static small sample test to a dynamic pilot test, optimizing the process parameters to improve the reaction efficiency and move forward to commercialization test.

Matched MeSH terms: Trace Elements
Fulltext Sustainable microbial cell nanofactory for zinc oxide nanoparticles production by zinc-tolerant probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum strain TA4

Mohd Yusof H, Mohamad R, Zaidan UH, Rahman NA

Microb Cell Fact, 2020 Jan 15;19(1):10.
PMID: 31941498 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-020-1279-6

BACKGROUND: The use of microorganisms in the biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) has recently emerged as an alternative to chemical and physical methods due to its low-cost and eco-friendly method. Several lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have developed mechanisms in tolerating Zn2+ through prevention against their toxicity and the production of ZnO NPs. The LAB's main resistance mechanism to Zn2+ is highly depended on the microorganisms' ability to interact with Zn2+ either through biosorption or bioaccumulation processes. Besides the inadequate studies conducted on biosynthesis with the use of zinc-tolerant probiotics, the understanding regarding the mechanism involved in this process is not clear. Therefore, this study determines the features of probiotic LAB strain TA4 related to its resistance to Zn2+. It also attempts to illustrate its potential in creating a sustainable microbial cell nanofactory of ZnO NPs.
RESULTS: A zinc-tolerant probiotic strain TA4, which was isolated from local fermented food, was selected based on the principal component analysis (PCA) with the highest score of probiotic attributes. Based on the 16S rRNA gene analysis, this strain was identified as Lactobacillus plantarum strain TA4, indicating its high resistance to Zn2+ at a maximum tolerable concentration (MTC) value of 500 mM and its capability of producing ZnO NPs. The UV-visible spectroscopy analysis proved the formations of ZnO NPs through the notable absorption peak at 380 nm. It was also found from the dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis that the Z-average particle size amounted to 124.2 nm with monodisperse ZnO NPs. Studies on scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) revealed that the main mechanisms in ZnO NPs biosynthesis were facilitated by the Zn2+ biosorption ability through the functional groups present on the cell surface of strain TA4.
CONCLUSIONS: The strong ability of zinc-tolerant probiotic of L. plantarum strain TA4 to tolerate high Zn2+ concentration and to produce ZnO NPs highlights the unique properties of these bacteria as a natural microbial cell nanofactory for a more sustainable and eco-friendly practice of ZnO NPs biosynthesis.

Matched MeSH terms: Trace Elements
Evaluation of trace metals concentration and human health implication by indigenous edible fish species consumption from Meghna River in Bangladesh

Palash MAU, Islam MS, Bayero AS, Taqui SN, Koki IB

Environ Toxicol Pharmacol, 2020 Nov;80:103440.
PMID: 32585422 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2020.103440

This study is focused on the determination of trace metals (Cr, Cu, Zn, As, Pb, and Cd) concentrations of nine different indigenous fish species of Meghna River in Bangladesh to know the possible risk in human consumption. Fishes' wet muscles samples were analyzed to evaluate the level of trace metal concentrations. The concentrations (mg kg-1 w/w) of the six selected trace metals were in the order Zn (1.42 ± 0.12) > Cr (1.31 ± 0.08) > Cu (0.92 ± 0.09) > Pb (0.54 ± 0.07) > Cd (0.51 ± 0.07) > As (0.47 ± 0.02). The results revealed that all the selected trace metals were below the maximum permissible limits recommended by the reference standards. The fish species may pose no risk with respect to the Estimated Daily Intake (EDI). Target hazard quotient (THQ) values for Cr, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd in all the fish species were <1.0, except for As which is dominantly organic in fishes. Both adults and children are vulnerable to carcinogenic health threat due to Cd exposure.

Matched MeSH terms: Trace Elements
Chemical speciation and bioavailability of rare earth elements (REEs) in the ecosystem: a review

Khan AM, Bakar NKA, Bakar AFA, Ashraf MA

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2017 Oct;24(29):22764-22789.
PMID: 27722986 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-7427-1

Rare earths (RE), chemically uniform group of elements due to similar physicochemical behavior, are termed as lanthanides. Natural occurrence depends on the geological circumstances and has been of long interest for geologist as tools for further scientific research into the region of ores, rocks, and oceanic water. The review paper mainly focuses to provide scientific literature about rare earth elements (REEs) with potential environmental and health effects in understanding the research. This is the initial review of RE speciation and bioavailability with current initiative toward development needs and research perceptive. In this paper, we have also discussed mineralogy, extraction, geochemistry, analytical methods of rare earth elements. In this study, REEs with their transformation and vertical distribution in different environments such as fresh and seawater, sediments, soil, weathering, transport, and solubility have been reported with most recent literature along key methods of findings. Speciation and bioavailability have been discussed in detail with special emphasis on soil, plant, and aquatic ecosystems and their impacts on the environment. This review shows that REE gained more importance in last few years due to their detrimental effects on living organisms, so their speciation, bioavailability, and composition are much more important to evaluate their health risks and are discussed thoroughly as well.

Matched MeSH terms: Lanthanoid Series Elements
Tissue and Serum Trace Elements Concentration among Colorectal Patients: A Systematic Review of Case-Control Studies

Nawi AM, Chin SF, Azhar Shah S, Jamal R

Iran J Public Health, 2019 Apr;48(4):632-643.
PMID: 31110973

Background: Trace elements play a pivotal role in Colorectal Cancer (CRC) inhibition and development process. This systematic review provides the basic comparison of case-control studies focusing on concentration of trace elements between those with CRC and controls.
Methods: The systematic review searched through two databases of Medline and Cochrane up to 24th June 2017. The search strategy focused on Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcomes (PICO). We searched the role of trace elements in cancer and focusing on case-control studies in CRC to obtain an insight into the differences in trace element concentrations between those with and without cancer.
Results: The serum concentrations of Ca, Cu, Mg, Mn, Se, Si, and Zn were lower in CRC patients but for Co and S the levels were higher in CRC patients. The concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Mg, Mn, Pb, and Zn were increased in patients with metastasis, but not in Se. As for colon tissue specimens, inconsistent levels were reported between studies, notably in Cu, Se, and Zn. No changes were reported for B and Ca levels. Most of the trace elements in the tissue specimens showed higher concentrations of Cr, Fe, K, Mg, P, Rb, S, and Si compared to Br.
Conclusion: With the growing interest to understand the link between trace elements in carcinogenesis and the possible interactions, multi assessment analysis of a larger cohort of samples is necessary.

Matched MeSH terms: Trace Elements
Accumulation of Trace Metals in Anadara granosa and Anadara inaequivalvis from Pattani Bay and the Setiu Wetlands

Pradit S, Shazili NA, Towatana P, Saengmanee W

Bull Environ Contam Toxicol, 2016 Apr;96(4):472-7.
PMID: 26725081 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-015-1717-z

This study was undertaken to assess the levels of trace metals (As, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) in two common species of cockles (Anadara granosa and Anadara inaequivalvis) from two coastal areas in Thailand (Pattani Bay) and Malaysia (the Setiu Wetlands). A total of 350 cockles were collected in February and September 2014. Trace metals were determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. We observed that cockles in both areas had a higher accumulation of metals in September. Notably, the biota-sediment accumulation (BSAF) of Cd was highest in both areas. A strong positive correlation of Cd with the length of the cockles at Pattani Bay (r(2) = 0.597) and the Setiu Wetlands (r(2) = 0.675) was noted. It was suggested that As could be a limiting element (BSAF < 1) of cockles obtained from Pattani Bay. In comparison with the permissible limits set by the Thailand Ministry of Public Health and the Malaysia Food Regulations, mean values of As, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn were within acceptable limits, but the maximum values of Cd and Pb exceeded the limits for both areas. Regular monitoring of trace metals in cockles from both areas is suggested for more definitive contamination determination.

Matched MeSH terms: Trace Elements/analysis*
Source apportionment and health risk assessment of PM10 in a naturally ventilated school in a tropical environment

Mohamad N, Latif MT, Khan MF

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf, 2016 Feb;124:351-362.
PMID: 26590697 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2015.11.002

This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition and potential sources of PM10 as well as assess the potential health hazards it posed to school children. PM10 samples were taken from classrooms at a school in Kuala Lumpur's city centre (S1) and one in the suburban city of Putrajaya (S2) over a period of eight hours using a low volume sampler (LVS). The composition of the major ions and trace metals in PM10 were then analysed using ion chromatography (IC) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), respectively. The results showed that the average PM10 concentration inside the classroom at the city centre school (82µg/m(3)) was higher than that from the suburban school (77µg/m(3)). Principal component analysis-absolute principal component scores (PCA-APCS) revealed that road dust was the major source of indoor PM10 at both school in the city centre (36%) and the suburban location (55%). The total hazard quotient (HQ) calculated, based on the formula suggested by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), was found to be slightly higher than the acceptable level of 1, indicating that inhalation exposure to particle-bound non-carcinogenic metals of PM10, particularly Cr exposure by children and adults occupying the school environment, was far from negligible.

Matched MeSH terms: Trace Elements/analysis
Nutritional supplement use among fitness club participants in Tehran, Iran

Saeedi P, Mohd Nasir MT, Hazizi AS, Vafa MR, Rahimi Foroushani A

Appetite, 2013 Jan;60(1):20-26.
PMID: 23017466 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2012.09.011

The aim of this study was to assess nutritional supplement use among fitness club participants in Tehran, Iran. A cross sectional study was conducted in 24 fitness clubs throughout the city of Tehran, Iran. A total of 1625 fitness club participants were recruited to participate in this study. They were asked to complete a self-administered pre-tested questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and chi-square test were performed to determine the characteristics of participants, reasons for supplement use, sources of information and also the influential advisors regarding nutritional supplement use. A high prevalence rate of nutritional supplement use (66.7%) was reported. Overall, multivitamin-mineral (43.8%) and iron tablets (30.5%) were the common nutritional supplements used and only a small number of participants used illegal substances (0.5%). Younger participants were more likely to use ergogenic aids, whereas, older participants were more likely to use vitamin D. Males were more likely than females to use creatine and amino acids, whereas, iron tablets and mint water were more common among females. Also, males were more likely to use nutritional supplements for increasing energy, whereas, females were more likely to use nutritional supplements for nutritional deficiencies. In conclusion, a high prevalence rate of nutritional supplement use was seen among participants.

Matched MeSH terms: Trace Elements/administration & dosage*
Fulltext Identification of genes involved in the 4-aminobenzenesulfonate degradation pathway of Hydrogenophaga sp. PBC via transposon mutagenesis

Gan HM, Ibrahim Z, Shahir S, Yahya A

FEMS Microbiol Lett, 2011 May;318(2):108-14.
PMID: 21323982 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2011.02245.x

Genes involved in the 4-aminobenzenesulfonate (4-ABS) degradation pathway of Hydrogenophaga sp. PBC were identified using transposon mutagenesis. The screening of 10,000 mutants for incomplete 4-ABS biotransformation identified four mutants with single transposon insertion. Genes with insertions that impaired the ability to utilize 4-ABS for growth included (1) 4-sulfocatechol 1,2-dioxygenase β-subunit (pcaH2) and 3-sulfomuconate cycloisomerase involved in the modified β-ketoadipate pathway; (2) 4-aminobenzenesulfonate 3,4-dioxygenase component (sadA) involved in aromatic ring hydroxylation; and (3) transposase gene homolog with a putative cis-diol dehydrogenase gene located downstream. The pcaH2 mutant strain accumulated brown metabolite during growth on 4-ABS which was identified as 4-sulfocatechol through thin layer chromatography and HPLC analyses. Supplementation of wild-type sadA gene in trans restored the 4-ABS degradation ability of the sadA mutant, thus supporting the annotation of its disrupted gene.

Matched MeSH terms: DNA Transposable Elements*
An assessment of selected trace elements in intertidal surface sediments collected from the Peninsular Malaysia

Zulkifli SZ, Mohamat-Yusuff F, Arai T, Ismail A, Miyazaki N

Environ Monit Assess, 2010 Oct;169(1-4):457-72.
PMID: 19856123 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-009-1189-x

Concentrations of 11 trace elements (V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Ag, Cd, Pb, and U) were determined in the intertidal surface sediments of Peninsular Malaysia. The average trace element concentrations are ranked as follows: Zn>V>As>Cr>Pb>Cu>Ni>Co>U>g>Cd. Interim Sediment Quality Guidelines (ISQGs) employed in present study are the Australia and New Zealand joint guideline (ANZECC/ARMCANZ), and the Hong Kong authorities. From the pooled data, none of these trace elements have the average concentration above the ISQG-high values. However, As and Ag average concentrations were over the ISQG-low values. Some elements were found to have the average concentration above the ISQG-high and/or ISQG-low in certain locations, including Kampung Pasir Putih (JPP), Lumut Port (ALP), Kuala Perai (PKP), Port Dickson (NPD), and others. The lowest and highest concentrations in a specific sampling location and maritime area varied among the elements, variations that were greatly affected by natural and anthropogenic activities in a given area. For each trace element, there were various levels of concentration among the sampling locations and maritime areas. These patterns indicated pollutant sources of an element for each area perhaps derived from nearby areas and did not widely distributed to other locations. It is necessary for Malaysia to develop an ISQG for effective quick screening and evaluation of the coastal environment of Peninsular Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Trace Elements/analysis*
The distribution of major histocompatibility complex class I polymorphic Alu insertions and their associations with HLA alleles in a Chinese population from Malaysia

Dunn DS, Choy MK, Phipps ME, Kulski JK

Tissue Antigens, 2007 Aug;70(2):136-43.
PMID: 17610418

The frequency and association of polymorphic Alu insertions (POALINs) with human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class I genes within the class I genomic region of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) have been reported previously for three populations: the Australian Caucasian, Japanese and north-eastern Thai populations. Here, we report on the individual insertion frequency of the five POALINs within the MHC class I region, their HLA-A and HLA-B associations, the POALIN haplotype frequencies and the HLA-A/POALIN four-loci haplotype frequencies in the Malaysian Chinese population. The phylogenetic relationship of the four populations based on the five POALIN allele frequencies was also examined. In the Malaysian Chinese population, the POALIN AluyHG was present at the highest frequency (0.560), followed by AluyHJ (0.300), AluyMICB (0.170), AluyTF (0.040) and AluyHF (0.030). The most frequent five-loci POALIN haplotype of the 16 inferred haplotypes was the AluyHG single insertion haplotype at a frequency of 0.489. Strong associations were present between AluyHJ and HLA-A24, HLA-A33 and HLA-A11 and between AluyHG and HLA-A2, HLA-A24 and HLA-A11, and these were reflected by the inferred haplotype frequencies constructed from the combination of the HLA-A locus and the AluyHG, AluyHJ and AluyHF loci. The strongest association of AluyMICB was with the HLA-B54 allele (five of five), whereas the associations with the other 17 HLA-B alleles were weak, moderate or undetermined. Phylogenetic analysis of the five POALIN allele frequencies places the Malaysian Chinese closest to the Japanese and north-eastern Thai populations in the same cluster and separate to the Australian Caucasian population. The MHC POALINs are confirmed in this study to be informative genetic markers in lineage (haplotype) analysis, population genetics and evolutionary relationships, especially in studying the MHC genomic region.

Matched MeSH terms: Alu Elements/genetics*

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