Background Poor waste disposal practices hamper the progress towards an integrated solid waste management in households. Knowledge of current practices and perception of household solid waste management is necessary for accurate decision making in the move towards a more sustainable approach. This study investigates the household waste practices and perceptions about waste management in Panji, one of the sub-districts in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia. Methods A stratified random sampling technique using a cross-sectional survey questionnaire was used to collect data. A total of 338 households were interviewed in the survey and data were analyzed using SPSS. Chi-square goodness of fit test was used to determine the relationships between categorical variables, whereas Chi-square bivariate correlation test was performed to observe the correlation between the perceptions of waste segregation with socio-demographic background of the respondents. The correlation between perception of respondents with the locality, house type and waste type were also conducted. Principal component analysis was used to identify grouping of variables and to establish which factors were interrelated in any given construct. Results The results of the study revealed that 74.3 % of households disposed of food debris as waste and 18.3% disposed of plastic materials as waste. The study also showed that 50.3% of the households segregate their waste while 49.7% did not. About 95.9% of the respondents were aware that improper waste management leads to disease; such as diarrhea and malaria. There were associations between locality, age and house type with waste segregation practices among respondents (Chi-square test, p<0.05). Associations were also found between locality with the perception of improper waste management which lead to disease (Chi-square test, p<0.05). Principal Component Analysis showed that 17.94% of the variance has high positive loading (positive relationship) with age, marital status and, type of house. Conclusion This study highlights the importance to design waste separation programs that suit the needs of targeted population as a boost towards sustainable solid waste management practices.
BackgroundHydnophytum formicarium Jack is an epyphytic shrub that belongs to the family of Rubiaceae and is native to the tropical rain forests of the Asean region, which includes Malaysia. A flavanoid derivative, 7, 3', 5'-trihydroxyflavanone (3HFD), isolated from H. formicarium has been reported to have cytotoxic effects on the human breast carcinoma cell line MCF-7. The aim of the current study was to investigate the mode of cell death in MCF-7 cells treated with 3HFD. A DNA fragmentation assay was conducted on isolated genomic DNA, a TUNEL assay was used to determine the mode of cell death and Western blotting was used to evaluate the expression levels of Bax and Bcl-2. Immunofluorescence staining of MCF-7 cells was also performed to confirm the up-regulation of the Bax protein.ResultsThe ladder pattern resulting from the DNA fragmentation assay was a multimer of 180 kb. The morphological changes of cells undergoing apoptosis were visualised by a TUNEL assay over time. The percentage of apoptotic cells increased as early as 6 hours post treatment compared to untreated cells. Western blotting revealed up-regulation of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax. However, 3HFD did not affect expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2.ConclusionsOur results provide evidence that plant-derived 3HFD was able to induce the apoptotic cell death of MCF-7 cells by increasing Bax expression level and makes 3HFD a promising agent for chemotherapy, which merits further study.
Traditionally, Clinacanthus nutans (CN) or locally named as 'Belalai Gajah' is one of the herbal plant claimed to be able to treat cancer. The aimd of this study are to extract, isolate and characterize the active anticancer compound from CN and to determine the mode of cell death induced by the compound. Bioassay guided fractionation was done on the CN extract by using column chromatography. The cytotoxicity activities of these fractions toward HeLA cells were examined by MTT assay. The nuclear morphology was examined by Hoechst 33258 staining and the cell cycle arrest was evaluated by propium iodide staining using flow cytometry. The presence of active compound in the chosen fraction was determined by Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LCMS). Out of 16 fractions collected, Fraction 11(F11) showed the lowest IC 50 value with 27 ± 2.6 µg/mL. The value of IC 50 for F11 towards normal cell, NIH 3T3 cell and L929 cell, were 70 ± 4.0 µg/mL and 45 ± 1.5 µg/mL respectively. These values were higher than tamoxifen, therefore indicating that tamoxifen is more toxic towards normal cells compared to F11. Nuclear morphology of HeLA cell displayed DNA fragmentation, nuclear condensation and formation of apoptotic bodies upon treatment with F11 for 24 hours. The cell cycle distribution of HeLA cell treated with F11 was arrested at G1 phase. The active compound identified to potentially possess the anticancer property is 19-Oxo-all-trans-retinoic acid. In conclusion, 19-Oxo-all-trans-retinoic acids from F11 of the CN extract, is a potential anticancer agent for cervical cancer.
Background: Dengue is one of the most important mosquito-borne diseases which can cause a major problem to human health. Poor practices in dengue prevention especially in the area where dengue is prevalent is among the factors contributing towards dengue spike. This study was commenced to assess the level of attitude and practice toward dengue prevention among the community residing in a dengue prone area, beside identifying the environmental characteristics surrounding the housing compound.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 132 respondents living in a dengue hot spot area. A set of questionnaire form consisted of four parts; socio-demographic information, environmental characteristics around the house, and attitudes and practices toward dengue prevention were distributed to respondents.Results: More than half of the respondents possessed good level of attitude, and more than half scored moderately for practice (57.6% and 56.1% respectively). Data on the environmental characteristics showed that majority of the respondents’ houses have no potential breeding sites for Aedes mosquito. Findings also indicate that there was no significant association between dengue prevention practices and socio-demographic factors such as age, gender, educational level and occupational status.Conclusions: Level of practice of dengue prevention is still considerably low and could be improved through educational campaign. Proper knowledge and information regarding dengue practices should be emphasized among the community especially in high risk area to raise up the awareness and cultivate better practices for dengue prevention.
Good knowledge, attitude and practice regarding dengue fever are important especially to those exposed to this deadliest disease. Knowledge on vector of the disease, the mode of transmission, the symptoms of the disease, and the correct prevention method are vital to help the public act toward the disease accordingly. On the other hand, good attitude and practice of dengue prevention and ABSTRACT Background: Knowledge, awareness, and practice regarding dengue are important to be cultivated especially among the young generation. This study was commenced to assess the level of knowledge, attitude and practice of dengue fever among undergraduate health science students of University of Science Malaysia, beside to determine the relationship between knowledge regarding dengue and practice of dengue prevention. Methods: Cross sectional survey among 250 undergraduate students was conducted to assess the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice toward dengue using a standardized questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS through a few statistical analyses. Results: Majority of the students had moderate level of knowledge, attitude, and practice toward dengue fever. There was a significant, positive, weak correlation between knowledge and practice regarding dengue fever (p<0.05). Conclusions: Level of knowledge, attitude and practice regarding dengue fever among the students could be increased. Social media could be used as an important medium in delivering information on dengue especially among the youths. Effort must be put to translate the components of knowledge into good practice of dengue prevention.
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