Akbariah Mohd Mahdzir

CAUSES OF BREAST CANCER: COMPARISON BETWEEN THE THREE RACES IN MALAYSIA

Antibiotics resistance profiles of gram positive bacteria isolated from wound infections in four (4) General Hospitals (Bida, Kontagora, Minna and Suleja) in Niger State was carried out. Organisms isolated from surgical wounds were Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. Five hundred (500) samples (i.e. Two hundred (200) samples in Minna, One hundred (100) samples each from Suleja, Kontagora and Bida) of wound exudates from surgical wounds sites were analysed for their resistance pattern. From the five hundred (500) samples collected from all the locations, one hun- dred and twenty one samples (121) had Strept. pyogenes, one hundred and ninety seven (197) samples had S. aureus. S. aureus was more frequently isolated (62%) than Strept. pyogenes (38%) from wounds in all the locations. Both bacteria were tested for sensitivity to Tarivid, Pefloxacin, Ciprofloxacin, Augmentin, Gentamycin, Streptomycin, Ceporex, Nalidixic acid, Septrin, Ampicillin, ampiclox 30µg, zinacef 20µg, Amoxacillin, rocephin and erythromycin. Of the five hundred (500) wound samples from various locations 318 (64%) yielded growths while 182 samples (36%) yielded no growths. Most of all the isolates were sensitive to ciprofloxacin, pefloxacin and Tarivid while others were resistant to re- maining antibiotics. S. aureus showed a higher resistance profile to most antibiotics used than Strept. pyogenes.

Potential Health Benefits of Deep Sea Water: A Review

Deep sea water (DSW) commonly refers to a body of seawater that is pumped up from a depth of over 200 m. It is usually associated with the following characteristics: low temperature, high purity, and being rich with nutrients, namely, beneficial elements, which include magnesium, calcium, potassium, chromium, selenium, zinc, and vanadium. Less photosynthesis of plant planktons, consumption of nutrients, and organic decomposition have caused lots of nutrients to remain there. Due to this, DSW has potential to become a good source for health. Research has proven that DSW can help overcome health problems especially related to lifestyle-associated diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer, and skin problems. This paper reviews the potential health benefits of DSW by referring to the findings from previous researches.

Abundance of sulfur-degrading bacteria in a benthic bacterial community of shallow sea sediment in the off-Terengganu coast of the South China Sea.

This study for the first time provides insight into the bacterial community in the benthic region of the Off‐Terengganu Coastline, which is considered to be anthropogenically polluted due to heavy fishing vessel commotion. Subsurface bacteria were randomly collected from two locations at different depths and were examined using the 16S rDNA V3‐V4 marker gene on the Illumina™ Miseq platform. In addition, the physiochemical parameters of the sediment were also measured. Surprisingly, the results show a high diversity of sulfur‐oxidizing bacteria in the surveyed area, where Sulfurovum sp. was identified to predominate the overall bacterial community. The physiochemical parameters reveal insufficient evidence of hydrothermal vents in the surveyed area. However, there are traces of hydrocarbon pollutants such as gasoline, diesel, and mineral oil in this area. It is assumed that sediment accumulation in the lee of breakwater plays an important role in trapping the runoff from the nearby harbor, which includes oil spills. Based on the common knowledge, Sulvurofum sp. is a native bacterium that exists in deep hydrothermal vents and volcanic territories. Although the reason for the abundance of Sulfurovum sp. in the surveyed area is still unclear, there is a possibility that metabolic adaptation plays an important role in regulating hydrocarbon pollutants for survival. The work presented in this paper therefore has profound implications for future studies on Sulfurovum sp. versatility. However, future research is needed to strengthen the findings of this study and to provide a better evidence regarding the metabolic response of this bacterium toward hydrocarbon pollutants.

Potential of deep seawater mariculture for economic transformation in Sabah, Malaysia

A Malaysian state of Sabah is blessed with natural deep sea water (DSW). The presence of these DSWs offers a potential for OTEC power plant to be installed and operated using warm surface sea water (SSW) as a heat source and the cold DSW as a heat sink. In the operation, the power plant may need to spend a considerable amount of power to pump up the DSW. The cold DSW, after serving its function as coolant to the condenser of the power plant, apparently appears as cold waste-water and may pose a disposal problem to the environment. However, being very rich in nutrients, the used DSW instead create another valuable potential for secondary commercial activities in industries like mariculture, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, medicinal, temperate crop farming, district cooling, etc. all of which, if fully developed could offer a real economic transformation for the state of Sabah, as that experience by the Japanese Kumejima of Okinawa prefecture. This paper focuses on the discussion on the potential of DSW in enhancing the development of Sabah mariculture industry, party contribution towards accelerating the socioeconomic transformation of the state and the people.

The psychology of giving behavior in islam

‘Who is he that will loan to Allah a beautiful loan which Allah will double unto his credit and multiply it many times?’ [2:245]. It is very important to start with the above verse that teaches us the importance of generously giving to the poor and needy. It help us to establish a better understanding of the psychological views that underlie charitable giving intention, that also plays an important role in the elicitation and stimulation of charitable giving behavior.1 Islam, like other religions, enjoins its followers to ‘give’ for individual and societal well-being. The three main institutionalized instruments of Islamic philanthropy and redistribution of wealth are Sadaqa (charity), Zakat (poor tax) and Waqf (trust).2 Giving Zakat, Sadaqah, or/and participating in Waqf is viewed as “compulsory and important charity”; it is the responsibility of those who have received their wealth from God to respond to those members of the community in need. The whole concept of wealth is considered in Islam as a gift from God. God, who provided it to the person, made a portion of it for the poor, so the poor have a right over one’s wealth.3 The notion of giving, especially giving and helping those in need, is so entrenched in Islam. According to By Relkhatib,4 the Almighty promises us that if we train ourselves to give in times of ease and hardship, our sustenance will increase. Giving awakens our souls and triggers genuine concern for the well-being of others. Research indicates that helping others lessens anxiety and increases positive feelings and feelings of satisfaction. But is this enough to explain the phenomenon of generosity?.5 The love of good deed is the way to the happiness, and the culture of giving stems from inside. People who keen to do volunteer work are always been push by their values and ethics that embodied through behaviors. And the volunteer work varies in size, shape, trends and motives from one society to another. In terms of size, it is less in periods of stability and calm, and increases in times of disasters and wars. Then in terms of form, it may be an effort or a donation of money. In terms of direction, it may be automatic, or directed by the State in social, educational, or developmental activities; and in terms of its motives, it may be psychological, social or political. As a result, it generates selfsatisfaction, God blessing, people’s happiness, and societal wellbeing.

Waqf Between the Past and Present

Abstract Waqf plays a very important role in Muslim societies. It has been the main source for various public services provided to communities. It has been marginalized as a mere charity, although it has historically been successful in producing sustainable income and reducing poverty levels in Muslim countries. Traditionally, the creation of Waqf is inculcated in Muslims’ culture, and included all walks of life. It has also contributed to the service of man in various areas of development. Nonetheless, in modern times, Waqf has seen a declining role, which raises a number of questions as to what factors actually led to an earlier growth of Waqf, and what was the factor associated with its later decline. This review propagates a historical narrative of Waqf, highlighting the reasons for its decline and the need for reform. The paper concludes that if Muslims have good governments that can manage the funds are transparent, reformulates the laws governing Waqf, and design an integrated network of sciences to monitor issues and problems; they can realistically revive the practice of Waqf. The proper management and disbursement of Waqf can become a great source of revenue for the Ummah.