Pusat Racun Negara - Tesis

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    Development And Effectiveness Of Mass Media Education Campaign On The Knowledge, Beliefs, Attitudes And Behaviour Relating To Qat Chewing And Health Risk Among Secondary School Students In Aden, Yemen
    (Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2017-10)
    Al-Kaf, Mohammed Saleh Ahmed
    Qat (Catha edulis) is a species belonging to the plant family Celastraceae. Qat is commonly chewed throughout East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula since the 11th centuryThe fresh leaves and buds of the plant contain cathinone and cathine as the active substances. Cathinone is an amphetamine like stimulant responsible for most of its pharmacological action. Among them, is enhancing concentration, and this has been used as a reason for the students to consume qat. A cross-sectional study was carried out aimed at determining the prevalence of qat chewing among adolescents followed by a pre-test post-test experimental control design study aimed at evaluating the outcome of mass media educational campaign on the knowledge, beliefs, attitudes and behavior of qat chewing health risk among public secondary school students in Aden city, Yemen.
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    Development and evaluation of docetaxel encapsulated nanoparticles from poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-CO-4-hydroxybutyrate) biopolymer.
    (Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2012-10)
    Fisol, Faisalina Ahmad
    Tiga jenis nanopartikel (NPs) yang mengandungi drug antikanser yang kurang larut air iaitu docetaxel (DCX), telah dibangunkan projek penyelidikan ini menggunakan polimer terbiodegradasi poli 3-hidroksibutirat-ko-4-hidroksibutirat [P (3HB-ko-4HB)]. Three types of nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with poorly water soluble anticancer drug, docetaxel (DCX), were developed in this research using poly 3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate P(3HB-co-4HB) biodegradable polymers.
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    Clinical And Toxicological Aspects Associated With Paracetamol Poisoning And Predictors Of Its Outcomes
    (2011-12)
    Zyoud, Sa'ed H. A.
    Paracetamol is a common source of poisoning, and early identification of patients with more severe poisoning is the key to improving outcomes. Many aspects of paracetamol toxicity and treatment remain poorly understood. To improve knowledge about paracetamol poisoning, the current 5-year, hospital-based study was carried out with the following primary objectives (1) to determine the pattern of paracetamol poisoning among patients who were admitted to Hospital Pulau Pinang (HPP); and (2) to identify indicators of poor prognosis at first hospital presentation for improving clinical care and determining intervention targets for prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment. This is an observational retrospective cohort study of hospital admissions for acute paracetamol poisoning between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2008. Overall, 305 patients met the inclusion criteria. Gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations were common in patients who reported ingestion of ≥ 8 g of paracetamol, and whose latency was longer than 8 hours; and both of these factors were identified as strong independent predictors of the presence of GI manifestations, especially nausea/vomiting. The presence of GI symptoms was a significant marker of poor outcomes and increased hospital stays. Additionally, hypokalaemia is highly associated with paracetamol poisoning.
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    Determination Of Selected Organochlorine Pesticides In Farmers’ Biological Samples Using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry And Their Knowledge, Attitude And Practice Towards Pesticides Use
    (Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2011-03)
    Noor, Juliana Mohd
    This study was conducted in agricultural areas in Pinang Tunggal, Kepala Batas, Penang. The main objective of the study was to determine the level of selected organochlorine pesticides in farmers’ biological samples particularly in hair and urine samples by using Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Concomitantly, it was also carried out to assess the farmers` knowledge, attitude and practice towards pesticide use. Organochlorine pesticides selected in this study were HCHs (α-, β-, γ- and δ-hch), DDTs (p,p’-ddt, p,p’-ddd and p,p’-dde), aldrin, dieldrin, endosulfan sulfate, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide and methoxychlor. Hair sample was chosen as it is known to be a good long term indicator for chemical exposure while urine is normally used to determine short term exposure. Method development and validation using GC-MS were established and several parameters were analyzed. Parameters observed were speed and time for agitation, speed and time for centrifugation, temperature for hair digestion and type of solvent for extraction. R2 was in accepted range, coefficients of variation were less than 20% and recoveries were in the range of 70% to 120%. A total 33 % of the hair samples (n=60) and 21% of the urine samples (n=60) from the respondents were detected to contain certain concentrations of the pesticides. β-HCH was the most organochlorine pesticide detected in hair, while Dieldrin was mostly found in urine. On weigh to weigh basis, higher concentration of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were detected in hair as compared to those found in urine. Others pesticides under study were not detected at all. They were 122 respondents participated in a self-administered survey on their knowledge, attitude and practice towards pesticides use. Based on the finding, most of the farmers seemed to have high knowledge towards pesticides use. High percentage (67 – 91%) of farmers appeared to possess reasonably good attitude in pesticide use based on their answers on the questions related to individual hygiene, how pesticides should be kept, whether pesticides containers can be re-used or not, and disposal of pesticides containers. More than 80% of respondents practiced the appropriate and safe way in handling and spraying pesticides. High level of knowledge towards pesticide use was noted. Very few claims of chronic effects on health were made. This study has successfully developed an assay for simultaneous quantification of selected organochlorine pesticides.
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    Development And Evaluation Of Docetaxel Encapsulated Nanoparticles From Poly(3 Hydroxybutyrate-Co-4-Hydroxybutyrate) Biopolymer
    (Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2012-10)
    Ahmad Fisol, Faisalina
    Three types of nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with poorly water soluble anticancer drug, docetaxel (DCX), were developed in this research using poly 3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate P(3HB-co-4HB) biodegradable polymers. The optimized P(3HB-co-4HB) nanoparticles formulation was developed by screening the use of different tensioactives (PVA, lecithin, pluronic F-68 and vitamin E TPGS) in modified emulsion/solvent evaporation and nanoprecipitation production methods. From all the experiments carried out, it was found that P(3HB-co-4HB) nanoparticles with good physicochemical characteristics (particle size <200 nm, PDI <0.15 and zeta potential -10 mV) were prepared with emulsion/solvent evaporation method without problems such as particle agglomeration and precipitation of the polymer. The blank and DCX loaded nanoparticles were then characterized for their size and size distribution, surface charge, and morphology. DCX loaded P(3HB-co-70% 4HB) nanoparticles gave the best results with particles size of 140-180 nm with low PDI of 0.09. The surface charge of the nanoparticles was between -10mV and -22mV. Furthermore the encapsulation efficiencies result showed that at 30% of drug to polymer ratio, DCX loaded P(3HB-co-16% 4HB) NPs were able to encapsulate up to 42% of DCX; DCX loaded P(3HB-co-30% 4HB) NPs encapsulated up to 46% of DCX and DCX loaded P(3HB-co-70% 4HB) NPs encapsulated up to 50% of DCX in the nanoparticles system. From these results DCX loaded P(3HB-co-70% 4HB) NPs were chosen for the release experiments and two release behaviours were observed. P(3HB-co-70%4HB) nanoparticles with high drug/polymer ratio led to a relatively rapid release, while nanoparticles with drug to polymer ratio lower than 30% DCX amount in P(3HB-co-70%4HB) nanoparticles showed a prolonged drug release profile. 60% of DCX was released from the DCX-P(3HB-co-70% 4HB) NPs within 8 hr to 7 days for 5% , 10% and 20% of DCX/ P(3HB-co-70% 4HB) ratio while the 30% and 40% of DCX/ P(3HB-co-70% 4HB) ratio, NPs gave an almost complete drug release (98%) after 7 days of incubation.