Synthesis and Characterization of Magnetic Fe3O4/Reduced Graphene Oxide and its Application in Determination of Dopamine

An electrochemical sensor to determine dopamine in the human body was fabricated based on modified iron oxide/reduced graphene oxide/glassy carbon electrode (Fe3O4/r-GO/GCE). Determination of dopamine is significance nowadays as the abnormal level may cause various mental health diseases as well as Parkinson’s disease. The Fe3O4/r-GO nanocomposite was synthesized via Hummer’s method with a slight modification and characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Brunauer Emmett-Teller (BET). The presence of Fe3O4 onto the surface of r-GO was confirmed by SEM analysis which shows the bulky porous sponge-like structure attached to an exfoliated sheet of r-GO. FTIR analysis proved the presence of the functional group in existing composites via oxidation process of graphene oxide and reduction process of reduced graphene oxide while the crystalline form of Fe3O4/r-GO was determined using XRD analysis. The diffraction peaks index to the cubic phase was noticeable indicating the successful crystallization of the composites. The catalytic activity of bare GCE and modified GCE (Fe3O4/r-GO/ GCE) were observed using electrochemical characterization of cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) with optimum pH of 7, a concentration of 100 μM, and the scan rate of 250 mV s-1. The observed DPV response linearly depends on dopamine concentration in the range of 20-100 μM, with correlation coefficients of 0.9876. The detection limit obtained for the real sample analysis was found to be 0.569 μM while the limit of quantitation was 1.897 μM. The percentage of recovery, repeatability and reproducibility was 113, 82.81 and 7.19 %, respectively.

Methodology of the National School-based Health Survey in Malaysia, 2012

The National School-Based Health Survey 2012 was a nationwide school health survey of students in Standard 4 to Form 5 (10-17 years of age), who were schooling in government schools in Malaysia during the period of data collection. The survey comprised 3 subsurveys: the Global School Health Survey (GSHS), the Mental Health Survey, and the National School-Based Nutrition Survey. The aim of the survey was to provide data on the health status of adolescents in Malaysia toward strengthening the adolescent health program in the country. The design of the survey was created to fulfill the requirements of the 3 subsurveys. A 2-stage stratified sampling method was adopted in the sampling. The methods for data collection were via questionnaire and physical examination. The National School-Based Health Survey 2012 adopted an appropriate methodology for a school-based survey to ensure valid and reliable findings.

Illicit drug use among school-going adolescents in Malaysia

Illicit drug use among adolescents has become a public health issue in Malaysia. This study was from the Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS) and aimed to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with illicit drug use among school-going adolescents in Malaysia. A 2-stage stratified cluster sampling method was used and data were collected via a self-administered questionnaire. A total of 25 507 students participated in the study. The prevalence of adolescents who ever used illicit drugs was 1.7%. Adolescents who ever used illicit drugs were associated with current smoking (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 6.99; 95% CI = 5.19, 9.40), current alcohol use (aOR = 4.63; 95% CI = 3.43, 6.26), ever having sex (aOR = 4.76; 95% CI = 3.54, 6.41), truancy (aOR = 1.43; 95% CI = 1.07, 1.90), lack of peer support (aOR = 1.47; 95% CI = 1.07, 2.03), and lack of parental monitoring (aOR = 1.71; 95% CI = 1.22, 2.39). Public health intervention should be addressed to prevent illicit drug used among adolescents.

Workplace injuries and risk reduction practices in Malaysia

INTRODUCTION

This study on workplace injuries and risk reduction practices was part of the Malaysia National Health Morbidity Survey III (NHMS III) conducted in 2006.

METHODS

This cross-sectional population-based survey was conducted to determine the incidence of workplaces injuries and assess the magnitude of some important risk reduction practices among workers. Data were gathered through face-to-face household interviews using a pre-coded questionnaire.

RESULTS

Of the 22 880 eligible respondents, 88·2% (20 180) responded. The incidence rate for injuries at the workplace was 4·9 per 100 (95% CI: 4·6-5·2). The overall proportion of workers who had received occupational safety and health (OSH) training before or within 1 month of starting work was 33·6%. Among respondents who perceived that personal protective equipment (PPE) was required at their workplace, only 38·9% (95% CI: 37·8-39·4) were provided with it by their employers.

DISCUSSION

Further studies are urgently needed to identify reasons for and management of the low uptake of risk reduction practices. This issue needs to be addressed to ensure the safety and health of our working population.