Relationship Between Volcanic Ash Exposure and Human Illnesses in the Affected Municipalities of Taal Volcano Eruption
Genevee Banta1,2 and Cristina Salibay1,3
1 College of Science and Computer Studies - Graduate Studies, De La Salle University-Dasmarinas, Cavite, Philippines
2 Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Medicine, De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences, Dasmarinas, Cavite, Philippines
3 Biological Sciences Department, College of Science and Computer Studies, De La Salle University- Dasmarinas, Cavite, Philippines
ABSTRACT
Illnesses are commonly due to infectious causes, but the environment can also be a source depending on the person’s exposure. On this premise, the study aimed to determine the relationship between volcanic ash exposure and illnesses in the municipalities affected by the Taal volcano eruption. The health of the affected residents from the three municipalities of Batangas- Agoncillo, Talisay and Cuenca- was assessed using the modified natural disaster morbidity survey form of the Center for Disease Control. The level of volcanic ash exposure of municipalities was based on its distance to Taal volcano. The municipality with the highest exposure was Agoncillo while Talisay was categorized as having moderate ash exposure. Meanwhile, Cuenca was identified as the municipality with the least volcanic ash exposure. The chi-square test was used to determine the relationship between volcanic ash exposure and the illnesses. In this study, it is the pulmonary system of the residents that has been significantly affected. The study also observed that volcanic ash exposure is related to the development of illnesses. Individuals who reside in the municipality with high volcanic ash exposure were more affected and also exhibited more symptoms than the residents with lesser ash exposure. The level of ash exposure affected human health and contributed to the development of illnesses after a volcanic eruption.
Keywords: diseases, health, health effect, natural calamity
Georeferencing the Protected Areas in Bicol Region, Philippines Based on their Legal Status using Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS)
Jim Carl Jefe Primo
Graduate Studies of Science and Computing, College of Science and Computer Studies,
De La Salle University-Dasmarinas, Cavite, Philippines
Mathematics and Science Department, Higher School ng UMak, University of Makati,
West Rembo, Makati City, Philippines
ABSTRACT
The Philippines have 248 protected areas (PAs) that have unique and biological significance, and Region V has the greatest number of such geographical spaces that are regulated, managed, and protected by the government through ordinances and laws. Most of these PAs are rarely seen on the maps. The aim of the study was to create a map that visualizes the most current list of PAs in Region V based on their legal status (initial component, legislated and proclaimed) identified by the Biodiversity Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Quantum Geographic Information System, a free and open-source program, was used to produce, edit, view, analyze, and publish geographical data, such as location and legal status, of these PAs. Georeferencing was utilized to align raster data such as digital map and images of the PAs to known latitude and longitude coordinates. The map was able to visualize 27 PAs according to their legal status: 13 of the PAs are under initial component category; 12 are under legislated category; and only two are under the proclaimed category. The PAs were georeferenced successfully using the QGIS, and a 'protected areas' map was created. This map hopefully, will be utilized for educational and planning purposes.
Keywords: Bicol Region georeferencing, map, protected areas
Heavy Metal Bioaccumulation in Freshwater Fishes and its Implications to Human Health: A Systematic Review
Franco Rigor M. Legatub
Graduate Studies of Science and Computing, College of Science and Computer Studies,
De La Salle University-Dasmarinas, Cavite, Philippines
Senior High School, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
ABSTRACT
Heavy metals are naturally occurring trace elements in the environment. However, because it has been used in industrial, residential, agricultural, pharmacological, and technical applications, heavy metals have become widely distributed in the environment, which makes them a significant factor in pollution or contamination and raises concerns about their potential health and environmental effects. This systematic review aimed to determine the most common heavy metals found in bodies of water and those that accumulate in the tissues of freshwater fish. It followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to ensure the review process's transparency and completeness, including a systematic search strategy, study quality assessment, and findings synthesis. It provided an unbiased and reliable summary of the available evidence. A total of 113 articles were reviewed, with 40 articles meeting the inclusion criteria and 17 focusing on the main topic of interest. Results revealed that the most commonly found heavy metals in water were Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Nickel (Ni), and Zinc (Zn) with Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Lead (Pb), and Zinc (Zinc) as the most common heavy metals that fishes absorb. Moreover, the bioaccumulation concentration of heavy metals varied significantly (p<0.05) between fish species and organs, with the gills (0.022+ 0.001 ug/g -95.00 ± 11.20 ug/g) and liver (0.025 +0.014 ug/g - 215.0 ± 30.55 ug/g) exhibiting the highest bioaccumulation factor and the muscles (0 ug/g - 105.00 ± 12.34 ug/g) exhibiting the lowest. These findings have substantial implications for managing and regulating heavy metal contamination in aquatic ecosystems and safeguarding human health.
Keywords: Contamination, Aquatic Ecosystem, Environment, Hazard, Pollution, Human health
Inhibitory Potential of Cinnamomum burmanni (Nees & T. Nees) Blume Oil Extract against Selected Gram-Negative Bacteria (Enterobacteriaceae)
Francis B. Lirag1,3, Ronalyn S. Sanchez2, and Johnny A. Ching3
1Far Eastern University, Manila
2University of Perpetual Help, Laguna
3Graduate Studies in Science and Computing, College of Science and Computer Studies,
De La Salle University-Dasmariñas, Dasmariñas City, Cavite, Philippines
ABSTRACT
Bacterial infectious diseases are considered one of the top causes of mortality in the world; however, the emergence of “superbugs” with antimicrobial resistance due to the persistent overuse and misuse of antibiotics makes treating bacterial infections more difficult and surgeries riskier. This study explored the antimicrobial potential of Cinnamon, or Cinnamomum burmanni oil extract against Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae and Klebsiella pneumoniae as an alternative for the treatment of enteric bacteria. Data were collected and tested using the disk diffusion testing with three replicates. Normal saline solution, Ceftriaxone and Gentamicin served as the control variables. Results show that Cinnamon oil extract was able to significantly inhibit the growth of the three microbes. It had the highest inhibitory potential against E. coli as compared to the other control variables. Cinnamon oil extract and gentamicin produced the same inhibition against the growth of E. cloacae while as against K. pneumonia, Cinnamon oil extract was as effective as gentamicin and ceftriaxone in inhibiting growth. These results assert that Cinnamon oil extract effectively inhibits cell membrane synthesis preventing the growth of the microbes.
Keywords: Cinnamon oil extract, cinnamic acid, E. coli, E. cloacae, K. pneumoniae
LASALIKSIK
Lasaliksik is a peer-reviewed journal published by the University Research Office of De La Salle University-Dasmariñas (DLSU-D) and serves as the University’s official publication for Science and Mathematics. The title of the journal highlights the Filipino word “saliksik” which translates to “to search/ research” and thus the journal’s goal of disseminating newly discovered knowledge as well as developments and extended results of scientific studies. More importantly, the journal aims to provide an academic platform for researchers to share their scholarly works and research endeavors in various disciplines of science and mathematics, both pure and applied.
Lasaliksik accepts original full articles, expository studies, research notes, review articles and perspectives for review and releases one volume per year having two issues.
Editorial Board
Editor-in-Chief
Dr. Rubie M. Causaren (Biology, De La Salle University-Dasmariñas)
Associate Editor
Dr. Nelda A. Nacion (Mathematics, De La Salle University- Dasmariñas)
Managing Editor
Jaime Zeus Agustin (De La Salle University- Dasmariñas)
Members
Dr. Edwin A. Balila (Statistics, Adventist University of the Philippines)
Dr. Drexel H. Camacho (Chemistry, De La Salle University, Manila)
Dr. Julieta Z. Dungca (Microbiology, Centro Escolar University)
Dr. Ma. Melanie M. Guiang (Plant Science, Central Mindanao University)
Dr. Maria Carla F. Manzano (Physics, De La Salle University, Manila)
Dr. Veeranoot Nissapatorn (Microbio and Parasitology, Walailak University, Thailand)
Dr. Marie Christine M. Obusan (Environmental Science, University of the Phils., Diliman)
Dr. Hanna Arini Parhusip (Applied Mathematics, Universitas Kristen Satya Wacana Indonesia)
Dr. Maila de Lourdes Gomes Periera (Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Aviero, Portugal)
Dr. Janet M. Luistro (Ecotoxicology, De La Salle University- Dasmariñas)
Dr. Cristina C. Salibay (Biology, De La Salle University- Dasmariñas)
Dr. Ma. Theresa Christine C. Valdez (Mathematics, De La Salle University- Dasmariñas)
Dr. Elizabeth B. Villa (Crimonology, De La Salle University- Dasmariñas)