Maturation of Plasmodium falciparum decreases the deformability of infected red blood cells (RBCs), increasing their clearance as they attempt to pass through endothelial slits of the splenic sinus. Previous studies of Plasmodium vivax-infected RBCs led to opposite conclusions with respect to cellular deformability. To resolve this controversy, P. vivax-infected RBCs were passed through a 2-microm microfluidic channel. In contrast to P. falciparum-infected RBCs, mature P. vivax-infected RBCs readily became deformed through 2-microm constrictions. After this extreme deformation, 67% of P. vivax-infected RBCs recovered a normal appearance; however, 15% of uninfected RBCs were destroyed. Results suggest mechanisms for both avoidance of splenic clearance and anemia in vivax malaria.

Background Based on Basic Health Research (RISKESDAS) conducted by Ministry of Health, Indonesia, prediabetes prevalence tends to increase from 2007 until 2018. The numbers are relatively higher in rural than those in urban area despite of small discrepancies between the two (~ 2–4%). The purpose of this study was to identify urban-rural differences in potential determinants for prediabetes in Indonesia. Methods This analysis used secondary data collected from nationwide Health Survey in 2018. Respondents were aged ≥15 years who met inclusion criteria of analysis with no history of diabetes mellitus. Prediabetes criteria followed American Diabetes Association 2019. Multiple logistic regression was also employed to assess the transition probability of potential determinants for prediabetes in urban and rural Indonesia. Results Up to 44.8% of rural respondents were prediabetics versus their urban counterparts at 34.9%, yet non-response bias was observed in the two. Young adults aged 30 years were already at risk of prediabetes. Urban-rural distinction for marital status and triglyceride level was observed while other determinants tended to overlap across residence. Several modifiable factors might contribute differently in both population with careful interpretation. Conclusions The minimum age limit for early prediabetes screening may start from 30 years old in Indonesia. Urban-rural distinction for marital status and triglyceride level was observed, yet non-response bias between the two groups could not be excluded. A proper model for early prediabetes screening need to be developed from a cohort study with adequate sample size.

Primaquine is an effective anti-hypnozoite drug for Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale. However, it can trigger erythrocyte hemolysis in people with glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. In a previous report from South Central Timor (SCT), Indonesia, we described the prevalence of Vanua Lava, Chatham, and Viangchan variants; in this study, other G6PD variants (Kaiping, Coimbra, Gaohe, Canton, and Mahidol) were subsequently analyzed. For clarity, all of these results are described together. The 381 DNA samples from the previous study during 2013-2014 were analyzed for G6PD variants by using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). The prevalence of G6PD deficiency in SCT was 6.3% (24/381 cases), including 4.2% (16/381 cases), 0.5% (2/381 cases), and 1.6% (6/381 cases) for Coimbra, Kaiping, and Vanua Lava variants, respectively. No other variants were found in this population. A significant association was found between ethnicity and the distribution of G6PD Kaiping in female subjects. A positive association was shown between G6PD activity and heterozygous females carrying Coimbra genotype, hemizygous males carrying Vanua Lava, Plasmodium falciparum infection in female subjects, and P. vivax infection in male subjects. Further molecular analysis of heterozygous females, particularly in malaria-endemic areas, is needed for mapping distribution of G6PD deficiency status in Indonesia.

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide. The major cause of cervical cancer is the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) [1,2]. Several studies showed that the prevalence of HPV infection varies considerably in some countries. However, globally the prevalence of HPV infection was estimated at 11.7% in 2010 [3]. In Indonesia, data of cervical cancer and the prevalence of HPV infection is very limited. Estimated 95.9 million for women aged ⩾ 15 years old have cervical cancer risk with an incident 17 per 100.000 inhabitants per year [4]. Study in the hospital showed that among 10 cervical cancer patients with IIB-IIIB stadium nearly 91.7% were HPV positive [5], while in the community of women aged 15-70 years old in three cities of Jakarta, Tasikmalaya, dan Bali, the HPV prevalence exposed much lower of 11.4% [6]. Indonesia has a considerable population and nearly a half of the population are women [7], who have a risk of being infected HPV. The aim of the study was to provide the national data of HPV infection among Indonesian urban women. 2. METHOD The design of the study was a laboratory-based crosssectional, subsample of non-communicable disease research of breast tumors and pre-cervical cancer lesion was conducted in 2016. Ethical approval was obtained from the ethic committee of National Institute of Health Research and Development (NIHRD), no LB 02.01/5.2/KE/154/2016. A purposive sampling method was designed by Center Bureau of Statistic (BPS) from 34 provinces and 76 districts in Indonesia, which represented the national data. All respondents were selected based on inclusive criteria: women aged 25-64 years old, had marital or sexual intercourse history, living in urban area and willing to give informed consent. Those with serious illness, trouble in communicating, and pregnancy were excluded from this study. The selection of urban areas was regarding the feasibility of specimen collection and also transportation. Cervical swab specimens from those respondents were gathered at selected primary health centers, then transferred in special media to the NIHRD laboratory, Jakarta. Cervical swab specimen was taken by trained doctors or midwives and was done in a local community health center

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