Background Atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) was found to be one of the strongest markers in predicting the cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. This study was to determine the AIP and its relationship with other CVD risk factors. Materials and Methods This cross-sectional study was done among 349 staff of a public university in Sarawak. Data were collected using questionnaire, blood sampling, and anthropometric and blood pressure measurement. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20. Results A total of 349 respondents participated with majority females (66.8%), aged 38.5 ± 7.82 years. Nearly 80% of the respondents were overweight and obese, 87.1% with high and very high body fat, and 46.9% with abnormal visceral fat. For AIP category, 8.9% were found to be in intermediate and 16.4% were at high risk. Elevated lipid profile showed that total cholesterol (TC) is 15.5%, low density lipoprotein (LDL) is 16.1%, and triglyceride (TG) is 10.6%. AIP was significantly correlated with body mass index (r=0.25), visceral fat (r=0.37), TC (r=0.22), LDL (0.24), HDL (r=−0.72), TG (r=0.84), glucose (r=0.32), systolic blood pressure (r=0.22), and diastolic blood pressure (r=0.28). Conclusion It indicated that AIP is associated with other CVD risk factors. Modification of lifestyle is strongly recommended.

Introduction: Medical students build their clinical knowledge from previously obtained basic medical science knowledge during the pre-clinical year. The pre-clinical performances have some predictive value in the clinical discipline. Basic Medical Science (BMS) taught in pre-clinical years also supported the development of clinical reasoning skills and critical analysis of medical intervention. This study explored the preference, attitude and perception toward BMS subjects among the pre-clinical medical students. Materials and methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 189 pre-clinical students in a public university in East Malaysia by using the nine-scale statements questionnaires by West and co-workers. An independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation and simple linear regression were used to analyze the data. Results: Among 10 BMS subjects, anatomy (29.1%) is the most preferred, followed by pathology (24.9%). Subject preference is influenced by the interesting curriculum with the highest frequency of 100%, followed by clinically useful (75.0%). The majority of students found poor attitude and perception in some items. There is no significant difference in attitude and perception toward BMS subjects between Year 1 and Year 2 students, male and female, different pre-university programs, students with scholarship and self-finance, and having family members in the medical field and those without. Conclusions and recommendation: Different teaching styles of medical faculty along with coordination with clinical departments may help the students to be more interested in learning medical education. Further study on the teaching techniques that aid in positive attitude and perception of pre-clinical students should be done.

Introduction: Cervical cancer is common cancer and ranked in fourth place in both incidence and mortality worldwide. It is 3rd most common female cancer in Malaysia with a lifetime risk of 1 in 116. Infection with high-risk oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) is recognized as one of the substantial risk factors for the development of cervical cancers. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study conducted to determine the prevalence of HPV infection and its subtypes among women with various degrees of abnormal smears, who were seen in the colposcopy clinic of Sarawak General Hospital within six months’ period from January to June 2018. We recruited 56 participants. There were 23 each for an atypical squamous cell of undetermined significance (ASC-US) and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) and 10 high- grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL). DNA was extracted, and HPV genotypes were determined via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using two primer pairs MY09/MY11 and GP5+/GP6+. Results: The age ranged from 23 to 56 years, with a mean age of 42.96 years. HPV was detected in 20 out of 56 (35.7%). There were 6 high-risk oncogenic HPVs (18, 51, 52, 56, 58, 68) detected in participants and the most prevalent subtypes were 18, 52, and 58 (20% each). Four low-risk HPVs detected were 6, 53, 70, and 84. There was a significant association between the severity of cervical lesions and HPV positivity (P < 0.004). HSIL had the highest positive predictive value to have HPV infection as 70% compared to 43.4% of LSIL and 9.3% of ASC-US. Conclusion: Distribution of HPV subtypes from women with abnormal smears from Sarawak indicated a high prevalence of HPV 18, 52, and 58. We also identified HPV 70, which has never been reported in West Malaysia. These findings could contribute valuable information for HPV vaccination strategies, particularly for Sarawakian women.

Abstract Introduction: Cervical cancer remains a significant problem worldwide, particularly in resource-limited countries, and having persistent HRHPV infection is a necessary risk factor. HPV16/18 are generally regarded as the cause of 70% cervical cancer incidences worldwide, and effective vaccines have been developed against these two HPVs. Although Malaysia has officially adopted an HPV vaccination strategy into the National Vaccination Program, the comprehensive prevalence data on each endemic HPV genotypes was absent in East Malaysia and most parts of the country except for major cities in Peninsular Malaysia.Objective: The objective of this study is to elucidate the endemic HPV genotypes that are circulating in the suburban population in Serian Division, Sarawak, Malaysia.Methods:Non-virgin women who were attending the Women's health campaign on the 5th and 23rd October 2018 were recruited. Informed consent was obtained, and a cervical swab was clinician-collected. The presence of HPV in the cervical swab was detected using MY09/MY11 followed by GP5+/GP6+ nested-PCR and its corresponding genotypes identified via sequencing. HRHPV positive women were screened using Results: We have recruited 43 sexually active women with median age of 51-year-old. HPV18, 39, 52, 56, and 84 were detected at an equal ratio. The overall prevalence rate of HPV, HRHPV and URHPV were 11.62% (5/43), 9.3% (4/43) and 2.3% respectively. Only 20% (n=1/5) of the HRHPV positive women were positive by VIA.Conclusion: HPV18, 39, 52, 56, and 84 were detected in Serian at an equal ratio. HPV16 was absent, and HPV18 was the only vaccine-genotype detected. HPV 39, 52, 56, and 84 were not covered by the bivalent and tetravalent HPV vaccines.

The influenza virus is RNA virus and is classified into four subtypes, influenza A, influenza B, influenza C, and influenza D. One of the subtypes of influenza A, the H1N1 strain, also known as swine flu, is especially of high risk for development of complications in pregnant women. The influenza A virus infection is difficult to diagnose clinically because its presenting symptoms are similar to those of the common cold but are more severe, last longer, and can be potentially life-threatening. This case also presented with common cold symptoms but her condition worsened later. Fortunately, obstetric health providers were vigilant enough to address the developing infection and its related complications. It was the cooperative effort of multidisciplinary team care which resulted in a favourable outcome in both mother and baby.