Introduction: Peptide Tyrosine-Tyrosine (PYY) is a 36-amino acid peptide hormone released post-prandially from the endocrine cells in the intestinal tract to suppress pancreatic secretions and eventually reduce appetite. The R72T variant in the PYY gene (rs1058046) has been associated with increased susceptibility to obesity. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the association of this variant with obesity and its related anthropometric measurements among the Kampar Health Clinic cohort, Malaysia. Methodology: A total of 197 (78 males, 119 females; 98 non-obese, 99 obese) subjects were recruited by convenience sampling and anthropometric measurements were taken. Genotyping was performed using StuI Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), revealing 61 RR, 94 RT and 42 TT subjects. Results: Most of the obese subjects had the RT genotype (50.5%), while only 18.2% were TT. PYY R72T genotypes and alleles had no association with obesity (p=0.535; 0.074, respectively), gender (p=0.767; p=0.100, respectively) but were associated with ethnicity (p=0.003; p=0.002, respectively). Among the 13 anthropometric measurements taken, significant difference was only found in Waist Circumference (WC) and Visceral Fat Level (VFL) among the alleles, suggesting that subjects with T allele will have an increment of 1.82 cm in WC and 1.32% in VFL. Conclusion: The R72T variant in PYY gene was not associated with obesity and most of its related anthropometric measurements. This suggests that other genes and/or environmental factors like dietary habits and lifestyle factors may be the contributors of obesity.

ntroduction: In August 2014, the ILSI SEAR Infant and Early Childhood Nutri¬tion Task Force held the 4th Expert Consultation and Planning Meeting on Mater¬nal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition (MJYCN) in Jakarta, Indonesia. Methods: The consultation focused on the nutrition and health situation of pregnant adoles-cents. The objectives were therefore to: (1) discuss the current nutrition and health situation of pregnant and non-pregnant adolescent girls in six Southeast Asian countries (Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam); (2) generate recommendations for teenage pregnancies in the region; and (3) identify regional issues, knowledge gaps and research priorities in order to improve ado¬lescent health in Southeast Asia. Results: There is very little information on the health and nutrition status of pregnant and non-pregnant adolescent girls (aged 10 to 19 years old) in Southeast Asia. In most countries, teenage pregnancy rates are higher in rural areas than in urban areas. Anaemia has been shown to be prevalent among reproductive aged females (15 to 49 years old). Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam have high levels of underweight adolescent girls. An increasing prevalence of overweight adolescent girls has been found in Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. Conclusion: There is a need for increased knowledge and understanding with regard to the health and nutrition status of female adolescents in the region (including micronutrient status and requirements), and factors that predispose girls to early pregnancy. Two types of program packages should be developed - one for adolescent girls who are not pregnant (aimed at promoting health and preventing early pregnancy) and another for those who are pregnant, including post-natal parenting support.

Background/Aims: Surgeons and endoscopists have started to use endoscopically inserted double pigtail stents (DPTs) in the management of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) leaks, including UGI anastomotic leaks. We investigated our own experiences in this patient population. Methods: From March 2017 to June 2020, 12 patients had endoscopic internal drainage of a radiologically proven anastomotic leak after UGI surgery in two tertiary UGI centers. The primary outcome measure was the time to removal of the DPTs after anastomotic healing. The secondary outcome measure was early oral feeding after DPT insertion. Results: Eight of the 12 patients (67%) required only one DPT, whereas four (33%) required two DPTs. The median duration of drainage was 42 days. Two patients required surgery due to inadequate control of sepsis. Of the remaining 10 patients, nine did not require a change in DPT before anastomotic healing. Nine patients were allowed oral fluids within the 1st week and a soft diet in the 2nd week. One patient was allowed clear oral feeds on the 8th day after DPT insertion. Conclusions Endoscopic internal drainage is becoming an established minimally invasive technique for controlling anastomotic leak after UGI surgery. It allows for early oral nutritional feeding and minimizes discomfort from conventional external drainage.