Background: As the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, obesity and diabetes increase worldwide, the need to identify modifiable lifestyle risk factors also increases, especially those that may be relatively unique to a specific population. To explore a possible association between betel quid chewing and metabolic syndrome, a community-based cross-sectional study was conducted. Methodology: Three hundred ninety-one (391) adults were interviewed and the following parameters were measured: triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, glucose, waist circumference, body mass index and blood pressure. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the association between betel quid chewing and metabolic syndrome while controlling for confounders. Results: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was similar in chewers and non-chewers, 50% and 49%, respectively. After controlling for other factors, development of metabolic syndrome was positively associated with number of betel quid chewed per day, age greater than 40 years , and a positive family history of hypertension and diabetes. Regarding the duration of betel chewing, when analyzed by sex, the risk was doubled in men compared to non-chewers (OR 2.15; 95% CI = 1.21, 3.84]). As a result, a man chewing more than 10 pieces (OR 2.49; 95% CI = 1.36, 4.57]) of betel quids per day for more than 10 years had a two-fold increased chance of developing the metabolic syndrome. Conclusions Frequency and duration of betel quid chewing may represent a behavioral lifestyle target for approaches to reduce the incidence of metabolic syndrome.
Metabolic Syndrome

In the era of (pre) elimination setting, the prevalence of malaria has been decreasing in most of the previously endemic areas. Therefore, effective cost- and time-saving validated pooling strategy is needed for detection of malaria in low transmission settings. In this study, optimal pooling numbers and lowest detection limit were assessed using known density samples prepared systematically, followed by genomic DNA extraction and nested PCR. Pooling strategy that composed of 10 samples in 1 pool, 20 µl in 1 sample, was optimal, and the parasite density as low as 2 p/µl for both falciparum and vivax infection was enough for detection of malaria. This pooling method showed effectiveness for handling of a huge number of samples in low transmission settings (<9% positive rate). The results indicated that pooling of the blood samples before DNA extraction followed by usual nested PCR is useful and effective for detection of malaria in screening of hidden cases in low-transmission settings.
DNA* ; Limit of Detection ; Malaria* ; Mass Screening ; Methods ; Parasites ; Plasmodium falciparum ; Plasmodium vivax ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence

Introduction: Chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are common causes of chronic liver disease. In the Asia-Pacific region, mother to infant transmission (vertical transmission) is the most common mode for HBV. On the other hand, perinatal HCV transmission is relatively low. This epidemiological study assessed the prevalence of HBV and HCV among pregnant women delivering in a tertiary referral centre in Brunei Darussalam. Data also provided information on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and syphilis infection.