Leptospirosis remains a major public health concern in tropical regions, including Malaysia, where it is endemic. To date, evidence from remote and understudied areas remains limited. This study aims to assess the epidemiological evidence of leptospirosis among market traders in Sabah, addressing the limited available data for this potentially high-risk occupational group in this region. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 295 market traders in Kudat Town, Sabah. Sociodemographic, occupational, environmental and behavioural data were collected using a modified validated questionnaire. Venous blood samples were collected to test for Leptospira antibodies using the Microscopic Agglutination Test; a titre of 1:50 or higher was considered seropositive. Seroprevalence was estimated descriptively, while factors associated with leptospiral seropositivity were examined using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses. The seroprevalence of leptospirosis among market traders was 5.4% (95% CI: 3.1–8.7). Antibodies were detected against 11 Leptospira serovars/strains, mainly Lep175. In univariable analysis, predictors for seropositivity included trading frequency, rodent presence, and proximity to garbage piles. With only 16 cases, the initial multivariable model had a low EPV of 4, suggesting possible overfitting. After reducing the model (EPV = 8), proximity to garbage piles remained strongly associated (AOR = 52.61; 95% CI: 13.50–205.13; p < 0.001), while rodents at home also became significant (AOR = 5.70; 95% CI: 1.12–29.08; p = 0.037). This study provides the first empirical evidence of leptospirosis exposure among market traders in Sabah. Although the overall seroprevalence was low, the findings indicate a measurable risk and underscore the need for further large-scale studies and integrated One Health interventions to reduce exposure in this vulnerable population.

Introduction: In 2021, the International Diabetes Federation, reported 536 million people with diabetes, mainly from countries with lower income. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was employed using the Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC), a validated questionnaire which determines the risk of developing diabetes. The questionnaire was conducted online to be accomplished by students enrolled in universities located in Quezon City. Results: Among the 178 college students in Quezon City, with average age of 20 years old, 28.1% are at risk of developing T2DM. The factors contributing to the risk were: (1) Lack of physical activity of at least 30 minutes a day (51.7%); (2) lack of daily intake of vegetables and fruits or berries (52.8%); and (3) family history of DM (74.7%). Conclusion The study found that one in every four college students in Quezon City is at risk of developing T2DM in the next ten years.
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2

PURPOSE: To investigate the association between the 5-HT-transporter-gene-linked promoter region (5-HTTLPR) polymorphism and 20-mg paroxetine-induced ejaculation delay in men with lifelong premature ejaculation (LPE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective study of 10 weeks of paroxetine treatment in 54 men with LPE. Intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT) was measured by stopwatch. Controls consisted of 92 Caucasian men. All men with LPE were genotyped for the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism. Allele frequencies and genotypes of short (S) and long (L) variants of the polymorphism were compared between patients and controls. Associations between the LL, SL, and SS genotypes and fold increase of mean IELT were investigated. RESULTS: Of the 54 patients, 43 (79.6%) responded to 20-mg paroxetine treatment with an ejaculation delay, whereas 11 patients (20.4%) did not respond; 44%, 18%, and 18% of the patients showed a fold increase in mean IELT of 2-10, 10-20, and more than 20, respectively. Of the 54 men, 14 (25.9%) had the LL genotype, 29 (53.7%) had the SL genotype, and 11 (20.4%) had the SS genotype. In the 92 controls, the LL, SL, and SS genotypes were present in 27 (29.3%), 41 (44.6%), and 24 (26.1%), respectively. No statistically significant differences were found in 5-HTTLPR allelic variations or in 5-HTTLPR gene variations. In all men treated with 20 mg paroxetine, analysis of variance of the natural logarithm of fold increase in the IELT showed no statistically significant difference according to genotype (p=0.83). CONCLUSIONS: The 5-HTTLPR polymorphism is not associated with daily 20-mg paroxetine treatment-induced ejaculation delay in men with LPE.
Ejaculation* ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Paroxetine ; Premature Ejaculation* ; Promoter Regions, Genetic* ; Prospective Studies ; Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins* ; Serotonin*

PURPOSE: Nonresponse to any selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment is rare. In this study, we aimed to investigate ejaculation delay nonresponse to paroxetine treatment in men with lifelong premature ejaculation (PE) who were also known to be nonresponders to other SSRIs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five males with lifelong PE who were known nonresponders to paroxetine and other serotonergic antidepressants and eight males with lifelong PE who were specifically recruited were included. Blood sampling occurred 1 month and 1 day before the start of treatment and at the end of three consecutive series of 4 weeks of daily treatment with 10-, 20-, and 30-mg paroxetine, respectively. Blood samples for measurement of leptin and paroxetine were taken at 8:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 10:30 AM, and 11:30 AM, respectively. At 9:00 AM, one tablet of 10-, 20-, or 30-mg paroxetine was taken during the first, second, and third month, respectively. Intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT) was measured with a stopwatch. The main outcome measures were the fold increase in the geometric mean IELT, serum leptin and paroxetine concentrations, body mass index (BMI), 5-HT1A receptor C-1019G polymorphism, and CYP2D6 mutations. RESULTS: Between the 7 paroxetine responders and 6 nonresponders, the fold increase in the geometric mean IELT was significantly different after daily 10-mg (p=0.003), 20-mg (p=0.002), and 30-mg paroxetine (p=0.026) and ranged from 2.0 to 8.8 and from 1.1 to 1.7, respectively. BMI at baseline and at the end of the study was not significantly different between responders and nonresponders. Serum leptin levels at baseline were similar in responders and nonresponders and did not change during treatment. The serum paroxetine concentration increased with increasing dosage and was not significantly different between responders and nonresponders. There was no association between the fold increase in the geometric mean IELT and serum paroxetine levels during the three treatment periods nor between leptin levels during the treatment periods and serum paroxetine levels. For the 5-HT1A receptor C-1019G variation, all responders had the CC genotype and all nonresponders had the GC genotype, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Complete absence of paroxetine-induced ejaculation delay is presumably related to pharmacodynamic factors and perhaps to 5-HT1A receptor gene polymorphism.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Body Mass Index ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2D6/genetics ; Humans ; Leptin/blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Paroxetine/*administration & dosage/blood ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Premature Ejaculation/*drug therapy/genetics ; Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A/genetics ; Risk Factors ; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors/*administration & dosage ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: Nonresponse to any selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment is rare. In this study, we aimed to investigate ejaculation delay nonresponse to paroxetine treatment in men with lifelong premature ejaculation (PE) who were also known to be nonresponders to other SSRIs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five males with lifelong PE who were known nonresponders to paroxetine and other serotonergic antidepressants and eight males with lifelong PE who were specifically recruited were included. Blood sampling occurred 1 month and 1 day before the start of treatment and at the end of three consecutive series of 4 weeks of daily treatment with 10-, 20-, and 30-mg paroxetine, respectively. Blood samples for measurement of leptin and paroxetine were taken at 8:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 10:30 AM, and 11:30 AM, respectively. At 9:00 AM, one tablet of 10-, 20-, or 30-mg paroxetine was taken during the first, second, and third month, respectively. Intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT) was measured with a stopwatch. The main outcome measures were the fold increase in the geometric mean IELT, serum leptin and paroxetine concentrations, body mass index (BMI), 5-HT1A receptor C-1019G polymorphism, and CYP2D6 mutations. RESULTS: Between the 7 paroxetine responders and 6 nonresponders, the fold increase in the geometric mean IELT was significantly different after daily 10-mg (p=0.003), 20-mg (p=0.002), and 30-mg paroxetine (p=0.026) and ranged from 2.0 to 8.8 and from 1.1 to 1.7, respectively. BMI at baseline and at the end of the study was not significantly different between responders and nonresponders. Serum leptin levels at baseline were similar in responders and nonresponders and did not change during treatment. The serum paroxetine concentration increased with increasing dosage and was not significantly different between responders and nonresponders. There was no association between the fold increase in the geometric mean IELT and serum paroxetine levels during the three treatment periods nor between leptin levels during the treatment periods and serum paroxetine levels. For the 5-HT1A receptor C-1019G variation, all responders had the CC genotype and all nonresponders had the GC genotype, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Complete absence of paroxetine-induced ejaculation delay is presumably related to pharmacodynamic factors and perhaps to 5-HT1A receptor gene polymorphism.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Body Mass Index ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2D6/genetics ; Humans ; Leptin/blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Paroxetine/*administration & dosage/blood ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Premature Ejaculation/*drug therapy/genetics ; Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A/genetics ; Risk Factors ; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors/*administration & dosage ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Recently, four premature ejaculation (PE) subtypes have been distinguished on the basis of the duration of the intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT). These four PE subtypes have different etiologies and pathogeneses. Genetic research on PE should consider the existence of these PE subtypes and the accurate measurement of the IELT with a stopwatch. Currently, three methods of genetic research on PE have been used. They differ in the investigated population, tool of measurement, study design, and variables of PE. From animal and human research, it is derived that the central serotonergic system "modulates" ejaculation, whereas the ejaculation (reflex) itself is probably not under direct influence of the serotonergic system, but rather under the influence of other neurotransmitter systems in the spinal cord. For genetic research on PE, it is important to take into account that the (serotonergic) modulation of the IELT is variable among men and may even be absent. This means that serotonergic genetic polymorphisms may only be found in men with PE who respond with an ejaculation delay treatment with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.
Animals ; Ejaculation ; Genetic Research ; Humans ; Male ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Premature Ejaculation ; Serotonin ; Spinal Cord