A total of 167 surgically resected primary invasive breast carcinomas and 63 metastatic lymph node lesions were analyzed for immunohistochemical (IHC) localization of the CD44+CD24−low breast cancer stem cell (CSC) markers, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers, and telomerase activity by double-staining IHC technique, in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue, the results were validated by double-staining immunofluorescent and flow cytometry techniques. The results showed that CSCs with CD44+CD24−low phenotype were significantly increased in node-positive tumors, high-grade tumors, and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). There was a high incidence of telomerase expression in metastatic lymph node lesion. There were considerably high number of tumor cells with EMT expression in metastatic lymph node lesion, and triple-negative tumor. The occurrence of EMT phenomena was usually accompanied by the co-existence of CSCs of CD44+CD24−low phenotype. There was no association between the existence of CSCs and detection of telomerase activity in tumor cells. Increased numbers of both CSCs of CD44+CD24−low phenotype and cells underwent EMT in DCIS lesion might be an initial step in the stromal invasion and propagation of breast cancer, and occurrence of EMT in the breast tumor associated with high prevalence of CSCs, promoting tumor invasiveness and metastasis.

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Ageing is a global phenomenon. In Malaysia, a projected model estimated that the number of elderly would be 3.4 million in 2020 which is more than 10% of the population. A cross-sectional study targeted the elderly population of three villages in rural Sabah, Malaysia aimed to investigate the health-related quality of life, comorbidity, and the socio-demographic profile amongst the elderly in the community. Participants (60 years and above) were selected for face-to-face interviews using health-related quality of life questionnaires (SF-36). SPSS 21 was used for statistical analyses. Results showed that mean (sd) of age; 67.71 (6.95) years. Five common co-morbidities were hypertension (67%), bone and joint pain (63%), gastric pain (67%), poor vision (58%), and hearing problems (33%). The highest HRQoL score was social functioning (67.96) whereas the lowest HRQoL score is role limitation due to emotional problems (30.54). There is a significant relationship between HRQoL domains and socio-demographic factors (gender, marital status, membership in association), and health condition (co-morbidities and access to healthcare, bone and joint pain or arthritis and treatment, hearing impairment and treatment) which indicated need for health and social support like participating in association and access to health care for rural elderly in future programme. We recommend a further study to compare elderly HRQoL in rural, urban and institutional settings for future health-care planning.

Nutrition is a critical part of human health and development. However, overweight and obesity prevalence are rising worldwide, with associated diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and other diet-related conditions. Body mass index (BMI) is an index of weight-for-height that is commonly used to classify overweight and obesity in adults. The skinfold measurement method is the most widely used body fat composition testing method for assessing body fat percentage. The objective of the study was to measure the body weight and body fat of medical students of Sabah, Malaysia by using different types of nutritional assessment methods. A cross-sectional study among the selected Year 2 medical students of School of Medicine, University Malaysia Sabah was conducted using different types of nutritional assessment. The average BMI and mean body fat percentage measured by body fat analyzer of the respondents were 21.95±0.59 kg/m 2 , and 16.98±1.37% respectively. The mean body fat percentages calculated by different skinfold thickness were: abdominal 24.13±1.11%, supra-iliac 20.35±1.35%, subscapular 21.83±1.01%, and alternative three-site 19.46±1.02%. In reliability testing, results are variable between male and female -internal consistency of the alternative three-sites skinfold calculation for body fat percentage showed male (excellent) and female (acceptable), and skinfold reading for body fat percentage for triceps, abdomen, sub-scapular and supra-iliac showed male (good) and female (poor to acceptable). Our findings could be used in obesity awareness promotion among Malaysian youth. However, further investigation about the determinants of obesity and body fat, including age, sex, race, nutrition, and changes over time, is needed.

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