Obesity, a chronic multifaceted disease, predisposes its patients to increased risk of metabolic disorders such as: diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, dyslipidemia, etc. Recent studies reported it to be amongst the leading causes of deaths in the world. Although several treatment options for obesity abound, many of them have not been able to successfully reverse the existing obesity and metabolic dysregulation. This has therefore warranted the need for either alternative therapies or diversification of the treatment approach for obesity and its comorbidity. When the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) interacts with its ligand, RAGE-ligand activates an inflammatory signaling cascade, that leads to the activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and transcription of inflammatory cytokines. This action has been associated with the development of obesity and its mediated metabolic dysregulation. In view of the increasing prevalence of obesity globally and the potential threat it places on life expectancy, this article reviewed the promising potentials of targeting endogenous secretory receptor for advanced glycation end products/soluble receptors for advanced glycation end products signaling as a treatment approach for obesity. We carried out a literature search in several electronic data bases such as: Pubmed, Pubmed Central, Google, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Medline from 1980 to 2019 to acquire the status of information concerning this. The article suggests the need for the development of an esRAGE/sRAGE targeted pharmacotherapy as a treatment approach for obesity and its comorbidity.

Botox injection is the best known as a group of medication that uses various forms of Botulinum toxin A to temporarily paralyze muscle. It primarily reduces the appearance of some facial wrinkles and it is known as Botox Cosmetic. It is a popular treatment among people who want to achieve younger look. A 34-year-old female collapsed at beauty salon soon after receiving Botox injection. Although resuscitation was done in the emergency unit, hospital, she could not be revived and succumbed to death. This case report highlights the rare case of sudden death after Botox injection. We would like people to raise the awareness of unexpected occurrence after Botox injection while they make themselves beautify.

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Background and aim: Stingless bee propolis, a resinous compound processed by mandibular secretion of stingless bees, is used for maintenance of hygiene and stability of beehives. Research on stingless bee propolis shows therapeutic properties attributed to polyphenols exhibiting antioxidative, antihyperglycemic and antiischemic effect. However, the cardioprotective effect of stingless bee propolis on diabetic cardiomyopathy is unknown. Methods: Adult male Sprague Dawley rats were randomised to five groups: normal group, diabetic group, diabetic given metformin (DM+M), diabetic given propolis (DM+P) and diabetic given combination therapy (DM+M+P) and treated for four weeks. Body weight, fasting blood glucose, food and water intake were taken weekly. At the end of experiment, biomarkers of oxidative damage were measured in serum and heart tissue. Antioxidants in heart tissue were quantified. Part of left ventricle of heart was processed for histological staining including Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) stain for myocyte size and Masson's Trichrome (MT) stain for heart fibrosis and perivascular fibrosis. Results: Propolis alleviated features of diabetic cardiomyopathy such as myocyte hypertrophy, heart fibrosis and perivascular fibrosis associated with improvement in antioxidative status. Conclusion: This study reports beneficial effect of propolis and combination with metformin in alleviating histopathological feature of diabetic cardiomyopathy by modulating antioxidants, making propolis an emerging complementary therapy.

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In Malaysia, prolonged unemployment following graduation has resulted in a growing interest among medical graduates in pursuing postgraduate research. This article offers educational resources in the form of 12 tips for medical graduates who plan to pursue a postgraduate science degree and their supervisors. It emphasises the reciprocal mentor–mentee relationship in the academic pursuit of a research project. This article is based on the author's personal experience of enrolment in a Master of Science (MSc) degree immediately upon completing the Doctor of Medicine programme combined with relevant educational theories. The 12 tips are arranged according to study progression from enrolment decision to the implementation of the research project. The author addresses the frequently asked questions of medical graduates. A learner-centred approach to research supervision is advocated. The educational challenges faced by research supervisors are discussed and approaches presented that may inform teaching efficacy to promote the agency of research supervisors. Pursuing a postgraduate research degree is a growing trend among new medical graduates in Malaysia. This article collates available literature and the author’s critical reflection to provide a practical framework that caters to the lack of formal educational resources specific to medical graduates in the MSc programme.

In recent years, the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) has been the new buzzword in Malaysia following governmental policies for integrating digital technologies into the administrative and socioeconomic aspects of life. With the enrolment of new generations of digitally endowed students, the waves of the digital revolution will soon hit the shore of medical education. This commentary proposes the concept of a medical education system that fully adopts the 4IR agenda in teaching and learning basic medical and clinical sciences. The deliberation in this article offers novel avenues for medical teachers to reflect on their roles and preparedness in steering Malaysian medical education towards the foreseeable digitalised future.

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the main cause of morbidity and mortality in Malaysia and worldwide. This is mainly due to an increase in the prevalence of CVD risk factors such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, and obesity. Increased physical activity has been recommended as a modality to improve CVD risk. Pulse wave velocity (PWVCF), augmentation index (AI), and finger photoplethysmography fitness (PPGF) index have been introduced to assess the vascular functions related to CVD risk factors. The effects of long-term exercise on PPGF index are not established.Materials and Methods: A total of 70 young men who were sedentary with two or more cardiovascular risk factors were recruited. Subjects were randomly assigned to a control group (CG) (n = 34; no change in walking) and pedometer group (PG) (n = 36; minimum target: 8,000 steps/day). PWVCF and AI were measured via the Vicorder system. The PPGF index was obtained via the finger photoplethysmography method. All parameters were measured at baseline and after 6 and 12 weeks.Results: After intervention, the PG had significant increased step count from 4,996 ± 805 to 10,128 ± 511 steps/day (p < 0.001). The PG showed significant improvement in anthropometric variables, lipid, PWVCF, AI, and PPGF index (time and group effect p < 0.001). No changes were observed in CG.Conclusion: This signifies that pedometer-based walking program is beneficial in improving markers of vascular functions among young working sedentary men with CVD risk factors. Pedometer-based exercise should be encouraged to improve cardiovascular health.