Reduction of Salt and Sugar Contents in Canteen Foods and Intakes By Students and Staff at a Malaysian Higher Education Institution: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study.

Background: University students and staff members, especially those who frequently eat out and spend considerable time on campus, form a crucial demographic facing challenges related to high salt and sugar intake in out-of-home food. Recognizing the high prevalence of eating out among these populations, it is imperative to understand the salt and sugar consumption levels of campus communities.

Objective: This protocol describes the rationale and design of a 3-part cross-sectional and longitudinal interventional study to reduce salt and sugar contents in canteen foods and intakes among students and staff at Sunway University and Sunway College in Malaysia.

Evaluating the Associations between Dietary Vitamin Intake and Atopic Dermatitis: A Regional Cross-Sequential Study among Singapore and Malaysia Young Chinese Adults.

This study demonstrates that naturally derived vitamins, estimated from whole foods in the diets of young Chinese adults from Singapore and Malaysia, are associated with atopic dermatitis (AD). Higher intake of vitamins E, K1, C, B2, and D was associated with lower odds of AD. The protective effect of vitamin C was not confounded by smoking and enhanced by higher fruit intake.

Health risk assessment of heavy metals with nephrotoxic effects from vegetables and fruits: Taiwan Food-Related Environmental Surveillance of Hazards (T-FRESH).

Vegetables and fruits may accumulate heavy metals from environmental sources, posing potential health risks through dietary exposure. This study aimed to evaluate the potential health risks associated with the intake of heavy metals from vegetables and fruits in Taiwan. Specifically, it assessed the concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, lead, barium, manganese, and molybdenum in commonly consumed produce, with a particular focus on nephrotoxic effects.

The Singapore/Malaysia Cross-Sectional Genetics Epidemiology Study: An Updated and Detailed Analysis of Acne Vulgaris Severity, Scarring, and Phenotypes and Their Associated Risk Factors among Young Chinese Adults.

Introduction: Despite the high prevalence of acne vulgaris and its impact on affected individuals, few studies have provided a detailed characterization of acne phenotypes and their associated risk factors. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the prevalence, severity, scarring, and phenotypes of acne, along with their associated risk factors, in a cohort of young Chinese adults, as part of the Singapore and Malaysia Cross-Sectional Genetic Epidemiology Study (SMCGES).

Methods: Participants were randomly and consecutively recruited from universities in Singapore and Malaysia.

The effects of chrononutrition, chronotype and sleep behavior variabilities on adiposity traits and appetite sensations among students and staff of a Malaysian university.

We investigated the association of chrononutrition, sleep behavior, and chronotype with adiposity and appetite sensations among 220 Malaysian adults (M/F = 57/163; aged 22.02   ±   5.19).

Exploratory analyses of frequent high-fat food intake in diets and its association with increased odds of atopic dermatitis in Singapore and Malaysia Young Chinese adults.

High-fat food intake is associated with atopic dermatitis (AD), but the role of habitual dietary habits related to the frequency of high-fat food intake remains unclear. To address this, we developed a frequency-based dietary index, Diet Quality based on Dietary Fat Score, to assess high-fat food intake and examined its association with AD in 13 561 young Chinese adults (mean age = 22·51 years, (sd 5·90)) from Singapore and Malaysia. Using an investigator-administered questionnaire aligned with the validated International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood protocol, we conducted multivariable logistic regression analysis, adjusting for demographics, body mass index, genetic predisposition and lifestyle factors, with false discovery rate correction for multiple comparisons.

Association of chronotype and sleep behaviors with mental well-being, eating behaviors, and adiposity traits: a cross-sectional study among a sample of urban Malaysian adults.

Background: We investigated the association of chronotype and sleep behaviors with mental well-being, eating behaviors, and adiposity traits among a sample of urban Malaysian adults at Sunway University and Sunway College, Selangor, Malaysia.

Methods: A total of 167 participants were recruited (male/female = 46/121; aged 22.0 ± 5.

Assessing food vendor receptiveness to healthier options: a study of knowledge, attitudes, practices, and perceived barriers regarding salt, sugar, and oil reduction in cafeteria food vendors.

Background: Prioritizing policies that address major non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factors, such as poor diet, is a cost-effective way to improve health outcomes. While education can enhance knowledge and practices in the short term, recent trends show that structural and policy-based initiatives, such as setting mandatory salt, sugar, and oil (SOS) targets are effective means of changing dietary behaviours and reducing NCD risk factors. However, few studies have surveyed the KAP of food vendors in workplaces and educational institutions and assessed their receptiveness to serving low-SOS dishes.

TXK Functional Variants Contribute to Asthma by Regulating Th1 and Th17 Cytokine Pathways.

Introduction: TXK regulates IFN-γ expression and T-helper (Th)1 cell-mediated inflammation that underlies the development of neutrophilic asthma; however, its implication in asthma remains uncertain. This study aimed to functionally characterize the role of TXK single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the development of asthma.

Methods: This study is part of an ongoing Singapore/Malaysia Cross-Sectional Genetics and Epidemiological Study (SMCSGES).

A broad assessment of forty-one skin phenotypes reveals complex dimensions of skin ageing.

Background: Skin ageing takes on many different forms. Despite this diversity in skin ageing phenotypes, literature published to date is limited in scope, as many research studies either focus on one single phenotype or just a few specific phenotypes. Presently, phenotypes such as wrinkles, pigment spots, and photo-ageing are receiving most of the research attention.

Exercise as a mediator between childhood adversity and psychological distress: Can BDNF moderate the mediating effect?

Background: Adverse childhood events (ACEs) have been associated with an increased risk of psychiatric disorders in young adulthood. To identify at-risk individuals and potential strategies to combat the negative impacts of ACE, this study investigated the mediating role of exercise in the relationship between psychological distress and ACEs. Further, we examined the moderating effect of the BDNF polymorphism in the mediation relationship.

Availability, price and nutritional assessment of plant-based meat alternatives in hypermarkets and supermarkets in Petaling, the most populated district in Malaysia.

This study investigated the availability, price, nutritional composition, and quality of plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs) in supermarkets and hypermarkets in Petaling, the most populated district in Malaysia. The survey covered 85 stores through on-site visits, identifying 251 unique PBMA products from 42 brands. The PBMAs were categorized into nine groups: Burgers/Patties, Coated Meat, Luncheon Meat, Minced Meat, Pastries, Pieces/Chunks/Fillets/Strips, Prepacked Cooked Meals, Sausages, and Seafood Balls/Cakes/Meatballs.

Frequent intake of high fiber and probiotic diets lowers risks associated with atopic dermatitis and house dust mite allergy: a cross-sequential study of young Chinese adults from Singapore and Malaysia.

Purpose: Dietary fiber intake may influence the risk and severity of atopic dermatitis (AD), a common chronic allergic skin condition. This cross-sequential study investigated the association between dietary fiber intake and various characteristics of AD, including house dust mites (HDM) allergy and dry skin, in 13,561 young Chinese adults (mean years = 22.51, SD ± 5.

The influence of exposure to inorganic arsenic and other arsenic species on early renal impairment among young adults in Taiwan.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) poses a significant global public health challenge, with environmental toxins potentially contributing to its prevalence. In Taiwan, where arsenic (As) contamination is endemic in certain areas, assessing its impact on renal health is crucial due to the country's high rates of unexplained CKD. This cross-sectional study assessed associations between urinary As species and early renal impairment biomarkers-the microalbumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) and β2-microglobulin (B2MG)-in 248 young Taiwanese adults (aged 20-29 years).

Functional Polymorphisms Regulate FOXO1 Transcript Expression and Contribute to the Risk and Symptom Severity of HDM-Induced Allergic Rhinitis.

Introduction: FOXO1 plays an important role in regulating immune processes that contribute to allergic inflammation; however, genetic variants influencing FOXO1 expression in AR pathogenesis remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the functional effect of FOXO1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on AR development by performing genetic association and functional analysis studies.

Methods: This study belongs to a part of an ongoing Singapore/Malaysia cross-sectional genetics and epidemiological study (SMCSGES).

Association of frequent intake of trans fatty acids and saturated fatty acids in diets with increased susceptibility of atopic dermatitis exacerbation in young Chinese adults: A cross-sectional study in Singapore/Malaysia.

Background & Objective: Numerous evidence has attributed diets with a high fatty acids (FAs) intake to be associated with atopic dermatitis (AD) development. Therefore, this study investigated the association between intake frequencies of five dietary FAs and AD exacerbations among young Chinese adults from Singapore and Malaysia.

Methods: A validated International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire was investigator-administered to 13,561 subjects to collect information on socioeconomic, anthropometric, dietary and lifestyles habits, and personal/family medical histories.

Cross-sectional association study of hedonic hunger, self-control, cognitive distortion, and well-being with adiposity measures among a sample of urban Malaysian adults.

Background: We assessed the association of hedonic hunger, self-control (impulsivity and restraint), cognitive distortion (CD), and well-being with adiposity measures such as waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), body mass index (BMI), total body fat (TBF), subcutaneous fat (SF), visceral fat level (VFL), skeletal muscle percentage (SM), and resting metabolism (RM), among a sample of urban Malaysian adults at Sunway University and Sunway College, Selangor, Malaysia.

Methods: Among 186 participants (M/F = 51/135; aged 22.1 ± 5.

Atopic dermatitis-associated genetic variants regulate LOC100294145 expression implicating interleukin-27 production and type 1 interferon signaling.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a complex inflammatory disease with a strong genetic component. A singular approach of genome wide association studies (GWAS) can identify AD-associated genetic variants, but is unable to explain their functional relevance in AD. This study aims to characterize AD-associated genetic variants and elucidate the mechanisms leading to AD through a multi-omics approach.

Sensitization to oil palm pollen associates with risks and severity of allergic diseases.

Background: (Ela g, oil palm) pollen is one of the most predominant species of inhalant allergens in the tropical Southeast Asia region; however, its association with the manifestation of allergic diseases remains largely unexplored. This study aimed to determine the sensitization pattern of oil palm pollen and associate this with the risk and severity of allergic diseases.

Methods: Participants were recruited as a part of the Singapore and Malaysia cross-sectional genetic and epidemiological study (SMCSGES).

The occurrence and probabilistic risk of exposure to parabens from bottled and hand-shaken teas in the general adult population of Taiwan.

Parabens (PBs) are esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid, and there are growing concerns due to their potential to disrupt endocrine function and their wide use as preservatives in foodstuffs, including beverages. The consumption of bottled and hand-shaken teas is gradually replacing traditional tea consumption through brewing. However, no study has reported PB concentrations in different types of teas or packaging and their associated health risks.

Dietary Protein Intake and Associated Risks for Atopic Dermatitis, Intrinsic Eczema, and Allergic Sensitization among Young Chinese Adults in Singapore/Malaysia: Key Findings from a Cross-sectional Study.

Through an investigator-administered questionnaire that follows the standard protocol of the International Study of Allergy and Asthma in Childhood, data on symptomatic histories of eczema and dietary habits were collected from 11,494 young Chinese adults in Singapore/Malaysia. Allergic sensitization status was assessed through a skin prick test reactivity to common house dust mites. Using three dietary indices (dietary protein score, animal protein score, and plant protein score), the associations between atopic dermatitis, intrinsic eczema, allergic sensitization, and intake of various proteins were estimated.

A dietary pattern of frequent plant-based foods intake reduced the associated risks for atopic dermatitis exacerbation: Insights from the Singapore/Malaysia cross-sectional genetics epidemiology cohort.

Background: The prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) has been increasing in recent years, especially in Asia. There is growing evidence to suggest the importance of dietary patterns in the development and management of AD. Here, we seek to understand how certain dietary patterns in a Singapore/Malaysia population are associated with various risks of AD development and exacerbation.

Burgers, Fast Foods, and Increased Associated Risk for Atopic Dermatitis: A Cross-Sectional Study of Dietary Habits among Young Chinese Adults in Singapore/Malaysia.

Background: We see increasing evidence that dietary and nutrients factors play a pivotal role in allergic diseases and recent global findings suggest that dietary habits influence the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD). Frequent consumption of fast food diets is associated with AD development. Despite the rising prevalence of AD in Asia, efforts in investigating the role of dietary habits and AD in adults are still lacking.