Special Journal of the Medical Academy and other Life Sciences.

Liquid-based cytology and pap smear: a comparative evaluation in cervical cancer diagnosis

2025-12-07T18:42:20+00:00

Introduction: To increase early diagnosis and screening reliability, Liquid-Based Cytology (LBC) and Conventional Pap Smear (CPS) are essential for the detection of cervical cancer. The research's conclusions can help medical practitioners choose the most effective course of action in various circumstances, inform economic screening methods, and address global inequalities in cervical cancer outcomes. Furthermore, even when the advantages of either approach are well understood, a doctor's choice of the best technique—whether LBC or CPS—at the correct time may be influenced by various factors and clinical settings.
Purpose of the study. The investigations aim to assess the efficacy of LBC and CPS across numerous cytological parameters by evaluating the results against conventional criteria of specificity and sensitivity.

Methods and Materials: A comparative cross-sectional study involving 100 samples of Conventional Pap Smear (CPS) and 20 samples of Liquid-Based Cytology (LBC) was conducted with 120 women, whose mean age was 45±9.5 years, presenting with gynaecological complaints at the Institute of Medical Research in Kuala Lumpur. Samples are analysed using several cytological characteristics, including sensitivity, specificity, pathogenic organisms, and adequacy rates of LBC and CPS. A standardised grading system ranging from 1 to 4, indicating poor to excellent performance, is employed in accordance with the Bethesda method. Virgins, expectant mothers, known cases of gynaecological cancer, and slides in poor shape are all grounds for exclusion.

Research Result: The findings showed that LBC performed much better than CPS in terms of specificity (96% vs. 88%) and sensitivity (92%), CPS versus 15 (78% LBC) (P<0.05). The technological benefits of LBC, specifically its ability to produce sharper slides, are responsible for this improved performance. The cellularity of the smears was not different between the two techniques (P>0.05). Three (15%) LBC smears and 35 (35%) Pap smears had hemorrhagic backgrounds (P<0.05). 42 (42%) of LBC smears and 19 (95%) of CPS preparations have cellular overlap. The results demonstrated a statistically significant (P<0.05) increase in cell overlap in CPS smears. Artefacts were detected in 12 (60%) of the LBC smears and 95 (95%) of the CPS smears. In CPS smears, artefacts were clearly evident (P < 0.05). The cytoplasmic parameters of cell distortion, cell shrinkage, vacuolization, boundaries, and folding were used to examine architectural and cellular morphological alterations. These parameters were observed in 22 (22%) CPS cases and 4 (20%) LBC instances (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: The LBC technique, in contrast to CPS, provides substantial advancements in evaluating morphological distinctions, hence improving diagnostic accuracy. The LBC approach offers a clearer backdrop, a more uniform cell distribution, less cell overlap, and fewer artefacts. LBC possesses multiple advantages over PAP smear, since the specimen can be utilised in molecular analyses, including the identification of high-risk Human Papillomavirus (hrHPV). Furthermore, LBC proves to be cost-effective for extensive screening for cervical cancer in the long term. However, in terms of cellular morphology, there was little difference in the detection of pathological organisms or diagnoses in satisfactory CPS smears [2].

Early sexual intercourse and human papillomavirus as risk factors of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

2025-12-06T19:37:56+00:00

Introduction: Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is a premalignant lesion that is diagnosed by histology as CIN1, CIN2, or CIN3. Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia results from HPV infection within cervical cells[1]. An earlier age at first sexual intercourse (AFSI) is associated with an elevated risk of HPV acquisition due to cervical cellular immaturity and a reduced capacity to clear persistent infections. HPV infections are mainly transmitted through sexual contact and thus all women who are sexually active are at risk of cervical cancer[2]. Among these factors, the relative contributions and impacts of AFSI and HPV infection have attracted significant interest but remain insufficiently investigated.

Purpose of the Study: Investigate the association between AFSI and HPV infection as independent and synergistic risk factors for CIN. By assessing various ages at which women experience their first sexual intercourse, this study seeks to evaluate the impact of these ages on the susceptibility to acquiring CIN.

Methods and Materials: This correlational study, which utilized a structured questionnaire and a review of theoretical frameworks, was conducted among women of different age groups, specifically those aged 20-30 years old. The study population was restricted to women without a cervical cancer history. Additionally, data were extracted from 8 related scientific journals for comprehensive multivariate analysis.

Research Result: This study analyzed 186 women with histologically confirmed CIN. The results demonstrated a significant inverse relationship between AFSI and CIN prevalence. The women with AFSI ≥21 years (n=34, 16,28%) with odds ratio (OR) was (OR: 1.80), while those with AFSI 17-20 years (n=71, 38,17%) showed elevated risk (OR: 2.44), and the youngest debut group AFSI ≤16 years, (n=81, 43,55%) exhibited the highest risk (OR: 4.09). Additionally, the HPV prevalence analysis revealed 17 cases among women with AFSI ≥21 years (OR: 1.00), 36 cases in the AFSI 17-20 years group (OR: 2.10), and 42 cases in the AFSI ≤16 years (OR: 2.48). Questionnaire-derived data from 47 participants showed significant (p<0.05) distribution patterns: 11 participants (23,40%) reported AFSI ≥21 years, 13 (27,66%) reported AFSI 17-20 years, and 23 (48,94%) reported AFSI ≤16 years. The study shows that AFSI and HPV infection were the most important factors in the development of CIN, as indicated by the strong correlation discovered.

Conclusion: This study establishes that ASFI and persistent HPV infection as significant risk factors for CIN progression. Early sexual debut potentiates HPV susceptibility through cervical epithelial immaturity and impaired immune clearance, while microtrauma during coitus facilitates viral entry at the transformation zone adjacent to the squamocolumnar junction (SCJ). Adolescent cervical ectopy exposes metaplastic epithelium at the SCJ, creating a vulnerable microenvironment for neoplastic transformation. Hormonal changes promote a thinner squamous epithelium and greater columnar cell presence in the cervix of reproductive-aged women. This reduces transformation zone dynamics, enabling persistent HPV infection to cause CIN. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions addressing early AFSI in high-risk populations to prevent CIN.

Enhancing Well-Being Among Healthcare Professionals: A Capstone Project on Mindfulness and Stress Management Workshops

2025-12-05T23:25:19+00:00

Background: Healthcare professionals face significant stress due to long hours, emotional demands, and critical decision-making. Chronic stress leads to burnout, reduced job satisfaction, and compromised patient care. Mindfulness and stress management strategies are increasingly recognized as effective interventions to support mental health and enhance resilience among healthcare workers.

Methods and Materials: This capstone project implemented a six-week workshop series combining educational content with experiential learning. Sessions included lectures, guided mindfulness practices (e.g., meditation, breathwork, body scans), and group discussions. Data collection utilized a mixed-methods approach: quantitative measures (Perceived Stress Scale, Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, and Maslach Burnout Inventory) and qualitative interviews and focus groups were conducted pre- and post-intervention to assess impact.

Results: Participants demonstrated measurable improvements in stress reduction, emotional regulation, and mindfulness awareness. Qualitative feedback highlighted increased empathy, better team communication, and reduced feelings of isolation. Attendance remained consistent across both in-person and virtual sessions, confirming the feasibility of delivering such interventions within demanding healthcare schedules.

Conclusion: The workshop series effectively addressed the psychological needs of healthcare professionals by equipping them with sustainable, evidence-based coping strategies. Mindfulness and stress management practices contributed to improved well-being and professional performance, suggesting that such interventions should be integrated into institutional wellness programs across healthcare settings.

Correlation between gender and eye refractive error Problems and prospects

2026-02-04T16:36:54+00:00

Goal of the study: To find correlation between gender and eye refractive error as myopia.

Introduction: For example, myopia is one of the most prevalent disorders of the eye. The prevalence increased in the past few decades (now 80-90% in school-leavers). Considering and severe forms of others, associated with a risk of concomitant ophthalmic problems [1-3].

Material and methods: There were analyzed articles from PubMed database from the last 5 years 2020-2025, mentioned such words as “myopia”, “gender”, “refractive error”. And also, hypercarbia pCO2 AV > 6 mmHg. pCO2 and microcirculatory-mitochondrial distress syndrome, shock.

Results: It was found that higher prevalence of myopia were among girls than boys, both at 9-13 years range. Moreover, in multivariable regression models, younger age of myopia onset or longer duration of myopia progression was associated with high myopia. Environmental risk factors for myopia related to socioeconomic status and lifestyle have been identified. The problem is particularly pronounced in affluent, industrialised areas of East Asia [4].

Conclusion: Generation specific gender preponderance was largely explained by lifestyle factors in youth [5]. The results suggest that in the generations to come, particularly girls should be guided to adhere to protective behavior. There was a higher prevalence of myopia among girls than boys.

And we consider this issue by studying for factors affecting mitochondrial genes, whose mitochondrial functions, require coordinated interactions with products encoded by the nuclear genome. Based on the study at Stanford University, males had higher expression of mitochondrial genes and mitochondrial targeted proteins (MTPs) involved in oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), while females had elevated expression of non-OXPHOS MTPs, indicating strongly sex-dimorphic energy metabolism at the whole organism level [6]. In energy homeostasis, the role of glucose deserves attention as an energy substrate in regulating the menstrual cycle [7].

Thus, improvement of local ocular functions depending on gender differences will be achieved future medical [8] in the context of systemic improvement of mitochondrial functions and targeted therapy. Violations of systemic perfusion pressure cause ischemia of the affected microcirculatory bed with critical damage to mitochondria with manifested hypercarbia pCO2 AV > 6 mmHg. pCO2. AV difference of hypercarbia has become an alarm signal, which is used as a marker of ischemia in terminal conditions with the development of microcirculatory-mitochondrial distress syndrome, MMDS, and the establishment of single or (poli) multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and/or infectious, non-infectious, Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), CHAOS -[C]ardiovascular Compromise: shock; [H]omeostasis; [A]poptosis;[O]rgan Dysfunction; [S]uppression of the Immune System with the development, Acute Vascular Distress Syndrome (AVDS) [9-51]. Definition of SPP (~70 mmHg), is the difference between the mean arterial pressure, MAP (90 mmHg), and the capillary resistance pressure, CRP (20 mmHg) [52]