<p>BACKGROUNDThe use of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques to manage chronic pain is relatively new and understudied in Singapore. Using data collected from group CBT programmes carried out at the Singapore General Hospital (SGH), we seek to explore the efficacy of the programme on pain intensity, self-efficacy, attitudes towards pain, and emotional factors. We also examined the efficacy of the longer 6- to 9-day group programme versus an abridged 2-day version called the Pacing Programme covering only some aspects of the full group programme.p><p>MATERIALS AND METHODSTwenty-nine adult patients underwent the intensive 6- to 9-day group programme while another 10 patients underwent the abridged 2-day group programme. The more extensive group programme encompassed teaching patients cognitive-behavioural methods of coping with pain, such as setting goals, pacing, cognitive restructuring by thinking in more positively, distraction, problem solving, sleep hygiene, communication skills, ability to cope with changes, and relaxation techniques. The abridged programme focused mainly on developing pacing skills. Patients were required to fill out questionnaires at the beginning of the programme, end of the programme, and at the 1-month and 6-month follow-ups to monitor progress.p><p>RESULTSPreliminary results for the intensive 6- to 9-day group programme indicate decrease in pain and pain distress levels, improvements in management of pain, increased confidence to carry out activities despite pain, increased positive self-statements and decreased negative self-statements, decrease in fear of harm and pathophysiological beliefs, as well as decreases in the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. The abridged 2-day programme yielded little change in pain and pain distress levels, but a slight increase in confidence to carry out activities despite pain.p><p>CONCLUSIONThese preliminary results provide some evidence supporting the efficacy of CBT techniques in chronic pain management and contribute to the growing body of evidence for the effectiveness of psychological and behavioural techniques in the management of chronic pain.p>
Adult ; Aged ; Cognitive Therapy ; Female ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain, Intractable ; psychology ; therapy ; Singapore ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Patients with moyamoya vasculopathy (MMV) may experience cognitive impairment, but its reported frequency, severity, and nature vary. In a systematic review and metaanalysis, we aimed to assess the presence, severity, and nature of cognitive impairments in children and adults with MMV. METHODS: We followed the MOOSE guidelines for meta-analysis and systematic reviews of observational studies. We searched Ovid Medline and Embase for studies published between January 1, 1969 and October 4, 2016. Independent reviewers extracted data for mean intelligence quotient (IQ) and standardized z-scores for cognitive tests, and determined percentages of children and adults with cognitive deficits, before and after conservative or surgical treatment. We explored associations between summary measures of study characteristics and cognitive impairments by linear regression analysis. RESULTS: We included 17 studies (11 studies reporting on 281 children, six on 153 adults). In children, the median percentage with impaired cognition was 30% (range, 13% to 67%); median IQ was 98 (range, 71 to 107). Median z-score was –0.39 for memory, and –0.43 for processing speed. In adults, the median percentage with impaired cognition was 31% (range, 0% to 69%); median IQ was 95 (range, 94 to 99). Median z-scores of cognitive domains were between –0.9 and –0.4, with multiple domains being affected. We could not identify determinants of cognitive impairment. CONCLUSIONS: A large proportion of children and adults with MMV have cognitive impairment, with modest to large deficits across various cognitive domains. Further studies should investigate determinants of cognitive deficits and deterioration, and the influence of revascularization treatment on cognitive functioning.
Adult* ; Child* ; Cognition Disorders ; Cognition* ; Humans ; Intelligence ; Linear Models ; Memory ; Moyamoya Disease ; Neuropsychological Tests

Background: and Purpose Oral administration of cholinesterase inhibitors is often associated with adverse gastrointestinal effects, and so developing an alternative administration route, such as transdermal, is urgently needed. The primary objective of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of the IPI-301 donepezil transdermal patch compared with donepezil tablets (control) in mild-to-moderate probable Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods: This prospective, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, two-arm parallel, multicenter trial included 399 patients, among whom 303 completed the trial. For randomization, the patients were stratified based on previous treatment and donepezil dose; patients in each stratum were randomized to the test and control groups at a 1:1 ratio. Results: The difference between the control group and the IPI-301 group, quantified as the Hodges–Lehmann estimate of location shift, was 0.00 (95% confidence interval: -1.00 to 1.33), with an upper limit of less than 2.02. The change in Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study– Activities of Daily Living (ADCS-ADL) score differed significantly between the IPI-301 and control groups (p=0.02). However, the changes in the full-itemized ADCS-ADL scores at week 24 did not differ significantly between the two groups. There were no differences between the two groups regarding the scores for the Clinician Interview-Based Impression of Change (f0.9097), Mini-Mental State Examination (p=0.7018), Neuropsychiatric Inventory (p=0.7656), or Clinical Dementia Rating (p=0.9990). Adverse events, vital signs, and laboratory test results were comparable between the two groups. Conclusions IPI-301 was safe and efficacious in improving cognitive function in patients with mild-to-moderate AD.

Objective. This study aimed to assess compliance with current best practice guidelines on the use of antibiotics in the Department of Surgery in the Philippine General Hospital and to determine the impact of the dissemination of an institution-based guideline on compliance and on patient outcomes. Methods. Two antibiotic use surveys were performed 4 weeks before and 4 weeks after the implementation and dissemination of the PGH Surgical Antibiotic Use Guidelines in the Department of Surgery. The medical records of eligible patients were reviewed regarding patient and case characteristics, details on the administration of antibiotics and the collection of specimen for culture studies. Data relating to the occurrence of surgical site infection within 30 days of the operation was extracted. Compliance with antibiotic use guidelines was assessed for each case. The compliance rates in the pre- and post-intervention periods were compared. Results. The study included a total of 477 patients, 213 in the pre-implementation and 264 in the post-implementation period. Compared with the pre-intervention period, rates of compliance with guidelines improved for all parameters in the post-implementation period except for correct dosing. The greatest improvement was seen in the selection of the recommended drug, and proper duration. There was modest improvement in the timing of the preoperative drug administration. There was poor compliance with recommendations for appropriate specimen collection for culture studies, with marked improvement in collection in the pediatric group post-intervention. Overall, the in-hospital SSI rate was reduced from 6.8% to 1.1%, while there was little change in the 30-day SSI rate, post-intervention. Conclusion. A simple intervention to raise awareness of institutional guidelines on antibiotic use in the surgical setting lead to a modest improvement on overall compliance, although rates of total compliance with all relevant guidance on antibiotic use, choice, dose, timing and duration remained low. The impact on surgical site infection rates based on such compliance was modest.
Anti-Bacterial Agents

Pandemic H1N1 influenza virus respiratory illness has become an inevitable global health concern. With antigenic drift, it becomes necessary to have drugs over tailor-made HIN1 vaccine every year. In the current study, we screened many Piperine derivative in which, N-5-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2E,4E-pentadienylpiperidine (AB05) and was further studied for anti-H1N1influenza virus activity and compared with other stains in-vitro on MDCK cell line. Initial cytotoxic doses of AB05 for the MDCK cell line were > 25µM. The results showed a dose-dependent reduction of the viral plaque’s in the adsorption assay with EC50 of 0.33 µM. The mechanism of AB05 was by inhibition of matured viral release as evaluated by the time of virus addition with incubation of 6-10 hours. With the promising H1N1 virucidal activity of AB05, we included various strains of human influenza virus to screen AB05 inhibition of Neuraminidase (NA). The result showed 70% NA inhibition in WSN (H1N1), 90% in H3N2 & Influenza B and 49% in Tamiflu resistant H1N1). Further our In silco docking studies substantiated experimental results by showing the difference in binding and cooperation between H1N1 and N3N2. Together these observations illustrate that Piperine derivative AB05 is a promising lead molecule which needs further evaluation in animal models.

Antibody cross-reactivity among flaviviruses is a major limitation in understanding the prevalence without vector control measures. In this study, we investigated the presence of Zika virus (ZIKV)-specific antibodies and the significance of their cross-reactivity with other flaviviruses, which could affect the serological specificity in both symptomatic and asymptomatic pregnant women. Among the results obtained from 217 serum samples tested for ZIKV-specific IgM and IgG, no specific predictions regarding seropositivity or exposure due to extensive cross-reactivity with dengue virus (DENV) serology could be made. Clear-cut positivity was observed in 1.8% (n = 4) and 1.0% (n = 2) for ZIKV IgM and IgG, respectively. The same samples assessed for DENV showed 1.3% (n = 3) seropositivity each for IgM and IgG levels. None of the samples were positive for ZIKV and DENV IgM or IgG. However, one sample (0.4%) tested positive for ZIKV and DENV IgM. No significant correlation was observed between DENV IgM and IgG when comparing the overlapped serotiters. On the other hand, the ZIKV IgG-positive sample showed higher serotiters for DENV IgG, indicating cross-reactivity with ZIKV but without statistical significance. Therefore, screening for the incidence of ZIKV becomes particularly challenging in a population where the presence or pre-exposure to DENV is observed. Our observations further suggest that unless flavivirus prevalence is properly addressed, determining the prevalence of ZIKV antibodies, which may be confounded with other uninvestigated flaviviruses, will be complicated.