Bone marrow harvested by aspiration contains connective tissue progenitor cells which can be selectively isolated and induced to express bone phenotype in vitro. The osteoblastic progenitor can be estimated by counting the number of cells attach using the haemacytometer. This study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that human aging is associated with a significant change on the number of osteoblastic progenitors in the bone marrow. Bone marrow aspirates were harvested from 38 patients, 14 men (age 11-70) and 24 women (age 10-70) and cultured in F12: DMEM (1:1). In total 15 bone marrow samples have been isolated from patients above 40 years old (men/women) of age. Fourteen (93.3%) of this samples failed to proliferate. Only one (6.7%) bone marrow sample from a male patient, aged 59 years old was successfully cultured. Seventy percent (16/23) of the samples from patient below than 40 years old were successfully cultured. However, our observation on the survival rate for cells of different gender from patient below 40 years old does not indicate any significant difference. From this study, we conclude that the growth of bone marrow stromal cells possibly for bone engineering is better from bone marrow aspirates of younger patient.
Age Factors ; Bone Marrow Cells/*cytology ; Cell Aging/*physiology ; Cell Division/*physiology ; Cell Survival/physiology ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/*cytology ; Osteoblasts/*cytology ; Sex Factors ; Stromal Cells/cytology ; *Tissue Engineering

Adenomyotic cyst is a rare variant of adenomyosis. It is believed to arise from repeated focal haemorrhages resulting in cystic spaces filled with altered blood products. We present a rare case of a huge adenomyotic cyst in a 27-yearold primigravida, who was in her first trimester, complaining of sudden lower abdominal pain. Diagnostic laparoscopy performed to rule out other cause of acute abdomen. Her pregnancy went on smoothly. She delivered a baby girl of 2.82 kg via vaginal delivery at 39 weeks. Diagnosis and management of this rare clinical entity were reviewed and discussed.
Cysts ; Pregnancy

We report a case of dislodged Levornogestrel-intrauterine system (LNG-IUS, Mirena®) without evidence of uterine perforation. A 37-year-old Para 4+1presented with 3 months history of lower abdominal pain. Examination and imaging showed that the device was not present in the uterine cavity. She underwent laparoscopic retrieval of Mirena®. There was no evidence of uterine perforation intra-operatively. This case illustrated the rare possibility of dislodged Mirena®intra-abdominally without evidence of uterine perforation. The management for missing IUS was reviewed.
Levonorgestrel

Bone marrow stem cells (BMSC), known for its multipotency to differentiate into various mesenchymal cells such as chodrocyte, osteoblasts, adipocytes, etc, have been actively applied in tissue engineering. BMSC have been successfully isolated from bone marrow aspirate and bone marrow scraping from patients of various ages (13-56 years) with as little as 2ml to 5ml aspirate. BMSC isolated from our laboratory showed the presence of a heterogenous population that showed varying prevalence of surface antigens and the presence of telomerase activity albeit weak. Upon osteogenic induction, alkaline phosphatase activity and mineralization activity were observed.
Bone Marrow Cells/cytology ; *Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Bone Regeneration/physiology ; *Bone Transplantation ; Cell Differentiation/physiology ; *Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Telomerase/metabolism ; *Tissue Engineering

The strategy used to generate tissue-engineered bone construct, in view of future clinical application is presented here. Osteoprogenitor cells from periosteum of consenting scoliosis patients were isolated. Growth factors viz TGF-B2, bFGF and IGF-1 were used in concert to increase cell proliferation during in vitro cell expansion. Porous tricalcium phosphate (TCP)-hydroxyapatite (HA) scaffold was used as the scaffold to form 3D bone construct. We found that the addition of growth factors, greatly increased cell growth by 2 to 7 fold. TCP/HA proved to be the ideal scaffold for cell attachment and proliferation. Hence, this model will be further carried out on animal trial.
Bone Regeneration/*physiology ; *Bone Transplantation ; Cell Division/physiology ; Collagen/metabolism ; *Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Organ Culture Techniques ; Periosteum/*cytology ; Tissue Engineering/*methods

Administration of additional 'rescue' hCG immediately after IUI appeared to intensify considerably the pregnancy rate in IUI cycles. With a strong confirmatory result, it might eventually lead to avoidance of expensive artificial reproductive techniques i.e. IVF or ICSI in selected couples undergoing infertility treatment. 'Rescue' hCG post-IUI in couple with repeated failed conventional IUI may be recommended as it appeared to be safe with minimal detrimental effect.

The aim of this review was to analyze the gender disparities found as well as the life expectancies in Asia. An analysis of the data on gender disparities as well as life expectancies of the different Asian countries was done based on the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Health Observatory Data Repository as well as the regional government databases. Middle Eastern countries have the highest male to female population ratio. The results show that in terms of population pyramid, Asia is moving towards a more geriatric population. Qatar has the highest life expectancy for men and is the only country in Asia where men live longer than women (difference of 2 years). In general, women in Asia live longer than men. High income countries like Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore have higher life expectancies as compared to those on the lower income nations. The life expectancy of Asian men still lags women. Men’s health care needs to be addressed urgently. The disparity in income-status reflecting the lifespan of men is an impetus for us to narrow the gap of health in Asian countries.

Renal angiomyolipoma is a rare disease seen during pregnancy. Rupture of renal angiomyolipoma could be catastrophic and might result in maternal and even perinatal mortality. Management includes conservative vs surgical approach. A 29-year-old woman Para 2 with history of bleeding renal angiomyolipoma in her first pregnancy at 11 weeks treated with selective arterial embolisation. The pregnancy was terminated. Even though having small residual tumour, her subsequent pregnancy progressed well with conservative management. Intervention is advisable in the presence of large or symptomatic renal angiomyolipoma prior to pregnancy in order to minimise potential lifethreatening haemorrhage during pregnancy. For those with small tumour of less than 4cm, perhaps conservative approaches i.e. frequent follow-up and close monitoring would assist in early identification of any rupture or bleeding.
Nephrectomy ; Pregnancy Women

Ambulatory Care ; COVID-19 ; Health Facility Planning ; Hospital Bed Capacity ; Hospitals, Rehabilitation ; Humans ; Infection Control ; Rehabilitation ; Remote Consultation ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Singapore ; Telerehabilitation ; Triage

Introduction: To investigate the use of a tubular retractor to provide access to the craniovertebral junction (CVJ) sparing the soft palate with the aim of reducing complications associated with traditional transoral approach but yet allowing adequate decompression of the CVJ. Materials and methods: Twelve consecutive patients with severe myelopathy (JOA-score less than 11) from ventral CVJ compression were operated between 2014-2020 using a tubular retractor assisted transoral decompression. Results: All patients improved neurologically statistically (p=0.02). There were no posterior pharynx wound infections or rhinolalia. There was one case with incomplete removal of the lateral wall of odontoid and one incidental durotomy. Conclusions: A Tubular retractor provides adequate access for decompression of the ventral compression of CVJ. As the tubular retractor pushed away the uvula, soft palate and pillars of the tonsils as it docked on the posterior pharyngeal wall, the traditional complications associated with traditional transoral procedures is completely avoided.