Introduction: Carotenoid-rich red palm oil (RPO)-based snacks have been provided to children in impoverished communities to improve their vitamin A status. The non-availabilty of information on the acceptability of RPO-based snacks by Malaysian aborigines (Orang Asli) children forms the basis of this study. Methods: Twenty-one Orang Asli children, majority of whom had normal body mass index for age (BMI-for-age) and aged 4.73 ± 0.92 years in Sungai Tekir, Negeri Sembilan were provided with three freshly-prepared snacks (springroll, curry puff or doughnut) each containing one teaspoon or 5 ml of RPO per serving, on separate mornings. On the fourth morning, one serving each of all 3 different snacks was provided together on a plate to every child for consumption and preference for the snacks recorded. The children’s habitual vitamin A intakes were assessed by a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and carotenoid retention tests for the prepared snacks were performed by column chromatography. Results: Fifty-four percent of the children did not meet their RNI for vitamin A. Based on acceptance criterion of consuming at least one-half serving of the snacks provided, springroll and curry puff recorded 100% acceptability while doughnut had 82% acceptability. Preference of snack was in the order, springroll (47%)> doughtnut (35%)> curry puff (18%), but a Ztest test for proportions showed no statistical significance. Carotenoid retention tests showed great variation between snacks namely, doughnut (100%) >springroll (84%)>curry puff (45%). Conclusion: The overall findings indicate that the RPO-based snacks are highly acceptable and can be used to improve the dietary intake of provitamin A carotenoids of Malaysian Orang Asli children.

Primary malignant melanoma of the vagina is rare but aggressive. Various treatment options include surgery and adjuvant therapy has been advocated but the outcome remained unpredictable. Standard treatment protocol is yet to be established. We report a case of 54-year-old, Para 4+1, with malignant melanoma of the vagina. She underwent wide local excision but the surgical margin was not clear of malignant cells, hence adjuvant radiotherapy was given. Combination chemotherapy was initiated subsequently as her disease disseminated. She succumbed later due to septicaemic shock. The treatment options for vaginal melanoma were reviewed.

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

Objective: Employment is important for patients with chronic illness, and to remain employed is a robust support to them. This study aimed to examine the employment rate and to identify factors associated with employment among multiple sclerosis (MS) in Hong Kong. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed from 2010 to 2011 at five major public hospitals. Fifty-nine clinical definite MS patients with no evidence of dementia (Mini-Mental State Examination ≥ 22) were recruited. Demographic data and neuropsychological test results including memory, visual perception, psychological well-being, motor, executive domain and processing speed were collected. Principal component analysis and logistic regression with multiple imputation were used in data analyses. Results: The employment rate among MS patients was 56%. Patients with better cognitive functions were more likely to be employed (p=0.002). No significant association was found between employment status and age, gender, level of education, types of MS, disease duration, frequency of relapse or use of interferon. Conclusion: MS patients had high unemployment rate (44%) which was 11.5 times higher than the general population in Hong Kong. MS patients with better cognitive functions had higher employment rates.
Multiple Sclerosis

Bone Marrow Transplantation ; history ; methods ; HLA Antigens ; immunology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; history ; methods ; History, 20th Century ; History, 21st Century ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; history ; methods ; Singapore ; Transplantation Conditioning ; history ; methods