Aims: Dried fruits may harbour a variety of fungi especially those that can grow in low water activity conditions. Knowledge on the occurrence of fungi on dried fruits is an important step to predict the possibility of mycotoxin contamination, thus the present study was conducted to determine the occurrence of fungi on dates, figs, kiwi and raisins. Methodology and results: Based on morphological characteristics, six genera of fungi comprising eight species, Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, Penicillium corylophilum, P. glabrum, Chaetomium globosum, Fusarium sacchari, Acremonium strictum and Mycelia sterilia were identified. Three most commonly species isolated were A. niger (19 isolates), P. corylophilum (seven isolates) and A. flavus (five isolates). The less common species were C. globosum (three isolates), Mycelia sterilia (three isolates), A. strictum (one isolate) and P. glabrum (one isolate). Conclusion, significance and impact of study: Common mycotoxin producer are the fungi from the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium. The occurrence of toxigenic fungi on dates, figs, kiwi and raisins suggested that some of these fungi may be an important source of mycotoxin contamination.
Fungi

Penicillium georgiense was isolated from sandy beach soil from Batu Ferringhi beach, Penang Island, Malaysia. The identification was based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of internal transcribed spacer regions and beta-tubulin sequences. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of P. georgiense in Malaysia.
Malaysia* ; Penicillium* ; Soil ; Tubulin

Three isolates of Penicillium pimiteouiense were recovered from sandy beach soil samples in Penang Island, Peninsular Malaysia. All the isolates were identified based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of internal transcribed spacer regions and beta-tubulin gene. This is a first record of P. pimiteouiense in Malaysia.
Malaysia* ; Penicillium* ; Soil* ; Tubulin

INTRODUCTION: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a rare inflammatory syndrome with multisystem involvement affecting children exposed to COVID-19. This condition is rarely reported in East Asia and was not detected in Singapore until 2021. We present 12 cases of MIS-C diagnosed in KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) from October 2021 to December 2021. METHOD: We conducted an observational study on cases fulfilling the Singapore Ministry of Health criteria for MIS-C from January 2020 to December 2021 in KKH. Medical records were reviewed to obtain information on clinical presentation, disease course, treatment received and outcomes. RESULTS: In the 12 cases detected, the median age was 7.50 years (interquartile range 4.00-9.25); 8 were male. All patients had mucocutaneous symptoms similar to Kawasaki disease. Other commonly involved systems were: haematological (coagulopathy 100%, lymphopaenia 91.70% and thrombocytopaenia 75.00%), gastrointestinal (75.00%) and cardiovascular (83.30%). Six patients (50.00%) had shock and were admitted to the intensive care unit. The majority of patients received treatment within 2 days of hospitalisation with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) and steroids. All survived; the majority had normal echocardiograms and no long-term organ sequelae at 6 months post-discharge. CONCLUSION MIS-C emerged in Singapore as the incidence of COVID-19 in the community increased in 2021. The clinical presentation of our patients is similar to earlier reports, with some significant differences from Kawasaki disease. Multidisciplinary management, timely diagnosis, and early initiation of treatment with IVIg and steroids likely contributed to comparatively good outcomes. Our cases highlight the need for continued awareness of MIS-C among physicians, and surveillance of its incidence, short- and long-term outcomes.
Child ; Humans ; Female ; Male ; COVID-19/epidemiology* ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous/therapeutic use* ; Aftercare ; Singapore/epidemiology* ; Patient Discharge

Aims: Penicillium and Talaromyces were among the species of microfungi that inhabit beach sand in Batu Ferringhi Beach, Penang Island, Malaysia. Previously, Talaromyces was described as the sexual stage of Penicillium, but both are now accepted as separate genera based on molecular phylogeny. The aim of the present study was to identify species of Penicillium and Talaromyces that are present in beach sand in Malaysia. Methodology and results: Species identities were confirmed according to similarities of the internal transcribed spacer regions and β-tubulin gene sequences and a phylogenetic analysis based on both regions/gene. Nine Penicillium spp. were identified as P. georgiense, P. chermesinum, P. pimiteouiense, P. citrinum, P. oxalicum, P. daleae, P. rolfsii and Penicillium sp. and the four Talaromyces spp. were T. siamense, T. atroroseus, T. minioluteus and T. fusiformis. Conclusion, significance and impact of study These findings showed that beach sand harboured a variety of Penicillium and Talaromyces species. The occurrence of Penicillium and Talaromyces in beach sands is associated with the organic matter in the sand, which provides suitable substrates and nutrient sources. Due to this, beach sand might harbour many potentially pathogenic or opportunistic species that may pose a health concern to immunocompromised individuals.
Penicillium ; Talaromyces ; Sand

Sarcopenia, which is characterized by progressive and generalized loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength, has been well described to be associated with numerous poor postoperative outcomes, such as increased perioperative mortality, postoperative sepsis, prolonged length of stay, increased cost of care, decreased functional outcome, and poorer oncological outcomes in cancer surgery. Multimodal prehabilitation, as a concept that involves boosting and optimizing the preoperative condition of a patient prior to the upcoming stressors of a surgical procedure, has the purported benefits of reversing the effects of sarcopenia, shortening hospitalization, improving the rate of return to bowel activity, reducing the costs of hospitalization, and improving quality of life. This review aims to present the current literature surrounding the concept of sarcopenia, its implications pertaining to colorectal cancer and surgery, a summary of studied multimodal prehabilitation interventions, and potential future advances in the management of sarcopenia.