The role of extracellular vesicles (EV) in osteoarthritis has become the focus of much research. These vesicles were isolated from several cell types found in synovial joint including chondrocytes and synovium. As articular cartilage is an avascular tissue surrounded by synovial fluid, it is believed that EV might play a crucial role in the homeostasis of cartilage and also could hold key information in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. This is thought to be due to activation of pro-inflammatory factors leading to a catabolic state and degradation of cartilage. In addition, due to the nature of articular cartilage lacking neuronal innervation, knowledge of EV can contribute to identification of novel biomarkers in this debilitating condition. This can be either directly isolated from aspirate of synovial fluid or from peripheral blood. Finally, EVs are known to shuttle important signalling molecules which can be utilised as unique modality in transferring therapeutic compounds in a cell free manner.

Laryngospasm is a serious event that can result in partial or complete upper airway obstruction. It is a common complication during recovery phase of anaesthesia, resulting from acute irritation of the vocal folds. We report a rare case of laryngospasm secondary to a multinodular goitre that settled after treatment. We postulate that the enlarged thyroid gland can lead to direct irritation of the laryngeal nerve as possible cause of repeated episodes of laryngospasm in this patient. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a multinodular goitre as the underlying cause of laryngospasm.
Airway Obstruction ; Laryngismus ; Goitre, Nodular

Primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (PC-ALCL) is relatively a rare tumour of head and neck region. Without histopathological confirmation, it appears and behaved as like malignant epithelial tumor of the head and neck region as will be illustrated in the present case. Cutaneous involvement of the tumor with distant metastasis has made the prognosis unfavorable. This isolated case of head and neck PC-ALCL was highlighted as it has a tendency to behave aggressively and early diagnosis and treatment is crucial to avoid poor survival outcome.

highly stressful environment to doctors. This article described findings on stress, stressors and coping strategies among house officers in a Malaysian hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on house officers in a Malaysian hospital. The 12 items General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), General Stressors Questionnaire (GSQ) and Brief COPE inventory were administered to measure perceived stress, sources of stress and coping strategies among house officers respectively. Data was analysed using SPSS version 12. Results: Forty two house officers participated in this study. This study found that approximately 31% of the house officers were in distress. The top five stressors were fears of making mistakes that can lead to serious consequences, work overload, working with uncooperative colleagues, doing work that mentally straining and feeling of being underpaid. The most frequent coping strategies used by house officers were religion, acceptance and self-distraction. Conclusion: This study found that there was a high percentage of distressed house officers. It also found that major stressors were related to performance pressure. The main coping strategy used by house officer was emotion-focused copin

Introduction: Skipping breakfast may contribute to poor academic and nutritional status among school children. The current study aimed to determine the effect of the ‘MAPAGI’ (Makan Pagi Bergizi) interactive video game on elementary student’s breakfast knowledge and attitude. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental equivalent group study with a pre-post test control group design. In total, 228 students aged 9-11 years were drawn by proportional stratified random sampling from two urban schools and were distributed equally into intervention (IG) and control groups (CG). Both groups were administered with similar printed media for 10-15 minutes. Video game was delivered only to IG for two consecutive days, 30 minutes each day. Pre-test (PT0) was performed a day before leaflet administration, while post-test was performed twice – after leaflet administration (post-test 1/ PT1) and a week after the last video game (post-test 2/PT2). Paired, independent t-test and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were employed to answer the research questions. Results: The mean changes (PT1-PT0 and PT2-PT0) in knowledge score for IG (4.82±2.53 and 3.25±2.47) significantly differed compared to CG (1.75±2.66 and 1.25±2.69). The mean changes in attitude score for IG (7.16±7.17 and 7.34±7.11) also significantly differed compared to CG (2.83±6.58 and 2.64±6.90). After adjustment for potential confounding factors, there was still a significantly greater score in children’s knowledge and attitude after a week’s administration of MAPAGI video game in IG. Conclusion: ‘MAPAGI’ improved school children’s knowledge and attitude, which may lead to the good behaviour of having breakfast.

Background: Pruritus is a common complication of intrathecal opioids and numerous medications have been used to prevent or treat this complication. However, the efficacy of these medications vary. The choice of medications also depends on the availability and the cost. We performed a randomised double-blind study to evaluate whether nalbuphine is as effective as chlorpheniramine, a medication that is commonly used for treating pruritus for the treatment of intrathecal opioid-induced pruritus in parturients undergoing lower-segment caesarean section. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and thirty four parturients with American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I or II who had intrathecal opioid-induced pruritus were assigned to receive either intravenous nalbuphine (4 mg eight-hourly) or intravenous chlorpheniramine (5 mg eight-hourly) for a period of 24 hours. Pruritus was assessed using a qualitative scale at pre-treatment, six, nine, 12 and 24 hours post-treatment. Results: The occurrence of intrathecal opioid-induced pruritus was significantly reduced in parturients treated with intravenous nalbuphine as compared to intravenous chlorpheniramine at all intervals studied. Conclusion: In conclusion, nalbuphine is more effective than chlorpheniramine in reducing intrathecal opioid-induced pruritus for parturients undergoing lower-segment caesarean section.
Anesthesia ; Histamine H1 Antagonists ; Injections, Spinal ; Analgesics, Opioid ; Pregnancy

Supraglottic airway devices have been used as safe alternatives to endotracheal intubation in appropriate types of surgery. This was a prospective, randomised, single blind study comparing the use of LMA™ and SLIPA™ in terms of ease of insertion, haemodynamic changes and occurrence of adverse effects (e.g. blood stains on the device upon removal and sore throat). A total of 62 ASA I or II patients, aged between 18 to 70 years were recruited for this study. Patients were randomised into two groups; LMA™ and SLIPA™ group. Following induction of anaesthesia, an appropriate sized LMA™ or SLIPA™ was inserted after ensuring adequate depth of anaesthesia. Anaesthesia was maintained with oxygen, nitrous oxide and sevoflurane. The ease of insertion was graded and haemodynamic changes were recorded at 2 minute intervals up to 10 minutes after insertion of the airway devices. The presence of blood stains upon airway device removal at the end of surgery and incidence of sore throat was also recorded. No difficult insertion was experienced in either of these devices. Insertion was either easy [LMA™ 87.1% versus SLIPA™ 80.6% (p = 0.49)] or moderate [LMA™ 12.9% versus SLIPA™ 19.4% (p = 0.16)]. Throughout the study period, the haemodynamic changes that occurred in both groups were not statistically different. Traces of blood were noted on the surface of the device in 9.7% of patients in the SLIPA™ group versus 6.5% of patients in the LMA™ group. The incidence of sore throat was recorded in 12.9% versus 19.4% of patients in the SLIPA™ and the LMA™ groups respectively. These findings were not statistically significant. In conclusion, this study showed no significant differences between the use of LMA™ and SLIPA™ in terms of ease of insertion, haemodynamic changes and adverse effects in patients undergoing minor surgical procedures.

This was a prospective study comparing the cost implications between two carbon dioxide (CO2) absorbers, soda lime (Intersurgical) and AMSORB® PLUS. The study was conducted over two 4-week periods in two dedicated operating theatres using Datex Ohmeda Aestiva/5 anaesthetic machines. AMSORB® PLUS was used during the first four weeks and soda lime (Intersurgical) the following four weeks. General anaesthesia was administered as routinely done but fresh gas flow (FGF) during the maintenance phase was limited to a maximum flow of 2 L/min. The CO2 absorber was only changed when there was evidence of exhaustion. Total duration of anaesthesia, sevoflurane (bottles) and CO2 absorber (kg) consumption, and amount of waste product (kg) was calculated at the end of each study period. The total cost of delivering general anaesthesia was lower in the AMSORB® PLUS group, RM82.40 (USD19.89)/hour versus the soda lime group, RM91.50 (USD 22.09)/hour (p=0.17), which translates to a 10% reduction in cost per hour. Reduction in sevoflurane consumption in the AMSORB® PLUS compared to the soda lime group was also not statistically significant (p=0.22). The only significant finding was the reduction in CO2 absorber consumption in the AMSORB® PLUS group as compared to soda lime group (p=0.001). In conclusion, AMSORB® PLUS consumption was significantly reduced compared to that of soda lime. However, the use of AMSORB® PLUS did not significantly reduce sevoflurane consumption nor the total cost of delivering general anaesthesia. Given the superior safety profile, AMSORB® PLUS may be a suitable, cost-effective alternative to soda lime in the daily practice of anaesthesia.
Sodium Hydroxide

Primary sinonasal clear cell carcinoma is a rare neoplasm classified under malignant epithelial tumours of salivary gland – type carcinomas under World Health Organization (WHO) classification. We report a case which occurred on a 69 year old gentleman presented with epistaxis and nasal endoscopy examination showed tumour arising from the right ethmoid cells. Endoscopic excision of the tumour was done and histopathological examination revealed clear cell carcinoma. In addition, other secondary or primary sites of the lesion were excluded by clinical, immunohistochemical and radiological examinations. 10 months into the postoperative period, patient remains well without recurrence of the tumour. In conclusion: We report a rare case of primary sinonasal clear cell carcinoma in addition to the limited literature available and emphasize the differentials with other probable tumour through meticulous microscopic examination and use of special immunostains.
Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell ; Carcinoma

We report a case of a 34-year-old man who was initially treated as community acquired pneumonia following a three-month-history of productive cough, loss of weight and loss of appetite. However, three months after discharged from the hospital, he presented again with worsening respiratory symptoms and radiological evidence of a lung cavitation with intracavitary lesion resembling an aspergilloma associated with surrounding consolidation. Unfortunately, he remained symptomatic despite on antifungal therapy. The repeat computed-tomography demonstrated persistent cavitating lesion with development of necrotising pneumonia. He underwent lobectomy and the histopathological analysis of the resected specimen however revealed the diagnosis of actinomycosis. KEY WORDS: Actinomycosis, Aspergillosis
Actinomycosis