We report the case of a 29-year-old mixed-race woman suffering from recurrent major depressive episodes, with suicidal ideation and risk, involving several inpatient admissions. A comorbid diagnosis of borderline personality disorder was also recorded in one of her previous inpatient admissions. During her last inpatient admission, a multidisciplinary case discussion and review of the patient's life highlighted several possible intercultural trigger factors that could have contributed to the exacerbation of her psychiatric illness. We emphasise the need to explore intercultural predisposing and precipitating factors for a more complete psychodynamic understanding of psychiatric illnesses among the multiracial population of Singapore. This also adds to the discussion on the management of such patients with the option of formal in-depth psychotherapy in adjunct to medication. This may prevent recurrent relapses, modify suicide intent and reduce the necessity for inpatient treatment, which will be cost-effective and result in efficacious treatment.
Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Borderline Personality Disorder ; epidemiology ; psychology ; Comorbidity ; Cultural Characteristics ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; epidemiology ; psychology ; Ethnic Groups ; Female ; Humans ; Psychotherapy ; methods ; Race Relations ; Religion ; Risk ; Singapore ; Suicidal Ideation

INTRODUCTIONPaediatric sepsis is a global health problem. It is the leading cause of mortality in infants and children worldwide. Appropriate and timely initial management in the first hours, often termed as the "golden hours", has great impact on survival. The aim of this paper is to summarise the current literature and updates on the initial management of paediatric sepsis.

MATERIALS AND METHODSA comprehensive literature search was performed via PubMed using the search terms: 'sepsis', 'septic shock', 'paediatric' and 'early goal-directed therapy'. Original and review articles were identified and selected based on relevance to this review.

RESULTSEarly recognition, prompt fluid resuscitation and timely administration of antibiotics remain key in the resuscitation of the septic child. Use of steroids and tight glycaemic control in this setting remain controversial.

CONCLUSIONThe use of early goal-directed therapy has had significant impact on patient outcomes and protocolised resuscitation of children in septic shock is recommended.

Child ; Humans ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; Resuscitation ; standards ; Shock, Septic ; therapy

Aims: The white rot fungus Pycnoporus cinnabarinus MUCL 39533 is able to reduce vanillic acid to vanillin. Reduction of vanillic acid to vanillin catalysed by the key enzyme aryl-aldehyde dehydrogenase has been reported. Here we report the isolation and cloning of aryl-aldehyde dehydrogenase from P. cinnabarinus strain MUCL 39533. Methodology and results: An aryl-aldehyde dehydrogenase gene (PcALDH) was isolated from P. cinnabarinus by producing a partial cDNA sequence fragment of an aryl-aldehyde dehydrogenase gene through PCR. Degenerate PCR primers were designed based on codons corresponding to conserved amino acid regions of aryl-aldehyde dehydrogenases of several fungi and bacteria. The full-length PcALDH cDNA was obtained through ReverseTranscription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and Rapid Amplification cDNA Ends (RACE) PCR. PcALDH cDNA comprises an open reading frame of 1,506 bp that encodes a protein of 501 amino acids. The PcALDH predicted protein showed the highest amino acid sequence identity (84%) to ALDH from Trametes versicolor. In silico analysis of PcALDH indicated that it belongs to the ALDH super-family and Class 3 ALDH. Conclusion, significance and impact study: PcALDH cDNA was successfully isolated and characterized. Important motifs identified from the highly conserved PcALDH protein indicated that it belongs to the aldehyde dehydrogenase superfamily. The cDNA clone will be used in expression studies to confirm the catalytic function of the enzyme.
Vanillic Acid ; Flavoring Agents

INTRODUCTIONThe aim of this study was to assess the sensitivity of McDonald's magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) criteria for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) in a group of Asian patients diagnosed with clinically definite MS, based on lesion characterisation on MRI scans.

MATERIALS AND METHODSForty-nine patients from 3 major neurological institutions were classified as having Asian- or Western-type MS based on clinical assessment. Each MRI scan was reviewed by 2 neuroradiologists for the presence and characteristics of brain and spinal lesions. The McDonald's MRI criteria were then applied and its sensitivity evaluated.

RESULTSNine patients were excluded, leaving 34 females and 6 males who were dominantly Chinese (90%), with a mean age of 36.2 years. The MRI brain and spinal findings were detailed and tabulated. Statistically significant differences (P <0.01) in MRI brain findings and sensitivity of McDonald's MRI criteria were found between our Asian- and Western-type MS patients. The diagnostic yield of McDonald's MRI criteria increased by 20% when we substituted a cord for a brain lesion, and applied the substitution for enhancing cord lesions as well.

CONCLUSIONThe diagnosis is more likely to be made when using McDonald MRI criteria based on brain findings, in a patient who presents clinically with Western-type MS. The provision for substitution of "one brain for a spinal lesion" is helpful in Asian-type MS, where there is preponderance of spinal lesion load. Our findings suggest that minor modifications in the interpretation of McDonald's MRI criteria have significant impact on the diagnosis in patients clinically presenting as Asian-type MS, with potential bearing on their subsequent management.

Adult ; Brain Injuries ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Medical Audit ; Multiple Sclerosis ; classification ; diagnosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Singapore ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; diagnosis ; pathology

Humans ; Child ; Triage ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Head ; Brain/diagnostic imaging* ; Artificial Intelligence

PURPOSE: To investigate long-term therapeutic effects and patient adherence to a combination therapy of a 5α-reductase inhibitor and an α-blocker and to identify causes of withdrawal from medication in patients with clinical benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: BPH patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) receiving combination therapy with follow-ups for 1–12 years were retrospectively analyzed. Therapeutic effects were assessed at baseline and annually by measuring International Prostatic Symptoms Score, quality of life index, total prostate volume (TPV), maximal flow rate, voided volume, postvoid residual volume and prostate-specific antigen level. Causes of discontinued combination therapy were also investigated. RESULTS: A total of 625 patients, aged 40–97 years (mean, 73 years) were retrospectively analyzed. All measured parameters showed significant improvements after combination therapy. Three hundred sixty-nine patients (59%) discontinued combination therapy with a mean treatment duration of 2.2 years. The most common reasons for discontinued treatment were changing medication to monotherapy with α-blockers or antimuscarinics (124 patients, 19.8%), receiving surgical intervention (39 patients, 6.2%), and LUTS improvement (53 patients, 8.5%). Only 64 patients (10.2%) were loss to follow-up and 6 (1.0%) discontinued combined treatment due to adverse effects. Smaller TPV after short-term combination treatment caused withdrawal from combination therapy. CONCLUSIONS: BPH patients receiving long-term combination therapy showed significant improvement in all measured parameters. Changing medication, improved LUTS and choosing surgery are common reasons for discontinuing combination herapy. A smaller TPV after short-term combination treatment was among the factors that caused withdrawal from combination therapy.
Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms ; Medication Adherence ; Muscarinic Antagonists ; Patient Compliance* ; Prostate ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Prostatic Hyperplasia* ; Quality of Life ; Residual Volume ; Retrospective Studies ; Therapeutic Uses

INTRODUCTIONThe objective of the study is to compare the efficacy of fl at insoles, bone spur pads, pre-fabricated orthotics and customised orthotics in reducing plantar contact pressure of subjects with plantar fasciitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODSThis is a controlled non-blinded comparative study conducted in a tertiary medical institute. Thirty subjects with unilateral plantar fasciitis between the ages of 20 and 65 years were recruited at the sports medicine clinic. The contact pressures and pressure distribution patterns in both feet for each subject were measured with sensor pressure mats while standing. Repeat measurements were made with the subjects wearing shoes, fl at insoles, bone spur heel pads, pre-fabricated insoles and customised orthotics on both feet. The asymptomatic side was used as the control. Contact pressure measurements of the symptomatic and asymptomatic feet and power ratio of the pressure distribution pattern of the rearfoot were then compared.

RESULTSContact pressure was higher on the asymptomatic side due to unequal distribution of weight. Bone spur heel pads were ineffective in reducing rearfoot pressure while formthotics and customised orthotics reduced peak rearfoot pressures significantly. The power ratio of the rearfoot region decreased with the use of formthotics and customised orthotics.

CONCLUSIONPre-fabricated orthotics and customised orthotics reduced rearfoot peak forces on both sides while bone spurs heel pad increase rearfoot peak pressures. Pre-fabricated and customised orthotics are useful in distributing pressure uniformly over the rearfoot region.

Adult ; Aged ; Analysis of Variance ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Body Mass Index ; Chronic Disease ; Fasciitis, Plantar ; therapy ; Female ; Foot ; physiology ; Heel ; Heel Spur ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Orthotic Devices ; Pain ; prevention & control ; Pain Measurement ; Pressure ; Young Adult

Background and objectives The recent joint ACCF/AHA clinical competence statement on cardiac imaging with multi-detector computed tomography recommended a minimum of 6 months training and 300 contrast examinations, of which the candidate must be directly involved in at least 100 studies. Whether this is adequate to become proficient in interpretation of coronary computed tomogsignificant coronary stenosis in a center with 1 year's experience using a 64-row scanner. Methods A total of 778 patients underwent contrast-enhanced CTA between January and December 2005. Out of these patients, 301 patients also underwent contrast-enhanced conventional coronary angiography (CCA). These patients were divided into 4 groups according to the time the examination was underwent. Group Q1: first quarter of the year (n=20), Group Q2: second quarter (n=128), Group Q3: third quarter (n=134), and Group Results The sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values were Q1 - 64%, 89%, 49% and 94%, respectively; Q2 -79%, 96%, 74% and 97%, respectively; Q3 - 78%, 96%, 74%, 97%, respectively, and Q4 - 100% for all. Conclusions In a center with formal training and high caseload, our accuracy in CTA analysis reached a plateau after 6 months experience. Test-bolus protocols produce better image quality and can improve accuracy. New centers embarking on CTA will need to overcome an initial 6-month learning curve depending upon the caseload during which time they should consider correlation with CCA.

Objectives To compare left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) determined from 64-row multi-detector computed tomography (64-row MDCT) with those determined from two dimensional echocardiography (2D echo) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). Methods Thirty-two patients with coronary artery disease underwent trans-thoracic 2D echo, CMR and contrast-enhanced 64-row MDCT for assessment of LVEF within 48 hours of each other. 64-row MDCT LVEF was derived using the Syngo Circulation software; CMR LVEF was by Area Length Ejection Fraction (ALEF) and Simpson method and 2D echo LVEF by Simpson method.Results The LVEF was 49.13 ± 15.91% by 2D echo, 50.72 ± 16.55% (ALEF method) and 47.65 ± 16.58%(Simpson method) by CMR and 50.00 ± 15.93% by 64-row MDCT. LVEF measurements by 64-row MDCT correlated well with LVEF measured with CMR using either the ALEF method (Pearson correlation r = 0.94, P ＜0.01) or Simpson method (r = 0.92, P＜0.01). It also correlated well with LVEF measured using 2D echo (r = 0.80, P ＜ 0.01). Conclusion LVEF measurements by 64-row MDCT correlated well with LVEF measured by CMR and 2D echo. The correlation between 64-row MDCT and CMR was better than the correlation between 2D echo with CMR. Standard data set from a 64-row MDCT coronary study can be reliably used to calculate the LVEF.

INTRODUCTION: Differentiating infants with serious bacterial infections (SBIs) or invasive bacterial infections (IBIs) from those without remains a challenge. We sought to compare the diagnostic performances of single biomarkers (absolute neutrophil count [ANC], C-reactive protein [CRP] and procalcitonin [PCT]) and 4 diagnostic approaches comprising Lab-score, Step-by-Step approach (original and modified) and Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) rule. METHOD: This is a prospective cohort study involving infants 0-90 days of age who presented to an emergency department from July 2020 to August 2021. SBIs were defined as bacterial meningitis, bacteraemia and/or urinary tract infections. IBIs were defined as bacteraemia and/or bacterial meningitis. We evaluated the performances of Lab-score, Step-by-Step (original and modified) and PECARN rule in predicting SBIs and IBIs. RESULTS: We analysed a total of 258 infants, among whom 86 (33.3%) had SBIs and 9 (3.5%) had IBIs. In predicting SBIs, ANC ≥4.09 had the highest sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV), while PCT ≥1.7 had the highest specificity and positive predictive value (PPV). CRP ≥20 achieved the highest area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.741 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.672-0.810). The Step-by-Step (original) approach had the highest sensitivity (97.7%). Lab-score had the highest AUC of 0.695 (95% CI 0.621-0.768), compared to PECARN rule at 0.625 (95% CI 0.556-0.694) and Step-by-Step (original) at 0.573 (95% CI 0.502-0.644). In predicting IBIs, PCT ≥1.7 had the highest sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV. The Step-by-Step (original and modified) approach had the highest sensitivity of 100%. Lab-score had the highest AUC of 0.854 (95% CI 0.731-0.977) compared to PECARN rule at 0.589 (95% CI 0.420-0.758) and Step-by-Step at 0.562 (95% CI 0.392-0.732). CONCLUSION CRP strongly predicted SBIs, and PCT strongly predicted IBI. The Step-by-Step approach had the highest sensitivity and NPV, while Lab-score had the highest specificity and AUC in predicting SBIs and IBIs.
Infant ; Humans ; Child ; Calcitonin ; Prospective Studies ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Bacterial Infections/diagnosis* ; Fever/diagnosis* ; C-Reactive Protein/analysis* ; Meningitis, Bacterial/diagnosis* ; Bacteremia ; Biomarkers ; Emergency Medical Services ; Procalcitonin