Background: High grade gliomas (HGGs) are locally invasive brain tumours that carry a dismal prognosis. Although complete resection increases median survival, the difficulty in reliably demonstrating the tumour border intraoperatively is a norm. The Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital Sungai Buloh is the first public hospital in Malaysia to overcome this problem by adopting fluorescence-guided (FG) surgery using 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA). Methods: A total of 74 patients with histologically proven HGGs treated between January 2008 and December 2014, who fulfilled the inclusion criteria, were enrolled. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates and Cox proportional hazard regression were used. Results: Significant longer survival time (months) was observed in the FG group compared with the conventional group (12 months versus 8 months, P < 0.020). Even without adjuvant therapy, HGG patients from FG group survived longer than those from the conventional group (8 months versus 3 months, P = 0.006). No significant differences were seen in postoperative Karnofsky performance scale (KPS) between the groups at 6 weeks and 6 months after surgery compared to pre-operative KPS. Cox proportional hazard regression identified four independent predictors of survival: KPS > 80 (P = 0.010), histology (P < 0.001), surgical method (P < 0.001) and adjuvant therapy (P < 0.001). Conclusion: This study showed a significant clinical benefit for HGG patients in terms of overall survival using FG surgery as it did not result in worsening of post-operative function outcome when compared with the conventional surgical method. We advocate a further multicentered, randomised controlled trial to support these findings before FG surgery can be implemented as a standard surgical adjunct in local practice for the benefit of HGG patients.

Objective To observe the perioperative myocardial protection of high-dose atorvastatin to acute coronary syndrome(ACS) patients during percutaneous coronary artery interventional therapy(PCI).Methods One hundred and twenty patients with ACS undergoing elective PCI were divided into group A and group B with different oral dose of atorvastatin ( 80 mg/d and 20 mg/d ) for 3 days before operation by random digits table. Troponin I (cTnI), creatine kinase isozyme MB (CK-MB), high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin (IL)-6 levels were measured before operation, 6 hours, 12 hours after operation and total cholesterol (TC), triglyeride (TG), low desity lipeprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipeprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were measured before operation and 3 days after operation.Results cTnI,CK-MB,hs-CRP and IL-6 levels in the two groups were increased significandy 6 hours and 12 hours after operation (P <0.05). Six hours after operation, cTnI and CK-MB levels in group A were significantly lower than those in group B [(0.35±0. 18 ) μg/L vs. (0.48±0. 16 ) μg/L, ( 3.78±0.45 )μg/Lvs. (4.56±0.55 )μg/L] (P < 0.05 ). Twelve hours after operation , hs-CRP and IL-6 levels in group A were significantly lower than those in group B [(4.53±0.98 ) mg/L vs. (7.03±0.88 ) mg/L, ( 30.6±11.2) ng/L vs.(43.8±12.1) ng/L] (P <0.05). TC, TG, LDL-C, HDL-C levels in the two groups did not change significantly before and after operation (P >0.05). Conclusions Myocardial protective effects of ACS patients treated with atorvastatin 80 mg/d for 3 days are better than those treated with oral atorvastatin 20 mg/d. High-dose atorvastatin can produce more beneficial effects.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of finger reconstruction in child with second toe transplantation,and evaluate the postoperative appearance and function regarding the reconstructed donor feet.Methods From June 2002 to May 2011,sixteen cases were reconstructed in sub-emergency with second toe transplantation.Two thumbs,eight index fingers,and 6 middle fingers were reconstructed.All patients were followed-up from 12 to 24 months.The functions of reconstructed fingers were analysed.Results All the reconstructed fingers survived.Vascular crisis occurred in 1 patient,and survived after re-anastomosis.Necrosis of skin grafts at the domon site with exposed tedons was seen in 1 ease,and healed after changing dressings.All the reconstructed fingers showed good in growth and development,and performed good functions as grabbing,grasping and nipping.Two-point discrimination was between 6 mm and 10 mm.The donor site of the foot had normal gait,without obvious influence on walking.Also,no pain was complained.Conclusion The method of transplanting the second toe can reconstruct the appearance and function of the finger defects in child,and has little effect on the appearance and motion of feet.It is an effective treatment method.

Owing to advancements in molecular diagnostics, recent years have seen an increasing number of laboratories adopting respiratory viral panels to detect respiratory pathogens. In December 2015, the NxTAG respiratory pathogen panel (NxTAG RPP) was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration. We compared the clinical performance of this new assay with that of the xTAG respiratory viral panel (xTAG RVP) FAST v2 using 142 clinical samples and 12 external quality assessment samples. Discordant results were resolved by using a laboratory-developed respiratory viral panel. The NxTAG RPP achieved 100% concordant negative results and 86.6% concordant positive results. It detected one coronavirus 229E and eight influenza A/H3N2 viruses that were missed by the xTAG RVP FAST v2. On the other hand, the NxTAG RPP missed one enterovirus/rhinovirus and one metapneumovirus that were detected by FAST v2. Both panels correctly identified all the pathogens in the 12 external quality assessment samples. Overall, the NxTAG RPP demonstrated good diagnostic performance. Of note, it was better able to subtype the influenza A/H3N2 viruses compared with the xTAG RVP FAST v2.
Coronavirus ; Hand ; Influenza, Human ; Metapneumovirus ; Pathology, Molecular ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; United States Food and Drug Administration

INTRODUCTION: Inappropriate attendances (IAs) to emergency departments (ED) create an unnecessary strain on healthcare systems. With decreased ED attendance during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study postulates that there are less IAs compared to before the pandemic and identifies factors associated with IAs. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 29,267 patient presentations to a healthcare cluster in Singapore from 7 April 2020 to 1 June 2020, and 36,370 patients within a corresponding period in 2019. This time frame coincided with local COVID-19 lockdown measures. IAs were defined as patient presentations with no investigations required, with patients eventually discharged from the ED. IAs in the 2020 period during the pandemic were compared with 2019. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with IAs. RESULTS: There was a decrease in daily IAs in 2020 compared to 2019 (9.91±3.06 versus 24.96±5.92, P<0.001). IAs were more likely with self-referrals (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.58, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.50-1.66) and walk-ins (aOR 4.96, 95% CI 4.59-5.36), and those diagnosed with non-specific headache (aOR 2.08, 95% CI 1.85-2.34), or non-specific low back pain (aOR 1.28, 95% CI 1.15-1.42). IAs were less likely in 2020 compared to 2019 (aOR 0.67, 95% CI 0.65-0.71) and older patients (aOR 0.79 each 10 years, 95% CI 0.78-0.80). CONCLUSION ED IAs decreased during COVID-19. The pandemic has provided a unique opportunity to examine factors associated with IAs.
COVID-19 ; Communicable Disease Control ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Humans ; Pandemics ; Retrospective Studies ; SARS-CoV-2

Objective To investigate the expressions of interleukin-8 (IL-8) mRNA and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) protein in astrocytic tumors and their correlation with the tumor cell apoptosis. Methods The expressions of IL-8 mRNA in 64 cases of astrocytic tumor and 10 normal brain tissues were detected using RT-PCR. The expression of PCNA protein in the tumors was assayed with immunohistochemistry, and the apoptosis index (AI) of the tumor cells determined using TUNEL assay. Results The expression ofIL-8 mRNA in the astrocytic tumors was strongly correlated to the malignancy of the tumors, and both the PCNA expression and the apoptosis index increased in tumors of greater malignancies. IL-8 mRNA expression was positively correlated to the expression of PCNA (r=0.938, P<0.01) and AI (r=0.907, P<0.01) in these tumors. Conclusion IL-8 mRNA expression is positively correlated to the histological grade of the astrocytic tumors, whose proliferation is mediated by inhibition of cell apoptosis and upregulation of IL-8 transcription.

Objective To explore the clinical effect of direct posterior restoration and screw-rod (plate) internal fixation technique for the treatment of children with congenital atlantoaxial subluxation.Methods Seven children with congenital atlantoaxial subluxation,admitted to our hospital from April 2008 to March 2011, were chosen in our study; and 3 of them were combined with tonsil hernia of cerebellum and 3 with occipitalization. Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scale was used to evaluate the patient's condition. Five patients were treated by internal fixation with occipital bone screw-axis (C2) pedicle screw and 2 were with atlas C1-C2.Articulatio atlantoepistrophica repositioning was performed during the operation. The post-operative improvement degree and therapeutic effect of these patients were assessed based on the JOA scores and imaging. Results All the patients were followed up for 1-15 months (average 3.2 months). The clinical symptoms of all patients improved significantly. The positions of all screws were fine 1 month after operation. Three-dimensional CT showed that occipital/interbody fusions were good in 3 patients.JOA scores after the surgery were 7-16 with an average scores of (12.03±3.58),which were significantly different as compared with those before the surgery ([7.56±3.16], P＜0.05). Conclusion Direct posterior restoration and internal fixation technique is a safe and effective method for the treatment of children with congenital atlantoaxial subluxation.

The concept of theranostics, where individual patient-level biological information is used to choose the optimal therapy for that individual, has become more popular in the modern era of ‘personalised’ medicine. With the growth of theranostics, nuclear medicine as a specialty is uniquely poised to grow along with the ever-increasing number of concepts combining imaging and therapy. This special report summarises the status and growth of Theranostic Nuclear Medicine in Singapore.We will cover our experience with the use of radioiodine, radioiodinated metaiodobenzylguanidine, peptide receptor radionuclide therapy, prostate specific membrane antigen radioligand therapy, radium-223 and yttrium-90 selective internal radiation therapy.We also include a section on our radiopharmacy laboratory, crucial to our implementation of theranostic principles. Radionuclide theranostics has seen tremendous growth and we hope to be able to grow alongside to continue to serve the patients in Singapore and in the region.
Hope ; Humans ; Lutetium ; Membranes ; Nuclear Medicine ; Prostate ; Radium ; Receptors, Peptide ; Singapore ; Theranostic Nanomedicine ; Yttrium

The concept of theranostics, where individual patient-level biological information is used to choose the optimal therapy for that individual, has become more popular in the modern era of ‘personalised’ medicine. With the growth of theranostics, nuclear medicine as a specialty is uniquely poised to grow along with the ever-increasing number of concepts combining imaging and therapy. This special report summarises the status and growth of Theranostic Nuclear Medicine in Singapore.We will cover our experience with the use of radioiodine, radioiodinated metaiodobenzylguanidine, peptide receptor radionuclide therapy, prostate specific membrane antigen radioligand therapy, radium-223 and yttrium-90 selective internal radiation therapy.We also include a section on our radiopharmacy laboratory, crucial to our implementation of theranostic principles. Radionuclide theranostics has seen tremendous growth and we hope to be able to grow alongside to continue to serve the patients in Singapore and in the region.

Humans ; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/diagnosis* ; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated/diagnosis* ; Echocardiography ; Patients