Computer analysis of electrocardiograms (ECGs) was introduced more than 50 years ago, with the aim to improve efficiency and clinical workflow.[1,2] However, inaccuracies have been documented in the literature.[3,4] Research indicates that emergency department (ED) clinician interruptions occur every 4-10 min, which is significantly more common than in other specialties.[5] This increases the cognitive load and error rates and impacts patient care and clinical efficiency.[1,2,5] De-prioritization protocols have been introduced in certain centers in the United Kingdom (UK), removing the need for clinician ECG interpretation where ECGs have been interpreted as normal by the machine.

INTRODUCTION: This review aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for an enhanced primary series (third dose) coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination in people with rheumatic diseases (PRDs) in the local and regional context. METHODS: Literature reviews were performed regarding the necessity, efficacy, safety and strategies for enhanced primary series COVID-19 vaccination in PRDs. Recommendations were developed based on evidence according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. Evidence was synthesised by eight working group members, and the consensus was achieved by a Delphi method with nine members of an expert task force panel. RESULTS: Two graded recommendations and one ungraded position statement were developed. PRDs have impaired immunogenicity from the COVID-19 vaccine and are at an increased risk of postvaccine breakthrough severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and poor clinical outcomes, compared to the general population. We strongly recommend that PRDs on immunomodulatory drugs be offered a third dose of the messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine as part of an enhanced primary series, after the standard two-dose regimen. We conditionally recommend that the third dose of mRNA vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 be given at least 4 weeks after the second dose or as soon as possible thereafter. There is insufficient data to inform whether the third mRNA vaccine should be homologous or heterologous in PRDs. CONCLUSION These recommendations that were developed through evidence synthesis and formal consensus process provide guidance for an enhanced primary series COVID-19 vaccination in PRDs.
Humans ; COVID-19/prevention & control* ; COVID-19 Vaccines/administration & dosage* ; Rheumatic Diseases/immunology* ; Singapore ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Vaccination/methods* ; Delphi Technique ; Immunization, Secondary

Background: Frailty is a widely accepted predictor of health outcomes in patients including the critically ill. Biological age is also increasingly recognized as a determinant of chronic health outcomes. Whether these factors are independently predictive of mortality among the critically ill is unknown. We assessed whether biological age, measured as PhenoAge at Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission, predicts mortality in critically ill patients independent of the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS). Methods: This single-center retrospective cohort study included adult patients with available CFS and PhenoAge data at admission to ICU, excluding patients with incomplete records for key variables. The Levine PhenoAge model was used to estimate each patient’s biological age (PhenoAge). PhenoAge was then calibrated to generate a regression residual to reflect excessive biological age unexplained by chronological age. Results: Of the 1,073 critically ill adult patients analyzed, 117 died (10.9%) before hospital discharge. PhenoAge and CFS were significantly correlated (correlation coefficient, 0.235; P=0.001). PhenoAge (receiver operating characteristic curve [AUROC], 0.622) and its residuals (AUROC, 0.627) and CFS (AUROC, 0.601) were predictive of hospital mortality, with no significant differences in their ability to differentiate between survivors and non-survivors (paired comparison to CFS: P=0.586 and P=0.537, respectively). PhenoAge interacted with frailty in its effect on mortality (P=0.004) which was particularly prominent among those who were not clinically frail (CFS ≤3). Conclusions PhenoAge and CFS, both measured at ICU admission, independently predicted hospital mortality. PhenoAge showed a notable interaction with frailty, particularly in non-frail patients.

Introduction: The purpose of this study is to assess the outcomes of patients that underwent single-stage revision ACL reconstruction (ACLR) with peroneus longus tendon (PLT), augmented with lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) using the modified Lemaire technique. Materials and methods: All the 18 patients underwent arthroscopic single-stage revision ACLR using autologous PLT with an additional modified Limier LET procedure. Patients were thoroughly assessed pre- and post-operatively by the Lachman test, the pivot shift test, and the side-to-side difference by the Rolimeter. Functional evaluation was done with the help of the Lysholm score, the IKDC subjective score, Tegner score, VAS score, MARX activity rating scale and The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score. Post-operatively, patient satisfaction, return to sport, and physical activity were also recorded. SPSS ver. 22.0 software was used. Wilcoxon test, paired and unpaired t-tests were used to compare variables. Statistical significance was determined by a two-sided p-value <0.05. Results: Regarding subjective evaluations; post-operative residual laxity, and return to sport and physical activity, all of the patients demonstrated excellent results. Post-operatively, there was significant improvement in the anterior knee laxity. According to the Marx Activity Rating Scale, the extent of sports engagement was significantly increased at 18 months following surgery (p<0.001). According to the AOFAS score (p=0.38), there were no documented significant donor site morbidities. Conclusions: Single-stage revision ACLR using PLT with an additional modified Lemaire LET procedure results in a significant reduction in residual knee laxity with good clinical outcomes and a high return to play and physical activity

Bone-turnover marker (BTM) measurements in the blood or urine reflect the bone-remodeling rate and may be useful for studying and clinically managing metabolic bone diseases.Substantial evidence supporting the diagnostic use of BTMs has accumulated in recent years, together with the publication of several guidelines. Most clinical trials and observational and reference-interval studies have been performed in the Northern Hemisphere and have mainly involved Caucasian populations. This review focuses on the available data for populations from the Asia-Pacific region and offers guidance for using BTMs as diagnostic biomarkers in these populations. The procollagen I N-terminal propeptide and β-isomerized C-terminal telopeptide of type-I collagen (measured in plasma) are reference BTMs used for investigating osteoporosis in clinical settings. Premenopausal reference intervals (established for use with Asia-Pacific populations) and reference change values and treatment targets (used to monitor osteoporosis treatment) help guide the management of osteoporosis. Measuring BTMs that are not affected by renal failure, such as the bone-specific isoenzyme alkaline phosphatase and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b, may be advantageous for patients with advanced chronic kidney disease. Further studies of the use of BTMs in individuals with metabolic bone disease, coupled with the harmonization of commercial assays to provide equivalent results, will further enhance their clinical applications.

The analysis of nano-micro nuclear particles has attracted significant attention due to the crucial role of their elemental and isotopic characteristics in tracing the origins of particulate matter and assessing its potential risks to human health and the environment.However,challenges persist in obtaining accurate and consistent element profiles and ratios for small-sized nanoparticles due to their low level and the transient nature.In this study,a high-speed digital oscilloscope was integrated with multiple collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(MC-ICP-MS)to develop a high time-resolution"Event-triggered signal capture"(ETSC)system for single particle analysis.This innovative approach enabled the analysis of element/isotope within rare earth nanoparticles at ag-fg level.The ETSC accurately recorded the complete profile of single particle,event captured by the electron multiplier with nanosecond time resolution,allowing for high-sensitivity element analysis and high-precision isotope analysis of single particles.The results demonstrated that the ETSC system could achieve quantitative analysis of ag levels of ytterbium(Yb)in 50-nm rare earth-doped particles,with a detection limit as low as 38 ag for Yb.Moreover,the isotopic precision of single particle analysis for 173/171Yb could reach 0.047(standard deviation),and the standard error for isotopic analysis of multiple particles could achieve a level of 2‰-3‰(permil)for 173/171Yb.Finally,the capability of ETSC system to analyze environmental samples was demonstrated through the analysis of doped ytterbium oxide nanoparticles.All these findings demonstrated that the ETSC provided a unique method for elemental and isotopic analysis of single nuclear particles.

Metastasis to the rectum is very rare and is usually caused by primaries from the breast, gastrointestinal tract, and genitourinary system. We report here a case of acute intestinal obstruction caused by an unusual rectal stenosis, for which he underwent a diversion stoma. On extensive evaluation for the etiology of the rectal stenosis, he was diagnosed with diffuse gastric cancer with Schnitzler’s metastasis to the rectal submucosa. This is an unusual type of metastasis, very rarely seen. Only 11 such cases have been reported in the literature.

Metastasis to the rectum is very rare and is usually caused by primaries from the breast, gastrointestinal tract, and genitourinary system. We report here a case of acute intestinal obstruction caused by an unusual rectal stenosis, for which he underwent a diversion stoma. On extensive evaluation for the etiology of the rectal stenosis, he was diagnosed with diffuse gastric cancer with Schnitzler’s metastasis to the rectal submucosa. This is an unusual type of metastasis, very rarely seen. Only 11 such cases have been reported in the literature.

Metastasis to the rectum is very rare and is usually caused by primaries from the breast, gastrointestinal tract, and genitourinary system. We report here a case of acute intestinal obstruction caused by an unusual rectal stenosis, for which he underwent a diversion stoma. On extensive evaluation for the etiology of the rectal stenosis, he was diagnosed with diffuse gastric cancer with Schnitzler’s metastasis to the rectal submucosa. This is an unusual type of metastasis, very rarely seen. Only 11 such cases have been reported in the literature.

Metastasis to the rectum is very rare and is usually caused by primaries from the breast, gastrointestinal tract, and genitourinary system. We report here a case of acute intestinal obstruction caused by an unusual rectal stenosis, for which he underwent a diversion stoma. On extensive evaluation for the etiology of the rectal stenosis, he was diagnosed with diffuse gastric cancer with Schnitzler’s metastasis to the rectal submucosa. This is an unusual type of metastasis, very rarely seen. Only 11 such cases have been reported in the literature.