1.Influencing factors of bladder management practices in patients with spinal cord injury
Zhirong LUO ; Xuyan GUO ; Qi XUE ; Xiao TAN ; Yunhua JI ; Fuxun ZHANG ; Yong JIAO ; Bo ZHANG
Journal of Modern Urology 2025;30(4):284-289
Objective: To explore the key factors affecting the selection and effectiveness of bladder management modalities in patients with spinal cord injury,so as to provide reference for the optimization of individualized bladder management strategies. Methods: The clinical and follow-up data of 78 patients with spinal cord injury treated in our hospital during Jan.1,2013 and Dec.31,2022 were retrospectively analyzed.The distribution of bladder management modalities among different grades of injuries was analyzed. Bowker symmetry test was used to evaluate the difference between bladder management modalities at discharge and at the end of follow-up. Multiple linear regression was used to explore the influencing factors of bladder management effects. Plotting Kaplan-Meier survival curves were adopted to calculate the median time of changes in bladder management. Results: At discharge,there were 9 cases of self-catheterization,19 cases of intermittent catheterization,22 cases of reflexive voiding,26 cases of long-term catheterization,and 2 cases using urinary collector.At the end of follow-up,there were 15 cases of self-catheterization,8 cases of intermittent catheterization,34 cases of reflexive voiding,14 cases of long-term catheterization,and 7 cases using urinary collector.There was a significant difference between the modalities of bladder management at discharge and at the end of follow-up (χ
=21.43,P=0.018).Multiple linear regression showed a significant decrease of 8.60 in the total neurogenic bladder symptom score (NBSS) for grade D injuries compared with grade A injuries (P=0.026). The median time to bladder management change was 7.93 months (95%CI:5.44-9.44), with approximately 50% of patients experiencing a change in bladder management within 8 months after discharge. Conclusion: The modalities of bladder management changed significantly after discharge.The grade of injury was a key factor affecting the effectiveness of bladder management.Higher grade was associated with worse effectiveness of bladder management.
2.Analysis of the causal relationship between gut microbiota and bladder cancer with Mendelian randomization
Xuyan GUO ; Zhirong LUO ; Qi XUE ; Yunhua JI ; Xiao TAN ; Yong JIAO
Journal of Modern Urology 2025;30(5):400-407
Objective: Previous observational studies have confirmed the correlation between gut microbiota and bladder cancer,but the causal relationship is still unclear.This study aimed to explore the causal relationship between them with Mendelian randomization. Methods: Genetic variation summary data of 211 gut microbiota and bladder cancer genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were obtained from the MiBioGen Consortium and Finngen database.Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) closely related to these studies were screened as instrumental variables.The causal relationship between gut microbiota and bladder cancer were analyzed with inverse variance weighting (IVW),MR-Egger,weighted median,maximum likelihood,robust adjustment feature score and MR-PRESSO,with IVW as the primary analysis method.Additionally,sensitivity analysis was used to test the heterogeneity (Cochran Q) and horizontal pleiotropy (MR-Egger intercept term and global test from MR-PRESSO estimator) to ensure the robustness of the results. Results: The IVW results indicated that Lachnospiraceae UCG004 (OR:1.42),Desulfovibrionales (Order) (OR:1.48),Eubacterium ruminantium group (OR:1.33),Olsenella (OR:1.24),Ruminococcaceae UCG002 (OR:1.39),Ruminococcaceae UCG005 (OR:1.42) and Ruminococcaceae UCG013 (OR:1.64) significantly increased the risk of bladder cancer.Conversely,Bacteroidetes (Phylum) (OR:0.61),Eubacterium brachy group (OR:0.80),Ruminococcaceae UCG004 (OR:0.73),Rikenellaceae (Family) (OR:0.67),Lachnospiraceae ND3007 group (OR:0.47), Adlercreutzia (OR:0.73) and an unknow genus (OR:0.75) were associated with a reduced risk of bladder cancer.Sensitivity analyses did not reveal any heterogeneity or horizontal pleiotropy. Conclusion: This study reveals the causal role of 14 gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of bladder cancer,among which Lachnospiraceae UCG004,Desulfovibrionales (Order),Eubacterium ruminantium group,Olsenella,Ruminococcaceae UCG002,Ruminococcaceae UCG005 and Ruminococcaceae UCG013 are risk factors for bladder cancer,while Bacteroidetes (Phylum),Eubacterium brachy group,Ruminococcaceae UCG004,Rikenellaceae (Family),Lachnospiraceae ND3007 group,Adlercreutzia and an unknown genus are the protective factors.
4.Risk and protective factors associated with adolescent depression in Singapore: a systematic review.
Wei Sheng GOH ; Jun Hao Norman TAN ; Yang LUO ; Sok Hui NG ; Mohamed Sufyan Bin Mohamed SULAIMAN ; John Chee Meng WONG ; Victor Weng Keong LOH
Singapore medical journal 2025;66(1):2-14
INTRODUCTION:
Adolescent depression is prevalent, and teen suicide rates are on the rise locally. A systemic review to understand associated risk and protective factors is important to strengthen measures for the prevention and early detection of adolescent depression and suicide in Singapore. This systematic review aims to identify the factors associated with adolescent depression in Singapore.
METHODS:
A systematic search on the following databases was performed on 21 May 2020: PubMed, EMBASE and PsycINFO. Full texts were reviewed for eligibility, and the included studies were appraised for quality using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. Narrative synthesis of the finalised articles was performed through thematic analysis.
RESULTS:
In total, eight studies were included in this review. The four factors associated with adolescent depression identified were: (1) sociodemographic factors (gender, ethnicity); (2) psychological factors, including childhood maltreatment exposure and psychological constructs (hope, optimism); (3) coexisting chronic medical conditions (asthma); and (4) lifestyle factors (sleep inadequacy, excessive internet use and pathological gaming).
CONCLUSION
The identified factors were largely similar to those reported in the global literature, except for sleep inadequacy along with conspicuously absent factors such as academic stress and strict parenting, which should prompt further research in these areas. Further research should focus on current and prospective interventions to improve mental health literacy, targeting sleep duration, internet use and gaming, and mitigating the risk of depression in patients with chronic disease in the primary care and community setting.
Humans
;
Singapore/epidemiology*
;
Adolescent
;
Risk Factors
;
Depression/etiology*
;
Protective Factors
;
Male
;
Female
;
Life Style
;
Suicide
5.Recommendations for enhanced primary series (third dose) COVID-19 vaccination for people with rheumatic diseases: chapter of Rheumatologists, College of Physicians, Singapore.
Chuanhui XU ; Manjari LAHIRI ; Amelia SANTOSA ; Li-Ching CHEW ; Stanley ANGKODJOJO ; Melonie SRIRANGANATHAN ; Warren FONG ; Thaschawee ARKACHAISRI ; Ernest SURESH ; Kok Ooi KONG ; Aisha LATEEF ; Tau Hong LEE ; Keng Hong LEONG ; Andrea LOW ; Teck Choon TAN ; Ying-Ying LEUNG
Singapore medical journal 2025;66(10):532-539
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
6.Care of the bedridden patient.
Xuan Yong LEE ; Jeffrey JIANG ; Li Feng TAN
Singapore medical journal 2025;66(4):215-220
7.Burnout among COVID-19 hospital-based contact tracers in Singapore: results of a mixed-method, cross-sectional multicentre study.
Ian Matthias NG ; Tzu-Jung WONG ; Yong YANG ; Indumathi VENKATACHALAM ; Jean Xiang Ying SIM ; Liang En WEE ; Tau Ming LIEW ; Evelyn BOON ; Tong Yong NG ; Hwi Kwang HAN ; Diana Yuen Lan TAN
Singapore medical journal 2025;66(12):651-658
INTRODUCTION:
During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, contact tracers were under immense pressure to deliver effective and timely contact tracing, raising concerns of higher susceptibility to burnout. Our study aimed to determine burnout prevalence among hospital-based contact tracers and associated risk factors, so that interventions to reduce burnout risk could be formulated.
METHODS:
One hundred and ninety-six active contact tracers across three hospitals within a healthcare cluster were invited to complete an anonymous online survey. To identify burntout, data such as demographics, work-related variables and contact tracing-related variables were collected using the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory. Associated factors were identified using multivariate statistics. Open-ended questions were included to understand the challenges and potential improvements through qualitative analysis.
RESULTS:
A total of 126 participants completed the survey, giving a completion rate of 64%, and almost half of these participants (42.9%) reported burnout. Protective factors included being on work-from-home arrangements (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.08-0.56), perception of being well supported by their institution (adjusted OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.08-0.80) and being married (adjusted OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.12-0.64). Risk factors included having an administrative role pre-COVID-19 (adjusted OR 3.62, 95% CI 1.33-9.83). Work-related burnout was related to being activated for more than 1 day in the preceding week (unadjusted OR 3.25, 95% CI 1.33-7.94) and multiple activations in a day (unadjusted OR 3.54, 95% CI 1.44-4.41). Biggest challenges identified by participants were language barrier (62.7%), followed by workflow-related issues (42.1%).
CONCLUSION
Our study demonstrated burnout and other challenges faced by a team of mostly hospital-based administrative staff redeployed on a part-time basis to ensure timely contact tracing. To mitigate burnout, we recommend choosing staff on work-from-home arrangements and ensuring adequate manpower and rostering arrangements.
Humans
;
COVID-19/epidemiology*
;
Burnout, Professional/epidemiology*
;
Singapore/epidemiology*
;
Female
;
Male
;
Cross-Sectional Studies
;
Adult
;
Middle Aged
;
Risk Factors
;
Surveys and Questionnaires
;
Contact Tracing/methods*
;
SARS-CoV-2
;
Prevalence
;
Pandemics
8.Analysis of learning curve of TiRobot-assisted lumbar pedicle screw fixation based on the cumulative sum test
Yuquan LIU ; Xiang LI ; Qi FEI ; Kuo CHEN ; Weiyang ZUO ; Bin ZHU ; Guoqiang ZHANG ; Lingjia YU ; Xuehu XIE ; Ning LIU ; Haining TAN ; Hai MENG ; Tianqi FAN ; Yong YANG
Chinese Journal of Postgraduates of Medicine 2025;48(1):10-17
Objective:To analyze the learning curve of TiRobot-assisted lumbar pedicle screw fixation (LPSF) by cumulative sum (CUSUM) test method.Methods:The clinical data of 50 patients who underwent TiRobot-assisted LPSF from January 2020 to December 2022 in Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. CUSUM analysis and learning curve fitting were performed with robot usage time as the main indicator with the time for each step refined (robot registration time, path planning time and guide wire placement time), to select the best learning curve fitting model with the R2 value closest to 1. Using the turning point of the learning curve as the boundary, the learning curve was divided into two stages as learning stage and maturity stage, and then the observation indexes were compared between the two stages. Results:All 50 patients successfully completed the surgery without perioperative complications, with a total of 244 pedicle screws implanted. The total robot usage time and robot registration time showed a gradually decreasing trend with the increase of case number, and the learning curves were successfully fitted and reached their peaks at the seventeenth and thirteenth cases respectively. The entire learning process was divided into learning stage (17 cases) and maturity stage (33 cases) based on the turning point of the learning curve of total robot usage time. The path planning time and guide wire placement time did not show significant changes with the increase in the case number. The total robot usage time, robot registration time and the intraoperative blood loss in the learning stage were significantly higher than those in the maturity stage: (35.35 ± 1.58) min vs. (30.61 ± 0.43) min, (20.83 ± 1.56) min vs. (14.94 ± 0.29) min and 400 (150, 500) ml vs. 200 (110, 300) ml, the guide wire placement time of per screw was significantly lower than that in the maturity stage: 2.00 (1.83, 2.34) min/screw vs. 2.33 (2.13, 2.69) min/screw, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05 or <0.01). There were no statistical difference in the path planning time, path planning time of per screw, guide wire placement time and the accuracy of screw placement between two stages ( P>0.05). Conclusions:TiRobot-assisted LPSF is a new technology with safety and effectiveness, and it has a relatively short learning curve. To achieve technological maturity, at least 17 surgeries are required with accumulated experience, and the robot registration is the main step of the learning process. After reaching maturity stage, the robot usage time is significantly shortened and intraoperative trauma is significantly reduced while the relatively high screw placement accuracy is ensured.
9.Effect and potential mechanism of clarithromycin in treatment of inflammatory enteritis
Jia-qi CHEN ; Xu-wen MAO ; Yong-xing HUANG ; Xiang-tian TAN ; GULIRUOYI·PAERHATI ; Lu-feng CHENG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(6):1125-1134
Aim To explore the mechanism of clar-ithromycin in treating inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)by inhibiting Kv1.3 channel protein in colonic epithelial cells.Methods A chronic IBD rat model was induced using dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)in vi-vo experiments,with clarithromycin intervention.The physical signs of each group of rats were observed,and the disease activity index(DAI)score and colonic mu-cosal damage index(CMDI)score were calculated.RT-qPCR was used to detect the levels of relevant cyto-kines in colonic tissue of rats.Flow cytometry was em-ployed to detect the relative proportions of immune cells in the peripheral blood and colonic tissue of each group of rats.Lipopolysaccharide(LPS)was used to establish an inflammation model of colon epithelial cells(NCM460)to clarify the inhibitory effect of clar-ithromycin on Kv1.3 channel protein.Results In vi-vo experiments:compared to the model group,the clar-ithromycin intervention group exhibited a reduced de-gree of weight loss(P<0.01),and a significant de-crease in DAI scores(P<0.01).There was an in-crease in colon length,a reduction in weight,and a de-crease in CMDI scores(P<0.05).Levels of TNF-α,IL-1 β,and IL-6 in colon tissue were significantly re-duced(P<0.01).The numbers of peripheral blood and colonic regulatory T lymphocytes(Th),cytotoxic T lymphocytes(CTL),natural killer cells(NK),B lym-phocytes(B),and dendritic cells(DC)were signifi-cantly decreased(P<0.05).Clarithromycin reduced the expression of Kv1.3 channel protein in colon tissue(P<0.05).In vitro experiments:compared to the model group,the clarithromycin group significantly pro-moted the proliferation of NCM460 cells(P<0.01)and simultaneously significantly reduced the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in cells(P<0.05).Clarithromycin also reduced the expression of Kv1.3 channel protein in NCM460 cells(P<0.05).Conclusions Clar-ithromycin may play an immunomodulatory role by in-hibiting the expression of Kv1.3 channel protein,re-ducing inflammation in the body,and playing a role in the treatment of IBD.
10.Comparative study of single-criteria and multi-criteria optimization modes for cervical cancer VMAT radiotherapy plans by Raystation planning system
Gang LI ; Yu-song LONG ; Jun-wen TAN ; Xian-tao HE ; Yong-fu FENG ; Zhan-yu WANG
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(9):39-44
Objective To carry out cervical cancer VMAT radiotherapy planning respectively with the single-criteria optimization(SCO)and multi-criteria optimization(MCO)modes of Raystation 4.7 planning system,and to provide references for selecting optimization mode clinically by comparing and analyzing the dosimetric parameters such as target dose distribution,exposure dose to organ at risk(OAR),monitor unit and beam-on time.Methods Ten cervical cancer patients who attended some hospital from February to December 2022 were retrospectively selected,and some VMAT plans were designed for them with the SCO mode of Raystation 4.7 planning system and then enrolled into a SCO group;other VMAT plans were redesigned with the MCO mode under the premise the setup conditions such as machine model and shot field angle were unchanged,and divided into a MCO group.The two groups were compared in terms of maximum dose(D2%),minimum dose(D98%),homogeneity index(HI)and conformity index(CI)of the planning target volume(PTV),beam-on time,monitor unit and exposure doses to OARs including bladder V50 Gy,V40 Gy and V30 Gy,rectum V50 Gy,V40 Gy and V30 Gy,small intestine V50 Gy,V40 Gy and V30 Gy and left and right femur V50 Gy,V40 Gy and V30 Gy.SPSS 22.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Results Both the two groups met clinical requirements.There were no significant differences between the two groups in D98%,CI,small intestine V50 Gy and left and right femur V40 Gy(P>0.05).The MCO group had the values of HI,D2%,V50 Gy,V40 Gy and V30 Gy,rectum V50 Gy,V40 Gy and V30 Gy,small intestine V40 Gy and V30 Gy and left and right femur V30 Gy lower than those of the SCO group,with the differences being statistically significant(P<0.05).The SCO group had less monitor units and shorter beam-on time when compared with the MCO group,with the differences being statistically siginificant(P<0.05).Conclusion When compared with the SCO mode-based VMAT plans,the MCO mode-based VMAT plans significantly decrease the exposure doses and volume to rectum,bladder and small intestine and raise the PTV homogeneity,while lower the treatment efficiency to some extent by increased monitor units and prolonged beam-on time.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(9):39-44]

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