Background and Objectives: Auditory sensory gating deficits are abnormalities in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) that may lead to sensory processing difficulties. It is particularly difficult for children with ASD to distinguish multiple auditory stimuli, which hinders them from focusing on a single auditory stimulus and separating unnecessary sounds. Suppression of otoacoustic emission (OAE) is an approach used to identify sensory gating deficits in the general population, specifically for children with ASD. This study aimed to investigate the suppression effect of various types of sound suppressors to measure their sensory gating capacity in children with ASD. Subjects and Methods: Twenty children including 10 with ASD and 10 normally developing children aged 6-12 years were recruited for this study. One accessible ear was exposed to transient-evoked OAE, whereas the other was exposed to suppressor tones. Contralateral suppressors included white noise, Quranic recitations, environmental noise, and natural sound. The magnitude of OAE suppression was determined from the difference between the OAE amplitude with and without the masker (in dB sound pressure levels) for all sound types. The sound with the highest suppression effect was determined using effect size calculation and repeated-measures analysis of variance at a 95% confidence level. A high suppression effect may suggest a high sensory gating performance, whereas low suppression may indicate low sensory gating performance. Results: Based on the analysis, the sound with the highest suppression effect was that of the waterfall. The suppression results were supported by descriptive analysis findings and effect-size calculations. Conclusions This study provides a better understanding of the alternative sound stimuli, besides the standard white noise tone, for the assessment of sensory gating deficits among children with ASD. Sounds with a high suppression effect have the potential to be used as sound therapy interventions for children with ASD as part of rehabilitation and therapy.

Background and Objectives: Auditory sensory gating deficits are abnormalities in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) that may lead to sensory processing difficulties. It is particularly difficult for children with ASD to distinguish multiple auditory stimuli, which hinders them from focusing on a single auditory stimulus and separating unnecessary sounds. Suppression of otoacoustic emission (OAE) is an approach used to identify sensory gating deficits in the general population, specifically for children with ASD. This study aimed to investigate the suppression effect of various types of sound suppressors to measure their sensory gating capacity in children with ASD. Subjects and Methods: Twenty children including 10 with ASD and 10 normally developing children aged 6-12 years were recruited for this study. One accessible ear was exposed to transient-evoked OAE, whereas the other was exposed to suppressor tones. Contralateral suppressors included white noise, Quranic recitations, environmental noise, and natural sound. The magnitude of OAE suppression was determined from the difference between the OAE amplitude with and without the masker (in dB sound pressure levels) for all sound types. The sound with the highest suppression effect was determined using effect size calculation and repeated-measures analysis of variance at a 95% confidence level. A high suppression effect may suggest a high sensory gating performance, whereas low suppression may indicate low sensory gating performance. Results: Based on the analysis, the sound with the highest suppression effect was that of the waterfall. The suppression results were supported by descriptive analysis findings and effect-size calculations. Conclusions This study provides a better understanding of the alternative sound stimuli, besides the standard white noise tone, for the assessment of sensory gating deficits among children with ASD. Sounds with a high suppression effect have the potential to be used as sound therapy interventions for children with ASD as part of rehabilitation and therapy.

Background and Objectives: Auditory sensory gating deficits are abnormalities in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) that may lead to sensory processing difficulties. It is particularly difficult for children with ASD to distinguish multiple auditory stimuli, which hinders them from focusing on a single auditory stimulus and separating unnecessary sounds. Suppression of otoacoustic emission (OAE) is an approach used to identify sensory gating deficits in the general population, specifically for children with ASD. This study aimed to investigate the suppression effect of various types of sound suppressors to measure their sensory gating capacity in children with ASD. Subjects and Methods: Twenty children including 10 with ASD and 10 normally developing children aged 6-12 years were recruited for this study. One accessible ear was exposed to transient-evoked OAE, whereas the other was exposed to suppressor tones. Contralateral suppressors included white noise, Quranic recitations, environmental noise, and natural sound. The magnitude of OAE suppression was determined from the difference between the OAE amplitude with and without the masker (in dB sound pressure levels) for all sound types. The sound with the highest suppression effect was determined using effect size calculation and repeated-measures analysis of variance at a 95% confidence level. A high suppression effect may suggest a high sensory gating performance, whereas low suppression may indicate low sensory gating performance. Results: Based on the analysis, the sound with the highest suppression effect was that of the waterfall. The suppression results were supported by descriptive analysis findings and effect-size calculations. Conclusions This study provides a better understanding of the alternative sound stimuli, besides the standard white noise tone, for the assessment of sensory gating deficits among children with ASD. Sounds with a high suppression effect have the potential to be used as sound therapy interventions for children with ASD as part of rehabilitation and therapy.

Introduction: This study aims to determine the prognostic factors and survival outcomes of patients that underwent this surgery. Method: A retrospective review of 43 patients who underwent exenteration for periocular malignancies over a 14-year period was carried out. Patient demographics, tumour histology, treatment details, surgical margins’ status and post-operative survival were recorded. The survival outcome examined was the overall survival (OS) rate. Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier analysis were used to evaluate post-exenteration survival. Results: In total, 20 females and 23 males with a median age of 62 ± 17.3 years were identified. The most common indication for exenteration was basal cell carcinoma (20.9%), followed by squamous cell carcinoma (18.6%), adenocystic carcinoma (14%), malignant melanoma (14%) and sebaceous gland carcinoma (11.6%). The independent predictors for worse OS on multivariate analysis were Chinese ethnicity (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 4.95, p =0.017), sebaceous gland carcinoma (aHR 57.61 p=0.006), adenocystic carcinoma (aHR 45.87, p=0.008), clear surgical margins (aHR 5.41, p=0.025), receiving only chemotherapy (aHR 169.13, p=0.004), and receiving both adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy (aHR 41.51, p=0.010). Conclusion: We recommend targeted public health initiatives for Chinese patients due to their increased mortality risk from peri-ocular malignancies. In addition, we advise comprehensive adjuvant therapy for all patients regardless of whether a clear surgical margin is achieved. Basal cell carcinoma and adenocystic carcinoma may also benefit from genetic research. We advocate more training for ophthalmologists to identify periocular malignancies earlier for better treatment options and increased chances of survival.

Wound healing is a complex process that includes haemostasis and inflammation, followed by a proliferation period and repair and finally remodelling. Ocular surgeries, particularly in glaucoma cases, aim at minimal fibrosis to preserve the function of trabeculectomy as an alternative pathway for aqueous drainage. Hence, it is important to find an agent to modulate the wound healing process. This review presents compilation of wound modulation agents that have been tested in vitro, in vivo, or clinically on patients undergoing ocular surgeries, particularly for glaucoma. We identified agents into four groups, mostly for glaucoma filtration operations: anti-metabolites, anti-growth factors, mechanical barriers and rho kinases. The effect of these agents is highlighted in this review. In conclusion, despite recognized drawbacks of antimetabolites, they are still regarded as the gold standard and the most efficient treatment as anti-scarring agents use in ocular surgeries. More studies are needed to inquire agents that efficient yet has minimal adverse effects both in short and long term.

Introduction: Persistent exposure to stress can lead to a wide range of pathological effects, including reproductive dysfunctions. Tualang honey, renowned for its antioxidant properties has been utilised in traditional and modern medicine. This study aims to investigate the protective effects of Tualang honey against stress-induced testicular damage in male rats. Method: Twenty-four male rats were divided into control group, stress-exposed group, Tualang-honey-supplemented group and stress-exposed with Tualang-honey-supplemented group. Restraint stress test (RST) and Forced swimming test (FST) were imposed on the rats for 21 days. Serum testosterone and corticosterone concentration were measured using ELISA. Testes were harvested, weighed, processed and stained for spermatid counts and measuring seminiferous epithelial height and diameter. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the numerical data between groups. Results: The testosterone concentration, spermatid count, seminiferous epithelial height and diameter in stress group were significantly lower compared to control group (p < 0.05). Corticosterone concentration was significantly greater in the stress group than in the control group. The spermatid count and seminiferous epithelial height and diameter of honey-treated groups were significantly higher than the stress-only group (p < 0.05). The corticosterone concentration of honey-treated groups was significantly higher compared to the stress-only group. Meanwhile, the testosterone concentration of honey-treated groups was higher than the stress-only group although the results were insignificant. Conclusion: Tualang honey has the potential to ameliorate corticosterone concentration and induce morphological alterations by increasing spermatid counts and seminiferous epithelial thickness and diameter in rat testes exposed to prolonged stress.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to determine the minimum number of teeth in the anterior dental arch that would yield accurate results for individual identification in forensic contexts. Materials and Methods: The study involved the analysis of 28 sets of 3-dimensional (3D) point cloud data, focused on the labial surface of the anterior teeth. These datasets were superimposed within each group in both genuine and imposter pairs. Group A incorporated data from the right to the left central incisor, group B from the right to the left lateral incisor, and group C from the right to the left canine. A comprehensive analysis was conducted, including the evaluation of root mean square error (RMSE) values and the distances resulting from the superimposition of dental arch segments. All analyses were conducted using CloudCompare version 2.12.4 (Telecom ParisTech and R&D, Kyiv, Ukraine). Results: The distances between genuine pairs in groups A, B, and C displayed an average range of 0.153 to 0.184 mm. In contrast, distances for imposter pairs ranged from 0.338 to 0.522 mm. RMSE values for genuine pairs showed an average range of 0.166 to 0.177, whereas those for imposter pairs ranged from 0.424 to 0.638. A statistically significant difference was observed between the distances of genuine and imposter pairs (P<0.05). Conclusion The exceptional performance observed for the labial surfaces of anterior teeth underscores their potential as a dependable criterion for accurate 3D dental identification. This was achieved by assessing a minimum of 4 teeth.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has led to an alarming increase in domestic violence against women owing to lockdown measures and limited access to support services. This article provides insights into the global prevalence of domestic violence, barriers to seeking help, its impact on women and children, and the best practices implemented worldwide. Domestic violence encompasses various forms of abuse; many young women experience partner violence. Barriers to seeking help include fear, financial constraints, lack of awareness of available services, and distrust among stakeholders. The consequences of domestic violence affect the mental health of both mothers and children. Countries have increased shelter funding and developed innovative protocols to reach survivors and address this issue. However, the healthcare sector’s involvement in addressing domestic violence has been limited. This review advocates collaboration among healthcare institutions and government bodies. Key recommendations include utilizing telehealth services, implementing comprehensive training programs, establishing effective referral systems, enhancing health education, developing a domestic violence registry, improving the responses of law enforcement and justice systems through healthcare integration, promoting data sharing, and conducting further research. Healthcare systems should recognize domestic violence as a public health concern and detect, prevent, and intervene in cases to support survivors.

INTRODUCTION: Acute malignant large bowel obstruction (MBO) occurs in 8%-15% of colorectal cancer patients. Self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) have progressed from a palliative modality to use as bridge to surgery (BTS). We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of SEMS for MBO in our institution. METHODS: The data of patients undergoing SEMS insertion for MBO were reviewed. Technical success was defined as successful SEMS deployment across tumour without complications. Clinical success was defined as colonic decompression without requiring further surgical intervention. Rates of complications, median time to surgery, types of surgery and rates of recurrence were studied. RESULTS: Seventy-nine patients underwent emergent SEMS placement from September 2013 to February 2020. Their mean age was 68.8 ± 13.8 years and 43 (54%) patients were male. Mean tumour length was 4.2 cm ± 2.2 cm; 89.9% of malignant strictures were located distal to the splenic flexure. Technical and clinical success was 94.9% and 98.7%, respectively. Perforation occurred in 5.1% of patients, with none having stent migration or bleeding. Fifty (63.3%) patients underwent SEMS insertion as BTS. Median time to surgery was 20 (range 6-57) days. Most (82%) patients underwent minimally invasive surgery. Primary anastomosis rate was 98%. Thirty-nine patients had follow-up beyond 1-year posttreatment (median 34 months). Local recurrence and distant metastasis were observed in 4 (10.3%) and 5 (12.8%) patients, respectively. CONCLUSION Insertion of SEMS for acute MBO has high success rates and a good safety profile. Most patients in this audit underwent minimally invasive surgery and primary anastomosis after successful BTS.
Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Colorectal Neoplasms/pathology* ; Singapore ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Stents/adverse effects* ; Intestinal Obstruction/etiology* ; Treatment Outcome ; Retrospective Studies ; Palliative Care