The spa gene of Staphylococcus aureus encodes protein A, a key virulence factor contributing to molecular typing. spa typing provides valuable information encoding diversity and transmission, particularly for methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), which remains a major public health concern. A one-year prospective surveillance study was conducted involving S. aureus bacteremia (SAB) patients admitted to Haji Adam Malik General Hospital, Medan, Indonesia. SAB isolates were phenotypically analysed for cefoxitin resistance using the VITEK-2 system and genotypically characterised by PCR for the mecA and spa genes. Spa typing of the X region was performed at Apical Scientific Laboratory (Selangor, Malaysia), and clustering was analysed using the Based Upon Repeat Pattern (BURP) algorithm. A minimum spanning tree (MST) was constructed with Ridom SeqSphere to assess genetic relatedness. Clinical outcomes were compared between MRSA and MSSA clusters. A total of 120 SAB patients were included, equally divided into MRSA and MSSA groups. The dominant spa types included t852 (12.5%), t5422 (9.2%), and t4171 (7.5%). In-hospital mortality was 28.3%, significantly higher in MRSA compared with MSSA (p-value 0.015, OR 2.76). ICU admission occurred in 20.9% of cases. MRSA isolates predominantly clustered in a single group (Cluster 1), consistent with clonal transmission, whereas MSSA isolates displayed greater genetic heterogeneity across multiple clusters. This prospective surveillance highlights the clonal expansion of MRSA within a tertiary care setting and supports the utility of spa typing as a practical molecular tool for monitoring transmission and guiding infection control strategies.

BACKGROUND

Stroke is a significant health concern globally, and dysphagia has been a very common complication. Early intervention for managing dysphagia is challenging with a lack of universally accepted treatment protocols. Noninvasive repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is emerging as a treatment option for stroke dysphagia. However, there is no standardized rTMS treatment protocol for it, leading to challenges in clinical decision-making.

OBJECTIVE

To determine available rTMS protocols for unilateral hemispheric stroke dysphagia.

METHODS

A scoping review using PubMed, ProQuest, and EBSCOHost databases was conducted using the keywords “dysphagia,” “stroke,” “repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation,” “conventional therapy,” and “swallowing examination.” Eligible studies published from inception to April 2020 were appraised using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine and analyzed qualitatively.

RESULTS

Out of 42 articles, five randomized controlled trials met the eligibility criteria. A total of 108 patients with stroke and oropharyngeal dysphagia were randomized into one of the following treatment groups: (1) rTMS (unilateral or bilateral); (2) conventional dysphagia therapy (CDT); and (3) combined intervention (CI) of rTMS and CDT. The CI gave significant improvements in swallowing function and quality of life compared to CDT alone. The bilateral rTMS protocol resulted in more significant improvements than unilateral rTMS.

CONCLUSION

There are various and heterogeneous treatment protocols involving neuromodulation available for stroke dysphagia. The combination of bilateral excitatory-inhibitory rTMS and CDT seems to result in an optimal outcome for swallowing function among patients with unilateral hemispheric stroke dysphagia.

Human ; Dysphagia ; Deglutition Disorders ; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ; Stroke

BACKGROUND

Intraoperative transfusion for gynecologic surgery, when appropriately used, can improve patient outcomes. However, when utilized incorrectly, blood transfusion can worsen patient outcomes and increase patient cost. This study aimed to evaluate the blood transfusion practices of tertiary hospitals in the Philippines.

METHODS

The study utilized a cross-sectional design wherein prospective data were gathered through multiple sources across seven tertiary-level hospitals. Women admitted to undergo gynecologic surgery were recruited based on a set of criteria. A chart review was conducted, and blood utilization indices were calculated. Outcomes were compared between public versus private facilities and transfused versus nontransfused patients.

RESULTS

Among 514 patients, 79.7% underwent cross-matching and 75.1% received transfusions. Adverse events were rare, with no transfusion-related deaths. The overall crossmatch-to-transfusion ratio (C/T ratio) was 2.8, exceeding the 2.5 optimal benchmark; all public hospitals recorded a C/T ratio >2.5, whereas private centers had more efficient usage. Six hospitals met acceptable benchmarks for transfusion probability and transfusion index. Open abdominal procedures, particularly hysterectomy, accounted for the most blood used. Transfused patients had longer operative times, greater blood loss, lower preoperative hemoglobin, and more frequently involved resident physicians in training. Public hospitals recorded higher cross-match and transfusion rates, greater resident physician participation, and broader use of general anesthesia.

CONCLUSION

Results of the study highlight the importance of monitoring blood transfusion parameters to optimize blood utilization. The observed differences between public and private institutions in the country highlight the urgent need for standardized and evidence-based practice to ensure efficient transfusion protocols nationwide.

Human ; Female ; Blood Transfusion

Netherton Syndrome (NS) is characterized by a triad of congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma, trichorrhexis invaginata, and atopic diathesis. Diagnosis of NS poses a challenge due to its variable presentation and overlap with other dermatological conditions. Herein, we report a case of NS in a sibling pair, underscoring the challenges in diagnosis and genetic implications of this condition.

We present a case of an 8-year-old female and a 7-year-old male sibling pair, with Netherton Syndrome, who initially presented with atopic dermatitis and erythroderma without hair shaft abnormalities. Further investigation and genetic testing revealed homogeneous SPINK5 gene mutations in both patients, leading to the diagnosis of NS.

Early recognition and diagnosis of Netherton Syndrome are essential for proper management. In patients with early-onset atopic dermatitis resistant to treatment and recurrent erythroderma, further investigation is needed to exclude other diagnoses like Netherton Syndrome.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Child: 6-12 Yrs Old ; Netherton Syndrome

COVID-19 ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Incidence ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Singapore/epidemiology*

Background/Aims: The relationship between animal exposure and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is debated. Epidemiological studies have shown that atopy is more prevalent in IBS patients and vice versa. We set out to examine the association between animal danders sensitization and IBS-like symptoms in atopic patients. Methods: We recruited 69 consecutive atopic patients from the allergy clinic of a tertiary hospital. Subjects completed validated bowel questionnaires, underwent skin prick test, blood was collected for serum total immunoglobulin E, and ImmunoCAP immune solidphase allergen chip (ISAC) IgE multiplex assay. Results: Twenty-eight (41.0%) atopic patients fulfilled the Rome III IBS criteria (atopy-IBS). There were no differences in gender, age, pet ownership, total serum IgE, or food allergen sensitization between atopy-IBS group and atopy-non-IBS group. We found that atopy- IBS group had significantly higher number of positive skin prick test for cat dander (64.3% vs 24.4%, P < 0.001), dog dander (64.3% vs 41.5%, P = 0.015) and weed pollens (32.1% vs 14.6%, P = 0.050) compared to atopy-non-IBS group. Out of 112 components from 51 allergen sources (both aeroallergen and food allergens), only Fel d1 (a major cat dander antigen) IgE is significantly higher in atopy-IBS group than atopy-non-IBS group (21.4% vs 2.4%, P = 0.029). Majority of atopy-IBS patients had mixed-type IBS. Conclusions We demonstrated an association between animal danders sensitization, in particular cat dander sensitization, and IBS-like symptoms in atopic patients. Future studies are needed to explore the relationship between aeroallergen and functional gastrointestinal disorders. Sensitization may be related to the pathophysiology of IBS or it could be that we are missing aeroallergen-induced gut allergy.

Enamel crystals are unique in shape, orientation and organization. They are hundreds of thousands times longer than they are wide, run parallel to each other, are oriented with respect to the ameloblast membrane at the mineralization front and are organized into rod or interrod enamel. The classical theory of amelogenesis postulates that extracellular matrix proteins shape crystallites by specifically inhibiting ion deposition on the crystal sides, orient them by binding multiple crystallites and establish higher levels of crystal organization. Elements of the classical theory are supported in principle by in vitro studies; however, the classical theory does not explain how enamel forms in vivo. In this review, we describe how amelogenesis is highly integrated with ameloblast cell activities and how the shape, orientation and organization of enamel mineral ribbons are established by a mineralization front apparatus along the secretory surface of the ameloblast cell membrane.
Ameloblasts ; chemistry ; cytology ; Amelogenesis ; physiology ; Basement Membrane ; chemistry ; Crystallization ; Dental Enamel ; chemistry ; Dental Enamel Proteins ; secretion ; Humans ; Tooth Calcification

BACKGROUND: In vitro studies reported the antifungal activity of Zingiber officinale (ginger) rhizome extract against certain dermatophytes and Candida albicans. However, no in vivo studies had been made.
OBJECTIVES: (1) To determine in vitro the antifungal activity of commercially prepared ginger rhizome powder against common dermatophytes and Candida albicans.
(2) To determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of commercially prepared ginger rhizome powder against Trichophyton rubrum and Candida albicans.
(3) To compare the efficacy and safety of ginger 25 mg/g cream versus ketoconazole (Nizoral) 20mg/g cream on patients with tinea.
METHODS: Patients (n=24) with tinea corporis or tinea cruris were randomly allocated to two groups. They were instructed to apply either ginger or ketoconazole cream twice daily on lesions for eight weeks. Follow-up consultations were done every two weeks for a total of eight weeks. Photographs, KOH and recording of parameters (erythema, papules, scaling and pruritus) per lesion were used as outcome measures. An investigator's global response assessment was done at the end to determine the improvement of each lesion.
RESULTS: The disk diffusion method revealed that Trichophyton mentagrophytes,Trichophyton rubrum and Candida albicans were inhibited by the ginger powder at 2 mg/10?L. The MIC for C. albicans as 12.5 mg/ml and 25 mg/ml for T. rubrum. The age, gender distribution, and the severity index of the two treatment groups were comparable at baseline. There were significant improvements in erythema, papules, pruritus and scaling scores of patients in each group across different time points (Friedman's ANOVA p<0.05), with significant differences between the two groups noted during the initial observation periods (Wilcoxon p50% and >95% conversion rate to negative KOH at the fourth and eighth week of treatment for the ginger group respectively, while 100% conversion to negative KOH was noted at the second week of treatment for ketoconazole. One patient in the ginger group experienced increased erythema, pruritus and thickness of her lesions during the second week of treatment and the medication was discontinued.
CONCLUSION: While ketaconazole 20mg/g cream treatment resulted in faster clearance of fungal lesions, ginger 25mg/g cream yielded progressive improvement of tinea corporis and tinea cruris when used over an eight week period. Ginger cream may be an affordable alternative antifungal treatment. Future studies using a higher concentration and larger sample size are recommended although a possible case of contact dermatitis is seen using 25mg/g ginger cream.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Adolescent ; Antifungal Agents ; Candida Albicans ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Erythema ; Ginger ; Ketoconazole ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Pruritus ; Tinea ; Trichophyton