Introduction: Current education on diabetes self-management is time-consuming as it is conducted face-to-face. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of diabetes education via mobile application on hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). Methodology: This was a double-blinded randomized controlled study conducted in the Department of Endocrinology, Hospital Pulau Pinang and Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun. Participants were stratified randomized according to HbA1c to intervention group (using T-Manis) and control group. The primary objective was to assess the difference in HbA1c between the groups. Secondary objectives were to assess the difference in body weight, hospitalization related to diabetes, diabetes knowledge between groups and usability and satisfaction of T-Manis. Laboratory investigations and questionnaires were conducted at baseline, 4 months and 8 months. Results: A total of 112 participants were randomized into two groups each with 56 participants. Mean age was 51 years with similar diabetes duration of 16 years in both groups. Participants comprised of 61.6% females with ethnic distribution of 49.1% Malay, 30.4% Chinese, 19.6% Indian and 0.9% Siamese. Baseline HbA1c levels were comparable between intervention and control groups (10.04% versus 9.91%; mean difference 0.13%; 95% CI −0.56 to 0.81; p = 0.718). At 4 months, HbA1c of the intervention group demonstrated a significant reduction compared to the control group (8.93% versus 9.80%; mean difference −0.86; 95% CI −1.59 to −0.14; p = 0.02). Sustained reduction of HbA1c in the intervention group was observed at 8 months (mean difference −1.01; 95% CI −1.85 to −0.16; p = 0.02). Baseline body weight was 77 kg, with no betweengroup differences in body weight, hospitalization related to diabetes and diabetes knowledge scores, although diabetes knowledge scores improved at 4 months in the intervention group. 89.3% of participants reported satisfaction with T-Manis Conclusion The T-Manis mobile application aided in significantly improving glycemic control with high user satisfaction, supporting its feasibility as an adjunct to standard diabetes care.
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Glycemic Control ; Mobile Applications ; Pangolins

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

INTRODUCTION: Paediatric sexual assault (SA) victims should be assessed for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to mitigate the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We describe the clinical characteristics of children and young persons (CYPs) presenting with SA at KK Women's and Children's Hospital in Singapore, viral PEP (human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] and hepatitis B virus [HBV]) prescribing practices, and STI evaluation at follow-up. METHOD: Medical records of CYPs ≤16 years who presented with SA between January 2022 and August 2023 were reviewed, including assault and assailant characteristics, baseline and follow-up STI screening, PEP prescription, adherence and follow-up attendance. CYPs with SA in the preceding 72 hours by HIV-positive or HIV-status unknown assailants with high-risk characteris-tics were eligible for HIV PEP. RESULTS: We analysed 278 CYPs who made 292 SA visits. There were 40 (13.7%) CYPs eligible for HIV PEP, of whom 29 (82.9%) received it. Among those tested at baseline, 9% and 34.9% of CYPs tested positive for Chlamydia trachomatis and Gardnerella vaginalis, respectively. None tested positive for Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis, HIV, HBV or hepatitis C. Majority of CYPs tested were HBV non-immune (n=167, 67.6%); only 77 (46.1%) received the vaccine. Out of 27 CYPs eligible for HBV PEP with immunoglobulin, only 21 (77.7%) received immunoglobulin. A total of 37 CYPs received HIV PEP, including 8 who were retrospectively deemed ineligible. Only 10 (27%) completed the course. Overall, 153 (57.7%) CYPs attended follow-up, and none seroconverted for HIV or HBV. CONCLUSION We report suboptimal rates of HBV post-exposure vaccination, and low compliance to HIV PEP and follow-up among paediatric SA victims. Factors contri-buting to poor compliance should be examined to optimise care for this vulnerable population.
Humans ; Post-Exposure Prophylaxis/methods* ; Female ; Child ; Adolescent ; Singapore/epidemiology* ; HIV Infections/prevention & control* ; Male ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases/epidemiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Hepatitis B/prevention & control* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Child, Preschool ; Sex Offenses/statistics & numerical data* ; Child Abuse, Sexual

This study aims to explore the protective effect of Chaihu Jia Longgu Muli Decoction on rats with heart failure after myocardial infarction, and to clarify its possible mechanisms, providing a new basis for basic research on the mechanism of classic Chinese medicinal formula-mediated inflammatory response in preventing and treating heart failure induced by apoptosis after myocardial infarction. A heart failure model after myocardial infarction was established in rats by coronary artery ligation. The rats were divided into sham group, model group, and low, medium, and high-dose groups of Chaihu Jia Longgu Muli Decoction, with 10 rats in each group. The low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups of Chaihu Jia Longgu Muli Decoction were given 6.3, 12.6, and 25.2 g·kg~(-1) doses by gavage, respectively. The sham group and model group were given an equal volume of distilled water by gavage once daily for four consecutive weeks. Cardiac function was assessed using color Doppler echocardiography. Myocardial pathology was detected by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, apoptosis was measured by TUNEL assay, and mitophagy was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin(IL)-1β, and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP) in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The expression of apoptosis-related proteins B-cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax), and cleaved caspase-3 was detected by Western blot. Additionally, the expression of phosphorylated nuclear transcription factor-κB(NF-κB) p65(p-NF-κB p65)(upstream) and nuclear factor kappa B inhibitor alpha(IκBα)(downstream) in the NF-κB signaling pathway was assessed by Western blot. The results showed that compared with the sham group, left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) and left ventricular short axis shortening(LVFS) in the model group were significantly reduced, while left ventricular end diastolic diameter(LVEDD) and left ventricular end systolic diameter(LVESD) increased significantly. Myocardial tissue damage was severe, with widened intercellular spaces and disorganized cell arrangement. The apoptosis rate was increased, and mitochondria were enlarged with increased vacuoles. Levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and NT-proBNP were elevated, indicating an obvious inflammatory response. The expression of pro-apoptotic factors Bax and cleaved caspase-3 increased, while the anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 decreased. The expression of p-NF-κB p65 was upregulated, and the expression of IκBα was downregulated. In contrast, the Chaihu Jia Longgu Muli Decoction groups showed significantly improved of LVEF, LVFS and decreased LVEDD, LVESD compared to the model group. Myocardial tissue damage was alleviated, and intercellular spaces were reduced. The apoptosis rate decreased, mitochondrial volume decreased, and the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and NT-proBNP were lower. The expression of pro-apoptotic factors Bax and cleaved caspase-3 decreased, while the expression of the anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 increased. Additionally, the expression of p-NF-κB p65 decreased, while IκBα expression increased. In summary, this experimental study shows that Chaihu Jia Longgu Muli Decoction can reduce the inflammatory response and apoptosis rate in rats with heart failure after myocardial infarction, which may be related to the regulation of the IκBα/NF-κB signaling pathway.
Animals ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Rats ; Myocardial Infarction/physiopathology* ; Male ; NF-kappa B/genetics* ; Heart Failure/etiology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha/genetics* ; Humans ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics*

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Objective·To evaluate and compare the clinical efficacy and safety of rituximab(RTX)monotherapy and RTX combined with glucocorticoids in the treatment of high-risk primary membranous nephropathy(PMN).Methods·A retrospective cohort study was conducted to include 87 high-risk PMN patients who received RTX treatment in Xin Hua Hospital,Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine,between December 2018 and February 2024.Patients were divided into RTX monotherapy group and RTX combined with glucocorticoid group(combination therapy group)according to their treatment regimens.After adjusting for confounding factors using propensity score matching(PSM),intention-to-treat(ITT)and per-protocol(PP)analyses were performed to evaluate the primary efficacy outcomes.Results·A total of 58 patients were included after PSM,with 29 in each group.At 12 months after treatment,ITT analysis showed that the overall remission and complete remission(CR)of RTX monotherapy were 72.41%and 20.69%respectively,compared to 79.31%and 55.17%in the combination therapy group.The difference in CR rates between the two groups was statistically significant(P=0.007).The differences in serum creatinine,blood urea nitrogen,and estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)were not statistically significant.However,the 24-hour urinary protein levels in the combination therapy group were significantly lower than those in the RTX monotherapy group(P=0.024).PP analysis showed that the CR rate of the combination therapy group was also significantly higher than that of the RTX monotherapy group(P=0.026).During follow-up,serum creatinine levels and eGFR remained stable in both groups.The incidence of adverse events was comparable between the two groups,with no statistically significant differences.Conclusion·Compared with RTX monotherapy,RTX combined with glucocorticoids significantly improves the CR rate in high-risk PMN patients without increasing the incidence of adverse events.This combination regimen appears to be an effective treatment strategy,though its long-term efficacy and safety warrant further confirmation through large-scale prospective studies.

Objective·To evaluate and compare the clinical efficacy and safety of rituximab(RTX)monotherapy and RTX combined with glucocorticoids in the treatment of high-risk primary membranous nephropathy(PMN).Methods·A retrospective cohort study was conducted to include 87 high-risk PMN patients who received RTX treatment in Xin Hua Hospital,Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine,between December 2018 and February 2024.Patients were divided into RTX monotherapy group and RTX combined with glucocorticoid group(combination therapy group)according to their treatment regimens.After adjusting for confounding factors using propensity score matching(PSM),intention-to-treat(ITT)and per-protocol(PP)analyses were performed to evaluate the primary efficacy outcomes.Results·A total of 58 patients were included after PSM,with 29 in each group.At 12 months after treatment,ITT analysis showed that the overall remission and complete remission(CR)of RTX monotherapy were 72.41%and 20.69%respectively,compared to 79.31%and 55.17%in the combination therapy group.The difference in CR rates between the two groups was statistically significant(P=0.007).The differences in serum creatinine,blood urea nitrogen,and estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)were not statistically significant.However,the 24-hour urinary protein levels in the combination therapy group were significantly lower than those in the RTX monotherapy group(P=0.024).PP analysis showed that the CR rate of the combination therapy group was also significantly higher than that of the RTX monotherapy group(P=0.026).During follow-up,serum creatinine levels and eGFR remained stable in both groups.The incidence of adverse events was comparable between the two groups,with no statistically significant differences.Conclusion·Compared with RTX monotherapy,RTX combined with glucocorticoids significantly improves the CR rate in high-risk PMN patients without increasing the incidence of adverse events.This combination regimen appears to be an effective treatment strategy,though its long-term efficacy and safety warrant further confirmation through large-scale prospective studies.