INTRODUCTION: Health literacy plays an essential role in one's ability to acquire and understand critical medical information in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infodemic and in other pandemics. We aimed to summarise the assessment, levels and determinants of pandemic-related health literacy and its associated clinical outcomes. METHODS: A systematic review was performed in Medline ® , Embase ® , PsycINFO ® , CINAHL ® and four major preprint servers. Observational and interventional studies that evaluated health literacy related to the novel COVID-19, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) were included. Items used in health literacy instruments were grouped under the themes of knowledge, attitudes and practices. Determinants of health literacy were grouped into five domains: sociodemographic, medical, psychological/psychiatric, health systems-related and others. RESULTS: Of the 2,065 articles screened, 70 articles were included. Of these, 21, 17 and 32 studies evaluated health literacy related to COVID-19, SARS and MERS, respectively. The rates of low pandemic health literacy ranged from 4.3% to 57.9% among medical-related populations and from 4.0% to 82.5% among nonmedical populations. Knowledge about the symptoms and transmission of infection, worry about infection, and practices related to mask usage and hand hygiene were most frequently evaluated. Sociodemographic determinants of health literacy were most frequently studied, among which higher education level, older age and female gender were found to be associated with better health literacy. No studies evaluated the outcomes associated with health literacy. CONCLUSION The level of pandemic-related health literacy is suboptimal. Healthcare administrators need to be aware of health literacy determinants when formulating policies in pandemics.
Humans ; Health Literacy ; COVID-19/epidemiology* ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome/epidemiology* ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Pandemics ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Coronavirus Infections/epidemiology* ; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus ; Female ; Male

INTRODUCTION: The primary objective of this guideline is to establish evidence-based recommendations for the clinical use of parenteral nutrition (PN) in adult patients within the acute hospital setting in Singapore. METHOD: An expert workgroup, consisting of healthcare practitioners actively involved in clinical nutrition support across all public health institutions, systematically evaluated existing evidence and addressed clinical questions relating to PN therapy. RESULTS: This clinical practice guideline developed 30 recommendations for PN therapy, which cover these key aspects related to PN use: indications, patient assess-ment, titration and formulation of PN bags, access routes and devices, and monitoring and management of PN-related complications. CONCLUSION This guideline provides recommendations to ensure appropriate and safe clinical practice of PN therapy in adult patients within the acute hospital setting.
Humans ; Singapore ; Parenteral Nutrition/adverse effects* ; Adult

BACKGROUND: The mechanisms distinguishing metabolically healthy from unhealthy phenotypes within the same BMI categories remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the associations between regional fat distribution and metabolically unhealthy phenotypes in Chinese adults across different BMI categories. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involving 11833 Chinese adults aged 20 years and older. Covariance analysis, adjusted for age, compared the percentage of regional fat (trunk, leg, or arm fat divided by whole-body fat) between metabolically healthy and unhealthy participants. Trends in regional fat percentage with the number of metabolic abnormalities were assessed by the Jonckheere-Terpstra test. Odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by logistic regression models. All analyses were performed separately by sex. RESULTS: In non-obese individuals, metabolically unhealthy participants exhibited higher percent trunk fat and lower percent leg fat compared to healthy participants. Additionally, percent trunk fat increased and percent leg fat decreased with the number of metabolic abnormalities. After adjustment for demographic and lifestyle factors, as well as BMI, higher percent trunk fat was associated with increased odds of being metabolically unhealthy [highest vs. lowest quartile: ORs (95%CI) of 1.64 (1.35, 2.00) for men and 2.00 (1.63, 2.46) for women]. Conversely, compared with the lowest quartile, the ORs (95%CI) of metabolically unhealthy phenotype in the highest quartile for percent arm and leg fat were 0.64 (0.53, 0.78) and 0.60 (0.49, 0.74) for men, and 0.72 (0.56, 0.93) and 0.46 (0.36, 0.59) for women, respectively. Significant interactions between BMI and percentage of trunk and leg fat were observed in both sexes, with stronger associations found in individuals with normal weight and overweight. CONCLUSIONS Trunk fat is associated with a higher risk of metabolically unhealthy phenotype, while leg and arm fat are protective factors. Regional fat distribution assessments are crucial for identifying metabolically unhealthy phenotypes, particularly in non-obese individuals.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult ; Adipose Tissue ; Body Fat Distribution ; Body Mass Index ; China/epidemiology* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Health Surveys ; Phenotype

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a significant complication of sepsis, characterized by high morbidity, mortality, and poor prognosis. Neutrophils, as critical intrinsic immune cells in the lung, play a fundamental role in the development and progression of ALI. During ALI, neutrophils generate neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), and excessive NETs can intensify inflammatory injury. Research indicates that Taohe Chengqi decoction (THCQD) can ameliorate sepsis-induced lung inflammation and modulate immune function. This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms by which THCQD improves ALI and its relationship with NETs in sepsis patients, seeking to provide novel perspectives and interventions for clinical treatment. The findings demonstrate that THCQD enhanced survival rates and reduced lung injury in the cecum ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced ALI mouse model. Furthermore, THCQD diminished neutrophil and macrophage infiltration, inflammatory responses, and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). Notably, subsequent experiments confirmed that THCQD inhibits NET formation both in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, THCQD significantly decreased the expression of peptidyl arginine deiminase 4 (PAD4) protein, and molecular docking predicted that certain active compounds in THCQD could bind tightly to PAD4. PAD4 overexpression partially reversed THCQD's inhibitory effects on PAD4. These findings strongly indicate that THCQD mitigates CLP-induced ALI by inhibiting PAD4-mediated NETs.
Extracellular Traps/immunology* ; Acute Lung Injury/immunology* ; Animals ; Sepsis/immunology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Mice ; Neutrophils/immunology* ; Male ; Protein-Arginine Deiminase Type 4/genetics* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Humans ; Disease Models, Animal ; Cytokines/metabolism*

Objective: To understand the relationship between screen time and dietary behaviors among urban middle school students in Guangzhou, and to provide scientific evidence for improving students’ health. Methods: Based on the regular medical examinations for elementary and middle school students in Guangzhou, a total of 12 357 middle school students (grade 7 and grade 10) were investigated by using a cross-sectional study. The physical indicators and daily routine were collected by physical examination and questionnaire survey. Multiple Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the association between screen time and dietary behaviors among students. Results: The proportion of excessive screen time was 18.80% (2 323). There was no significant difference between boys (18.52%, 1 165/6 292) and girls (19.09%, 1 158/6 065) (χ2=0.67, P>0.05). Logistic regression results showed that excessive screen time was negatively associated with consumption of vegetables and fruits, with the aORs of 0.50 (95%CI=0.42-0.58) and 0.64 (95%CI=0.58-0.70) respectively, and positively associated with consumption of fried food (OR=1.90, 95%CI=1.70-2.09), western fast food (OR=1.90, 95%CI=1.65-2.19), sweets (OR=1.36, 95%CI=1.25-1.49) and sugar-sweetened beverage (OR=1.70, 95%CI=1.57-1.84). Conclusion Excessive screen time was associated with unhealthy dietary behaviors among middle school students in Guangzhou. Intervention should be tailored to screen time as well as dietary behaviors.

: To investigate the current status of milk and dairy product intake of primary and middle school students in Guangzhou and to explore the influencing factors, to provide the basis for promoting the consumption of milk and dairy products for students. Methods: Questionnaire survey was conducted among 7 948 students selected from 3 primary schools and 3 middle schools in Guangzhou. The contents included general information, average amount of the intake of milk and dairy products (including pure milk, yoghurt, milk powder, cheese and other dairy products). Using χ2 test and multivariate Logistic regression to analyze the influencing factors of students’ milk and dairy product intake. Results: About 76.12% of all participants reported milk and dairy products intake<7 times/week, 78.88% reported milk and dairy products intake<300 g/d and the median of milk and dairy products was 178.57 g/d. In the multiple Logistic regression model, girls and high school students were more likely to consume milk and dairy products insufficiently, with the OR of 1.42 (95%CI=1.26-1.60), 1.86 (95%CI=1.51-2.28) respectively. The students with father’s education level being college degree or above (OR= 0.75, 95%CI=0.59-0.94), mother’s education level being high school or above (high school:OR=0.75, 95%CI=0.61-0.93, college degree or above:OR=0.58, 95%CI=0.46-0.72) and annual household income ≥200 000 (OR=0.77,95%CI=0.64-0.92) were more likely to consume sufficient milk and dairy products. Conclusion Consumption of milk and dairy products among primary and middle school students in Guangzhou was high but not meet the recommended amount,should be strengthened. Health and nutritional education for students and their parents,especially girls and senior students,should be strengthened to promote the milk and dairy products consumption.

Cross-leg flaps are a useful reconstructive option for complex lower limb defects when free flaps cannot be performed owing to vessel damage. We describe the use of the extended distally based sural artery flap in a cross-leg fashion for lower extremity coverage in three patients. To maximise the viability of these extended flaps, a delay was performed by raising them in a bipedicled fashion before gradual division of the tip over 5 to 7 days for cross-leg transfer. Rigid coupling of the lower limbs with external fixators was critical in preventing flap avulsion and to promote neovascular takeover. The pedicle was gradually divided over the ensuing 7 to 14 days before full flap inset and removal of the external fixators. In all three patients, the flaps survived with no complications and successful coverage of the critical defect was achieved. One patient developed a grade 2 pressure injury on his heel that resolved with conservative dressings. The donor sites and external fixator pin wounds healed well, with no functional morbidity. The cross-leg extended distally based sural artery flap is a reliable reconstructive option in challenging scenarios. Adequate flap delay, manoeuvres to reduce congestion, and postoperative rigid immobilization are key to a successful outcome.
Arteries ; Bandages ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; External Fixators ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Heel ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Leg Injuries ; Lower Extremity ; Perforator Flap ; Sural Nerve ; Surgical Flaps ; Tissue Donors ; Wounds and Injuries

BACKGROUND: Ustekinumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody approved for the treatment of chronic moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults. However, factors including efficacy, tolerability, ease of use, and cost burden may affect ustekinumab utilization. Noncompliance may, in turn, affect treatment response. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate ustekinumab utilization in the real-world setting in Asia-Pacific countries. METHODS: In this phase 4 observational study conducted in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Korea, and Taiwan, adults with plaque psoriasis receiving ustekinumab were followed for up to 52 weeks. Study endpoints were the proportion of all patients using ustekinumab according to label-recommended intervals and the proportion of Korean patients who achieved a psoriasis area severity index 75 response at week 16. Safety was assessed by monitoring adverse events. RESULTS: Overall, 169 patients received ustekinumab (Korea, n=102; other countries, n=67). Just over half (56.2%) of patients used ustekinumab with the label-recommended interval from baseline to week 40; the proportion was higher in Korea (73.5%) than in other countries (29.9%), probably because ustekinumab was provided without charge for Korean patients up to week 40. Noncompliance increased after week 40 in Korea and from week 28 in other Asia-Pacific countries, with cost cited as the most common reason. At week 16, 56.9% of Korean patients achieved a Psoriasis Area Severity Index 75 response. Safety results were in line with those seen in previous studies. CONCLUSION: More than half of all patients in Asia-Pacific countries used ustekinumab as per the label-recommended dose interval, but reimbursement variations between countries may have confounded overall results.
Adult ; Compliance ; Humans ; Indonesia ; Korea ; Malaysia ; Observational Study ; Psoriasis* ; Singapore ; Taiwan ; Ustekinumab

BACKGROUND: Ustekinumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody approved for the treatment of chronic moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults. However, factors including efficacy, tolerability, ease of use, and cost burden may affect ustekinumab utilization. Noncompliance may, in turn, affect treatment response. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate ustekinumab utilization in the real-world setting in Asia-Pacific countries. METHODS: In this phase 4 observational study conducted in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Korea, and Taiwan, adults with plaque psoriasis receiving ustekinumab were followed for up to 52 weeks. Study endpoints were the proportion of all patients using ustekinumab according to label-recommended intervals and the proportion of Korean patients who achieved a psoriasis area severity index 75 response at week 16. Safety was assessed by monitoring adverse events. RESULTS: Overall, 169 patients received ustekinumab (Korea, n=102; other countries, n=67). Just over half (56.2%) of patients used ustekinumab with the label-recommended interval from baseline to week 40; the proportion was higher in Korea (73.5%) than in other countries (29.9%), probably because ustekinumab was provided without charge for Korean patients up to week 40. Noncompliance increased after week 40 in Korea and from week 28 in other Asia-Pacific countries, with cost cited as the most common reason. At week 16, 56.9% of Korean patients achieved a Psoriasis Area Severity Index 75 response. Safety results were in line with those seen in previous studies. CONCLUSION: More than half of all patients in Asia-Pacific countries used ustekinumab as per the label-recommended dose interval, but reimbursement variations between countries may have confounded overall results.
Adult ; Compliance ; Humans ; Indonesia ; Korea ; Malaysia ; Observational Study ; Psoriasis* ; Singapore ; Taiwan ; Ustekinumab

OBJECTIVETo establish a method for quick investigating the absorption ingredients of Plantaginis semen and guiding the index selection for its quality control.

METHODThe absorption of three concentrations of Plantaginis semem was investigated with the in vitro everted intestinal sac (VEIS) model The intestinal sac contents of jejunum and ileum were collected at different time and geniposidic acid was detected by HPLC and LC-MS(n) as the representative marker.

RESULTSix ingredients could be detected. At different concentrations of Plantaginis semen, geniposidic acid tested by VEIS showed that there was a good linear correlation between the drug absorption from the medium across the intestinal epithelium into the sac contents in various intestines section. The absorption of the gut sacs from 0 to 90 min manifested a significant time-dependent manner. The Ka of geniposidic acid in the jejunum and ileum increased along with the raised dosage of the Plantaginis Semen (P < 0.05), which indicated a passive absorption manner.

CONCLUSIONThis method can be used as a tool to investigate the absorption ingredients of Plantaginis Semen. Comparing with the jejunum, the ileum can provide more absorption information faster. The optimal incubation time in intestinal sac was 90 min.

Animals ; Body Fluids ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacokinetics ; Ileum ; chemistry ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Intestinal Absorption ; Jejunum ; chemistry ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Models, Biological ; Plantago ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley