INTRODUCTION: This scoping review examined the number, types and characteristics of journal publications on ageing in Singapore from 2008 to 2018 to determine how ageing research in medical and social domains in Singapore has transformed over time. METHODS: Using relevant search terms, articles were extracted from multiple databases and then screened and reviewed for eligibility and inclusion by independent reviewers. Data such as article title, authors, year of publication, name of journal, type of journal, study design and the kind of data used were charted from the included articles for evidence synthesis. RESULTS: Since 2008, there has been a steady increase in the number of publications on ageing in medical and social domains in Singapore. In the medical domain, publications on Ophthalmology (22%) made up the largest proportion of the existing medical literature on ageing in Singapore, followed by Physical Functioning (17%), which involved physiological measurements of physical well-being, and Geriatrics (16%). Non-medical publications comprised 38% of all the included publications, with publications on the social aspects of ageing (43%) forming the largest group in this cluster, followed by publications on Prevention (19%) and Healthcare services (18%). The study design was mostly observational (82%), with only 3% of interventional studies. CONCLUSION While ageing research had expanded in Singapore in the last decade, it was predominantly discipline specific and observational in design. As ageing issues are complex, with biology intersecting with psychology and sociology, we call for greater interdisciplinary collaboration, the conduct of more interventional studies, as well as more research in understudied and emerging areas.
Humans ; Singapore ; Aging ; Geriatrics ; Research Design

Background: Response surface methodology (RSM) is a cost-effective multivariate technique employed in optimization of pharmaceutical formulations. Central composite experiment design is one of the common designs under RSM used for determining optimum nanoparticle formulation parameters. Objectives: To optimize a formulation for meropenem-loaded chitosan alginate nanoparticles using central composite experimental design. Methodology: Meropenem loaded chitosan-alginate nanoparticles were fabricated using aqueous sodium alginate solution and ionotropic gelation with calcium chloride and chitosan, using an optimized formulation derived from a central composite design. The fabricated Mer-CS/Alg NPs were characterized for their particle size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, and loading capacity. The central composite design has been used to adequately assess the influence of two factors namely meropenem concentration and Alg/CS mass ratio on the responses based on a limited number of 13 triplicate formulation runs. Results: This study successfully formulated meropenem-loaded chitosan/alginate nanoparticles. The optimal formulation of the Mer- CS/Alg NPs was 1.7 mg/mLcurcumin, and a Alg/CS mass ratio of 9.8:1. Based on the predicted values of the response variable, the optimal formulation would have a particle size of 490.64 nm, zeta potential of -28.59 mVand a loading capacity of 76.89%. Conclusion The central composite experimental design successfully optimized the nanoparticle formulation of meropenem and chitosan/alginate polymer solution. The optimum formulation produced nanoparticles with adequate size, high stability, and high drug load.
Meropenem ; Nanoparticles ; Research Design

BACKGROUND

Dengue is a global health concern, particularly in tropical regions such as the Philippines. In 2019,Cebu City reported the highest number of dengue cases in Central Visayas with 3,290 cases and 20 deaths, an 11.8% increase compared to 20181 . To help predict disease outcomes and provide timely management, a scoring system, the Daily Dengue Severity Score (DDSS)² was utilized.

To determine the clinicodemographic profile of dengue patients, determine the accuracy of the DDSS in assessing disease severity, and determine a cut off score that suggests severe dengue.

Patients 1 month to 18 years admitted for dengue at Perpetual Succour Hospital from January 2018 to December 2020 were included. Cases were classified as Dengue without Warning Signs, Dengue with Warning Signs, and Severe Dengue, and scored using the DDSS. Statistical analysis used were Geometric mean and Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (AUROC) curves to analyze the discriminative performance of the DDSS among the different disease severity states.

Out of 327 cases, 34 were classified as Dengue without Warning Signs, 271 Dengue with Warning Signs, and 22 Severe Dengue. The highest mean DDSS was 17.7 ±14.0 at Day -4 among those with Severe Dengue, and the lowest mean DDSS was 1.1 ± 2.0 at Day +3 among those with Dengue without Warning Signs. A cut off point of 10 on Day -1 predicted subsequent Severe Dengue among patients with Dengue with Warning Signs. In 91.39% of cases, there was a significant relationship between the DDSS and dengue classification, and the higher the DDSS, the more severe the disease.

Majority of dengue patients were males, aged 8.1 to 9.2 years. DDSS showed 66.67% sensitivity, 92.86% specificity, a positive likelihood ratio of 9.3, and a cutoff of 10 is predictive of severe dengue among patients with dengue with warning signs.

Qualitative research is a type of research that provides deeper insights into real-world problems. It gathers participants’ experiences, perceptions, and behaviours and answers the how’s and whys instead of how many or how much. It could be structured as a stand-alone study, purely relying on qualitative data or it could be part of mixed-methods research that combines qualitative and quantitative data. Some of the most common methodologies being used in qualitative research include ethnography, grounded theory, phenomenological study, narrative study, historical study and case studies. This article aimed to discuss how to conduct a qualitative study. The steps in conducting a qualitative study include: 1) Create a purpose statement; 2) Formulate the Research Questions; 3) Perform a Literature Review; 4) Choose a qualitative research methodology to use; 5) Identify and Select the Study Population; 6) Develop the data collection procedure; 7) Collect the data and 8) Analyze the data, which if using thematic analysis, can include writing the final report. In writing and appraising qualitative studies, the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies (COREQ) can serve as a useful guide. Lastly, like in quantitative studies, researchers doing qualitative studies should be aware of the ethical issues involved in their work, anticipate possible ethical concerns, craft protection strategies, and make the necessary referrals to research ethics committees, appropriate organizations, and other agencies if the need arises.

Meridian-tendon is a central concept in meridian theory of TCM, and its basic research has been increasingly emphasized. While there is no unified understanding of the essence of meridian-tendon, the concept that function of fascia could partially reflect the functions of meridian-tendons has reached consensus in the academic community. This article suggests that under the guidance of meridian-tendon theory, based on previous research foundation of fascia, focusing on adopting fascia research methods, the mechanisms of tender point hyperalgesia and abnormal proliferation related to meridian lesions should be adopted to explain yitong weishu (taking the worst painful sites of muscle spasm as the points), and the mechanisms of meridian intervention efficacy should be adopted to explain yizhi weishu (feelings from patients and acupuncture operators). Furthermore, this article provides an analysis of the future trends in basic research of meridian tendons.
Humans ; Meridians ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture ; Tendons ; Pain ; Research Design ; Acupuncture Points

By summarizing and exploring the theoretic connotation, key of functions and effect mechanism of acupoint compatibility, the effect of acupoint compatibility is concluded as the increase of "effect value" and the expansion of "effect domain". The increase of "effect value" is the concrete embodiment by the value of medical assessment scale, the value of objective index detection in clinical trial and the value of index detection in experiment research. The expansion of "effect domain" is the increase of effect target and the extension of effect scope. The paper interprets the scientific connotation of acupoint compatibility therapy from a new perspective, and emphasizes the innovative approaches to research while bringing forth new ideas on the research method. It is anticipated that a novel breakthrough can be achieved in the study of acupoint compatibility and the improvement of acupuncture-moxibustion efficacy.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Moxibustion/methods* ; Acupuncture ; Research Design

Network targets theory and technology have transcended the limitations of the "single gene, single target" model, aiming to decipher the mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) based on biological network from the perspective of informatics and system. As the core of TCM network pharmacology, with the development of computer science and high-throughput experimental techniques, the network target theory and technology are beginning to exhibit a trend of organic integration with artificial intelligence technology and high-throughput multi-modal multi-omics experimental techniques. Taking the network target analysis of TCM like Yinqiao Qingre Tablets as a typical case, network target theory and technology have achieved the systematic construction, in-depth analysis, and high-throughput multi-modal multi-omics validation of multi-level biological networks spanning from traditional Chinese and Western phenotypes to tissues, cells, molecules, and traditional Chinese and Western medicines. This development helps to address critical issues in the analysis of mechanisms of TCM, including the discovery of key targets, identification of functional components, discovery of synergistic effects among compound ingredients, and elucidation of the regulatory mechanisms of formulae. It provides powerful theoretical and technological support for advancing clinical precision diagnosis and treatment, precise positioning of TCM, and precise research and development of TCM. Thus, a new paradigm of TCM research gradually emerges, combining big data and artificial intelligence(AI) with the integration of human experience and scientific evidence.
Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Artificial Intelligence ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Technology ; Research Design

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) which are usually thought to have no protein coding ability, are widely involved in cell proliferation, signal transduction and other biological activities. However, recent studies have suggested that short open reading frames (sORFs) of some lncRNAs can encode small functional peptides (micropeptides). These micropeptides appear to play important roles in calcium homeostasis, embryonic development and tumorigenesis, suggesting their potential as therapeutic targets and diagnostic biomarkers. Currently, bioinformatic tools as well as experimental methods such as ribosome mapping and in vitro translation are applied to predict the coding potential of lncRNAs. Furthermore, mass spectrometry, specific antibodies and epitope tags are used for validating the expression of micropeptides. Here, we review the physiological and pathological functions of recently identified micropeptides as well as research strategies for predicting the coding potential of lncRNAs to facilitate the further research of lncRNA encoded micropeptides.
Female ; Pregnancy ; Humans ; RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics* ; Research Design ; Antibodies ; Carcinogenesis ; Micropeptides

In recent years, new orthopaedic implantable devices continue to emerge, which require higher requirements for technical evaluation. Animal study is an important part of the research and development process for the new orthopedic implantable devices, which provides relevant evidence for product design and stereotyping. By introducing the purpose of animal study, and the application of 3R principle (replacement, reduction, refinement) in this field, we summarize the concern on the animal study, in order to provide reference for the development and research of new orthopedic implantable devices and biomaterials. At the same time, the application of evidence-based research methods such as systematic review in the field is introduced, which provides new tools and approaches for the technical review and regulatory science.
Animals ; Orthopedics ; Biocompatible Materials ; Prostheses and Implants ; Research Design

The condition of critically ill patients changes rapidly, involving pathological changes in multiple systems and organs throughout the body. Exploring the causal relationship of mechanisms can further reveal etiology, treatment, and prognosis of diseases. However, traditional prospective studies in the field of critical care are still subject to numerous limitations. As an emerging research method, Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis uses genetic variation to provide causal evidence for instrumental variables, which is expected to provide clues in critical diseases. This article systematically describes the research progresson the application of MR analysis in critical care medicine from four aspects: the principle of MR analysis, the difference between MR analysis and randomized controlled trial (RCT), the use of MR analysis in the field of critical illness, and the possible methods of application, aiming to provide possible directions for the research in this field.
Humans ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis/methods* ; Genetic Variation ; Causality ; Research Design