Background: Consumption and abuse of alcohol remains a significant cause of concern worldwide. Furthermore, there is evidence of the association between chronic alcohol use and reduced life expectancy. Objectives: To study the effects of Garcinia binucao extract (GBE) supplementation on lifespan of Drosophila melanogaster, in the presence or absence of chronic alcohol exposure. Methods: D. melanogaster was mass cultured and given GBE supplementation in high (1 mg/mL) and low (200 µg/mL) sublethal doses. D. melanogaster flies were divided into groups - with and without chronic alcohol exposure, and their respective lifespans were monitored. Results: In D. melanogaster without alcohol exposure, mean lifespan was highest in the control flies (38.15 days), followed by high-dose GBE (34.42 days), low-dose GBE (33.24 days), and DMSO (22.29 days). In D. melanogaster chronically exposed to alcohol, the longest mean lifespan was observed in flies treated with high-dose GBE (33.80 days), followed by low-dose GBE (33.63 days), the DMSO group (30.30), and the control group (29.65 days), but the differences were not statistically significant. Comparing groups with and without chronic alcohol exposure, the mean lifespan of the control group chronically exposed to alcohol significantly decreased by 9.51 days (p < 0.05). In GBE treatment groups, mean lifespan significantly decreased by 0.82 days in high-dose set-up (p < 0.05), and significantly increased by 0.39 days in the low-dose set-up (p < 0.05) upon chronic alcohol exposure. Conclusion Garcinia binucao extract supplementation ameliorated the observed reduction in lifespan of Drosophila melanogaster chronically exposed to alcohol.
Drosophila melanogaster ; Longevity

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to describe the extrapulmonary manifestations of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, including their frequency, onset with respect to respiratory symptoms, pathogenesis and association with disease severity. METHODS: We searched the MEDLINE and Embase databases for SARS-CoV-2-related studies. Meta-analysis, observational studies, case series and case reports published in English or Chinese between 1 January 2020 and 1 May 2020 were included. Reports with only paediatric or obstetric cases were excluded. RESULTS: 169 articles were included. Early manifestations (preceding respiratory symptoms until Day 6 of onset) included olfactory and gustatory disturbance (self-reported in up to 68% and 85% of cases, respectively), gastrointestinal symptoms (up to 65.9%) and rash (up to 20.4%). From Day 7 onwards, hypercytokinaemia, paralleled multi-organ complications including acute cardiac injury (pooled incidence of 17.7% in 1,412 patients, mostly with severe disease and 17.4% mortality), kidney and liver injury (up to 17% and 33%, respectively) and thrombocytopenia (up to 30%). Hypercoagulability resulted in venous thromboembolic events in up to 31% of all patients. Uncommon disease presentation and complications comprised Guillain-Barré syndrome, rhabdomyolysis, otitis media, meningoencephalitis and spontaneous pneumomediastinum. CONCLUSION Although the systemic manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection are variegated, they are deeply interwoven by shared mechanisms. Two phases of extrapulmonary disease were identified: (a) an early phase with possible gastrointestinal, ocular and cutaneous involvement; and (b) a late phase characterised by multiorgan dysfunction and clinical deterioration. A clear, multidisciplinary consensus to define and approach thromboinflammation and cytokine release syndrome in SARS-CoV-2 is needed.
Humans ; Asian People ; COVID-19/complications* ; Inflammation/complications* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Thrombosis

Humans ; Child ; Caregivers ; Singapore ; Software

In March 2020, the Philippine Department of Health (DOH) designed and rapidly implemented a national surveillance system for the utilization of hospital beds by patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to produce complete and timely data for use by various levels of governance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The DOH launched the DOH DataCollect (DDC) Bed Tracker system, a web-based application that collects information from all 1906 public and private hospitals and infirmaries across the country using a modular data collection tool. Data on the maximum number of occupied COVID-19-designated beds (n = 28 261), hospital bed utilization rate (71.7%), and mechanical ventilator number (n = 1846) and utilization rate (58.5%) were recorded in September 2021 during the Delta surge of cases in the Philippines. Data on human resources, personal protective equipment and supplies, and other operational indicators were added to the system during various modifications. Information from the DDC was used to inform the COVID-19 response and operations at national and local levels and facilitated research at academic and nongovernmental agencies. The development of the DDC system demonstrates that an effective surveillance system for use by all health-care facilities is achievable through strong national leadership, the use of available technology and adaptive information systems, and the establishment of networks across different health facilities and stakeholders.

Background: Insulin-treated patients with long duration of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are at increased risk of ketoacidosis related to sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i). The extent of circulating ketone elevation in these patients remains unknown. We conducted this study to compare the serum ketone response between dapagliflozin, an SGLT2i, and sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, among insulin-treated T2DM patients. Methods: This was a randomized, open-label, active comparator-controlled study involving 60 insulin-treated T2DM patients. Participants were randomized 1:1 for 24-week of dapagliflozin 10 mg daily or sitagliptin 100 mg daily. Serum β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) levels were measured at baseline, 12 and 24 weeks after intervention. Comprehensive cardiometabolic assessments were performed with measurements of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC), vibration-controlled transient elastography and echocardiography. Results: Among these 60 insulin-treated participants (mean age 58.8 years, diabetes duration 18.2 years, glycosylated hemoglobin 8.87%), as compared with sitagliptin, serum BHB levels increased significantly after 24 weeks of dapagliflozin (P=0.045), with a median of 27% increase from baseline. Change in serum BHB levels correlated significantly with change in free fatty acid levels. Despite similar glucose lowering, dapagliflozin led to significant improvements in body weight (P=0.006), waist circumference (P=0.028), HDL-C (P=0.041), CEC (P=0.045), controlled attenuation parameter (P=0.007), and liver stiffness (P=0.022). Average E/e’, an echocardiographic index of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, was also significantly lower at 24 weeks in participants treated with dapagliflozin (P=0.037). Conclusion Among insulin-treated T2DM patients with long diabetes duration, compared to sitagliptin, dapagliflozin modestly increased ketone levels and was associated with cardiometabolic benefits.

INTRODUCTION: Infantile haemangiomas (IH) are the most common vascular tumours in childhood. Over the past decade, treatment of IH has been revolutionised by the discovery of the effectiveness of beta-blockers in its treatment. We review our hospital's experience with oral propranolol in the treatment of IH in an Asian population. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of the medical records and clinical photos of paediatric patients with IH treated with propranolol in a tertiary paediatric hospital in Singapore from January 2010 to February 2015. RESULTS: A total of 88 patients with IH treated with propranolol were identified over a five-year period, with 79 patients included in the final analysis. There was a predominance of female patients (75.9%) and preterm infants (41.8%) in our study population. The head and neck (65.8%), especially the orbital or preorbital region (45.6%), were the most common lesion sites in our cohort of patients. Mean age of onset was 2.3 ± 4.5 weeks of age, and mean age of starting propranolol treatment was 7.7 ± 10.5 weeks of age. 44.3% of patients experienced > 75% improvement, while 29.1% experienced improvement of 50%-75%. Response to treatment was influenced by the age of starting treatment. CONCLUSION Our study provides further evidence of the efficacy and safety of propranolol in the treatment of IH in an Asian population. Early treatment is recommended for optimal results.

Humans ; Pharmaceutical Preparations ; Singapore

Objective: This study aims to identify the epidemiological characteristics and co-morbidities of eyelid injuries among Filipino patients seen at the Emergency and Out-patient Clinics of a single, tertiary, government, urbanbased hospital from June 2014 to June 2015. Methods: This is a retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive single-center study. Medical records of 85 patients who consulted at the Emergency or Out-Patient Clinics of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences of the Philippine General Hospital, Manila due to eyelid injuries that resulted to skin breaks with or without tissue loss or other ocular co-morbidities were reviewed. Information collected included: demographic data of the patient; the offending object; mechanism, place, date and time of injury; date and time of consult; possible risk factors and predisposing conditions such as alcohol intoxication and lack of use of protective gears. Complications associated with eyelid injuries were also noted. Descriptive statistics was used for analysis of patient demographics, epidemiologic characteristics of eyelid injuries and its associated complications. Results: Of the 85 cases, 78% were males. Most of the patients were below 50 years of age with a range of 1-79 and a mean age of 25 years old. There is male preponderance across all age groups except in the pediatric group below 10 years of age. The right eye was involved in 58% of cases. The most common area affected was the right lower lid as seen in 36 cases. Most of the eyelid injuries were severe: 21 (25%) were margin-involving, 17 (20%) had canalicular transection and 34 (40%) had both. Other co-morbidities included some degree of tissue loss or avulsion (16%) and globe involvement (29%). Majority were accidental (36%). Public places (33%) and the home (33%) were the most common places of injury. Most of the injuries that happened at home were accidents (82%) while those that occurred in public places were mostly assault cases (71%). The most common offending objects that caused the eyelid injuries included metal (33%), pavement/cement (18%), and wood (16%). The most common mechanism of injury was blunt trauma (67%). There were 18 cases of vehicular crash, 89% of the patients were not wearing helmets. All work-related injuries reported absence of protective gear. Alcohol intoxication was reported in 30% of assault cases and 72% of vehicular crash. Conclusion Eyelid injuries continue to pose as a public health concern. Campaigns organized toward educating the public can stress on the importance of increased vigilance regarding safety especially in children and young adults. Use of protective gear and eyewear while driving or working in hazardous environments should also be emphasized. Monitoring of public places for any disturbance can prevent violent acts from escalating. The AntiDrunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013 should also be strictly enforced.
Accidents ; Driving Under the Influence