Evidence-Based Strategies for Warm Compress Therapy in Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.

Aim: Despite promising results from technological therapies like intense pulsed light application, warm compress therapy is a mainstay in meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). However, applying warm compresses (WC) to the eyelids is palliative rather than curative and not always dispensed with specific instructions. The range of eyelid warming treatments available and lack of clear directives for use creates uncertainty for patients accustomed to explicit dosage information.

Are self-test kits still relevant post COVID-19 pandemic? Qualitative study on working adults' perceptions.

Background: Other than self-isolation measures, self-testing is likely to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 and may become a valuable approach in future outbreaks of infectious diseases. This study delves into the perceptions and experiences of working adults who utilised COVID-19 self-test kits in Singapore during the post-pandemic period.

Methods: Employing a qualitative descriptive design, in-depth interviews were conducted with 40 working adults from diverse occupations, with a median age of 35 years.

A Cross-Platform Comparison of Affymetrix, Agilent, and Illumina Microarray Reveals Functional Genomics in Colorectal Cancer Progression.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers with the second highest mortality rate in the world. The microarray can be used to collect gene expression alteration information from many tissue samples that will be useful to understand colorectal cancer from the molecular level. However, the mechanism behind the progression from normal to cancer is not fully understood.

Discovery of Potent Non-Nucleoside Inhibitors of Dengue Viral RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase from a Fragment Hit Using Structure-Based Drug Design.

The discovery and optimization of non-nucleoside dengue viral RNA-dependent-RNA polymerase (RdRp) inhibitors are described. An X-ray-based fragment screen of Novartis' fragment collection resulted in the identification of a biphenyl acetic acid fragment 3, which bound in the palm subdomain of RdRp. Subsequent optimization of the fragment hit 3, relying on structure-based design, resulted in a >1000-fold improvement in potency in vitro and acquired antidengue activity against all four serotypes with low micromolar EC50 in cell-based assays.

Small molecule inhibitors that selectively block dengue virus methyltransferase.

Crystal structure analysis of Flavivirus methyltransferases uncovered a flavivirus-conserved cavity located next to the binding site for its cofactor, S-adenosyl-methionine (SAM). Chemical derivatization of S-adenosyl-homocysteine (SAH), the product inhibitor of the methylation reaction, with substituents that extend into the identified cavity, generated inhibitors that showed improved and selective activity against dengue virus methyltransferase (MTase), but not related human enzymes. Crystal structure of dengue virus MTase with a bound SAH derivative revealed that its N6-substituent bound in this cavity and induced conformation changes in residues lining the pocket.

A survey of lifestyle risk factors for cardiovascular health among young Hong Kong Chinese women: implications for long-term cardiovascular health.

Purpose: To establish baseline data in a population of young Chinese women from which lifestyle risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the implications for long-term cardiovascular health can be examined.

Methods: In a cross-sectional postal survey, a 125-item questionnaire (a translated version of the Minnesota Women's Health Survey) assessing lifestyle risk factors and perceptions of health was mailed to 987 Hong Kong Chinese nurses aged 26 years and returned by 617, yielding a response rate of 63%.

Results: Of the women surveyed, 7% reported they smoked, 21% consumed alcohol regularly, and 32% exercised regularly.

Peptide deformylase inhibitors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: synthesis, structural investigations, and biological results.

Bacterial peptide deformylase (PDF) belongs to a subfamily of metalloproteases catalyzing the removal of the N-terminal formyl group from newly synthesized proteins. We report the synthesis and biological activity of highly potent inhibitors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) PDF enzyme as well as the first X-ray crystal structure of Mtb PDF. Structure-activity relationship and crystallographic data clarified the structural requirements for high enzyme potency and cell based potency.

Vocational rehabilitation program for persons with occupational deafness.

Introduction: A pilot return-to-work program based on the concept of work readiness and three-month job placement with support was developed to enable people with occupational deafness to return to the workforce.

Methods: A convenient sample of six male persons with occupational deafness completed the program. A Pretest-Posttest Single Group Design was utilized to measure the program outcome.

Oral complications in Chinese cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

In this study the oral status and mucositis-related symptoms in 94 Chinese cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy for with curative intent were examined. Data were collected by a research nurse at three stages over a period of 16 days: at the start, on day 8, and on day 16 of chemotherapy. The majority of subjects experienced a mild to moderate degree of mucositis with the highest score reported on day 8.