The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Diagnosis, Treatment, and Outcomes of Colorectal Cancer in Singapore.

: During the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries implemented lockdowns and social distancing measures, which may delay the early diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aims to review the impact of the pandemic on the diagnosis and treatment outcomes of CRC. : Patients who underwent colonoscopy or surgery for CRC were included.

Correction to "Optochemical Control of mTOR Signaling and mTOR-Dependent Autophagy".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.1c00230.

Exploring the General Acceptability and User Experience of a Digital Therapeutic for Cognitive Training in a Singaporean Older Adult Population: Qualitative Study.

Background: Singapore's large aging population poses significant challenges for the health care system in managing cognitive decline, underscoring the importance of identifying and implementing effective interventions. Cognitive training delivered remotely as a digital therapeutic (DTx) may serve as a scalable and accessible approach to overcoming these challenges. While previous studies indicate the potential of cognitive training as a promising solution for managing cognitive decline, understanding the attitudes and experiences of older adults toward using such DTx platforms remains relatively unexplored.

Association of real life postural transitions kinematics with fatigue in neurodegenerative and immune diseases.

Fatigue is prevalent in immune-mediated inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases, yet its assessment relies largely on patient-reported outcomes, which capture perception but not fluctuations over time. Wearable sensors, like inertial measurement units (IMUs), offer a way to monitor daily activities and evaluate functional capacity. This study investigates the relationship between sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit transitions and self-reported physical and mental fatigue in participants with Parkinson's, Huntington's, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, primary Sjögren's syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.

Molecular and spatial analysis of tertiary lymphoid structures in Sjogren's syndrome.

Tertiary lymphoid structures play important roles in autoimmune and non-autoimmune conditions. While many of the molecular mechanisms involved in tertiary lymphoid structure formation have been identified, the cellular sources and temporal and spatial relationship remain unknown. Here we use combine single-cell RNA-sequencing, spatial transcriptomics and proteomics of minor salivary glands of patients with Sjogren's disease and Sicca Syndrome, with ex-vivo functional studies to construct a cellular and spatial map of key components involved in the formation and function of tertiary lymphoid structures.

Surface remodeling and inversion of cell-matrix interactions underlie community recognition and dispersal in Vibrio cholerae biofilms.

Biofilms are ubiquitous surface-associated bacterial communities embedded in an extracellular matrix. It is commonly assumed that biofilm cells are glued together by the matrix; however, how the specific biochemistry of matrix components affects the cell-matrix interactions and how these interactions vary during biofilm growth remain unclear. Here, we investigate cell-matrix interactions in Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of cholera.

iPSC-derived human sensory neurons reveal a subset of TRPV1 antagonists as anti-pruritic compounds.

Signaling interplay between the histamine 1 receptor (H1R) and transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1) in mediating histaminergic itch has been well-established in mammalian models, but whether this is conserved in humans remains to be confirmed due to the difficulties in obtaining human sensory neurons (SNs) for experimentation. Additionally, previously reported species-specific differences in TRPV1 function indicate that use of human SNs is vital for drug candidate screening to have a higher chance of identifying clinically effective TRPV1 antagonists. In this study, we built a histamine-dependent itch model using peripheral SNs derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC-SNs), which provides an accessible source of human SNs for pre-clinical drug screening.

Artificial intelligence education in medical imaging: A scoping review.

Background: The rise of Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping healthcare, particularly in medical imaging. In this emerging field, clinical imaging personnel need proper training. However, formal AI education is lacking in medical curricula, coupled with a shortage of studies synthesising the availability of AI curricula tailored for clinical imaging personnel.

Foxing of Watercolor Paper and Environmental Control as Preventive Actions.

In Singapore's hot and humid climate, watercolor papers are particularly prone to a paper oxidation issue known as foxing, which refers to the discoloration forming yellowish-brown stains on paper, changing the visual outcome of the watercolor artworks. This research investigates two most popular types of watercolor paper, made from 100 % cotton and cotton-wood-pulp mixture. Foxing was generally categorized into two types: biotic and abiotic foxing caused by fungi activities and the presence of metallic contaminants catalytic fungi growth.

Ablative techniques in colorectal liver metastases: A systematic review, descriptive summary of practice, and recommendations for optimal data reporting.

Background: Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) and Microwave Ablation (MWA) are alternative treatments for colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) patients that are unsuitable for resection. However, consensus is lacking regarding selection criteria, tumour characteristics, ablation technique delivery, and device settings. This study aims to summarise current evidence to inform future prospective studies.

Compassionate access to virus-specific T cells for adoptive immunotherapy over 15 years.

Adoptive T-cell immunotherapy holds great promise for the treatment of viral complications in immunocompromised patients resistant to standard anti-viral strategies. We present a retrospective analysis of 78 patients from 19 hospitals across Australia and New Zealand, treated over the last 15 years with "off-the-shelf" allogeneic T cells directed to a combination of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), BK polyomavirus (BKV), John Cunningham virus (JCV) and/or adenovirus (AdV) under the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration's Special Access Scheme. Most patients had severe post-transplant viral complications, including drug-resistant end-organ CMV disease, BKV-associated haemorrhagic cystitis and EBV-driven post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder.

Adrenal oncocytoma: a rare presentation of a benign 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET avid virilising adrenal tumour.

A woman in her 70s presented with features of hyperandrogenism including clitoral enlargement and deepening of her voice. Biochemical investigations revealed raised plasma androgens and urinary androgen metabolites and imaging findings showed a highly F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET avid left adrenal tumour initially suspected to be a malignant adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). She subsequently underwent an uncomplicated laparoscopic adrenalectomy where complete resection of her tumour was achieved.

The Impact of Genetic Mutations on the Efficacy of Immunotherapies in Lung Cancer.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, primarily driven by genetic mutations. The most common genetic alterations implicated in lung cancer include mutations in , , , , , , , , , , , and . Targeted therapies have been developed to inhibit cancer growth by focusing on these specific genetic mutations.

Novel pof1 mutation suppresses the sensitivity to DNA replication inhibitor in fission yeast RecQ helicase mutant.

Homologous recombination is vital for DNA double-strand break repair. Dysfunction in homologous recombination can lead to cell death, mutations, and cancer. In fission yeast (Schizosaccharomyces pombe), RecQ helicase Rqh1 resolves recombination intermediates.

The Feasibility of Implementing the WHO Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) Framework in Singapore.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) introduced the Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) approach to assist communities in evaluating the intrinsic capacities of older adults and proposing strategies to prevent, mitigate, or reverse declines. This study represents the inaugural attempt to assess intrinsic capacities among older adults in Singapore, aligning with the nation's Healthier Singapore (Healthier SG) initiative aimed at enhancing quality of life.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the feasibility of implementing Step 1 screening of the ICOPE framework, which assesses cognition, locomotion, vitality, psychological state, visual and auditory functions, within the Singapore context.

Temporal trend of drug overdose-related deaths and excess deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic: a population-based study in the United States from 2012 to 2022.

Background: Drug overdose is an escalating public health crisis in the United States (U.S.).

Final results of the National Oncology Mentorship Program 2023 and its impact on burnout and professional fulfilment.

Background And Aims: Significant burnout and low professional fulfilment are noted among medical oncologists and trainees. The National Oncology Mentorship Programme (NOMP23) was designed to evaluate the impact of a 1-year mentorship program between oncology trainees (mentees) and consultants (mentors) on improving professional fulfilment and burnout.

Methods: NOMP23 was a single-arm, prospective cohort study.