COVID-19 infection after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination in Multiple Sclerosis, AQP4-antibody NMOSD and MOGAD patients during the Omicron subvariant BA.1/2 wave in Singapore.

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant appears to cause milder infections, however, its capacity for immune evasion and high transmissibility despite vaccination remains a concern, particularly in immunosuppressed patients. Herein, we investigate the incidence and risk factors for COVID-19 infection in vaccinated adult patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Aquaporin-4-antibody Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (AQP4-Ab NMOSD), and Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein-antibody associated disease (MOGAD) during the Omicron subvariant BA.1/2 wave in Singapore.

Improving knowledge, attitudes and beliefs: a cross-sectional study of postpartum depression awareness among social support networks during COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia.

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is the most prevalent mental health disorder after childbirth, notably during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, PPD is known to have a long-term influence on the mother and the newborn, and the role of social support network is crucial in early illness recognition. This study aims to evaluate the social support networks' level of knowledge, attitudes and beliefs regarding PPD and examine their sociodemographic variables and exposure to the public information relating to PPD during the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia.

Letter to editor: Emerging public health challenge in UK: perception and belief on increased COVID19 death among BAME healthcare workers.

A cross-sectional survey of Black Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) health care workers evaluating their perception and belief on increased Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) death among BAME health care workers was conducted in Leicester. They found that 72% of respondents had some form of impact on their mental health but the majority were satisfied with the overall support they received from local health care providers. In conclusion, adequate culturally competent mental health support is necessary as the BAME workforce is routinely involved in frontline work.

Neonatal eye screening for 203 healthy term new-borns using a wide-field digital retinal imaging system.

Background: The current practice for new-born eye examination by an Ophthalmologist in Malaysian hospitals is limited to only preterm new-borns, syndromic or ill infants. Healthy term new-borns are usually discharged without a thorough eye examination. This study is aimed at determining the proportion and types of ocular abnormalities detected in purportedly healthy term new-borns.

COVID-19 and the pulmonary complications of sickle cell disease.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) patients are commonly affected by pulmonary complications such as acute chest syndrome (ACS), pulmonary embolism (PE) and pneumonia that contribute to significant mortality risks. With a greater susceptibility to infection, they are deemed to be vulnerable patients during the current COVID-19 pandemic. In emerging small case studies of SCD patients with COVID-19 and further complicated by pneumonia, ACS, and/or PE, the clinical benefits of early exchange transfusion and Tocilizumab are evident.

Synthesis of porous chitosan-polyaniline/ZnO hybrid composite and application for removal of reactive orange 16 dye.

For the first time, chitosan-polyaniline/ZnO hybrids were prepared through a polymerization of aniline hydrochloride in the presence of ZnCl2 and chitosan. The hybrid materials were characterized by FT-IR, BET, SEM, UV-vis spectra and XRD analysis. From the BET and SEM micrographs, the introduction of ZnO nanoparticles into chitosan-polyaniline hybrid could obviously increase the porosity due to good possibility for dye adsorption.

Atracurium and vecuronium: effect of dose on the time of onset.

The time intervals measured from the administration of either atracurium or vecuronium to maximum or 95% neuromuscular blockade (Tmax) were compared in 70 patients using the evoked compound action potential of the adductor pollicis muscle. Equipotent doses, calculated from the relationship between dose and response for both drugs obtained in an earlier study, were compared. The doses of atracurium and vecuronium ranged from 0.

Intravenous anaesthesia for cystoscopy: a comparison of propofol or methohexitone with alfentanil.

Sixty out-patients undergoing cystoscopy were allocated randomly into two groups. No premedication was given. Induction of anaesthesia was preceded by intravenous alfentanil 7 micrograms kg-1 given over 20 s, followed by methohexitone 1.

Actions of morphine, pethidine and pentazocine on the oestrus and pregnant rat uterus in vitro.

The effects of morphine, pethidine and pentazocine have been studied on the rat uterus in vitro. Morphine caused a concentration-dependent decrease in the frequency of contraction of the oestrus uterus. In contrast, both pethidine and pentazocine enhanced the contraction rate.