Predicting the replicability of social and behavioural science claims in COVID-19 preprints.

Replications are important for assessing the reliability of published findings. However, they are costly, and it is infeasible to replicate everything. Accurate, fast, lower-cost alternatives such as eliciting predictions could accelerate assessment for rapid policy implementation in a crisis and help guide a more efficient allocation of scarce replication resources.

Piloting an intraoral pH device to track gastroesophageal reflux in adults.

This study evaluated in vivo, an intraoral device against the gold standard esophageal device for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) monitoring. Subjects scheduled for a catheter-based esophageal pH/impedance testing at a gastroenterology clinic were recruited. They were screened using the GerdQ questionnaire, demographics and dental conditions recorded.

Antibody glycan quality predicted from CHO cell culture media markers and machine learning.

N-glycosylation can have a profound effect on the quality of mAb therapeutics. In biomanufacturing, one of the ways to influence N-glycosylation patterns is by altering the media used to grow mAb cell expression systems. Here, we explore the potential of machine learning (ML) to forecast the abundances of N-glycan types based on variables related to the growth media.

Examining resilience in Singapore in the face of COVID-19 community restrictions.

Introduction: To curb transmission of COVID-19, Singapore has experienced multiple, ongoing community restrictions. Gaining the ability to adapt and thrive under pressure will be key to addressing effects of these restrictions on mental health. To inform this, we examine the following research questions, (1) What typifies adversity related to living with on-off COVID-19 restrictions? (2) Who are the resilient? (3) How are negative effects of adversity attenuated?

Methods: Participants were a part of the Strengthening Our Community's Resilience Against Threats from Emerging Infections (SOCRATES) cohort, invited to participate in this survey either via email or text message.

What Has Longitudinal 'Omics' Studies Taught Us about Irritable Bowel Syndrome? A Systematic Review.

Irritable bowel syndrome is a prototypical disorder of the brain-gut-microbiome axis, although the underlying pathogenesis and mechanisms remain incompletely understood. With the recent advances in 'omics' technologies, studies have attempted to uncover IBS-specific variations in the host-microbiome profile and function. However, no biomarker has been identified to date.

A hybrid piezoelectric and triboelectric nanogenerator with lead-free BZT-BCT/PDMS composite and PVA film for scavenging mechanical energy.

A hybrid piezo/triboelectric nanogenerator (H/P-TENG) is designed for mechanical energy harvesting using polymer ceramic composite films; polydimethylsiloxane/Ba(ZrTi)O-0.5(BaCa)TiO (PDMS/BZT-BCT) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). A lead-free BZT-BCT piezoelectric ceramic was prepared solid-state method and blended into PDMS to form a series of polymer-ceramic composite films, ranging from 5% to 30% by weight.

Volatile organic compounds as potential biomarkers of irritable bowel syndrome: A systematic review.

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent gastrointestinal disease characterized by intermittent abdominal pain with altered bowel habits. Due to the condition's chronicity, patients suffer from poor quality of life, while the healthcare burden continues to grow. There is currently no reliable biomarker for the diagnosis of IBS, and the current approach depends on ruling-out organic diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer by markers of inflammation like fecal calprotectin and C-reactive protein, or invasive procedures like a colonoscopy.

Basal body organization and cell geometry during the cell cycle in .

possesses arrays of motile cilia that promote fluid flow for cell motility. These consist of intricately organized basal bodies (BBs) that nucleate and position cilia at the cell cortex. cell geometry and spatial organization of BBs play important roles in cell size, swimming, feeding, and division.

Asia-Pacific guidelines for managing functional dyspepsia overlapping with other gastrointestinal symptoms.

Contemporary systems for the diagnosis and management gastrointestinal symptoms not attributable to organic diseases (Functional GI Disorders, FGID, now renamed Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction, DGBI) seek to categorize patients into narrowly defined symptom-based sub-classes to enable targeted treatment of patient cohorts with similar underlying putative pathophysiology. However, an overlap of symptom categories frequently occurs and has a negative impact on treatment outcomes. There is a lack of guidance on their management.

Basal bodies bend in response to ciliary forces.

Motile cilia beat with an asymmetric waveform consisting of a power stroke that generates a propulsive force and a recovery stroke that returns the cilium back to the start. Cilia are anchored to the cell cortex by basal bodies (BBs) that are directly coupled to the ciliary doublet microtubules (MTs). We find that, consistent with ciliary forces imposing on BBs, bending patterns in BB triplet MTs are responsive to ciliary beating.

Determining the Prevalence and Correlates of COVID-19 Booster Vaccine Hesitancy in the Singapore Population Following the Completion of the Primary Vaccination Series.

In response to declining vaccine-induced immunity and the emergence of new COVID-19 variants, COVID-19 booster vaccination programmes have been widely launched in several high-income countries. However, public response has been slow, and scepticism about these programmes is rising in these settings. This study sought to identify the sociodemographic, emotional, and psychological factors associated with COVID-19 booster vaccine hesitancy in Singapore.

Intracellular connections between basal bodies promote the coordinated behavior of motile cilia.

Hydrodynamic flow produced by multiciliated cells is critical for fluid circulation and cell motility. Hundreds of cilia beat with metachronal synchrony for fluid flow. Cilia-driven fluid flow produces extracellular hydrodynamic forces that cause neighboring cilia to beat in a synchronized manner.

Improving hand hygiene in a medical ward: a multifaceted approach.

Background: Hand hygiene is a fundamental action which is simple, inexpensive and an effective tool in reducing hospital-acquired infections, yet compliance remains low in healthcare settings. In 2014, Changi General Hospital embarked on a pilot project to improve hand hygiene compliance in a pilot ward with the intention to eventually spread a multifaceted set of interventions hospital wide.

Methods: A before and after interventional study of a pilot project.

Diversity and Ecological Guild Analysis of the Oil Palm Fungal Microbiome Across Root, Rhizosphere, and Soil Compartments.

The rhizosphere microbiome is a major determinant of plant health, which can interact with the host directly and indirectly to promote or suppress productivity. Oil palm is one of the world's most important crops, constituting over a third of global vegetable oil production. Currently there is little understanding of the oil palm microbiome and its contribution to plant health and productivity, with existing knowledge based almost entirely on culture dependent studies.

Evaluating Rates and Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy for Adults and Children in the Singapore Population: Strengthening Our Community's Resilience against Threats from Emerging Infections (SOCRATEs) Cohort.

COVID-19 vaccines are crucial for achieving sufficient immunisation coverage to manage the pandemic, but vaccine hesitancy persists. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and determinants of vaccine hesitancy in adults and in parents for vaccinating their children using an integrated social cognition model. A community-based cohort in Singapore [ = 1623] completed a survey (wave 25) between June and July 2021 which measured their risk perceptions, distress, trust, vaccination beliefs, and vaccine intentions/behaviours.

Ciliate cortical organization and dynamics for cell motility: Comparing ciliates and vertebrates.

The generation of efficient fluid flow is crucial for organismal development and homeostasis, sexual reproduction, and motility. Multi-ciliated cells possess fields of motile cilia that beat in synchrony to propel fluid. Ciliary arrays are remarkably conserved in their organization and function.

Is There an Increasing Incidence of Gastroesophageal Junctional Adenocarcinoma and Barrett Esophagus in Asia? A Review of Diagnostic Conundrums.

Background: Epidemiology data of gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancers in Asia are extremely scarce. It is hardly registered by any cancer registry in the region, and only a few reports are available. Based on existing literature works, the overall trend indicates similar or gradually increasing GEJ cancers in Asia but comparably less than the West.

Guidance on performance and reporting of high-resolution oesophageal manometry and ambulatory pH monitoring in Singapore.

Introduction: We aimed to provide a practical and evidence-based guide on the indications, performance and reporting of high-resolution oesophageal manometry (HRM) and ambulatory pH monitoring (PHM) in adult patients in Singapore.

Methods: The guideline committee comprised local gastroenterologists from public and private sectors with particular expertise in aspects of HRM and PHM, and it was tasked to produce evidence-based statements on the indications, performance and reporting of these tests. Each committee member performed literature searches to retrieve relevant articles within the context of domains to which they were assigned.

Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) after peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM).

Background: Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is gaining traction as a minimally invasive treatment of achalasia. Increased reflux is reported after POEM but the incidence, type and severity of reflux are not fully understood. We aimed to study the prevalence and nature of reflux after POEM and correlate reflux with endoscopy and pH-impedance findings.

Review of the role of gastrointestinal multiplex polymerase chain reaction in the management of diarrheal illness.

Acute and chronic diarrheal illness secondary to gastrointestinal infection is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality around the world. A cornerstone of management includes prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment of culprit pathogens. Timely diagnosis can improve patient care, assist in infection control, and prevent disease outbreaks.

Multinational survey on the preferred approach to management of Barrett's esophagus in the Asia-Pacific region.

Background: Major societies provide differing guidance on management of Barrett's esophagus (BE), making standardization challenging.

Aim: To evaluate the preferred diagnosis and management practices of BE among Asian endoscopists.

Methods: Endoscopists from across Asia were invited to participate in an online questionnaire comprising eleven questions regarding diagnosis, surveillance and management of BE.

Poor Outcomes of Cirrhosis due to Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Compared With Hepatitis B After Decompensation With Ascites.

Introduction: Decompensation with ascites portends a poor prognosis in cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with hepatitis B virus (HBV) cirrhosis after decompensation with ascites.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the outcomes of patients with NASH and HBV cirrhosis who were admitted to hospital for first-onset ascites from January 1, 2004, to June 30, 2015.

Identifying COVID-19 cases in outpatient settings.

Case identification is an ongoing issue for the COVID-19 epidemic, in particular for outpatient care where physicians must decide which patients to prioritise for further testing. This paper reports tools to classify patients based on symptom profiles based on 236 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 positive cases and 564 controls, accounting for the time course of illness using generalised multivariate logistic regression. Significant symptoms included abdominal pain, cough, diarrhoea, fever, headache, muscle ache, runny nose, sore throat, temperature between 37.