Insomnia during the COVID-19 pandemic: prevalence and correlates in a multi-ethnic population Singapore.

Background: Globally, the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a significant impact on mental health. Sudden lifestyle changes, threatening information received through various sources, fear of infection and other stressors led to sleep disturbances such as insomnia. The current study aimed to assess the prevalence of insomnia and its associated risk factors during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic among Singapore residents.

Facile preparation of polyethyleneimine-conjugated silver sulfide nanoparticles as near-infrared-responsive to sterilization of multidrug resistant uropathogens, and cytotoxicity activity.

Unlabelled: We present the chemical synthesis of polyethyleneimine-conjugated silver sulfide nanoparticles (PEI/AS) utilizing an economical solvothermal synthesis method, aimed at developing effective alternative antibacterial agents. The antibacterial efficacy of the synthesized materials, both with and without the application of near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation, was evaluated in vitro against two distinct clinically relevant multi-drug-resistant (MDR) uropathogenic strains: and . The bactericidal effects induced by NIR light indicate that the PEI/AS nanoparticles possess an efficiency that is five times greater than that of AgS alone.

Feasible Preparation of Naphthalimide-Functionalized Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 for Control, and Fluorescence Detection of Virus: Optimization of Model Study.

The onset of the coronavirus has highlighted the critical need to swift diagnostic techniques to identify the virus. Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) have attracted considerable attention in the field of sensing due to the remarkable characteristics. The present research examines the microwave preparation of naphthalimide-functionalized zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (NI/ZIF-8) to the detection of coronavirus as a probe.

Management of Spinal Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis in Children: A Systematic Review.

Background: Spinal Langerhans cell histiocytosis can manifest as solitary site unifocal form or as systemic form in children. The management options for solitary spinal site unifocal form are many. They include spontaneous resolution of the lesion and supervised treatment, steroid injection of the lesion, systemic chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery.

Preparation of amorphous Nd/Dy-based metal organic framework@MXene for solar driven selective photocatalytic and serving as sensor for fluorescence quenching detection, and biological activity.

The development of a new Neodymium/Dysprosium metal-organic framework, referred to as Nd/Dy-BTC MOF, based on benzene-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid, has been achieved through an in situ growth process on 2D transition metal carbides (MXene) surfaces. This synthesis was conducted via a solvothermal method utilizing a solvent mixture of water, ethanol, and dimethylformamide. The primary objective of this research is to investigate the framework's efficacy as a photocatalyst for the degradation of anionic dye, as well as its potential for sensing certain explosives.

Excess costs of depression among a population-based older adults with chronic diseases in Singapore.

Background: There is limited evidence on the economic burden of depression among the older population in Singapore.

Objective: We aim to evaluate the impact of depression on healthcare expenditure and productivity loss among older adults with chronic diseases in Singapore.

Methods: Using the data from the Well-being of the Singapore Elderly study (WiSE), a 2011 national representative survey of older adults aged 60 years and above, 2510 respondents were included in this study.

Factors influencing smoking cessation: Insights from Singapore's nationwide health and lifestyle survey.

Introduction: Singapore has implemented an evidence-based smoking cessation framework to support smokers in quitting. Our study investigated the prevalence and correlates of (1) quit attempts (QA) and quit intentions (QI) among current smokers, and (2) smoking cessation (SC) among ever-smokers in Singapore.

Method: Data was collected from a nationwide survey conducted between 2020 and 2022.

The views and experiences of older adults regarding digital mental health interventions: a systematic review of qualitative studies.

This systematic review aimed to synthesise qualitative evidence on the views and experiences of older adults in using digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) for the prevention or self-management of mental disorders. We searched PubMed, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and the first 100 results of Google Scholar for eligible studies and we included 37 papers reporting 35 studies in this Review. Most DMHIs were delivered using mobile apps (n=11), websites (n=6), and video-conferencing tools (n=6).

A modified transactional model of stress and coping on depressive symptoms among informal caregivers of persons with dementia.

Informal caregivers are crucial to the care of persons with dementia (PWD), but their role is often reported as challenging. This study aims to examine caregiver stress and depressive symptoms among informal caregivers of PWD using a modified transactional stress and coping model. Path analysis was conducted among a sample of informal caregivers of PWD in Singapore (n = 281) using information on functional dependence and memory and behavioral problems of PWD, and self-reported measurements on caregivers' knowledge of dementia, perceived positive aspects of caregiving, social support, coping patterns, caregiving self-efficacy, caregiving burden and depressive symptoms.

Joint encryption and error correction for secure quantum communication.

Secure quantum networks are a bedrock requirement for developing a future quantum internet. However, quantum channels are susceptible to channel noise that introduce errors in the transmitted data. The traditional approach to providing error correction typically encapsulates the message in an error correction code after encryption.

Prevalence of diabetes mellitus-related complications and their impact on health-related quality of life in Singapore.

Introduction: One in three Singaporeans is at risk of developing DM (DM) in their lifetime. The majority of those with DM experience other comorbidities that often affect the course of their DM. This study explored: (a) the prevalence of DM-related complications, (b) their sociodemographic correlates, and (c) their association with health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

Adherence to COVID-19 measures and the associated factors: evidence from a two-wave longitudinal study in Singapore.

Background: At the onset of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic when pharmaceutical interventions were not readily available, governments relied on public health mandates and social distancing measures to counter rising infection rates. In order to address the dearth of longitudinal studies, this study sought to identify factors associated with continued adherence to COVID-19 preventive behaviours in Singapore.

Methods: Data were from a two-wave longitudinal cohort study; baseline study was conducted from May 2020 to June 2021 and follow-up study from October 2021 to September 2022.

Predicting public mental health needs in a crisis using social media indicators: a Singapore big data study.

Mental health issues have increased substantially since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, health policymakers do not have adequate data and tools to predict mental health demand, especially amid a crisis. Using time-series data collected in Singapore, this study examines if and how algorithmically measured emotion indicators from Twitter posts can help forecast emergency mental health needs.

Examining bystander intervention for peer depression and sociodemographic correlates among university students in Singapore.

Introduction: The Advancing Research To Eliminate Mental Illness Stigma (ARTEMIS) study evaluated the impact of an intervention developed and implemented in Singapore on attitudes towards depression in university students. We aimed to assess the likelihood of university students intervening when their peers suffer from depression, before and after the ARTEMIS intervention.

Methods: 390 students were recruited from a university in Singapore.

Diabetes Self-Care Behaviors in Singapore and Their Associations With Patients' Characteristics and Health Literacy.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between self-management behaviors (eg, healthy eating, being active, medication taking, glucose monitoring, feet check), sociodemographic factors, disease-related characteristics, and health literacy among patients with type 2 diabetes in Singapore.

Methods: Data were analyzed from a nationwide survey conducted between 2019 and 2020 (n = 387). Self-management behaviors were assessed using the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension questionnaire, the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire, and a diabetes care questionnaire.

Spontaneous ruptured pyomyoma: A rare yet critical postpartum complication: A case report.

Pyomyoma, a rare complication of leiomyoma, presents a unique clinical challenge due to its infrequency with potentially fatal complications. Herein, we report the case of a 44-year-old Para 3+1 woman with red degeneration of uterine fibroids during pregnancy, who experienced worsening abdominal pain and foul smelling vaginal discharge 1 week post Caesarean section. Despite hemodynamic stability, her septic markers were markedly raised.

Understanding Major Depressive Disorder in Singapore: Insights from the second Singapore Mental Health Study (SMHS 2016).

Background: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) poses significant public health challenges globally and in Southeast Asia, with substantial impairment and disease burden. Understanding its prevalence and associated risk factors is crucial for effective intervention.

Methods: This study aims to describe the prevalence shifts, correlates, and comorbidities of MDD in Singapore.

Low-Cost Self-Reconstructed High Entropy Oxide as an Ultra-Durable OER Electrocatalyst for Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzer.

Future energy loss can be minimized to a greater extent via developing highly active electrocatalysts for alkaline water electrolyzers. Incorporating an innovative design like high entropy oxides, dealloying, structural reconstruction, in situ activation can potentially reduce the energy barriers between practical and theoretical potentials. Here, a Fd-3m spinel group high entropy oxide is developed via a simple solvothermal and calcination approach.

Facilitators and barriers of help-seeking for persons with dementia in Asia-findings from a qualitative study of informal caregivers.

Background And Aim: The deterioration in cognition of persons with dementia (PWD) makes their caregivers key players in their help-seeking process. This study aimed to identify the facilitators and barriers of help-seeking for persons with dementia in Asia from the perspective of their informal caregivers.

Methods: A qualitative methodology was adopted in the current study.

Health and disability - a multi-group latent class analysis of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 among those with mental and physical health conditions.

Background: This study aims to identify disability classes among people with schizophrenia spectrum disorder, depression, anxiety or diabetes via the WHODAS 2.0; investigate the invariance of disability patterns among the four diagnostic groups; and examine associations between disability classes and sociodemographic variables.

Methods: Patients seeking treatment for schizophrenia spectrum disorder, depression, anxiety or diabetes (n=1076) were recruited.

A qualitative enquiry on the impact of mental illness stigma on caregiving role and experiences in Singapore.

Introduction: Given that mental illness stigma is a common occurrence amongst people with mental illness and caregivers (CGs) can be a potential victim of stigma themselves, there is a need to examine caregivers' perspective on the phenomenon. This study is part of a larger study which aims to qualitatively examine the concept of mental illness stigma amongst different stakeholders in Singapore.

Methods: Focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted amongst 21 informal caregivers to explore the experience of stigma encountered by them and their care recipients, and how it may implicate their caregiving experience.