Association between serum urate levels and all-cause mortality, cardiovascular and renal outcomes among gout patients in Singapore.

Objectives: We investigated the longitudinal association between Serum Urate (SU) level and Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI), Stroke, End Stage Renal Failure (ESRF) and all-cause mortality.

Design: We conducted a retrospective hospital-based cohort study of individuals with gout managed in specialist outpatient clinics. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate HR and 95% CI, with adjustments for potential confounders.

Electrophoresis and Quartz Crystal Microbalance Instrumentation to Sense Nanoplastics in Water.

We report a Technical Note on detecting nanoplastics in water samples through electrophoresis and quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) instrumentation. We conducted electrophoresis experiments by immersing a QCM in a sample of ultrapure water containing polyethylene (PE) nanoplastics. It was interesting to observe that nanoplastics were attracted toward the QCM and adhered to one side of the QCM electrode.

Real-World Evaluation of Point-of-Care Testing for Hepatitis C Antibodies: Navigating Hepatitis C Elimination Effort.

An HCV elimination program aims to diagnose more than 90% of Chronic HCV cases. We critically evaluated the performance of a point-of-care test (POCT) using an HCV Rapid Antibody Test. PWID from 4 Halfway Houses (HWH) in Singapore were recruited from March 2022 to April 2023.

Prevalence and prophylactic management of premolars with dens evaginatus in singaporean school children: a retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: Dens evaginatus (DE) is characterised by the presence of a tubercle projection, which when fractured may lead to pulpal pathology. The aim of this study was to assess prevalence of DE in the local population and the long-term outcomes of asymptomatic DE premolars managed with tubercle grinding and composite overlay.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of 9-year-old Singaporean children.

Clinical Decision-Making of Repair vs. Replacement of Defective Direct Dental Restorations: A Multinational Cross-Sectional Study With Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: This web-based survey, conducted across multiple countries, sought to explore the factors that impact the decision-making of clinicians when it comes to managing defective direct restorations.

Methods: A survey consisting of 14 questions was sent out to dentists in 21 countries through various online platforms. The survey consisted of two sections.

Visit-to-visit HbA1c variability and risk of potentially avoidable hospitalisations in adults with type 2 diabetes receiving outpatient care at a tertiary hospital.

Aims: This study aims to investigate the relationship between long-term visit-to-visit within-person HbA1c variability and hospitalisation outcomes in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods: We conducted a cohort study at a tertiary hospital in Singapore involving people aged 21 to 101 years with T2D who had ≥3 HbA1c tests over 2 years. HbA1c variability was assessed using coefficient of variation (CV), variability independent of the mean (VIM) and HbA1c variability score (HVS).

Verteporfin is an effective inhibitor of HCMV replication.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), a double-stranded DNA virus from the Betaherpesvirinae subfamily, constitutes significant risks to newborns and immunocompromised individuals, potentially leading to severe neurodevelopmental disorders. The purpose of this study was to identify FDA-approved drugs that can inhibit HCMV replication through a drug repositioning approach. Using an HCMV progeny assay, verteporfin, a medication used as a photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy, was found to inhibit HCMV production in a dose-dependent manner, significantly reducing replication at concentrations as low as 0.

Technology-Based Strategy to Improve Medication Compliance Among Patients With Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders.

Introduction: Non-compliance to medications remains a challenging problem in schizophrenia. Newer strategies with high feasibility and acceptability are always being researched. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of technology-based intervention in improving medication compliance in individuals with schizophrenia.

Validation of the Malay Translation of Drug Attitude Inventory.

Introduction: The Drug Attitude Inventory 9 (DAI-9) is a nine-item self-rated questionnaire. The questionnaire assessed positive and negative attitudes of patients toward taking medication, presence of medication side effects and perceived autonomy in treatment decision. Aim This study aimed to validate the psychometric properties of the Malay translation of Drug Attitude Inventory 9 (MDAI-9).

A Case of Primary Hyperparathyroidism Secondary to Parathyroid Adenoma in a Pediatric Patient.

Background/objective: Although common in adults, primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a rare condition in children with the most common etiology being solitary parathyroid adenoma (PTA). The typical presentation is symptomatic hypercalcemia. Management of PHTP secondary to PTA requires excision of the adenoma.

Psychometric Properties of the Malay Translation of the Medication Adherence Rating Scale.

Introduction: The Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS) is a self-rated questionnaire that assesses medication compliance.

Aim: This study aimed to validate the Malaysian language translation of the MARS (MARS-M).

Method: The original scale was translated to Malay via forward and backward translation process.

Factors influencing presentation delay among cancer patients: a cross-sectional study in Malaysia.

Background: Cancer represents a significant global public health challenge, with escalating incidence rates straining healthcare systems. Malaysia, like many nations, has witnessed a rise in cancer cases, particularly among the younger population. This study aligns with Malaysia's National Strategic Plan for Cancer Control Programme 2021-2025, emphasizing primary prevention and early detection to address cancer's impact.

Flecainide causing elevated capture thresholds on pacemaker implantation.

Flecainide is a Vaughan Williams class 1c antiarrhythmic used to treat supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias. It has been described as a rare cause for increased pacemaker capture thresholds. We describe a report of a patient, in her early 80s, presenting with tachy-brady syndrome on a background of permanent atrial fibrillation.

Fabrication and characterization of a two-dimensional individually addressable electrowetting microlens array: erratum.

The authors present an erratum to update the Acknowledgements section in their published article, ["Fabrication and characterization of a two-dimensional individually addressable electrowetting microlens array," Opt. Express31, 30550 (2023)10.1364/OE.

A Novel Respiratory Rate Estimation Algorithm from Photoplethysmogram Using Deep Learning Model.

Respiratory rate (RR) is a critical vital sign that can provide valuable insights into various medical conditions, including pneumonia. Unfortunately, manual RR counting is often unreliable and discontinuous. Current RR estimation algorithms either lack the necessary accuracy or demand extensive window sizes.

Assessing the efficacy of machine learning algorithms for syncope classification: A systematic review.

Syncope is a transient loss of consciousness with rapid onset. The aims of the study were to systematically evaluate available machine learning (ML) algorithm for supporting syncope diagnosis to determine their performance compared to existing point scoring protocols. We systematically searched IEEE Xplore, Web of Science, and Elsevier for English articles (Jan 2011 - Sep 2021) on individuals aged five and above, employing ML algorithms in syncope detection with Head-up titl table test (HUTT)-monitored hemodynamic parameters and reported metrics.

Impact of Weight on Severity of Hospital Course in Children Admitted With COVID-19.

To describe the impact of weight on length of stay (LOS) and oxygen requirement among hospitalized children with COVID-19. This is a retrospective review of 153 children admitted for COVID-19 from March 2020 to October 2021. Body mass index (BMI) percentile and weight-for-age (WFA) percentile were used to determine weight status for children ≥2 years and <2 years respectively.

Extraocular muscle enlargement and proptosis in carotid cavernous fistulas.

Purpose: To evaluate the prevalence and pattern of extraocular muscle enlargement and proptosis in patients with carotid cavernous fistulas (CCF).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on patients with digital subtraction angiography (DSA) confirmed CCFs with neuroimaging (computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging) performed prior to the DSA. The maximum extraocular muscle diameters were recorded.

Fabrication and characterization of a two-dimensional individually addressable electrowetting microlens array.

We demonstrate a two-dimensional, individually tunable electrowetting microlens array fabricated using standard microfabrication techniques. Each lens in our array has a large range of focal tunability from -1.7 mm to -∞ in the diverging regime, which we verify experimentally from 0 to 75 V for a device coated in Parylene C.

Harnessing a real-time location system for contact tracing in a busy emergency department.

Background: With the persistent threat of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs), digital contact tracing (CT) tools can augment conventional CT for the prevention of healthcare-associated infectious disease transmission. However, their performance has yet to be evaluated comprehensively in the fast-paced emergency department (ED) setting.

Objective: This study compared the CT performance of a radiofrequency identification (RFID)-based real-time location system (RTLS) with conventional electronic medical record (EMR) review against continuous direct observation of close contacts ('gold standard') in a busy ED during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic period.