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At least 1,063 records · Page 59Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Histological subtypes of symptomatic central nervous system tumours in Singapore.

The objective was to identify the different subtypes of symptomatic CNS tumours that are encountered in Singapore. Our hospital pathology and operative records from 1994 to 1998 were reviewed and information regarding all patients who underwent biopsy or resection as part of their diagnostic and therapeutic evaluation was extracted. Only histologically confirmed tumours were included in this analysis. Meningiomas made up the largest subgroup of tumours, accounting for 35.1% of all tumours. In order of decreasing frequency, the remaining most often reported histologies were pituitary adenomas (11.8%), secondary neoplasms (10%), tumours of nerve sheath (9.4%), glioblastoma multiforme (9.3%), astrocytomas including anaplastic, diffuse and pilocytic (9.2%), primary CNS lymphomas (2.9%), oligodendrogliomas (2.2%), hemangioblastomas (2. 2%), craniopharyngiomas (1.7%), and embryonal tumours (1.2%). Genetic and environmental factors may be responsible for the proportionately higher than expected percentage of meningiomas seen and further study is required to identify these factors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Appropriate use of personal protective equipment among healthcare workers in public sector hospitals and primary healthcare polyclinics during the SARS outbreak in Singapore.

BACKGROUND: Singapore was affected by an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) from 25 February to 31 May 2003, with 238 probable cases and 33 deaths. AIMS: To study usage of personal protective equipment (PPE) among three groups of healthcare workers (HCWs: doctors, nurses, and administrative staff), to determine if the appropriate PPE were used by the different groups and to examine the factors that may determine inappropriate use. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire survey of 14,554 HCWs in nine healthcare settings, which included tertiary care hospitals, community hospitals, and polyclinics, was carried out in May-July 2003. Only doctors, nurses, and clerical staff were selected for subsequent analysis. RESULTS: A total of 10 236 valid questionnaires were returned (70.3% response); 873 doctors, 4404 nurses, and 921 clerical staff were studied. A total of 32.5% of doctors, 48.7% of nurses, and 77.1% of the administrative staff agreed that paper and/or surgical masks were "useful in protecting from contracting SARS". Among this group, 23.6% of doctors and 42.3% of nurses reported working with SARS patients. The view that a paper and/or surgical mask was adequate protection against SARS was held by 33.3% of doctors and 55.9% of nurses working at the A&E unit, 30.5% of doctors and 49.4% of nurses from medical wards, and 27.5% of doctors and 37.1% of nurses from intensive care units. Factors which predicted for agreement that paper and/or surgical masks were protective against SARS, included HCW's job title, reported contact with SARS patients, area of work, and Impact Events Scale scores. CONCLUSION: A variety of factors determine appropriate use of personal protective equipment by HCWs in the face of a major SARS outbreak.

Administrative Personnel↗
PubMed2004

Determinants of inconsistent condom use with female sex workers among men attending the STD clinic in Singapore.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Female sex workers and their male clients have been identified as risk groups for the transmission of STDs and HIV. Behavioural interventions targeting clients need to address inconsistent condom use among them. The aim of the study is to assess the sociodemographic, behavioural, and psychological factors associated with inconsistent condom use among clients of sex workers. METHODS: 229 male patients attending the STD clinic in Singapore who reported paying for sex in the previous 6 months were interviewed. Response rate was 91%. RESULTS: Overall, 45% used condoms inconsistently; these clients were more likely to have poor STD knowledge, visit sex workers five or more times in the past 6 months, have lower self efficacy, less favourable social norms for condom use, and more likely to forget condom use when intoxicated (alcohol impaired decision making). CONCLUSIONS: Behavioural interventions for clients need to improve STD/HIV transmission knowledge and focus on improving client's self efficacy in using condoms.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae ophthalmia neonatorum in Singapore.

The problem of ophthalmia neonatorum due to penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae (PPNG) has grown with the increasing prevalence of PPNG strains in Singapore. The epidemiological trends, clinical features, and treatment of ophthalmia neonatorum due to PPNG have been determined from the case histories of 11 babies with this condition treated between 1978 and 1980. All 11 cases were cured with a single intramuscular injection of kanamycin 0.5 g and 1% kanamycin eyedrops instilled for three days. In six of the 11 mothers, a non-PPNG strain was isolated.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1984

Susceptibility to antimicrobials of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolated in Singapore: implications on the need for more effective treatment regimens and control strategies.

The antimicrobial susceptibility of gonococci isolated in Singapore has been studied over several years. In 1983, the prevalence of penicillinase producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae (PPNG) was 33.5% and 64% of non-PPNG isolates had minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of penicillin of greater than or equal to 0.5 mg/l. After a control programme, the isolation of the gonococcus from prostitutes was reduced and there was improvement in its susceptibility to antimicrobials. The incidence of PPNG strains was stabilised with a change in the treatment regimen. An influx of foreign prostitutes, however, had an unfavourable impact on these variables. Countries in South East Asia have a high prevalence of PPNG and non-PPNG strains that have reduced susceptibility to antimicrobials. In view of increased air travel the problem should be seen from a global perspective. Better treatment regimens and control strategies are urgently needed.

Ampicillin↗
PubMed1986

Epidemiology of infectious syphilis in Singapore.

The incidence of early infectious syphilis in Singapore rose from 8.7 per 100,000 in 1980 to 25 per 100,000 in 1984. In this epidemiological study of 100 patients with early syphilis, 70 were men, the mean age was 31.7 (range 17 to 68) years, 25 patients had primary syphilis, 47 secondary syphilis, and the remaining 28 had early latent syphilis. Female prostitutes were cited as sources of infection by 46 and homosexual contacts by 11. Reduced herd immunity, decreased use of penicillin, greater population movement, and decreased surveillance and awareness have contributed to this rise in infectious syphilis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Chinese medicine in Malaysia and Singapore: the business of healing.

Traditional Chinese medicine as it persists in several East and Southeast Asian countries, has undergone major changes. Such changes have reinforced the trading aspects of traditional Chinese medical practice with relatively little advantage for the medical care component. This paper examines the nature of changes in contemporary ethnic Chinese medical practice in Malaysia and Singapore with the aim of understanding their implications for the persistence of this medical tradition.

Delivery of Health Care↗
PubMed2000

Spinocerebellar ataxia in Singapore: predictive features of a positive DNA test?

Significant differences in frequency of the different spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) subtypes have been described to occur in different populations. A 'blunderbuss' diagnostic DNA testing approach would entail unnecessary healthcare cost. In this study, we determine the prevalence of SCA subtypes and predictive features of a positive DNA test in consecutive clinically diagnosed SCA cases in Singapore. Twenty-one consecutive patients from 14 families were evaluated over a 3-year period. Thirteen patients (61.9%) from 6 families had a positive DNA test. Eleven of these (all ethnic Chinese) had SCA 3 (abnormal CAG size ranged from 61 to 71), and 2 ethnic Malays had SCA 2 (abnormal CAG size of 39). Clinical features which were highly predictive of a positive DNA SCA test in our population included presence of a positive family history, chorea and dystonia, muscle and tongue fasciculations, gaze-evoked nystagmus, and hypertonia. Our study draws attention to the observation that knowledge of relatively specific features of the most common SCA subtype in a local population can greatly enhance the practical accuracy of the choice of which SCA DNA test to order.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Molecular analysis of CYP-21 mutations for congenital adrenal hyperplasia in Singapore.

BACKGROUND: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia arising from 21-hydroxylase deficiency is associated with mutations in the CYP21 gene on chromosome 6p. This is the first report on the mutational spectrum of the CYP21 gene in Singapore. METHODS: To catalogue the mutations, ten exons of the CYP21 gene from 28 Singaporean patients were analyzed by PCR amplification and direct sequencing. RESULTS: Common mutations in descending order were the intron 2 splice site mutation (32.7% of the alleles), the I172N mutation (23.1% of the alleles), and the R356W mutation (19.2% of the alleles). Two potentially novel mutations were discovered: (1) duplication of 111 bp from codon 21 to codon 57 (exon 1) and (2) missense mutation (L261P, exon 7). There was generally a good genotype-phenotype correlation, allowing accurate prediction of the disease severity.

Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital↗
PubMed2004

Concerns over participation in genetic research among Malay-Muslims, Chinese and Indians in Singapore: a focus group study.

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at exploring and comparing peoples' concerns over donation of blood specimens for genetic research across three ethnic groups in Singapore: Malay-Muslims, Chinese and Indians. METHODS: We conducted 12 focus group sessions among 98 participants with 7-10 in each group. RESULTS: Concerns over donation of blood specimens for genetic research were diverse, with all ethnic groups expressing anxiety about breach of confidentiality, finding out that they have a disease and misuse of research for cloning. Other concerns included fear of pain, blood and needle pricks and misconceptions of adverse health effects such as weight gain from donating blood specimens. Malay-Muslims were generally concerned about the selection process, potential racial discrimination, and religious beliefs regarding blood storage while Chinese and Indians were concerned about giving blood to strangers and being inconvenienced by participating in research. CONCLUSION: Programmes to promote community participation in genetic research should address the diverse ethnic concerns, design ethnic-sensitive messages and involve the community.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Treatment of chronic hepatitis C in patients with end-stage renal disease and hemophilia--the Singapore experience.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the response to treatment with interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) in patients with chronic hepatitis C who had end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or hemophilia in Singapore. METHODS: Treatment-naive hepatitis patients with ESRD or hemophilia were given IFN-alpha(2a) 3 million units three times per week for 12 months in an open-label study. Hepatitis C virus RNA was determined before treatment, at the end of treatment and 6 months thereafter. Regular clinical examinations including blood counts and biochemistry were carried out during and after the treatment. RESULTS: Nine consecutive patients with ESRD (8 men and 1 woman) and 6 consecutive male patients with hemophilia, with a mean age of 43 and 40 years, received treatment. Patients in both groups were predominantly infected with hepatitis C virus genotype 1 and had significant cytopenia affecting all three cell lines during the treatment; only 1 patient developed serious neutropenia, temporarily demanding a reduction of his IFN dose. Biochemical and virological responses at the end of treatment were accomplished by 8 of the 9 (89%) patients with ESRD and 4 of the 6 (67%) patients with hemophilia; however, 1 patient with ESRD and 2 with hemophilia relapsed after the treatment. Four of the 7 patients with ESRD who had sustained virological response underwent successful kidney transplantation later on. CONCLUSION: Monotherapy with IFN-alpha for 12 months is safe for treatment of the patients with chronic hepatitis C who had ESRD or those with hemophilia. A higher sustained virological response rate was observed in patients with ESRD than in those with hemophilia (78 vs. 33%).

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Salivary proline-rich protein polymorphisms in Chinese, Malays and Indians in Singapore.

Salivary proline-rich protein (PRP) polymorphism, PRH1, PRH2, Ps, Pm (PmF), PmS and Gl, were investigated in three ethnic groups in Singapore: Chinese, Malays and Indians. The phenotype and gene frequencies were presented and comparison with other ethnic groups was made. The As protein, which was recently found in Japanese but not in Caucasians as a new allelic product of the PRH1 locus, was also observed in Chinese and Malays but not in Indians. Another allelic product (Ps4) of Ps protein polymorphism was found in Malays but not in Chinese and Indians. The results indicate the usefulness of salivary PRP polymorphism as markers in population genetic studies.

Alleles↗
PubMed1990

Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) at the DNF15S2 locus in three ethnic groups of Singapore.

Three different ethnic groups from Singapore comprising 79 Chinese, 34 Malays and 23 Indians of Dravidian origin, were investigated for the HindIII RFLP at the DNF15S2 locus. The three populations had very similar allele frequencies and the frequency of rarer(S) allele was significantly (p less than 0.01) lower (0.21) in these ethnic groups compared to that in Caucasians (0.41). The phenotypic distributions were at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

China↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Linkage disequilibrium between two loci (5' untranslated exon 1 and intron 5-DdeI) of the antithrombin III gene in three ethnic groups in Singapore.

The distribution of two common DNA polymorphisms (5' untranslated exon 1 and intron 5-DdeI) of the antithrombin III (ATIII) gene was studied in three ethnic groups in Singapore: 251 Chinese, 221 Dravidian Indians and 102 Malays. The polymorphisms were identified by the polymerase chain reaction and size fractionation in agarose gels. The 5' untranslated to exon 1 polymorphism is a length polymorphism while the intron 5 polymorphism is a restriction site (DdeI) polymorphism. The frequency of the short fragment (S) of the 5' to exon 1 length polymorphism of the ATIII gene was found to be 0.37 in the Chinese, 0.54 in the Malays and 0.65 in the Dravidian Indians. For the Chinese, this was significantly lower compared to the Caucasians and Indians (p < 0.0001) and the Malays (p < 0.01). On the other hand, the frequencies of DdeI+ did not vary significantly among these three populations (p > 0.05). The distribution of different genotypes at these two loci of the ATIII gene was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in all three ethnic groups. A strong linkage disequilibrium between these two polymorphisms was observed in all the ethnic groups and the estimated correlation coefficient (delta) was 0.42 in the Chinese (p < 0.001), 0.61 in the Dravidian Indians (p < 0.001) and 0.43 in the Malays (p < 0.001). The frequencies of haplotype S+, L+ and L- were, respectively, 0.37, 0.40 and 0.23 in the Chinese, 0.65, 0.18 and 0.16 in the Dravidian Indians and 0.54, 0.37 and 0.09 in the Malays.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antithrombin III↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Biochemical characteristics of four common molecular variants in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase-deficient Chinese in Singapore.

Biochemical characteristics were determined for four common molecular variants of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency and 10 non-deficient Chinese males in Singapore. The variants included one Mediterranean (nt563 C-->T), two Canton (G-->T at nt1376) and one each of Kaiping (1388 G-->A) and Chinese-5 (1024 C-->T) variants. Molecular identification was carried out by amplication of genomic DNA with specific oligonucleotide primers followed by digestion with restriction enzymes that recognize artificially created or naturally occurring restriction sites. All the variants had low enzyme activity in red cells (0.2-0.6 IU/g Hb). All but the Chinese-5 variant (nt1024) had a normal Km for NADP (7-10 microM). The Mediterranean variant had a high utilization of deamino-NADP (296%), followed by the Canton variant 1376 substitution (131%). The Km for glucose-6-phosphate was low in the Mediterranean and 1376 variant (18-40 microM) but high in the 1024 substitution (104 microM). Electrophoretic mobility in TEB buffer (pH 8.6) was slightly faster (103%) for the 1376 mutation while 100% for all the others. All but the 1024 substitution had increased analogue utilization for galactose-6-phosphate and 2-deoxy-glucose-6-phosphate (58 and 68% for the Mediterranean mutation and 14-23% for the 1376 and 1388 substitutions, respectively), and reduced heat stability.

China↗
PubMedDate not supplied

T cell receptor beta chain RFLP in Chinese, Indians and Malays from Singapore.

Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of the gene encoding the beta chain of the human T cell receptor (TcR) was studied in three ethnic groups in Singapore by Southern blotting. Polymorphism in the beta chain gene was identified in BglII-digested DNA samples using a 770-bp TcR beta cDNA clone containing the joining and constant region segments. The TcR beta/BglII polymorphism was studied in 136 Chinese, 93 Indian and 88 Malay samples. The frequency of the less frequent allele (TcR beta*2) in all the ethnic groups was significantly lower (0.15-0.29, p < 0.01) than that in the Caucasians (0.46). Indians had a significantly lower frequency of this allele (0.15) than the Chinese (0.29) and Malays (0.26).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Hepatic storage of iron and ferritin in different ethnic groups in Singapore.

The concentrations of non-haem iron, ferritin and ferritin-iron were measured in the livers of 137 adults and children collected at necropsy. The concentrations of non-haem and ferritin iron were found to be 146.6 +/- 95.2 micrograms/g and 61.6 +/- 32.4 micrograms/g, respectively, in males and 108.0 +/- 61.7 micrograms/g and 60.6 +/- 26.4 micrograms/g, respectively, in females. The values for males in Singapore were lower than those reported in developed Western countries. No correlation was observed between storage iron and age, or ferritin concentration and age. Concentrations of non-haem iron and ferritin were similar for persons dying from accident and coronary heart disease. The non-haem iron concentration in Chinese (187.9 +/- 101.0 micrograms/g) was significantly greater than that in Indians (103.1 +/- 65.8 micrograms/g), while the ferritin concentration in Chinese (6.18 +/- 2.37 mg/g) was significantly greater than either Malays (3.81 +/- 1.8 mg/g) or Indians (3.52 +/- 1.6 mg/g). A significant positive correlation was observed between the non-haem iron and ferritin and also ferritin-iron in Chinese males (r values of 0.678 and 0.598, respectively) and Indian males (r values of 0.576 and 0.612, respectively). However, the correlation between these indices was not significant in the case of Malay males. In premenopausal women the non-haem iron correlated well with ferritin (r = 0.737) and ferritin iron (r = 0.826) while the correlation was lacking in postmenopausal women.

Adolescent↗