A case of severe Plasmodium knowlesi in a splenectomized patient

Plasmodium knowlesi, a zoonotic malaria, is now considered the fifth species of Plasmodium causing malaria in humans. With its 24-hour erythrocytic stage of development, it has raised concern regarding its high potential in replicating and leading to severe illness. Spleen is an important site for removal of parasitized red blood cells and generating immunity. We reported a case of knowlesi malaria in a non-immune, splenectomized patient. We observed the delay in parasite clearance, high parasitic counts, and severe illness at presentation. A thorough search through literature revealed several case reports on falciparum and vivax malaria in splenectomized patients. However, literature available for knowlesi malaria in splenectomized patient is limited. Further studies need to be carried out to clarify the role of spleen in host defense against human malaria especially P. knowlesi

Coexistence of neurofibromatosis type-1 and primary pulmonary sarcoma: a case report and review of the literature

Neurofibromatosis type-1 (NF1) is a genetic disorder characterized by café-au-lait spots, neurofibroma and other associated features. The risk of malignancy is approximately 2.5 to 4-fold higher as compared to general population. However, primary pulmonary sarcoma is rarely reported in patients with NF1. Here, we describe a case of NF1 complicated with primary pulmonary sarcoma

Pulmonary actinomycosis masquerading as lung cancer: a case report

Pulmonary actinomycosis is a rare yet important and challenging diagnosis to make. It is commonly confused with other lung diseases, such as tuberculosis and bronchogenic carcinoma, leading to delay diagnosis or misdiagnosis. A 49-year-old man presented with a chronic cough, hemoptysis, and pleuritic chest pain. His initial imaging studies including computed tomography (CT) was suggestive of bronchogenic carcinoma. A subsequent CTguided biopsy was consistent with pulmonary actinomycosis and excluded the possibility of bronchogenic carcinoma. He was treated with antibiotic therapy and achieved remission with complete radiological resolution upon follow-up

Recurrent pulmonary embolism: is filarial lymphedema a risk factor for deep vein thrombosis?

Lymphatic filariasis is caused by nematodes that inhabit the lymphatic system and subcutaneous tissues. 90% of the infections are caused by Wuchereria bancrofti while most of the remainder by Brugia malayi and Brugia timori. The presence of filarial lymphedema or elephantiasis leads to disfigurement and disability. However, its relationship with deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism was not well-documented. Here, we described a case of recurrent pulmonary embolism associated with left leg elephantiasis

Advancement on sustained antiviral ocular drug delivery for herpes simplex virus keratitis: recent update on potential investigation

The eyes are the window to the world and the key to communication, but they are vulnerable to multitudes of ailments. More serious than is thought, corneal infection by herpes simplex viruses (HSVs) is a prevalent yet silent cause of blindness in both the paediatric and adult population, especially if immunodeficient. Globally, there are 1.5 million new cases and forty thousand visual impairment cases reported yearly. The Herpetic Eye Disease Study recommends topical antiviral as the front-line therapy for HSV keratitis. Ironically, topical eye solutions undergo rapid nasolacrimal clearance, which necessitates oral drugs but there is a catch of systemic toxicity. The hurdle of antiviral penetration to reach an effective concentration is further complicated by drugs’ poor permeability and complex layers of ocular barriers. In this current review, novel delivery approaches for ocular herpetic infection, including nanocarriers, prodrugs, and peptides are widely investigated, with special focus on advantages, challenges, and recent updates on in situ gelling systems of ocular HSV infections. In general congruence, the novel drug delivery systems play a vital role in prolonging the ocular drug residence time to achieve controlled release of therapeutic agents at the application site, thus allowing superior ocular bioavailability yet fewer systemic side effects. Moreover, in situ gel functions synergistically with nanocarriers, prodrugs, and peptides. The findings support that novel drug delivery systems have potential in ophthalmic drug delivery of antiviral agents, and improve patient convenience when prolonged and chronic topical ocular deliveries are intended

从《南海各方行为宣言》形同虚设之原因论析南沙群岛主权争议 = The contemporary sovereignty dispute over the Spratlys : an international law approach

南中国海自19世纪开始便长期陷入主权争议至今。1952年《中日和平条约》的签署，不但令南沙群岛与西沙群岛陷入主权未定论的状态，而且还导致该争议从业已复杂的两岸问题扩大成国际问题。尽管争端国于2002年《南海各方行为宣言》中达致以和平方式解决争议以及避免争议复杂化的共识，然而各种违背宣言的举动依然层出不穷。南海主权的争议局势因而越演越烈。本文拟从国际法原理着手，主要通过领土主权和海洋法原则分析南海最具争议性的区域——南沙群岛的主权争议，以对《南海各方行为宣言》何以形同虚设的原因作出分析。同时，本文将改善过去以国家为分析单位的研究模式，而欲以议题研究的方式来论析南沙群岛主权争议的历时与共时面向，从而纠出其实质问题。The South China Sea has long been involved in sovereignty disputes since nineteenth century. The Sino-Japanese Peace Treaty, which was concluded in 1952, not only resulted in the uncertainty of sovereign status of the Paracel and Spratly Islands, but also internationalized the issue intensively. In 2002, the singing of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea saw conflict parties undertaking obligations to resolve the territorial disputes by peaceful means, and to refrain from any activities that would complicate it further. However, the Declaration still failed to prevent the escalating confrontation between the conflict parties.Bachelor of Art

從《南海各方行為宣言》形同虛設之原因論析南沙群島主權爭議 = The contemporary sovereignty dispute over the spratlys

Abstract not available

The Singapore perspective of online reporting - the new wave of financial reporting.

The study aims to find out the impact of technological forces, particularly the Internet on financial reporting. It attempts to uncover the state of online reporting practice in Singapore and the opinions towards the need of standards and regulations toward this new arena. The study is administered through a survey among Singapore listed companies

Bilateral optic neuritis with maculopathy: A rare manifestation of dengue fever

Dengue fever is a common mosquito-borne disease, which is endemic in tropical and subtropical countries. Bilateral optic neuropathy is a relatively unusual dengue-related ocular complication. Here, we present a case of bilateral optic neuritis with maculopathy complicating dengue infection

Music-based Intervention for Improving Sleep Quality of Adults without Sleep Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

ABSTRACT Q2 Background: Listening to music is often used as a self-help intervention to improve sleep quality, but its efficacy among individuals without sleep disorder remains unclear. Methods: A search was performed on five databases to identify for studies 15 that examined the use of music-based intervention to improve sleep quality among individuals without sleep disorder. Random-effects meta-analysis was performed, and the certainty of evidence was evaluated using GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation). Results: Twenty-two articles which recruited 1,514 participants were included for review. Meta-analysis of six studies including 424 participants did not find an improvement in sleep quality among recipients of musicbased intervention compared to those with standard care (mean difference: −0.80; 95% CI: −2.15 to 0.54, low-quality evidence). Subgroup analysis showed a clear improvement in sleep quality when interventions were administered for at least 3 weeks (−2.09; −3.84 to −0.34, n = 3). No difference in terms of sleep onset latency (standardized mean difference (SMD) −0.32; 95% CI −0.88 to 0.25, n = 4, very-low quality evidence) and sleep efficiency (SMD: −0.59; 95% CI −3.15 to 1.97, n = 2, very-low quality evidence) were observed. The effect of music-based intervention on anxiety, depression and quality of life were mixed with suggestions of possible benefits. Conclusion: Music-based intervention in addition to standard care appears to be a promising strategy to improve sleep quality when delivered for 3 week or longer. However, effects are inconsistent across studies and larger randomized controlled studies reporting long-term outcomes are needed before it can be recommended for routine use