Increasing Colonoscopy Compliance Using a Blood-Based Risk Assessment Test for Colorectal Cancer

ColonSentry® is a minimally invasive, blood-based risk assessment test for colorectal cancer. The test is used to increase patient compliance with colonoscopy. Many physicians have inquired about the incidence of non-malignant lesions found in patients after colonoscopy prompted by an increased risk score on the ColonSentry test. Here we report on the colonoscopy results of five patients with increased ColonSentry risk scores. Of those five patients, three were determined to have polyps, one of which was pre-malignant

Ethnic Differences in Survival after Breast Cancer in South East Asia

Background: The burden of breast cancer in Asia is escalating. We evaluated the impact of ethnicity on survival after breast cancer in the multi-ethnic region of South East Asia. Methodology/Principal Findings Using the Singapore-Malaysia hospital-based breast cancer registry, we analyzed the association between ethnicity and mortality following breast cancer in 5,264 patients diagnosed between 1990 and 2007 (Chinese: 71.6%, Malay: 18.4%, Indian: 10.0%). We compared survival rates between ethnic groups and calculated adjusted hazard ratios (HR) to estimate the independent effect of ethnicity on survival. Malays (n = 968) presented at a significantly younger age, with larger tumors, and at later stages than the Chinese and Indians. Malays were also more likely to have axillary lymph node metastasis at similar tumor sizes and to have hormone receptor negative and poorly differentiated tumors. Five year overall survival was highest in the Chinese women (75.8%; 95%CI: 74.4%–77.3%) followed by Indians (68.0%; 95%CI: 63.8%–72.2%), and Malays (58.5%; 95%CI: 55.2%–61.7%). Compared to the Chinese, Malay ethnicity was associated with significantly higher risk of all-cause mortality (HR: 1.34; 95%CI: 1.19–1.51), independent of age, stage, tumor characteristics and treatment. Indian ethnicity was not significantly associated with risk of mortality after breast cancer compared to the Chinese (HR: 1.14; 95%CI: 0.98–1.34). Conclusion: In South East Asia, Malay ethnicity is independently associated with poorer survival after breast cancer. Research into underlying reasons, potentially including variations in tumor biology, psychosocial factors, treatment responsiveness and lifestyle after diagnosis, is warranted

Association of SARS-CoV-2 clades with clinical, inflammatory and virologic outcomes: An observational study

BACKGROUND: Host determinants of severe coronavirus disease 2019 include advanced age, comorbidities and male sex. Virologic factors may also be important in determining clinical outcome and transmission rates, but limited patient-level data is available. METHODS: We conducted an observational cohort study at seven public hospitals in Singapore. Clinical and laboratory data were collected and compared between individuals infected with different SARS-CoV-2 clades. Firth's logistic regression was used to examine the association between SARS-CoV-2 clade and development of hypoxia, and quasi-Poisson regression to compare transmission rates. Plasma samples were tested for immune mediator levels and the kinetics of viral replication in cell culture were compared. FINDINGS: 319 patients with PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection had clinical and virologic data available for analysis. 29 (9%) were infected with clade S, 90 (28%) with clade L/V, 96 (30%) with clade G (containing D614G variant), and 104 (33%) with other clades 'O' were assigned to lineage B.6. After adjusting for age and other covariates, infections with clade S (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0·030 (95% confidence intervals (CI): 0·0002-0·29)) or clade O (B·6) (aOR 0·26 (95% CI 0·064-0·93)) were associated with lower odds of developing hypoxia requiring supplemental oxygen compared with clade L/V. Patients infected with clade L/V had more pronounced systemic inflammation with higher concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and growth factors. No significant difference in the severity of clade G infections was observed (aOR 0·95 (95% CI: 0·35-2·52). Though viral loads were significantly higher, there was no evidence of increased transmissibility of clade G, and replicative fitness in cell culture was similar for all clades. INTERPRETATION: Infection with clades L/V was associated with increased severity and more systemic release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Infection with clade G was not associated with changes in severity, and despite higher viral loads there was no evidence of increased transmissibility

The adoption of e-banking among rural SME operators in Malaysia: An integration of TAM and TPB

To enhance the growth of productivity among small to medium enterprises （SMEs） in Malaysia indeed is a challenging task. Several policies were introduced by the government to encourage the use of technology in rural areas. This study integrates the Technology Acceptance Model （ TAM） and Theory of Planned Behaviour （TPB） models on rural SME operator's intention to adopt e-banking. Consistent with past studies, the present study results support the structural relationship among the constructs. Perceived usefulness （PU） and attitude play the primary roles in predicting the SME operators' intention to use e-banking. Attitude can be influenced by perceived usefulness （PU） and perceived ease of use（PEOU）. Therefore, to encourage the use of e- banking, banks should （1） promote the usefulness of e-banking, and （2） educate more rural business operators to use e-banking so that they can learn to operate e-banking easily. The impact generated by subjective norms （SN） is relatively low because the rural business people are familiar with banks' operation affairs and is not computer illiterate. This corroborates the government's policy to educate the rural people on computer applications. In summary, the banks' management should consider the business operators' behavioural beliefs when strategizing their e-banking promotion plans

Effect of sonication temperature on physicochemical and functional properties of chicken egg white and duck egg white

The effect of ultrasound treatment temperature (25, 35, 45, and 55ºC) on physicochemical and functional properties of chicken and duck egg whites were studied. Egg whites were treated with ultrasound generated by sonicator (frequency 40kHz) for 15 min, and their colour, pH, expressible moisture, folding test, gel strength, texture profile analysis, foaming capacity and stability, and emulsification stability were compared. Ultrasound treatment had caused a significant decrease (p0.05) affect the functional properties of chicken egg white. The effect of ultrasound was more pronounced on duck egg white as evidenced by the significantly higher (p<0.05) foaming capacity (140.00%) and foaming stability (66.67%). Hence, effect of ultrasound temperature is worthy for further investigation with duration and intensity of ultrasonic waves to improve functional properties of egg white, especially duck egg white

Formulation and In Vivo Evaluation of a Solid Self-Emulsifying Drug Delivery System Using Oily Liquid Tocotrienols as Model Active Substance

Self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) can improve the oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs. Solid self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (s-SEDDS) offer several advantages including improved drug stability, ease of administration, and production. Most compounds employed in developing s-SEDDS are solid in nature, with a high amount of surfactants added. The aim of this study was to develop an s-SEDDS using a tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) as the model liquid active substance via a simple adsorption method. The solid formulation was developed using magnesium aluminosilicate as the carrier with 70% TRF and 30% surfactants (poloxamer and Labrasol®). The formulation showed good self-emulsification efficiency with stable emulsion formed, excellent powder flowability, and small emulsion droplet size of 210–277 nm. The s-SEDDS with combined surfactants (poloxamer and Labrasol®) showed a faster absorption rate compared to preparations with only a single surfactant and enhanced oral bioavailability (3.4–3.8 times higher) compared to the non-self-emulsifying oily preparation when administered at a fasted state in rats. In conclusion, an s-SEDDS containing a high amount of TRF was successfully developed. It may serve as a useful alternative to a liquid product with enhanced oral bioavailability and the added advantage of being a solid dosage form

Formulation and In Vivo Evaluation of a Solid Self-Emulsifying Drug Delivery System Using Oily Liquid Tocotrienols as Model Active Substance

Self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) can improve the oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs. Solid self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (s-SEDDS) offer several advantages including improved drug stability, ease of administration, and production. Most compounds employed in developing s-SEDDS are solid in nature, with a high amount of surfactants added. The aim of this study was to develop an s-SEDDS using a tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) as the model liquid active substance via a simple adsorption method. The solid formulation was developed using magnesium aluminosilicate as the carrier with 70% TRF and 30% surfactants (poloxamer and Labrasol®). The formulation showed good self-emulsification efficiency with stable emulsion formed, excellent powder flowability, and small emulsion droplet size of 210–277 nm. The s-SEDDS with combined surfactants (poloxamer and Labrasol®) showed a faster absorption rate compared to preparations with only a single surfactant and enhanced oral bioavailability (3.4–3.8 times higher) compared to the non-self-emulsifying oily preparation when administered at a fasted state in rats. In conclusion, an s-SEDDS containing a high amount of TRF was successfully developed. It may serve as a useful alternative to a liquid product with enhanced oral bioavailability and the added advantage of being a solid dosage form

NAT2 slow acetylator genotype is associated with increased risk of lung cancer among non-smoking Chinese women in Singapore

10.1093/carcin/20.9.1877Carcinogenesis2091877-1881CRNG

Cytochrome P4501A2 (CYP1A2) activity and lung cancer risk: A preliminary study among Chinese women in Singapore

Carcinogenesis224673-677CRNG