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Background: The burning of moxa floss in moxibustion releases moxa smoke containing a substantial amount of particulate matter (PM10) into the environment, which has generated safety concerns about its potential health impact. Design: Plasmid scission assay was performed using PM10 collected from moxibustion clinics. Methods: PM10 was collected in winter 2012 by burning three types of moxa floss samples in moxibustion simulation clinics, and the resulting PM10 mass concentration was calculated. Oxidative capacity of the PM10 samples was measured by plasmid scission assay and the percentage of DNA damage at dosage 500 μg ml-1 (D500) was calculated by linear regression analysis. Results: The average PM10 mass concentration of samples A (3 years and 3:1 ratio), B (3 years and 8:1 ratio) and C (10 years and 3:1 ratio) was 273.33, 172.22 and 168.89 μg/m3, respectively. The D500 oxidative capacity of PM10 was on average 24.25%, 27.83% and 28.07% for samples A, B and C, respectively. No significant difference was found in the PM10-induced oxidative damage by moxa smoke produced from the three types of moxa floss. Conclusions: PM10 mass concentrations from the three types of moxa floss combustion exceeded internationally recommended levels. Despite so, PM10 mass concentration of moxa smoke was much lower than biomass and coal combustion and similar to that of gas combustion. The oxidative DNA damage induced by individual PM10 in moxibustion environment was lower than that reported in other environments, indicating that moxibustionderived PM10 might not be as injurious to human health as generally assumed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a preventable condition, and much has been done to protect workers from it. However, thus far, little attention has been given to leisure NIHL. The purpose of this study is to determine the possible music listening preferences and habits among young people in Singapore that may put them at risk of developing leisure NIHL.Methods: In our study, the proportion of participants exposed to > 85 dBA for eight hours a day (time-weighted average) was calculated by taking into account the daily number of hours spent listening to music and by determining the average sound pressure level at which music was listened to.Results: A total of 1,928 students were recruited from Temasek Polytechnic, Singapore. Of which, 16.4% of participants listened to portable music players with a time-weighted average of > 85 dBA for 8 hours. On average, we found that male students were more likely to listen to music at louder volumes than female students (p < 0.001). We also found that the Malay students in our study listened to louder music than the Chinese students (p < 0.001).Conclusion: We found that up to one in six young persons in Singapore is at risk of developing leisure NIHL from music delivered via earphones. As additional risks due to exposure to leisure noise from other sources was not taken into account, the extent of the problem of leisure NIHL may be even greater. There is a compelling need for an effective leisure noise prevention program among young people in Singapore. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Despite the many benefits of family meals, data on association between family meals away from home (FMAFH) and nutritional status of adolescents is limited. This study determined the association between FMAFH with dietary intake and body mass index of adolescents (N=408). Methods: Data were obtained through interviewer-administered questionnaire and anthropometric measurements of adolescents. Results: Respondents comprised 53.7% females, 67.6% Chinese with the mean age of sample being 13.7 ± 0.6 years old. Generally, male adolescents had higher intakes of energy, macronutrients and micronutrients. All nutrients except calcium (51.3%), iron (females--54.7%) and vitamin A (females--86.1%) met the recommended intakes. A higher proportion of male (25.4%) than female (13.6%) adolescents were overweight and obese. About 44% of respondents had family meals ≥ 7 times in the previous week with 48.9% reported having family meals at home ≥ 7 times weekly. The majority (91.2%) of adolescents had FMAFH at least once a week either at restaurants (53%), fast food outlets (41.6%), food courts in shopping complexes (40%) or food stalls (30.2%). As the frequency of FMAFH increased, there was an increasing trend in energy and energy-adjusted nutrient intakes. However, only energy-adjusted fat intake was significantly high (p<0.05) in adolescents having FMAFH > 7 times weekly. No significant association was observed for frequency of FMAFH and body mass index. Conclusion: With increasing dependence on foods outside the home, FMAFH can be a source of healthy diet for families provided they have the knowledge, skills and motivation to make healthy food choices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(n-Hexadecylsulfonyl)methyl-substituted poly(oxyethylene) (16SP), (n-hexadecylthio)methyl-substituted poly(oxyethylene) (16TP), [(6-n-nonylsulfonyl)hexylthio]methyl-substituted poly(oxyethylene) (9S6TP), and [(6-n-nonylsulfonyl)hexylsulfonyl]methyl-substituted poly(oxyethylene) (9S6SP) were synthesized. 9S6SP and 16SP containing sulfonylmethyl side groups showed highly ordered smectic layer structures at room temperature and liquid crystalline behavior at higher temperatures, while 9S6TP and 16TP containing thiomethyl side groups did not show any liquid crystalline behavior. The ordered phases of the polymers were studied using differential scanning calorimetry, cross-polarizing optical microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The unusual liquid crystallinity of 16SP and 9S6SP was ascribed to the amphiphilic character of these polymers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: Polymyxins are used as the "last-line therapy" for multi drug resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacterial infections. However, the development of nephrotoxicity is a major concern. The objectives of this study were to determine the incidence and severity of acute kidney injury (AKI) and to identify risk factors associated with AKI and mortality rate in Malaysian patients on polymyxin B (PMB) for MDR Gram-negative bacterial infections. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC). Medical and medication charts were reviewed for all intensive care unit (ICU) patients who received intravenous (IV) PMB from 1st May 2008 to 1st May 2018. Simple and multiple logistic regression were performed to identify risk factors of PMB induced nephrotoxicity. Results: Among the total 572 patients identified, only 31 patients were eligible to be included. The incidence rate of AKI was 45.2% (14 of 31 patients). Univariate analysis showed that age was a significant risk factor of PMB associated nephrotoxicity [OR 1.074; 95% CI 1.002-1.151; P=0.045]. Other four variables (P<0.2) included were female, baseline serum creatinine, baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and diabetes mellitus. Further analysis by multiple logistics regression showed that age was the variable independently associated with the development of AKI (OR 1.109; 95% CI 1.007-1.221; P=0.035). Furthermore, the development of AKI was not significantly associated with mortality rate. The incidence, severity, risk factor for PMB associated nephrotoxicity and mortality rate of Malaysian ICU patients on PMB were identified. Conclusion: PMB may be used as the salvage therapy of nosocomial infections with extra caution and close monitoring especially in the elderly. Future studies, involving more centers are needed to provide further information regarding PMB induced nephrotoxicity in Malaysian ICU patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected adolescents, including their social media use and mental well-being. Ongoing research is needed to better understand how social media use relates to mental health and well-being in this challenging time. This qualitative study explored the role of social media in addressing the mental health problems faced by adolescents during the pandemic. Materials and methods: A total of 41 adolescents aged 13 to 17 in West Malaysia participated in this one-on-one interview. Results: The thematic analysis suggests three themes emerged, namely: (1) the importance of social media in addressing mental health issues; (2) the effects of social media on one’s mental health; and (3) coping strategies for dealing with stress experienced on social media. The adolescents faced positive effects (e.g., socialising, an easy source of information, a form of entertainment, exposure to world news, and ways of dealing with mental health issues by releasing their emotions and feelings) and negative effects of social media, such as cyberbullying, internet addiction, bad influence, a breakdown in family physical contacts and relationships, misinformation, and disinformation). The coping strategies include avoiding social media, ignoring negative comments, helping those in need, referral to school counsellors, trusted friends or family members, and indulging in physical activities to relieve stress. Conclusion: The importance of social media in addressing mental health issues cannot be underestimated. The results’ implications and the need for additional research on the relationship between adolescent mental health and social media use are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 68-year-old Chinese man presented with an eight-month history of pyrexia of unknown origin and chronic sinusitis despite multiple courses of antibiotics. He underwent extensive investigations, including workups for infections, chronic granulomatous diseases and malignancy. Nasal biopsies were performed twice under local anaesthesia, but did not show any evidence of malignancy. Eventually, the patient was diagnosed with natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma, nasal variant, based on histopathological findings from harvested deep tissue obtained via functional endoscopic sinus surgery. This study highlights that, for patients presenting with pyrexia of unknown origin and nasal symptoms, NK/T-cell lymphoma must be considered as a differential diagnosis. Generous amounts of tissue should be harvested under general anaesthesia rather than limited tissue under local anaesthesia, in order to facilitate and ensure a definitive diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Retropharyngeal lipomas are rare tumours that are usually asymptomatic until they reach a large size. The definitive treatment is surgical excision. Since the tumours are typically large at the time of presentation, extensive surgery for complete clearance of the lipoma from the retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal regions is to be expected. Transoral excision is typically indicated for small retropharyngeal tumours, as this approach does not give good access to the parapharyngeal area laterally. Herein, we present the case of a patient who underwent transoral excision of a huge retropharyngeal lipoma, which extended into the right parapharyngeal space. The surgical technique used and the insights gained are described in this report. Even with parapharyngeal extension, transoral resection of a huge retropharyngeal lipoma can be performed. More invasive surgery, which may involve a neck incision, mandibulotomy or pharyngotomy, is not necessary. While huge retropharyngeal lipomas are usually symptomatic and require surgical intervention, transoral resection can be adequate and safe for treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]