Singap Med J
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Comparative Study
Functional beta-cells derived from umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells for curing rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus.
This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic response to injected human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells (UCBMSCs) among albino rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes mellitus. ⋯ UCBMSCs are proficient in differentiating into insulin-producing cells in vivo under specific conditions and, when transplanted into the liver of albino rats with STZ-induced diabetes mellitus, were able to secrete insulin and partially control the status of diabetes mellitus in rats.
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Comparative Study
Myocardial injury in non-cardiac surgery: complexities and challenges.
The term MINS (myocardial injury after non-cardiac surgery) was coined to broadly describe perioperative troponin elevation that is deemed to be due to a cardiac cause. However, this term is commonly used in literature to represent cases that do not fulfil the criteria for the diagnosis of myocardial infarction. ⋯ Unfortunately, awareness of MINS among practitioners remains low and implementation of perioperative troponin monitoring is poor. Given its significance, the detection, management and prevention of MINS should not be overlooked.
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Defining the characteristics of a good medical teacher has implications for faculty selection and development. Perceptions of characteristics may differ with cultural context and level of training, as medical students progress from didactic preclinical training based on cognitivist learning theory to more complex integration of theory and practice in specific contexts in clinical training based on constructivist learning theory. ⋯ The top four characteristics were consistent across all years of medical students in this study. Characteristics emphasised in the clinical years facilitate active learner participation, consistent with constructivist learning theory.
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Inhalation injury is a serious consequence of a fire or an explosion, with potential airway compromise and respiratory complications. We present a case series of five patients with inhalational burns who presented to Singapore General Hospital and discuss our approach to their early management, including early evaluation and planning for the upper and lower airway, coexisting cutaneous burns, and monitoring their ICU (intensive care unit) severity of illness, sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome. All five patients suffered various grades of inhalation injury. ⋯ All patients were successfully extubated and discharged stable. Various complications can arise as a result of an inhalation injury. Based on our cases and literature review, we propose a standardised workflow for patients with inhalation injury.
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Case Reports
Clinics in diagnostic imaging (203). Focal infarction of the falciform ligament fatty appendage.
A 56-year-old man presented to the emergency department with acute upper abdominal pain and mild leucocytosis. The pain was not relieved by intravenous analgesia. Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis demonstrated a focal area of fat stranding with a thin peripheral rim of high attenuation and a punctate central hyperdense dot in the vicinity of the falciform ligament. ⋯ Focal infarction of the falciform ligament fatty appendage is extremely rare and can mimic various causes of acute abdomen that require emergency surgery. Hence, correct radiological diagnosis is essential to avoid unnecessary surgical intervention. We herein discuss the similarities and differences with other common companion cases such as epiploic appendagitis and omental infarction.