Aim This article aims to inform and share the experience of a Singaporean tertiary level neurosurgical unit in an academic medical centre during the COVID-19 outbreak. Method This is a descriptive study of our segregation team model which is designed with the aim of optimizing manpower and ensuring the safety and welfare of the neurosurgical unit, while maintaining and prioritizing excellent patient care. Result We describe our method of team segregation, rostering, and outline some principles that we adhere to in its design. We also summarise the restructuring of our inpatient and outpatient service, including the operating theatre and protocols for specific procedures, intensive care and general wards, as well as clinic services and multidisciplinary meetings. Conclusion We end with a commentary on residency training and anticipated challenges. Given the likely protracted course of the pandemic, it is key to account for sustainability of such measures and the conservation of resource via the reduction of pateint volume, upkeep of staff emotional and physical health and harnessing technologies such as telemedicine.Factors associated with prescription of smoking cessation medication (SCM), including the impact of race, have not been well described among a large population of people living with HIV (PLWH) engaged in routine clinical care. Our study investigated whether there are racial differences between African-American and White PLWH regarding SCM prescription and sought to identify other factors associated with these prescriptions at a large HIV clinic in the Southeastern United States. Among 1899 smokers, 38.8% of those prescribed SCMs were African-American and 61.2% were White. Factors associated with lower odds of SCM prescription included African-American race (AOR, 0.63 [95% CI 0.47, 0.84]) or transferring care from another HIV provider during the study period (AOR, 0.63 [95% CI 0.43, 0.91]). Whereas major depression (AOR, 1.54 [95% CI 1.10, 2.15]), anxiety symptoms (AOR, 1.43 [95% CI 1.05, 1.94]), and heavy smoking (>20 cigarettes/day) (OR, 3.50 [95% CI 2.11, 5.98]) were associated with increased likelihood of SCM prescription. There were racial disparities in the prescription of SCM in African Americans with HIV. These findings underscore the need to increase pharmacotherapy use among African Americans to improve smoking cessation outcomes across racial groups among PLWH.Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has presented substantial challenges to patient care and impacted health care delivery, including cardiac electrophysiology practice throughout the globe. Based upon the undetermined course and regional variability of the pandemic, there is uncertainty as to how and when to resume and deliver electrophysiology services for arrhythmia patients. This joint document from representatives of the Heart Rhythm Society, American Heart Association, and American College of Cardiology seeks to provide guidance for clinicians and institutions reestablishing safe electrophysiological care. To achieve this aim, we address regional and local COVID-19 disease status, the role of viral screening and serologic testing, return-to-work considerations for exposed or infected health care workers, risk stratification and management strategies based on COVID-19 disease burden, institutional preparedness for resumption of elective procedures, patient preparation and communication, prioritization of procedures, and development of outpatient and periprocedural care pathways.Virgin coconut oil (VCO) and turmeric are traditionally being used in Indian cuisine systems; VCO is a natural combination of medium-chain triglyceride and polyphenols with established pharmacological potential. Curcumin isolated from turmeric is renowned for its anticancer properties, however, with limited clinical success due to poor bioavailability. Considering the lipophilic nature of VCO, curcumin added to VCO is expected to have synergistic/additive actions. In this study, the chemopreventive potential of curcumin enriched VCO (VCr) (4 and 8 mL/Kg orally) was analyzed in 7,12-dimethyl benz[a]anthracene (DMBA;470 nmoles/200 µL/week for two weeks topical)/croton oil (3% v/v in 200 µL acetone twice a week for 6 weeks topical) induced skin papilloma. In DMBA control animals, an average incidence of 13 papilloma/mice (latency period of 11.6 ± 1.5 weeks) was recorded. Pretreatment with VCrH (8 mL/kg) had a 60% inhibition of tumor index, and an increased latency period (12.5 ± 0.9 weeks). Additionally, DMBA/croton oil-induced reduction in glutathione levels and concomitant increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) in the skin microenvironment were restored by VCr. The study thus suggests that the VCr promotes antioxidant status in vivo and imparts an improved anticarcinogenic potential. However, further studies are necessary to ascertain the improvement in bioavailability of curcumin .Severe coronary artery calcification increases percutaneous treatment complexity and the risk of intraprocedural complications, affecting acute and long-term outcomes. Current use of specialty balloons and atherectomy technologies is limited due to the higher risk of complications, degree of technical difficulty and operator experience. Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) is a novel technology for severe calcified coronary artery disease that facilitates vessel preparation, enhancing vessel compliance. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/buloxibutid.html IVL system emits sonic waves that penetrate through vascular layers and disrupt both superficial and deep calcium, leaving the soft tissue unharmed. The purpose of the present review is to provide a summary of the evidence currently available on this therapy, including a practical description of the components and function of the shockwave coronary IVL system.The Global cancer incidence and mortality data released by the World Health Organization proposes that out of 18.1 million new cancer cases diagnosed, 9.8 million deaths occurred globally in 2018. Cancer is one of the major health burdens among non-communicable diseases globally responsible for impeding life expectancy in the present century. Disrupting hallmarks of cancer (such as prolonged inflammation, increased growth signal, tissue invasion and metastasis, unlimited proliferation and evasion of apoptosis) with dietary agents is of considerable focus for cancer prevention and therapy. In the last decade, a significant contribution has been provided in finding many plant-derived natural agents that can be identified as promising molecular cancer therapeutics. Our focus in this review is on one such natural dietary agent, Morin (3,5,7,2',4'-pentahydroxyflavone) a bioflavonoid. Morin exerts strong pharmacological properties against a multitude of cancer (liver cancer, cervical cancer, melanoma, breast cancer, prostate, and colon cancer).