Two sequential free flaps for coverage of a total knee implant

Ng, Siew Weng,Fong, Hui Chai,Tan, Bien-Keem Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surge 2018 Archives of Plastic Surgery Vol.45 No.3

Knee revision arthroplasty following peri-prosthetic joint infections is a formidable challenge. Patients are at a high risk of recurrent infection, and the soft tissue over the revised implant is often of questionable quality. Flap reconstruction has improved the salvage rates of infected arthroplasties, and should be considered in all cases of revision arthroplasty. We present a challenging case requiring staged reconstruction with two free latissimus dorsi flaps after the initial use of a medial gastrocnemius flap.

Two sequential free flaps for coverage of a total knee implant

Siew Weng Ng,Hui Chai Fong,Bien-Keem Tan 대한성형외과학회 2018 Archives of Plastic Surgery Vol.45 No.3

Knee revision arthroplasty following peri-prosthetic joint infections is a formidable challenge. Patients are at a high risk of recurrent infection, and the soft tissue over the revised implant is often of questionable quality. Flap reconstruction has improved the salvage rates of infected arthroplasties, and should be considered in all cases of revision arthroplasty. We present a challenging case requiring staged reconstruction with two free latissimus dorsi flaps after the initial use of a medial gastrocnemius flap.

REVIEW : Changing Epidemiology and Future Challenges of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Asia

( Siew C Ng ) 대한장연구학회 2010 Intestinal Research Vol.8 No.1

In the past decade, many countries in Asia, in particularly in East Asia, are experiencing a progressive rise in the incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Improved physician awareness and diagnostic methods are unlikely to fully account for this rapid increase. This epidemiological shift is likely to relate to industralization, westernization of lifestyles and changes in eating habits, as part of the socioeconomic development in Asia, although many of these putative environmental factors have not been formally investigated in Asian cohorts. Genetic factors for IBD differ between Asia and the West. NOD2/CARD15 mutation, repeatedly observed in the Caucasian populations, is not associated with Crohn’s disease in Asian populations. Familial clustering is generally uncommon in Asia but it is expected to increase as the IBD prevalence in this region rises. Ethnic-racial differences of IBD have been described and Indians appear to be most affected in South-East Asia. Clinical manifestation of IBD in Asia resemble the Western population in general, but with some differences, including higher prevalence of males and ileocolonic disease, lower disease severity, surgical rates and extraintestinal manifestations. These differences may relate to time factor, genetic background and environmental factors. This review summarises recent epidemiological data of IBD including environmental factors associated with the development of IBD in Asia. Future research focusing on studying the epidemiology of IBD in an area of rapidly increasing prevalence such as Asia will allow the opportunity to identify potential risk factors and provide a better understanding of the aetiology of disease in the Asian population. (Intest Res 2010;8:1-8)

Smartphone Patent Litigation: Lessons from the Apple - Samsung saga

Elizabeth Siew-Kuan NG 한국지식재산연구원 2014 지식재산연구 Vol.9 No.3

At its core, the legitimacy of the patent regime must be the maximization of the public interest. The breath taking technological revolution in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector has put into sharp focus the impact of the patent system on innovation. This article draws on the recent developments in the Apple-Samsung saga to illustrate the danger of shaping legal rights without reference to their remedies. It is argued that greater judicial scrutiny and discretion on the grant of permanent injunction may offer a more appropriate approach to the unique ICT sector. Moreover, it will propose that the eBay four-factor test and its application in the recent Apple-Samsung decisions hold significant lessons for jurisdictions that are concerned with the impact of patent exploitation in an integrated world economy. Hopefully, this article will be a useful contribution to the development of similar issues in Korean jurisprudence.

Changing epidemiological trends of inflammatory bowel disease in Asia

( Wee Khoon Ng ),( Sunny H. Wong ),( Siew C. Ng ) 대한장연구학회 2016 Intestinal Research Vol.14 No.2

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has become more common in Asia over the past few decades. The rate of increase in prevalence of the disease varies greatly in Asia, with several countries in East Asia experiencing a more than doubled increase in IBD prevalence over the past decade. Historically, ulcerative colitis (UC) is more common than Crohn`s disease (CD) in Asia. However, a reverse trend is beginning to appear in more developed countries in Asia such as Japan, Korea, and Hong Kong. While Asian IBD patients share many similarities with their Western counterparts, there are important differences with significant clinical implications. In Asia, there are more men with CD, more ileo-colonic involvement in CD, less familial aggregation, fewer extra-intestinal manifestations and worse clinical outcomes for older-onset patients with UC. These differences are likely related to the different genetic makeup and environmental exposures in different regions. Evaluation of the differences and rates in epidemiologic trends may help researchers and clinicians estimate disease burden and understand the reasons behind these differences, which may hold the key to unravel the etiology of IBD. (Intest Res 2016;14:111-119)

A summary of the Malaysian Clinical Practice Guidelines on the management of postmenopausal osteoporosis, 2022

Terence Ing Wei Ong,Lee Ling Lim,Siew Pheng Chan,Winnie Siew Swee Chee,Alan Swee Hock Ch’ng,Elizabeth Gar Mit Chong,Premitha Damodaran,Fen Lee Hew,Luqman bin Ibrahim,Hui Min Khor,Pauline Siew Mei Lai 대한골다공증학회 2023 Osteoporosis and Sarcopenia Vol.9 No.2

Objectives: The aim of these Clinical Practice Guidelines is to provide evidence-based recommendations to assist healthcare providers in the screening, diagnosis and management of patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis (OP). Methods: A list of key clinical questions on the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of OP was formulated. A literature search using the PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Databases of Systematic Reviews, and OVID electronic databases identified all relevant articles on OP based on the key clinical questions, from 2014 onwards, to update from the 2015 edition. The articles were graded using the SIGN50 format. For each statement, studies with the highest level of evidence were used to frame the recommendation. Results: This article summarizes the diagnostic and treatment pathways for postmenopausal OP. Risk stratification of patients with OP encompasses clinical risk factors, bone mineral density measurements and FRAX risk estimates. Non-pharmacological measures including adequate calcium and vitamin D, regular exercise and falls prevention are recommended. Pharmacological measures depend on patients’ fracture risk status. Very high-risk individuals are recommended for treatment with an anabolic agent, if available, followed by an anti-resorptive agent. Alternatively, parenteral anti-resorptive agents can be used. High-risk individuals should be treated with anti-resorptive agents. In low-risk individuals, menopausal hormone replacement or selective estrogen receptor modulators can be used, if indicated. Patients should be assessed regularly to monitor treatment response and treatment adjusted, as appropriate.

Improvements in Engineering Properties of Soils through Microbial-Induced Calcite Precipitation

Ng Wei Soon,Lee Min Lee,Tan Chew Khun,Hii Siew Ling 대한토목학회 2013 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.17 No.4

Microbial-Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP) has recently emerged as a sustainable technique for soil improvement. This paper aims to study the effectiveness of MICP in improving the shear strength and reducing the hydraulic conductivity of soils. A species of Bacillus group, B. megaterium was used to trigger the calcite precipitation. The experimental variables included soil types (tropical residual soil and sand), soil densities (85%, 90%, and 95% of their respective maximum densities), and treatment conditions (untreated, treated with cementation reagents only, treated with B. megaterium only, and treated with B. megaterium and cementation reagents). The results showed that MICP could effectively improve shear strength and reduce hydraulic conductivity for both residual soil and sand. The improvements, however, varied with soil densities, soil types, and treatment conditions. With MICP treatment, the improvement ratios in shear strength of the residual soil specimens were significantly higher (1.41-2.64) than those of the sand specimens (1.14-1.25). On the contrary, the sand specimens resulted in greater hydraulic conductivity reduction ratios (0.09-0.15)than those of the residual soil specimens (0.26-0.45). These observations can be explained by the particle-particle contacts per unit volume and pore spaces in the soil specimens. Both soil specimens when treated with cementation reagents only exhibited slight alterations in the shear strength (ranging from 1.06-1.33) and hydraulic conductivity (ranging from 0.69-0.95). The results implied that natural calcite forming microorganisms only exist for insignificant amount. The amount of calcite precipitated in the treated residual soil specimens ranged from 1.080% to 1.889%. The increments of calcite content in the treated sand specimens were comparatively higher, ranging from 2.661% to 6.102%. The results from Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis confirmed the experimental findings.

Return to Work in Multi-ethnic Breast Cancer Survivors - A Qualitative Inquiry

Tan, Foo Lan,Loh, Siew Yim,Su, TinTin,Veloo, V.W.,Ng, Lee Luan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.11

Introduction: Return-to-work (RTW) can be a problematic occupational issue with detrimental impact on the quality of life of previously-employed breast cancer survivors. This study explored barriers and facilitators encountered during the RTW process in the area of cancer survivorship. Materials and Methods: Six focus groups were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide on 40 informants (employed multiethnic survivors). Survivors were stratified into three groups for successfully RTW, and another three groups of survivors who were unable to return to work. Each of the three groups was ethnically homogeneous. Thematic analysis using a constant comparative approach was aided by in vivo software. Results: Participants shared numerous barriers and facilitators which directly or interactively affect RTW. Key barriers were physical-psychological after-effects of treatment, fear of potential environment hazards, high physical job demand, intrusive negative thoughts and overprotective family. Key facilitators were social support, employer support, and regard for financial independence. Across ethnic groups, the main facilitators were financial-independence (for Chinese), and socialisation opportunity (for Malay). A key barrier was after-effects of treatment, expressed across all ethnic groups. Conclusions: Numerous barriers were identified in the non-RTW survivors. Health professionals and especially occupational therapists should be consulted to assist the increasing survivors by providing occupational rehabilitation to enhance RTW amongst employed survivors. Future research to identify prognostic factors can guide clinical efforts to restore cancer survivors to their desired level/type of occupational functioning for productivity and wellbeing.

The Relationship of Multi-dimensional Accessibilities to Gambling

Chia,Ping Fong,Ng,Siew Cheng 세계문화관광학회 2010 Conference Proceedings Vol.11 No.0

Gambling is part of daily life in many Asian cultures. Accessibility is the beginning of the conditioning effects of participation in gambling. Thus, this study attempts to understand the characteristics of gamblers in a town situated in the centre of Johor state in relationship of multi-dimensional accessibility to gambling. Four dimensions of accessibility, which are (1) geography accessibility, (2) temporal accessibility, (3) social accessibility and (4) financial accessibility were assessing its influence on gamblers. 169 samples were further categorized into non-regular gamblers and regular gamblers. This research was conducted in Kluang town due to its centre location in Johor state contributing its ease of accessibility to Casino de Genting, the only legal casino operator in Malaysia. Furthermore, it is approximately 50 percent of Chinese residents in Kluang. Findings indicated that ease of accessibility, safety and comfort are most concerned by the gamblers Recommendations were developed for the interest of casino management accordance to the needs of the gamblers.

The Relationship of Multi-dimensional Accessibilities to Gambling

Ping-Fong Chia,Siew-Cheng Ng 한국문화관광학회 2011 문화관광연구 Vol.13 No.1

Gambling is part of daily life in many Asian cultures. Accessibility is the beginning of the conditioning effects of participation in gambling. Thus, this study attempts to understand the characteristics of gamblers in a town situated in the centre of Johor state in relationship of multidimensional accessibility to gambling. Four dimensions of accessibility, which are (1) geography accessibility, (2) temporal accessibility, (3) social accessibility and (4) financial accessibility were assessing its influence on gamblers. 169 samples were further categorized into non-regular gamblers and regular gamblers. This research was conducted in Kluang town due to its centre location in Johor state contributing its ease of accessibility to Casino de Genting, the only legal casino operator in Malaysia. Furthermore, it is approximately 50 percent of Chinese residents in Kluang. Findings indicated that ease of accessibility, safety and comfort are most concerned by the gamblers Recommendations were developed for the interest of casino management accordance to the needs of the gamblers.