1.Thymic carcinoma presenting with an unusual and delayed metastasis to the neural foramen, mimicking thoracic spinal radiculopathy
Hsien Min Low ; Chin Fong Wong ; Martin Weng Chin H'ng
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2016;71(6):368-369
We report a case of metastatic thymic carcinoma which
presented as an enhancing mass located in the neural
foramen of the thoracic spine. More common tumours which
arise in the neural foramen would include a neurogenic
tumour or developmental anomalies such as a foregut
duplication cyst. This case is singular firstly because the
lesion present as radiculopathy which mimics a neurogenic
tumour. Secondly, the presentation was unusually delayed
as the patient presented to our centre more than a decade
after the resection of the primary tumour in another
institution.
2.Comparison Of Invasion By Human Microvascular Endothelial Cell Lines In Response To Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (Vegf) And Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (Bfgf) In A Three-Dimensional (3d) Cell Culture System
Chin Tat Ng ; Wai Kien Yip ; Norhafizah Mohtarrudin ; Heng Fong
The Malaysian Journal of Pathology 2015;37(3):219-225
Background: Immortalized human endothelial cells are widely used as in vitro models for debilitating
conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular and ocular diseases. Human microvascular endothelial
cell (HMEC-1) is immortalized via stable transfection with a gene encoding SV40 large antigen
whilst telomerase-immortalized human microvascular endothelial (TIME) cells is immortalized by
engineering the human telomerase catalytic protein (hTERT) into primary microvascular endothelial
cells. Here, we established a three-dimensional (3D) spheroid invasion assay with HMEC-1 and
TIME and compared the difference in their ability to invade through the collagen matrix in response
to exogenous growth factors, namely vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast
growth factor (bFGF). Methods: TIME and HMEC-1 spheroids were embedded in a collagen
matrix. The spheroids were stimulated with exogenous growth factors, namely VEGF (50ng/mL)
and bFGF (200ng/mL). Twelve points of invasion length from a spheroid was measured using image
analysis software, Image J. Three independent experiments were conducted and data was analysis
by GraphPad Instat software, version 3.05. Results: TIME spheroid invasion was 16.5 fold higher
with exogenous VEGF (50ng/mL) and bFGF (200ng/mL) treatment as compared to those cultured in
complete growth medium only. In contrast, no significant difference was observed between HMEC-1
spheroids stimulated with and without exogenous growth factors, VEGF and bFGF. Conclusions:
This is the first report on the establishment of a 3D-spheroid invasion assay with TIME cells. The
requirement of VEGF and bFGF for TIME spheroids invasion is a novel finding. In addition, this
assay offers an advantage over HMEC-1 for testing novel angiogenic agents since it is not affected
by endogenously secreted growth factors.
3.Genetics in medical school curriculum: a look at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry.
Deanne M ROBINSON ; Chin-To FONG
Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2008;9(1):10-15
Genetics is assuming an increasingly important role in medicine. As a result, the teaching of genetics should also be increased proportionally to ensure that future physicians will be able to take advantage of the new genetic technology, and to understand the associated ethical, legal and social issues. At the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, we have been able to incorporate genetic education into a four-year medical curriculum in a fully integrated fashion. This model may serve as a template for other medical curriculum still in development.
Curriculum
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Education, Medical
;
Genetics
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education
4.Skill validation study on sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer and the challenges of false-negative, in-transit and micrometastatic nodes
Chen Siew Ng ; Sarojah Arulanantham ; Joon Joon Khoo ; Subathra Sabaratnam ; Yeong Fong Lee ; Chin Fang Ngim
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2016;71(5):275-281
5.Sequence analysis on the mitochondrial COXI gene of recent clinical isolates of Plasmodium knowlesi in Klang valley, peninsular Malaysia
Mun Yik Fong* ; Yee-Ling Lau ; Lit-Chien Chin ; Abdulsalam M.Q. Al-Mekhlafi
Tropical Biomedicine 2011;28(2):457-463
The cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COXI) gene sequences of three recent (2007-
2008) clinical Plasmodium knowlesi isolates from Klang Valley, peninsular Malaysia, were
determined and compared with those of older (1960’s) peninsular Malaysia, recent isolates
from Sarawak (on Borneo Island), and an isolate from Thailand. Multiple alignment of the
sequences showed that the three clinical isolates were more similar to the older peninsular
Malaysia isolates than to those from Sarawak and Thailand. Phylogenetic tree based on the
COXI sequences revealed three distinct clusters of P. knowlesi. The first cluster consisted of
isolates from peninsular Malaysia, the second consisted of Sarawak isolates and the third
composed of the Thailand isolate. The findings of this study highlight the usefulness of
mitochondrial COXI gene as a suitable marker for phylogeographic studies of P. knowlesi.
6.Evaluation of codon optimized recombinant Plasmodium knowlesi Merozoite Surface Protein-119 (pkMSP-119) expressed in Pichia pastoris
Lau, Y.L. ; Cheong, F.W. ; Chin, L.C. ; Mahmud, R. ; Chen, Y. ; Fong, M.Y.
Tropical Biomedicine 2014;31(4):749-759
Malaria causes high global mortality and morbidity annually. Plasmodium knowlesi
has been recognised as the fifth human Plasmodium sp. and its infection is widely distributed
in Southeast Asia. Merozoite surface protein-119 (MSP-119) appears as a potential candidate
for malaria blood stage vaccine as it could induce protective immunity. In this study, codon
optimized P. knowlesi MSP-119 (pkMSP-119) was expressed and purified in yeast Pichia pastoris
expression system. The purified recombinant protein was further evaluated using Western
blot assay using knowlesi malaria, non-knowlesi human malaria, non-malarial parasitic
infections and healthy serum samples (n = 50). The sensitivity of purified pkMSP-119 towards
detection of knowlesi infection was as 28.6% (2/7). pkMSP-119 did not react with all nonmalarial
parasitic infections and healthy donor sera, yet reacted with some non-knowlesi
human malaria sera, therefore lead to a specificity of 86.0% (37/43).
8.Urology action plan in a pandemic.
Reshma MANGAT ; Sarvajit BILIGERE ; Chin Tiong HENG ; Pradeep DURAI ; Vineet GAUHAR
Singapore medical journal 2023;64(4):271-275
9.A 5-year retrospective review of Asian ectropion: how does it compare to ectropion amongst non-Asians?
Jocelyn CHUA ; Chai Teck CHOO ; Lay Leng SEAH ; Kee Siew FONG ; Soon Phaik CHEE ; Chin Tek CHUAH ; Audrey LOOI
Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 2011;40(2):84-89
INTRODUCTIONThis study reviews the differences in demographics and surgical outcomes between ectropion in Asian and non-Asian eyes.
MATERIALS AND METHODSMedical records of surgically corrected ectropion cases from January 2002 to December 2006 were reviewed. Preand postoperative lid-globe apposition was graded: grade 0 with normal lid-globe apposition, grade 1 with punctal ectropion, grade 2 with partial lid eversion and scleral show, grade 3 with conjunctival hyperemia and thickening and grade 4 as for grade 3 with exposure keratitis.
RESULTSSixty-nine eyes in 50 patients underwent surgical correction of lower lid ectropion, making up 3.3% of all lid procedures performed. Eighty-four percent of patients were above 50 years of age, 72% were males and 88% were Chinese. Involutional change was the commonest aetiology, accounting for the majority of bilateral cases. The mean duration to surgery was 10.0 ± 16.0 months. The most frequent preoperative severity grade was 2. Lateral tarsal strip (LTS) was the commonest procedure performed, comprising 91.3% of eyes. The mean duration of postoperative review was 19.4 ± 19.2 months (range, 1 to 74 months). Postoperative improvement of at least one grade was observed in 98% while normal lid-globe apposition was achieved in 76% of eyes.
CONCLUSIONSInvolutional change is the most common cause of ectropion amongst both Asians and non-Asians. Ectropion is less prevalent amongst Asians as a result of anatomical differences and possibly reduced sun exposure. The LTS procedure is the most commonly performed surgical procedure for the successful correction of ectropion in both Asians and non-Asians.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Blepharoplasty ; methods ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Ectropion ; surgery ; Eyelids ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Period ; Preoperative Care ; Retrospective Studies ; Time Factors ; Young Adult
10.64-row multi-dector computed tomography coronary image from a center with early experience: first illustration of learning curve
Sze Piaw CHIN ; Tiong Kiam ONG ; Wei Ling CHAN ; Chee Khoon LIEW ; M.Tobias Seyfarth ; Fong Yean Yip ALAN ; Houng Bang LIEW ; Kui Hian SIM
Journal of Geriatric Cardiology 2006;3(1):29-34
Background and objectives The recent joint ACCF/AHA clinical competence statement on cardiac imaging with multi-detector computed tomography recommended a minimum of 6 months training and 300 contrast examinations, of which the candidate must be directly involved in at least 100 studies. Whether this is adequate to become proficient in interpretation of coronary computed tomogsignificant coronary stenosis in a center with 1 year's experience using a 64-row scanner. Methods A total of 778 patients underwent contrast-enhanced CTA between January and December 2005. Out of these patients, 301 patients also underwent contrast-enhanced conventional coronary angiography (CCA). These patients were divided into 4 groups according to the time the examination was underwent. Group Q1: first quarter of the year (n=20), Group Q2: second quarter (n=128), Group Q3: third quarter (n=134), and Group Results The sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values were Q1 - 64%, 89%, 49% and 94%, respectively; Q2 -79%, 96%, 74% and 97%, respectively; Q3 - 78%, 96%, 74%, 97%, respectively, and Q4 - 100% for all. Conclusions In a center with formal training and high caseload, our accuracy in CTA analysis reached a plateau after 6 months experience. Test-bolus protocols produce better image quality and can improve accuracy. New centers embarking on CTA will need to overcome an initial 6-month learning curve depending upon the caseload during which time they should consider correlation with CCA.