1.Microencapsulation of Lactobacillus plantarum 299v incorporated with oligofructose in chitosan coated-alginate beads and its storage stability in ambarella juice
Siew Li Ng ; Ka Wai Lai ; Kar Lin Nyam ; Liew Phing Pui
Malaysian Journal of Microbiology 2019;15(5):408-418
Aims:
Microencapsulation has been used to protect the viability of probiotics in harsh environments such as gastrointestinal conditions and food composition. The present study aimed to optimize the microencapsulation of Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (Lp299v) using co-extrusion by varying two parameters (calcium chloride (CaCl2) and oligofructose (FOS) concentrations) and storage stability of the beads produced in ambarella juice at refrigerated and room temperature.
Methodology and results:
Chitosan coated-alginate microcapsule prepared with 4.0% (w/v) FOS and 2.5% (w/v) CaCl2 showed highest microencapsulation efficiency (93%). The microcapsules were subjected to gastrointestinal treatment and storage test in ambarella juice. Both encapsulated Lp299v with and without FOS showed higher viabilities compared with free cells after incubated in simulated gastric juice (SGJ) and simulated intestinal juice (SIJ). After 5 h of incubation in SIJ, the viabilities of both encapsulated probiotic with and without FOS were more than 107 CFU/mL. The Lp299v were stored in ambarella juice under refrigerated (4 °C) and room temperature (25 °C) for 4 weeks. At 25 °C, all forms of Lp299v lost their viabilities after one week. On the other hand, at 4 °C, viable cells count of both encapsulated Lp299v with and without FOS were reported to be more than 107 CFU/mL after 4 weeks of storage.
Conclusion, significance and impact of study
Microencapsulation with FOS was able to improve Lp299v’s viability during storage in low pH fruit juices compared to those without FOS. The microencapsulated probiotics could be applied in ambarella juice for the development of functional food.
2.Epidemiological characteristics of the 2005 and 2007 dengue epidemics in Singapore – similarities and distinctions
Teck Siang Ler ; Li Wei Ang ; Grace Siew Lian Yap ; Lee Ching Ng ; Ji Choong Tai ; Lyn James ; Kee Tai Goh
Western Pacific Surveillance and Response 2011;2(2):24-29
INTRODUCTION: We investigated the epidemiological features of the 2007 dengue outbreak to determine the factors that could have triggered it two years after the previous large outbreak in 2005.
METHODS: All laboratory-confirmed cases of dengue reported during the year, as well as entomological and virological data, were analysed.
RESULTS: A total of 8826 cases including 24 deaths were reported in 2007, giving an incidence of 192.3 cases per 100 000 residents and a case-fatality rate of 0.27%. The median age of the cases was 37 years (interquartile range 25 to 50), with an age range from two days to 101 years, which was higher than the median age of 31 years (interquartile range 20 to 42), with a range from four days to 98 years, in 2005. The overall Aedes premises index in 2007 was 0.68%, lower than the 1.15% observed in 2005. The predominant dengue serotype in 2007 was dengue virus DENV-2 which re-emerged with a clade replacement in early 2007, and overtook the predominant serotype (DENV-1) of 2005. Seroprevalence studies conducted in the three largest outbreak clusters revealed that 73.2% of residents with recent infection were asymptomatic.
DISCUSSION: With the exception of an increase in the median age of the cases, and a change in the predominant dengue serotype, the epidemiological features of the 2007 epidemic were largely similar to those of 2005. Singapore remains vulnerable to major outbreaks of dengue, despite sustained vector control measures to maintain a consistently low Aedes premises index.
3.A Survey on Singaporean Women's Knowledge, Perception and Practices of Mammogram Screening.
Siew Kuan LIM ; Xin Ling TEO ; Jia Lin NG ; Fay X LI ; Su Ming TAN
Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 2015;44(9):317-325
INTRODUCTIONSingapore is the first Asian country to establish a nationwide breast screening programme, but our breast cancer screening uptake lags behind the Western countries. This survey focused on the subject of screening mammography, to assess the reasons for non-attendance and explore ways to improve our screening uptake.
MATERIALS AND METHODSFemales ≥21 years old were approached at primary healthcare clinics to participate in this survey, which questioned their knowledge, perception and expectations of breast screening.
RESULTSThere were 1011 respondents. Of the 740 respondents ≥40 years old, 332 respondents (45.5%) went for regular mammogram screening. Women who had lower household incomes [<$2000 (OR 0.49; 95% CI, 0.28 to 0.85); $2000 to $3999 (OR 0.59; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.97)], did not know anyone with breast cancer (OR 0.62; 95% CI, 0.42 to 0.92), did not perform breast self-examination (OR 0.42; 95% CI, 0.28 to 0.62), had lower knowledge scores (OR 0.34; 95% CI 0.22 to 0.51), did not attend other health screening (OR 0.14; 95% CI, 0.05 to 0.41), and perceived mammography as embarrassing (OR 0.55; 95% CI, 0.31 to 0.96), were less likely to attend mammographic screening. Many did not know that screening is for the asymptomatic (51.2%), or the age to start screening (46.3%). Most respondents preferred to have their mammograms in the polyclinics (62.2%) and their screening reminders to be through short messaging service (SMS) (46.0%).
CONCLUSIONOur results show the current influences on Singapore women's screening practices, and also revealed that their understanding of mammogram screening is limited despite a high level of breast cancer awareness.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Breast Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Breast Self-Examination ; Early Detection of Cancer ; Female ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Mammography ; Middle Aged ; Patient Acceptance of Health Care ; Singapore ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult
4.Therapeutic temperature management (TTM): post-resuscitation care for adult cardiac arrest, with recommendations from the National TTM Workgroup.
Siew Hon Benjamin LEONG ; Enoch CHAN ; Benjamin Choon Heng HO ; Colin YEO ; Sennen LEW ; Duu Wen SEWA ; Shir Lynn LIM ; Chee Wan LEE ; Pow Li CHIA ; Tien Siang Eric LIM ; Eng Kiang LEE ; Marcus Eng Hock ONG
Singapore medical journal 2017;58(7):408-410
Therapeutic temperature management (TTM) was strongly recommended by the 2015 International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation as a component of post-resuscitation care. It has been known to be effective in improving the survival rate and neurologic functional outcome of patients after cardiac arrest. In an effort to increase local adoption of TTM as a standard of post-resuscitation care, this paper discusses and makes recommendations on the treatment for local providers.
5.SingHealth Radiology Archives pictorial essay Part 1: cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological cases.
Mark Bangwei TAN ; Kim Ping TAN ; Joey Chan Yiing BEH ; Eugenie Yi Kar CHAN ; Kenneth Fu Wen CHIN ; Zong Yi CHIN ; Wei Ming CHUA ; Aaron Wei-Loong CHONG ; Gary Tianyu GU ; Wenlu HOU ; Anna Chooi Yan LAI ; Rebekah Zhuyi LEE ; Perry Jia Ren LIEW ; May Yi Shan LIM ; Joshua Li Liang LIM ; Zehao TAN ; Eelin TAN ; Grace Siew Lim TAN ; Timothy Shao Ern TAN ; Eu Jin TAN ; Alexander Sheng Ming TAN ; Yet Yen YAN ; Winston Eng Hoe LIM
Singapore medical journal 2020;61(12):633-640
The Singapore Health Services cluster (SingHealth) radiology film archives are a valuable repository of local radiological cases dating back to the 1950s. Some of the cases in the archives are of historical medical interest, i.e. cerebral angiography in the workup of patients with hemiplegia. Other cases are of historical social interest, being conditions seen during earlier stages of Singapore's development, i.e. bound feet. The archives form a unique portal into the development of local radiology as well as the national development of Singapore. A selection from the archives is published in 2020 in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the formation of SingHealth, the 55th National Day of Singapore, and the 125th anniversary of the International Day of Radiology. This pictorial essay comprises cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological cases from the archives.
6.SingHealth Radiology Archives pictorial essay Part 2: gastroenterology, musculoskeletal, and obstetrics and gynaecology cases.
Mark Bangwei TAN ; Kim Ping TAN ; Joey Chan Yiing BEH ; Eugenie Yi Kar CHAN ; Kenneth Fu Wen CHIN ; Zong Yi CHIN ; Wei Ming CHUA ; Aaron Wei-Loong CHONG ; Gary Tianyu GU ; Wenlu HOU ; Anna Chooi Yan LAI ; Rebekah Zhuyi LEE ; Perry Jia Ren LIEW ; May Yi Shan LIM ; Joshua Li Liang LIM ; Zehao TAN ; Eelin TAN ; Grace Siew Lim TAN ; Timothy Shao Ern TAN ; Eu Jin TAN ; Alexander Sheng Ming TAN ; Yet Yen YAN ; Winston Eng Hoe LIM
Singapore medical journal 2021;62(1):8-15
The Singapore Health Services cluster (SingHealth) radiology film archives are a valuable repository of local radiological cases dating back to the 1950s. Some of the cases in the archives are of historical medical interest, i.e. cerebral angiography in the workup of patients with hemiplegia. Other cases are of historical social interest, being conditions seen during earlier stages of Singapore's development, i.e. bound feet. The archives form a unique portal into the development of local radiology as well as the national development of Singapore. A selection from the archives is published in commemoration of the International Day of Radiology in 2020, as well as the 200th anniversary of the Singapore General Hospital in 2021. This pictorial essay comprises gastroenterology, musculoskeletal and obstetrics and gynaecology cases from the archives.
7.Fear of Covid-19 and Burnout Among Healthcare Providers in Malaysia: Is Resilience a Missing Link?
Siew-Mooi Ching ; Ramayah Thurasamy ; Ai Theng Cheong ; Anne Yee ; Poh Ying Ling ; Irmi Ismail Zarina ; Kai Wei Lee ; Jun Ying Ng ; Rofina Abdul Rahim ; Mohd Khairi Mohd Noor ; Chang Li Cheng ; Ahmad Iqmer Nashriq Mohd Nazan ; Hafizah Md Salleh ; Noor Hasliza Hassan
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2023;19(No.4):265-272
Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare providers have been in great fear due to the high risk of
contracting COVID-19 infection at any time. This study aimed to determine the mediating role of resilience on the
relationship between fear of COVID-19 and burnout in primary care healthcare providers in Malaysia. Methods: This
was an online cross-sectional study involving 1280 healthcare providers aged 18 years and older from 30 government primary care clinics in Malaysia. We used the COVID-19 Fear Scale, the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory Scale,
and the Short Brief Resilience Scale to collect data from the respondents. Smart-PLS was used to perform mediation
analysis. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 36 years old and mean duration of working experience was
11 years. The majority of the respondents were female (82.4%) and Malays (82.3%). The study population consisted of nurses (47.4%), doctors (26%), medical assistants (11.9), healthcare assistant (7.1%), medical laboratory
technicians (6.4%) and drivers(1.3).The results show that fear of COVID-19 positively predicts burnout. According
to the results, resilience mediates the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and all the three burnout domains,
namely personal burnout (β=0.175,p<0.001), work-related burnout (β=0.175,p<0.001) and client-related burnout
(β=0.172,p<0.001). Additionally, resilience reduces the impact of COVID-19 fear on the three domains of burnout.
Conclusion: Our study has reported a mediating effect of resilience on the relationship between fear of COVID-19
and burnout.