Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 24 in total

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  1. Fulltext Chronic hepatitis B infection and liver cancer
    Wong Ch, Goh K
    Biomed Imaging Interv J, 2006 Jul;2(3):e7.
    PMID: 21614253 MyJurnal DOI: 10.2349/biij.2.3.e7
    Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the most well recognised human carcinogens. Since its discovery about 40 years ago, HBV has been studied extensively. This article summarises the evidence derived from various studies including epidemiological, animal model, histopathology studies and molecular genetics studies leading to the establishment of HBV as the main aetiological agent for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The reduction in the incidence of childhood HCC due to mass hepatitis B vaccination in Taiwan is a dramatic demonstration of the critical aetiological role of hepatitis B in HCC. Thus it is essential for interventionalists to understand the epidemiological and pathogenesis of HCC to ensure optimal patient care.
  2. Fulltext Does negative IgM dengue serology rule out dengue fever in an adult with fever for three days?
    Teng CL, Wong CH
    Malays Fam Physician, 2013;8(3):26-27.
    PMID: 25883762 MyJurnal
    A 21-year old medical student consults the doctor for a fever that started 3 days ago. The fever was high grade and associated with generalised body aches. There was no gum bleeding. He mentioned that mosquito fogging was conducted in his neighbourhood recently.Physical examination revealed an alert conscious young man. Temperature (oral): 38.9 ͦ C, blood pressure 100/70 mmHg, pulse rate 90/min, good volume. Mild flushing was noted. No petechiae were seen in his legs. Tourniquet test was positive.
  3. Fulltext Gastroesophageal reflux disease: an emerging disease in Asia
    Goh KL, Wong CH
    Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y), 2006 Feb;2(2):118-123.
    PMID: 28286439
    Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been reported to be uncommon among Asians. Although prevalence rates of reflux esophagitis and symptoms of GERD in Asian patients vary, most of the recently published studies have shown an increasing trend, likely due to better awareness and diagnosis as well as to a true increase in the prevalence of the disease. The exact reasons for this increase in prevalence are unclear but must be linked in some way to the dramatic socioeconomic development taking place in the region. Changes in dietary patterns and body mass index have been suggested as underlying reasons. On the other hand the high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in Asia and its association with decreased acid secretion and a low prevalence of GERD have also been noted. Another interesting observation is differing rates of GERD among different Asian ethnic groups, indicating a possible genetic susceptibility to GERD. Diagnosis of GERD is usually based on symptoms; many Asian patients, however, do not understand the term "heartburn," as there is no equivalent term in the major Asian languages. Patients therefore describe their symptoms variously, such as chest discomfort or wind and soreness in the chest. Nonerosive reflux disease appears to be common among Asians. Atypical manifestations of GERD, including noncardiac chest pain, asthma, and laryngitis, appear to be common among Asian patients as well.
  4. Fulltext Dengue antibodies in a suburban community in Malaysia
    Chen WS, Wong CH, Cillekens L
    Med J Malaysia, 2003 Mar;58(1):142-3.
    PMID: 14556343
  5. Mechanisms contributing to differential sensitivities of plants to SO2
    Klein H, Jäger HJ, Domes W, Wong CH
    Oecologia, 1978 Jan;33(2):203-208.
    PMID: 28309164 DOI: 10.1007/BF00344848
    SO2-fumigation experiments were conducted with plants of pea (Pisum sativum) and corn (Zea mays) recognized to be, respectively, sensitive and tolerant to the gas. Accumulation of inorganic sulfur in the tissues revealed that the pea takes up considerably greater amounts of SO2 than corn. Porometer measurements and transpiration coefficients show that this greater SO2 uptake is partly related to the lower leaf diffusion resistance of peas. Additional internal sinks for SO2 uptake are discussed in order to give a complete explanation of the differential SO2 uptake of the two species.
  6. Fulltext Tumour seeding following percutaneous needle biopsy of hepatocellular carcinoma
    Qua CS, Wong CH, Goh KL
    Singapore Med J, 2008 Jan;49(1):e8-11.
    PMID: 18204759
    We report a hepatocellular carcinoma seeding following needle biopsy in a 57-year-old man who first presented with a focal hepatic lesion at another hospital. The patient had been a hepatitis B carrier for 20 years. Initial surveillance ultrasonography showed a lesion in segment IV, in the background of non-cirrhotic liver and normal serum alpha-foetoprotein level (8 ng/ml). A percutaneous needle biopsy was done and histopathology confirmed well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma. The patient had refused surgery and preferred to try traditional medicine. He presented to us four months after the initial biopsy with epigastric swelling. This was found to be due to a tumour seeding along the previous biopsy tract. He was given radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of tumour along the needle tract, in addition to the primary tumour. We conclude that the need for percutaneous needle biopsy should be critically evaluated in patients presenting with focal hepatic lesions and the role of RFA in treating tumour seeding needs further evaluation.
  7. Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in chronic laryngitis: prevalence and response to acid-suppressive therapy
    Qua CS, Wong CH, Gopala K, Goh KL
    Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 2007 Feb 1;25(3):287-95.
    PMID: 17269990
    Gastro-oesophageal reflux is thought to cause chronic laryngitis through laryngopharyngeal reflux. Response of laryngitis to treatment with acid-suppressive therapy supports this causal link.
  8. Fulltext Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in 'difficult-to-control' asthma: prevalence and response to treatment with acid suppressive therapy
    Wong CH, Chua CJ, Liam CK, Goh KL
    Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 2006 May 1;23(9):1321-7.
    PMID: 16629937 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2006.02888.x
    BACKGROUND: The causal association between gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and difficult-to-control asthma is unclear.
    AIM: To determine the prevalence of GERD and response to proton pump inhibitor therapy in patients with difficult-to-control asthma.
    METHODS: Consecutive patients with difficult-to-control asthma as defined by persistent and recurrent symptoms despite on optimal asthmatic medications were recruited for the study. GERD was diagnosed by symptoms, gastroscopy and 24-h oesophageal pH monitoring. All patients were prescribed a course of lansoprazole 30 mg daily for 8 weeks. Improvement to treatment was assessed by a change in pulmonary symptom score and also by patient's subjective assessment of improvement.
    RESULTS: Seventeen of 30 (56.7%) patients with difficult-to-control asthma were diagnosed with GERD. Pulmonary symptom score improved significantly only in patients with GERD (35.0 to 21.0; P = 0.002). Twelve of 16 (75%) patients with GERD reported an improvement in asthma symptoms; 1 of 11 (9.1%) without GERD reported mild symptom improvement. There was no significant change in peak expiratory flow rate and forced expiratory volume.
    CONCLUSIONS: More than half of patients with difficult-to-control asthma were diagnosed with GERD. In these patients the severity of asthma improved significantly with potent acid suppression therapy. This underlines the critical role of acid reflux in this subset of patients with difficult-to-control asthma.
    Study site: Respiratory clinic, University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  9. Interaction between a novel intronic IVS3+172 variant and N29I mutation in PRSS1 gene is associated with pancreatitis in a Malaysian Chinese family
    Chua KH, Puah SM, Chew CH, Wong CH, Goh KL
    Pancreatology, 2011;11(4):441-4.
    PMID: 21952138 DOI: 10.1159/000330943
    Hereditary pancreatitis (HP) is a very rare form of early-onset chronic pancreatitis, which usually begins in childhood with a variable spectrum of severity of disease. HP is commonly caused by variants/mutations in the PRSS1 gene as reported in many studies. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the possible association of PRSS1 gene variants/mutations in a Malaysian Chinese family with HP.
  10. Transnasal endoscopic placement of nasoenteric feeding tubes: outcomes and limitations in non-critically ill patients
    Mahadeva S, Malik A, Hilmi I, Qua CS, Wong CH, Goh KL
    Nutr Clin Pract, 2008 Apr-May;23(2):176-81.
    PMID: 18390786 DOI: 10.1177/0884533608314535
    Transnasal endoscopic placement of nasoenteric tubes (NETs) has been demonstrated to be useful in the critical care setting, with limited data on its role in non-critically ill patients. The authors collected data on consecutive patients from a non-critical care setting undergoing transnasal endoscopic NET placement. All NETs were endoscopically placed using a standard over-the-guidewire technique, and positions were confirmed with fluoroscopy. Patients were monitored until the removal of NETs or death. Twenty-two patients (median age = 62.5 years, 36.4% female) were referred for postpyloric feeding, with main indications of persistent gastrocutaneous fistula (n = 6), gastroparesis or gastric outlet obstruction (n = 5), duodenal stenosis (n = 6), acute pancreatitis (n = 4), and gastroesophageal reflux after surgery (n = 1). Postpyloric placement of NET was achieved in 19 of 22 (86.3%) patients, with 36.8% tube positions in the jejunum, 47.4% in the distal duodenum, and 15.8% in the second part of the duodenum. NET placement was least successful in cases with duodenal stenosis. NETs remained in situ for a median of 24 days (range, 2-94), with tube dislodgement (n = 3) and clogging (n = 5) as the main complications. NET feeding resulted in complete healing of gastrocutaneous fistulae in 5 of 6 patients and provision of total enteral nutrition in 3 of 4 cases of acute pancreatitis and 9 of 11 cases of gastroparesis or proximal duodenal obstruction. Transnasal endoscopy has a role in the placement of NET in non-critically ill patients requiring postpyloric feeding. However, there are some limitations, particularly in cases with altered duodenal anatomy.
  11. Non-cardiac chest pain: prevalence of reflux disease and response to acid suppression in an Asian population
    Mohd H, Qua CS, Wong CH, Azman W, Goh KL
    J Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2009 Feb;24(2):288-93.
    PMID: 19054255 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2008.05702.x
    Gastroesophageal reflux disease is thought to be the commonest cause of 'non-cardiac chest pain'. The use of proton-pump inhibitors resulting in improvement in the chest pain symptom would support this causal association.
  12. Incorporation of sewage sludge in clay brick and its characterization
    Liew AG, Idris A, Wong CH, Samad AA, Noor MJ, Baki AM
    Waste Manag Res, 2004 Aug;22(4):226-33.
    PMID: 15462329
    This study reports the use of sewage sludge generated from sewage treatment plant (STP) as raw material in a clay brick-making process. The physico-chemical and mineralogical characterization of the sewage sludge and clay were carried out in order to identify the major technological constraints and to define the sludge pretreatment requirements if necessary. Moreover, the effects on processing conditions and/or on changes of typical final characteristics are also evaluated. Bricks were produced with sewage sludge additions ranging from 10 to 40% by dry weight. The texture and finishing of the surface of sludge-amended clay bricks were rather poor. As for the physical and chemical properties, bricks with a sludge content of up to 40 wt.% were capable of meeting the relevant technical standards. However, bricks with more than 30 wt.% sludge addition are not recommended for use since they are brittle and easily broken even when handled gently. A tendency for a general degradation of brick properties with sludge additions was observed due to its refractory nature. Therefore, sludge bricks of this nature are only suitable for use as common bricks, which are normally not exposed to view, because of poor surface finishing.
  13. Fulltext The status of family medicine training programs in the Asia Pacific
    Ng CJ, Teng CL, Abdullah A, Wong CH, Hanafi NS, Phoa SSY, et al.
    Fam Med, 2016 Mar;48(3):194-202.
    PMID: 26950908
    BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The family medicine training programs in the Asia Pacific (AP) are evolving. To date, there is a lack of comprehensive and systematic documentation on the status of family medicine training in the AP. This study aims to determine the status of family medicine training at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels in medical schools (universities or colleges) in the AP.
    METHODS: In 2014, the authors conducted a cross-sectional online survey to assess the undergraduate and postgraduate family medicine programs in academic family medicine departments from AP countries. A 37-item online survey questionnaire was sent to key informants from academic institutions with established family medicine departments/units. Only one response from each family medicine department/unit was included in the analysis.
    RESULTS: The medical school and country response rates were 31.31% and 64.1%, respectively. The majority of the medical schools (94.7%, n=71/75) reported having a department/unit for family medicine. Family medicine is recognized as a specialist degree by the governments of 20/25 countries studied. Family medicine is included in the undergraduate program of 92% (n=69/75) of all the participating medical schools. Only slightly more than half (53.3%) (n=40/75) reported conducting a postgraduate clinical program. Less than one third (26.7%) (n=20/75) of the medical schools conducted postgraduate research programs.
    CONCLUSIONS: Undergraduate training remains the focus of most family medicine departments/units in the AP. Nevertheless, the number of postgraduate programs is increasing. A more rigorous and long-term documentation of family medicine training in the AP is warranted.
  14. Fulltext Successful epilepsy surgery for tuberous sclerosis complex evaluated by stereoelectroencephalography
    Fong CY, Bleasel A, Dexter MA, Lawson JA, Wong CH
    Epileptic Disord, 2020 Oct 01;22(5):633-641.
    PMID: 33146141 DOI: 10.1684/epd.2020.1211
    Evaluating the candidacy for epilepsy surgery in patients with tuberous sclerosis can be challenging, particularly when non-invasive investigations do not show a clear epileptogenic zone. Stereoencephalography may be useful in such cases. We present a case in which the primary epileptogenic tuber was successfully identified by stereoencephalography, which resulted in seizure freedom following epilepsy surgery. [Published with video sequences].
  15. Exploring attitudes about evidence-based practice among speech-language pathologists: A survey of Japan and Malaysia
    Chu SY, Hara Y, Wong CH, Higashikawa M, McConnell GE, Lim A
    Int J Speech Lang Pathol, 2021 12;23(6):662-671.
    PMID: 33823717 DOI: 10.1080/17549507.2021.1877816
    Purpose: To investigate speech-language pathologists' current perceptions, previous training experiences, resources, barriers, and training needs in terms of evidence-based practices (EBPs) in two Asian countries.Method: Their knowledge and attitudes about EBP were explored using an online questionnaire. A descriptive analysis was conducted with consideration of the effect of demographic variables on knowledge and attitudes about EBP.Result: Malaysian speech-language pathologists (n = 98) displayed more positive attitudes toward EBPs, with a significantly higher (t (143) = 5.91, p < .01) total mean score (Mean = 120.7, SD = 11) compared to the Japanese speech-language pathologists (n = 47, Mean = 107.8, SD = 13.5). Malaysian practitioners who were female, worked full-time, and worked in government settings reported higher motivation to develop EBP skills. Japanese practitioners who worked in private sectors reported higher EBPs training needs than those in government settings. In both countries, speech-language pathologists with higher education levels tended to express fewer perceived barriers towards EBP.Conclusion: Findings could help local governance and speech-language pathologist associations to understand the current practices and professional development needs of speech-language pathologists, leading to more effective training programs and educating employers and managers who can reinforce EBP among practitioners.
  16. A systematic review of anxiety prevalence in adults within primary care and community settings in Malaysia
    Wong CH, Sultan Shah ZU, Teng CL, Lin TQ, Majeed ZA, Chan CW
    Asian J Psychiatr, 2016 Dec;24:110-117.
    PMID: 27931891 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2016.08.020
    BACKGROUND: Anxiety disorders are common mental health disorders with significant impact on the individual as well as burden on the country as a whole.
    METHODS: A systematic review of databases, reference lists, internet sources, and input from content experts revealed 42 studies that documented the prevalence of anxiety symptoms or disorders. 12 of these studies specifically evaluated anxiety disorders.
    RESULTS: 4 studies looked at the prevalence of anxiety disorders in the general population, whilst the remainder focused on selected population groups: university students (4 studies); substance abuse (3 studies); and victims of abuse (1 study). Studies in the general population showed that the prevalence of generalised anxiety disorder was 0.4-5.6%, mixed anxiety and depression were 3-5%, panic without agoraphobia 0.4%, phobia unspecified 0.5-%, and anxiety not-otherwise-specified 0.3-6.5%. We found significant variability in anxiety disorders in the studies in selected population groups. The variability could also have been affected by methodological factors within each study.
    CONCLUSION: This study provides a broad overview of the prevalence of anxiety disorders in Malaysia. More research is required to develop diagnostic instruments that are validated for local use and comparable with international standards. Reliable prevalence estimates are lacking within certain groups, e.g. those in rural, indigenous, migrant population groups and those exposed to natural disasters.
  17. Fulltext Triggering Chinese lecturers' intrinsic work motivation by value-based leadership and growth mindset: Generation difference by using multigroup analysis
    Zhao X, Wider W, Zhang X, Fauzi MA, Wong CH, Jiang L, et al.
    PLoS One, 2024;19(3):e0297791.
    PMID: 38536845 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297791
    This cross-sectional study investigated the effects of value-based leadership and growth mindset on the intrinsic work motivation of Chinese lecturers. In addition, this study used age as a categorical moderator to investigate generational differences between the effects of Millennials and their predecessors. A sample of 518 lecturers from various Chinese universities was used to collect data, and SEM-PLS was used to analyse the data. The results showed that value-based leadership and growth mindset had a significant positive impact on both younger and older lecturers' intrinsic work motivation, with the effect of value-based leadership on younger lecturers' intrinsic motivation being significantly stronger than on older lecturers' intrinsic motivation, whereas the effect of growth mindset on intrinsic work motivation did not differ significantly between the younger and older groups. This study contributes to the existing research literature by contrasting the value-based leadership and growth mindset in relation to lecturers' intrinsic work motivation across younger and older groups in Chinese higher education settings, where greater heterogeneity between age groups was identified. The findings also provided university administrators with recommendations for boosting the intrinsic work motivation of lecturers, influencing future education policy.
  18. Walnut intake may increase circulating adiponectin and leptin levels but does not improve glycemic biomarkers: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials
    Yang L, Guo Z, Qi S, Fang T, Zhu H, Santos HO, et al.
    Complement Ther Med, 2020 Aug;52:102505.
    PMID: 32951753 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102505
    BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Walnut intake is considered a healthy dietary approach worldwide, particularly as a nutritional tool for the management of obesity and cardiometabolic disorders. Among these lines, leptin and adiponectin, as well as glycemic biomarkers, deserve further attention. We aimed to examine the impact of walnut intake on circulation levels of leptin and adiponectin through a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs); secondarily, assessing the glycemic profile as well.

    METHODS: The literature search was implemented in four following databases: Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed/Medline, and Google Scholar, thus, determining studies that measured the effects of walnut consumption on adiponectin, leptin, and glycemic biomarkers levels from 2004 up to December 2019.

    RESULTS: Fourteen trials were include in the meta-analysis, with an intervention period ranging from 5 weeks to 12 months.Walnut intake increased leptin (weighted mean difference (WMD): 2.502 ng/mL; 95 % CI: 2.147-2.856, p 

  19. Fulltext Parental preferences with regards to disclosure following adverse events occurring in relation to medication use or diagnosis in the care of their children - perspectives from Malaysia
    Wong CH, Tan TR, Heng HY, Ramesh T, Ting PW, Lee WS, et al.
    Med J Malaysia, 2016 Aug;71(4):186-192.
    PMID: 27770117
    Open disclosure is poorly understood in Malaysia but is an ethical and professional responsibility. The objectives of this study were to determine: (1) the perception of parents regarding the severity of medical error in relation to medication use or diagnosis; (2) the preference of parents for information following the medical error and its relation to severity; and (3) the preference of parents with regards to disciplinary action, reporting, and legal action.
  20. Fulltext Effect of Oral Minoxidil for Alopecia: Systematic Review
    do Nascimento IJB, Harries M, Rocha VB, Thompson JY, Wong CH, Varkaneh HK, et al.
    Int J Trichology, 2020 09 19;12(4):147-155.
    PMID: 33376283 DOI: 10.4103/ijt.ijt_19_20
    Patients with major presentations of alopecia experience physically harmful effects and psychological comorbidities, such as depression and anxiety. Oral minoxidil (OM) has been suggested by dermatologists as a potential remedy; however, its effectiveness remains unclear. This systematic review aims to collate published studies and to analyze the effect of OM among patients diagnosed with any type of alopecia. For this systematic review, Medline/PubMed, Cochrane Central, EMBASE, Web of Sciences, and Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Information System were searched for relevant studies from inception to September 21, 2019. Of 1960 studies retrieved in several electronic databases and three additional records identified though reference list from potentially eligible studies, nine studies (one randomized controlled trial and eight nonrandomized controlled trials) met the requirements and were used in our analysis. Although we found positive effects in favor of OM, this should be interpreted cautiously due to very low quality of the evidence of outcomes in the selected studies. Definitive conclusions are not possible without high-quality trials. This review has highlighted the absence of high-quality randomized controlled trials evaluating OM in the treatment of various types of alopecia. Given the mild adverse events of OM, future studies should also analyze doses and duration to maximize efficacy and decrease side effects.
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