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Biomedical subjects

G Ong

Publications and source records attributed to G Ong.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Dental prosthetic status and needs of an elderly population living in long-term care facilities in Singapore.

This study examined the prosthetic status and needs among an elderly population living in long-term care facilities in Singapore. A total of 488 subjects were randomly selected and 479 of them were examined. The results show that 56.2 percent of selected subjects were edentulous while 43.8 percent had one or more teeth missing. The average number of teeth present among dentate subjects was 7.5. Of the edentulous subjects, 78 percent of them reported not having any dentures, and more than 20 percent of existing dentures were found to be defective and had to be replaced. A higher proportion (94 percent) of dentate subjects who could have benefitted from having partial dentures did not have them. The findings of this study clearly demonstrate high unmet needs for prosthetic care among an institutionalized elderly population.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Dental state and needs for episodic care of institutionalized elderly in an Asian community.

This study examined the dental state of institutionalized elderly and their need for care. An oral examination was carried out on 479 elderly persons living in long-term care facilities with a mean age of 74.9 years. Results showed an overall DMF score of 27.0 and the average number of teeth in dentate subjects was 7.5. A large proportion of teeth (76.6%) was lost through dental caries and the loss increased significantly with age. Consequently, 56.1% of subjects were edentulous, of whom 78.8% were without dentures. Among the conditions that required urgent dental care, majority of subjects needed extractions of residual roots and loose teeth. A lesser proportion required treatment for gross caries (4.8%), periodontal disease (5.0%), suspected tumor (0.2%), as well as alleviation of pain and infection arising from mucosal lesions (4.8%), abscesses (3.3%) and TMJ problems (2.8%). The treatment needs for dentures and episodic care are high among institutionalized elderly and need to be addressed.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

The uaY positive control gene of Aspergillus nidulans: fine structure, isolation of constitutive mutants and reversion patterns.

The product of the uaY gene of Aspergillus nidulans is necessary for the expression of at least eight genes coding for enzymes and permeases of the purine utilisation pathway. A detailed fine structure map has been constructed of this gene involving 13 presumed point mutations and eight deletions. Gene conversion of these deletions was demonstrated. A technique was devised to select for constitutive mutations and two were obtained which map within the uaY gene. We have shown that the most centromere proximal allele reverts to a number of different phenotypes. The properties of this allele suggest that it may map in the open reading frame of the uaY gene, in a domain that could be altered in a way that would differentially affect the expression of genes under uaY control.

Aspergillus nidulans↗
PubMed1990

A survey of approximal root concavities in an ethnic Chinese population.

Eight hundred and forty teeth were surveyed, 60 approximal surfaces for each tooth type being studied. Approximal root concavities were completely absent in maxillary central incisors, in contrast with mandibular central incisors of which 73% had concavities on mesial surfaces and 93% on distal surfaces. Similarly, a markedly higher prevalence was found for mandibular lateral incisors and canines. However, mandibular first and second molars had fewer approximal concavities than their maxillary counterparts. In maxillary teeth, concavities were more frequent on distal surfaces, while for mandibular teeth no definite pattern was seen. In both maxillary and mandibular teeth, approximal concavities often started in enamel, extending down to the root surface. There were differences in the approximal root topography of Chinese teeth in comparison with other populations.

Bicuspid↗
PubMed1990

Oncoprotein stability after tumour resection.

The means by which oncogenes and their products activate malignant transformation are currently under intense investigation. However, published papers on experiments using human tumour material do not always report in detail their methods of collection or storage of the specimens. In order to assess the stability of oncogene encoded proteins following collection or storage of human tumour biopsies, we have examined the rate of decay of the c-myc, neu and EGF-receptor proteins. Solid tumours, containing amplified copies of each oncogene, were established in nude mice and the stability of the oncogene protein in portions of each tumour, left in phosphate buffered saline at room temperature for varying time intervals, was examined by immunoblotting. Intact EGF-receptor and neu oncoproteins were present even after 24 h under these conditions while the c-myc protein was apparently rapidly degraded after 20 min. These data demonstrate that oncogene products decay at different rates after tumour resection and that collection of human biopsies should take this into account in order to provide the basis for consistent measurements of protein expression.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Major gynaecological surgery in patients with severe coronary artery disease--the combined approach.

The gynaecologist today is likely to encounter elderly patients with severe coronary heart disease requiring major gynaecological surgery. The successful outcome in 2 such patients with compromised coronary circulation and impaired left ventricular function emphasized the importance of combined care with the cardiologist and the anaesthetist. The insertion of a Swan-Ganz catheter for close perioperative monitoring is vital. The intra-and postoperative problems are discussed.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

The effectiveness of 3 types of dental floss for interdental plaque removal.

The relative effectiveness of waxed dental floss, dental tape and Superfloss as proximal plaque removal aids were compared in 20 subjects. Each subject used each of the three interdental aids for 1 week. The order of use was randomly selected. Interdental plaque scores were recorded at baseline, weeks 1, 2 and 3. At the end of week 3, subjects answered a questionnaire to ascertain their subjective responses to the 3 types of dental floss they had used. The use of all 3 types of dental floss resulted in significant improvement in interproximal plaque scores compared to baseline scores. Improvement in plaque scores, in decreasing order were: dental tape, dental floss and Superfloss. Dental tape was significantly more efficient than Superfloss (p = 0.003). There were no significant differences observed between the effectiveness of dental tape and waxed floss (p = 0.059), and waxed dental floss and Superfloss (p = 0.143). Regardless of the type of dental floss used, patients removed plaque more efficiently from buccal interproximal areas compared to lingual/palatal interproximal areas (p less than 0.001) and from anterior teeth than posterior teeth (p less than 0.001). Subjective responses indicated that 50% of subjects preferred dental tape, 40% waxed dental floss and only 10% preferred Superfloss.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Delivery of periodontal therapy by general practitioners in Singapore.

The objective of this survey was to determine the capacity of general practitioners to deliver periodontal therapy. This study revealed that only 33% of the dentists surveyed routinely carried out periodontal therapy. The remaining 67% selectively or seldom delivered periodontal therapy. Of the variables investigated, the only variable which played a significant role in the delivery of periodontal treatment was the time since graduation of the dentists, all other factors had no significant influence. 35% of practitioners who had graduated less than 5 years ago routinely carried out periodontal treatment, whereas 50% of practitioners who had been in practice for more than 20 years seldom carried out periodontal therapy. The possible reasons for not delivering periodontal treatment more frequently are discussed.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1989

c-myc oncogene expression and clinical outcome in carcinoma of the cervix.

The expression of the c-myc oncogene was studied in paraffin-embedded specimens of cervical biopsies using a monoclonal antibody which binds to the 62,000 Dalton protein encoded by the c-myc gene. A range of cervical cancers from intraepithelial neoplasia to advanced grade IV tumours were studied together with normal cervical biopsies; c-myc status was correlated to clinical progress. There was no correlation seen between the clinical stage of the disease at presentation and c-myc expression. The 15 patients with c-myc negative cervical cancers were shown to have better disease free (mean--95.4 mos) and total survival (mean 118.0--mos) compared to the 16 patients that were c-myc positive 28.4 and 48.4 mos respectively). The pattern of recurrence differed between the two groups with c-myc positive tumours more likely to develop extra pelvic metastatic disease. The c-myc status of cervical cancer offers a prognostic indicator that could be useful in guiding treatment decisions.

Female↗
PubMed1989

Effect of a desensitizing dentifrice on dentinal hypersensitivity.

The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a dentifrice with 2% dibasic sodium citrate in poloxamer 407 in decreasing dentinal hypersensitivity. The test toothpaste was compared with a control toothpaste containing 0.76% sodium monofluorophosphate in a 6-week double-blind clinical trial. A total of 75 hypersensitive teeth were examined in the test group, while 100 hypersensitive teeth were in the control group. Changes in hypersensitivity levels were monitored after 6 weeks, using thermal, chemical and mechanical stimuli. At the end of 6 weeks, the test dentifrice was not significantly more effective than the control in decreasing dentinal hypersensitivity. Of the stimuli used, cold was the most effective in eliciting a hypersensitive response, followed by chemical stimulation and air. Heat and toothbrushing caused the least discomfort.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Practical clinical application of the Bi-Digital O-Ring Test in the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of tuberculosis & parasitic infection.

Using the Bi-Digital O-Ring Test in three clinical cases where standard Western diagnostic methods were not satisfactory; successful diagnosis and treatment were made non-invasively, quickly and inexpensively with the Bi-Digital O-Ring Test. The three cases are as follows: Tuberculosis of the urinary tract; Pleural tuberculosis; Possible parasitic infection of the liver.

Acupuncture Therapy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Practical strategies for a plaque-control program.

With many patients the control of dental plaque is accepted as an important factor in the prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases. However, for others, because this aspect of oral hygiene is not yet totally understood or accepted, plaque control programs often prove to be frustrating and too time-consuming for the general practitioner. This article provides some practical strategies to overcome common pitfalls in delivering a plaque-control program.

Dental Plaque↗