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NUH news bites
Link between low birth weight and metabolic
diseases
NUH researchers are looking into the link between low
birth weight and obesity by studying the metabolic profile
of overweight adults.
06
The three-year study, which is part two of the Singapore Adult
Metabolism Study (SAMS), is led by Dr Eric Khoo (Consultant,
Division of Endocrinology). It is funded by the National Research
Foundation and administered by the National Medical Research
Council. The Principal Investigators include Associate Professor
Tai E Shyong (Head and Senior Consultant, Division of
Endocrinology) and Associate Professor Lee Yung Seng (Senior
Consultant, Division of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes).
On top of studying participants from birth in a related study -
Growing up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes (GUSTO),
the researchers are working backwards by recruiting healthy
Chinese men aged 21 to 40 with a BMI of 23 to 30, and looking
into their medical histories including birth weight. The ultimate
aim of SAMS is to design strategies to reduce the burden of
chronic diseases like diabetes and obesity.
Participants first undergo a battery of tests to measure their
energy expenditure and physical activity levels, fat distribution
A SAMS participant having his metabolic readings recorded as part of the study.
and how sensitive they are to insulin. They then go through a
four-month weight loss programme, followed by post-intervention
studies and follow-up visits over a year at three-monthly intervals.
While the target is for participants to lose five to eight per cent of
their weight, one has managed to shed 10 per cent of his original
weight since he joined the study.
The study started in September 2010 and it has since recruited
24 participants. The team hopes to recruit 180 participants
eventually. Interested individuals may wish to contact Mr Melvin
Tan via 9061 7588 or email info@devos-sams.sg.
NUH doctors produce iPad application on
minimally invasive surgery
Surgeons at the NUH have become the first in Singapore to develop a medical application
on iTunes, the Apple online store.
The information in the application is based on the second edition of the Manual of Endo-
Laparoscopic and Single-Port Surgery by Associate Professor Davide Lomanto, Director of
NUH’s Minimally Invasive Surgical Centre and Dr Cheah Wei Keat, Chairman Medical Board
at Jurong Health Services and Visiting Consultant with NUH’s Department of Surgery. The
manual is used in teaching medical students in Singapore and more than a dozen surgeons
from NUH had contributed chapters to the book.
On the iPad, a subscriber gets not only all the text information but also videos showing how
procedures are done. The application also has a section on the equipment needed and how
each one works.
This Application is an interactive teaching tool that is
accessible any time, anywhere. Medical students and resident
trainees in surgery can surf up the Manual and know about
indications and contraindications for every surgical procedure, the
kind of preoperative work up the patient requires before surgery,
to the type of instrumentation and follow-ups required.
A/Prof Davide Lomanto, Director, Minimally Invasive Surgical Centre, NUH