Holistic Reform of the Mathematics Curriculum - the Hong Kong Exoperience

Wong, Ngai Ying,Lam, Chi Chung,Leung, Frederick Koon-Shing,Mok, Ida Ah-Chee,Wong, Ka Ming Patrick 한국수학교육학회 1999 수학교육연구 Vol.3 No.2

The Hong Kong mathematics curriculum has launched its reform in recent years. It was the first time that a holistic review of syllabi from Primary 1 through Secondary 7 was made. The curriculum development agency also decided to base the reform on sound pedagogical foundations. That was assisted with academic research where the views of various stakeholders were investigated in detail. Surveys were conducted with students, parents, teachers, employers, university professors, and curriculum designers and they give a full picture of mathematics teaching and learning in Hong Kong. The rich data collected should shed light on the development of mathematics curriculum in other regions with similar socio-cultural and educational settings.

Effects of coffee intake on airway hypersensitivity and immunomodulation: an in vivo murine study

Wong Ying-Chi,Hsu Wen-Cheng,Wu Tzee-Chung,Huang Ching-Feng 한국영양학회 2023 Nutrition Research and Practice Vol.17 No.4

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Coffee is a complex chemical mixture, with caffeine being the most well-known bioactive substance. The immunomodulator y and anti-inflammator y properties of coffee and caffeine impact health in various aspects, including the respirator y system. The objective is to investigate the effects of coffee and caffeine on air way hyperresponsiveness and allergic reactions, as well as to analyze and compare associated cytokine profiles. MATERIALS/METHODS: BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) and given OVA inhalation to induce air way hypersensitivity. Two weeks after sensitization, they were intragastrically gavaged with coffee or caffeine, both containing 0.3125 mg caffeine, daily for 4 weeks. Control mice were fed with double-distilled water. Serum OVA- specific antibody levels were measured beforehand and 5 weeks after the first gavage. Air way hyperresponsiveness was detected by whole body plethysmography after gavage. Cytokine levels of bronchoalveolar lavage and cultured splenocytes were analyzed. RESULTS: Coffee effectively suppressed T helper 2-mediated specific antibody response. Air way responsiveness was reduced in mice treated with either coffee or caffeine. Compared to the control, coffee significantly reduced OVA-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgG1 and IgE antibody responses (P < 0.05). Caffeine also attenuated specific IgG and IgG1 levels, though IgE level was unaffected. Coffee significantly reduced interleukin (IL)-4 and increased IL-10 concentration in spleen cells and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Coffee effectively attenuated air way hyperresponsiveness and systemic allergic responses induced by OVA food allergen in mice. As a complex composition of bioactive substances, coffee displayed enhanced immunomodulator y and anti-inflammator y effects than caffeine.

Series D : The Lived Space of Mathematics Learning: An Attempt for Change

( Ngai Ying Wong ),( Ming Ming Chiu ),( Ka Ming Wong ),( Chi Chung Lam ) 한국수학교육학회 2005 수학교육연구 Vol.9 No.1

Changing Students` Conceptions of Mathematics through the Introduction of Variation

( Ngai Ying Wong ),( Chit Kwong Kong ),( Chi Chung Lam ),( Ka Ming Patrick Wong ) 한국수학교육학회 2010 수학교육연구 Vol.14 No.4

Some 400 Secondary One (i.e. seventh-grade) students from 10 schools were provided with non-routine mathematical problems in their normal mathematics classes as exercises for one academic year. Their attitudes toward mathematics, their conceptions of mathematics and their problem-solving performance were measured both in the beginning and at the end of the year. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that the introduction of an appropriate dose of non-routine problems would generate some effects on the students` conceptions of mathematics. A medium dose of non-routine problems (as reported by the teachers) would result in a change of the students` conception of mathematics to perceiving mathematics as less of "a subject of calculables." On the other hand, a high dose would lead students to perceive mathematics as more useful and more as a discipline involving thinking. However, with a low dose of non-routine problems, students found mathematics more "friendly" (free from fear). It is therefore proposed that the use of non-routine mathematical problems to an appropriate extent can induce changes in students` "lived space" of mathematics learning and broaden their conceptions of mathematics and mathematics learning.

Comparison of Serum Ketone Levels and Cardiometabolic Efficacy of Dapagliflozin versus Sitagliptin among Insulin-Treated Chinese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Chi-Ho Lee,Mei-Zhen Wu,David Tak-Wai Lui,Darren Shing-Hei Chan,Carol Ho-Yi Fong,Sammy Wing-Ming Shiu,Ying Wong,Alan Chun-Hong Lee,Joanne King-Yan Lam,Yu-Cho Woo,Karen Siu-Ling Lam,Kelvin Kai-Hang Yiu 대한당뇨병학회 2022 Diabetes and Metabolism Journal Vol.46 No.6

Background: Insulin-treated patients with long duration of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are at increased risk of ketoacidosis related to sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i). The extent of circulating ketone elevation in these patients remains unknown. We conducted this study to compare the serum ketone response between dapagliflozin, an SGLT2i, and sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, among insulin-treated T2DM patients.Methods: This was a randomized, open-label, active comparator-controlled study involving 60 insulin-treated T2DM patients. Participants were randomized 1:1 for 24-week of dapagliflozin 10 mg daily or sitagliptin 100 mg daily. Serum β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) levels were measured at baseline, 12 and 24 weeks after intervention. Comprehensive cardiometabolic assessments were performed with measurements of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC), vibration-controlled transient elastography and echocardiography.Results: Among these 60 insulin-treated participants (mean age 58.8 years, diabetes duration 18.2 years, glycosylated hemoglobin 8.87%), as compared with sitagliptin, serum BHB levels increased significantly after 24 weeks of dapagliflozin (P=0.045), with a median of 27% increase from baseline. Change in serum BHB levels correlated significantly with change in free fatty acid levels. Despite similar glucose lowering, dapagliflozin led to significant improvements in body weight (P=0.006), waist circumference (P=0.028), HDL-C (P=0.041), CEC (P=0.045), controlled attenuation parameter (P=0.007), and liver stiffness (P=0.022). Average E/e’, an echocardiographic index of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, was also significantly lower at 24 weeks in participants treated with dapagliflozin (P=0.037).Conclusion: Among insulin-treated T2DM patients with long diabetes duration, compared to sitagliptin, dapagliflozin modestly increased ketone levels and was associated with cardiometabolic benefits.

2-Methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (MNQ) regulates cancer key genes of MAPK, PI3K, and NF-κB pathways in Raji cells

Wong, Teck Yew,Menaga, Subramaniam,Huang, Chi-Ying F.,Ho, Siong Hock Anthony,Gan, Seng Chiew,Lim, Yang Mooi Korea Genome Organization 2022 Genomics & informatics Vol.20 No.1

2-Methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (MNQ) has been shown to cause cytotoxic towards various cancer cell lines. This study is designed to investigate the regulatory effect of MNQ on the key cancer genes in mitogen-activated protein kinase, phosphoinositide 3-kinase, and nuclear factor κB signaling pathways. The expression levels of the genes were compared at different time point using polymerase chain reaction arrays and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis was performed to identify gene networks that are most significant to key cancer genes. A total of 43 differentially expressed genes were identified with 21 up-regulated and 22 down-regulated genes. Up-regulated genes were involved in apoptosis, cell cycle and act as tumor suppressor while down-regulated genes were involved in anti-apoptosis, angiogenesis, cell cycle and act as transcription factor as well as proto-oncogenes. MNQ exhibited multiple regulatory effects on the cancer key genes that targeting at cell proliferation, cell differentiation, cell transformation, apoptosis, reduce inflammatory responses, inhibits angiogenesis and metastasis.

Cardiac Angiosarcoma Heralded by Recurrent Hemorrhagic Pericardial Effusions–Utility of MRI and CT

Fiona Fong-ying Wan,Jonan Chun-yin Lee,Jeanie Betsy Chiang,Kim-hung Tsang,Cheuk-bong Ho,Eric Chi-yuen Wong 아시아심장혈관영상의학회 2020 Cardiovascular Imaging Asia Vol.4 No.1

Cardiac angiosarcoma is a rare primary cardiac malignancy that should be considered in patients with recurrent pericardial effusions, especially those with spontaneous hemorrhagic pericardial effusion. A 34-year-old man presented for evaluation of pericardial effusion. Initial imaging and pericardial histopathological workup failed to provide a definitive diagnosis. Serum parvovirus B19 PCR test was positive and he was treated for viral pericarditis. In view of his recurrent hemorrhagic pericardial effusions and persistent right atrial thrombus, MRI was performed and revealed findings suggestive of cardiac angiosarcoma with lung metastases. The diagnosis was confirmed histologically. The patient’s condition progressed rapidly with massive hemothorax, and although he received systemic therapy for disease control, he succumbed to the disease five months after diagnosis confirmation.

Teacher`s Gender-Related Beliefs about Mathematics

( Qiao Ping Zhang ),( Ngai Ying Wong ),( Chi Chung Lam ) 한국수학교육학회 2013 수학교육연구 Vol.17 No.3

Mathematics has been stereotyped as a male-dominated subject, and there is considerable evidence to support this belief. There has been much research in the past three decades on gender-related differences in elementary and secondary school mathematics. The re-search found that teachers possess different beliefs about male and female students that influence their teaching behaviour, which then directly or indirectly impact their students` behaviours, beliefs, and achievements in mathematics. Based on data collected from teacher questionnaire surveys in the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong, this study exam-ines teachers` beliefs about the achievements of boys and girls in mathematics. The study also compares the findings in the two regions surveyed. Results showed that teachers gave more attention to boys than girls, regardless of the teacher`s gender. Not only are teachers more likely to recall more boys than girls, but also more boys than girls with av-erage academic standards.

Series D : Bianshi Problem as the Bridge from "Entering the Way" to "Transcending the Way": The Cultural Characteristic of Bianshi Problem in Chinese Math Education

( Xu Hua Sun ),( Ngai Ying Wong ),( Chi Chung Lam ) 한국수학교육학회 2005 수학교육연구 Vol.9 No.2

A Prospective 1-Year Follow-Up of Glycemic Status and C-Peptide Levels of COVID-19 Survivors with Dysglycemia in Acute COVID-19 Infection

David Tak Wai Lui,Chi Ho Lee,Ying Wong,Carol Ho Yi Fong,Kimberly Hang Tsoi,Yu Cho Woo,Tan Kathryn Choon-Beng 대한당뇨병학회 2024 Diabetes and Metabolism Journal Vol.48 No.4

Background: We evaluated changes in glycemic status, over 1 year, of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) survivors with dysglycemia in acute COVID-19.Methods: COVID-19 survivors who had dysglycemia (defined by glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c] 5.7% to 6.4% or random glucose ≥10.0 mmol/L) in acute COVID-19 were recruited from a major COVID-19 treatment center from September to October 2020. Matched non-COVID controls were recruited from community. The 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were performed at baseline (6 weeks after acute COVID-19) and 1 year after acute COVID-19, with HbA1c, insulin and C-peptide measurements. Progression in glycemic status was defined by progression from normoglycemia to prediabetes/diabetes, or prediabetes to diabetes.Results: Fifty-two COVID-19 survivors were recruited. Compared with non-COVID controls, they had higher C-peptide (<i>P</i>< 0.001) and trend towards higher homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (<i>P</i>=0.065). Forty-three COVID-19 survivors attended 1-year reassessment. HbA1c increased from 5.5%±0.3% to 5.7%±0.2% (<i>P</i><0.001), with increases in glucose on OGTT at fasting (<i>P</i>=0.089), 30-minute (<i>P</i>=0.126), 1-hour (<i>P</i>=0.014), and 2-hour (<i>P</i>=0.165). At baseline, 19 subjects had normoglycemia, 23 had prediabetes, and one had diabetes. Over 1 year, 10 subjects (23.8%; of 42 non-diabetes subjects at baseline) had progression in glycemic status. C-peptide levels remained unchanged (<i>P</i>=0.835). Matsuda index decreased (<i>P</i>=0.007) and there was a trend of body mass index increase from 24.4±2.7 kg/m² to 25.6±5.2 (<i>P</i>=0.083). Subjects with progression in glycemic status had more severe COVID-19 illness than non-progressors (<i>P</i>=0.030). Reassessment was not performed in the control group.Conclusion: Subjects who had dysglycemia in acute COVID-19 were characterized by insulin resistance. Over 1 year, a quarter had progression in glycemic status, especially those with more severe COVID-19. Importantly, there was no significant deterioration in insulin secretory capacity.