It’s a cry for attention, says psychiatrist
PETALING JAYA: The couple who blogged about their sexploits may just be a plaintive cry for attention, said a psychiatrist.
Psychiatrist Assoc Prof Dr Andrew Mohanraj said what both Alvin Tan, 24, and Vivian Lee, 23, were engaging in was definitely not consistent with societal needs and norms.
“When they do this, it is a cry for attention. This may be to show that they are frustrated with things in life,” he said.
However, he said that how the personalities of Tan and Lee clicked with each other could have also provoked their decision to publish their sex life on the Internet.
“Maybe it is the type of personality that the both of them have. They both get a rush from scandalising and outraging others.”
However, he denied the popularity brought about by social media as being the cause for such behaviour.
“It boils down to how the family and society educate the young,” he said.
Meanwhile, a social media “activist” Christopher Tock, agreed that such behaviour would exist with or without social media tools.
He said that even with traditional media, there had been attempts by people to break the cultural taboo.
Social media could amplify a certain behaviour, especially when the participants think that they have found like-minded fans or communities, he added.
“Maybe Lee and Tan did this after seeing other couples doing the same thing. At the end of the day, they also want to be part of a group,” he said.
- wong chee tat :)
Friday, October 19, 2012
Parents: They are stupid, disgraceful and selfish
Parents: They are stupid, disgraceful and selfish
PETALING JAYA: Stupid, disgraceful and selfish. These were words used by parents to describe how they felt about sex blog couple Alvin Tan and Vivian Lee.
A father of a 20-year-old girl even said he would castrate Tan if his daughter were the law student's girlfriend.
The reactions were not surprising and clearly underscored the different moral values of the older generation versus the younger ones.
“I would castrate him as I think what he has done is totally unacceptable.
“He is a bad influence on young people,” said media practitioner Warren Wong, 50.
MCA Complaints Bureau head Datuk Seri Michael Chong, who has handled numerous cases involving sexual impropriety, found the couple's posting of photos and videos of them having sex on a blog bizarre and described their actions as “stupid”.
“It brings shame to their families, relatives and friends. I feel very sorry for their parents. How are they going to face other people now?
“It is so disgraceful that I do not even want to see the pictures or watch the videos, even though some people have asked me to check them out,” said Chong, 64, a father of three daughters who are in their 20s.
He wondered if the couple were under the influence of drugs when they recorded and posted videos of their sexual acts because, “it is hard to believe that anyone with a sound mind would do such a thing”.
Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim, a mother of four teenagers aged 14 to 19, said the blog brought humiliation to the couple's parents and would cause people to question their parenting methods.
“All parents raise their children with hopes that they will bring honour to the family.
“What Alvin and Vivian have done is shocking, and it is clear that they did not think about the consequences their actions will bring on their families,” said Noor Azimah, who is also the Parent Action Group for Education (PAGE) president.
Businessman Caleb Lee, 52, who has a teenage daughter and son, asked the couple to put themselves in their parents' shoes.
“As a parent myself, I cannot imagine how sad they must feel.
“If I ever meet Alvin and Vivian, I will ask them, If your roles with your parents were reversed, or if it were your parents who posted such pictures and videos, would you still be proud of what you did?'”
- wong chee tat :)
PETALING JAYA: Stupid, disgraceful and selfish. These were words used by parents to describe how they felt about sex blog couple Alvin Tan and Vivian Lee.
A father of a 20-year-old girl even said he would castrate Tan if his daughter were the law student's girlfriend.
The reactions were not surprising and clearly underscored the different moral values of the older generation versus the younger ones.
“I would castrate him as I think what he has done is totally unacceptable.
“He is a bad influence on young people,” said media practitioner Warren Wong, 50.
MCA Complaints Bureau head Datuk Seri Michael Chong, who has handled numerous cases involving sexual impropriety, found the couple's posting of photos and videos of them having sex on a blog bizarre and described their actions as “stupid”.
“It brings shame to their families, relatives and friends. I feel very sorry for their parents. How are they going to face other people now?
“It is so disgraceful that I do not even want to see the pictures or watch the videos, even though some people have asked me to check them out,” said Chong, 64, a father of three daughters who are in their 20s.
He wondered if the couple were under the influence of drugs when they recorded and posted videos of their sexual acts because, “it is hard to believe that anyone with a sound mind would do such a thing”.
Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim, a mother of four teenagers aged 14 to 19, said the blog brought humiliation to the couple's parents and would cause people to question their parenting methods.
“All parents raise their children with hopes that they will bring honour to the family.
“What Alvin and Vivian have done is shocking, and it is clear that they did not think about the consequences their actions will bring on their families,” said Noor Azimah, who is also the Parent Action Group for Education (PAGE) president.
Businessman Caleb Lee, 52, who has a teenage daughter and son, asked the couple to put themselves in their parents' shoes.
“As a parent myself, I cannot imagine how sad they must feel.
“If I ever meet Alvin and Vivian, I will ask them, If your roles with your parents were reversed, or if it were your parents who posted such pictures and videos, would you still be proud of what you did?'”
- wong chee tat :)
Sex blog duo speak out
Sex blog duo speak out
PETALING JAYA: Unperturbed by snide remarks and backlash against their erotic blog, lovers Alvin Tan and Vivian Lee have told their detractors to back off.
In a video message posted on Tuesday, Tan and Lee fielded frequently asked questions about them since their blog Sumptuous Erotica went viral after the Singaporean media featured it.
Asked if they would be issuing a public apology, Tan poured vitriol on his critics.
“(Making an apology) has never crossed my mind. What do I have to apologise for? For hurting your soft, sensitive feelings?
“Or, I don't know, breaching some moral code which you hold dearly to yourself, which I do not hold to?
“So no, I will not be making a public apology,” he said, to which Lee chimed in: “No way”.
At the same time, Tan an Asean scholar at the National University of Singapore's law faculty said their lives had changed for the better now that they were out in the open.
“We really appreciate the media attention. Back then, not a lot of people cared about what we did or said, but now a lot of people seem to care about what we do, or at least temporarily, so that is good.
“We don't want to run away from the limelight. We want to get comfortable with controversy and learn how to manage media attention. So, I don't know how our lives have been negatively affected,” he said.
They also said they would continue doing what they have been doing.
“But it's a question of timing. We probably won't continue again so soon ... (or) publish so quickly; we will look for a more subtle way to distribute our material in the future,” Tan said.
In the nine-minute video posted on Youtube, the couple, fully clothed, were asked if they would participate in unusual sex acts.
“I don't know. I'm an open-minded guy. I'll do everything once. It's up to Vivian,” he said, to which Lee excitedly said she was game.
Lee, 23, has just finished her business studies and is looking for a job. Tan, 24, is an accomplished pianist and guitarist as his YouTube page suggests.
- wong chee tat :)
PETALING JAYA: Unperturbed by snide remarks and backlash against their erotic blog, lovers Alvin Tan and Vivian Lee have told their detractors to back off.
In a video message posted on Tuesday, Tan and Lee fielded frequently asked questions about them since their blog Sumptuous Erotica went viral after the Singaporean media featured it.
Asked if they would be issuing a public apology, Tan poured vitriol on his critics.
“(Making an apology) has never crossed my mind. What do I have to apologise for? For hurting your soft, sensitive feelings?
“Or, I don't know, breaching some moral code which you hold dearly to yourself, which I do not hold to?
“So no, I will not be making a public apology,” he said, to which Lee chimed in: “No way”.
At the same time, Tan an Asean scholar at the National University of Singapore's law faculty said their lives had changed for the better now that they were out in the open.
“We really appreciate the media attention. Back then, not a lot of people cared about what we did or said, but now a lot of people seem to care about what we do, or at least temporarily, so that is good.
“We don't want to run away from the limelight. We want to get comfortable with controversy and learn how to manage media attention. So, I don't know how our lives have been negatively affected,” he said.
They also said they would continue doing what they have been doing.
“But it's a question of timing. We probably won't continue again so soon ... (or) publish so quickly; we will look for a more subtle way to distribute our material in the future,” Tan said.
In the nine-minute video posted on Youtube, the couple, fully clothed, were asked if they would participate in unusual sex acts.
“I don't know. I'm an open-minded guy. I'll do everything once. It's up to Vivian,” he said, to which Lee excitedly said she was game.
Lee, 23, has just finished her business studies and is looking for a job. Tan, 24, is an accomplished pianist and guitarist as his YouTube page suggests.
- wong chee tat :)
Waterbay executive condominium sees strong demand
Waterbay executive condominium sees strong demand
Posted: 19 October 2012 1825 hrs
SINGAPORE: Waterbay, the latest executive condominium project at Punggol has seen strong demand from eligible home buyers when bookings opened October 19.
Its developer Qingjian Realty said over 200 units out of a total of 383 units were snapped up.
Qingjian said the three-bedroom and four-bedroom dual-key units were popular with the buyers, as were the penthouse units.
Prices range from S$560,000 for a two-bedroom unit to S$1.04 million for a five-bedroom unit.
The Housing and Development Board recently announced its broad plans for the next phase of development in Punggol.
They included the development of new waterfront housing districts, more green corridors as well as a new town hub.
- CNA/fa
- wong chee tat :)
Posted: 19 October 2012 1825 hrs
SINGAPORE: Waterbay, the latest executive condominium project at Punggol has seen strong demand from eligible home buyers when bookings opened October 19.
Its developer Qingjian Realty said over 200 units out of a total of 383 units were snapped up.
Qingjian said the three-bedroom and four-bedroom dual-key units were popular with the buyers, as were the penthouse units.
Prices range from S$560,000 for a two-bedroom unit to S$1.04 million for a five-bedroom unit.
The Housing and Development Board recently announced its broad plans for the next phase of development in Punggol.
They included the development of new waterfront housing districts, more green corridors as well as a new town hub.
- CNA/fa
- wong chee tat :)
田馥甄 - 魔鬼中的天使
田馥甄 - 魔鬼中的天使
作词：姚若龙 作曲：陈小霞
把太细的神经割掉
会不会比较睡得着
我的心有座灰色的监牢
关着一票黑色念头在吼叫
把太硬的脾气抽掉
会不会比较被明了
你可以重重把我给打倒
但是想都别想我求饶
你是魔鬼中的天使
所以送我心碎的方式
是让我笑到最后一秒为止
才发现自己胸口插了一把刀子
你是魔鬼中的天使
让恨变成太俗气的事
从眼里流下谢谢两个字
尽管叫我疯子 不准叫我傻子
把太硬的脾气抽掉
会不会比较被明了
你可以重重把我给打倒
但是想都别想我求饶
你是魔鬼中的天使
所以送我心碎的方式
是让我笑到最后一秒为止
才发现自己胸口插了一把刀子
你是魔鬼中的天使
让恨变成太俗气的事
从眼里流下谢谢两个字
尽管叫我疯子 不准叫我傻子
随人去拼凑我们的故事
我懒得解释 爱怎么解释
当谁想看我碎裂的样子
我已经又顽强 重生一次
你是魔鬼中的天使
所以送我心碎的方式
是让我笑到最后一秒为止
才发现自己胸口插了一把刀子
你是魔鬼中的天使
让恨变成太俗气的事
从眼里流下谢谢两个字
尽管叫我疯子 不准叫我傻子
- wong chee tat :)
Rais: Govt monitoring Singapore's handling of 'porn blog' scandal
Rais: Govt monitoring Singapore's handling of 'porn blog' scandal
By ISABELLE LAI
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will leave it to Singapore to handle the "erotic porn blog" situation for now, said Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.
The Information, Communications and Culture Minister said, however, that the ministry was actively monitoring the situation.
He was referring to Malaysian couple Alvin Tan and Vivian Lee who had set up a blog called Sumptuous Erotica that featured their sex lives.
The blog, which had postings of raunchy and graphic images, quickly became a media sensation in Singapore and Malaysia.
Tan, an Asean scholar and law student at the National University of Singapore, is expected to face a disciplinary hearing later this month.
"We have legal redress under Section 233 and 263 of the Communications and Multimedia Act. But we would rather not use that first until and unless we get the results of what the Singaporean authorities are pursuing first,” Dr Rais told reporters after lauching the promotional campaign for U-Pustaka here Thursday.
Stressing that "we are not going to be quiet about it" when it came to taking action on the matter, he said this was the time for Malaysians to come forth and show that they did not condone such behaviour.
However, he acknowledged that Tan and Lee's quick action in blocking further access to their blog by making it private was a good move.
"They were rather fast in acting and have blocked the access to the original display. Perhaps in this respect, they thought there was no more abuse under the law," he said, adding that if they had also blocked secondary channels of access, this was also in line with their freedom of choice.
- wong chee tat :)
By ISABELLE LAI
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will leave it to Singapore to handle the "erotic porn blog" situation for now, said Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.
The Information, Communications and Culture Minister said, however, that the ministry was actively monitoring the situation.
He was referring to Malaysian couple Alvin Tan and Vivian Lee who had set up a blog called Sumptuous Erotica that featured their sex lives.
The blog, which had postings of raunchy and graphic images, quickly became a media sensation in Singapore and Malaysia.
Tan, an Asean scholar and law student at the National University of Singapore, is expected to face a disciplinary hearing later this month.
"We have legal redress under Section 233 and 263 of the Communications and Multimedia Act. But we would rather not use that first until and unless we get the results of what the Singaporean authorities are pursuing first,” Dr Rais told reporters after lauching the promotional campaign for U-Pustaka here Thursday.
Stressing that "we are not going to be quiet about it" when it came to taking action on the matter, he said this was the time for Malaysians to come forth and show that they did not condone such behaviour.
However, he acknowledged that Tan and Lee's quick action in blocking further access to their blog by making it private was a good move.
"They were rather fast in acting and have blocked the access to the original display. Perhaps in this respect, they thought there was no more abuse under the law," he said, adding that if they had also blocked secondary channels of access, this was also in line with their freedom of choice.
- wong chee tat :)
Scholar who posted explicit videos online says NUS hearing on Oct 31
Scholar who posted explicit videos online says NUS hearing on Oct 31
By Monica Kotwani | Posted: 18 October 2012 2335 hrs
SINGAPORE: An ASEAN scholar at the National University of Singapore (NUS) said the university had summoned him to a disciplinary hearing on October 31.
Mr Alvin Tan, who is from Malaysia, reportedly told this to the media.
The NUS had earlier served a notice of Board of Discipline (BOD) inquiry to Mr Tan for posting sexually explicit videos and photos of himself and his girlfriend on their blog.
While the blog has been deactivated, Mr Tan and his girlfriend have released a new video on YouTube on October 17, maintaining their stance.
"What do we have to apologise for? For hurting your soft sensitive feelings? For what? For I don't know, breaching some moral code that you hold dearly to yourself but I don't necessarily hold them myself? So we will not make a public apology," he said.
Meanwhile, Malaysian authorities are still deciding on whether or not to take action against Mr Tan.
News of his blog has now been circulating in Malaysia.
Mr Rais Yatim, Malaysia's Minister for Information, Communication and Culture, said: "Jurisdictionally, this case originates from Singapore, therefore we would rather wait for the proper authorities in Singapore to pursue it. As far as we are concerned, the website has not been accessible of late, and therefore there is no real commotion or real problem arising from legal premise or other premises."
- CNA/de
- wong chee tat :)
By Monica Kotwani | Posted: 18 October 2012 2335 hrs
SINGAPORE: An ASEAN scholar at the National University of Singapore (NUS) said the university had summoned him to a disciplinary hearing on October 31.
Mr Alvin Tan, who is from Malaysia, reportedly told this to the media.
The NUS had earlier served a notice of Board of Discipline (BOD) inquiry to Mr Tan for posting sexually explicit videos and photos of himself and his girlfriend on their blog.
While the blog has been deactivated, Mr Tan and his girlfriend have released a new video on YouTube on October 17, maintaining their stance.
"What do we have to apologise for? For hurting your soft sensitive feelings? For what? For I don't know, breaching some moral code that you hold dearly to yourself but I don't necessarily hold them myself? So we will not make a public apology," he said.
Meanwhile, Malaysian authorities are still deciding on whether or not to take action against Mr Tan.
News of his blog has now been circulating in Malaysia.
Mr Rais Yatim, Malaysia's Minister for Information, Communication and Culture, said: "Jurisdictionally, this case originates from Singapore, therefore we would rather wait for the proper authorities in Singapore to pursue it. As far as we are concerned, the website has not been accessible of late, and therefore there is no real commotion or real problem arising from legal premise or other premises."
- CNA/de
- wong chee tat :)
2 in 5 SMEs face challenges in recruiting, retaining talent: survey
2 in 5 SMEs face challenges in recruiting, retaining talent: survey
Posted: 18 October 2012 1857 hrs
SINGAPORE : Two in five small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Singapore face challenges in recruiting and retaining talent, due mainly to salary constraints.
According to a survey by the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM), talent management is the top challenge cited by managers across all levels.
About half of the respondents covered in the SIM Management Monitor felt they have not been effective in recruiting and retaining talent and blame the lack of competitive salaries for this.
Nearly all the managers surveyed indicated 'people' as the most critical factor to ensuring future growth and vitality of the SME sector in Singapore.
The survey also found that managers are satisfied with their jobs and are positive about career prospects but cautious about the global economy.
The majority, or 74 per cent, are satisfied with their current jobs.
C-suite executives, or the company's most important senior executives, expressed the most satisfaction - at 84 per cent - compared with mid-level management - at 70 per cent.
Managers in Singapore are more positive about the economy now, compared with 2009 during the global recession when the survey was first done.
In 2012, 45 per cent of the respondents are positive about Singapore's economic outlook, compared with only 12 per cent in 2009.
However, 40 per cent surveyed this year are ambivalent about the local economy, compared with 27 per cent in 2009.
As for the global economy, 16 per cent expressed optimism, compared with 6 per cent in 2009.
However, the majority still feel negatively about the global economy.
The stronger positive sentiments are reflected in how the managers feel about their jobs.
Wilson Wong, senior lecturer at SIM University's School of Business, said managers are generally more positive about the Singapore economy, and by extension their career prospects, as the country's top three trading partners - Malaysia, China and Indonesia - are still posting robust economic growth.
He warned that the ambivalence about the local and global economies could increase given that global macroeconomic fundamentals have worsened since the last quarter.
On the productivity front, one in two SMEs supports the government's call for productivity but 32 per cent also felt that the government is not doing enough to help them become more productive.
On their own, two in three SMEs have put in place some productivity measures, such as sending more staff for courses, as well as upgrading current equipment and technology.
Those who did not do so cited financial and time constraints.
More than 780 managers based in Singapore were interviewed in the survey between June and July 2012.
- CNA/ms
- wong chee tat :)
Posted: 18 October 2012 1857 hrs
SINGAPORE : Two in five small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Singapore face challenges in recruiting and retaining talent, due mainly to salary constraints.
According to a survey by the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM), talent management is the top challenge cited by managers across all levels.
About half of the respondents covered in the SIM Management Monitor felt they have not been effective in recruiting and retaining talent and blame the lack of competitive salaries for this.
Nearly all the managers surveyed indicated 'people' as the most critical factor to ensuring future growth and vitality of the SME sector in Singapore.
The survey also found that managers are satisfied with their jobs and are positive about career prospects but cautious about the global economy.
The majority, or 74 per cent, are satisfied with their current jobs.
C-suite executives, or the company's most important senior executives, expressed the most satisfaction - at 84 per cent - compared with mid-level management - at 70 per cent.
Managers in Singapore are more positive about the economy now, compared with 2009 during the global recession when the survey was first done.
In 2012, 45 per cent of the respondents are positive about Singapore's economic outlook, compared with only 12 per cent in 2009.
However, 40 per cent surveyed this year are ambivalent about the local economy, compared with 27 per cent in 2009.
As for the global economy, 16 per cent expressed optimism, compared with 6 per cent in 2009.
However, the majority still feel negatively about the global economy.
The stronger positive sentiments are reflected in how the managers feel about their jobs.
Wilson Wong, senior lecturer at SIM University's School of Business, said managers are generally more positive about the Singapore economy, and by extension their career prospects, as the country's top three trading partners - Malaysia, China and Indonesia - are still posting robust economic growth.
He warned that the ambivalence about the local and global economies could increase given that global macroeconomic fundamentals have worsened since the last quarter.
On the productivity front, one in two SMEs supports the government's call for productivity but 32 per cent also felt that the government is not doing enough to help them become more productive.
On their own, two in three SMEs have put in place some productivity measures, such as sending more staff for courses, as well as upgrading current equipment and technology.
Those who did not do so cited financial and time constraints.
More than 780 managers based in Singapore were interviewed in the survey between June and July 2012.
- CNA/ms
- wong chee tat :)
ComChest honours record number of long-time corporate donors
ComChest honours record number of long-time corporate donors
By Melissa Chong | Posted: 18 October 2012 1911 hrs
SINGAPORE: The Community Chest (ComChest) has honoured a record number of long-time corporate donors this year.
The ComChest honoured 47 organisations for helping them raise millions in funds.
The list of donors is four times longer than a decade ago.
Some of the organisations have been raising funds for ComChest's charities for over 20 years.
Special recognition was given to Temasek Polytechnic, Langdon & Seah Singapore, and SingTel.
Sin Yang Fong, vice president, Group Investor Relations & Communications, SingTel, said: "In the past 10 years, we've been able to donate a total of over S$20 million to the various charities that we supported. The SingTel Touching Lives Fund received generous support from various stakeholders."
Some corporate donors, like Temasek Polytechnic, identify SHARE (Social Help and Assistance Raised by Employees) champions to encourage employees to pitch in.
Currently, 90 per cent of their staff donate regularly to the ComChest.
Toh Sian Chow, human resource officer at Temasek Polytechnic, said: "When I know that some of my colleagues haven't contributed, I will have a chat with them to help them understand that many of the less fortunate need our help."
- CNA/cc
- wong chee tat :)
By Melissa Chong | Posted: 18 October 2012 1911 hrs
SINGAPORE: The Community Chest (ComChest) has honoured a record number of long-time corporate donors this year.
The ComChest honoured 47 organisations for helping them raise millions in funds.
The list of donors is four times longer than a decade ago.
Some of the organisations have been raising funds for ComChest's charities for over 20 years.
Special recognition was given to Temasek Polytechnic, Langdon & Seah Singapore, and SingTel.
Sin Yang Fong, vice president, Group Investor Relations & Communications, SingTel, said: "In the past 10 years, we've been able to donate a total of over S$20 million to the various charities that we supported. The SingTel Touching Lives Fund received generous support from various stakeholders."
Some corporate donors, like Temasek Polytechnic, identify SHARE (Social Help and Assistance Raised by Employees) champions to encourage employees to pitch in.
Currently, 90 per cent of their staff donate regularly to the ComChest.
Toh Sian Chow, human resource officer at Temasek Polytechnic, said: "When I know that some of my colleagues haven't contributed, I will have a chat with them to help them understand that many of the less fortunate need our help."
- CNA/cc
- wong chee tat :)
Haploinsufficiency for AAGAB causes clinically heterogeneous forms of punctate palmoplantar keratoderma
Haploinsufficiency for AAGAB causes clinically heterogeneous forms of punctate palmoplantar keratoderma
Elizabeth Pohler,
Ons Mamai,
Jennifer Hirst,
Mozheh Zamiri,
Helen Horn,
Toshifumi Nomura,
Alan D Irvine,
Benvon Moran,
Neil J Wilson,
Frances J D Smith,
Christabelle S M Goh,
Aileen Sandilands,
Christian Cole,
Geoffrey J Barton,
Alan T Evans,
Hiroshi Shimizu,
Masashi Akiyama,
Mitsuhiro Suehiro,
Izumi Konohana,
Mohammad Shboul,
Sebastien Teissier,
Lobna Boussofara,
Mohamed Denguezli,
Ali Saad,
Moez Gribaa,
Patricia J Dopping-Hepenstal,
John A McGrath,
Sara J Brown,
David R Goudie,
Bruno Reversade,
Colin S Munro
&
W H Irwin McLean
Published online:
14 October 2012 | doi:10.1038/ng.2444
Irwin McLean and colleagues report that heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in AAGAB,
which encodes a cytosolic protein implicated in vesicular trafficking,
cause punctate palmoplantar keratoderma. They further show that
knockdown of AAGAB in keratinocytes leads to increased cell
proliferation accompanied by highly elevated levels of epidermal growth
factor receptor.
- wong chee tat :)
Scientists find new gene mutation linked to skin disorder
Scientists find new gene mutation linked to skin disorder
Posted: 18 October 2012 1118 hrs
SINGAPORE: Scientists have identified a mutation in a gene that causes patches of very thick skin to appear on the palms and soles, which is a much milder form to that of the Indonesian "Tree Man", Dede Koswara, who's known worldwide for the bark-like growths on his body.
The team of scientists from the Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), a Biomedical Sciences Institute of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), worked with hospitals and research centres from the UK, Japan and Tunisia.
Patients with this disorder have thick rough skin patches on their hands and feet, which steadily increase to form larger lesions as they grow older.
In severe cases, the lesions can be painful and debilitating.
The researchers found that this skin disorder called punctate palmoplantar keratoderma (punctuate PPK), is caused by mutations in a gene called AAGAB.
Several families in Singapore are afflicted with different types of PPKs and scientists at A*STAR have also been working with doctors at the National Skin Centre to understand the different forms of this skin disorder.
A*STAR said identification of the gene mutation will help scientists better understand the molecular basis of the disease and potentially lead to a suitable treatment.
The scientists analysed DNA samples collected from 18 families from Scotland, Ireland, Japan and Tunisia who had punctuate PPK.
They found that the AAGAB gene was expressed in skin and had a role in the control of cell division.
"Every time we find a new genetic mutation that causes a skin disorder, it helps patients and their families to demystify their condition. With scientists and doctors working towards common goals like this, we find better treatments for more and more of these rare conditions," said Professor Birgitte Lane, Executive Director of IMB.
The IMB findings were published in the online issue of Nature Genetics on 14 October.
- CNA/ck
- wong chee tat :)
Posted: 18 October 2012 1118 hrs
SINGAPORE: Scientists have identified a mutation in a gene that causes patches of very thick skin to appear on the palms and soles, which is a much milder form to that of the Indonesian "Tree Man", Dede Koswara, who's known worldwide for the bark-like growths on his body.
The team of scientists from the Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), a Biomedical Sciences Institute of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), worked with hospitals and research centres from the UK, Japan and Tunisia.
Patients with this disorder have thick rough skin patches on their hands and feet, which steadily increase to form larger lesions as they grow older.
In severe cases, the lesions can be painful and debilitating.
The researchers found that this skin disorder called punctate palmoplantar keratoderma (punctuate PPK), is caused by mutations in a gene called AAGAB.
Several families in Singapore are afflicted with different types of PPKs and scientists at A*STAR have also been working with doctors at the National Skin Centre to understand the different forms of this skin disorder.
A*STAR said identification of the gene mutation will help scientists better understand the molecular basis of the disease and potentially lead to a suitable treatment.
The scientists analysed DNA samples collected from 18 families from Scotland, Ireland, Japan and Tunisia who had punctuate PPK.
They found that the AAGAB gene was expressed in skin and had a role in the control of cell division.
"Every time we find a new genetic mutation that causes a skin disorder, it helps patients and their families to demystify their condition. With scientists and doctors working towards common goals like this, we find better treatments for more and more of these rare conditions," said Professor Birgitte Lane, Executive Director of IMB.
The IMB findings were published in the online issue of Nature Genetics on 14 October.
- CNA/ck
- wong chee tat :)
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