Hong Kong consensus recommendations on the management of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

This project was undertaken to develop the first set of consensus statements regarding the management of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) in Hong Kong, with the goal of providing guidance to local clinicians. A multidisciplinary panel of experts discussed issues surrounding current PDAC management and reviewed evidence gathered in the local context to propose treatment recommendations. The experts used the Delphi approach to finalise management recommendations.

Probing the allosteric NBD-TMD crosstalk in the ABC transporter MsbA by solid-state NMR.

The ABC transporter MsbA plays a critical role in Gram-negative bacteria in the regulation of the outer membrane by translocating core-LPS across the inner membrane. Additionally, a broad substrate specificity for lipophilic drugs has been shown. The allosteric interplay between substrate binding in the transmembrane domains and ATP binding and turnover in the nucleotide-binding domains must be mediated via the NBD/TMD interface.

The Hong Kong consensus recommendations on the diagnosis and management of pancreatic cystic lesions.

Background: The finding of pancreatic cystic lesions (PCL) on incidental imaging is becoming increasingly common. International studies report a prevalence of 2.2-44.

Melatonin ameliorates high glucose-induced autophagy in Schwann cells.

Diabetic neuropathy (DN) is a condition in which nerve fibers are continually exposed to high glucose-induced free radicals. Recent discoveries demonstrated that melatonin is an indole hormone that contributes to neuroprotection through the modulation of autophagy. Herein, this study aims to examine the neuroprotective effects of melatonin on Schwann cells under high glucose conditions.

Rhodamine-Sensitized Two-Photon Activation of a Red Light-Absorbing BODIPY Photocage.

Two-photon (2P) activatable probes are of high value in biological and medical chemistry since near infrared (NIR) light can penetrate deeply even in blood-perfused tissue and due to the intrinsic three-dimensional activation properties. Designing two-photon chromophores is challenging. However, the two-photon absorption qualities of a photocage can be improved with an intramolecular sensitizer, which transfers the absorbed light onto the cage.

Anatomical limits in living donor liver transplantation.

We review the anatomical limits of living donor liver transplantation. Graft size is the fundamental challenge in partial liver transplantation. Insufficient graft size leads to small-for-size syndrome, graft failure, and graft loss.

Impact of Tumour Biology on Outcomes of Radical Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Oligo-Recurrence after Liver Transplantation.

It is uncertain whether tumour biology affects radical treatment for post-transplant hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) oligo-recurrence, i.e. recurrence limited in numbers and locations amendable to radical therapy.

Potential role of melatonin in prevention and treatment of lung cancer.

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer and the most lethal cancer worldwide. Melatonin, an indoleamine produced in the pineal gland, shows anticancer effects on a variety of cancers, especially lung cancer. Herein, we clarify the pathophysiology of lung cancer, the association of circadian rhythm with lung, and the relationship between shift work and the incidence of lung cancer.

Edible Bird's Nest: Recent Updates and Industry Insights Based On Laboratory Findings.

Edible bird's nest (EBN) is a traditional Chinese delicacy made of the saliva of swiftlets found in Southeast Asia. With increasing demands for EBN, quality control of EBN products is important for safe consumption. The processing steps are particularly important for efficient extraction of bioactive compounds.

Performance of Dual-tracer PET-CT for Staging Post-Liver Transplant Hepatocellular Carcinoma Recurrence.

Unlabelled: Precise staging is essential in the management of patients with recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after liver transplantation. There is no current consensus on the optimal staging strategy. We conducted this study to evaluate the performance of dual-tracer positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) for this purpose and to investigate whether the results of dual-tracer PET-CT affected patient management.

Melatonin Induces Autophagy via Reactive Oxygen Species-Mediated Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Pathway in Colorectal Cancer Cells.

Even though an increasing number of anticancer treatments have been discovered, the mortality rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) have still been high in the past few years. It has been discovered that melatonin has pro-apoptotic properties and counteracts inflammation, proliferation, angiogenesis, cell invasion, and cell migration. In previous studies, melatonin has been shown to have an anticancer effect in multiple tumors, including CRC, but the underlying mechanisms of melatonin action on CRC have not been fully explored.

Critical appraisal of TNM versus HKU staging system for postoperative prognostic evaluation of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: The 8 edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer tumor-node-metastasis staging system (AJCC 8) has been launched with modifications in T staging. The University of Hong Kong liver cancer staging system (HKUSS) has been proven to better categorize hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) into different T stages. This study aimed to compare the two systems' predictive ability for HCC recurrence after primary surgical resection.

Liver transplantation: would it be the best and last chance of cure for hepatocellular carcinoma with major venous invasion?

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumour thrombus (PVTT) signifies advanced disease, whether LT confers any survival superiority over resection remains uncertain.

Methods: A propensity score matched (PSM) analysis of liver transplantation (LT) and liver resection (LR) for HCC with PVTT was performed.

Results: A consecutive series of 88 patients who received either LT (10 DDLTs and 3 LDLTs) or LR (n=75) respectively were recruited.

Role of C11-FDG dual-tracer PET-CT scan in metastatic screening of hepatocellular carcinoma-a cost-effectiveness analysis.

Background: We aimed to identify predictive factors for positron emission tomography (PET)-detected hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) metastasis and a cost-effective approach to preoperative PET-computed tomography (CT) for detecting metastasis.

Methods: Clinicopathological and survival data of HCC patients having PET-CT with 18F-fludeoxyglucose (FDG) and 11C-acetate (ACT) following contrast-enhanced CT/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for preoperative tumor staging were reviewed. Binary logistic regression was performed to identify predictive factors for PET-detected metastasis.

Endosomal-lysosomal dysfunctions in Alzheimer's disease: Pathogenesis and therapeutic interventions.

The endosomal-lysosomal system mediates the process of protein degradation through endocytic pathway. This system consists of early endosomes, late endosomes, recycling endosomes and lysosomes. Each component in the endosomal-lysosomal system plays individual crucial role and they work concordantly to ensure protein degradation can be carried out functionally.

Role of the gut microbiome in Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, affecting millions of individuals each year and this number is expected to significantly increase. The complicated microorganisms residing in human gut are closely associated with our health. Emerging evidence has suggested possible involvement of human gut microbiome in AD.

RSK2-inactivating mutations potentiate MAPK signaling and support cholesterol metabolism in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background & Aims: Mutational profiling of patient tumors has suggested that hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development is mainly driven by loss-of-function mutations in tumor suppressor genes. p90 ribosomal S6 kinase 2 (RSK2) functions as a direct downstream kinase of ERK1/2 and elevated RSK2 expression has been reported to support oncogenic functions in some cancers. We investigated if RSK2 was also dysregulated by inactivating mutations in cancers including HCC.

Transferability of Liver Transplantation Experience to Complex Liver Resection for Locally Advanced Hepatobiliary Malignancy-Lessons Learnt From 3 Decades of Single Center Experience.

Objective: To study the impact of LT experience on the outcome of CLR for locally advanced hepatobiliary malignancy.

Summary Of Background Data: Despite evolution in LT knowledge and surgical techniques in the past decades, there is yet data to evaluate the significance of LT experience in performing CLR.

Methods: Postoperative outcome after CLR between 1995 and 2019 were reviewed and correlated with LT experience in a single center with both LT and CLR service.

Mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors after post-transplant hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence: Is it too late?

Background: Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors have been shown to reduce the risk of tumour recurrence after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, their role in established post-transplant HCC recurrence is uncertain.

Aim: To investigate whether mTOR inhibitor offers a survival benefit in post-transplant HCC recurrence.