Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and the Omicron Variant of COVID-19 Prognosis: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background And Aim: This retrospective cohort study aimed to investigate the association between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the prognosis of COVID-19 patients infected with the Omicron variant. The primary objective was to determine if COVID-19 patients with COPD had higher mortality rates compared to those without COPD. Secondary objectives included assessing the risk of respiratory failure, hospital stay length, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and oxygen requirements in COPD patients with COVID-19.

Impulse control and related behavioral disorders (ICRD) in Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease treated with different dopamine agonists in Hong Kong: Is any dopamine agonist better?

Objective: To assess the incidence of Impulse control and related behavioral disorders (ICRD) in Chinese Idiopathic Parkinson Disease (IPD) patients treated with different dopamine agonists (DA), and their clinical characteristics and associated risk factors.

Methods: This was an observational cohort study based on clinical interviews and medical records of IPD patients treated with DA for >6 months in three hospitals in Hong Kong. The short version of Questionnaire for Impulsive-Compulsive Disorders in Parkinson's Disease (QUIP-S) was used to screen for ICRD.

Targeting MCL-1 triggers DNA damage and an anti-proliferative response independent from apoptosis induction.

MCL-1 is a high-priority target due to its dominant role in the pathogenesis and chemoresistance of cancer, yet clinical trials of MCL-1 inhibitors are revealing toxic side effects. MCL-1 biology is complex, extending beyond apoptotic regulation and confounded by its multiple isoforms, its domains of unresolved structure and function, and challenges in distinguishing noncanonical activities from the apoptotic response. We find that, in the presence or absence of an intact mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, genetic deletion or pharmacologic targeting of MCL-1 induces DNA damage and retards cell proliferation.

Basilar artery diameter as neuroimaging biomarker in Chinese Fabry disease patients.

Background: Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked lysosomal storage disease resulting from mutations of α-galactosidase A gene, and has been emphasized as one of the etiologies of young stroke and leukoencephalopathy. Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD) is a highlighted finding in FD. We aim to examine the utility of VBD in Chinese FD by comparing the differences in basilar artery (BA) diameter of Chinese FD patients against age-matched controls with and without stroke.

PTEN phosphatase inhibits metastasis by negatively regulating the Entpd5/IGF1R pathway through ATF6.

encodes a tumor suppressor with lipid and protein phosphatase activities whose dysfunction has been implicated in melanomagenesis; less is known about how its phosphatases regulate melanoma metastasis. We demonstrate that PTEN expression negatively correlates with metastatic progression in human melanoma samples and a PTEN-deficient mouse melanoma model. Wildtype PTEN expression inhibited melanoma cell invasiveness and metastasis in a dose-dependent manner, behaviors that specifically required PTEN protein phosphatase activity.

The physical and developmental outcomes of children whose mothers are substance abusers: Analysis of associated factors and the impact of early intervention.

Background/objectives: Maternal illicit drug use is associated with negative physical and developmental outcomes for their born children. We aim to find out the incidence of different developmental problems in a cohort of Chinese children born to drug-abusing mothers, compare the physical health and developmental outcomes of the subjects recruited in the Integrated Program to the Comprehensive Child Development Service (CCDS), and to study the potential factors on their associations.

Methods: A retrospective longitudinal cohort study with frequent clinical assessments of the children's physical and developmental outcomes in a HKSAR's regional hospital from birth until 5 years old.

Clinical outcomes of laser vaporization for vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia - A 20-year retrospective review.

Objectives: The purpose of our study is to evaluate clinical outcomes of CO2 laser vaporization in patients with high-grade vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN), and analyze potential risk factors for unfavourable outcome.

Study Design: A retrospective cohort study was carried out on all patients with high-grade VAIN treated by laser vaporization from Jan 2001 to Dec 2020 in a gynae-oncology training centre in Hong Kong.

Results: A total of 116 women underwent laser therapy for high-grade VAIN during the study period and the median follow-up time was 49.

Long-Term Efficacy and Safety of Repeated Rituximab to Maintain Remission in Idiopathic Childhood Nephrotic Syndrome: An International Study.

Background: Long-term outcomes after multiple courses of rituximab among children with frequently relapsing, steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (FRSDNS) are unknown.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study at 16 pediatric nephrology centers from ten countries in Asia, Europe, and North America included children with FRSDNS who received two or more courses of rituximab. Primary outcomes were relapse-free survival and adverse events.

Induction chemotherapy followed by radical chemoradiotherapy for patients with stage IV non-metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma: 11-Year Experience in a tertiary centre.

Introduction: T4 nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) with close proximity to critical organs at risk (OARs) is usually underdosed during radiotherapy in order to respect radiation constraints. N3 disease has high risk of distant metastasis. Induction chemotherapy (IC) provides advantages of sparing of OARs during subsequent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) and early eradication of micrometastasis.

Clamping of chest drain before removal in spontaneous pneumothorax.

Background: In spontaneous pneumothorax, clamping the chest drain before its removal may avoid reinsertion in case of early recurrence, but may be unsafe and may prolong hospital stay. The objective of this study was to examine the incidence of early recurrence in both clamped and unclamped pneumothorax episodes, and factors associated with it.

Methods: Retrospective chart review of primary and secondary spontaneous pneumothorax episodes in which chest drain was inserted during the period April 2012 to March 2014.

Blood Eosinophil and Risk of Exacerbation in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis.

Purpose: Blood eosinophil is a readily available biomarker to reflect the eosinophilic inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, yet its association with exacerbation is inconclusive. It is uncertain which measurement, eosinophil percentage or absolute eosinophil count, should be used and what is the optimal cutoff for exacerbation prediction.

Patients And Methods: A total of 247 COPD patients were included in this retrospective cohort study.

Liver complications of haemoglobin H disease in adults.

Haemoglobin H (HbH) disease is a type of non-transfusion-dependent thalassaemia. This cross-sectional study aimed at determining the prevalence and severity of liver iron overload and liver fibrosis in patients with HbH disease. Risk factors for advanced liver fibrosis were also identified.

Both the rituximab dose and maintenance immunosuppression in steroid-dependent/frequently-relapsing nephrotic syndrome have important effects on outcomes.

Rituximab is an effective treatment for steroid-dependent/ frequently-relapsing nephrotic syndrome (SDFRNS) in children. However, the optimal rituximab regimen remains unknown. To help determine this we conducted an international, multicenter retrospective study at 11 tertiary pediatric nephrology centers in Asia, Europe and North America of children 1-18 years of age with complicated SDFRNS receiving rituximab between 2005-2016 for 18 or more months follow-up.

The effect of time interval of vaginal ring pessary replacement for pelvic organ prolapse on complications and patient satisfaction: A randomised controlled trial.

Objectives: Limited data are available on the effect of the time interval of vaginal ring pessary replacement for pelvic organ prolapse (POP). This study investigated the effect of different replacement intervals on complications and patient satisfaction.

Study Design: A double-blinded, randomized controlled trial was conducted in a tertiary urogynecology center.

Intraoperative frozen section analysis of ovarian tumors: a 11-year review of accuracy with clinicopathological correlation in a Hong Kong Regional hospital.

Objective: Intra-operative frozen section (IFS) can provide an instinct guide for treatment of ovarian tumors intra-operatively, though limitations exist. This study intended to evaluate the diagnostic performance of IFS and possible clinicopathological factors influencing the diagnostic accuracy of IFS.

Methods: A retrospective review of IFS of ovarian lesions from 2006 to 2016 was done.

PHLPP1 mediates melanoma metastasis suppression through repressing AKT2 activation.

PI3K/AKT pathway activation is thought to be a driving force in metastatic melanomas. Members of the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain leucine-rich repeat protein Ser/Thr specific phosphatase family (PHLPP1 and PHLPP2) can regulate AKT activation. By dephosphorylating specific serine residues in the hydrophobic motif, PHLPP1 and PHLPP2 restrain AKT signalings, thereby regulating cell proliferation and survival.

Structure of the hexagonal surface layer on Caulobacter crescentus cells.

Many prokaryotic cells are encapsulated by a surface layer (S-layer) consisting of repeating units of S-layer proteins. S-layer proteins are a diverse class of molecules found in Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and most archaea. S-layers protect cells from the outside, provide mechanical stability and also play roles in pathogenicity.

Use of Traditional and Complementary Medicine as Self-Care Strategies in Community Health Centers: Cross-Sectional Study in Urban Pearl River Delta Region of China.

In China, Community Health Centers (CHCs) are major providers of primary care services, but their potential in empowering patients' self-management capacity has not been assessed. This study aims to describe self-care practice patterns amongst CHC attendees in urban China.In this cross-sectional quantitative study, 3360 CHC patients from 6 cities within the Pearl Delta Region were sampled using multistage cluster sampling.

Patient Perceptions of Expression of Empathy From Chinese Medicine Clinicians in a Chinese Population: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study aims to examine the level of empathy perceived by patients receiving care from herbalists, acupuncturists and massage therapists and to investigate the factors that influence levels of perceived empathy.Participants who were 18 years or above; able to provide written informed consent; and able to read and write in Chinese without assistance were included. A total of 514 participants sampled from charity and semipublic Chinese medicine (CM) clinics in Hong Kong were recruited to assess levels of empathy perceived during various length of consultations (1-20 minutes) by the Chinese Consultation and Relational Empathy Measure (Chinese CARE).

Patients' experience of Chinese Medicine Primary Care Services: Implications on Improving Coordination and Continuity of Care.

Chinese medicine (CM) is major form of traditional and complementary medicine used by Chinese populations. Evaluation on patients' experience on CM service is essential for improving service quality. This cross sectional study aims (i) to assess how CM clinics with different administrative model differ in terms of quality from patients' perspective; and (ii) to investigate how quality varies with patients' demographic and health characteristics.

The impact of cutting alcohol duties on drinking patterns in Hong Kong.

Aim: In an effort to promote Hong Kong as a global wine hub, the government eliminated duties on wine and beer in 2008. The changes in alcohol consumption patterns are examined.

Methods: Anonymous, cross-sectional telephone surveys on a random sample of Chinese male and female residents aged 18-70 were carried out in 2011 (n = 4800) and 2012 (n = 1001).

Histologic findings of bevacizumab-treated human conjunctiva in Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

Purpose: To present the histopathologic findings of the conjunctiva of a patient with Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS)-associated ocular surface neovascularization (OSN) after topical bevacizumab (TB) treatment.

Methods: A 40-year-old man with SJS and OSN received topical bevacizumab (25 mg/mL) for 12 months in 1 eye in addition to previously bilaterally administered tobramycin/dexamethasone eye drops. He subsequently underwent bilateral release of symblephara to relieve diplopia.

Limbal relaxing incisions and Graves ophthalmopathy with lower eyelid retraction.

Limbal relaxing incisions (LRI) were performed in a 35-year-old man with Graves ophthalmopathy and lower eyelid retraction. He underwent intraocular lens exchange in 1 eye and cataract surgery in the other. Despite the return of normal thyroid function, aggressive lubrication, and antiinflammatory medication, the LRIs failed to heal, leaving gaps in the limbal cornea.