Publications by authors named "Harriet Chung"
A one-to-one conjugate of cross-linked human hemoglobin and human serum albumin results from a strain-promoted alkyne-azide cycloaddition (SPAAC) of the modified proteins. Additions of a strained alkyne-substituted maleimide to the Cys-34 thiol of human serum albumin and an azide-containing cross-link between the amino groups of each β-unit at Lys-82 of human hemoglobin provide sites for coupling by the SPAAC process. The coupled hemoglobin-albumin conjugate can be readily purified from unreacted hemoglobin.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Diabetes outcomes are influenced by host factors, settings, and care processes. We examined the association of data-driven integrated care assisted by information and communications technology (ICT) with clinical outcomes in type 2 diabetes in public and private healthcare settings.
Methods And Findings: The web-based Joint Asia Diabetes Evaluation (JADE) platform provides a protocol to guide data collection for issuing a personalized JADE report including risk categories (1-4, low-high), 5-year probabilities of cardiovascular-renal events, and trends and targets of 4 risk factors with tailored decision support.
To evaluate the association between a series of retinal information and cardiovascular disease (CVD) and to evaluate whether this association is independent of traditional CVD risk factors in type 2 diabetes patients, we undertook an age-sex matched case-control study with 79 CVD cases and 150 non-CVD controls. All the participants underwent standardized physical examinations and retinal imaging. Retinal information was extracted from the retinal images using a semi-automatic computer program.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: We examined the effects of participating in a "train-the-trainer" program and being a peer supporter on metabolic and cognitive/psychological/behavioral parameters in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes.
Methods: In response to our invitation, 79 patients with fair glycemic control (HbA1c <8%) agreed to participate in a "train-the-trainer" program to become peer supporters. Of the 59 who completed the program successfully, 33 agreed to be peer supporters ("agreed trainees") and were each assigned to support 10 patients for 1 year, with a voluntary extension period of 3 additional years, while 26 trainees declined to be supporters ("refused trainees").
There are gaps between recommendations on regular screening for diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and clinical practice especially in busy and low resource settings. SUDOSCAN (Impeto Medical, Paris, France) is a non-invasive technology for assessing sudomotor function using reverse iontophoresis and chronoamperometry which detects abnormal sweat gland function. Vasculopathy and neuropathy share common risk factors and we hypothesized that SUDOSCAN may be used to detect chronic kidney disease (CKD).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Factors associated with persistent poor glycemic control were explored in patients with type 2 diabetes under the Joint Asia Diabetes Evaluation (JADE) program.
Methods: Chinese adults enrolled in JADE with HbA1c ≥8% at initial comprehensive assessment (CA1) and repeat assessment were analyzed. The improved group was defined as those with a ≥1% absolute reduction in HbA1c, and the unimproved group was those with <1% reduction at the repeat CA (CA2).
Diabetes is a global epidemic, and many affected individuals are undiagnosed, untreated, or uncontrolled. The silent and multi-system nature of diabetes and its complications, with complex care protocols, are often associated with omission of periodic assessments, clinical inertia, poor treatment compliance, and care fragmentation. These barriers at the system, patient, and care-provider levels have resulted in poor control of risk factors and under-usage of potentially life-saving medications such as statins and renin-angiotensin system inhibitors.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFImportance: In type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), team management using protocols with regular feedback improves clinical outcomes, although suboptimal self-management and psychological distress remain significant challenges.
Objective: To investigate if frequent contacts through a telephone-based peer support program (Peer Support, Empowerment, and Remote Communication Linked by Information Technology [PEARL]) would improve cardiometabolic risk and health outcomes by enhancing psychological well-being and self-care in patients receiving integrated care implemented through a web-based multicomponent quality improvement program (JADE [Joint Asia Diabetes Evaluation]).
Design, Setting, And Participants: Between 2009 and 2010, 628 of 2766 Hong Kong Chinese patients with T2DM from 3 publicly funded hospital-based diabetes centers were randomized to the JADE + PEARL (n = 312) or JADE (n = 316) groups, with comprehensive assessment at 0 and 12 months.
Background: In the present study, we examined the effect of a two-herb traditional Chinese medicine (NF3), comprised of Astragali Radix and Radix Rehmanniae, on the healing of diabetic foot ulcer and the possible molecular mechanisms involved.
Methods: This was a prospective randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study. Sixteen diabetic patients were randomized to receive either placebo or NF3 for 6 months.
Objectives: To estimate the cumulative incidence for the development of diabetes mellitus in Chinese women with persistently impaired glucose tolerance after gestational diabetes, and evaluate putative risk factors.
Design: Historical cohort study.
Setting: A regional hospital in Hong Kong.