Publications by authors named "I Chan"
Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) receptor amplifies pathogenic activation of fibroblasts in lung fibrosis.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
December 2024
Article Synopsis
- Fibrosis contributes to serious damage in organs, but treatments targeting specific activators have often failed, leading researchers to focus on the leukemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIFR) as a key player in fibrotic diseases like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
- In IPF, myofibroblasts highly express LIF, and fibroblasts in key fibrotic areas coexpress LIF and LIFR, demonstrating LIFR's role in amplifying signals from other fibrotic drivers like TGFβ1, IL-4, and IL-13.
- Blocking LIFR reduces the activation of profibrotic genes and highlights LIFR's function as a master amplifier of harmful signals
Article Synopsis
- Bullous emphysema is a chronic lung disease marked by the presence of large air spaces called bullae, with giant bullae being particularly significant and often requiring surgical removal known as bullectomy.
- A 35-year-old man with a history of COVID-19 experienced chest pain and difficulty breathing, leading to the discovery of a giant bulla in his left lung on imaging scans.
- Remarkably, after monitoring over several months, the giant bulla spontaneously resolved without surgery, suggesting that infectious processes may play a role in this phenomenon, highlighting the importance of careful imaging and follow-up in similar cases.
Long-term quality of life and surgical outcome of female congenital adrenal hyperplasia patients.
J Paediatr Child Health
November 2024
Aim: To investigate the long-term quality of life and surgical outcome of female patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH).
Methods: Questionnaires for health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcome (WHO-5, SF-36), lower urinary tract symptoms (ICIQ-FLUTS) and sexual outcome (ICIQ-FLUTSsex) were administered to adult CAH patients. Paediatric CAH patients and their parents were invited to complete WHO-5, PedsQL-4.
Article Synopsis
- Sleep deprivation is linked to significant health risks, including an increased likelihood of influenza, particularly following acute sleep deprivation events (ASDEs) identified in a large population study.
- The study used data from Fitbit users to analyze sleep patterns and health outcomes, revealing a correlation between political/non-political events and instances of decreased sleep.
- Genetic factors related to sleep duration were found to influence both the severity of sleep deprivation and the risk of subsequent health issues, emphasizing the need for awareness of health impacts during major national events.
Brief Report: Depression, Substance Use, and Factors Associated With Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Adults Living With HIV in the Asia-Pacific Region.
J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr
August 2024
Background: Mental health and substance use disorders are common among people living with HIV and are associated with high-risk sexual behaviors, such as unprotected sex and multiple sexual partners, but Asia-Pacific data are limited.
Methods: Adult PLHIV in care at five Asia-Pacific HIV clinics were enrolled at routine clinic visits between July 2019 and June 2020. Depression, substance use, sexual practice and socio-demographic data were collected using PHQ-9, ASSIST, and a study-specific questionnaire.