Population coding of predator imminence in the hypothalamus.

Hypothalamic VMHdm neurons are activated by predator cues and are necessary and sufficient for instinctive defensive responses. However, such data do not distinguish which features of a predator encounter are encoded by VMHdm neural activity. To address this issue, we imaged VMHdm neurons at single-cell resolution in freely behaving mice exposed to a natural predator in varying contexts.

Defining Kidney Health Dimensions and their Associations with Adverse Outcomes in Persons with Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease.

Background: Individual kidney tubule biomarkers are associated with risks for chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression and mortality in persons with diabetes. Integrating multiple kidney biomarkers using a latent variable method of exploratory factor analysis could define distinct dimensions of kidney health, and their associations with adverse outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a factor analysis of 17 candidate urine and plasma biomarkers in 1,256 participants with diabetes and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60ml/min/1.

Gut microbiota is associated with persistence of longer-term BNT162b2 vaccine immunogenicity.

Introduction: BNT162b2 immunogenicity wanes with time and we investigated association between gut microbiota and longer-term immunogenicity.

Methods: This cohort study prospectively recruited adult BNT162b2 two-dose recipients from three vaccination centers in Hong Kong. Blood samples were collected at baseline and day 180 after first dose, and tested for neutralizing antibodies (NAb) against receptor-binding domain (RBD) of wild type SARS-CoV-2 virus using chemiluminescence immunoassay.

Impact of alternating electric fields therapy for newly diagnosed WHO grade 4 astrocytoma on patient survival: a real-world propensity-score adjusted prospective multicenter study.

Purpose: Alternating electric fields (AEF) therapy in addition to temozolomide chemoradiotherapy (TMZ CRT) is increasingly being recommended as first-line treatment for patients with newly-diagnosed WHO grade 4 astrocytoma. However, few have validated this treatment with real-world evidence.

Methods: Consecutive adult patients with newly-diagnosed WHO grade 4 astrocytoma treated with adjuvant TMZ CRT across all neuro-oncology centers in Hong Kong were reviewed.

Understanding development of contractures in people with stroke: formulation of a logic-model to inform care and prevention.

Purpose: Contracture is stiffness and reduction in how much a joint and muscle can move and may impact on self-care and functional ability. We outline the development of the first comprehensive Logic-Model of the problem for contracture development, to inform prevention and treatment.

Method: The initial Logic-Model was developed based on the literature by the research team.