miR-466 is putative negative regulator of Coxsackie virus and Adenovirus Receptor.

This study aimed at elucidating how Coxsackie B virus (CVB) perturbs the host's microRNA (miRNA) regulatory pathways that lead to antiviral events. The results of miRNA profiling in rat pancreatic cells infection models revealed that rat rno-miR-466d was up-regulated in CVB infection. Furthermore, in silico studies showed that Coxsackie virus and Adenovirus Receptor (CAR), a cellular receptor, was one of the rno-miR-466d targets involved in viral entry.

Response to booster doses of hepatitis B vaccine among young adults who had received neonatal vaccination.

Background: Newborns who have received hepatitis B immunization in 1980s are now young adults joining healthcare disciplines. The need for booster, pre- and post-booster checks becomes a practical question.

Aims: The aim of this study is to refine the HBV vaccination policy for newly admitted students in the future.

Photodynamic inactivation of bacteria and viruses using two monosubstituted zinc(II) phthalocyanines.

A zinc(II) phthalocyanine substituted with a triamino moiety and its tri-N-methylated analogue have been prepared and characterized with various spectroscopic methods. Both compounds remain non-aggregated in N,N-dimethylformamide and in water containing 0.05% Cremophor EL (v/v), and can generate singlet oxygen effectively.

Oligolysine-conjugated zinc(II) phthalocyanines as efficient photosensitizers for antimicrobial photodynamic therapy.

A series of zinc(II) phthalocyanines conjugated with an oligolysine chain (n=2, 4, and 8) were synthesized and characterized by using various spectroscopic methods. As shown by using UV/Vis and fluorescence spectroscopic methods, these compounds were nonaggregated in N,N-dimethylformamide, and gave a weak fluorescence emission and high singlet oxygen quantum yield (Φ(Δ) =0.86-0.

Bench to bed evidences for pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions involving oseltamivir and chinese medicine.

Oseltamivir (OA), an ethyl ester prodrug of oseltamivir carboxylate (OC), is clinically used as a potent and selective inhibitor of neuraminidase. Chinese medicines have been advocated to combine with conventional drug for avian influenza. The current study aims to investigate the potential pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions of a Chinese medicine formula, namely, Yin Qiao San and Sang Ju Yin (CMF1), commonly used for anti-influenza in combination with OA in both rat and human, and to reveal the underlined mechanisms.

Clinical and virologic factors associated with reduced sensitivity of rapid influenza diagnostic tests in hospitalized elderly patients and young children.

Rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs) are commonly used by clinicians to guide patient management. Data on sensitivities among hospitalized patients are limited. Here, we evaluated the clinical and virologic factors affecting the sensitivities of 2 commercially available RIDTs (BinaxNOW Influenza A&B and QuickVue Influenza A+B) on nasopharyngeal aspirate (NPA) specimens collected from elderly patients and young children hospitalized for influenza.

Knowledge, attitude, practice and barriers on vaccination against human papillomavirus infection: a cross-sectional study among primary care physicians in Hong Kong.

This study explored the knowledge, attitude, practice and barriers to prescribe human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines among private primary care physicians in Hong Kong. A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted by sending letters to doctors who had joined a vaccination program for school girls. From 720 surveys sent, 444 (61.

Replication and transcription activities of ribonucleoprotein complexes reconstituted from avian H5N1, H1N1pdm09 and H3N2 influenza A viruses.

Avian influenza viruses pose a serious pandemic threat to humans. Better knowledge on cross-species adaptation is important. This study examined the replication and transcription efficiency of ribonucleoprotein complexes reconstituted by plasmid co-transfection between H5N1, H1N1pdm09 and H3N2 influenza A viruses, and to identify mutations in the RNA polymerase subunit that affect human adaptation.

Effect of avian influenza A H5N1 infection on the expression of microRNA-141 in human respiratory epithelial cells.

Background: Avian influenza remains a serious threat to human health. The consequence of human infection varies markedly among different subtypes of avian influenza viruses. In addition to viral factors, the difference in host cellular response is likely to play a critical role.

Role of human Toll-like receptors in naturally occurring influenza A infections.

Background: We investigated the roles of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in naturally occurring influenza.

Methods: A prospective, case - control study was conducted. Adults hospitalized with virologically confirmed influenza A infections (onset <48 hours, before treatment) were compared with age-/gender-matched controls.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus in Hong Kong, 2008-2009.

The public health impact of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection varies across the world. An HEV vaccine has been recently approved for clinical use in China. Population-specific seroprevalence data are essential for cost-effective assessment of vaccination programs.

A "pre-seasonal" hospital outbreak of influenza pneumonia caused by the drift variant A/Victoria/361/2011-like H3N2 viruses, Hong Kong, 2011.

Background: Beginning from late 2011 and early 2012, increasing circulation of antigenically drifted influenza A/Victoria/361/2011-like H3N2 viruses within genotype 3 of the A/Victoria/208/2009 clade have been reported in multiple European countries and elsewhere. Whether these emerging viruses are associated with increased disease severity is unclear.

Objectives: To report the clinical and virological findings of a moderately severe hospital outbreak of A/Victoria/361/2011-like viruses that occurred in November 2011 in Hong Kong.

Influenza B lineage circulation and hospitalization rates in a subtropical city, Hong Kong, 2000-2010.

Background: A need for quadrivalent vaccines to cover both lineages of influenza B has been raised. Information on the circulation status of influenza B lineages and the associated hospitalization rates is important to assist evidence-based decision making. This retrospective study revealed the situation in a subtropical city over a 10-year period.

Chronic psychosocial stress: does it modulate immunity to the influenza vaccine in Hong Kong Chinese elderly caregivers?

Previous studies evaluated the effects of psychosocial stress on influenza vaccine responses. However, there were methodological limitations. This study aims to determine whether chronic stress is associated with poorer influenza-specific immune responses to influenza vaccines in Hong Kong Chinese elderly people.

Comparisons of oseltamivir-resistant (H275Y) and concurrent oseltamivir-susceptible seasonal influenza A(H1N1) virus infections in hospitalized adults, 2008-2009.

In an observational cohort study, we found that adults hospitalized for oseltamivir-resistant (H275Y) seasonal H1N1 influenza (n = 46) were older than those infected with oseltamivir-susceptible strains (n = 31) [74(IQR 59-83) versus 64(IQR 48-76) years; P = 0·045], and most had major comorbidities (78% versus 65%). Disease severity and clinical outcomes were comparable between the two groups: radiographic pneumonia 40-42%, supplemental oxygen use 47-48%, critical illness 11-13%, median duration of hospitalization 5-6 days, death rate 6-9%. Failure to receive effective antiviral therapy was associated with progression to critical illness (23% versus 0%, P = 0·016) and death (20% versus 0%, P = 0·033) in hospitalized patients with seasonal H1N1 influenza.

Polymerase activity of hybrid ribonucleoprotein complexes generated from reassortment between 2009 pandemic H1N1 and seasonal H3N2 influenza A viruses.

Background: A novel influenza virus (2009 pdmH1N1) was identified in early 2009 and progressed to a pandemic in mid-2009. This study compared the polymerase activity of recombinant viral ribonucleoprotein (vRNP) complexes derived from 2009 pdmH1N1 and the co-circulating seasonal H3N2, and their possible reassortants.

Results: The 2009 pdmH1N1 vRNP showed a lower level of polymerase activity at 33°C compared to 37°C, a property remenisence of avian viruses.

Seasonal influenza A virus in feces of hospitalized adults.

In a cohort of hospitalized adults with seasonal influenza A in Hong Kong, viral RNA was frequently (47%) detected in stool specimens. Viable virus was rarely isolated. Viral RNA positivity had little correlation with gastrointestinal symptoms and outcomes.

Cytokine response patterns in severe pandemic 2009 H1N1 and seasonal influenza among hospitalized adults.

Background: Studying cytokine/chemokine responses in severe influenza infections caused by different virus subtypes may improve understanding on pathogenesis.

Methods: Adults hospitalized for laboratory-confirmed seasonal and pandemic 2009 A/H1N1 (pH1N1) influenza were studied. Plasma concentrations of 13 cytokines/chemokines were measured at presentation and then serially, using cytometric-bead-array with flow-cytometry and ELISA.

Seroprevalence of varicella zoster virus among pregnant women in Hong Kong: comparison with self-reported history.

Objective: To compare seroprevalence (serum IgG titre) with self-reported history of varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection among pregnant women in Hong Kong.

Methods: Pregnant women undergoing first trimester Down screening over a 3-months period were recruited for the study.

Results: Positive immunity was found in 477 (95.

Seasonal influenza vaccination predicts pandemic H1N1 vaccination uptake among healthcare workers in three countries.

The aim of this study was to identify the common barriers and facilitators for acceptance of pandemic influenza vaccination across different countries. This study utilized a standardized, anonymous, self-completed questionnaire-based survey recording the demographics and professional practice, previous experience and perceived risk and severity of influenza, infection control practices, information of H1N1 vaccination, acceptance of the H1N1 vaccination and reasons of their choices and opinions on mandatory vaccination. Hospital-based doctors, nurses and allied healthcare workers in Hong Kong (HK), Singapore (SG) and Leicester, United Kingdom (UK) were recruited.

Complications and outcomes of pandemic 2009 Influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in hospitalized adults: how do they differ from those in seasonal influenza?

Background: It is unclear whether pandemic 2009 influenza A (pH1N1) infection caused more significant disease among hospitalized adults than seasonal influenza.

Methods: A prospective, observational study was conducted in adults hospitalized with polymerase chain reaction-confirmed pH1N1 infection in 2 acute-care general hospitals from June 2009 to May 2010 (n = 382). Complications and outcomes were described and compared with those in a seasonal influenza cohort (2007-2008, same hospitals; n = 754).

Possible role of aerosol transmission in a hospital outbreak of influenza.

Background: We examined the role of aerosol transmission of influenza in an acute ward setting.

Methods: We investigated a seasonal influenza A outbreak that occurred in our general medical ward (with open bay ward layout) in 2008. Clinical and epidemiological information was collected in real time during the outbreak.

Prevalence and genotype distribution of cervical human papillomavirus infection in Macao.

Population-specific epidemiological data on human papillomavirus (HPV) infection are essential for formulating strategies to prevent cervical cancer. The age-specific prevalence of HPV infection was determined among 1,600 women enrolled for cervical screening in Macao. A U-shaped age-specific prevalence curve with a first peak (prevalence rate, 10%) at 20-25 years and a second peak (13%) at 51-55 years was observed.

Distribution of human papillomavirus genotypes among cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and invasive cancers in Macao.

Macao is a densely populated city situated in East Asia where a relatively high prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) types 52 and 58 has been reported in women with invasive cervical cancer. To provide data for a population-specific estimation on the impact of HPV vaccines, paraffin-embedded tissues collected from women with invasive cervical cancer or cervical intrapeitheilal neoplasia grade 2 or 3 confirmed histologically were examined for HPV using the INNO-LiPa kit. Of the 35 HPV-positive patients with invasive cancer, one HPV type was detected in 68.