Long-term quality of life and surgical outcome of female congenital adrenal hyperplasia patients.

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.

Comparative Outcomes of Single-Stage versus Two-Stage Laparoscopic Fowler-Stephens Orchidopexy: A Systematic Review snd Meta-Analysis.

Introduction:  Intra-abdominal testis (IAT) remains a challenging and controversial subset within the management of cryptorchidism. While Fowler-Stephens orchidopexy (FSO) is still being advocated as the gold standard for the treatment of this entity, there is new and conflicting evidence on the comparative outcomes between single- or two-stage laparoscopic FSO (LFSO). The aim of the study is to investigate whether staging has benefits in children receiving LFSO.

Comparison of diclofenac with tramadol, tizanidine or placebo in the treatment of acute low back pain and sciatica: multi-center randomized controlled trial.

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of disability worldwide and has posed numerous health and socioeconomic challenges. This study compared whether nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in combination with tramadol, tizanidine or placebo would be the best treatment regime to improve the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) scores at 1 week.

Methods: This was a multi-center, double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled trial including adult patients with acute LBP and sciatica in three emergency departments in Hong Kong.

The TriAGe + score for vertigo or dizziness: A validation study in a university hospital emergency department in Hong Kong.

Objective: Patients with dizziness commonly present to Emergency Departments (ED) and 6% of these patients will be diagnosed with acute stroke. The TriAGe+ score comprises of eight clinical parameters and stratifies patients into four risk groups. The Japanese authors reported that the tool performed well, so our aim was to validate this diagnostic tool in our ED in Hong Kong.

Understanding what matters most to patients in acute care in seven countries, using the flash mob study design.

Background: Truly patient-centred care needs to be aligned with what patients consider important, and is highly desirable in the first 24 h of an acute admission, as many decisions are made during this period. However, there is limited knowledge on what matters most to patients in this phase of their hospital stay. The objective of this study was to identify what mattered most to patients in acute care and to assess the patient perspective as to whether their treating doctors were aware of this.

COM902, a novel therapeutic antibody targeting TIGIT augments anti-tumor T cell function in combination with PVRIG or PD-1 pathway blockade.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have emerged as promising therapies for the treatment of cancer. However, existing ICIs, namely PD-(L)1 and CTLA-4 inhibitors, generate durable responses only in a subset of patients. TIGIT is a co-inhibitory receptor and member of the DNAM-1 family of immune modulating proteins.

RISC II is superior to TRISS in predicting 30-day mortality in blunt major trauma patients in Hong Kong.

Purpose: Hong Kong (HK) trauma registries have been using the Trauma and Injury Severity Score (TRISS) for audit and benchmarking since their introduction in 2000. We compare the mortality prediction model using TRISS and Revised Injury Severity Classification, version II (RISC II) for trauma centre patients in HK.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study with all five trauma centres in HK.

Psychometric data on knowledge and fear of coronavirus disease 2019 and perceived stress among workers of filipino origin in Hong Kong.

Data on knowledge and fear of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and perceived stress were collected in July 2020 from a convenience sample of Filipino domestic workers in Hong Kong by asking participants to take part in three questionnaires. First, twelve questions related to knowledge associated with the prevention and identification of COVID-19 were used to assess participants' knowledge regarding COVID-19. Second, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) was used to assess participants' perceived fear of infection.

NEWS and qSIRS superior to qSOFA in the prediction of 30-day mortality in emergency department patients in Hong Kong.

Background: We aim to compare the prognostic value of Quick Sepsis-Related Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) and the previous Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) criteria, the National Early Warning Score (NEWS) and along with their combinations in the emergency department (ED).

Methods: This single-centre prospective study recruited a convenience sample of unselected ED patients triaged as category 2 (Emergency) and 3 (Urgent). Receiver Operating Characteristic analyses were performed to determine the Area Under the Curve (AUC), along with sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, positive and negative likelihood ratios for the various scores.

Does an assessment aid improve Glasgow Coma Scale scoring by helicopter rescuers in Hong Kong: A randomised controlled trial.

Background: Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is one of the most commonly used patient assessment tools. This study aimed to determine whether an assessment aid can improve the GCS scoring accuracy by helicopter rescuers in Hong Kong.

Methods: In this randomised controlled trial, Air Crewman Officers (ACMOs) of Government Flying Service in Hong Kong were randomised into two groups, with and without assessment aid.

PVRIG and PVRL2 Are Induced in Cancer and Inhibit CD8 T-cell Function.

Although checkpoint inhibitors that block CTLA-4 and PD-1 have improved cancer immunotherapies, targeting additional checkpoint receptors may be required to broaden patient response to immunotherapy. PVRIG is a coinhibitory receptor of the DNAM/TIGIT/CD96 nectin family that binds to PVRL2. We report that antagonism of PVRIG and TIGIT, but not CD96, increased CD8 T-cell cytokine production and cytotoxic activity.

qSOFA is a Poor Predictor of Short-Term Mortality in All Patients: A Systematic Review of 410,000 Patients.

Background: To determine the validity of the Quick Sepsis-Related Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) in the prediction of outcome (in-hospital and 1-month mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and hospital and ICU length of stay) in adult patients with or without suspected infections where qSOFA was calculated and reported; Methods: Cochrane Central of Controlled trials, EMBASE, BIOSIS, OVID MEDLINE, OVID Nursing Database, and the Joanna Briggs Institute EBP Database were the main databases searched. All studies published until 12 April 2018 were considered. All studies except case series, case reports, and conference abstracts were considered.

ILDR2 Is a Novel B7-like Protein That Negatively Regulates T Cell Responses.

The B7-like protein family members play critical immunomodulatory roles and constitute attractive targets for the development of novel therapies for human diseases. We identified Ig-like domain-containing receptor (ILDR)2 as a novel B7-like protein with robust T cell inhibitory activity, expressed in immune cells and in immune-privileged and inflamed tissues. A fusion protein, consisting of ILDR2 extracellular domain with an Fc fragment, that binds to a putative counterpart on activated T cells showed a beneficial effect in the collagen-induced arthritis model and abrogated the production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in autologous synovial-like cocultures of macrophages and cytokine-stimulated T cells.

Improvement of blood loss volume estimation by paramedics using a pictorial nomogram: A developmental study.

Introduction: To propose and evaluate a nomogram to assist paramedics to visually estimate the external blood loss on a non-absorbent surface and to identify whether the nomogram improves visual estimation.

Methods: The study was a prospective, paired-control design (pre-training control group & post-training group), utilizing Emergency Medical Assistant (EMA) I and II trainees from the Hong Kong Fire Services Ambulance Command Training School. A nomogram (blood loss volume to area on a non-absorbent surface) was prepared to aid blood loss estimation.

Endoscopic injection for primary vesicoureteric reflux: Predictors of resolution and long term efficacy.

Aim: We investigated the efficacy of endoscopic-Deflux-injection in treating primary-vesicoureteric-reflux (VUR) and identified factors to predict resolution.

Materials And Methods: Records of children treated with Deflux for primary-VUR from 1995 to 2016 were reviewed, and outcomes were investigated.

Results: Eighty-eight ureters (35 bilateral, 18 unilateral) in 53 children underwent 124 injections.

Urban disaster preparedness of Hong Kong residents: A territory-wide survey.

Objective: To assess the state of community disaster preparedness of Hong Kong residents and to identify factors associated with adequate preparedness behaviors.

Design: A cross-sectional survey using random Global Positioning System (GPS) spatial sampling conducted from the 8 August 2015 to 6 September 2015.

Participants: Hong Kong residents aged 18 years or more.