Publications by authors named "Maggie Wang"
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and the Risk of Heart Failure Hospitalizations Among Individuals With Coronary Artery Disease.
Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes
December 2024
Article Synopsis
- PTSD is linked to a higher risk of heart failure hospitalizations in individuals with coronary artery disease, with those diagnosed having a 4.4 times greater risk of hospitalizations compared to those without PTSD.
- The study involved 736 participants, revealing that 9.4% had PTSD, and higher PTSD symptom scores correlated with increased heart failure events.
- While PTSD is strongly associated with heart failure, it does not appear to influence rates of cardiovascular death or nonfatal heart attacks unrelated to heart failure hospitalizations.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to compare the skin adhesion of a new rotigotine transdermal patch (ROT-TDS) to an existing product for patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).
- Research included pharmacokinetic testing on healthy adults and a trial on PD patients to assess adhesion and safety.
- Results showed that ROT-TDS had similar effectiveness and safety as the reference patch but also demonstrated better skin adhesion, with a higher percentage of patches staying adhered through the dosing period.
Article Synopsis
- The study utilized a machine learning semi-supervised clustering approach to analyze radiographs of normal adolescent sagittal spines, aiming to identify distinct patterns of sagittal alignment.
- The analysis of 111 spines revealed that they clustered into 3 to 5 distinct groups, with significant consistency in categorization across clusters and differences noted in parameters like SVA.
- The findings suggest that adolescent sagittal spine alignments can be classified into specific groups, with SVA being the most critical distinguishing feature, indicating a need for further research on its implications for spinal deformities.*
Article Synopsis
- - This study aims to analyze the relationship between tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) and clinical outcomes in cancer patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), addressing a gap in existing research on prognostic biomarkers.
- - A thorough review of studies was conducted from various databases, assessing how TLSs relate to overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and objective response rate (ORR) in these patients.
- - Findings from thirteen studies indicate that higher levels of TLSs are linked to significantly better OS and PFS, while showing a lower ORR, suggesting that TLSs could serve as a valuable prognostic marker for patients undergoing immunotherapy.
Article Synopsis
- Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is linked to higher cardiovascular mortality and adverse outcomes in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), potentially due to inflammation and impaired cell function.
- In a study involving over 5,400 individuals, those with VDD showed significantly increased risk of cardiovascular issues, especially when combined with high levels of inflammation and low counts of circulating progenitor cells (CPCs).
- The findings suggest that targeted interventions might be needed for those with both VDD and other risk factors, but more research is required to determine if supplementation can help reduce risks in these groups.
Article Synopsis
- A new patient-centered, data-driven care model was developed and implemented to improve clinical outcomes for patients with young-onset type 2 diabetes (T2D), an area lacking well-established practice guidelines.
- The study, part of a 3-year randomized controlled trial, involves a team-based management approach utilizing genetic markers and technology to tailor treatments for individuals diagnosed with T2D before the age of 40.
- Out of 884 participants, those in the specialized JADE-PRISM group received more focused care, showing the potential for better management of complications and treatment goals compared to standard care protocols.
Article Synopsis
- Mental stress-induced myocardial ischemia (MSIMI) is linked to poorer heart health outcomes in people with coronary artery disease, but how stress affects heart function is not fully understood.
- This study involved 735 patients and looked at their heart rate variability (HRV) during stress to see if low HRV indicates autonomic dysfunction associated with MSIMI.
- Results showed that patients with low HRV during stress had significantly higher odds of experiencing MSIMI, suggesting that stress-related autonomic dysfunction could contribute to heart issues in these patients.
Article Synopsis
- - The study aims to investigate the link between depression and the usage of specific tobacco and cannabis products among individuals aged 13 to 40, using data from a national online survey of over 6,000 participants.
- - Results showed that co-users of both tobacco and cannabis had a significantly higher likelihood of screening positive for depression compared to those using only one type of product, with specific products like e-cigarettes and chewing tobacco also linked to increased depression rates.
- - The findings highlight the need for targeted prevention programs for depression, especially among those who use multiple substances concurrently, emphasizing the mental health risks associated with tobacco and cannabis use.
Article Synopsis
- A retrospective study of 4,481 workers exposed to silica dust found a strong link between smoking and airflow obstruction (AFO), a key indicator of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Current smokers had nearly double the odds of developing AFO compared to non-smokers, and even former smokers showed a significant increased risk.
- Quitting smoking reduced the risk of AFO over time, with benefits not noted until at least 3 years after cessation, emphasizing the necessity of long-term smoking cessation for workers exposed to silica dust.
Article Synopsis
- The influenza virus constantly evolves to avoid human immunity, requiring annual updates of vaccine strains for effectiveness against seasonal epidemics.* -
- A new computational method called beth-1 has been developed to forecast virus evolution and select optimal vaccine strains by analyzing mutation fitness and immune response data.* -
- In tests, beth-1 outperformed existing methods in predicting viral changes and showed better or comparable results in neutralization experiments in mice, making it a valuable tool for selecting influenza vaccine strains.*
Article Synopsis
- Remnant cholesterol (RC) is linked to a higher risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASVD) and is emerging as an important factor beyond just LDL cholesterol levels.
- Recent studies consistently demonstrate a strong causal connection between RC and various types of ASVD, showing that reducing RC can significantly lessen the risk of these diseases.
- The authors suggest updating current health guidelines to recognize RC as an independent risk factor for ASVD and advocate for early screening and future drug treatments aimed at lowering RC levels.
Article Synopsis
- This study aimed to evaluate the link between healthy lifestyle choices and the occurrence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) among adults in a UK population.
- A total of 64,268 adults aged 37-73, who did not have IBS at the study's start, were followed for an average of 12.6 years.
- Results showed that those adhering to more healthy lifestyle behaviors had a significantly lower risk of developing IBS, highlighting the potential benefits of lifestyle changes.
Article Synopsis
- - STING (Stimulator of Interferon Genes) is a crucial immune protein that detects danger signals from DNA, leading to immune responses such as activation of interferons and cell death, but its roles in various immune and cancer cells are not fully understood.
- - Research using a new nanoparticle called PolySTING revealed that conventional type 1 dendritic cells (cDC1s) are vital for STING-induced rejection of tumors, while the STING status in these immune cells, rather than in the tumors themselves, is key to effective anti-cancer responses.
- - The study found that specific chemokine responses in cDC1s were linked to patient survival, and the presence of STING-activated cDC1
Article Synopsis
- - This study investigates how growing up on traditional farms in China might protect children from asthma and allergies, especially focusing on exposure to domestic poultry (DP) as a key factor.
- - Researchers compared rural children with and without poultry exposure to urban children, finding differences in immune responses and blood cell counts, indicating that rural children exposed to poultry had reduced immune markers and eosinophil levels.
- - The results suggest that exposure to poultry dust may provide benefits against asthma by altering immune responses, particularly by decreasing Th2 cytokines and inducing protective cytokines in a mouse asthma model.
Article Synopsis
- - The study analyzed subgenomic RNA (sgRNA) expression in respiratory samples from patients infected with the Omicron BA.2 variant and a non-variant strain (D614G), revealing similar sgRNA profiles regardless of patient demographics or severity of illness.
- - Samples with low viral loads showed a loss of distinct sgRNA profiles, suggesting that these patterns could be used to assess viral activity in patients over time.
- - sgRNA levels correlated strongly with viral loads, with ORF7b identified as a promising marker for monitoring infection status, highlighting the potential for using sgRNA targets in future vaccine and antiviral strategies.
Article Synopsis
- STING is an immune protein that detects danger signals from DNA, playing a key role in activating immune responses and is found in various cell types including cancer cells.
- The study shows that type 1 conventional dendritic cells (cDC1) are crucial for STING-mediated rejection of tumors, and the effectiveness of a special nanoparticle treatment (PolySTING) relies on the presence of STING in these immune cells, not the cancer cells.
- Research highlights that the presence of activated cDC1 correlates with patient survival in lung cancer and can be indicative of the effectiveness of immunotherapy treatments like pembrolizumab.
Article Synopsis
- - Huntington's disease results from a CAG repeat expansion in the Huntingtin gene, with longer repeats leading to earlier disease onset. The 'CAG Age Product' (CAP) allows for the analysis of individuals with different CAG lengths by plotting age against repeat lengths.
- - Structural MRI studies show that striatal atrophy occurs years before motor symptoms appear, as demonstrated by multicenter studies (PREDICT-HD, TRACK-HD, IMAGE-HD), but the link between different brain region atrophy has been unclear.
- - This study analyzed multiple datasets to examine brain atrophy in relation to CAP, revealing significant degeneration in basal ganglia structures like the caudate and putamen, while other brain regions showed slower decline,
Article Synopsis
- A study investigated how restrictive spirometry pattern (RSP) affects mortality risk in patients with silicosis, revealing that RSP increases overall and respiratory-related death rates compared to those with normal lung function.
- With data from 4315 silicotic patients, the research found that 24.1% had RSP, leading to 2399 deaths during the follow-up period.
- Those with RSP alone faced a 63% higher risk of death, while those with a mixed pattern of RSP and airflow obstruction had a staggering 122% higher mortality risk.
Article Synopsis
- In June 2017, Hong Kong raised the cost-sharing fee for emergency department visits in public hospitals from HK$100 to HK$180 to encourage proper use of emergency care, raising concerns about potential negative impacts on access to care, especially for low-income individuals.
- A study analyzed emergency department visit trends from June 2015 to May 2019, focusing on patients 64 years and younger, categorized by income groups, to understand the effects of this fee increase.
- Results showed an overall 8% decrease in emergency department visits following the fee hike, with urgent visits dropping by 5.9% and nonurgent visits by 8.9%, indicating a significant impact on how often patients accessed emergency care. *
Article Synopsis
- The Genetics of Neurodevelopmental Disorders Lab in Padua launched the ID-challenge as part of CAGI6, allowing teams to develop computational methods for predicting patient phenotypes and their genetic causes.
- Eight research teams worked with genetic data from 415 pediatric patients with Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs), focusing on the sequences of 74 genes to improve phenotype prediction accuracy.
- The study aimed to identify new genetic causes for patients lacking a diagnosis by analyzing clinical features and known variants, using past data from CAGI5 to aid in their predictions.
Article Synopsis
- Stimuli-responsive nanomaterials can enhance the effectiveness of traditional nanotherapeutics by utilizing molecular cooperativity for better diagnostic and therapeutic outcomes.* -
- The study focuses on an ultra-pH-sensitive polymer, PEG-b-PC7A, which activates the immune system by binding to STING, leading to improved cancer immunotherapy results.* -
- Researchers discovered a unique "all-or-nothing" protonation behavior in PC7A, enabling controlled release of anticancer drugs and highlighting its potential for future nanomedicine advancements.*
Article Synopsis
- A study compared hospital outcomes between critically ill patients with COVID-19 and those with influenza A, focusing on mortality rates and risk factors.
- The research involved a retrospective analysis of adult patients in Hong Kong, matching 373 COVID-19 patients with 373 influenza A patients based on similar characteristics.
- Findings showed that COVID-19 patients had a significantly higher hospital mortality rate (17.5%) compared to influenza A patients (7.5%), with factors such as age and coinfections impacting these outcomes.
Gender Facial Affirmation Surgery; Techniques for Feminizing the Chin.
Facial Plast Surg Clin North Am
August 2023
Article Synopsis
- * There are different variations of osseous genioplasty: 1-piece focuses on reducing and rounding the chin, while 2-piece and 3-piece surgeries adjust the projection and shape, with the 3-piece variant also narrowing the chin for a desired "V" shape.
- * Proper care is necessary during the procedure to protect the mental nerve and resuspend the mentalis muscle, as neglecting these can lead to issues like lower lip numbness and drooping.
Article Synopsis
- Early specialty care in nephrology can slow down the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), but predicting which patients will progress is difficult due to a shortage of nephrologists.
- The Kidney Failure Risk Equation (KFRE) effectively identifies patients at high risk for kidney failure, and this study analyzes nephrology referral rates based on KFRE risk levels in a local health network.
- Findings indicate a gap in referrals for high-risk CKD patients and underuse of albuminuria testing, highlighting opportunities to enhance patient outcomes by targeting high-risk individuals and improving testing practices.