Effectiveness of amnion allograph injections in patients with degenerative musculoskeletal diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Amnion allograft injections have emerged as potential regenerative therapy for degenerative musculoskeletal diseases. In this study, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of amnion allograph injections in patients with degenerative musculoskeletal diseases.

Design: A search was conducted across the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases to identify studies reporting on amnion allograft injections in patients with degenerative musculoskeletal diseases.

Improving Redox Activity of Colloidal Plasmonic-Magnetic Nanocrystals by Chemical State Modulation.

Controlling the redox ability is crucial for optimizing catalytic processes in clean energy, environmental protection, and CO reduction, as it directly influences the reaction efficiency and electron transfer rates, driving sustainable and effective outcomes. Here, we report the plasma-electrified synthesis of composition-controlled FeAu bimetallic nanoparticles, specifically engineered to enhance the redox catalytic performance through precise tuning of their chemical states. Utilizing atmospheric-pressure microplasmas, FeAu nanoparticles were synthesized under ambient conditions without the need for reducing agents or organic solvents, thereby providing a green and sustainable approach.

Trajectories and predictors of depressive symptoms among pregnant women: A 3-year longitudinal study.

Objective: Not all women experience the same changes in depression from pregnancy through the years following childbirth, but the patterns of prenatal and postnatal depression are underexplored. This study investigated the trajectories and associated predictors of depressive symptoms in women from pregnancy through the first 3 years postpartum.

Method: We followed 340 pregnant women from an antenatal clinic in Hong Kong, first at 20-24 weeks of gestation, then at 4 weeks after childbirth, and again at 3 years after childbirth.

Chikungunya virus infection inhibits B16 melanoma-induced immunosuppression of T cells and macrophages mediated by interleukin 10.

Immunosuppression in cancer poses challenges for immunotherapy and highlights the vulnerability of immunocompromised patients to viral infections. This study explored how Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection potentially inhibits B16-F10 melanoma-induced immunosuppressive effects on T cells and RAW 264.7 macrophages.

Adoption of the Robotic Platform across Thoracic Surgeries.

With the paradigm shift in minimally invasive surgery from the video-assisted thoracoscopic platform to the robotic platform, thoracic surgeons are applying the new technology through various commonly practiced thoracic surgeries, striving to improve patient outcomes and reduce morbidity and mortality. This review will discuss the updates in lung resections, lung transplantation, mediastinal surgeries with a focus on thymic resection, rib resection, tracheal resection, tracheobronchoplasty, diaphragm plication, esophagectomy, and paraesophageal hernia repair. The transition from open surgery to video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) to now robotic video-assisted thoracic surgery (RVATS) allows complex surgeries to be completed through smaller and smaller incisions with better visualization through high-definition images and finer mobilization, accomplishing what might be unresectable before, permitting shorter hospital stay, minimizing healing time, and encompassing broader surgical candidacy.

Reference values for reticulocyte haemoglobin equivalent in healthy Chinese children under 5 years and its associations with various blood parameters.

Background: Reticulocyte haemoglobin equivalent (RET-He) is a useful tool for evaluating recent iron usage irrespective of inflammatory status. This study aims to establish a reference for RET-He among Hong Kong healthy children under the age of 5 years and to investigate the association between RET-He and various blood parameters.

Methods: A total of 946 children aged 2-48 months from July 2019 to December 2022 were recruited in this cross-sectional study.

Early-life family and school impacts on adolescent conduct problems: A path analysis.

Limited research has been conducted to examine the factors during early childhood that may contribute to conduct problems in later stages of life. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between family and school environments during early childhood and conduct problems in adolescence. In Wave 1 (W1), the study recruited 502 participants, aged 5-6 years, from Hong Kong local kindergartens, with 51.

Housekeeping protein-coding genes interrogated with tissue and individual variations.

Housekeeping protein-coding genes are stably expressed genes in cells and tissues that are thought to be engaged in fundamental cellular biological functions. They are often utilized as normalization references in molecular biology research and are especially important in integrated bioinformatic investigations. Prior studies have examined human housekeeping protein-coding genes by analyzing various gene expression datasets.

Effects of ON101 for Hard-to-Heal Diabetic Foot Ulcers in a Randomized Phase III Trial: A Analysis.

Hard-to-heal diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are associated with higher mortality rates and an increased medical burden for patients. ON101, a new topical cream, exhibited better healing efficacy than the control dressing in a Phase III trial. In this analysis, we further identify whether ON101 can improve the healing of ulcers with hard-to-heal risk factors in this cohort of DFU patients.

A systematic review on the applicability of cell-free DNA level as an obesity biomarker.

Obesity has become a global health concern in recent decades. Utilizing biomarkers presents a promising approach to comprehensively monitor the progress of obesity and its associated health conditions. This review aims to synthesize the available evidence on the correlation between cfDNA level and obesity and to provide insights into the applicability of using cfDNA level as a tool for monitoring progression of obesity.

A new groin hernia classification with clinical relevance.

Introduction: Groin hernia is one of the most commonly managed surgical diseases around the world. The typical question asked by patients is "Does my hernia require urgent surgery?". The currently available classifications are insufficient to stratify patients into different groups.

Effects of mindfulness-based preoperative intervention for patients undergoing elective surgery: A meta-analysis.

Objective: Patients often experience pain and psychological distress when undergoing elective surgeries. Mindfulness-based interventions have been proposed as potential strategies to address these challenges. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the efficacy of preoperative mindfulness-based interventions on several outcomes for patients undergoing elective surgery, including preoperative anxiety/depression, postoperative anxiety/depression, postoperative pain, and quality of life (QOL).

Upregulation, Functional Association, and Correlated Expressions of TRPV1 and TRPA1 During Telmisartan-Driven Immunosuppression of T Cells.

TRPV1 and TRPA1, are known to be functionally expressed in T cells, where these two channels differentially regulate effector immune responses. Telmisartan (TM), an anti-hypertension drug, has been recently repurposed to suppress various inflammatory responses. However, the possible involvement of TRP channels during TM-driven suppression of T cells responses has not been explored yet.

Risk Factors for Cervical Disc Arthroplasty Subsidence with Bryan Disc-A Retrospective Observational Analysis.

: Cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) is currently used instead of fusion to preserve cervical spine motion. Cervical implant subsidence is a potential complication after CDA. : Radiological measurements were recorded via patient anteroposterior and lateral radiographs in the neutral position.

The central role of natural killer cells in mediating acute myocarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination.

Background: Vaccine-related acute myocarditis is recognized as a rare and specific vaccine complication following mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccinations. The precise mechanisms remain unclear. We hypothesized that natural killer (NK) cells play a central role in its pathogenesis.

Normative values of motor performance and their relationship with BMI status in Hong Kong preschoolers.

This study aimed to establish sex- and age-specific reference values for motor performance (MP) in Hong Kong preschoolers aged 3-5 years old and examine the relationship between MP and BMI status. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 5579 preschoolers in Hong Kong. Three MP tests were administered, and height and weight information were collected.

Effect of a Mobile Game-Based Intervention to Enhance Child Safety: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Evidence supports the effectiveness of serious games in health education, but little is known about their effects on the psychosocial well-being of children in the general population.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the potential of a mobile game-based safety education program in improving children's safety and psychosocial outcomes.

Methods: Safe City is a mobile roleplaying game specifically designed to educate children in Hong Kong about safety.

Longitudinal associations between child discipline methods and physical growth patterns across preschool years.

Objective: Research has documented the associations of child maltreatment with a range of physical health problems, but little is known about the physical growth patterns of children who experience maltreatment in early childhood. This study aimed to examine the association between various discipline approaches and physical growth in preschool-aged children.

Methods: In the first year of preschool, parents of 661 Chinese preschool-aged children completed a questionnaire with items pertaining to the frequency of using physical maltreatment, psychological aggression, neglect, and nonviolent discipline toward the child.

Association of vitamin D-binding protein polymorphisms and serum 25(OH)D concentration varies among Chinese healthy infants of different VDR-FokI genotypes: A multi-centre cross-sectional study.

Hypovitaminosis D during infancy is associated with the development of chronic diseases and poor health later in life. While the effect of environmental factors on vitamin D concentration has been extensively explored, this study aimed to explore the effect of genetic factors on vitamin D concentration among Chinese infants. We conducted a multi-centre cross-sectional study in Hong Kong from July 2019 to May 2021.

Solar cycle as a distinct line of evidence constraining Earth's transient climate response.

Severity of warming predicted by climate models depends on their Transient Climate Response (TCR). Inter-model spread of TCR has persisted at ~ 100% of its mean for decades. Existing observational constraints of TCR are based on observed historical warming response to historical forcing and their uncertainty spread is just as wide, mainly due to forcing uncertainty, and especially that of aerosols.