COVID-19 hip fracture outcomes: The role of Ct values and D-dimer levels?

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused high mortality rates in hip fracture patients, but data for Asian patients are lacking. Whilst Cycle threshold (Ct) values and D-dimer have been reported as predictors of mortality in COVID-19 patients, their prognostic roles in those with concomitant hip fracture remain unknown. The objectives of this study were to i) assess the clinical outcomes of COVID-19 hip fractures patients in the Chinese population, ii) identify risk factors of mortality and complications, and iii) determine the prognostic roles of Ct values and D-dimer levels.

THY1 (CD90) Maintains the Adherens Junctions in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma via Inhibition of SRC Activation.

We had previously shown that THY1 (CD90) is a tumor suppressor in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and that its down-regulation and loss of expression are associated with tumor metastasis, yet the mechanism leading to such effects remains unknown. In this study we show that tumor invasion could be suppressed by THY1 via adherens junction formation in a few NPC cell lines, and knockdown of THY1 would disrupt this cell-cell adhesion phenotype. Mechanistically, the activity of the SRC family kinase (SFK) member, SRC, and canonical Wnt signaling were dramatically reduced when THY1 was constitutively expressed.

Understanding the dynamic properties of trees using the motions constructed from multi-beam flash light detection and ranging measurements.

Measuring the three-dimensional motion of trees at every position remains challenging as it requires dynamic measurement technology with sufficient spatial and temporal resolution. Consequently, this study explores the use of a novel multi-beam flash light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor to tackle such a sensing barrier. A framework is proposed to record tree vibrations, to construct the motions of tree skeletons from the point-cloud frames recorded by the LiDAR sensor and to derive the dynamic properties of trees.

The CBP/β-Catenin Antagonist, ICG-001, Inhibits Tumor Metastasis via Blocking of the miR-134/ITGB1 Axis-Mediated Cell Adhesion in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated malignancy ranking as the 23rd most common cancer globally, while its incidence rate ranked the 9th in southeast Asia. Tumor metastasis is the dominant cause for treatment failure in NPC and metastatic NPC is yet incurable. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays an important role in many processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and self-renewal of stem cells and cancer stem cells (CSCs).

High Charlson Comorbidity Index Score is associated with early fracture-related complication for internal fixation of neck of femur fractures.

The incidence of geriatric hip fractures continues to rise in our aging population and has become a major public health concern globally. The primary outcome of this study was to determine whether Age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (ACCI) is associated with increased fracture-related complications in neck of femur fractures treated by internal fixation. This was a cohort study between January 2014 to June 2018.

Intussusception after open Roux-en-Y gastric bypass managed with laparoscopic reduction.

Intussusception is a rare long-term complication following bariatric surgery. With unclear risk factors and a variable presentation, intussusception is often diagnosed in emergency departments on cross-sectional imaging. Due to the nature of the disease process, prompt involvement of a bariatric surgeon and operative intervention offers the best outcome.

Prognostic factors related to ambulation deterioration after 1-year of geriatric hip fracture in a Chinese population.

The objective of this study was to investigate the prognostic factors predicting the ambulation recovery of fragility hip fracture patients. 2286 fragility hip fracture patients were collected from the Fragility Fracture Registry in Hong Kong. Predictive factors of ambulation deterioration including age, gender, pre-operation American Society of Anesthesiologists grade, pre-fracture mobility, delay to surgery, length of stay, fracture type, type of surgery, discharge destination and complications were identified.

Dual-Targeting Peptide-Guided Approach for Precision Delivery and Cancer Monitoring by Using a Safe Upconversion Nanoplatform.

Using Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-induced cancer cells and HeLa cells as a comparative study model, a novel and safe dual-EBV-oncoproteins-targeting pH-responsive peptide engineering, coating, and guiding approach to achieve precision targeting and treatment strategy against EBV-associated cancers is introduced. Individual functional peptide sequences that specifically bind to two overexpressed EBV-specific oncoproteins, EBNA1 (a latent cellular protein) and LMP1 (a transmembrane protein), are engineered in three different ways and incorporated with a pH-sensitive tumor microenvironment (TME)-cleavable linker onto the upconversion nanoparticles (UCNP) NaGdF:Yb, Er@NaGdF (UCNP-P , = 5, 6, and 7). A synergistic combination of the transmembrane LMP1 targeting ability and the pH responsiveness of UCNP-P is found to give specific cancer differentiation with higher cellular uptake and accumulation in EBV-infected cells, thus a lower dose is needed and the side effects and health risks from treatment would be greatly reduced.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Implant Failure in Spinal Metastasis Surgery.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Purpose: To investigate the incidence of symptomatic and asymptomatic implant failure in spinal metastasis surgery and identify potential risk factors.

Overview Of Literature: Surgical stabilization with instrumentation is an established method for the treatment of spinal metastasis.

Caregiving burden among informal caregivers of people with disability.

Objective: Chinese informal caregivers experience burden due to their caregiving responsibilities that violate their belief of reciprocal parent-child relationship, but little is known about this burden and coping processes among Chinese. It is believed that internal coping (i.e.

Two-dimensional/three-dimensional EOS™ imaging is reliable and comparable to traditional X-ray imaging assessment of knee osteoarthritis aiding surgical management.

Background: X-ray imaging is the gold standard for assessing lower limb conditions and preoperative planning. A novel low-radiation-dose EOS™ imaging system enables full-length weight-bearing imaging in one session and three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction. Thus, it can improve assessment of limb deformities, preoperative planning and follow-up with lower radiation exposure.

Remodifying Omentopexy Technique Used with Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: Does It Change any Outcomes?

Background: Gastric obstructions, leaks and staple line bleeding are reported after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). There is no ideal method or technique to avoid these mishaps. We added modified omentopexy (OP) to LSG to determine if there is any effect on gastric leaks and some other complications.

Reactivation of Epstein-Barr virus by a dual-responsive fluorescent EBNA1-targeting agent with Zn-chelating function.

Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) plays a vital role in the maintenance of the viral genome and is the only viral protein expressed in nearly all forms of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latency and EBV-associated diseases, including numerous cancer types. To our knowledge, no specific agent against EBV genes or proteins has been established to target EBV lytic reactivation. Here we report an EBNA1- and Zn-responsive probe (ZRLP) which alone could reactivate the EBV lytic cycle through specific disruption of EBNA1.

Fragility fractures and imminent fracture risk in Hong Kong: one of the cities with longest life expectancies.

Introduction: Imminent fracture risk, or fractures within 2 years of an initial fracture, is a pressing issue worldwide. Hong Kong is a city with one of the longest life expectancies. The concern of fragility fractures and the imminent risk of a subsequent fracture is becoming a top priority.

The anti-tumor function of the IKK inhibitor PS1145 and high levels of p65 and KLF4 are associated with the drug resistance in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells.

We and others have previously shown that the canonical nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway is essential to nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) tumor development and angiogenesis, suggesting that the NF-κB pathway, including its upstream modulators and downstream effectors, are potential therapeutic targets for NPC. The inhibitor of upstream IκB kinase (IKK), PS1145, is a small molecule which can specifically inhibit the IκB phosphorylation and degradation and the subsequent nuclear translocation of NF-κB. The present study aims to determine the anti-tumor activity of PS1145 on NPC.

Effect of long-term proton pump inhibitor therapy on hemoglobin and serum iron levels after sleeve gastrectomy.

Background: Iron deficiency anemia and iron deficiency are commonly seen after bariatric surgery. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is commonly associated with sleeve resections and warrants postoperative acid reducing therapy.

Objective: To analyze the impact of long-term proton pump inhibitors on iron deficiency or iron deficiency anemia in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) patients.

An unusual case of perisplenic small bowel volvulus after laparoscopic Roux En Y gastric bypass.

Internal hernias (IH) are one of the dreadful complications of laparoscopic Roux En Y gastric bypass (LGBP). Commonly reported internal hernias (IH) following Roux En Y gastric bypass (LGBP) in the literature are meso-colic, meso jejunal and Peterson's space hernias. These patients may not have any definitive symptoms.

Mobility, prosthesis use and health-related quality of life of bilateral lower limb amputees from the 2008 Sichuan earthquake.

Background:: The 2008 Sichuan Earthquake resulted in many amputees, yet due to the rare incidence, few studies have explored the rehabilitation outcomes and quality of life of bilateral lower limb amputees after major natural disasters.

Objectives:: To evaluate rehabilitation outcomes of 17 young and adult bilateral lower limb amputees under the StandTall rehabilitation programme and to identify factors associated with successful functional recovery of bilateral amputees after large-scale disasters.

Study Design:: Cross-sectional study.

Anatomical Origin of Abnormal Somatosensory-Evoked Potential (SEP) in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis With Different Curve Severity and Correlation With Cerebellar Tonsillar Level Determined by MRI.

Study Design: A prospective cohort study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the somatosensory-evoked potential (SEP) findings of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) subjects of different curve severity with age- and gender-matched controls and to evaluate any correlation between the site of the SEP abnormality with cerebellar tonsillar level measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Summary Of Background Data: Our previous studies showed that a higher percentage of SEP abnormality and cerebellar tonsillar ectopia was present in AIS patients than in normal controls.

Male breast cancer: a population-based comparison with female breast cancer in Hong Kong, Southern China: 1997-2006.

Background: Male breast cancer (MBC) is uncommon. As a result, there is limited availability of studies and reviews and even fewer reports from Asia. This is the largest population-based study to compare Chinese MBC patients with female patients during a 10-year period in Hong Kong, Southern China.

Work-life balance of female versus male surgeons in Hong Kong based on findings of a questionnaire designed by a Japanese surgeon.

Purpose: We evaluated the attitudes of female and male surgeons in Hong Kong to work, personal life, and work-life balance, through a questionnaire survey.

Methods: We sent an online questionnaire survey designed by a female Japanese surgeon to 142 female surgeons practicing in Hong Kong, while its customized version was sent to 953 of their male counterparts.

Results: "Home life" and "Work" were the first and second priorities for both the women and the men.

Triple negative status is a poor prognostic indicator in Chinese women with breast cancer: a ten year review.

Background: Ethnic variation in tumor characteristics and clinical presentation of breast cancer is increasingly being emphasized. We studied the tumor characteristics and factors which may influence the presentation and prognosis of triple negative breast cancers (TNC) in a cohort of Chinese women.

Methods: A prospective cohort of 1800 Chinese women with breast cancer was recruited in a tertiary referral unit in Hong Kong between 1995 and 2006 and was followed up with a median duration of 7.

Who would benefit from memory training? A pilot study examining the ceiling effect of concurrent cognitive stimulation.

Diverse effects of memory training were observed in the literature. One possible factor is the amount of concurrent cognitive training received during the training program. In this pilot study, we recruited 24 elderly adults with or without concurrent cognitive stimulations to attend a memory-training program.