Automatic detection of cardiac conditions from photos of electrocardiogram captured by smartphones.

Background: Researchers have developed machine learning-based ECG diagnostic algorithms that match or even surpass cardiologist level of performance. However, most of them cannot be used in real-world, as older generation ECG machines do not permit installation of new algorithms.

Objective: To develop a smartphone application that automatically extract ECG waveforms from photos and to convert them to voltage-time series for downstream analysis by a variety of diagnostic algorithms built by researchers.

Identifying Core Competencies of Infection Control Nurse Specialists in Hong Kong.

Purpose: To confirm a core competency scale for Hong Kong infection control nurses at the advanced nursing practice level from the core competency items proposed in a previous phase of this study. This would serve as the foundation of competency assurance in Hong Kong hospitals.

Design: A cross-sectional survey design was used.

Using WhatsApp and Facebook Online Social Groups for Smoking Relapse Prevention for Recent Quitters: A Pilot Pragmatic Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Quit attempters often have episodes of smoking relapse before they eventually quit. Interactive text messaging through mobile phones has been shown to increase abstinence. This service can be potentially applied on the platform of a social networking service to help quitters maintain abstinence.

Arsenite transporters expression in rice (Oryza sativa L.) associated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonization under different levels of arsenite stress.

As a silicon hyperaccumulator, lowland rice takes up higher levels of As than many other plants due to silicic acid and arsenite sharing the same transporters (Lsi1 and Lsi2). Glomus intraradices (AH01) was inoculated to rice under different arsenite concentrations (0, 2 and 8 μM) in order to investigate the interactions between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus and rice on the accumulation of arsenite. The relative mRNA expressions of Lsi1 and Lsi2 resulted in a down-regulating trend in mycorrhizal plants.

Validity and reliability of the proposed core competency for infection control nurses of hospitals in Hong Kong.

Literature review and the Delphi approach were used to draft the core competency items of hospital infection control nurses in Hong Kong. Content validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability of the proposed core competency were ensured. The result serves as the foundation of developing training and assessment tools for infection control nurses in Hong Kong.

Bordetella pertussis clones identified by multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis.

Multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA) of 316 Bordetella pertussis isolates collected over 40 years from Australia and 3 other continents identified 66 MLVA types (MTs), including 6 predominant MTs. Typing of genes encoding acellular vaccine antigens showed changes that may be vaccine driven in 2 MTs prevalent in Australia.

Preparing for pandemic influenza: revisit the basics.

Aims And Objectives: This paper attempts to address the global concern of the possible pandemic of influenza and avian influenza. In doing this, some unfounded beliefs related to influenza vaccines and antiviral treatment and prophylaxis are explored. This study also describes the essential measures for getting prepared.

Clinicopathological roles of alterations of tumor suppressor gene p16 in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Background: Alterations of the p16 gene are common in human cancers, but their roles in thyroid cancers have not been clearly defined. The aim of the present study was to investigate the clinicopathological roles of the p16 gene in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

Methods: p16 gene alterations were investigated in 44 patients with PTC (9 men, 35 women) by immunohistochemistry, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction.

Mycobacterium farcinogenes infection after total hip arthroplasty.

Atypical mycobacterium infection after total hip arthroplasty is a very rare but a potential cause of implant failure. We present the first report of Mycobacterium farcinogenes infection in human beings. Although the treatment of atypical mycobacterium infection after total hip arthroplasty is controversial, we successfully treated the infection in this case, after consultation with a microbiologist regarding infection management, with both surgery and chemotherapy.

Fixation using acetabular reconstruction cage and cancellous allografts for intraoperative acetabular fractures associated with cementless acetabular component insertion.

Displaced acetabular fractures that occur during insertion of cementless acetabular component are a rare but very serious complication. We report two cases that were treated successfully with the utilization of an acetabular reconstruction cage and morsellized allografts.

Effective personal protective clothing for health care workers attending patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome.

Background: Optimal usability is crucial in providing protection for health care workers who are exposed to severe acute respiratory syndrome day and night while taking care of patients with the virus. No research study has yet tested the usability of personal protective clothing (PPC).

Method: The study was carried out in 3 stages.

Non-curative surgery for colorectal cancer: critical appraisal of outcomes.

Background And Aims: The value of surgery for patients with incurable colorectal cancer is controversial. This study evaluated outcomes in patients undergoing non-curative surgery for colorectal cancer and aimed to identify patients who would benefit from palliative surgery.

Patients And Methods: Demographics, tumour characteristics, operating details and outcomes were reviewed for 180 patients undergoing surgery for incurable colorectal cancer; palliative resection was performed in 150 cases.