Age Differences in Electronic Mental Health Literacy: Qualitative Study.

Background: Electronic mental health literacy (eMHL) is critical for accessing and effectively using digital mental health resources. However, there is a paucity of research on how eMHL varies across age groups.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate differences in eMHL among young, middle-aged, and older adults; provide insights into the needs, behaviors, and attitudes of different age groups in relation to digital mental health resources; and ultimately, inform the improvement of mental health services.

Exploring potential EQ-5D bolt-on dimensions with a qualitative approach: an interview study in Hong Kong SAR, China.

Purpose: The introduction of bolt-on dimensions in EQ-5D instruments is growing common, but most bolt-on studies have targeted the diseased population and obtained bolt-on from other existing Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) instruments. As the qualitative approach offers important evidence to support the consistency and design of the potential bolt-on items, this paper studies the Hong Kong SAR community's perception of the current EQ-5D-5 L instrument and identifies potential bolt-on via a qualitative approach.

Methods: A representative sample mix was recruited based on the age group, gender, and education level composition of the Hong Kong SAR community by quota sampling.

Epitope Mapping Using Yeast Display and Next Generation Sequencing.

Monoclonal antibodies are the largest class of therapeutic proteins due in part to their ability to bind an antigen with a high degree of affinity and specificity. A precise determination of their epitope is important for gaining insights into their therapeutic mechanism of action and to help differentiate antibodies that bind the same antigen. Here, we describe a method to precisely and efficiently map the epitopes of multiple antibodies in parallel over the course of just several weeks.

Productive common light chain libraries yield diverse panels of high affinity bispecific antibodies.

The commercial success of bispecific antibodies generally has been hindered by the complexities associated with generating appropriate molecules for both research scale and large scale manufacturing purposes. Bispecific IgG (BsIgG) based on two antibodies that use an identical common light chain can be combined with a minimal set of Fc mutations to drive heavy chain heterodimerization in order to address these challenges. However, the facile generation of common light chain antibodies with properties similar to traditional monoclonal antibodies has not been demonstrated and they have only been used sparingly.

Lasso Peptide Biosynthetic Protein LarB1 Binds Both Leader and Core Peptide Regions of the Precursor Protein LarA.

Lasso peptides are a member of the superclass of ribosomally synthesized and posttranslationally modified peptides (RiPPs). Like all RiPPs, lasso peptides are derived from a gene-encoded precursor protein. The biosynthesis of lasso peptides requires two enzymatic activities: proteolytic cleavage between the leader peptide and the core peptide in the precursor protein, accomplished by the B enzymes, and ATP-dependent isopeptide bond formation, accomplished by the C enzymes.

Precise and efficient antibody epitope determination through library design, yeast display and next-generation sequencing.

The ability of antibodies to bind an antigen with a high degree of affinity and specificity has led them to become the largest and fastest growing class of therapeutic proteins. Clearly identifying the epitope at which they bind their cognate antigen provides insight into their mechanism of action and helps differentiate antibodies that bind the same antigen. Here, we describe a method to precisely and efficiently map the epitopes of a panel of antibodies in parallel over the course of several weeks.

Trends in prevalence and mortality of dementia in elderly Hong Kong population: projections, disease burden, and implications for long-term care.

Background. We describe the trends in prevalence and mortality of dementia among older people in Hong Kong over time. Projections of the number of older people with dementia through 2039 and estimation of the disease burden are also included.

Construction of a single polypeptide that matures and exports the lasso peptide microcin J25.

Roped in: The lasso peptide microcin J25 (MccJ25) is matured by two enzymes and is exported by a putative ABC transporter. We probed the function of the maturation enzymes using mutagenesis. We demonstrate that fusions of the enzymes with intervening linkers can produce MccJ25.

Risk factors of hospitalization and readmission of patients with COPD in Hong Kong population: analysis of hospital admission records.

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) accounts for around 4% of all public hospital annual admissions in Hong Kong. By year 2020, COPD will be ranked fifth among the conditions with the highest burden to the society. This study identifies admission and unplanned readmission of COPD patients, factors affecting unplanned readmission, and estimates its cost burden on the public healthcare system in Hong Kong.

Computational design of the lasso peptide antibiotic microcin J25.

Microcin J25 (MccJ25) is a 21 amino acid (aa) ribosomally synthesized antimicrobial peptide with an unusual structure in which the eight N-terminal residues form a covalently cyclized macrolactam ring through which the remaining 13 aa tail is fed. An open question is the extent of sequence space that can occupy such an extraordinary, highly constrained peptide fold. To begin answering this question, here we have undertaken a computational redesign of the MccJ25 peptide using a two-stage sequence selection procedure based on both energy minimization and fold specificity.

Much of the microcin J25 leader peptide is dispensable.

The antimicrobial peptide microcin J25 (MccJ25) is matured by two enzymes, McjB and McjC, from a 58 amino acid (aa) preprotein, McjA, into its final 21 aa lasso topology. Herein we have investigated the role of the leader peptide of McjA and found that only the eight C-terminal amino acids of this leader peptide are required for maturation of MccJ25. There is a high content of lysine residues in the McjA leader peptide, but herein we also demonstrate that these charged amino acids do not play a major role in the maturation of MccJ25.

Engineered gene clusters for the production of the antimicrobial peptide microcin J25.

Microcin J25 (MccJ25) is an antimicrobial peptide produced by isolates of Escherichia coli with activity against closely related species. Production and export of mature MccJ25 in E. coli requires four genes that are organized on a plasmid-borne cluster in natural producer strains.

Aberrant promoter hypermethylation and silencing of the critical 3p21 tumour suppressor gene, RASSF1A, in Chinese oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

3p21 is an important locus harbouring critical tumour suppressor genes (TSG), which are implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple tumours, including oesophageal carcinoma. RASSF1A is a 3p21.3 candidate TSG frequently inactivated by promoter methylation in multiple tumours.