A Review on Bimetallic Nickel-Based Catalysts for CO Reforming of Methane.

In recent years, CO reforming of methane (dry reforming of methane, DRM) has become an attractive research area because it converts two major greenhouse gasses into syngas (CO and H ), which can be directly used as fuel or feedstock for the chemical industry. Ni-based catalysts have been extensively used for DRM because of its low cost and good activity. A major concern with Ni-based catalysts in DRM is severe carbon deposition leading to catalyst deactivation, and a lot of effort has been put into the design and synthesis of stable Ni catalysts with high carbon resistance.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: an expanding problem with low levels of awareness in Hong Kong.

Background And Aim: With the Westernization of the lifestyle and the rising prevalence of obesity and diabetes mellitus, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an emerging health problem in the Asia-Pacific region. The purpose of this study was to determine the awareness of NAFLD among the general population in Hong Kong.

Methods: A random telephone survey was conducted from September 2007 to January 2008 using a structured multiple-choice questionnaire.

E-cadherin promoter hypermethylation induced by interleukin-1beta treatment or H. pylori infection in human gastric cancer cell lines.

Interleukin-1beta is up-regulated in the presence of Helicobacter pylori infection. H. pylori infection was associated with E-cadherin methylation.

Prevalence of colorectal neoplasm among patients with newly diagnosed coronary artery disease.

Context: Colorectal neoplasm and coronary artery disease (CAD) share similar risk factors, and their co-occurrence may be associated.

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of colorectal neoplasm in patients with CAD in a cross-sectional study and to identify the predisposing factors for the association of the 2 diseases.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Patients in Hong Kong, China, were recruited for screening colonoscopy after undergoing coronary angiography for suspected CAD during November 2004 to June 2006.

Increasing prevalence of advanced colonic polyps in young patients undergoing colonoscopy in a referral academic hospital in Hong Kong.

Aim: To investigate the distribution and frequency of advanced polyps over eight years.

Methods: 6424 colonoscopies were reviewed during the study period 1998 to 2005. The study period was subdivided into period I: 1998 to 2001 and period II: 2002-2005.

Influence of positive family history on clinical characteristics of functional constipation.

Background & Aims: We observed that there is familial aggregation in patients with functional constipation. Their clinical characteristics have not been studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with functional constipation with and without a positive family history.

An inverse correlation between Interleukin-6 and select gene promoter methylation in patients with gastric cancer.

Background: Both serum IL-6 levels and CpG island methylation have been shown to have prognostic significance in gastric cancer, it was suggested that an important link existed between IL-6 and methylation of cancers.

Aim: To investigate the prognostic value of IL-6 serum level and the association between serum IL-6 levels and CpG island methylation at p16, DAPK, MGMT and E-cadherin in patients with gastric cancer.

Patients And Methods: Methylation status was assessed by MSP in 75 surgical specimens of gastric adenocarcinoma.

Familial aggregation in constipated subjects in a tertiary referral center.

Objectives: Clinical observation showed that there is family aggregation in constipated subjects, but formal data are lacking. This prompted us to conduct a formal family study in constipated subjects.

Methods: Constipated subjects (probands) were identified according to the Rome II and Chinese constipation questionnaire criteria, healthy subjects were chosen as controls.

Colonoscopy demand and practice in a regional hospital over 9 years in Hong Kong: resource implication for cancer screening.

Background: The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in Hong Kong is rising. The trend of colonoscopy demand is uncertain.

Aim: To investigate colonoscopy demand and practice in a Hong Kong regional hospital over the past nine years.

Attitudes and knowledge of colorectal cancer and screening in Hong Kong: a population-based study.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks third of all cancer mortalities in Hong Kong. CRC screening can reduce mortality. However, participation in the CRC screening program depends on the knowledge and attitude of the population.

Pathophysiology of gastroesophageal reflux diseases in Chinese--role of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation and esophageal motor dysfunction.

Background And Aims: Transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation (TLESR) is the major mechanism for gastroesophageal reflux in the Western population. The major reflux mechanism in Chinese patients with GERD has not been studied before.

Methods: Fifty-four patients with GERD and 28 controls underwent stationary baseline manometry and the 24-h ambulatory esophageal pH monitoring.

Population based study of noncardiac chest pain in southern Chinese: prevalence, psychosocial factors and health care utilization.

Aim: Population-based assessment of noncardiac chest pain (NCCP) is lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence, psychosocial factors and health seeking behaviour of NCCP in southern Chinese.

Methods: A total of 2 209 ethnic Hong Kong Chinese households were recruited to participate in a telephone survey to study the epidemiology of NCCP using the Rose angina questionnaire, a validated gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) questionnaire and the hospital anxiety-depression scale.

Lansoprazole for the prevention of recurrences of ulcer complications from long-term low-dose aspirin use.

Background: The role of gastric acid suppression in preventing the recurrence of ulcer complications after the eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients taking long-term low-dose aspirin is uncertain.

Methods: We enrolled 123 patients who had ulcer complications after using low-dose aspirin continuously for more than one month and who had H. pylori infection.