Role of supported services in the provision of vocational training for open employment to people with disabilities in Hong Kong

The performance indicator for training for open employment is on how successfully the trainee is being employed in a job. Other than providing the job skills required which was always the emphasis in the vocational training, there are other issues, equally important, that should be addressed to prepare the trainees to enter into the competitive open job market. Independent and social skills should be strengthened through programmed activities. Attention should also be paid to minimize the mismatch between skills training and job opportunities to the trainees. Based on the provision in the skills centres for the people with disabilities aiming at training for open employment in Hong Kong, this paper identifies the areas and shares the experience of how the support service is rendered to enhance the employability of the trainees

Effects of Promotional Materials on Attitudes and Fear towards Colorectal Cancer Screening among Chinese Older Adults: An Experimental Study

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Cost-effectiveness of Dermabond versus sutures for lacerated wound closure: A randomised controlled trial

1. For management of simple lacerated wounds, tissue adhesive (Dermabond) achieved more positive outcomes but incurred higher cost, compared with standard sutures. 2. Dermabond may be more cost-effective than standard sutures from a societal viewpoint. 3. Use of sutures required more nursing time and additional costs from subsequent dressing, whereas use of Dermabond incurred higher equipment costs. 4. Dermabond achieved better appearance outcome and patient satisfaction, compared with sutures. 5. Pain levels were not significantly different in patients treated with Dermabond or sutures

Biotic inactivation of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa quinolone signal molecule

In Pseudomonas aeruginosa, quorum sensing (QS) regulates the production of secondary metabolites, many of which are antimicrobials that impact on polymicrobial community composition. Consequently, quenching QS modulates the environmental impact of P. aeruginosa. To identify bacteria capable of inactivating the QS signal molecule 2-heptyl-3- hydroxy-4(1H)-quinolone (PQS), a minimal medium containing PQS as the sole carbon source was used to enrich a Malaysian rainforest soil sample. This yielded an Achromobacter xylosoxidans strain (Q19) that inactivated PQS, yielding a new fluorescent compound (I-PQS) confirmed as PQS-derived using deuterated PQS. The I-PQS structure was elucidated using mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy as 2-heptyl-2-hydroxy-1,2-dihydroquinoline- 3,4-dione (HHQD). Achromobacter xylosoxidans Q19 oxidized PQS congeners with alkyl chains ranging from C1 to C5 and also N-methyl PQS, yielding the corresponding 2-hydroxy-1,2-dihydroquinoline-3,4- diones, but was unable to inactivate thePQSprecursor HHQ. This indicates that the hydroxyl group at position 3 in PQS is essential and that A. xylosoxidans inactivates PQS via a pathway involving the incorporation of oxygen at C2 of the heterocyclic ring. The conversion of PQS to HHQD also occurred on incubation with 12/17 A. xylosoxidans strains recovered from cystic fibrosis patients, with P. aeruginosa and with Arthrobacter, suggesting that formation of hydroxylated PQS may be a common mechanism of inactivation

Biotic inactivation of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa quinolone signal molecule

In Pseudomonas aeruginosa, quorum sensing (QS) regulates the production of secondary metabolites, many of which are antimicrobials that impact on polymicrobial community composition. Consequently, quenching QS modulates the environmental impact of P. aeruginosa. To identify bacteria capable of inactivating the QS signal molecule 2-heptyl-3- hydroxy-4(1H)-quinolone (PQS), a minimal medium containing PQS as the sole carbon source was used to enrich a Malaysian rainforest soil sample. This yielded an Achromobacter xylosoxidans strain (Q19) that inactivated PQS, yielding a new fluorescent compound (I-PQS) confirmed as PQS-derived using deuterated PQS. The I-PQS structure was elucidated using mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy as 2-heptyl-2-hydroxy-1,2-dihydroquinoline- 3,4-dione (HHQD). Achromobacter xylosoxidans Q19 oxidized PQS congeners with alkyl chains ranging from C1 to C5 and also N-methyl PQS, yielding the corresponding 2-hydroxy-1,2-dihydroquinoline-3,4- diones, but was unable to inactivate thePQSprecursor HHQ. This indicates that the hydroxyl group at position 3 in PQS is essential and that A. xylosoxidans inactivates PQS via a pathway involving the incorporation of oxygen at C2 of the heterocyclic ring. The conversion of PQS to HHQD also occurred on incubation with 12/17 A. xylosoxidans strains recovered from cystic fibrosis patients, with P. aeruginosa and with Arthrobacter, suggesting that formation of hydroxylated PQS may be a common mechanism of inactivation

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy v. group psychoeducation for people with generalised anxiety disorder: randomised controlled trial

Background: Research suggests that an 8-week mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) course may be effective for generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). Aims: To compare changes in anxiety levels among participants with GAD randomly assigned to MBCT, cognitive–behavioural therapy-based psychoeducation and usual care. Method: In total, 182 participants with GAD were recruited (trial registration number: CUHK_CCT00267) and assigned to the three groups and followed for 5 months after baseline assessment with the two intervention groups followed for an additional 6 months. Primary outcomes were anxiety and worry levels. Results: Linear mixed models demonstrated significant group × time interaction (F(4,148) = 5.10, P = 0.001) effects for decreased anxiety for both the intervention groups relative to usual care. Significant group × time interaction effects were observed for worry and depressive symptoms and mental health-related quality of life for the psychoeducation group only. Conclusions: These results suggest that both of the interventions appear to be superior to usual care for the reduction of anxiety symptoms

The short-term effects of progressive vs conventional core stability exercise in rehabilitation of nonspecific chronic low back pain

Core stability exercise programs are considered as a fundamental physical therapy treatment for chronic low back pain (LBP). However, it is still unclear which core stability program (progressive vs. conventional) is the most effective. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted to compare two core stability strategy strategies; progressive dynamic muscular stabilization technique (DMST) and conventional McGill Big 3 (MB3) in the rehabilitation of nonspecific chronic LBP. Thirty males diagnosed with nonspecific chronic LBP patients aged 33.57 ± 5.28 years were recruited and randomly assigned to; DMST and MGB3. All patients received additional conventional pain management treatment. The outcome measures were pain severity (motion, standing, sitting), functional disability, trunk endurance, lumbopelvic control, and body balance. All patients were assessed at baseline, 3rd week, and 6th week. A mixed design ANOVA showed both DMST and MGB3 improves all outcomes (p ≤ 0.05) specifically the pain severity and functional disability (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.81), trunk endurance (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.30), lumbopelvic control (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.242), and body balance (p = 0.003, ηp2 = 0.46) compared to baseline. However, no significant difference was found in all of the outcomes when comparing DMST and MBG3 (p > 0.05). In conclusion, both progressive DMST and conventional MGB3 core stability exercise programs are effective for nonspecific chronic LBP rehabilitation

Clinical risk prediction for pre-eclampsia in nulliparous women: development of model in international prospective cohort

Objectives To develop a predictive model for pre-eclampsia based on clinical risk factors for nulliparous women and to identify a subgroup at increased risk, in whom specialist referral might be indicated