PITX2 transcription factor is overexpressed and involved in the tumorigenicity of ovarian cancer

Free Paper Session - Biomedicine: abstract no. A2

Anti-inflammatory effects of lutein in retinal ischemic injury: in vivo and in vitro studies

postprin

Prevalence of occult hepatitis B infection in a highly endemic area for chronic hepatitis B: A study of a large blood donor population

Background and aims: The aim of the present study was to determine the population prevalence of occult hepatitis B (OHB) infection and its clinical profile in a highly endemic area of chronic hepatitis B virus disease. Methods: OHB was first identified by individual sample testing for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) followed by nucleic acid testing (NAT) and vice versa for 3044 (cohort 1, stored sera from donation within 1 year) and 9990 (cohort 2, prospective study) blood donors, respectively. OHB was confirmed meticulously by ≥2 out of 3 tests with detectable hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA using a sensitive standardised assay. Detailed serology and viral load in the serum and liver were studied. Results: The prevalence of OHB was 0.13% (4/3044) and 0.11% (11/9967) for cohort 1 and 2, respectively. In cohort 2, 10 out of 11 OHB samples were positive for anti-HBc (hepatitis B core antigen) antibody (all were immunoglobulin G). Seven had detectable anti-HBs. The serum HBV DNA levels were extremely low (highest 14.1 IU/ml). Of the six donors who underwent liver biopsies, all had normal liver biochemistry, extremely low liver HBV DNA (highest 6.21 copies/cell) and nearly normal liver histology. For those with viral sequence generation, none had the common HBsAg mutant G145R. Conclusions: The prevalence of OHB in a highly endemic area of chronic HBV was very low, thus implying a low impact on transfusion services. To implement universal screening, the high cost of NAT should be taken into account. OHB blood donors had very low HBV replication, and normal liver biochemistry and histology, conferring a favourable prognosis.published_or_final_versio

Path models of quality of life among people with schizophrenia living in the community in Hong Kong

The utilization of quality of life (QOL) in psychiatric community rehabilitation could be enhanced by developing an appropriate conceptual model of QOL. The focus of this study was to construct and test, using path analytic techniques, a pertinent conceptual model of QOL among people with schizophrenia living in the community. A total of 201 participants with schizophrenia living in the community were assessed with regard to their clinical characteristics and QOL. Findings largely supported the proposed model in which community/social functioning was the strongest predictor of QOL, followed by symptom levels. Important implications for the design and implementation of appropriate services in functioning augmentation that resulted in QOL enhancement were highlighted. Further recommendations on both clinical and environmental interventions to promote QOL were suggested. © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Clinical characteristics and objective living conditions in relation to quality of life among community-based individuals of schizophrenia in Hong Kong

Quality of life (QOL) has gained importance as an outcome measure for people with schizophrenia living in the community following deinstitutionalization. This study aims at exploring the effects of clinical characteristics and objective living conditions on QOL. In this study, 201 community-based individuals with schizophrenia were recruited from five different types of objective living conditions comprising long stay care home, halfway house, supported hostel/housing, living with family, and living alone. Clinical characteristics including cognitive abilities, symptom levels, and community/social functioning were assessed by the Allen Cognitive Level Screen, the Scales for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms and Positive Symptoms, and the Chinese version of the Multnomah Community Ability Scale respectively. The outcome measure of QOL was measured by the Chinese version of the WHO Quality of Life Measure. Analysis of covariance showed significant differences in community/social functioning, cognitive abilities, and negative symptoms; but not in QOL under different objective living conditions. Further simultaneous multiple regressions found out that community/social functioning was the robust significant predictor of QOL. Yet caution should be noted in making the conclusion with the objective living condition of long stay care home, as it provides a protective element for the perseverance of QOL. © 2006 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Upregulation of PITX2 transcription factor is associated with ovarian tumorigenesis

Poster Presentation - Theme 6: Cancer: 6.08The 15th Research Postgraduate Symposium (RPS 2010), the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China, 1-2 December 2010

Characterization of a Karenia papilionacea-like dinoflagellate from the South China Sea

The morphological characteristics of a new isolate of a dorso-ventrally flattened athecate dinoflagellate obtained from Hong Kong (HK) waters is described. Partial sequences of the large subunit ribosomal RNA gene were obtained and a high degree of similarity was observed with various species within the genus Karenia. Phylogenetic comparison suggested the Karenia sp. HK forms a clade with the newly described species K. papffionacea from New Zealand but not with authentic K brevis from North America. Karenia sp. HK is the first K. brevis-like dinoflagellate characterized by molecular cladistics from the South China Sea and the results call for re-examination of the status of other K brevis-like morphotypes described from the region

'I have a question': Staging questions in Q&A sessions in presentations

Conference Theme: Faces of English: Theory, Practice and Pedagog