Lexical tone awareness in Chinese children with developmental dyslexia

This study examined the extent and nature of lexical tone deficit in Chinese developmental dyslexia. Twenty Cantonese-speaking Chinese dyslexic children (mean age 8;11) were compared to twenty average readers of the same age (CA control group, mean age 8;11), and another twenty younger average readers of the same word reading level (RL control group, mean age 7;4) on different measures of lexical tone awareness, rhyme awareness and visual-verbal paired-associate learning. Results showed that the Chinese dyslexic children performed significantly worse than the CA but not the RL control groups in nearly all the lexical tone and rhyme awareness measures. Analyses of individual performance demonstrated that over one-third of the dyslexic children showed a deficit in some aspects of tone awareness. Tone discrimination and tone production were found to correlate significantly with Chinese word reading. These findings confirm that Chinese dyslexic children show weaknesses in tone awareness.published_or_final_versio

Ultrasonographic evaluation of endometrial growth in women undergoing assisted reproduction during the luteal phase in fresh and frozen embryo transfer cycles

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Cellular signaling pathways of matrix metalloproteinase gene expression by Pseudomonas aeruginosa-infected human bronchial epithelial cells

Research Dissemination Reports - supported by funds (Research Fund for the Control of Infectious Diseases)published_or_final_versio

Random control study looking at the use of 1320 nm Nd:YAG laser and intense pulsed light source for non-ablative skin rejuvenation in Chinese

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Nurses’ knowledge and practice in relation to peripheral intravenous catheter care

Peripheral Intravenous Catheters (PIC) are widely used. Nurses are required to possess appropriate knowledge and practice. The present study aimed to determine nurses' knowledge and practice towards care of PIC. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted and 84 respondents participated in the study. A 26-item questionnaire comprising 11 items on knowledge and 15 items related to nursing practice was adapted and modified. The findings reported higher mean score from specialty unit respondents, with knowledge (M = 49.19, SD = 3.44) and practice (M = 66.38, SD = 5.15), compared to medical surgical wards with knowledge (M = 46.25, SD = 4.68) and practice (M = 63.17, SD = 4.63) towards the care of PIC, which was significant (p value = 0.010 and p value = 0.009, respectively). The study indicated a higher mean score of charge nurse respondents as compared with registered nurse with knowledge (M = 49.68, SD = 3.23); (M = 46.20, SD = 4.62) and practice (M = 67.11, SD = 4.84); (M = 63.06, SD = 4.61), which was significant (p value = 0.003 and p value = 0.001, respectively). There were no significant differences between respondents’ education qualification towards care of PIC with p > 0.05. However, the findings reported that respondents who possessed Bachelor of Nursing were deemed to score slightly higher in their knowledge and practice towards the care of PIC. In conclusion, the specialty unit and charge nurse respondents were deemed to possess better knowledge and practice towards the care of PIC in the hospital

The use of Stunkard’s figure rating scale to identify underweight and overweight in Chinese adolescents

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Assessment of weight-related factors of adolescents by private practitioners

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Overestimation of peer smoking prevalence predicts smoking initiation among primary school students in Hong Kong

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between perceived prevalence of smoking and smoking initiation among Hong Kong primary second- to fourth-grade-students. Methods: A cohort of 2,171 students was surveyed in 2006 and again in 2008. Students who perceived ever-smoking prevalence in peers as "none" or "some" were considered as correct (reference group), whereas those who perceived it as "half" (overestimation) or "most/all" (gross overestimation) were considered as incorrect. Results: At baseline, overestimation was found to be cross-sectionally associated with ever-smoking (p < .01). At follow-up, 7.2% of never-smoking students with incorrect estimation at baseline had started smoking, which was 79% (95% confidence interval: 3%-213%), greater than that of 3.7% for those with correct estimation. Among the never-smoking students with incorrect estimation, subsequent correct estimation was associated with 70% (95% confidence interval: 47%-83%) lower risk of smoking initiation compared with persistent incorrect estimation. Conclusion: Overestimation of the prevalence of peer smoking predicted smoking initiation among children. Interventions should be carried out to evaluate whether correcting children's overestimation of peer smoking could reduce smoking initiation. © 2011 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine.postprin

Physical activity and constipation in Hong Kong adolescents

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The effect of ageing on female fertility in an assisted reproduction programme in Hong Kong: retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the effect of ageing on female fertility in an in vitro fertilisation programme in Hong Kong. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: University teaching hospital, Hong Kong. PATIENTS: Seven hundred and seventy-one women in whom 1336 cycles of in vitro fertilisation were initiated between 1 January 1986 and 31 December 1995. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient age and indications for treatment; hormonal response; and the number of cancelled cycles, oocytes retrieved, oocytes fertilised, cleaving embryos, embryos transferred, and clinical pregnancies. RESULTS: Compared with women aged or =36 years (n=398) had a significantly higher cycle cancellation rate (19.3% versus 10.4%), fewer oocytes retrieved per retrieval cycle (6.6 versus 9.0), fewer oocytes fertilised per retrieval cycle (5.0 versus 7.0), fewer cleaving embryos per retrieval cycle (4.8 versus 6.8), and lower serum oestradiol level (9735 [standard deviation, 5681] pmol/L versus 10 708 [5916] pmol/L) despite a larger amount of human menopausal gonadotrophin having been used (all variables, P<0.01; Chi squared test). The clinical pregnancy rate per initiated cycle (range, 7.5%-13.0%) decreased with advancing age (P<0.01; Chi squared test). CONCLUSION: Ageing has a significant deleterious effect on women's reproductive capability. Women should be encouraged to seek early medical advice and treatment for subfertility.published_or_final_versio