The influences on the readership and content of city magazine when it goes digital

published_or_final_versionMedia, Culture and Creative CitiesMasterMaster of Social Sciences in Media, Culture and Creative Citie

Chronic swallowing ability in nasopharyngeal cancer survivors after radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy

In light of the lack of multidimensional data of long-term swallowing functions in nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) survivors, the current study investigated NPC survivors’ long-term swallowing dysfunctions after radiotherapy or chemoradiation by a multidimensional protocol and explored their relationships with demographic and treatment-related variables. Twenty-seven participants were recruited and assessed through oromotor assessment, fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing and quality-of-life questionnaires. Nearly half of the participants had oromotor deficits (47.6%) and penetration in at least one of the swallowing trials (45.8%). All participants had pharyngeal residue in valleculae and most participants have residue in pyriform sinuses (81.8%) in at least one of the swallowing trials. Limitations in the activity and participation domains were prevalent though large variation in functioning was noted. Comparison between groups indicated that participants treated with concurrent chemotherapy have significantly less degree of penetration or aspiration and less residue in valleculae on oral trials for extra thick liquid than those treated with radiotherapy alone. Correlation analysis indicated that degree of penetration in thin liquid, mildly thick liquid and amount of residue residing on valleculae in extra thick liquid increase with the number of years since completion of radiotherapy. Functioning in the activity and participation domains also decreased with time since completion of radiotherapy. Regression analysis indicated that number of years since completion of radiotherapy was a significant predictor for pharyngeal residue. The deteriorating trend identified provided evidence to the need of continuous monitoring in swallowing functions in nasopharyngeal cancer survivors. Further research to identify risk factors for long-term swallowing problems and ways to minimize long-term swallowing problems are neededfor early identification and maximising swallowing functions for nasopharyngeal cancer survivors.published_or_final_versionSpeech and Hearing SciencesBachelorBachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Science

Continuous-Flow Depulping Machine for Treculia Africana

A continuous flow machine for the depulping of partially fermented fruit of Treculia Africana is presented. The machine is designed to improve upon an existing batch depulper, and consists of four main units, namely the hopper/depulping chamber, the connector-pipe, the separation chamber and power system. The machine operation involves the introduction of fermented breadfruit into the hopper from where it falls under gravity into the de-pulping chamber for further processing. The combination of crank and separation chamber is idealized as a six-member crank-rocker mechanism. Detailed kinematic and dynamic analysis of the idealized system is undertaken using an existing computer programme, SIXBAR. In this way, appropriate dimensions of each element are determined. A laboratory scale model of the machine is constructed and tested. Preliminary results indicate that 69–93% of the seeds could be effectively depulped. Further work is continuing to improve on the system performance and its acceptability by the stakeholders

Role of mitochondrial uncoupling protein-4 in energy supply during neuronal differentiation

OBJECTIVES: Neuronal differentiation is involved in brain development. Stimulation of all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) in neuroblastoma cells results in growth inhibition, increased neuron-specific enolase (NSE) activity, and promoted axonal growth. Mitochondrial uncoupling protein-4 (UCP4) is ...published_or_final_versionThe 16th Medical Research Conference (MRC), Department of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 22 January 2011. In Hong Kong Medical Journal, 2011, v. 17 suppl. 1, p. 31, abstract no. 4

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

Some Physical Properties of Vernonia amygdalina and Garcinia kola Microspheres Prepared with High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Glycols

The effect of polymer concentrations on some of the physicochemicalproperties of Vernonia amygdalina (Linn) and Garcinia kola (Heckel) extracts loaded microspheres was evaluated. Microspheres of the aqueous extracts was prepared by emulsion solvent evaporation using polyethylene glycol (PEG) mixtures of molecular weight 4000 and 6000 at different ratios of 1:0, 0:1, 1:1, 1:2 and 2:1 while the amounts of the extracts incorporated was constant for all ratios. The microspheres were evaluated for their particles sizes, yield, flavonoid content, loading efficiency, moisture loss and flow properties. In-vitro release studies were carried out by monitoring flavonoid release rate from the microspheres. The  microspheres were spherical and uniformly shaped and exhibited good flow characteristics. Their size range, yield, loading efficiency, moisture loss and flavonoid content were 76 - 83 ìm, 49 - 76 %, 47 - 82 %, 2.18 - 4.60 % and 17.10 - 23.80 mg%, respectively for V. amygdalina and 144 - 160 ìm, 50 - 68 %, 51 - 68 %, 3.00 - 4.41 % and 20.00 - 28.70 mg%, respectively for G. kola. Flavonoids release from the microsphere was up to 90 % within 1 h and it followed a matrix release kinetic model with a super  case-II transport mechanism. The concentrations of the polymers affected the yield, loading efficiency, moisture loss and the extent of flavonoid release of the microspheres but had no effect on their particle sizes and flavonoid content. These results may find useful application in the delivery of V. amygdalina and G. kola extracts since the combination of PEG of different molecular weights resulted in microspheres with good physicochemical and release properties. © JASE