Effects of different evaluative feedback on students' self-efficacy in learning

Two studies examined the effects of four types of teachers' evaluative feedback on Chinese students' self-efficacy in English vocabulary acquisition. In Study 1, a random sample of Grade 8 students (N = 79) learned prefixes and received either formative or summative feedback after failure in test. The results showed that students who received summative feedback showed a larger decrease in their self-efficacy than those who received formative feedback. In Study 2, a random sample of Grade 7 students (N = 77) went through similar procedures as in Study 1 except that students received either self-referenced or norm-referenced feedback. The results showed that self-referenced feedback was more beneficial to students' self-efficacy than norm-referenced feedback. The influences of teachers' evaluation and feedback on students' self-efficacy are discussed. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2008.postprin

The efficacy of a microwave device for treating hyperhidrosis in Chinese

OBJECTIVE: Hyperhidrosis affects the quality of lives. A non-invasive, microwave device selectively heats the targeted region where the sweat gland resides. The objective of the study was to assess the efficacy and patient satisfaction after treatment. METHODS: Ten Chinese subjects with skin type III-IV with axillary hyperhidrosis were enrolled. Subjects were required to have a Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS) score …published_or_final_versio

Safety and efficacy evaluation of a combined device using infrared light and bipolar radiofrequency and sublative radiofrequency applicators

OBJECTIVE: The combined infrared light and bipolar frequency and sublative radiofrequency dual handpiece device is intended for dermatological procedures requiring ablation and resurfacing of the skin. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the combined sublative radiofrequency and sublime applicators for the treatment of wrinkles. METHODS: Twenty subjects were recruited of whom 16 received the treatment and were followed up till 3 months. Each patient was treated once, first with the sublime applicator which used a combination of …published_or_final_versio

Non-invasive cryolipolysis for fat reduction in flanks in Chinese with a modified applicator

OBJECTIVE: To determine the patient satisfaction and clinical efficacy of a modified applicator with a cryolipolysis device (ZeltiqR) for fat reduction in the flanks in Chinese. METHODS: A total of 15 healthy adult subjects with clearly visible fat in the flanks that wish to have them reduced were recruited. All received a single free treatment. Parameters were pre-set at cooling intensity factor of 41.6 (-73 mW/cm2) for 60 minutes per site. The efficacy is determined by comparing measurements and comparing photographs taken at baseline, and 8 weeks and 12 weeks …published_or_final_versio

Efficiacy of a high-intensity focused ultrasound device for non-invasive body contouring

OBJECTIVE: High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a non-invasive technology for body contouring. HIFU is focused within the subcutaneous adipose tissue, causing coagulative necrosis and cell death. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a HIFU device for sculpting of the abdomen. METHODS: The system has a set focal depth of 1.3 cm. Twelve subjects with adipose thickness of no less than 2.5 cm who met the screening criteria were recruited. Each subject received one treatment to the abdomen. The total fluence used per site was 150-165 J/cm2 with a mean of 161 J/cm2. The waist circumference at iliac crest and the point of maximum circumference were recorded at baseline …published_or_final_versio

A clinically relevant in vivo model for the assessment of scaffold efficacy in abdominal wall reconstruction

Copyright © The Author(s) 2017. An animal model that allows for assessment of the degree of stretching or contraction of the implant area and the in vivo degradation properties of biological meshes is required to evaluate their performance in vivo. Adult New Zealand rabbits underwent full thickness subtotal unilateral rectus abdominis muscle excision and were reconstructed with the non-biodegradable Peri-Guard®, Prolene® or biodegradable Surgisis® meshes. Following 8 weeks of recovery, the anterior abdominal wall tissue samples were collected for measurement of the implant dimensions. The Peri-Guard and Prolene meshes showed a slight and obvious shrinkage, respectively, whereas the Surgisis mesh showed stretching, resulting in hernia formation. Surgisis meshes showed in vivo biodegradation and increased collagen formation. This surgical rabbit model for abdominal wall defects is advantageous for evaluating the in vivo behaviour of surgical meshes. Implant area stretching and shrinkage were detected corresponding to mesh properties, and histological analysis and stereological methods supported these findings.This study was financially supported by the Enterprise Ireland (Technology Development Grant). This publication has emanated from research conducted with the financial support of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and is co-funded under the European Regional Development Fund under grant no. 13/RC/2073. This study was also supported by the Centre for Microscopy & Imaging funded by NUI Galway and PRTLI, Cycles 4 and 5, National Development Plan 2007–2013

Microsatellite instability and mismatch repair gene mutations are common in young colorectal cancer patients in Hong Kong

Conference Theme: Challenges to Specialists in the 21st centurypublished_or_final_versio

Diurnal cortisol slope mediates the association between affect and memory retrieval in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a path-analytical study

Background: Memory deficits are linked to dysfunctional HPA axis activity and negative affect in older adults. This study evaluated the mediating effect of the diurnal cortisol pattern on the relationship between affect and memory in older people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods: This longitudinal study recruited 189 Chinese older adults with MCI from elderly centers in Hong Kong. The participants completed assessments of affect, salivary cortisol, and digit spans at baseline; neurocognitive assessments on verbal fluency, memory retrieval, and digit spans at 6-month follow-up; and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) at 1-year follow-up. Structural equation modeling examined the direct and indirect effects of negative affect on memory and IADL via diurnal cortisol pattern. Results: Controlling for covariates, negative affect significantly predicted flattened diurnal cortisol slopes (β = 0.17, p < 0.05) but not memory or IADL (p = 0.23 – 0.91) directly. Diurnal cortisol slopes negatively predicted memory retrieval (β = −0.20, p < 0.05), which in turn positively predicted IADL (β = 0.22, p < 0.01). The indirect effect from negative affect to IADL via cortisol slope and memory retrieval was significant and negative (αβγ = −0.05, 95% bootstrapped CI = −0.248 to −0.001). Discussion: The present study established certain temporal linkages among affect and cortisol slopes at baseline, memory retrieval at 6 months, and functional decline 1 year later in older adults with MCI. Flattened diurnal cortisol slopes might mediate the detrimental effects of negative affect on memory retrieval and functioning across 1 year

Gender difference in schizophrenic symptomatology and subjective stress of Chinese adults with schizophrenia in a long-stay residential setting

Congress Theme: Ying and Yang of Mental Health in Asia - Balancing PrioritiesOral Presentation 3.3 – Severe Mental Illness (III)OBJECTIVES: Males showed a higher risk of schizophrenia.1 This study aimed to explore the manifestation of schizophrenia between genders, focusing on schizophrenic symptomatology and perceived stress in Chinese adults with schizophrenia at long-term care residential setting. Results of the present study yield implications for effective health care strategies for this ...postprin

Central nervous system inflammatory demyelinating disorders in Hong Kong Chinese

Poster PresentationBACKGROUND: Classical multiple sclerosis (CMS) must be differentiated from neuromyelitis optica (NMO) as treatments are different. Serum aquaporin-4 autoantibodies (AQP4 Ab) are specific for NMO spectrum disorders (NMOSD). We aimed to study the diagnoses of CNS inflammatory demyelinating disorder (IDD) patients presenting to a hospital over 29 years. METHODS: Chinese patients presenting with CNS IDD to our hospital from 1981 to 2009 were studied. Patients referred from other centres were excluded. Since 2008, patients had yearly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain and cord for 3 years even without relap…published_or_final_versio