Systemic effects of gut microbiota and its relationship with disease and modulation

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Brief Report: Incubation Period Duration and Severity of Clinical Disease Following Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection

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A detailed longitudinal study of infection attack rates among healthy adults in Hong Kong during the epidemic of the human swine influenza A/H1N1 virus in 2009

Conference Theme: Translating Health Research into Policy and Practice for Health of the PopulationPoster Presentations: Emerging / Infectious Diseases: abstract no. P109-Ab0091published_or_final_versio

Comparison of influenza A(H1N1PDM09) associated mortality impact in Hong Kong during two epidemic waves in 2009-2011

Abstract & poster presentationConference Theme: Medical Leadership and Management - Global Outlook and Local Landscap

Deferiprone inhibits iron overload-induced tissue factor bearing endothelial microparticle generation by inhibition oxidative stress induced mitochondrial injury, and apoptosis

Iron overload-induced cardiovascular toxicity is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in beta-thalassemia major patients. We have previously shown that iron overload-induced systemic arterial changes characterized by endothelial dysfunction are associated with increased endothelial microparticle (EMP) release. In this study, we further demonstrate how EMP release is associated with iron-induced mitochondrial injury and apoptosis of endothelial cells. Iron increased the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and calcium influx into mitochondria [Ca2+]m. Iron also disturbed mitochondrial respiration function and eventually led to loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). A significant increase in apoptotic cells and EMPs were found under iron treatment. EMPs contained tissue factor (TF), which has potential clinical impact on thromboembolic phenomenon. Then, we investigated the salvaging effect of deferiprone (L1) on endothelial cell damage and EMP release. We found that L1 could inhibit iron-induced ROS generation, and decrease mitochondrial damage with the resultant effect of less endothelial cell apoptosis and EMP release. L1 could protect endothelial cells from iron-induced toxic effects and minimize EMP release, which could be potentially helpful in a subgroup of thalassemia patients who have increased thromboembolic complications.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Excess mortality attributable to influenza epidemics in Hong Kong

Poster Presentations: S2-P31Conference Proceedings entitled: Incidence, Severity, and Impact 2012: poster presentationsBACKGROUND: Human influenza virus causes considerable morbidity and mortality. While deaths associated with laboratory-confirmed influenza are rare, statistical estimates of the excess deaths associated with influenza A and B virus infections tend to identify a much more substantial burden of disease. We explored the excess mortality associated with influenza types and subtypes from different underlying causes in Hong Kong, a subtropical city with influenza activity through much of the year. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We applied multiple linear regression models to fit age-specific all-cause and cause-specific mortality rates in Hong Kong from 1998 through 2009, adjusting for influenza virus activity as the product of influenza-like illness rates from sentinel surveillance and laboratory detection rates of influenza types and subtypes. Models were also adjusted for the activity of cocirculating respiratory syncytial virus, environmental temperature and absolute humidity, and periodic temporal trends in mortality rates. The differences between estimated mortality rates in the presence or absence of recorded influenza activity were used to estimate influenza-associated mortality. RESULTS: The annual influenza-associated all-cause excess mortality rate was 10.9 (95% CI, 8.1-13.8) per 100,000 person-years, which was an average of 742 (95% CI, 552-933) excess deaths each year from 1998 through 2009. Most (95%) of the excess deaths associated with influenza occurred in the elderly. More influenza-associated excess mortality was estimated to occur in deaths from respiratory (53%) than cardiovascular (18%) causes. Influenza A (H3N2) epidemics were associated with more deaths than epidemics of other types or subtypes during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Influenza was associated with a substantial number of deaths each year particularly among the elderly in Hong Kong in the past decade. Respiratory diseases accounted for more influenza-attributable deaths than cardiovascular diseases. The proportion of influenza-attributable excess deaths caused by cardiovascular diseases was lower in Hong Kong than in the United States. Influenza A (H3N2) was associated with higher excess mortality than other seasonal influenza subtypes.link_to_OA_fulltex

Comparison of patterns in influenza-associated excess mortality among men and women in Hong Kong

Conference Proceedings entitled: Incidence, Severity, and Impact 2012: poster presentationsPoster Presentations: S2-P37BACKGROUND: The burden of mortality attributable to influenza virus can be quantified by influenza-associated excess deaths estimated from statistical models. Given the discrepancies that have often been observed in the prevalence and burden of major diseases between men and women, we aimed to examine the patterns in influenza-associated excess mortality among men and women in Hong Kong in the past decade. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Multiple linear regression models were applied to age-specific all-cause and cause-specific mortality rates in Hong Kong from 1998 through 2009 for men and women separately. The activities of different types/subtypes of influenza virus and co-circulating respiratory syncytial virus were adjusted as the product of influenza-like illness rates from sentinel surveillance and laboratory detection rates of the specific viruses. Models were also adjusted for environmental temperature and absolute humidity and periodic temporal trends in mortality rates. The influenza-associated excess mortality was measured as the differences between estimated mortality rates in the presence or absence of influenza activity. Attributable fractions were estimated for each cause. RESULTS: The annual influenza-associated all-cause excess mortality rates were 9.6 and 12.6 per 100,000 person-years for men and women from 1998 through 2009. The attributable fractions of all-cause deaths were 2.0% and 2.1% in men and women, respectively. More than 90% of the influenza-associated all-cause excess deaths were estimated in the elderly for both men and women. Cardiorespiratory diseases accounted for more influenza-associated excess deaths in men (80%) than in women (70%). CONCLUSIONS: Influenza infection led to a higher number of excess deaths among men than women each year in Hong Kong, but more men die of all causes and the attributable fractions were very similar for men and women. Most of the influenza-associated excess deaths occurred in the elderly for both sexes. Cardiorespiratory diseases accounted for the majority of the influenza-associated excess deaths in both sexes, particularly among men.link_to_OA_fulltex

Estimating infection attack rates and severity in real-time during an influenza pandemic

Abstract: B619PThe 4th ESWI Influenza Conference, Saint-Julian's, Malta, 11-14 September 2011

Excess mortality associated with influenza A and B virus in Hong Kong, 1998–2009

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