Switching of pyruvate kinase isoform L to M2 promotes metabolic reprogramming in hepatocarcinogenesis

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive tumor, with a high mortality rate due to late symptom presentation and frequent tumor recurrences and metastasis. It is also a rapidly growing tumor supported by different metabolic mechanisms; nevertheless, the biological and molecular mechanisms involved in the metabolic reprogramming in HCC are unclear. In this study, we found that pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) was frequently over-expressed in human HCCs and its over-expression was associated with aggressive clinicopathological features and poor prognosis of HCC patients. Furthermore, knockdown of PKM2 suppressed aerobic glycolysis and cell proliferation in HCC cell lines in vitro. Importantly, knockdown of PKM2 hampered HCC growth in both subcutaneous injection and orthotopic liver implantation models, and reduced lung metastasis in vivo. Of significance, PKM2 over-expression in human HCCs was associated with a down-regulation of a liver-specific microRNA, miR-122. We further showed that miR-122 interacted with the 3UTR of the PKM2 gene. Re-expression of miR-122 in HCC cell lines reduced PKM2 expression, decreased glucose uptake in vitro, and suppressed HCC tumor growth in vivo. Our clinical data and functional studies have revealed a novel biological mechanism involved in HCC metabolic reprogramming.published_or_final_versio

A Public Learning and Web-based GIS System for Analysing Visual Impacts of Reclamation Works in the Victoria Harbour of Hong Kong

We have developed a web-based GIS platform to amass reclamation information in assisting laymen to understand issues addressed in Environmental Impact Assessment reports

The effects of involvement in training and volunteering with families of people with dementia on the knowledge and attitudes of volunteers towards dementia

202212 bckwVersion of RecordPublishe

Too much or too little: visual considerations of public engagement tools in environment impact assessments

Recently proposed reclamation works due to take place in the Victoria Harbor of Hong Kong have raised questions about their appropriateness and desirability. Although the plans for reclamation had gone through the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process and the submitted report available online, its wordy and technical contents were not well received by the public. The report failed to offer the community at large a better understanding of the issues at hand and to visualize what would become of the proposed site upon project completion. Henceforth, the Environmental Protection Department stipulates that future EIA reports be presented in a format more readily comprehensible than written accounts. This requirement calls for more visual displays, including but not limited to, three dimensional models, maps and photo imageries. In compliance with the requirements and recognizing technological impetus, we structured a web-based platform that makes use of the Geographic Information System technology to explore alternative visual presentation, such as maps, graphics, photos, videos, and animations. Our research has demonstrated that visual resources are viable substitutes to written statements in conveying environmental problems albeit with limitations. This paper shares our knowledge and experience in compiling visual resources and hopes that our integrative effort is a step forward in the development of a more effective public engagement tool. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2005.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

A home-based dyadic music-with-movement intervention for people with dementia and caregivers : a hybrid type 2 cluster-randomized effectiveness-implementation design

202309 bcvcVersion of RecordNot mentionPublishe

A new policy for prenatal screening and diagnosis of Down syndrome for pregnant women with advanced maternal age in a public hospital

Objective. Before April 2006, women with singleton pregnancy and advanced maternal age (AMA, 35 years and older) were offered either direct invasive tests or a variety of screening tests for Down syndrome (DS) with routine anomaly scan at 1820 weeks. After April 2006, to reduce procedure-related fetal loss, invasive test was performed only for positive screening result or the presence of major fetal anomaly on ultrasound. We reviewed our 2-year experience after the policy change. Methods. Two-year data after policy change were compared to the 1-year historic control before policy change. Results. A total of 2257 eligible women were counselled in the 2 years after policy change. The uptake of screening was 96.7%. The overall detection rate for DS was 90% (18/20) at a false positive rate of 10.9%. The number of invasive tests performed to diagnose one case of DS was reduced 7-fold from 97 to 13. Conclusions. The number of direct invasive tests was markedly reduced. With effective DS screening policy, it is possible to do away with direct invasive testing for the majority of women with AMA. © 2010 Informa UK Ltd.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Screening options for Down syndrome: How women choose in real clinical setting

Objective: To study pregnant women's preference among various screening options for Down syndrome (DS) in routine clinical setting, and its potential association with women's demographic characteristics. Methods: Women aged 35 years and older carrying singleton pregnancy were offered a variety of screening tests for DS before 14 weeks of gestation. Their preference was confirmed by the test they actually underwent. The association between women's choice of test and a number of demographic characteristics was studied using multinomial regression. Results: Among 1967 eligible women, 619 opted for first-trimester screening test (FTS), 924 for partial integrated test (PIT), and 424 for full integrated test (FIT). Nulliparous women and working mothers were more likely to choose FTS and FIT. Women with history of subfertility were more likely to choose FIT. Women with family history of chromosomal abnormalities were more likely to choose FTS. The choice of screening test could be predicted for 49.9% of women using four demographic characteristics. Conclusions: Among older women of predominantly Chinese ethnicity, integrated test is a favorite alternative to FTS. Their choice of DS screening test can be predicted by their obstetric and socioeconomic characteristics. Many women show willingness to pay for a test with a lower false-positive rate. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.link_to_subscribed_fulltex