Feeding and oral hygiene habits of preschool children in Hong Kong and their caregivers' dental knowledge and attitudes

Objectives. This study was designed to gather data on infant feeding habits and oral hygiene practices of Hong Kong preschool children, on the dental knowledge and attitudes of their caregivers and on the oral health status of the same group of children. Design. Cross-sectional study. Sample and methods. Data was gathered for a total of 369 boys and 297 girls (207 1-year-olds, 269 2-year-olds and 190 3-year-olds) with a mean age of 20-19 (± 0.38) months. Information related to children attending six randomly selected Maternity and Child Health Centres. It was obtained by examining the children and by interviewing the attending caregivers and completing a questionnaire. Each child was given an oral examination using a torch, disposable mirror and wooden tongue spatula. Results. Only 7% of the children were exclusively breast-fed. More than 98% (656/666) of infants used a nursing bottle for at least some drinks. Over 62% (411/656) had used a nursing bottle to take fluids other than water and infant formula. At bedtime, 56% (361/656) were given a nursing bottle prior to sleep and 96% (340/361) of these bottles contained formula milk. Of these children, only 37% (131/361) finished the contents of the bottle before falling asleep. Over 73% (139/190) of the children continued to use a feeding bottle after 2 years of age. Non-nutritive sucking habits were practised by 35.6% (237/666) of the children. Visible plaque, on the labial surface of at least two maxillary incisors, was found in 19.5% (120/615) of the children. Oral cleansing habits were practised for 66.2% (441/666) of the children. Toothbrushing habits were reported for 42.3% (260/615) of the dentate children, of whom 19% (49/260) had their teeth brushed twice daily. Toothpaste was used by 49.23% (128/260) of the children and 57.3% (149/260) brushed their own teeth. Caries was seen in 7.6% of the infants (47/615). Of the caregivers, 67.7% said they did not think carious primary teeth needed to be restored. Among the mothers, 12.6% (43/342) did not know the oral condition of their child. Reportedly, 82% (417/510) and 87.5% (446/510) of the mothers had not received any oral health care information during the ante- or postnatal periods. Nearly all, 97%, of the respondents said that they would like to receive more information on oral health care.postprin

Cyp26b1 mediates differential regulation of RA signaling in neural progenitor populations along the anteriorposterior axis of the adult spinal cord

Poster Session - Neural Regeneration: no. 64DMM 2011 entitled: Re-engineering Regenerative MedicineNeural stem cells from the adult subventricular zone (SVZ) are highly heterogeneous, with their position of origin being a key factor in determining the neuronal subtype they can give rise to. Whether this diversity extends to other regions in the adult CNS has not been demonstrated. In vitro studies with directed neuronal differentiation of ES cells suggest that subtype specification may be regulated by the positional identity present in the ES‐derived cell, since altering the positional identity leads to corresponding changes in motor neuron subtype. This limited plasticity suggests the position identity of the original stem cell source is a critical factor for the generation of the desired neuronal subtype. The adult spinal cord consists of endogenous stem/progenitor cells which are …postprin

Cyp26b1 mediates differential neurogenicity in axial-specific populations of adult spinal cord progenitor cells

Utilization of endogenous adult spinal cord progenitor cells (SCPCs) for neuronal regeneration is a promising strategy for spinal cord repair. To mobilize endogenous SCPCs for injury repair, it is necessary to understand their intrinsic properties and to identify signaling factors that can stimulate their neurogenic potential. In this study, we demonstrate that adult mouse SCPCs express distinct combinatorial Hox genes and exhibit axial-specific stem cell properties. Lumbar-derived neurospheres displayed higher primary sphere formation and greater neurogenicity compared with cervical- and thoracic-derived neurospheres. To further understand the mechanisms governing neuronal differentiation of SCPCs from specific axial regions, we examined the neurogenic responses of adult SCPCs to retinoic acid (RA), an essential factor for adult neurogenesis. Although RA is a potent inducer of neuronal differentiation, we found that RA enhanced the generation of neurons specifically in cervical- but not lumbar-derived cells. We further demonstrate that the differential RA response was mediated by the RA-degrading enzyme cytochrome P450 oxidase b1 Cyp26b1. Lumbar cells express high levels of Cyp26b1 and low levels of the RA-synthesizing enzyme retinaldehyde dehydrogenase Raldh2, resulting in limited activation of the RA signaling pathway in these cells. In contrast, low Cyp26b1 expression in cervical spinal cord progenitor cells allows RA signaling to be readily activated upon RA treatment. The intrinsic heterogeneity and signaling factor regulation among adult SCPCs suggest that different niche factor regimens are required for site-specific mobilization of endogenous SCPCs from distinct spatial regions of the spinal cord for injury repair.published_or_final_versio

Association of ICAM3 genetic variant with severe acute respiratory syndrome

Genetic polymorphisms have been demonstrated to be associated with vulnerability to human infection. ICAM3, an intercellular adhesion molecule important for T cell activation, and FCER2 (CD23), an immune response gene, both located on chromosome 19p13.3, were investigated for host genetic susceptibility and association with clinical outcome. A case-control study based on 817 patients with confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), 307 health care worker control subjects, 290 outpatient control subjects, and 309 household control subjects unaffected by SARS from Hong Kong was conducted to test for genetic association. No significant association to susceptibility to SARS infection caused by the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV) was found for the FCER2 and the ICAM3 single nucleotide polymorphisms. However, patients with SARS homozygous for ICAM3 Gly143 showed significant association with higher lactate dehydrogenase levels (P = .0067; odds ratio [OR], 4.31 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.37-13.56]) and lower total white blood cell counts (P = .022; OR, 0.30 [95% CI, 0.10-0.89]) on admission. These findings support the role of ICAM3 in the immunopathogenesis of SARS. © 2007 by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved.published_or_final_versio

Marine natural capital training materials

Sea the Value brings together a unique interdisciplinary team and international network of collaborators to address fundamental questions regarding the economics of biodiversity, specifically of blue carbon and marine water quality. The team includes internationally recognised expertise in environmental and ecological economics, marine ecology, human geography, governance, and finance, putting us in an unrivalled position to make a transformative change. Our vision is to determine novel and policy relevant pluralistic values for marine biodiversity and apply these values to co-develop green investment options, leading to a transformative shift in our understanding and utilisation of the economics of biodiversity

Validation of a new optical diagnosis training module to improve dysplasia characterization in inflammatory bowel disease: a multicenter international study

Background and Aims: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) increases risk of dysplasia and colorectal cancer. Advanced endoscopic techniques allow for the detection and characterization of IBD dysplastic lesions, but specialized training is not widely available. We aimed to develop and validate an online training platform to improve the detection and characterization of colonic lesions in IBD: OPtical diagnosis Training to Improve dysplasia Characterization in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (OPTIC-IBD). Methods: We designed a web-based learning module that includes surveillance principles, optical diagnostic methods, approach to characterization, and classifications of colonic lesions using still images and videos. We invited gastroenterologists from Canada, Italy, and the United Kingdom with a wide range of experience. Participants reviewed 24 educational videos of IBD colonic lesions, predicted histology, and rated their confidence. The primary endpoint was to improve accuracy in detecting dysplastic lesions after training on the platform. Furthermore, participants were randomized 1:1 to get additional training or not, with a final assessment occurring after 60 days. Diagnostic performance for dysplasia and rater confidence were measured. Results: A total of 117 participants completed the study and were assessed for the primary endpoint. Diagnostic accuracy improved from 70.8% to 75.0% (P = .002) after training, with the greatest improvements seen in less experienced endoscopists. Improvements in both accuracy and confidence were sustained after 2 months of assessment, although the group randomized to receive additional training did not improve further. Similarly, participants’ confidence in characterizing lesions significantly improved between before and after the course (P < .001), and it was sustained after 2 months of assessment. Conclusions: The OPTIC-IBD training module demonstrated that an online platform could improve participants’ accuracy and confidence in the optical diagnosis of dysplasia in patients with IBD. The training platform can be widely available and improve endoscopic care for people with IBD

Hox Expression Profile and its Epigenetic Regulation during Chondrogenesis

Poster Presentations: Theme 6 - Reproduction and Development, Musculoskeletal System: no. 6.0

Biomarkers for toxic algae

US7109297; US7109297 B2; US7109297B2; US7,109,297; US 7,109,297 B2; 7109297; Appl. No. 10/939,982US2006-2007 > Other Outputs > Patents grantedVersion of Recor

Biomarkers for toxic algae

Inventor name used in this publication: Samuel Chun-Lap LoUS7109297; US7109297 B2; US7109297B2; US 7,109,297; US 7,109,297 B2; 7109297; Application No. 10/939,982USVersion of Recor