PCR amplification of alleles at locus D17S5: population genetic study in Hong Kong Chinese and detection of allelic loss in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract no. 2184published_or_final_versio

Dual use of LED traffic signal system

The dual use, signaling and communication, of LED traffic signal system is described and analyzed. The primary function of a traffic light system is to give traffic and pedestrian signals. A prototype of LED traffic signal head is developed to perform a secondary function: communication. A wireless communication link is set up using the LED traffic signal head as the transmitter. The LEDs are modulated to transmit information-carrying light. The receiver uses a silicon photodiode to detect the transmitted radiation. Using visible light as the transmission medium, a 1 Mbit/s wireless data link is obtained.published_or_final_versio

Turning mobile phones into a mobile quiz platform to challenge players' knowledge: An experience report

In the past few years, many new mobile technologies including the 3G, WiFi or mobileTV have created unprecedented learning opportunities on mobile devices. Furthermore, such technologies continuously fuel the rapid growth of new fields of research like the edutainment for educational entertainment. In a recent project awarded by the Hong Kong Wireless Development Center, we have developed a mobile quiz game system on 3G mobile phone networks in China, Hong Kong or other countries to facilitate learning anytime and anywhere. Our developed mobile quiz system is so generic that it can be readily extended to any wireless network. In this paper, we discuss about the design and possible uses of our quiz system in mobile learning, and also share the relevant experience in system development with the evaluation strategies carefully examined. After all, our work shed light on many interesting directions for future exploration. © 2008 IEEE.published_or_final_versionThe 8th IEEE International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies (ICALT 2008), Santander, Cantabria, Spain, 1-5 July 2008. In Proceedings of the 8th ICALT, 2008, p. 943-94

Inhaled foreign bodies: children with peanut in airway

Foreign body aspiration is a common problem in young children. Many patients present after a significant delay despite having a witnessed choking event. Moreover, their presentations may mimic other common respiratory problems like pneumonia or asthma. It is extremely important to be attentive to history taking and clinical signs that may indicate early bronchoscopy to confirm the diagnosis.published_or_final_versio

A mobile quiz platform to challenge players’ knowledge on mobile devices

Many new mobile technologies including the 3G, WiFi or mobile TV have opened up unprecedented learning opportunities on mobile devices. In addition, such technologies empower the rapid growth of new fields of research like the edutainment for educational entertainment. In a project awarded by the Hong Kong Wireless Development Center, we developed a mobile quiz game system on 3G mobile phone networks in China, Hong Kong or other countries to facilitate learning anytime and anywhere. Our developed mobile quiz system is so generic that it can be readily extended to any wireless network. In this paper, we discuss about the design and possible uses of our quiz system in mobile learning, and also share the relevant experience in system development with the evaluation strategies carefully examined. In 2008, our project also received the Bronze Award of the Hong Kong ICT Awards – Best Lifestyle. After all, our work shed light on many interesting directions for future exploration.published_or_final_versionAlternate journal title: The IEEE Learning Technology Newslette

Roles of endothelin-1 in beta-amyloid-induced neurotoxicity in hippocampus: an implication for Alzheimer’s pathology

Poster F - Nervous System Disorders: abstract no. P3-F-012The British Neuroscience Association’s Festival of NeuroscienceAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is an incurable neurodegenerative disorder. Abnormal levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1) have been demonstrated in parietal white matter(1), cerebral cortex and vessels of the AD brain(2). Neuronal death and accumulation of beta-amyloid (Aβ) are prominent pathological features of AD. Significant neuronal death is found in Aβ-treated primary neurons and Aβ-overexpressing mouse models(3,4). ET-1 is a known vasoconstrictor and neuro-active peptide. ET-1 induces apoptosis in primary retinal neurons(5). In contrary, ET-receptor (ETR) type B agonist can rescue neurons from Aβ-induced apoptosis(6). These findings suggest ET-1 plays dual roles in neurodegeneration and neuroprotection, respectively. This study aims to investigate the effect of ET-1 on Aβ-induced cell death in hippocampal neurons. Primary hippocampal neurons were pretreated with or without ETR antagonists prior to the treatment of oligomeric form of Aβ1-42, ET-1 or both on 14 DIV. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Changes in protein expression in apoptotic and ET-1 signaling pathways were assessed by western-blot analysis. This study shed light on the roles of ET-1 in Aβ1-42-neurotoxicity, building upon which the ET-1 signaling pathway as a potential therapeutic target for AD can be further investigated.published_or_final_versio

Worsened arterial stiffness in high-risk cardiovascular patients with high habitual carbohydrate intake: a cross-sectional vascular function study

BACKGROUND: Previous studies suggested that high dietary carbohydrate intake is associated with increased cardiovascular risk through raised triglyceride and decreased high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels. However, the relation between carbohydrate intake and arterial stiffness has not been established. The purpose of this study was to examine this relation among high-risk cardiovascular patients. METHODS: We studied the relation between dietary macronutrient intake and arterial stiffness in 364 patients with documented cardiovascular diseases or risk equivalent (coronary artery diseases 62%, ischemic stroke 13%, diabetes mellitus 55%) and in 93 age-and-sex matched control subjects. Dietary macronutrient intake was assessed using a validated food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for Chinese. Heart-ankle pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured non-invasively with a Vascular Profiling System (VP2000, Colin Corp. USA). A dietary pattern with >/=60% total energy intake derived from carbohydrates was defined as a high-carbohydrate diet according to the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) for Chinese. RESULTS: Subjects who consumed a high-carbohydrate diet had significantly higher mean PWV than those who did not consume a high-carbohydrate diet (P = 0.039). After adjustment for potential confounders, high-carbohydrate diet was associated with significantly increased PWV [B = 73.50 (10.81 to 136.19), P = 0.022]. However, there was no significant association between high-carbohydrate diet and PWV in controls (P = 0.634). CONCLUSIONS: High-carbohydrate diet is associated with increased arterial stiffness in patients with established cardiovascular disease or risk equivalent.published_or_final_versio

Incremental predictive value of vascular assessments combined with the Framingham Risk Score for prediction of coronary events in subjects of low-intermediate risk

Background: In patients with low-intermediate risk, the use of the Framingham Risk Score (FRS) may not allow accurate prediction of the occurrence of coronary events. Objective: To determine whether non-invasive vascular sonographic assessments add value to the FRS for prediction of coronary events. Methods: Brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and the presence of carotid plaque in 70 male subjects (mean (SD) age 62 (9) years) with a low-intermediate FRS who presented with a recent coronary event were evaluated and compared with those in 35 male controls matched for age (mean age 60 (9) years). Results: Patients with a recent coronary event had a significantly higher FRS than controls. They had a significantly lower FMD (3.56 (2.41)% vs 5.18 (2.69)%, p = 0.003) and significantly higher prevalence of carotid plaque (67% vs 40%, p = 0.008), but there was no significant difference in mean maximum IMT between the two groups (1.01 (0.28) vs 0.96 (0.14) mm, p = 0.32). Multivariate analysis revealed that FMD ≤ 4.75% was an independent predictor of an acute coronary event. Of the three vascular markers, FMD ≤ 4.75% and presence of carotid plaque provided the best diagnostic accuracy for a coronary event, with area under the curve (AUC) of 0.70 and 0.64 (p = 0.001 and p = 0.033), respectively, based on receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Furthermore, incorporating carotid plaque or FMD ≤ 4.75% into the FRS (AUC = 0.72 and AUC = 0.78) provided incremental benefit in risk stratification over FRS alone (AUC = 0.66) (p = 0.008 and p = 0.007, for comparison of difference in two receiver operating characteristic curves). Conclusions: Incorporating a measure of FMD or carotid plaque burden with FRS significantly increases the accuracy of predicting coronary events in subjects of low-intermediate risk and hence should be considered as additional investigations to improve coronary risk assessment.published_or_final_versio

Risk assessment of maritime supply chain security in ports and waterways

Seaports and waterways are crucial for international trade, and damage to them may cost millions to the global economy. In the past, Malaysia has been threatened and attacked by terrorists, and pirates have hijacked ships near the coasts of the Strait of Malacca and the South China Sea. Such acts can negatively affect the country's maritime supply chain. This paper analyses the risk to Malaysia's maritime supply chain security in ports and waterways by applying a risk assessment matrix. The findings show that Malaysian ports are vulnerable to attacks and crime due to various factors. Also, Malaysia's waterways may always be at risk given the country's geographical location and status as one of the most important trade routes in the world. Mitigating the risk to ports and waterways can be accomplished by investing in more advanced security equipment, eliminating corruption, and increasing the military presence in the Strait of Malacca. This study may be able to help to increase ports' policy-makers' preparation and decision-making

Associations of apolipoprotein E exon 4 and lipoprotein lipase S447X polymorphisms with acute ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction

Background: Because apolipoprotein E (apoE) and lipopoprotein lipase (LPL) polymorphisms interact with each other and with other factors to affect lipid metabolism, we sought to determine their separate and combined effects in association with ischemic vascular disease. Methods: We performed a case-control study of 816 subjects: 246 acute ischemic stroke patients, 234 acute myocardial infarction patients, and 336 controls. APOE exon 4 and LPL S447X genotypes were determined. Results: APOE ε2 and ε4 homozygotes were increased in stroke (4.5% vs. 1.0%, p = 0.008), while in myocardial infarction the ε4 allele was increased (12.6% vs. 9.5%, p = 0.006) but ε2 was decreased (3.7% vs. 12.1%, p = 0.000006). For subjects with either APOE ε2 or ε4 alleles, LPL X alleles were increased in vascular disease (OR = 2.2, p = 0.01). LPL X alleles displayed opposite tendencies toward association with disease when subjects were divided by sex, smoking, or APOE genotype. Meta-analysis and regression analysis of previous studies supported the sex and smoking dichotomies. Conclusion: This is the first report of an association of vascular disease with an interaction of APOE exon 4 and LPL S447X genotypes. Therefore, APOE genotypes and LPL S447X interactions with apoE, sex, and smoking may affect the risk of myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. © 2006 by Walter de Gruyter.published_or_final_versio