A geometric proof of a theorem on antiregularity of generalized quadrangles

A geometric proof is given in terms of Laguerre geometry of the theorem of Bagchi, Brouwer and Wilbrink, which states that if a generalized quadrangle of order s > 1 has an antiregular point then all of its points are antiregular. © 2011 The Author(s).published_or_final_versionSpringer Open Choice, 21 Feb 201

The development and initial validation of the Chinese Significant Wish Fulfillment Scale

This paper reports the development and validation of the Chinese Significant Wish Fulfillment Scale (CSWFS), a new multidimensional scale for assessing the perceived importance and level of fulfillment of wishes of older adults. Three studies were involved. Study 1 developed a 26-item pool on wish fulfillment through in-depth interviews with 22 older adults. Study 2 reduced the pool to 23 items through validation with a new sample of 315 older adults and examined the internal reliability. Study 3 involved a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and examined the test-retest reliability and the convergent validity of the scale with the construct of regret. A five-factor structure model of 23 items was identified through exploratory factor analysis, which accounted for 51.67% of variance. As informed by the CFA in Study 3, a five-factor 22-item model was the best fit. Internal reliability and test-retest reliability was found to be good. Convergent validity was examined through correlation with the construct of future regret. The correlation, though statistically significant, was small. CSWFS demonstrates good psychometric properties, but the construct might be slightly different from that of future regrets. Probably, CSWFS addresses a construct that is under-explored but is of importance to older adults and especially to the Chinese community.published_or_final_versio

Sequence Variations of Full-Length Hepatitis B Virus Genomes in Chinese Patients with HBsAg-Negative Hepatitis B Infection

BACKGROUND: The underlying mechanism of HBsAg-negative hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is notoriously difficult to elucidate because of the extremely low DNA levels which define the condition. We used a highly efficient amplification method to overcome this obstacle and achieved our aim which was to identify specific mutations or sequence variations associated with this entity. METHODS: A total of 185 sera and 60 liver biopsies from HBsAg-negative, HBV DNA-positive subjects or known chronic hepatitis B (CHB) subjects with HBsAg seroclearance were amplified by rolling circle amplification followed by full-length HBV genome sequencing. Eleven HBsAg-positive CHB subjects were included as controls. The effects of pivotal mutations identified on regulatory regions on promoter activities were analyzed. RESULTS: 22 and 11 full-length HBV genomes were amplified from HBsAg-negative and control subjects respectively. HBV genotype C was the dominant strain. A higher mutation frequency was observed in HBsAg-negative subjects than controls, irrespective of genotype. The nucleotide diversity over the entire HBV genome was significantly higher in HBsAg-negative subjects compared with controls (p = 0.008) and compared with 49 reference sequences from CHB patients (p = 0.025). In addition, HBsAg-negative subjects had significantly higher amino acid substitutions in the four viral genes than controls (all p<0.001). Many mutations were uniquely found in HBsAg-negative subjects, including deletions in promoter regions (13.6%), abolishment of pre-S2/S start codon (18.2%), disruption of pre-S2/S mRNA splicing site (4.5%), nucleotide duplications (9.1%), and missense mutations in "alpha" determinant region, contributing to defects in HBsAg production. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest an accumulation of multiple mutations constraining viral transcriptional activities contribute to HBsAg-negativity in HBV infection.published_or_final_versio

Transgenic plant-derived siRNAs can suppress propagation of influenza virus in mammalian cells

As an example of the cost-effective large-scale generation of small-interfering RNA (siRNAs), we have created transgenic tobacco plants that produce siRNAs targeted to the mRNA of the non-structural protein NS1 from the influenza A virus subtype H1N1. We have investigated if these siRNAs, specifically targeted to the 5 ′-portion of the NS1 transcripts (5mNS1), would suppress viral propagation in mammalian cells. Agroinfiltration of transgenic tobacco with an Agrobacterium strain harboring a 5mNS1-expressing binary vector caused a reduction in 5mNS1 transcripts in the siRNA-accumulating transgenic plants. Further, H1N1 infection of siRNA-transfected mammalian cells resulted in significant suppression of viral replication. These results demonstrate that plant-derived siRNAs can inhibit viral propagation through RNA interference and could potentially be applied in control of viral-borne diseases. © 2004 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of the Federation of European Biochemical Societies.postprin

Antioxidant Activities of Methanol Extract and Solvent Fractions of Marine Macroalga, Avrainvillea erecta (Berkeley) A. Gepp and E.S. Gepp (Dichotomosiphonaceae)

Purpose: To determine the antioxidant activity of methanol extract (ME) and solvent fractions of Avrainvillea erecta as well as their total phenolic and flavonoid contents.Methods: The antioxidant activities of ME as well as its chloroform, butanol, and aqueous fractions (CF, BF and WF, respectively) of A. erecta were evaluated via 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) scavenging assays as well as ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined spectrophotometrically.Results: CF and BF possessed equally high DPPH scavenging activity with half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) of 535 and 532 mg/ml, respectively. CF had stronger NO scavenging activity (EC50 743 μg/mL) than ME and BF, although weaker compared with quercetin (EC50 279 μg/ml). CF also produced the highest FRAP value (451 μmol Fe2+/g) among all samples examined. Notably, H2O2 scavenging activity was only found in CF (EC50 387 μg/ml), which was as strong (p &gt; 0.05) as that of gallic acid (EC50 456 μg/mL). BF had the highest total phenolic content while CF had the highest total flavonoid content.Conclusion: CF of A. erecta, which has the highest flavonoid content of all the extracts evaluated, is a potential source of natural antioxidants, especially hydrogen peroxide scavengers.Keywords: Antioxidant, Avrainvillea erecta, Flavonoid, Macroalga, Phenoli

Trends in oral anticoagulant prescribing in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a population-based study in the UK

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate oral anticoagulant (OAC) prescribing trends in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the UK from 2001 to 2015. DESIGN: A cross-sectional drug utilisation study. SETTING: Electronic health records from The Health Improvement Network primary care database in the UK. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals with T2DM who received a record of OAC prescription. OUTCOME MEASURES: The prescribing trends of OAC medications in individuals with T2DM were examined from 2001 to 2015, stratified by age, gender and therapeutic classifications. RESULTS: A total of 361 635 individuals with T2DM were identified, of whom 36 570 were prescribed OAC from 2001 to 2015. The prevalence of OAC prescribing increased by 50.0%, from 1781 individuals receiving OAC prescriptions (IROACP) (4.4 (95% CI 4.2 to 4.6) per 100 persons) in 2001, to 17 070 IROACP (6.6 (95% CI 6.5 to 6.7) per 100 persons) in 2015. The prevalence of warfarin prescribing decreased by 14.0%, from 1761 individuals receiving warfarin prescriptions (IRWP) (98.9 (95% CI 98.4 to 99.4) per 100 persons) in 2001, to 14 533 IRWP (85.1 (95% CI 84.6 to 85.7) per 100 persons) in 2015. This corresponded with increased prescribing of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), from 18 individuals receiving DOAC prescriptions (IRDOACP) (0.1 (95% CI 0.08 to 0.23) per 100 persons) in 2010, to 3016 IRDOACP (17.6 (95% CI 17.1 to 18.2) per 100 persons) in 2015, during the same period. CONCLUSIONS: Prescribing of OACs in individuals with T2DM increased from 2001 to 2015. Since the introduction of DOACs, there has been a clear shift in prescribing towards these agents. Future studies are needed to assess the safety of coadministration of OAC medications and antidiabetic therapy with T2DM

Cultural adaptation of cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) for Chinese people with dementia: multicentre pilot study

OBJECTIVE: Ageing of the Chinese population will drive a continued surge in dementia prevalence. Empirically tested non‐pharmacological interventions developed in western cultures may be implemented in Chinese. Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) that originated in the UK has proven benefits on cognition and quality of life in people with dementia. We investigated the feasibility and cultural appropriateness of CST in Hong Kong Chinese (CST‐HK). METHODS: Mixed methods research was conducted following the formative method for adapting psychotherapy. A culturally adapted CST‐HK, developed involving multidisciplinary stakeholders, was tested in a pilot multicentre study in people with mild dementia (n = 30) receiving community or residential care. Changes in cognition and quality of life were measured. Opinions from family caregivers and group facilitators (n = 25) were collected through focus groups and in‐depth interviews for understanding the appropriateness of CST‐HK. Feasibility was explored. RESULTS: After receiving CST‐HK, 54% of participants achieved outcome of no cognitive deterioration, and 23% showed clinically meaningful improvement. Family caregivers and group facilitators expressed good acceptance of CST, with a low attrition (13%) and high attendance rate of CST‐HK sessions (92%). Key cultural issues identified are (i) less active opinion sharing in group discussions due to conservatism/cautiousness and (ii) preference of practical activities with reward/recognition over pure discussion due to pragmatism. CONCLUSIONS: The CST‐HK is feasible and culturally appropriate in Hong Kong Chinese. Further amendments can be made to ensure language use and enjoyment, with potential implications on effectiveness. We have provided a systematically developed, culturally adapted protocol for larger‐scale implementation and research in Chinese populations

Identification of Hepatitis B Virus DNA Polymerase Sequences to Predict Virological Response to Entecavir Therapy

Poster Presentations: Emerging / Infectious DiseasesConference Theme: Translating Health Research into Policy and Practice for Health of the Populationpublished_or_final_versio

Attitudes and perceptions towards hypoglycaemia in patients with diabetes mellitus: A multinational cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Preventing hypoglycaemia is an essential component of diabetes self-management that is affected by patients' attitudes and perceptions. This study aimed to explore the hypoglycaemia problem-solving ability of patients who have diabetes mellitus and factors that determine their attitudes and perceptions towards their previous events. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted between October 2017 and May 2018 in three Arab countries (Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait) in patients with diabetes mellitus, who were prescribed antidiabetic therapy and had experienced hypoglycaemic events in the past six months. The Hypoglycaemia Problem-Solving Scale was used in this study. This scale contains two subscales, problem orientation (six questions) and problem-solving skills (eighteen questions), using a five-point Likert scale (range 0-4). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify predictors of hypoglycaemia problem-solving abilities. RESULTS: A total of 895 patients participated in this study from the three countries (300 in Jordan, 302 in Saudi Arabia, and 293 in Kuwait). The average age of the patients was 53.5 years (standard deviation = 13.7) and 52.4% (n = 469) were males. Patients had moderate overall problem-solving ability with a median score of 63.00 (interquartile range = 13.00). Patients' problem-solving skills score (68.1%) was better than their problem-orientation skills score (58.3%). The highest sub-scale scores were for detection control, setting problem-solving goals, and evaluating strategies, 75.0%. The lowest sub-scale score was for problem-solving perception and immediate management, 50.0%. Older age, being educated, being married, having T2DM, prescribed insulin therapy, and not having been admitted to hospital for hypoglycaemia were important predictors of patients' problem-solving ability (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare professionals are advised to provide more education to patients on how to self-manage hypoglycaemic events. Specifically, they should focus on the overall problem-solving perception of hypoglycaemia and its immediate management

Incidence and prevalence of hypoglycaemia in type 1 and type 2 diabetes individuals: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Previous meta-analysis investigating the incidence and prevalence of hypoglycaemia in both types of diabetes is limited. The purpose of this review is to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the existing literature which investigates the incidence and prevalence of hypoglycaemia in individuals with diabetes. METHODS: PubMed, Embase and Cochrane library databases were searched up to October 2018. Observational studies including individuals with diabetes of all ages and reporting incidence and/or prevalence of hypoglycaemia were included. Two reviewers independently screened articles, extracted data and assessed the quality of included studies. Meta-analysis was performed using a random effects model with 95% confidence interval (CI) to estimate the pooled incidence and prevalence of hypoglycaemia in individuals with diabetes. RESULTS: Our search strategy generated 35,007 articles, of which 72 studies matched the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. The prevalence of hypoglycaemia ranged from 0.074% to 73.0%, comprising a total of 2,462,810 individuals with diabetes. The incidence rate of hypoglycaemia ranged from 0.072 to 42,890 episodes per 1,000 person-years: stratified by type of diabetes, it ranged from 14.5 to 42,890 episodes per 1,000 person-years and from 0.072 to 16,360 episodes per 1,000-person years in type 1 and type 2 diabetes, respectively. CONCLUSION: Hypoglycaemia is very common among individuals with diabetes. Further studies are needed to investigate hypoglycaemia-associated risk factors