Young school dropouts: Levels of influence of different systems

Different countries have encountered the problem of increasing young people dropping out of schools. Causes relating to family, school and peers have been suggested in many studies. However, the levels of influence from these different social systems on the phenomenon, which bear intervention implications, are seldom explored. This qualitative study has found that family, school and peers have respectively exerted distal, predisposing and immediate effects on the phenomenon of young school dropouts. Based on the findings, works in different systems are recommended so that the problem of young school dropouts can be greatly reduced. © 2003 Taylor & Francis Ltd.postprin

Intermittent hypoxia-induced endothelial activation in EA.hy926 cells in vitro

INTRODUCTION: Obstructive sleep apnoea is characterised by repetitive episodes of complete or partial upper airway collapse during sleep, leading to recurrent drop in arterial oxygenation (intermittent hypoxia [IH]) and sleep fragmentation. Repetitive IH with rapid reversal to normoxia initiates a series of pathological events such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and sympathetic activation, all of which contributes to endothelial dysfunction (a predictor and precursor of atherosclerosis). The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of IH on the activation of endothelial cells in a cellular model in …published_or_final_versio

Neurcognitive and psychosocial outcomes of obstructive sleep apnea in Hong Kong Chinese

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Lung transplantation

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Infrared Solution‐Processed Quantum Dot Solar Cells Reaching External Quantum Efficiency of 80% at 1.35 µm and Jsc in Excess of 34 mA cm−2

Developing low‐cost photovoltaic absorbers that can harvest the short‐wave infrared (SWIR) part of the solar spectrum, which remains unharnessed by current Si‐based and perovskite photovoltaic technologies, is a prerequisite for making high‐efficiency, low‐cost tandem solar cells. Here, infrared PbS colloidal quantum dot (CQD) solar cells employing a hybrid inorganic–organic ligand exchange process that results in an external quantum efficiency of 80% at 1.35 µm are reported, leading to a short‐circuit current density of 34 mA cm−2 and a power conversion efficiency (PCE) up to 7.9%, which is a current record for SWIR CQD solar cells. When this cell is placed at the back of an MAPbI3 perovskite film, it delivers an extra 3.3% PCE by harnessing light beyond 750 nm.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Necrotizing Fasciitis of the Extremity Caused by Haemophilus influenzae Serotype b in a Healthy Adult

Haemophilus influenzae is a rare cause of necrotizing fasciitis with only a few previously reported cases. We describe the case of a 44-year-old man who had necrotizing fasciitis of the right lower extremity develop after intramuscular injections of paracetamol on his right buttock. The causative organism isolated was Haemophilus influenzae serotype b. This unusual infection was treated with repeated débridement and culture-guided antibiotics. There was no recurrence of infection at last followup 1 year after the initial surgery. Wound coverage was achieved with the use of a full-thickness skin graft after application of platelet-rich plasma and a dermal regeneration template. This resulted in a cosmetically acceptable appearance of the involved extremity for our patient

Is locking plate fixation a better option than casting for distal radius fracture in elderly people?

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Metabolic requirement of septic shock patients before and after liberation from mechanical ventilation

Objectives:Negative energy balance can impair regeneration of the respiratory epithelium and limit the functionality of respiratory muscles, which can prolong mechanical ventilation. The present study sought to quantify and identify the difference in energy expenditure of patients with septic shock during and upon liberation from mechanical ventilation. Methods:Patients admitted into intensive care with initial diagnosis of septic shock and mechanical ventilation-dependent were recruited. Their metabolic requirements before and after liberation from mechanical ventilation were measured by indirect calorimetry. A paired t-test was used to examine the variance between the two modes of breathing and a Spearman rho correlation coefficient to examine relationship of selected indicators.Results: Thirty-five patients, 20 males and 15 females mean age 69 ±10 years, body height of 1.58 ±0.08 meters, and ideal body mass 59.01 ±7.63 kg were recruited. Median APACHEII score was 22, length of stay in the intensive care was 45 ±65 days and duration on mechanical ventilation was 24 ±25 days. Measured energy expenditure during ventilation was 2090 ±489 kcal∙d-1 upon liberation from ventilation was 1910 ±579 kcal∙d-1 and actual caloric intake was 1148 ±495 kcal∙d-1. Measured energy expenditure (p=0.02), actual calories provision and energy expenditure with (p=0.00) and without (p=0.00) ventilator support were all significantly different. Mean carbohydrate oxidation was 0.17 ±0.09 g·min-1 when patients were on mechanical ventilation compared to 0.14 ±0.08 g·min-1 upon liberation, however, this difference was not statistically significant. Furthermore, mean lipid oxidation was 0.08 ±0.05 g·min-1 during mechanical ventilation and 0.09±0.07 g·min-1 upon liberation, which was also not statistically different. Comparison of carbohydrate utilization and lipid oxidation was not different during (0.7±0.36 vs 0.75±0.47 kcal·min-1) and upon liberation from mechanical ventilation (0.55±0.33 vs 0.78±0.59 kcal·min-1).Conclusions: This study examined energy expenditure and substrate oxidation within a single cohort of patients with and without mechanical ventilation. Measured energy expenditure was found to be higher during mechanical ventilation. The possible explanations were positive pressure support from ventilation, the repeated cycle of “rest” and “work” during weaning from ventilators and the asynchronization between self-initiated breathing effort and the ventilatory support. The change energy expenditure with and without ventilatory support should be monitored so that mismatch could be aligned. Future studies are important to examine whether matching energy expenditure with energy intake would promote positive outcomes.<br/

Intermittent hypoxia accelerates adipogenic differentiation in human subcutaneous preadipocytes in vitro

Poster Discussion Session - B30. Beast is Inside: What Causes the Adverse Outcomes of Sleep Disordered Breathing: no. A2704RATIONALE: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), characterized by intermittent hypoxia (IH), is highly associated with obesity. Depot-specific adipogenic differentiation, an important physiological mechanism in maintaining adipose tissue homeostasis, could be regulated by intracellular transcriptional factors, extracellular signaling pathways and inflammation in obesity. However, the impact of IH on adipogeneisis is unclear. This study aims at investigating the pathologic role of IH during the adipogenic differentiation process in human subcutaneous preadipocytes in …published_or_final_versio

Admission guidelines for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Hong Kong

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common condition in Hong Kong and many affected patients require frequent admissions to hospital. The indications for hospitalisation for Chinese COPD patients have not been described for the Hong Kong setting. We have therefore compiled these criteria which artificially divide the admission process into acute, sub- acute, and elective. Patients should be immediately hospitalised if there is an exacerbation complicated by severe dyspnoea or respiratory failure. Sub- acute admission is indicated for stabilisation of severe COPD complications and elective admission is indicated for long term treatment rationalisation.published_or_final_versio