Impact of interprofessional service-learning on the effectiveness of knowledge transfer of antimicrobial resistance to Hong Kong elders: a quasi-experiment.

BACKGROUND: Community perception on antimicrobials plays a role in driving the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of interprofessional service-learning on the effectiveness of AMR knowledge transfer in Hong Kong elders aged 65 or above and students from university and secondary schools. METHODS: A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest controlled study was carried out from July 2018 to March 2019 for elderly subjects and a pre- and post-test were conducted in students from May to August 2018. Elderly subjects were recruited from the university-based community outreach program. The community outreach team consisted of both university and secondary school students. Students were provided with training of geriatric care and AMR before they reached out to the community. The one-to-one intervention with the aid of video and verbal explanation to educate the elderly about the definition, causes, and consequences of AMR, and preventive measures against AMR was provided. Questionnaires on knowledge of antibiotics and AMR were used as tools to reflect on the effectiveness for both students and elderly subjects. The questionnaire was completed twice, before and 1 week after the intervention. Chi-square test, t tests and regression analysis were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: A total of 93 Chinese elders, 61 of them in the intervention group and 32 in the control group participated in the study. The score obtained by the intervention group increased from 40.1 to 83.3% (p < 0.001) following intervention, while that of control group increased from 33.0 to 44.0% (p < 0.001). The increase attained in the intervention group was significantly greater than that of the control group (p < 0.001). A total of 95 secondary students and 88 university students have completed the pre-post questionnaires with 42.21% and 13% increment in AMR knowledge after the training (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The significant change in knowledge level showed effective AMR knowledge transfer to both elders and students. The study could be used as a reference when allocating resources to implement effective interprofessional service-learning for better community health education in elderly populations. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was approved by the Chinese University of Hong Kong Survey and Behavioural Research Ethics Committee in December 2018 (Ref no. SBRE-18-214).

Burden of smoking in Asia-Pacific countries.

INTRODUCTION: Smoking is a modifiable risk factor for many diseases. The public should recognize the impact of smoking on their health and their wealth. The current study aimed to evaluate the cost burden of smoking to target Asia-Pacific countries. METHODS: The current study estimated the annual spending and lifetime spending of smokers in the target Asia-Pacific countries (Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea, Singapore, and Australia) on purchasing cigarettes, as well as predicted the revenue that could be generated if smokers spent the money on investment instead of buying cigarettes. Smokers' spending on cigarettes and the potential revenue generated from investment were estimated based on the selling prices of cigarettes, Standards & Poor's 500 Index, and life expectancies of smokers. Data were extracted from reports released by the World Health Organization or government authorities. RESULTS: The annual expenses (in US$) on purchasing one pack of cigarettes, in decreasing order, were: Australia ($5628.30), Singapore ($3777.75), Hong Kong ($2799.55), Malaysia ($1529.35), South Korea ($1467.30), and Thailand ($657.00). The lifetime spending on purchasing one pack of cigarettes each day were: Australia ($308993.67), Singapore ($207398.48), Hong Kong ($151735.61 for male and $166853.18 for female), South Korea ($80261.31), Malaysia ($72338.26), and Thailand ($31207.50). CONCLUSIONS: The cost burden of smoking is high from a smoker's perspective. Smokers should recognize the high economic burden and quit smoking to enjoy better health and wealth.

Pharmacologic Evidence of Green Tea in Targeting Tyrosine Kinases.

BACKGROUND: Green tea has been extensively studied for its potential health benefits against diseases, such as cancers, cognitive degenerative diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. METHODS: The authors undertook a structured search of peer-reviewed research articles from three databases including PubMed, Embase, and Ovid MEDLINE. Recent and up-to-date studies relevant to the topic were included. RESULTS: Green tea extract exerts its functions by interacting with multiple signalling pathways in human cells. Protein tyrosine kinase is one of the examples. Abnormal activation of tyrosine kinase is observed in some tumour cells. Green tea extract inhibits phosphorylation, reduces expression, or attenuates downstream signalling of epidermal growth factor receptor, insulin-like growth factor receptor, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, and non-receptor tyrosine kinase. Combination of green tea extract with tyrosine kinase inhibitors may provide synergistic effects by overcoming acquired resistance. CONCLUSION: Green tea extract can affect multiple receptor targets. In the current review, we discuss the pharmacological mechanisms of green tea on tyrosine kinases and their implications on common diseases.

Current and emerging pharmacotherapy for chronic spontaneous Urticaria: a focus on non-biological therapeutics.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) refers to urticaria (wheals) or angioedema, which occur for a period of six weeks or longer without an apparent cause. The condition may impair the patient's quality of life. AREAS COVERED: Treatment for CSU is mainly symptomatic. Both AAAAI/ACAAI practice parameters and EAACI/GA2LEN/EDF/WAO guidelines suggest CSU management in a stepwise manner. First-line therapy is with second-generation H1-antihistamines. Treatment should be stepped up along the algorithm if symptoms are not adequately controlled. Increasing the dosage of second-generation H1-antihistamines, with the addition of first-generation H1-antihistamines, H2 antagonist, omalizumab, ciclosporin A, or short-term corticosteroid may be necessary. New medications are being developed to treat refractory CSU. They include spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitor, Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor, prostaglandin D2 receptor inhibitor, H4-antihistamine, and other agents. The authors discuss these treatments and provide expert perspectives on the management of CSU. EXPERT OPINION: Second-generation H1-antihistamines remain the first-line therapeutic options for the management of CSU. For patients not responding to higher-dose H1-antihistamines, international guidelines recommend the addition of omalizumab. Efficacy and safety data for newer agents are still pending. Large-scale, well-designed, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials will further provide evidence on the safety profile and efficacy of these agents in patients with CSU.

An overview of drug discovery efforts for eczema: why is this itch so difficult to scratch?

Introduction: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a type of allergic/inflammatory dermatitis characterized by itch and an impairment in quality of life.Areas covered: Herein, the authors review drug discovery efforts for AD, highlighting the clinical efficacy of novel drugs, with a particular focus on the relief of pruritus. Topical agents include emollients, topical antihistamines, corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors and herbs. Recently, topical phosphodiesterase E4 (PDE4) inhibitors like crisaborole have become available and are efficacious for mild to moderate AD with few side effects. For more severe AD, monoclonal antibodies like dupilumab are considered as efficacious subcutaneous treatment options. In severe and recalcitrant AD, systemic treatment can ameliorate AD symptoms.Expert opinion: Many topical and systemic medications have demonstrated therapeutic benefits for AD. Indeed, randomized trials have shown that topical PDE4 inhibitors and subcutaneous dupilumab are safe and efficacious. Objective tools to evaluate itch and gauge treatment efficacy is important, but current methodology relies primarily on clinical scores. AD is a systemic atopic disease with a lot of complicated psychosocial issues. Suboptimal efficacy is often due to poor compliance and unrealistic expectation of curative treatment, rendering treatment difficult despite the existence of effective medications.