Assessing oral health and the minimally important differences in oral health-related quality of life of non-diabetic and diabetic patients: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Non-diabetics and diabetics might have different oral health problems and impacts on their oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Comparison of oral health status and coping strategies between these patients, and evaluation of factors associated with OHRQoL might facilitate better treatment planning for improved patient-centred outcome. METHODS: One hundred and eleven non-diabetics and 107 diabetics attending a public hospital were clinically examined and evaluated for coping strategies (abbreviated coping orientation to problems experienced) and OHRQoL [short-form oral health impact profile (OHIP-14S)]. Factors associated with OHRQoL were analysed through correlation/partial correlation. Minimally important differences (MID) of OHIP-14S were calculated to confirm associations between attachment loss, caries, and tooth loss with OHRQoL. RESULTS: Non-diabetics had worse periodontal status. Diabetics had more missing teeth. Non-diabetics and diabetics employed maladaptive coping to manage oral health problems. Overall, non-diabetics reported worse OHRQoL. Determination of MID showed that non-diabetics with high-severe attachment loss and <20 teeth experienced poorer OHRQoL. Diabetics with caries, high-severe attachment loss, and <25 teeth experienced poorer OHRQoL. CONCLUSION: Different factors were associated with OHRQoL of non-diabetics and diabetics. Delivery of treatment aimed at maintaining teeth in a periodontally healthy and caries free state, and provision of more chewing units might help improve OHRQoL of diabetics. © 2024 Australian Dental Association.

Consensus recommendations for the screening, diagnosis, and management of Helicobacter pylori infection in Hong Kong.

Helicobacter pylori infection causes chronic gastric inflammation that contributes to various gastroduodenal diseases, including peptic ulcer and gastric cancer. Despite broad regional variations, the prevalence of resistance to antibiotics used to manage H pylori infection is increasing worldwide; this trend could hinder the success of eradication therapy. To increase awareness of H pylori and improve the diagnosis and treatment of its infection in Hong Kong, our consensus panel proposed a set of guidance statements for disease management. We conducted a comprehensive review of literature published during 2011 and 2021, with a focus on articles from Hong Kong or other regions of China. We evaluated the evidence using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine's 2011 Levels of Evidence and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system and sought consensus through online voting and a subsequent face-to-face meeting, which enabled us to develop and refine the guidance statements. This report consists of 24 statements regarding the epidemiology and burden, screening and diagnosis, and treatment of H pylori. Key guidance statements include a recommendation to use the test-and-treat approach for high-risk individuals, as well as the confirmation that triple therapy with a proton pump inhibitor, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin remains a valid first-line option for adults and children in Hong Kong.

Integrating CT-based radiomic model with clinical features improves long-term prognostication in high-risk prostate cancer.

Objective: High-risk prostate cancer (PCa) is often treated by prostate-only radiotherapy (PORT) owing to its favourable toxicity profile compared to whole-pelvic radiotherapy. Unfortunately, more than 50% patients still developed disease progression following PORT. Conventional clinical factors may be unable to identify at-risk subgroups in the era of precision medicine. In this study, we aimed to investigate the prognostic value of pre-treatment planning computed tomography (pCT)-based radiomic features and clinical attributes to predict 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) in high-risk PCa patients following PORT. Materials and methods: A total of 176 biopsy-confirmed PCa patients who were treated at the Hong Kong Princess Margaret Hospital were retrospectively screened for eligibility. Clinical data and pCT of one hundred eligible high-risk PCa patients were analysed. Radiomic features were extracted from the gross-tumour-volume (GTV) with and without applying Laplacian-of-Gaussian (LoG) filter. The entire patient cohort was temporally stratified into a training and an independent validation cohort in a ratio of 3:1. Radiomics (R), clinical (C) and radiomic-clinical (RC) combined models were developed by Ridge regression through 5-fold cross-validation with 100 iterations on the training cohort. A model score was calculated for each model based on the included features. Model classification performance on 5-year PFS was evaluated in the independent validation cohort by average area-under-curve (AUC) of receiver-operating-characteristics (ROC) curve and precision-recall curve (PRC). Delong's test was used for model comparison. Results: The RC combined model which contains 6 predictive features (tumour flatness, root-mean-square on fine LoG-filtered image, prostate-specific antigen serum concentration, Gleason score, Roach score and GTV volume) was the best-performing model (AUC = 0.797, 95%CI = 0.768-0.826), which significantly outperformed the R-model (AUC = 0.795, 95%CI = 0.774-0.816) and C-model (AUC = 0.625, 95%CI = 0.585-0.665) in the independent validation cohort. Besides, only the RC model score significantly classified patients in both cohorts into progression and progression-free groups regarding their 5-year PFS (p< 0.05). Conclusion: Combining pCT-based radiomic and clinical attributes provided superior prognostication value regarding 5-year PFS in high-risk PCa patients following PORT. A large multi-centre study will potentially aid clinicians in implementing personalised treatment for this vulnerable subgroup in the future.

Influences of approaching tropical cyclones on water vapor and aerosols in the atmospheric boundary layer of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area of China.

The outer circulation of tropical cyclones (TCs) on the western North Pacific has been reported to substantially influence the atmospheric environment over the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA) of China, whereas dynamic evolution and redistribution of water vapor and aerosol in the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) responding to moving TCs have yet to be understood. This study aims to answer three key research questions related to the influences of the approaching TCs: (1) how do water vapor and aerosol particles over the GBA change during the TC approaching stage? (2) how does the ABL in terms of vertical wind structure respond to the approaching TCs? and (3) how does turbulence influence the vertical profile of aerosol during the approaching stage? Based on an intensive analysis of three-year reanalysis and Doppler LiDAR data, this study identified a dry-polluted time over the GBA when a TC was located at ~1000 km away on South China Sea. Before that, horizontal wind has consistently come from the northeast, creating a favorable condition for weak transboundary air pollution to the GBA. During the dry-polluted time, the highest surface PM2.5 concentration was resulted from the enhanced downdraft and early-stage wind shear, i.e., stronger wind started occurring at upper-level ABL, while the further turbulent mixing induced by wind shear enhancement and updrafts recovery pumped surface pollution upward to the upper level when TCs became closer. Our findings are expected to improve both weather and PM2.5 forecasts under the impacts of approaching TCs.

Computational Prediction and Experimental Realization of Earth-Abundant Transparent Conducting Oxide Ga-Doped ZnSb2O6.

Transparent conducting oxides have become ubiquitous in modern optoelectronics. However, the number of oxides that are transparent to visible light and have the metallic-like conductivity necessary for applications is limited to a handful of systems that have been known for the past 40 years. In this work, we use hybrid density functional theory and defect chemistry analysis to demonstrate that tri-rutile zinc antimonate, ZnSb2O6, is an ideal transparent conducting oxide and to identify gallium as the optimal dopant to yield high conductivity and transparency. To validate our computational predictions, we have synthesized both powder samples and single crystals of Ga-doped ZnSb2O6 which conclusively show behavior consistent with a degenerate transparent conducting oxide. This study demonstrates the possibility of a family of Sb(V)-containing oxides for transparent conducting oxide and power electronics applications.

Hong Kong Drug Allergy Delabelling Initiative (HK-DADI) consensus statements for penicillin allergy testing by nonallergists.

Introduction: Penicillin allergy testing has been traditionally performed by allergists, but there remains a huge deficit of specialists. A multidisciplinary effort with nonallergists would be invaluable to overcome the magnitude of penicillin allergy labels via the Hong Kong Drug Allergy Delabelling Initiative (HK-DADI). These consensus statements (CSs) offer recommendations and guidance to enable nonallergists to screen for low-risk (LR) patients and perform penicillin allergy testing. Methods: CSs were formulated by the HK-DADI Group using the Delphi method. An agreement was defined as greater than or equal to 80% consensus. Results: A total of 26 CSs reached consensus after multiple rounds of Delphi. CSs were categorized into risk assessment, skin testing, drug provocation testing (DPT), and post-testing management. For risk assessment, the essentials of allergy history and exclusion criteria were detailed. Patients with only LR features can proceed with testing by nonallergists. Skin tests should be performed prior to DPT. Details regarding the timing, preparation, and interpretation of skin tests were elaborated. DPT remains the gold standard to diagnose genuine allergy or tolerance and should be performed when there is a low pretest probability following negative skin testing. Details of DPT preparations, dosing protocols, and interpretation were elaborated. For post-testing management, inaccurate allergy labels should be delabeled following negative DPT with proper patient counseling. Conclusion: CSs support penicillin allergy testing by nonallergists in Hong Kong. LR cases can be managed by nonallergists at Spoke Clinics, with training and support of an allergist-led Hub.

High-dose proton pump inhibitors are associated with hospitalisation in bronchiectasis exacerbation.

BACKGROUND Bronchiectasis is a common respiratory disease complicated by periodic exacerbations. The association with different degrees of gastric acid suppression has not been well studied.METHODS A retrospective cohort study of 350 patients was conducted to investigate the association of different gastric acid suppressants with bronchiectasis exacerbation that required hospitalisation. Components of FACED (FEV1% predicted, age, chronic colonisation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, radiological extent of the disease, and dyspnoea) were adjusted in multivariate analysis.RESULTS Among patients with exacerbation of bronchiectasis, 52 (14.9%) required hospitalisation. Prescription of a high-dose of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) was associated with increased risk of bronchiectasis exacerbation requiring hospitalisation (adjusted OR 2.77, 95% CI 1.01-7.59; P = 0.05). There was no significant association with use of a histamine-2 receptor antagonist (H2RA) (OR 1.28, 95% CI 0.32-5.06) or low-dose PPI (OR 1.47, 95% CI 0.42-5.13). Nonetheless, patients prescribed a high dose of PPI required a significantly longer hospital stay for exacerbation (13.1 ± 1.4 days) than patients not prescribed a gastric acid suppressant (8.2 ± 2.6 days) or those on a low dose PPI (8.3 ± 1.3 days) and H2RA (6.50 ± 1.50 days).CONCLUSIONS Risk of bronchiectasis exacerbation requiring hospitalisation was increased among high-dose PPI users, but not those prescribed an H2RA or low-dose PPI.

Safety and effectiveness of low-dose aspirin for the prevention of gastrointestinal cancer in adults without atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: a population-based cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between low-dose aspirin and the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC), gastric cancer (GC), oesophageal cancer (EC) and gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) in adults without established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. DESIGN: Cohort study with propensity score matching of new-users of aspirin to non-users. SETTING: Clinical Data Analysis and Reporting System database, Hong Kong. PARTICIPANTS: Adults ≥40 years with a prescription start date of either low-dose aspirin (75-300 mg/daily) or paracetamol (non-aspirin users) between 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2008 without a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the first diagnosis of gastrointestinal cancer (either CRC, GC or EC) and the secondary outcome was GIB. Individuals were followed from index date of prescription until the earliest occurrence of an outcome of interest, an incident diagnosis of any type of cancer besides the outcome, death or until 31 December 2017. A competing risk survival analysis was used to estimate HRs and 95% CIs with death as the competing risk. RESULTS: After matching, 49 679 aspirin and non-aspirin users were included. The median (IQR) follow-up was 10.0 (6.4) years. HRs for low-dose aspirin compared with non-aspirin users were 0.83 for CRC (95% CI, 0.76 to 0.91), 0.77 for GC (95% CI, 0.65 to 0.92) and 0.88 for EC (95% CI, 0.67 to 1.16). Patients prescribed low-dose aspirin had an increased risk of GIB (HR 1.15, 95% CI, 1.11 to 1.20), except for patients prescribed proton pump inhibitors or histamine H2-receptor antagonists (HR 1.03, 95% CI, 0.96 to 1.10). CONCLUSION: In this cohort study of Chinese adults, patients prescribed low-dose aspirin had reduced risks of CRC and GC and an increased risk of GIB. Among the subgroup of patients prescribed gastroprotective agents at baseline, however, the association with GIB was attenuated.

Effects of strict public health measures on seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies during pregnancy.

INTRODUCTION: A substantial number of people infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) remain asymptomatic throughout the course of infection. Nearly half of pregnant women with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are asymptomatic upon diagnosis; these cases are not without risk of maternal morbidity. Here, we investigated the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in an unselected sample of pregnant women in Hong Kong. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included pregnant women who presented for routine Down syndrome screening (DSS) between November 2019 and October 2020; all women subsequently delivered at the booking hospitals. Serum antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were analysed using a qualitative serological assay in paired serum samples taken at DSS and delivery for all participants. RESULTS: In total, 1830 women were recruited. Six women (0.33%) were seropositive at the DSS visit; this seropositivity persisted until delivery. Of the six women, none reported relevant symptoms during pregnancy; one reported a travel history before DSS and one reported relevant contact history. The interval between sample collections was 177 days (range, 161-195). Among women with epidemiological risk factors, 1.79% with travel history, 50% with relevant contact history, and 0.77% with community SARS-CoV-2 testing history, were seropositive. CONCLUSION: The low seroprevalence in this study suggests that strict public health measures are effective for preventing SARS-CoV-2 transmission. However, these measures cannot be maintained indefinitely. Until a highly effective therapeutic drug targeting SARS-CoV-2 becomes available, vaccination remains the best method to control the COVID-19 pandemic.

New developments in defecatory studies based on biomechatronics.

Introduction: Defecation is a complex process that is difficult to study and analyze directly. In anorectal disease conditions, the defecation process may be disturbed, resulting in symptoms including fecal incontinence and constipation. Current state-of-the-art technology measures various aspects of anorectal function but detailed analysis is impossible because they are stand-alone tests rather than an integrated multi-dimensional test. Objectives: The need for physiologically-relevant and easy-to-use diagnostic tests for identifying underlying mechanisms is substantial. We aimed to advance the field with integrated technology for anorectal function assessment. Methods: We developed a simulated stool named Fecobionics that integrates several tests to assess defecation pressures, dimensions, shape, orientation and bending during evacuation. A novelty is that pressures are measured in axial direction, i.e. in the direction of the trajectory. Using this novel tool, we present new analytical methods to calculate physiologically relevant parameters during expulsion in normal human subjects. Results: Data are reported from 28 human subjects with progressively more advanced versions of Fecobionics. A new concept utilizes the rear-front pressure (preload-afterload) diagram for computation of novel defecation indices. Fecobionics obtained physiological data that cannot be obtained with current state-of-the-art technologies. Conclusion: Fecobionics measures well known parameters such as expulsion time and pressures as well as new metrics including defecation indices. The study suggests that Fecobionics is effective in evaluation of key defecatory parameters and well positioned as an integrated technology for assessment of anorectal function and dysfunction.