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1.
Hong Kong Med J ; 30 Suppl 3(3): 3, 2024 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38962913
2.
Hong Kong Med J ; 30 Suppl 1(1): 3, 2024 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38413203
3.
Hong Kong Med J ; 29 Suppl 7(6): 3, 2023 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38148647
4.
Hong Kong Med J ; 29 Suppl 4(4): 3, 2023 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37690797
5.
Hong Kong Med J ; 29 Suppl 3(3): 3, 2023 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37357581
6.
Bioinspir Biomim ; 18(4)2023 06 16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37230084

ABSTRACT

Needles are commonly used in medical procedures. However, current needle designs have some disadvantages. Therefore, a new generation of hypodermic needles and microneedle patches drawing inspiration from mechanisms found in nature (i.e. bioinspiration) is being developed. In this systematic review, 80 articles were retrieved from Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed and classified based on the strategies for needle-tissue interaction and propulsion of the needle. The needle-tissue interaction was modified to reduce grip for smooth needle insertion or enlarge grip to resist needle retraction. The reduction of grip can be achieved passively through form modification and actively through translation and rotation of the needle. To enlarge grip, interlocking with the tissue, sucking the tissue, and adhering to the tissue were identified as strategies. Needle propelling was modified to ensure stable needle insertion, either through external (i.e. applied to the prepuncturing movement of the needle) or internal (i.e. applied to the postpuncturing movement of the needle) strategies. External strategies include free-hand and guided needle insertion, while friction manipulation of the tissue was found to be an internal strategy. Most needles appear to be using friction reduction strategies and are inserted using a free-hand technique. Furthermore, most needle designs were inspired by insects, specifically parasitoid wasps, honeybees, and mosquitoes. The presented overview and description of the different bioinspired interaction and propulsion strategies provide insight into the current state of bioinspired needles and offer opportunities for medical instrument designers to create a new generation of bioinspired needles.


Subject(s)
Needles , Wasps , Animals , Rotation , Friction , Drug Delivery Systems
7.
Hong Kong Med J ; 29 Suppl 2(1): 3, 2023 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36950995
8.
Hong Kong Med J ; 29 Suppl 1(1): 3, 2023 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36919208
9.
mBio ; 14(2): e0337922, 2023 04 25.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36815780

ABSTRACT

Convalescent plasma is a promising therapy for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but its efficacy in intensive care unit (ICU) patients in low- and middle-income country settings such as Suriname is unknown. Bedside plasma separation using the HemoClear device made convalescent plasma therapy accessible as a treatment option in Suriname. Two hundred patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection requiring intensive care were recruited. Fifty eight patients (29%) received COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) treatment in addition to standard of care (SOC). The CCP treatment and SOC groups were matched by age, sex, and disease severity scores. Mortality in the CCP treatment group was significantly lower than that in the SOC group (21% versus 39%; Fisher's exact test P = 0.0133). Multivariate analysis using ICU days showed that CCP treatment reduced mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 0.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.18 to 0.66; P = 0.001), while complication of acute renal failure (creatinine levels, >110 mol/L; HR, 4.45; 95% CI, 2.54 to 7.80; P < 0.0001) was independently associated with death. Decrease in chest X-ray score in the CCP treatment group (median -3 points, interquartile range [IQR] -4 to -1) was significantly greater than that in the SOC group (median -1 point, IQR -3 to 1, Mann-Whitney test P = 0.0004). Improvement in the PaO2/FiO2 ratio was also significantly greater in the CCP treatment group (median 83, IQR 8 to 140) than in the SOC group (median 35, IQR -3 to 92, Mann-Whitney P = 0.0234). Further research is needed for HemoClear-produced CCP as a therapy for SARS-CoV-2 infection together with adequately powered, randomized controlled trials. IMPORTANCE This study compares mortality and other endpoints between intensive care unit COVID-19 patients treated with convalescent plasma plus standard of care (CCP), and a control group of patients hospitalized in the same medical ICU facility treated with standard of care alone (SOC) in a low- and middle-income country (LMIC) setting using bedside donor whole blood separation by gravity (HemoClear) to produce the CCP. It demonstrates a significant 65% survival improvement in HemoClear-produced CCP recipients (HR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.19 to 0.66; P = 0.001). Although this is an exploratory study, it clearly shows the benefit of using the HemoClear-produced CCP in ICU patients in the Suriname LMIC setting. Additional studies could further substantiate our findings and their applicability for both LMICs and high-income countries and the use of CCP as a prepared readiness method to combat new viral pandemics.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Humans , COVID-19/therapy , COVID-19/etiology , SARS-CoV-2 , Suriname/epidemiology , COVID-19 Serotherapy , Critical Care , Intensive Care Units , Immunization, Passive/methods , Treatment Outcome
10.
Preprint in English | medRxiv | ID: ppmedrxiv-22283287

ABSTRACT

Convalescent plasma is a promising therapy for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but its efficacy in intensive care unit (ICU) patients in a low and middle income country setting such as Suriname is unknown. Bedside plasma separation using the HemoClear device made convalescent plasma therapy accessible as treatment option in Suriname. Two hundred patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection requiring intensive care were recruited. Fifty eight patients (29%) received COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) treatment in addition to standard of care (SOC). The CCP treatment and SOC groups were matched by age, sex, and disease severity scores. Mortality in the CCP treatment group was significantly lower than in the SOC group (21% versus 39%; Fishers exact P = 0.0133). Multivariate analysis using ICU days showed that CCP treatment reduced mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 0.35; 95% CI, 0.18-0.66; P = 0.001), while complication of acute renal failure (creatinine levels >110 mol/L; HR, 4.45; 95%CI, 2.54-7.80; P < 0.0001) was independently associated with death. Decrease in chest X-ray score in the CCP treatment group (median -3 points, IQR -4 to -1) was significantly greater than in the SOC group (median -1 point, IQR -3 to 1, Mann Whitney P = 0.0004). Improvement in PaO2/FiOs ratio was also significantly greater in the CCP treatment group (median 83, IQR 8 to 140) than in the SOC group (median 35, IQR -3 to 92, Mann Whitney P = 0.0234). Further research is needed for HemoClear-produced CCP as therapy in SARS-CoV-2 infections together with adequately powered, randomized controlled trials. ImportanceThis study compares mortality and other endpoints between intensive care unit (ICU) COVID-19 patients treated with convalescent plasma plus standard of care (CCP), and a control group of patients hospitalized in the same medical ICU facility treated with standard of care alone (SOC) in a low and middle income country (LMIC) setting using bedside donor whole blood separation by gravity (HemoClear) to produce the CCP. It demonstrates a significant 65% survival improvement in HemoClear-produced CCP recipients (HR 0.35; 95% CI, 0.19-0.66; P = 0.001). Although this is an exploratory study, it clearly shows the benefit of using the HemoClear-produced CCP in ICU patients in the Suriname LMIC setting. Additional studies can further substantiate our findings and their applicability to both LMICs and high income countries and the use of CCP as a prepared readiness method to combat new viral pandemics.

12.
Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) ; 34(8): e355-e364, 2022 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35595594

ABSTRACT

AIMS: The British Oncology Network for Undergraduate Societies (BONUS) surveyed students who attended an oncology revision day to determine their views on the current quantity, quality and type of curriculum-based oncology teaching they have experienced. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Students attending two BONUS revision days received a questionnaire assessing their experience of oncology teaching within the medical curriculum and interest in pursuing a future career in oncology using a 10-point Likert scale. Data were collected with informed consent to be anonymised and used for research. Student demographics and qualitative and quantitative data about experiences of oncology education were analysed. RESULTS: In total, 451 students registered to attend the revision days. After removal of duplicates, non-responders and non-UK participants, responses from 153 students studying across years 1-6 at 22 UK medical schools were analysed. The mean quantity of oncology lectures students reported receiving was 8.9 hours and the mean quantity of clinic/ward-based oncology teaching was 7.5 hours. Ninety (62.1%) of the 145 students who responded to the relevant question reported that they had received dedicated teaching in oncology. Students who had received dedicated oncology teaching reported a statistically significantly higher mean quality 6.1 (95% confidence interval 5.6-6.5) versus 5.0 (95% confidence interval 4.3-5.5; P = 0.003) and quantity 5.2 (95% confidence interval 4.7-5.6) versus 4.3 (95% confidence interval 3.7-4.9; P = 0.03) of oncology teaching compared with those who had not received this. CONCLUSION: Appropriate oncology education is essential for all medical students due to the high prevalence of cancer. All future doctors need the appropriate knowledge and communication skills to care for cancer patients. Our analysis provides quantitative evidence to support the value of specialist oncology teaching within the medical school curriculum in improving student-reported experience. National student-led revision days and events may widen interest in a future career in oncology and aid collaboration between oncology societies. It is important for the general undergraduate medical curriculum to integrate specialty content. An integrated curriculum should facilitate a holistic approach that spans prevention, screening, treatment and palliation rather than being split by subspeciality.


Subject(s)
Education, Medical, Undergraduate , Students, Medical , Curriculum , Humans , Medical Oncology , United Kingdom
13.
BJS Open ; 5(5)2021 09 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34601569

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is increasingly being recognized after hepatectomy. This study aimed to identify factors predicting its occurrence and its impact on long-term outcome among patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of the incidence of AKI, factors predicting its occurrence, and its impact on patients undergoing hepatectomy between September 2007 and December 2018. A subgroup analysis included patients with histologically proven HCC. RESULTS: The incidence of AKI was 9.2 per cent in 930 patients. AKI was associated with increased mortality, morbidity, posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF), and a longer hospital stay. On multivariable analysis, study period December 2013 to December 2018, diabetes mellitus, mean intraoperative BP below 72.1 mmHg, operative blood loss exceeding 377ml, high Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, and PHLF were predictive factors for AKI. Among 560 patients with HCC, hypertension, BP below 76.9 mmHg, blood loss greater than 378ml, MELD score, and PHLF were predictive factors. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 74.1, 59.2, and 51.6 per cent respectively for patients with AKI, and 91.8, 77.9, and 67.3 per cent for those without AKI. Corresponding 1-, 3-, and 5-year disease-free survival rates were 56.9, 42.3, and 35.4 per cent respectively in the AKI group, and 71.7, 54.5, and 46.2 per cent in the no-AKI group. AKI was an independent predictor of survival in multivariable analysis. CONCLUSION: AKI is associated with longer hospital stay, and higher morbidity and mortality rates. It is also associated with shorter long-term survival among patients with HCC. To avoid AKI, control of blood loss and maintaining a reasonable BP (72-77 mmHg) during hepatectomy is important.


Subject(s)
Acute Kidney Injury , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular , End Stage Liver Disease , Liver Neoplasms , Acute Kidney Injury/epidemiology , Acute Kidney Injury/etiology , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/surgery , Hepatectomy/adverse effects , Humans , Liver Neoplasms/surgery , Retrospective Studies , Severity of Illness Index
14.
Br J Surg ; 108(11): 1315-1322, 2021 11 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34467970

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of information regarding the provision of parental leave for surgical careers. This survey study aims to evaluate the experience of maternity/paternity leave and views on work-life balance globally. METHODS: A 55-item online survey in 24 languages was distributed via social media as per CHERRIES guideline from February to March 2020. It explored parental leave entitlements, attitude towards leave taking, financial impact, time spent with children and compatibility of parenthood with surgical career. RESULTS: Of the 1393 (male : female, 514 : 829) respondents from 65 countries, there were 479 medical students, 349 surgical trainees and 513 consultants. Consultants had less than the recommended duration of maternity leave (43.8 versus 29.1 per cent), no paid maternity (8.3 versus 3.2 per cent) or paternity leave (19.3 versus 11.0 per cent) compared with trainees. Females were less likely to have children than males (36.8 versus 45.6 per cent, P = 0.010) and were more often told surgery is incompatible with parenthood (80.2 versus 59.5 per cent, P < 0.001). Males spent less than 20 per cent of their salary on childcare and fewer than 30 hours/week with their children. More than half (59.2 per cent) of medical students did not believe a surgical career allowed work-life balance. CONCLUSION: Surgeons across the globe had inadequate parental leave. Significant gender disparity was seen in multiple aspects.


Subject(s)
Career Choice , Internship and Residency/statistics & numerical data , Parental Leave/statistics & numerical data , Students, Medical/statistics & numerical data , Surgeons/statistics & numerical data , Surveys and Questionnaires , Adult , Attitude of Health Personnel , Female , Humans , Male , Sex Factors , Young Adult
15.
Lung Cancer ; 157: 21-29, 2021 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34052705

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: MEK inhibition is a potential therapeutic strategy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This phase I study evaluates the MEK inhibitor binimetinib plus carboplatin and pemetrexed in stage IV non-squamous NSCLC patients (NCT02185690). METHODS: A standard 3 + 3 dose-escalation design was used. Binimetinib 30 mg BID (dose level 1 [DL1]) or 45 mg BID (dose level 2 [DL2]) was given with standard doses of carboplatin and pemetrexed using an intermittent dosing schedule. The primary outcome was determination of the recommended phase II dose (RP2D) and safety of binimetinib. Secondary outcomes included efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and an exploratory analysis of response based on mutation subtype. RESULTS: Thirteen patients (6 DL1, 7 DL2) were enrolled: 7 KRAS, 5 EGFR, and 1 NRAS mutation. The RP2D was binimetinib 30 mg BID. Eight patients (61.5%) had grade 3/4 adverse events, with dose limiting toxicities in 2 patients at DL2. Twelve patients were evaluated for response, with an investigator-assessed objective response rate (ORR) of 50% (95% CI 21.1%-78.9%; ORR 33.3% by independent-review, IR), and disease control rate 83.3% (95% CI 51.6%-97.9%). Median progression free survival (PFS) was 4.5 months (95% CI 2.6 months-NA), with a 6-month and 12-month PFS rate of 38.5% (95% CI 19.3%-76.5%) and 25.6% (95% CI 8.9%-73.6%), respectively. In an exploratory analysis, KRAS/NRAS-mutated patients had an ORR of 62.5% (ORR 37.5% by IR) vs. 25% in KRAS/NRAS wild-type patients. In MAP2K1-mutated patients, the ORR was 42.8%. CONCLUSION: The addition of binimetinib to carboplatin and pemetrexed appears to have manageable toxicity with evidence of activity in advanced non-squamous NSCLC.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung , Lung Neoplasms , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Benzimidazoles , Carboplatin/therapeutic use , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/drug therapy , Humans , Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy , Lung Neoplasms/genetics , Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases/therapeutic use , Pemetrexed/therapeutic use , Treatment Outcome
17.
J Hosp Infect ; 106(2): 226-231, 2020 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32652214

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In late 2019, a novel human coronavirus - severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) - emerged in Wuhan, China. This virus has caused a global pandemic involving more than 200 countries. SARS-CoV-2 is highly adapted to humans and readily transmits from person-to-person. AIM: To investigate the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 under various environmental and pH conditions. The efficacies of various laboratory virus inactivation methods and home disinfectants against SARS-CoV-2 were investigated. METHODS: The residual virus in dried form or in solution was titrated on to Vero E6 cells on days 0, 1, 3, 5 and 7 after incubation at different temperatures. Viral viability was determined after treatment with various disinfectants and pH solutions at room temperature (20-25oC). FINDINGS: SARS-CoV-2 was able to retain viability for 3-5 days in dried form or 7 days in solution at room temperature. SARS-CoV-2 could be detected under a wide range of pH conditions from pH 4 to pH 11 for several days, and for 1-2 days in stool at room temperature but lost 5 logs of infectivity. A variety of commonly used disinfectants and laboratory inactivation procedures were found to reduce viral viability effectively. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the stability of SARS-CoV-2 on environmental surfaces, and raises the possibility of faecal-oral transmission. Commonly used fixatives, nucleic acid extraction methods and heat inactivation were found to reduce viral infectivity significantly, which could ensure hospital and laboratory safety during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.


Subject(s)
Betacoronavirus/growth & development , Betacoronavirus/pathogenicity , Coronavirus Infections/physiopathology , Microbial Viability , Pneumonia, Viral/physiopathology , Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome/pathology , Virulence , Virus Inactivation , COVID-19 , China/epidemiology , Coronavirus Infections/epidemiology , Humans , Pandemics , Pneumonia, Viral/epidemiology , SARS-CoV-2 , Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome/epidemiology
18.
Obstet Med ; 13(1): 41-44, 2020 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32284732

ABSTRACT

Antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides are rare small vessel vasculitides of unknown cause. The pathogenic role of MPO-ANCA in the vasculitides has been supported using various animal models, with B-cells playing a role in the disease pathogenesis. Pregnancy in the presence of an autoimmune disease such as vasculitis is often associated with significant morbidity. Little is known about the outcomes when women present with de novo vasculitis during pregnancy, and the appropriate management of such presentations is unclear. We describe a case of a 33-year-old female presenting in her second pregnancy with new onset ANCA vasculitis at 12 weeks' gestation. She was successfully treated with prednisolone and rituximab, and delivered a healthy 2.8 kg boy at 36 weeks' gestation with no clinical manifestations of vasculitis or neutropenia in the neonate.

19.
Hong Kong Med J ; 25(2): 94-101, 2019 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30919808

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) reduces postoperative length of hospital stay and patient stress response to liver surgery. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of an ERAS programme for liver resection. METHODS: A multidisciplinary ERAS protocol was implemented for both open and laparoscopic liver resection in a tertiary hospital in Hong Kong. The clinical outcomes of patients who underwent liver resection and underwent the ERAS perioperative programme were compared with those who received a conventional perioperative programme between September 2015 and July 2016. Propensity score matching analysis was used to minimise background differences. RESULTS: A total of 20 patients who underwent liver resection were recruited to the ERAS programme. Their clinical outcomes were compared with another 20 patients who received hepatectomy under a conventional perioperative programme after propensity score matching. The ERAS programme was associated with a significantly shorter length of hospital stay (P=0.033) without an increase in complication rates in patients who underwent open liver resection. There was no such significant association in patients who underwent laparoscopic liver resection. No patients required readmission in this cohort. CONCLUSIONS: The ERAS perioperative programme for liver resection is safe and feasible. It significantly shortened the hospital stay after open liver resection but not after laparoscopic liver resection.


Subject(s)
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery/standards , Hepatectomy/adverse effects , Laparoscopy , Length of Stay/statistics & numerical data , Adult , Aged , Feasibility Studies , Female , Hepatectomy/mortality , Hepatectomy/rehabilitation , Hong Kong , Humans , Logistic Models , Male , Middle Aged , Patient Readmission/statistics & numerical data , Postoperative Complications/prevention & control , Propensity Score , Prospective Studies , Recovery of Function , Tertiary Care Centers
20.
Ann Oncol ; 28(11): 2761-2767, 2017 11 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29112701

ABSTRACT

Background: Combination pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and docetaxel (D) is considered standard first-line treatment of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive metastatic breast cancer. This post hoc, exploratory analysis of CLEOPATRA study data evaluated the clinical effects of D treatment duration within this regimen. The clinical benefits of pertuzumab and trastuzumab by different durations of D treatment were also evaluated. Patients and methods: Patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer received trastuzumab and D plus pertuzumab or placebo. Clinical outcomes were analyzed by the number of D cycles that patients received (<6D, 6D, or >6D). Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for each treatment arm within each D cycle group were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier approach. Time-dependent, multivariate Cox regression was applied to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for HER2-targeted therapy and D cycle groups. Results: Overall, 804 patients received <6D (n = 119), 6D (n = 210), or >6D (n = 475) cycles. After adjusting for pertuzumab benefits versus placebo (PFS HR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.51-0.74, P < 0.0001; OS HR = 0.60, 95% CI, 0.49-0.74, P < 0.0001), >6D versus 6D cycles was not associated with statistically significant improvements in PFS (HR = 0.80, 95% CI 0.63-1.01, P = 0.0640) or OS (HR = 0.88, 95% CI 0.69-1.12, P = 0.3073). Consistent improvements in PFS and OS were observed with pertuzumab versus placebo, irrespective of D duration. The HRs for PFS were 0.395, 0.615, and 0.633 for <6D, 6D, and >6D cycles, respectively (P < 0.05 for all D cycle groups). Corresponding HRs for OS were 0.577, 0.700, and 0.612, respectively (P < 0.05 for <6D and >6D). Conclusions: After accounting for pertuzumab benefits, more than six cycles of D treatment was not associated with significant improvements in either PFS or OS compared with six cycles. The addition of pertuzumab to trastuzumab improved clinical outcomes versus trastuzumab plus placebo, regardless of D treatment duration. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00567190.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/therapeutic use , Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy , Docetaxel/therapeutic use , Receptor, ErbB-2/metabolism , Trastuzumab/therapeutic use , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism , Breast Neoplasms, Male/drug therapy , Disease-Free Survival , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Placebos/administration & dosage , Young Adult
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