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2.
J Intellect Disabil Res ; 68(1): 53-63, 2024 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37723929

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Skills such as planning and problem solving that are required in self-determination can be cognitively demanding. It has not yet been examined whether executive functions and intelligence are associated with levels of self-determination in individuals with intellectual disability (ID), and how that is related to quality of life (QoL). This study examined the associations among executive functions, intelligence, self-determination, and QoL in adolescents with ID. METHODS: Seventy-nine adolescents aged between 17 and 20 years with mild ID participated in the study. Executive functions were assessed by experimental tasks. Non-verbal IQ and survey data regarding QoL and self-determination capacity were collected from the participants. RESULTS: In a regression model with QoL as the dependent variable, only executive planning and self-determination capacity (but not working memory, inhibition and IQ) were significant predictors of QoL. Two mediation models were tested based on the hypotheses, literature and current findings. Model 1 revealed that executive planning had a negative direct effect on QoL when the mediator, self-determination capacity, was held constant. Model 2 indicated that the significant association between self-determination and QoL was not mediated by executive planning. CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlighted the crucial significance of self-determination, in comparison with executive functions and intelligence, for improving the QoL in adolescents with ID. Importantly, higher executive planning skill was even associated with lower QoL if self-determination was not concurrently strengthened. These findings carry implications for the design of education and intervention programmes aimed at improving QoL of adolescents with ID.


Subject(s)
Intellectual Disability , Humans , Adolescent , Young Adult , Adult , Quality of Life , Executive Function/physiology , Memory, Short-Term/physiology , Intelligence
3.
Bone Marrow Transplant ; 58(5): 478-490, 2023 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36849807

ABSTRACT

Cardiovascular diseases are an emerging cause of mortality and morbidity in survivors of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT); however, the incidence of cardiovascular events (CVEs) in this population is not well described. This systematic review summarizes the evidence on the incidence of CVEs in HSCT recipients. Medline and Embase were searched from inception to December 2020. Inclusion criteria were cohort studies and phase 3 randomized controlled trials that reported CVEs among adults who underwent HSCT for hematological malignancies. After reviewing 8386 citations, 57 studies were included. The incidence of CVEs at 100 days was 0.19 (95% CI: 0.17-0.21) per 100 person-days after autologous HSCT and 0.06 (95% CI: 0.05-0.07) per 100 person-days after allogeneic HSCT. This higher incidence after autologous HSCT was driven by reports of arrhythmia from one population-based study in patients with multiple myeloma. The incidence of long-term CVEs was 3.98 (95% CI; 3.44-4.63) per 1000 person-years in survivors of autologous HSCT and 3.06 (95% CI; 2.69-3.48) per 1000 person-years in survivors of allogeneic HSCT. CVEs remain an important but under-reported cause of morbidity and mortality in recipients of HSCT. Future studies are required to better understand the incidence and risk factors for CVEs in HSCT recipients.


Subject(s)
Cardiovascular Diseases , Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation , Adult , Humans , Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects , Transplantation, Autologous/adverse effects , Cohort Studies , Risk Factors , Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology , Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology
4.
CNS Spectr ; : 1-22, 2021 Jan 28.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33706820

ABSTRACT

Cognitive impairment is common in bipolar disorder and is emerging as a therapeutic target to enhance quality of life and function. A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, PsycInfo, Cochrane, clinicaltrials.gov, and Embase databases for blinded or open-label randomized controlled trials evaluating the pro-cognitive effects of pharmacological, neurostimulation, or psychological interventions for bipolar disorder. Twenty-two trials were identified, evaluating a total of 16 different pro-cognitive interventions. The methodological quality of the identified trials were assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Currently, no intervention (i.e., pharmacologic, neurostimulation, cognitive remediation) has demonstrated robust and independent pro-cognitive effects in adults with bipolar disorder. Findings are preliminary and methodological limitations limit the interpretation of results. Methodological considerations including, but not limited to, the enrichment with populations with pre-treatment cognitive impairment, as well as the inclusion of individuals who are in remission are encouraged. Future trials may also consider targeting interventions to specific cognitive subgroups and the use of biomarkers of cognitive function.

7.
Hong Kong Med J ; 25(6): 468-472, 2019 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31796641

ABSTRACT

The popularity of in vitro fertilisation has continuously increased throughout the past 40 years owing to an increased incidence of infertility and delayed planning for pregnancy. The aim of this paper is to review the current situation of in vitro fertilisation in Hong Kong. In Hong Kong, in 2018, 7995 women underwent 5055 fresh and 5050 frozen-thawed embryo in vitro fertilisation cycles, resulting in an ongoing pregnancy rate of 33.7% per transfer. However, in vitro fertilisation is associated with several problems, including a high rate of multiple pregnancies and risks associated with cross-border reproductive care. Single embryo transfer is a simple strategy to reduce multiple pregnancies without compromising the cumulative live birth rate.


Subject(s)
Fertilization in Vitro/statistics & numerical data , Adult , Female , Hong Kong , Humans , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Outcome
8.
Vet J ; 244: 7-12, 2019 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30825898

ABSTRACT

Identifying potential risk factors for urethral obstruction in male cats may help in disease prevention. The aims of this study were to assess whether breed, pedigree status, age, bodyweight and body condition score (BCS) are risk factors for urethral obstruction in castrated male cats using a primary care population. Within this, a specific question was whether any increase in rate of urethral obstruction in male cats due to excess body condition is because of higher bodyweight. A retrospective hospital-based matched case-control study was performed using 195 cases of urethral obstruction in castrated male cats and 195 control consultations for cats presenting to a feline-only first opinion veterinary practice in Brisbane, Australia. The incidence rate of urethral obstruction did not vary significantly with bodyweight but increased with BCS (incidence rate ratio 1.6; 95% CI 1.2-2.1; P<0.001). The effect of BCS was not due to high BCS cats having higher bodyweights. The incidence was lower in Burmese cats compared to Domestic shorthair cats (incidence rate ratio 0.1; 95% CI 0.0-0.4; P=0.001), and higher in non-pedigree cats compared to pedigree cats (incidence rate ratio 2.8; 95% CI 1.7-4.6; P<0.001). Incidence rate ratios increased with age to 2 to 4years (the ages with highest incidences) then progressively declined with each additional year of age. Further research is needed to define why there is a positive association between BCS and rate of urethral obstruction. In the interim, clinicians should encourage owners of castrated male pet cats to ensure their cat's BCS is not high.


Subject(s)
Cat Diseases/epidemiology , Urethral Obstruction/veterinary , Animals , Body Weight , Breeding , Case-Control Studies , Cat Diseases/physiopathology , Cats , Incidence , Male , Orchiectomy/veterinary , Queensland/epidemiology , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors , Urethral Obstruction/epidemiology
9.
Hong Kong Med J ; 24(3): 245-251, 2018 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29848787

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Three-dimensional (3D) laparoscopy is now available as an alternative to conventional two-dimensional (2D) laparoscopy for ovarian cystectomy. However, the clinical value of 3D laparoscopy in benign gynaecological surgery remains uncertain. This study evaluated whether 3D laparoscopy had any advantages over 2D laparoscopy for ovarian cystectomy for apparently benign ovarian cysts. METHODS: This prospective randomised study involved patients undergoing laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy. The primary outcomes were the duration of cystectomy and surgeon's Global Operative Assessment of Laparoscopic Skills (GOALS) score. The secondary outcomes were the preferences, perceptions, and adverse effects reported by the participating surgeons. RESULTS: There were 38 patients assigned to the 2D laparoscopy group and 37 patients assigned to the 3D laparoscopy group. Participating surgeons in the 2D group reported more efficient tissue handling than did those in the 3D group (mean [standard deviation] rating score, 4.2 [0.8] vs 3.8 [0.8]; P=0.033). Duration of cystectomy (47.6 [32.0] min vs 51.6 [36.2] min; P=0.198) and overall GOALS score (20.8 [3.9] vs 20.1 [3.3]; P=0.393) were similar between both groups. Participating surgeons in the 2D group reported nausea, dizziness, ocular fatigue, and blurring of vision less frequently than did those in the 3D group (5.3% vs 45.9%; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: There were no significant benefits to using 3D laparoscopy compared with conventional 2D laparoscopy for ovarian cystectomy, and 3D laparoscopy may cause more frequent adverse effects in surgeons.


Subject(s)
Laparoscopy/adverse effects , Laparoscopy/methods , Ovarian Cysts/surgery , Surgeons , Adult , Female , Hong Kong , Humans , Intraoperative Period , Nausea/etiology , Ovariectomy/methods , Ovary/surgery , Prospective Studies
10.
Anaesthesia ; 72(10): 1225-1229, 2017 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28741652

ABSTRACT

We recruited 144 women of whom 131 underwent scheduled caesarean section and were allocated to intrathecal bupivacaine without (46) or with (47) morphine and postoperative rectus sheath bupivacaine; or intrathecal bupivacaine with morphine and postoperative rectus sheath saline (38). We measured postoperative pain with a 10-point numeric rating scale. The mean (SD) areas under the curve for pain on movement during 48 postoperative hours were 273.5 (63.6), 223.8 (80.7) and 223.8 (80.7), respectively, p = 0.008. There was no difference between women who had intrathecal morphine with or without rectus sheath bupivacaine, p = 1. The equivalent values for pain at rest were 160.8 (64.7), 85.8 (79.4) and 82.8 (74.3), respectively, p < 0.001. There was no difference between women who had intrathecal morphine with or without rectus sheath bupivacaine, p = 0.98.


Subject(s)
Analgesics, Opioid/administration & dosage , Anesthetics, Local/administration & dosage , Bupivacaine/administration & dosage , Cesarean Section/adverse effects , Morphine/administration & dosage , Pain, Postoperative/prevention & control , Adult , Anesthesia, Obstetrical/methods , Female , Humans , Injections, Spinal , Nerve Block/methods , Pain Measurement/methods , Pain, Postoperative/etiology , Pregnancy
11.
Hong Kong Med J ; 22(4): 334-40, 2016 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27256467

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Malignant pleural effusion can be recurrent despite active anti-cancer treatment. Significant malignant pleural effusion leads to debilitating dyspnoea and worsening quality of life in patients with advanced cancer. An indwelling pleural catheter offers a novel means to manage recurrent malignant pleural effusion and may remove the need for repeated thoracocentesis. Spontaneous pleurodesis is another unique advantage of indwelling pleural catheter placement but the factors associated with its occurrence are not clearly established. The aims of this study were to explore the safety of an indwelling pleural catheter in the management of symptomatic recurrent malignant pleural effusion, and to identify the factors associated with spontaneous pleurodesis. METHODS: This case series with internal comparisons was conducted in the Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong. All patients who underwent insertion of an indwelling pleural catheter from the initiation of such service from January 2010 to December 2014 were included for data analysis. Patients were monitored until December 2014, with the last catheter inserted in July 2014. RESULTS: Between 2010 and 2014, a total of 23 indwelling pleural catheters were inserted in 22 consecutive patients with malignant pleural effusion, including 15 (65.2%) cases with malignant pleural effusion as a result of metastatic lung cancer. Ten (43.5%) cases achieved minimal output according to defined criteria, in five of whom the pleural catheter was removed without subsequent re-accumulation of effusion (ie spontaneous pleurodesis). Factors associated with minimal output were the absence of trapped lung (P=0.036), shorter time from first appearance of malignant pleural effusion to catheter insertion (P=0.017), and longer time from catheter insertion till patient's death or end of study (P=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: An indwelling pleural catheter provides a safe means to manage symptomatic malignant pleural effusion. Potential clinical factors associated with minimal output were identified along with the occurrence of spontaneous pleurodesis, which is a unique advantage offered by indwelling pleural catheter.


Subject(s)
Catheters, Indwelling , Pleural Effusion, Malignant/therapy , Pleurodesis , Adult , Aged , Catheters, Indwelling/adverse effects , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged
12.
Oral Dis ; 20(3): 268-74, 2014 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23556997

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study elucidated the association between histopathological factors and the prognosis of oral carcinoma. As the histopathological factors were determined from the surgical specimen and this can only be used for the choices of postoperative regimens, this study also investigated the linkage between prognostic factors and the expression of key molecules to examine the feasibility of markers as predictors. METHODS: Clinicopathological factors of 101 oral carcinomas were cross-analyzed with disease-free survival. The expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) and its receptor, tyrosine kinase A receptor, was assayed with immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Nodal metastasis was the most crucial clinical predictor for disease-free survival. Perineural invasion (PNI) was an independent histopathological predictor for both nodal metastasis (P = 0.004) and disease-free survival (P = 0.019). Patients with advanced tumor and PNI exhibited the high hazard for tumor progression and poor disease-free survival. NGF immunoreactivity in tumors was correlated with PNI (P = 0.005) and neck lymph node metastasis (P = 0.036). CONCLUSION: Perineural invasion is the indicator of worst prognosis. As NGF immunoreactivity was found to be associated with PNI and nodal metastasis, the NGF immunoreactivity of oral carcinoma revealed by diagnostic biopsy suggests that alternative therapeutic approaches might be appropriate.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/mortality , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology , Mouth Neoplasms/mortality , Mouth Neoplasms/pathology , Nerve Growth Factor/biosynthesis , Nervous System Neoplasms/mortality , Nervous System Neoplasms/pathology , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/metabolism , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/secondary , Female , Humans , Lymphatic Metastasis , Male , Middle Aged , Mouth Neoplasms/metabolism , Neoplasm Invasiveness , Nerve Growth Factors , Survival Rate
13.
Rev Med Chil ; 141(3): 332-7, 2013 Mar.
Article in Spanish | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23900324

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Efficiency in the use of resources in health systems and hospitals has been a matter of interest for administrators as well as for policy makers. The growing costs due to higher levels of demand from the population require a better use and allocation of such costs. AIM: To assess the technical efficiency in 28 hospitals in Chile, considering the period from May to October, 2011. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The average number of available beds, the number of staff and the expenses on consumer and service goods were used as production inputs and, on the other hand, the expenditures adjusted by the Diagnosis-Related Groups (IR-DRG) were used as producís. To assess the technical efficiency, the Data Envelopment Analysis technique was used. RESULTS: The levéis of inefficiency fluctuóte from 20 to 23.3%. In other words, with a 20% increase in hospital discharges and maintaining fixed inputs, hospitals could become efficient. CONCLUSIONS: The incorporation of methodologies to determine efficiency allows gathering new knowledge for people who manage resources as well as for policy makers by optimizing practices and having better allocation criteria.


Subject(s)
Efficiency, Organizational/standards , Health Care Rationing/statistics & numerical data , Health Resources/statistics & numerical data , Hospitals/standards , Benchmarking , Chile , Diagnosis-Related Groups , Efficiency, Organizational/statistics & numerical data , Health Care Rationing/standards , Health Resources/standards , Hospitals/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Models, Theoretical , Quality of Health Care/statistics & numerical data
14.
Rev Med Chil ; 141(4): 457-63, 2013 Apr.
Article in Spanish | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23900366

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The knowledge of variables influencing hospital efficiency is of paramount importance to carry out initiatives of management improvement and optimization. AIM: To explore on the hospital technical efficiency factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from 255,439 hospital discharges from 28 hospitals from May to October 2011 were analyzed. The efficiency index developed by Santelices et al was calculated. Proxy variables of hospital practices, human resource productivity, strategic performance, financing mechanisms, geographical territory and specialization, were considered. The analysis was carried out estimating econometric models. RESULTS: The most significant variables to explain efficiency are the length of stay adjusted by complexity, the discharges per nurse and midwife and the performance of the Hospital Balancea Score Card. CONCLUSIONS: The suggested analysis contributes to identify hospital efficiency causes. The results suggest ways to improve performance of hospitals.


Subject(s)
Efficiency, Organizational , Hospital Administration , Chile , Economics, Hospital , Humans , Length of Stay , Models, Econometric
15.
Rev. méd. Chile ; 141(4): 457-463, abr. 2013. tab
Article in Spanish | LILACS | ID: lil-680468

ABSTRACT

Background: The knowledge of variables influencing hospital efficiency is of paramount importance to carry out initiatives of management improvement and optimization. Aim: To explore on the hospital technical efficiency factors. Material and Methods: Data from 255,439 hospital discharges from 28 hospitals from May to October 2011 were analyzed. The efficiency index developed by Santelices et al was calculated. Proxy variables of hospital practices, human resource productivity, strategic performance, financing mechanisms, geographical territory and specialization, were considered. The analysis was carried out estimating econometric models. Results: The most significant variables to explain efficiency are the length of stay adjusted by complexity, the discharges per nurse and midwife and the performance of the Hospital Balancea Score Card. Conclusions: The suggested analysis contributes to identify hospital efficiency causes. The results suggest ways to improve performance of hospitals.


Subject(s)
Humans , Efficiency, Organizational , Hospital Administration , Chile , Economics, Hospital , Length of Stay , Models, Econometric
16.
Rev. méd. Chile ; 141(3): 332-337, mar. 2013. ilus
Article in Spanish | LILACS | ID: lil-677341

ABSTRACT

Background: Efficiency in the use ofresources in health systems and hospitals has been a matter ofinterestfor administrators as well asforpolicy makers. The growing costs due to higher levéis of demand from the population require a better use and allocation ofsuch costs. Aim: To assess the technical efficiency in 28 hospitals in Chile, considering the period from May to October, 2011. Material and Methods: The average number ofavailable beds, the number ofstaffand the expenses on consumer and service goods were used as production inputs and, on the other hand, the expenditures adjusted by the Diagnosis-Related Groups (IR-DRG) were used as producís. To assess the technical efficiency, the Data Envelopment Analysis technique was used. Results: The levéis of inefficiency fluctuóte from 20 to 23.3%. In other words, with a 20% increase in hospital discharges and maintainingfixed inputs, hospitals could become efficient. Conclusions: The incorporation of methodologies to determine efficiency allows gathering new knowledge for people who manage resources as well asforpolicy makers by optimizing practices and having better allocation criteria.


Subject(s)
Humans , Efficiency, Organizational/standards , Health Care Rationing/statistics & numerical data , Health Resources/statistics & numerical data , Hospitals/standards , Benchmarking , Chile , Diagnosis-Related Groups , Efficiency, Organizational/statistics & numerical data , Health Care Rationing/standards , Health Resources/standards , Hospitals/statistics & numerical data , Models, Theoretical , Quality of Health Care/statistics & numerical data
17.
Phys Chem Chem Phys ; 13(37): 16831-40, 2011 Oct 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21858359

ABSTRACT

The polarities of a wide range of ionic liquids have been determined using the Kamlet-Taft empirical polarity scales α, ß and π*, with the dye set Reichardt's Dye, N,N-diethyl-4-nitroaniline and 4-nitroaniline. These have been compared to measurements of these parameters with different dye sets and to different polarity scales. The results emphasise the importance of recognising the role that the nature of the solute plays in determining these scales. It is particularly noted that polarity scales based upon charged solutes can give very different values for the polarity of ionic liquids compared to those based upon neutral probes. Finally, the effects of commonplace impurities in ionic liquids are reported.


Subject(s)
Ionic Liquids/chemistry , Fluorescent Dyes/chemistry , Hydrogen Bonding , Ionic Liquids/chemical synthesis
18.
Intern Med J ; 41(12): 825-32, 2011 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20298505

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: End-stage kidney disease registry data have reported increased mortality in patients with diabetes as compared with those without. Here we examine whether diabetes is independently associated with an increased risk of major cardiovascular events and death in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS: Data from 315 participants with CKD in the Atherosclerosis and Folic Acid Supplementation Trial (ASFAST) were assessed. Primary end-points were fatal or non-fatal cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction, stroke, unstable angina, coronary revascularisation and peripheral vascular events assessed both jointly and separately using Cox-proportional hazard models. RESULTS: Twenty-three per cent reported diabetes. Median follow up was 3.6 years. In those with diabetes, an increased risk for major cardiovascular events was observed, crude hazard ratio (HR) 2.87 (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.11-3.90). After adjustment for age, gender, smoking, systolic blood pressure, body mass index, past ischaemic heart disease and use of preventive therapies, diabetes was associated with an HR of 1.83 (1.28-2.61) for major cardiovascular events. The risk for peripheral vascular events was also increased, adjusted HR 6.31 (2.61-15.25). For all-cause death, major coronary and stroke events, the risk in those with diabetes was not significantly increased (all-cause death, adjusted HR 1.31 (95% CI 0.80-2.14); major coronary events, adjusted HR 1.26 (95% CI 0.64-2.49); and major stroke events, adjusted HR 1.28 (95% CI 0.55-2.99)). CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes significantly increases the risk of major cardiovascular events, especially peripheral vascular events in patients with advanced CKD. Trials of multifactorial management of cardiovascular risk factors are required to determine if outcomes for this population may be improved.


Subject(s)
Atherosclerosis/epidemiology , Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology , Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiology , Dietary Supplements , Folic Acid/therapeutic use , Kidney Failure, Chronic/epidemiology , Adult , Aged , Atherosclerosis/drug therapy , Cardiovascular Diseases/drug therapy , Diabetes Mellitus/drug therapy , Double-Blind Method , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Kidney Failure, Chronic/drug therapy , Male , Middle Aged , Risk Factors
20.
Pediatr Surg Int ; 25(9): 811-3, 2009 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19633861

ABSTRACT

Congenital midline cervical cleft (CMCC) is an uncommon malformation. We report a case of a baby girl aged 3 days with a CMCC associated with a cyst reported as a bronchogenic cyst (BC). The pathology is not specific. The association of BC and CMCC is extremely rare and only five cases have been found in the literature. We report our case and review the relevant literature.


Subject(s)
Bronchogenic Cyst/pathology , Neck/abnormalities , Neck/surgery , Skin Abnormalities/surgery , Bronchogenic Cyst/surgery , Female , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods
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