Hong Kong medical journal = Xianggang yi xue za zhi / Hong Kong Academy of Medicine
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1. Intranasal vaccination using inactivated SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) vaccine with adjuvant can induce strong systemic (serum immunoglobulin [Ig] G) and respiratory tract local (tracheal-lung wash fluid IgA) antibody responses with neutralising activity. 2. RBD-Fc (protein-based vaccine) is able to induce effective neutralising antibodies able to provide protection from SARS-CoV infection in animal models. 3. ⋯ Intranasal vaccination with RBD-rAAV induced local IgA and systemic IgG neutralising antibodies and specific T-cell responses, able to protect against SARS-CoV infection in animal models. 7. When compared with the RBD-rAAV prime/boost vaccination, RBD-rAAV prime/RBD-peptide boost induced similar levels of Th1 and neutralising antibody responses that protected vaccinated mice from subsequent SARS-CoV challenges,but stronger Th2 and CTL responses. 8. Overall, our findings suggest that the inactivated vaccine, RBD-Fc and RBD-rAAV, can be further developed into effective and safe vaccines against SARS and that intranasal vaccination may be the preferred route of administration.
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With the blooming of minimally invasive procedures in surgical specialties, many orthopaedic subspecialties have been evolving along such lines. Despite the apparent paradox that many orthopaedic implants are quite bulky to start off with, different methods have been adopted to insert them safely with the least possible trauma. Altering time-honoured incisions and surgical techniques has often been helpful. ⋯ Coupled with the use of operating microscopes, endoscopes, and imaging modalities, operations can be performed with greater precision and lesser trauma. The advent of computer-assisted technology is another step forward. It is through constant attention to minimising tissue trauma and a combination of different methods available, that surgeons can achieve the ultimate goals of minimally invasive surgery.
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To develop a tool for evaluating the appropriateness of acute hospital admissions in Hong Kong and test its reliability. ⋯ The new protocol was shown to have substantial reliability for evaluating whether an acute hospital admission was appropriate. The findings in this study provide a basis for testing the validity of the new protocol as well as determining the extent of inappropriate acute hospital admissions in Hong Kong.
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Comparative Study
Overprotection and the psychological states of cerebral palsy patients and their caretakers in Hong Kong: a preliminary report.
To examine the relation between perceived overprotection and the psychological states of cerebral palsy patients and their primary caretakers in Hong Kong. ⋯ Caretakers should be mindful that a well-meaning move may have undesirable consequences. More support and child-rearing education should be considered for caretakers.
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To examine the risk factors for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission among attendees of public sexually transmitted infection clinics in Hong Kong. ⋯ Sexually transmitted disease patients represent an identifiable group who are at high risk of HIV infection. This study found that there were certain factors which increased the risk of HIV infection among patients attending public sexually transmitted infection clinics. Targeted interventions should therefore be offered to such high-risk individuals, so as to prevent and control HIV transmission.