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Association between vitamin D level and risk of type 2 diabetes: a systematic review of Mendelian Randomization studies
Full text linkThis study aims to review the evidence from Mendelian randomization (MR) studies on the causal role of vitamin D in type 2 diabetes (T2D). A systematic search (registered on PROSPERO (CRD42024551731)) was performed in PubMed, Embase and Web of Science for publications up to June 2024. MR studies including vitamin D as the exposure and T2D as the outcome were included. Among the 22 studies included, which were mainly in European populations, half used single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located on vitamin D synthesis and metabolism genes, while others selected SNPs based on statistical thresholds. Negative associations implying that vitamin D protects against T2D were reported in three one-sample and three two-sample MR studies. The remaining studies reported null associations between genetically predicted circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D and risk of T2D regardless of MR design, study population, data source or SNP selection. Findings from MR studies on circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D and risk of T2D do not consistently support the causal role of vitamin D in T2D in the general population. Future MR studies to examine the non-linear association of vitamin D with T2D or disease progression from prediabetes are warranted to clarify the use of vitamin D in the prevention of T2D.published_or_final_versio
A 30-year case study of local implementation of global guidelines for data-driven diabetes management starting with the Hong Kong Diabetes Register
No full textDouble-Row Suture-Bridge Modified Mason-Allen Stitch for Repair of Supraspinatus Tendon Tear: The Queen Mary Hospital-Stitch
No full textIt is well known that a substantial number of patients undergoing rotator cuff repair experience a full-thickness retear postsurgery. To enhance the suture's grip on the cuff tissue, several surgeons suggest employing various adaptations of the Mason-Allen stitch pattern for the repair. Nonetheless, the suture-passing configurations in many of these adapted Mason-Allen stitches tend to be more intricate and time-consuming compared to the double-row suture-bridge (DR-SB) repair, making them technically challenging and less preferred. We suggest a modified version of the traditional DR-SB technique, integrating elements of the modified Mason-Allen pattern, termed the double-row suture-bridge modified Mason-Allen stitch. This stitch utilizes a suture-passing pattern similar to the conventional DR-SB repair, while maintaining the strong grasping strength and reduced retear rate inherent in the original Mason-Allen stitch, thus achieving an optimal balance of effectiveness and efficiency
Evaluating geographic accessibility to COVID-19 vaccination across 54 countries/regions
Full text linkBackground The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed significant disparities in global vaccine accessibility, particularly affecting low and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, current research on COVID-19 vaccine accessibility primarily focuses on individual countries or high-income countries (HIC). We aimed to evaluate geographic accessibility to COVID-19 vaccination on a multicountry scale, covering comparisons across LMICs and HICs. Additionally, we explored the potential economic factors related to accessibility and their impacts on health outcomes. Methods We collected population data at a 1 km resolution and geocoded all vaccination sites across the selected countries/regions. Four measures were used to evaluate vaccine accessibility from different perspectives: population coverage with varying travel time thresholds, driving time to vaccination sites, the number of sites within a 30-min threshold and a geographic accessibility index using enhanced two-step floating catchment area method. Finally, we explored the relationships between geographic accessibility and several factors: gross domestic product per capita, vaccination uptake and mortality. Findings We found substantial disparities in vaccine accessibility across the selected countries/regions. In 24.07% of these countries/regions, over 95% of the population can access the nearest vaccination services within 15 min. In contrast, in countries/regions such as Manitoba (Canada), Zimbabwe and Bhutan, less than 30% of the population can reach these sites within 60 min. Underserved areas, termed 'vaccine deserts', were identified in both HICs and LMICs. We found that countries/regions with higher vaccine accessibility tend to achieve higher vaccination rates, whereas those with lower vaccine accessibility are likely to experience substantial increases in COVID-19 mortality rates. Conclusion LMICs require enhanced attention to improve geographic accessibility to vaccination. Additionally, there are internal disparities in accessibility within both HICs and LMICs. National public health officials and global health initiatives are suggested to prioritize 'vaccine deserts' and to ensure equitable vaccine access in future pandemics.published_or_final_versio
Exploring Multiplex Immunohistochemistry (mIHC) Techniques and Histopathology Image Analysis: Current Practice and Potential for Clinical Incorporation
No full textBackground: By simultaneously staining multiple immunomarkers on a single tissue section, multiplexed immunohistochemistry (mIHC) enhances the amount of information that can be observed in a single tissue section and thus can be a powerful tool to visualise cellular interactions directly in the tumour microenvironment. Performing mIHC remains technically and practically challenging, and this technique has many limitations if not properly validated. However, with proper validation, heterogeneity between histopathological images can be avoided. Aims: This review aimed to summarize the currently used methods and to propose a standardised method for effective mIHC. Materials and Methods: An extensive literature review was conducted to identify different methods currently in use for mIHC. Results: Guidelines for antibody selection, panel design, antibody validation and analytical strategies are given. The advantages and disadvantages of each method are discussed. Conclusion: This review summarizes widely used pathology imaging software and discusses the potential for automation of pathology image analysis so that mIHC technology can be a truly powerful tool for research as well as clinical use.</p
Global epidemiology, seasonality and climatic drivers of the four human parainfluenza virus types
Full text linkObjectives: Human parainfluenza viruses (hPIV) are a common cause of acute respiratory infections, especially in children under five years and the elderly. hPIV can be subclassified as types 1–4: these showed various seasonality patterns worldwide, and it is unclear how climatic factors might consistently explain their global epidemiology. Methods: This study collected time-series incidence data from the literature and hPIV surveillance programs worldwide (47 locations). Wavelet analysis and circular statistics were used to detect the seasonality and the months of peak incidence for each hPIV type. Relationships between climatic drivers and incidence peaks were assessed using a generalized estimating equation. Results: The average positive rate of hPIV among patients with respiratory symptoms was 5.6% and ranged between 0.69–3.48% for different types. In the northern temperate region, the median peak incidence months for hPIV1, hPIV2, and hPIV4 were from September to October, while for hPIV3, it was in late May. Seasonal peaks of hPIV3 were associated with higher monthly temperatures and lower diurnal temperatures range throughout the year; hPIV4 peaks appeared to correlate with lower monthly temperatures and higher precipitation throughout the year. Different hPIV types exhibit different patterns of global epidemiology and transmission. Conclusions: Climate drivers may play a role in hPIV transmission. More comprehensive and coherent surveillance of hPIV types would enable more in-depth analyses and inform the timing of preventive measures.published_or_final_versio
3D-Printed Dual-Bionic Scaffolds to Promote Osteoconductivity and Angiogenesis for Large Segment Bone Restoration
No full textLarge segment bone defects pose a significant challenge in the field of orthopedic surgery, requiring effective and innovative approaches for restoration. However, many existing scaffolds are bioinert and do not support crucial processes such as cell adhesion, proliferation, and vascularization. In this study, a dual-bionic 3D printing bredigite scaffold is developed, featuring a combination of physical structure and bioactive functions. Specifically, the structure-mimetic scaffold has an isotropic single-cell structure suitable for defects with varying load-bearing requirements and allowing the ingrowth of vessels and bone. Meanwhile, an extracellular matrix peptide-mimetic β-amino acid polymer DM50CO50 and deferoxamine are modified onto the scaffold simultaneously to promote the adhesion of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and vascularization. The dual-bionic scaffolds demonstrate outstanding osteogenic and angiogenic properties in a rat model with large segment bone defects to promote bone restoration, implying a promising strategy in designing scaffolds to promote osteoconductivity and angiogenesis for large segment bone restoration
Effect of tie parameters on strength and ductility of concrete columns reinforced with hybrid steel-fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite bars
No full textUsing hybrid reinforcement scheme, comprising steel-FRP composite bar (SFCB) and FRP tie, holds great promise in developing seawater sea-sand concrete (SSC) columns with high strength and ductility for marine infrastructures. However, the impacts of FRP tie configurations on hybrid-reinforced SSC columns have not been thoroughly investigated, which hinders their application. To fill this research gap, this study conducted axial compression tests on hybrid-reinforced SSC columns to assess the impacts of tie type, tie size, tie spacing, and tie size/spacing configuration. The failure mechanism of columns, compressive contribution of SFCBs, and confinement mechanism of FRP ties were revealed. The results show that within the tie spacing limit, the failure mode, elastic modulus, yield strength, and ultimate strength of SFCBs are similar. Longitudinal SFCBs effectively resist compression until concrete crushing, providing considerable compressive contributions. However, the confinement efficiency of pultruded FRP ties is limited by the slip of lap splice and the inferior bent portions. In contrast, the closed-type FRP ties exhibit significantly higher confinement efficiency, which increases the load capacity and ductility of columns by 13.6% and 82.8%, respectively. The tie spacing limit was determined and a prediction model of load capacity was proposed based on theoretical analysis and experimental validation.</p
The New Geography of Remote Work:Trends, Reflections and Implications
No full textBefore 2020, remote work was a boutique pursuit for most highly skilled workers in the United States, Western Europe, and other developed economies. It has since become one of the fastest diffusing social practices in recent memory and is commonplace across nearly every type of organization and industry. This chapter organizes current statistics and insights into a coherent understanding of the geography of remote work. It presents core indicators on remote work in the United States as of 2022 including: the geography of remote workers, and their distribution among occupations and industries. Reflecting in part on these data, it theorizes that the shift toward remote work is part and parcel of a larger spatial reorganization which as been called “The Meta City”. Under this new spatial configuration, remote work is a complement and not a substitute to traditional agglomeration forces, and so-called superstar cities are likely to gain more in labour mobility.</p
Unruly Comparison: Queerness, Hong Kong, and the Sinophone
No full textIn Unruly Comparison, Alvin K. Wong offers a new model of doing transnational and comparative works in queer theory, area studies, and Sinophone studies. Excavating queer Sinophone literature, cinema, and visual culture since the postcolonial handover, it demonstrates how a globally “insignificant” region like Hong Kong exemplifies unruliness that exceeds the totalizing forces of British colonialism, Chinese governmentality, and global capitalism. Moving beyond the confines of Eurocentrism in queer theory and China-centrism in area studies, Wong advances a theory of unruly comparison that understands Hong Kong as a site of racial, gender, sexual, and cultural incommensurability. Theorizing comparison as asymmetrical relation and incommensurability rather than analogical equivalence, Unruly Comparison assembles non-equivalent queer figures from different times and spaces of Hong Kong Sinophone modernity. In sum, this book theorizes the perverse modernities of Hong Kong through unruly queer methodologies.</p