Objective To repair segmental mandibular defects with autogenous bone marrow stromal cells(BMSCs)and?-triealcium phosphate.Methods Isolated BMSCs were in vitro expand- ed.A 3 cm-long segmental mandibular defect was created at right mandible in 12 canines,of which de- fects in six canines were repaired with BMSCs and?-tricalcium phosphate(?-TCP)and that in other six cases repaired with?-TCP,which was used as control.The engineered bone was evaluated by X-ray, CT,DXA,gross and histological examination,immunohistochemistry and biomechanical test 4,12,26,32 weeks after operation respectively.Results In induced BMSCs,histochemistry showed AKP activity. Oral X-ray showed obvious callus formation 4-26 weeks after operation in experimental group but minimal bone formation in control group.At 32 weeks after operation,gross observation,X-ray and CT demonstra- ted well bony-union in experimental group but bony-nonunion in control group.DXA indicated that the bone density of experimental group was significantly higher than that of control group.Biomechanical test revealed no statistical difference upon mechanical strength of mandibula between experimental group and normal group.Conclusions Canine segmental mandibular defects can be well repaired with the tissue- engineered bone generated by autogenous osteogenic BMSCs and?-TCP scaffold.

A bronchial artery embolization (BAE) is an important therapeutic method used to control acute and chronic hemoptysis. We report a case of multiple micro-infarcts involving both the kidneys and spleen, following a BAE with 500-700 micrometer crossed-linked tris-acryl microspheres (Embospheres) in a patient with bronchial artery pulmonary vein shunts. The superior penetration characteristics of the microspheres may have resulted in the greater tendency to cross the bronchial artery pulmonary vein shunts, which subsequently caused the systemic infarcts in our patient. We propose the use of larger sized microspheres (700-900 micrometer), which may aid in avoiding this complication.
Acrylic Resins/*adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Adult ; *Bronchial Arteries ; Embolization, Therapeutic/*adverse effects ; Female ; Gelatin/*adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Hemoptysis/therapy ; Humans ; Infarction/*etiology/radiography ; Kidney/*blood supply ; Splenic Infarction/*etiology/radiography

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine the relationship between individual allergens with current wheezing and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) in schoolchildren from three chinese cities: Beijing, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. METHODS Community-based random samples of 10-yr-old schoolchildren from the 3 cities were recruited for study using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) Phase II protocol. The subjects were studied by parental questionnaires (n = 10,902), skin-prick tests (n = 3478), and methacholine challenge tests (n = 608). RESULTS The highest prevalence rates of wheezing in the past 12 months (Beijing, 3.8%; Guangzhou, 3.4%; Hong Kong, 5.8%) and atopy (Beijing, 23.9%; Guangzhou, 30.8%; Hong Kong, 41.2%, defined as having Allergens ; classification ; immunology ; Asthma ; etiology ; immunology ; Bronchial Hyperreactivity ; etiology ; immunology ; Child ; China ; Hong Kong ; Humans ; Risk Factors ; Skin Tests ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo investigate the environmental lifestyle risk factors which may explain the disparity of asthma prevalence in the Chinese population.

METHODSIn a cross-sectional study, 10 902 schoolchildren were recruited from Hong Kong (n = 3110), Beijing (n = 4277), and Guangzhou (n = 3565) using the ISAAC Phase II protocol. The average age of the children among three cities was 10.1-10.4 years and 50%-53% were male. Each subject was given an ISAAC Phase II questionnaire to be completed by the parents or guardians. Random subgroups of at least 1000 children from each city, added up to 3479 children underwent skin-prick testing. The sensitivity to eight common aeroallergens was assessed. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the environmental and lifestyle risk factors for asthma and atopy.

RESULTSThe prevalence of wheezing in the past 12 months (Hong Kong, 5.8%; Beijing, 3.8%; Guangzhou, 3.4%) was significantly higher in schoolchildren from Hong Kong than that from the Mainland of China (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.35-1.99). Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that the use of gas cooking (OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.32-3.26), foam pillow (OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.19-3.16), and house dampness (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.25-2.71) were significant risk factors for "current wheezing". The use of cotton quilt (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.56-0.87), breast-feeding (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.66-0.96), and attendance of daycare (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.59-0.88) were protective factors against "current wheezing". When a summary measure of these variables was introduced into a regression model, the Mainland residency was no longer associated with "current asthma" or "current wheezing" suggesting that either these factors or other unmeasured factors associated with above factors are responsible for the lower prevalence of asthma in the Mainland of China.

CONCLUSIONSeveral environmental and lifestyle factors represented characteristic of life in Mainland of China, including breast feeding, attendance of daycare, use of cotton quilt, use of pillow other than foam pillow, use of cooking fuel other than gas, and the absence of damp spots on the walls or ceiling, were the significant risk factors contributed to the disparity of asthma prevalence in children from Hong Kong and the Mainland of China.

Asthma ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Environmental Exposure ; adverse effects ; Female ; Health Status Disparities ; Hong Kong ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Life Style ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prevalence ; Respiratory Sounds ; Risk Factors ; Skin Tests ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objective: The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients under primary care in Hong Kong was yet to be explored. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of AF in patients with DM so as to provide evidence-based recommendations to incorporate AF screening as a component in regular diabetic risk and complication assessment. The performance of automated BP machine Microlife WatchBP Office AFIB as a screening tool for the detection of AF was also evaluated.Method This was a cross-sectional study. Patients with type 2 DM who attended the regular diabetic risk and complication assessment in the participating clinics from 24 August 2021 to 27 January 2022 were recruited. Blood pressure measurement by Microlife WatchBP Office AFIB and 12-lead ECGs were performed for AF screening. Results: Among 2015 DM patients in primary care, the prevalence of AF was found to be 1.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3–2.6). The prevalence of AF increased with age, from 0.5% in patients aged < 65 years, to 2.2% in patients aged 65–74 years and 4.3% in patients aged ≥ 75 years. The sensitivity and specificity of Microlife WatchBP Office AFIB to detect AF were 80% (95% Cl 61.8–92.3) and 97.9%. (95% CI 97.3–98.5), respectively. The positive and negative predictive values were 32.8% (95% CI 21.9–45.1) and 99.7% (95% CI 99.5–99.9) respectively. Conclusions AF screening with the use of Microlife WatchBP Office AFIB is a simple procedure and can be considered as a standard assessment in the regular comprehensive diabetic risk and complication assessment in primary care setting.

Background/Aims: Proximal colorectal cancers (CRCs) account for up to half of CRCs. Sessile serrated lesions (SSLs) are precursors to CRC. Proximal location and presence of dysplasia in SSLs predict higher risks of progression to cancer. The prevalence of dysplasia in proximal SSLs (pSSLs) and clinical characteristics of dysplastic pSSLs are not well studied. Methods: Endoscopically resected colonic polyps at our center between January 2016 and December 2017 were screened for pSSLs. Data of patients with at least one pSSL were retrieved and clinicopathological features of pSSLs were analysed. pSSLs with and without dysplasia were compared for associations. Results: Ninety pSSLs were identified, 45 of which had dysplasia giving a prevalence of 50.0%. Older age (65.9 years vs. 60.1 years, p=0.034) was associated with the presence of dysplasia. Twelve pSSLs were 10 mm or larger. After adjusting for age, pSSLs ≥10 mm had an adjusted odds ratio of 5.98 (95% confidence interval, 1.21–29.6) of having dysplasia compared with smaller pSSLs. Conclusions In our cohort of pSSLs, the prevalence of dysplasia is high at 50.0% and is associated with lesion size ≥10 mm. Endoscopic resection for all proximal serrated lesions should be en-bloc to facilitate accurate histopathological examination for dysplasia as its presence warrants shorter surveillance intervals.

Background/Aims: Proximal colorectal cancers (CRCs) account for up to half of CRCs. Sessile serrated lesions (SSLs) are precursors to CRC. Proximal location and presence of dysplasia in SSLs predict higher risks of progression to cancer. The prevalence of dysplasia in proximal SSLs (pSSLs) and clinical characteristics of dysplastic pSSLs are not well studied. Methods: Endoscopically resected colonic polyps at our center between January 2016 and December 2017 were screened for pSSLs. Data of patients with at least one pSSL were retrieved and clinicopathological features of pSSLs were analysed. pSSLs with and without dysplasia were compared for associations. Results: Ninety pSSLs were identified, 45 of which had dysplasia giving a prevalence of 50.0%. Older age (65.9 years vs. 60.1 years, p=0.034) was associated with the presence of dysplasia. Twelve pSSLs were 10 mm or larger. After adjusting for age, pSSLs ≥10 mm had an adjusted odds ratio of 5.98 (95% confidence interval, 1.21–29.6) of having dysplasia compared with smaller pSSLs. Conclusions In our cohort of pSSLs, the prevalence of dysplasia is high at 50.0% and is associated with lesion size ≥10 mm. Endoscopic resection for all proximal serrated lesions should be en-bloc to facilitate accurate histopathological examination for dysplasia as its presence warrants shorter surveillance intervals.

PURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for erectile dysfunction (ED). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched six major English and Chinese databases included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) testing acupuncture alone or in combination for ED. Dichotomous data were presented as risk ratio (RR) and continuous data were presented as mean difference (MD) both with 95% confidence interval (CI). The Revman (v.5.3) was used for data analyses. Quality of evidence across studies was assessed by the online GRADEpro tool. RESULTS: We identified 22 RCTs, fourteen of them involving psychogenic ED. Most of the included RCTs had high or unclear risk of bias. There was no difference between electro-acupuncture and sham acupuncture with electrical stimulation on the rate of satisfaction and self-assessment (RR, 1.50; 95% CI, 0.71–3.16; 1 trial). Acupuncture combined with tadalafil appeared to have better effect on increasing cure rate (RR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.00–1.71; 2 trials), and International Index of Erectile Function-5 scores (MD, 5.38; 95% CI, 4.46–6.29; 2 trials). When acupuncture plus herbal medicine compared with herbal medicine alone, the combination therapy showed significant better improvement in erectile function (RR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.31–2.15; 7 trials). Only two trials reported facial red and dizziness cases, and needle sticking and pruritus cases in acupuncture group. CONCLUSIONS: Low quality evidence shows beneficial effect of acupuncture as adjunctive treatment for people mainly with psychogenic ED. Safety of acupuncture was insufficiently reported. The findings should be confirmed in large, rigorously designed and well-reported trials.
Acupuncture ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Bias (Epidemiology) ; Dizziness ; Electric Stimulation ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Herbal Medicine ; Humans ; Male ; Needles ; Odds Ratio ; Pruritus ; Self-Assessment ; Statistics as Topic ; Tadalafil