1.Identification of Enterovirus C105 for the first time in New Zealand
Angela Todd ; Susan Taylor ; Q Sue Huang
Western Pacific Surveillance and Response 2015;6(1):60-61
We report on the first identification of Enterovirus C105 (EV-C105) in New Zealand from a 52-year-old male hospitalized with mild respiratory tract symptoms. Enterovirus genotyping was performed by partial sequencing of the VP1 region of the enterovirus genome. This highlights the importance of enterovirus surveillance for detection of the importation of new genotypes such as EV-C105, thus allowing a better understanding of the roles they play in disease.
2.Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease versus metabolic-associated fatty liver disease: Prevalence, outcomes and implications of a change in name
Cheng Han NG ; Daniel Q. HUANG ; Mindie H. NGUYEN
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2022;28(4):790-801
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects about a third of the world’s adult population and is a major public health concern. NAFLD is defined by the presence of hepatic steatosis and the absence of other causes of liver disease. As NAFLD is closely associated with the presence of the metabolic syndrome, several experts have called for a change in nomenclature from NAFLD to metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) to better reflect the underlying pathophysiology of NAFLD as a metabolically driven disease and shift to a “positive” diagnostic criteria rather than one of exclusion. Recent studies have suggested that the global prevalence of MAFLD is higher than that of NAFLD, and patients with MAFLD have more metabolic comorbidities compared to those with NAFLD. Emerging data also suggest that all-cause and cardiovascular mortality may be higher in MAFLD compared with NAFLD. In this synopsis, we discuss differences in clinical features, prevalence and clinical outcomes between NAFLD and MAFLD. In addition, we highlight the advantages and disadvantages of a name change from NAFLD to MAFLD from the perspective of the scientific community, care providers and patients.
3.Tracking oseltamivir-resistance in New Zealand influenza viruses during a medicine reclassification in 2007, a resistant-virus importation in 2008 and the 2009 pandemic
Richard J Hall ; Matthew Peacey ; Jacqui C Ralston ; Danielle J de Joux ; Judy Bocacao ; Mackenzie Nicol ; Molly Ziki ; Wendy Gunn ; Jing Wang ; Q Sue Huang
Western Pacific Surveillance and Response 2012;3(4):71-77
4.Diabetes and Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Cirrhosis Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Pai-Chi TENG ; Daniel Q. HUANG ; Ting-Yi LIN ; Mazen NOUREDDIN ; Ju Dong YANG
Gut and Liver 2023;17(1):24-33
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in the world. NAFLD is a hepatic manifestation of insulin resistance, the core pathophysiology of diabetes. Multiple clinical studies show that diabetes increases the risk of liver disease progression and cirrhosis development in patients with NAFLD. Diabetes has causal associations with many different cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). More recent studies demonstrate that diabetes increases the risk of HCC in patients with underlying NAFLD cirrhosis, confirming the direct hepatocarcinogenic effect of diabetes among cirrhosis patients. Diabetes promotes hepatocarcinogenesis via the activation of inflammatory cascades producing reactive oxygen species and proinflammatory cytokines, leading to genomic instability, cellular proliferation, and inhibition of apoptosis. Given the global increase in the burden of NAFLD and HCC, high-risk patients such as older diabetic individuals should be carefully monitored for HCC development. Future larger studies should explore whether the effect of diabetes on HCC risk in NAFLD cirrhosis is modifiable by the type of antidiabetic medication and the effectiveness of diabetes control.
6.Correlation between both neck/shoulder and low back pain and daily behavioral habits among middle school students in Shenzhen.
L ZHOU ; Y Y HUANG ; D Y CHEN ; D ZHANG ; Q S LUO ; Y WANG ; Y WU
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2018;39(4):469-473
Objective: To study the relations between neck/shoulder or low back pain and their daily behavioral habits among middle school students in Shenzhen. Methods: We randomly chose 3 952 students from 10 high schools in Shenzhen to complete the questionnaires. Data was gathered and analyzed, using the IBM SPSS 23.0. Results: Of the 3 952 participants, 20.3% had neck/shoulder pain and 15.2% had low back pain. Among students experienced neck/shoulder pain, female (25.3%), high school (24.5%) and boarding students (24.4%) experienced higher rates of neck/shoulder pain (P<0.05). Female students (17.9%) also had higher rate of low back pain (P<0.05). Results from logistic regression analysis showed that factors as: gender, type of school, taking naps on the desk, staying up late, self-perceived stress from learning, overloading homework, time spent on mobile phone and TV, spending long time on computer etc. were related to the neck/shoulder pain (P<0.05). Factors as: gender, naps on the desk, stay up late, self-perceived stress, overloading homework, time spent on mobile phone and TV etc., were related to low back pain (P<0.05). Conclusion: Neck/shoulder pain and low back pain were both commonly seen while high self-perceived stress, sedentary behaviors and poor sleeping habits were associated with both neck/shoulder and low back pain in high school students in Shenzhen.
Female
;
Habits
;
Humans
;
Low Back Pain
;
Neck Pain
;
Risk Factors
;
Schools
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Shoulder
;
Shoulder Pain
;
Sleep
;
Students
;
Surveys and Questionnaires
7.Stratified sampling survey of major human parasitic diseases in Henan province.
B L XU ; H W ZHANG ; Y DENG ; Z L CHEN ; W Q CHEN ; D L LU ; Y L ZHANG ; Y L ZHAO ; X M LIN ; Q HUANG ; C Y YANG ; Y LIU ; R M ZHOU ; P LI ; J S CHEN ; L J HE ; D QIAN
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2018;39(3):322-328
Objective: To understand the prevalence of major human parasitic diseases and related factors in Henan province. Methods: This stratified sampling survey was carried out according to the requirement of national survey protocol of major human parasitic diseases, 2014-2015. The prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths infection, taeniasis and intestinal protozoiasis were surveyed in 104 sites selected from 35 counties (districts) and the prevalence of clonorchiasis was surveyed in 62 sites selected from 37 townships. In each survey spot, 250 persons were surveyed. A total of 26 866 persons and 15 893 persons were surveyed. Modified Kato-Katz thick smear was used to detect the eggs of intestinal helminthes. Tube fecal culture was used to identify the species of hookworm. The Enterobius eggs were detected in children aged 3 to 6 years by using adhesive tape. The cyst and trophozoite of intestinal protozoa were examined with physiological saline direct smear method and iodine stain method. Results: The overall infestation rate of intestinal parasites was2.02% in Henan, and the worm infection rate was higher than protozoa infection rate. Fourteen kinds of intestinal parasites were found, including nematode (5 species), trematode (2 species), and protozoan (7 species). The infection rate of Enterobius vermicularis was highest, and Qinba Mountain ecological area had the highest infestation rate of intestinal parasites in 4 ecological areas of Henan. There was no significant difference in intestinal parasite infection rate between males and females (χ(2)=3.630, P=0.057), and the differences in intestinal parasite infection rate among different age groups had significance (χ(2)=124.783, P=0.000 1). The infection rate reached the peak in age group ≤9 years and the major parasite was Enterobius vermicularis. Furthermore the overall human infection rate of parasite showed a downward trend with the increase of educational level of the people (χ(2)=70.969, P=0.000 1), the differences had significance (χ(2)=120.118, P=0.000 1). For different populations, the infection rate of intestinal parasites was highest among preschool children. The infection of intestinal helminth was mainly mild, only 2 severe cases were detected. The infection rate of Clonorchis sinensis in urban residents was only 0.006%. Logistic regression analysis showed that being preschool children (χ(2)=15.765, P=0.000 1) and drinking well water (χ(2)=45.589, P=0.000 1) were the risk factors for intestinal parasite infection, and annual income per capita of farmers was the protective factor against intestinal parasite infection. The infection rates of protozoa and intestinal parasites decreased sharply compared with the results of previous two surveys, and the rate of intestinal helminth infection also dropped sharply compared with the second survey. The numbers of protozoa, helminth and intestinal parasites detected in this survey were all less than the numbers found in the previous two surveys. Conclusions: Compared the results of three surveys in Henan, the infection rate of protozoa and intestinal parasites showed a downward trend. The prevention and treatment of Enterobius vermicularis infection in children should be the key point of parasitic disease control in the future.
Animals
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Child
;
Child, Preschool
;
Clonorchiasis/epidemiology*
;
Farmers
;
Feces/parasitology*
;
Female
;
Helminthiasis/epidemiology*
;
Helminths
;
Humans
;
Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/parasitology*
;
Male
;
Prevalence
;
Protective Factors
;
Risk Factors
;
Rural Population
;
Soil Microbiology
;
Surveys and Questionnaires
;
Taeniasis/epidemiology*
;
Trematode Infections/parasitology*
;
Urban Population
;
Water Wells
8.Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor with or without Radiotherapy in Melanoma Patients with Brain Metastases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Pyeong Hwa KIM, ; Chong Hyun SUH ; Ho Sung KIM ; Kyung Won KIM ; Dong Yeong KIM ; Eudocia Q. LEE ; Ayal A. AIZER ; Jeffrey P. GUENETTE ; Raymond Y. HUANG
Korean Journal of Radiology 2021;22(4):584-595
Objective:
Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy has shown activity against melanoma brain metastases. Recently, promising results have also been reported for ICI combination therapy and ICI combined with radiotherapy. We aimed to evaluate radiologic response and adverse event rates of these therapeutic options by a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Materials and Methods:
A systematic literature search of Ovid-MEDLINE and EMBASE was performed up to October 12, 2019 and included studies evaluating the intracranial objective response rates (ORRs) and/or disease control rates (DCRs) of ICI with or without radiotherapy for treating melanoma brain metastases. We also evaluated safety-associated outcomes.
Results:
Eleven studies with 14 cohorts (3 with ICI combination therapy; 5 with ICI combined with radiotherapy; 6 with ICI monotherapy) were included. ICI combination therapy {pooled ORR, 53% (95% confidence interval [CI], 44–61%); DCR, 57% (95% CI, 49–66%)} and ICI combined with radiotherapy (pooled ORR, 42% [95% CI, 31–54%]; DCR, 85% [95% CI, 63–95%]) showed higher local efficacy compared to ICI monotherapy (pooled ORR, 15% [95% CI, 11–20%]; DCR, 26% [95% CI, 21– 32%]). The grade 3 or 4 adverse event rate was significantly higher with ICI combination therapy (60%; 95% CI, 52–67%) compared to ICI monotherapy (11%; 95% CI, 8–17%) and ICI combined with radiotherapy (4%; 95% CI, 1–19%). Grade 3 or 4 central nervous system (CNS)-related adverse event rates were not different (9% in ICI combination therapy; 8% in ICI combined with radiotherapy; 5% in ICI monotherapy).
Conclusion
ICI combination therapy or ICI combined with radiotherapy showed better local efficacy than ICI monotherapy for treating melanoma brain metastasis. The grade 3 or 4 adverse event rate was highest with ICI combination therapy, and the CNS-related grade 3 or 4 event rate was similar. Prospective trials will be necessary to compare the efficacy of ICI combination therapy and ICI combined with radiotherapy.
9.Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor with or without Radiotherapy in Melanoma Patients with Brain Metastases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Pyeong Hwa KIM, ; Chong Hyun SUH ; Ho Sung KIM ; Kyung Won KIM ; Dong Yeong KIM ; Eudocia Q. LEE ; Ayal A. AIZER ; Jeffrey P. GUENETTE ; Raymond Y. HUANG
Korean Journal of Radiology 2021;22(4):584-595
Objective:
Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy has shown activity against melanoma brain metastases. Recently, promising results have also been reported for ICI combination therapy and ICI combined with radiotherapy. We aimed to evaluate radiologic response and adverse event rates of these therapeutic options by a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Materials and Methods:
A systematic literature search of Ovid-MEDLINE and EMBASE was performed up to October 12, 2019 and included studies evaluating the intracranial objective response rates (ORRs) and/or disease control rates (DCRs) of ICI with or without radiotherapy for treating melanoma brain metastases. We also evaluated safety-associated outcomes.
Results:
Eleven studies with 14 cohorts (3 with ICI combination therapy; 5 with ICI combined with radiotherapy; 6 with ICI monotherapy) were included. ICI combination therapy {pooled ORR, 53% (95% confidence interval [CI], 44–61%); DCR, 57% (95% CI, 49–66%)} and ICI combined with radiotherapy (pooled ORR, 42% [95% CI, 31–54%]; DCR, 85% [95% CI, 63–95%]) showed higher local efficacy compared to ICI monotherapy (pooled ORR, 15% [95% CI, 11–20%]; DCR, 26% [95% CI, 21– 32%]). The grade 3 or 4 adverse event rate was significantly higher with ICI combination therapy (60%; 95% CI, 52–67%) compared to ICI monotherapy (11%; 95% CI, 8–17%) and ICI combined with radiotherapy (4%; 95% CI, 1–19%). Grade 3 or 4 central nervous system (CNS)-related adverse event rates were not different (9% in ICI combination therapy; 8% in ICI combined with radiotherapy; 5% in ICI monotherapy).
Conclusion
ICI combination therapy or ICI combined with radiotherapy showed better local efficacy than ICI monotherapy for treating melanoma brain metastasis. The grade 3 or 4 adverse event rate was highest with ICI combination therapy, and the CNS-related grade 3 or 4 event rate was similar. Prospective trials will be necessary to compare the efficacy of ICI combination therapy and ICI combined with radiotherapy.
10.Global incidence and prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Margaret LP TENG ; Cheng Han NG ; Daniel Q. HUANG ; Kai En CHAN ; Darren JH TAN ; Wen Hui LIM ; Ju Dong YANG ; Eunice TAN ; Mark D. MUTHIAH
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2023;29(Suppl):S32-S42
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a leading cause of liver disease worldwide. The estimated global incidence of NAFLD is 47 cases per 1,000 population and is higher among males than females. The estimated global prevalence of NAFLD among adults is 32% and is higher among males (40%) compared to females (26%). The global prevalence of NAFLD has increased over time, from 26% in studies from 2005 or earlier to 38% in studies from 2016 or beyond. The prevalence of NAFLD varies substantially by world region, contributed by differing rates of obesity, and genetic and socioeconomic factors. The prevalence of NAFLD exceeds 40% in the Americas and South-East Asia. The prevalence of NAFLD is projected to increase significantly in multiple world regions by 2030 if current trends are left unchecked. In this review, we discuss trends in the global incidence and prevalence of NAFLD and discuss future projections.