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Abstract Kikuchi‐Fujimoto Disease (KFD), also known as Kikuchi disease or Kikuchi histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis, is a rare and self‐limiting condition characterized by cervical lymphadenopathy and fever, primarily affecting young Asian adults. The aetiology of KFD remains unknown, although various infectious agents have been suggested as potential triggers. With the emergence of the COVID‐19 pandemic, cases of post‐COVID‐19 KFD and post‐COVID‐19 vaccine KFD have been reported. In this article, we present the first case of post‐COVID‐19 KFD in Hong Kong. A 24‐year‐old man developed fever and painful neck swelling 1 month after recovering from COVID‐19. Diagnostic evaluation, including ultrasound‐guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), confirmed the diagnosis of KFD. The patient's symptoms resolved spontaneously with supportive care. This case underscores the importance of considering KFD as a potential differential diagnosis in patients presenting with cervical lymphadenopathy and fever following COVID‐19 recovery or vaccination.

We present a rare case of tracheal schwannoma, the first reported in Hong Kong, emphasizing the diagnostic challenges and treatment outcomes. A 54-year-old woman with respiratory symptoms underwent evaluations revealing a tracheal mass causing luminal narrowing. Emergency operation with rigid bronchoscopy and cryoablation successfully removed the tumor. Follow-up bronchoscopies showed a gradual reduction in residual tumor size, with no evidence of recurrence after 3.5 years postoperation. Tracheal schwannomas are exceedingly rare, often resulting in delayed diagnosis. Clinicians should maintain a high suspicion of tracheal tumors in patients with unexplained respiratory symptoms. Spirometry and flow volume loop analysis aid in identifying upper airway obstruction. Rigid bronchoscopy is preferred for diagnosis and treatment, ensuring airway stability and obtaining tissue samples. Surgical resection remains the mainstay, but observation after endoscopic resection may be considered. This case highlights the successful management of tracheal schwannoma through endoscopic resection and cryoablation, emphasizing the need for further studies and case reports on this rare entity.

Measurement(s) Microarray Analysis Technology Type(s) Microarray Analysis Sample Characteristic - Organism Mus musculus

This study investigates whether demographics, L2 enjoyment, L2 anxiety, psychological well-being, or informal digital learning of English (IDLE) affect willingness to communicate in L2 (L2 WTC) at trait or state levels. Across two weeks, 16 Hong Kong EFL students completed pre-and post-trait-level surveys and generated 1,120 state-level responses via the experience sampling method (ESM). The survey findings revealed that students who were older, had higher language proficiency, or had higher pre-WTC digitally reported higher L2 WTC in the classroom. Students who had studied English longer, had higher language proficiency, had higher pre-psychological well-being, had a higher standard deviation L2 WTC over 14 days, or had higher teacher appreciation showed higher L2 WTC outside of class. Students with higher language proficiency, higher pre-WTC digitally, or higher post-psychological well-being reported higher L2 WTC in digital settings. The ESM findings revealed that students with higher teacher appreciation, currently engaged in productive IDLE or both receptive and productive types of IDLE, currently experienced greater L2 enjoyment, or currently experienced greater well-being had higher L2 WTC now. Our findings are relevant to: (a) L2 WTC, informal language learning, and positive psychology theories, and (b) strategies that can be used to enhance students' L2 WTC overall and at a particular moment.

Abstract Pulmonary mucormycosis (PM) is a rare, life‐threatening fungal infection usually affecting immunocompromised patients. Its incidence is rising, with a recent outbreak associated with COVID‐19 co‐infection. Amphotericin B along with early surgery are considered the standard treatment. Recurrence has been reported in patients without adequate treatment and without permanent reversal of predisposing factors. We report a case of late recurrence of PM in a renal transplant recipient. In 2012, he was diagnosed with PM. Imaging at the time showed a lingular mass. He was treated with antifungal for 1 year until complete radiological resolution. Surgical intervention was considered but no further follow‐up action was taken. In 2020, he presented with fever and haemoptysis. Imaging again showed a lingular mass, which was confirmed to be PM by bronchoscopic lung biopsy. This case highlights the importance of secondary antifungal prophylaxis for PM if permanent reversal of immunosuppression is not possible.

Abstract Endobronchial one‐way valves (EBV) have been proposed as a treatment option for persistent air leak (PAL) complicating spontaneous pneumothorax when surgical intervention is considered not feasible. Published case series showed this form of treatment to be generally safe. We report two such cases in which both achieved immediate cessation of air leak and post‐procedural chest radiograph showed significant collapse of the treated lobe, but developed sudden onset of shortness of breath within 24 h after EBV insertion. Chest radiograph showed continued collapse of the treated lobes with enlarged ipsilateral pneumothorax in one patient and new contralateral pneumothorax in the other. Pulmonologists and thoracic surgeons inserting EBV for treatment of PAL should be aware of this possible and important complication.

Abstract Background Schistosomiasis, also generally known as snail fever, is a parasitic disease caused by trematode flatworms of the genus Schistosoma. In Hong Kong and mainland China, the freshwater snail Biomphalaria straminea has been introduced and has the potential to transmit intestinal schistosomiasis caused by S. mansoni, a parasite of man which has a wide distribution in Africa and parts of the New World, especially Brazil. The first identification of B. straminea in Hong Kong dates back to the 1970s, and its geographical distribution, phylogenetic relationships, and infection status have not been updated for more than 30 years. Thus, this study aims to reveal the distribution and current infection status of B. straminea in contemporary Hong Kong. Methods Snails were collected from different parts of Hong Kong from July 2016 to January 2017. Both anatomical and molecular methods were applied to identify B. straminea. Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1), internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1), 5.8S rDNA, internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2), and 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) were sequenced from individual snails and analyzed. To detect the presence of S. mansoni, both biopsy and PCR analyses were carried out. Results Using both anatomical and molecular analyses, this study demonstrated the existence of black- and red-coloured shell B. straminea in different districts in the New Territories in Hong Kong, including places close to the mainland China border. None of the B. straminea (n = 87) investigated were found to be infected with S. mansoni when tested by biopsy and PCR. The Hong Kong B. straminea are genetically indistinguishable, based on the chosen molecular markers (cox1, ITS1-5.8S-ITS2, and 16S rDNA), and are similar to those obtained in mainland China and South America. Conclusion Biomphalaria straminea is now well established in freshwater habitats in Hong Kong. No evidence of infection with S. mansoni has been found. Surveillance should be continued to monitor and better understand this schistosomiasis intermediate host in mainland China and Hong Kong.

There are randomized controlled study data showing that endobronchial one‐way valves (EBV) are useful for bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR). There is also case series data showing EBV to be effective in stopping persistent air leaks complicating pneumothoraces. We describe a 66‐year‐old man with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who failed assessments for BLVR because of the inability to perform the carbon monoxide diffusion test but subsequently had EBV deployed to his right upper lobe bronchi for persistent air leak complicating a spontaneous pneumothorax. Afterwards, there was subjective improvement in breathlessness, exercise capacity, and reduced frequency of exacerbations requiring hospitalization. Lung function parameters showed marked improvement. This case suggests that patients with compatible spirometric lung volume and computed tomography findings should proceed with BLVR. In addition, one should be aware of the possibility of improved lung function in patients with pulmonary emphysema following implantation of EBV for persistent air leak.

Anastasis (Greek for "rising to life") is a cell recovery phenomenon that rescues dying cells from the brink of cell death. We recently discovered anastasis to occur after the execution-stage of apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Promoting anastasis could in principle preserve injured cells that are difficult to replace, such as cardiomyocytes and neurons. Conversely, arresting anastasis in dying cancer cells after cancer therapies could improve treatment efficacy. To develop new therapies that promote or inhibit anastasis, it is essential to identify the key regulators and mediators of anastasis – the therapeutic targets. Therefore, we performed time-course microarray analysis to explore the molecular mechanisms of anastasis during reversal of ethanol-induced apoptosis in mouse primary liver cells. We found striking changes in transcription of genes involved in multiple pathways, including early activation of pro-cell survival, anti-oxidation, cell cycle arrest, histone modification, DNA-damage and stress-inducible responses, and at delayed times, angiogenesis and cell migration. Validation with RT-PCR confirmed similar changes in the human liver cancer cell line, HepG2, during anastasis. Here, we present the time-course whole-genome gene expression dataset revealing gene expression profiles during the reversal of apoptosis. This dataset provides important insights into the physiological, pathological, and therapeutic implications of anastasis.

Students often have difficulties in self-regulating their vocabulary learning in mobile-assisted language learning (MALL). Building on past studies of vocabulary learning, MALL, self-regulation, and personalised learning (PL), we propose a self-regulated, collaborative, personalised vocabulary (SCPV) learning approach in MALL. In this exploratory mixed-methods study, 35 university students learned second language (L2) vocabulary via the SCPV or a self-regulation-only (S) approach. Data were collected through pre- and post-surveys, personalised vocabulary tests, and interviews. The results indicated that the new approach may hold more potential to help learners achieve better productive vocabulary knowledge. Thematic analyses of interviews indicated that the SCPV students enhanced their vocabulary learning; specifically, these students demonstrated a systematic understanding of vocabulary learning processes. Furthermore, specific PL roles (e.g., community sharing of self-regulated vocabulary learning) showed how collaborative PL could aid participants' development of self-regulated learning. Implications include how to conduct self-regulated training in MALL and designing both individual and collaborative tasks that involve PL.

Past studies of grit's educational benefits, such as science engagement, showed mixed results across cultures. So, we elaborated the prior model of grit (perseverance of effort, consistency of interest) with "adaptability to situations" (forming a "triarchic model of grit" TMG), and tested TMG's relation to subsequent science engagement. In this study, 1,972 high school students in Hong Kong, mainland China, and the Philippines completed surveys twice (about 6 months apart). We analysed these data with "multilevel structural equation modelling." Results showed that country income (GDP per capita) negatively predicted science engagement, while schools with the highest ability students had higher science engagement. Conscientiousness and overall grit positively predicted science engagement at both time periods. Consistency of interest negatively predicted science engagement. This research demonstrates the potential academic benefits of grit in non-Western societies. Promoting grit may serve as a pathway towards greater students' engagement in science.

Using formative design experiment, we engaged in iterative rounds of data collection, analysis, and redesign across three rounds to explore and hone 41 preservice-teachers' (PTs') preparation for selecting and integrating digital texts/tools in literacy instruction. Each PT submitted about two videos of literacy tutoring sessions (88 total). These were scored for quality using the DigiLit Framework rubric criteria. Multilevel regression modeling was used to explore potential changes in the quality across three rounds. Findings showed that shifts in literacy professor's pedagogy (sharing model videos of digital texts/tools integration) resulted in improved PT's practices (modeling literacy practices, modeling and guiding digital tool use, transformativeness). Further, findings underscore the importance of design experiments to uncover more effective teacher educator practices.

Building on past studies showing that mobile learning improves learning outcomes and differs within a domain (e.g., science), this meta-analysis models domain-specific differences (e.g., learning activities) that drive these differences in science performance. A systematic database search (i.e., Web of Science, JSTOR, ERIC, PsycINFO, ProQuest Dissertations, and ACM) identified controlled experiments. A meta-analysis determined the overall effect of mobile learning on 4,145 primary and secondary school students' science achievement, and tested for moderator effects across 57 effect sizes from 44 studies. Mobile learning increased science achievement (g = 0.857). Mobile learning's effect sizes were larger for (a) inquiry or game-based learning, than other learning activities; (b) biology, and progressively smaller for earth and space sciences, chemistry, and physics; (c) activities jointly led by students and teachers, followed by those led by students; and then those led by teachers; (d) collectivistic countries than individualistic ones; and (e) primary or middle school students. Intervention duration, device type, learning environment, and publication year showed no moderation effects. Hence, a comprehensive theory of mobile learning must include age, learning approach, subject area, user roles, and cultural values. These results also suggest that science educators using mobile learning might improve student learning by (a) integrating it with science inquiry or game-based learning, (b) starting with biology before other science topics, (c) using learning activities jointly led by students and teachers, (d) starting with primary or middle school, and (e) starting with students in countries with collectivist cultural values to help one another.

Although many studies modelled writing quality by analysing basic skills (spelling, grammar, etc.), few focused on top-down compositional strategies at the discourse level. We propose that using both narrative and argument discourse modes in an argumentative essay (a multi-discourse mode [MDM] strategy) capitalizes on their complementary advantages, yielding higher quality argumentative essays. We tested whether MDM strategy and linguistic features were linked to essay scores in 695 Chinese high-stakes exam essays by upper secondary school students. Path analyses showed that essays with the MDM strategy had higher scores. MDM essays also featured more words, shorter sentences, more infrequent words, and more concrete words--all contributing to higher essay scores. Additionally, essays written from a picture prompt (versus a text prompt) had higher scores. This study captures how discourse strategies can improve essay writing.

Bioactive components from dietary supplements such as curcumin may represent attractive agents for cancer prevention or treatment. DNA methylation plays a critical role in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) development, and presents an excellent target for treatment of this disease. However, it remains largely unknown how curcumin, a component of the popular Indian spice turmeric, plays a role in DNA hypomethylation to reactivate silenced tumor suppressor genes and to present a potential treatment option for AML. Here we show that curcumin down-regulates DNMT1 expression in AML cell lines, both in vitro and in vivo, and in primary AML cells ex vivo. Mechanistically, curcumin reduced the expression of positive regulators of DNMT1, p65 and Sp1, which correlated with a reduction in binding of these transcription factors to the DNMT1 promoter in AML cell lines. This curcumin-mediated down-regulation of DNMT1 expression was concomitant with p15(INK4B) tumor suppressor gene reactivation, hypomethylation of the p15(INK4B) promoter, G1 cell cycle arrest, and induction of tumor cell apoptosis in vitro. In mice implanted with the human AML MV4-11 cell line, administration of curcumin resulted in remarkable suppression of AML tumor growth. Collectively, our data indicate that curcumin shows promise as a potential treatment for AML, and our findings provide a basis for future studies to test the clinical efficacy of curcumin - whether used as a single agent or as an adjuvant - for AML treatment.

We present a rare case of tracheal schwannoma, the first reported in Hong Kong, emphasizing the diagnostic challenges and treatment outcomes. A 54‐year‐old woman with respiratory symptoms underwent evaluations revealing a tracheal mass causing luminal narrowing. Emergency operation with rigid bronchoscopy and cryoablation successfully removed the tumor. Follow‐up bronchoscopies showed a gradual reduction in residual tumor size, with no evidence of recurrence after 3.5 years postoperation. Tracheal schwannomas are exceedingly rare, often resulting in delayed diagnosis. Clinicians should maintain a high suspicion of tracheal tumors in patients with unexplained respiratory symptoms. Spirometry and flow volume loop analysis aid in identifying upper airway obstruction. Rigid bronchoscopy is preferred for diagnosis and treatment, ensuring airway stability and obtaining tissue samples. Surgical resection remains the mainstay, but observation after endoscopic resection may be considered. This case highlights the successful management of tracheal schwannoma through endoscopic resection and cryoablation, emphasizing the need for further studies and case reports on this rare entity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]