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Introduction: Telemedicine services worldwide have experienced unprecedented growth since the early days of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Multiple studies have shown that telemedicine is an effective alternative to conventional in-person patient care. This study explored the public perception of telemedicine in Hong Kong, specifically among older adults who are most vulnerable to COVID-19., Methods: Medical students from The Chinese University of Hong Kong conducted in-person surveys of older adults aged ≥60 years. Each survey collected socio-demographic information, medical history, and concerns regarding telemedicine use. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify statistically significant associations. The primary outcomes were acceptance of telemedicine use during a hypothetical severe outbreak and after the COVID-19 pandemic., Results: There were 109 survey respondents. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that the expectation of government subsidies for telemedicine services was the strongest common driver and the only positive independent predictor of telemedicine use during a hypothetical severe outbreak (P=0.016) and after the COVID-19 pandemic (P=0.003). No negative independent predictors of telemedicine use during a hypothetical severe outbreak were identified. Negative independent predictors of telemedicine use after the COVID-19 pandemic included older age and residence in the New Territories (both P=0.001)., Conclusion: Government support, such as telemedicine-specific subsidies, will be important for efforts to promote telemedicine use in Hong Kong during future severe outbreaks and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Robust dissemination of information regarding the advantages and disadvantages of telemedicine for the public, especially older adults, is needed., Competing Interests: All authors have disclosed no conflicts of interest.

Surgery for benign gynecologic conditions may lead to infertility complications. In a cross-sectional study we investigated depressive and anxiety symptoms, Quality of Life (QoL), and coping strategies in women with benign gynecologic conditions undergoing surgical treatment (G1, N = 45) compared with women that did not need surgery (G2, N = 43), through the Patient's Health Questionnaire, the Short Form Health Survey-12 items, the Self-Rating Anxiety State, and the Brief COPE. Statistical analyses showed that women in G1 had significant higher depressive ( p =.04) and anxiety ( p =.03) symptoms, and lower QoL ( p =.01), than did those in G2. Moreover, women with more depressive or anxiety symptoms in both groups were more likely to present maladaptive coping modalities. A careful evaluation of the mental health of women undergoing gynecological surgery at risk of infertility should be included in the care for benign gynecologic conditions, in order to prevent psychosocial distress and alleviate the burden on QoL.

A one-dimensional photonic crystal (1DPC) based on a planar stack of dielectric layers is used as an optical transducer for biosensing, upon the coupling of TE-polarized Bloch Surface Waves (BSW). The structure is tailored with a polymeric layer providing a chemical functionality facilitating the covalent binding of orienting proteins needed for a subsequent grafting of antibodies in an immunoassay detection scheme. The polymeric layer is impregnated with Cy3 dye, in such a way that the photonic structure can exhibit an emissive behavior. The BSW-coupled fluorescence shift is used as a means for detecting refractive index variations occurring at the 1DPC surface, according to a label-free concept. The proposed working principle is successfully demonstrated in real-time tracking of protein G covalent binding on the 1DPC surface within a fluidic cell.

The involvement of lysosomes in ACTH and prolactin secretion was studied. Lysosomes were visualized in the anterior pituitary by their non-specific esterase (gold thioacetic acid technique) or acid phosphatase (Gomori technique) activity. Corticotrophs and mammotrophs were identified by postembedding immunocytochemistry for their respective hormones. Corticotrophs were rendered hypersecretory by bilateral adrenalectomy (7 or 12 days prior to examination), hyposecretory by dexamethasone administration. Prolactin secretion was enhanced by 17-beta-estradiol, prolactin release was inhibited by bromoergocriptine administration. Long-term hypersecretion of ACTH was accompanied by the presence of numerous autophagic vacuoles often containing secretory granules in the corticotrophs. Lysosomal enzyme-containing tubules and small lysosomes were abundant in the cytoplasm near the cell membrane, among the mature secretory granules. Feed-back inhibition of ACTH release by dexamethasone resulted in the extension of enzyme-containing tubules, continuous with cisternae and small lysosomes anywhere in the cytoplasm and in the appearance of numerous crinophagic vacuoles. A higher frequency of tubular lysosomes was described at the periphery of mammotrophs stimulated by 17-beta-estradiol. Bromoergocriptine caused a high incidence of characteristic crinophagic vacuoles in the prolactin cells. The concept of crinophagy has been extended to the corticotrophs. Morphological phenomena were attributed to the traffic and increased turnover of membranes, ligands and cytoplasmic organelles during stimulated secretion.

E600 resistant non-specific esterase activity or acid phosphatase activity were localized in corticotrophic cells identified by postembedding immunocytochemistry (PAP of protein A-immunogold techniques). The lysosomal system of this cell type consists of dense bodies, of a population of small lysosomes mostly situated at the cell periphery in the vicinity of secretory granules as well as of tubular structures. These latter were located either in the central part of the cytoplasm and probably belonged to the Golgi apparatus or at the cell periphery, partly in the extensions. Small lysosomes occurred to be in continuity with enzyme-containing tubules. In a few structures lysosomal enzyme activity and ACTH immunoreactivity overlapped. Some autophagic vacuoles seemed to contain secretory granule matrix. It is suggested that the concept of crinophagy can be extended to the corticotrophs, though the lysosomal system may be involved in the specific function of this cell type by other mechanisms as well.