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We present X-ray observations of PWN G16.73+0.08/SNR G16.7+0.1 using archival data of {\it Chandra} ACIS. The X-ray emission peak location of this pulsar wind nebula is found to be offset by 24 arcsec from the centre of the 1.4-GHz emission of this nebula. The X-ray nebula is elongated in the direction from the X-ray peak to the 1.4-GHz emission centre. This offset suggests that G16.73+0.08 is an evolved pulsar wind nebula interacting with the supernova remnant reverse shock. We identify a point source, CXO J182058.16-142001.5, near the location of the X-ray peak. The spectrum of the X-ray nebula can be described by an absorbed power law of photon index $0.98^{+0.79}_{-0.71}$ and hydrogen column density $N_{\rm H}=4.99^{+2.75}_{-2.28}\times 10^{22}$ cm$^{-2}$. CXO J182058.16-142001.5 is likely a pulsar. We estimate its spin-down power to be about $2.6\times 10 ^{36}$ erg s$^{-1}$. Assuming its age at 3000 and 10,000 years, its dipole magnetic field strength at the polar surface is estimated to be about $4.2 \times 10^{13}$ G and $1.3 \times 10^{13}$ G, respectively., Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, accepted by MNRAS on Nov 13, 2017

Purpose The purpose of the study is to investigate the cross-sectional and prospective relation between workplace secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure and respiratory symptoms. Methods Cross-sectional data for workplace SHS exposure and respiratory symptoms were collected by using random digit dialing from 7336 never-smoking Hong Kong workers 15 years or older in 1997 to 1998. In the 2000 to 2001 follow-up, 2213 workers who remained never smoking, had the same SHS exposure status, worked at the same job for at least 2 years, and were not exposed to SHS at home at follow-up were included for prospective analysis. Results Cross-sectionally, SHS was associated significantly with frequent colds, cough and phlegm, throat problems, and the presence of any respiratory symptoms with adjusted odds ratios of 1.89 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.66–2.15), 1.65 (95% CI, 1.35–2.02), 1.88 (95% CI, 1.63–2.15), and 1.96 (95% CI, 1.75–2.20) at baseline, each having significant linear associations with duration of exposure. SHS was not associated with rhinitis. Prospectively, consistent SHS exposure increased the risk for cough and phlegm and any respiratory symptoms by 48% (12% to 97%) and 54% (13% to 109%), respectively. Conclusions This first non-Western population-based prospective study shows that workplace SHS exposure is associated significantly with frequent respiratory symptoms, both cross-sectionally and prospectively, thus providing strong evidence that the association is causal.

Disseminated Tuberculosis (TB) is a potentially lethal disease if not diagnosed and treated early.It still remains if the presentation is non-specific, unusual and the relevant facts are overlooked. However, a high index of clinical suspicion and early diagnosis and timely institution of anti-tuberculosis treatment is life-saving. Here we did a case study of disseminated tuberculosis with unusual presentation.

Purpose: Most studies of depressed mood and its correlates in adolescents have been conducted in Western countries. This study examined the relationship between a broad range of stressors and depressed mood in a community sample of Hong Kong adolescents. Methods: Secondary school students ( n = 996) completed the Chinese Beck Depression Inventory (C-BDI), provided demographic information, and indicated their perceptions of family and peer relationships, school function and pressures, and subjective health, and some measures salient to the Hong Kong environment: triad gang pressure, religiosity, and intent to emigrate. The correlation between C-BDI and these variables was assessed in bivariate and multivariate analyses. Results: Hong Kong adolescents reported higher levels of depressive symptoms than a comparison group of Western teenagers. Girls showed more symptoms than boys. All stressors correlated in bivariate analyses with C-BDI, indicating similar influences on depressed mood in Western and Hong Kong teenagers. In multivariate analyses, the stressors contributed cumulatively to the C-BDI score. Perceptions of a lack of parental understanding and peer acceptance appeared as the strongest variables in predicting depressed mood. Conclusions: Depressed mood is highly prevalent among Hong Kong teenagers. Stressors play a cumulative role in their relationship to mood. Our findings point to the importance of broad screening of this vulnerable population.

1 We aimed to study whether passive smoking is associated with respiratory ill health in primary school children in Hong Kong. 2 In this cross-sectional study, a standardised structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on respiratory symptoms, smokers in the household and smoking habit of the children. A random sample of 30 primary schools was included. Four classes were randomly selected for each school, one class each from each school year of primary 3-6. A total of 3964 children aged 8-13 years completed the questionnaire during October 1995-May 1996. The response rate was over 94%. 3 In 3480 children who had never smoked, after adjusting for gender, age, place of birth and living district, the odds ratios (95% confidence interval) were: (a) throat problems, 1.35 (1.08-1.68); (b) cough, 1.54 (1.28-1.84); (c) phlegm, 1.43 (1.21-1.70); (d) wheezing, 1.21 (0.89-1.41); (e) nose problems, 1.17 (1.02-1.35). The odds ratios increased with increasing number of smokers at home (P for trend < 0.001; except for wheezing, P=0.3). The odds ratios for having any of the above symptoms for one, two and three smokers at home were respectively 1.15 (0.99-1.34), 1.48 (1.16-1.88) and 2.03 (1.47-2.81); P for trend < 0.001. 4 We conclude that the results provide further evidence that passive smoking is a cause of respiratory ill health in school children in Hong Kong.

Study objective: To describe the prevalence of smoking in junior secondary school students in Hong Kong and to analyse the relationship between a range of risk factors and ever-smoking experience, including tobacco advertisements. Methods: Cross-sectional survey using an anonymous standardised self-administered questionnaire. Setting: 61 randomly selected secondary schools in Hong Kong. Participants: 6,304 form 1 to 3 Chinese students from 172 classes (51% girls and 49% boys; 90% were aged 12 to 15 years). Results: The smoking status (95% confidence interval) was: (1) never smoker, 71.1% (70.0%–72.2%), (2) tried only, 15.5% (14.6%–16.4%), (3) used to smoke but not now, 4.2% (3.7%–4.7%), (4) smoked 6 per week, 4.5% (4.0%–5.0%). In a backward stepwise logistic regression model, ever-smoking (including categories 2 to 6 above) was independently associated with thirteen factors, including gender (boys), increasing age, place of birth (outside Hong Kong, mainly China), poor knowledge of the hazards of smoking, positive attitudes to smoking, smoking in family members, participation in tobacco promotional activities, and perception of cigarette advertisements as attractive. Among the strongest associations observed was the youth’s perception of cigarette advertisements as attractive, with the adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 2.68 (2.33–3.07). Conclusions: Smoking among young people is an important public health problem. Although the causes are multifactorial, in Hong Kong environmental tobacco advertising is an important risk factor that can be removed by banning all forms of tobacco promotion to young people.

Background Evidence on respiratory symptoms due to smoking and passive smoking in children is mainly derived from studies in Western countries. Evidence from the East was required to support stronger tobacco control policy in Asia. This study aimed to analyse the relationship between respiratory symptoms and smoking status in junior secondary students and between respiratory symptoms and family smoking in never-smoking students. Methods In a cross-sectional survey in 1994, anonymous questionnaires were administered to a two-stage cluster probability sample of 6304 students, aged mostly 12-15 years, from 172 classes of 61 schools in Hong Kong. Results Significant linear trends were found between smoking and the prevalence of throat and nose problems, cough and phlegm, and wheezing. The odds ratio (OR), after adjustment for age, gender, area of residence, type of housing and correlation within schools and classes (cluster effects), for smoking at least weekly ranged from 1.35 to 4.84. In never-smoking children, significant trends were found between the number of smokers living with the children and throat and nose problems, cough and phlegm, and recent wheezing. The adjusted OR and 95% confidence interval (CI) for any cough or phlegm symptoms was 1.19 (95% CI: 1.01-1.47) for one smoking household member, 1.38 (95% CI: 1.07-1.79) for two and 1.85 (95% CI : 1.19-2.85) for three (P for trend

Objective - To examine the effect of stopping drinking on the risk of oesophageal cancer. Design - Hospital based case-control study. Setting - Surgical departments of four district general hospitals and general practices in Hong Kong. Subjects - Cases were 400 consecutive admissions of patients with histologically confirmed diagnosis of oesophageal cancer during a 21 month period in 1989-90 (87% response rate). Controls were 1598 patients selected from the same surgical departments as the cases and from the general practices from which the cases were originally referred (95% response rate). Main outcome measure - Relative risk of developing oesophageal cancer after stopping drinking (adjusted for age, education, place of birth, smoking, and diet). Results - Current light drinking (< 200 g ethanol/week) was not associated with significant increase in risk. Among former drinkers risk fell more quickly in moderate (200-599 g/week) than heavy (≥ 600 g/week) drinkers. Even among heavy drinkers, however, risk had dropped substantially after five to nine years of not drinking. The results suggest that the time taken for risk to return to that in subjects who never drink was 10-14 years for moderate drinkers and 15 years or more, if ever, for heavy drinkers. Conclusion - Risk of oesophageal cancer decreases fairly rapidly with time after abstaining from drinking. This new finding could be used in health promotion to encourage behavioural changes, especially in heavy drinkers, who have a very high risk of developing oesophageal cancer. It also suggests that alcoholic beverages have a strong effect on the late stage of carcinogenesis., published_or_final_version

A case report of orofacial pain originating from both dental and nondental conditions is presented. The spontaneous throbbing pain initiated from the left maxillary second premolar and spread throughout the entire upper part of the face to the frontoparietal area. Root canal treatment of the maxillary second premolar did not resolve the chief complaint. Magnetic resonance imaging examination revealed hypertrophy of the left inferior turbinate and soft tissue haziness in the left maxillary sinus floor. After antrostomy, submucosal turbinectomy, and endodontic treatment, the patient was free from pain. The final diagnosis of this case, in addition to pulpitis, was maxillary sinusitis with chronic rhinitis. The multiple factors associated with the etiology made the diagnosis difficult. The mechanism of referred pain from the maxillary sinus and paranasal mucosa to the maxillary teeth and face is discussed.

PURPOSE: To examine whether smoking, alcohol drinking and other risk factors were associated with non-fatal coronary heart disease (CHD) in Hong Kong Chinese. METHODS: A case control study was carried out with 598 CHD hospital cases (431 men, 167 women) and 1100 community controls (663 men, 437 women). Standardized questionnaires were used and blood lipids were measured using standard methods. RESULTS: Stepwise logistic regression models showed adjusted odds ratios (AOR) of 3.36 [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.35 to 4.81] for smoking and 0.32 (95% CI: 0.22 to 0.45) for alcohol drinking in men, and 6.50 (95% CI: 2.61 to 16.19) and 0.15 (95% CI: 0.08 to 0.30), respectively, in women. The OR increased with decreasing levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) and increasing levels of triglycerides. No patterns were observed for body mass index (BMI), total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL). The protective effect of drinking was observed for different types of drinks and frequency of drinking, although few drank alcohol more than 3 days per week. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking was a strong risk factor and moderate alcohol drinking was a protective factor for CHD, and low HDL and high triglyceride levels were important risk factors in Hong Kong Chinese.

The diagnosis of a mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) can be achieved by non-enzymatic screening methods, including two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-D EP), and the dimethylmethylene blue (DMB) method. However, the confirmation of MPS diagnosis is difficult to achieve in Taiwan due to the shortage of a well-established MPS diagnostic service. In this article, we introduce the MPS screening protocols we have already established, and also illustrate the interpretation of 2-D EP result for MPS typing determination.Thirty-seven patients with different types of MPS were analyzed by 2-D EP and the DMB method. They were 4 with MPS I (Hurler), 15 with MPS II (Hunter), 10 with MPS III (Sanfilippo), 5 with MPS IV (Morquio), and 3 with MPS VI (Maroteaux-Lamy).The electrophoretic patterns of the affected glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in different MPS were illustrated, which were the basis of MPS diagnosis. The DMB results showed a significant difference between these diseases, and the dimethylmethylene blue/creatinine (DMB/CRE) ratio of Hunter Syndrome was markedly greater than those of the Sanfilippo, Hurler, and Maroteaux-Lamy Syndrome, successively. The 2-D EP is also applicable for MPS prenatal diagnosis. One cell-free amniotic fluid with suspected Hunter Syndrome was analyzed by 2-D EP, and the results excluded the possibility of MPS which was confirmed by enzymatic study.The 2-D EP provides a good separation of urinary GAG, and the DMB method gives an estimation of the GAG concentration in the urine. Both of the methods are specific, sensitive, and easy to perform for MPS screening and diagnosis.

In 1992–93, a follow-up study was carried out on a cohort of children who had taken part in a survey on breast-feeding and fertility in Hong Kong in 1988–89 (T.H. Lam et al., unpublished data). The aim of the follow-up was to study the prevalence of acute and chronic respiratory illnesses and associated factors among young children in Hong Kong. One of the major factors studied was passive smoking. Since the prevalence of maternal smoking is low in Hong Kong (2.7% in our study and about 3% among mothers of primary-school children (Hedley et al., 1993)), the power of the study was not great enough to detect any significant statistical difference for maternal smoking. Therefore, we turned our focus to smoking by grandparents. Few studies of the effect of smoking by grandparents on child health can be found in the literature. Nevertheless, a case-control study on passive smoking and childhood hospitalization due to respiratory illness in Hong Kong showed an adjusted odds ratio of 2.4, which was of borderline significance (95% confidence interval, 0.98–6.1), but there was a significant linear trend for mode of exposure (Ching et al., 1995). In a study of primary-school children in Hong Kong, their respiratory symptoms were significantly associated with exposure to passive smoking from family members other than fathers, mothers and siblings ((Hedley et al., 1991). We suspected that most of these other family members were grandparents.

Many studies have shown that tobacco advertisements and positive attitudes to smoking, as well as other factors such as family smoking and peer influence, are associated with the smoking behaviour of children. In our cross-sectional study on 6304 junior secondary-school students (forms 1–3, aged mainly 12–15 years), we found that the students’ perception of cigarette advertisements as attractive was strongly associated with smoking experience (Lam et al., 1994). Other factors associated with any smoking were knowledge about the hazards of smoking, positive attitudes to smoking and smoking by the family, schoolteachers and peers (Lam et al., 1995). The association was examined in this and other studies by comparing children who smoked with children who did not. All the risk factors, such as attitudes to smoking, were treated as independent variables, whereas smoking (yes versus no) was the dependent variable. Few studies have addressed children who have never smoked and the factors associated with positive attitudes (as the dependent variables). The aim of this study was to examine factors associated with positive attitudes to smoking among children who had never smoked from the above-mentioned data on 6304 students.

A review of the smoking cessation pattern in Hong Kong in 1984–90 reveals that the role of doctors remains static. Only 25% of smokers quit on a doctor’s advice (Lam et al., 1994). Very few facilities such as smoking cessation clinics and self-help materials (e. g. booklets and leaflets) are available, and those which are available are limited and their effectiveness has not been evaluated. In addition, the Government clinics in Hong Kong are extremely busy, so that doctors spend an average of 3–5 min with each patient and often see nearly 100 patients a day.

In 1994, a survey on youth smoking and health in Hong Kong showed that 29% of junior secondary-school students (mostly aged 12–15 years) had ever smoked cigarettes. More than half had smoked their first cigarette when they were in primary school or before, i. e. at the age of ≤ 11 years., and about 3% had smoked their first cigarette when they were ≤ 6 years old (Lam et al., 1994). A study in Hong Kong showed that about 6% of children in primary class 3 and about 19% of those in class 6 had ever smoked (Hedley et al., 1993). These results clearly demonstrate that the problem of smoking among youth begins before primary school and increases during primary schooling. The study also showed that 95% of the children in primary classes 3 and 4 recognized the Marlboro name and the Salem logo as belonging to tobacco products, from a choice of various consumer products including food, cigarettes and drinks (Peter et al., 1995). The results show that primary school students in Hong Kong are aware of the smoking issue.

1. We aimed to study whether passive smoking is associated with respiratory ill health in primary school children in Hong Kong. 2. In this cross-sectional study, a standardised structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on respiratory symptoms, smokers in the household and smoking habit of the children. A random sample of 30 primary schools was included. Four classes were randomly selected for each school, one class each from each school year of primary 3-6. A total of 3964 children aged 8 - 13 years completed the questionnaire during October 1995-May 1996. The response rate was over 94%. 3. In 3480 children who had never smoked, after adjusting for gender, age, place of birth and living district, the odds ratios (95% confidence interval) were: (a) throat problems, 1.35 (1.08-1.68); (b) cough, 1.54 (1.28-1.84); (c) phlegm, 1.43 (1.21-1.70); (d) wheezing, 1.21 (0.89-1.41); (e) nose problems, 1.17 (1.02-1.35). The odds ratios increased with increasing number of smokers at home (P for trend0.001; except for wheezing, P=0.3). The odds ratios for having any of the above symptoms for one, two and three smokers at home were respectively 1.15 (0.99-1.34), 1.48 (1.16-1.88) and 2.03 (1.47 - 2.81); P for trend0.001. 4. We conclude that the results provide further evidence that passive smoking is a cause of respiratory ill health in school children in Hong Kong.

Objectives: To evaluate a culture-specific videotape on how to ‘break bad news’ and another videotape produced by a western university, and to determine if the language of presentation influenced the students' perceived abilities to execute basic skills.Subjects: Third year medical students at the Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong.Design: Longitudinal study with experimental design.Intervention: Two instructional tapes on breaking bad news; one using Chinese speaking role models and one using English.Results: In both groups, self-efficacy summed scores increased from 26.8 (95% CI = 25.9-27.7) at the pre-test to 29.0 (95% CI = 28.4-29.6). The biggest changes occurred in perceived self-efficacy regarding specific skills. However, students using the Chinese tape rated skills as more useful than those using the English tape.Conclusion: The videotapes were useful in teaching communication skills. Culturally relevant audiovisual materials were more effective.

To describe the prevalence of smoking in junior secondary school students in Hong Kong and to analyse the relationship between a range of risk factors and ever-smoking experience, including tobacco advertisements.Cross-sectional survey using an anonymous standardised self-administered questionnaire.61 randomly selected secondary schools in Hong Kong.6,304 form 1 to 3 Chinese students from 172 classes (51% girls and 49% boys; 90% were aged 12 to 15 years).The smoking status (95% confidence interval) was: (1) never smoker, 71.1% (70.0%-72.2%), (2) tried only, 15.5% (14.6%-16.4%), (3) used to smoke but not now, 4.2% (3.7%-4.7%), (4) smoked1 cigarette per week, 2.9% (2.5%-3.4%), (5) smoked 1-6 per week, 1.7% (1.4%-2.0%), and (6) smoked6 per week, 4.5% (4.0%-5.0%). In a backward stepwise logistic regression model, ever-smoking (including categories 2 to 6 above) was independently associated with thirteen factors, including gender (boys), increasing age, place of birth (outside Hong Kong, mainly China), poor knowledge of the hazards of smoking, positive attitudes to smoking, smoking in family members, participation in tobacco promotional activities, and perception of cigarette advertisements as attractive. Among the strongest associations observed was the youth's perception of cigarette advertisements as attractive, with the adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 2.68 (2.33-3.07).Smoking among young people is an important public health problem. Although the causes are multifactorial, in Hong Kong environmental tobacco advertising is an important risk factor that can be removed by banning all forms of tobacco promotion to young people.

SummaryA medium consisting of 1% dextrose beef infusion agar pH 7.8 and type specific antipneumococcus serum is presented. Pneumococci of the homologous type when grown in the depths of the immune serum-agar plate develop well defined annular opacity surrounding each colony. The development of the annular opacities has been found to be strictly type specific.

Longitudinal liquid mixing in fluidized and fixed beds was studied using sinusoidal and pulse response techniques. The tracer used was light emissive fluorescein dye. A systematical study of liquid phase dispersion by varying particle size, fluid velocity, fraction voids, and particle density was conducted. A generalized correlation applicable to both fixed bed and fluidized bed was obtained. The application of the correlation in predicting the effect of the dispersion on reactor performance was discussed.

Transient equations based on impulse, step, ramp, parabolic and sinusoidal inputs for reactors of various flow models are presented. The flows accompanied by the first order irreversible chemical reaction are considered. The response expressions are useful for the selection of a proper model and for the evaluation of the residence time distributions in a given reactor. On preesente les equations transitoires pour divers modeles d'ecoulement dans des reacteurs selon des inputs varies tels que: en escalier, a variation constante, par impulsion, sinusoidal et parabolique. On considere les ecoulements accompagnes d'une reaction chimique irreversible du premier ordre. Les expressions sont utiles pour l'evaluation des distributions de temps de residence dans un reacteur donne.

SummaryA highly satisfactory and differential medium for the study of “S” and “R” forms of pneumococci is described. The medium consists of ordinary beef infusion agar pH 7.8 to which 5 to 10% defibrinated blood of the dog is added. To obtain the optimum result, the organisms are plated on such a medium and incubated for 16 to 18 hours. On examination with reflected light the “R” colonies present an extremely rough surface in distinct contrast to the smoothness of “S” forms.Evidences point to the dog blood cells as furnishing the important constituent of such a medium.