Apolipoprotein E (apoE) is a lipid transport protein which plays a key role in lipid metabolism. In addition to the well known polymorphic coding alleles epsilon2, epsilon3 and epsilon4, APOE promoter single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have also been reported to modify disease susceptibilities in humans. / In a case-control study involving 710 Chinese type 2 diabetes and 198 non-diabetic subjects, genotyping of three SNPs (-491A/T, -219G/T and +113G/C) within the APOE proximal promoter identified that -491A was associated with increased risk for type 2 diabetes in women (OR=2.44, 95%CI=1.15-5.19, p=0.017). However, the three tested SNPs were not associated with the risk of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Yeast one-hybrid screening of the human brain cDNA library using the polymorphic DNA sequences spanning the APOE promoter -491 site as the 'baits' identified one of the interacting transcription factors being the activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4). Electrophoretic-mobility-shift assay confirmed the physical interaction of the purified recombinant ATF4 protein and APOE promoter -491 A/T spanning region (-521 to -461). The binding of ATF4 to the -491T-containing sequence was stronger than that of the -491A-containing sequence. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay further confirmed the interaction between ATF4 and APOE promoter -491-spanning region in vivo. The functional significance of APOE -491A/T polymorphism was supported by the dual-luciferase reporter assay showing that -491 A to T single nucleotide substitution significantly decreased the activity of the cloned APOE promoter (-1019 to +407) in human kidney (293), liver (WRL-68) and astrocyte (U-87) cell lines. Further analysis showed that ATF4 over-expression significantly down-regulated the activities of the cloned APOE promoter. The suppression of ATF4 on APOE promoter with -491A allelic form was significantly stronger than that with -491T allelic form in 293 cells (p<0.05). Interestingly, overexpression of recombinant ATF4 stimulated endogenous APOE transcription by about 10% in WRL-68 cells. / In conclusion, APOE promoter -491A/T polymorphism modifies the risk of type 2 diabetes in Hong Kong Chinese women. The -491A/T polymorphism controls APOE promoter activity and is interactive with transcription factor ATF4. / My thesis project aimed at testing two hypotheses: (1) APOE promoter SNPs associate with the risks of type 2 diabetes and diabetic nephropathy, (2) APOE promoter SNPs modify transcriptional control of the gene. / Geng, Hua. / "September 2007." / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 69-08, Section: B, page: 4559. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 140-151). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

External cephalic version (ECV) involves turning a fetus in utero by manipulation through the maternal abdomen and the uterine wall. / Many clinicians and patients, however, still decline ECV in favour of Caesarean section. This could be due to the lack of experience of ECV, and fear of complications or pain during the version. / Summary. The force applied during ECV can be measured and analysed using a customized pair of gloves incorporating piezo-resistive pressure sensors and suitable analytical software. The degree of force required for a successful version is highly variable. Failure of version is not usually due to insufficient force. Uterine tone is the most important factor affecting the degree of force applied during a version attempt. The degree of force applied is associated with the changes in fetal cerebral blood flow after ECV, and the amount of pain perceived by the patients. (Abstract shortened by UMI.) / The lack of information in this area is primarily due to the lack of a suitable device that would allow measurements of the force applied without interfering with the ECV. A suitable device would therefore have to be sufficiently robust so that it could be worn on the hands, durable so that it could be used repeatedly, incorporate multiple individual sensors, each of which is capable of making dynamic and mutually independent measurements during the version procedure. / There is no report in the literature on quantification of the force applied during ECV. It is also unknown whether the degree of force applied is related to the version outcome. In particular, it is unclear whether a failed attempt is related to insufficient force, or whether an increase in force may help to achieve version after a failure. Furthermore, it is also not known if any patients' factors may influence how much force is applied through the operator's hands. Although the chance of successful version could be predicted by some clinical factors, whether these factors may also affect the degree of applied force is not known. / This thesis reports on the design and development of a suitable measuring device fulfilling the requirements described above. In addition, it will test a number of hypotheses relating to the degree of force applied during ECV and clinical feto-maternal parameters and outcomes, in a study cohort of 92 patients. / Leung Tak Yeung. / "April 2005." / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-07, Section: B, page: 3717. / Thesis (M.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 155-174). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / School code: 1307.

Chan, Wing Keung David. / Thesis D.Nurs. Chinese University of Hong Kong 2015. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 115-119). / Abstracts also in Chinese. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on 26, October, 2016).

Lee, Man Yuen. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 191-215). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

Partners play a critical role in making decisions about fertility preservation among young patients with cancer, yet little is known about these dyadic decisions when planning cancer treatment. Fertility preservation entails helping cancer patients preserve fertility after cancer treatment. This qualitative study investigated: 1) Heterosexual couples' responses to potential fertility loss; 2) their process in making fertility preservation decisions; 3) their ethical and legal concerns, and 4) recommendations for other couples undergoing similar treatment. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 heterosexual couples whose female partners were diagnosed with cancer and had received fertility preservation consultations within the past 5 years. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using grounded theory methods. The results indicated that couples have varied reactions to infertility. In most, spouses let the patients take the lead in, and supported, their fertility preservation decisions. Spouses recommended support to patients. Couples face challenges in making fertility preservation decisions. Input from, and support for, both partners is essential to ensure well-informed, high-quality fertility preservation decisions.

Abstract not available

Over four years from 2002 to 2006, a series of concomitant studies were undertaken to explore the complications and outcomes of skin cancer surgery. Specifically: 1. Through prospective studies, to identify risk factors for bleeding and infectious complications following skin surgery. 2. To determine through a randomized controlled trial whether mupirocin ointment versus paraffin ointment versus no ointment on a wound following skin closure affords the patient benefit. 3. To determine whether patients are at increased post operative bleeding risk should they remain on warfarin and / or aspirin prior to skin surgery. 4. To develop and then trial a novel approach (reducing opposed multilobed [ROM] flap) for below knee wound closures that may reduce the incidence of skin surgery complications on the leg and foot. 5. To investigate whether patients who suffer surgical complications are less likely to be satisfied with the service provision.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 228-257). Aims to determine the impact of maternal undernutrition during late gestation and during the periconceptional and gestational periods on fetal growth, fetal blood pressure and the fetal hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal axis in the sheep.

Thèse d'exercice : Médecine. Gynécologie-Obstétrique : Paris 12 : 2008. / Titre provenant de l'écran-titre. Bibliogr. f. 82-89.

Reproduction de : Thèse d'exercice : Médecine. Chirurgie orthopédique et traumatologique : Paris 12 : 2008. / Titre provenant de l'écran-titre. Bibliogr. f. 66-76.