Lo, Yu Ching. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 79-82). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Acknowledgements --- p.i / Abbreviations --- p.ii / Abstract --- p.iii / Table of Contents --- p.v / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- Basic Theory of FTIR --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Infrared Spectroscopy --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Dispersive Infrared Spectrometer --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR) --- p.3 / Chapter 1.1.4 --- Advantages of FTIR --- p.5 / Chapter 1.1.4.1 --- Multiplex advantage --- p.5 / Chapter 1.1.4.2 --- Throughput advantage --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2 --- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) --- p.6 / Chapter 1.3 --- Identification of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine --- p.8 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Traditional method for the identification of TCM --- p.8 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Instrumental method for the identification of TCM --- p.9 / Chapter 1.3.2.1 --- Identification of TCM using fingerprint method --- p.9 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- Identification of TCM using FTIR fingerprint method --- p.10 / Chapter 1.4 --- Objective --- p.11 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Experimental / Chapter 2.1 --- Outline of the Method --- p.12 / Chapter 2.2 --- Reagents and Glassware --- p.13 / Chapter 2.3 --- Instrumentation --- p.13 / Chapter 2.4 --- Library Search Program --- p.13 / Chapter 2.5 --- Samples --- p.14 / Chapter 2.6 --- Sample Pretreatment --- p.16 / Chapter 2.7 --- Extraction of Ingredients --- p.16 / Chapter 2.8 --- Preparation of KBr Pellet --- p.17 / Chapter 2.9 --- IR Spectrum Measurement --- p.17 / Chapter 2.10 --- Data Processing --- p.18 / Chapter 2.11 --- IR Databases --- p.18 / Chapter 2.12 --- Reproducibility of Extraction --- p.29 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Application of Library Search Techniques - Results and Disscussion / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.31 / Chapter 3.2 --- Euclidean Search Method --- p.32 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Similarly score of reference spectra --- p.32 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Similarity score of known sample spectra --- p.37 / Chapter 3.3 --- Soft Independent Modeling of Class Analogy (SIMCA) --- p.45 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Verification Diagnostic Report of the Reference flowers --- p.47 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Classification of Flowers --- p.51 / Chapter 3.4 --- Performance Limitation --- p.75 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Euclidean Search Method --- p.75 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- SIMCA --- p.75 / Chapter 3.5 --- Conclusion --- p.77 / References --- p.79

Finally, through the application of spatial analytical and spatial statistical methods, a better understanding of the spatial patterns of TCM and Western medical services and their correlations with urban morphology, market, religious, educational and legal patterns can be acquired. / First, Republican Beijing historical information management can successfully manage integrated data for medical service studies of Republican Beijing. Historical data coming out of the historical enquiries can be collected, organized, managed, processed, analyzed and displayed. This framework may have some methodological implications on how to collect, organize, represent and analyze historical urban information in a GIS environment. / Second, Republican Beijing historical GIS database is not just the foundation of spatial analysis in this research, but provides a useful resource for scholars in many years to come. Through this database, public health, urban morphology, education, religion, market and legal cultural observations can be accessed by any investigator throughout Republican Beijing. The approach to identifying the street number improves the accuracy of the database while the approach of zoning 80 districts solves the Modifiable Areal Unit Problem. In fact, these are very common problems encountered in historical GIS research that are concerned with "accuracy" and "scale". The two approaches may shed some light on solving such problems. / This research applies an historical GIS approach, which focuses on the spatial dimension as well as quantitative analysis to explore aspects of TCM and Western medical services in Beijing from 1912 to 1937. This dissertation provides a framework for successful integrated data management by establishing Republican Beijing historical information management as an organizational priority. Based on this framework, a system that integrates the functions of data storage, selective retrieval, analysis, display and archiving is established. First, Republican Beijing historical GIS database is produced. Two approaches are provided to work out the street number sequences and zone the 80 subdistricts respectively. Second, four kinds of spatial analytical methods, including buffer analysis, two-step floating catchment area method, spatial auto-correlation and GWR are integrated and used to explore the spatial patterns of TCM, Western medical services and their correlations with urban morphology, market, religious, educational and legal patterns. The main contributions are three-fold: / Zhang, Peiyao. / Advisers: Lin Hui; Billy K. L. So. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 73-01, Section: A, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 150-163). / 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, [201-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

Wang Xin Ning. / "May 2002." / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 201-236). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

Liu Ming Ju. / "June 2003." / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2003. / 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 Company, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

At present, there is no cure for bone metastasis. The current goals in patient care are to palliate pain, prevent pathological bone fracture and increase the strength and function of bone, so as to extend the life expectancy and maintain a good quality of life. Bisphosphonate treatment is the currently standard therapy of bone metastasis and is commonly used by physicians; it alleviates the tumour-induced hypercalcemia in 90% of patients and reduces the metastatic bone pain in 50% of patients. Moreover, it also prevents the pathological fracture of the affected bones. However, while effective, bisphosphonate injections are very costly, though its oral formulation is less expensive it is also less efficacious, and causes gastrointestinal discomfort. Furthermore, prolonged use of bisphosphonate treatment may lead to certain adverse effects, including hypocalcemia. These factors will prohibit the longterm use of such medication as it can negatively affect the treatment outcome. / Based on enormous medical potentials illustrated by the aforementioned findings, BBYNG deserves wider clinical application, large-scale clinical study on its preventive effect against bone metastasis and detailed investigation of its mode(s) of action in the body. / Based on the above-described understanding of Chinese medicine and bone metastasis, supplementing the kidney and strengthening bone could be the basic principle for the treatment of bone metastasis using Chinese medicine. In view of this theory, and in addition to the clinical observation and a thorough search of the available literature, we selected relevant kidney-tonifying Chinese herbs, namely (Fructus Ligustri Lucidi), (Rhizoma Drynariae), (Herba Epimedii), (Psoralea Corylifolia) and wide-spectrum anticancer herbs (Herba Hedyotidis Diffusae) for the preparation of a combined formula--BBYNG. / Chinese medicine has long been used to treat cancers. Its advantages reside in its holistic properties, which bring palliative, corrective and convalescing functions against damage caused by radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery. These features position Chinese medicines as the adjuvant to orthodox cancer treatment. During the late stage of tumour development, when standard therapy is no longer effective, Chinese medicine plays a critical role as an integrated therapy. Searching for a safe, inexpensive and effective Chinese medicine preparation suitable for prolonged use as adjunct therapy in late cancer cases is of paramount importance. / Clinical results. Both Chinese medicine and Western medicine treated patients showed no significant change in their blood parameters or liver and kidney examinations before and after drug administration; Male subjects on BBYNG, their bone mass density remained stable after 6 months treatment and the subjects on OSTAC showed slightly decreased In females, subjects on BBYNG remained stable, but subjects on OSTAC slightly increased. / Clinical study. The study was designed as a randomized, parallel-group comparison between BBYNG formula and Bisphosphonate. The patients who meet the inclusion/exclusion criteria were randomly assigned to receive either BBYNG granules, which was prepared by a GMP manufacturer, or Clodronic acid. The treatment period was 6 months (24 weeks). For both groups, various clinical parameters such as body functions, blood examinations, bone density (BMD) assessment, X-ray examinations, pain intensity and quality of life were evaluated and compared. / Conclusions. (1) As an adjuvant to patients with bone metastases, BBYNG is effective in relieving the metastatic bone pain, improving the quality of life. (2) In the animal model, BBYNG reduced the metastatic bone damage, prolonged the survival and enhanced the T lymphocyte immunity in the tumour-bearing mice. (3) In vitro study on the breast and lung cancer cell lines showed that BYYNG could induce apoptosis and prevent tumour cell invasion. It suggests that BYYNG may restrict tumour growth and development, thus reducing the occurrence of bone metastasis. / In accordance with Chinese medicine, bone metastasis can be categorized into "bone tumour" "bone erosion" "bone wilting" "bone necrosis" and "bone impediment". The main cause of bone metastasis is twofold: cancer toxicity, and in Chinese medicine theory, the kidney governs the bone marrow, if the kidney is not functioning in balance, then the bone will become weak. Cancer toxicity is the "pathogenic cause" to skeletal metastases, while kidney weakness decreases the body defence against the cancer. A vicious cycle ensues when cancer and kidney deficiency and bone weakness occurs simultaneously coincidently and worsens the conditions. / In vitro study on tumour cell lines. The anticancer effects of different concentrations of BBYNG formula and various single components against human breast cancer and lung cancer cell lines were evaluated by cell viability test (MTT assay), cell apoptosis test and invasion suppression test. / In vitro study results. BBYNG and the aqueous extracts of its component herbs at very low drug concentrations stimulated the growth of three tumour cell lines tested. When the concentrations were slightly increased, they showed an inhibitory effect on cancer cell proliferation. As the drug concentrations further increased, the extracts showed cytotoxic effects on these tumor cells. At the noncytotoxic dose, the extracts could trigger apoptosis and enhance the caspase-3 activity in all three tumour cell lines. In addition, at this "non toxic" concentration, the extracts markedly inhibited the in vitro invasive property of the 4T1 breast cancer cell lines in our Matrigel invasion model. Thus these in vitro results suggested that BBYNG possess anticancer, invasion-inhibitory and anti-metastatic activities. / In vivo animal study results. (Tumour growth was slower in the BBYNG treatment group when compared to the OSTAC and control groups, but this was not significantly difference) BBYNG significantly delayed tumour growth in tumour bearing mice, but it did not minimize the tumour size markedly. Moreover, BBNYG did minimize the mobility restriction caused by tumours, reduce the damage to bones, prolong the survival time and enhanced the T lymphocyte immunity. / In vivo animal study. A well-established animal model for breast cancer was used to evaluate and compare the pharmacological effects of BBYNG formula and Clodronic acid, as shown by different indicators such as tumour progression, animal's mobility, survival time, bone metastasis-induced fracture intensity and the immunological status of the tumour-bearing mice. / Malignant tumour is characterized by early metastasis. Among them 37 to 80 (depending on which type of cancer) patients show tendency of bone metastasis. Bone metastasis is usually accompanied by various complications, such as severe pain, pathological bone fracture, hypercalcemia, and bone marrow suppression, which can substantially affect the quality of life of the patients. Thus, the prevention and treatment of bone metastasis in cancer is an issue worth pursuing. / Malignant tumours leading to high mortality and morbidity are a serious threat to human health. It is the leading cause of death in China. In Hong Kong, there are over 20 thousand new cancer cases and more than 1100 people die due to cancers every year. / Study objectives. To elucidate the efficacy and some pharmacological aspects of BBYNG in regard to the treatment of bone metastasis through clinical observation and different laboratory experiments. This study would be of significant reference value to the disease-oriented drug formulation and application, mechanistic study and research methodology of the treatment of bone metastasis using Chinese medicines. / The clinical and laboratory experimental results are summarized as below: / The research study is composed of three parts, the clinical study, in vivo animal study and in vitro study on tumour cell lines. The research methods used are as follows: / Those on BBYNG treatment showed more a stable and satisfactory quality of life than those in the Western medicine-treated group. For the Clodronic acid treatment group, patients generally showed worsened symptoms and quality of life deteriorated. The ECOG index of the BBYNG group was statistically better than that of the Clodronic acid group. Within the 72-week clinical observational period, the mortality of Clodronic acid group is significantly higher that of the BBYNG group. The effects of BBYNG group as presented in relieving the pain-induced influence on patients' emotion, interpersonal relationship and entertainment was more pronounced than that in the Clodronic acid group. / Wu Ka. / 論文(哲學博士)--香港中文大學, 2006. / 參考文獻(p. 299-324). / Adviser: Leung Ping Chung. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 68-03, Section: B, page: 1570. / 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 Chinese and English. / School code: 1307. / Lun wen (zhe xue bo shi)--Xianggang Zhong wen da xue, 2006. / Can kao wen xian (p. 299-324). / Wu Ka.

No description available.

Although Hormone Therapy (HT) is the most effective treatment for alleviating menopausal vasomotor symptoms and reducing bone loss, many women are reluctant to take this treatment due to side effects and concerns about safety. Epidemiological studies suggest that a significant proportion of women use Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies to alleviate vasomotor symptoms and improve quality of life. Anecdotal and clinical evidence indicate a number of CAM therapies, such as herbal medicine, may be effective in alleviating symptoms and modulating bone metabolism. Hence, in the context of concerns over the safety of HT and the extensive history of the clinical use of herbal medicine, this thesis investigated issues pertinent to CAM use and the menopausal transition. The aims of this thesis were to: • Examine the nature and extent of CAM use by women transitioning through menopause • Evaluate the effectiveness of a herbal formula containing Chinese herbs and Cimicifuga racemosa for alleviating vasomotor symptoms, improving quality of life and modulating bone turnover markers. From July 2003 until July 2004 the Women’s Health during Midlife Survey recruited 1,296 women aged 45-65 who were symptomatic when transitioning through menopause or asymptomatic but taking menopause specific treatments. A validated 19-item survey instrument assessed the use of CAM modalities and menopause specific products. The instrument was completed voluntarily and anonymously by women recruited from three strata; menopause clinics, clinics of general practice and government agencies. Approximately 54% of respondents had visited a CAM practitioner and/or used a CAM product during the previous 12 months. The most popular practitioners were the naturopath (7.2%) and acupuncturist (4.8%), while soy (25.4%) and evening primrose oil (EPO, 18.4%) were the most popular products. Massage and chiropractic were considered the most effective therapies, while phytoestrogen tablets and EPO were the most efficacious products. Although 26.4% of respondents indicated their doctor asked about CAM use, 71% of CAM users said they informed their physician about using CAM. Of the 60% of women using pharmaceutical medicines, 62.5% reported using a CAM product during the preceding 12 months. The survey results confirm the continued popularity of CAM use amongst women transitioning through menopause. A number of treatments were perceived to be effective in relieving symptoms. However, communication between medical practitioners and patients about CAM use is inadequate, and given the high use of pharmaceutical medicines this oversight may unnecessarily expose women to drugherb interactions. A randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a herbal formula derived from two traditional Chinese herbal formulae with the addition of Cimicifuga in alleviating vasomotor symptoms. The trial recruited 93 healthy women who reported at least six vasomotor symptoms per day. After a four week baseline period, women were randomly allocated to receive either herbal treatment or identical looking placebo tablets for 16 weeks. During the trial women recorded the number and severity of their flushes on a Daily Flush Diary, and at each monthly consultation two quality of life scales were completed. Forty nine eligible trial women were entered into a pilot study to assess the effect of the formula on bone turnover markers; bone specific alkaline phosphatase and deoxypyridinoline (corrected for creatinine). The herbal formula was found to be no more effective than placebo in reducing the frequency of flushing and the composite hot flush score or in improving quality of life. The pilot study found the formula had no effect on bone turnover markers after 16 weeks of treatment. Therefore, this formula cannot be recommended as a treatment for vasomotor symptoms and is unlikely to have any long term effect on bone. The use of CAM during the menopausal transition is very popular. Although this thesis found the current herbal formula to be an ineffective treatment, the scientific evaluation of potential CAM therapies is imperative so that health care professionals and consumers can make informed decisions concerning treatment options for the alleviation of symptoms. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 105-107).

published_or_final_version / Community Medicine / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Medical Sciences / Master / Master of Medical Sciences