AIM：To conduct a multicentre retrospective review of virological response rates in Asians infected with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C（CHC） treated with combination interferon and ribavirin and then to compare thei...AIM：To conduct a multicentre retrospective review of virological response rates in Asians infected with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C（CHC） treated with combination interferon and ribavirin and then to compare their responses to that among Caucasians.METHODS：Asian patients infected with genotype 1 CHC treated at 4 Australian centres between 2001 to 2005 were identified through hospital databases.Baseline demographic characteristics,biochemical,virological and histological data and details of treatment were collected.Sustained virological responses（SVR） in this cohort were then compared to that in Caucasian subjects,matched by genotype,age,gender and the stage of hepatic fibrosis.RESULTS：A total of 108 Asians with genotype 1 CHC were identified.The end of treatment response（ETR） for the cohort was 79% while the SVR was 67%.Due to the relatively advanced age of the Asian cohort,only sixty-four subjects could be matched with Caucasians.The ETR among matched Asians and Caucasians was 81% and 56% respectively（P=0.003）,while the SVR rates were 73% and 36%（P 〈0.001） respectively.This difference remained significant after adjusting for other predictive variables. CONCLUSION： Genotype 1 CHC in Asian subjects is associated with higher rates of virological response compared to that in Caucasians.展开更多
BACKGROUND The worldwide epidemiology of inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)is rapidly changing.Increasing Crohn’s disease(CD)and ulcerative colitis(UC)incidence and prevalence have been recorded in developing regions su...BACKGROUND The worldwide epidemiology of inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)is rapidly changing.Increasing Crohn’s disease(CD)and ulcerative colitis(UC)incidence and prevalence have been recorded in developing regions such as Asia,Africa and Eastern Europe where it was previously thought to be uncommon.Whether this is also the case in South America is not well known.Demonstration that developing regions worldwide have increasing IBD incidence would indicate that environmental change plays a significant role in the development of IBD.AIM To report the incidence,prevalence and disease characteristics of CD and UC within the South American continent.METHODS A systematic review was conducted by searching published studies in major international and regional databases(MEDLINE,EMBASE and Scopus)between January 1990 and December 2018.Outcomes considered were incidence,prevalence,phenotype,environmental and genetic factors,ethnicity and gender.A pair of independent reviewers screened and reviewed all identified articles.RESULTS One hundred and sixty two citations were initially retrieved with 18 studies included in this systematic review.The majority of included studies were from Brazil(n=13,72%).The incidence of UC ranged from 4.3-5.3/100000 personyears whilst the incidence of CD ranged from 0.74-3.5/100000 person-years.Prevalence ranged from 15.0-24.1/100000 inhabitants for UC and from 2.4-14.1/100000 inhabitants for CD.The incidence and prevalence of both UC and CD has increased significantly in Brazil over the past 21 years.Pancolitis was the most common disease distribution in patients with UC whilst colonic involvement was the most common distribution in CD.People residing in urban areas were at higher risk of developing both CD and UC.CONCLUSION The IBD burden in South America is increasing at a rate possibly even greater than other developing regions around the world.There is a paucity of highquality epidemiological studies and further robust and representative data are required to further explore modifiable risk factors and disease phenotypes.展开更多
AIMTo determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Honiara, Solomon Islands. METHODSThis descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in s...AIMTo determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Honiara, Solomon Islands. METHODSThis descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in seven area health centers in Honiara. From March to June 2015, identification of eligible pregnant women in each site was conducted using systematic random sampling technique. A total of 243 pregnant women who gave written informed consent were enrolled. Standardized tool was used to record demographics, obstetric history and serology results. HBsAg and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) were tested using point-of-care rapid diagnostic test. All HBsAg positive samples were verified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTSThe mean age of participants was 26 ± 6 years. The overall hepatitis HBsAg prevalence was 13.8% with higher rate (22%) reported in women between 30-34 years of age. Majority of HBsAg positive participants were Melanesians (29 out for 33). None of the pregnant women in the 15-19 years and ≥ 40 years tested positive for HBsAg. There was no statistically significant difference in HBsAg prevalence by age, ethnicity, education and residential location. The overall HBeAg seroprevalence was 36.7%. Women between 20-24 years of age had the highest rate of 54.5%. Low level of knowledge about hepatitis B vaccination was reputed. Overall, 54.6% of participants were not aware of their hepatitis B vaccination status and only 65.2% of mothers reported their child had been vaccinated. CONCLUSIONHepatitis B is a disease of public health importance in Solomon Islands and emphasize the need for integrated preventative interventions for its control.展开更多
A delegation from the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering traveled to Beijing in April 2016 to jointly run a workshop on technology advances in food safety with the Chinese Academy of Engineer...A delegation from the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering traveled to Beijing in April 2016 to jointly run a workshop on technology advances in food safety with the Chinese Academy of Engineering. This brief summary from the Australian delegation identifies the pyramid of interlocking issues which must be addressed to deliver food safety. Systems and technology provide the necessary base, on which culture and then trust can be built to facilitate the delivery of food safety now and in the future.展开更多
文摘AIM：To conduct a multicentre retrospective review of virological response rates in Asians infected with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C（CHC） treated with combination interferon and ribavirin and then to compare their responses to that among Caucasians.METHODS：Asian patients infected with genotype 1 CHC treated at 4 Australian centres between 2001 to 2005 were identified through hospital databases.Baseline demographic characteristics,biochemical,virological and histological data and details of treatment were collected.Sustained virological responses（SVR） in this cohort were then compared to that in Caucasian subjects,matched by genotype,age,gender and the stage of hepatic fibrosis.RESULTS：A total of 108 Asians with genotype 1 CHC were identified.The end of treatment response（ETR） for the cohort was 79% while the SVR was 67%.Due to the relatively advanced age of the Asian cohort,only sixty-four subjects could be matched with Caucasians.The ETR among matched Asians and Caucasians was 81% and 56% respectively（P=0.003）,while the SVR rates were 73% and 36%（P 〈0.001） respectively.This difference remained significant after adjusting for other predictive variables. CONCLUSION： Genotype 1 CHC in Asian subjects is associated with higher rates of virological response compared to that in Caucasians.
文摘BACKGROUND The worldwide epidemiology of inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)is rapidly changing.Increasing Crohn’s disease(CD)and ulcerative colitis(UC)incidence and prevalence have been recorded in developing regions such as Asia,Africa and Eastern Europe where it was previously thought to be uncommon.Whether this is also the case in South America is not well known.Demonstration that developing regions worldwide have increasing IBD incidence would indicate that environmental change plays a significant role in the development of IBD.AIM To report the incidence,prevalence and disease characteristics of CD and UC within the South American continent.METHODS A systematic review was conducted by searching published studies in major international and regional databases(MEDLINE,EMBASE and Scopus)between January 1990 and December 2018.Outcomes considered were incidence,prevalence,phenotype,environmental and genetic factors,ethnicity and gender.A pair of independent reviewers screened and reviewed all identified articles.RESULTS One hundred and sixty two citations were initially retrieved with 18 studies included in this systematic review.The majority of included studies were from Brazil(n=13,72%).The incidence of UC ranged from 4.3-5.3/100000 personyears whilst the incidence of CD ranged from 0.74-3.5/100000 person-years.Prevalence ranged from 15.0-24.1/100000 inhabitants for UC and from 2.4-14.1/100000 inhabitants for CD.The incidence and prevalence of both UC and CD has increased significantly in Brazil over the past 21 years.Pancolitis was the most common disease distribution in patients with UC whilst colonic involvement was the most common distribution in CD.People residing in urban areas were at higher risk of developing both CD and UC.CONCLUSION The IBD burden in South America is increasing at a rate possibly even greater than other developing regions around the world.There is a paucity of highquality epidemiological studies and further robust and representative data are required to further explore modifiable risk factors and disease phenotypes.
基金Supported by University Research Publication Committee(URPC),Fiji National University,No.ACT339Hepatitis B Free(HBF)Ltd,Australia,No.25 167 817 389
文摘AIMTo determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Honiara, Solomon Islands. METHODSThis descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in seven area health centers in Honiara. From March to June 2015, identification of eligible pregnant women in each site was conducted using systematic random sampling technique. A total of 243 pregnant women who gave written informed consent were enrolled. Standardized tool was used to record demographics, obstetric history and serology results. HBsAg and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) were tested using point-of-care rapid diagnostic test. All HBsAg positive samples were verified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTSThe mean age of participants was 26 ± 6 years. The overall hepatitis HBsAg prevalence was 13.8% with higher rate (22%) reported in women between 30-34 years of age. Majority of HBsAg positive participants were Melanesians (29 out for 33). None of the pregnant women in the 15-19 years and ≥ 40 years tested positive for HBsAg. There was no statistically significant difference in HBsAg prevalence by age, ethnicity, education and residential location. The overall HBeAg seroprevalence was 36.7%. Women between 20-24 years of age had the highest rate of 54.5%. Low level of knowledge about hepatitis B vaccination was reputed. Overall, 54.6% of participants were not aware of their hepatitis B vaccination status and only 65.2% of mothers reported their child had been vaccinated. CONCLUSIONHepatitis B is a disease of public health importance in Solomon Islands and emphasize the need for integrated preventative interventions for its control.
文摘A delegation from the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering traveled to Beijing in April 2016 to jointly run a workshop on technology advances in food safety with the Chinese Academy of Engineering. This brief summary from the Australian delegation identifies the pyramid of interlocking issues which must be addressed to deliver food safety. Systems and technology provide the necessary base, on which culture and then trust can be built to facilitate the delivery of food safety now and in the future.
