Socioeconomic correlates of infant mortality in Hong Kong, 1979-93

Contractions change the configuration of the lesser curvature of the stomach while they indent the greater curvature. We studied these lesser curvature changes by measuring the position and angle of the gastric incisura on still frames captured from videotapes of isolated cat stomachs suspended in physiologic solution. In response to filling with 100 mL Krebs' solution stomachs generated a tonic contraction of the fundus/body segment and gave rise to a peristaltic contraction that spread from the body and through the antrum to the pylorus. In preparations where we left the duodenal cannula open we found that the incisura moves toward the gastro-oesophageal (GO) junction and the angle of the incisura widens as the contraction passes through the stomach and empties its contents. Furthermore, the angle of the incisura is most acute when the full stomach starts contracting in its fundic segment and again when the contraction involves the gastric sinus (the wedge-shaped segment adjacent to the incisura which forms the transition between the body and the antrum of the stomach). In preparations where the duodenal cannula was kept closed, the angle of the incisura becomes most acute when the contraction involves the gastric body and when the luminal pressure peaks. We conclude that changes in the position and angulation of the incisura are part of the mechanical response of the stomach to filling and emptying; unlike the peristaltic contraction along the greater curvature the net movement of the incisura goes in the orad direction. Movements of the incisura profoundly affect the configuration of the stomach and hence the distribution of luminal contents between various gastric segments. The gastric sling muscles are responsible for the formation of the gastric incisura but their role in any movements of the incisura remains to be defined.     

香港文学的都市性特征研究述评(1979-2009)

文章以归纳法,梳理1979-2009年间大陆对香港文学都市性特征的研究状况.香港文学的都市性特征主要体现在两个方面:第一是文学写作主题上体现的都市影响,包括都市文化对香港文学的整体影响,都市文化与作家之间的互相建构;第二是写作策略上体现的都市文化影响,即前卫的现代主义实践.     

Alcohol drinking patterns of the Danes 1979-1992

A questionnaire-based interview on alcohol drinking pattern in a random sample of 4,016 men and 4,179 women in 1992 was compared to an identical interview from 1979. In coherence with alcohol sale statistics, the average alcohol intake was unchanged in the population. Nevertheless, during the period drinking patterns have changed among Danes. Thus, 20 to 39 year-olds drank less, 40 to 59 years-olds drank more, fewer Danes drank during daytime, and fewer drank on weekdays at the second survey.     

Trends and patterns of mortality associated with birth defects and genetic diseases in the United States, 1979-1992: an analysis of multiple-cause mortality data

Contemporary information on the trends and patterns of mortality associated with birth defects and genetic diseases is lacking in the United States. To study these trends and patterns, we used the Multiple-Cause Mortality Files of the National Center for Health Statistics. From 1979 through 1992, 320,208 deaths in the United States were associated with birth defects and genetic diseases. The age-adjusted mortality rates for people with birth defects declined from about 8.2/100,000 in 1979 to about 6.7/100,000 in 1992, and the mortality rates for people with genetic diseases increased from 2.2/100,000 in 1979 to 2.5/100,000 in 1992. The mortality rate was higher among men than among women and higher among blacks than among whites or other races for both birth defect- and genetic disease-associated deaths. The rate among infants with birth defects was more than 25 times higher than that among other age groups. About half of the children whose deaths were associated with birth defects had cardiovascular system defects, 15% had central nervous system defects, and 12% had chromosomal defects. For deaths associated with genetic diseases, hereditary neurologic or storage disorders were the most common genetic diseases (38%), followed by metabolic disorders (21%), sickle cell and thalassemia (12%). The decline in the rate of mortality from birth defects in the United States probably reflects improvements in medical and surgical care and other factors. Most of the mortality associated with birth defects remains in the pediatric age group (less than 15 years old). The upward trend we detected for the deaths with genetic diseases was most likely related to improved recognition and reporting of some genetic diseases rather than to the increased prevalence.     

A survey of the Hong Kong health sector: past, present and future

This paper considers the involvement and performance in the health sector of the Hong Kong government prior to and beyond the transfer of sovereignty from Britain to China in July 1997. The paper commences with a historical survey of health services development, which provides insights into why the health system functions in its present haphazard manner. This section culminates by discussing the 1991 establishment of the statutory Hospital Authority which was an attempt to alleviate escalating problems in the administration of hospitals and public health services. Next, the paper surveys the present, discussing, respectively, the roles of government and private service providers, health care outcomes and the contribution of traditional Chinese medicine. Finally, the paper outlines a range of pressing issues which Hong Kong's future policy-makers will need to confront: the organization of the health sector, health financing and the health policy deficit. In the conclusion, it is posited that there is a need for government to formulate a health policy and to clarify its role in the provision of services.     

Play therapy in Hong Kong: Opportunities and challenges.

Play therapy is a well-established therapeutic approach for working with children and families in the West. This article describes the current situation of play therapy in Hong Kong—a cosmopolitan city where East meets West. The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats confronting the development of play therapy as an extension of core graduate-level mental health training are analyzed. Through this process, a number of strategic issues central to the growth and development of professionalism in play therapy are identified and discussed. A path for the future development of play therapy for mental health professionals in Hong Kong over the next decade is presented. Possibilities for collaboration in research and practice among play therapists from all over the world are also suggested. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Mainland China, Taiwan and the Hong Kong Region: the Second Medical Education Conference

OBJECTIVE: Our objective in this study was to evaluate decreased weight/length ratio as a correlate of perinatal morbidity in twins. STUDY DESIGN: Rates of weight/length ratio less than 10% (low WL) were compared in 986 neonates from twin gestations and 4929 matched singletons. Low WL was compared with birth weight less than 10% (SGA) and 25% birth weight discordance as a marker for perinatal depression and neonatal mortality. RESULTS: Both SGA (42% vs 8%) and low WL (38% vs 8%) occurred more commonly in twins. Low WL was a better correlate of depression and mortality than SGA or 25% birth weight discordance. After adjustment for major anomalies, prematurity, and low WL, perinatal morbidity in twins and singletons did not differ. CONCLUSIONS: Low WL, a marker of asymmetric growth restriction, is a better marker for perinatal morbidity in twins than SGA or 25% discordance. Twins and singletons have similar rates of perinatal morbidity and mortality after adjustment for anomalies, prematurity, and growth restriction.     

Mortality patterns and trends for lung cancer and other tobacco-related cancers in the Americas, 1955-1989

Mortality from cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx, oesphagus, larynx and lung between 1955 and 1989 has been analysed for USA, Canada and 14 countries in Latin America. Among males, Uruguay, Cuba, Argentina and Puerto Rico have the highest rates for all sites, and Peru, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Mexico and Colombia have the lowest rates. Among females, Cuba, Colombia and Puerto Rico rank high for all sites, and Mexico, Paraguay, Ecuador and Peru rank low. For both sexes, lung cancer mortality rates from the US and Canada are high, whereas rates from other sites are intermediate. An increasing trend in lung cancer mortality over time is shown in all countries except Cuba (no changes), Argentina, Paraguay and Peru (decreasing trend). In Latin America, the tobacco-related lung cancer epidemic is in its early phase among males, and very early phase among females.     

Colonic diverticulosis in Hong Kong: distribution pattern and clinical significance

This is a retrospective study on the prevalence of diverticulosis in Hong Kong Chinese adults. Eight-hundred and fifty-eight consecutive barium enema examinations over a period of 18 months (January 1995-June 1996) were analysed. Results show that the prevalence of diverticulosis in our community is 25.1% with no significant difference between male and female adults. The prevalence is lower than Western countries but higher than in Asia. Moreover, the peak prevalence is at the 50-79 years age group with lower prevalence in the older age groups. This may be explained by the rapid rise in prevalence in the younger age groups so that the age-related increase in prevalence become obscured. We postulate that this may be due to Western cultural influence in our diet and lifestyle. There is no significant difference in the symptomatology of patients with and without diverticulosis, supporting the idea that diverticulosis alone is usually asymptomatic. There is predominance of right hemicolon involvement in our subjects, in contrast to the left hemicolon predominance in the Caucasian population. Of patients with diverticulosis, 55.3% have only right-sided involvement and 32.6% have bilateral involvement. Only 12.1% of patients with diverticulosis have exclusively left hemicolon involvement. Caecal and ascending colon diverticula are found in 6.4% and 17.6% of all the adults under study, respectively. Clinicians caring for patients from our community should take note of this high frequency of caecal and ascending colon diverticulosis as caecal and ascending colon diverticulitis is notoriously difficult to diagnose clinically.     

Hip fracture rates in Hong Kong and the United States, 1988 through 1989

OBJECTIVES: Prior studies have suggested that hip fracture rates are substantially lower in Asian countries than in the United States. However, comparisons have been limited by unavailability of recent data, differences in case definition, lack of data from similar time periods, and small sample sizes. This study sought to examine trends by age and sex, with separate statistics for those aged 85 or older. METHODS: Hospital discharge data were used to obtain hip fracture incidence in Hong Kong and the United States from 1988 through 1989. RESULTS: Within each population, women had higher hip fracture rates than men. Fracture rates in the United States were significantly higher for both sexes than rates in Hong Kong. For persons over the age of 80, rates of hip fracture among White US males exceeded those for Hong Kong women. Inclusion of transferred cases in hip fracture rates minimized differences between the countries. CONCLUSIONS: Despite increasing hip fracture rates in Hong Kong, those rates are still substantially lower than the rates in the United States. Identifying factors responsible for this variation may prove useful in the search for preventive strategies.     

Perceptions of parenting in mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong: Sex differences and societal differences.

Variations in parenting in Chinese families were examined with data from adults in mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Ss completed questionnaires that assessed their perceptions of their mothers' and fathers' warmth and control during their childhood. Results revealed sex differences in perceptions of parenting that were comparable in the 3 societies. Mothers generally were perceived as warmer and as less controlling than fathers. Perceptions of parenting also differed for sons and daughters. Daughters perceived their fathers as warmer and as less controlling than did sons. Differences among the 3 societies existed in adults' perceptions of their parents' overall warmth and control. Hong Kong adults perceived both parents as less warm and more controlling than did Taiwan and mainland China adults. These findings have implications for future research on Chinese families and for an understanding of cultural influences on parenting. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Trends in alcohol consumption patterns among whites, blacks and Hispanics: 1984 and 1995

OBJECTIVE: To report national trends in alcohol consumption patterns among whites, blacks and Hispanics between 1984 and 1995, in relation to the recent decline in per capita consumption in the United States. METHOD: Data were obtained from two nationwide probability samples of U.S. households, the first conducted in 1984 and the second in 1995. The 1984 sample consisted of 1,777 whites, 1,947 blacks and 1,453 Hispanics; the 1995 sample consisted of 1,636 whites, 1,582 blacks and 1,585 Hispanics. On both occasions, interviews averaging 1 hour in length were conducted in respondents' homes by trained interviewers. RESULTS: Between 1984 and 1995, the rate of abstention remained stable among whites but increased among blacks and Hispanics. Frequent heavy drinking decreased among white men (from 20% to 12%), but remained stable among black (15% in both surveys) and Hispanic men (17% and 18%). Frequent heavy drinking decreased among white women (from 5% to 2%), but remained stable among black (5% in both surveys) and Hispanic women (2% and 3%). White men and women were two times more likely to be frequent heavy drinkers in 1984 than in 1995. CONCLUSIONS: The reduction in per capita consumption in the U.S. is differentially influencing white, black and Hispanic ethnic groups. The stability of rates of frequent heavy drinking places blacks and Hispanics at a higher risk for problem development than whites. This finding is, therefore, a concern to public health professionals and others interested in the prevention of alcohol-related problems among ethnic groups in the United States.     

Eastern values: A comparison of managers in the United States, Hong Kong, and the People's Republic of China.

Assessed the differences and similarities in values among practicing managers in the US, Hong Kong, and the People's Republic of China. The Chinese Value Survey (CVS), an instrument based on Eastern cultural values, was used instead of the typically used Western instruments. Discriminant analysis was used to identify which of 4 CVS dimensions accounted for the significant differences among the 3 S groups. The models of the discriminant analysis are discussed and compared with the hypothesized relationships among the 3 countries. The findings indicate that 3 CVS dimensions, Integration, Confucian Work Dynamism, and Human Heartedness, discriminated among the groups. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Comparing the first and second hundred AIDS cases in Hong Kong

OBJECTIVES: To study the clinical and epidemiological features of the first 200 AIDS patients in Hong Kong. METHOD: A retrospective analysis of the data reported to the Department of Health. The patients were divided into two groups of first 100 and second 100 cases for comparison so as to discern the temporal changes. RESULTS: The first 100 AIDS cases were reported from February 1985 through to March 1994 (122 months) while the second 100 in the following 26 months. For both groups, they were predominantly male (94%, 89%), Chinese (66%, 74%) who acquired HIV via sex (83%, 91%). The proportion of Caucasians and homo/bi-sexual contacts in first and second 100 cases have fallen from 26% to 12% (p = 0.012), and from 53% to 31% (p = 0.006) respectively. For primary AIDS-defining illness (ADI), the frequency of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) has decreased (46% to 30%, p = 0.03) while that of tuberculosis (10%, 19%) and Penicillium marneffei (5%, 14%) infection have increased. Mycobacterium avium intracellualare and cytomegalovirus infection have become commoner subsequent ADIs. Frequency of PCP (22%, 9.5%) as the cause of death have dropped while that of tuberculosis has risen (4.8%, 14.3%). Median survival probability had improved from 7.3 months for the first half of patients to 11.9 months for the second half. CONCLUSION: Incidence of PCP has declined among local AIDS patients whereas tuberculosis, penicilliosis, MAI, and CMV diseases have increased. Survival chance of AIDS patients has improved over the years.     

Prevalence and structure of dental benefit schemes in Hong Kong

Before the impact of employer-provided dental benefit schemes on the dental care delivery system can be evaluated in Hong Kong, the prevalence of these schemes and their structures must be established. A mailed questionnaire survey was conducted of a representative group of companies with more than 100 employees (n = 495). Response rate to the mail survey was 38 per cent (n = 186). Non-respondents were stratified according to their nature of business and one third was randomly selected for a follow-up by telephone to which 84 per cent responded (n = 81). After adjustment, 16 per cent of companies of that size were found to be providing dental benefit schemes to their staff. The prevalence was related to the nature of business of the companies. Among companies providing dental benefits, administrators from selected companies were interviewed. It was found that dental benefit schemes could be broadly divided into two types: One characterised by cash-benefit and the other by service-benefit. Treatment items covered by the schemes were mostly simple services such as diagnostic items, simple restorations and simple extractions. The influence of these dental benefit schemes on the dental care-seeking behaviour of the beneficiaries is under investigation.     

Chinese Values and Stressors of Construction Professionals in Hong Kong

The construction industry has been recognized as a stressful industry, and a great deal of stress is placed on various construction professionals (CPs). However, due to the different “values” among CPs in Hong Kong, susceptibility to stressors varies from individual to individual. People who grow up and live in different cultural environments have different values and this leads to different perceptions of stressors. This study aims to investigate the impact of Chinese values on the stressors of CPs in Hong Kong, one of the main cities in China. To achieve this aim, factor analysis, Pearson correlation analysis, and structural equation modeling were applied based on the survey data collected from CPs in Hong Kong. Four types of Chinese values and eight stressors are identified. The results reveal that: (1) social conventions value alleviate role ambiguity and poor workgroup relationship; (2) value of disciplined work ethos triggers work overload, although it alleviate poor workgroup relationship and work underload; (3) value of conservative personality alleviates work overload; (4) interpersonal integration value has indirect impacts on the various stressors; and (5) the objective poor working environment stressor has significant impact on the poor workgroup relationships and role ambiguity of individual CPs.