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HKU medical chemists discover peptic ulcer treatment metallodrug effective in “taming” superbugs
A research team led by Professor Sun Hongzhe of the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Dr Richard Kao Yi-Tsun of the Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, discovered an alternative strategy by repositioning colloidal bismuth subcitrate (CBS), an antimicrobial drug against Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) -related ulcer. The team revealed a bismuth-based antimicrobial drug for treating peptic ulcers can effectively paralyze multi-resistant superbugs, e.g. Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) and Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP), and significantly suppress the development of antibiotic resistance, allowing the lifespan of currently-used antibiotic to be largely extended. Director of the HKU Centre for Infection Dr Ho Pak Leung said CBS can disarm superbugs reducing them to almost sensitive strain which can be easily killed by commonly used Carbapenem antibiotics and is having a good potential for future clinical applications. A patent has been filed in the US for the discovery.
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HKU routine surveillance programme detects H5N6 virus in fresh provision shop
The HKU routine surveillance programme for avian influenza at markets and fresh provision shops, commissioned by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), detected traces of H5N6 virus from an environmental swab of a chopping board and skin swabs of a chilled duck sample taken from a fresh provision shop in Wan Chai earlier. After analysis by experts, it was believed that the chilled duck concerned was not infected and it was only contaminated by traces of virus on its outer skin. The chance of infection through properly treated chilled poultry meat is very slim. FEHD is investigating the source of the contamination.
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HKU School of Public Health launches new version of Hedley Environmental Index
The HKU School of Public Health launched the fourth updated version of the Hedley Environmental Index (HEI). The new HEI is based on the latest scientific evidence for health risks and referenced to the World Health Organization Air Quality Guidelines with a new approach to aggregate air pollutants. The mobile app offers features including individual profile, real-time air quality, and a map of air quality. A new HEI website comprises new features and modifications including a new aggregating method for the air quality index, Hong Kong map of real-time air quality, rolling clocks of avoidable harm and economic cost to the community, calendar of high pollution days, historical data and education section.
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Knowledge Exchange Awards 2017
The annual Faculty Knowledge Exchange (KE) Awards recognise each Faculty’s outstanding KE accomplishment that has made demonstrable economic, social or cultural impacts to benefit the community, business/industry, or partner organisations. Results of the 2017 Faculty KE Awards are now available.
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HKU receives largest single donation to date from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust for the establishment of a Centre for Clinical Innovation and Discovery and an Institute of Cancer Care
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has pledged to donate $1.244 billion to HKU for the establishment of a Centre for Clinical Innovation and Discovery (CCID) and an Institute of Cancer Care (ICC) at Grantham Hospital (GH) by the Faculty of Medicine. This will be the largest single donation received by the University to date. The CCID and ICC will be the first purpose-built cancer-specific research and service centre in the city and serve as platforms for the translation of innovation and discoveries in science and in models of care for prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and palliation, and for the development of a new holistic cancer care paradigm for Hong Kong.
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HKU graduates' start-up team develops new bone substitute
Novus, a start-up company formed by an HKU Faculty of Medicine PhD graduate with two fellow PhD students and a winning team of the HKU DreamCatchers 100K Entrepreneurship, developed a new bone substitute which can be applied in a variety of bone-related surgical procedures and will soon be tested in animal total hip replacement. The company will partner with CityU's School of Veterinary Medicine to sponsor NGO Paws Guardian free surgeries for stray dogs.
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HKU study reveals traditional blood thinner drug is associated with a higher risk of osteoporotic fracture compared to newer drug
The HKU Faculty of Medicine analysed 8,152 atrial fibrillation patients who had attended public hospitals in Hong Kong from 2010 to 2014. The study revealed for the first time that when comparing the traditional drug warfarin to the newer drug dabigatran, warfarin was significantly associated with higher risk of osteoporotic fracture, which may increase the morbidity and mortality among the elderly, compared to dabigatran.
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