ORCID Profile
0000-0002-5443-7545
Current Organisation
University of Tasmania
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Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2020
Publisher: World Health Organization, Western Pacific Regional Office
Date: 31-03-2021
DOI: 10.5365/WPSAR.2020.11.2.006
Abstract: We reported a local family cluster of 6 confirmed COVID-19 cases, among 29 attendees of a Chinese New Year family dinner gathering in a restaurant, with 1 additional case from secondary transmission. The public should maintain social distancing at all times during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2009
DOI: 10.1016/J.EJPHAR.2008.12.054
Abstract: We investigated the role(s) of monoamine oxidases (MAOs) on the altered 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin)-induced tension development of the isolated umbilical artery of preecl tic pregnancy of Chinese women. An enhanced 5-HT-induced tension development of the umbilical artery of preecl tic pregnancy was observed when compared with that of normal pregnancy. The enhanced component of 5-HT-induced tension development was eradicated by clorgyline (a MAO-A inhibitor). Blockade of eNOS (endothelial isoform nitric oxide synthase) (N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester), 5-HT transporter (citalopram), 5-HT receptor subtypes (5HT2B, SB 204741 5-HT2C, RS 102221 5-HT7, SB 269970), and endothelium denudation of the umbilical artery of normal pregnancy mimicked the enhanced 5-HT-induced tension development as observed in the preecl tic tissues. In contrast, no apparent changes in 5-HT-induced tension development of the umbilical artery of preecl tic pregnancy were observed with the same pharmacological manipulations. A decreased protein expression levels of MAO-A and eNOS (no iNOS and MAO-B expression was detected) and no change in caveolin-1 and 5-HT transporter expression were demonstrated in the umbilical artery (endothelium intact) lysate of preecl tic pregnancy, compared to that of the umbilical artery of normal pregnancy. Thus, in the umbilical artery of preecl tic pregnancy, a decrease of MAO-A and eNOS protein expression levels are probably associated with, or responsible for, the exaggerated 5-HT-induced tension development.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 09-2009
DOI: 10.3181/0902-RM-44
Abstract: The effects of folic acid (5.7 and 71 μg/kg, 4 weeks) consumption on the β-adrenoceptors (β-ARs)–elicited lipolysis in vitro of the abdominal adipocytes of lean/control (+ m/+ db) and obese/diabetic (+ db/+ db) mice (female) were investigated. β-AR agonists (salbutamol, a β 2 -AR agonist BRL 37344 and CGP 12177, β 3 -AR agonists adrenaline, a β-AR agonist)–mediated lipolysis, β 2 -, and β 3 -ARs protein expression of the adipose tissues after folic acid consumption were evaluated. Our results demonstrate that a smaller magnitude of the basal (spontaneous) and the β-AR agonists–triggered lipolysis was observed in + db/+ db mice, and folic acid supplementation (71 μg/kg) resulted in an improvement of both the baseline and the β-ARs–mediated lipolysis. In controls, a lower β 2 -and β 3 -ARs protein expression of the adipose tissues was detected in + db/+ db mice, compared to + m/+ db mice. In both strains fed with folic acid (71 μg/kg), a reduction of β 2 -AR protein expression was observed compared to the respective controls. In + db/+ db mice, folic acid (5.7 and 71 μg/kg) consumption caused a dose-dependent increase of β 3 -AR protein expression compared to controls. We demonstrate that lipolysis elicited by β-AR (β 2 - and β 3 -ARs) agonists was blunted in + db/+ db mice. Folic acid consumption has significant modulatory effects on β-ARs protein expression and lipolysis.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2020
Publisher: World Health Organization, Western Pacific Regional Office
Date: 30-06-2020
DOI: 10.5365/WPSAR.2019.10.2.007
Abstract: Introduction: Hong Kong SAR (China) achieved measles elimination status in 2016, and the incidence of measles infection had been low over the past few years. However, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) at the Department of Health was notified on 22 March 2019 of an outbreak of three cases of measles infection among workers at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). Methods: We reviewed notifications of measles received by CHP from 1 January to 17 May 2019. We defined a confirmed case of measles as having laboratory evidence of measles infection. All confirmed cases among airport workers or those with epidemiological information suggesting they had been infected by contact with airport workers were included in the review. We described the epidemiological features and reviewed the control measures against the outbreak. Results: We identified 33 cases, 29 of which were among airport workers. They comprised 22 men and 11 women, aged 20–49 years (median 25 years). The majority of people with confirmed measles presented with fever and rash. All required hospitalization. None developed complications. Control measures, including enhanced environmental hygiene and improved ventilation at HKIA and vaccinations for the airport community, were implemented. Vaccinations were provided to 8501 eligible airport workers, and the outbreak was declared over on 17 May 2019. Discussion: Early recognition of the outbreak and prompt control measures, especially targeted vaccination of the exposed population, effectively controlled the outbreak in just two weeks.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2022
Publisher: F1000 Research Ltd
Date: 09-11-2020
DOI: 10.12688/WELLCOMEOPENRES.15896.2
Abstract: Background: The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) started in Wuhan, China in late December 2019, and subsequently became a pandemic. Hong Kong had implemented a series of control measures since January 2020, including enhanced surveillance, isolation and quarantine, border control and social distancing. Hong Kong recorded its first case on 23 January 2020, who was a visitor from Wuhan. We analysed the surveillance data of COVID-19 to understand the transmission dynamics and epidemiology in Hong Kong. Methods: We constructed the epidemic curve of daily COVID-19 incidence from 23 January to 6 April 2020 and estimated the time-varying reproduction number ( R t ) with the R package EpiEstim, with serial interval computed from local data. We described the demographic and epidemiological characteristics of reported cases. We computed weekly incidence by age and residential district to understand the spatial and temporal transmission of the disease. Results: COVID-19 disease in Hong Kong was characterised with local cases and clusters detected after two waves of importations, first in late January (week 4 to 6) and the second one in early March (week 9 to 10). The R t increased to approximately 2 95% credible interval (CI): 0.3-3.3) and approximately 1 (95%CI: 0.2-1.7), respectively, following these importations it decreased to below 1 afterwards from weeks 11 to 13, which coincided with the implementation, modification and intensification of different control measures. Compared to local cases, imported cases were younger (mean age: 52 years among local cases vs 35 years among imported cases), had a lower proportion of underlying disease (9% vs 5%) and severe outcome (13% vs 5%). Cases were recorded in all districts but the incidence was highest in those in the Hong Kong Island region. Conclusions: Stringent and sustained public health measures at population level could contain the COVID-19 disease at a relatively low level.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 16-10-2023
Publisher: F1000 Research Ltd
Date: 11-05-2020
DOI: 10.12688/WELLCOMEOPENRES.15896.1
Abstract: Background: The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) started in Wuhan, China in late December 2019, and subsequently became a pandemic. Hong Kong had implemented a series of control measures since January 2020, including enhanced surveillance, isolation and quarantine, border control and social distancing. Hong Kong recorded its first case on 23 January 2020, who was a visitor from Wuahn. We analysed the surveillance data of COVID-19 to understand the transmission dynamics and epidemiology in Hong Kong. Methods: Based on cases recorded from 23 January to 6 April 2020, we constructed the epidemic curve of daily COVID-19 incidence and used this data to estimate the time-varying reproduction number ( R t ) with the R package EpiEstim, with serial interval computed from local data. We described the demographic and epidemiological characteristics of reported cases. We computed weekly incidence by age and residential district to understand the spatial and temporal transmission of the disease. Results: COVID-19 disease in Hong Kong was characterised with local cases and clusters detected after two waves of importations, first in late January and the second one in early March. The R t increased to approximately 2 and approximately 1, respectively, following these importations it decreased to below 1 afterwards, which coincided with the implementation, modification and intensification of different control measures. Compared to local cases, imported cases were younger (mean age: 52 years among local cases vs 35 years among imported cases), had a lower proportion of underlying disease (9% vs 5%) and severe outcome (13% vs 5%). Cases were recorded in all districts but the incidence was highest in those in the Hong Kong Island region. Conclusions: Stringent and sustained public health measures at population level could contain the COVID-19 disease at a relatively low level.
Publisher: World Health Organization, Western Pacific Regional Office
Date: 31-12-2020
DOI: 10.5365/WPSAR.2020.11.1.012
Abstract: Objective: An outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first reported in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, with subsequent spread around the world. Hong Kong Special Administrative Region SAR (China) recorded its first confirmed cases on 23 January 2020. In this report, we describe a family cluster of 12 confirmed cases, with two additional confirmed cases from secondary transmission. Methods: We reported the epidemiological, clinical and laboratory findings of the family cluster, as well as the public health measures instituted. Results: All 12 confirmed COVID-19 cases were among the 19 attendees of a three-hour Chinese New Year family dinner consisting of hotpot and barbecue dishes. Environmental s ling of the gathering venue was negative. Two additional confirmed cases, who were co-workers of two confirmed cases, were later identified, indicating secondary transmission. Contact tracing, quarantine and environmental disinfection were instituted to contain further spread. Discussion: Our findings were highly suggestive of a superspreading event during the family gathering. The source was likely one of the cases during the pre-symptomatic phase. The event attested to the high infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 through human-to-human transmission from social activities and argued for the necessity of social distancing in curtailing the disease spread.
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Location: Hong Kong
No related grants have been discovered for Ho Yeung Lam.