Newsletter No. 118

Endoscopy Workshop Demonstrates New Treatment for Variceal Bleeding and Stomach Cancer S ome 300 medical specialists from all over the world attended the 12th International Workshop on Therapeutic Endoscopy and Variceal Haemorrhage, held from 1st to 4th December at the Prince of Wales Hospital, to discuss recent advances in the treatment for variceal bleeding, and the use of endoscopic ultrasound in the diagnosis of and treatment for early cancers of the stomach and oesophagus. Variceal bleeding, a condition associated with hepatitis B infection, has a mortality rate of 50 per cent. Participants of the workshop were updated on the recent breakthroughs in the treatment for variceal bleeding, including the use of potent drugs, innovative endoscopy, and radiological therapies. State-of-the-art treatment procedures were discussed and demonstrated by staff of the Faculty of Medicine and other endoscopists, surgeons, and radiologists. Endoscopic treatment of early cancers of the stomach and the oesophagus was another major focus of discussion. Experts showed how endoscopic ultrasound can be used to carry out detailed examinations of the gastrointestinal tract and the stomach, and detect cancers in their early stage. They also demonstrated how tumours can be removed using endoscopic ultrasound surgery if the muscle layer of the stomach and the oesophagus remains intact. SIX MORE PROJECTS RECEIVERESEARCHFUNDING S ix projects proposed by staff of the University recently received funding from different sources: • A Nutrition Manual for Carers in Elderly Residential Homes Sponsor: Health Care and Promotion Fund (HK$80,000) Investigators: Prof. Jean Woo, Prof. Georgia Guldan • The Effect of Indoor Pollution on the Development of Rhinitis in Office Workers in Hong Kong Sponsor: Occupational Safety and Health Research Grant (HK$800,000) Investigators: Prof. Peter-John Wormald, Dr. Michael Tong Chi-fai, Prof. C.A. van Hasselt, Dr. John Woo Kong-sang, Dr. Joseph Lau Tak-fai, Mr. Wong Ming-chung, Prof. Margaret Ng Heung-ling, Prof. Ignatius Yu Tak-sun • Electronic News Media and Publishing Consortium 一 Second Phase Sponsor: Industrial Support Fund (HK$2,568,000) Investigators: Prof. Cheung Kwok-wai, Mr. Lam Wing-kwan, Mr. Lau Chun-hung, Miss Yeung Yim-shan • An Evaluation of the Implementation of Case Management in the Community Psychiatric Nursing Services Sponsor: Health Service Research Committee (HK$556,680) Investigators: Prof. Sally Chan Wai-chi, Prof. Anne Mackenzie • A Hands-on Approach in Teaching Design and Building Technology in Architecture Sponsor: Action Learning Project Fund (HK$90,000) Investigators: Prof. Tunney Lee, Dr. Gu Daqing, Prof. Vito Berlin, Prof. Antonio Lao, Prof. Ed Hoosen • Computer-assisted Interactive Tutorials on Clinical Problem Solving in Family Medicine Sponsor: Action Learning Project Fund (HK$ 130,000) Investigators: Prof. Cynthia Chan, Prof. Wun Yuk-tsan Pioneer in HIV/AIDS Reseach Comes to CUHK W orld-famous AIDS researcher Dr. David Ho Da-I visited the University earlier this month as distinguished visiting scholar of United College. Director of the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center in New York, currently the world's largest private HIV/ A I DS research centre, and professor of The Rockefeller University, Dr. Ho is a pioneer of viral dynamics. His theory of HI V 's continuous replication since early infection forms the cornerstone of modern research in HIV/AIDS, and his novel use of a cocktail of protease inhibitors and other antiviral drugs in the early stage of HIV infection has shown remarkable promise in controlling the AIDS virus. Dr. Ho was named Man of the Year in 1996 by Time magazine. On 8th December Dr. Ho gave a public lecture entitled 'The A I DS Epidemic and Prospects for Control' at the Lecture Theatre of the Ho Sin Hang Engineering Building. The lecture outlined the HI V/ AIDS situation in different parts o f the world, and the latest advances in treatment. Born in Taiwan, Dr. Ho went to the United States at the age of 13. After graduating from the California Institute of Technology with a BS degree summa cum laude in physics, he changed his career path to medicine. He was offered a scholarship by Harvard Medical School where he obtained his MC in 1978. Dr. Ho has served in various capacities at famous institutes i nc l ud i ng Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, UCLA School of Medicine, and New York University School of Medicine. SCS SIGNS ACADEMIC EXCHANGE AGREEMENT WITH OHIOUNIVERSITY T he School of Continuing Studies established a memorandum of understanding with Ohio University on 17th November 1997, setting the stage for collaboration in programmes on gerontology, police/security studies, and management studies. Signed by Dr. James C. Bryant, vice- president of Ohio University, and Dr. C.C. Wan, director of the School of Continuing Studies, the memorandum entails staff exchange as well as the sharing of expertise in curriculum design. Plans are also under way for the two parties to organize an international conference on implementing change in lifelong education in the summer of 1998. Experts in continuing education from the world over will share experiences and comparisons w i ll be made among culturally different settings, exemplifying the interconnection of values in global and lifelong education. Dr. James C. Bryant (front middle) and Dr. C.C. Wan (front right) at the signing ceremony