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Grace Wong

Publications and source records attributed to Grace Wong.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Positive immunohistochemical staining of KIT in solid-pseudopapillary neoplasms of the pancreas is not associated with KIT/PDGFRA mutations.

Solid-pseudopapillary neoplasms of the pancreas are uncommon neoplasms of low malignant potential and of uncertain histogenesis. A small percentage of patients develop metastatic disease and some succumb to disease. The management of patients with metastatic disease or unresectable tumor, and patients who are just not good surgical candidates is problematic. Novel therapy targets are needed. Successful treatment of metastatic and unresectable gastrointestinal stromal tumors with KIT kinase inhibitor, imatinib mesylate (Gleevec), makes it intriguing to look at the status of KIT in solid-pseudopapillary neoplasms of the pancreas. In this study, we investigated KIT expression in 50 solid-pseudopapillary neoplasms by immunohistochemical staining. Of the 50 (50%) solid-pseudopapillary neoplasms, 25 showed diffuse expression (in >50% neoplastic cells) of KIT and additional five (10%) cases showed focal staining (in 10-50% neoplastic cells). Expression of KIT was not associated with tumor behavior and prognosis. A subset of 11 cases showing diffuse KIT expression detected by immunohistochemical staining were further evaluated for the presence of activating mutations in KIT exons 9, 11, 13 and 17, and PDGFRA exons 12 and 18 using PCR amplification followed by direct sequencing. However, no KIT or PDGFRA mutations were identified in any of these 11 cases tested, suggesting that the overexpression of KIT is probably not due to activating mutations in KIT or PDGFRA. The exact mechanism of KIT overexpression in solid-pseudopapillary neoplasms remains to be elucidated. One possible mechanism is gene dose effect (increased copies of KIT gene). Experience in gastrointestinal stromal tumors and other tumors have shown that mutation-mediated activation of KIT or PDGFRA is a prerequisite for clinical response with imatinib mesylate. Thus, lack of mutations in KIT or PDGFRA in solid-pseudopapillary neoplasms suggests that imatinib mesylate is less likely to be effective in the treatment for patients with metastatic disease or unresectable tumor, and patients who are just not good surgical candidates.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Parental attitudes towards the uptake of smoking by children.

ISSUE ADDRESSED: Factors related to parental smoking and parenting practice have a big effect on adolescent smoking. More in-depth information about these relationships can be used to inform interventions. This study investigated Maori, Pacific Islander, New Zealand European and Asian parent attitudes and practices in relation to smoking uptake in children. METHODS: Parents of children aged 8-15 years, recruited through the researchers' community networks and the media, participated in focus groups or interviews run by ethnically matched facilitators. Areas addressed included parents' beliefs about children smoking, their actions, and their suggestions for tobacco control activities. The data were analysed thematically. RESULTS: Parents believed that parental smoking, peer pressure and smoking role models in the media influenced smoking uptake in children. They said they would be disappointed if their children started smoking, but their confidence in influencing them varied. Many talked to their children about the health consequences of smoking, including their own negative perceptions of smoking and smokers. Most had smoke-free homes. The parents who smoked tried to avoid smoking around children. There was a good deal of commonality across the different ethnic groups. Important differences related to the provision of interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Parents believed in the value of a smoke-free lifestyle and wanted to protect their children from smoking. Important strategies to prevent smoking in children may include supporting parents to quit, informing them that discouraging children of any age from smoking can be effective, and providing culturally appropriate education and resources to facilitate parent/child communication about smoking.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Prodromes, coping strategies and psychological interventions in bipolar disorders.

Bipolar disorder is known to be highly recurrent and people with bipolar illnesses often experience high degrees of interpersonal and social impairment. The emergence of prodromal symptoms not only causes distress but may also predispose patients to greater risk of a full relapse. Studies have found that patients can report prodromes reliably. Common mania prodromes include decreased need for sleep, increased activities, being more sociable and racing thoughts while common depression prodromes are loss of interest, not being able to put worries aside and interrupted sleep. Furthermore, patients' coping with prodromal symptoms predicted relapses in bipolar disorder. These findings have led to a handful of randomized controlled studies which aimed at teaching patients relevant and adaptive coping strategies in dealing with bipolar prodromes as part of the intervention strategies and the results are very encouraging. The packages in these studies are of different complexity. The mode of intervention also varied from individual work, group work to family work. This paper also examines the differential effects of these interventions.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2002

Stigma and self-esteem in manic depression: an exploratory study.

BACKGROUND: As part of a larger study on coping styles in manic depressive patients, it was felt that self-esteem and stigmatisation, two areas that have received little attention in connection with this illness, warranted investigation. METHOD: A questionnaire on self-esteem and feelings of stigmatisation was piloted. The rationale of the questionnaire is explained and data on its reliability and validity are presented. RESULTS: This pilot study suggests a relationship between mood and self-esteem, while feelings of stigmatisation seem to be relatively independent of mood. However, some relationship between self-esteem and stigmatisation is suggested. LIMITATIONS: This study focused on an atypical group of patients, and the questionnaire had never been used before. For this reason, the results can be best seen as suggesting further research. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that issues of self-esteem and stigmatisation can have considerable clinical significance in this client group. For this reason, we hope this paper will stimulate interest in these areas.

Adult↗