There is increasing evidence suggesting that the cut-off values for defining obesity used in the Western countries cannot be readily applied to Asians, who often have smaller body frames than Caucasians. We examined the BMI and body fat (BF) as measured by bioelectrical impedance in 5153 Hong Kong Chinese subjects. We aimed to assess the optimal BMI reflecting obesity as defined by abnormal BF in Hong Kong Chinese. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was used to assess the optimal BMI predicting BF at different levels. The mean age and SD of the 5153 subjects (3734 women and 1419 men) was 51´5 (SD 16´3) years (range: 18´0±89´5 years, median: 50´7 years). Age-adjusted partial correlation (r) between BMI and BF in women and men were 0´899 P , 0´001 and 0´818 P , 0´001 respectively. Using ROC analysis, the BMI corresponding to the conventional upper limit of normal BF was 22´5±23´1 kg/m 2 , and the BMI corresponding to the 90 percentiles of BF was 25´4±26´1 kg/m 2 . Despite similar body fat contents, the BMI cut-off value used to define obesity in Hong Kong Chinese should be lower as compared to Caucasians. We suggest a BMI of 23 kg/m 2 and 26 kg/m 2 as the cut-off values to define overweight and obesity respectively in Hong Kong Chinese.

Features of the cancer epigenome distinguish cancers from their respective cell of origin and establish therapeutic vulnerabilities that can be exploited through pharmacologic inhibition of DNA- or histone-modifying enzymes. Epigenetic therapies converge with cancer immunotherapies through “viral mimicry,” a cellular state of active antiviral response triggered by endogenous nucleic acids often derived from aberrantly transcribed endogenous retrotransposons. This review describes the initial characterization and expansion of viral mimicry–inducing approaches as well as features that “prime” cancers for viral mimicry induction. Increased understanding of viral mimicry in therapeutic contexts suggests potential physiologic roles in cellular homeostasis. Significance: Recent literature establishes elevated cytosolic double strand RNA (dsRNA) levels as a cancer-specific therapeutic vulnerability that can be elevated by viral mimicry–inducing therapies beyond tolerable thresholds to induce antiviral signaling and increase dependence on dsRNA stress responses mediated by ADAR1. Improved understanding of viral mimicry signaling and tolerance mechanisms reveals synergistic treatment combinations with epigenetic therapies that include inhibition of BCL2, ADAR1, and immune checkpoint blockade. Further characterization of viral mimicry tolerance may identify contexts that maximize efficacy of conventional cancer therapies.

Bicuspidization annuloplasty and ring annuloplasty were effective at eliminating tricuspid regurgitation at 3 years postoperatively. Bicuspidization annuloplasty is a simple, inexpensive option for addressing functional tricuspid regurgitation. All patients with moderate-to-severe functional tricuspid regurgitation should undergo tricuspid annuloplasty regardless of the technique used.