Scaling up the in-hospital hepatitis C virus care cascade in Taiwan

( Chung-feng Huang ),( Pey-fang Wu ),( Ming-lun Yeh ),( Ching-i Huang ),( Po-cheng Liang ),( Cheng-ting Hsu ),( Po-yao Hsu ),( Hung-yin Liu ),( Ying-chou Huang ),( Zu-yau Lin ),( Shinn-cherng Chen ),( 대한간학회 2021 Clinical and Molecular Hepatology(대한간학회지) Vol.27 No.1

Background/Aims: Obstacles exist in facilitating hepatitis C virus (HCV) care cascade. To increase timely and accurate diagnosis, disease awareness and accessibility, in-hospital HCV reflex testing followed by automatic appointments and a late call-back strategy (R.N.A. model) was applied. We aimed to compare the HCV treatment rate of patients treated with this strategy compared to those without. Methods: One hundred and twenty-five anti-HCV seropositive patients who adopted the R.N.A. model in 2020 and another 1,396 controls treated in 2019 were enrolled to compare the gaps in accurate HCV RNA diagnosis to final treatment allocation. Results: The HCV RNA testing rate was significantly higher in patients who received reflex testing than in those without reflex testing (100% vs. 84.8%, P<0.001). When patients were stratified according to the referring outpatient department, a significant improvement in the HCV RNA testing rate was particularly noted in patients from non-hepatology departments (100% vs. 23.3%, P<0.001). The treatment rate in HCV RNA seropositive patients was 83% (83/100) after the adoption of the R.N.A. model, among whom 96.1% and 73.9% of patients were from the hepatology and non-hepatology departments, respectively. Compared to subjects without R.N.A. model application, a significant improvement in the treatment rate was observed for patients from non-hepatology departments (73.9% vs. 27.8%, P=0.001). The application of the R.N.A. model significantly increased the in-hospital HCV treatment uptake from 6.4% to 73.9% for patients from non-hepatology departments (P<0.001). Conclusions: The care cascade increased the treatment uptake and set up a model for enhancing in-hospital HCV elimination. (Clin Mol Hepatol 2021;27:136-143)

Concept Optimization for Mechanical Product Using Genetic Algorithm

Huang Hong Zhong,Bo Rui Feng,Fan Xiang Feng The Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers 2005 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.19 No.5

Conceptual design is the first step in the overall process of product design. Its intrinsic uncertainty, imprecision, and lack of information lead to the fact that current conceptual design activities in engineering have not been computerized and very few CAD systems are available to support conceptual design. In most of the current intelligent design systems, approach of principle synthesis, such as morphology matrix, bond graphic, or design catalogues, is usually adopted to deal with the concept generation, in which optional concepts are generally combined and enumerated through function analysis. However, as a large number of concepts are generated, it is difficult to evaluate and optimize these design candidates using regular algorithm. It is necessary to develop a new approach or a tool to solve the concept generation. Generally speaking, concept generation is a problem of concept synthesis. In substance, this process of developing design candidate is a combinatorial optimization process, viz., the process of concept generation can be regarded as a solution for a state-place composed of multi-concepts. In this paper, genetic algorithm is utilized as a feasible tool to solve the problem of combinatorial optimization in concept generation, in which the encoding method of morphology matrix based on function analysis is applied, and a sequence of optimal concepts are generated through the search and iterative process which is controlled by genetic operators, including selection, crossover, mutation, and reproduction in GA. Several crucial problems on GA are discussed in this paper, such as the calculation of fitness value and the criteria for heredity termination, which have a heavy effect on selection of better concepts. The feasibility and intellectualization of the proposed approach are demonstrated with an engineering case. In this work concept generation is implemented using GA, which can facilitate not only generating several better concepts, but also selecting the best concept. Thus optimal concepts can be conveniently developed and design efficiency can be greatly improved.

A novel M2e-multiple antigenic peptide providing heterologous protection in mice

Feng Wen,Ji-Hong Ma,Hai Yu,Fu-Ru Yang,Meng Huang,Yan-Jun Zhou,Ze-Jun Li,Xiu-Hui Wang,Guo-Xin Li,Yi-Feng Jiang,Wu Tong,Guangzhi Tong 대한수의학회 2016 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.17 No.1

Swine influenza viruses (SwIVs) cause considerable morbidity and mortality in domestic pigs, resulting in a significant economic burden. Moreover, pigs have been considered to be a possible mixing vessel in which novel strains loom. Here, we developed and evaluated a novel M2e-multiple antigenic peptide (M2e-MAP) as a supplemental antigen for inactivated H3N2 vaccine to provide cross-protection against two main subtypes of SwIVs, H1N1 and H3N2. The novel tetra-branched MAP was constructed by fusing four copies of M2e to one copy of foreign T helper cell epitopes. A high-yield reassortant H3N2 virus was generated by plasmid based reverse genetics. The efficacy of the novel H3N2 inactivated vaccines with or without M2e-MAP supplementation was evaluated in a mouse model. M2e-MAP conjugated vaccine induced strong antibody responses in mice. Complete protection against the heterologous swine H1N1 virus was observed in mice vaccinated with M2e-MAP combined vaccine. Moreover, this novel peptide confers protection against lethal challenge of A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1). Taken together, our results suggest the combined immunization of reassortant inactivated H3N2 vaccine and the novel M2e-MAP provided cross-protection against swine and human viruses and may serve as a promising approach for influenza vaccine development.

Raman Spectral Band Oscillations in Large Graphene Bubbles

Huang, Yuan,Wang, Xiao,Zhang, Xu,Chen, Xianjue,Li, Baowen,Wang, Bin,Huang, Ming,Zhu, Chongyang,Zhang, Xuewei,Bacsa, Wolfgang S.,Ding, Feng,Ruoff, Rodney S. American Physical Society 2018 Physical Review Letters Vol.120 No.18

<P>Raman spectra of large graphene bubbles showed size-dependent oscillations in spectral intensity and frequency, which originate from optical standing waves formed in the vicinity of the graphene surface. At a high laser power, local heating can lead to oscillations in the Raman frequency and also create a temperature gradient in the bubble. Based on Raman data, the temperature distribution within the graphene bubble was calculated, and it is shown that the heating effect of the laser is reduced when moving from the center of a bubble to its edge. By studying graphene bubbles, both the thermal conductivity and chemical reactivity of graphene were assessed. When exposed to hydrogen plasma, areas with bubbles are found to be more reactive than flat graphene.</P>

Magnetic Properties of GaMnAs Diluted Magnetic Semiconductor Grown in S-K Mode

Feng Xu,Powei Huang,Jinhua Huang,Weinee Lee,Tsung-Shune Chin 한국자기학회 2007 한국자기학회 학술연구발표회 논문개요집 Vol.- No.-

키랄(S)-이부푸로펜 함유 고분자의 합성과 제조된 고분자의 분자 인식 메커니즘

Feng Yun Huang Fu,Bing Wang,Yan Sun 한국고분자학회 2013 폴리머 Vol.37 No.3

A group of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) with specific recognition for chiral (S)-ibuprofen were successfully prepared based on hydrogen bonds, utilizing α-methacrylic acid as a functional monomer. The IR analysis of MIPs showed that the blue- and red-shifted hydrogen bonds were formed between templates and functional monomers in the process of self-assembly imprinting and re-recognition, respectively. According to UV-Vis analysis, we found that the ratio of host-guest complexes between template molecule and functional monomer was 1:1. The effect of crosslinker`s quantity on the polymerization was studied by transmission electron microscope (TEM). The adsorption selectivity experiments indicated that MIPs exhibited higher selectivity to (S)-ibuprofen than those to ketoprofen and (R)-ibuprofen, (S)-ibuprofen`s structural analogs.

Analyzing Errors Made by Eighth-Grade Students in Solving Geometrical Problems

( Huang Xing Feng ),( Cheng Long Hai ) 한국수학교육학회 2011 수학교육연구 Vol.15 No.4

In mathematical problem solving, students may make various errors. In order to draw useful lessons from the errors, and then correct them, we surveyed 24 eighth-grade students` performances in geometrical problem solving according to Casey`s hierarchy of errors. It was found that: 1. Students`` effect can lead to errors at the stage of "comprehension", "strategy selection", and "skills manipulation"; and 2. Students`` geometric schemas also influenced their strategy selection".

Positively Charged and pH-sensitive Carbon Dots for Fluorescence Detection of Copper Ion

Feng Feng,Chenfang Miao,Yalan Zhang,Zhengjun Huang,Shaohuang Weng 대한화학회 2021 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.42 No.2

As an essential trace element in the human body, copper ion (Cu2+) performs an important role in many fundamental physiological processes that need a facile and effective method for the monitoring of Cu2+ in organisms. Herein, a turn-off, facile fluorescent strategy for sensing Cu2+ was proposed using positively charged carbon dots (P-CDs) as probe. The P-CDs prepared from melting strategy exhibited stable, biocompatible, and pH-sensitive luminescent properties. P-CDs can be selectively quenched by Cu2+ for the direct detection of Cu2+. The reaction mechanism between Cu2+ and P-CDs was systematically investigated, illustrating that Cu2+ coordinated with the surface functional groups in P-CDs. The binding effect of Cu2+ and P-CDs caused the constant morphology and static quenching behavior of P-CDs. The promising accuracy of the testing results of the addition of Cu2+ in diluted serum using P-CDs implied their extended application in the biological field.

Structural Mechanical Characteristics of a Large Bolted Beam Reaction System and Its Modified Calculation Method

Feng Huang,Ban Zhang,Xingchen Liu,Jinyang Xiang,Guoqing Wan,Miaodi Qu 한국강구조학회 2022 International Journal of Steel Structures Vol.22 No.1

The primary error sources of engineering design for bolted beam reaction system with large size are mainly from the deformation of structure, mechanical behavior of connection joints. In addition, the simplifi ed calculation method of bolted connection has not formed a unifi ed understanding. A vertical static load test was carried out in the laboratory, and the deformation laws of the reaction beam were analyzed to obtain the mechanical characteristics of the connection joints by controlling the defl ection of the reaction beam. The composite eff ect coeffi cient k l of the variable section panel structure was introduced to the theoretical solution of the defl ection of the variable cross-section beam. Simultaneously, the fi nite element method was employed to establish the detailed model of the beam reaction system. The mechanical behavior of the reaction beam and the bolted joint are extensively studied, and the simplifi ed method of bolted joint is improved. The bolted connection is simplifi ed as a semi-rigid joint, and then the theoretical formula is proposed to calculate the defl ection and deformation of the beam structure under bolted connection. The defl ection and deformation of the reaction beam by the test and theoretical formula are consistent. The results show that the theoretical formula can well calculate the defl ection and deformation of structure members under bolted connection.

Decreased Expression of LKB1 Correlates with Poor Prognosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Undergoing Hepatectomy

Huang, Yue-Han,Chen, Zhen-Kun,Huang, Ka-Te,Li, Peng,He, Bin,Guo, Xu,Zhong, Jun-Qiao,Zhang, Qi-Yu,Shi, Hong-Qi,Song, Qi-Tong,Yu, Zheng-Ping,Shan, Yun-Feng Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.3

Aim: To study any correlation of LKB1 expression with prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases. Methods: A total of 70 HCC patients and 20 primary intrahepatic stone patients in the first affiliated hospital of Wenzhou Medical College were enrolled in this study. LKB1 expression was detected by immunohistochemistry. Patients were followed-up and prognostic factors were evaluated. Result: LKB1 expression was decreased in the HCC samples. Loss of LKB1 expression in HCC was significantly related to histologic grade (P=0.010), vascular invasion (P=0.025) and TMN stage (P=0.011). Patients showing negative LKB1 expression had a significantly shorter disease-free and overall survival than those with positive expression (P = 0.001, P=0.000, respectively). Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that LKB1 expression level was an independent factor of survival (P = 0.033). Conclusion: HCC patients with decreased expression LKB1 have a poor prognosis. The loss of LKB1 expression is correlated with a lower survival rate.