An Aligned Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) Scaffold Fixed with Fibronectin to Enhance the Attachment and Growth of Human Endothelial Progenitor Cells

Chien-Ning Hsu,Ya-Ting Lin,Yu-Hsu Chen,Tsung-Yu Tseng,Hsing-Fen Tsai,Shinn-Gwo Hong,Chao-Ling Yao 한국생물공학회 2023 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.28 No.3

Repair and regeneration of vascular tissue is a crucial current research focus in the fields of biomedical engineering and regenerative medicine. Numerous studies revealed that cells are required to grow on an appropriate extracellular matrix to maintain or enhance functionality. In the present study, various surface modification methods were evaluated to fix fibronectin on the surface of a bio-based and aligned poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) film for vascular tissue engineering. After chemical modification, the properties of the fibronectin-fixed PHBV films were examined and compared with the original films, including -NH2 group expression, contact angle, mechanical properties, and fibronectin binding amount. Then, cytotoxicity and biocompatibility were measured by culture with L929 cells and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) of the fibronectinfixed PHBV films. In addition, cell morphology, cell growth kinetics, acetylated low-density lipoprotein uptake ability, lectin binding ability and specific gene expressions of cultured EPCs on fibronectin-fixed PHBV films were also analyzed. Taken together, our data demonstrated that the surface of the aligned PHBV films could be successfully modified to immobilize fibronectin. Importantly, EPCs cultured on the fibronectin-fixed PHBV films showed excellent cell biocompatibility, a rapid proliferation rate, an aligned growth direction and correct cell functions. We believed that fibronectin-fixed PHBV films can serve as a potential scaffold for vascular tissue engineering.

The Third Asian Radiology Forum: Screening Programs in Asia

Ning Chien,Jo-Yu Chen,Shyh-Jye Chen,Yeun-Chung Chang 대한영상의학회 2020 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.21 No.2

According to reports presented at the Asian Radiology Forum 2017 in Taipei, the landscape of screening in Asia is growing, and the role of radiologists is also evolving. The Asian Radiology Forum was first held by the Korean Society of Radiology and the national delegates of Asian radiological partner societies, who attended this meeting with the aim of discussing selected subjects of global relevance in radiology. In 2017, current trends and policies concerning various cancer screening programs from each delegate country were discussed. Various screening programs were discussed, including liver screening in Thailand, thyroid cancer screening in Korea, and lung cancer screening data from the ongoing projects in Taiwan and Japan. The Asian Oceanian Society of Radiology could serve as a platform for international collaboration, and educational exchange between member societies was also highlighted in the forum. Most Asian radiology societies are looking forward to an expansion in the scale of international collaboration and for the provision of additional exchange programs in the future.

Abelmoschus esculentus (Okra) Prevents Insulin Resistance and Restores Neuron Autophagy by Regulating Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 and Thus Improving Hippocampal Function

Chien-Ning Huang,Chi-Li Lin,Hsin-Hua Li,Sing-Hua Tsou,Chiung-Huei Peng 한국식품영양과학회 2023 Journal of medicinal food Vol.26 No.7

Abelmoschus esculentus (Okra) Prevents Insulin Resistance and RestoresNeuron Autophagy by Regulating Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4and Thus Improving Hippocampal Function

Experimental Quantification on the Residual Seismic Capacity of Damaged RC Column Members

Chien-Kuo Chiu,Hsin-Fang Sung,Kai-Ning Chi,Fu-Pei Hsiao 한국콘크리트학회 2019 International Journal of Concrete Structures and M Vol.13 No.3

To quantify the post-earthquake residual seismic capacity of reinforced concrete (RC) column members, experimental data for 6 column specimens with flexural, flexural–shear and shear failure modes are used to derive residual seismic capacity of damaged RC column members for specified damage states in this work. Besides of the experiment data, some related researches are also investigated to suggest the reduction factors of strength, stiffness and energy dissipation capacity for damaged RC column members, respectively. According to the damage states of RC columns, their corresponding seismic reduction factors are suggested herein. Taking an RC column with the flexural–shear failure for an example, its reductions factors of strength, stiffness and energy dissipation capacity are 0.5, 0.6 and 0.1, respectively. This work also proposes the seismic performance assessment method for the residual seismic performance of earthquake-damaged RC buildings. In the case study, this work selects one actual earthquake-damaged school building to demonstrate the post-earthquake assessment of seismic performance for a damaged RC building.

Experimental Quantification on the Residual Seismic Capacity of Damaged RC Column Members

Chien-Kuo Chiu,Hsin-Fang Sung,Kai-Ning Chi,Fu-Pei Hsiao 한국콘크리트학회 2019 International Journal of Concrete Structures and M Vol.13 No.7

To quantify the post-earthquake residual seismic capacity of reinforced concrete (RC) column members, experimental data for 6 column specimens with flexural, flexural–shear and shear failure modes are used to derive residual seismic capacity of damaged RC column members for specified damage states in this work. Besides of the experiment data, some related researches are also investigated to suggest the reduction factors of strength, stiffness and energy dissipation capacity for damaged RC column members, respectively. According to the damage states of RC columns, their corresponding seismic reduction factors are suggested herein. Taking an RC column with the flexural–shear failure for an example, its reductions factors of strength, stiffness and energy dissipation capacity are 0.5, 0.6 and 0.1, respectively. This work also proposes the seismic performance assessment method for the residual seismic performance of earthquake-damaged RC buildings. In the case study, this work selects one actual earthquake-damaged school building to demonstrate the post-earthquake assessment of seismic performance for a damaged RC building.

Experimental Investigation on Flexural Crack Control for High-Strength Reinforced-Concrete Beam Members

Chien-Kuo Chiu,Kai-Ning Chi,Bo-Ting Ho 한국콘크리트학회 2018 International Journal of Concrete Structures and M Vol.12 No.4

The purpose of this study is to investigate the flexural crack development of high-strength reinforced concrete (HSRC) beams and suggest the design equations of the flexural crack control for HSRC beams. This study conducts two full-size simply-supported beam specimens and seven full-size cantilever beam specimens, and collects the experimental data of twenty full-size simply-supported beams from the past researches. In addition to high-strength reinforced steel bars of specified yielding stresses of 685 and 785 MPa, these specimens are all designed with the high-strength concrete of a specified compressive stress of 70 or 100 MPa. The experimental data is used to verify the application of the flexural crack control equations recommended in ACI 318-14, as reported by AIJ 2010, as reported by JSCE 2007 and as reported by CEB-fib Model Code 2010 on HSRC beam members; then, this study concludes the design equations for the flexural crack control based on ACI 318-14. Additionally, according to the experimental data, to ensure the reparability of an HSRC beam member in a medium-magnitude earthquake, the allowable tensile stress of the main bars can be set at the specified yielding stress of 685 MPa.

Shear Crack Control for High Strength Reinforced Concrete Beams Considering the Effect of Shear-Span to Depth Ratio of Member

Chien-Kuo Chiu,Takao Ueda,Kai-Ning Chi,Shao-Qian Chen 한국콘크리트학회 2016 International Journal of Concrete Structures and M Vol.10 No.4

This study tests ten full-size simple-supported beam specimens with the high-strength reinforcing steel bars (SD685 and SD785) using the four-point loading. The measured compressive strength of the concrete is in the range of 70–100 MPa. The main variable considered in the study is the shear-span to depth ratio. Based on the experimental data that include maximum shear crack width, residual shear crack width, angle of the main crack and shear drift ratio, a simplified equation are proposed to predict the shear deformation of the high-strength reinforced concrete (HSRC) beam member. Besides the post-earthquake damage assessment, these results can also be used to build the performance-based design for HSRC structures. And using the allowable shear stress at the peak maximum shear crack width of 0.4 and 1.0 mm to suggest the design formulas that can ensure serviceability (long-term loading) and reparability (short-term loading) for shear-critical HSRC beam members.

Clinical Prognostic Factors and Survival Outcome in Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients - A Malaysian Single Centre Perspective

Yap, Ning Yi,Ng, Keng Lim,Ong, Teng Aik,Pailoor, Jayalakshmi,Gobe, Glenda Carolyn,Ooi, Chong Chien,Razack, Azed Hassan,Dublin, Norman,Morais, Christudas,Rajandram, Retnagowri Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.12

Background: This study concerns clinical characteristics and survival of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients in University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), as well as the prognostic significance of presenting symptoms. Materials and Methods: The clinical characteristics, presenting symptoms and survival of RCC patients (n=151) treated at UMMC from 2003-2012 were analysed. Symptoms evaluated were macrohaematuria, flank pain, palpable abdominal mass, fever, lethargy, loss of weight, anaemia, elevated ALP, hypoalbuminemia and thrombocytosis. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to determine the prognostic significance of these presenting symptoms. Kaplan Meier and log rank tests were employed for survival analysis. Results: The 2002 TNM staging was a prognostic factor (p<0.001) but Fuhrman grading was not significantly correlated with survival (p=0.088). At presentation, 76.8% of the patients were symptomatic. Generally, symptomatic tumours had a worse survival prognosis compared to asymptomatic cases (p=0.009; HR 4.74). All symptoms significantly affect disease specific survival except frank haematuria and loin pain on univariate Cox regression analysis. On multivariate analysis adjusted for stage, only clinically palpable abdominal mass remained statistically significant (p=0.027). The mean tumour size of palpable abdominal masses, $9.5{\pm}4.3cm$, was larger than non palpable masses, $5.3{\pm}2.7cm$ (p<0.001). Conclusions: This is the first report which includes survival information of RCC patients from Malaysia. Here the TNM stage and a palpable abdominal mass were independent predictors for survival. Further investigations using a multicentre cohort to analyse mortality and survival rates may aid in improving management of these patients.

Shear Crack Control for High Strength Reinforced Concrete Beams Considering the Effect of Shear-Span to Depth Ratio of Member

Chiu, Chien-Kuo,Ueda, Takao,Chi, Kai-Ning,Chen, Shao-Qian Korea Concrete Institute 2016 International Journal of Concrete Structures and M Vol.10 No.4

This study tests ten full-size simple-supported beam specimens with the high-strength reinforcing steel bars (SD685 and SD785) using the four-point loading. The measured compressive strength of the concrete is in the range of 70-100 MPa. The main variable considered in the study is the shear-span to depth ratio. Based on the experimental data that include maximum shear crack width, residual shear crack width, angle of the main crack and shear drift ratio, a simplified equation are proposed to predict the shear deformation of the high-strength reinforced concrete (HSRC) beam member. Besides the post-earthquake damage assessment, these results can also be used to build the performance-based design for HSRC structures. And using the allowable shear stress at the peak maximum shear crack width of 0.4 and 1.0 mm to suggest the design formulas that can ensure service-ability (long-term loading) and reparability (short-term loading) for shear-critical HSRC beam members.