Exogenous Local Hyperthermia at 41℃ Is Effective to Eliminate Mouse Model of Sporotrichosis, Independent of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Formation

( Ya-lan Wang ),( Rui-qun Qi ),( Jing Lan ),( Zheng-xiu Li ),( Xing-hua Gao ) 대한피부과학회 2021 Annals of Dermatology Vol.33 No.1

Background: Local hyperthermia is recommended for the treatment of patients with fixed cutaneous sporotrichosis, though the effectiveness and mechanisms of action remain elusive. While neutrophils represent the main inflammatory cells associated with sporotrichosis lesions, the issue of whether hyperthermia is involved with interactions between neutrophils and Sporothrix globosa remains unclear. Objective: To evaluate the effect of local hyperthermia on sporotrichosis and determine whether local hyperthermia involves effects of neutrophils against Sporothrix. Methods: For the in vivo study, mice were infected with yeast cells of S. globosa followed by treatment with local hyperthermia. In vitro, an isolated Sporothrix strain was co-cultured with or without neutrophils and subjected under different temperatures. Immunofluorescence was used to assess the formation of neutrophil extracellular trap (NETs) were formed under these different culture conditions and the number of fungi colony forming units were compared. Results: Hyperthermia was significantly more effective in clearing the lesions in the mouse model, as compared to sham treatment. Neutrophils failed to exert any fungicidal effects against S. globosa in response to hyperthermia. Moreover, NETs were formed after interaction with S. globosa, and the percentage of NETs formed was not significantly different at 41℃ or 37℃. Conclusion: While hyperthermia could serve as an effective therapy for fixed cutaneous sporotrichosis, this ability does not involve the formation of NETs. (Ann Dermatol 33(1) 37∼45, 2021)

한·중 철도건설 사업의 리스크 관리에 관한 연구 -일대일로 프로젝트를 배경으로-

옹아란(Ya-Lan YONG),장동한(Dong-Han CHANG) 한국무역상무학회 2020 貿易商務硏究 Vol.85 No.-

2013년에 시작된 일대일로 프로젝트는 현재까지도 세계의 큰 주목을 받고 있다. 일대일로 프로젝트에 한국이 참여하는 것은 중한 양국에 긍정적인 영향을 미치게 될 것이다. 철도 건설과 같은 인프라 건설은 일대일로 프로젝트의 중점 영역으로서 한국에게는 일대일로 프로젝트에 참여할 수 있는 좋은 수단이 된다. 또한, 한중 양국의 철도는 유라시아 대륙 철도를 연결시켜 양국의 경제를 성장시킬 수 있다. 한편, 국가 간의 철도 건설은 여러 가지 리스크를 감수할 수밖에 없다. 본 연구에서는 일대일로 프로젝트에 해당되는 철도의 현황 및 관련 문제점을 살펴보고 사업가능성을 검토한 후 한·중 양국 철도의 두 가지 노선이 감수해야 할 리스크를 분석하였다. 한·중 양국의 철도 건설은 정치적으로 많은 리스크를 감내해야 할 것인데, 지정학적 리스크, 국가 내부의 불안정성, 자산 수용 리스크 및 관련 규제 리스크 등이 대표적이다. 중국 철도 기업이 한·중 철도 사업을 진행하려면 해당 위험 요소들을 마주할 수밖에 없을 것인데, 리스크 관리 차원에서 철도 기업이 합작 투자를 추진하거나 건설-운영-이전 모델을 사용하는 방법 등이 있다. 그러나 기업이 정치적인 리스크를 관리함에는 분명 한계가 존재할 것이다. SinceOne BeltOne Road projectwas presented in 2013, it has received great attention fromthe whole world. Korea"s involvement in the project seems to have significantly positive effect on both China and Korea. Infrastructure construction is the priority of theOne Belt One Road project and Korea needs to participate in this project if possible. The railway between Korea and China can connect the Eurasia continental railway and this project may help growth of the two economies. However, the construction of railways between countries have various risks. This study analyzes the present situation and problems of the project, and analyze different risks of the Korea-China railway projects. Main research methodology of this study is to review past and relevant studies reviewing books, research papers, and institutional reports relatedwith the topic. Construction of railways between Korea and China must consider a lot of political risks including geopolitical risks, internal instability, asset expropriation risks, and regulation risks. Chinese railway business have to consider risk factors carefully in order to build the Korea-China railway. In terms of risk management, railway business can take advantage of joint ventures or ‘build- operate-transfer’ models. Absolutely, however, there are significant limits to the management of political risks by a single business.

Effects of Exercise on Sleep Quality in Pregnant Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Shu-Ya Yang,Shou-Jen Lan,Yea-Yin Yen,Yen-Ping Hsieh,Pei-Tseng Kung,Shao-Huan Lan 한국간호과학회 2020 Asian Nursing Research Vol.14 No.1

Purpose: Sleep quality was considered a priority concern facing pregnant women. Conventional wisdom argues that good sleep quality benefits pregnant women and their fetuses. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of a specific exercise program on the sleep quality in pregnant women. Methods: Searches were executed in seven databases since their inceptions until February 28, 2019, for randomized controlled trials evaluating the effects of an exercise program on the sleep quality and insomnia in pregnant women. A random-effects model was applied for meta-analysis, and odds ratio, mean differences (MDs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) are shown as parts of outcomes. Results: Seven studies were included for meta-analysis. Compared with their not-exercising counterparts, analyses showed that regularly exercising women had significantly enhanced sleep quality, with an odds ratio of 6.21 (95% CI, 2.02–19.11;p = .001; I2 = 80.2%), with a standardized MD of −0.93 (95% CI, −1.19 to −0.67; p < .001; I2 = 30.0%). However, exercising women showed no significant insomnia improvement, with an standardized MD of −2.85 (95% CI, −7.67 to 1.98; p = .250; I2 = 97.0%), relative to their not-exercising counterparts. Conclusion: This research indicated that exercise has a positive impact on the sleep quality of pregnant women. Despite the aforementioned positive impact on sleep quality, the present study did not find evidence to support that exercise may also improve insomnia for pregnant women.

Voice Activity Detection Algorithm based on Improved Radial Basis Function Neural Network

Bao-yuan Chen,Ya-qiong Lan,Jing-yang Liu,Zi-he Li,Xiao-yang Yu 보안공학연구지원센터 2014 International Journal of Signal Processing, Image Vol.7 No.5

Voice activity detection (VAD) is the key of voice recognition, voice synthesis and speech-sound enhancement.For the sake of improve the accuracy and robustness of speech endpoint detection system. Combining the advantages of adaptive genetic algorithm (AGA) and improved radial basis function network (RBF) defects in existing learning methods. This paper presents a comprehensive detection method-- Adaptive genetic algorithm radial basis function network. This method uses adaptive genetic algorithm to simultaneously optimize the center, the width and the structure of RBF network. The method using wavelet analysis to extract the characteristics of the speech signal, use them as an input amount to the radial basis function networks. Establish voice detection system model, this method enhance the accuracy of the detection system and has better robustness.

Adsorptive Granulocyte and Monocyte Apheresis in the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis: The First Multicenter Study in China

( Ya-min Lai ),( Wei-yan Yao ),( Yao He ),( Xuan Jiang ),( Yu-bei Gu ),( Min-hu Chen ),( Yu-lan Liu ),( Yao-zong Yuan ),( Jia-ming Qian ) 대한소화기학회 2017 Gut and Liver Vol.11 No.2

Background/Aims: Patients with active ulcerative colitis (UC) have elevated levels of activated myeloid-derived leukocytes as a source of inflammatory cytokines. The selective deple-tion of these leukocytes by adsorptive granulocyte/monocyte apheresis (GMA) with an Adacolumn should alleviate inflammation, promote remission and enhance drug efficacy. However, studies have reported contrasting efficacy out-comes based on patients` baseline demographic variables. This study was undertaken to understand the demographic features of GMA responders and nonresponders. Methods: This was a multicenter study in China involving four institutions and 34 patients with active UC. Baseline conventional medications were continued without changing the dosage. The treatment efficacy was evaluated based on the endo-scopic activity index and the Mayo score. Results: Thirty of the 34 patients completed all 10 GMA treatment sessions. The overall efficacy rate was 70.59%. The receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the area under the curve was approximately 0.766 for a Mayo score of ≤5.5 with 0.273 specificity and 0.857 sensitivity (Youden index, 0.584) for GMA responders. No GMA-related serious adverse events were observed. Conclusions: The overall efficacy of GMA in patients with active UC who were taking first-line medications or were corticosteroid refractory was encouraging. Addition-ally, GMA was well tolerated and had a good safety profile. (Gut Liver 2017;11:216-225)

Molecular Characterization and Expression Analysis of Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 and Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein-1 Genes in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Bos grunniens and Lowland Bos taurus

Ya-bing Chen,Mei Fu,Dao-liang Lan,Jian Li 아세아·태평양축산학회 2015 Animal Bioscience Vol.28 No.1

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) play a pivotal role in regulating cellular hypoxic response. In this study, we cloned and characterized the genes encoding IGF-1 and IGFBP-1 to improve the current knowledge on their roles in highland Bos grunniens (Yak). We also compared their expression levels in the liver and kidney tissues between yaks and lowland cattle. We obtained full-length 465 bp IGF-1 and 792 bp IGFBP-1, encoding 154 amino acids (AA) IGF-1, and 263 AA IGFBP-1 protein, respectively using reverse transcriptase-polyerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technology. Analysis of their corresponding amino acid sequences showed a high identity between B. grunniens and lowland mammals. Moreover, the two genes were proved to be widely distributed in the examined tissues through expression pattern analysis. Real-time PCR results revealed that IGF-1 expression was higher in the liver and kidney tissues in B. grunniens than in Bos taurus (p<0.05). The IGFBP-1 gene was expressed at a higher level in the liver (p<0.05) of B. taurus than B. grunniens, but it has a similar expression level in the kidneys of the two species. These results indicated that upregulated IGF-1 and downregulated IGFBP-1 are associated with hypoxia adaptive response in B. grunniens.

Transitional Percentage of Minute Volume as a Novel Predictor of Weaning from Mechanical Ventilation in Patients with Chronic Respiratory Failure

Ya-Ru Liang,Mei-Chen Yang,Yao-Kuang Wu,I-Shiang Tzeng,Pei-Yi Wu,Shiang-Yu Huang,Chou-Chin Lan,Chin-Pyng Wu 한국간호과학회 2020 Asian Nursing Research Vol.14 No.1

Purpose: Some patients with respiratory failure fail initial weaning attempts and need prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV). Prolonged MV is associated with many complications and consumption of heathcare resources. Objective weaning indices help staffs to identify high-potential patients for weaning from the MV. Traditional weaning indices are not reliable in clinical practice. Transitional percentage of minute volume (TMV%) is a new index of the work of breathing. This study aimed to investigate the utility of TMV% in the prediction of weaning potential. Methods: This study was prospectively performed including all patients with prolonged MV. Researchers recorded their demographics, TMV%, respiratory parameters, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, and laboratory data upon arrival at the respiratory care center. The factors associated with successful weaning were analyzed. Results: Out of the 120 patients included, 84 (70.0%) were successfully weaned from MV. Traditional weaning indices such as rapid shallow breathing index could not predict the weaning outcome. TMV% was a valuable parameter as patients with a lower TMV%, higher tidal volume, higher hemoglobin, lower blood urea nitrogen, and lower Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores had a higher rate of successful weaning. TMV%, tidal volume, and HCO3- levels were independent predictors of successful weaning, and the area under the curve was .79 in the logistic regression model. Conclusion: TMV% is a novel and effective predictor of successful weaning. Patients with lower TMV% had a higher MV weaning outcome. Once patients with a high potential for successful weaning are identified, they should be aggressively weaned from MV as soon as possible.

Using Root Cause Analysis for the Reduction of Fall Accidents

Chang Ya-Hui,Chang Huei-Lan 한국간호과학회 2015 한국간호과학회 학술대회 Vol.2015 No.10

Molecular Characterization and Expression Analysis of Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 and Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein-1 Genes in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Bos grunniens and Lowland Bos taurus

Chen, Ya-bing,Fu, Mei,Lan, Dao-liang,Li, Jian Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2015 Animal Bioscience Vol.28 No.1

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) play a pivotal role in regulating cellular hypoxic response. In this study, we cloned and characterized the genes encoding IGF-1 and IGFBP-1 to improve the current knowledge on their roles in highland Bos grunniens (Yak). We also compared their expression levels in the liver and kidney tissues between yaks and lowland cattle. We obtained full-length 465 bp IGF-1 and 792 bp IGFBP-1, encoding 154 amino acids (AA) IGF-1, and 263 AA IGFBP-1 protein, respectively using reverse transcriptase-polyerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technology. Analysis of their corresponding amino acid sequences showed a high identity between B. grunniens and lowland mammals. Moreover, the two genes were proved to be widely distributed in the examined tissues through expression pattern analysis. Real-time PCR results revealed that IGF-1 expression was higher in the liver and kidney tissues in B. grunniens than in Bos taurus (p<0.05). The IGFBP-1 gene was expressed at a higher level in the liver (p<0.05) of B. taurus than B. grunniens, but it has a similar expression level in the kidneys of the two species. These results indicated that upregulated IGF-1 and downregulated IGFBP-1 are associated with hypoxia adaptive response in B. grunniens.

Value of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography in the Differential Diagnosis of Enlarged Lymph Nodes: a Meta-Analysis of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies

Jin, Ya,He, Yu-Shuang,Zhang, Ming-Ming,Parajuly, Shyam Sundar,Chen, Shuang,Zhao, Hai-Na,Peng, Yu-Lan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.6

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in differentiating between benign and malignant enlarged lymph nodes using meta-analysis. Materials and Methods: Pubmed, Embase, SCI and Cochrane databases were searched for studies (up to September 1, 2014) reporting the diagnostic performance of CEUS in discriminating between benign and malignant lymph nodes. Inclusion criteria were: prospective study; histopathology as the reference standard; and sufficient data to construct $2{\times}2$ contingency tables. Methodological quality was assessed using Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 (QUADAS-2). Patient clinical characteristics, sensitivity and specificity were extracted. The summary receiver operating characteristic curve was used to examine the accuracy of CEUS. A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the clinical utility in identification of benign and malignant lymph nodes. Sensitivity analysis was performed after omitting outliers identified in a bivariate boxplot and publication bias was assessed with Egger testing. Results: The pooled sensitivity, specificity and AUROC were 0.92 (95%CI, 0.85-0.96), 0.91 (95%CI, 0.82-0.95) and 0.97 (95%CI, 0.95-0.98), respectively. After omitting 3 outlier studies, heterogeneity decreased. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated no disproportionate influences of individual studies. Publication bias was not significant. Conclusions: CEUS is a promising diagnostic modality in differentiating between benign and malignant lymph nodes and can potentially reduce unnecessary fine-needle aspiration biopsies of benign nodes.