Minimum Risk Capital in Project Finance: Example of Harbor Infrastructure Development

( Chen Kang Shu ),( Chan Yu Lu ) 한국해운물류학회(구 한국해운학회) 2007 해운물류연구 Vol.54 No.-

Relationship Between Belief about Analgesics, Analgesic Adherence and Pain Experience in Taiwanese Cancer Outpatients

Liang, Shu-Yuan,Chen, Kang-Pan,Tsay, Shiow-Luan,Wu, Shu-Fang,Chuang, Yeu-Hui,Wang, Tsae-Jyy,Tung, Heng-Hsin,Cheng, Su-Fen Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.2

Social and behavioral scientists have proposed that a person's belief system crucially influences his or her behaviour, and therefore may affect outcomes of pain management. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between analgesic beliefs, analgesic adherence and pain experience amongst Taiwanese cancer outpatients. The cross-sectional study included 92 oncology outpatients in two teaching hospitals in the Taipei area of Taiwan. The research instruments included the Pain Opioid Analgesic Beliefs Scale-Cancer (POABS-CA), opioid adherence, and the Brief Pain Inventory-Chinese (BPI-Chinese). Beliefs about pain and opioids demonstrated a significant relationship with patients' opioid adherence (r = -0.30, p < 0.01). The more negative beliefs regarding opioids and pain the patient had, the worse their adherence to around the clock (ATC) analgesic regimen. However, there was no significant correlation between opioid belief and pain experience. As well, there were no significant relationships between adherence to opioid regimen and any of the measures of pain experience. The study highlights the potential importance of a patient's pain and opioid beliefs in adherence to pain medication.

A fault characteristics extraction method for rolling bearing with variable rotational speed using adaptive time-varying comb filtering and order tracking

Xiangmin Chen,Guoqiang Shu,Kang Zhang,Meng Duan,Luping Li 대한기계학회 2022 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.36 No.3

The fault characteristics of rolling bearing with variable rotational speed are usually related to shafting speed and vary with time. Moreover, the rolling bearing fault characteristics are easily submerged by the noises. To address these issues, an adaptive time-varying comb filtering (ATVCF) method that combines the merits of comb filter and adaptive timevarying filtering (ATVF) is proposed and applied to extract the fault-related component from the envelope signal of rolling bearing. And on this basis, via the joint application of ATVCF and order tracking (OT), a fault characteristics extraction methodology for rolling bearing with variable rotational speed, namely ATVCF-OT, is developed. In the ATVCF-OT, the ATVCF method can adaptively extract time-varying harmonic components containing rolling bearing fault information from the rolling bearing fault vibration signal, and the OT analysis can effectively stabilize the time-varying rolling bearing fault features. Therefore, the ATVCF-OT methodology is particularly suitable for fault feature extraction of rolling bearing with variable rotational speed. Simulation and experimental results indicate that the ATVCF-OT method can effectively remove the fault-unrelated components and highlight the fault features of rolling bearing. The comparisons with the direct envelope order method and the ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD)-based envelope order method demonstrate the advantages of the proposed ATVCF-OT method.

Association between FGFRs and the susceptibility of digestive and reproductive system cancers in Chinese population

Jia-Kang Wang,Shu-jun Guo,Bao-qing Tian,Chnag-jun Nie,Hai-long Wang,Jia-lang Wang,An Hong,Xiao-jia Chen 대한독성 유전단백체 학회 2017 Molecular & cellular toxicology Vol.13 No.4

Fibroblast growth factors(FGFs) and their receptors (FGFRs) modulate a wide range of biological functions, especially tumor genesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible association of FGFR expression with the susceptibility of digestive system and reproductive system cancers in Chinese population. In total, 343 patients with digestive or reproductive system cancers were enrolled in this study. The expression levels of four highly-conserved FGFRs including FGFR1, FGFR2, FGFR3 and FGFR4 were measured by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The expression levels of FGFRs were compared between carcinoma and para-carcinoma tissues. FGFR1 expression significantly differed between carcinoma and para-carcinoma tissues in colon and gastric cancers. FGFR2 expression significantly differed between carcinoma and para-carcinoma tissues in esophageal cancer. FGFR3 expression was significantly different between carcinoma and para-carcinoma tissues in liver and gastric cancers. FGFR2 showed the highest expression probability in all the selected cancers and FGFR4 showed the lowest expression probability. FGFR1 and FGFR3 showed comparable moderate expression probabilities. Our findings have demonstrated significant differences regarding FGFR expression levels between carcinoma and para-carcinoma cells in digestive or reproductive system cancer patients. The data also implicated that FGFR2 and FGFR4 could serve as two prominent factors closely related to the susceptibility of digestive and reproductive system cancers.

Clinical Course of Hepatitis B Viral Infection in Patients Undergoing Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor α Therapy for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Lee Ji Min,Wei Shu-Chen,Lee Kang-Moon,Ye Byong Duk,Mao Ren,김현수,Park Soo Jung,Park Sang Hyoung,Oh Eun Hye,Im Jong Pil,Jang Byung Ik,Kim Dae Bum,Takeuchi Ken 거트앤리버 소화기연관학회협의회 2022 Gut and Liver Vol.16 No.3

Background/Aims: Little is known about the clinical course of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected patients undergoing anti-tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) therapy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We aimed to investigate the clinical course of HBV infection and IBD and to analyze liver dysfunction risks in patients undergoing anti-TNF-α therapy. Methods: This retrospective multinational study involved multiple centers in Korea, China, Taiwan, and Japan. We enrolled IBD patients with chronic or resolved HBV infection, who received anti-TNF-α therapy. The patients’ medical records were reviewed, and data were collected using a web-based case report form. Results: Overall, 191 patients (77 ulcerative colitis and 114 Crohn’s disease) were included, 28.3% of whom received prophylactic antivirals. During a median follow-up duration of 32.4 months, 7.3% of patients experienced liver dysfunction due to HBV reactivation. Among patients with chronic HBV infection, the proportion experiencing liver dysfunction was significantly higher in the non-prophylaxis group (26% vs 8%, p=0.02). Liver dysfunction occurred in one patient with resolved HBV infection. Antiviral prophylaxis was independently associated with an 84% reduction in liver dysfunction risk in patients with chronic HBV infection (odds ratio, 0.16; 95% confidence interval, 0.04 to 0.66; p=0.01). The clinical course of IBD was not associated with liver dysfunction or the administration of antiviral prophylaxis. Conclusions: Liver dysfunction due to HBV reactivation can occur in HBV-infected IBD patients treated with anti-TNF-α agents. Careful monitoring is needed in these patients, and antivirals should be administered, especially to those with chronic HBV infection.

All-trans-retinoic Acid Promotes Iodine Uptake Via Up-regulating the Sodium Iodide Symporter in Medullary Thyroid Cancer Stem Cells

Tang, Min,Hou, Yan-Li,Kang, Qiang-Qiang,Chen, Xing-Yue,Duan, Li-Qun,Shu, Jin,Li, Shao-Lin,Hu, Xiao-Li,Peng, Zhi-Ping Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.4

Recently, the main therapy of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is surgical, but by which way there is a poor prognosis with a mean survival of only 5 years. In some cases, some researchers found that it is the medullary thyroid cancer stem cells (MTCSCs) that cause metastasis and recurrence. This study aimed to eradicate MTCSCs through administration of all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA). Here we demonstrate that MTCSCs possess stemlike properties in serum-free medium. The ABCG2, OCT4 and sodium iodide symporter (NIS) were changed by ATRA. Additionally, we found that ATRA can increase the expression of NIS in vivo. All the data suggested that ATRA could increase the iodine uptake of MTCSCs through NIS.

All Carbon Dual Ion Batteries

Hu, Zhe,Liu, Qiannan,Zhang, Kai,Zhou, Limin,Li, Lin,Chen, Mingzhe,Tao, Zhanliang,Kang, Yong-Mook,Mai, Liqiang,Chou, Shu-Lei,Chen, Jun,Dou, Shi-Xue American Chemical Society 2018 ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES Vol.10 No.42

<P>Dual ion batteries based on Na<SUP>+</SUP> and PF<SUB>6</SUB><SUP>-</SUP> received considerable attention due to their high operating voltage and the abundant Na resources. Here, cheap and easily obtained graphite that served as a cathode material for dual ion battery delivered a very high average discharge platform (4.52 V vs Na<SUP>+</SUP>/Na) by using sodium hexafluorophosphate in propylene carbonate as electrolyte. Moreover, the all-carbon dual ion batteries with graphite as cathode and hard carbon as anode exhibited an ultrahigh discharge voltage of 4.3 V, and a reversible capacity of 62 mAh·g<SUP>-1</SUP> at 40 mA·g<SUP>-1</SUP>. Phase changes have been investigated in detail through in situ X-ray diffraction and in situ Raman characterizations. The stable structure provides long life cycling performance, and the pseudocapacitance behavior also demonstrates its benefits to the rate capability. Thus, dual ion batteries based on sodium chemistry are very promising to find their applications in future.</P> [FIG OMISSION]</BR>

The Effect of Transformation on the Virulence of Streptococcus pneumoniae

Xue-Mei Zhang,Yi-Bing Yin,Dan Zhu,Bao-De Chen,Jin-Yong Luo,Yi-Ping Deng,Ming-Fang Liu,Shu-Hui Chen,Jiang-Ping Meng,Kai Lan,Yuan-Shuai Huang,Ge-Fei Kang 한국미생물학회 2005 The journal of microbiology Vol.43 No.4

Although pneumococcus is one of the most frequently encountered opportunistic pathogen in the world, the mechanisms responsible for its infectiveness have not yet been fully understood. In this paper, we have attempted to characterize the effects of pneumococcal transformation on the pathogenesis of the organism. We constructed three transformation-deficient pneumococcal strains, which were designated as Nos. 1d, 2d, and 22d. The construction of these altered strains was achieved via the insertion of the inactivated gene, comE, to strains 1, 2 and 22. We then conducted a comparison between the virulence of the transformation-deficient strains and that of the wild-type strains, via an evaluation of the ability of each strain to adhere to endothelial cells, and also assessed psaA mRNA expression, and the survival of hosts after bacterial challenge. Compared to what was observed with the wild-type strains, our results indicated that the ability of all of the transformation-deficient strains to adhere to the ECV304 cells had been significantly reduced (p < 0.05), the expression of psaA mRNA was reduced significantly (p < 0.05) in strains 2d and 22d, and the median survival time of mice infected with strains 1d and 2d was increased significantly after intraperitoneal bacterial challenge (p < 0.05). The results of our study also clearly indicated that transformation exerts significant effects on the virulence characteristics of S. pneumoniae, although the degree to which this effect is noted appears to depend primarily on the genetic background of the bacteria.

The Effect of Transformation on the Virulence of Streptococcus pneumoniae

Zhang Xue-Mei,Yin Yi-Bing,Zhu Dan,Chen Bao-De,Luo Jin-Yong,Deng Vi-Ping,Liu Ming-Fang,Chen Shu-Hui,Meng Jiang-Ping,Lan Kai,Huang Yuan-Shuai,Kang Ge-Fei The Microbiological Society of Korea 2005 The journal of microbiology Vol.43 No.4

Although pneumococcus is one of the most frequently encountered opportunistic pathogen in the world, the mechanisms responsible for its infectiveness have not yet been fully understood. In this paper, we have attempted to characterize the effects of pneumococcal transformation on the pathogenesis of the organism. We constructed three transformation-deficient pneumococcal strains, which were designated as Nos. 1d, 2d, and 22d. The construction of these altered strains was achieved via the insertion of the inactivated gene, comE, to strains 1, 2 and 22. We then conducted a comparison between the virulence of the transformation-deficient strains and that of the wild-type strains, via an evaluation of the ability of each strain to adhere to endothelial cells, and also assessed psaA mRNA expression, and the survival of hosts after bacterial challenge. Compared to what was observed with the wild-type strains, our results indicated that the ability of all of the transformation-deficient strains to adhere to the ECV304 cells had been significantly reduced (p < 0.05), the expression of psaA mRNA was reduced significantly (p < 0.05) in strains 2d and 22d, and the median survival time of mice infected with strains Id and 2d was increased significantly after intraperitoneal bacterial challenge (p < 0.05). The results of our study also clearly indicated that transformation exerts significant effects on the virulence characteristics of S. pneumoniae, although the degree to which this effect is noted appears to depend primarily on the genetic background of the bacteria.

Effects of Lactobacillus plantarum SCS2 on blood glucose level in hyperglycemia mice model

Xiao Meng,Yu Qian,Li-Shi Jiang,Jin-Mei Kang,Yan Chen,Juan Wang,Shu-Kun Liu,Zhen-Ming Che,Xin Zhao 한국응용생명화학회 2016 Applied Biological Chemistry (Appl Biol Chem) Vol.59 No.1

In this study, the hyperglycemia mice model was established with 1-week high sugar and fat diet plus with 70 mg/kg body weight of streptozotocin injection for 3 days. Sixty male Kunming mice of 3 weeks old in a specific-pathogen-free grade were divided into six groups randomly, which includes normal group (NG), prevention group (PG), treatment group for low dose (TGL), middle dose (TGM), high dose (TGH), and model group (MG). NG and MG mice were fed with sterile physiological saline (10 mL/kg body weight). PG mice were fed with the concentration of 6.0 × 109 CFU/mL L. plantarum SCS2 suspensions from the second to third week. TGL, TGM, and TGH mice were fed with the concentration of 2.0 × 109, 4.0 × 109, and 6.0 × 109 CFU/mL L. plantarum SCS2 suspensions (10 mL/kg body weight), respectively from fourth to tenth week. The results showed that the fasting and postprandial 2 h blood glucose levels of TGH mice were reduced by L. plantarum SCS2 significantly (p < 0.05) as compared with MG. The body weight of TGH mice came to normal level at tenth week. Content of K+ in plasma of TGH mice was increased and contents of Na+ and Cl− in the plasma of TGH mice were decreased as compared with MG. Meanwhile, content of glycogen in TGH mice was reduced. However, the effect of L. plantarum SCS2 on the prevention of hyperglycemia in PG mice was not significant as compared with NG mice during the experiment. These results suggested that L. plantarum SCS2 showed a hypoglycemic effect on hyperglycemic mice model.