Is the Arch Index Meaningful

Lung, Chi-Wen,Yang, Sai-Wei,Hsieh, Lin-Fen Korean Society of Sport Biomechanics 2009 한국운동역학회지 Vol.19 No.2

The foot type is classified into normal, high or low arch according to either foot print or medial longitudinal arch (MLA) height. Plantar fasciitis, heel pain, Achilles tendinitis, stress fracture, metatarsalgia, knee pain, shin splint pain, and etc are common foot disorders and associate to the foot type. The purpose of this study was to evaluate several suggested bony inclination used to classified the abnormal foot and if the arch index (AI) was correlated with foot morphology. Lateral view and dorso-plantar view of radiographic images and flatbed scanner measurements obtained from 57 college students were analyzed. Results showed that AI measured in this study was higher than Caucasian Americans and European, but similar with African. The ethnic origin could influent the AI distribution. The AI provided a simple quantitative means of assessing the structure of lateral and medial longitudinal arches. The correlation coefficients of true bone height with AI could be further improved by normalized foot width rather than foot length. AI also demonstrated as a good indicator of inclination between calcaneus-fifth metatarsal (CalM5) and calcaneus-first metatarsal (CalX), it is a good means to classify the foot type.

Is the Arch Index Meaningful

Chi Wen Lung,Sai Wei Yang,Lin Fen Hsieh 한국운동역학회 2009 한국운동역학회지 Vol.19 No.2

Sofosbuvir/Ledipasvir in the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C - A Subgroup Analysis from A Nationwide Real-World HCV Registry Program (TACR) in Taiwan

( Ming-Lung Yu ),( Chi-Yi Chen ),( Kuo-Chih Tseng ),( Ching-Chu Lo ),( Pin-Nan Cheng ),( Cheng-Yuan Peng ),( Ming-Jong Bair ),( Chih-Lang Lin ),( Chi-Ming Tai ),( Chi-Chieh Yang ),( Chih-Wen Lin ),( C 대한간학회 2020 춘·추계 학술대회 (KASL) Vol.2020 No.1

Aims: TASL HCV Registry (TACR) is a nationwide registry program organized and supervised by Taiwan Association for the Study of the Liver (TASL), which aims to setup the database and biobank of patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in Taiwan. The present study aimed to evaluate the treatment outcome of sofosbuvir (SOF)/ledipasvir (LDV) in Taiwanese CHC patients in TACR. Methods: By May 2020, 19 tertiary hospitals, 23 community hospitals and one primary care clinic join the TACR program. The baseline characteristics, prior liver and non-liver related medical history, DAA regimens, laboratory results, treatment course and outcome were recorded. The primary objective was sustained virological response, defined as undetectable HCV RNA 3 months after end-of-treatment (SVR12). Results: A total of 4742 SOF/LDV+ ribavirin treated CHC patients with available SVR12 data from 39 sites were enrolled in the current analysis. The mean age was 61.3 years, and female accounted for 54.8% of the population. The dominant viral genotypes were GT1b (52.6%) and GT2 (35.6%). 1354 (28.6%) patients had liver cirrhosis, including 156 (3.3%) with liver decompensation, 552 (11.6%) had preexisting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) before DAAs treatment and 413 (8.7%) had hepatitis B virus dual infections. The overall SVR12 rate was 98.5%, with 98.5%, 98.2%, 99.7% and 98.6% in treatment- naïve non-cirrhotics, treatment-naïve cirrhotics, treatment- experienced non-cirrhotics and treatment-experienced cirrhotics patients, respectively. While patients were stratified by HCV genotype, the SVR12 was 98.5%, 98.4% and 98.5% among those with GT1, GT2 and GT6 infection, respectively. The strongest factor independent associated with treatment failure was DAA adherence < 60% (odds ratio [OR]/95% confidence intervals [CI]: 125.4/25.7-612.4, P<0.0001), followed by active HCC (OR/CI: 6.20/2.57-14.97, P<0.0001), HIV co-infection (OR/CI: 3.01/1.14-7.92, P=0.026), and male gender (OR/ CI: 1.85/1.09-3.13, P=0.023). The eGFR decreased significantly at the end of treatment (EOT) (89.3 ml/min/1.73㎡ vs. 93.2 ml/min/1.73㎡, P< 0.001) and remained stable 3 months after EOT (89.3 ml/min/1.73㎡). However, the decreased eGFR was observed only in patients whose baseline eGFR > 90 ml/ min/1.73㎡. Instead, patients with chronic kidney diseases whose pretreatment eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73㎡ had improved eGFR after SOF/LDV. Conclusions: SOF/LDV is highly effective in treating CHC patients in real-world setting of Taiwan. The satisfactory result could be explicitly generalized to patients with different viral genotypes and liver disease severities.

Wolbachia in field populations of Forcipomyia taiwana (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in Taiwan

Yu-Der Wen,Wei-Lung Wang,Chung-Chi Lin,Wei-Ming Liou 한국응용곤충학회 2011 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.14 No.3

Wolbachia pipientis is an endosymbiotic alpha-proteobacterium that is found in numerous insects and arthropods. Only a few studies have been made on Wolbachia in blood-sucking midges. In this study, we identified and determined the molecular characteristics of Wolbachia strains in Forcipomyia taiwana (Shiraki),a blood-suckingmidge found in Taiwan and southern China. Our results indicate that all F. taiwana individuals captured in Nantou County, Taiwan were infected with Wolbachia strains closely related to the A-supergroup wAlbA. Moreover, 2 individuals captured at low-abundance locations were also infected with a B-supergroup Wolbachia strain. We observed that 63% F. taiwana individuals captured at the low-abundance locations harbored the wAlbA-like strain which has a particular substitution pattern (D51G, T84A, and A85V) in the Wolbachia surface protein. Taken together, our results indicate that distinct Wolbachia strains exist in F. taiwana populations in the field.

Application Session / Purfication and characterization of a new antifungal compound produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa K - 187 in a shrimp and crab shell power medium

(San Lang Wang),(Jyh Chau Yeh),(Chi Hau Wang),(Ing Lung shih),(Liang Ping Lin),(Wen Chii Chiu),(Yaw Chuan Lin),(Yu Cheng Li) 한국키틴키토산학회 1998 한국키틴키토산학회지 Vol.3 No.4

Seasonal yeast compositions in Forcipomyia taiwana (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

Hung-Wei Chen,Jui-Yu Chou,Chung-Chi Lin,Yu-Der Wen,Wei-Lung Wang 한국응용곤충학회 2016 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.19 No.2

Forcipomyia taiwana, a biting midge, is one of the most annoying blood-sucking pests in Taiwan. The larvae of Forcipomyia species feed primarily on algae, and the adults feed on nectar for nutrition. After mating with male adults, females bite humans and digest blood for the formation and development of their eggs. The bites often cause human itching, swelling, skin lesion and even fatal shock. Harassment from this biting pest has become a serious problem and has influenced the quality of outdoor recreational activities. Thus, it is necessary to understand the ecology of F. taiwana to develop an effective control strategy. This study showed the seasonal variation of yeast compositions in the interior of F. taiwana. Furthermore, we found that Aureobasidium spp. appeared the most during collection times and these yeasts are able to decompose the cellulose, a major component in the cell wall of algae and Oomycete fungi. These fungi infect a broad range of host and have adverse effect on fitness of the biting midges. Thus, Aureobasidium spp. play a crucial role in the defense system of F. taiwana against pathogens. The study provides useful information that could be used in the development of biocontrol strategy in the future.

Exendin-4 improves resistance to Listeria monocytogenes infection in diabetic db/db mice

Hsien Yueh Liu,Chih-Yao Chung,Wen-Chin Yang,Chih-Lung Liang,Chi-Young Wang,Chih-Yu Chang,Cicero Lee-Tian Chang 대한수의학회 2012 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.13 No.3

The incidence of diabetes mellitus is increasing among companion animals. This disease has similar characteristics in both humans and animals. Diabetes is frequently identified as an independent risk factor for infections associated with increased mortality. In the present study, homozygous diabetic (db/db) mice were infected with Listeria (L.) monocytogenes and then treated with the anti-diabetic drug exendin-4, a glucagon-like peptide 1 analogue. In aged db/db mice, decreased CD11b+ macrophage populations with higher lipid content and lower phagocytic activity were observed. Exendin-4 lowered high lipid levels and enhanced phagocytosis in macrophages from db/db mice infected with L. monocytogenes. Exendin-4 also ameliorated obesity and hyperglycemia, and improved ex vivo bacteria clearance by macrophages in the animals. Liver histology examined during L. monocytogenes infection indicated that abscess formation was much milder in exendin-4-treated db/db mice than in the control animals. Moreover, mechanistic studies demonstrated that expression of ATP binding cassette transporter 1, a sterol transporter, was higher in macrophages isolated from the exendin-4-treated db/db mice. Overall, our results suggest that exendin-4 decreases the risk of infection in diabetic animals by modifying the interaction between intracellular lipids and phagocytic macrophages.