Experimental and Theoretical Studies of Bidirectional Variable Curvature Friction Pendulum Bearing

Shu-Chao Lin,Jian-Qiang Han,Hong-tie Zhao 대한토목학회 2020 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.24 No.5

In this study, to satisfy the base isolation demand of large-scale building structures under different earthquake records, a new bidirectional variable curvature friction pendulum bearing (BD-VCFPB) is proposed. The VCFPB is designed in detail based on the basic principle of a friction pendulum system. Moreover, the sliding interface function, gap between the slider and the sliding interface, and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) plate stress are studied. Finally, a dynamic cyclic test is conducted to study the influence of the slider size, contact pressure on the PTFE plate, and loading frequency on the hysteretic behavior of the VCFPB. The results indicate that the hysteretic curves of the horizontal force and the displacement are regular, symmetrical, stable, and full, and clearly reflect the variable curvature convex and concave characteristics and the excellent behavior of energy dissipation of the BD-VCFPB. The sliding friction coefficient varies significantly with the contact pressure on the PTFE plate and the loading frequency; however, it has little relation with the slider size. A hysteretic model is proposed based on the results of a unidirectional test, and it is in good agreement with the hysteretic curves of the horizontal force and the displacement from a bidirectional test.

A retrospective analysis of 20-year data of the surgical management of ulcerative colitis patients in Taiwan: a study of Taiwan Society of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

( Chun-chi Lin ),( Shu-chen Wei ),( Been-ren Lin ),( Wen-sy-tsai ),( Jinn-shiun Chen ),( Tzu-chi Hsu ),( Wei-chen Lin ),( Tien-yu Huang ),( Te-hsin Chao ),( Hung-hsin Lin ),( Jau-min Wong ),( Jen-kou 대한장연구학회 2016 Intestinal Research Vol.14 No.3

Background/Aims: With the recent progress in medical treatment, surgery still plays a necessary and important role in treating ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. In this study, we analyzed the surgical results and outcomes of UC in Taiwan in the recent 20 years, via a multi-center study through the collaboration of Taiwan Society of IBD. Methods: A retrospective analysis of surgery data of UC patients from January 1, 1995, through December 31, 2014, in 6 Taiwan major medical centers was conducted. The patients’ demographic data, indications for surgery, and outcome details were recorded and analyzed. Results: The data of 87 UC patients who received surgical treatment were recorded. The median post-operative follow-up duration was 51.1 months and ranged from 0.4 to 300 months. The mean age at UC diagnosis was 45.3±16.0 years and that at operation was 48.5±15.2 years. The 3 leading indications for surgical intervention were uncontrolled bleeding (16.1%), perforation (13.8%), and intractability (12.6%). In total, 27.6% of surgeries were performed in an emergency setting. Total or subtotal colectomy with rectal preservation (41.4%) was the most common operation. There were 6 mortalities, all due to sepsis. Emergency operation and low pre-operative albumin level were significantly associated with poor survival (P =0.013 and 0.034, respectively). Conclusions: In the past 20 years, there was no significant change in the indications for surgery in UC patients. Emergency surgeries and low pre-operative albumin level were associated with poor survival. Therefore, an optimal timing of elective surgery for people with poorly controlled UC is paramount.

Systemic Inflammatory Biomarkers, Especially Fibrinogen to Albumin Ratio, Predict Prognosis in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer

Lin Fang,Fei-Hu Yan,Chao Liu,Jing Chen,Dan Wang,Chun-Hui Zhang,Chang-Jie Lou,Jie Lian,Yang Yao,Bo-Jun Wang,Rui-Yang Li,Shu-Ling Han,Yi-Bing Bai,Jia-Ni Yang,Zhi-Wei Li,Yan-Qiao Zhang 대한암학회 2021 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.53 No.1

Purpose Systemic inflammatory response is a critical factor that promotes the initiation and metastasis of malignancies including pancreatic cancer (PC). This study was designed to determine and compare the prognostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR) in resectable PC and locally advanced or metastatic PC. Materials and Methods Three hundred fifty-three patients with resectable PC and 807 patients with locally advan-ced or metastatic PC were recruited in this study. These patients were classified into a training set (n=758) and a validation set (n=402). Kaplan-Meier survival plots and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to analyze prognosis. Results Overall survival (OS) was significantly better for patients with resectable PC with low preoperative PLR (p=0.048) and MLR (p=0.027). Low FAR, MLR, NLR (p < 0.001), and PLR (p=0.003) were significantly associated with decreased risk of death for locally advanced or metastatic PC patients. FAR (hazard ratio [HR], 1.522; 95% confidential interval [CI], 1.261 to 1.837; p < 0.001) and MLR (HR, 1.248; 95% CI, 1.017 to 1.532; p=0.034) were independent prognostic factors for locally advanced or metastatic PC. Conclusion The prognostic roles of FAR, MLR, NLR, and PLR in resectable PC and locally advanced or metastatic PC were different. FAR showed the most prognostic power in locally advanced or metastatic PC. Low FAR was positively correlated with OS in locally advanced or metastatic PC, which could be used to predict the prognosis.

Management of ulcerative colitis in Taiwan: consensus guideline of the Taiwan Society of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

( Shu-Chen Wei ),( Ting-An Chang ),( Te-Hsin Chao ),( Jinn-Shiun Chen ),( Jen-Wei Chou ),( Yenn-Hwei Chou ),( Chiao-Hsiung Chuang ),( Wen-Hung Hsu ),( Tien-Yu Huang ),( Tzu-Chi Hsu ),( Chun-Chi Lin ) 대한장연구학회 2017 Intestinal Research Vol.15 No.3

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease characterized by chronic mucosal inflammation of the colon, and the prevalence and incidence of UC have been steadily increasing in Taiwan. A steering committee was established by the Taiwan Society of Inflammatory Bowel Disease to formulate statements on the diagnosis and management of UC taking into account currently available evidence and the expert opinion of the committee. Accurate diagnosis of UC requires thorough clinical, endoscopic, and histological assessment and careful exclusion of differential diagnoses, particularly infectious colitis. The goals of UC therapy are to induce and maintain remission, reduce the risk of complications, and improve quality of life. As outlined in the recommended treatment algorithm, choice of treatment is dictated by severity, extent, and course of disease. Patients should be evaluated for hepatitis B virus and tuberculosis infection prior to immunosuppressive treatment, especially with steroids and biologic agents, and should be regularly monitored for reactivation of latent infection. These consensus statements are also based on current local evidence with consideration of factors, and could be serve as concise and practical guidelines for supporting clinicians in the management of UC in Taiwan. (Intest Res 2017;15:266-284)

Management of Crohn`s disease in Taiwan: consensus guideline of the Taiwan Society of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

( Shu-Chen Wei ),( Ting-An Chang ),( Te-Hsin Chao ),( Jinn-Shiun Chen ),( Jen-Wei Chou ),( Yenn-Hwei Chou ),( Chiao-Hsiung Chuang ),( Wen-Hung Hsu ),( Tien-Yu Huang ),( Tzu-Chi Hsu ),( Chun-Chi Lin ) 대한장연구학회 2017 Intestinal Research Vol.15 No.3

Crohn`s disease (CD) is a chronic relapsing and remitting inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract. CD is rare in Taiwan and other Asian countries, but its prevalence and incidence have been steadily increasing. A steering committee was established by the Taiwan Society of Inflammatory Bowel Disease to formulate statements on the diagnosis and management of CD taking into account currently available evidence and the expert opinion of the committee. Thorough clinical, endoscopic, and histological assessments are required for accurate diagnosis of CD. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are complementary to endoscopic evaluation for disease staging and detecting complications. The goals of CD management are to induce and maintain remission, reduce the risk of complications, and improve quality of life. Corticosteroids are the mainstay for inducing re-mission. Immunomodulating and biologic therapies should be used to maintain remission. Patients should be evaluated for hepatitis B virus and tuberculosis infection prior to treatment and receive regular surveillance for cancer. These consensus statements are based on current local evidence with consideration of factors, and could be serve as concise and practical guidelines for supporting clinicians in the management of patients with CD in Taiwan. (Intest Res 2017;15:285-310)

Development and Application of Telephone Counseling Services for Care of Patients with Colorectal Cancer

Lin, Wen-Li,Sun, Jia-Ling,Chang, Shu-Chan,Wu, Pei-Hua,Tsai, Tsung-Chih,Huang, Wen-Tsung,Tsao, Chao-Jung Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.2

Background: The number of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients in Taiwan has increased in recent years; therefore, the effective dissemination of information related to symptom care has become especially important. Previous studies indicated that the physical and psychological status of cancer patients can be effectively improved by telephone counseling services (TCS). Thus, determining the most effective means of establishing a TCS to support the clinical practice of oncology has become a crucial goal for nursing. The purposes of this study were to analysis the content of the TCS for CRC and explore stratification of the TCS. Materials and Methods: The study design was retrospective. A total of 850 calls were made to CRC patients in the cancer center of Southern Taiwan during the period of January 2007- December 2011. A structure questionnaire was adopted to analysis satisfaction. Results: Responses provided by the TCS included information regarding nutrition, side effects resulting from chemotherapy and pain. Moreover, 28.7% of CRC patients needed advanced treatment. More than 90% satisfaction with all aspects of the calls was found. Conclusions: The TCS coulkd be shown to provide an effective means by which to expand the reach of nursing care to different times, places and patients, allowing for greater cost efficiency and more rapid service.

A False Positive 18F-FDG PET/CT Scan Caused by Breast Silicone Injection

Chao-Jung Chen,Bi-Fang Lee,Wei-Jen Yao,Pei-Shan Wu,Wen-Chung Chen,Shu-Lin Peng,Nan-Tsing Chiu 대한영상의학회 2009 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.10 No.2

We present here the case of a 40-year-old woman with a greater than 10 year prior history of bilateral breast silicone injection and saline bag implantation. Bilateral palpable breast nodules were observed, but the ultrasound scan was suboptimal and the magnetic resonance imaging showed no gadoliniumenhanced tumor. The 18F-FDG PET/CT scan showed a hypermetabolic nodule in the left breast with a 30% increase of 18F-FDG uptake on the delayed imaging, and this mimicked breast cancer. She underwent a left partial mastectomy and the pathology demonstrated a siliconoma.

Comparative studies on potential dependent electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of cathode material 0.5Li2MnO3$0.5LiNi0.5Mn0.5O2 for the initial two charging cycles

Chao Chen,Shu Chen,Miao Shui,Xiaoping Xu,Weidong Zheng,Lin Feng,Jie Shu,Yuanlong Ren 한국물리학회 2015 Current Applied Physics Vol.15 No.2

Cathode material 0.5Li2MnO3·0.5LiNi0.5Mn0.5O2 is successfully synthesized by citrate acid assisted sol -gel method and shows pretty good electro-chemical performance. To elucidate the electro-chemical reactions and charge carrier transportation kinetics in the charge-discharge process, series of electrochemical impedance spectra for the first and the second charge process are measured on multiple given state of charges. The rapid augmentation of resistance to electronic conduction and ionic conduction within the voltage range 4.45-4.6 V where the removal of Li2O from Li2MnO3 component takes place gives us more evidence about the complicated “structurally integrated” feature of this material. The relatively large span of the arc responsible for electronic conduction and the extremely large Mn3+ related charge transfer resistance at the beginning of the second charging indicate that after one complete charge-discharge cycle, Li2MnO3 and LiNi0.5Mn0.5O2 domains still reserve its original structure and will keep its structure for the followed cycles.

Association of Measures of Glucose Metabolism with Colorectal Cancer Risk in Older Chinese: A 13-Year Follow-up of the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study-Cardiovascular Disease Substudy and Meta-Analysis

Shu Yi Wang,Wei Sen Zhang,Chao Qiang Jiang,Ya Li Jin,Tong Zhu,Feng Zhu,Lin Xu 대한당뇨병학회 2024 Diabetes and Metabolism Journal Vol.48 No.1

Background: Abnormal glucose metabolism is a risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC). However, association of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) with CRC risk remains under-reported. We examined the association between glycemic indicators (HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose, fasting insulin, 2-hour glucose, 2-hour insulin, and homeostasis model of risk assessment-insulin resistance index) and CRC risk using prospective analysis and meta-analysis.Methods: Participants (<i>n</i>=1,915) from the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study-Cardiovascular Disease Substudy were included. CRC events were identified through record linkage. Cox regression was used to assess the associations of glycemic indicators with CRC risk. A meta-analysis was performed to investigate the association between HbA1c and CRC risk.Results: During an average of 12.9 years follow-up (standard deviation, 2.8), 42 incident CRC cases occurred. After adjusting for potential confounders, the hazard ratio (95% confidence interval [CI]) of CRC for per % increment in HbA1c was 1.28 (95% CI, 1.01 to 1.63) in overall population, 1.51 (95% CI, 1.13 to 2.02) in women and 1.06 (95% CI, 0.68 to 1.68) in men. No significant association of other measures of glycemic indicators and baseline diabetes with CRC risk was found. Meta-analyses of 523,857 participants including our results showed that per % increment of HbA1c was associated with 13% higher risk of CRC, with the pooled risk ratio being 1.13 (95% CI, 1.01 to 1.27). Subgroupanalyses found stronger associations in women, colon cancer, Asians, and case-control studies.Conclusion: Higher HbA1c was a significant predictor of CRC in the general population. Our findings shed light on the pathology of glucose metabolism and CRC, which warrants more in-depth investigation.

Curcumin or Saikosaponin a Improves Hepatic Antioxidant Capacity and Protects Against CCl4-Induced Liver Injury in Rats

Shu-Ju Wu,Yun-Ho Lin,Chia-Chou Chu,Ya-Hui Tsai,Jane C.-J. Chao 한국식품영양과학회 2008 Journal of medicinal food Vol.11 No.2

Curcumin and saikosaponin a, the bioactive phytochemicals of turmeric and Bupleurum, act as antioxidants.This study investigated the effects of supplementation with curcumin and/or saikosaponin a on hepatic lipids and antioxidantstatus in rats with CCl4-induced liver injury. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control, CCl4, CCl4 .curcumin (0.005%; CU), CCl4 . saikosaponin a (0.004%; SS), and CCl4 . curcumin. saikosaponin a (0.005%. 0.004%;CU. SS) groups. CCl4 (40% in olive oil) was injected intraperitoneally at a dose of 0.75 mL/kg once a week. Curcumin and/orsaikosaponin a was administered orally 1 week before CCl4 injection for 8 weeks. The pathological results showed that liverfibrosis was ameliorated in the SS and CU. SS groups. After 8 weeks, supplementation with curcumin and/or saikosaponina significantly decreased plasma alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities, as well as plasma and he-patic cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The CU. SS group showed reversal of the impaired hepatic superoxide dismutaseactivity and an increase in total glutathione level. Supplementation with curcumin and/or saikosaponin a significantly im-proved hepatic antioxidant status and suppressed malondialdehyde formation. Therefore, supplementation with curcumin and/orsaikosaponin a protects against CCl4-induced liver injury by attenuating hepatic lipids and lipid peroxidation and enhancingantioxidant defense. Curcumin and saikosaponin a had no additive effects on hepatoprotection except for greater improve-ment in the total glutathione level and antioxidant status.