The development of young children’s science-related concept regarding “floating and sinking”

Shu-Chen Chien,Chao-Ti Hsiung,Shu-Fang Chen 환태평양유아교육연구학회 2009 Asia-Pacific journal of research in early childhoo Vol.3 No.2

Survival benefit of patients with early-stage ovarian carcinoma treated with paclitaxel chemotherapeutic regimens

Chien-An Chen,Chun-Ju Chiang,Yun-Yuan Chen,San-Lin You,Shu-Feng Hsieh,Chao-Hsiun Tang,Wen-Fang Cheng 대한부인종양학회 2018 Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Vol.29 No.1

Objective: Adjuvant chemotherapy was introduced in patients with early-stage ovarian cancer (OC). The benefit of standard chemotherapeutic regimens including taxane has not been established. Methods: Patients with early-stage OC from the National Health Insurance Research database of Taiwan who received platinum plus cyclophosphamide (CP) or platinum plus paclitaxel (PT) for 3–6 cycles were recruited, and the disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were determined. Results: A total of 1,510 early-stage OC patients, including 841 who received CP regimen and 699 who received PT regimen, were included. The 2 groups had a similar estimated probability of 5-year DFS (PT vs. CP, 79.0% vs. 77.6%; p=0.410) and OS (84.6% vs. 84.3%; p=0.691). Patients >50 years of age who received the CP regimen had a lower 5-year DFS than the patients ≤50 years of age who received the CP (p<0.001) or PT regimens (p=0.001). Additionally, patients >50 years of age who received the CP regimen had a worse 5-year OS compared with the other 3 groups (p=0.019) (p=0.179 for patients >50 years of age in the PT group; p=0.002 for patients ≤50 years of age in the CP group; and p=0.061 for patients ≤50 years of age in the PT group). Patients with the CP or PT regimen for 3–5 cycles had a similar 5-year DFS and OS compared to 6 cycles (p>0.050). Conclusion: Chemotherapeutic regimens with taxane could be recommended for early-stage OC patients >50 years of age.

Fragrant Bamboo: The Constructivist Inquiry-based Science Project Curriculum Implementing Place-based Education for Preschool Children in Taiwan Tayal Indigenous Tribe

Shu-Chen Chien,Chao-Ti Hsiung,Shu-Fang Chen,Chun-Pin Lin 환태평양유아교육연구학회 2010 Asia-Pacific journal of research in early childhoo Vol.4 No.2

The collaborative teaching research was conducted in northern Taiwan’s Tayal indigenous tribe to practice a constructivist inquiry-based science project curriculum implementing place-based education for kindergarten children. Research participants included 2 classroom teachers and 15 young children. Entering the natural tribal context, the researcher collected data through field observations, interviews, and other documentation. Qualitative method was adopted to analyze research data. A bamboo project was implemented relating to children’s life experiences. Research findings reveal: (1) teachers and children managed to co-construct a science project curriculum based on local resources and Tayal traditional knowledge (2) children developed basic scientific concepts and knowledge about natural plants through the inquiry-based project curriculum and (3) teachers regarded their roles as being colearners with children and realized the importance of children’s active involvement in the constructivist inquiry-based teaching. The result can help to improve science teaching/learning for indigenous children by utilizing environmental resources as well as traditional knowledge in future education.

Telbivudine-Induced Myopathy: Clinical Features, Histopathological Characteristics, and Risk Factors

Min-Yu Lan,Hui-Chen Lin,Tsung-Hui Hu,Shu-Fang Chen,Chien-Hung Chen,Yung-Yee Chang,King-Wah Chiu,Tsu-Kung Lin,Shun-Sheng Chen 대한신경과학회 2023 Journal of Clinical Neurology Vol.19 No.1

Background and Purpose Oral nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) are the mainstay treatment for chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Myotoxicity is an important extrahepatic effect related to NA treatment. Telbivudine is the NA for CHB that is frequently associated with muscle-related side effects. The risk factors for telbivudine-induced myopathy (TIM) are not yet clear. Methods This study characterized the clinical, magnetic resonance images (MRI), and pathological features of 12 TIM cases. A group of telbivudine-tolerant (TT) patients with CHB who received regular telbivudine treatment during the same period without the occurrence of myopathy was collected. Demographic and clinical factors were compared between the patients with TIM and the TT controls. Factors independently associated with TIM were identified using logistic regression analysis. Results The patients with TIM (males/females: 7/5, mean age: 57 years) developed myopathy after using telbivudine for a median period of 19.5 months. Muscle histopathology revealed abnormal proliferation, subsarcolemmal or sarcoplasmic accumulations, and ultrastructural defects of mitochondria. When compared with TT cases, patients with TIM had a lower estimated glomerular filtration rate and were more frequently positive for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg). Conclusions Mitochondrial abnormalities are characteristic histopathological features, and impaired renal function and HBeAg positivity are risk factors for TIM. Telbivudine-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and immune activation related to mitochondrial damage and HBeAg serostatus changes may underlie TIM. Constant clinical surveillance of myopathy during telbivudine treatment is needed due to the significant latency of its development. Dose adjustment for impaired renal function does not eliminate the risk of TIM occurrence.

Analysis of the Involvement of Chitin-Binding Domain of ChiCW in Antifungal Activity, and Engineering a Novel Chimeric Chitinase with High Enzyme and Antifungal Activities

Chien Jui Huang,Shu Huei Guo,Shu Chun Chung,Yu Ju Lin,Chao Ying Chen 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2009 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.19 No.10

Atomistic simulation and investigation of nanoindentation, contact pressure and nanohardness

Chen, Chuin-Shan,Wang, Chien-Kai,Chang, Shu-Wei Techno-Press 2008 Interaction and multiscale mechanics Vol.1 No.4

Atomistic simulation of nanoindentation with spherical indenters was carried out to study dislocation structures, mean contact pressure, and nanohardness of Au and Al thin films. Slip vectors and atomic stresses were used to characterize the dislocation processes. Two different characteristics were found in the induced dislocation structures: wide-spread slip activities in Al, and confined and intact structures in Au. For both samples, the mean contact pressure varied significantly during the early stages of indentation but reached a steady value soon after the first apparent load drop. This indicates that the nanohardness of Al and Au is not affected by the indentation depth for spherical indenters, even at the atomistic scale.

COVID-19 care experience: Reflection on nursing care in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of a medical center in Taiwan

Shu-Chen, Liao,Li-Yin Chien 한국간호과학회 2021 한국간호과학회 학술대회 Vol.2021 No.10

Aim(s): Year 2020 is the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses face severe challenges and threats. This article was a reflection of personal nursing experience in clinical practice in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of a medical center during the beginning period of facing the COVID-19 threat. Method(s): To prepare for COVID-19, the medical teams in the setting immediately held a meeting on January 26, 2020 to discussed coping strategies, including early high-risk identification, strictly implementing visitor management, adjusting care models, and implementing employee education; in order to protect women, newborns and health workers safety. From January to December 2020, there were no confirmed COVID-19 cases and ten suspected cases in our department. The nurses reflected on infection control measures, adjusted nursing care, dialogue with patients and families, with nurses and medical team members. Result(s): We summarized six themes, including: a). Enlarge patient criteria to early identify high-risk cases and block COVID-19 overseas, b). Strict enforcement of preventive measures and be brave and fearless, c). Master information and overcome difficulties, d). Routine adjustment and stabilize clients’ state of mind, e). Innovation and development of preventive product, f). Support the front line and joint epidemic prevention. Conclusion(s): During the period of January to December, 2020, no confirmed COVID-19 cases and nosocomial infections were noted in the unit. We implemented Virtual Private Network check, and high-risk assessment, included travel history, occupation, contact history, cluster to early risk identification, we also doing visitor management and revise care delivery models, due to those strategies, even nurse face severe challenges and threats, the quality of patient care and treatment was maintained.

Cilostazol ameliorates diabetic nephropathy by inhibiting highglucose-induced apoptosis

Chien-Wen Chian,Yung-Shu Lee,Yi-Ju Lee,Ya-Hui Chen,Chi-Ping Wang,Wen-Chin Lee,Huei-Jane Lee 대한생리학회-대한약리학회 2020 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.24 No.5

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a hyperglycemia-induced progressive development of renal insufficiency. Excessive glucose can increase mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) and induce cell damage, causing mitochondrial dysfunction. Our previous study indicated that cilostazol (CTZ) can reduce ROS levels and decelerate DN progression in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetes. This study investigated the potential mechanisms of CTZ in rats with DN and in high glucose-treated mesangial cells. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed 5 mg/kg/day of CTZ after developing STZ-induced diabetes mellitus. Electron microscopy revealed that CTZ reduced the thickness of the glomerular basement membrane and improved mitochondrial morphology in mesangial cells of diabetic kidney. CTZ treatment reduced excessive kidney mitochondrial DNA copy numbers induced by hyperglycemia and interacted with the intrinsic pathway for regulating cell apoptosis as an antiapoptotic mechanism. In high-glucose-treated mesangial cells, CTZ reduced ROS production, altered the apoptotic status, and down-regulated transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB). Base on the results of our previous and current studies, CTZ deceleration of hyperglycemia-induced DN is attributable to ROS reduction and thereby maintenance of the mitochondrial function and reduction in TGF-β and NF-κB levels.

Experience of patients with inflammatory bowel disease in using a home fecal calprotectin test as an objective reported outcome for self-monitoring

( Shu-chen Wei ),( Chien-chih Tung ),( Meng-tzu Weng ),( Jau-min Wong ) 대한장연구학회 2018 Intestinal Research Vol.16 No.4

Background/Aims: Fecal calprotectin (fC) level is a predictive marker of mucosal healing for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Home fC tests are now available. We evaluated the performance of the smartphone-based IBDoc home testing system in patients with IBD and obtained their feedback as an objective patient-reported outcome. Methods: This prospective study enrolled consecutive patients with IBD in clinical remission. fC in the same stool sample was assessed by using both the laboratory test (Quantum Blue calprotectin test) and home test (IBDoc). The correlation between the 2 tests was analyzed using the Pearson method. In addition, the patients were asked to fill a questionnaire based on their experience. Results: Fifty-one patients with IBD (68 tests and 49 questionnaires) were included. The correlation between Quantum Blue test and IBDoc was good (r=0.776, P< 0.0001). After the test, 56% patients found IBDoc easy to perform, and 96% were satisfied with it. Thirty-nine patients (80%) had a strong ( >70%) probability to use it for future monitoring if the price was acceptable. By using 250 μg/g as the cutoff, the agreement between home test and laboratory results was 80%, and by using 600 μg/g as the cutoff, the agreement increased to 92%. Conclusions: The correlation between the laboratory and home tests was good. Most patients found the home test to be feasible and easy to use and preferred it over laboratory test and endoscopy for monitoring. Therefore, the home test could be used as an objective patient-reported outcome. (Intest Res 2018;16:546-553)

REVIEW : Intestinal Stricture in Crohn`s Disease

( Chen Wang Chang ),( Jau Min Wong ),( Chien Chih Tung ),( I Lun Shih ),( Horng Yuan Wang ),( Shu Chen Wei ) 대한장연구학회 2015 Intestinal Research Vol.13 No.1

Crohn`s disease (CD) is a disease with chronic inflammation of unknown etiology involving any part of the gastrointestinal tract. The incidence and prevalence of CD are increasing recently in Asia. Half of the CD patients will have intestinal complica-tions, such as strictures or fistulas, within 20 years after diagnosis. Twenty-five percentage of CD patients have had at least one small bowel stricture and 10% have had at least one colonic stricture and lead to significant complications. Most of these pa-tients will require at least one surgery during their lifetime. Early diagnosis and evaluation with adequate managements for the patients can prevent disability and mortality of these patient. Here, we reviewed the current incidence of CD with stricture, the etiology of stricture, and how to diagnose and manage the stricture. (Intest Res 2015;13:19-26)