Factors associated with future commitment and past history of human papilloma virus vaccination among female college students in northern Taiwan

Ping-Fen Kuo,Ying-Tse Yeh,Shuh-Jen Sheu,Tze-Fang Wang 대한부인종양학회 2014 Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Vol.25 No.3

Objective: To investigate factors influencing commitment to human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination and prior vaccination among female college students in northern Taiwan. Methods: A quota sample of 400 female college students was recruited from nine colleges in northern Taiwan during March 2013. Of these, 398 completed the self administered questionnaire which was designed based on the health promotion model. Results: The results showed that factors associated with prior vaccination behavior were family history of gynecologic malignancy, ever being advised to get HPV vaccination, perceived barriers of action and perceived self-efficacy. Predictors for commitment to HPV vaccination in the next 6 months were the cost of vaccination, ever being advised to get HPV vaccination, perceived self-efficacy and situational influences. Perceived self-efficacy was significantly influenced by relationship status, past receipt of a recommendation for HPV vaccination and level of knowledge about HPV. Conclusion: When formulating vaccination policies, governmental or medical institutions should include these factors to promote vaccination Objective: To investigate factors influencing commitment to human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination and prior vaccination among female college students in northern Taiwan. Methods: A quota sample of 400 female college students was recruited from nine colleges in northern Taiwan during March 2013. Of these, 398 completed the self administered questionnaire which was designed based on the health promotion model. Results: The results showed that factors associated with prior vaccination behavior were family history of gynecologic malignancy, ever being advised to get HPV vaccination, perceived barriers of action and perceived self-efficacy. Predictors for commitment to HPV vaccination in the next 6 months were the cost of vaccination, ever being advised to get HPV vaccination, perceived self-efficacy and situational influences. Perceived self-efficacy was significantly influenced by relationship status, past receipt of a recommendation for HPV vaccination and level of knowledge about HPV. Conclusion: When formulating vaccination policies, governmental or medical institutions should include these factors to promote vaccination.

[MINIREVIEW] New perspectives of Lactobacillus plantarum as a probiotic: The gut-heart-brain axis

Yen-Wenn Liu,Min-Tze Liong,Ying-Chieh Tsai 한국미생물학회 2018 The journal of microbiology Vol.56 No.9

Lactobacillus plantarum is a non-gas-producing lactic acid bacterium that is generally regarded as safe (GRAS) with Qualified Presumption of Safety (QPS) status. Although traditionally used for dairy, meat and vegetable fermentation, L. plantarum is gaining increasing significance as a probiotic. With the newly acclaimed gut-heart-brain axis, strains of L. plantarum have proven to be a valuable species for the development of probiotics, with various beneficial effects on gut health, metabolic disorders and brain health. In this review, the classification and taxonomy, and the relation of these with safety aspects are introduced. Characteristics of L. plantarum to fulfill the criteria as a probiotic are discussed. Emphasis are also given to the beneficial functions of L. plantarum in gut disorders such as inflammatory bowel diseases, metabolic syndromes, dyslipidemia, hypercholesteromia, obesity, and diabetes, and brain health aspects involving psychological disorders.

Ocean Park Hong Kong: The Risen Dead Miracle of Hong Kong

Terence Chun-Ho CHEUNG,Cheryl Tze-Ying AW,Jessica Chun-Ying CHAN,Jeni Yin-Ming CHEUNG Academy of Asian Business (AAB) 2015 Academy of Asian Business Review Vol.1 No.2

The purpose of this study is to identify the strategies that Ocean Park used to face different kinds of threats and challenges, and discover the success factors that transformed the park from a local theme park with little global vision and recognition into one of the most popular amusement parks in the world. The major challenges include the Financial Crisis in 1997, the closure of Water Park in 1999, the outbreak of SARS in 2003 and, most critically, the emergence of Hong Kong Disneyland in 2005. Based on our analysis on relevant data, we found that the key success factors of Ocean Park are speedy repositioning and flexible in coping with major challenges by adopting relevant strategic actions such as (1) redefining the market position, (2) adding innovative attraction, education, and charity programs, (3) creating effective social cause marketing with UNICEF, and (4) committing to major redevelopment programs. We believe that Ocean Park will have great development and performance if it maintains these factors. Hopefully, this study will be useful in understanding and exploring the success of a theme park or a business in Hong Kong.

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy: Advantages and limitations

Foo Cheong Ng,Wai Loon Yam,Tze Ying Benjamin Lim,Jin Kiat Teo,Kok Kit Ng,Sey Kiat Lim 대한비뇨의학회 2017 Investigative and Clinical Urology Vol.58 No.5

Purpose: The use of ultrasound in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) has not been shown to translate to better clinical and stone outcomes. To compare the operative outcomes, postoperative outcomes and complication rates of ultrasound-guided access PCNL (USGA-PCNL) versus fluoroscopy-guided access PCNL (FGA-PCNL). Materials and Methods: A total of 184 consecutive patients who underwent PCNL from July 2008 to September 2014 were identified from our PCNL database. Seventy-two patients underwent USGA-PCNL and 112 FGA-PCNL. Results: The patients were similar in age, sex, race, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification, mean largest stone diameters, side of PCNL, number of stones and the degree of hydronephrosis between both groups. There were higher rates of upper pole (5.6% vs. 3.6%), mid pole (8.3% vs. 2.7%) and multiple pole punctures (4.2% vs. 0%) in USGA-PCNL compared to FGA-PCNL (p=0.027). There was no difference in the stone free rates of both groups in univariate analysis. Those who had FGA-PCNL were 2.26 (95% confidence interval, 1.09–4.75; p=0.029) times more likely to require a second-look procedure compared to USGA-PCNL on univariate analysis but not on multivariate analysis. There were no differences in Clavien-Dindo complications. No patient in the USGA-PCNL group experienced organ injuries during puncture compared to 1 patient in the FGA-PCNL group who had pneumothorax requiring urgent chest tube insertion. Conclusions: The use of ultrasonography to guide access puncture during PCNL eliminates the risk of inadvertent organ injuries. Similar operative and stone outcomes show that the learning curve for USGA is minimal compared to conventional FGA.

Preparation and Characterization of Microcrystalline Cellulose from Sacred Bali Bamboo as Reinforcing Filler in Seaweed-based Composite Film

Abdul Khalil H. P. S.,Tze Kiat Lai,Ying Ying Tye,M. T. Paridah,M. R. Nurul Fazita,A. A. Azniwati,Rudi Dungani,Samsul Rizal 한국섬유공학회 2018 Fibers and polymers Vol.19 No.2

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) isolated from cheap, fast-growing and abundant accessible Sacred Bali bamboo (Schizostachyum brachycladum) was utilized as reinforcement material in the seaweed-based composite film. Isolation of MCC was carried out by using a combination of pulping, bleaching and acid hydrolysis process. This study emphasized on the feasibility of MCC production from Sacred Bali bamboo by studying its properties using X-ray diffraction (XRD),scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The commercial-MCC (CMCC) was used as reference material. Results showed that the production yield, moisture content (MC) and fiber length of bamboo-MCC (BMCC) were 83.37±1.48 %, 4.50±0.5 %, and 0.47±0.02 mm, respectively. According to the chemical analysis by FTIR, both lignin and hemicellulose were completely removed from BMCC, and thus, improved the crystallinity (78 %) and thermal stability (≈325 ℃) of BMCC. This study also revealed that MCC produced from Sacred Bali bamboo demonstrated strong mechanical reinforcement effect in the seaweed-based film. Hence, Sacred Bali bamboo-MCC could be used as reinforcement material in the polymer.

The Antiproliferation Activity of Ganoderma formosanum Extracts on Prostate Cancer Cells

( Cheng-yen Chiang ),( Kai-di Hsu ),( Yen-yi Lin ),( Chang-wei Hsieh ),( Jui-ming Liu ),( Tze-ying Lu ),( Kuan-chen Cheng ) 한국균학회 2020 Mycobiology Vol.48 No.3

Androgen-independent prostate cancer accounts for mortality in the world. In this study, various extracts of a medical fungus dubbed Ganoderma formosanum were screened for inhibition of DU145 cells, an androgen-independent prostate cancer cell line. Results demonstrated that both hexane (GF-EH) and butanol (GF-EB) fraction of G. formosanum ethanol extract inhibited DU145 cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. GF-EH induced cell-cycle arrest in G1 phase of DU145 cells via downregulation of cyclin E2 protein expression. In addition, GF-EB triggered extrinsic apoptosis of DU145 cells by activating caspase 3 gene expression resulting in programed cell death. Above all, both GF-EH and GF-EB show lower toxicity to normal human fibroblast cell line compared to DU145 cell, implying that they possess specific drug action on cancer cells. This study provides a molecular basis of G. formosanum extract as a potential ingredient for treatment of androgen-independent prostate cancer.