Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Taiwan's Traditional Industries

Yu, Chi-Yuang,Hsu, Yau-Wen,Chung, Yi-Chan,Tsai, Chih-Hung The Korean Society for Quality Management 2004 The Asian Journal on Quality Vol.5 No.2

The purpose of this study was to analyze the prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms among the three Taiwan's traditional industries as lathe, electronics and food by the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). Moreover, the study was also to make a comparison among the aforesaid industries for revealing their differences. The result of the questionnaire indicated that the symptoms appeared on the three industries were all originated from four parts as neck, shoulders, elbows, and wrists/hands. More than 68% of the interviewers thought that their symptoms might be related to their work. However, the rate of harmful influence resulted from life or job was over 50%. As to the respect of the interviewers' attitude in treating their symptoms, more than 80% of them neglected or just treated the symptoms by massaging or cold/hot compressing and resting. From the questionnaire, the proportion of symptoms discussed in each item indicated that the distribution, in perceiving symptom, of interviewers were not quite identical; however the Chi-square test discovered majority did not reach 0.05 levels, hence the difference among industries were not significant.

Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Interactive Play for Children During Intravenous Placement: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Hsu Mei-Feng,Whu Yew-Wha,Lin I-Chen,Liu Chieh-Yu,Lai Fei-Chen,Liu Pei-Ching,Chen Chi-Wen 한국간호과학회 2022 Asian Nursing Research Vol.16 No.2

Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an interactive virtual reality (VR) play intervention including instructional play and emotional catharsis play sessions in reducing children's pain and fear during intravenous placement. Methods A randomized controlled trial with parallel groups was conducted. The sample consisted of 134 hospitalized children aged 6–12 years (intervention group: n = 69; comparison group: n = 65). The intervention involved one immersive intravenous scene in VR before the actual intravenous placement and one emotional catharsis VR play after injection. The comparison group received an educational photo book about intravenous placement before receiving intravenous placement. The children and their caregivers rated their pain and fear by using the Wong–Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale and the Children's Fear Scale. The time required for successful intravenous insertion was also compared between the two groups. Results Children's pain (p = .028) and fear scores (p = .004) were significantly lower in the intervention group than in the comparison group. Their caregivers' pain and fear scores (both p < .001) were significantly lower in the intervention group. The time required for successful intravenous insertion did not differ significantly between the intervention and comparison groups. Conclusions The interactive play intervention with VR effectively reduced children's levels of pain and fear during the intravenous placement procedure. The results of this study can serve as a reference for the implementation of a feasible, child-friendly care practice for clinical intravenous placement in school-aged children.

Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Taiwan`s Traditional Industries

( Chi Yuang Yu ),( Yau Wen Hsu ),( Yi Chan Chung ),( Chih Hung Tsai ) 한국품질경영학회 2004 The Asian Journal on Quality Vol.5 No.2

Hydrogen Bubbles and the Growth Morphology of Ramified Zinc by Electrodeposition

Hsu, Pei-Cheng,Seol, Seung-Kwon,Lo, Tsung-Nan,Liu, Chi-Jen,Wang, Chang-Liang,Lin, Chao-Sung,Hwu, Y.,Chen, C. H.,Chang, Liu-Wen,Je, J. H.,Margaritondo, G. The Electrochemical Society 2008 Journal of the Electrochemical Society Vol.155 No.5

Genotype­specific methylation of HPV in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

Yaw-Wen Hsu,Rui-Lan Huang,Po-Hsuan Su,Yu-Chih Chen,Hui-Chen Wang,Chi-Chun Liao,Hung-Cheng Lai 대한부인종양학회 2017 Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Vol.28 No.4

Objective: Hypermethylation of human papillomavirus (HPV) and host genes has beenreported in cervical cancer. However, the degree of methylation of different HPV typesrelative to the severity of the cervical lesions remains controversial. Studies of the degree ofmethylation associated with the host gene and the HPV genome to the severity of cervicallesions are rare. We examined the association of methylation status between host genes andlate gene 1 (L1) regions of HPV16, 18, 52, and 58 in cervical brushings. Methods: Cervical brushings from 147 HPV-infected patients were obtained. The samplescomprised normal (n=28), cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1 (n=45), CIN2 (n=13), andCIN3/carcinoma in situ (n=61). The methylation status of HPV and host genes was measuredusing bisulfite pyrosequencing and quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chainreaction (PCR). Results: The degree of methylation of L1 in HPV16, 18, and 52 was associated with theseverity of the cervical lesion. In HPV52, C-phosphate-G (CpG) sites 6368m, 6405m, and6443m showed significantly higher methylation in lesions ≥CIN3 (p=0.005, 0.003, and0.026, respectively). Methylation of most HPV types except HPV52 (r<−0.1) was positivelycorrelated with the degree of methylation of host genes including PAX1 and SOX1 (0.4≤r≤0.7). Combining HPV methylation with PAX1 methylation improved the clustering for ≥CIN2. Conclusion: Our study showed that the degree of L1 methylation of HPV16, 18, and 52but not 58 is associated with the severity of cervical lesions. The association betweenHPV methylation and host gene methylation suggests different responses of host cellularepigenetic machinery to different HPV genotypes.

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.

Comedications and potential drug-drug interactions with direct-acting antivirals in hepatitis C patients on hemodialysis

( Po-yao Hsu ),( Yu-ju Wei ),( Jia-jung Lee ),( Sheng-wen Niu ),( Jiun-chi Huang ),( Cheng-ting Hsu ),( Tyng-yuan Jang ),( Ming-lun Yeh ),( Ching-i Huang ),( Po-cheng Liang ),( Yi-hung Lin ),( Ming-ye 대한간학회 2021 Clinical and Molecular Hepatology(대한간학회지) Vol.27 No.1

Background/Aims: Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have been approved for hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis. Nevertheless, the complicated comedications and their potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs) with DAAs might limit clinical practice in this special population. Methods: The number, class, and characteristics of comedications and their potential DDIs with five DAA regimens were analyzed among HCV-viremic patients from 23 hemodialysis centers in Taiwan. Results: Of 2,015 hemodialysis patients screened in 2019, 169 patients seropositive for HCV RNA were enrolled (mean age, 65.6 years; median duration of hemodialysis, 5.8 years). All patients received at least one comedication (median number, 6; mean class number, 3.4). The most common comedication classes were ESRD-associated medications (94.1%), cardiovascular drugs (69.8%) and antidiabetic drugs (43.2%). ESRD-associated medications were excluded from DDI analysis. Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir had the highest frequency of potential contraindicated DDIs (red, 5.6%), followed by glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (4.0%), sofosbuvir/ledipasvir (1.3%), sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (1.3%), and elbasvir/grazoprevir (0.3%). For potentially significant DDIs (orange, requiring close monitoring or dose adjustments), sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir had the highest frequency (19.9%), followed by sofosbuvir/ledipasvir (18.2%), glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (12.6%), sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (12.6%), and elbasvir/grazoprevir (7.3%). Overall, lipid-lowering agents were the most common comedication class with red-category DDIs to all DAA regimens (n=62), followed by cardiovascular agents (n=15), and central nervous system agents (n=10). Conclusions: HCV-viremic patients on hemodialysis had a very high prevalence of comedications with a broad spectrum, which had varied DDIs with currently available DAA regimens. Elbasvir/grazoprevir had the fewest potential DDIs, and sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir had the most potential DDIs. (Clin Mol Hepatol 2021;27:186-196)

Effects of coffee intake on airway hypersensitivity and immunomodulation: an in vivo murine study

Wong Ying-Chi,Hsu Wen-Cheng,Wu Tzee-Chung,Huang Ching-Feng 한국영양학회 2023 Nutrition Research and Practice Vol.17 No.4

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Coffee is a complex chemical mixture, with caffeine being the most well-known bioactive substance. The immunomodulator y and anti-inflammator y properties of coffee and caffeine impact health in various aspects, including the respirator y system. The objective is to investigate the effects of coffee and caffeine on air way hyperresponsiveness and allergic reactions, as well as to analyze and compare associated cytokine profiles. MATERIALS/METHODS: BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) and given OVA inhalation to induce air way hypersensitivity. Two weeks after sensitization, they were intragastrically gavaged with coffee or caffeine, both containing 0.3125 mg caffeine, daily for 4 weeks. Control mice were fed with double-distilled water. Serum OVA- specific antibody levels were measured beforehand and 5 weeks after the first gavage. Air way hyperresponsiveness was detected by whole body plethysmography after gavage. Cytokine levels of bronchoalveolar lavage and cultured splenocytes were analyzed. RESULTS: Coffee effectively suppressed T helper 2-mediated specific antibody response. Air way responsiveness was reduced in mice treated with either coffee or caffeine. Compared to the control, coffee significantly reduced OVA-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgG1 and IgE antibody responses (P < 0.05). Caffeine also attenuated specific IgG and IgG1 levels, though IgE level was unaffected. Coffee significantly reduced interleukin (IL)-4 and increased IL-10 concentration in spleen cells and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Coffee effectively attenuated air way hyperresponsiveness and systemic allergic responses induced by OVA food allergen in mice. As a complex composition of bioactive substances, coffee displayed enhanced immunomodulator y and anti-inflammator y effects than caffeine.

Feasibility study on using crowdsourced smartphones to estimate buildings’ natural frequencies during earthquakes

Ting Yu Hsu,Yi-Wen Ke,Yo-Ming Hsieh,Chi-Ting Weng 국제구조공학회 2023 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.31 No.2

After an earthquake, information regarding potential damage to buildings close to the epicenter is very important during the initial emergency response. This study proposes the use of crowdsourced measured acceleration response data collected from smartphones located within buildings to perform system identification of building structures during earthquake excitations, and the feasibility of the proposed approach is studied. The principal advantage of using crowdsourced smartphone data is the potential to determine the condition of millions of buildings without incurring hardware, installation, and long-term maintenance costs. This study's goal is to assess the feasibility of identifying the lowest fundamental natural frequencies of buildings without knowing the orientations and precise locations of the crowds' smartphones in advance. Both input-output and output-only identification methods are used to identify the lowest fundamental natural frequencies of numerical finite element models of a real building structure. The effects of time synchronization and the orientation alignment between nearby smartphones on the identification results are discussed, and the proposed approach's performance is verified using large-scale shake table tests of a scaled steel building. The presented results illustrate the potential of using crowdsourced smartphone data with the proposed approach to identify the lowest fundamental natural frequencies of building structures, information that should be valuable in making emergency response decisions.

Design of Current Sensorless Control for Totem-Pole Boost PFC Converter

Che-Yu Lu,Yi-Wen Hsu,Hung-Chi Chen 전력전자학회 2019 ICPE(ISPE)논문집 Vol.2019 No.5

A simple current sensorless control for totem-pole boost converter is aimed to achieve superior power factor correction (PFC). In recent years, conduction loss and reverserecovery issues have been improved by the advanced power devices, and thus the converter’s efficiency and reliability are enhanced. Moreover, this converter topology has good potentiality for high-power applications. There are only two voltage sensors in both ac-side and dc-side for providing voltage information, which is an effective control strategy without current transducer. In addition, an equivalent singleswitch model of totem-pole boost PFC converter is offered that is an efficient approach to analyze the converter’s behaviors. Finally, some analytical results are given to evaluate the feasibility of the proposed current sensorless control method.