Research Paper : Effects of phosphorus and light intensity on the growth and competition of the two weed species Veronica persica and Chorispora tenella

( Li Chu Yin ),( Jian Xin Luo ),( Lan Fang Luo ),( Gui Xian Xie ) 한국잡초학회 2012 Weed Biology and Management Vol.12 No.1

Veronica persica Poir. (Persian speedwell) is an invasive alien weed species in the upland soils throughout China. Its dominance in weed flora could be alleviated by Chorispora tenella (Pall.) (tender chorispora) in P-poor soils and in an intense light environment. Here, three experiments in growth chambers were carried out in order to explore the effect of P and light intensity on the growth and competition of V. persica and C. tenella, the pH value in their rhizospheres, and the kinetic parameters (Km and Vmax) of the H2PO4 - uptake by the two weed species. The ANOVA results showed that the light intensity and P level in the soil obviously influenced the growth of the two weed species. However, the effect of the P level in the soil was greater for V. persica and the effect of the light intensity was greater for C. tenella. The restriction of the growth of V. persica by a low P level in the soil was much more than that of C. tenella, but it was reversed in the two species in relation to a low light intensity. In addition, the pH was lower in the rhizosphere of C. tenella after the P-deficient treatment and there was a lower Km in the uptake of H2PO4 - than for V. persica, suggesting that C. tenella could adapt to a low-P environment more easily. In conclusion, C. tenella growing together with V. persica had a competitive advantage under high-light-intensity and low-P-level conditions, but it lost its advantage with an increase in P fertilization and a decrease in light intensity.

Comparative analysis of metabolites and in vitro hypoglycemic activity of Taiwanofungus camphoratus cultured using various methods

Ming YongFei,Li Yin,Chu JianZhi,Zhou XiaoShuang,Huang YuXuan,Yang ShuDe,Mu YueJun,Wang Lin,Zhang Rui,Cheng XianHao 한국응용생명화학회 2024 Applied Biological Chemistry (Appl Biol Chem) Vol.67 No.-

Taiwanofungus camphoratus has attracted much attention because it can abundantly produce various active substances that exhibit blood-sugar lowering, immunity improving, and antioxidant properties. Currently, T. camphoratus is cultured using four main methods: cutting wood culture, solid-state fermentation, submerged fermentation, and dish culture. T. camphoratus produces different metabolites under different culture methods. In this study, nontargeted metabolomics was used to compare the metabolites of T. camphoratus produced under these four culture methods. Principal component analysis and supervised partial least squares-discriminant analysis were used to analyze the differences in the metabolites. Moreover, in vitro hypoglycemic activity of T. camphoratus extracts produced under four culture methods was compared by assessing their ability to inhibit the activity of α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and sucrase. A total of 186 metabolites were identified. In total, 127 metabolites were common under the four culture methods. Under solid-state fermentation, submerged fermentation, and cutting wood culture, 12, 1, and 4 metabolites were unique, respectively. The differential metabolites produced by T. camphoratus under four culture methods were mainly triterpenoids, phenolic compounds, and fatty acid compounds. α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and sucrase activity inhibition was the best using T. camphoratus extract obtained under cutting wood culture; the inhibition rates were 55.97%, 51.96%, and 78.02%, respectively, which were comparable to those exhibited by 0.001, 3, and 12 mg/mL acarbose (positive control). The metabolites produced by T. camphoratus and α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and sucrase inhibitory activities were different under the four culture methods. Cutting wood culture exhibited the best enzyme inhibitory activity. This study provided a theoretical basis for further use and development of various culture methods for the rational production of active metabolites of T. camphoratus.

Breastfeeding Experiences of Taiwanese Mothers of Infants with Breastfeeding or Breast Milk Jaundice in Certified Baby-Friendly Hospitals

Kuei-Hui Chu,Shuh-Jen Sheu,Mei-Hwa Hsu,Jillian Liao,Li-Yin Chien 한국간호과학회 2019 Asian Nursing Research Vol.13 No.2

Purpose: The purpose was to explore the breastfeeding experiences of mothers of infants with breastfeeding or breast milk jaundice. Methods: In-depth qualitative interviews and content analysis were conducted with nine mothers of newborns with breastfeeding and/or breast milk jaundice who breastfed their babies during the first year postpartum. Results: Mothers' experiences can be described in four phases and six themes. (1) Prenatal stage: build breastfeeding belief, i.e., breastfeeding is best and a natural behavior, without awareness of neonatal jaundice; (2) stage after neonatal jaundice started to appear: include two themes, questioning beliefs in breastfeeding and happiness in being a mother. Mothers lacked knowledge and ignored the threat of neonatal jaundice, mainly focused on their physical discomforts and worried about insufficient breast milk; they also felt an intimate mothereinfant bond through breastfeeding; (3) stage when newborns had confirmed diagnosis of breastfeeding or breast milk jaundice that required medical attention: include two themes, diagnosis of breastfeeding or breast milk jaundice and phototherapy caused negative emotions and regaining original beliefs about breastfeeding. They struggled through emotional swings and inconsistent advices about whether phototherapy and formula supplementation are needed. Then, they decided breastfeeding or breast milk jaundice is only temporary and retrieved initial beliefs of breastfeeding. (4) Stage after neonatal jaundice faded and mothers continued breastfeeding: insisting and adapting. Conclusion: Breastfeeding mothers were unaware of neonatal jaundice until medical attention was required; they experienced physical and mental distress and gradually learned to manage jaundice while insisting on breastfeeding through their breastfeeding beliefs and happiness in being mothers.

Risk Factors for Early Recurrence of HBV-related Hepatocellular Carcinoma Meeting Milan Criteria after Curative Resection

Zhu, Wen-Jiang,Huang, Chu-Ying,Li, Chuan,Peng, Wei,Wen, Tian-Fu,Yan, Lv-Nan,Li, Bo,Wang, Wen-Tao,Xu, Ming-Qing,Yang, Jia-Yin,Jiang, Li Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.12

Background: The prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after curative resection varies greatly. Few studies had investigated the risk factors for early recurrence (recurrence-free time ${\leq}$ 1 year) of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCCs meeting Milan criteria. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the 224 patients with HCC meeting Milan criteria who underwent curative liver resection in our center between February 2007 and March 2012. The overall survival (OS) rate, recurrence-free survival (RFS) rate and risk factors for early recurrence were analyzed. Results: After a median follow-up of 33.3 months, HCC reoccurred in 105 of 224 patients and 32 died during the period. The 1-, 3- and 5-year OS rates were 97.3%, 81.6% and 75.6% respectively, and the 1-, 3- and 5-year RFS rates were 73.2%, 53.7% and 41.6%. Cox regression showed alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) > 800 ng/ml (HR 2.538, 95% CI 1.464-4.401, P=0.001), multiple tumors (HR 2.286, 95% CI 1.123-4.246, P=0.009) and microvascular invasion (HR 2.518, 95% CI 1.475-4.298, P=0.001) to be associated with early recurrence (recurrence-free time ${\leq}$ 1-year) of HCC meeting Milan criteria. Conclusions: AFP > 800 ng/ml, multiple tumors and microvascular invasion are independent risk factors affecting early postoperative recurrence of HCC. In addition resection appears capable of replacing liver transplantation in some situations with safety and a better outcome.

Retiform Hemangioendothelioma of the Neck

Chin-Lung Kuo,Pen-Yuan Chu,Paul Chih-Hsueh Chen,Wing-Yin Li 대한병리학회 2015 Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine Vol.49 No.2

Illicit drug use is associated with lower bone mineral density and bone strength

Suhas Krishnamoorthy,Gloria Hoi-Yee Li,Kelvin Shun-Cheong Ho,Yin-Pan Chau,Constance Mak,Donna Ng,Albert Kar-Kin Chung,Jody Kwok-Pui Chu,Kathryn Choon-Beng Tan,Ruby Lai-Chong Hoo,Ching-Lung Cheung 대한골다공증학회 2023 Osteoporosis and Sarcopenia Vol.9 No.3

Objectives: To evaluate the association of illicit drug use with bone mineral density (BMD) and hip geometric parameters at the narrow neck. Methods: This is a cross-sectional matched cohort study conducted in the Hong Kong Chinese population. Associations with illicit drug use were estimated using linear regression for BMD (lumbar spine and femoral neck) and hip geometrical parameters (cross-sectional area [CSA], cross-sectional moment of inertia [CSMI], section modulus [SM], average cortical thickness [ACT] and BMD at the narrow neck) after adjusting for age, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, drinking status, physical activity, and history of antipsychotic and antidepressant use. Mean difference and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated between 108 illicit drug users and 108 controls using an adjusted linear model and cluster-robust standard errors after matching by age and sex. The false discovery rate was used to correct for multiple testing. Results: Illicit drug users had a significantly lower BMD (g/cm2 ) at the lumbar spine (mean difference: -0.062; 95% CI: -0.108 to − 0.015), and femoral neck (mean difference: -0.058; 95% CI: -0.106 to − 0.010) in the fully adjusted model. Illicit drug users also had a significantly lower CSA (mean difference: -0.238 cm2 ; 95% CI: -0.462 to − 0.013), ACT (mean difference: -0.018 cm; 95% CI: -0.030 to − 0.006) and BMD (mean difference: -0.070 g/ cm2 ; 95% CI: -0.128 to − 0.012) at the narrow neck. Conclusions: Illicit drug use is associated with lower BMD and bone strength. Future studies evaluating the risk of illicit drug use with fragility fracture are warranted.

True Digestibility of Phosphorus in Different Resources of Feed Ingredients in Growing Pigs

Wu, X.,Ruan, Z.,Zhang, Y.G.,Hou, Y.Q.,Yin, Y.L.,Li, T.J.,Huang, R.L.,Chu, W.Y.,Kong, X.F.,Gao, B.,Chen, L.X. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2008 Animal Bioscience Vol.21 No.1

To determine the true digestible phosphorus (TDP) requirement of growing pigs, two experiments were designed with the experimental diets containing five true digestible P levels (0.16%, 0.20%, 0.23%, 0.26% and 0.39%) and the ratio of total calcium to true digestible P (TDP) kept at 2:1. In Experiment 1, five barrows (Duroc${\times}$Landrace${\times}$Yorkshire) with an average initial body weight of 27.9 kg were used in a $5{\times}5$ Latin-square design to evaluate the effect of different dietary P levels on the digestibility and output of P and nitrogen. In Experiment 2, sixty healthy growing pigs (Duroc${\times}$Landrace${\times}$Yorkshire) with an average body weight (BW) of 21.4 kg were assigned randomly to one of the five dietary treatments (12 pigs/diet), and were used to determine the true digestible phosphorus (TDP) requirement of growing pigs on the basis of growth performance and serum biochemical indices. The results indicated that the true digestibility of P increased (p<0.05) linearly with increasing dietary TDP level below 0.26%. The true P digestibility was highest (56.6%) when dietary TDP was 0.34%. Expressed as g/kg dry matter intake (DMI), fecal P output increased (p<0.05) linearly with increasing P input. On the basis of g/kg fecal dry matter (DM), fecal P output was lowest for Diet 4 and highest (p<0.05) for Diet 5. The apparent digestibility of crude protein (CP) did not differ (p>0.05) among the five diets, with the average nitrogen output of 12.14 g/d and nitrogen retention of 66% to 74% (p>0.05), which suggested that there was no interaction between dietary P and CP protein levels. During the 28-d experimental period of Experiment 2, the average daily gain (ADG) of pigs was affected by dietary TDP levels as described by Eq. (1): $y=-809,532x^4+788,079x^3-276,250x^2+42,114x-1,759$; ($R^2=0.99$; p<0.01; y = ADG, g/d; x = dietary TDP, %), F/G for pigs by Eq. (2): $y=3,651.1x^4-3,480.4x^3+1,183.8x^2-172.5x+10.9$ ($R^2=0.99$; p<0.01; y = F/G; x = dietary TDP, %), and Total P concentrations in serum by Eq. (3): $y=-3,311.7x^4+3,342.7x^3-1,224.6x^2+195.6x-8.7$ (R2 = 0.99; p<0.01; y = total serum P concentration and x = dietary TDP, %). The highest ADG (782 g/d), the lowest F/G (1.07) and the highest total serum P concentration (3.1 mmol/L) were obtained when dietary TDP level was 0.34%. Collectively, these results indicate that the optimal TDP requirement of growing pigs is 0.34% of the diet at a total Ca to TDP ratio of 2:1.

The Quantitative Evaluation of Automatic Segmentation in Lumbar Magnetic Resonance Images

Yao-Wen Liang,Yu-Ting Fang,Ting-Chun Lin,Cheng-Ru Yang,Chih-Chang Chang,Hsuan-Kan Chang,Chin-Chu Ko,Tsung-Hsi Tu,Li-Yu Fay,Jau-Ching Wu,Wen-Cheng Huang,Hsiang-Wei Hu,You-Yin Chen,Chao-Hung Kuo 대한척추신경외과학회 2024 Neurospine Vol.21 No.2

Objective: This study aims to overcome challenges in lumbar spine imaging, particularly lumbar spinal stenosis, by developing an automated segmentation model using advanced techniques. Traditional manual measurement and lesion detection methods are limited by subjectivity and inefficiency. The objective is to create an accurate and automated segmentation model that identifies anatomical structures in lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging scans. Methods: Leveraging a dataset of 539 lumbar spinal stenosis patients, the study utilizes the residual U-Net for semantic segmentation in sagittal and axial lumbar spine magnetic resonance images. The model, trained to recognize specific tissue categories, employs a geometry algorithm for anatomical structure quantification. Validation metrics, like Intersection over Union (IOU) and Dice coefficients, validate the residual U-Net’s segmentation accuracy. A novel rotation matrix approach is introduced for detecting bulging discs, assessing dural sac compression, and measuring yellow ligament thickness. Results: The residual U-Net achieves high precision in segmenting lumbar spine structures, with mean IOU values ranging from 0.82 to 0.93 across various tissue categories and views. The automated quantification system provides measurements for intervertebral disc dimensions, dural sac diameter, yellow ligament thickness, and disc hydration. Consistency between training and testing datasets assures the robustness of automated measurements. Conclusion: Automated lumbar spine segmentation with residual U-Net and deep learning exhibits high precision in identifying anatomical structures, facilitating efficient quantification in lumbar spinal stenosis cases. The introduction of a rotation matrix enhances lesion detection, promising improved diagnostic accuracy, and supporting treatment decisions for lumbar spinal stenosis patients.