Registry-based stroke research in Taiwan: past and future

Cheng-Yang Hsieh,Darren Philbert Wu3,,Sheng-Feng Sung 한국역학회 2018 Epidemiology and Health Vol.40 No.-

Stroke registries are observational databases focusing on the clinical information and outcomes of stroke patients. They play an important role in the cycle of quality improvement. Registry data are collected from real-world experiences of stroke care and are suitable for measuring quality of care. By exposing inadequacies in performance measures of stroke care, research from stroke registries has changed how we manage stroke patients in Taiwan. With the success of various quality improvement campaigns, mortality from stroke and recurrence of stroke have decreased in the past decade. After the implementation of a nationwide stroke registry, researchers have been creatively expanding how they use and collect registry data for research. Through the use of the nationwide stroke registry as a common data model, researchers from many hospitals have built their own stroke registries with extended data elements to meet the needs of research. In collaboration with information technology professionals, stroke registry systems have changed from web-based, manual submission systems to automated fill-in systems in some hospitals. Furthermore, record linkage between stroke registries and administrative claims databases or other existing databases has widened the utility of registry data in research. Using stroke registry data as the reference standard, researchers have validated several algorithms for ascertaining the diagnosis of stroke and its risk factors from claims data, and have also developed a claims-based index to estimate stroke severity. By making better use of registry data, we believe that we will provide better care to patients with stroke.

아시아 횡단철도의 경제적 효과 분석 : 중국 동북 3성을 중심으로

구종순,여희정,동무성 한국관세학회 2009 관세학회지 Vol.10 No.1

The paper explores economic effects of the Trans-Asian Railway North Corridor(TAR-NC) in the Northeast regions of China. The 3 Northeast regions, called Dongbeisan Sheng(3 provinces composed of Liaoning Sheng, Helongjiang Sheng, Jilin Sheng) possess natural resources and form a large regional economic block. In the 2000's the Chinese government has led a development policy of land transport via TAR-NC. Volumes transported by rail from origin/destination stations such as Erlianhaote, Suifenhe, Arasankou, Manzhouli are significantly increasing. Furthermore, by the fact that the Russian government plans to reduce railway tariffs and the Chinese government reforms laws related to container transport to increase competitiveness of the TAR-NC as an international railway route, the TAR-NC will offer a better package of services such as transit times, tariffs to attract shippers and compete against well-established shipping lines. Europe is the second export/import trade partner for the 3 Northeast regions. The reduced transit times and tariffs offered by the railway route for land movements of containers will enhance the competitiveness of products of the regions in the European market.

From an Authoritarian Party-State to a Democratic and Competitive Party System

Wu, Wen Cheng 서강대학교 동아연구소 1988 東亞 硏究 Vol.- No.15

Value of CT in the Discrimination of Fatal from Non-Fatal Stercoral Colitis

Cheng-Hsien Wu,Chen-Chih Huang,Li-Jen Wang,Yon-Cheong Wong,Chao-Jan Wang,Wan-Chak Lo,Being-Chuan Lin,Yung-Liang Wan,Chuen Hsueh 대한영상의학회 2012 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.13 No.3

Objective: Clinical presentation and physical signs may be unreliable in the diagnosis of stercoral colitis (SC). This study evaluates the value of computed tomography (CT) in distinguishing fatal from non-fatal SC. Materials and Methods: Ten patients diagnosed as SC were obtained from inter-specialist conferences. Additional 13 patients with suspected SC were identified via the Radiology Information System (RIS). These patients were divided into two groups; fatal and non-fatal SCs. Their CT images are reviewed by two board-certified radiologists blinded to the clinical data and radiographic reports. Results: SC occurred in older patients and displayed no gender predisposition. There was significant correlation between fatal SC and CT findings of dense mucosa (p = 0.017), perfusion defects (p = 0.026), ascites (p = 0.023), or abnormal gas (p = 0.033). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of dense mucosa were 71%, 86%, and 81%, respectively. These figures were 75%, 79%, and 77% for perfusion defects; 75%, 80%, and 78% for ascites; and 50%, 93%, and 78% for abnormal gas, respectively. Each CT sign of mucosal sloughing and pericolonic abscess displayed high specificity of 100% and 93% for diagnosing fatal SC, respectively. However, this did not reach statistical significance in diagnosing fatal SC. Conclusion: CT appears to be valuable in discriminating fatal from non-fatal SC. Objective: Clinical presentation and physical signs may be unreliable in the diagnosis of stercoral colitis (SC). This study evaluates the value of computed tomography (CT) in distinguishing fatal from non-fatal SC. Materials and Methods: Ten patients diagnosed as SC were obtained from inter-specialist conferences. Additional 13 patients with suspected SC were identified via the Radiology Information System (RIS). These patients were divided into two groups; fatal and non-fatal SCs. Their CT images are reviewed by two board-certified radiologists blinded to the clinical data and radiographic reports. Results: SC occurred in older patients and displayed no gender predisposition. There was significant correlation between fatal SC and CT findings of dense mucosa (p = 0.017), perfusion defects (p = 0.026), ascites (p = 0.023), or abnormal gas (p = 0.033). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of dense mucosa were 71%, 86%, and 81%, respectively. These figures were 75%, 79%, and 77% for perfusion defects; 75%, 80%, and 78% for ascites; and 50%, 93%, and 78% for abnormal gas, respectively. Each CT sign of mucosal sloughing and pericolonic abscess displayed high specificity of 100% and 93% for diagnosing fatal SC, respectively. However, this did not reach statistical significance in diagnosing fatal SC. Conclusion: CT appears to be valuable in discriminating fatal from non-fatal SC.

The influence of serial passage on the stability of an exogenous gene expression in recombinant baculovirus

Wu Carol P.,Chang Chia‐Jung,Li Cheng‐Hsun,Wu Yueh‐Lung 한국곤충학회 2021 Entomological Research Vol.51 No.4

The baculovirus expression system has been widely used for industrial-scale production of recombinant proteins. These recombinant proteins are expressed from recombinant baculoviruses carrying an expression cassette for a particular protein. Even though the baculovirus genome can accommodate large fragments of foreign genetic material, it has been shown that defective interfering particles (DIs) are generated over many passages of the recombinant virus. Defective interfering particles can affect the stability of the inserted gene, which can result in sub-optimal expression of the recombinant protein; this can, therefore, have a significant impact on production. The stability of exogenous genes in recombinant viruses over serial passage has not yet been investigated. As such, the present study set out to assess the effect of serial passage on the stability of the expression of an exogenous gene inserted into a recombinant baculovirus and its subsequent recombinant protein yield. To achieve this, a recombinant baculovirus carrying the classical swine fever virus E2 gene was serially passaged up to 20 times. The results showed that the E2 gene expression by the recombinant baculovirus was stable for up to 10 passages without any effect on recombinant E2 production in insect cells.

ORBITAL-PHASE-DEPENDENT γ-RAY EMISSIONS FROM THE BLACK WIDOW PULSAR

Wu, E. M. H.,Takata, J.,Cheng, K. S.,Huang, R. H. H.,Hui, C. Y.,Kong, A. K. H.,Tam, P. H. T.,Wu, J. H. K. IOP Publishing 2012 The Astrophysical journal Vol.761 No.2

<P>We report on evidence for orbital phase dependence of the gamma-ray emission from the PSR B1957+20 black widow system using data from the Fermi Large Area Telescope. We divide an orbital cycle into two regions: one containing the inferior conjunction and the other containing the rest of the orbital cycle. We show that the observed spectra for the different orbital regions are fitted by different functional forms. The spectrum of the orbital region containing the inferior conjunction can be described by a power law with an exponential cutoff (PLE) model, which also gives the best-fit model for the orbital phase without the inferior conjunction, plus an extra component above similar to 2.7 GeV. The emission above 3 GeV in this region is detected with a similar to 7 sigma confidence level. The gamma-ray data above similar to 2.7 GeV are observed to be modulated at the orbital period at the similar to 2.3 sigma level. We anticipate that the PLE component dominant below similar to 2.7 GeV originates from the pulsar magnetosphere. We also show that inverse Compton scattering of the thermal radiation of the companion star off a 'cold' ultrarelativistic pulsar wind can explain the extra component above similar to 2.7 GeV. The black widow pulsar PSR B1957+20 may be a member of a new class of object, in the sense that the system is showing gamma-ray emission with both magnetospheric and pulsar wind origins.</P>

Potential Serum Markers for Monitoring the Progression of Hepatitis B Virus-Associated Chronic Hepatic Lesions to Liver Cirrhosis

( Cheng Wu ),( Lijie Liu ),( Peng Zhao ),( Dan Tang ),( Dingkang Yao ),( Liang Zhu ),( Zhiqiang Wang ) 대한소화기학회 2015 Gut and Liver Vol.9 No.5

Background/Aims: To screen for serum protein/peptide biomarkers of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated chronic hepatic lesions in an attempt to profile the progression of HBV-associated chronic hepatic lesions using surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF MS) techniques. Methods: Using SELDI-TOF MS, serum protein/peptide profiles on the CM10 ProteinChip arrays were obtained from a training group including 26 HBV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma patients with liver cirrhosis (LC), 30 HBV-associated LC patients, 85 patients at different stages of liver fibrosis, and 30 asymptomatic HBV carriers. The most valuable SELDI peak for predicting the progression to LC in HBV-infected patients was identified. Results: A SELDI peak of M/Z 5805 with value for predicting LC in HBV-infected patients was found and was identified as a peptide of the C-terminal fraction of the fibrinogen a-chain precursor, isoform 1. Conclusions: The peptide of the C-terminal fraction of the fibrinogen α-chain precursor, isoform 1 with M/Z 5805, may be a serological biomarker for progression to LC in HBV-infected patients. (Gut Liver 2015;9:665-671)

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Police Dogs in Shenyang, Northeastern China

Cheng-Wu Liu,Na Yang,Jian-Bin He,Ming-Yang Mu,Min Yang,Ning Sun,Hong-Kui Li 대한기생충학열대의학회 2013 The Korean Journal of Parasitology Vol.51 No.5

Radon-induced demethylation of Cdk2 CpG island in the rat lung

Cheng Wu,Qiu Chen,Jian Tong,Xin Xie,Fengmei Cui,Yang Jiao,Dandan Qi,Jihua Nie,Tom K. Hei,Qisheng Jiang 한국유전학회 2014 Genes & Genomics Vol.36 No.6

Radon exposure has been linked to lung carcinogenesisin both human and animal studies. The identificationof sequential changes in DNA methylation duringtumour progression and the elucidation of their interplaywith genetic changes will broaden our molecular understandingof this disease. Rats were exposed to 120 or 400working level months (WLM) of radon, lung pathologicalchanges were examined by haematoxylin and eosin staining,lung single cell suspension cell cycles were detected byflow cytometry, lung cell cycle regulated gene (Cdkn2a,P53, Cdk4/2, Mdm4/2 and Rb1 genes) expression wasquantified by real-time PCR and methylation of CpG islandsin the promoters of cell cycle-regulated genes were detectedby bisulfite sequencing PCR. The alveolar walls of rat lungsafter exposured to radon exhibited papillae and the lungbronchial epithelial cells stained positively for proliferatingcell nuclear antigen. The bronchial epithelial cells displayedsome hyperplasia after challenged by 400 WLM of radon. Moreover, G1 arrest decreased; Rb1, Mdm2/4, and Cdk2/4expression decreased and Cdk2 was demethylated at thesecond and sixth CpG loci from base pairs 3092704 to3092953 of chromosome 7. Cdk2 demethylation may beapplicable as a biomarker of early lung damage that wasinduced by radon and other environmental carcinogens.

An Optimized Control Method Based on Dual Three-Level Inverters for Open-end Winding Induction Motor Drives

Wu, Di,Su, Liang-Cheng,Wu, Xiao-Jie,Zhao, Guo-Dong The Korean Institute of Power Electronics 2014 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.14 No.2

An optimized space vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM) method with common mode voltage elimination and neutral point potential balancing is proposed for an open-end winding induction motor. The motor is fed from both of the ends with two neutral point clamped (NPC) three-level inverters. In order to eliminate the common mode voltage of the motor ends and balance the neutral point potential of the DC link, only zero common mode voltage vectors are used and a balancing control factor is gained from calculation in the strategy. In order to improve the harmonic characteristics of the output voltages and currents, the balancing control factor is regulated properly and the theoretical analysis is provided. Simulation and experimental results show that by adopting the proposed method, the common mode voltage can be completely eliminated, the neutral point potential can be accurately balanced and the harmonic performance for the output voltages and currents can be effectively improved.