Experimental investigation of a process cooling system retrofitted with HFC-404A refrigerant for precise manufacturing application

Fu-Jen Wang,Kuei-I Tsai,Yao-Jun Wang,Hao-Chuan Lee 대한기계학회 2011 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.25 No.2

Precise-manufacturing facilities, which emphasize accurate and stable machining of the working components to be used in semiconductor industry, cannot function properly without appropriate and precise cooling. HCFC (hydro-chloro-floro-carbon) has been commonly used as the coolant for precise manufacturing facilities; but it is facing the pressing schedule to be phased out. Additionally, the dramatic variation of heat load during high-accuracy and high-speed applications need a critical control of coolant (brine or water) temperature. Use of eco-friendly HFC 404A to replace HFC has been suggested as an effective alternative to alleviate the problems. In this study, the performance of a process cooling system retrofitted with HFC-404A refrigerant was evaluated; the energy efficiency ratio and accuracy of temperature control specific to -15℃ precise manufacturing application were examined. Effects of using thermostatic expansion valve associated with hot-gas by-pass control scheme under different loading conditions have been investigated extensively. The energy efficiency ratio and accuracy of temperature control for the cooling system were measured and analyzed for comparing and evaluating HCFC-22 and HFC-404A using different throttling devices under specific coolant temperatures. The comprehensive studies on improving the accuracy of temperature control and energy-saving efficiencies through different temperature control strategies are presented in this paper.

Interactions Between Bisphenol A Exposure and GSTP1 Polymorphisms in Childhood Asthma

Tien-Jen Lin,Wilfried J.J. Karmaus,Mei-Lien Chen,I-Jen Wang 대한천식알레르기학회 2018 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol.10 No.2

Purpose: Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure may increase the risk of asthma. Genetic polymorphisms of oxidative stress-related genes, glutathione Stransferases (GSTM1, GSTP1), manganese superoxide dismutase, catalase, myeloperoxidase, and microsomal epoxide hydrolase may be related to BPA exposure. The aim is to evaluate whether oxidative stress genes modulates associations of BPA exposure with asthma. Methods: We conducted a case-control study comprised of 126 asthmatic children and 327 controls. Urine Bisphenol A glucuronide (BPAG) levels were measured by ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry, and genetic variants were analyzed by a TaqMan assay. Information on asthma and environmental exposure was collected. Analyses of variance and logistic regressions were performed to determine the association of genotypes and urine BPAG levels with asthma. Results: BPAG levels were significantly associated with asthma (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.29 per log unit increase in concentration; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.081.55). Compared to the GG genotype, children with a GSTP1 AA genotype had higher urine BPAG concentrations (geometric mean [standard error], 12.72 [4.16] vs 11.42 [2.82]; P=0.036). In children with high BPAG, the GSTP1 AA genotype was related to a higher odds of asthma than the GG genotype (aOR, 4.84; 95% CI, 1.0223.06). Conclusions: GSTP1 variants are associated with urine BPA metabolite levels. Oxidative stress genes may modulate the effect of BPA exposure on asthma.

Ledipasvir/Sofosbuvir for 12 Weeks Is Safe and Effective in CHC and CHB Coinfection Patients: A Phase 3 Study in Taiwan

( Chun-Jen Liu ),( Wan-Long Chuang ),( I-Shyan Sheen ),( Horng-Yuan Wang ),( Chi-Yi Chen ),( Kuo-Chih Tseng ),( Ting-Tsung Chang ),( Benede tta Massetto ),( Jenny Yang ),( Gregory Camus ),( Fangqiu Zh 대한간학회 2017 춘·추계 학술대회 (KASL) Vol.2017 No.1

Aims: Patients co-infected with HCV and HBV have more rapid progression and worse outcomes than mono-infected patients. Taiwan has among the highest prevalence of chronic HCV/HBV coinfection in Southeast Asia. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of an all-oral treatment with ledipasvir(LDV)/sofosbuvir(SOF) for 12 weeks in chronic HCV and HBV coinfection. Methods: Patients with or without compensated cirrhosis chronic HCV GT1/GT2 and HBV (HBsAg+) treatment naïve were enrolled into open-label, receiving LDV 90 mg/SOF 400 mg(QD) for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint is SVR12. HBV DNA was monitored at all study visits and it will be monitored for 2 years post-treatment. Results: A total of 111 patients (68[61%] with GT1 and 43[39%] with GT2) were enrolled and treated. The majority were female(62%), treatment naive(67%), and non-cirrhotic(85%), with a mean age of 55 years and mean BMI of 24.5kg/m2. All but one was HBeAg negative. Mean baseline HBV DNA was 2.1 log10IU/mL. SVR4 was 100%(111/111). The mean change in HBV DNA ranged from -0.06 log10IU/mL at week 1 to +0.49 log10IU/mL at follow-up visit 4; HBV DNA kinetics are shown in Fig 1. 60(54%) patients had an increase in HBV DNA> 10 x BL or became HBV DNA > LLOQ. No patients had ALT ≥ 2 X baseline. No patients discontinued treatment due to adverse events (AEs). Three patients had serious AEs(optic neuritis, post procedural bleeding and duodenal ulcer bleeding; none was considered drug related). Conclusions: In chronic HCV/HBV infection patients, LDV/SOF for 12 weeks resulted in an SVR4 rate of 100%. Although most patients had an increase in HBV DNA during treatment, this was not associated with ALT elevations ≥2 X baseline, and no patients started HBV therapy to date. This all-oral, interferon-free regimen was well tolerated, supporting its potential as a treatment option for HCV/HBV co-infected patients.

Genetic variant in TP63 on locus 3q28 is associated with risk of lung adenocarcinoma among never-smoking females in Asia

Hosgood III, H. Dean,Wang, Wen-Chang,Hong, Yun-Chul,Wang, Jiu-Cun,Chen, Kexin,Chang, I-Shou,Chen, Chien-Jen,Lu, Daru,Yin, Zhihua,Wu, Chen,Zheng, Wei,Qian, Biyun,Park, Jae Yong,Kim, Yeul Hong,Chatterje Springer-Verlag 2012 HUMAN GENETICS Vol.131 No.7

<P>A recent genome-wide association study (GWAS) of subjects from Japan and South Korea reported a novel association between the TP63 locus on chromosome 3q28 and risk of lung adenocarcinoma (p = 7.3 10(-12)); however, this association did not achieve genome-wide significance (p 10(-7)) among never-smoking males or females. To determine if this association with lung cancer risk is independent of tobacco use, we genotyped the TP63 SNPs reported by the previous GWAS (rs10937405 and rs4488809) in 3,467 never-smoking female lung cancer cases and 3,787 never-smoking female controls from 10 studies conducted in Taiwan, Mainland China, South Korea, and Singapore. Genetic variation in rs10937405 was associated with risk of lung adenocarcinoma [n = 2,529 cases; p = 7.1 10(-8); allelic risk = 0.80, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.74-0.87]. There was also evidence of association with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung (n = 302 cases; p = 0.037; allelic risk = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.67-0.99). Our findings provide strong evidence that genetic variation in TP63 is associated with the risk of lung adenocarcinoma among Asian females in the absence of tobacco smoking.</P>

Management of ulcerative colitis in Taiwan: consensus guideline of the Taiwan Society of Inflammatory Bowel Disease updated in 2023

Hsu-Heng Yen,Jia-Feng Wu,Horng-Yuan Wang,Ting-An Chang,Chung-Hsin Chang,Chen-Wang Chang,Te-Hsin Chao,Jen-Wei Chou,Yenn-Hwei Chou,Chiao-Hsiung Chuang,Wen-Hung Hsu,Tzu-Chi Hsu,Tien-Yu Huang,Tsung-I Hung 대한장연구학회 2024 Intestinal Research Vol.22 No.3

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and is characterized by alternating periods of inflammation and remission. Although UC incidence is lower in Taiwan than in Western countries, its impact remains considerable, demanding updated guidelines for addressing local healthcare challenges and patient needs. The revised guidelines employ international standards and recent research, emphasizing practical implementation within the Taiwanese healthcare system. Since the inception of the guidelines in 2017, the Taiwan Society of Inflammatory Bowel Disease has acknowledged the need for ongoing revisions to incorporate emerging therapeutic options and evolving disease management practices. This updated guideline aims to align UC management with local contexts, ensuring comprehensive and context-specific recommendations, thereby raising the standard of care for UC patients in Taiwan. By adapting and optimizing international protocols for local relevance, these efforts seek to enhance health outcomes for patients with UC.

Management of Crohn’s disease in Taiwan: consensus guideline of the Taiwan Society of Inflammatory Bowel Disease updated in 2023

Jia-Feng Wu,Hsu-Heng Yen,Horng-Yuan Wang,Ting-An Chang,Chung-Hsin Chang,Chen-Wang Chang,Te-Hsin Chao,Jen-Wei Chou,Yenn-Hwei Chou,Chiao-Hsiung Chuang,Wen-Hung Hsu,Tzu-Chi Hsu,Tien-Yu Huang,Tsung-I Hung 대한장연구학회 2024 Intestinal Research Vol.22 No.3

Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic, fluctuating inflammatory condition that primarily affects the gastrointestinal tract. Although the incidence of CD in Taiwan is lower than that in Western countries, the severity of CD presentation appears to be similar between Asia and the West. This observation indicates the urgency for devising revised guidelines tailored to the unique reimbursement system, and patient requirements in Taiwan. The core objectives of these updated guidelines include the updated treatment choices and the integration of the treat-to-target strategy into CD management, promoting the achievement of deep remission to mitigate complications and enhance the overall quality of life. Given the diversity in disease prevalence, severity, insurance policies, and access to medical treatments in Taiwan, a customized approach is imperative for formulating these guidelines. Such tailored strategies ensure that international standards are not only adapted but also optimized to local contexts. Since the inception of its initial guidelines in 2017, the Taiwan Society of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (TSIBD) has acknowledged the importance of continuous revisions for incorporating new therapeutic options and evolving disease management practices. The latest update leverages international standards and recent research findings focused on practical implementation within the Taiwanese healthcare system.