The Mid-Term Efficacy and Safety of a Permanent Nitinol IVC Filter (TrapEase)

Wei Chiang Liu,김동익,Young Wook Kim,김덕경,신성욱,박광보,Yong Hwan Jeon,주인욱,도영수,주성욱 대한영상의학회 2005 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.6 No.2

Objective: 1) To evaluate the mid-term efficacy and safety of a permanent nitinol inferior vena cava (IVC) filter; 2) to evaluate filter effectiveness, filter stability and caval occlusion. Materials and Methods: A prospective evaluation of the TrapEase IVC filter was performed on 42 patients (eight men, 34 women) ranging in age from 22 to 78 years (mean age 66 years). All patients were ill with a high risk of pulmonary embolism (PE). Indications for filter placement were: 1) deep vein thrombosis with recurrent thromboembolism; 2) and/or free-floating thrombus with contraindication to anticoagulation; and 3) complications in achieving adequate anticoagulation. Follow-up evaluations (mean: 15.4 months, range: 2 to 28 months) were performed at 6- and 12-month intervals after the procedure and included clinical histories, chart reviews, plain film, Doppler ultrasounds, and contrasted abdominal CT scans. Results: In follow-up evaluations, the data analysis revealed no cases of symptomatic PE. There were no cases of filter migration, insertion site thrombosis, filter fracture, or vessel wall perforation. During the study, there was one case of filter thrombosis; early symptomatic thrombosis that was successfully treated in the hospital. Of the 42 subjects, eight died. These deaths were not related to the filter device or the implantation procedure, but to the underlying disease. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the TrapEase permanent IVC filter is a safe and an effective device with low complication rates and is best used in patients with thromboembolic disease with a high risk of PE.

Tuberculous Aneurysm of the Abdominal Aorta: Endovascular Repair Using Stent Grafts in Two Cases

Wei Chiang Liu,Byung Kook Kwak,Kyo Nam Kim,Soon Yong Kim,Joung Joo Woo,Dong Jin Chung,Ju Hee Hong,Ho Sung Kim,Chang Jun Lee,Hyung Jin Shim The Korean Society of Radiology 2000 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.1 No.4

Tuberculous aneurysm of the aorta is exceedingly rare. To date, the standard therapy for mycotic aneurysm of the abdominal aorta has been surgery involving in-situ graft placement or extra-anatomic bypass surgery followed by effective anti-tuberculous medication. Only recently has the use of a stent graft in the treatment of tuberculous aortic aneurysm been described in the literature. We report two cases in which a tuberculous aneurysm of the abdominal aorta was successfully repaired using endovascular stent grafts. One case involved is a 42-year-old woman with a large suprarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm and a right psoas abscess, and the other, a 41-year-old man in whom an abdominal aortic aneurysm ruptured during surgical drainage of a psoas abscess.

Analytical and experimental research on wind-induced vibration in high-rise buildings with tuned liquid column dampers

Liu, Ming-Yi,Chiang, Wei-Ling,Chu, Chia-Ren,Lin, Shih-Sheng Techno-Press 2003 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.6 No.1

In recent years, high-strength, light-weight materials have been widely used in the construction of high-rise buildings. Such structures generally have flexible, low-damping characteristics. Consequently, wind-induced oscillation greatly affects the structural safety and the comfort of the building's occupants. In this research, wind tunnel experiments were carried out to study the wind-induced vibration of a building with a tuned liquid column damper (TLCD). Then, a model for predicting the aerodynamic response in the across-wind direction was generated. Finally, a computing procedure was developed for the analytical modeling of the structural oscillation in a building with a TLCD under the wind load. The model agrees substantially with the experimental results. Therefore, it may be used to accurately calculate the structural response. Results from this investigation show that the TLCD is more advantageous for reducing the across-wind vibration than the along-wind oscillation. When the across-wind aerodynamic effects are considered, the TLCD more effectively controls the aerodynamic response. Moreover, it is also more useful in suppressing the acceleration than the displacement in biaxial directions. As s result, TLCDs are effective devices for reducing the wind-induced vibration in buildings. Parametric studies have also been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the TLCD in suppressing the structural oscillation. This study may help engineers to more correctly predict the aerodynamic response of high-rise buildings as well as select the most appropriate TLCDs for reducing the structural vibration under the wind load. It may also improve the understanding of wind-structure interactions and wind resistant designs for high-rise buildings.

EVOLUTION OF THE TIMES WHEN THE TRADITIONAL MATERIALS ENCOUNTER INTERACTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Chen-Wei Chiang,Min-Shiue Wu,Meng-Te Hsieh,Chia-Yu Kao,Chun-Yan Liu 한국디자인학회 2015 한국디자인학회 학술발표대회 논문집 Vol.2015 No.10

The Reflection of Bamboo combines traditional materials with interactive technology, analyzing what the characteristics of the old and new materials are, as well as how to apply technology to the integration of these materials. Through this installation, we reconsider the possibility of integrating traditional materials with modern technology. Adopting bamboo as the main material, this installation raises the spirit of traditional techniques in a unique way and employs bamboo’s special tenacity. Viewers can interact with this installation and experience the strength, esthetics and variation in the demonstrated shadow.

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.

The Balloon Dilatation and Large Profile Catheter Maintenance Method for the Management of the Bile Duct Stricture Following Liver Transplantation

주성욱,신성욱,도영수,Wei Chiang Liu,박광보,Yon Mi Sung,주인욱 대한영상의학회 2006 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.7 No.1

Objective: We wanted to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of the percutaneous balloon dilatation and large profile catheter maintenance method for the management of patients with anastomotic biliary strictures following liver transplant. Materials and Methods: From May 1999 to June 2003, 12 patients with symptomatic benign biliary stricture complicated by liver transplantation were treated with the percutaneous balloon dilatation and large profile catheter maintenance method (1 6 months). The patients were eight males and four females, and their ages ranged from 20 to 62 years (mean age: 44 years). Ten patients underwent living donor liver transplantation and two underwent cadaveric liver transplantation. Postoperative biliary strictures occurred from two to 21 months (mean age: 18 months) after liver transplantation. Results: The initial technical success rate was 92%. Patency of the bile duct was preserved for eight to 40 months (mean period: 19 months) in 10 of 12 (84%) patients. When reviewing two patients (17%), secondary balloon dilatations were needed for treating the delayed recurrence of biliary stricture. In one patient, no recurrent stenosis was seen during the further 10 months follow-up after secondary balloon dilatation. Another patient did not response to secondary balloon dilatation, and he was treated by surgery. Eleven of 12 patients (92%) showed good biliary patency for 8 40 months (mean period: 19 months) of follow-up. Conclusion: The percutaneous balloon dilatation and large profile catheter maintenance method is an effective therapeutic alternative for the treatment of most biliary strictures that complicate liver transplantation. It has a high success rate and it should be considered before surgery.

The Clinical Characteristics and Manifestation of Anxious Depression Among Patients With Major Depressive Disorders-Results From a Taiwan Multicenter Study

Huang-Li Lin,Wei-Yang Lee,Chun-Hao Liu,Wei-Yu Chiang,Ya-Ting Hsu,Chin-Fu Hsiao,Hsiao-Hui Tsou,Chia-Yih Liu 대한신경정신의학회 2024 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.21 No.6

Objective Anxious depression is a prevalent characteristic observed in Asian psychiatric patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD). This study aims to investigate the prevalence and clinical presentation of anxious depression in Taiwanese individuals diagnosed with MDD. Methods We recruited psychiatric outpatients aged over 18 who had been diagnosed with MDD through clinical interviews. This recruitment took place at five hospitals located in northern Taiwan. We gathered baseline clinical and demographic information from the participants. Anxious depression was identified using a threshold of an anxiety/somatization factor score ≥7 on the 21-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D). Results In our study of 399 patients (84.21% female), 64.16% met the criteria for anxious depression. They tended to be older, married, less educated, with more children, and an older age of onset. Anxious depression patients had higher HAM-D and Clinical Global Impression–Severity scale score, more panic disorder (without agoraphobia), and exhibited symptoms like agitation, irritability, concentration difficulties, psychological and somatic anxiety, somatic complaints, hypochondriasis, weight loss, and increased insight. Surprisingly, their suicide rates did not significantly differ from non-anxious depression patients. This highlights the importance of recognizing and addressing these unique characteristics. Conclusion Our study findings unveiled that the prevalence of anxious depression among Taiwanese outpatients diagnosed with MDD was lower compared to inpatients but substantially higher than the reported rates in European countries and the United States. Furthermore, patients with anxious depression exhibited a greater occurrence of somatic symptoms.

CT Detection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Advanced Liver Cirrhosis : Correlation of Helical CT and Explanted Liver

Lim, Jae Hoon,Kim, Min Ju,Chiang, Liu Wei,Lim, Hyo Keun,Park, Cheol Keun,Paik, Seung Woon,Joh, Jae Won,Koh, Kwang Cheol 대한간학회 2002 Clinical and Molecular Hepatology(대한간학회지) Vol.8 No.2

Objective: The objective of this study was evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of three-phase helical dynamic CT in the detection of hepatocellular carcinomas in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis. Materials and Methods: Three-phase helical dynamic CT in 77 patients with advanced liver cirrhosis was evaluated prospectively before orthotopic liver transplantation. The histopathologically confirmed hepatocellular carcinomas in the explanted livers were compared with pretransplantation CT results by one-to-one correlation. Results: Histopathologic examination of the explanted livers revealed 72 hepatocellular carcinomas in 41 patients. The size of the hepatocellular carcinomas was 0.5-14.0 cm (mean, 1.6 cm). The use of helical dynamic CT enabled the detection of 38 of 72 hepatocellular carcinomas (sensitivity, 53%). Fifteen of 35 (43%) hepatocellular carcinomas smaller than 2 cm and 23 of 37 (62%), hepatocellular carcinomas ranging from 2.0 cm to 14.0 cm were detected. Patient sensitivity and specificity in the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma were 81% (33/41) and 94% (34/36), respectively. Conclusions: Three-phase helical dynamic CT is insensitive for detection of hepatocellular carcinomas in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis, especially for hepatocellular carcinomas smaller than 2 cm.(Korean J Hepatol 2002;8:201-208)

Selective Intra-Arterial Calcium Stimulation with Hepatic Venous Sampling for Preoperative Localization of Insulinomas

Sung, Yon Mi,Do, Young Soo,Shin, Sung Wook,Liu, Wei Chiang,Choo, Sung Wook,Choo, In-Wook,Lee, Moon-Kyu Korean Radiological Society 2003 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.4 No.2

A case study of damage detection in four-bays steel structures using the HHT approach

Hsu, Wen-Ko,Chiou, Dung-Jiang,Chen, Cheng-Wu,Liu, Ming-Yi,Chiang, Wei-Ling,Huang, Pei-Chiung Techno-Press 2014 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.14 No.4

This study aims to investigate the relationship between structural damage and sensitivity indices using the Hilbert-Huang transform (HHT) method. Two damage detection indices are proposed: the ratio of bandwidth (RB), and the ratio of effective stiffness (RES). The nonlinear four bays multiple degree of freedom models with various predominant frequencies are constructed using the SAP2000 program. Adjusted PGA earthquake data (Japan 311, Chi-Chi 921) are used as the excitations. Next the damage detection indices obtained using the HHT and the fast Fourier transform (FFT) methods are evaluated based on the acceleration responses of the structures to earthquakes. Simulation results indicate that, the column of the 1 st floor is the first yielding position and the RB value is changed when the RES<90% in all cases. Moreover, the RB value of the 1 st floor changes more sensitive than those from the top floor. In addition, when the structural response is nonlinear (i.e., RES<100%), the RB and the RES curves indicate the incremental change in the HHT spectra. However, the same phenomenon can be found from FFT spectra only when the stiffness reduction is large enough. Therefore, the RB estimated from the smoothed HHT spectra is an effective and sensitive index for detecting structural damage.