Preemptive Creation of Non-Cathetered Vascular Access is a Surrogate of Good Prognosis at the Beginning of Hemodialysis

Chia-Ching Chuang,I-Wen Hung,Mao-Ting Yang,Chyi-Sen Chang,Ching-Heng Wu,Cheng-Kai Tsai,Da-Wei Lin 한국간호과학회 2009 한국간호과학회 학술대회 Vol.2009 No.10

Unawareness of CKD and Delayed Referral are the Two Main Obstacles of CKD Care Program

Chia-Ching Chuang,I-Wen Hung,Mao-Ting Yang,Chyi-Sen Chang,Ching-Heng Wu,Cheng-Kai Tsai,Da-Wei Lin 한국간호과학회 2009 한국간호과학회 학술대회 Vol.2009 No.10

Significant down-regulation of growth hormone receptor expression revealed as a new unfavorable prognostic factor in hepatitis C virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma

( Ching-chih Lin ),( Ta-wei Liu ),( Ming-lun Yeh ),( Yi-shan Tsai ),( Pei-chien Tsai ),( Chung-feng Huang ),( Jee-fu Huang ),( Wan-long Chuang ),( Chia-yen Dai ),( Ming-lung Yu ) 대한간학회 2021 Clinical and Molecular Hepatology(대한간학회지) Vol.27 No.2

Background/Aims: Growth hormone (GH) is the main regulator of somatic growth, metabolism, and gender dimorphism in the liver. GH receptor (GHR) signaling in cancer is derived from a large body of evidence, although the GHR signaling pathway involved in the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related HCC, remains unclear. We aimed to explore the expression of GHR and analyze its association with clinicopathologic features and prognosis of patients with chronic hepatitis C and HCC. Methods: The expression of GHR mRNA was investigated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in paired tumors and adjacent non-tumorous (ANT) liver tissues of 200 patients with chronic hepatitis C and HCC. Western blotting and immunofluorescence assays using the HCV-infected Huh7.5.1 cell model was performed. Results: GHR mRNA was significantly lower in HCV-HCC tissues than in corresponding ANT liver tissues. GHR mRNA and protein levels also decreased in the HCV-infected Huh7.5.1 cell model. Notably, lower GHR expression was associated with age of >60 years (P=0.0111) and worse clinicopathologic characteristics, including alpha-fetoprotein >100 ng/mL (P=0.0403), cirrhosis (P=0.0075), vascular invasion (P=0.0052), pathological stage II-IV (P=0.0002), and albumin ≤4.0 g/dL (P=0.0055), which were linked with poor prognosis of HCC. Most importantly, the high incidence of recurrence and poor survival rates in patients with a low ratio of tumor/ANT GHR (≤0.1) were observed, indicating that low expression levels of GHR had great risk for development of HCC in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates a significant down-regulation of GHR expression as a new unfavorable independent prognostic factor in patients with chronic hepatitis C and HCC. (Clin Mol Hepatol 2021;27:313-328)

Psychometric Testing of Behavior Assessment for Children

Hsiao-Ling Chuang,Ching-Pyng Kuo,Chia-Ying Li,Wen-Chun Liao 한국간호과학회 2016 Asian Nursing Research Vol.10 No.1

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to test the reliability and validity of the Behavior Assessment for Children (BAC) in a community of school-aged children in Taiwan. Method: A school-based sample comprising third grade and fourth grade students was recruited from Taichung City in Taiwan. The parents (n = 248) and teachers (n = 15) of these students completed structured questionnaires, including the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and the proposed BAC. Content validity, concurrent validity, construct validity, internal consistency, and inter-rater reliability of the BAC were assessed. Results: The BAC comprised three subscales (attention, emotion, and self-control) that included 17 items. The content validity index (CVI) score was 0.98. The result of the confirmatory factor analysis (goodness of fit = .90, root mean square of residual = .03, root mean square error of approximation = .06, and comparative fit index = .94) supported the construct validity of the three BAC subscales. The concurrent validity of the BAC subscales significantly correlated with the compatible CBCL subscales (r = .59-.78, p < .001). Cronbach a of the subscales of the BAC ranged from .78 to .92. The intraclass correlation coefficient between the parents and teachers ranged from .31 to .44, and the joint probability of agreement ranged from 31.4% to 92.2%. Conclusions: The BAC is a valid and reliable instrument for evaluating behavioral problems in schoolaged children.

New Frontiers or the Treatment of Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome - Focused on Stem Cells, Platelet-Rich Plasma, and Low-Energy Shock Wave

Chih-Chieh Lin,Yun-Ching Huang,Wei-Chia Lee,Yao-Chi Chuang 대한배뇨장애요실금학회 2020 International Neurourology Journal Vol.24 No.3

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), which is characterized by bladder pain and irritative voiding symptoms, is a frustrating disease without effective treatment. The cause is still largely not understood, although urothelium ischemia/hypoxia, apoptosis, denudation, and infiltration of inflammatory cells are common histopathological findings. The current uncertainty regarding the etiology and pathology of IC/BPS has a negative impact on its timely and successful treatment; therefore, the development of new treatment modalities is urgently needed. Herein, we present advances in our knowledge on this topic and review the potential application of regenerative medicine for the treatment of IC/BPS. This article provides information on the basic characteristics and clinical evidence of stem cells, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and low-energy shock waves (LESWs) based on a literature review with a search strategy for articles related to IC/BPS, stem cells, PRP, and LESW published in MEDLINE and PubMed. Stem cells, PRP, and LESW, which modulate inflammatory processes and promote tissue repair, have been proven to improve bladder regeneration, relieve bladder pain, inhibit bladder inflammation, and increase bladder capacity in some preclinical studies. However, clinical studies are still in their infancy. Based on the mechanisms of action of stem cells, PRP, and LESW documented in many preclinical studies, the potential applications of regenerative medicine for the treatment of IC/BPS is an emerging frontier of interest. However, solid evidence from clinical studies remains to be obtained.

Comparison of the Efficacy of Two Microsphere Embolic Agents for Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients

Shao-Hua Lee,Chia-Ying Lin,Ya-Chun Hsu,Yi-Sheng Liu,Ming-Tsung Chuang,Ming-Ching Ou 대한암학회 2020 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.52 No.1

Purpose Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) delivers cytotoxic drugs intra-arterially and induces ischemic necrosis by arterial embolization. Embolization is achieved using a variety of agents that differ widely in particle size and range, deformation, and in vivo arterial distribution. The clinical significance of these differences has not been thoroughly characterized. The present study is to compare the efficacy of Embosphere and Embozene microspheres in TACE therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma. Materials and Methods This retrospective study includes 108 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients who received TACE/doxorubicin with Embozene (70 patients) or Embosphere (38 patients) at a single medical center. Patient outcomes, including liver function, tumor size, tumor response, and complications after treatment, were analyzed. The change in total target lesion size and tumor response was evaluated according to embolization agent and clinical characteristics. Results The postoperative glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (mean, 194.5 vs. 147.5; p=0.032) and bilirubin (mean, 1.11 mg/dL vs. 0.73 mg/dL; p=0.016) were higher among patients treated with Embozene, the decrease in the number (55.86±25.55% vs. 41.81±38.51%, p=0.027) and size (56.37±25.91 mm vs. 43.44±37.89 mm, p=0.001) of liver tumors relative to baseline was greater in these patients than in those treated with Embosphere. These greater antitumor effects were achieved using lower doses of doxorubicin than for treatment with Embozene. Minor complications were more common among patients treated with Embosphere than with Embozene. Conclusion These results suggest that Embozene is more efficacious than Embosphere for HCC treatment using TACE/doxorubicin.

DON’T BE A PASSING FAD: THE SUSTAINED COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE OF HOTELS’ THEMING STRATEGY IN CHINESE MARKET

Lee, Wen-Yin,Wang, Kuo-Ching,Wu, Ben,Chuang, Wan-Hua,Hsiao, Chia-Lin 글로벌지식마케팅경영학회 2018 Global Marketing Conference Vol.2018 No.07

Theming has become a powerful strategy in hospitality industry to enhance customer engagement and to serve as a competitive advantage in a saturated market. Based on the resource-based theory (RBT) of sustained competitive advantage (SCA), this qualitative study is an exploratory attempt to investigate 10 hotels in Mainland China and Taiwan that have adopted the theming strategy. Introduction As hospitality industry is facing the increasingly intense competition and saturated markets, theming is continuously gaining importance of hotels strategy to survival and growth. In addition, strategy planning determines the future of firms and discover the method to achieve success (Yong & Oh, 2004). Holjevac (2003) predicted that at the beginning of the 21st century, hotels with themed strategy which characterized by a synthesis of esthetics, quality and functionality would become the future trend. Theming has created the differentiation in hospitality market, using the creation of experience-centric service. Pine & Gilmore (1999) once pointed out that the shaping of experience stems from simple and powerful thematic transmission. Moreover, experience marketing can bring preference to the product and service of the enterprise, which in turn leads to a positive value experience (Milman, 2013). The results of theming strategy will positively influence the satisfaction and return rate (Wu, M. Li, & T. Li, 2018). Theming strategy with the advantage of pursuing innovation and uniqueness was extensively used to firms in the competitive hospitality market, like hotels in Las Vegas and Macao. However, some scholars concerned about the sustainability for the strategy due to the high-capitalized cost and the customers sensitive taste (Wassler, Li, & Hung, 2015). Although hotels with themed strategy has flourished in Chinese market more than decade, market research has lagged behind to support the industry’s growth. Researchers still adopted a rather normative paradigm by either identifying the superficial issue focused on experiential market concept or pointing out problems without providing more sustainability related solutions (Zou & Peng, 2008; Xiao, Zhang, & Huang, 2013). Barney (2007) indicated that internal resources could lead to the competitive. Therefore, this study aims at understanding the factors that lead theming strategy to be sustainable in hotels, based on the resource-based theory of sustained competitive advantage. The article has the following structure. The first section establishes a theoretical foundation through a review of strategy literature on theming. The second section proposes a conceptualization of theming strategy’s sustained competitive advantage (SCA) consisting of firms intrinsic resources based on resource-based theory (RBT), also, describe the assessment of key sustainable factors of theming strategy through interview the superior manager of 10 hotels in Mainland China and Taiwan that have adopted the theming strategy. The final section discusses the study’s findings, implication, and suggests directions for future research. As this research is one of the first studies in the hospitality field that identifies the resources and capabilities of the hotels’ theming strategy from the inside viewpoint, the contribution of this study will, and can conceptualize and discover the key factors to sustain the competitive advantage of themed hotel managing strategy Literature review Theming strategy for hotels Theming is a complete and ubiquitous way of impressing consumers and improving brand awareness (Olson, 2004). From theme parks, casinos, department stores, aviation, restaurants to hotels, thematic construction has the dominant influence on most customer engagement (Mu?oz, Wood, & Solomon, 2006). Hotel theming strategy, based on the theme of cultural material (history, city story, etc.) either from surrounding area or develop within hotel, display the core value of theme from physical resources, as buildings and facilities, to invisible resources, as atmosphere and service, which would, in the end, create a valuable and unforgettable customer stay experience(Zins, 1998). Xiao, Zhang, & Huang (2013) noted that the distinctive consumer experience at the theme hotel can impress customers, and, ultimately enhances brand recognition, customer engagement and repurchase intention. On the other hand, Wassler, Li, and Hung (2015) has indicated the pros and cons for the China themed hotels, which are the uniqueness to create competitive advantages that are difficult to imitate. On the contrary, the gaining of customers’ sense of demand can lead to the difficulties to fulfill customers’ taste and the ingrained capital with the narrow development is hard to recapitalize once invested. Importance of sustainability for theming strategy. Due to the strong specific image of the themed hotels, some cases developed as a passing fad in the hospitality field. Although prior study has indicated the importance of theme selection for themed hotels (Xiao et al., 2013), seldom literature focus on the overall implementation and application within hotels’ ins and outs, also the SCA issue of hotels management. Xiao & O'Neill (2010) pointed out that the analysis of internal resource is enable manger to realize and build sources of competitive advantage, which is emanated from the resource-based view of strategy. In Resource Based Theory (RBT), scholars thought that resources and capabilities from firms could bring lasting competitive advantage to the organization, and companies that have SCA (Wernerfelt, 1984). Organization have SCAs can reach outstanding performance by constantly creating and delivering the core value through price, trust, aesthetics and functionality to its target markets (Barney, 1991). Thus, in order to observe the SCAs for themed hotels management, this research will employ on internal resource view based on RBT to explore the SCAs from the internal aspect of themed hotels. Methodology We illustrate the key factors and analyze the importance of internal resources for the SCA of hotels’ theming strategy by means of a qualitative study in which 10 hotels applied theming strategy in Mainland China and Taiwan were surveyed using semistructured interviews. For the research question, a qualitative approach offers the advantage to allow an adequate, in depth analysis of the complex relations between internal recourses and SCA of theming strategy. These 10 hotels adapted theming strategy are chosen by non-probability snowball sampling method, below Fig.1 is the hotels list for 10 interviews in Taiwan and Mainland China. In addition, because China with a vast territory is limited to cover all area, the research focuses on Zhejiang province and Shanghai city, which have well-developed economy and rich tourist resources. All interviewees of the hotels will be the superior manager who decides the core value and leads the hotel’s future. The interview will be three part to proceed. First, in warm-up period, interviewer will frame an informal and trust environment, first step is to confirm interviewees’ background. The second part will be identify period; there will be a questionnaire, which adopted Chuang (2000), whose survey to prioritize the 5 dimension of internal resources that essential to hotel theming strategy management. Finally, we will confirm the competency, competitive advantage, and the strategy to achieve the sustainability for hotels theming strategy. We present conclusions for research and practice, as well as deriving practical recommendations for hotels’ theming strategy in Chinese market based on our findings. Preliminary findings The preliminary findings of the research will base on the key themes that emerge from in-depth interview to understand perceptions of hotel managers regarding theming. The result will be presented and discussed in three period. First, based on the questionnaire result from the interviewees, we will recognize that what the priority degree about the five dimension of internal resources is regarding perception of theming in hotel strategy. Second, 10 interviews will transcribe from voice recordings to pages of text, then the text will go through the coding technique, in which the raw and efforts data will be identified as the themes and subthemes. All the analyzed process will be carried by expert triangulation. Finally, through the experts examining on the links of themes and quotations, we will create a view of framework that would explore the relationships between theming strategy and SCA, the result will find the formula for hotels adapted theming strategy to possess competitive advantage of being sustainable. Although space limitations of the conference preclude the detailed explanation of this research work, the authors believe this study will broaden the theoretical domains used in understanding internal resources and competency of hotels’ theming strategy and practical information can be observed from the findings.

Development of IGZO TFTs and Their Applications to Next-Generation Flat-Panel Displays

Hsieh, Hsing-Hung,Lu, Hsiung-Hsing,Ting, Hung-Che,Chuang, Ching-Sang,Chen, Chia-Yu,Lin, Yusin The Korean Infomation Display Society 2010 Journal of information display Vol.11 No.4

Organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs) have shown superior characteristics and are expected to dominate the nextgeneration flat-panel displays. Active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) displays, however, have stringent demands on the performance of the backplane. In this paper, the development of thin-film transistors (TFTs) based on indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO) on both Gen 1 and 6 glasses, and their decent characteristics, which meet the AMOLED requirements, are shown. Further, several display prototypes (e.g., 2.4" AMOLED, 2.4" transparent AMOLED, and 32" AMLCD) using IGZO TFTs are demonstrated to confirm that they can indeed be strong candidates for the next-generation TFT technology not only of AMOLED but also of AMLCD (active-matrix liquid crystal display).

Development of IGZO TFTs and Their Applications to Next-Generation Flat-Panel Displays

Hsing-Hung Hsieh,Hsiung-Hsing Lu,Hung-Che Ting,Ching-Sang Chuang,Chia-Yu Chen,Yusin Lin 한국정보디스플레이학회 2010 Journal of information display Vol.11 No.4

Organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs) have shown superior characteristics and are expected to dominate the nextgeneration flat-panel displays. Active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) displays, however, have stringent demands on the performance of the backplane. In this paper, the development of thin-film transistors (TFTs) based on indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO) on both Gen 1 and 6 glasses, and their decent characteristics, which meet the AMOLED requirements,are shown. Further, several display prototypes (e.g., 2.4” AMOLED, 2.4” transparent AMOLED, and 32” AMLCD) using IGZO TFTs are demonstrated to confirm that they can indeed be strong candidates for the next-generation TFT technology not only of AMOLED but also of AMLCD (active-matrix liquid crystal display)