Scaling up the in-hospital hepatitis C virus care cascade in Taiwan

( Chung-feng Huang ),( Pey-fang Wu ),( Ming-lun Yeh ),( Ching-i Huang ),( Po-cheng Liang ),( Cheng-ting Hsu ),( Po-yao Hsu ),( Hung-yin Liu ),( Ying-chou Huang ),( Zu-yau Lin ),( Shinn-cherng Chen ),( 대한간학회 2021 Clinical and Molecular Hepatology(대한간학회지) Vol.27 No.1

Background/Aims: Obstacles exist in facilitating hepatitis C virus (HCV) care cascade. To increase timely and accurate diagnosis, disease awareness and accessibility, in-hospital HCV reflex testing followed by automatic appointments and a late call-back strategy (R.N.A. model) was applied. We aimed to compare the HCV treatment rate of patients treated with this strategy compared to those without. Methods: One hundred and twenty-five anti-HCV seropositive patients who adopted the R.N.A. model in 2020 and another 1,396 controls treated in 2019 were enrolled to compare the gaps in accurate HCV RNA diagnosis to final treatment allocation. Results: The HCV RNA testing rate was significantly higher in patients who received reflex testing than in those without reflex testing (100% vs. 84.8%, P<0.001). When patients were stratified according to the referring outpatient department, a significant improvement in the HCV RNA testing rate was particularly noted in patients from non-hepatology departments (100% vs. 23.3%, P<0.001). The treatment rate in HCV RNA seropositive patients was 83% (83/100) after the adoption of the R.N.A. model, among whom 96.1% and 73.9% of patients were from the hepatology and non-hepatology departments, respectively. Compared to subjects without R.N.A. model application, a significant improvement in the treatment rate was observed for patients from non-hepatology departments (73.9% vs. 27.8%, P=0.001). The application of the R.N.A. model significantly increased the in-hospital HCV treatment uptake from 6.4% to 73.9% for patients from non-hepatology departments (P<0.001). Conclusions: The care cascade increased the treatment uptake and set up a model for enhancing in-hospital HCV elimination. (Clin Mol Hepatol 2021;27:136-143)

Methodological Study on the Evaluation of Face Mask Use Scale among Public Adult: Cross-Language and Psychometric Testing

Lam, Simon Ching,Chong, Andy Chun Yin,Chung, Jessie Yuk Seng,Lam, Ming Yee,Chan, Lai Man,Shum, Cho Yee,Wong, Eliza Yi Ni,Mok, Yat Man,Lam, Ming Tat,Chan, Man Man,Tong, Ka Ying,Chu, Oi Lee,Siu, Fong Ki 한국성인간호학회 2020 성인간호학회지 Vol.32 No.1

Purpose: This study aimed to establish the translation adequacy and examine the psychometric properties of FaceMask Use Scale (FMUS). Methods: This methodological study employed a cross-sectional design with repeatedmeasures. Phase 1 examined the equivalence and relevance of English and Chinese versions of FMUS. Phase2 examined the internal consistency, stability and construct validity. Different sample batches (213 universitystudents and 971 general public) were used appropriately for psychometric testing. The 2-phase data were collectedbetween January and April 2017. Results: In Phase 1, the semantic equivalence and relevance (item- and scale-levelcontent-validity-index=100%) was satisfactory. Furthermore, from 133 paired test-retest responses, the quadraticweighted kappa (.53~.73, p<.001) and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC=.81) between the English andChinese version of FMUS were satisfactory. In Phase 2, FMUS demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency(Cronbach’s ⍺=.80~.81; corrected item-total correlation coefficients=.46~.67) and two-week test-retest stability(ICC=.84). The known-groups method (t=3.08, p<.001), exploratory (71.10% of total variance in two-factor model)and confirmatory factory analysis (x2/df=4.02, Root Mean Square Residual=.03, Root Mean Square Error ofApproximation=.06, Goodness of Fit Index=.99, Comparative Fit Index=.99) were all satisfactory for establishingthe construct validity. Conclusion: The FMUS has an equivalence Chinese and English versions, satisfactoryreliability and validity for measuring the practice of face mask use. This poses clinical and research implications forthose community health nurses who works on respiratory protection. Further research should be conducted on the‘negligent practice’ of FMU.

Detection of edge delamination in surface adhered active fiber composites

Dwo-Wen Wang,Ching-Chung Yin 국제구조공학회 2009 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.5 No.6

A simple method has been developed to detect the bonding condition of active fiber composites(AFC) adhered to the surface of a host structure. Large deformation actuating capability is one of important features of AFC. Edge delamination in adhesive layer due to large interfacial shear stress at the free edge is typically resulted from axial strain mismatch between bonded materials. AFC patch possesses very good flexibility and toughness. When an AFC patch is partially delaminated from host structure, there remains sensing capability in the debonded part. The debonding size can be determined through axial resonance measured by the interdigitated electrodes symmetrically aligned on opposite surfaces of the patch. The electrical impedance and modal response of the AFC patch in part adhered to an aluminum plate were investigated in a broad frequency range. Debonding ratio of the AFC patch is in inverse proportion to the resonant frequency of the fundamental mode. Feasibility of in-situ detecting the progressive delamination between AFC patch and host plate is demonstrated.

Detection of edge delamination in surface adhered active fiber composites

Wang, Dwo-Wen,Yin, Ching-Chung Techno-Press 2009 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.5 No.6

A simple method has been developed to detect the bonding condition of active fiber composites (AFC) adhered to the surface of a host structure. Large deformation actuating capability is one of important features of AFC. Edge delamination in adhesive layer due to large interfacial shear stress at the free edge is typically resulted from axial strain mismatch between bonded materials. AFC patch possesses very good flexibility and toughness. When an AFC patch is partially delaminated from host structure, there remains sensing capability in the debonded part. The debonding size can be determined through axial resonance measured by the interdigitated electrodes symmetrically aligned on opposite surfaces of the patch. The electrical impedance and modal response of the AFC patch in part adhered to an aluminum plate were investigated in a broad frequency range. Debonding ratio of the AFC patch is in inverse proportion to the resonant frequency of the fundamental mode. Feasibility of in-situ detecting the progressive delamination between AFC patch and host plate is demonstrated.

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.