Increased Readmission Risk and Healthcare Cost for Delirium Patients without Immediate Hospitalization in the Emergency Department

I Chun Ma,Kao Chin Chen,Wei Tseng Chen,Hsin Chun Tsai,Chien-Chou Su,Ru-Band Lu,Po See Chen,Wei Hung Chang,Yen Kuang Yang 대한정신약물학회 2018 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.16 No.4

Objective: Hospitalization of patients with delirium after visiting the emergency department (ED) is often required. However, the readmission risk after discharge from the ED should also be considered. This study aimed to explore whether (i) immediate hospitalization influences the readmission risk of patients with delirium; (ii) the readmission risk is affected by various risk factors; and (iii) the healthcare cost differs between groups within 28 days of the first ED visit. Methods: Using the National Health Insurance Research Database, the data of 2,780 subjects presenting with delirium at an ED visit from 2000 to 2008 were examined. The readmission risks of the groups of patients (i.e., patients who were and were not admitted within 24 hours of an ED visit) within 28 days were compared, and the effects of the severities of different comorbidities (using Charlson’s comorbidity index, CCI), age, gender, diagnosis and differences in medical healthcare cost were analyzed. Results: Patients without immediate hospitalization had a higher risk of readmission within 3, 7, 14, or 28 days of discharge from the ED, especially subjects with more severe comorbidities (CCI≥3) or older patients (≥65 years). Subjects with more severe comorbidities or older subjects who were not admitted immediately also incurred a greater healthcare cost for re-hospitalization within the 28-day follow-up period. Conclusion: Patients with delirium with a higher CCI or of a greater age should be carefully considered for immediate hospitalization from ED for further examination in order to reduce the risk of re-hospitalization and cost of healthcare.

Effects of aging on the phase transformation and sintering properties of coprecipitated Al₂O₃-ZrO₂ powders

Chih-Cheng Chen,Hsing-I Hsiang,Fu-Su Yen 한양대학교 세라믹연구소 2008 Journal of Ceramic Processing Research Vol.9 No.1

In this study, the effects of aging on the crystalline phases, crystallite sizes and sintering properties of coprecipitated Al₂O₃- ZrO₂ powders are investigated using thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), dilatometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Coprecipitated Al₂O₃- ZrO₂ powder aging in the solution promoted the dissolution and reprecipitation process, which resulted in the boehmite structure subsequently transforming into bayerite. The densification and microstructural development of the coprecipitated Al₂O₃-ZrO₂ powders were dependent upon the aging time which shifted the θ→α-Al₂O₃ phase transformation to a higher temperature, lowered the crystallite growth rate, and prevented the occurrence of intragranular ZrO₂ particles during sintering. In this study, the effects of aging on the crystalline phases, crystallite sizes and sintering properties of coprecipitated Al₂O₃- ZrO₂ powders are investigated using thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), dilatometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Coprecipitated Al₂O₃- ZrO₂ powder aging in the solution promoted the dissolution and reprecipitation process, which resulted in the boehmite structure subsequently transforming into bayerite. The densification and microstructural development of the coprecipitated Al₂O₃-ZrO₂ powders were dependent upon the aging time which shifted the θ→α-Al₂O₃ phase transformation to a higher temperature, lowered the crystallite growth rate, and prevented the occurrence of intragranular ZrO₂ particles during sintering.

Ginsenoside Rg1 supplementation clears senescence-associated β-galactosidase in exercising human skeletal muscle

Jinfu Wu,Suchada Saovieng,I-Shiung Cheng,Tiemin Liu,Shangyu Hong,Chang-Yu Lin,I-Chen Su,Chih-Yang Huang,Chia-Hua Kuo 고려인삼학회 2019 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.43 No.4

Background: Ginsenoside Rg1 has been shown to clear senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) in cultured cells. It remains unknown whether Rg1 can influence SA-β-gal in exercising human skeletal muscle. Methods: To examine SA-β-gal change, 12 young men (age 21±0.2 years) were enrolled in a randomized double-blind placebo controlled crossover study, under two occasions: placebo (PLA) and Rg1 (5 mg) supplementations 1 h prior to a high-intensity cycling (70% VO2max). Muscle samples were collected by multiple biopsies before and after cycling exercise (0 h and 3 h). To avoid potential effect of muscle biopsy on performance assessment, cycling time to exhaustion test (80% VO2max) was conducted on another 12 participants (age 23±0.5 years) with the same experimental design. Results: No changes of SA-β-gal were observed after cycling in the PLA trial. On the contrary, nine of the 12 participants showed complete elimination of SA-β-gal in exercised muscle after cycling in the Rg1 trial (p < 0.05). Increases in apoptotic DNA fragmentation (PLA: +87% vs. Rg1: +133%, p < 0.05) and CD68+(PLA:+78% vs. Rg1:+121%, p=0.17) occurred immediately after cycling in both trials. During the 3-h recovery, reverses in apoptotic nuclei content (PLA:+5% vs. Rg1:-32%, p<0.01) and increases in inducible nitrate oxide synthase and interleukin 6 mRNA levels of exercised muscle were observed only in the Rg1 trial (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Rg1 supplementation effectively eliminates senescent cells in exercising human skeletal muscle and improves high-intensity endurance performance.

E-beam lithography and electrodeposition fabrication of thick nanostructured devices

Lo, T N,Chen, Y T,Chiu, C W,Liu, C J,Wu, S R,Lin, I K,Su, C I,Chang, W D,Hwu, Y,Shew, B Y,Chiang, C C,Je, J H,Margaritondo, G Institute of Physics [etc.] 2007 Journal of Physics. D, Applied Physics Vol.40 No.10

<P>A nanofabrication approach based on advanced e-beam lithography and electrodeposition successfully produced high-resolution (≈40 nm line width) metal structures with high aspect ratio (>12) and high density. The combination of these characteristics is essential for hard-x-ray optical components such as zone plates, for x-ray lithography masks and for other devices.</P>

Short-term, Multi-center Prospective Clinical Study of Short Implants Measuring Less Than 7mm

Kim, Young-Kyun,Yi, Yang-Jin,Kim, Su-Gwan,Cho, Yong-Seok,Yang, Choon-Mo,Liang, Po-Chin,Chen, Yu-Yal,I, Lee-Long,Sim, Christopher,Tan, Winston,Ser, Go Wee,Yue, Deng,Yi, Man,Ping, Gong Korean Academy of Dental Science 2010 Journal of korean dental science Vol.3 No.1

Objective : This prospective study sought to verify the stability of three types of short implants measuring 7mm or less. Materials and methods : Implants measuring 7mm or less were placed in patients at multicenter dental clinics in Korea, China, Taiwan, and Singapore. Initial stability, intraoperative and postoperative complications, crestal bone loss, and survival rate of the implant were prospectively evaluated. Results : The primary stability of a 6-mm implant was lower than that of a 7-mm implant. The marginal bone loss of short implants measuring less than 7mm was minimal. Complications such as wound dehiscence, implant mobility, and peri-implant mucositis developed, and these were associated with initial implant failure. The short-term survival rate of 6-mm implant was 93.7%, and that of 7-mm implant, 96.6%. Conclusion : Short implant for the mandible with insufficient height for the residual ridge can be selectively used. Poor primary stability and wound dehiscence can cause osseointegration failure and alveolar bone loss.

Ginsenoside Rg1 supplementation clears senescence-associated β-galactosidase in exercising human skeletal muscle

Wu, Jinfu,Saovieng, Suchada,Cheng, I-Shiung,Liu, Tiemin,Hong, Shangyu,Lin, Chang-Yu,Su, I-Chen,Huang, Chih-Yang,Kuo, Chia-Hua The Korean Society of Ginseng 2019 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.43 No.4

Background: Ginsenoside Rg1 has been shown to clear senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-${\beta}$-gal) in cultured cells. It remains unknown whether Rg1 can influence SA-${\beta}$-gal in exercising human skeletal muscle. Methods: To examine SA-${\beta}$-gal change, 12 young men (age $21{\pm}0.2years$) were enrolled in a randomized double-blind placebo controlled crossover study, under two occasions: placebo (PLA) and Rg1 (5 mg) supplementations 1 h prior to a high-intensity cycling (70% $VO_{2max}$). Muscle samples were collected by multiple biopsies before and after cycling exercise (0 h and 3 h). To avoid potential effect of muscle biopsy on performance assessment, cycling time to exhaustion test (80% $VO_{2max}$) was conducted on another 12 participants (age $23{\pm}0.5years$) with the same experimental design. Results: No changes of SA-${\beta}$-gal were observed after cycling in the PLA trial. On the contrary, nine of the 12 participants showed complete elimination of SA-${\beta}$-gal in exercised muscle after cycling in the Rg1 trial (p < 0.05). Increases in apoptotic DNA fragmentation (PLA: +87% vs. Rg1: +133%, p < 0.05) and $CD68^+$ (PLA:+78% vs. Rg1:+121%, p = 0.17) occurred immediately after cycling in both trials. During the 3-h recovery, reverses in apoptotic nuclei content (PLA:+5% vs. Rg1 -32%, p < 0.01) and increases in inducible nitrate oxide synthase and interleukin 6 mRNA levels of exercised muscle were observed only in the Rg1 trial (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Rg1 supplementation effectively eliminates senescent cells in exercising human skeletal muscle and improves high-intensity endurance performance.

Short-term, Multi-center Prospective Clinical Study of Short Implants Measuring Less Than 7mm

Young-Kyun Kim,Yang-Jin Yi,Su-Gwan Kim,Yong-Seok Cho,Choon-Mo Yang,Po-Chin Liang,Yu-Yal Chen,Lee-Long I,Christopher Sim,Winston Tan,Go Wee Ser,Deng Yue,Man Yi,Gong Ping 대한치의학회 2010 Journal of korean dental science Vol.3 No.1

Learning Curve of ROSA ONE Spine System for Transpedicular Screw Placement

Bing-Hung Hsu,Heng-Wei Liu,Kha-Liang Lee,Ming-Chin Lin,Gao Chen,Jang Yu,Chiao-Ling Chen,I-Chang Su,Chien-Min Lin 대한척추신경외과학회 2022 Neurospine Vol.19 No.2

Objective: The study investigated our institutional learning curve for the ROSA ONE spine system (ROSA) based on ROSA usage time. Methods: ROSA was designed to provide high accuracy for spinal pedicle screw placement through a built-in tracking technique. This study was conducted from November 2018 to January 2021. The time taken to complete each step of the robotic workflow was recorded. Patient demographics, comorbidities, surgical indications, and number of screw placements were examined in subgroup analysis. The Curve Fitting-General package (a part of NCSS 2021 software) was used to fit a mathematical model to the learning curve. Patient demographics, imaging data, and surgical time were reviewed retrospectively. Results: A total of 167 patients who had undergone surgery were included. The mean total ROSA usage time was 107.1 ± 27.3 minutes. The estimated learning rate was 90.4%, and the largest slope change occurred close to the time of the 20th surgery. The observed overall learning trend in the 4-screw group could be attributed to screw planning. The presence of scoliosis (p = 0.73) or spondylolisthesis (p = 0.70) did not significantly influence the mean total time (TT) for all patients; however, the mean TT differed significantly (p < 0.01) among subgroups stratified by body mass index, screw number placement, and thoracic spine involvement. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the learning curve for the various crucial steps of ROSA-guided pedicle screw placement. The indicative learning curve involved 20 patients who had undergone surgery.

The tyrosine kinase inhibitor nintedanib activates SHP-1 and induces apoptosis in triple-negative breast cancer cells

Chun-Yu Liu,Tzu-Ting Huang,Pei-Yi Chu,Chun-Teng Huang,Chia-Han Lee,Wan-Lun Wang,Ka-Yi Lau,Wen-Chun Tsai,Tzu-I Chao,Jung-Chen Su,Ming-Huang Chen,Chung-Wai Shiau,Ling-Ming Tseng,Kuen-Feng Chen 생화학분자생물학회 2017 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.49 No.-

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains difficult to treat and urgently needs new therapeutic options. Nintedanib, a multikinase inhibitor, has exhibited efficacy in early clinical trials for HER2-negative breast cancer. In this study, we examined a new molecular mechanism of nintedanib in TNBC. The results demonstrated that nintedanib enhanced TNBC cell apoptosis, which was accompanied by a reduction of p-STAT3 and its downstream proteins. STAT3 overexpression suppressed nintedanib-mediated apoptosis and further increased the activity of purified SHP-1 protein. Moreover, treatment with either a specific inhibitor of SHP-1 or SHP-1-targeted siRNA reduced the apoptotic effects of nintedanib, which validates the role of SHP-1 in nintedanib-mediated apoptosis. Furthermore, nintedanib-induced apoptosis was attenuated in TNBC cells expressing SHP-1 mutants with constantly open conformations, suggesting that the autoinhibitory mechanism of SHP-1 attenuated the effects of nintedanib. Importantly, nintedanib significantly inhibited tumor growth via the SHP-1/p-STAT3 pathway. Clinically, SHP-1 levels were downregulated, whereas p-STAT3 was upregulated in tumor tissues, and SHP-1 transcripts were associated with improved disease-free survival in TNBC patients. Our findings revealed that nintedanib induces TNBC apoptosis by acting as a SHP-1 agonist, suggesting that targeting STAT3 by enhancing SHP-1 expression could be a viable therapeutic strategy against TNBC.