Acupuncture for ventilator-dependent patients at a hospital-based respiratory care center: A randomized controlled trial

Jia-Ming Chen,Wan-Li Chiang,Bin-Chuan Ji,Ruei-Jhe Jhang,Pei-Hsin Chen,Ya-Lun Li,Che-Ju Chang,Sung-Yen Huang,Tsung-Chieh Lee,Chia-Yun Chen,Ching-Hsiung Lin,Sheng-Hao Lin 한국한의학연구원 2023 Integrative Medicine Research Vol.12 No.4

Background: In intensive care units, mechanical ventilation is an important therapy to help patients with dysp- nea. However, long-term ventilator dependence would consume huge medical resources and increase the risk of morbidity and mortality. The aim of the study was to examine the efficacy of the acupuncture combined with western medical care on ventilator parameters in ventilator-dependent patients. Methods: In this clinical trial, 80 ventilator-dependent patients aged 20 to 80 years old were randomly assigned to acupuncture group and control group in the respiratory care center (RCC) of Changhua Christian Hospital. Besides regular medical care and therapy, participants in the acupuncture group received acupuncture therapy at the same 17 acu-points for 20 minutes once a day, a total of 12 sessions. The ventilator parameters were recorded to evaluate the respiratory efficiency for all participants. The primary outcome was rapid shallow breathing index (RSBI), and secondary outcomes were respiratory rate (RR), tidal volume (TV) and ventilation per minute (MV). Results: Though there was no significant difference in the parameter between the acupuncture group and the control group, we found the trend of decreasing RSBI in the acupuncture group. In subgroup analyses, the mean of RSBI significantly decreased 16.02 (with the SD in 60.84) in acupuncture group, while it increased 17.84 (with the SD in 39.38) in control group (p = 0.036) after 12 sessions. Conclusion: Acupuncture treatment can improve breathing ability of patients with respirator dependence in respiratory care center.

Cilostazol ameliorates diabetic nephropathy by inhibiting highglucose-induced apoptosis

Chien-Wen Chian,Yung-Shu Lee,Yi-Ju Lee,Ya-Hui Chen,Chi-Ping Wang,Wen-Chin Lee,Huei-Jane Lee 대한생리학회-대한약리학회 2020 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.24 No.5

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a hyperglycemia-induced progressive development of renal insufficiency. Excessive glucose can increase mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) and induce cell damage, causing mitochondrial dysfunction. Our previous study indicated that cilostazol (CTZ) can reduce ROS levels and decelerate DN progression in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetes. This study investigated the potential mechanisms of CTZ in rats with DN and in high glucose-treated mesangial cells. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed 5 mg/kg/day of CTZ after developing STZ-induced diabetes mellitus. Electron microscopy revealed that CTZ reduced the thickness of the glomerular basement membrane and improved mitochondrial morphology in mesangial cells of diabetic kidney. CTZ treatment reduced excessive kidney mitochondrial DNA copy numbers induced by hyperglycemia and interacted with the intrinsic pathway for regulating cell apoptosis as an antiapoptotic mechanism. In high-glucose-treated mesangial cells, CTZ reduced ROS production, altered the apoptotic status, and down-regulated transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB). Base on the results of our previous and current studies, CTZ deceleration of hyperglycemia-induced DN is attributable to ROS reduction and thereby maintenance of the mitochondrial function and reduction in TGF-β and NF-κB levels.

Factors Predicting Nurse Intent and Status Regarding Pap Smear Examination in Taiwan: a Cross-sectional Survey

Chen, Shu-Ling,Tsai, Shu-Fang,Hsieh, Mei-Mei,Lee, Lin-Lin,Tzeng, Ya-Ling Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.1

Background: Nurses are the most visible, frontline personnel providing health education to patients. In particular, nurse experience with Pap examinations have the potential to influence women's attitudes toward screening for cervical cancer. However, nurses in Taiwan have lower rates of Pap testing than the general population. Understanding the factors predicting nurse intent to have a Pap exam and Pap exam status would inform interventions and policies to increase their Pap exam uptake. Therefore, the present study was undertaken. Materials and Methods: Data were collected by questionnaire from a convenient sample of 504 nurses at a regional hospital in central Taiwan between August and October 2011 and analyzed by descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis, and logistic regression. Results: Nurse intention to have a Pap exam was predicted by younger age, less negative attitudes toward Pap exams, and greater influence of others recommendations. However, nurses were more likely to actually have had a Pap exam if they were older, married, had sexual experience, and had a high intention to have a Pap exam. Conclusions: Nurses who are younger than 34 years old, unmarried, sexually inexperienced, and with low intention to have a Pap exam should be targeted with interventions to educate them not only about the importance of Pap exams in detecting cervical cancer, but also about strategies to decrease pain and embarrassment during exams. Nurses with less negative attitudes and experiences related to Pap exams would serve as role models to persuade women to have Pap exams, thus increasing the uptake rate of Pap exams in Taiwan.

Examining the Predictors of Turnover Behavior in Newly Employed Certified Nurse Aides: A Prospective Cohort Study

Chen Hsiao-Ching,Wang Jiun-Yi,Lee Ya-Chen,Yang Shang-Yu 한국산업안전보건공단 산업안전보건연구원 2023 Safety and health at work Vol.14 No.2

Background: The turnover rate of nurse aides in Taiwan is high. However, the predictors of turnover behavior in the newly employed are still unclear. Objective: To examine the predictors of turnover behavior in newly employed licensed nurse aides. Methods: A longitudinal study design was used and subjects were newly employed certified nurse aides from a nurse aid training association in Taiwan. A total of five questionnaire surveys were conducted. The questionnaire was mainly used to collect information on turnover behavior, personal socioeconomic background, workplace psychosocial hazards, worker health hazards, and musculoskeletal disorders. Results: A total of 300 participants were recruited in the study. Cox regression analysis results showed that short working experience (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.21, p < 0.01), work as non-home nurse aides (HR = 0.58, p = 0.01), low monthly salary (HR = 0.68, p < 0.01), high work mental load (HR = 1.01, p = 0.01), low workplace justice (HR = 0.97, p < 0.01), high workplace violence (HR = 1.60, p < 0.01), high burnout (HR = 1.01, p = 0.04), poor mental health (HR = 1.06, p = 0.04), and high total number of musculoskeletal disorder sites (HR = 1.08, p = 0.01) contribute to a higher risk of turnover. Conclusion: The results indicated that employment period, work as a home nurse aide, monthly salary, work mental load, workplace justice, workplace violence, work-related burnout, mental health, and total number of musculoskeletal disorder sites are predictors of turnover behavior in newly employed certified nurse aides.

A Robust and Removable Watermarking Scheme Using Singular Value Decomposition

( Ya-feng Di ),( Chin-feng Lee ),( Zhi-hui Wang ),( Chin-chen Chang ),( Jianjun Li ) 한국인터넷정보학회 2016 KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Syst Vol.10 No.12

Digital watermarking techniques are widely applied to protect the integrity and copyright of digital content. In a majority of the literature for watermarking techniques, the watermarked image often causes some distortions after embedding a watermark. For image-quality-concerned users, the distortions from a watermarked image are unacceptable. In this article, we propose a removable watermarking scheme that can restore an original-like image and resist signal-processing attacks to protect the ownership of an image by utilizing the property of singular value decomposition (SVD). The experimental results reveal that the proposed scheme meets the requirements of watermarking robustness, and also reestablishes an image like the original with average PSNR values of 59.07 dB for reconstructed images.

Scrap iron packed in a Ti mesh cage as a sacrificial anode for electrochemical Cr(VI) reduction to treat electroplating wastewater

Ya, Vinh,Guillou, Esther Le,Chen, Yi-Ming,Yu, Jui-Hsuan,Choo, Kwang-Ho,Chuang, Sheng-Ming,Lee, Shou-Jen,Li, Chi-Wang Elsevier 2018 JOURNAL- TAIWAN INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERS Vol.87 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>A novel sacrificial anode comprised of scrap iron packed inside a cage made of titanium mesh was developed for Cr(VI) reduction. With electric currents applied, the surface passivation of scrap iron electrode could be avoided. Due to the large surface area with open structures provided, the applied current densities (1.18–3.54 mA/cm<SUP>2</SUP>) were low, resulting in low operating voltage and energy consumption. Complete Cr(VI) removal was achieved with electric currents applied, whereas only 20% of the Cr(VI) was removed without electricity. Direct Cr(VI) reduction on the iron surface was a dominant mechanism for the system operated at low (0.25 A) or no current. Acidic pH levels were more effective in Cr(VI) removal, due to more adsorption of Cr(VI) onto the precipitated Fe hydroxide. The trend in total Cr removal was almost the same as that of Cr(VI) removal, but time required to complete total Cr removal was extended. With intermittent electricity supply at a high electric current intensity, the energy consumption of the system was more efficient. Using scrap iron as a sacrificial anode under the intermittent current condition can save 72–77% of the total operational costs required by the conventional plate electrode.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> A novel anode packed with scrap iron inside a Ti mesh was used for reducing Cr(VI). </LI> <LI> Electroplating wastewater containing Cr(VI) and Ni(II) was treated. </LI> <LI> Current intensity and initial pH affect the Cr(VI) reduction pattern significantly. </LI> <LI> Intermittent but high electric current supply saved 72–77% of the operating costs. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Student Teachers’ Reflections on the Use of Drama in Education to Motivate Young Children’s Science Play

Ya-Ling Chen,Lee-Feng Huang The Pacific Early Childhood Education Research Ass 2022 Asia-Pacific journal of research in early childhoo Vol.16 No.1

This study explored student teachers’ reflections on the use of drama in education (DIE) to motivate young children’s science play during a course, “creative science activity design for young children,” at a teacher development program in southern Taiwan. The participants comprised 21 student teachers who took the course taught by both researchers. Participants designed science play activities using DIE strategies and implemented the a for a group of preschool children. The data sources employed in this study were observations, interviews, and collected documents. The data were analyzed qualitatively. The findings revealed that the DIE strategies adopted by the student teachers included warm-up, improvisation, and story roleplaying. The results indicated that the student-teachers considered drama to have aroused the children’s motivation to engage in science play. Advantages and challenges relating to the application of DIE strategies in science play were presented. Suggestions for future implementation of and research on DIE strategies in science play are presented herein.

A Blind Normal Fault beneath the Taipei Basin in Northern Taiwan

Chen, Kou-Cheng,Huang, Bor-Shouh,Huang, Win-Gee,Wang, Jeen-Hwa,Kim, Kwang-Hee,Lee, Shiann-Jong,Lai, Ya-Chuan,Tsao, Shuhjong,Chen, Chi-Hsuan Chinese Geoscience Union 2010 TAO Vol.21 No.3

A Neuroprotective Action of Quercetin and Apigenin through Inhibiting Aggregation of Aβ and Activation of TRKB Signaling in a Cellular Experiment

Chiu Ya-Jen,Teng Yu-Shan,Chen Chiung-Mei,Sun Ying-Chieh,Hsieh-Li Hsiu Mei,Chang Kuo-Hsuan,Lee-Chen Guey-Jen 한국응용약물학회 2023 Biomolecules & Therapeutics(구 응용약물학회지) Vol.31 No.3

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease with progressive memory loss and the cognitive decline. AD is mainly caused by abnormal accumulation of misfolded amyloid β (Aβ), which leads to neurodegeneration via a number of possible mechanisms such as down-regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor-tropomyosin-related kinase B (BDNF-TRKB) signaling pathway. 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF), a TRKB agonist, has demonstrated potential to enhance BDNF-TRKB pathway in various neurodegenerative diseases. To expand the capacity of flavones as TRKB agonists, two natural flavones quercetin and apigenin, were evaluated. With tryptophan fluorescence quenching assay, we illustrated the direct interaction between quercetin/ apigenin and TRKB extracellular domain. Employing Aβ folding reporter SH-SY5Y cells, we showed that quercetin and apigenin reduced Aβ-aggregation, oxidative stress, caspase-1 and acetylcholinesterase activities, as well as improved the neurite outgrowth. Treatments with quercetin and apigenin increased TRKB Tyr516 and Tyr817 and downstream cAMP-response-element binding protein (CREB) Ser133 to activate transcription of BDNF and BCL2 apoptosis regulator (BCL2), as well as reduced the expression of pro-apoptotic BCL2 associated X protein (BAX). Knockdown of TRKB counteracted the improvement of neurite outgrowth by quercetin and apigenin. Our results demonstrate that quercetin and apigenin are to work likely as a direct agonist on TRKB for their neuroprotective action, strengthening the therapeutic potential of quercetin and apigenin in treating AD.

A Robust and Removable Watermarking Scheme Using Singular Value Decomposition

Di, Ya-Feng,Lee, Chin-Feng,Wang, Zhi-Hui,Chang, Chin-Chen,Li, Jianjun Korean Society for Internet Information 2016 KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Syst Vol.10 No.12

Digital watermarking techniques are widely applied to protect the integrity and copyright of digital content. In a majority of the literature for watermarking techniques, the watermarked image often causes some distortions after embedding a watermark. For image-quality-concerned users, the distortions from a watermarked image are unacceptable. In this article, we propose a removable watermarking scheme that can restore an original-like image and resist signal-processing attacks to protect the ownership of an image by utilizing the property of singular value decomposition (SVD). The experimental results reveal that the proposed scheme meets the requirements of watermarking robustness, and also reestablishes an image like the original with average PSNR values of 59.07 dB for reconstructed images.