Is Ethical Counseling Possible: A Virtue Ethics Approach to Philosophical Counseling?

Shu‐Ju Yu 강원대학교 인문과학연구소 2010 Journal of Humanities Therapy Vol.1 No.-

Is ethical counseling possible? This paper attempts to demonstrate that the possibility of ethical counseling. The second intention is to inquire into the basic appearance of virtue ethics approach to ethical counseling by Alasdair MacIntyre’s virtue ethics. In the foreword section, I surveyed ethics and morals in the view of conventional psychotherapy and psychotherapy in Taiwan. For the existence of ethical suffering from the multiple realities of a suffering experience, it is indicated that suffering not only exists, it is at the core of Chinese suffering. From the current development of ethical therapy in psychotherapy, that could explain the feasibility and necessity of ethical counseling. In the second section, I try to analyze the points of ethical counseling, especially in situation and relationship. Ethical suffering serves as the focus of counseling and its contents include: agents, relationships and situations. An individual in suffering, it is usually in an ethical or moral situation. The cause of ethical suffering is a certain cut off or conflict in the relationship between a sort of external form of ethical humanity and pondering space in individual morality. In the Third, to enter the main part of this paper, I attempts to search for experiences from ethical therapy that can be applied to ethical counseling and then try to study the contents of ethical counseling from the essence of philosophical counseling. To do this, the paper first gives a brief description of Alasdair MacIntyre’s thinking on virtue ethics and then the correlation between virtue ethics and ethical practices. Fourth, construction of ethical counseling is attempted based on Alasdair MacIntyre’s virtue ethics. This section is studied from the standpoint of ethical diagnosis and therapy models.

Ginsenoside Rb1 Inhibits Cell Activation and Liver Fibrosis in Rat Hepatic Stellate Cells

Yu-Ting Lo,Ya-Hui Tsai,Shu-Ju Wu,Jiun-Rong Chen,C.-J. Chao 한국식품영양과학회 2011 Journal of medicinal food Vol.14 No.10

Chronic hepatitis/cirrhosis is the eighth leading cause of death in Taiwan. Excess accumulated extracellular matrix produced by activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is the major cause of liver fibrosis. Ginsenoside Rb1, the most active compound purified from ginseng, has been considered to be hepatoprotective. This study investigated the effects of ginsenoside Rb1 (98.8% purity) on activation, proliferation, and profibrotic factors in rat HSC-T6 cells under H₂O₂oxidative stress. Rat HSC-T6 cells were activated by 10 nM H₂O₂and then incubated with different concentrations of ginsenoside Rb1 (5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 μg/mL) for 24 hours. Medium containing 0.08% dimethyl sulfoxide or 5 mM N-acetyl-l-cysteine was used as a negative or positive control, respectively. The results showed that ginsenoside Rb1 at 5–40 μg/mL significantly reduced α-smooth muscle actin levels and at 5–80 μg/mL inhibited cell proliferation in HSC-T6 cells after induction with H₂O₂(P<.05). Collagen secreted by HSC-T6 cells was decreased by ginsenoside Rb1 at 5–80 μg/mL (P<.05). Protein expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 was suppressed by ginsenoside Rb1 at 10–80 μg/mL (P<.05). In addition, mRNA expression of type I and III collagen, TGF-β1, and TIMP-1 was inhibited by ginsenoside Rb1 (10 and 80 μg/mL) (P<.05). Therefore, ginsenoside Rb1 exerted an antifibrotic effect on HSCs by inhibiting activation, proliferation, and expression of collagen, TGF-β1, MMP-2, and TIMP-1.

Evaluation of Malignancy Risk of Ampullary Tumors Detected by Endoscopy Using 2-[18F]FDG PET/CT

Chuang Pei-Ju,Wang Hsiu-Po,Tien Yu-Wen,Chin Wei-Shan,Hsieh Min-Shu,Chen Chieh-Chang,Hong Tzu-Chan,Ko Chi-Lun,Wu Yen-Wen,Cheng Mei-Fang 대한영상의학회 2024 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.25 No.3

Objective: We aimed to investigate whether 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (2-[18F]FDG PET/CT) can aid in evaluating the risk of malignancy in ampullary tumors detected by endoscopy. Materials and Methods: This single-center retrospective cohort study analyzed 155 patients (79 male, 76 female; mean age, 65.7 ± 12.7 years) receiving 2-[18F]FDG PET/CT for endoscopy-detected ampullary tumors 5–87 days (median, 7 days) after the diagnostic endoscopy between June 2007 and December 2020. The final diagnosis was made based on histopathological findings. The PET imaging parameters were compared with clinical data and endoscopic features. A model to predict the risk of malignancy, based on PET, endoscopy, and clinical findings, was generated and validated using multivariable logistic regression analysis and an additional bootstrapping method. The final model was compared with standard endoscopy for the diagnosis of ampullary cancer using the DeLong test. Results: The mean tumor size was 17.1 ± 7.7 mm. Sixty-four (41.3%) tumors were benign, and 91 (58.7%) were malignant. Univariable analysis found that ampullary neoplasms with a blood-pool corrected peak standardized uptake value in earlyphase scan (SUVe) ≥ 1.7 were more likely to be malignant (odds ratio [OR], 16.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 7.13–36.18; P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis identified the presence of jaundice (adjusted OR [aOR], 4.89; 95% CI, 1.80–13.33; P = 0.002), malignant traits in endoscopy (aOR, 6.80; 95% CI, 2.41–19.20; P < 0.001), SUVe ≥ 1.7 in PET (aOR, 5.43; 95% CI, 2.00–14.72; P < 0.001), and PET-detected nodal disease (aOR, 5.03; 95% CI, 1.16–21.86; P = 0.041) as independent predictors of malignancy. The model combining these four factors predicted ampullary cancers better than endoscopic diagnosis alone (area under the curve [AUC] and 95% CI: 0.925 [0.874–0.956] vs. 0.815 [0.732–0.873], P < 0.001). The model demonstrated an AUC of 0.921 (95% CI, 0.816–0.967) in candidates for endoscopic papillectomy. Conclusion: Adding 2-[18F]FDG PET/CT to endoscopy can improve the diagnosis of ampullary cancer and may help refine therapeutic decision-making, particularly when contemplating endoscopic papillectomy.

Predictive Value of Xrcc1 Gene Polymorphisms for Side Effects in Patients undergoing Whole Breast Radiotherapy: a Meta-analysis

Xie, Xiao-Xue,Ouyang, Shu-Yu,Jin, He-Kun,Wang, Hui,Zhou, Ju-Mei,Hu, Bing-Qiang Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.12

Radiation-induced side effects on normal tissue are determined largely by the capacity of cells to repair radiation-induced DNA damage. X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1) plays an important role in the repair of DNA single-strand breaks. Studies have shown conflicting results regarding the association between XRCC1 gene polymorphisms (Arg399Gln, Arg194Trp, -77T>C and Arg280His) and radiation-induced side effects in patients undergoing whole breast radiotherapy. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to determine the predictive value of XRCC1 gene polymorphisms in this regard. Analysis of the 11 eligible studies comprising 2,199 cases showed that carriers of the XRCC1 399 Gln allele had a higher risk of radiation-induced toxicity than those with the 399 ArgArg genotype in studies based on high-quality genotyping methods [Gln vs. ArgArg: OR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.20-2.86] or in studies with mixed treatment regimens of radiotherapy alone and in combination with chemotherapy [Gln vs. ArgArg: OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.09-2.23]. The XRCC1 Arg399Gln variant allele was associated with mixed acute and late adverse reactions when studies on late toxicity only were excluded [Gln allele vs. Arg allele: OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.00-1.49]. In contrast, the XRCC1 Arg280His variant allele was protective against radiation-induced toxicity in studies including patients treated by radiotherapy alone [His allele vs. Arg allele: OR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.35-0.96]. Our results suggest that XRCC1 399Gln and XRCC1 280Arg may be independent predictors of radiation-induced toxicity in post-surgical breast cancer patients, and the selection of genotyping method is an important factor in determining risk factors. No evidence for any predictive value of XRCC1 Arg194Trp and XRCC1 -77T>C was found. So, larger and well-designed studies might be required to further evaluate the predictive value of XRCC1 gene variation on radiation-induced side effects in patients undergoing whole breast radiotherapy.

Analysis of the Involvement of Chitin-Binding Domain of ChiCW in Antifungal Activity, and Engineering a Novel Chimeric Chitinase with High Enzyme and Antifungal Activities

Chien Jui Huang,Shu Huei Guo,Shu Chun Chung,Yu Ju Lin,Chao Ying Chen 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2009 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.19 No.10

Innovative Development and Applicability Evaluation of a Composite Tubing Fixer

Zu-Chun Lin,Yu-Ju Lin,Shu-Min Yeh,Tzu-Chuan Hsu 한국간호과학회 2023 한국간호과학회 학술대회 Vol.2023 No.11

Clinical Outcomes of Basaloid Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Esophagus: A Retrospective Analysis of 142 Cases

Zhang, Bai-Hua,Cheng, Gui-Yu,Xue, Qi,Gao, Shu-Geng,Sun, Ke-Lin,Wang, Yong-Gang,Mu, Ju-Wei,He, Jie Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.3

Background: Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus (BSCCE) is a rare and distinctive tumor with no standard treatment. This study aimed to explore treatment in relation to prognosis of the disease. Methods: A total of 142 patients with BSCCE that underwent treatment in our hospital from March 1999 to July 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients received surgery, 42 postoperative radiotherapy and 28 patients chemotherapy. Results: There were 26 patients included in stage I, 60 in stage II, 53 in stage III and 3 in stage IV. The clinical symptoms and macroscopic performances of BSCCE did not differ from those of typical esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Among 118 patients receiving endoscopic biopsy, only 12 were diagnosed with BSCCE. The median survival time (MST) of the entire group was 32 months, with 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival (OS) of 81.4%, 46.8% and 31.0%, respectively. The 5-year OS of stage I and II patients was significantly longer than that of stages III/IV, at 60.3%, 36.1% and 10.9%, respectively (p<0.001, p=0.001). The MST and 5-year OS were 59.0 months and 47.4% in patients with tumors located in the lower thoracic esophagus, and 27.0 months and 18.1% in those with lesions in the upper/middle esophagus (p=0.002). However, the survival was not significantly improved in patients undegoing adjunctive therapy. Multivariate analysis showed TNM stage and tumor location to be independent prognostic factors. Furthermore, distant metastasis was the most frequent failure pattern, with a median recurrence time of 10 months. Conclusion: BSCCE is an aggressive disease with rapid progression and a propensity for distant metastasis. It is difficult to make a definitive diagnosis via preoperative biopsy. Multidisciplinary therapy including radical esophagectomy with extended lymphadenectomy should be recommended, while the effectiveness of radiochemotherapy requires further validation for BSCCE.

MC3T3-E1세포의 ALP activity에 대한 IGF-I의 영향

이후정,이재목,최병주,유현모,서조영,Lee, Hu-Jung,Lee, Jae-Mok,Choi, Byung-Ju,Yu, Hyun-Mo,Shu, Jo-Young 대한치주과학회 1997 Journal of Periodontal & Implant Science Vol.27 No.4

Polypeptide growth factors belong to a class of potent biologic mediators which regulate cell differentiation, proliferation, migration and metabolism. IGF-I is polypeptides secreted by skeletal cells and is considered as regulators of bone formation. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of IGF-I on bone nodule formation and alkaline phosphatase activity of MC3T3-E1 cells. MC3T3-E1 cells were seeded at $1{\times}10^4$ cells/well, $1{\times}10^5$ cells/well in alpha-modified Eagle medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum, 10 mM ${\beta}-glycerophosphate$ and $5O{\mu}g/ml$ of ascorbic acid. Before 48 hours of indicated time, medium were changed with serum free medium. After 24 hours, 0.1, 1, 10 ng/ml IGF-I were added to the cells and cultured for 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 days. And histochemical analysis was done and ALP activity was measured and was expressed as nmol/min/mg of protein. The bone nodule formation in MC3T3-E1 cells of IGF-I was seen at 21, 28 days, but there were no difference between control group and experimental groups. The ALP activity decreased when it is compare to control 2 group except for 1 ng/ml, 10 ng/ml IGF-I of 21-day-groups and 1 ng/ml IGF-I of 28-day-groups. Dose response effects of IGF-I of ALP activity in MC3T3-E1 cells were seen the highest ALP activity at 1ng/ml until 21days and the highest ALP activity at 10 ng/ml of 28 daygroups. The peak times were seen at 7-day group, 14-day group on control group and experimental group respectively, and 1 ng/ml group was the highest ALP activity, From the above results, IGF-I was not seen notable effect on bone nodule formation and decreased ALP activity of MC3T3-E1 cells but the use of IGF-I to mediate biological stimulation of MC3T3-E1 cells shows promise for future therapeutic application.