Pull-Through Buddy Wire Technique for Endovascular Thrombectomy in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke: Technical Note

Chiang Pin-Yi,Lin Yen-Heng,Huang Yu-Cheng,Lee Chung-Wei 대한신경중재치료의학회 2021 Neurointervention Vol.16 No.1

Excessive tortuosity is a notable cause of failed endovascular thrombectomy for acute large-vessel occlusion stroke. Transcervical access (TCA) is a commonly proposed solution for overcoming this difficulty. However, the large-bore catheter usually used in TCA increases the risk of serious local complications. This paper presents a modified technique for TCA that uses a pull-through buddy wire (PTBW) to track a large-bore femoral guiding sheath (GS) into the carotid artery via a small carotid puncture site. The carotid puncture site can be easily managed through gentle manual compression. Two illustrative cases using this technique to deal with a large aortic arch and tortuous left common carotid artery are reported. In both cases, recanalization was achieved after successful GS placement. Using a PTBW is feasible in TCA.

Prevalence, Incidence, and Factor Concentrate Usage Trends of Hemophiliacs in Taiwan

Tsu-Chiang Tu,Wen-Shyong Liou,Tsui-Yun Chou,Tsung-Kun Lin,Chuan-Fang Lee,Jye-Daa Chen,Thau-Ming Cham,Mei-Ing Chung 연세대학교의과대학 2013 Yonsei medical journal Vol.54 No.2

Purpose Hemophilia A and B (HA, HB) are the most common X-linked inherited bleeding disorders. The introduction of factor concentrates has allowed for control of the lifelong chronic disease. However, no studies have been published regarding the epidemiology of hemophilia in Taiwan. Our aim was to determine the prevalence, incidence, and mortality rate, as well as trends in the use of factor concentrates, in individuals with hemophilia in Taiwan. Materials and Methods A retrospective study was conducted using the National Health Insurance Research Database between 1997 and 2007. Results We identified 988 males with hemophilia (HA : HB ratio=5.4 : 1). The mean prevalence per 100000 males was 6.7±0.1 for HA and 1.2±0.1 for HB. The estimated mean annual incidence per live male birth was 1 in 10752 for HA and 1 in 47619 for HB. Standardized mortality ratios for males with hemophilia (all severities) or severe hemophilia were 1.3- and 2.1-fold higher than that of the general male population, respectively. Mean factor VIII (FVIII) and factor IX (FIX) usage was 1.5003±0.4029 and 0.3126±0.0904 international units (IUs) per capita, respectively. Mean FVIII and FIX usage per patient with hemophilia (all severities) or severe hemophilia was 44027±11532 and 72341±17298, respectively, and 49407±13015 and 74369±18411 IUs per person with HA or HB, respectively. Conclusion Our data revealed epidemiologic and factor concentrate usage trends in males with hemophilia in Taiwan, highlighting a need for improvements in the mandatory National Health Insurance registry. A better-designed, patient-centered registry system would enable more detailed patient information collection and analysis, improving subsequent care.

Prevalence, Incidence, and Factor Concentrate Usage Trends of Hemophiliacs in Taiwan

Tsu-Chiang Tu,Wen-Shyong Liou,Tsui-Yun Chou,Tsung-Kun Lin,Chuan-Fang Lee,Jye-Daa Chen,Thau-Ming Cham,Mei-Ing Chung 연세대학교의과대학 2013 Yonsei medical journal Vol.54 No.1

Purpose: Hemophilia A and B (HA, HB) are the most common X-linked inherited bleeding disorders. The introduction of factor concentrates has allowed for control of the lifelong chronic disease. However, no studies have been published regarding the epidemiology of hemophilia in Taiwan. Our aim was to determine the prevalence, incidence, and mortality rate, as well as trends in the use of factor concentrates,in individuals with hemophilia in Taiwan. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted using the National Health Insurance Research Database between 1997 and 2007. Results: We identified 988 males with hemophilia (HA : HB ratio=5.4 : 1). The mean prevalence per 100000 males was 6.7±0.1 for HA and 1.2±0.1 for HB. The estimated mean annual incidence per live male birth was 1 in 10752 for HA and 1 in 47619 for HB. Standardized mortality ratios for males with hemophilia (all severities) or severe hemophilia were 1.3- and 2.1-fold higher than that of the general male population, respectively. Mean factor VIII (FVIII) and factor IX (FIX) usage was 1.5003±0.4029 and 0.3126±0.0904 international units (IUs) per capita, respectively. Mean FVIII and FIX usage per patient with hemophilia (all severities) or severe hemophilia was 44027±11532 and 72341±17298, respectively, and 49407±13015 and 74369±18411 IUs per person with HA or HB, respectively. Conclusion: Our data revealed epidemiologic and factor concentrate usage trends in males with hemophilia in Taiwan, highlighting a need for improvements in the mandatory National Health Insurance registry. A better-designed, patient-centered registry system would enable more detailed patient information collection and analysis, improving subsequent care.

Application of Recurrence Plots and VGG Deep Learning Model to the Study of Condition Monitoring of Robotic Grinding

Kuan‑Jung Chung,Cheng‑Han Dai,Tung‑Chun Chiang,June‑Jia Xie,Ming-Tzer Lin 한국정밀공학회 2023 International Journal of Precision Engineering and Vol.24 No.9

This study adopted AI to identify the normal and abnormal vibration signals generated during robotic grinding. This study classified four fundamental factors affecting grinding into three levels to obtain a widely used result and designed an L9(34)orthogonal array for the grinding experiment. During experimentation, part of the grinding wheels was added weight to produce abnormal vibration signals, which an accelerometer would measure. The study transformed the collected vibration signals into recurrence plots and conducted model training with VGG16 CNN architecture. Finally, this study tested a model with 89.6% training accuracy. The results showed the model could identify whether the recurrence plots stand for normal or abnormal vibrations, with an accuracy of 85%. This means it could predict normal and abnormal grinding conditions and help avoid problems caused by abnormal vibrations.

Traditional Chinese medicine attenuates hospitalization and mortality risks in diabetic patients with carcinoma in situ in Taiwan

Tsai Li-Jen,Chung Chi-Hsiang,Lin Chien-Jung,Su Sheng-Chiang,Kuo Feng-Chih,Liu Jhih-Syuan,Chen Kuan-Chan,Ho Li-Ju,Kuo Chih-Chun,Chang Chun-Yung,Lin Ming-Hsun,Chu Nain-Feng,Lee Chien-Hsing,Hsieh Chang-H 한국한의학연구원 2022 Integrative Medicine Research Vol.11 No.2

Background: Diabetic patients are at high risk of developing cancer. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has become increasingly popular as an adjuvant treatment for patients with chronic diseases, and some studies have identified its beneficial effect in diabetic patients with cancer. The purpoes of this study was to outline the potential of TCM to attenuate hospitalization and mortality rates in diabetic patients with carcinoma in situ (CIS). Methods: A total of 6,987 diabetic subjects with CIS under TCM therapy were selected from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan, along with 38,800 of 1:1 sex-, age-, and index year-matched controls without TCM therapy. Cox proportional hazard analysis was conducted to compare hospitalization and mortality rates during an average of 15 years of follow-up. Results: A total of 3,999/1,393 enrolled-subjects (28.62%/9.97%) had hospitalization/mortality, including 1,777/661 in the TCM group (25.43%/9.46%) and 2,222/732 in the control group (31.80%/10.48%). Cox proportional hazard regression analysis showed a lower rate of hospitalization and mortality for subjects in the TCM group (adjusted HR=0.536; 95% CI=0.367–0.780, P<0.001; adjusted HR=0.783; 95% CI=0.574– 0.974, P = 0.022). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the cumulative risk of hospitalization and mortality in the case and control groups was significantly different (log rank, P<0.001 and P = 0.011, respectively). Conclusions: Diabetic patients with CIS under TCM therapy were associated with lower hospitalization and mortality rates compared to those without TCM therapy. Thus, TCM application may reduce the burden of national medical resources.

Chemical Constituents of the Leaves of Glochidion obliquum and Their Bioactivity

Tran Dinh Thang,Ping-Chung Kuo,Chun-Shu Yu,Yuh-Chiang Shen,Le Thi Mai Hoa,Tran Van Thanh,Yao-Haur Kuo,Mei-Lin Yang,Tian-Shung Wu 대한약학회 2011 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.34 No.3

A new flavonoid glycoside, globlin A (1), and eleven known compounds were isolated from methanolic extracts of the leaves of Glochidion obliquum. The structure of this new compound was established with a combination of 2D NMR techniques (COSY, NOESY, HMQC and HMBC) and HR-ESI-MS analyses. Chemical structures of the other known compounds were identified by comparison of their spectroscopic and physical data with those reported in the literature. Some of the isolates were examined for their bioactivities. Among the tested compounds, rotundic acid (4) displayed significant cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory activities.

A Correlation between the Severity of Lung Lesions on Radiographs and Clinical Findings in Patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

Yung-Liang Wan,Pei-Kwei Tsay,Yun-Chung Cheung,Ping-Cherng Chiang,Chun-Hua Wang,Ying-Huang Tsai,Han-Ping Kuo,Kuo-Chien Tsao,Tzou-Yien Lin 대한영상의학회 2007 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.8 No.6

Objective: The purpose of this study was to quantify lesions on chest radiographs in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and analyze the severity of the lesions with clinical parameters. Materials and Methods: Two experienced radiologists reviewed chest radiographs of 28 patients with SARS. Each lung was divided into upper, middle, and lower zones. A SARS-related lesion in each zone was scored using a four-point scale: zero to three. The mean and maximal radiographic scores were analyzed statistically to determine if the scorings were related to the laboratory data and clinical course. Results: Forward stepwise multiple linear regression showed that the mean radiographic score correlated most significantly with the number of hospitalized days (p < 0.001). The second most significant factor was the absolute lymphocyte count (p < 0.001) and the third most significant factor was the number of days of intubation (p = 0.025). The maximal radiographic score correlated best with the percentage of lymphocytes in a leukocyte count (p < 0.001), while the second most significant factor was the number of hospitalized days (p < 0.001) and the third most significant factor was the absolute lymphocyte count (p = 0.013). The mean radiographic scores of the patients who died, with comorbidities and without a comorbidity were 11.1, 6.3 and 2.9, respectively (p = 0.032). The corresponding value for maximal radiographic scores were 17.7, 9.7 and 6.0, respectively (p = 0.033). Conclusion: The severity of abnormalities quantified on chest radiographs in patients with SARS correlates with the clinical parameters.

Challenges to quality of English medium instruction degree programs in Taiwanese universities and the role of local accreditors: a perspective of non-English-speaking Asian country

Angela Yung-Chi Hou,Robert Morse,Chung-Lin Chiang,Hui-Jung Chen 서울대학교 교육연구소 2013 Asia Pacific Education Review Vol.14 No.3

As the numbers of international students have grown, higher education institutions in Asia have offered a growing range of English medium instruction (EMI) degree programs. But Asian governments and higher education institutions have not thought deeply about how to ensure quality of English medium instruction degree programs. At the same time, their accreditors have not been fully aware of how to establish an external quality assurance mechanism to measure the quality of these programs. This study’s main purpose is to put the quality of the EMI degree programs of Taiwan higher education institutions into the perspective of the Taiwan’s institutions and one local Taiwan accreditor. With both qualitative and quantitative approaches, a survey targeting Taiwan’s colleges and universities and interviews of Higher Education Evaluation & Accreditation Council of Taiwan international reviewers and Asian higher education experts are used to examine the challenges of EMI implementation in Taiwan universities and the role of local accreditors playing in reviewing the English medium instruction degree programs.

Chrysophanol-induced Necrotic-like Cell Death through an Impaired Mitochondrial ATP Synthesis in Hep3B Human Liver Cancer Cells

Chien-Hang Ni,Jing-Gung Chung,Po-Yuan Chen,Hsu-Feng Lu,Jai-Sing Yang,Hui-Ying Huang,Shin-Hwar Wu,Siu-Wan Ip,Chin-Tung Wu,Su-Yin Chiang,Jaung-Geng Lin,W. Gibson Wood 대한약학회 2012 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.35 No.5

Liver cancer is the most common form of cancer in Taiwan and it usually responds to chemotherapy. However, patients often have side effects to the chemotherapeutic drugs. Thus new agents are urgently required to treat liver cancer. Chrysophanol, one of the anthraquinone derivatives, was reported to inhibit some human cancer cell growth which may be due to the induction of apoptosis similar to other anthraquinone derivatives though such actions have not been reported. In the present study, we reported that chrysophanol inhibits cell growth in Hep3B liver cancer cells based on the following observations: 1) induc cell morphological changes; 2) decreased percentage of viable cells; 3) induced S phase arrest of cell cycle progression; 4) induced DNA damage as measured by comet assay and DAPI staining. Chrysophanolinduced cell death however, seems to be related to necrotic processes rather than typical apoptosis. Chrysophanol induced reactive oxygen species and Ca2+ production and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and ATP levels in Hep3B cells. No effects were observed on known protein regulators of apoptosis such as Bax and Bcl-2. Chrysophanolinduced cell death took place independently of caspase-8 and -9. Based on our findings, we propose that chrysophanol reduces cellular ATP levels causing a drop in energy resulting in necrotic-like cell death.

Human-Oriented Recognition for Intelligent Interactive Office Robot

Chia-Ming Wang,Shin-Huan Tseng,Pei-Wen Wu,Yuan-Han Xu,Chien-Ke Liao,Yu-Chi Lin,Yi-Shiu Chiang,Chung-Dial Lim,Ting-Sheng Chu,Li-Chen Fu 제어로봇시스템학회 2013 제어로봇시스템학회 국제학술대회 논문집 Vol.2013 No.10

This paper presents our new intelligent interactive robot, which is constructed to eagerly provide multi-functional services in an office environment. In order to endow a full interactive capability of our robots for realizing so-called human-robot interaction (HRI), we propose sensor fusion based human detection and tracking system and human pose estimation to deal with a number of situations which may take place in the office environment. Not only by these perceptions, human interact with the robot also by some natural way, such as touching the interface screen and talking with the robot through microphone. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed work is tested and validated by some of experiments.