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  • 1
    In: Medicina, MDPI AG, Vol. 58, No. 12 ( 2022-11-27), p. 1739-
    Abstract: Background and Objectives: Health-related physical fitness reduces the risk of chronic disease, promotes quality of life, and has enormous economic benefits considering the global health care costs resulting from obesity. However, relatively limited information is available regarding the dose–response relationship between scientific physical fitness and obesity risk. This study aimed to determine the associations of scientific physical fitness with body mass index (BMI) distribution and overweight/obesity risk among adults aged 23–64 years in Taiwan. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study and reviewed data derived from the Scientific Physical Fitness Testing Program, Sports Administration, Ministry of Education, Taiwan. Responses from 16,939 participants from the database (7761 men and 9178 women, aged 23–64 years) were collected in this study. Each participant completed a series of scientific physical fitness measurements, including cardiorespiratory fitness (3 min progressive knee-up and step [3MPKS] test), muscular fitness (hand grip strength), and flexibility (sit-and-reach test). Anthropometric measurements included body height, weight, and BMI. The quartiles of scientific physical fitness results were identified as the dependent variable in the multiple linear and multiple logistic regression analysis to determine the associations of the scientific physical fitness measurements with BMI distribution and overweight/obesity risk, as well as the dose–response relationship. Results: The 3MPKS test was significantly associated with BMI (quartile 1 (Q1): β = 1.900; quartile 2 (Q2): β = 1.594; quartile 3 (Q3): β = 1.079 for men, and Q1: β = 1.454; Q2: β = 0.882; Q3: β = 0.555 for women), overweight (Q1: odds ratio (OR) = 2.117; Q2: OR = 2.056; Q3: OR = 2.063 for men, and Q1: OR = 3.036; Q2: OR = 2.542; Q3: OR = 1.959 for women), and obesity (Q1: OR = 6.530; Q2: OR = 5.747; Q3: OR = 3.557 for men, and Q1: OR = 3.238; Q2: OR = 1.431 for women) risk compared with quartile 4 (Q4) as the reference group with a dose–response relationship. In addition, relative hand grip strength was significantly associated with BMI (Q2: β = −0.922; Q3: β = −1.865; Q4: β = −3.108 for men, and Q2: β = −1.309; Q3: β = −2.161; Q4: β = −2.759 for women), overweight (Q2: OR = 0.806; Q3: OR = 0.697; Q4: OR = 0.278 for men, and Q2: OR = 0.667; Q3: OR = 0.398; Q4: OR = 0.228 for women), and obesity (Q1: OR = 0.528; Q2: OR = 0.206; Q3: OR = 0.049 for men, and Q1: OR = 0.351; Q2: OR = 0.129; Q3: OR = 0.051 for women) risk compared with Q1 as the reference group with a dose–response relationship. Conclusions: Higher levels of performance of the 3MPKS and relative grip strength tests were associated with lower BMI and overweight/obesity risk in both sexes. However, the sit-and-reach test was only partially related to BMI and overweight/obesity risk in both sexes. Cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular fitness were effective predictors of BMI distribution and overweight/obesity risk in Taiwanese adults.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 1648-9144
    Language: English
    Publisher: MDPI AG
    Publication Date: 2022
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2088820-X
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  • 2
    In: Polymers, MDPI AG, Vol. 15, No. 1 ( 2022-12-28), p. 147-
    Abstract: Since the chemical composition of wood is closely related to its mechanical properties, chemical analysis techniques such as near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy provide a reasonable non-destructive method for predicting wood strength. In this study, we used NIR spectra with principal component analysis (PCA) to reveal that vacuum hydrothermal (VH) treatment causes degradation of hemicellulose as well as the amorphous region of cellulose, resulting in lower hydroxyl and acetyl group content. These processes increase the crystallinity of the luanta fir wood (Cunninghamia konishii Hayata), which, in turn, effectively increases its compressive strength (σc,max), hardness, and modulus of elasticity (MOE). The PCA results also revealed that the primary factors affecting these properties are the hemicellulose content, hydroxyl groups in the cellulose amorphous region, the wood moisture content, and the relative lignin content. Moreover, the ratios of performance deviation (RPDs) for the σc,max, shear strength (σs,max), hardness, and modulus of rupture (MOR) models were 1.49, 1.24, 1.13, and 2.39, indicating that these models can be used for wood grading (1.0 〈 RPD 〈 2.5). Accordingly, NIR can serve as a useful tool for predicting the mechanical properties of VH-treated wood.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 2073-4360
    Language: English
    Publisher: MDPI AG
    Publication Date: 2022
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2527146-5
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  • 3
    In: Polymers, MDPI AG, Vol. 14, No. 20 ( 2022-10-17), p. 4374-
    Abstract: This study used the luanta fir (Cunninghamia konishii Hayata) wood, one of the most used wood construction and building materials in Taiwan, as specimens to examine the impact of different conditions of vacuum hydrothermal (VH) treatment on the physical properties of this wood. A prediction model for these properties was created using a nondestructive spectroscopy technique. The test results revealed that the mass loss, moisture exclusion efficiency, anti-swelling efficiency, color difference, and surface contact angle of the VH-treated wood all increased under increasing heat treatment temperature and time. Moreover, the use of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy in creating the prediction model for the physical properties of the VH-treated luanta fir wood revealed that the ratios of performance to deviation (RPD) for mass loss, equilibrium moisture content, and color difference were all above 2.5, indicating a high prediction accuracy. These results suggested that an NIR spectrometer can serve as a useful instrument for the accurate prediction of the physical properties or for controlling the quality of VH-treated wood.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 2073-4360
    Language: English
    Publisher: MDPI AG
    Publication Date: 2022
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2527146-5
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  • 4
    In: Sustainability, MDPI AG, Vol. 15, No. 1 ( 2023-01-03), p. 862-
    Abstract: The aquaculture industry in Taiwan grosses more than USD 1.1 billion annually; however, it also generates considerable waste discharge (causing eutrophication in estuarine and coastal waters) and heavy groundwater withdrawals (causing land subsidence in coastal areas). Many aquaculture facilities using earth ponds are affected by benthic algae, resulting in an earthy odor, and fixed-cage farms are difficult to relocate during cold weather events. In this study, we tested small-scale (~15 ton) mobile cage tanks for the nearshore rearing of white shrimp and grouper in the Yung-An district of Kaohsiung, Taiwan. At the conclusion of the mariculture experiment, the content of free amino acids in shrimp and groupers reared in our mobile tanks surpassed that in animals reared locally in traditional earthy ponds. In a blind taste test involving 42 volunteers, groupers reared in mobile cage tanks were deemed more palatable than those raised in ponds. Our results demonstrate that small-scale mobile cage tanks are a feasible approach to the sustainable rearing of high-quality shrimp or fish. Note that wastewater from the mobile tanks is easily diluted by seawater, thereby reducing the likelihood of eutrophication in coastal regions. The proposed system could also be used for recreational fishing activities to increase income for smallholders of fishermen and/or aquaculture farmers.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 2071-1050
    Language: English
    Publisher: MDPI AG
    Publication Date: 2023
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2518383-7
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  • 5
    In: Metals, MDPI AG, Vol. 6, No. 7 ( 2016-07-20), p. 168-
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 2075-4701
    Language: English
    Publisher: MDPI AG
    Publication Date: 2016
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2662252-X
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  • 6
    In: Journal of Clinical Medicine, MDPI AG, Vol. 11, No. 23 ( 2022-12-01), p. 7159-
    Abstract: The comparison of clinical effectiveness and safety across different nonvitamin K antagonist direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in Asian patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains unclear. Therefore, we assessed the real-world benefits of different DOACs in these patients. A cohort of 1480 patients with VTE were identified from the Chang Gung Research Database between 1 January 2012, and 31 December 2019. The composite outcomes of recurrent VTE and major bleeding were evaluated for four DOACs. The composite outcomes of recurrent VTE and major bleeding occurred in 9.06%, 9.80%, 8.61%, and 10.86% of the apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban, and rivaroxaban groups, respectively, within 12 months of treatment initiation. The risk of the composite outcomes was similar in the rivaroxaban group and the apixaban, dabigatran, and edoxaban groups, with a subdistribution hazard ratio (SHR) of 0.80 (95% CI, 0.49–1.29), 0.81 (95% CI, 0.34–1.95), and 0.76 (95% CI, 0.42–1.39), respectively. No significant differences in the rates of recurrent VTE or major bleeding were observed between the rivaroxaban and other DOAC groups at the 12-month follow-up. According to real-world practice in Asian patients with VTE, the DOAC type was not associated with the differences in the risk of recurrent VTE or major bleeding within 12 months of treatment initiation.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 2077-0383
    Language: English
    Publisher: MDPI AG
    Publication Date: 2022
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2662592-1
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  • 7
    In: Cancers, MDPI AG, Vol. 13, No. 14 ( 2021-07-16), p. 3555-
    Abstract: (1) Background: We compared the outcomes of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with IMPT and VMAT. (2) Methods: We performed a retrospective propensity score matching analysis (1:1) of patients treated with IMPT (years: 2016–2018) and VMAT (2014–2018). Survival was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to identify the independent predictors of survival. Binary toxicity endpoint analyses were performed using a Cox model and logistic regression. (3) Results: Eighty patients who received IMPT and VMAT were included. The median follow-up time was 24.1 months in the IMPT group. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were not statistically different between the two groups but potentially better in IMPT group. In multivariate analysis, advanced N-stage and body weight loss (BWL; 〉 7%) during radiotherapy were associated with decreased PFS. The IMPT group had significantly less requirement for nasogastric (NG) tube placement and BWL during treatment. The mean oral cavity dose was the only predictive factor in stepwise regression analysis, and IMPT required a significantly lower mean dose. However, IMPT increased the grade 3 radiation dermatitis. (4) Conclusions: IMPT is associated with reduced rates of NG tube insertion and BWL through reducing oral mean dose, potentially producing better oncologic outcomes.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 2072-6694
    Language: English
    Publisher: MDPI AG
    Publication Date: 2021
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2527080-1
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  • 8
    In: Cancers, MDPI AG, Vol. 12, No. 3 ( 2020-03-11), p. 653-
    Abstract: In 2016, a project was initiated in Taiwan to adopt molecular diagnosis of childhood medulloblastoma (MB). In this study, we aimed to identify a molecular-clinical correlation and somatic mutation for exploring risk-adapted treatment, drug targets, and potential genetic predisposition. In total, 52 frozen tumor tissues of childhood MBs were collected. RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and DNA methylation array data were generated. Molecular subgrouping and clinical correlation analysis were performed. An adjusted Heidelberg risk stratification scheme was defined for updated clinical risk stratification. We selected 51 genes for somatic variant calling using RNA-Seq data. Relevant clinical findings were defined. Potential drug targets and genetic predispositions were explored. Four core molecular subgroups (WNT, SHH, Group 3, and Group 4) were identified. Genetic backgrounds of metastasis at diagnosis and extent of tumor resection were observed. The adjusted Heidelberg scheme showed its applicability. Potential drug targets were detected in the pathways of DNA damage response. Among the 10 patients with SHH MBs analyzed using whole exome sequencing studies, five patients exhibited potential genetic predispositions and four patients had relevant germline mutations. The findings of this study provide valuable information for updated risk adapted treatment and personalized care of childhood MBs in our cohort series and in Taiwan.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 2072-6694
    Language: English
    Publisher: MDPI AG
    Publication Date: 2020
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2527080-1
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  • 9
    In: Cancers, MDPI AG, Vol. 12, No. 3 ( 2020-03-22), p. 752-
    Abstract: Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors (ATRTs) are among the most malignant brain tumors in early childhood and remain incurable. Myc-ATRT is driven by the Myc oncogene, which directly controls the intracellular protein synthesis rate. Proteasome inhibitor bortezomib (BTZ) was approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a primary treatment for multiple myeloma. This study aimed to determine whether the upregulation of protein synthesis and proteasome degradation in Myc-ATRTs increases tumor cell sensitivity to BTZ. We performed differential gene expression and gene set enrichment analysis on matched primary and recurrent patient-derived xenograft (PDX) samples from an infant with ATRT. Concomitant upregulation of the Myc pathway, protein synthesis and proteasome degradation were identified in recurrent ATRTs. Additionally, we found the proteasome-encoding genes were highly expressed in ATRTs compared with in normal brain tissues, correlated with the malignancy of tumor cells and were essential for tumor cell survival. BTZ inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis through the accumulation of p53 in three human Myc-ATRT cell lines (PDX-derived tumor cell line Re1-P6, BT-12 and CHLA-266). Furthermore, BTZ inhibited tumor growth and prolonged survival in Myc-ATRT orthotopic xenograft mice. Our findings suggest that BTZ may be a promising targeted therapy for Myc-ATRTs.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 2072-6694
    Language: English
    Publisher: MDPI AG
    Publication Date: 2020
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2527080-1
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  • 10
    In: Journal of Clinical Medicine, MDPI AG, Vol. 9, No. 9 ( 2020-09-02), p. 2839-
    Abstract: Patients with diabetes are at increased risk of cancer development and osteoporosis. Metformin is an effective agent for diabetes management. Epidemiological studies have identified an association between metformin use and cancer prevention. This article outlines the potential for metformin to attenuate the rate of osteoporosis in diabetic patients with carcinoma in situ (CIS). From the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan, 7827 patients with diabetes with CIS who were receiving metformin therapy were selected, along with 23,481 patients as 1:3 sex-, age- and index year-matched controls, who were not receiving metformin therapy. A Cox proportional hazard analysis was used to compare the rate of osteoporosis during an average of 15-year follow-up. Of the subjects who were enrolled, 801 (2.56%) had osteoporosis, including 168 from the metformin group (2.15%) and 633 from the without metformin group (2.70%). The metformin group presented a lower rate of osteoporosis at the end of follow-up (p = 0.009). The Cox proportional hazard regression analysis revealed a lower rate of osteoporosis for the metformin group (adjusted hazard ratio of 0.820; 95% confidence interval = 0.691–0.972, p = 0.022). Diabetic patients with CIS under metformin therapy presented lower osteoporosis rate than those who were not receiving metformin therapy.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 2077-0383
    Language: English
    Publisher: MDPI AG
    Publication Date: 2020
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2662592-1
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