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單親家庭充權之實踐與效能之研究—以「愛讓微光亮起 來」課後照顧方案為例
No full text[[abstract]]充權（empower）對於社會工作而言是一個重要的工作方法，研究者以台中市陽光婦女協會服務方案「愛讓微光亮起來」來探討單親家庭充權之實踐與效能。本研究以立意抽樣對受訪者進行深度訪談，訪談內容著重課後照顧服務方案對個案的充權研究目的為以下三點：一、瞭解課後照顧增強子女的自我效能。二、探討課後照顧使單親家長掌握自己的生活情況。三、瞭解課後照顧提升單親家庭面對困境能力狀況。本研究的發現有三個面向：一、單親子女接受照顧服務後都變得更貼心、懂事，親子關係更融洽，小孩進入課後照顧方案學習到人際關係技巧，生活自理能力及學習成就獲得提升。二、家長在職場上可以專心工作，因此體認到自己有愛孩子的能力，促進家庭認同感與和諧。家庭生活及家人身心狀況獲得改善，提升了對未來會更好的期待。三、當案家所有人有信心完成眼前任務，更能面對生活挑戰，對自己未來握有掌控權；家長將更有信心和能力成將子女扶養長大的目標
Comparative study of different catalysts mediated FAME conversion from macroalga Padina tetrastromatica biomass and hydrothermal liquefaction facilitated bio-oil production
No full text[[abstract]]Marine macroalgae offer an endurable source of renewable biomass, which do not require cultivable area, fertilizers for cultivation for bioproducts production. In this study, marine brown macroalga Padina tetrastromatica as an alternate sustainable feedstock for the production of liquid fuels. Padina tetrastromatica biomass was collected from Mandapam; the coastal region of Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, India. and the algal oil was extracted using sequential extractions using various solvents. Petroleum ether (PE) and dichloromethane (DCM) solvent fractions were found to have high lipids and further utilized for biodiesel production, wherein four different heterogeneous nanocatalysts (TiO2, Bio-Fe, GO, and MgO) and commercial homogeneous catalysts (HCl and NaOH) were employed for the transesterification. High fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) recovery (92.3%) was achieved from TiO2 mediated transesterification than the other conventional catalysts. Further, the conversion of algal biomass into bio-oil and by-products was carried out using hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL). Subsequently, the compounds were characterized by FT-IR and GC-MS analysis. The quality parameters of liquid biofuels were examined and they are in accordance with the international fuel standards. Thus, brown macroalga Padina tetrastromatica may be considered as an alternate feedstock for biofuel and other bioproducts production and TiO2 would be a suitable catalyst for the conversion of FAME
Functionalization of spray coated cellulose nanofiber sheet with montmorillonite (MMT) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to biomedical nanocomposite as wound regeneration scaffold
No full text[[abstract]]Cellulose nanofiber is one of the predominant biomaterials in carbohydrate polymers and is excellent in recyclability and biodegradability. Due to excellence in mechanical properties, CNF film can be used as a base biomaterial for the fabrication of nanocomposite. The spray-coated cellulose nanofiber was characterized and investigated by UV-VIS absorption spectroscopy, SEM, TGA, DSC, FTIR, and water absorption. The structure of sprayed cellulose nanofiber sheet was observed to be 70 nm in size. The AgNPs absorption peak was recorded around 452 nm in the absorption spectroscopy. To improve the mechanical strength and water absorption of cellulose nanofiber film, Montmorillonite (MMT) was impregnated on the sheet by spraying. The AgNPs were synthesized from the plant extract Cassia alata which shows good antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. The cell viability assay of the composite film was analyzed using the 3T3 fibroblast cell by MTT assay. The anti-diabetic assay for the plant extract and AgNPs was observed to be 56% and 61% in the alpha-amylase inhibitory assay. The dressing material made from CNF-MMT- AgNP scan be used in medical treatment to cure various wounds due to its good biocompatibility and cost-effective nature
Association of Matrix Metallopeptidase-2 Genotypes With Risk of Gastric Cancer in Taiwan.
No full text[[abstract]]Background/aim: Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) plays a critical role in the regulation of the extracellular matrix; however, its genotypes have seldom been examined in gastric cancer (GC). This study aimed to investigate the contribution of MMP-2 promoter -1306 (rs243865) and -735 (rs2285053) genotypes to GC risk in a cohort of Taiwanese individuals.
Materials and methods: This study included 121 GC cases and 363 age- and sex-matched controls. The genotypes of MMP-2 were determined by typical polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism.
Results: The genotypic and allelic frequency analysis showed that MMP-2 rs243865 variant genotypes decreased the risk of GC. Stratification analysis showed that MMP-2 rs243865 genotypes associate with smoking, alcohol drinking, and Helicobacter pylori infection status to confer personal susceptibility to GC. There is no such association for MMP-2 rs2285053 genotype with GC risk.
Conclusion: The MMP-2 rs243865 genotypes may serve as a novel predictive marker for GC personal susceptibility among Taiwanese
Chinese herbal prescriptions for COVID-19 management: Special reference to Taiwan Chingguan Yihau (NRICM101)
No full text[[abstract]]Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a strain of coronavirus that causes COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), the respiratory illness responsible for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As at June 2022, increasing numbers of newly diagnosed COVID-19-associated pneumonia cases worldwide have attracted close attention from the international community. The present review analyzes and summarizes the treatment of COVID-19 with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). A systematic analysis of the efficacies and benefits of TCM for the treatment of COVID-19 was performed, and the mechanisms underlying such treatment are summarized. This analysis of the literature highlights the potential of TCM to prevent and treat COVID-19 via antiviral, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities, with evidence showing that many TCM components act upon multiple targets and pathways. Famous TCM formulas include Qing-Fei-Pai-Du-Tang (QFPDT), Lianhuaqingwen Capsule (LHC), Taiwan Chingguan Yihau (NRICM101), and Jing Si herbal drink (JSHD). In particular, the botanical preparation NRICM101 was developed in 2020 for use in viral respiratory tract infections and is recommended for treating non-severe and mild COVID-19 infections. NRICM101 has been adopted for use in Taiwan for the clinical treatment of COVID-19. The common components and active ingredients of 10 TCM preparations have been analyzed for the most promising substances. This review aims to provide reliable evidence demonstrating the therapeutic efficacy of TCM substances in support of their further development against novel coronavirus infectious diseases in Taiwan
Effect of Pre-Existing Sarcopenia on Oncological Outcomes for Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma Undergoing Curative Surgery: A Propensity Score-Matched, Nationwide, Population-Based Cohort Study
No full text[[abstract]]Purpose: The effect of pre-existing sarcopenia on patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) remains unknown. Therefore, we designed a propensity score-matched population-based cohort study to compare the oncological outcomes of patients with OCSCC undergoing curative surgery with and without sarcopenia.
Patients and methods: We included patients with OCSCC undergoing curative surgery and categorized them into two groups according to the presence or absence of pre-existing sarcopenia. Patients in both the groups were matched at a ratio of 2:1.
Results: The matching process yielded 16,294 patients (10,855 and 5439 without and with pre-existing sarcopenia, respectively). In multivariate Cox regression analyses, the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR, 95% confidence interval [CI]) of all-cause mortality for OCSCC with and without pre-existing sarcopenia was 1.15 (1.11-1.21, p < 0.0001). Furthermore, the aHRs (95% CIs) of locoregional recurrence and distant metastasis for OCSCC with and without pre-existing sarcopenia were 1.07 (1.03-1.18, p = 0.0020) and 1.07 (1.03-1.20, p = 0.0148), respectively.
Conclusions: Pre-existing sarcopenia might be a significant poor prognostic factor for overall survival, locoregional recurrence, and distant metastasis for patients with OCSCC undergoing curative surgery. In susceptible patients at a risk of OCSCC, sarcopenia prevention measures should be encouraged, such as exercise and early nutrition intervention
Ethnobotanical Survey on Bitter Tea in Taiwan.
No full text[[abstract]]Ethnopharmacological evidence: In Taiwan, herbal tea is considered a traditional medicine and has been consumed for hundreds of years. In contrast to regular tea, herbal teas are prepared using plants other than the regular tea plant, Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze. Bitter tea (k?-ch?), a series of herbal teas prepared in response to common diseases in Taiwan, is often made from local Taiwanese plants. However, the raw materials and formulations have been kept secret and verbally passed down by store owners across generations without a fixed recipe, and the constituent plant materials have not been disclosed. Aim of the study: The aim was to determine the herbal composition of bitter tea sold in Taiwan, which can facilitate further studies on pharmacological applications and conserve cultural resources. Materials and methods: Interviews were conducted through a semi-structured questionnaire. The surveyed respondents were traditional sellers of traditional herbal tea. The relevant literature was collated for a systematic analysis of the composition, characteristics, and traditional and modern applications of the plant materials used in bitter tea. We also conducted an association analysis of the composition of Taiwanese bitter tea with green herb tea (qing-cao-cha tea), another commonly consumed herbal tea in Taiwan, as well as herbal teas in neighboring areas outside Taiwan. Results: After visiting a total of 59 stores, we identified 32 bitter tea formulations and 73 plant materials. Asteraceae was the most commonly used family, and most stores used whole plants. According to a network analysis of nine plant materials used in high frequency as drug pairs, Tithonia diversifolia and Ajuga nipponensis were found to be the core plant materials used in Taiwanese bitter tea. Conclusion: Plant materials used in Taiwanese bitter tea were distinct, with multiple therapeutic functions. Further research is required to clarify their efficacy and mechanisms
Long-term Medical Resource Consumption of Radical Prostatectomy versus Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy for Old Patients with Prostate Cancer: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study
No full text[[abstract]]Purpose: Few studies have compared the long-term medical resource consumption between radical prostatectomy (RP) and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) among old (?80 years) patients with localized prostate cancer (LPC), particularly in those at high risk of prostate adenocarcinoma.
Patients and methods: The propensity score matching was conducted to investigate the medical expenditure of two therapeutic modalities (RP and IMRT) in elderly patients with high-risk LPC (HR-LPC). The generalized linear mixed and logistic regression models were employed to evaluate the number of postdischarge visits and medical reimbursement for urinary diseases or complications and the number of hospitalizations for treatment-related complications over 5 years after treatment, respectively.
Results: Significant differences were observed in the median or mean urology clinic visit numbers across the two therapeutic modalities from the first until fifth year post treatment (p < 0.0001). After adjustment for covariates, the mean difference [95% confidence interval (CI)] of urology clinic visit numbers between RP and IMRT was 13.07 (10.45-15.49, P < 0.0001), 7.47 (8.01-14.92, P < 0.0001), 8.24 (4.59-9.90, P < 0.0001), 6.63 (3.55-11.70, P < 0.0001), and 5.02 (1.12-8.73, P < 0.0001) for the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth years, respectively. In the logistic regression multivariate model with adjustment for covariates [therapy type, age, diagnosis year, income, hospital area, hospital level (academic or nonacademic), clinical and pathological T-stage, grade (Gleason score), pretreatment PSA level (ng/ml), and D'Amico risk classification], the adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) of IMRT was 2.10 (1.37-2.56, P = 0.0013), 1.55 (1.08-2.21, P = 0.0151), 1.35 (1.08-2.21, P = 0.0084), 1.24 (1.07-2.21, P = 0.0071), and 1.09 (1.02-1.81, P = 0.0379) for the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth years, respectively, compared with those of RP. The mean difference (95% CI) of total medical claims amounts of RP and IMRT between the RP and IMRT + ADT groups was 2,69,823 New Taiwan Dollars (NTD) (247,676-291,970, P < 0.0001), 40,803 NTD (17,379-54,228, P < 0.0001), 36,202 NTD (24,375-68,029, P < 0.0001), 26,708 NTD (11,179-54,595, P = 0.0321), and 12,173 NTD (17,140-41,487, P = 0.0187) for the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth years, respectively.
Conclusion: The long-term medical resource consumption was higher in old men with HR-LPC undergoing IMRT than in those undergoing RP
The Effects of Selected Financial Ratios on Profitability: An Empirical Analysis of Real Estate Firms in Vietnam
No full text[[abstract]]The paper examines the determinants of profitability of real estate companies by using panel data of Vietnamese listed companies on the Hanoi stock exchange (HNX) and Ho Chi Minh City stock exchange (HOSE) from 2007 to 2020. Profitability ratios are measured by return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE). The results indicate that the cost on revenue ratio, debt-to-equity ratio and the crisis and COVID-19 pandemic are negatively correlated with firm profitability. Meanwhile, the sales to current assets ratio, money supply growth rate and economic growth rate (GDPG) provide a positive correlation with profitability. We find that firm size and equity to total assets have positive effects on ROA, while there is a negative relationship between equity to total assets and ROE, and not enough evidence to conclude how firm size affects ROE. The study thereby provides suggestions and recommendations for the administrators of the government, real estate companies and investors in Vietnam
Thirty years of herd behavior in financial markets: A bibliometric analysis
No full text[[abstract]]Bibliometric studies have proven useful in helping researchers better explore the current research trends within a particular field of study. This study analyzes academic research on herd behavior in financial markets conducted over 30 years. The Web of Science database was selected to collect bibliographic material and provide various bibliometric indicators, including the number of citations, publications, and authors, while bibliometric techniques were also employed for visualizing the similarities. The results show a significant growth in research on herd behavior, especially following the subprime crisis. The concluding results from the literature indicate that there is no consensus regarding the causes of this phenomenon, but new perspective have emerged to expand research on herd behavior