BACKGROUND Barrett’s esophagus(BE)is a pre-malignant condition associated with the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma.The prevalence of BE in the general populations of Asian countries ranges from 0.06%to 1%.Ho...BACKGROUND Barrett’s esophagus(BE)is a pre-malignant condition associated with the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma.The prevalence of BE in the general populations of Asian countries ranges from 0.06%to 1%.However,with lifestyle changes in Asian countries and adoption of western customs,the prevalence of BE might have increased.AIM To determine the current prevalence of BE in Taiwan,and to investigate risk factors predicting the presence of BE.METHODS This retrospective study was conducted at the Health Evaluation Center of Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital in Taiwan.Between January 2015 and December 2015,3385 subjects undergoing routine esophagogastroduodenoscopy examinations as part of a health check-up at the Health Evaluation Center were included.Patient characteristics and endoscopic findings were carefully reviewed.Lesions with endoscopic findings consistent with BE awaiting histological evaluation were judged as endoscopically suspected esophageal metaplasia(ESEM).BE was defined based on extension of the columnar epithelium≥1 cm above the gastroesophageal junction and was confirmed based on the presence of specialized intestinal metaplasia(IM)in the metaplastic esophageal epithelium.Clinical factors of subjects with BE and subjects without BE were compared,and the risk factors predicting BE were analyzed.RESULTS A total of 3385 subjects(mean age,51.29±11.42 years;57.1%male)were included in the study,and 89 among them were confirmed to have IM and presence of goblet cells via biopsy examination.The majority of these individuals were classified as short segment BE(n=85).The overall prevalence of BE was 2.6%.Multivariate analysis disclosed that old age[odds ratio(OR)=1.033;95%confidence interval(CI):1.012-1.055;P=0.002],male gender(OR=2.106;95%CI:1.145-3.872;P=0.017),ingestion of tea(OR=1.695;95%CI:1.043-2.754;P=0.033),and presence of hiatal hernia(OR=3.037;95%CI:1.765-5.225;P<0.001)were significant risk factors predicting BE.The independent risk factor for the presence of IM in ESEM lesions was old age alone(OR=1.029;95%CI:1.006-1.053;P=0.014).CONCLUSION Current prevalence of BE among the general population in Taiwan is 2.6%.Old age,male gender,ingestion of tea and hiatal hernia are significant risk factors for BE.展开更多
In order to study the development of organic agriculture in Taiwan in recent years,and based on relevant agriculture,economic and social statistics,the general scale of organic agriculture and industrial structure wer...In order to study the development of organic agriculture in Taiwan in recent years,and based on relevant agriculture,economic and social statistics,the general scale of organic agriculture and industrial structure were treated with statistic analysis. Results suggest that the general scale of organic agriculture in Taiwan grew rapidly from 2004 to 2011. The certified organic farmers grew by 140. 59%,and the area with organic plantation grew by 302. 40%. The industrial structure has changed significantly as vegetables have become the No. 1 organic crop instead of rice. Besides of the four major crops,organic plantation has played an increasingly important role. Essential factors influencing the great-leap-forward development include the general trend of agricultural industrial structure adjustment,proliferation of management system and strategic opportunities brought by economic cycles.展开更多
Agricultural production efficiency in Taiwan of China in 2015 is studied by using three-stage DEA model. The results show that total output value of agriculture,forestry,animal husbandry and fishery is taken as output...Agricultural production efficiency in Taiwan of China in 2015 is studied by using three-stage DEA model. The results show that total output value of agriculture,forestry,animal husbandry and fishery is taken as output index,while employees of agriculture,forestry,animal husbandry and fishery,number of tractors,investment in dry land and paddy field are taken as input indexes,which meets " isotropic" condition assumption of model application. Natural disaster,number of workers in agricultural production and marketing class,expenditure on farmland water conservancy are not favorable for the promotion of agricultural production efficiency,while multiple cropping index is favorable for promoting agricultural production efficiency. Three-stage DEA model effectively eliminates the influences of environmental and random factors on agricultural production efficiency. After environmental and random factors are eliminated,comprehensive technical efficiency in Taiwan of China declines because of the decline of pure technical efficiency. Each county and city of Taiwan could be divided into different types according to pure technical efficiency and scale efficiency,and it can have some emphasis in improving agricultural production efficiency according to their own efficiency characteristics.展开更多
Background: Sleep symptoms can predict the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the general population. This study focused on the association between MetS and commonly reported sleep symptoms and personal sleep...Background: Sleep symptoms can predict the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the general population. This study focused on the association between MetS and commonly reported sleep symptoms and personal sleep hygiene habits. The goal of this study was to help individuals to make healthier decisions and thereby prevent MetS. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among elderly people (age ≥ 65 years) who underwent a senior citizen health examination between March and November 2009. A total of 1181 participants (433 men, 36.7%;748 women, 63.3%) were surveyed. MetS was defined using the modified Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III). The participants completed a sleep questionnaire and a MetS evaluation. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine the relationship of the number of MetS components with individual sleep symptoms and sleep hygiene. Results: The specific symptom of insomnia (difficulty falling asleep [DFA]) increased the number of MetS risk factors significantly (coefficient = 0.252, p = 0.003, R2 = 0.8). The duration of insomnia was not associated with the risk of MetS. Sleep hygiene habits, including taking a nap lasting longer than 1 hour during the day (coefficient = 0.256, p = 0.001, R2 = 0.7), drinking caffeine-containing drinks during the day (coefficient = 0.233, p = 0.013, R2 = 0.5), and getting regular exercise each day (coefficient = ?0.179, p = 0.024, R2 = 0.4), affected the number of MetS risk factors. Conclusion: DFA and unhealthy personal sleep hygiene habits increased the number of MetS risk factors in the community-dwelling elderly population in northern Taiwan. We propose that early evaluation of sleep symptoms and sleep hygiene can help identify individuals at risk for MetS, and early intervention would result in lower occurrence rates of MetS in elderly Taiwan Residents.展开更多
基金Supported by the In-Hospital Research Project Funding of Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital,No.VGHKS107-040
文摘BACKGROUND Barrett’s esophagus(BE)is a pre-malignant condition associated with the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma.The prevalence of BE in the general populations of Asian countries ranges from 0.06%to 1%.However,with lifestyle changes in Asian countries and adoption of western customs,the prevalence of BE might have increased.AIM To determine the current prevalence of BE in Taiwan,and to investigate risk factors predicting the presence of BE.METHODS This retrospective study was conducted at the Health Evaluation Center of Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital in Taiwan.Between January 2015 and December 2015,3385 subjects undergoing routine esophagogastroduodenoscopy examinations as part of a health check-up at the Health Evaluation Center were included.Patient characteristics and endoscopic findings were carefully reviewed.Lesions with endoscopic findings consistent with BE awaiting histological evaluation were judged as endoscopically suspected esophageal metaplasia(ESEM).BE was defined based on extension of the columnar epithelium≥1 cm above the gastroesophageal junction and was confirmed based on the presence of specialized intestinal metaplasia(IM)in the metaplastic esophageal epithelium.Clinical factors of subjects with BE and subjects without BE were compared,and the risk factors predicting BE were analyzed.RESULTS A total of 3385 subjects(mean age,51.29±11.42 years;57.1%male)were included in the study,and 89 among them were confirmed to have IM and presence of goblet cells via biopsy examination.The majority of these individuals were classified as short segment BE(n=85).The overall prevalence of BE was 2.6%.Multivariate analysis disclosed that old age[odds ratio(OR)=1.033;95%confidence interval(CI):1.012-1.055;P=0.002],male gender(OR=2.106;95%CI:1.145-3.872;P=0.017),ingestion of tea(OR=1.695;95%CI:1.043-2.754;P=0.033),and presence of hiatal hernia(OR=3.037;95%CI:1.765-5.225;P<0.001)were significant risk factors predicting BE.The independent risk factor for the presence of IM in ESEM lesions was old age alone(OR=1.029;95%CI:1.006-1.053;P=0.014).CONCLUSION Current prevalence of BE among the general population in Taiwan is 2.6%.Old age,male gender,ingestion of tea and hiatal hernia are significant risk factors for BE.
基金Supported by Chongqing Social Science Planning Program(2011QNJJ17)the Fundamental research Funds for the Central Universities(XDJK2010C102,XDJK2012C108)
文摘In order to study the development of organic agriculture in Taiwan in recent years,and based on relevant agriculture,economic and social statistics,the general scale of organic agriculture and industrial structure were treated with statistic analysis. Results suggest that the general scale of organic agriculture in Taiwan grew rapidly from 2004 to 2011. The certified organic farmers grew by 140. 59%,and the area with organic plantation grew by 302. 40%. The industrial structure has changed significantly as vegetables have become the No. 1 organic crop instead of rice. Besides of the four major crops,organic plantation has played an increasingly important role. Essential factors influencing the great-leap-forward development include the general trend of agricultural industrial structure adjustment,proliferation of management system and strategic opportunities brought by economic cycles.
基金Supported by Special Fund of National Modern Agricultural (Citrus) Industry Technology System (MATS) of Ministry of Agriculture(CARS-26-07B)
文摘Agricultural production efficiency in Taiwan of China in 2015 is studied by using three-stage DEA model. The results show that total output value of agriculture,forestry,animal husbandry and fishery is taken as output index,while employees of agriculture,forestry,animal husbandry and fishery,number of tractors,investment in dry land and paddy field are taken as input indexes,which meets " isotropic" condition assumption of model application. Natural disaster,number of workers in agricultural production and marketing class,expenditure on farmland water conservancy are not favorable for the promotion of agricultural production efficiency,while multiple cropping index is favorable for promoting agricultural production efficiency. Three-stage DEA model effectively eliminates the influences of environmental and random factors on agricultural production efficiency. After environmental and random factors are eliminated,comprehensive technical efficiency in Taiwan of China declines because of the decline of pure technical efficiency. Each county and city of Taiwan could be divided into different types according to pure technical efficiency and scale efficiency,and it can have some emphasis in improving agricultural production efficiency according to their own efficiency characteristics.
文摘Background: Sleep symptoms can predict the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the general population. This study focused on the association between MetS and commonly reported sleep symptoms and personal sleep hygiene habits. The goal of this study was to help individuals to make healthier decisions and thereby prevent MetS. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among elderly people (age ≥ 65 years) who underwent a senior citizen health examination between March and November 2009. A total of 1181 participants (433 men, 36.7%;748 women, 63.3%) were surveyed. MetS was defined using the modified Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III). The participants completed a sleep questionnaire and a MetS evaluation. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine the relationship of the number of MetS components with individual sleep symptoms and sleep hygiene. Results: The specific symptom of insomnia (difficulty falling asleep [DFA]) increased the number of MetS risk factors significantly (coefficient = 0.252, p = 0.003, R2 = 0.8). The duration of insomnia was not associated with the risk of MetS. Sleep hygiene habits, including taking a nap lasting longer than 1 hour during the day (coefficient = 0.256, p = 0.001, R2 = 0.7), drinking caffeine-containing drinks during the day (coefficient = 0.233, p = 0.013, R2 = 0.5), and getting regular exercise each day (coefficient = ?0.179, p = 0.024, R2 = 0.4), affected the number of MetS risk factors. Conclusion: DFA and unhealthy personal sleep hygiene habits increased the number of MetS risk factors in the community-dwelling elderly population in northern Taiwan. We propose that early evaluation of sleep symptoms and sleep hygiene can help identify individuals at risk for MetS, and early intervention would result in lower occurrence rates of MetS in elderly Taiwan Residents.
