Seroprevalence of He/icobacter py/oriin school-aged Chinese in Taipei City and relationship between ABO blood groups

AIM: To explore the seropositive rate of antibodies against H. pylori(anti-HP) in Taipei City and to compare the relationship of ABO blood groups and H. pylori infection.METHODS:In 1993, high school students in Shih-Lin District were randomly selected for blood samplings by their registration number at school. In addition, similar procedures were performed on the well-children clinics of Taipei Veterans General Hospital. Besides, randomly selected sera from the adults who took the physical examination were recruited for evaluation. Informed consents were obtained from all the subjects before blood samplings and parents were simultaneously informed for those who were younger than 18-year-old. Blood tests for anti-HP and ABO blood groupings were performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Chi square tests were used for the comparisons between seroprevalence of H. pylori and ABO blood groups.RESULTS: Totally, 685 subjects were recruited (260 children aged 1-14 years, 425 high school students aged 15-18 years)were evaluated, and another 88 adult healthy volunteers were studied as well for comparison. The age-specific seropositive rate of anti-HP was 1.3 % at age 1-5 years,7.7 % at age 6-10 years, and 11.5 % at age 11-14 years.The seroprevalence of H. pylori infection was abruptly increased in young adolescence: 18.6 % at age 15 years,28.1% at age 16 years, 32.4 % at age 17 years and 41.0%at age 18 years, respectively. In the 425 high school students,ABO blood groupings were performed, which disclosed 48.5 % (206/425) of blood group O, 24 % (102/425) of blood group A, 21.8 % (93/425) of blood group B and 5.6 %(24/425) of blood group AB. In comparison of the subjects with blood group O and the other blood groups, no statistical significance could be identified in the seroprevalence of H. pylori(P=0.99).CONCLUSION: The seroprevalence of H. pylori infection in Taipei City in adults is similar to the developed countries,and the abrupt increase of H. pylori during high school may be resulted from marked increase of interpersonal social activities. Although blood group O was reported to be related to H. pylori infection in previous literature, we found no association between H. pylori infection and ABO blood groups.

Public-Private Partnership Model Used in the Taipei Central Station Project Research

In view of the lack of financial aid and the migration of industries,the role of local governments shifted from social reproduction to development and production,which made the development of the local economy their main responsibility.The local governments hence have to face challenges in their management in regards to the arising changes and needs.This Taipei Central Bus Station Build Operate Transfer(BOT)project of urban formation and development is not only a trend in countries around the globe;it is also an area the Taiwan Residents governments are actively involved in.With the impact of urbanization,the size of highly functional cities has surpassed core city administrative regions;therefore,this has generated various planning,administrative and policy issues.This study examines the public-private partnership(PPP)views on urban development;the research methodology will be designed to focus on qualitative research,the following conclusions were made:(1)The basic goal of global city competitiveness of Taipei was promoted by implementing“qlubarnization”,a spatial development strategy dependent on intercalary abilities.(2)Taipei is located in the hub of Asia,linking China's Mainland and Taiwan,facing the world,peaceful and stable,rich and diverse in culture,such that adopting the“hybrid or mixed-use development model”will allow“the national gate of the country program—Central Station,Central Park”to become an international city brand.(3)Taking the“Taipei Main Station PPPs model development of the Taipei Central Bus Station BOT project of nine precincts specific land development projects”as a key success indicator,the government took privatization or PPP into consideration,loosened the monopoly on urban infrastructure,created infrastructure services and a maintenance market,positioned the city as a“supranational”entity in terms of capital flow,and sought a coherent land policy.

利用InSAR形变反演滑坡滑面运动特征——以汶川县布瓦村滑坡为例

当前滑坡滑面运动特征获取多采用接触式手段,费时费力、成本高昂,且仅能获取稀疏点位滑面运动状态。因此,本文提出一种非接触式滑坡滑面运动特征获取方法,其基本思路是:基于位错理论建立滑坡表面形变与滑面运动间的关系模型,同时引入滑面运动平滑约束条件,最终以InSAR等技术获取的地表形变为约束,反演获得滑面运动特征。本文选择四川省汶川县布瓦村滑坡作为研究对象,以时序InSAR技术获取的滑坡坡面升降轨形变数据为约束,基于发展的理论方法反演获得布瓦村滑坡滑面几何与运动学参数,并结合野外勘查、Lidar观测以及模型残差较好地验证了反演结果的可靠性,其中反演升降轨模型残差仅3.1 mm·a^(-1)和3.4 mm·a^(-1)。反演结果显示,布瓦村滑坡滑面位于坡表以下平均~15.0 m深度处,滑面整体以沿坡向运动为主,最大运动量级达~80 mm·a^(-1),同时在坡体西侧中下部发现微量的垂直坡向运动。本文提出方法可方便、快速的获取空间连续的滑坡滑面运动特征,为滑坡灾害预警和失稳风险评估提供更为直接可靠的科学参考。

义必明雅 辞必巧丽——台湾骚体赋论

台湾骚体赋自清代以降一直是重要的文学课题。台湾赋的整理校注工作始自2005年由许俊雅、吴福助主持编纂的《全台赋》。该书承续传统赋作形式,多记台湾形胜地景、自然生态与历史文化。53篇骚体赋应用“兮”字,间有赋中系诗。赋末乱辞亦沿《楚辞》之“歌曰”“辞曰”“和曰”,有简约全篇、收尾之用。《全台赋》作者或为仕台官员或居台文人,其中少数作者具有编纂方志的经验。《全台赋》展现了他们深厚的文化底蕴以及惊采绝艳的视角,涵濡之深可见骚学之递嬗与创新。

宽光束、高均匀性显示贴片灯珠的光学仿真设计

本文通过分析目前显示器用的高均匀宽角度灯珠的光学要求,采用新型非朗伯(non-Lambertian)分布封装Micro-LED芯片,实现了宽光束、高均匀性的微型LED芯片光珠。分析了在不同封装倾角、封装高度、封装材料、封装支架材料、蓝宝石厚度和图案化蓝宝石衬底尺寸下,使用由不同封装材料(铜、钛、铝和银)和材料类型(完全反射和完全吸收)组成的支架模拟固定灯珠的光输出效率和出光角度的变化情况。研究发现通过调整材料、芯片和封装参数,可以得到一个、两个或三个光束,具有贴片灯珠的宽角度、高均匀性的远场光分布特性,满足当前LED和LCD的显示要求。

Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus ameliorate restenosis via improving inflammation and regulating the PTEN/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

Restenosis is a common complication following coronary angioplasty.The traditional use of seaweeds for health benefits has increasingly been explored,however few studies exist reporting its protective effects on the development of restenosis and gut dysbiosis.The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of seaweed extracts(SE) of Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus in inhibiting intimal hyperplasia in a rat model of restenosis and its underlying mechanisms in macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells(vSMCs).16S rRNA sequencing was done to investigate the regulatory effect of SE on the gut microbiome of injured rats.As indicated by the results,SE significantly inhibited the progression of intimal hyperplasia in vivo,attenuated inflammation in macrophages and could inhibit the proliferation,dedifferentiation and migration of vSMCs.It was observed through immunoblotting assays that treatment with SE significantly upregulated PTEN expression in macrophages and inhibited the upregulation of PI3K and AKT expression in vSMCs.Meanwhile,according to the 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis,supplementation with SE modulated gut microbiota composition in injured rats.In conclusion,SE could ameliorate intimal hyperplasia by inhibiting inflammation and vSMCs proliferation through the regulation of the PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway and modulating the gut microbiome.

Identifying Brand Consistency by Product Differentiation Using CNN

This paper presents a new method of using a convolutional neural network(CNN)in machine learning to identify brand consistency by product appearance variation.In Experiment 1,we collected fifty mouse devices from the past thirty-five years from a renowned company to build a dataset consisting of product pictures with pre-defined design features of their appearance and functions.Results show that it is a challenge to distinguish periods for the subtle evolution of themouse devices with such traditionalmethods as time series analysis and principal component analysis(PCA).In Experiment 2,we applied deep learning to predict the extent to which the product appearance variation ofmouse devices of various brands.The investigation collected 6,042 images ofmouse devices and divided theminto the Early Stage and the Late Stage.Results show the highest accuracy of 81.4%with the CNNmodel,and the evaluation score of brand style consistency is 0.36,implying that the brand consistency score converted by the CNN accuracy rate is not always perfect in the real world.The relationship between product appearance variation,brand style consistency,and evaluation score is beneficial for predicting new product styles and future product style roadmaps.In addition,the CNN heat maps highlight the critical areas of design features of different styles,providing alternative clues related to the blurred boundary.The study provides insights into practical problems for designers,manufacturers,and marketers in product design.It not only contributes to the scientific understanding of design development,but also provides industry professionals with practical tools and methods to improve the design process and maintain brand consistency.Designers can use these techniques to find features that influence brand style.Then,capture these features as innovative design elements and maintain core brand values.

Discussion of the Composition of Jaboticaba in Different Processes

This study discusses the composition analysis and comparison of Jaboticaba under different processing conditions for fermented liquid, jam, fruit powder, and fruit vinegar. The differences and comparison of the contents of total polyphenols, anthocyanins, resveratrol, superoxide dismutase, small molecular peptides and ellagic acid in their products were analyzed. After analysis and comparison of results, the content of total polyphenols was found to be the highest 44.82 ± 0.89 (mg/g) after being fermented directly from fresh fruit. The fresh fruit was dried at low temperature and ground into powder, with a maximum ellagic acid content of 12.799 ± 0.12 (mg/g). Fresh fruit was then made into jam, with the highest anthocyanin content of 57.39 ± 1.20 (mg/g). The fruit vinegar was produced by fermentation. Except for the content of small molecule peptides, which was similar to the content of fermentation broth and fruit powder, they were 20.63 ± 1.61, 23.84 ± 2.51 and 20.52 ± 1.21 (mg/g), and the rest of the composition was not as good as other samples. In the fresh fruit fermentation broth samples, resveratrol was produced and detected, and its content was 2.14 (mg/L), while it was not detected in other samples, and a superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like enzyme was detected in the fresh fruit fermentation broth. The highest activity was 49002.5 units/mL. Jaboticaba is prepared using a fermentation broth processing method with fresh fruit, and its total polyphenol content is higher than that of fruit powder, jam, and fruit vinegar. The commercial value of Jaboticaba and the establishment of composition content data are relatively improved, which is more promising for the future.

Simple bone cysts of the proximal humerus presented with limb length discrepancy:A case report

BACKGROUND Simple bone cysts(SBC)are benign tumor-like bone lesions typically identified in children.While SBC may lead to growth disturbances or growth arrest,such cases are uncommon.The mechanisms behind these observations remain unclear.Additionally,research on the etiology of SBC remains inconclusive,and there has been no consensus on the appropriate timing and methodology for treatment.CASE SUMMARY Here,we present our experience in the successful surgical management of a 10-year-old girl with SBC,who presented with a pathological fracture complicated by malunion of the displaced fracture,varus deformity,and limb length discrepancy.We hypothesized two possible etiologies for the patient’s growth arrest and subsequent humerus varus deformity:(1)Direct disruption of the physis by fluid from the cyst itself;and(2)damage to the epiphysis due to repetitive pathological fractures associated with SBC.In addressing this case,surgical intervention was undertaken to correct the proximal humerus varus deformity.This approach offered the advantages of simultaneously correcting angular abnormalities,achieving mild limb lengthening,providing definitive SBC treatment,and reducing the overall treatment duration.CONCLUSION As per current literature,acute correction of acute angular deformity in proximal humeral SBC is not well comprehended.However,in this specific case,acute correction was considered an optimal solution.

Adenocarcinoma of sigmoid colon with metastasis to an ovarian mature teratoma: A case report

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer ranks third in global cancer-related mortality,often due to metastases to liver and lungs.Ovarian metastases are less common,accounting for 3.6%to 7.4%of cases.In contrast,mature ovarian teratomas are frequently benign.Tumor-to-tumor metastasis is a rare phenomenon,with a limited number of documented cases.Three cases of mature ovarian teratomas metastasizing from different cancers have been reported.This report focuses on a case of tumor-totumor metastasis from sigmoid colon adenocarcinoma to a mature ovarian teratoma.CASE SUMMARY A 41-year-old Taiwan residents woman with no known systemic diseases presented with lower back pain,which led to imaging revealing malignant lesions in the spine,pelvis,liver,and multiple lung metastases.She was diagnosed with sigmoid colon adenocarcinoma with metastases to the liver,lung,bone,and a left ovarian teratoma.Treatment involved radiotherapy and chemotherapy,resulting in regression of the primary tumor and stable lung and liver lesions.Due to abdominal symptoms,she underwent exploratory surgery,unveiling a mature teratoma in the left ovary with signs of metastatic adenocarcinoma.CONCLUSION Consider resecting mature ovarian teratomas with concurrent colorectal adenocarcinoma to prevent tumor-to-tumor metastasis.

Understanding the molecular crossroads in acute liver failure:A pathway to new therapies

In this editorial we comment on the article published in a recent issue of the World Journal of Gastroenterology.Acute liver failure(ALF)is a critical condition characterized by rapid hepatocellular injury and organ dysfunction,and it often necessitates liver transplant to ensure patient survival.Recent research has eluci-dated the involvement of distinct cell death pathways,namely ferroptosis and pyroptosis,in the pathogenesis of ALF.Ferroptosis is driven by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation,whereas pyroptosis is an inflammatory form of cell death;both pathways contribute to hepatocyte death and exacerbate tissue damage.This comprehensive review explores the interplay between ferroptosis and pyroptosis in ALF,highlighting the role of key regulators such as silent information regulator sirtuin 1.Insights from clinical and preclinical studies provide valuable perspectives on the dysregulation of cell death pathways in ALF and the therapeutic potential of targeting these pathways.Collaboration across multiple disciplines is essential for translating the experimental insights into effective treatments for this life-threatening condition.

晚清《启蒙画报》中的“儿童”图像符号学分析

早在晚清第一个新式学制——“癸卯学制”实施之前,当时的知识分子就以办报实践推行教育新观念。西方的一些新教育、新话语和思想经由报刊图文的建构,成为影响近代教育在民间落地与扎根的一环。本研究以中国北方的第一份儿童教育刊物——《启蒙画报》(1902-1904)为分析标的,运用巴特的图像符号学,探究思想转型时期的教育报刊如何运用图像与文字建构儿童形象并传递教育观念。研究从儿童学习知识的三方面——学什么、怎么学、如何用予以呈现,并从“明理/礼”“松绑”“活波”的儿童形象建构中,揭示出文本对儿童主体性的重视及对社会现实的改良关怀,其实用、实际、实现的教育主张扎根于儿童日常生活的经验,体现了比美国教育家杜威更早的实用思想之运用。

Aldo-keto reductase family member C3(AKR1C3)promotes hepatocellular carcinoma cell growth by producing prostaglandin F2α

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a leading cause of death worldwide.Current therapies are effective for HCC patients with early disease,but many patients suffer recurrence after surgery and have a poor response to chemotherapy.Therefore,new therapeutic targets are needed.We analyzed gene expression profiles between HCC tissues and normal adjacent tissues from public databases and found that the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism was significantly different.The analysis showed that AKR1C3 was upregulated in tumors,and high AKR1C3 expression was associated with a poorer prognosis in HCC patients.In vitro,assays demonstrated that the knockdown of AKR1C3 or the addition of the AKR1C3 inhibitor indomethacin suppressed the growth and colony formation of HCC cell lines.Knockdown of AKR1C3 in Huh7 cells reduced tumor growth in vivo.To explore the mechanism,we performed pathway enrichment analysis,and the results linked the expression of AKR1C3 with prostaglandin F2 alpha(PGF2a)downstream target genes.Suppression of AKR1C3 activity reduced the production of PGF2a,and supplementation with PGF2a restored the growth of indomethacin-treated Huh7 cells.Knockdown of the PGF receptor(PTGFR)and treatment with a PTGFR inhibitor significantly reduced HCC growth.We showed that indomethacin potentiated the sensitivity of Huh7 cells to sorafenib.In summary,our results indicate that AKR1C3 upregulation may promote HCC growth by promoting the production of PGF2α,and suppression of PTGFR limited HCC growth.Therefore,targeting the AKR1C3-PGF2a-PTGFR axis may be a new strategy for the treatment of HCC.