Baseline Circulating miR-125b Levels Predict a High FIB-4 Index Score in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients after Nucleos(t)ide Analog Treatment.

The regulatory role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in HBV-associated HCC pathogenesis has been reported previously. This study aimed to investigate the association between serum miR-125b and liver fibrosis progression in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients after nucleos(t)ide analog (NA) treatment. Baseline serum miR-125b levels and other relevant laboratory data were measured for 124 patients who underwent 12-month NA therapy.

Improvement of Model Predictive Current Control Sensing Strategy for a Developed Small Flux-Switching Permanent Magnet Motor.

This paper presents an improved control system for a small flux-switching permanent magnet motor (FSPM) to enhance its performance and torque sensing. The analytical magnetic circuit design was used to determine the related motor parameters, such as the air gap flux density, permeance coefficient (Pc), torque, winding turns, pole number, width, length, magnet geometry, and the current density of FSPM. The electromagnetic analysis of this motor was performed by software (ANSYS Maxwell) to optimize the motor performance.

A Wireless Monitoring System Using a Tunneling Sensor Array in a Smart Oral Appliance for Sleep Apnea Treatment.

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder, and the most common type is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Untreated OSA will cause lots of potential health problems. Oral appliance therapy is an effective and popular approach for OSA treatment, but making a perfect fit for each patient is time-consuming and decreases its efficiency considerably.

Molecular dynamics study on the nucleation of methane + tetrahydrofuran mixed guest hydrate.

The nucleation of methane (CH4), tetrahydrofuran (THF), and CH4 + THF hydrates are investigated by microsecond MD simulations. These three systems exhibit distinct structural developments in the aqueous phase quantified by the formation of cage structures of hydrogen bonded water molecules. The development of a cluster of cages in the CH4 system is limited by the scarce CH4 molecules in the solution, while in the THF system it is limited by the short lifetime of cages.

Perceived discrimination, family functioning, and depressive symptoms among immigrant women in Taiwan.

This study examined the moderating effect of family functioning on the relationship between perceived discrimination and depressive symptoms in immigrant women. A total of 239 immigrant women were selected from four administrative regions in Central Taiwan. Questionnaires concerning perceived discrimination, family functioning (including family cohesion and family adaptability), depressive symptoms, and demographic characteristics were completed by either women themselves (N = 120) or their husbands (N = 119).

Characterization and evaluation of the differentiation ability of human adipose-derived stem cells growing in scaffold-free suspension culture.

Background Aims: Human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) have become a popular stem cell source because of their abundant supplies, high differentiation ability and the fact that they present few ethical concerns. Suspension culture, a type of three-dimensional culture, is a more suitable model for mimicking cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions than is two-dimensional monolayer culture. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of suspension culture on the viability and differentiation potential of hADSCs.

Low-power laser irradiation promotes the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament cells via cyclic adenosine monophosphate.

Retaining or improving periodontal ligament (PDL) function is crucial for restoring periodontal defects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological effects of low-power laser irradiation (LPLI) on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human PDL (hPDL) cells. Cultured hPDL cells were irradiated (660 nm) daily with doses of 0, 1, 2 or 4 J⋅cm(-2).

Low-power laser irradiation suppresses inflammatory response of human adipose-derived stem cells by modulating intracellular cyclic AMP level and NF-κB activity.

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based tissue regeneration is a promising therapeutic strategy for treating damaged tissues. However, the inflammatory microenvironment that exists at a local injury site might restrict reconstruction. Low-power laser irradiation (LPLI) has been widely applied to retard the inflammatory reaction.

Low-power GaAlAs laser irradiation promotes the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of stem cells via IGF1 and BMP2.

Low-power laser irradiation (LPLI) has been found to induce various biological effects and cellular processes. Also, LPLI has been shown to promote fracture repair. Until now, it has been unclear how LPLI promotes bone formation and fracture healing.

Factors associated with intensiveness of use of child preventive health services in Taiwan: a comparative study between cross-cultural immigrant families and native-born families.

Objectives: To compare intensiveness of use of child preventive health services (CPHS) between cross-cultural immigrant families and native-born families in Taiwan and to explore factors associated with differences in intensiveness of CPHS use.

Design: Cross-cultural immigrant families were defined as families where the mother was an immigrant from another southeast Asian country. In native-born families, both parents were Taiwanese-born.

A theoretical study of the effect of zero-crossing points within the dispersion map upon a longhaul RZ-DPSK system.

A theoretical study focusing on the effect of zero-crossing points in the dispersion map for the long-haul return-to-zero differential phase shift keying (RZ-DPSK) transmission system had been conducted. Difference of the transmission performance was characterized with regard to number of zero-crossing points within the dispersion map. It was observed that increasing the number of zero-crossing points in the dispersion map combined with the self phase modulation (SPM) caused the performance degradation near the system zero dispersion wavelength.

Numerical study of the performance improvement of the APSK transmission system using zero-nulling method.

We have studied the transmission performance of amplitude and phase shift keying (APSK) format theoretically. As there is a trade-off between the performance of amplitude shift keying (ASK) and phase shift keying (PSK) through the extinction ratio of the ASK format, zero-nulling method to improve the performance of the PSK format had been proposed. A demerit of the zero-nulling method is a reduction of the total capacity.