Publications by authors named "Li-Wen Liu"
Article Synopsis
- * In a study involving 228 APA patients who underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy, those with autonomous cortisol secretion (ACS) had more intermuscular fat and less skeletal muscle compared to those without ACS.
- * After adrenalectomy, ACS patients showed improvements in muscle area and decrease in fat, while non-ACS patients experienced increases in visceral and subcutaneous fat but no change in intermuscular fat.
Background: Glove reuse poses risks, as chemicals can persist even after cleaning. Decontamination methods like thermal aeration, recommended by US OSHA, vary in effectiveness. Some studies show promising results, while others emphasize the importance of considering both permeation and tensile strength changes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA synthetically useful approach to functionalized triazoles is described via the reaction of β-carbonyl phosphonates and azides. 1,4- and 1,5-disubstituted and 1,4,5-trisubstituted triazoles can be regio- and chemoselectively accessed under mild conditions in good to excellent yields (31 examples, up to 99%). A mechanism is proposed that rationalizes the avoidance of the 4-phosphonate byproducts, which is aligned with crystallographic and experimental evidence.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is a pregnancy-specific liver disease associated with a high incidence of complications in the mid and late stages of gestation. This study investigates differences in the composition of intestinal flora among pregnant women diagnosed with ICP, employing Illumina MiSeq high-throughput sequencing technology.
Methods: This case-control study obtained patient data from the hospital information system (HIS) and the laboratory information system (LIS).
Article Synopsis
- PAHs, or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, found in arable soils in Taiyuan, an industrial city, pose risks to farmland quality and human health, drawing attention from researchers and the public.
- Analyzing 22 soil samples from different areas in Taiyuan revealed that while the average PAH concentrations were below the pollution risk guidelines, industrial zones exhibited significantly higher levels, suggesting a serious pollution problem.
- The study identified coal and biomass burning and traffic emissions as the main sources of PAH contamination, with risk assessments indicating a considerable potential for cancer risk associated with these pollutants in the region's soils.
Article Synopsis
- - The study aimed to compare the effects of two combinations for epidural labor analgesia: nalbuphine with ropivacaine versus fentanyl with ropivacaine on labor duration in first-time mothers.
- - A total of 160 women were analyzed retrospectively, with 78 receiving nalbuphine and 82 receiving fentanyl, and various labor metrics were recorded, including pain levels and delivery stages.
- - Results showed that the nalbuphine group experienced shorter labor duration and faster onset of analgesia, along with fewer urinary retention issues, while maternal and neonatal health parameters were similar between both groups.
Background: The purpose of this research was to assess the relationship between the severity of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and indexes of left ventricle (LV) structure and function in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Methods: Retrospective analysis of 790 patients with T2DM and preserved LV ejection fraction. Retinopathy stages were classified as no DR, early nonproliferative DR, moderate to severe nonproliferative DR, or proliferative DR.
Article Synopsis
- The study explored how different hardness levels of orthopedic insoles affect plantar pressure and muscle fatigue in athletes walking uphill with heavy backpacks.
- Fifteen male participants tested insoles with varying hardness (medium, hard, soft, and flat) while walking on a treadmill at an incline, with various measurements of pressure and muscle activity taken.
- Results showed that medium and soft insoles reduced peak plantar pressure significantly, especially in the lateral heel and fifth metatarsal, while hard insoles increased pressure in the toes, suggesting that softer insoles could improve comfort and pressure distribution during uphill walking.
Article Synopsis
- This study explores the challenges of scheduling patient appointments and assigning examination rooms for ultrasound procedures, taking into account multiple factors like patient types and special restrictions.
- In three scenarios, it suggests specific time intervals: 18 minutes for patient arrival, weighted room assignments based on examination urgency, and grouping three outpatients every 18 minutes for ultrasounds.
- The study highlights simulation optimization as a potential solution to improve workload balance for technologists, enhance equipment usage, and decrease patient wait times for ultrasounds.*
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in selecting uterine fibroids for MR-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) ablation and evaluating the treatment's outcomes compared to traditional MR imaging.
- Involving 44 fibroids from 38 patients, the research analyzed pre-ablation characteristics using multivariable linear regression to determine their association with non-perfusion volume (NPV) after treatment.
- Results showed CEUS's performance (AUC 0.95) in predicting NPV was superior to MR imaging (AUC 0.86), indicating that CEUS can be a viable alternative for patient assessment and outcome evaluation in fibroid ablation procedures.
Objective: We investigated the contributions of ergonomics, psychological factors, and sleep disturbances to lower back pain (LBP).
Methods: A nationwide survey of sampled 27,508 (2.6‰) Taiwanese workers was conducted in 2010.
Preoperative prediction of tumor recurrence after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in patients with early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is helpful for clinical decision-making before treatment. A total of 162 patients with HCC of 3 cm or less who were completely ablated by percutaneous RFA were divided into a derivation cohort (n = 108) and a validation cohort (n = 54). Based on X-Tiles software, Kaplan-Meier curve analysis and COX multivariate analysis to obtain valuable predictive indicators, a clinical scoring system for predicting tumor recurrence was established.
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- The MYBPC3-E334K mutation is associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) but has conflicting pathogenicity data due to its frequency in the general population and limited family studies.
- In a study of 1,017 unrelated HCM patients, 0.88% were found to have this mutation, with males showing a higher disease penetrance (100%) compared to females (25%).
- The mutation is classified as likely pathogenic, showing a pattern of autosomal dominant inheritance, and the age of diagnosis for males is significantly younger than for females.
Article Synopsis
- Danon disease is an X-linked glycogen storage disorder causing skeletal myopathy, cardiomyopathy, and intellectual impairment, linked to mutations in the LAMP2 gene.
- A study analyzed 96 genes in 770 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) through second-generation sequencing, confirming LAMP2 mutations in 7 patients presenting with HCM.
- The findings highlighted early-onset characteristics of Danon disease, such as specific ECG changes and differences in cardiac function compared to other conditions, potentially aiding in early diagnosis and treatment strategies.
Introduction: Microvascular invasion (MVI) of is generally considered to be an important prognostic factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after operation, An accurate prediction of MVI before operation is helpful for clinical decision-making before operation.
Material And Methods: A retrospective analysis of 227 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma patients after hepatectomy has been confirmed the pathological result whether there was MVI, and has been determined the independent risk factors of MVI. Based on these independent risk factors, we constructed a clinical scoring risk model for predicting MVI.
Objective: In the present clinical trial, we evaluated the therapeutic effects of low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy (LiESWT) on overactive bladder (OAB).
Methods: Female subjects with ages of 20-75 years and who have been clinically diagnosed with OAB were included in the study. The LiESWT (DUOLITH SD1 T-TOP, AG) applicator was placed on the suprapubic skin area and applied with an intensity of 0.
Increased CMTM4 mRNA expression predicts a poor prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.
Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int
December 2020
The purpose of this study was to develop a body volume () estimation equation for male laborers in Taiwan with body weight () and stature height () as initial estimators. A three-dimensional (3D) body scanner and a 3D foot scanner were used to measure the 3D range data of 100 male laborers in this study. Subjects' was extracted from the 3D body model, and and were used as independent variables in regression analysis.
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- β-myosin heavy chain (MYH7) mutations are linked to 20-30% of familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) cases, prompting a study to explore genetic variations in Chinese HCM families from 2013 to 2017.
- The research involved 387 HCM probands, using targeted exome sequencing followed by Sanger sequencing to verify mutations; it uncovered various mutations, including compound heterozygous and monoallelic double mutations, with specific ECG and echocardiographic abnormalities noted.
- The findings introduced several novel MYH7 mutations associated with HCM and highlighted a unique case of a family with monoallelic double mutations, providing insights into the genetic basis and pathology of
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates the genotype-phenotype relationship in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in three Chinese families, focusing on mutations in the ACTC1 and MYBPC3 genes.
- Clinical examinations and advanced genetic analysis revealed two specific variants—ACTC1-D26N and MYBPC3-R215C—linked to HCM, with ACTC1-D26N being a likely pathogenic mutation.
- Findings suggest that while ACTC1-D26N leads to non-obstructive HCM and specific heart patterns, MYBPC3-R215C's role as a genetic modifier is still uncertain.
Article Synopsis
- - The study examines a Chinese family with genetic mutations linked to dual Long QT syndrome and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, revealing diverse clinical outcomes and an unexplored link to myocardial dysfunction.
- - Genetic testing identified four missense mutations (MYH7-H1717Q, KCNQ1-R190W, MYLK2-K324E, TMEM70-I147T), with three showing potential harmful effects on heart characteristics among family members.
- - Echocardiographic analysis revealed that carriers of the MYH7 and KCNQ1 mutations had significant heart structural and electrical changes, while the TMEM70 mutation did not exhibit notable differences compared to non-mutation carriers.
Article Synopsis
- * A 70-year-old woman with a giant myxoma and stenosis underwent successful percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) ablation instead of surgery.
- * The RF ablation relieved her symptoms and improved her condition, suggesting it could be an alternative or supplemental approach for treating obstructive cardiac tumors when full resection isn't feasible.
Article Synopsis
- Low-intensity ultrasound (LIUS) has been shown to help reduce inflammation and aid in tissue healing across different health conditions.
- Research indicates that LIUS promotes anti-inflammatory gene expression and enhances the activity of various immune cells, which can assist in managing inflammation.
- The technique also has potential as a delivery method for drugs using advanced structures and natural vesicles, suggesting new therapeutic pathways for treating cancers and inflammatory diseases.
Cell surface structure plays a key role in Microcystis colony formation. The S-layer is a crystalline array of monomolecular proteins that constitute the outermost component of the cyanobacterial cell envelope. To date, no biochemical characterization of the S-layer protein in Microcystis has been reported.
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