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Background/Aims: Little is known about the clinical course of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected patients undergoing anti-tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) therapy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We aimed to investigate the clinical course of HBV infection and IBD and to analyze liver dysfunction risks in patients undergoing anti-TNF-α therapy. Methods: This retrospective multinational study involved multiple centers in Korea, China, Taiwan, and Japan. We enrolled IBD patients with chronic or resolved HBV infection, who received anti-TNF-α therapy. The patients’ medical records were reviewed, and data were collected using a web-based case report form. Results: Overall, 191 patients (77 ulcerative colitis and 114 Crohn’s disease) were included, 28.3% of whom received prophylactic antivirals. During a median follow-up duration of 32.4 months, 7.3% of patients experienced liver dysfunction due to HBV reactivation. Among patients with chronic HBV infection, the proportion experiencing liver dysfunction was significantly higher in the non-prophylaxis group (26% vs 8%, p=0.02). Liver dysfunction occurred in one patient with resolved HBV infection. Antiviral prophylaxis was independently associated with an 84% reduction in liver dysfunction risk in patients with chronic HBV infection (odds ratio, 0.16; 95% confidence interval, 0.04 to 0.66; p=0.01). The clinical course of IBD was not associated with liver dysfunction or the administration of antiviral prophylaxis. Conclusions: Liver dysfunction due to HBV reactivation can occur in HBV-infected IBD patients treated with anti-TNF-α agents. Careful monitoring is needed in these patients, and antivirals should be administered, especially to those with chronic HBV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To analyze whether the perception that smuggled cigarettes are a greater health risk than legal cigarettes affects Taiwanese smokers' intention to distinguish smuggled cigarettes from legal cigarettes. Methods: The study used the Recursive Bivariate Probit Model to analyze data from a survey conducted in 2013 of 450 smokers of smuggled cigarettes. Results: The study found that when smokers believe they are more likely to get lung cancer from consuming smuggled cigarettes than they are from consuming legal cigarettes, the probability of the intention to identify smuggled cigarettes increased by 42.46%. Conclusions: The government should strengthen educational policies and programs that teach consumers about the health risks of smoking in general and the even greater health risks of smoking smuggled cigarettes in particular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper empirically identifies cross-price elasticities of betel nut and cigarette consumption in Taiwan based on the Central Bureau of Statistics demand model. It compares reduction of cigarette consumption as a result of the proposed Betel Nut Health Tax with reduction of betel nut consumption as a result of the Tobacco Health and Welfare Taxes levied in 2002 and 2006, in order to determine which tax is most effective. Results from a simulated comparative analysis indicate that the Betel Nut Health Tax reduces cigarette consumption to a much greater extent than the Tobacco Health and Welfare Taxes reduce betel nut consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although smuggled cigarettes have been a prevalent problem and a severe challenge to public health and welfare around the world, little is known about the behavior associated with smoking smuggled cigarettes and the issue is difficult to study due to data limitations. By means of a population-based tobacco survey conducted in Taiwan, the present paper applies a latent class model to identify potential smokers who are either currently or will at some point in the future be consuming smuggled cigarettes. This methodology, in contrast to the traditional discrete models, allows potential smokers who are more inclined to smoke smuggled cigarettes to be endogenously classified. The empirical results indicate that socio-demographic factors do increase the inclination to smoke smuggled cigarettes after unobserved heterogeneity has been accounted for. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper empirically investigates the relationship between the dissemination of information about the health risks of tobacco, alcohol, and betel nuts and their consumption in Taiwan. To estimate cross-elasticities, the paper uses the Central Bureau of Statistics demand system model. Empirical results indicate that an increase in the dissemination of information on the health risks of tobacco, alcohol, and betel nuts substantially reduces real consumption. Empirical evidence from the cross-elasticity of price also confirms that a complementary relationship exists in Taiwan among these three addictive products. ( JEL D12, Q11, H26) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study used cigarette price elasticity estimates to assess the possible effects on cigarette consumption of a large increase in cigarette tax. It also investigated different responses to the cigarette tax increase among smokers from different socio-economic backgrounds and with different smoking characteristics. Study design: Cross-sectional study on 483 valid questionnaires completed during a telephone survey of current smokers aged 15 years and above from all 23 major cities and counties in Taiwan. Methods: This study analysed the willingness of current smokers to quit smoking or reduce cigarette consumption when faced with a tax increase of NTS22 per pack, which would raise the price of cigarettes by 44%. The Tobit regression model and the maximum likelihood method were used to estimate cigarette demand elasticity. Results: Estimation results yielded a cigarette price elasticity of -0.29 in connection with a 44% increase in the price of cigarettes. This suggests that smokers wilt have relatively little response to such an event. The most significant response to the price increase was found among women, tow-income smokers, moderately addicted smokers, and smokers who regularly purchase low-price cigarettes. A 44% increase in the price of cigarettes would reduce the average annual per capita cigarette consumption in Taiwan by 14.86 packs; a reduction of 12.87%. The tax increase would also boost the Government's cigarette tax revenue by approximately NTS41.4 billion, and increase cigarette merchants' income by approximately NTS27.4 billion. Conclusions: Since current cigarette prices are tow in Taiwan and smokers are relatively insensitive to cigarette price hikes, a large increase in cigarette tax would reduce cigarette consumption effectively, and would also increase the Government's cigarette tax revenue and cigarette merchants' income. Clearly, such a tax would create a win-win outcome for the Government, cigarette merchants and smokers, and it is therefore recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study evaluates the impact of an increase in cigarette tax in Taiwan in terms of the effects it has on the overall economy and the health benefits that it brings. Methods: The multisector computable general equilibrium (CGE) model was used to simulate the impact of reduced cigarette consumption resulting from a new tax scheme on the entire economy gains and on health benefits. Results: The results predict that because of the new tax scheme, there should be a marked reduction in cigarette consumption but a notable increase in health benefits that include saving between 28,125 and 56,250 lives. This could save NT$1.222∼2.445 billion (where US$1 = NT$34.6) annually in life-threatening, cigarette-related health insurance expenses which exceeds the projected decrease of NT$1.275 billion in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) because of reduced consumption and therefore tax revenue. Conclusion: Overall, the increased cigarette excise tax will be beneficial in terms of both the health of the general public and the economy as a whole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Policy decisions on what aquaculture products to develop require information on consumer demand for cultured species. However, information on the structure of demand for aquaculture products is limited and what few studies there are in Taiwan, where aquaculture is a major industry, suffer from methodological problems. To clear up some of these problems, we used modified nonnested testing techniques and performance forecasting to determine which generalized models could best estimate the demand for Taiwanese aquaculture products. The results of modified nonnested testing of the aquaculture demand system showed that prices predetermined and quantities predetermined could be used to estimate demand. The generalized ordinary demand model was able to better forecast performance than the generalized inverse demand model. We used the likelihood ratio test to discriminate among the four competing models for the generalized ordinary model; the AIDS model could be more suitably applied to the data. A more general model that is able to incorporate different dynamic structures (partial adjustment, first autoregressive, and static). This general framework is applied to the AIDS model. The first autoregressive AIDS model we used to calculate the own and cross-price elasticities for milkfish, tilapia, shrimp, shellfish, and carps found that price elasticities varied across fish type, that some products had high long-run own price elasticities, and that the demand for aquaculture products was largely determined by inertia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The p53 tumor suppressor gene plays two important roles in genomic stability: blocking cell proliferation after DNA damage until it has been repaired, and starting apoptosis if the damage is too critical. A recent report suggests that a polymorphism of the p53 tumor suppressor gene that results in the substitution of a proline residue with an arginine residue at position 72 of the p53 protein might act as a risk factor in the malignant transformation of colorectal adenoma to cancer. Methods: In our study, the samples consisted of 150 patients were analyzed for the mutation in the p53 gene. The age of 150 patients (46 women and 104 men) ranged from 30 to 91 years (mean age 68.46 years). Results: The polymorphism showed 52.04% mutant in the codon 72 of exon 4 in the Taiwanese population. Both of the chi-square for trend test (chi-square = 4.97, p = 0.034) and logistic regression (p = 0.037, odds ratio = 1.699) showed significant differences in the distribution of polymorphism of codon 72 in the p53 gene and Dukes classification of colorectal cancer. Conclusions: There were significant relationship between the polymorphism of codon 72 and the malignancy of colorectal cancer in Taiwanese population. There is 1.70 times in each grade change (Dukes A--D) more risk of CCC polymorphism than that of CCG polymorphism of codon 72 of exon 4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four-season surveys of macroalgal assemblage structure on a coral reef in southern Taiwan were performed by transect investigation from October 1999 through August 2000. Species richness increased over time, and percentage cover and biomass peaked in April. Non-metric multidimensional scaling ordination analysis of species similarities between stations showed three distinct clusters corresponding to the upper reef flat, the lower reef flat and the reef slope. The macroalgal assemblage on the lower reef flat was further grouped into two clusters corresponding to the warmer months (October 1999 and August 2000) and the cooler months (January and April 2000), suggesting the macroalgal assemblage is structured primarily by zone and secondarily by season. Species richness, percentage cover, biomass, species diversity (H') and evenness (J') were highest on the lower reef flat, reflecting greater complexity in the macroalgal assemblage in this zone. However, species diversity and evenness on the lower reef flat and the reef slope did not show seasonal variations. Species diversity in the upper reef flat decreased in the warmer months due to the dominance of an unknown red alga in October 1999 and Enteromorpha linza in August 2000. The results of ANOSIM tests showed that species structure was different not only between zones but also between seasons, and the SIMPER analyses showed that, in the warmer months, Gracilaria coronopifolia , Enteromorpha linza , Laurencia spp. and Hypnea charoides were the species that separated the lower reef flat assemblage from other assemblages. In the same way, the unknown red alga (for October 1999), Enteromorpha linza (for August 2000), Halimeda spp., Mastrophora rosea and Portieria hornemannii were the species responsible for differences in structure between the upper reef flat and the reef slope. In the cooler months, the species responsible for differences in structures between the upper reef flat and the other two zones were Sargassum spp., Gracilaria coronopifolia , Enteromorpha linza and Padina australis , and those responsible for differences between the upper reef flat and the reef slope were Hypnea charoides , Halimeda spp., Mastophora rosea , Enteromorpha linza and Portieria hornemannii . The present investigation suggests that macroalgal abundance and structure on a coral reef in Nanwan Bay in southern Taiwan have marked spatial zonation and seasonal variations, and Sargassum on the lower reef flat has become the most abundant alga, as compared to 12 years ago. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of temperature and nutrient availability on seasonal abundance were compared among Sargassum berberifolium J. Ag., S. polycystum C. Ag., S. siliquosum J. Ag., and S. sandei from a reef in southern Taiwan. Growth temperature limits and optimum were variable between species and between developmental stages. Growth temperature ranges agree with Sargassum periodicity except S. sandei. Sargassum siliquosum can tolerate high temperature as indicated by higher optimum temperature and tolerance limits. Temporal changes in tissue nutrient content and alkaline phosphatase activity and the results from nutrient enrichment bioassay show that S. sandei, S. berberifolium, and S. polycystum are P limited in the early growth period and then N limited, whereas S. siliquosum showed a contrasting trend, reflecting the type of nutrient limitation is variable by time and between species. A smaller nutrient threshold for maximum growth in S. berberifolium, S. polycystum, and S. siliquosum than in S. sandei and higher growth rate in S. berberifolium and S. polycystum indicate the higher growth vigor and nutrient utilization efficiency, the higher abundance. High N reserves in S. berberifolium and S. polycystum exposed to elevated seawater N in the early growth period supported the subsequent growth. The multiple regression analysis indicates that percent cover of S. siliquosum increased with increasing water temperature and dissolved inorganic nitrogen concentrations, whereas that of S. polycystum decreased with increasing water temperature. In conclusion, seasonal dynamics of Sargassum spp. from southern Taiwan are attributable to species and temporal variations in temperature limitation and nutrient utilization strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study uses cigarette price elasticity to evaluate the effect of a new excise tax increase on cigarette consumption and to investigate responses from various types of smokers. Methods: Our sample consisted of current smokers between 17 and 69 years old interviewed during an annual face-to-face survey conducted by Taiwan National Health Research Institutes between 2000 to 2003. We used Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) procedure to estimate double logarithmic function of cigarette demand and cigarette price elasticity. Results: In 2002, after Taiwan had enacted the new tax scheme, cigarette price elasticity in Taiwan was found to be -0.5274. The new tax scheme brought about an average annual 13.27 packs/person (10.5%) reduction in cigarette consumption. Using the cigarette price elasticity estimate from - 0.309 in 2003, we calculated that if the Health and Welfare Tax were increased by another NT$ 3 per pack and cigarette producers shifted this increase to the consumers, cigarette consumption would be reduced by 2.47 packs/person (2.2%). The value of the estimated cigarette price elasticity is smaller than one, meaning that the tax will not only reduce cigarette consumption but it will also generate additional tax revenues. Male smokers who had no income or who smoked light cigarettes were found to be more responsive to changes in cigarette price. Conclusions: An additional tax added to the cost of cigarettes would bring about a reduction in cigarette consumption and increased tax revenues. It would also help reduce incidents smoking-related illnesses. The additional tax revenues generated by the tax increase could be used to offset the current financial deficiency of Taiwan's National Health Insurance program and provide better public services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction of an intersection between a shaft and a rock tunnel is a three-dimensional problem, and requires more complex excavation and support method than those used in conventional two-dimensional tunnel construction, and this fact affects both design and construction. Considering examples of rock tunnelling in Taiwan, this investigation reviews the construction of intersections between shafts and tunnels and related issues. First, cases of construction are collected and reviewed, and the excavation sequences are classified. Challenges to secure construction of the intersections of shafts and tunnels are investigated, including significant scale effects of rock masses on excavations with large cross sections, construction difficulties that are caused by the complicated arrangement of underground excavations, difficulties in controlling rock deformation near the intersections, and groundwater ingress. Strategies and countermeasures applied to overcome these difficulties are introduced with reference to recent projects, and their effectiveness is investigated. Finally, the state-of-the-art design and construction of intersections between shafts and tunnels in Taiwan are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheelchairs are an essential assistive device for many individuals with injury or disability. Manual wheelchairs provide a relatively low-cost solution to the mobility needs of such individuals. Furthermore, they provide an effective means of improving the user’s cardiopulmonary function and upper-limb muscle strength. However, manual wheelchairs have a gross loss of mechanical efficiency, and thus the risk of user fatigue and upper-limb injury is increased. Electric-powered wheelchairs reduce the risk of injury and provide a more convenient means of transportation. However, they have a large physical size and are relatively expensive. Accordingly, the present study utilizes a quality function deployment method to develop a wheelchair with a user-selectable manual/electric propulsion mode and an auxiliary solar power supply system. The auxiliary solar power supply increased the travel range of the wheelchair by approximately 26% compared with that of a wheelchair powered by battery alone. Moreover, the wheelchair has a modular design and can be disassembled and folded for ease of transportation or storage. Overall, the present results suggest that the proposed wheelchair provides an effective and convenient means of meeting the mobility needs of individuals with mobility difficulties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a multifactorial malignancy closely associated with genetic factors and Epstein-Barr virus infection. To identify the common genetic variants linked to NPC susceptibility, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in 277 NPC patients and 285 healthy controls within the Taiwanese population, analyzing 480,365 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Twelve statistically significant SNPs were identified and mapped to chromosome 6p21.3. Associations were replicated in two independent sets of case-control samples. Two of the most significant SNPs (rs2517713 and rs2975042; p(combined) = 3.9 x 10(-20) and 1.6 x 10(-19), respectively) were located in the HLA-A gene. Moreover, we detected significant associations between NPC and two genes: specifically, gamma aminobutyric acid b receptor 1 (GABBR1) (rs29232; p(combined) = 8.97 x 10(-17)) and HLA-F (rs3129055 and rs9258122; p(combined) = 7.36 x 10(-11) and 3.33 x 10(-10), respectively). Notably, the association of rs29232 remained significant (residual p < 5 x 10(-4)) after adjustment for age, gender, and HLA-related SNPs. Furthermore, higher GABA(B) receptor 1 expression levels can be found in the tumor cells in comparison to the adjacent epithelial cells (p < 0.001) in NPC biopsies, implying a biological role of GABBR1 in NPC carcinogenesis. To our knowledge, it is the first GWAS report of NPC showing that multiple loci (HLA-A, HLA-F, and GABBR1) within chromosome 6p21.3 are associated with NPC. Although some of these relationships may be attributed to linkage disequilibrium between the loci, the findings clearly provide a fresh direction for the study of NPC development.

The aim of this field study was to determine the concentrations and emissions of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide in different types of pig buildings in Korea to allow objective comparison between pig housing types in Korea and other countries. Concentrations of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide in the pig buildings averaged 7.5ppm and 286.5ppb and ranged from 0.8 to 21.4ppm and from 45.8 to 1235ppb, respectively. The mean emissions of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide per pig (normalized to 75kg liveweight) and area (m2) from pig buildings were 250.2 and 37.8mg/h/pig and 336.3 and 50.9mg/h/m2, respectively. Ammonia and hydrogen sulfide concentrations and emissions were higher in the pig buildings managed with deep-pit manure systems with slats and mechanical ventilation than in other housing types.

We followed 930 healthy men who did not alter their habit of smoking cigarettes or ingesting alcohol for 3 months in a recruitment-training course. Lipid profiles were checked on two separate occasions 3 months apart. Smokers had lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels then nonsmokers before initiating the recruitment training. The average amount of exercise increased mildly by the evaluation of Borg score (p = 0.0004). There was a statistically significant difference in body weight reduction from 65.3 +/- 11.2 kg to 64.7 +/- 10.1 kg (p < 0.0001). In univariate analysis, there was an 8.7% decrease of the serum level of total cholesterol (TC; from 167.3 +/- 30.8 mg/dL to 152.7 +/- 26.9 mg/dL). There was a 15.2% decrease of the serum level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (from 104.1 +/- 28.3 mg/dL to 88.2 +/- 22.1 mg/dL). A 13.4% decrease of the serum level of apoprotein B (from 74.7 +/- 22.05 mg/dL to 64.7 +/- 17.0 mg/dL) was also noted. The TC/HDL cholesterol decreased from 1.18 +/- 0.24 to 1.08 +/- 0.24 in natural logarithm scales. All of the declines were statistically significantly different, with p less than 0.0001. The shift of HDL was not statistically significant (from 51.8 +/- 11.5 mg/dL to 52.4 +/- 12.5 mg/dL, p = 0.14). With a multivariate analysis, weight reduction was the most important factor contributing to the cholesterol-lowering effect. With a mild increase of exercise intensity, alcohol demostrated benefits to reduce serum cholesterol levels. Smoking would countervail the cholesterol-lowering benefits of alcohol use. It was evident that the serum levels of TC, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and the apoprotein B levels were increased in alcoholic smokers after exercise, but were decreased in alcoholic nonsmokers.