Eradication of Helicobacter pylori

Objective. To evaluate the effect of eradication of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) on the progression of dementia in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients with peptic ulcer. Methods. Participants with the diagnosis of AD and peptic ulcer were recruited between 2001 and 2008. We examined the association between eradication of H. pylori and the progression of AD using the multiple regression models. Medication shift from Donepezil, Rivastgmine, and Galantamine to Mematine is defined as progression of dementia according to the insurance of National Health Insurance (NHI) under expert review. Results. Among the 30142 AD patients with peptic ulcers, the ratio of medication shift in AD patients with peptic ulcers is 79.95%. There were significant lower incidence comorbidities (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cerebrovascular disease, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure and hyperlipidemia) in patients with H. pylori eradication as compared with no H. pylori eradication. Eradication of H. pylori was associated with a decreased risk of AD progression (odds ratio [OR] 0.35 [0.23–0.52]) as compared with no H. pylori eradication, which was not modified by comorbidities. Conclusions. Eradication of H. pylori was associated with a decreased progression of dementia as compared to no eradication of H. pylori in AD patients with peptic ulcers

The study of the relationships among Tainan City public preschool teachers’ information literacy, information technology integrated into teaching and teaching effectiveness.

[[abstract]]The purpose of this study is to understand the relationship among Tainan City public preschool teachers’ information literacy, information technology integrated into teaching and teaching effectiveness. A total of 256 valid questionnaires were collected from 305 teachers in public preschool in Tainan City. The data were analyzed by statistical methods such as item analysis, reliability and validity analysis, t-test, One-Way ANOVA, correlation and regression analysis. The results were analyzed as follows: First, Tainan City public preschool teachers’ information literacy in the total number of years of service and the park has a significant difference between the total number of service personnel, service years 4 to 11 years of teachers is better than 20 to 27 years of teachers; The total number of teachers from 7 to 9 teachers is better than the total of 4 to 6 teachers. Second, there is a significant difference between Tainan public preschool teachers and area of preschool, age, service years and the total number of teachers and nurses in the information technology integrated into teaching. The teachers aged 30 to 37 are superior to the teachers aged 38 to 45. Teachers with a service years 4 to 11 years are better than 20 to 27 years of teachers; the total number of teaching staff is less than 3 teachers is better than the total number of 4 Teachers with a total of 6 teachers and less than 3 teachers are better than the teachers with a total of 10 to 12 teachers. Third, the teaching effectiveness of public preschool teachers in Tainan City has significant difference in the total number of teachers and the number of teachers are join information study. The teaching effectiveness of total number of teaching staff less than three is better than 4 to 6 teachers; total number of teaching staff less than three is better than 10 to 12 teachers; a total of 7 to 9 teachers is better than 4 to 6 teachers. Fourth, the information literacy of preschool teachers in Tainan City has a significant positive impact on the integration of information technology integrated into teaching. The information technology integrated into teaching has a significant positive impact on teaching and learning; information literacy has a significant positive impact on teaching effectiveness; Information literacy and teaching effectiveness between the information technology integrated into teaching

[[alternative]]The Study of Visual Preferences on Illustrations in the ＂Nature and Life Technology＂ Textbook for Third and Fourth Grade Elementary School

[[abstract]]本研究第一階段根據相關文獻做整理與討論，第二階段進行各版本中年級自然教科書植物圖像類別形式做比較研究與歸納，蒐集各版本中年級自然教科書插圖為研究樣本，第三階段探討比較不同版本中年級自然教科書之功能及特色，後分析教科書插圖類別形式與插圖之表現樣式內容。本研究擬針對中年級自然教科書插圖之效能，採比較分析法及內容分析法，研究結果如下：1.中年級自然教科書南一版本的圖片多數以照片攝影方式呈現，宜多增加手繪方式並搭配單元主體，提升美感。康軒版本以照片攝影為主，圖畫為輔，少數單元中的科學閱讀採漫畫方式呈現，宜多增加此類插圖，易引起學生學習興趣。翰林版本運用大幅度的照片攝影、手繪方式搭配主題呈現，內容則多以圖與照片攝影以情境方式呈現，易連結學生之舊經驗，貼近學生生活。2.中年級自然教科書部分單元頁首插圖宜多運用豐富的插圖形式營造情境，使學生了解單元架構，以利學習。3.中年級自然教科書部分單元之學生操作欄內均配合圖與文方式呈現，此部分之插圖勿過度營造情境，強調視覺效果，應採適宜之配置方式呈現。4.中年級自然教科書插圖表現樣式宜色彩鮮明、畫面富有美感、插圖情境有趣味，但仍應避免裝飾插圖，方能符合學生之認知範圍。 5.中年級自然教科書插圖之指引符號須配合操作活動設計，適時配合組織圖繪製，更易強化學生學習，期望能透過本研究提供教科書之相關設計者、教師選用教材之參考。[[abstract]]This study compared and organized types of plant images in all versions of grades 3-4 science textbooks as well as collected illustrations in all versions of grades 3-4 science textbooks as subjects of study in the second stage. The third stage of this study involved exploring and comparing functions and characteristics of different versions of grades 3-4 science textbooks as well as analyzing types, styles, and contents of textbook illustrations. The following research conclusions were reached after adopting comparative analysis and content analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of grades 3-4 science textbook illustrations: 1. As illustrations in Nan-Yi version textbooks are mostly photos of real objects, hand-drawn illustrations according to each unit’s theme are recommended in order to enhance textbooks’ aesthetic value. Illustrations in Kang-Hsuan version texts are primarily photos of real objects and accompanied by hand-drawn images whereas the scientific reading section in some units are presented with comic illustrations, more of which can be added in order to arouse students’ interest in learning. Han-Lin version textbooks employ a large amount of photos of real objects and hand-drawn illustrations according to each unit’s theme as well as scenarios accompanied by photos of real objects and images to be connected with students’ old experiences and close to students’ life. 2.In terms of illustrations at the beginning of some units in grades 3-4 science textbooks, various illustration styles may be added to create scenarios which facilitate students’ understanding of unit structure and students’ learning.3.The students’ DIY section at some units in grades 3-4 science textbooks are presented with texts and illustrations together. Illustrations in this section should not put excessive effort into creating scenarios and overemphasizing visual effects whereas appropriate layouts for presentation should be adopted. 4.Whereas grades 3-4 science textbook illustrations should be aesthetic with distinctive colors and interesting scenarios, excessive ornamentation should be avoided in order to suit students’ cognition.5.Guiding signs in grades 3-4 science textbook illustrations should be accompanied by DIY activities in order to reinforce students’ learning. The findings can provide a reference for textbook designers and teachers for choosing teaching materials

Development of Bifunctional Gadolinium-Labeled Superparamagnetic Nanoparticles (Gd-MnMEIO) for In Vivo MR Imaging of the Liver in an Animal Model.

Liver tumors are common and imaging methods, particularly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), play an important role in their non-invasive diagnosis. Previous studies have shown that detection of liver tumors can be improved by injection of two different MR contrast agents. Here, we developed a new contrast agent, Gd-manganese-doped magnetism-engineered iron oxide (Gd-MnMEIO), with enhancement effects on both T1- and T2-weighted MR images of the liver. A 3.0T clinical MR scanner equipped with transmit/receiver coil for mouse was used to obtain both T1-weighted spoiled gradient-echo and T2-weighted fast spin-echo axial images of the liver before and after intravenous contrast agent injection into Balb/c mice with and without tumors. After pre-contrast scanning, six mice per group were intravenously injected with 0.1 mmol/kg Gd-MnMEIO, or the control agents, i.e., Gd-DTPA or SPIO. The scanning time points for T1-weighted images were 0.5, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 min after contrast administration. The post-enhanced T2-weighted images were then acquired immediately after T1-weighted acquisition. We found that T1-weighted images were positively enhanced by both Gd-DTPA and Gd-MnMEIO and negatively enhanced by SPIO. The enhancement by both Gd-DTPA and Gd-MnMEIO peaked at 0.5 min and gradually declined thereafter. Gd-MnMEIO (like Gd-DTPA) enhanced T1-weighted images and (like SPIO) T2-weighted images. Marked vascular enhancement was clearly visible on dynamic T1-weighted images with Gd-MnMEIO. In addition, the T2 signal was significantly decreased at 30 min after administration of Gd-MnMEIO. Whereas the effects of Gd-MnMEIO and SPIO on T2-weighted images were similar (p = 0.5824), those of Gd-MnMEIO and Gd-DTPA differed, with Gd-MnMEIO having a significant T2 contrast effect (p = 0.0086). Our study confirms the feasibility of synthesizing an MR contrast agent with both T1 and T2 shortening effects and using such an agent in vivo. This agent enables tumor detection and characterization in single liver MRI sections

Traditional Chinese Medical Care and Incidence of Stroke in Elderly Patients Treated with Antidiabetic Medications

Objectives: Experimental research has shown that herbal and traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) may serve as complements to Western medicine treatments in the control of blood glucose and cardiovascular complications, but population-based studies are limited. We investigated the association between TCM use and subsequent risk of stroke in older patients with diabetes. Study design: The database used in this cohort study contained longitudinal medical claims for one million subjects randomly selected among beneficiaries of a universal health care program in Taiwan. We identified a cohort of patients with diabetes aged 65 years and older who initiated anti-diabetic medications from 2000 to 2012. Patients who had at least two TCM outpatient visits after their initiation of anti-diabetic medications were considered TCM users. Main outcome measures: The incidence of stroke was measured until 2013. Cox regression models with TCM use as a time-dependent variable were used to calculate the adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) comparing TCM use with no use. Results: Over the 13-year period, 17,015 patients were identified; 4912 (28.9%) of them were TCM users. The incidence of stroke during the follow-up (per 1000 person-years) was 22.8 in TCM users and 25.7 in non-users. TCM users had an adjusted HR of 0.93 for the incidence of ischemic stroke (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.83, 1.04) and of 0.89 for developing hemorrhagic stroke (95% CI 0.66, 1.19), compared with non-users. Conclusions: In this study, in older patients receiving Western medicine treatments for diabetes, TCM use was not associated with an increased risk of developing ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke

Liver pathology in the mouse after intravenous Gd-MnMEIO administration showed deposition of the contrast agent.

<p>(A) Hematoxylin and eosin staining, HE staining; (B) Prussian blue staining, PB staining.</p

Development of Bifunctional Gadolinium-Labeled Superparamagnetic Nanoparticles (Gd-MnMEIO) for <i>In Vivo</i> MR Imaging of the Liver in an Animal Model - Fig 5

<p>Dynamic contrast enhanced T1-weighted images before (A), 0.5 (B), 5 (C), 10 (D), 15 (E), 20 (F), 25 (G), and 30 (H) min after intravenous administration of Gd-MnMEIO. And T2-weighted images before (I) and 30 min after (J) Gd-MnMEIO administration.</p

T2 enhancement effect at 30 min after administration of Gd-DTPA (n = 9), SPIO (n = 15), and Gd-MnMEIO (n = 6).

<p>The error bars indicate standard deviation. Significant difference is indicated by ** p < 0.01.</p

Time course curves of implanted liver tumor enhancement on T1-weighted images by using Gd-DTPA (n = 4), SPIO (n = 7), and Gd-MnMEIO (n = 5).

<p>The error bars indicate standard deviation. Significant differences are indicated by * (p < 0.05 between Gd-DTPA and Gd-MnMEIO, p < 0.01 between Gd-MnMEIO and SPIO).</p

Manganese-doped magnetism-engineered iron oxide (MnMEIO) synthesized by thermal decomposition.

<p>(A) After modification with mPEG-NH₂-silane, MnMEIO particles become water-soluble. (B) TEM images show that MnMEIO nanoparticles are around 12 nm in diameter with a narrow size distribution. Scale bar: 20 nm.</p