Ground-Penetrating Radar Prospecting in the Peinan Archaeological Site, Taiwan

The Peinan archaeological site is the largest prehistoric village in Taiwan. Only small-scale pits are allowed for research purposes because the Peinan site is protected by the Cultural Heritage Preservation Act. Careful selection of the pit locations is crucial for future archaeological research at this site. In this study, a ground-penetrating radar (GPR) survey was applied near the stone pillar to understand the GPR signatures of the subsurface remains. Seven GPR signatures were categorized based on the radar characters shown on the GPR image. A detailed GPR survey with dense parallel survey lines was subsequently conducted in the area of northern extent of the onsite exhibition to map the subsurface ancient buildings. The results were verified by two test pits, which indicate that the distribution of the subsurface building structures can be well recognized from GPR depth slices. It will be very helpful for setting proper pits priorities for future archaeological research, and for making proper design of the new onsite exhibition

Prediction of Gastric Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors before Operation: A Retrospective Analysis of Gastric Subepithelial Tumors

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), leiomyomas, and schwannomas are the most common gastric subepithelial tumors (GSETs) with similar endoscopic findings. Preoperative prediction of GSETs is difficult. This study analyzed and predicted GSET diagnosis through a retrospective review of 395 patients who underwent surgical resection of GISTs, leiomyomas, and schwannomas measuring 2–10 cm. GSETs were divided by size (group 2–5, >2 and ≤5 cm; group 5–10, >5 and ≤10 cm) for analysis. Demographics, clinical symptoms, and images were analyzed. A recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) was used to identify optimal classifications for specific GSET diagnoses. GIST patients were relatively older than other patients. Both groups had higher proportions of UGI bleeding, lower hemoglobin (Hb) levels, and a higher ratio of necrosis on their computed tomography (CT) scans. The RPA tree showed that (a) age ≤ 55, Hb ≥ 10.7, and CT necrosis; (b) age ≤ 55 and Hb 55 and Hb 55 and CT hetero-/homogeneity can predict high GIST risk in group 2–5. Positive or negative CT necrosis, with age >55, can predict high GIST risk in group 5–10. GIST patients were older and presented with low Hb levels and tumor necrosis. In RPA, the accuracy reached 85% and 89% in groups 2–5 and 5–10, respectively

Author Correction: Germline susceptibility variants impact clinical outcome and therapeutic strategies for stage III colorectal cancer

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper

Predicted weight loss result of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: Review of the first 82 consecutive patients in an Asian bariatric unit

Summary: Background: Obesity is a great concern in developed countries such as Taiwan. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is becoming a popular and stand-alone bariatric procedure. The aim of this study is to analyze the factors that affect the weight loss outcome in our patients after LSG. Methods: Eighty-two consecutive patients who underwent LSG between Oct. 2012 and Sept. 2015 were included. Patients were asked to fill out questionnaires during first visit. The endpoint of this review was the factors affecting excess weight loss (%EWL) ≧ 50% at post-operative 12-months. Results: Sixty-seven patients (81.7%) completed 12 months of post-operative follow-up. The pre-operative mean weight and height were 109.7 kg and 165.7 cm (BMI of 40.4 kg/m2). There was no surgical mortality, but 2 (2.4%) patients suffered from severe complications. The mean post-operative body weights in post-operative months 1, 3, 6 and 12 were 100.4 kg, 90.5 kg, 88.0 kg, 83.6 kg, with 18.8%, 37.1%, 57.1% and 51.2% EWL. The percentage of total weight loss (%TWL) after 12 months follow-up was 23.2%. In univariate analysis, younger patients achieved better than 50% EWL (p = 0.013). Patients who reported pre-operative alcohol consumption, without psychiatric history and without osteoarthritis showed a better trend of achieving 50% EWL. In multi-variate analysis, younger patients (p = 0.042), with pre-operative alcohol consumption (p = 0.036) and without psychiatric history (p = 0.040) significantly achieved more than 50% EWL. Conclusion: Younger age, pre-operative alcohol consumption and absence of psychiatric disease were positive predictor factors for successful weight loss after LSG. Keywords: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, Age, Alcohol, Psychiatri

Learning curve of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in an Asian low-volume bariatric unit

Background: Obesity has become a healthcare burden in Taiwan and the rest of Asia. Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) provides good weight loss outcome, and improves comorbidity as well as quality of life. We present our experience of the learning curve for LRYGB in a low-volume bariatric unit. Methods: From March 2009 to August 2011, 60 consecutive patients who underwent LRYGB were included. They were separated into two groups, with the first 30 cases in Group 1 and the remaining 30 cases in Group 2. Indicators for evaluating the learning curve for LRYGB included surgical time, rate of conversion to open surgery, surgical and total complication rates, length of hospital stay, mortality, and postoperative weight loss. Results: There were no significant differences in demographic measurements between the two groups. In Group 1, the median surgical time was 120 minutes and in Group 2 it was 80 minutes (p<0.01). Two cases were converted to laparotomy in Group 1, but none in Group 2. There was no surgical mortality and the total complication rate of all patients was 16.7%. The complication rate significantly decreased from Group 1 (26.7%) to Group 2 (6.7%). Three patients needed further surgical procedures in Group 1, with no patients needing them in Group 2. There was no significant difference in hospital stay and percentage excess weight loss between the two groups. Conclusion: The learning curve for LRYGB has no mortality and an acceptable complication rate. The operating time and morbidity rate are the indicators for overcoming the learning curve

Hydraulic Tomography for Estimating the Diffusivity of Heterogeneous Aquifers Based on Groundwater Response to Tidal Fluctuation in an Artificial Island in Taiwan

This study investigated the hydraulic properties of the heterogeneous aquifers of an artificial island (Yunlin Offshore Industrial Park) in Taiwan. The research was based on the groundwater level response affected by tidal fluctuation using the hydraulic tomography (HT) to analyze the hydraulic diffusivity (α). Specifically, the power spectrum ratio of groundwater and tidal fluctuations derived from the Gelhar solution was used to estimate α in homogeneous aquifers; this, however, could not be applied in the artificial island. Next, the spatial distribution of the groundwater level response affected by tidal fluctuation was analyzed and found to be irregular, proving the existence of hydrogeological heterogeneity in the artificial island. Furthermore, the results of the estimated α using the HT showed low error and high correlation, 0.41 m2/hr and 0.83, respectively, between the optimal estimated heterogeneous and reference α fields in the synthetic aquifer. Last, the HT was used in the real tested scenario. By comparing the predicted groundwater levels of the optimal estimated heterogeneous α field and the observed groundwater levels of the real aquifer, it was found that the correlation was higher than 0.99. Therefore, the HT can be used to obtain the optimal estimated heterogeneous α field in the artificial island