Mei-Ching Yu

Production of high-content galacto-oligosaccharide by enzyme catalysis and fermentation with Kluyveromyces marxianus

Of three β-galactosidases from Aspergillus oryzae, Kluyveromyces lactis and Bacillus sp., used for the production of low-content galacto- oligosaccharides (GOS) from lactose, the latter produced the highest yield of trisaccharides and tetrasaccharides. GOS production was enhanced by mixing β-galactosidase glucose oxidase. The low-content GOS syrups, produced either by β-galactosidase alone or by the mixed enzyme system, were subjected to the fermentation by Kluyveromyces marxianus, whereby glucose, galactose, lactose and other disaccharides were depleted, resulting in up to 97% and 98% on a dry weight basis of high-content GOS with the yields of 31% and 32%, respectively.

Influenza vaccination coverage and factors affecting adherence to influenza vaccination among patients with diabetes in Taiwan.

The purpose of this study was to investigate influenza vaccination coverage and the factors influencing acceptance of influenza vaccination among patients with diabetes in Taiwan using the Health Belief Model (HBM). From January 1 to February 28, 2012, 700 patients with diabetes who visited National Cheng Kung University Hospital were invited to participate in the study. A total of 691 (99%) patients with diabetes were enrolled in the study. The mean age of the subjects was 64.7 years (SD = 10.7). The percentages of patients with diabetes who received seasonal influenza vaccination were 31%, 33%, and 35% in 2009–2010, 2010–2011, and 2011–2012, respectively. Multiple regression analyses revealed that patients with diabetes who were female, were older, had comorbidities, had a more positive perception of the benefits of the influenza vaccine and had lower perceived barriers to influenza vaccination were more likely to receive the influenza vaccine in 2011–2012 (adjusted R2 = 0.47; Chi-square = 276.50; P < 0.001). Patients with diabetes perceived the risk of swine influenza to be similar to that of seasonal influenza. Consequently, in the absence of an increase in the perceived risk of influenza, a low level of actual vaccination against seasonal influenza is forecasted. Strategies to improve the uptake of influenza vaccination include interventions that highlight the risk posed by pandemic influenza while simultaneously offering tactics to ameliorate this risk.

Molecular epidemiology of genital chlamydial infection among male patients attending an STD clinic in Taipei Taiwan.

Objective: To assess the epidemiology of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection among men attending an STD clinic in Taipei, Taiwan. Study: Between July 2004 and June 2005, a total of 426 first-void urine specimens from male patients were tested for C. trachomatis by using a urine-based PCR DNA amplification assay. Results: The overall prevalence of genital C. trachomatis infection was 16.4%. Youth, current symptoms, the presence of N. gonorrhoeae infection, and inconsistent use of condoms were positively associated with C. trachomatis infection. The most common chlamydia strain present was genotype E, followed by D and Da, F, K, J, G, and H. Conclusions: C. trachomatis genital infection was prevalent among male patients attending a STD clinic in Taipei. Young Taiwanese men attending STD clinics should be counselled on condom use.

Human Enterovirus 71 Disease: Clinical Features, Epidemiology, Virology, and Management

The purpose of this review was to summarize the epidemiology, clinical pictures, and virology of enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection. An epidemiological study in Taiwan revealed that the reported incidence of mild cases of hand-foot- mouth disease/herpangina (HFMD/HA) varied from year to year; seasonal variations in incidence were observed, with an incidence peak observed during the summer season. The study also showed that different enteroviruses co-circulate in the community, and seroepidemiological studies suggest that children aged less than 4 years old are most susceptible, while over 50% of the rest of the population is immune. The emergence of the EV71 epidemic in the Asia Pacific region has been associated with the circulation of three genetic lineages (genotype B3, B4, C2) that appear to be undergoing rapid evolutionary changes. EV 71 infection has emerged as an important public problem, causing serious clinical illness and, potentially, death in young children. Vaccine development is recommended for the prevention of EV 71 infection in the future.

Cost-effectiveness of influenza immunization in adult cancer patients in Taiwan

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of the influenza vaccine among cancer patients in Taiwan. We determined the effect of immunization on the following outcomes of disease: hospitalizations, emergency department visits, hospital outpatient visits, physician office visits, and deaths. Cost-effectiveness was analysed from the perspectives of the healthcare system and society. A decision tree was used, with estimates of disease burden and costs based on data from published and unpublished sources. The model followed 34 112 cancer patients aged 20-64 years who were registered by the Taiwan National Cancer Registry in 2002. An influenza immunization programme for the cancer population would prevent 2555 cases of all types of influenza infection, 660 of which would be serious cases involving hospitalization, emergency department visits and death. From the perspective of the healthcare system, the programme would cost US

Factors affecting the use of anti-malaria preventive measures among Taiwan immigrants returning to malaria-endemic regions

7.7 million, providing net savings of US

Antiferroelectric liquid crystals based on the salicylaldimine in connection with linear alkynyl chain

5.4 million. From a societal perspective, the programme would cost US

Risk factors associated with emergency room drug abuse admissions in urban Taiwan, 1998-1999

28.6 million, providing net savings of US

Synthesis and Mesomorphic Properties of Chiral Liquid Crystals Derived from (R)-3-Ethylmercapto-2-methylpropanol

22.3 million. This corresponds to savings of US

Effect of lateral fluoro substituents on the chiral liquid crystal materials derived from (S)‐1‐methyl‐2‐(2′‐methylsulphanylethoxy)ethanol

2107 and US