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Financing for energy efficiency solutions to mitigate opportunity cost of coal consumption: An empirical analysis of Chinese industries

Chien F, Zhang Y, Sadiq M, Hsu CC

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2022 Jan;29(2):2448-2465.
PMID: 34374014 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-15701-9

This study measures the energy rebound effects of Chinese energy and coal power use in Chinese energy-intensive industries by using latent class stochastic frontier models like LMDI, and other various econometric estimation approach for coal-supplying regions in China ranging between 1992 and 2018. The findings reveals that China's coal sector's average capacity consumption is 0.81%, with a pattern of first increasing and then decreasing, falling to 0.68% in 2016 specifically. The coal capacity operation rate concerning low as well as depleted regions is generally strong, with limited space for expansion. In 2015 and 2016, the utilization rate of coal production potential in moderate-producing areas fell about 42%. Economic development variables affect the capacity utilization levels of moderate, weak, and depleted generating regions. At the same time, the price volatility cannot induce a practical improvement in the ability utilization rate, which means that China's coal industry is mainly un-marketized. China's energy efficiency increased about 19.98% among 2000 and 2016, while the rapidest expansion pattern has been noted in the eastern province at 39.86%, next to central (11.71%) and western regions (9.59%). The take back impact via the renewable energy and renewable productivity channels is estimated as 12.34% and 25.40%, respectively. Therefore, the take back impact is of significant importance regarding energy preservation, as China's cumulative renewable energy use is equal to China's aggregate energy use. On such findings, recent research also contributed by presenting novel policy implications for key stakeholders.
Fulltext COVID-19 fear and volatility index movements: empirical insights from ASEAN stock markets

Sadiq M, Hsu CC, Zhang Y, Chien F

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2021 Dec;28(47):67167-67184.
PMID: 34245412 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-15064-1

This research aims to look into the effect of COVID-19 on emerging stock markets in seven of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' (ASEAN-7) member countries from March 21, 2020 to April 31, 2020. This paper uses a ST-HAR-type Bayesian posterior model and it highlights the stock market of this ongoing crisis, such as, COVID-19 outbreak in all countries and related industries. The empirical results shown a clear evidence of a transition during COVID-19 crisis regime, also crisis intensity and timing differences. The most negatively impacted industries were health care and consumer services due to the Covid-19 drug-race and international travel restrictions. More so, study results estimated that only a small number of sectors are affected by COVID-19 fear including health care, consumer services, utilities, and technology, significance at the 1%, 5%, and 10%, that measure current volatility's reliance on weekly and monthly variables. Secondly, it is found that there is almost no chance that the COVID-19 pandemic would positively affect the stock market performance in all the countries, mainly Indonesia and Singapore were the countries most affected. Thirdly, results shown that Thailand's stock market output has dropped by 15%. Results shows that COVID-19 fear causes an eventual reason of public attention towards stock market volatility. The study presented comprehensive way forwards to stabilize movement of ASEAN equity market's volatility index and guided the policy implications to key stakeholders that can better help to mitigate drastic impacts of COVID-19 fear on the performance of equity markets.
Lactobacillus paracasei PS23 reduced early-life stress abnormalities in maternal separation mouse model

Liao JF, Hsu CC, Chou GT, Hsu JS, Liong MT, Tsai YC

Benef Microbes, 2019 Apr 19;10(4):425-436.
PMID: 30882243 DOI: 10.3920/BM2018.0077

Maternal separation (MS) has been developed as a model for inducing stress and depression in studies using rodents. The concept of the gut-brain axis suggests that gut health is essential for brain health. Here, we present the effects of administration of a probiotic, Lactobacillus paracasei PS23 (PS23), to MS mice against psychological traits including anxiety and depression. The administration of live and heat-killed PS23 cells showed positive behavioural effects on MS animals, where exploratory tendencies and mobility were increased in behavioural tests, indicating reduced anxiety and depression compared to the negative control mice (P<0.05). Mice administered with both live and heat-killed PS23 cells also showed lower serum corticosterone levels accompanied by higher serum anti-inflammatory interleukin 10 (IL-10) levels, compared to MS separated mice (P<0.05), indicating a stress-elicited response affiliated with increased immunomodulatory properties. Assessment of neurotransmitters in the brain hippocampal region revealed that PS23 affected the concentrations of dopaminergic metabolites differently than the control, suggesting that PS23 may have improved MS-induced stress levels via neurotransmitter pathways, such as dopamine or other mechanisms not addressed in the current study. Our study illustrates the potential of a probiotic in reversing abnormalities induced by early life stress and could be an alternative for brain health along the gut-brain axis.
FDG-PET predicted unfavorable tumor histology in living donor liver transplant recipients; a retrospective cohort study

Ling LL, Hsu CC, Yong CC, Elsarawy AM, Chan YC, Wang CC, et al.

Int J Surg, 2019 Sep;69:124-131.
PMID: 31386913 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2019.07.035

BACKGROUND: Tumor histology affects outcome after liver transplantation (LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study explores the association between F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) and tumor histology in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) recipients and their outcome.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred fifty-eight patients with primary liver tumors who underwent FDG-PET before LDLT were enrolled in this retrospective study. Unfavorable tumor histology was defined as primary liver tumor other than a well- or moderately differentiated HCC. Thirteen patients had unfavorable tumor histology, including 2 poorly differentiated HCC, 2 sarcomatoid HCC, 5 combined hepatocellular cholangiocarcinoma, 3 intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, and 1 hilar cholangiocarcinoma.
RESULTS: FDG-PET positivity was significantly associated with unfavorable tumor histology (P < 0.001). Both FDG-PET positivity and unfavorable tumor histology were significant independent predictors of tumor recurrence and overall survival. In a subgroup analysis of patients with FDG-PET-positive tumors, unfavorable tumor histology was a significant independent predictor of tumor recurrence and overall survival. High FDG uptake (tumor to non-tumor uptake ratio ≥ 2) was a significant predictor of unfavorable tumor histology. Patients with high FDG uptake and/or unfavorable tumors had significantly higher 3-year cumulative recurrence rate (70.8% versus 26.2%, P = 0.004) and worse 3-year overall survival (34.1% versus 70.8%, P = 0.012) compared to those with low FDG uptake favorable tumors.
CONCLUSIONS: The expression of FDG-PET is highly associated with histology of explanted HCC and predicts the recurrence. FDG-PET-positive tumors with high FDG uptake may be considered contraindication for LDLT due to high recurrence rate except when pathology proves favorable histology.
Fulltext Expression of Endogenous Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Retinal Organoids

Ahmad Mulyadi Lai HI, Chou SJ, Chien Y, Tsai PH, Chien CS, Hsu CC, et al.

Int J Mol Sci, 2021 Jan 28;22(3).
PMID: 33525682 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031320

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) was identified as the main host cell receptor for the entry of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its subsequent infection. In some coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, it has been reported that the nervous tissues and the eyes were also affected. However, evidence supporting that the retina is a target tissue for SARS-CoV-2 infection is still lacking. This present study aimed to investigate whether ACE2 expression plays a role in human retinal neurons during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived retinal organoids and monolayer cultures derived from dissociated retinal organoids were generated. To validate the potential entry of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the retina, we showed that hiPSC-derived retinal organoids and monolayer cultures endogenously express ACE2 and transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) on the mRNA level. Immunofluorescence staining confirmed the protein expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in retinal organoids and monolayer cultures. Furthermore, using the SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus spike protein with GFP expression system, we found that retinal organoids and monolayer cultures can potentially be infected by the SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus. Collectively, our findings highlighted the potential of iPSC-derived retinal organoids as the models for ACE2 receptor-based SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Fulltext Diagnosis and outcomes of cachexia in Asia: Working Consensus Report from the Asian Working Group for Cachexia

Arai H, Maeda K, Wakabayashi H, Naito T, Konishi M, Assantachai P, et al.

J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle, 2023 Oct;14(5):1949-1958.
PMID: 37667992 DOI: 10.1002/jcsm.13323

Chronic diseases often lead to metabolic disorders, causing anabolic resistance and increased energy consumption, which result in cachexia. Cachexia, in turn, can lead to major clinical consequences such as impaired quality of life, shortened life expectancy, and increased healthcare expenditure. Existing international diagnostic criteria for cachexia employ thresholds derived from Western populations, which may not apply to Asians due to differing body compositions. To address this issue, the Asian Working Group for Cachexia (AWGC) was initiated. The AWGC comprises experts in cachexia research and clinical practice from various Asian countries and aims to develop a consensus on diagnostic criteria and significant clinical outcomes for cachexia in Asia. The AWGC, composed of experts in cachexia research and clinical practice from several Asian countries, undertook three-round Delphi surveys and five meetings to reach a consensus. Discussions were held on etiological diseases, essential diagnostic items for cachexia, including subjective and objective symptoms and biomarkers, and significant clinical outcomes. The consensus highlighted the importance of multiple diagnostic factors for cachexia, including chronic diseases, either or both weight loss or low body mass index, and at least one of the following: anorexia, decreased grip strength (<28 kg in men and <18 kg in women), or elevated C-reactive protein levels (>5 mg/L [0.5 mg/dL]). The AWGC proposed a significant weight change of 2% or more over a 3-6 month period and suggested a tentative cut-off value of 21 kg/m2 for low body mass index in diagnosing cachexia. Critical clinical outcomes were determined to be mortality, quality of life as assessed by tools such as EQ-5D or the Functional Assessment of Anorexia/Cachexia Therapy, and functional status as measured by the Clinical Frailty Scale or Barthel Index, with significant emphasis on patient-reported outcomes. The AWGC consensus offers a comprehensive definition and user-friendly diagnostic criteria for cachexia, tailored specifically for Asian populations. This consensus is set to stimulate future research and enhance the multidisciplinary approach to managing cachexia. With plans to develop further guidelines for the optimal treatment, prevention, and care of cachexia in Asians, the AWGC criteria are expected to drive research across chronic co-morbidities and cancer in Asia, leading to future refinement of diagnostic criteria.