199 results on '"Ming Chen"'
Search Results
2. Chewing Gum May Alleviate Degree of Thirst in Patients on Hemodialysis.
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Chen, Yi-Qi, Wang, Chia-Liang, Chiu, Ai-Hua, Yeh, Ming-Chen, and Chiang, Tsay-I
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CHEWING gum ,HEMODIALYSIS patients ,THIRST ,WEIGHT gain ,VISUAL analog scale - Abstract
Background and Objectives: Fluid restriction commonly causes dry mouth in patients on hemodialysis (HD). The observed effects of chewing gum on the amount of saliva, interdialytic weight gain (IDWG), and degree of thirst in patients on HD have been inconsistent. We investigated whether chewing gum can modulate these three parameters in patients on HD. Materials and Methods: We used purposive sampling to enroll 37 patients on HD who were then randomly divided into the chewing gum group (n = 19) and the control (non–chewing gum) group (n = 18). The degree of thirst was assessed using a self-rated visual analog scale (VAS) and a summated xerostomia inventory (SXI), respectively. Results: The degree of thirst after dialysis was significantly lower in the chewing gum group than in the control group. The amount of saliva was higher in the chewing gum group than in the control group before dialysis, but the saliva amount was comparable between the groups after dialysis. Furthermore, the amount of saliva was not associated with IDWG in patients on HD before or after dialysis. Conclusions: Chewing gum may alleviate the feeling of thirst but may not affect the amount of saliva and IDWG in patients on HD. Therefore, we suggest that chewing gum may be a useful approach to improve dry mouth and thirst in patients on HD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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3. Frequency Characteristics of High Strain Rate Compressions of C f -MWCNTs/SiC Composites.
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Luan, Kun, Ming, Chen, Fang, Xiaomeng, and Liu, Jianjun
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STRAIN rate ,HILBERT-Huang transform ,FIBROUS composites ,CARBON nanotubes ,POLYMER solutions ,COMPOSITE materials - Abstract
The incorporation of ductile reinforcements into ceramics helps restrain crack deflection, which can enhance ceramics' toughness and overcome the matrix's brittleness. In this paper, we produced a ceramic composite reinforced by carbon fibers coated by multi-wall carbon nanotubes (shortened by C
f -MWCNT/SiC composites) for enhanced impact resistance at a high strain rate that commonly occurs in composite materials used in astronautics, marine, and other engineering fields. The fabrication process involves growing multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on a carbon fiber woven fabric (Cf ) to create the fibril/fabric hybrid reinforcement. It is then impregnated by polymer solution (precursor of the ceramics), forming composites after the pyrolysis process, known as the liquid polymer infiltration and pyrolysis (PIP) technique. To assess the impact resistance of the Cf -MWCNT/SiC under high-strain rate compressions, the split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) technique is employed. Since the failure behavior of the Cf -MWCNT/SiC composites in the absence of the ductile phase is not well understood, the study employs the Hilbert–Huang transform (HHT) to analyze the stress–time curves obtained from the SHPB experiments. By applying the HHT, we obtained the frequency–time spectrum and the marginal Hilbert spectrum of the stress signals. These analyses reveal the frequency characteristics of the Cf -MWCNT/SiC composite and provide insights into the relationship between transformed signal frequency and fracture behavior. By understanding the dynamic fracture behavior and frequency response of the Cf -MWCNT/SiC, it becomes possible to enhance its impact resistance and tailor its performance for specific protective requirements. Therefore, the findings of this study can guide the future design and optimization of Cf -MWCNT/SiC structures for various protective applications, such as body armor, civil structures, and protections for vehicles and aircraft. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2023
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4. Exploring Taiwanese Consumer Dietary Preferences for Various Vinegar Condiments: Novel Dietary Patterns across Diverse Cultural Contexts.
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Ker, Jung-Kuei, Lee, Ching-Sung, Chen, Yen-Cheng, and Chiang, Ming-Chen
- Abstract
The use of vinegar as a culinary seasoning in various global cuisines to enhance the taste characteristics and profiles of foods has been extensively documented in the culinary literature. Particularly notable is traditional Taiwanese-style thick soup, where the incorporation of vinegar plays a fundamental role in imparting distinct flavors. In the context of this experimental investigation, the foundational base of Taiwanese-style thick soup serves as the platform for a meticulously planned sensory and dietary behavior evaluation. Our research methodology combines the use of survey questionnaires and experimental techniques, employing purposive sampling and snowball sampling methods to recruit participants. The central focus of this study is to understand consumers' culinary preferences when presented with a choice between two contrasting types of vinegar—specifically, black vinegar and balsamic vinegar—as alternative gastronomic enhancements. This precise orchestration of data collection and systematic evaluation provides a perceptive window into participants' culinary inclinations and food choices, resulting in a detailed and profound understanding of their taste preferences. The empirical findings stemming from this experimentation reveal notably significant differences in the sensory assessments among participants engaging in diverse culinary experiences. Notably, distinct variations are observed in terms of visual perceptions, olfactory distinctions, and overall sensory satisfaction. This study occupies a crucial position within existing research paradigms by strategically expanding the scope of sensory investigations within the realm of Taiwanese-style thick soup. This introduces an innovative aspect represented by the introduction of balsamic vinegar as a compelling alternative to the customary black vinegar. As a result, the emerging findings not only offer compelling insights into the nuanced food choice and taste preferences of consumers, but also open up new and innovative directions within the complex tapestry of Chinese gastronomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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5. Comparative Analysis of Intelligent Optimization Algorithms for Atmospheric Duct Inversion Using Automatic Identification System Signals.
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Huang, Li-Feng, Liu, Cheng-Guo, Wu, Zhi-Peng, Zhang, Li-Jun, Wang, Hong-Guang, Zhu, Qing-Lin, Han, Jie, and Sun, Ming-Chen
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OPTIMIZATION algorithms ,AUTOMATIC identification ,PARTICLE swarm optimization ,SIMULATED annealing ,IMMUNOCOMPUTERS ,COMPARATIVE studies ,REMOTE sensing - Abstract
Using intelligent optimization algorithms to retrieve atmospheric duct parameters by monitoring automatic identification system (AIS) signals at sea is a new passive remote sensing technology for atmospheric ducts. To thoroughly compare and analyze the inversion results of different intelligent optimization algorithms and optimize the parameters of the algorithms, this study considered a simulated atmospheric duct environment for atmospheric duct inversion using the genetic, simulated annealing, and particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithms. The results indicated that the PSO algorithm exhibited the best inversion performance. The inversion results of the simulated annealing particle swarm optimization (SAPSO) and PSO algorithms under different inversion parameters were further statistically analyzed, and the atmospheric duct parameters were obtained from measured AIS signals based on the SAPSO algorithm. The inversion results verified the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, and they continuously improved with additional calculations in the inversion algorithm. However, the changing trend gradually slowed. Therefore, in practical applications, the inversion time consumption should be balanced with the inversion effect to optimize the inversion parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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6. Utilizing Design Thinking for Effective Multidisciplinary Diabetes Management.
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Hsieh, Ming-Chen, Kuo, Yu-Ming, and Kuo, Yu-Lun
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DIABETES prevention ,MEDICAL quality control ,HEALTH education ,HEALTH facilities ,ACADEMIC medical centers ,PROBLEM solving ,MOTIVATION (Psychology) ,PATIENT-centered care ,FAMILIES ,HOLISTIC medicine ,HUMAN services programs ,HEALTH care teams ,NURSES ,RESEARCH funding ,PHYSICIANS ,INTERDISCIPLINARY education ,DIFFUSION of innovations ,MEDICAL needs assessment ,GOAL (Psychology) ,ADULT education workshops ,DISCHARGE planning - Abstract
(1) Background: Design thinking, as a human-centered design method, represents a unique framework to support the planning, testing, and evaluation of new clinical spaces for diabetic care throughout all phases of construction. This approach prioritizes the needs and experiences of diabetic patients to create innovative and effective healthcare environments. By applying design-thinking principles, healthcare facilities can optimize the design and functionality of their clinical spaces, ensuring a patient-centered approach to diabetic care. This holistic and personalized approach can ultimately enhance the overall quality of diabetic care provided to patients. (2) Methods: The study used the action research method and progressively explored diabetes patients' needs and preferences for care, subsequently developing creative solutions to achieve the goals. There were six doctors, seven nursing staffs, four case managers and three family members who participated in the design-thinking workshop. (3) Results: The participating trainees in this study developed unique and innovative solutions during the iterative process of "divergent thinking" and "focused thinking", including diabetes dietary guidelines for food ordering and delivery platforms, and the design of accompanying health-education picture books to enable patients to learn the care process and precautions before, during, and after discharge. (4) Conclusions: This continuing education model promoted sharing among participants, improved collaboration and mutual learning, and increased motivation through goal setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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7. A Pacific Oyster-Derived Antioxidant, DHMBA, Protects Renal Tubular HK-2 Cells against Oxidative Stress via Reduction of Mitochondrial ROS Production and Fragmentation.
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Ho, Hsin-Jung, Aoki, Natsumi, Wu, Yi-Jou, Gao, Ming-Chen, Sekine, Karin, Sakurai, Toshihiro, Chiba, Hitoshi, Watanabe, Hideaki, Watanabe, Mitsugu, and Hui, Shu-Ping
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OXIDATIVE stress ,MITOCHONDRIA ,PACIFIC oysters ,CELL respiration ,REACTIVE oxygen species - Abstract
The kidney contains numerous mitochondria in proximal tubular cells that provide energy for tubular secretion and reabsorption. Mitochondrial injury and consequent excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production can cause tubular damage and play a major role in the pathogenesis of kidney diseases, including diabetic nephropathy. Accordingly, bioactive compounds that protect the renal tubular mitochondria from ROS are desirable. Here, we aimed to report 3,5-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzyl alcohol (DHMBA), isolated from the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) as a potentially useful compound. In human renal tubular HK-2 cells, DHMBA significantly mitigated the cytotoxicity induced by the ROS inducer L-buthionine-(S, R)-sulfoximine (BSO). DHMBA reduced the mitochondrial ROS production and subsequently regulated mitochondrial homeostasis, including mitochondrial biogenesis, fusion/fission balance, and mitophagy; DHMBA also enhanced mitochondrial respiration in BSO-treated cells. These findings highlight the potential of DHMBA to protect renal tubular mitochondrial function against oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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8. Developing Sustainable Indicators for Forest Farm Tourism Services for Senior Citizens: Towards the Establishment of a Comprehensive and Comfortable Environment.
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Chen, Yen-Cheng, Lee, Ching-Sung, Tsui, Pei-Ling, and Chiang, Ming-Chen
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OLDER people ,AGRITOURISM ,TREE crops ,SUSTAINABLE agriculture ,FOREST ecology - Abstract
The evolving travel preferences of senior citizens have necessitated the customization of tourism services by the industry to cater to their specific needs. Forest ecology landscapes have been identified as offering significant advantages for senior citizens in the context of tourism. This study aims to address the research gap in this area by developing sustainable forest farm tourism service indicators tailored to the senior citizens in Taiwan, taking into consideration the benefits of forest ecology landscapes. The Fuzzy Delphi Technique (FDT) is employed to gather expert opinions and establish indicators, while triangular fuzzy numbers and defuzzification techniques are utilized to evaluate professional opinions from various agricultural fields. The analysis reveals 5 dimensions and 28 indicators that are deemed appropriate for creating a sustainable forest farm tourism service environment for the senior citizens. Key indicators include the ability of service personnel to effectively address guest concerns, cleanliness of farm accommodations, safety of farm routes, friendliness of service staff, and the presence of barrier-free facilities in farm accommodations. This study provides valuable insights for promoting sustainable farm management and the development of forest farm tourism in Taiwan, emphasizing the significance of forest ecology landscapes in enhancing the tourism experience for senior citizens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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9. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior to Examine the Sustainable Extension of Rural Food Preparation Techniques.
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Lee, Ching-Sung, Chen, Yen-Cheng, Tsui, Pei-Ling, and Chiang, Ming-Chen
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PLANNED behavior theory ,COOKING ,CONTROL (Psychology) ,RURAL women ,CONFIRMATORY factor analysis ,JUDGMENT sampling ,MULTIPLE regression analysis - Abstract
Social transformation has caused traditional rural food preparation techniques and cultural heritage to disappear gradually. Traditional rural women are in charge of rural traditional food preparation techniques, which they inherit through the family. Therefore, this study primarily aimed to employ the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to analyze the effects of attitudes toward rural food preparation techniques, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control on behavioral intention to ultimately understand the behavioral intention of rural women in the sustainable extension of rural food preparation techniques. The TPB was utilized as a basis for conducting a quantitative study using questionnaire surveys. Purposive sampling and snowball sampling were employed, and 800 questionnaires were distributed. In total, 649 valid questionnaires were collected, and the recovery rate was 81.1%. The study tools used included the attitude scale, subjective norms scale, perceived behavioral control scale, and behavioral intention scale. The data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis, descriptive statistics, Pearson product difference correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis. The results showed that attitudes toward rural food preparation techniques, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control in rural women significantly affected the behavioral intention of sustainable extension. These results can provide agricultural organizations and relevant units with a reference for the sustainable extension of traditional food preparation techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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10. EGFRvIII Promotes the Proneural–Mesenchymal Transition of Glioblastoma Multiforme and Reduces Its Sensitivity to Temozolomide by Regulating the NF-κB/ALDH1A3 Axis.
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Shi, Zhong-Fang, Li, Guan-Zhang, Zhai, You, Pan, Chang-Qing, Wang, Di, Yu, Ming-Chen, Liu, Chi, Zhang, Wei, and Yu, Xiao-Guang
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GLIOBLASTOMA multiforme ,TEMOZOLOMIDE ,INTRACRANIAL tumors ,GLIOMAS ,CELL lines ,LEUKAPHERESIS - Abstract
(1) Background: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and malignant intracranial tumor in adults. At present, temozolomide (TMZ) is recognized as the preferred chemotherapeutic drug for GBM, but some patients have low sensitivity to TMZ or chemotherapy resistance to TMZ. Our previous study found that GBM patients with EGFRvIII (+) have low sensitivity to TMZ. However, the reasons and possible mechanisms of the chemoradiotherapy resistance in GBM patients with EGFRvIII (+) are not clear. (2) Methods: In this study, tissue samples of patients with GBM, GBM cell lines, glioma stem cell lines, and NSG mice were used to explore the causes and possible mechanisms of low sensitivity to TMZ in patients with EGFRvIII (+)-GBM. (3) Results: The study found that EGFRvIII promoted the proneural–mesenchymal transition of GBM and reduced its sensitivity to TMZ, and EGFRvIII regulated of the expression of ALDH1A3. (4) Conclusions: EGFRvIII activated the NF-κB pathway and further regulated the expression of ALDH1A3 to promote the proneural–mesenchymal transition of GBM and reduce its sensitivity to TMZ, which will provide an experimental basis for the selection of clinical drugs for GBM patients with EGFRvIII (+). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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11. GAP Score and CA-153 Associated with One-Year Mortality in Anti-MDA-5 Antibody-Positive Patients: A Real-World Experience
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Wei-Ting Hung, Tsu-Yi Hsieh, Chingtsai Lin, Cheng-Yi Huang, Pin-Kuei Fu, Yi-Hsing Chen, Wen-Nan Huang, Kuo-Lung Lai, Kuo-Tung Tang, Chia-Wei Hsieh, Chih-Wei Tseng, Yi-Ming Chen, and Kao-Lun Wang
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Vital capacity ,medicine.medical_specialty ,anti-MDA-5 ,Pneumocystis pneumonia ,Gastroenterology ,Mycophenolic acid ,Article ,Pulmonary function testing ,Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis ,GAP score ,Internal medicine ,medicine ,idiopathic inflammatory myositis ,interstitial lung disease ,business.industry ,Interstitial lung disease ,General Medicine ,medicine.disease ,mortality ,Respiratory failure ,Pneumothorax ,Medicine ,business ,CA-153 ,medicine.drug - Abstract
Background. Anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA-5) antibody is associated with respiratory failure and death in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myositis (IIM) and interstitial lung disease (ILD). This study aimed to investigate clinical parameters associated with mortality in anti-MDA-5 antibody-positive patients. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and laboratory data, and pulmonary function test results in 55 anti-MDA-5 antibody-positive patients. A comparison was made between the survivors and non-survivors at the 12-month follow-up. Results. A total of 13 patients (23.6%) died within 12 months. Non-survivors had higher GAP scores (gender, age, and physiology score for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis) (1 vs. 6, p <, 0.01) and CA-153 (16.4 vs. 72.9, p <, 0.01). In addition, rapid progressive ILD, fever, peak ferritin, leukocyte count, lactate dehydrogenase, CT score, intravenous immunoglobulin, mycophenolic acid, CMV infections, pneumocystis pneumonia, and pneumothorax were significantly associated with increased risks of 1-year mortality, while forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, and diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide were correlated with decreased risk of 1-year mortality. Conclusions. Our study results suggest that GAP scores and CA-153 could be prognostic factors for 1-year mortality in anti-MDA-5 antibody-positive patients. A prompt pulmonary function test and CA-153 are essential for these patients to guide further management.
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- 2021
12. Incorporating Multimedia Teaching Methods and Computational Thinking into the Baking Dessert Course.
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Chen, Yen-Cheng, Tsui, Pei-Ling, Lee, Ching-Sung, Chiang, Ming-Chen, and Lan, Bo-Kai
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SOCIAL media in marketing ,TEACHING methods ,EDUCATIONAL outcomes ,DESSERTS ,CONSUMPTION (Economics) ,BAKING - Abstract
Rapid developments in motion media technology have prompted the dessert industry to incorporate both motion multimedia and social media into their marketing strategies. Modern consumption patterns have shifted dramatically toward motion multimedia, with data searching and cost-related decision-making gradually becoming a new type of consumption experience. As a result, the effective application of motion multimedia and computational thinking has become a critical skill in culinary education, as it improves students' learning outcomes and enables them to enter the workforce with a practical modern skill. This study examines the learning outcomes of Chinese Culture University students enrolled in a dessert-making course that experimentally incorporated motion media and computational thinking into its curriculum. The results show that this approach significantly enhances students' learning outcomes, especially in terms of creativity and teamwork, both of which are critical in dessert-making. This study makes a strong contribution to the literature by demonstrating that motion multimedia-based teaching methods and computational thinking boost learning outcomes in dessert-making education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
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13. Does Background Music Affect Silent Dining Emotions? An Empirical Study of Restaurants during COVID-19.
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Chen, Yen-Cheng, Chiang, Ming-Chen, Lee, Ching-Sung, and Tsui, Pei-Ling
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ENVIRONMENTAL music , *MUSIC & emotions , *FOOD habits , *EMOTIONS , *CONSUMER behavior - Abstract
The music environment of a restaurant is an important factor that affects consumer behaviors during the dining experience, especially silent dining behaviors among people who are not encouraged to talk in the context of COVID-19. This study empirically analyzed the influence of consumers' background music preferences on their emotions and behavioral responses during their dining experience at a high-end Chinese restaurant. A total of 393 valid samples were obtained through purposive sampling and snowball sampling. The research tools used in this study included a personal background information questionnaire, four Oriental and Western music conditions, a background music preference scale, a scale for evaluating emotions during the dining experience, and a behavioral response scale. The results showed that the subjects preferred the Chinese classical music—the Butterfly Lovers Concerto. Background music affected the participants' emotions during their dining experience, and different background music conditions resulted in significant differences in emotions and behaviors. The consumers' emotions, during their dining experience significantly predicted their behaviors under all four music conditions. The greatest contribution and value of this study stem from the finding that the background music at a restaurant can arouse specific positive emotions in consumers during their dining experience and thus affect their eating behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
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14. New Rural Women’s Power: Sustainable Rural Food Preparation Model Inheritance and Business Model
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Ching-Sung Lee, Yen-Cheng Chen, Pei-Ling Tsui, Cheng-Wei Che, and Ming-Chen Chiang
- Published
- 2021
15. Skeletal Stability after Mandibular Setback via Sagittal Split Ramus Osteotomy Verse Intraoral Vertical Ramus Osteotomy: A Systematic Review
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Han-Sheng Chen, Dae-Seok Hwang, Szu-Yu Hsiao, Chun-Ming Chen, and Kun-Jung Hsu
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Orthodontics ,Web of science ,business.industry ,Posterior displacement ,intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy ,Vertical ramus osteotomy ,General Medicine ,Review ,mandibular setback ,Mandibular prognathism ,Sagittal Split Ramus Osteotomy ,sagittal split ramus osteotomy ,Medicine ,skeletal stability ,Anterior displacement ,business - Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of present study was to review the literature regarding the postoperative skeletal stability in the treatment of mandibular prognathism after isolated sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) or intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy (IVRO). Materials and Methods: The articles were selected from 1980 to 2020 in the English published databases (PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Library). The articles meeting the searching strategy were evaluated based on the eligibility criteria, especially at least 30 patients. Results: Based on the eligibility criteria, 9 articles (5 in SSRO and 4 in IVRO) were examined. The amounts of mandibular setback (B point, Pog, and Me) were ranged from 5.53–9.07 mm in SSRO and 6.7–12.4 mm in IVRO, respectively. In 1-year follow-up, SSRO showed the relapse (anterior displacement: 0.2 to 2.26 mm) By contrast, IVRO revealed the posterior drift (posterior displacement: 0.1 to 1.2 mm). In 2-year follow-up, both of SSRO and IVRO presented the relapse with a range from 0.9 to 1.63 mm and 1 to 1.3 mm respectively. Conclusion: In 1-year follow-up, SSRO presented the relapse (anterior displacement) and IVRO posterior drift (posterior displacement). In 2-year follow-up, both of SSRO and IVRO showed the similar relapse distances.
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- 2021
16. Effect of Microimplant Neck Design with and without Microthread on Pullout Strength and Destruction Volume
- Author
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Szu-Yu Hsiao, Yu-Chuan Tseng, Han-Sheng Chen, Chun-Ming Chen, and Kun-Jung Hsu
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Insertion torque ,Orthodontics ,Technology ,Microscopy ,QC120-168.85 ,Materials science ,Correlation coefficient ,QH201-278.5 ,microthread neck ,Pullout strength ,Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General) ,pullout strength ,Article ,TK1-9971 ,Volume (thermodynamics) ,Descriptive and experimental mechanics ,Mechanical strength ,destruction volume ,General Materials Science ,Electrical engineering. Electronics. Nuclear engineering ,TA1-2040 ,microimplant - Abstract
The microthread neck concept has been applied to dental implants. This study investigated the pullout strength and destruction volume of orthodontic microimplants with and without the microthread neck design. Fifteen microimplants (diameter: 1.5 × 10 mm) of three types (Types A and B: without microimplant neck, Type C: with microimplant neck) were tested. The insertion torque (IT), Periotest value (PTV), horizontal pullout strength (HPS), and horizontal destruction volume (HDV) of each type were measured. Kruskal–Wallis H test and Dunn’s post-hoc comparison test were performed to compare the measured values of the three types of microimplants. The correlations of the measured values were used to perform the Spearman’s correlation coefficient analysis. The ITs of Types B (8.8 Ncm) and C (8.9 Ncm) were significantly higher than those of Type A (5.2 Ncm). Type B yielded the lowest PTV (4.1), and no statistical differences in PTV were observed among the three types. Type A had a significantly lower HPS (158.8 Ncm) than Types B (226.9 Ncm) and C (212.8 Ncm). The three types did not exhibit any significant differences in the HDV. The results of the Spearman’s correlation coefficient test revealed that HDV (ρ = 0.710) and IT (ρ = 0.813) were strongly correlated with HPS, whereas for PTV and HPS, it was not. HPS was strongly and significantly correlated with HDV. The orthodontic microimplant with a microimplant neck design did not perform better than that without a microthread in the mechanical strength test.
- Published
- 2021
17. Acupuncture Treatment Associated with Functional Connectivity Changes in Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Resting State fMRI Study
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Yi-Hung Chen, Cheng-Hao Tu, Yu-Chen Lee, Chun-Ming Chen, Ying-Yu Chen, Wen-Chi Lu, and Su Tso Yang
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Resting state fMRI ,medicine.diagnostic_test ,business.industry ,Functional connectivity ,resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging ,functional connectivity ,General Medicine ,Acupuncture treatment ,Article ,Adult women ,periaqueductal gray matter ,Periaqueductal gray matter ,sanyinjiao ,Anesthesia ,medicine ,Acupuncture ,descending pain modulation systems ,Medicine ,Effective treatment ,Functional magnetic resonance imaging ,business ,primary dysmenorrhea ,acupuncture - Abstract
Primary dysmenorrhea (PDM) is the most commonly encountered gynecological problem in reproductive-age women. Acupuncture has been suggested as an effective treatment of PDM that may modulate descending pain modulation systems. In the present study, we used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate possible changes in descending pain modulation systems after acupuncture treatment in women with PDM. Thirty-four right-handed adult women with PDM participated in this randomized, single-blinded, sham-controlled study. Each patient was randomly allocated to an 8-week verum or sham acupuncture intervention on the bilateral Sanyinjiao (SP6). Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging was conducted before, during, and after the intervention to measure the spontaneous activity in brain. After the 8-week intervention, both verum and sham groups reported decreased menstrual pain. However, the cessation of decreased functional connectivity (FC) between periaqueductal gray matter and the regions associated with affective pain modulation and attention-related pain modulation were found in the verum but not in the sham group after the 8-week intervention. More decreased FC has been found in the region associated with non-specific effects of acupuncture intervention after the early stage of acupuncture intervention. These results indicated that verum acupuncture may intercept the altered FC in descending pain modulation systems in PDM.
- Published
- 2021
18. Intracardiac Migration of the Ureteral Double-J Stent during Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy
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Jiun-Hung Geng, Yi-Hsuan Wu, Ming-Chen Paul Shih, and Chun-Kai Chang
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medicine.medical_specialty ,Medicine (General) ,intracardiac migration ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Right renal ,Case Report ,complication ,Intracardiac injection ,R5-920 ,medicine ,percutaneous nephrolithotomy ,cardiovascular diseases ,Percutaneous nephrolithotomy ,business.industry ,Stent ,Atrial fibrillation ,General Medicine ,ureteral double-J stent ,medicine.disease ,Surgery ,Blood pressure ,surgical procedures, operative ,Double j stent ,business ,Complication ,nephrolithiasis - Abstract
The complications of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) include hemorrhage, damage to adjuvant organs, and other medical issues, although intracardiac migration of ureteral double-J stent has never been found during PNL and delaying the diagnosis might cause mortality. We report the case of a 60-year-old male who was admitted to receive one-stage PNL for right renal stones. During operation, an unexpected atrial fibrillation with a drop in blood pressure was suddenly encountered and the chest X-ray subsequently showed that the ureteral double-J had penetrated deep into the heart. Emergent endovascular intervention was performed to remove the stent and the patient was uneventfully discharged 2 days later.
- Published
- 2021
19. Mantle Cell Lymphoma Presenting as Acute Abdominal Syndrome: A Rare Case Report and Literature Review
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Hung-Ming Chen, Junn-Liang Chang, Wan-Chen Tsai, Fu-Chou Lee, and Po-Jen Hsiao
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Abdominal pain ,medicine.medical_specialty ,appendicitis ,Leadership and Management ,immunochemical biomarkers ,mantle cell lymphoma ,cyclin D1 ,Health Informatics ,Case Report ,appendix ,Gastroenterology ,Lymphoid hyperplasia ,Health Information Management ,immune system diseases ,Internal medicine ,hemic and lymphatic diseases ,medicine ,SOX-11 ,business.industry ,Health Policy ,acute abdominal syndrome ,abdominal pain ,Combination chemotherapy ,medicine.disease ,non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma ,Appendix ,Appendicitis ,Lymphoma ,Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Medicine ,Mantle cell lymphoma ,medicine.symptom ,business - Abstract
Background: Acute abdominal syndrome can be caused by several possible reasons. The most common causes are perforation of a gastroduodenal ulcer, peritonitis, intestinal obstructions, and perforation of an appendix or fallopian tube. Fever and pain can be caused by an appendicitis or sigmoiditis. Appendiceal lymphoma is a rare disease that is usually found incidentally during appendectomy. Most of the cases are non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas. Mantle cell lymphoma is an aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma with a poorer prognosis than other B-cell lymphomas; thus, a definitive diagnosis is essential. Case Summary: A 60-year-old man presented with right lower quadrant pain. He denied any nausea, vomiting or anorexia and was afebrile. The physical examination revealed right lower quadrant abdomen tenderness. The computed tomography scan revealed periappendiceal fatty stranding with a swollen appendix, approximately 2 cm in diameter and prominent paraaortic, portacaval and mesenteric lymph nodes. A diagnosis of acute appendicitis was made, and laparoscopic appendectomy was performed immediately. The subsequent pathological examination revealed severe congestion with lymphoid hyperplasia. The immunohistochemistry stains revealed positive staining for cluster of differentiation (CD) CD20, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), cyclin D1, SRY-box transcription factor-11 (SOX-11), immunoglobulin D (IgD) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) but negative staining for CD3, CD5, CD10 and CD23. 18F-FDG positron emission tomography showed peripheral lymph node involvement, while the bone marrow biopsy showed negative findings. Therefore, a diagnosis of mantle cell lymphoma, Ann Arbor stage IVA, was made. The patient received postoperative combination chemotherapy and remained in a stable condition over a 1-year follow-up period. Conclusion: We report an uncommon case that initially presented as acute appendicitis, for which a final diagnosis of mantle cell lymphoma was made. In comparison with other B-cell lymphomas, mantle cell lymphoma has a poorer prognosis, and positive immunochemical staining of cyclin D1 and SOX-11 is useful for differentiating mantle cell lymphoma from other appendiceal lymphomas and treating patients appropriately. Physicians and nursing staff should be also aware of the associated complications and management in these patients.
- Published
- 2021
20. New Rural Women’s Power: Sustainable Rural Food Preparation Model Inheritance and Business Model
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Lee, Ching-Sung, primary, Chen, Yen-Cheng, additional, Tsui, Pei-Ling, additional, Che, Cheng-Wei, additional, and Chiang, Ming-Chen, additional
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- 2021
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21. Differences in Psychiatric Comorbidities and Gender Distribution among Three Clusters of Personality Disorders: A Nationwide Population-Based Study
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Hung-Yu Kao, Yao-Hsu Yang, Chi-Fa Hung, Chih-Wei Hsu, Liang-Jen Wang, Pao-Yen Lin, and Yu-Ming Chen
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medicine.medical_specialty ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Population ,comorbidities ,Article ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,medicine ,personality disorders ,education ,Psychiatry ,media_common ,education.field_of_study ,business.industry ,Addiction ,food and beverages ,General Medicine ,medicine.disease ,Personality disorders ,030227 psychiatry ,population-based ,Eating disorders ,Schizophrenia ,gender difference ,Medicine ,Anxiety ,medicine.symptom ,business ,Neurocognitive ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery ,Cohort study - Abstract
Personality disorders (PDs) are grouped into clusters A, B, and C. However, whether the three clusters of PDs have differences in comorbid mental disorders or gender distribution is still lacking sufficient evidence. We aim to investigate the distribution pattern across the three clusters of PDs with a population-based cohort study. This study used the Taiwan national database between 1995 and 2013 to examine the data of patients with cluster A PDs, cluster B PDs, or cluster C PDs. We compared the differences of psychiatric comorbidities classified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition across the three clusters of PDs. Moreover, we formed gender subgroups of the three PDs to observe the discrepancy between male and female. Among the 9845 patients, those with cluster A PDs had the highest proportion of neurodevelopmental disorders, schizophrenia and neurocognitive disorders, those with cluster B PDs demonstrated the largest percentage of bipolar disorders, trauma and stressor disorders, feeding and eating disorders, and substance and addictive disorders, and those with cluster C PDs had the greatest proportion of depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, obsessive–compulsive disorders, somatic symptom disorders, and sleep–wake disorders. The gender subgroups revealed significant male predominance in neurodevelopmental disorders and female predominance in sleep–wake disorders across all three clusters of PDs. Our findings support that some psychiatric comorbidities are more prevalent in specified cluster PDs and that gender differences exist across the three clusters of PDs. These results are an important reference for clinicians who are developing services that target real-world patients with PDs.
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- 2021
22. Arabidopsis G-Protein β Subunit AGB1 Negatively Regulates DNA Binding of MYB62, a Suppressor in the Gibberellin Pathway
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Zhang He, Jun Chen, Weiya Xu, You-Zhi Ma, Xin Qi, Yong-Bin Zhou, Zhijin Fan, Tang Wensi, Ming Chen, Shiqin Gao, Chunxiao Wang, Zhao-Shi Xu, and Li Weiwei
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0106 biological sciences ,0301 basic medicine ,G protein ,QH301-705.5 ,Mutant ,Arabidopsis ,01 natural sciences ,Catalysis ,Article ,Inorganic Chemistry ,03 medical and health sciences ,Transduction (genetics) ,Transcription (biology) ,Heterotrimeric G protein ,MYB ,protein interaction ,Physical and Theoretical Chemistry ,Biology (General) ,Molecular Biology ,Gene ,QD1-999 ,Spectroscopy ,biology ,Chemistry ,Organic Chemistry ,food and beverages ,General Medicine ,biology.organism_classification ,GA signaling ,AGB1 ,Computer Science Applications ,Cell biology ,030104 developmental biology ,MYB62 ,010606 plant biology & botany - Abstract
Plant G proteins are versatile components of transmembrane signaling transduction pathways. The deficient mutant of heterotrimeric G protein leads to defects in plant growth and development, suggesting that it regulates the GA pathway in Arabidopsis. However, the molecular mechanism of G protein regulation of the GA pathway is not understood in plants. In this study, two G protein β subunit (AGB1) mutants, agb1-2 and N692967, were dwarfed after exogenous application of GA3. AGB1 interacts with the DNA-binding domain MYB62, a GA pathway suppressor. Transgenic plants were obtained through overexpression of MYB62 in two backgrounds including the wild-type (MYB62/WT , Col-0) and agb1 mutants (MYB62/agb1) in Arabidopsis. Genetic analysis showed that under GA3 treatment, the height of the transgenic plants MYB62/WT and MYB62/agb1 was lower than that of WT. The height of MYB62/agb1 plants was closer to MYB62/WT plants and higher than that of mutants agb1-2 and N692967, suggesting that MYB62 is downstream of AGB1 in the GA pathway. qRT-PCR and competitive DNA binding assays indicated that MYB62 can bind MYB elements in the promoter of GA2ox7, a GA degradation gene, to activate GA2ox7 transcription. AGB1 affected binding of MYB62 on the promoter of GA2ox7, thereby negatively regulating th eactivity of MYB62.
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- 2021
23. Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles to the Rescue of Renal Injury
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Lucy Birtwistle, Carol A. Pollock, and Xin-Ming Chen
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Angiogenesis ,Apoptosis ,Review ,Chemical Fractionation ,Exosomes ,urologic and male genital diseases ,Fibrosis ,Renal Insufficiency ,Biology (General) ,Cell Self Renewal ,Spectroscopy ,Acute kidney injury ,Disease Management ,Cell Differentiation ,General Medicine ,Extracellular vesicle ,female genital diseases and pregnancy complications ,Computer Science Applications ,Biological Therapy ,Chemistry ,acute kidney injury ,Kidney Diseases ,Disease Susceptibility ,QH301-705.5 ,Protective Agents ,Exosome ,Catalysis ,Inorganic Chemistry ,Extracellular Vesicles ,medicine ,Animals ,Humans ,exosome ,Physical and Theoretical Chemistry ,Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ,QD1-999 ,Molecular Biology ,Cell Proliferation ,miRNA ,mesenchymal stem cells ,business.industry ,Organic Chemistry ,Mesenchymal stem cell ,medicine.disease ,Microvesicles ,Cancer research ,extracellular vesicle ,business ,chronic kidney disease ,Kidney disease - Abstract
Acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are rising in global prevalence and cause significant morbidity for patients. Current treatments are limited to slowing instead of stabilising or reversing disease progression. In this review, we describe mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and their constituents, extracellular vesicles (EVs) as being a novel therapeutic for CKD. MSC-derived EVs (MSC-EVs) are membrane-enclosed particles, including exosomes, which carry genetic information that mimics the phenotype of their cell of origin. MSC-EVs deliver their cargo of mRNA, miRNA, cytokines, and growth factors to target cells as a form of paracrine communication. This genetically reprograms pathophysiological pathways, which are upregulated in renal failure. Since the method of exosome preparation significantly affects the quality and function of MSC-exosomes, this review compares the methodologies for isolating exosomes from MSCs and their role in tissue regeneration. More specifically, it summarises the therapeutic efficacy of MSC-EVs in 60 preclinical animal models of AKI and CKD and the cargo of biomolecules they deliver. MSC-EVs promote tubular proliferation and angiogenesis, and inhibit apoptosis, oxidative stress, inflammation, the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and fibrosis, to alleviate AKI and CKD. By reprogramming these pathophysiological pathways, MSC-EVs can slow or even reverse the progression of AKI to CKD, and therefore offer potential to transform clinical practice.
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- 2021
24. MiR-139 Modulates Cancer Stem Cell Function of Human Breast Cancer through Targeting CXCR4
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Yi-Hsien Hsieh, Wen-Ling Liao, Po-Ming Chen, Huei-Jane Lee, Jyh-Cherng Yu, Pei-Ei Wu, Chen-Yang Shen, Chun-Wen Cheng, Yu-Chun Cheng, and Hui-Ping Shiau
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0301 basic medicine ,Cancer Research ,cancer stem cell ,Biology ,CXCR4 ,Article ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Breast cancer ,breast cancer ,Cancer stem cell ,microRNA ,medicine ,Lung cancer ,RC254-282 ,Mesenchymal stem cell ,Cancer ,Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology. Including cancer and carcinogens ,medicine.disease ,Embryonic stem cell ,030104 developmental biology ,Oncology ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Cancer research ,biomarker - Abstract
Elevated expression of C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) correlates with chemotaxis, invasion, and cancer stem cell (CSC) properties within several solid-tumor malignancies. Recent studies reported that microRNA (miRNA) modulates the stemness of embryonic stem cells. We aimed to investigate the role of miRNA, via CXCR4-modulation, on CSC properties in breast cancer using cell lines and xenotransplantation mouse model and evaluated miR-193 levels in 191 patients with invasive ductal carcinoma. We validated miR-139 directly targets the 3′-untranslated region of CXCR4. Hoechst 33342 fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and sphere-forming assay were used to identify CSCs. MiR-139 suppressed breast CSCs with mesenchymal traits, led to decreased migration and invasion abilities through down-regulating CXCR4/p-Akt signaling. In lung cancer xenograft model of nude mice transplanted with human miR-139-carrying MDA-MB-231 cells, metastatic lung nodules were suppressed. Clinically, microdissected breast tumor tissues showed miR-139 reduction, compared to adjacent non-tumor tissues, that was significantly associated with worse clinicopathological features, including larger tumor size, advanced tumor stage and lymph node metastasis, moreover, reduced miR-139 level was predominately occurred in late-stage HER2-oreexpression tumors. Collectively, our findings highlight miR-139-mediated suppression of CXCR4/p-Akt signaling and thereby affected mesenchymal stem-cell genesis, indicating its potential as a therapeutic target for invasive breast cancer.
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- 2021
25. Protective Effect of CXCR4 Antagonist DBPR807 against Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in a Rat and Porcine Model of Myocardial Infarction: Potential Adjunctive Therapy for Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.
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Yeh, Kai-Chia, Lee, Chia-Jui, Song, Jen-Shin, Wu, Chien-Huang, Yeh, Teng-Kuang, Wu, Szu-Huei, Hsieh, Tsung-Chin, Chen, Yen-Ting, Tseng, Huan-Yi, Huang, Chen-Lung, Chen, Chiung-Tong, Jan, Jiing-Jyh, Chou, Ming-Chen, Shia, Kak-Shan, and Chiang, Kuang-Hsing
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MYOCARDIAL infarction ,PERCUTANEOUS coronary intervention ,REPERFUSION injury ,CXCR4 receptors ,PROGENITOR cells ,VENTRICULAR ejection fraction - Abstract
CXCR4 antagonists have been claimed to reduce mortality after myocardial infarction in myocardial infarction (MI) animals, presumably due to suppressing inflammatory responses caused by myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, thus, subsequently facilitating tissue repair and cardiac function recovery. This study aims to determine whether a newly designed CXCR4 antagonist DBPR807 could exert better vascular-protective effects than other clinical counterparts (e.g., AMD3100) to alleviate cardiac damage further exacerbated by reperfusion. Consequently, we find that instead of traditional continuous treatment or multiple-dose treatment at different intervals of time, a single-dose treatment of DBPR807 before reperfusion in MI animals could attenuate inflammation via protecting oxidative stress damage and preserve vascular/capillary density and integrity via mobilizing endothelial progenitor cells, leading to a desirable fibrosis reduction and recovery of cardiac function, as evaluated with the LVEF (left ventricular ejection fraction) in infarcted hearts in rats and mini-pigs, respectively. Thus, it is highly suggested that CXCR4 antagonists should be given at a single high dose prior to reperfusion to provide the maximal cardiac functional improvement. Based on its favorable efficacy and safety profiles indicated in tested animals, DBPR807 has a great potential to serve as an adjunctive medicine for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) therapies in acute MI patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2022
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26. The Impact of Signing Do-Not-Resuscitate Orders on the Use of Non-Beneficial Life-Sustaining Treatments for Intensive Care Unit Patients: A Retrospective Study.
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Shiu, Shang-Sin, Lee, Ting-Ting, Yeh, Ming-Chen, Chen, Yu-Chi, and Huang, Shu-He
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- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
27. Application of Supervised Machine Learning to Recognize Competent Level and Mixed Antinuclear Antibody Patterns Based on ICAP International Consensus
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Yen Ching Wu, Wen Nan Huang, Ruey-Kai Sheu, Ying Chieh Huang, Chia Yu Chen, Chien-Chung Huang, Yi Hsing Chen, Tsu-Yi Hsieh, Tsai Hung Yen, Chien Wen Hsiao, Win Tsung Lo, Huang Chen Chang, Yun Wen Chen, Yi Da Wu, Chih Wei Chung, Lun-Chi Chen, Chiao Chi Ou, and Yi-Ming Chen
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Manual interpretation ,Computer science ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Clinical Biochemistry ,02 engineering and technology ,Machine learning ,computer.software_genre ,Article ,03 medical and health sciences ,Consistency (database systems) ,Hep-2 cell ,0302 clinical medicine ,Reading (process) ,0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering ,media_common ,030203 arthritis & rheumatology ,lcsh:R5-920 ,business.industry ,ICAP ,Pattern recognition system ,artificial intelligence ,Test (assessment) ,machine learning ,Pattern recognition (psychology) ,020201 artificial intelligence & image processing ,Artificial intelligence ,antinuclear antibody ,lcsh:Medicine (General) ,F1 score ,business ,computer ,Test data - Abstract
Background: Antinuclear antibody pattern recognition is vital for autoimmune disease diagnosis but labor-intensive for manual interpretation. To develop an automated pattern recognition system, we established machine learning models based on the International Consensus on Antinuclear Antibody Patterns (ICAP) at a competent level, mixed patterns recognition, and evaluated their consistency with human reading. Methods: 51,694 human epithelial cells (HEp-2) cell images with patterns assigned by experienced medical technologists collected in a medical center were used to train six machine learning algorithms and were compared by their performance. Next, we choose the best performing model to test the consistency with five experienced readers and two beginners. Results: The mean F1 score in each classification of the best performing model was 0.86 evaluated by Testing Data 1. For the inter-observer agreement test on Testing Data 2, the average agreement was 0.849 (κ) among five experienced readers, 0.844 between the best performing model and experienced readers, 0.528 between experienced readers and beginners. The results indicate that the proposed model outperformed beginners and achieved an excellent agreement with experienced readers. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the developed model could reach an excellent agreement with experienced human readers using machine learning methods.
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- 2021
28. An Automatic Platform Based on Nanostructured Microfluidic Chip for Isolating and Identification of Circulating Tumor Cells
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Pei Hsuan Lo, Szu Hua Chen, Hsin Cheng Ho, Ko Hsin Tsai, Hei Jen Jou, Wen-Chun Chang, Li Yun Chou, Tze Ho Chen, Heng-Tung Hsu, Ming Chen, Wan Ting Zhang, and Pei Ying Ling
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0301 basic medicine ,epithelial ovarian cancer ,endocrine system diseases ,SKOV3 ,circulating tumor cells ,Article ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Circulating tumor cell ,TJ1-1570 ,Medicine ,Epithelial ovarian cancer ,Mechanical engineering and machinery ,Electrical and Electronic Engineering ,Liquid biopsy ,Potential impact ,biology ,liquid biopsy ,business.industry ,Mechanical Engineering ,Peripheral blood ,female genital diseases and pregnancy complications ,030104 developmental biology ,Microfluidic chip ,Control and Systems Engineering ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,biology.protein ,Cancer research ,Biomarker (medicine) ,Antibody ,business ,CD13 - Abstract
Circulating tumor cell (CTC) test is currently used as a biomarker in cancer treatment. Unfortunately, the poor reproducibility and limited sensitivity with the CTC detection have limited its potential impact on clinical application. A reliable automated CTC detection system is therefore needed. We have designed an automated microfluidic chip-based CTC detection system and hypothesize this novel system can reliably detect CTC from clinical specimens. SKOV3 ovarian cancer cell line was used first to test the reliability of our system. Ten healthy volunteers, 5 patients with benign ovarian tumors, and 8 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) were recruited to validate the CTC capturing efficacy in the peripheral blood. The capture rates for spiking test in SKOV3 cells were 48.3% and 89.6% by using anti-EpCAM antibody alone and a combination of anti-EpCAM antibody and anti-N-cadherin antibody, respectively. The system was sensitive to detection of low cell count and showed a linear relationship with the cell counts in our test range. The sensitivity and specificity were 62.5% and 100% when CTC was used as a biomarker for EOC. Our results demonstrated that this automatic CTC platform has a high capture rate and is feasible for detection of CTCs in EOC.
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- 2021
29. Diversified and Sustainable Business Strategy of Smallholder Farmers in the Suburbs of Taiwan.
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Lee, Ching-Sung, Chen, Yen-Cheng, Tsui, Pei-Ling, and Chiang, Ming-Chen
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BUSINESS planning ,ANALYTIC hierarchy process ,SUBURBS ,CATERING services ,ECONOMIC demand ,ECONOMIC structure - Abstract
Taiwan's smallholder farmers are transforming into a diversified business model to respond to the transformation of economic structures and the demand for sightseeing and recreation. On that account, it is urgent and valuable at the research level to develop diversified and sustainable business strategies and models for smallholder farmers. There are two goals in this study. First of all, the study formulated the indicators of diversified and sustainable business strategies for smallholder farmers in Taiwan's suburbs. Second, the study measured the relevant weights of these indicators from the perspectives of experts. The qualitative and quantitative Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was applied in the study, with Taiwan's agricultural experts being our main subjects to establish the indicators and models for diversified and sustainable business strategies based on their opinions. According to the research results, there were 6 criteria and 25 sub-criteria for smallholder farmers in terms of diversified and sustainable business strategies, among which, catering services topped other criteria; food health and safety outweighed other sub-criteria of diversified and sustainable business strategies for smallholder farmers. The greatest contribution of the study is the establishment of the indicators and models of diversified and sustainable strategies for smallholder farmers in Taiwan's suburbs and the discovery that catering service can be an important orientation of diversified and sustainable business strategies for smallholder farmers in Taiwan's suburbs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2022
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30. Py–FTIR–GC/MS Analysis of Volatile Products of Automobile Shredder Residue Pyrolysis
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Ming Chen and Bin Yang
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Thermogravimetric analysis ,Polymers and Plastics ,020209 energy ,gas chromatography mass spectrometry ,02 engineering and technology ,010501 environmental sciences ,01 natural sciences ,Article ,lcsh:QD241-441 ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,lcsh:Organic chemistry ,Pyrolysis oil ,0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering ,Pyrolytic carbon ,Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences ,thermogravimetric analysis ,gas chromatograph ,Fourier transform infrared spectrometry ,General Chemistry ,pyrolysis ,automobile shredder residue (ASR) ,chemistry ,Chemical engineering ,Gas chromatography ,Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry ,Pyrolysis ,Syngas - Abstract
Automobile shredder residue (ASR) pyrolysis produces solid, liquid, and gaseous products, particularly pyrolysis oil and gas, which could be used as renewable alternative energy resources. Due to the primary pyrolysis reaction not being complete, the yield of gaseous product is low. The pyrolysis tar comprises chemically unstable volatiles before condensing into liquid. Understanding the characteristics of volatile products will aid the design and improvement of subsequent processes. In order to accurately analyze the chemical characteristics and yields of volatile products of ASR primary pyrolysis, TG&ndash, FTIR&ndash, GC/MS analysis technology was used. According to the analysis results of the Gram&ndash, Schmidt profiles, the 3D stack plots, and GC/MS chromatograms of MixASR, ASR, and its main components, the major pyrolytic products of ASR included alkanes, olefins, and alcohols, and both had dense and indistinguishable weak peaks in the wavenumber range of 1900&ndash, 1400 cm&minus, 1. Many of these products have unstable or weaker chemical bonds, such as =CH&ndash, =CH2, &ndash, C=C&ndash, and &ndash, C=CH2. Hence, more syngas with higher heating values can be obtained with further catalytic pyrolysis gasification, steam gasification, or higher temperature pyrolysis.
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- 2020
31. Helios Expression in Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes Correlates with Overall Survival of Advanced Gastric Cancer Patients
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Jing-Lan Liu, Yong-Lin Chang, Shu-Fen Wu, Huei-Chieh Chuang, Cheng-Shyong Wu, Wei-Ming Chen, and Chia-Ming Yeh
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0301 basic medicine ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Peripheral blood mononuclear cell ,General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology ,Article ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Immune system ,tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte ,medicine ,Helicobacter ,lcsh:Science ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,biology ,business.industry ,Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes ,gastric cancer ,Paleontology ,Cancer ,Immunotherapy ,medicine.disease ,biology.organism_classification ,IKZF2 ,Helios ,030104 developmental biology ,Space and Planetary Science ,Cancer research ,Immunohistochemistry ,lcsh:Q ,business ,CD8 ,030215 immunology - Abstract
Immunotherapy is a highly promising approach for the treatment of gastric cancer, the third-leading cause of overall cancer death worldwide. In particular, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and peripheral blood mononuclear cells are believed to mediate host immune responses, although this activity may vary depending on the activation status and/ or their microenvironments. Here, we examined the expression of a specific zinc finger transcription factor, Helios (IKZF2), in gastric tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes by immunohistochemistry and the correlation with survival. Segregation of gastric cancer patients into high- vs. low-Helios-expressing tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes showed those with high expression to exhibit longer survival in gastric cancer patients, Helicobacter pylori-infected gastric cancer patients and advanced stage (III&ndash, IV) gastric cancer patients. In particular, Helios expression was an independent factor for survival in advanced gastric cancer patients. We performed immunofluorescence staining to detect Helios expression in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. We found that Helios is expressed more in CD4+ T cells and little in CD8+ T cells in infiltrated lymphocytes in gastric cancer. In summary, we believe that the study of specific characteristics of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes can delineate the interactions of immune and tumor cells to improve upon immunotherapy strategies.
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- 2020
32. Circulating Very-Long-Chain Saturated Fatty Acids Were Inversely Associated with Cardiovascular Health: A Prospective Cohort Study and Meta-Analysis
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Luo-Shi-Yuan Zuo, Ting-Yu Sun, Meng Liu, Yan-Yan Wu, Yu-Ming Chen, Fang-Fang Zeng, and Yu-Ping Liu
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0301 basic medicine ,Male ,030204 cardiovascular system & hematology ,Gastroenterology ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,0302 clinical medicine ,Medicine ,Carotid Stenosis ,Prospective Studies ,Prospective cohort study ,Ultrasonography ,Aged, 80 and over ,Nutrition and Dietetics ,Incidence ,Hazard ratio ,Fatty Acids ,cardiovascular health ,Middle Aged ,Nutrition Surveys ,Carotid Arteries ,Quartile ,Meta-analysis ,Female ,Behenic acid ,lcsh:Nutrition. Foods and food supply ,Cohort study ,Adult ,medicine.medical_specialty ,China ,Lignoceric acid ,Nutritional Status ,lcsh:TX341-641 ,Article ,03 medical and health sciences ,Sex Factors ,Internal medicine ,cohort study ,Humans ,Aged ,Proportional Hazards Models ,business.industry ,Confidence interval ,meta-analysis ,030104 developmental biology ,chemistry ,Heart Disease Risk Factors ,business ,Food Science ,very-long-chain saturated fatty acid ,Follow-Up Studies - Abstract
Saturated fatty acids with different chain lengths have different biological activities, but little is known about very-long-chain saturated fatty acids (VLCSFAs). This study investigated the associations between the circulating VLCSFAs and cardiovascular health. This community-based cohort study included 2198 adults without carotid artery plaques (CAPs) at baseline. The percentage of baseline erythrocyte VLCSFA (arachidic acid (C20:0), behenic acid (C22:0), and lignoceric acid (C24:0)) was measured by gas chromatography. The presence of CAPs was determined at baseline and every 3 years thereafter by ultrasound examination. A meta-analysis was conducted to summarize the pooled associations between circulating VLCSFAs and the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). During a median of 7.2 years of follow-up, 573 women (35.1%) and 281 men (49.6%) were identified as CAP incident cases. VLCSFAs were inversely related with CAP risk in women (all p-trend <, 0.05) but not in men. Multivariate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of CAPs for the highest (vs. lowest) quartile were 0.80 (0.63&ndash, 1.01) for C20:0, 0.71 (0.56&ndash, 0.89) for C22:0, 0.75 (0.59&ndash, 0.94) for C24:0, and 0.69 (0.55&ndash, 0.87) for total VLCSFAs in women. The pooled HRs (95% CIs) of CVDs for the highest (vs. lowest) circulating VLCSFAs from seven studies including 8592 participants and 3172 CVD events were 0.67 (0.57&ndash, 0.79) for C20:0, 0.66 (0.48&ndash, 0.90) for C22:0, and 0.57 (0.42&ndash, 0.79) for C24:0, respectively. Our findings suggested that circulating VLCSFAs were inversely associated with cardiovascular health.
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- 2020
33. 2,4-Diamino-Quinazoline, a Wnt Signaling Inhibitor, Suppresses Gastric Cancer Progression and Metastasis
- Author
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Ming-Ko Chiang, Sui-Yi Tung, Kuo-Liang Wei, Michael W.Y. Chan, Cheng-Shyong Wu, Wei-Ming Chen, Chung-Kuang Lu, Yung-Yu Hsieh, and Te-Sheng Chang
- Subjects
Male ,Apoptosis ,Metastasis ,Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled ,lcsh:Chemistry ,Mice ,Nude mouse ,Neoplasm Metastasis ,lcsh:QH301-705.5 ,Wnt Signaling Pathway ,Spectroscopy ,Cells, Cultured ,biology ,Chemistry ,LGR5 ,Wnt signaling pathway ,2,4-diamino-quinazoline ,General Medicine ,Middle Aged ,Computer Science Applications ,Female ,Lymphoid Enhancer-Binding Factor 1 ,Mice, Nude ,Antineoplastic Agents ,Catalysis ,Article ,Cell Line ,Inorganic Chemistry ,Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc ,Axin Protein ,Stomach Neoplasms ,Cell Line, Tumor ,AXIN2 ,medicine ,Animals ,Humans ,Physical and Theoretical Chemistry ,Molecular Biology ,Aged ,gastric cancer ,Organic Chemistry ,Cancer ,medicine.disease ,biology.organism_classification ,Wnt signaling ,lcsh:Biology (General) ,lcsh:QD1-999 ,Cancer cell ,Cancer research ,Quinazolines ,Lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 - Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is among the most treatment-refractory epithelial malignancies. Aberrant activation of Wnt/&beta, catenin-signaling has been implicated in a variety of human cancers, including gastric cancer. Here we report that the elevated expression of lymphoid enhancer binding factor 1 (Lef1) is associated with the TNM (tumor&ndash, node&ndash, metastasis) stage of gastric cancer. Subsequently, 2,4-diamino-quinazoline (2,4-DAQ), a selective inhibitor of Lef1, was identified to suppress the expression of Wnt/&beta, catenin target genes such as AXIN2, MYC and LGR5 and result in the suppression of gastric cancer cell growth through the apoptotic pathway. The 2,4-DAQ also exhibited an inhibitory effect on the migration/invasion of gastric cancer cells. Importantly, the treatment of human gastric tumor xenograft with 2,4-DAQ suppressed tumor growth in a nude mouse model. Furthermore, 2,4-DAQ appears effective on patient-derived organoids (PDOs). Transcriptome sequencing analysis also revealed that 2,4-DAQ are more effective on the gastric cancers that exhibit higher expression levels of Wnt-signaling pathway-related genes than their adjacent normal gastric tissues.
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- 2020
34. Methylpiperidinopyrazole Attenuates Estrogen-Induced Mitochondrial Energy Production and Subsequent Osteoblast Maturation via an Estrogen Receptor Alpha-Dependent Mechanism
- Author
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Yih Giun Cherng, Shun Tai Yang, Poh Shiow Yeh, Ruei Ming Chen, Yu-Ting Tai, and Jui Tai Chen
- Subjects
Bone Morphogenetic Protein 6 ,Pharmaceutical Science ,Estrogen receptor ,Mitochondrion ,Cell morphology ,Analytical Chemistry ,0302 clinical medicine ,Drug Discovery ,estrogen ,0303 health sciences ,methylpiperidinopyrazole ,Chemistry ,Osteoblast ,Cell Differentiation ,Cell biology ,Mitochondria ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Chemistry (miscellaneous) ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Molecular Medicine ,Female ,hormones, hormone substitutes, and hormone antagonists ,Signal Transduction ,medicine.drug_class ,Osteocalcin ,Bone morphogenetic protein ,Article ,osteogenesis ,lcsh:QD241-441 ,energy production ,Electron Transport Complex IV ,03 medical and health sciences ,lcsh:Organic chemistry ,osteoblast maturation ,medicine ,Animals ,Estrogen Receptor beta ,Physical and Theoretical Chemistry ,Methylpiperidinopyrazole ,030304 developmental biology ,Osteoblasts ,Organic Chemistry ,Estrogen Receptor alpha ,Estrogens ,Rats ,Gene Expression Regulation ,Estrogen ,Osteoporosis ,Pyrazoles ,Estrogen receptor alpha - Abstract
An estrogen deficiency is the main cause of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. In bone remodeling, estrogen receptors (ERs) can mediate estrogen-transducing signals. Methylpiperidinopyrazole (MPP) is a highly specific antagonist of ER-alpha (ER&alpha, ). This study was designed to evaluate the effects of MPP on estrogen-induced energy production, subsequent osteoblast maturation, and the possible mechanisms. Exposure of primary osteoblasts isolated from neonatal rat calvarias to MPP did not affect cell morphology or survival. Estradiol can induce translocation of ER&alpha, into mitochondria from the cytoplasm. Interestingly, pretreatment of rat calvarial osteoblasts with MPP lowered estrogen-induced ER&alpha, translocation. Sequentially, estrogen-triggered expressions of mitochondrial energy production-linked cytochrome c oxidase (COX) I and COX II messenger (m)RNAs were inhibited following pretreatment with MPP. Consequently, MPP caused decreases in estrogen-triggered augmentation of the activities of mitochondrial respiratory complex enzymes and levels of cellular adenosine phosphate (ATP). During progression of osteoblast maturation, estrogen induced bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-6 and type I collagen mRNA expressions, but MPP treatment inhibited such induction. Consequently, estrogen-induced osteoblast activation and mineralization were attenuated after exposure to MPP. Taken together, MPP suppressed estrogen-induced osteoblast maturation through decreasing chromosomal osteogenesis-related BMP-6 and type I collagen mRNA expressions and mitochondrial ATP synthesis due to inhibiting energy production-linked COX I and II mRNA expressions. MPP can appropriately be applied to evaluate estrogen-involved bioenergetics and osteoblast maturation.
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- 2020
35. An Ultra-Sensitive Electrochemical Sensor for the Detection of Carcinogen Oxidative Stress 4-Nitroquinoline N-Oxide in Biologic Matrices Based on Hierarchical Spinel Structured NiCo2O4 and NiCo2S4; A Comparative Study
- Author
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Xiaoheng Liu, Shen-Ming Chen, Elayappan Tamilalagan, Selvarasu Maheshwaran, Muthumariappan Akilarasan, and Tse-Wei Chen
- Subjects
biologic samples ,DNA damage ,4-NQO detection ,Nanotechnology ,02 engineering and technology ,Biosensing Techniques ,Chemistry Techniques, Synthetic ,NiCo2S4 ,010402 general chemistry ,Electrochemistry ,medicine.disease_cause ,01 natural sciences ,Sensitivity and Specificity ,Catalysis ,Article ,NiCo2O4 ,Inorganic Chemistry ,lcsh:Chemistry ,Nickel ,medicine ,Hydrothermal synthesis ,Physical and Theoretical Chemistry ,Molecular Biology ,lcsh:QH301-705.5 ,Electrodes ,Spectroscopy ,Carcinogen ,Detection limit ,Chemistry ,Spectrum Analysis ,Organic Chemistry ,Nitroquinolines ,General Medicine ,Electrochemical Techniques ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,hierarchical spinel structure ,0104 chemical sciences ,Computer Science Applications ,Electrochemical gas sensor ,Nanostructures ,Oxidative Stress ,lcsh:Biology (General) ,lcsh:QD1-999 ,hydrothermal method ,Electrode ,Carcinogens ,0210 nano-technology ,Oxidative stress - Abstract
Various factors leads to cancer, among them oxidative damage is believed to play an important role. Moreover, it is important to identify a method to detect the oxidative damage. Recently, electrochemical sensors have been considered as the one of the most important techniques to detect DNA damage, owing to its rapid detection. However, electrode materials play an important role in the properties of electrochemical sensor. Currently, researchers have aimed to develop novel electrode materials for low-level detection of biomarkers. Herein, we report the facile hydrothermal synthesis of NiCo2O4 micro flowers (MFs) and NiCo2S4 micro spheres (Ms) and evaluate their electrochemical properties for the detection of carcinogen-causing biomarker 4-nitroquinoline n-oxide (4-NQO) in human blood serum and saliva samples. Moreover, as-prepared composites were fabricated on a glass carbon electrode (GCE), and its electrochemical activities for the determination of 4-NQO were investigated by using various electrochemical techniques. Fascinatingly, the NiCo2S4-Ms showed a very low detection limit of 2.29 nM and a wider range of 0.005 to 596.64 µ, M for detecting 4-NQO. Finally, the practical applicability of NiCo2S4-Ms in the 4-NQO spiked human blood serum and saliva samples were also investigated.
- Published
- 2020
36. Whole Exome Sequencing with Comprehensive Gene Set Analysis Identified a Biparental-Origin Homozygous c.509G>A Mutation in PPIB Gene Clustered in Two Taiwanese Families Exhibiting Fetal Skeletal Dysplasia during Prenatal Ultrasound
- Author
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Shun-Ping Chang, I-Fang Chung, Ming Chen, Ting-Yu Chang, Wan-Ju Wu, Gwo-Chin Ma, Wen-Hsiang Lin, and Norman A. Ginsberg
- Subjects
0301 basic medicine ,Cartilage disorder ,Clinical Biochemistry ,Population ,osteogenesis imperfecta ,030105 genetics & heredity ,Biology ,skeletal dysplasia ,Article ,03 medical and health sciences ,PPIB ,medicine ,education ,Exome sequencing ,Genetics ,Peptidylprolyl isomerase ,education.field_of_study ,lcsh:R5-920 ,fetal diagnosis ,medicine.disease ,Collagen, type I, alpha 2 ,030104 developmental biology ,trio analysis ,Dysplasia ,WES ,Diastrophic dysplasia ,medicine.symptom ,lcsh:Medicine (General) - Abstract
Skeletal dysplasia (SD) is a complex group of bone and cartilage disorders often detectable by fetal ultrasound, but the definitive diagnosis remains challenging because the phenotypes are highly variable and often overlap among different disorders. The molecular mechanisms underlying this condition are also diverse. Hundreds of genes are involved in the pathogenesis of SD, but most of them are yet to be elucidated, rendering genotyping almost infeasible except those most common such as fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3), collagen type I alpha 1 chain (COL1A1), collagen type I alpha 2 chain (COL1A2), diastrophic dysplasia sulfate transporter (DTDST), and SRY-box 9 (SOX9). Here, we report the use of trio-based whole exome sequencing (trio-WES) with comprehensive gene set analysis in two Taiwanese non-consanguineous families with fetal SD at autopsy. A biparental-origin homozygous c.509G>A(p.G170D) mutation in peptidylprolyl isomerase B (PPIB) gene was identified. The results support a diagnosis of a rare form of autosomal recessive SD, osteogenesis imperfecta type IX (OI IX), and confirm that the use of a trio-WES study is helpful to uncover a genetic explanation for observed fetal anomalies (e.g., SD), especially in cases suggesting autosomal recessive inheritance. Moreover, the finding of an identical PPIB mutation in two non-consanguineous families highlights the possibility of the founder effect, which deserves future investigations in the Taiwanese population.
- Published
- 2020
37. An All-Solid-State Nitrate Ion-Selective Electrode with Nanohybrids Composite Films for In-Situ Soil Nutrient Monitoring
- Author
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Maohua Wang, Miao Zhang, Qingliang Yang, Ming Chen, Gang Liu, Xuming Wang, and Lan Yao
- Subjects
Materials science ,Scanning electron microscope ,Composite number ,Oxide ,010501 environmental sciences ,Conductivity ,lcsh:Chemical technology ,Polypyrrole ,AuNPs ,01 natural sciences ,Biochemistry ,Article ,nanohybrids composite film ,Analytical Chemistry ,law.invention ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,law ,lcsh:TP1-1185 ,Electrical and Electronic Engineering ,Instrumentation ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences ,Graphene ,010401 analytical chemistry ,all-solid-state ISE ,ERGO ,Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics ,0104 chemical sciences ,chemistry ,Chemical engineering ,Colloidal gold ,in-situ soil monitoring ,Electrode ,nitrate-nitrogen - Abstract
In this paper, an all-solid-state nitrate doped polypyrrole (PPy(NO3&minus, ) ion-selective electrode (ISE) was prepared with a nanohybrid composite film of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (ERGO). Preliminary tests on the ISE based in-situ soil nitrate&ndash, nitrogen (NO3&minus, N) monitoring was conducted in a laboratory 3-stage column. Comparisons were made between the NO3&minus, N content of in-situ soil percolate solution and laboratory-prepared extract solution. Possible influential factors of sample depth, NO3&minus, N content, soil texture, and moisture were varied. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) characterized morphology and content information of the composite film of ERGO/AuNPs. Due to the performance excellence for conductivity, stability, and hydrophobicity, the ISE with ERGO/AuNPs illustrates an acceptable detection range from 10&minus, 1 to 10&minus, 5 M. The response time was determined to be about 10 s. The lifetime was 65 days, which revealed great potential for the implementation of the ERGO/AuNPs mediated ISE for in-situ NO3&minus, N monitoring. In-situ NO3&minus, N testing results conducted by the all-solid-state ISE followed a similar trend with the standard UV-VIS method.
- Published
- 2020
38. RNA-Seq-Based Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Highlights New Features of the Heat-Stress Response in the Extremophilic Bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans
- Author
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Jiang Li, Shijie Jiang, Jiahui Han, Jin Wang, Ming Chen, Dong Xue, Yun Chen, Yingying Liu, Marc Ongena, Wenzheng Liu, Wei Zhang, Min Lin, Geng Xiuxiu, and Zhengfu Zhou
- Subjects
0301 basic medicine ,novel heat-related gene ,cell wall damage ,030106 microbiology ,Hypothetical protein ,Cellular homeostasis ,Protein degradation ,Catalysis ,Article ,lcsh:Chemistry ,Inorganic Chemistry ,Transcriptome ,heat stress ,03 medical and health sciences ,recovery ,Extremophiles ,Bacterial Proteins ,Deinococcus radiodurans ,Heat shock protein ,Transcriptional regulation ,RNA-Seq ,Physical and Theoretical Chemistry ,lcsh:QH301-705.5 ,Molecular Biology ,Gene ,Spectroscopy ,biology ,Chemistry ,Sequence Analysis, RNA ,Gene Expression Profiling ,Organic Chemistry ,General Medicine ,Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial ,biology.organism_classification ,Computer Science Applications ,Cell biology ,030104 developmental biology ,lcsh:Biology (General) ,lcsh:QD1-999 ,Deinococcus ,Heat-Shock Response - Abstract
Deinococcus radiodurans is best known for its extraordinary resistance to diverse environmental stress factors, such as ionizing radiation, ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, desiccation, oxidation, and high temperatures. The heat response of this bacterium is considered to be due to a classical, stress-induced regulatory system that is characterized by extensive transcriptional reprogramming. In this study, we investigated the key functional genes involved in heat stress that were expressed and accumulated in cells (R48) following heat treatment at 48 °, C for 2 h. Considering that protein degradation is a time-consuming bioprocess, we predicted that to maintain cellular homeostasis, the expression of the key functional proteins would be significantly decreased in cells (RH) that had partly recovered from heat stress relative to their expression in cells (R30) grown under control conditions. Comparative transcriptomics identified 15 genes that were significantly downregulated in RH relative to R30, seven of which had previously been characterized to be heat shock proteins. Among these genes, three hypothetical genes (dr_0127, dr_1083, and dr_1325) are highly likely to be involved in response to heat stress. Survival analysis of mutant strains lacking DR_0127 (a DNA-binding protein), DR_1325 (an endopeptidase-like protein), and DR_1083 (a hypothetical protein) showed a reduction in heat tolerance compared to the wild-type strain. These results suggest that DR_0127, DR_1083, and DR_1325 might play roles in the heat stress response. Overall, the results of this study provide deeper insights into the transcriptional regulation of the heat response in D. radiodurans.
- Published
- 2019
39. Parameters Affecting the Antimicrobial Properties of Cold Atmospheric Plasma Jet
- Author
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Yu-Ming Su, Chun-Wei Hou, Jyh-Wei Lee, Chih Ho Lai, Jang-Hsing Hsieh, Pang-Yun Chou, Chun-Ming Chen, Teng-Ping Chu, and Bih-Show Lou
- Subjects
escherichia coli ,chemistry.chemical_element ,lcsh:Medicine ,Atmospheric-pressure plasma ,medicine.disease_cause ,01 natural sciences ,Article ,03 medical and health sciences ,Taguchi methods ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,cold atmospheric-pressure plasma jet (CAPJ) ,0103 physical sciences ,medicine ,Escherichia coli ,DNA double-strand breaks ,010302 applied physics ,0303 health sciences ,Argon ,Chromatography ,biology ,030306 microbiology ,business.industry ,lcsh:R ,General Medicine ,Antimicrobial ,biology.organism_classification ,Volumetric flow rate ,chemistry ,antimicrobial efficiency ,Taguchi method ,Hydroxyl radical ,business ,Bacteria ,scanning electron microscopy - Abstract
Using the Taguchi method to narrow experimental parameters, the antimicrobial efficiency of a cold atmospheric plasma jet (CAPJ) treatment was investigated. An L9 array with four parameters of CAPJ treatments, including the application voltage, CAPJ-sample distance, argon (Ar) gas flow rate, and CAPJ treatment time, were applied to examine the antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli). CAPJ treatment time was found to be the most influential parameter in its antimicrobial ability by evaluation of signal to noise ratios and analysis of variance. 100% bactericidal activity was achieved under the optimal bactericidal activity parameters including the application voltage of 8.5 kV, CAPJ-sample distance of 10 mm, Ar gas flow rate of 500 sccm, and CAPJ treatment time of 300 s, which confirms the efficacy of the Taguchi method in this design. In terms of the mechanism of CAPJ&rsquo, s antimicrobial ability, the intensity of hydroxyl radical produced by CAPJ positively correlated to its antimicrobial efficiency. The CAPJ antimicrobial efficiency was further evaluated by both DNA double-strand breaks analysis and scanning electron microscopy examination of CAPJ treated bacteria. CAPJ destroyed the cell wall of E. coli and further damaged its DNA structure, thus leading to successful killing of bacteria. This study suggests that optimal conditions of CPAJ can provide effective antimicrobial activity and may be grounds for a novel approach for eradicating bacterial infections.
- Published
- 2019
40. Genome-Wide Analysis of the DYW Subgroup PPR Gene Family and Identification of GmPPR4 Responses to Drought Stress
- Author
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Jian Ma, Jun Chen, You-Zhi Ma, Xin-Yuan Song, Yong-Bin Zhou, Dong-Hong Min, Hong-Gang Su, Ming Chen, Bo Li, and Zhao-Shi Xu
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,0301 basic medicine ,Pentatricopeptide-repeat (PPR) proteins ,Drought tolerance ,Biology ,01 natural sciences ,Genome ,Catalysis ,Article ,Inorganic Chemistry ,Transcriptome ,03 medical and health sciences ,Tandem repeat ,drought responses ,Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ,Osmotic Pressure ,Gene duplication ,Gene family ,Physical and Theoretical Chemistry ,soybean ,Molecular Biology ,Gene ,Spectroscopy ,Genetics ,Dehydration ,Organic Chemistry ,fungi ,Intron ,food and beverages ,General Medicine ,Computer Science Applications ,030104 developmental biology ,Multigene Family ,Soybean Proteins ,hairy root assay ,Soybeans ,Carrier Proteins ,010606 plant biology & botany ,genome-wide analysis ,Genome-Wide Association Study - Abstract
Pentatricopeptide-repeat (PPR) proteins were identified as a type of nucleus coding protein that is composed of multiple tandem repeats. It has been reported that PPR genes play an important role in RNA editing, plant growth and development, and abiotic stresses in plants. However, the functions of PPR proteins remain largely unknown in soybean. In this study, 179 DYW subgroup PPR genes were identified in soybean genome (Glycine max Wm82.a2.v1). Chromosomal location analysis indicated that DYW subgroup PPR genes were mapped to all 20 chromosomes. Phylogenetic relationship analysis revealed that DYW subgroup PPR genes were categorized into three distinct Clusters (I to III). Gene structure analysis showed that most PPR genes were featured by a lack of intron. Gene duplication analysis demonstrated 30 PPR genes (15 pairs, ~35.7%) were segmentally duplicated among Cluster I PPR genes. Furthermore, we validated the mRNA expression of three genes that were highly up-regulated in soybean drought- and salt-induced transcriptome database and found that the expression levels of GmPPR4 were induced under salt and drought stresses. Under drought stress condition, GmPPR4-overexpressing (GmPPR4-OE) plants showed delayed leaf rolling, higher content of proline (Pro), and lower contents of H2O2, O2&minus, and malondialdehyde (MDA) compared with the empty vector (EV)-control plants. GmPPR4-OE plants exhibited increased transcripts of several drought-inducible genes compared with EV-control plants. Our results provided a comprehensive analysis of the DYW subgroup PPR genes and an insight for improving the drought tolerance in soybean.
- Published
- 2019
41. Vortex Beam Encoded All-Optical Logic Gates Based on Nano-Ring Plasmonic Antennas
- Author
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Ming Chen, Chuanxin Teng, Houquan Liu, Libo Yuan, Shijie Deng, and Hongchang Deng
- Subjects
General Chemical Engineering ,Physics::Optics ,NAND gate ,02 engineering and technology ,01 natural sciences ,Article ,010309 optics ,Pentaprism ,lcsh:Chemistry ,Optics ,Dove prism ,0103 physical sciences ,General Materials Science ,Circular polarization ,ComputingMethodologies_COMPUTERGRAPHICS ,plasmonic ,Physics ,all-optical logic gates ,Linear polarization ,business.industry ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,Polarization (waves) ,XNOR gate ,lcsh:QD1-999 ,Logic gate ,0210 nano-technology ,business ,vortex beam ,Hardware_LOGICDESIGN - Abstract
Vortex beam encoded all-optical logic gates are suggested to be very important in future information processing. However, within current logic devices, only a few are encoded by using vortex beams and, in these devices, some space optical elements with big footprints (mirror, dove prism and pentaprism) are indispensable components, which is not conducive to device integration. In this paper, an integrated vortex beam encoded all-optical logic gate based on a nano-ring plasmonic antenna is proposed. In our scheme, by defining the two circular polarization states of the input vortex beams as the input logic states and the normalized intensity of the plasmonic field at the center of the nano-ring as the output logic states, OR and AND (NOR and NAND) logic gates are realized when two 1st (1st) order vortex beams are chosen as the two input signals, and a NOT logic gate is obtained when one 1st order vortex beam is chosen as the input signal. In addition, by defining the two linear polarization states (x and y polarization) of the input vortex beams as the two input logic states, an XNOR logic gate is realized when two 1st order vortex beams are chosen as the two input signals.
- Published
- 2019
42. The Association Between Decompensated Liver Cirrhosis and Deep Neck Infection: Real-World Evidence
- Author
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Ching-Yuan Wu, Tsung-Yu Huang, Pey-Jium Chang, Yao-Te Tsai, Ming-Shao Tsai, Geng-He Chang, Cheng-Ming Hsu, Wei-Ming Chen, Chia-Yen Liu, Meng-Hung Lin, and Yao-Hsu Yang
- Subjects
Adult ,Liver Cirrhosis ,Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis ,abscess ,Taiwan ,lcsh:Medicine ,liver ,comorbidities ,Infections ,Article ,Cohort Studies ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Risk Factors ,Internal medicine ,Intensive care ,Medicine ,Humans ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Risk factor ,cellulitis ,030223 otorhinolaryngology ,Survival rate ,Aged ,Proportional Hazards Models ,Aged, 80 and over ,business.industry ,Incidence (epidemiology) ,Mortality rate ,Incidence ,lcsh:R ,Hazard ratio ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Middle Aged ,Confidence interval ,Survival Rate ,risk factor ,Female ,business ,hepatic ,Neck ,Cohort study - Abstract
Background: Deep neck infection (DNI) can progress to become a life-threatening complication. Liver cirrhosis, which is related to poor immune conditions, is a likely risk factor for DNI. This study investigated the risk and mortality of DNI in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis (DLC). Methods: We performed a nationwide cohort study using the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) in Taiwan. We included a total of 33,175 patients with DLC between 2000 and 2013, from the Catastrophic Illness Patient Database, a subsection of the NHIRD, along with 33,175 patients without cirrhosis who were matched in a 1:1 proportion for age, sex, and socioeconomic status. The occurrence of DNI was the primary study outcome. The risk, treatment, and mortalities of DNI were evaluated in the study and comparison cohorts. Results: DLC Patients had a significantly higher incidence of DNI than noncirrhotic patients (p <, 0.001). The adjusted Cox proportional hazard regression showed that DLC was associated with a significantly higher risk of DNI (adjusted hazard ratio, 4.11, 95% confidence interval, 3.16&ndash, 5.35, p <, 0.001). The mortality rate in cirrhotic patients with DNI was not significantly higher than that in noncirrhotic patients with DNI (11.6% vs. 9.8%, p = 0.651). Conclusions: This study is the first to investigate the correlation between DLC and DNI. The study findings strongly indicate that DLC is an independent risk factor for DNI. Cirrhotic patients with DNI do not have a significantly poorer survival rate than noncirrhotic patients with DNI. Therefore, physicians should be alert to potential DNI occurrence in DLC patients. Besides this, intensive care and appropriate surgical drainage can yield similar survival outcomes in DLC-DNI and noncirrhosis-DNI patients.
- Published
- 2019
43. Cryptanalysis and Improvement of a Privacy-Preserving Three-Factor Authentication Protocol for Wireless Sensor Networks
- Author
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Saru Kumari, Sachin Kumar, Chien-Ming Chen, and Km. Renuka
- Subjects
Computer science ,Denial-of-service attack ,02 engineering and technology ,lcsh:Chemical technology ,Encryption ,Internet security ,provably security ,Biochemistry ,Article ,Analytical Chemistry ,Default gateway ,0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering ,lcsh:TP1-1185 ,ComputerSystemsOrganization_SPECIAL-PURPOSEANDAPPLICATION-BASEDSYSTEMS ,Electrical and Electronic Engineering ,wireless sensor networks ,Instrumentation ,Cryptographic primitive ,anonymity ,business.industry ,Node (networking) ,ComputerSystemsOrganization_COMPUTER-COMMUNICATIONNETWORKS ,020206 networking & telecommunications ,Adversary ,Multi-factor authentication ,fuzzy extractor ,Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics ,Symmetric-key algorithm ,Sensor node ,Authentication protocol ,multi-factor authentication ,020201 artificial intelligence & image processing ,business ,Wireless sensor network ,Computer network - Abstract
Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are of prominent use in unmanned surveillance applications. This peculiar trait of WSNs is actually the underlying technology of various applications of the Internet of Things (IoT) such as smart homes, smart cities, smart shopping complexes, smart traffic, smart health, and much more. Over time, WSNs have evolved as a strong base for laying the foundations of IoT infrastructure. In order to address the scenario in which a user wants to access the real-time data directly from the sensor node in wireless sensor networks (WSNs), Das recently proposed an anonymity-preserving three-factor authentication protocol. Das&rsquo, s protocol is suitable for resource-constrained sensor nodes because it only uses lightweight cryptographic primitives such as hash functions and symmetric encryption schemes as building blocks. Das&rsquo, s protocol is claimed to be secure against different known attacks by providing formal security proof and security verification using the Automated Validation of Internet Security Protocols and Applications tool. However, we find that Das&rsquo, s protocol has the following security loopholes: (1) By using a captured sensor node, an adversary can impersonate a legal user to the gateway node, impersonate other sensor nodes to deceive the user, and the adversary can also decrypt all the cipher-texts of the user, (2) the gateway node has a heavy computational cost due to user anonymity and thus the protocol is vulnerable to denial of service (DoS) attacks. We overcome the shortcomings of Das&rsquo, s protocol and propose an improved protocol. We also prove the security of the proposed protocol in the random oracle model. Compared with the other related protocols, the improved protocol enjoys better functionality without much enhancement in the computation and communication costs. Consequently, it is more suitable for applications in WSNs
- Published
- 2019
44. Low Energy Shock Wave Therapy Inhibits Inflammatory Molecules and Suppresses Prostatic Pain and Hypersensitivity in a Capsaicin Induced Prostatitis Model in Rats
- Author
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Yu-Ming Chen, Yao-Chi Chuang, Pradeep Tyagi, Michael B. Chancellor, and Hung-Jen Wang
- Subjects
Male ,Ultrasonic Therapy ,030232 urology & nephrology ,Pharmacology ,capsaicin ,lcsh:Chemistry ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,0302 clinical medicine ,lcsh:QH301-705.5 ,Spectroscopy ,Behavior, Animal ,General Medicine ,Immunohistochemistry ,Computer Science Applications ,Prostatitis ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Caspase-1 ,Cytokines ,Tumor necrosis factor alpha ,medicine.symptom ,Inflammation Mediators ,Pain Threshold ,shock wave ,Prostatic Pain ,Caspase 1 ,Pelvic Pain ,Models, Biological ,Catalysis ,Article ,Inorganic Chemistry ,03 medical and health sciences ,Downregulation and upregulation ,Threshold of pain ,medicine ,Hypersensitivity ,Animals ,Physical and Theoretical Chemistry ,Molecular Biology ,business.industry ,Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ,Pelvic pain ,Organic Chemistry ,COX-2 ,medicine.disease ,Rats ,Disease Models, Animal ,chemistry ,lcsh:Biology (General) ,lcsh:QD1-999 ,Capsaicin ,Cyclooxygenase 2 ,business ,Biomarkers - Abstract
The effect of low energy shock wave (LESW) therapy on the changes of inflammatory molecules and pain reaction was studied in a capsaicin (10 mM, 0.1 cc) induced prostatitis model in rats. Intraprostatic capsaicin injection induced a pain reaction, including closing of the eyes, hypolocomotion, and tactile allodynia, which effects were ameliorated by LESW treatment. LESW therapy (2Hz, energy flux density of 0.12 mJ/mm2) at 200 and 300 shocks significantly decreased capsaicin-induced inflammatory reactions, reflected by a reduction of tissue edema and inflammatory cells, COX-2 and TNF-&alpha, stained positive cells, however, the therapeutic effects were not observed at 100 shocks treated group. Capsaicin-induced IL-1&beta, COX-2, IL-6, caspase-1, and NGF upregulation on day 3 and 7, while NALP1 and TNF-&alpha, upregulation was observed on day 7. LESW significantly suppressed the expression of IL-1&beta, COX-2, caspase-1, NGF on day 3 and IL-1&beta, TNF-&alpha, COX-2, NALP1, caspase-1, NGF expression on day 7 in a dose-dependent fashion. LESW has no significant effect on IL-6 expression. Intraprostatic capsaicin injection activates inflammatory molecules and induces prostatic pain and hypersensitivity, which effects were suppressed by LESW. These findings might be the potential mechanisms of LESW therapy for nonbacterial prostatitis in humans.
- Published
- 2019
45. The Impacts of Aspergillosis on Outcome, Burden and Risks for Mortality in Influenza Patients with Critical Illness.
- Author
-
Chien-Ming Chao, Chih-Cheng Lai, Hsuan-Fu Ou, Chung-Han Ho, Khee-Siang Chan, Chun-Chieh Yang, Chin-Ming Chen, and Wen-Liang Yu
- Subjects
PULMONARY aspergillosis ,INFLUENZA treatment ,ASPERGILLOSIS treatment ,DEATH rate ,INTENSIVE care units ,SARS disease - Abstract
Previous studies have revealed higher mortality rates in patients with severe influenza who are coinfected with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) than in those without IPA coinfection; nonetheless, the clinical impact of IPA on economic burden and risk factors for mortality in critically ill influenza patients remains undefined. The study was retrospectively conducted in three institutes. From 2016 through 2018, all adult patients with severe influenza admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) were identified. All patients were classified as group 1, patients with concomitant severe influenza and IPA; group 2, severe influenza patients without IPA; and group 3, severe influenza patients without testing for IPA. Overall, there were 201 patients enrolled, including group 1 (n = 40), group 2 (n = 50), and group 3 (n = 111). Group 1 patients had a significantly higher mortality rate (20/40, 50%) than that of group 2 (6/50, 12%) and group 3 (18/11, 16.2%), p < 0.001. The risk factors for IPA occurrence were solid cancer and prolonged corticosteroid use in ICU of >5 days. Group 1 patients had significantly longer hospital stay and higher medical expenditure than the other two groups. The risk factors for mortality in group 1 patients included patients’ Charlson comorbidity index, presenting APACHE II score, and complication of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. Overall, IPA has a significant adverse impact on the outcome and economic burden of severe influenza patients, who should be promptly managed based on risk host factors for IPA occurrence and mortality risk factors for coinfection with both diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
46. Effects of 1-MCP on the Physiological Attributes, Volatile Components and Ester-Biosynthesis-Related Gene Expression during Storage of ‘Jinyan’ Kiwifruit.
- Author
-
Qiang Wang, Xiaoxia An, Miaolian Xiang, Xiu Chen, Zhenyu Luo, Yongqi Fu, Ming Chen, and Jinyin Chen
- Subjects
KIWIFRUIT ,PLANT physiology ,GENE expression in plants ,BIOSYNTHESIS ,1-Methylcyclopropene - Abstract
The effects of 1.0 μL/L 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment on aroma quality and ester-biosynthesis-related gene expression of ‘Jinyan’ kiwifruit during room storage were examined, aiming to provide a theoretical basis and technical reference for the postharvest storage of kiwifruit. The results demonstrate that 1-MCP treatment conspicuously inhibited respiration rate, delayed a decrease in fruit firmness and increased soluble solid content (SSC) in ‘Jinyan’ kiwifruit. Compared to the control, the relative content of aroma components markedly changed in 1-MCP treatment kiwifruit during fruit ripening. The characteristic aroma of ‘Jinyan’ kiwifruit included ethyl butanoate, methyl butanoate, E-2-hexanal and hexenal, and 1-MCP treatment significantly reduced the ester content in kiwifruit. During the entire shelf life, the expression levels of AcLOX1, AcLOX5, AcLOX6, AcHPL and AcAAT were significantly inhibited in 1-MCP-treated fruit. However, the transcript level of AcADH was not suppressed by 1-MCP. The lower content of ester volatiles maybe ascribed to the suppression of AcLOXs, AcHPL and AcAAT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
47. Linking Greenspace Ecological Networks Optimization into Urban Expansion Planning: Insights from China’s Total Built Land Control Policy.
- Author
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Zhou Shen, Wei Wu, Ming Chen, Shiqi Tian, and Jiao Wang
- Subjects
ENCROACHMENTS (Real property) ,URBAN extension ,RURAL land use ,INDUSTRIAL buildings - Abstract
Greenspace ecological networks (GENs) optimization is an effective way to prevent landscape fragmentation and promote ecological processes. Built land sprawl is an important factor affecting this optimization. However, few studies have specifically analyzed the encroachments caused by existing built land on GENs. Given the insights from China’s total built land control policy, this study proposed a new idea of linking GENs optimization into urban expansion planning through land transformation. This idea was implemented in the Su-Xi-Chang area and integrated a series of methods, emphasizing the importance of built land encroachments removal for restoring the connectivity and quality of GENs. We identified that the built land encroached on GENs. Furthermore, we proposed to transfer the scattered rural/industrial land, whose amount was set as the land quota for urban expansion planning. Four scenarios of urban expansion were simulated based on China’s land use policies/practices and assessed by landscape metrics. The land transformation happened between rural and urban land. The main findings indicated that more inclusive urban expansion planning with consideration of the GENs optimization can be obtained. This study has practical contributions regarding GENs optimization and urban expansion planning for policymakers and our ideas of land transformation provide a reference for similar studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
48. Intracardiac Migration of the Ureteral Double-J Stent during Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy.
- Author
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Chun-Kai Chang, Yi-Hsuan Wu, Ming-Chen Paul Shih, and Jiun-Hung Geng
- Subjects
HEMORRHAGE ,MORTALITY ,ATRIAL fibrillation ,KIDNEY stones ,CHEST X rays - Abstract
The complications of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) include hemorrhage, damage to adjuvant organs, and other medical issues, although intracardiac migration of ureteral double-J stent has never been found during PNL and delaying the diagnosis might cause mortality. We report the case of a 60-year-old male who was admitted to receive one-stage PNL for right renal stones. During operation, an unexpected atrial fibrillation with a drop in blood pressure was suddenly encountered and the chest X-ray subsequently showed that the ureteral double-J had penetrated deep into the heart. Emergent endovascular intervention was performed to remove the stent and the patient was uneventfully discharged 2 days later. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
49. Appendicular Skeletal Muscle Mass Index and Physiological Performance in Post-Menopausal Women with Total Thyroidectomy.
- Author
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Wen, Wei-Lun, Lin, Hsiu-Chu, Yu, Hui-Chen, Chen, Yi-Pen, Liang, Ching-Chao, Hsu, Wei-Hao, Hsu, Jui-Sheng, Shih, Ming-Chen, Lee, Mei-Yueh, and Chen, Szu-Chia
- Subjects
MUSCLE mass ,SKELETAL muscle ,SARCOPENIA ,POSTMENOPAUSE ,THYROIDECTOMY ,DUAL-energy X-ray absorptiometry - Abstract
Sarcopenia is prevalent in postmenopausal women but is inconclusive in total thyroidectomy and under levothyroxine replacement. We aim to analyze the determinants of sarcopenia and investigate the early detection of sarcopenia in this group. Fifty postmenopausal women with total thyroidectomy were measured for body composition via Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) and Appendicular Skeletal Muscle mass divided by the height square (ASM/ht
2 ). Handgrip strength and gait speed and Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) were calculated. Eight determinants associated with sarcopenia include GNRI (β, 0.042; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.021 to 0.064), femoral neck BMD (β, 0.989; 95% CI, 0.049 to 1.929), TSH (β, 0.192; 95% CI, 0.027 to 0.357), and thyroglobulin Ab (0.657; 95% CI, 0.210 to 1.103) for ASM/height2 ; menopausal years (β, −3.112; 95% CI, −5.661 to −0.563) and ASM/height2 (β, 2.669; 95% CI, 1.073 to 4.265) for handgrip strength; and GNRI (β, 0.062; 95% CI, 0.019 to 0.105), T3 (β, −3.541; 95% CI, −7.019 to −0.063), and age (β, 0.043; 95% CI, 0.003 to 0.084) for gait speed. Our study confirmed a high prevalence of low skeletal muscle mass index in postmenopausal women with total thyroidectomy and revealed a number of determinants that could help early diagnosis and management this disease in daily clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2021
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50. Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis of Neurodegenerative Diseases: Review of Methodologies and Report of Our Experience as a Regional Reference Laboratory
- Author
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Wen-Hsiang Lin, Chi-Chao Chao, Hsin Fu Chen, Gwo-Chin Ma, Chi-Fang Lin, Shee-Uan Chen, Yi-Chung Lee, Chun-Hua Liao, Ming-Yuh Chang, Ming Chen, Sung-Tsang Hsieh, and Shun-Ping Chang
- Subjects
0301 basic medicine ,Offspring ,Clinical Biochemistry ,Prenatal diagnosis ,Bioinformatics ,Preimplantation genetic diagnosis ,Article ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,spinocerebellar ataxia ,Huntington's disease ,Genetic linkage ,Medicine ,Allele ,PGD ,lcsh:R5-920 ,Pregnancy ,030219 obstetrics & reproductive medicine ,business.industry ,FAP ,medicine.disease ,linkage marker ,Embryo transfer ,030104 developmental biology ,lcsh:Medicine (General) ,business ,ARMS-qPCR ,Huntington’s disease - Abstract
Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) has become a crucial approach in helping carriers of inherited disorders to give birth to healthy offspring. In this study, we review PGD methodologies and explore the use of amplification refractory mutation system quantitative polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-qPCR) and/or linkage analysis for PGD in neurodegenerative diseases that are clinically relevant with typical features, such as late onset, and which are severely debilitating. A total of 13 oocyte retrieval cycles were conducted in 10 cases with various neurodegenerative diseases. Among the 59 embryos analyzed, 49.2% (29/59) were unaffected and 50.8% (30/59) were affected. Of the 12 embryo transfer cycles, three resulted in pregnancy, and all pregnancies were delivered. The implantation rate and livebirth rate were 23.1% (3/13) per oocyte retrieval cycle and 25.0% (3/12) per embryo transfer cycle. Allele dropout (ADO) was noted in two embryos that were classified as unaffected by ARMS-qPCR but were evidenced as affected after prenatal diagnosis, rendering the false negative rate as 6.3% (2/32). Four among the 13 cycles underwent PGD by ARMS-qPCR coupled with linkage analysis, and all were correctly diagnosed. We conclude that PGD by ARMS-qPCR and/or linkage analysis is a feasible strategy, whereas ADO is a concern when ARMS-qPCR is used as the sole technology in PGD, especially in autosomal dominant diseases.
- Published
- 2019
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