101
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Tseng CW, Tsai JJ, Chen CC, Su CW, Lin HC. Hemoperitoneum: a problem in PD patients with hepatic tumors. Perit Dial Int 2009; 29:236-237. [PMID: 19293365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
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102
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Li LC, Huang SY, Wei JA, Suen YW, Lee MW, Hsieh WH, Liu TW, Chen CC. Correlated electric fluctuations in GaN nanowire devices. J Nanosci Nanotechnol 2009; 9:1000-1003. [PMID: 19441440 DOI: 10.1166/jnn.2009.c072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
We report an experimental study on the correlation spectrums between different sections of a multi-contact GaN nanowire device. Our results indicate that there exists a negative correlation between the voltage fluctuations of adjacent sections of the nanowire separated by a metal contact in the transition region between the low-frequency 1/f noise and the high-frequency white thermal noise. We suggest that this correlation is caused by the voltage fluctuation under the contact area.
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Affiliation(s)
- L C Li
- Center for Nanoscience and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan, R.O.C
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103
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Chen CC, Yu YT, Chen RCC, Huang YJ, Su KW, Chen YF, Huang KF. Transient dynamics of coherent waves released from quantum billiards and analogous observation from free-space propagation of laser modes. Phys Rev Lett 2009; 102:044101. [PMID: 19257424 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.102.044101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2008] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The transient dynamics of the eigenstates and coherent states released from a square quantum billiard is analytically and numerically investigated. It is experimentally verified that this transient dynamic can be analogously observed with the free-space propagation of the lasing modes emitted from the laterally confined, vertically emitted cavities. Furthermore, we exploit a chaotically shaped cavity to originally demonstrate the diffraction-in-time characteristics of the chaotic wave functions. It is found that the transient patterns of chaotic wave functions exhibit a striking feature of random branching behavior with the appearance of intricate interference fringes.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Chen
- Department of Electrophysics, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
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104
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Hung TY, Seow VK, Chong CF, Wang TL, Chen CC. Gabapentin toxicity: an important cause of altered consciousness in patients with uraemia. BMJ Case Rep 2009; 2009:bcr11.2008.1268. [PMID: 21686382 DOI: 10.1136/bcr.11.2008.1268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Gabapentin toxicity should be considered one of the differential diagnoses of altered consciousness in patients with compromised renal function, even after a single dose. We report a 57-year-old woman with diabetes mellitus and uraemia on regular haemodialysis who developed severe dizziness and lethargy after a single recommended dose of gabapentin for bilateral leg dysthesia. Because of progressive drowsiness and decreasing level of consciousness, one session of haemodialysis was performed and clinical recovery was dramatic. The adverse effects of gabapentin seem to vary from person to person and should be viewed with a high degree of suspicion, especially in patients taking this drug at the beginning.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Y Hung
- Emergency Department, Shin-Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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105
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Abstract
In May of 2006, samples from tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Known-you 301) exhibiting necrotic symptoms on stems, petioles, and leaves were collected from Chiayi County, Taiwan. Double-antibody sandwich-ELISAs were performed using Cucumber mosaic virus, Tomato mosaic virus, Potato virus Y, Watermelon silver mottle virus, and Chilli veinal mottle virus (ChiVMV) polyclonal antibodies. Three of eight samples reacted with antibodies against ChiVMV but not with the others. Using the potyvirus degenerate primers (Hrp 5/Pot 1) (2), an expected 1.5-kb DNA fragment including the 3'-end of the NIb gene, the complete coat protein (CP) gene, and the 3'-nontranslatable region of the virus was amplified from total RNA isolated from these three samples by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR. A homology search in GenBank indicated that the new tomato-infecting virus in Taiwan belongs to Pepper veinal mottle virus (PVMV) since they shared >90% amino acid identity in the CP gene. A virus culture (Tom1) isolated from one of the diseased tomatoes was then established in Chenopodium quinoa and Nicotiana benthamiana and the CP gene was amplified and sequenced (GenBank Accession No. EU719647). Comparisons of the 807-nt CP gene with those of five PVMV isolates available in GenBank showed 81.5 to 93.1% nucleotide and 90.0 to 97.8% amino acid identity. Tom1 induced irregular necrotic lesions on stems, petioles, and leaves of tomato while inducing only mild mottle symptoms on pepper. Serological cross reaction between ChiVMV and PVMV has been observed previously (1,3) and also found in this study. To differentiate these two potyviruses by RT-PCR, primer pair CPVMVup/dw (5'-TATTC(T/C)TCAGTGTGG(A/T/C)T(T/C)CCACCAT and 5'-(T/C)C(A/T)C(A/T)(A/T/G)(A/T)AA(A/G)CCATAA(A/C)(A/C)ATA(A/G)T(T/C)T) was designed on the basis of the comparison of the CP gene and the 3'-nontranslatable region of the PVMV and ChiVMV. DNA fragments of 171 and 259 bp are expected to be amplified from ChiVMV and PVMV, respectively, by RT-PCR with primers CPVMVup/dw. In a field survey done in 2006, samples from diseased peppers (Capsicum annuum) that reacted with the polyclonal antibodies against ChiVMV were further identified by RT-PCR with primers CPVMVup/dw, indicating that both ChiVMV and PVMV infected pepper crops (Capsicum spp.) in Taiwan. A pepper isolate (Pep1) of PVMV was obtained from Nantou County through three times of single lesion passages on C. quinoa and then propagated on N. benthamiana. The CP gene of Pep1 was amplified and sequenced (GenBank Accession No. EU719646) and found to share 99.1% nucleotide and 100% amino acid identity with that of Tom1. Pep1 caused mild mottle symptoms on leaves of both tomato and pepper. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the presence of PVMV in Taiwan as well as in East Asia. References: (1) B. Moury et al. Phytopathology 95:227, 2005. (2) S. S. Pappu et al. Plant Dis. 82:1121, 1998. (3) W. S. Tsai et al. Plant Pathol. 58:408, 2008.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y H Cheng
- Division of Plant Pathology, Agricultural Research Institute, Wufeng, Taichung 413, Taiwan
| | - R Y Wang
- Division of Plant Pathology, Agricultural Research Institute, Wufeng, Taichung 413, Taiwan
| | - C C Chen
- Division of Plant Pathology, Agricultural Research Institute, Wufeng, Taichung 413, Taiwan
| | - C A Chang
- Division of Plant Pathology, Agricultural Research Institute, Wufeng, Taichung 413, Taiwan
| | - F-J Jan
- Department of Plant Pathology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
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106
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Chen CC, Henson RN, Stephan KE, Kilner JM, Friston KJ. Forward and backward connections in the brain: a DCM study of functional asymmetries. Neuroimage 2008; 45:453-62. [PMID: 19162203 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2008.12.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2008] [Revised: 12/16/2008] [Accepted: 12/17/2008] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In this paper, we provide evidence for functional asymmetries in forward and backward connections that define hierarchical architectures in the brain. We exploit the fact that modulatory or nonlinear influences of one neuronal system on another (i.e., effective connectivity) entail coupling between different frequencies. Functional asymmetry in forward and backward connections was addressed by comparing dynamic causal models of MEG responses induced by visual processing of normal and scrambled faces. We compared models with and without nonlinear (between-frequency) coupling in both forward and backward connections. Bayesian model comparison indicated that the best model had nonlinear forward and backward connections. Using the best model we then quantified frequency-specific causal influences mediating observed spectral responses. We found a striking asymmetry between forward and backward connections; in which high (gamma) frequencies in higher cortical areas suppressed low (alpha) frequencies in lower areas. This suppression was significantly greater than the homologous coupling in the forward connections. Furthermore, exactly the asymmetry was observed when we examined face-selective coupling (i.e., coupling under faces minus scrambled faces). These results highlight the importance of nonlinear coupling among brain regions and point to a functional asymmetry between forward and backward connections in the human brain that is consistent with anatomical and physiological evidence from animal studies. This asymmetry is also consistent with functional architectures implied by theories of perceptual inference in the brain, based on hierarchical generative models.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Chen
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, Institute of Neurology, University College London, 12 Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK.
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107
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Chen SC, Tsai SJ, Chen CH, Huang CC, Lin DB, Wang PH, Chen CC, Lee MC. Predictors of mortality in patients with pyogenic liver abscess. Neth J Med 2008; 198:164-72. [PMID: 18490797 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2008.08.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2008] [Revised: 08/06/2008] [Accepted: 08/06/2008] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) is uncommon but potentially life-threatening. The objective of this study was to identify the prognostic factors for PLA. METHODS The medical records of 253 patients, 148 men and 105 women with a mean age of 56.4 years (SD : 15.0 years), who were hospitalised due to a PLA between January 1995 and June 2007 were reviewed. The underlying medical disorders, clinical signs and symptoms, laboratory values, imaging studies, microbiological features, treatments, morbidity and mortality were recorded. Factors related to in-hospital case fatality were analysed. RESULTS The mean Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score at admission in patients with PLA was 8.7 points (SD 5.4 points). The most common co-existing disease was diabetes mellitus (41.9%), followed by biliary stone disorders (32.0%). Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most frequent pathogen, followed by Escherichia coli. The in-hospital case-fatality rate was 9.1%. Multivariate analysis revealed that gas-forming abscess (p=0.019), multi-drug resistant isolates (p=0.026), anaerobic infection (p=0.045), blood urea nitrogen level >7.86 mmol/l (p=0.004), and APACHE II score > or =15 (p= 0.004) were associated with mortality. CONCLUSIONS The prognosis of PLA may depend chiefly on the severity of the basic physical condition and underlying pathology. As the primary treatment for PLA is not completely effective, a more aggressive approach should be considered, especially for patients with poor prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- S C Chen
- Department of Family Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, No.110, Sec.1, South District, Taichung City 40201, Taiwan
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108
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Chiu CH, Yu P, Kuo HC, Chen CC, Lu TC, Wang SC, Hsu SH, Cheng YJ, Chang YC. Broadband and omnidirectional antireflection employing disordered GaN nanopillars. Opt Express 2008; 16:8748-8754. [PMID: 18545588 DOI: 10.1364/oe.16.008748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Disordered GaN nanopillars of three different heights: 300, 550, and 720 nm are fabricated, and demonstrate broad angular and spectral antireflective characteristics, up to an incident angle of 60? and for the wavelength range of lambda=300-1800 nm. An algorithm based on a rigorous coupled-wave analysis (RCWA) method is developed to investigate the correlations between the reflective characteristics and the structural properties of the nanopillars. The broadband and omnidirectional antireflection arises mainly from the refractive-index gradient provided by nanopillars. Calculations show excellent agreement with the measured reflectivities for both s- and p- polarizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- C H Chiu
- Department of Photonics and Institute of Electro-Optical Engineering, National Chiao-Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan, R.O.C
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109
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Chen CC, Kiebel SJ, Friston KJ. Dynamic causal modelling of induced responses. Neuroimage 2008; 41:1293-312. [PMID: 18485744 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2008.03.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2007] [Revised: 02/17/2008] [Accepted: 03/12/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper describes a dynamic causal model (DCM) for induced or spectral responses as measured with the electroencephalogram (EEG) or the magnetoencephalogram (MEG). We model the time-varying power, over a range of frequencies, as the response of a distributed system of coupled electromagnetic sources to a spectral perturbation. The model parameters encode the frequency response to exogenous input and coupling among sources and different frequencies. The Bayesian inversion of this model, given data enables inferences about the parameters of a particular model and allows us to compare different models, or hypotheses. One key aspect of the model is that it differentiates between linear and non-linear coupling; which correspond to within and between-frequency coupling respectively. To establish the face validity of our approach, we generate synthetic data and test the identifiability of various parameters to ensure they can be estimated accurately, under different levels of noise. We then apply our model to EEG data from a face-perception experiment, to ask whether there is evidence for non-linear coupling between early visual cortex and fusiform areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Chen
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, Institute of Neurology, University College London, UK.
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110
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Chen CC, Su KW, Chen YF, Huang KF. Various high-order modes in vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers with equilateral triangular lateral confinement. Opt Lett 2008; 33:509-511. [PMID: 18311308 DOI: 10.1364/ol.33.000509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Large-aperture vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers with an equilateral triangular lateral confinement are fabricated to investigate the formation of high-order resonant modes. The experimental lasing patterns are composed of the superscar mode, honeycomb eigenstate, and chaotic mode. Experimental results confirm the theoretical predictions that tiny symmetry breaking can cause the high-order modes to reveal miscellaneous states of integrable and chaotic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Chen
- Department of Electrophysics, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
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111
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Chen CC, Huang CH, Chen TC, Yeh SD, Cheng YH, Hsu HT, Chang CA. First Report of Capsicum chlorosis virus Causing Yellow Stripes on Calla Lilies in Taiwan. Plant Dis 2007; 91:1201. [PMID: 30780672 DOI: 10.1094/pdis-91-9-1201c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) and Calla lily chlorotic spot virus (CCSV) are two recognized species of the Tospovirus genus in the family Bunyaviridae infecting calla lily (Zantedeschia spp.). During 2005, 15 virus isolates were collected from different calla lily plants exhibiting yellow stripes on their leaves in Ho-Li, a major calla lily-production township in Taiwan. After three successive local lesion passages on Chenopodium quinoa Willd., diseased leaf tissues individually infected by these isolates were preserved in liquid nitrogen and used for subsequent identification studies. Using the tospovirus genus-specific primers gL3637 and gL4435c designed from the L RNA, an 800-bp DNA fragment was amplified in reverse transcription-PCR from all 15 isolates. Moreover, leaf extracts of the diseased calla lilies and the C. quinoa plants inoculated with the 15 virus isolates reacted with antisera against the nucleocapsid proteins (NP) of Capsicum chlorosis virus (CaCV)-gloxinia and Watermelon silver mottle virus (WSMoV), but not to monoclonal antibodies against the NP of TSWV, CCSV, Peanut chlorotic fan-spot virus (PCFV), or Impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV) in indirect ELISA. These results indicate that the 15 virus isolates are tospoviruses belonging to the WSMoV serogroup. Additionally, we amplified and sequenced the full-length N gene from these tospovirus isolates using primers WN2328 (5'-CCATTGGTTTGCCTCCG-3') and WN3534 (5'-CGTCGACAGAGCAATCGAGGC-3') designed from the S RNA of WSMoV. The deduced amino acid sequences of the N protein from these 15 tospovirus isolates showed a greater than 92% identity to that of CaCV (GenBank Accession No. NC-008301). Furthermore, results of phylogenetic analysis of the 15 isolates on the basis of amino acids sequences, both genetic distance and parsimony trees indicated that they were all genetically clustered within CaCV using INSV, TSWV, and WSMoV as outgroups. The results indicate that the virus causing yellow stripes in calla lilies is a strain of CaCV. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence that CaCV can naturally infect calla lilies and cause yellow stripe symptoms. Reference: (1) F.-H. Chu et al. Phytopathology 91:361, 2001.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Chen
- Division of Plant Pathology, Agricultural Research Institute, Wufeng, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - C H Huang
- Division of Plant Pathology, Agricultural Research Institute, Wufeng, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - T C Chen
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Asia University, Wufeng, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - S D Yeh
- Department of Plant Pathology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Y H Cheng
- Division of Plant Pathology, Agricultural Research Institute, Wufeng, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - H T Hsu
- Floral and Nursery Plant Research Unit, U.S. National Arboretum, ARS, USDA, Beltsville. MD
| | - C A Chang
- Division of Plant Pathology, Agricultural Research Institute, Wufeng, Taichung, Taiwan
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112
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Wong KL, So EC, Chen CC, Wu RSC, Huang BM. Regulation of steroidogenesis by Cordyceps sinensis mycelium extracted fractions with (hCG) treatment in mouse Leydig cells. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 53:75-7. [PMID: 17453685 DOI: 10.1080/01485010600915236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The in vitro effect of extracted fractions of Cordyceps sinensis (CS) mycelium on hCG-treated testosterone production from purified normal mouse Leydig cells was examined. Different fractions extracted from CS (F1-water soluble polysaccharide, F2- water soluble protein and F3- poorly water soluble polysaccharide, and protein) were added to Leydig cells with hCG, and the production of testosterone was determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Testosterone productions stimulated by hCG in mouse Leydig cells were suppressed by F2 at 10 mg/ml and F3 at doses from 3 to 10 mg/ml, respectively. F2 and F3 at 10 mg/ml did inhibit dbcAMP-stimulated testosterone productions which indicated that F2 and F3 might affect steroidogenesis at the site after the formation of cyclic AMP. Finally, cycloheximide inhibited F2- and F3-treated mouse Leydig cell testosterone production.
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Affiliation(s)
- K L Wong
- Department of Anesthesia, Pain Management and Critical Care Medicine, China Medical University and Hospital. Taichung, Taiwan, ROC
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113
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Brücke C, Kupsch A, Schneider GH, Hariz MI, Nuttin B, Kopp U, Kempf F, Trottenberg T, Doyle L, Chen CC, Yarrow K, Brown P, Kühn AA. The subthalamic region is activated during valence-related emotional processing in patients with Parkinson's disease. Eur J Neurosci 2007; 26:767-74. [PMID: 17686048 DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2007.05683.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Visual stimuli are judged for their emotional significance based on two fundamental dimensions, valence and arousal, and may lead to changes in neural and body functions like attention, affect, memory and heart rate. Alterations in behaviour and mood have been encountered in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) undergoing functional neurosurgery, suggesting that electrical high-frequency stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) may interfere with emotional information processing. Here, we use the opportunity to directly record neuronal activity from the STN macroelectrodes in patients with PD during presentation of emotionally laden and neutral pictures taken from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS) to further elucidate the role of the STN in emotional processing. We found a significant event-related desynchronization of STN alpha activity with pleasant stimuli that correlated with the individual valence rating of the pictures. Our findings suggest involvement of the human STN in valence-related emotional information processing that can potentially be altered during high-frequency stimulation of the STN in PD leading to behavioural complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Brücke
- Department of Neurology, Charité, Augustenburgerplatz 1, 13533 Berlin, Germany
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114
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Chen CC, Su KW, Lu TH, Liu CC, Chen YF, Huang KF. Generation of two-dimensional chaotic vector fields from a surface-emitting semiconductor laser: analysis of vector singularities. Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys 2007; 76:026219. [PMID: 17930133 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.76.026219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2007] [Revised: 06/28/2007] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrate experimental generation of two-dimensional (2D) chaotic vector fields from a surface-emitting microcavity laser with precisely control of the operating temperature and the operating current. The 2D optical vector field is found to be formed by frequency locking of two linearly polarized laser modes with different chaotic spatial structures. The eigenfunction expansion method is used to reconstruct the experimental wave function for analyzing the properties of the vector singularities. It is shown that the distribution of vector singularities obeys the sign rule of nearest-neighbor singularities in the phase space of the vector field.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Chen
- Department of Electrophysics, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
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115
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Chen CC, Wai YY, Chen YL. SU-FF-I-88: Using Fast MR Imaging Techniques to Evaluate T1 Changes After Hyperoxygenation of Brain Tumor preliminary Result. Med Phys 2007. [DOI: 10.1118/1.2760465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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116
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Chen CC, Liu CC, Su KW, Lu TH, Chen YF, Huang KF. Statistical properties of experimental coherent waves in microcavity lasers: analogous study of quantum billiard wave functions. Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys 2007; 75:046202. [PMID: 17500973 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.75.046202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2006] [Revised: 01/10/2007] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
We use a microcavity laser to explore the properties of experimental coherent waves as an analogous study of the chaotic wave functions in quantum billiards. With the eigenstate expansion method, the experimental high-order chaotic coherent waves are well reconstructed. The reconstructed wave functions are employed to calculate the field and intensity correlations. It is found that the spreading of k-space (momentum space) distribution leads to not only wave localization in coordinate space but also enhancement of long-range correlations.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Chen
- Department of Electrophysics, National Chiao Tung University, 1001 Ta Hsueh Road, Hsinchu, 30050 Taiwan, Republic of China
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117
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Chang YT, Chou CT, Yu CW, Lin MW, Shiao YM, Chen CC, Huang CH, Lee DD, Liu HN, Wang WJ, Tsai SF. Cytokine gene polymorphisms in Chinese patients with psoriasis. Br J Dermatol 2007; 156:899-905. [PMID: 17388919 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2007.07820.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have shown that cytokine gene polymorphisms may confer susceptibility to psoriasis. OBJECTIVES To determine whether genetic polymorphisms of the cytokine genes might influence the development of psoriasis in Chinese patients in Taiwan. METHODS DNA samples were obtained from 170 patients with psoriasis vulgaris (PV), 102 patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and 210 control subjects. Using direct sequencing and microsatellite genotyping, we examined 28 polymorphisms in 11 cytokine genes including the interleukin (IL)-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-1 receptor antagonist, IL-4, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12B, IL-13, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, TNF-beta and interferon-gamma genes. Genotypes of HLA-Cw*0602, killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) genes and major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related gene A (MICA) were also determined in patients with PsA. RESULTS The patients with PV were more likely to carry the +4496G allele of the IL-12B gene (59.4% vs. 49.3%, P = 0.0067, P(c) = 0.033). However, no significantly different allelic and genotypic distributions of the other analysed genes including IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, TNF-beta, KIR genes and MICA were found between the PV/PsA patients and controls. Moreover, no association was observed with disease onset, gender, peripheral arthritis or joint erosion. With regards to HLA-Cw*0602, its allele frequency was significantly increased in patients with early-onset PV (25.3% vs. 4.8%, P < 10(-7)), but not in patients with PsA. CONCLUSIONS The IL-12B gene polymorphism conferred a risk for PV in our Chinese population, although the effect was more minor than that of HLA-Cw*0602. Cw*0602, KIR2DS1/S2 and MICA-A9 were unlikely to be risk alleles in our patients with PsA. The other analysed genetic polymorphisms of cytokine genes do not appear to be associated with susceptibility to PV and PsA in Chinese patients in Taiwan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y T Chang
- Department of Dermatology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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118
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Chen CC, Lu CS, Chung YC, Jan JL. UV light induced photodegradation of malachite green on TiO2 nanoparticles. J Hazard Mater 2007; 141:520-8. [PMID: 16934397 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2006.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2006] [Revised: 06/29/2006] [Accepted: 07/10/2006] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The photodegradation of malachite green (MG), a cationic triphenylmethane dye, is examined both under different pH values and amounts of TiO(2). After 15W UV-365nm irradiation for 4h, ca. 99.9% of MG was degraded with addition of 0.5gL(-1) TiO(2) to solutions containing 50mgL(-1) of the MG dye. The HPLC-PDA-ESI-MS technique was used to obtain a better understanding on the mechanistic details of this TiO(2)-assisted photodegradation of the MG dye with UV irradiation. Five intermediates of the process were separated, identified, and characterized for the first time. The results indicated that the N-de-methylation degradation of MG dye took place in a stepwise manner to yield mono-, di-, tri-, and tetra-N-de-methylated MG species generated during the processes. Under acidic conditions, the results indicated that the photodegradation mechanism is favorable to cleavage of the whole conjugated chromophore structure of the MG dye. Under basic conditions, the results showed that the photodegradation mechanism is favorable to a formation of a series of N-de-methylated intermediates of the MG dye.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Chen
- Department of General Education, National Taichung Nursing College, Taichung 403, Taiwan.
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Chen CC, Lee TC, Liu KL, Lin JT, Wang HP. Pus from the pylorus: an unusual endoscopic finding suggestive of periduodenal abscess. Endoscopy 2007; 39 Suppl 1:E235-6. [PMID: 17674289 DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-944900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C C Chen
- Dept. of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Yun-Lin Branch, Yun-Lin, Taiwan
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Lin LY, Peng CH, Wang HE, Wu TH, Chen CC, Yu TH, Wu CM, Peng RY. Factors affecting solid phase microextraction (SPME) to concentrate the odorants of Chinese white salted noodles for GC–MS analysis. FLAVOUR FRAG J 2007. [DOI: 10.1002/ffj.1792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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121
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Yang TT, Chen CC, Lin JM. Characterization of gas and particle emission from smoldering incenses with various diameters. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 2006; 77:799-806. [PMID: 17219297 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-006-1214-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2006] [Accepted: 11/16/2006] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- T T Yang
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Health, Yuanpei University, Room 407, Number 306, Yuanpei Street, Hsin Chu, Taiwan, Republic of China
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122
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Cai YQ, Chow PC, Restrepo OD, Takano Y, Togano K, Kito H, Ishii H, Chen CC, Liang KS, Chen CT, Tsuda S, Shin S, Kao CC, Ku W, Eguiluz AG. Low-energy charge-density excitations in MgB2: Striking interplay between single-particle and collective behavior for large momenta. Phys Rev Lett 2006; 97:176402. [PMID: 17155487 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.97.176402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2006] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
A sharp feature in the charge-density excitation spectra of single-crystal MgB2, displaying a remarkable cosinelike, periodic energy dispersion with momentum transfer (q) along the c* axis, has been observed for the first time by high-resolution nonresonant inelastic x-ray scattering (NIXS). Time-dependent density-functional theory calculations show that the physics underlying the NIXS data is strong coupling between single-particle and collective degrees of freedom, mediated by large crystal local-field effects. As a result, the small-q collective mode residing in the single-particle excitation gap of the B pi bands reappears periodically in higher Brillouin zones. The NIXS data thus embody a novel signature of the layered electronic structure of MgB2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Q Cai
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, Hsinchu 30076, Taiwan.
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123
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Chen YK, Jan FJ, Chen CC, Hsu HT. A New Natural Host of Lisianthus necrosis virus in Taiwan. Plant Dis 2006; 90:1112. [PMID: 30781328 DOI: 10.1094/pd-90-1112c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Lisianthus necrosis virus (LNV) was first identified as a fungus-borne virus that induced systemic necrosis in lisianthus (Eustoma russellianum) in Japan (2). In Taiwan, LNV causes systemic bright yellow chlorosis followed by necrosis in lisianthus (1). The disease was able to spread through the infested soil. Isolation of a fungus vector was attempted but was not successful (1). Calla lilies (Zantedeschia spp.) showing symptoms of systemic necrosis were observed in the fields of central Taiwan. A virus culture was established through single-lesion isolation from a local lesion host, Chenopodium quinoa, and maintained in Nicotiana benthamiana. Mechanical inoculation of the virus resulted in systemic infection in E. russellianum and Datura stramonium and local infection in Celosia argentea, Gomphrena globosa, Chenopodium amaranticolor, Zinnia elegans, Cucumis melo, Cucumis sativus, Cucurbita pepo, Vigna angularis, and Petunia hybrida. Electron microscopic examination of ultrathin sections of infected plant tissues revealed the presence of spherical viral particles approximately 33 nm in diameter. Scattered and aggregated virion particles were frequently observed in the cytoplasm of infected cells. Results of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blotting, and immunoelectron microscopy indicate that the virus is serologically related to LNV (1). Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with degenerate primers (forward primer 5'-ATGGAAATCGTTAGG and reverse primer 5'-CTATAGCAATGTTGC) for LNV coat protein gene produced a cDNA of approximately 1.1 kb. The RT-PCR product was cloned into pGEM-T vector (Promega, Madison, WI) and sequenced. Sequence analysis showed that the cloned fragment (GenBank Accession No. DQ523229) was 1,167 bp long and shared 99% identity at the nucleotide and deduced amino acid levels with that of the LNV isolated from lisianthus (GenBank Accession No. DQ011234). To our knowledge, this is the first report of the natural occurrence of LNV infection in calla lily. References: (1) C. C. Chen et al. Plant Dis. 84:506, 2000. (2) M. Iwaki et al. Phytopathology 77:867, 1987.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y K Chen
- Department of Plant Pathology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - F J Jan
- Department of Plant Pathology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - C C Chen
- Taichung District Agricultural Improvement Station, Changhua 515, Taiwan
| | - H T Hsu
- Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland, 20705
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Chang YT, Chou CT, Shiao YM, Lin MW, Yu CW, Chen CC, Huang CH, Lee DD, Liu HN, Wang WJ, Tsai SF. Psoriasis vulgaris in Chinese individuals is associated withPSORS1C3andCDSNgenes. Br J Dermatol 2006; 155:663-9. [PMID: 16965413 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2006.07420.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Besides the HLA-Cw*0602 allele, the psoriasis susceptibility 1 candidate 3 (PSORS1C3) and corneodesmosin (CDSN) genes are two probable psoriasis susceptibility genes in the PSORS1 locus. The -79C, -26C and +246A alleles of the PSORS1C3 gene, the CDSN*971T allele, CDSN*TTC (619T-1236T-1243C) and CDSN*5 (619T-1240G-1243C) are strongly associated with psoriasis in the caucasian population. Until now, no haplotype study of the PSORS1C3 and CDSN genes has been documented in Chinese patients with psoriasis vulgaris. OBJECTIVES We aimed to determine whether genetic polymorphisms of the PSORS1C3 and CDSN genes were associated with an increased risk of psoriasis vulgaris in Chinese patients in Taiwan. METHODS We investigated the PSORS1C3 and CDSN genes for disease association by direct sequencing in 178 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 203 control subjects. Genotyping for HLA-Cw*0602, alpha-helix coiled-coil rod homologue (HCR) gene and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) n.9 was also carried out using a sequence-based typing method. RESULTS The PSORS1C3*582A allele, an SNP in the 3'-untranslated region of the PSORS1C3 gene, was a major psoriasis vulgaris susceptibility allele in the Chinese population, and the association was much stronger in patients with early-onset psoriasis vulgaris (22.3% vs. 6.9%, odds ratio = 3.87, P(c) =0.0000072). The frequencies of CDSN*TTC and CDSN*971T were also significantly increased in patients with early-onset psoriasis vulgaris. Moreover, PSORS1C3*582A, SNP n.9*C, Cw*0602 and HCR*WWCC were in near complete linkage disequilibrium (LD) with each other; in contrast, the LD with the CDSN gene was not so strong. SNP n.9*C-Cw*0602-PSORS1C3*582A-HCR*WWCC was a major susceptibility haplotype in patients with early-onset psoriasis vulgaris (P < 10(-7)) and this risk haplotype also carried CDSN*TTC and CDSN*971T. CONCLUSIONS The PSORS1C3 and CDSN genes are important psoriasis susceptibility genes in Chinese patients with psoriasis vulgaris.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y T Chang
- Department of Dermatology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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125
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Chen CC, Wai YY, Liu HL. SU-FF-I-57: MR Image Quality Testing of K-Space- and Image-Based Parallel Imaging Techniques Using the ACR Phantom. Med Phys 2006. [DOI: 10.1118/1.2240298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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126
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Wey HY, Huang JC, Hsu YY, Lim KE, Kuan WC, Chen CC, Liu HL. SU-FF-I-56: Image Quality Testing Using An Oil-Filled ACR MRI Phantom at 3 T. Med Phys 2006. [DOI: 10.1118/1.2240297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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127
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Chen CC, Rettger LF. A Correlation Study of the Colon-Aerogenes Group of Bacteria, with Special Reference to the Organisms Occurring in the Soil. J Bacteriol 2006; 5:253-98. [PMID: 16558874 PMCID: PMC378879 DOI: 10.1128/jb.5.3.253-298.1920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- C C Chen
- Sheffield Laboratory of Bacteriology, Yale University
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128
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Chen CC, Kühn AA, Hoffmann KT, Kupsch A, Schneider GH, Trottenberg T, Krauss JK, Wöhrle JC, Bardinet E, Yelnik J, Brown P. Oscillatory pallidal local field potential activity correlates with involuntary EMG in dystonia. Neurology 2006; 66:418-20. [PMID: 16476944 DOI: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000196470.00165.7d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathophysiology of dystonia is unclear. The authors recorded local field potentials (LFPs) from deep brain stimulation electrodes implanted in the pallidum of 13 dystonic patients. LFP power correlated with the level of dystonic EMG in the sternocleidomastoid, with maximal positive correlations at the lower contacts of pallidal electrodes. The data suggest that the neuronal synchronization indexed by LFP oscillations in the globus pallidus may be mechanistically linked to dystonic EMG activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Chen
- Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, Institute of Neurology, London, UK
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129
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Chang YT, Lee WR, Yu CW, Liu HN, Lin MW, Huang CH, Chen CC, Lee DD, Wang WJ, Hu CH, Tsai SF. No association of cytokine gene polymorphisms in Chinese patients with atopic dermatitis. Clin Exp Dermatol 2006; 31:419-23. [PMID: 16681592 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2230.2006.02124.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronically relapsing skin disease associated with the activation of T-helper 2 cells. Recent studies have shown that polymorphisms in the genes for interleukin (IL)-4, the IL-4 receptor, IL-13, and signal transducer and activator 6 (STAT6) may contribute to susceptibility of AD. To date, no cytokine gene polymorphism study has been conducted on Chinese patients with AD. AIMS To determine whether genetic polymorphisms of the cytokine genes might influence the development of AD. METHODS DNA samples were obtained from 94 patients and 186 control subjects. Using direct sequencing and microsatellite genotyping, we examined 22 polymorphisms in eight cytokine genes including the genes for IL-4, -10, -12B and -13, the IL-4 receptor, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, STAT6, and interferon (IFN)-gamma. RESULTS No significantly different allelic and genotypic distributions of the cytokine gene polymorphisms could be found between patients and controls. Moreover, no association was observed with disease onset, gender, the presence of elevated serum total IgE level or blood eosinophilia. CONCLUSION Our study suggests that the analysed genetic polymorphisms of cytokine genes do not appear to be associated with AD susceptibility in our Chinese population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y T Chang
- Department of Dermatology, Tapei Veterans General Hospital, Tapei, Taiwan
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130
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Taur JS, Lee GH, Tao CW, Chen CC, Yang CW. Segmentation of psoriasis vulgaris images using multiresolution-based orthogonal subspace techniques. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 36:390-402. [PMID: 16602598 DOI: 10.1109/tsmcb.2005.859935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
In this paper, a method is proposed for the segmentation of color images using a multiresolution-based signature subspace classifier (MSSC) with application to psoriasis images. The essential techniques consist of feature extraction and image segmentation (classification) methods. In this approach, the fuzzy texture spectrum and the two-dimensional fuzzy color histogram in the hue-saturation space are first adopted as the feature vector to locate homogeneous regions in the image. Then these regions are used to compute the signature matrices for the orthogonal subspace classifier to obtain a more accurate segmentation. To reduce the computational requirement, the MSSC has been developed. In the experiments, the method is quantitatively evaluated by using a similarity function and compared with the well-known LS-SVM method. The results show that the proposed algorithm can effectively segment psoriasis images. The proposed approach can also be applied to general color texture segmentation applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- J S Taur
- Department of Electrical Engineering, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC
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131
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Chang YT, Liu HN, Yu CW, Lin MW, Huang CH, Chen CC, Liu MT, Lee DD, Wang WJ, Tsai SF. Cytokine gene polymorphisms in bullous pemphigoid in a Chinese population. Br J Dermatol 2005; 154:79-84. [PMID: 16403098 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2005.06938.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune bullous disease mostly associated with autoantibodies to the hemidesmosomal BP autoantigens BP180 and BP230. High levels of interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-13, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interferon (IFN)-gamma have been detected in skin lesions or sera of patients with BP. Cytokine gene polymorphisms may affect cytokine production and contribute to susceptibility to autoimmune diseases. Until now, no cytokine gene polymorphism study has been conducted on patients with BP. OBJECTIVES We aimed to determine whether the genetic polymorphisms of the cytokine genes might influence the development of BP. METHODS DNA samples were obtained from 96 BP patients and 174 control subjects. Using direct sequencing and microsatellite genotyping, we examined 23 polymorphisms in 11 cytokine genes including the IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-1 receptor antagonist, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-13, IL-4 receptor, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma genes. RESULTS Although the BP patients were more likely to carry the -511T and -31C alleles of the IL-1beta gene (P = 0.04), the significance disappeared after correction for multiple testing (Pc). There was complete linkage disequilibrium between the -511T and -31C alleles of the IL-1beta gene. In female patients with BP, the associations with IL-1beta (-511T) and (-31C) alleles were much stronger (68% vs. 40.6%, odds ratio = 3.11, Pc = 0.006). No significantly different allelic and genotypic distributions of other cytokine gene polymorphisms could be found between the patients with BP and controls. Moreover, no association with the extent of disease involvement (localized or generalized) was observed. CONCLUSIONS The IL-1beta (-511) and (-31) polymorphisms were significantly associated with BP in women. The other genetic polymorphisms of cytokine genes that we analysed do not appear to be associated with BP susceptibility in our Chinese population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y T Chang
- Department of Dermatology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Shih-Pai, Taipei 11217, Taiwan, Republic of China.
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Wan HM, Chen CC, Giridhar R, Chang TS, Wu WT. Repeated-batch production of kojic acid in a cell-retention fermenter using Aspergillus oryzae M3B9. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 2005; 32:227-33. [PMID: 15895266 DOI: 10.1007/s10295-005-0230-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2004] [Accepted: 04/13/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
A cell-retention fermenter was used for the pilot-scale production of kojic acid using an improved strain of Aspergillus oryzae in repeated-batch fermentations. Among the various carbon and nitrogen sources used, sucrose and yeast extract promoted pellet morphology of fungi and higher kojic acid production. Repeated-batch culture using a medium replacement ratio of 75% gave a productivity of 5.3 gL(-1)day(-1) after 11.5 days of cultivation. While batch culture in shake-flasks resulted in a productivity of 5.1 gL(-1)day(-1), a productivity of 5 gL(-1)day(-1) was obtained in a pilot-scale fermenter. By converting the batch culture into repeated batches, the non-productive downtime of cleaning, filling and sterilizing the fermenter between each batch were eliminated, thereby increasing the kojic acid productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- H M Wan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Taiwan, Republic of China
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133
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Chen CC, Chen TC, Lin YH, Yeh SD, Hsu HT. A Chlorotic Spot Disease on Calla Lilies (Zantedeschia spp.) Is Caused by a Tospovirus Serologically but Distantly Related to Watermelon silver mottle virus. Plant Dis 2005; 89:440-445. [PMID: 30795418 DOI: 10.1094/pd-89-0440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
A new tospovirus, Calla lily chlorotic spot virus (CCSV), was isolated from calla lilies (Zantedeschia spp.) in Taiwan. Chlorotic spots, ranging from light green to yellow, appear on the middle leaves of the affected plants. Virions measuring 75 to 105 nm, similar in size to tospovirus particles, were present in crude extracts and ultrathin sections of diseased leaves. Of 35 plant species inoculated mechanically, 24, including wax gourd (Benincasa hispida) and zucchini squash (Cucurbita pepo), were susceptible to the virus. CCSV was transmitted from infected wax gourd by Thrips palmi to healthy wax gourd and zucchini squash. The virus was weakly related to Watermelon silver mottle virus (WSMoV) in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and western blot tests. WSMoV-specific N gene primers, however, failed to produce DNA fragments from total RNA extracts of CCSV-infected plants in reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results of RT-PCR show that the conserved regions of the L genes of tospoviruses are present in CCSV.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Chen
- Department of Plant Protection, Taichung District Agricultural Improvement Station, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - T C Chen
- Department of Plant Pathology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 40227 Taiwan
| | - Y H Lin
- Department of Plant Pathology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 40227 Taiwan
| | - S D Yeh
- Department of Plant Pathology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 40227 Taiwan
| | - H T Hsu
- Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
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Chang SH, Wang C, Chen CC, Huang HL, Chern MS, Hsieh IC. The transient appearance of collateral circulation during coronary spasm. Int J Clin Pract 2005:12-4. [PMID: 15875610 DOI: 10.1111/j.1368-504x.2005.00268.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
This article reports a case of transient augmentation of collateral circulation due to spontaneous coronary arterial spasm during angiography. The patient's electrocardiogram revealed ST-segment depression during vasospastic attack; this depression differs from the typical change of the ST-segment elevation in coronary spasm without collateral circulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- S H Chang
- Second Section of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Tao Yuan, Taiwan
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135
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Chiu HF, Chen CC, Tsai SS, Wu TN, Yang CY. Relationship between magnesium levels in drinking water and sudden infant death syndrome. Magnes Res 2005; 18:12-8. [PMID: 15945612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The possible association between the risk of death from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and the levels of magnesium in drinking water from municipal supplies was investigated in a matched case-control study in Taiwan. Characteristics for all SIDS deaths (501 cases) among Taiwan residents from 1988 through 1997 were compared with those of people who died from other causes (501 controls). The levels of magnesium in the drinking water of these residents were determined from data obtained from the Taiwan Water Supply Corporation (TWSC). The controls were pair-matched to the SIDS cases by sex, month and year of birth. The results of our study show that there is a significant trend towards a decreased risk of SIDS with increasing magnesium levels in drinking water.
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Affiliation(s)
- H F Chiu
- Department of Pharmacology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
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136
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Yang TT, Chen CC, Lin JM. Effect of air flow on emission of smoldering incense. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 2005; 74:456-63. [PMID: 15903178 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-005-0607-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- T T Yang
- Institute of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Room 1451, Number 1, Section 1, Jen-Ai Road, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
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137
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Chong CF, Wang TL, Chen CC, Ma HP, Chang H. Preconsultation use of analgesics on adults presenting to the emergency department with acute appendicitis. Emerg Med J 2005; 21:41-3. [PMID: 14734373 PMCID: PMC1756366 DOI: 10.1136/emj.2003.004853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE 279 cases of appendicitis were reviewed and compared for the difference between those patients who received pain medication before consulting a surgeon and those who were not treated with analgesics. METHODS All patients aged 15 years and older who underwent appendicectomy for appendicitis between 1 July 2001 and 30 June 2002 were divided into group 1 (those who received preconsultaion use of analgesics) and group 2 (those who were not treated with analgesics). The following measures were compared: age, sex, symptom duration, initial vital signs, white blood cell counts, frequency of imaging studies, time to operative intervention, and operative findings. Continuous and categorical variables were analysed using t and chi(2) tests, respectively. RESULTS A total of 279 patients were included for analysis. Patient details (age, sex, symptom duration) of the two study groups were similar. There was no statistically significant difference between group 1 and group 2 with respect to vital signs (systolic blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate, body temperature), white blood cell counts, and frequency of imaging studies (ultrasound, computed tomography). There was no significant difference in the rate of perforated appendicitis between the two study groups although a shorter median time to operative intervention has been found in the group who received analegesia. CONCLUSION The preconsultation use of analgesics in ED patients with a final diagnosis of appendicitis is not associated with a longer delay to operative intervention and is not associated with an increased rate of perforated appendicitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- C F Chong
- Emergency Department, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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138
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Cai YQ, Mao HK, Chow PC, Tse JS, Ma Y, Patchkovskii S, Shu JF, Struzhkin V, Hemley RJ, Ishii H, Chen CC, Jarrige I, Chen CT, Shieh SR, Huang EP, Kao CC. Ordering of hydrogen bonds in high-pressure low-temperature H2O. Phys Rev Lett 2005; 94:025502. [PMID: 15698189 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.94.025502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2004] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The near K-edge structure of oxygen in liquid water and ices III, II, and IX at 0.25 GPa and several low temperatures down to 4 K has been studied using inelastic x-ray scattering at 9884.7 eV with a total energy resolution of 305 and 175 meV. A marked decrease of the preedge intensity from the liquid phase and ice III to ices II and IX is attributed to ordering of the hydrogen bonds in the proton-ordered lattice of the latter phases. Density functional theory calculations including the influence of the Madelung potential of the ice IX crystal correctly account for the remaining preedge feature. Furthermore, we obtain spectroscopic evidence suggesting a possible new phase of ice at temperatures between 4 and 50 K.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Q Cai
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, Hsinchu 30077, Taiwan
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139
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Sheu RD, Chen CC, Sheu RJ, Kao CH, Jiang SH. The refined shielding design for the cyclotron room of the Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital. Radiat Prot Dosimetry 2005; 115:216-21. [PMID: 16381715 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/nci194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Full-scale Monte Carlo simulations of the cyclotron room of the Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital were carried out to improve the inadequate maze design. The double differential neutron source from the 18O(p,n)18F reaction was adopted for the calculation. The weight window variance reduction technique, where the weight window was set by applying the adjoint flux, has been implemented in the MCNP run to facilitate the calculation of the dose rates outside the cyclotron room. Dose rates including neutron and gamma-ray components were calculated for some maze shielding modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- R D Sheu
- Department of Engineering and System Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan, ROC
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140
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Yen CF, Jiang YN, Shen TF, Wong IM, Chen CC, Chen KC, Chang WC, Tsao YK, Ding ST. Cloning and expression of the genes associated with lipid metabolism in Tsaiya ducks. Poult Sci 2005; 84:67-74. [PMID: 15685944 DOI: 10.1093/ps/84.1.67] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP1) drives the expression of several lipogenic genes, whereas SREBP2 dictates the expression of every gene involved in cholesterolgenesis in mammals. In the current study, we cloned the cDNA fragments for SREBP1, SREBP2, fatty acid synthase (FAS), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG-CoA reductase), and very low density apolipoprotein-II (apoVLDL-II), the genes associated with lipid metabolism. Fifteen ducks immediately before the first egg was laid (18 wk old) and 15 ducks from the same population at an egg production rate of 80% were killed. Total RNA was extracted from liver and used to amplify the targeted genes by reverse transcription-PCR and screening of a cDNA library. The sequence data showed that Tsaiya duck SREBP1, SREBP2, FAS, and HMG-CoA reductase were highly homologous to that of chicken. Tsaiya duck SREBP1 mRNA was expressed in adipose tissue, cardiac muscle, skeletal muscle, liver, and ovary. The SREBP2 mRNA concentration was highest in liver and ovary. Concentrations of FAS and HMG-CoA reductase mRNA were high in liver and lower in other tissues. The apoVLDL-II mRNA was specifically expressed in the liver. The differences between mRNA concentrations of SREBP1, SREBP2, and FAS in the livers of laying and prelay ducks were not significant. However, the concentrations of hepatic HMG-CoA reductase and apoVLDL-II mRNA were higher in the laying ducks than in prelay ducks. Therefore, laying may affect particular aspects of lipid metabolism, especially biochemical pathways that involved apoVLDL-II and HMG-CoA reductase.
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Affiliation(s)
- C F Yen
- Department of Animal Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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141
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Chen CC, Sheu RJ, Jian SH. Calculations of neutron shielding data for 10-100 MeV proton accelerators. Radiat Prot Dosimetry 2005; 116:245-51. [PMID: 16604637 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/nci193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
The characteristics of neutron sources and their attenuation in concrete were investigated in detail for protons with energies ranging from 10 to 100 MeV striking on target materials of C, N, Al, Fe, Cu and W. A two-step approach was adopted: thick-target double-differential neutron yields were first calculated from the (p, xn) cross sections recommended in the ICRU Report 63; further, transport simulations of those neutrons in concrete were performed by using the FLUKA Monte Carlo code. The purpose of this study is to provide reasonably accurate parameters for shielding design for 10-100 MeV proton accelerators. Source terms and the corresponding attenuation lengths in concrete for several target materials are given as a function of proton energies and neutron emission angles.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Chen
- Department of Engineering and System Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan, Republic of China
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142
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Chang ST, Chen CL, Chen CC, Hung KC. Clinical events occurrence and the changes of quality of life in chronic haemodialysis patients with dry weight determined by echocardiographic method. Int J Clin Pract 2004; 58:1101-7. [PMID: 15646404 DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-1241.2004.00124.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The maintenance of circulating blood volume within an optimal range is necessary for haemodialysis patients to avoid circulating complications, including over-hydration and dehydration. Inferior vena cava diameter (IVCD) estimation is a non-invasive method to obtain a well correlation with the intravascular fluid status, and it may get a reliable ideal dry weight (DW) for chronic haemodialysis patients. We try to analysis the life quality changes and circulating complication in chronic haemodialysis patients who adjust DW with this tool in comparing with the traditional method. A total of 100 chronic haemodialysis patients, ranging from 26 to 77 years old, were involved in this study. They are randomly divided into study (n = 50) and control group (n= 50). All of them received the IVCD estimation by echocardiography every month for 3 months. The patients in the study group adjusted the DW with the IVCD estimated by echocardiographic method, however, patients in the control group with the traditional method. The quality of life (QOL) was evaluated with the short form 36 questionnaire (SF-36) in the beginning and the end of the study. The scores of physical functioning (PF), role limitation-physical (RP), general health (GH) and role limitation-emotional (RE) have much improvement in the patients of the study group than those in the control group. Besides, the occurrence of clinical events due to circulating complications during the study period showed significant reduction in the extents of hypotension, gastrointestinal upset, discontinuation of haemodialysis, muscular cramps, tinnitus, headache and chest discomforts with electrocardiographic changes; and these effects, especially, are significant in the patients with over-dehydrated status, which with the IVCD < 8 mm/m2 detected by echocardiographic method. The study demonstrated that ideal DW estimated by echocardiographic method not only improved the QOL but also reduced the circulating complications during haemodialysis for chronic haemodialysis patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- S T Chang
- The Divisions of Cardiology, Chia-yi Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Tauyuan, Taiwan, P.R. China
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143
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Tamang D, Tseng SM, Huang CY, Tsao IY, Chou SZ, Higgs S, Christensen BM, Chen CC. The use of a double subgenomic Sindbis virus expression system to study mosquito gene function: effects of antisense nucleotide number and duration of viral infection on gene silencing efficiency. Insect Mol Biol 2004; 13:595-602. [PMID: 15606808 DOI: 10.1111/j.0962-1075.2004.00516.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Recently we established a simple, effective antisense strategy using a double subgenomic Sindbis (dsSIN) virus expression system to study gene function in mosquitoes. In this study, we further elucidate the effects of antisense nucleotide number and duration of viral infection on mosquito gene silencing efficiency by the dsSIN virus expression system. Over 15 days post virus infection, the degree of parasite melanization was progressively reduced by more than 95%, 75% and 55% in the mosquito Armigeres subalbatus transduced with 600, 147 or 36 bases antisense RNA, targeted to the highly conserved copper binding region of the Ar. subalbatus prophenoloxidase I gene (As-pro-POI), respectively. As the duration of viral infection increased from day 3-15, the degree of parasite melanization progressively decreased in all mosquitoes transduced with antisense RNA, irrespective of the lengths of antisense RNA. Progressive loss of parasite melanization function was found to correlate with down regulation of As-pro-PO expression at both the mRNA and protein activity levels, and reductions in virus titres in mosquitoes transduced with antisense RNA. A small pro-PO RNA (c. twenty-five nucleotides) was identified in mosquitoes transduced with antisense RNA. These data suggest that As-pro-POI gene expression is knocked down by degrading the As-pro-POI mRNA through the RNAi pathway. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that even a short antisense RNA (thirty-six bases) can cause silencing of the As-pro-POI gene, and the effects of endogenous gene silencing by dsSIN expression system on mosquito gene functions can be accumulative.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Tamang
- Department of Parasitology, National Yang-Ming University, Shih-Pai, Taipei, Taiwan
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144
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Horng HE, Liao SH, Hsu SJ, Yang HC, Wu JY, Chen CC, Wu CH, Wu CC. Magnetocardiography of animals in magnetically shielded environment with active compensation. Neurol Clin Neurophysiol 2004; 2004:84. [PMID: 16012642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
A high-Tc 1st-order electronic superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) gradiometer system is constructed to study the magnetocardiogram (MCG) of rabbits in a moderately magnetically shielded environment with active compensation. In the noisy hospital environment, the noise cannot be completely reduced with the 1st-order gradiometer, therefore, a reference SQUID with active compensation was used to further reduce the noise level leaking into the room. The MCG system was equipped with a x-y translation bed. We used a low-pass filter with the cut off frequency at 44 Hz, a high-pass filter with the cut off frequency at 0.1 Hz and the 60 Hz notch filter to reduce the power line interference. The noise level of the 1st order gradiometer MCG system in this moderately magnetically shielded room was about 1 pT/square root of Hz1/2 at 1 Hz. The MCG of a normal rabbits was measured with this system and a MCG contour map and a current density distribution was constructed.
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Affiliation(s)
- H E Horng
- Department of Physics, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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145
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Abstract
A new potyvirus designated as Calla lily latent virus (CLLV) was isolated from apparently healthy calla lilies (Zantedeschia spp.) collected from nurseries in Taichung County, Taiwan. Different from most calla lily-infecting potyviruses, CLLV infects Chenopodium quinoa and develops local lesions on inoculated leaves (3). Typical potyvirus particles approximately 780 nm long were detected from CLLV-induced C. quinoa local lesions. CLLV was transmitted readily to and established in C. quinoa. Attempts to establish CLLV infection in calla lilies from extracts of C. quinoa lesions were not successful. The virus was transmitted from infected to healthy calla lilies with difficulty. A 1.3-kb cDNA product was amplified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from CLLV-infected calla lilies and C. quinoa using potyvirus degenerate primers (2). The PCR product was cloned and sequenced. It was found to consist of 1,339 nucleotides (nt) (GenBank Accession No. AF469171) corresponding to the genome organization of the 3'terminal region of potyviruses. The deduced amino acid sequence contains 362 residues encoding the 3'terminal region of the nuclear inclusion b gene (80 residues) and the complete coat protein (CP) gene (282 residues). A 253-nt noncoding region (NCR) was found at the 3'terminal region of the cDNA. By comparing with known sequences of potyviruses, CLLV was identified as a new species of Potyvirus based on the uniqueness in the CP gene and 3' NCR. Soybean mosaic virus and Watermelon mosaic virus 2 are the potyviruses most similar to CLLV, but they share only approximately 80% nucleotide identity with CLLV in the CP and NCR regions. Attempts to purify sufficient CLLV from C. quinoa for antiserum preparation were not successful. Alternatively, polyclonal antibodies were produced using E. coli-expressed CLLV CP (1). The antibodies were useful for detection of CLLV and its CP in calla lilies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, sodium dodecyl sulfate-immunodiffusion, immuno-specific electron microscopy, and western blot. Field surveys showed that calla lily plants found positive for CLLV by serological methods always remained symptomless throughout the six-month growing season. Occasionally, CLLV was detected in symptomatic calla lilies, but these plants were consistently confirmed dually infected by other viruses (Dasheen mosaic virus and Konjak mosaic virus found most commonly). Infection of CLLV alone in calla lilies may not have a direct impact on the production and marketing of the crop. Synergism is not currently known when calla lilies are coinfected with other viruses. CLLV is spread by vegetative propagation through infected rhizomes or tubers. References: (1) C. C. Chen et al. Plant Dis. 87:901-905, 2003. (2) S. S. Pappu et al. Plant Dis. 82:1121-1125, 1998. (3) F. W. Zettler and R. D. Hartman. Pages 464-470 in: Virus and Virus-like Diseases of Bulb and Flower Crops. G. Loebenstein et al., eds. John Wiley and Sons Inc., UK, 1995.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Chen
- Plant Pathology Division, Agricultural Research Institute, Wufeng, Taichung 413, Taiwan
| | - C A Chang
- Plant Pathology Division, Agricultural Research Institute, Wufeng, Taichung 413, Taiwan
| | - H T Tsai
- Plant Pathology Division, Agricultural Research Institute, Wufeng, Taichung 413, Taiwan
| | - H T Hsu
- Floral and Nursery Plant Research Unit, U.S. National Arboretum, ARS, USDA, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350
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146
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Chen YH, Chang CY, Chen CC, Chiu CY, Yu YH, Chiang PC, Ku Y, Chen JN, Chang CF. Decomposition of 2-mercaptothiazoline in aqueous solution by ozonation. Chemosphere 2004; 56:133-140. [PMID: 15120559 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2004.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2003] [Revised: 10/31/2003] [Accepted: 02/05/2004] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates the ozonation of 2-mercaptothiazoline (2-MT). The 2-MT is one of the important organic additives for the electroplating solution of the printed wiring board industry and has been widely used as a corrosion inhibitor in many industrial processes. It is of concern for the aquatic pollution control especially in the wastewaters. Semibatch ozonation experiments in the completely stirred tank reactor are performed under various concentrations of input ozone. The concentrations of 2-MT, sulfate, and ammonium are analyzed at specified time intervals to elucidate the decomposition of 2-MT during the ozonation. In addition, the time variation of the dissolved ozone concentration (C(ALb)) is continuously monitored in the course of experiments. Total organic carbon (TOC) is chosen and measured as a mineralization index of the ozonation of 2-MT. The results indicate that the decomposition of 2-MT is efficient, while the mineralization of TOC is limited via the ozonation only. Simultaneously, the yield of sulfate with the maximum value of about 47% is characterized by the increases of TOC removal and ozone consumption. These results can provide some useful information for assessing the feasibility of the treatment of 2-MT in the aqueous solution by the ozonation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y H Chen
- Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, 71 Chou-Shan Road, Taipei 106, Taiwan
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147
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Chen CC, Chang T, Su HY. Characterization of Porcine Leptin Receptor Polymorphisms and Their Association with Reproduction and Production Traits. Anim Biotechnol 2004; 15:89-102. [PMID: 15248603 DOI: 10.1081/abio-120037903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Fatness in pigs is of prime economic importance due to market incentives for production of lean pork and elevated fatness increasing the feed costs. Leptin (LEP) action, mediated through its specific receptors (LEPR), was reported to be involved in the regulation of fatness via feed intake, energy expenditure, and whole-body energy balance in pigs. In this study, we have designed 17 primer sets based on the human and mouse LEPR sequences and successfully amplified coding regions of 15 porcine LEPR exon fragments by polymerase chain reactions (PCR). Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of Intron 2, Exons 2, 6, and 18 were found in Landrace, Yorkshire, and Duroc by mutagenetically separated-PCR (MS-PCR) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphisms (PCR-RFLP). Chi-square statistics was used to calculate homogeneity of genotypic frequencies of 4 gene polymorphisms for three breeds of animals. Effects of Intron 2, Exon 2, and Exon 18 polymorphisms on the reproduction trait such as litter sizes of sows were evident (p < 0.05) in Duroc and Yorkshire. There was no (p > 0.05) significant influence on the production trait of average daily gain due to four candidate gene polymorphisms in three porcine breeds. However, effects of Exon 6 and 18 polymorphisms on the production trait of backfat thickness were significant (p < 0.05) in Landrace and Yorkshire, respectively. Effects of Exon 18 polymorphisms on feed efficiency were also evident (p < 0.05) in Duroc.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Chen
- Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Animal Science, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
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148
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Itoh A, Tanahashi T, Nagakura N, Takenaka Y, Chen CC, Pelletier J. Flavonoid glycosides from Adina racemosa and their inhibitory activities on eukaryotic protein synthesis. J Nat Prod 2004; 67:427-431. [PMID: 15043423 DOI: 10.1021/np030440e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
From the dried leaves, flowers, and twigs of Adina racemosa, five new flavonoid glycosides, quercetin 3-O-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->6)-(3-O-trans-p-coumaroyl)-beta-d-galactopyranoside (1), quercetin 3-O-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->6)-[(4-O-trans-p-coumaroyl)-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)]-(4-O-trans-p-coumaroyl)-beta-d-galactopyranoside (2), kaempferol 3-O-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->6)-[(4-O-trans-p-coumaroyl)-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl(1--> 2)]-(4-O-trans-p-coumaroyl)-beta-d-galactopyranoside (3), quercetin 3-O-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->6)-[(4-O-trans-p-coumaroyl)-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)]-(3-O-trans-p-coumaroyl)-beta-d-galactopyranoside (4), and quercetin 3-O-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->6)-[(4-O-trans-caffeoyl)-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)]-(3-O-trans-p-coumaroyl)-beta-d-galactopyranoside (5), and eight known compounds were isolated. The structures of the new compounds were determined by spectroscopic and chemical means. Their inhibitory activities on protein synthesis were assessed. The new glycosides were found to be inhibitors of eukayrotic, but not prokaryotic, protein synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsuko Itoh
- Kobe Pharmaceutical University, Higashinada-ku, Kobe 658-8558, Japan
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149
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Lin CL, Wong KKY, Lan LCL, Chen CC, Tam PKH. Earlier appearance and higher incidence of the rectoanal relaxation reflex in patients with imperforate anus repaired with laparoscopically assisted anorectoplasty. Surg Endosc 2003; 17:1646-9. [PMID: 12915967 DOI: 10.1007/s00464-002-9246-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2002] [Accepted: 03/21/2003] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to evaluate clinically and manometrically the anorectal function of patients with imperforate anus after repair with laparoscopically assisted anorectoplasty (LAR), as compared with the function of patients after undergoing the conventional method, posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP). METHODS The defecation status and anorectal manometry of patients with high or intermediate type imperforate anus repaired with LAR ( n = 9) and age-matched patients repaired with PSARP ( n = 13) were assessed and compared during the first year of postoperative follow-up evaluation. The defecation status was classified by the frequency of bowel openings (<1, 1-4, and >5 times per day). Manometric assessment was performed by an open-tip hydraulic capillary infusion system. The presence of the rectoanal relaxation reflex was determined, and the resting sphincteric pressure and resting rectal pressure were measured. RESULTS Seven of nine LAR patients had an "acceptable" frequency of one to four bowel openings per day, in contrast to 7 of 13 PSARP patients. The difference in the presentation of daily stooling is not significant ( p > 0.05). A positive RAR was detected in 88.9% (8/9) of the LAR patients, and in only 30.8% (4/13) of the PSARP patients ( p < 0.01). The presence of a rectoanal relaxation reflex also significantly correlated with an acceptable frequency of bowel opening (1-4 times per day) in both LAR and PSARP patients ( p < 0.05). Moreover, a rectoanal relaxation reflex was detected significantly earlier in LAR than in PSARP patients (4.9 +/- 1.2 vs 10.1 +/- 2.5 months; postoperatively p < 0.0001). Both the LAR and PSARP patients had a similar resting sphincteric pressure (21.5 +/- 4.7 vs 25.4 +/- 6.2 cm H2O; p > 0.05). By contrast, the resting rectal pressure was significantly lower in LAR than in PSARP patients (7.7 +/- 1.5 vs 11.5 +/- 1.3 cmH(2)O; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS In the early postoperative stage, patients repaired with LAR had more favorable findings in anorectal manometry than patients repaired with PSARP. Long-term follow-up studies to confirm a superior defecation continence achieved with LAR are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- C L Lin
- Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong Medical Center, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, SAR, China
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150
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Abstract
Six novel secoiridoid glucosides, adinosides A (1), B (2), C (3), D (4), E (5), and grandifloroside 11-methyl ester (6) were isolated, together with 27 known compounds, from the dried leaves, flowers, and twigs of Adina racemosa. The structures of the new compounds were determined by spectroscopic (NMR, MS) and chemical means.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsuko Itoh
- Kobe Pharmaceutical University, Higashinada-ku, Kobe 658-8558, Japan
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