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Chen HY, Hsieh CW, Chen PC, Lin SP, Lin YF, Cheng KC. Development and Optimization of Djulis Sourdough Bread Fermented by Lactic Acid Bacteria for Antioxidant Capacity. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26185658. [PMID: 34577129 PMCID: PMC8468284 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26185658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This study developed a nutritionally valuable product with bioactive activity that improves the quality of bread. Djulis (Chenopodium formosanum), a native plant of Taiwan, was fermented using 23 different lactic acid bacteria strains. Lactobacillus casei BCRC10697 was identified as the ideal strain for fermentation, as it lowered the pH value of samples to 4.6 and demonstrated proteolysis ability 1.88 times higher than controls after 24 h of fermentation. Response surface methodology was adopted to optimize the djulis fermentation conditions for trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC). The optimal conditions were a temperature of 33.5 °C, fructose content of 7.7%, and dough yield of 332.8, which yielded a TEAC at 6.82 mmol/kg. A 63% increase in TEAC and 20% increase in DPPH were observed when compared with unfermented djulis. Subsequently, the fermented djulis was used in different proportions as a substitute for wheat flour to make bread. The total phenolic and flavonoid compounds were 4.23 mg GAE/g and 3.46 mg QE/g, marking respective increases of 18% and 40% when the djulis was added. Texture analysis revealed that adding djulis increased the hardness and chewiness of sourdough breads. It also extended their shelf life by approximately 2 days. Thus, adding djulis to sourdough can enhance the functionality of breads and may provide a potential basis for developing djulis-based functional food.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung-Yueh Chen
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, College of Bioresources and Agriculture, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan; (H.-Y.C.); (P.-C.C.)
| | - Chang-Wei Hsieh
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan;
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, 91, Hsueh-Shih Road, Taichung 404, Taiwan
| | - Pin-Cheng Chen
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, College of Bioresources and Agriculture, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan; (H.-Y.C.); (P.-C.C.)
| | - Shin-Pin Lin
- School of Food Safety, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan;
| | - Ya-Fen Lin
- Department of Agronomy, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (Y.-F.L.); (K.-C.C.)
| | - Kuan-Chen Cheng
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, College of Bioresources and Agriculture, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan; (H.-Y.C.); (P.-C.C.)
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, 91, Hsueh-Shih Road, Taichung 404, Taiwan
- Institute of Biotechnology, College of Bioresources and Agriculture, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
- Department of Optometry, Asia University, 500, Lioufeng Rd., Wufeng, Taichung 41354, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (Y.-F.L.); (K.-C.C.)
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Chen YJ, Seak CJ, Kang SC, Chen TH, Chen CC, Ng CJ, Lee CW, Su MY, Huang HC, Chen PC, Ooyang CH, Hsieh SY, Cheng HT. A new perspective of the risk of caustic substance ingestion: the outcomes of 468 patients in one North Taiwan medical center within 20 years. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2020; 59:409-417. [PMID: 33078983 DOI: 10.1080/15563650.2020.1822998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Caustic substance ingestion is frequently life-threatening, and its pathological mechanisms of tissue damage are well documented. However, few studies have assessed the combined effects of pH and the ingested dose on patient outcomes. Additionally, the miscellaneous chemical properties are not immediately available for providing predictive insights to physicians. This study aimed to provide a new perspective of the risk assessment of caustic substance ingestion based on the pH and dose. METHODS The retrospective study analyzed adults treated for caustic substance ingestion at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital between January 1999 and December 2018. Uniformly strict inclusion/exclusion criteria and a double-checked process during chart review were adopted. All patients underwent urgent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) within 24 h. Caustic mucosal damage was graded using Zargar's modified endoscopic classification. The pH and ingested dose of caustic substances were clearly recorded. Statistical analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS, version 22. RESULTS Based on the 468 enrolled cases, the pH and dose were valuable predictors of the extent of gastrointestinal tract injury, commonly encountered complications, and long-term overall survival outcomes. Risks of mortality and perforation were dose-dependent for acids and pH-dependent for alkalis. The severe EGD findings (grade ≥ 2b) in this study were pH-dependent for both substances and additionally dose-dependent for acids. CONCLUSION Combining pH and dose, we proposed a new perspective for the risk assessment of caustic substance ingestion. Such findings may provide predictive insights for resolving clinical uncertainty before the availability of examination results. "Large doses of acids" and "high pH of alkalis" deserve special attention. This new perspective with a retrospective nature requires further validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Jhou Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Linkou Medical Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chen-June Seak
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Emergency Medicine, New Taipei Municipal Tucheng Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan.,Department of Emergency Medicine, Linkou Medical Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Ching Kang
- Division of Trauma and Emergent Surgery, Department of Surgery, Linkou Medical Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Hsing Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Linkou Medical Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,College of Medicine, Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Cheng Chen
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,College of Medicine, Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Image and Intervention, Linkou Medical Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chip-Jin Ng
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Emergency Medicine, Linkou Medical Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Wei Lee
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Linkou Medical Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Yao Su
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, New Taipei Municipal Tucheng Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan.,Board of Directors and Supervisors, Taiwan Association for the Study of Small intestinal Disease (TASSID), Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Chih Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Linkou Medical Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, New Taipei Municipal Tucheng Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Pin-Cheng Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, New Taipei Municipal Tucheng Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Hsiang Ooyang
- Division of Trauma and Emergent Surgery, Department of Surgery, Linkou Medical Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Sen-Yung Hsieh
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Linkou Medical Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Hao-Tsai Cheng
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Linkou Medical Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,College of Medicine, Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, New Taipei Municipal Tucheng Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
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Chen BH, Tseng HJ, Chen WT, Chen PC, Ho YP, Huang CH, Lin CY. Comparing Eight Prognostic Scores in Predicting Mortality of Patients with Acute-On-Chronic Liver Failure Who Were Admitted to an ICU: A Single-Center Experience. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9051540. [PMID: 32443729 PMCID: PMC7290486 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9051540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Limited data is available on long-term outcome predictions for patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) in an intensive care unit (ICU) setting. Assessing the reliability and accuracy of several mortality prediction models for these patients is helpful. Two hundred forty-nine consecutive patients with ACLF and admittance to the liver ICU in a single center in northern Taiwan between December 2012 and March 2015 were enrolled in the study and were tracked until February 2017. Ninety-one patients had chronic hepatitis B-related cirrhosis. Clinical features and laboratory data were collected at or within 24 h of the first ICU admission course. Eight commonly used clinical scores in chronic liver disease were calculated. The primary endpoint was overall survival. Acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) III and chronic liver failure consortium (CLIF-C) ACLF scores were significantly superior to other models in predicting overall mortality as determined by time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis (area under the ROC curve (AUROC): 0.817). Subgroup analysis of patients with chronic hepatitis B-related cirrhosis displayed similar results. CLIF-C organ function (OF), CLIF-C ACLF, and APACHE III scores were statistically superior to the mortality probability model III at zero hours (MPM0-III) and the simplified acute physiology (SAP) III scores in predicting 28-day mortality. In conclusion, for 28-day and overall mortality prediction of patients with ACLF admitted to the ICU, APACHE III, CLIF-OF, and CLIF-C ACLF scores might outperform other models. Further prospective study is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo-Huan Chen
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan; (B.-H.C.); (W.-T.C.); (P.-C.C.); (Y.-P.H.); (C.-Y.L.)
| | - Hsiao-Jung Tseng
- Biostatistics Unit, Clinical Trial Center, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan;
| | - Wei-Ting Chen
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan; (B.-H.C.); (W.-T.C.); (P.-C.C.); (Y.-P.H.); (C.-Y.L.)
- College of Medicine, Chang-Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
| | - Pin-Cheng Chen
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan; (B.-H.C.); (W.-T.C.); (P.-C.C.); (Y.-P.H.); (C.-Y.L.)
- College of Medicine, Chang-Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Pin Ho
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan; (B.-H.C.); (W.-T.C.); (P.-C.C.); (Y.-P.H.); (C.-Y.L.)
- College of Medicine, Chang-Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Hao Huang
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan; (B.-H.C.); (W.-T.C.); (P.-C.C.); (Y.-P.H.); (C.-Y.L.)
- College of Medicine, Chang-Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang-Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-3-3281200 (ext. 8107); Fax: +886-3-3282236
| | - Chun-Yen Lin
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan; (B.-H.C.); (W.-T.C.); (P.-C.C.); (Y.-P.H.); (C.-Y.L.)
- College of Medicine, Chang-Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
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Chen PC. Small modifications can obtain good results when treating high transsphincteric anal fistula with LIFT. Tech Coloproctol 2020; 24:617-618. [PMID: 32193668 DOI: 10.1007/s10151-020-02191-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- P C Chen
- Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, No.138, Shengli Road, Tainan City, Taiwan.
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Chen YL, Liou GL, Hsu HH, Chen PC, Zheng ZW, Wu YH, Cheng CH, Liu CH, Chung LH. Low-Voltage Metal-Oxide Thin Film Transistors Using P-Type Tin-Oxide Semiconductors. J Nanosci Nanotechnol 2019; 19:5619-5623. [PMID: 30961716 DOI: 10.1166/jnn.2019.16563] [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
In this paper, the effect of channel annealing and oxygen flow rate in P-type tin-monoxide (SnO) thin film transistor (TFT) was investigated to reach the process compatibility with n-type oxide-based TFT. The optimized P-type SnO TFT with a small threshold voltage of -0.1 V, a high field-effect mobility of 4 cm² V-1 s-1 and an on/off current ratio of >10² was proposed. From the experimental results, the 150 °C channel annealing revealed a metallic behavior but a semiconductor-like property at a higher 200 °C that was favorable for transistor rectification. Besides, the higher oxygen flow rate was also helpful for improving device mobility and driving current, but shows a slight increase in off-state leakage, which is unavoidable due to the increase of grain in SnO channel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y L Chen
- Department of Mechatronic Engineering, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 10610, Taiwan
| | - G L Liou
- Department of Mechatronic Engineering, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 10610, Taiwan
| | - H H Hsu
- Department of Materials & Mineral Resources Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei 10608, Taiwan
| | - P C Chen
- Department of Engineering and System Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Z W Zheng
- Department of Electronic Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Y H Wu
- Department of Engineering and System Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - C H Cheng
- Department of Mechatronic Engineering, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 10610, Taiwan
| | - C H Liu
- Department of Mechatronic Engineering, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 10610, Taiwan
| | - L H Chung
- Department of Mechatronic Engineering, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 10610, Taiwan
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Chen PC, Chien KL, Su TC, Jeng JS, Hsu HC, Lee YT. Carotid Atherosclerosis Progression and Risk of Cardiovascular Events in a Community in Taiwan. Eur J Public Health 2015. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckv175.109] [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: 11/12/2022] Open
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Lu CY, Chen PC. Antidiabetic Medications with Traditional Chinese Medicine and Subsequent Stroke in Elderly Patients. Eur J Public Health 2015. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckv176.302] [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: 11/13/2022] Open
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Hereditary and environmental factors have been related to the occurrence of atopic dermatitis (AD) in early childhood. However, the role of prenatal and early postnatal exposure to air pollutants has not been totally elucidated. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the association between prenatal air pollutant exposure and occurrence of AD. METHODS In total 24 200 infant-mother pairs were recruited to participate in the Taiwan Birth Cohort Study in 2005 using multistage stratified sampling. Medical history, including physician-diagnosed AD, was inquired by questionnaire at the infant's age of 6 months. Monthly averages of five criteria air pollutants - NO2 , CO, O3 , SO2 and PM10 - were retrieved from 66 air-quality-monitoring stations, and interpolated to all administrative districts using the kriging method. Exposure data during each of the three gestational trimesters and three months after birth were calculated for each study subject, and odds ratios (ORs) of AD occurrence were calculated by logistic regression. RESULTS Among the participants, 16 686 mother-infant pairs were qualified for and included in the analysis. Among them, 1206 infants (7·2%) had been diagnosed as having AD before the age of 6 months, and the prevalence was higher in boys (8·3%) than in girls (6·1%). The occurrence of AD was significantly associated with CO exposure during the whole gestational period [adjusted OR (aOR) 1·37, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·06-1·78] and the first trimester (aOR 1·51, 95% CI 1·16-1·97). We did not observe any significant association among the other air pollutants during either the whole gestational period or any period of the three trimesters and 3 months after birth. CONCLUSIONS Our study found a relationship between AD occurrence and gestational exposure to CO, where exposure during the first trimester seemed to be the most important.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Huang
- Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University (NTU) and NTU Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - H J Wen
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - P C Chen
- Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University (NTU) and NTU Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - T L Chiang
- Institute of Health Policy and Management, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - S J Lin
- Department of Pediatrics, Chi Mei Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Y L Guo
- Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University (NTU) and NTU Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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Zheng ZW, Hsu HH, Chen PC, Cheng CH. The Role of Oxygen Vacancies on Switching Characteristics of TiO(x) Resistive Memories. J Nanosci Nanotechnol 2015; 15:4431-4434. [PMID: 26369061 DOI: 10.1166/jnn.2015.9763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Using oxygen vacancy rich (VO-rich) TiO(x) dielectric with high work function Ni electrode, large resistance window of > 10x and narrow current distribution were realized in the Ni/VO-rich TiO(x)/TaN resistive random access memory (RRAM) device. It can be ascribed to the formation and rupture of conducting filaments by the percolation of VOs and Ti interstitials. Moreover, the effects of annealing treatment and top electrode on resistive switching properties were investigated. The device with VO-deficient TiO(x) after annealing reduces the defects and exhibits small window and low switching currents. The device with low work function Ti top electrode provides low barrier to increase reset currents and the randomly distributed filamentary paths forms near the Ti causes wide current distribution.
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Lee ML, Yeh YH, Tu SJ, Chen PC, Lai WC, Sheu JK. White emission from non-planar InGaN/GaN MQW LEDs grown on GaN template with truncated hexagonal pyramids. Opt Express 2015; 23:A401-A412. [PMID: 25968805 DOI: 10.1364/oe.23.00a401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Non-planar InGaN/GaN multiple quantum well (MQW) structures are grown on a GaN template with truncated hexagonal pyramids (THPs) featuring c-plane and r-plane surfaces. The THP array is formed by the regrowth of the GaN layer on a selective-area Si-implanted GaN template. Transmission electron microscopy shows that the InGaN/GaN epitaxial layers regrown on the THPs exhibit different growth rates and indium compositions of the InGaN layer between the c-plane and r-plane surfaces. Consequently, InGaN/GaN MQW light-emitting diodes grown on the GaN THP array emit multiple wavelengths approaching near white light.
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Wang IJ, Wen HJ, Chiang TL, Lin SJ, Chen PC, Guo YL. Maternal employment and atopic dermatitis in children: a prospective cohort study. Br J Dermatol 2013; 168:794-801. [PMID: 23528059 DOI: 10.1111/bjd.12195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Considering the early onset of atopic dermatitis (AD), which most often arises in the first year of life, risk factors occurring very early in life must be considered. Little is known about the effects of maternal occupational exposure on the development of atopic disorders in children. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate associations between maternal employment and childhood AD. METHODS We used multistage stratified systematic sampling to recruit 24,200 mother-newborn pairs from the Taiwan national birth register. Information on maternal occupation categories, work stress, working time, shift work and potential confounders during pregnancy was gathered by questionnaires after birth. At 3 years of age, information on the development of AD was assessed by home interviews. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the association of maternal employment and AD. RESULTS Overall, 11,962 out of 19,381 mothers (61·7%) worked during pregnancy. The children of mothers who worked during pregnancy had an increased risk of AD compared with those whose mothers did not work [odds ratio (OR) 1·38, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·25-1·53]. The children of mothers with a professional or technical occupation had a higher risk of AD (OR 1·64, 95% CI 1·44-1·87). The risk of AD was found to increase with maternal work stress during pregnancy in a dose-response manner (P(trend)<0·01). The mothers of children with AD had a longer working time than those without AD (P<0·0001). However, no significant association between AD and maternal shift work was found. CONCLUSIONS Working in professional or technical occupations increased the risk of childhood AD in addition to work stress during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- I J Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Hospital, Department of Health, Taipei, Taiwan
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Lee ML, Yeh YH, Tu SJ, Chen PC, Wu MJ, Lai WC, Sheu JK. Dual-wavelength GaN-based LEDs grown on truncated hexagonal pyramids formed by selective-area regrowth on Si-implanted GaN templates. Opt Express 2013; 21 Suppl 5:A864-A871. [PMID: 24104581 DOI: 10.1364/oe.21.00a864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
GaN-based blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with micro truncated hexagonal pyramid (THP) array were grown on selective-area Si-implanted GaN (SIG) templates. The GaN epitaxial layer regrown on the SIG templates exhibited selective growth and subsequent lateral growth to form the THP array. The observed selective-area growth was attributed to the different crystal structures between the Si-implanted and implantation-free regions. Consequently, LEDs grown on the GaN THP array emitted broad electroluminescence spectra with multiple peaks. Spatially resolved cathodoluminescence revealed that the broad spectra originated from different areas within each THP. Transmission electron microscopy showed the GaN-based epitaxial layers, including InGaN/GaN multi-quantum wells regrown at different growth rates (or with different In content in the InGaN wells) between the semi-polar and c-face planes of each THP.
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Hsieh WC, Chen PC, Gradinariu G, Tinica G. Postoperative morbidity in patients with chronic viral hepatitis undergoing cardiac surgery: a retrospective study. J Cardiothorac Surg 2013. [PMCID: PMC3846149 DOI: 10.1186/1749-8090-8-s1-p68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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Chen PC, Guo CH, Tseng CJ, Wang KC, Liu PJ. Blood trace minerals concentrations and oxidative stress in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. J Nutr Health Aging 2013; 17:639-44. [PMID: 24097016 DOI: 10.1007/s12603-013-0023-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [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: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with increased oxidative stress. Certain essential trace minerals have shown to play an important role in the maintenance of redox homeostasis. We determined the concentrations of trace minerals in OSA patients and assessed their relationships to OSA severity as indicated by the apnea/ hypopnea index (AHI). METHODS We enrolled 44 patients with newly diagnosed mild to moderate OSA and 20 without OSA. The following parameters were measured: polysomnographic values of nocturnal sleep; plasma trace minerals zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and erythrocyte selenium (Se); oxidative stress status; and plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). RESULTS Compared to controls matched for age, gender, and body mass index, OSA patients had lower concentrations of plasma Zn and erythrocyte Se and higher plasma concentrations of Cu and Fe. OSA patients had significantly higher plasma concentrations of hs-CRP, TNF-α, and malondialdehyde (MDA), and lower erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase activities. Significant differences in all the above parameters were also found in patients with moderate OSA compared to those with mild OSA. Furthermore, AHI values correlated significantly with neck circumference, GPx activity, and MDA, hs-CRP, and TNF-α concentrations in OSA patients. AHI values were also negatively associated with concentrations of plasma Zn and erythrocyte Se, but were positively linked to plasma concentrations of Fe and Cu. CONCLUSIONS Abnormal concentrations of these trace minerals may reflect oxidative damage and inflammatory response, thus increasing the severity of OSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- P C Chen
- Po-Jen Liu, Department of Otolaryngology and Nutrition and Naturopathic center, Cheng-Ching Hospital, Taiwan Boulevard, Taichung 407, Taiwan, Republic of China. , Tel:886-4-2463-2000 ext. 53664, Fax:886-4-2463-5961
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D'Lima DD, Chen PC, Kessler O, Hoenecke HR, Colwell CW. Effect of meniscus replacement fixation technique on restoration of knee contact mechanics and stability. Mol Cell Biomech 2011; 8:123-134. [PMID: 21608413] [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: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The menisci are important biomechanical components of the knee. We developed and validated a finite element model of meniscal replacement to assess the effect of surgical fixation technique on contact behavior and knee stability. The geometry of femoral and tibial articular cartilage and menisci was segmented from magnetic resonance images of a normal cadaver knee using MIMICS (Materialise, Leuven, Belgium). A finite element mesh was generated using HyperWorks (Altair Inc, Santa Ana, CA). A finite element solver (Abaqus v6.9, Simulia, Providence, RI) was used to compute contact area and stresses under axial loading and to assess stability (reaction force generated during anteroposterior translation of the femur). The natural and surgical attachments of the meniscal horns and peripheral rim were simulated using springs. After total meniscectomy, femoral contact area decreased by 26% with a concomitant increase in average contact stresses (36%) and peak contact stresses (33%). Replacing the meniscus without suturing the horns did little to restore femoral contact area. Suturing the horns increased contact area and reduced peak contact stresses. Increasing suture stiffness correlated with increased meniscal contact stresses as a greater proportion of tibiofemoral load was transferred to the meniscus. A small incremental benefit was seen of simulated bone plug fixation over the suture construct with the highest stiffness (50 N/mm). Suturing the rim did little to change contact conditions. The nominal anteroposterior stiffness reduced by 3.1 N/mm after meniscectomy. In contrast to contact area and stress, stiffness of the horn fixation sutures had a smaller effect on anteroposterior stability. On the other hand suturing the rim of the meniscus affected anteroposterior stability to a much larger degree. This model emphasizes the importance of the meniscus in knee biomechanics. Appropriate meniscal replacement fixation techniques are likely to be critical to the clinical success of meniscal replacement. While contact conditions are mainly sensitive to meniscus horn fixation, the stability of the knee under anteroposterior shear loads appeared to be more sensitive to meniscal rim fixation. This model may also be useful in predicting the effect of biomaterial mechanical properties and meniscal replacement shape on knee contact conditions.
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Chen PC, Colwell CW, D'Lima DD. A nonlinear viscoelastic finite element model of polyethylene. Mol Cell Biomech 2011; 8:135-148. [PMID: 21608414] [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: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
A nonlinear viscoelastic finite element model of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) was developed in this study. Eight cylindrical specimens were machined from ram extruded UHMWPE bar stock (GUR 1020) and tested under constant compression at 7% strain for 100 sec. The stress strain data during the initial ramp up to 7% strain was utilized to model the "instantaneous" stress-strain response using a Mooney-Rivlin material model. The viscoelastic behavior was modeled using the time-dependent relaxation in stress seen after the initial maximum stress was achieved using a stored energy formulation. A cylindrical model of similar dimensions was created using a finite element analysis software program. The cylinder was made up of hexahedral elements, which were given the material properties utilizing the "instantaneous" stress-strain curve and the energy-relaxation curve obtained from the experimental data. The cylinder was compressed between two flat rigid bodies that simulated the fixtures of the testing machine. Experimental stress-relaxation, creep and dynamic testing data were then used to validate the model. The mean error for predicted versus experimental data for stress relaxation at different strain levels was 4.2%. The mean error for the creep test was 7% and for dynamic test was 5.4%. Finally, dynamic loading in a hip arthroplasty was modeled and validated experimentally with an error of 8%. This study establishes a working finite element material model of UHMWPE that can be utilized to simulate a variety of postoperative arthroplasty conditions.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Whether environmental exposures may modulate the effect of the skin barrier gene on atopic dermatitis (AD) remains to be elucidated. OBJECTIVES To determine whether filaggrin (FLG) variants can serve as a predictor for atopic disorders in Chinese individuals and if allergen exposures may modify the effect of FLG variants on AD by total IgE levels. METHODS In total, 116 children aged 2-5years with AD and 212 control subjects were analysed for the FLG variants using DNA sequencing. Multiple logistic regression models were performed to estimate the association among FLG polymorphisms and atopic phenotypes. Serum total IgE level, standing for the degree of allergen exposures, was later stratified to determine the effects of FLG polymorphisms on AD. RESULTS A significant difference in genotype frequency was found among AD cases and controls in FLG P478S polymorphism. FLG P478S GG genotype significantly increased the risk of AD [odds ratio (OR) 4·60, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·88-11·24]. In addition, among subjects with AD, GG genotypes also significantly increased the risk of developing asthma (OR 4·68, 95% CI 1·37-16·03). Further, a similar result was obtained for allergic rhinitis (OR 3·23, 95% CI 1·01-10·30). Interestingly, the P478S GG genotype was significantly related to AD (OR 5·67, 95% CI 1·93-16·60) in children with IgE level ≥100 kU L(-1) . However, the association was not evident when IgE level was < 100 kU L(-1) . CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that the FLG P478S polymorphism may confer susceptibility to the development of AD among Chinese individuals and may be modified by IgE levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- I J Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Hospital, Department of Health, Taipei, Taiwan
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Chen YH, Hwang GY, Chen PC, Tu WC, Lee MF. Molecular cloning and immunologic characterization of for t 2: a major allergen from the biting midge Forcipomyia taiwana. Allergy 2011; 66:703-5. [PMID: 21470242 DOI: 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2010.02520.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Y H Chen
- Department of Medical Research, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 40705, Taiwan
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Chen L, Zhou W, Chen PC, Gaisina I, Yang S, Li X. Glycogen synthase kinase-3β is a functional modulator of serotonin-1B receptors. Mol Pharmacol 2011; 79:974-86. [PMID: 21372171 DOI: 10.1124/mol.111.071092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) is a constitutively active protein kinase that is involved in neuronal regulation and is a potential pharmacological target of neurological disorders. We found previously that GSK3β selectively interacts with 5-hydroxytryptamine-1B receptors (5-HT1BR) that have important functions in serotonin neurotransmission and behavior. In this study, we provide new information supporting the importance of GSK3β in 5-HT1BR-regulated signaling, physiological function, and behaviors. Using molecular, biochemical, pharmacological, and behavioral approaches, we tested 5-HT1BR's interaction with G(i)α(2) and β-arrestin2 and 5-HT1BR-regulated signaling in cells, serotonin release in mouse cerebral cortical slices, and behaviors in wild-type and β-arrestin2 knockout mice. Molecular ablation of GSK3β and GSK3 inhibitors abolished serotonin-induced change of 5-HT1BR coupling to G(i)α(2) and associated signaling but had no effect on serotonin-induced recruitment of β-arrestin2 to 5-HT1BR. This effect is specific for 5-HT1BR because GSK3 inhibitors did not change the interaction between serotonin 1A receptors and G(i)α(2). Two GSK3 inhibitors, N-(4-methoxybenzyl)-N'-(5-nitro-1,3-thiazol-2-yl)urea (AR-A014418) and 3-(5-bromo-1-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-4-(benzofuran-3-yl)pyrrole-2,5-dione (BIP-135), efficiently abolished the inhibitory effect of the 5-HT1BR agonist anpirtoline on serotonin release in mouse cerebral cortical slices. GSK3 inhibitors also facilitated the 5-HT1BR agonist anpirtoline-induced behavioral effect in the tail suspension test but spared anpirtoline-induced locomotor activity. These results suggest that GSK3β is a functional selective modulator of 5-HT1BR-regulated signaling, and GSK3 inhibitors fine-tune the physiological and behavioral actions of 5-HT1BR. Future studies may elucidate the significant roles of GSK3 in serotonin neurotransmission and implications of GSK3 inhibitors as functional selective modulators of 5-HT1BR.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Chen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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Wu HC, Chen PC, Tsay TT. Assessment of nematode community structure as a bioindicator in river monitoring. Environ Pollut 2010; 158:1741-1747. [PMID: 20004050 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2009.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2009] [Revised: 11/13/2009] [Accepted: 11/17/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Nematode communities from river water and sediments were assessed for the abundance, feeding types, maturity indices and nematode channel ratio (NCR). The sampling sites studied included different levels of pollution and contamination from agricultural, industrial and sewage sources. The nematode abundance found in the sediment samples was more than that in the water samples. The lowest nematode abundance in sediment samples and the lowest NCR in water samples were both found at the industrial pollution site. Water samples showed positive correlation between the NCR and river pollution index (RPI). Mean maturity indices in sediment samples were inversely correlated with RPI. The pollutant source determined the relationship between NCR and pollution level, while maturity index always showed negative correlation with pollutant level regardless of the pollutant sources. The nematode abundance and its community structure were both reliable bioindicators for monitoring long-term river pollution in both qualitative and quantitative aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- H C Wu
- Department of Plant Pathology, National Chung Hsing University, 250 Kuo Kuan Rd, Taichung 402, Taiwan
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Wang IJ, Wu YN, Wu WC, Leonardi G, Sung YJ, Lin TJ, Wang CL, Kuo CF, Wu KY, Cheng WC, Chan CC, Chen PC, Lin SL. The association of clinical findings and exposure profiles with melamine associated nephrolithiasis. Arch Dis Child 2009; 94:883-7. [PMID: 19608552 DOI: 10.1136/adc.2009.163477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about the exposure profiles of melamine in children. We evaluated the association of clinical findings, exposure patterns and biomarkers with nephrolithiasis in children with potential exposure to melamine. METHODS A case-control study was conducted in children aged 0-16 years with potential exposure to contaminated dairy products. Cases were defined as nephrolithiasis detected by renal ultrasonography. On the basis of different brands of contaminated dairy products consumed, subjects were classified into high exposure, low exposure and control groups with estimated melamine exposure levels of higher than 2.5 ppm, 0.05-2.5 ppm and lower than detection limits <0.05 ppm. We measured urine melamine for those with nephrolithiasis and age-matched and gender-matched controls within the subset of the study population. RESULTS The duration of consumption of contaminated products was longer in children with nephrolithiasis in the high exposure group than in controls (median (IQR) 12.0 (3.3-24.0) vs 6.0 (4.0-7.0) months; p = 0.048). High melamine exposure levels were significantly associated with nephrolithiasis (OR 61.04 (95% CI 12.73 to 292.84)). The risk was found to increase with estimate melamine exposure levels (p for trend <0.001). Two among 10 affected subjects with nephrolithiasis showed elevated urine melamine levels. In comparison, levels of all 20 controls were lower than the detection limit. CONCLUSIONS The risk of melamine-associated nephrolithiasis was related to duration of consumption of contaminated products and estimated melamine exposure levels. Though urine melamine was not a sensitive test, it might serve as an exposure biomarker in melamine-associated nephrolithiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- I J Wang
- Department of Pediatrics,Taipei Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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Lin JT, Chen PC, Yen YS, Hsu YC, Chou HH, Yeh MCP. Organic Dyes Containing Furan Moiety for High-Performance Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. Org Lett 2008; 11:97-100. [DOI: 10.1021/ol8025236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 185] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jiann T. Lin
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan 115, and Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan 115
| | - Pin-Cheng Chen
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan 115, and Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan 115
| | - Yung-Sheng Yen
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan 115, and Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan 115
| | - Ying-Chan Hsu
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan 115, and Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan 115
| | - Hsien-Hsin Chou
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan 115, and Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan 115
| | - Ming-Chang P. Yeh
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan 115, and Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan 115
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Walters BJ, Campbell SL, Chen PC, Taylor AP, Schroeder DG, Dobrunz LE, Artavanis-Tsakonas K, Ploegh HL, Wilson JA, Cox GA, Wilson SM. Differential effects of Usp14 and Uch-L1 on the ubiquitin proteasome system and synaptic activity. Mol Cell Neurosci 2008; 39:539-48. [PMID: 18771733 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2008.07.028] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2008] [Revised: 07/29/2008] [Accepted: 07/30/2008] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The ubiquitin proteasome pathway has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative diseases, and alterations in two different deubiquitinating enzymes, Uch-L1 and Usp14, result in neurological phenotypes in mice. We identified a new mutation in Uch-L1 and compared the roles of Uch-L1 and Usp14 in the ubiquitin proteasome system. Deficiencies in either Uch-L1 or Usp14 result in decreased levels of ubiquitin, suggesting that they both regulate ubiquitin stability in the nervous system. However, the effect of ubiquitin depletion on viability and onset of symptoms is more severe in the Usp14-deficient mice, and changes in hippocampal synaptic transmission were only observed in Usp14-deficient mice. In addition, while Usp14 appears to function at the proteasome, Uch-L1 deficiency resulted in up-regulation of lysosomal components, indicating that Uch-L1 and Usp14 may differentially affect the ubiquitin proteasome system and synaptic activity by regulating different pools of ubiquitin in the cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- B J Walters
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Neurobiology, Civitan International Research Center, 1825 University Boulevard, Shelby 914, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Attempts to identify predictors of atopic dermatitis (AD) have focused on genetic and immunologic factors. However, the role of neuro-mediators remains to be elucidated. OBJECTIVE To evaluate nerve growth factor (NGF) and vaso-active intestinal peptide (VIP) in predicting paediatric AD and assess their correlation with intrinsic and extrinsic types of AD. METHODS We performed a nested case-control study in the prospective Taiwan birth panel cohort study. Cord and maternal plasma and questionnaires were gathered at birth. During follow-up, we identified 40 available AD cases, which were matched to 80 unaffected controls chosen from this cohort. The concentrations of IgE, NGF, and VIP in cord and maternal plasma of these subjects were performed by ELISA. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to see how well each biomarker could predict AD. RESULTS The NGF levels were significantly higher in AD patients than controls (mean+/-SD: 65.47+/-44.45 vs. 49.21+/-12.18 pg/mL for cord plasma and 89.68+/-41.04 vs. 66.96+/-23.05 pg/mL for maternal plasma) (P<0.05). VIP levels were also higher but not statistically significant. Plasma NGF may be a better biomarker than IgE in detecting paediatric AD (area under the ROC curve=0.65 vs. 0.61 for cord plasma and 0.69 vs. 0.61 for maternal plasma). Maternal NGF levels were significantly higher in patients with both intrinsic (96.18+/-48.15 pg/mL) and extrinsic (86.18+/-37.23 pg/mL) types of AD compared with controls (66.96+/-23.05 pg/mL) (P<0.05). We assessed a significant correlation between self-reported stress during pregnancy and maternal NGF levels (r=0.22, P=0.02). CONCLUSION Our results suggest that NGF is a good alternative biomarker in predicting children with a risk of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- I J Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Hospital, National Taiwan University College of Public Health, Taipei, Taiwan
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Abstract
Previous studies of predictors of atopic dermatitis (AD) in Asia have had limited sample size and small numbers of variables focused primarily on family history or dietary exposures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of various environmental risk factors for early infantile AD. We used multistage, stratified systematic sampling to recruit 2048 mother-child pairs from the Taiwan national birth registration in 2003. Information on environmental risk factors for infant AD gathered by questionnaire were available from 1760 infants at 6 months of age. Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for risk factors for AD after adjusting for potential confounders. AD was noted in 118 of 1760 (6.7%) of the infants. After adjusting for maternal age and education, family history of atopy, infant gender, and gestational age, fungi on walls of the house [aOR 2.14 (95% CI 1.41-3.22)] and frequent use of microwave oven at home [aOR 1.71 (95% CI 1.13-2.58)] increased the risk of early infantile AD. This study suggests that environmental factors do play a role in early infantile AD. Fungi, a kind of aeroallergen, are especially important in humid climate as in Taiwan and their impacts might be felt at the early infant stage. The hazards of microwave use should be paid more attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- I J Wang
- Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene, National Taiwan University College of Public Health, Taipei, Taiwan
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Chen PC, Chang FS, Chen IZ, Lu FM, Cheng TJ, Chen RLC. Redox potential of tea infusion as an index for the degree of fermentation. Anal Chim Acta 2007; 594:32-6. [PMID: 17560382 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2007.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 02/16/2007] [Revised: 05/09/2007] [Accepted: 05/09/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Redox potential of tea infusion is suggested as an index for the extent of tea fermentation. The potential was measured between platinum and Ag/AgCl electrode pair with a voltmeter with high input impedance (>1000 Gohms). Phosphate buffer (10 mM, pH 7.0) was used to extract the infusion and served as the supporting electrolytes for the electrochemical measurement. The reliability (the Nernst's behavior) for redox potential measurement was verified with a standard redox couple, ferricyanide/ferrocyanide. Tentative interferences from dissolved oxygen and the major coexisting reducing chemical, ascorbate, were discussed. Redox potential showed strong correlation with the fermentation process during indoor withering process. Eleven kinds of tea with different fermentation extents including Sencha, Pilochun, Pouchong, Formosa oolong tea, Lipton green tea, Lipton black tea, and Taiwanese black tea were tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- P C Chen
- Department of Bio-Industrial Mechatronics Engineering, College of Bioresources and Agriculture, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Oyelere AK, Chen PC, Yao LP, Boguslavsky N. Heterogeneous Diazo-Transfer Reaction: A Facile Unmasking of Azide Groups on Amine-Functionalized Insoluble Supports for Solid-Phase Synthesis. J Org Chem 2006; 71:9791-6. [PMID: 17168598 DOI: 10.1021/jo0618122] [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: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Solid-supported azides are commonly generated through direct nucleophilic displacement of appropriately activated supports by the azide ion. This reaction usually proceeds rather sluggishly under harsh conditions. Here, we report that triflyl azide rapidly reacts with a series of amine-functionalized solid supports to generate azide-coated supports under mild conditions. Further, we demonstrate that the "azide coat" allows facile loading of alkyne-functionalized leader nucleoside monomers by click chemistry. Finally, we show that the nucleoside-functionalized supports are suitable for solid-phase oligonucleotide synthetic applications. The approach herein described extends the scope of the amine-azide conversion reaction and may be adaptable for the introduction of azide to diverse amine-terminated solid supports that are not easily accessible by the conventional nucleophilic displacement method.
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Affiliation(s)
- A K Oyelere
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0400, USA.
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Sung FC, Chen PC, Liao CC, Chiang CC, Lin CC. Risk Factors Associated with Proteinuria Among Children in National Mass Screening in Taiwan. Am J Epidemiol 2006. [DOI: 10.1093/aje/163.suppl_11.s13-d] [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: 11/13/2022] Open
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Chen YC, Tsai MH, Ho YP, Hsu CW, Lin HH, Fang JT, Huang CC, Chen PC. Comparison of the severity of illness scoring systems for critically ill cirrhotic patients with renal failure. Clin Nephrol 2005; 61:111-8. [PMID: 14989630 DOI: 10.5414/cnp61111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mortality rates of cirrhotic patients with renal failure admitted to the medical intensive care unit (ICU) are high. End-stage liver disease is frequently complicated by disturbances of renal function. This investigation is aimed to compare the predicting ability of acute physiology, age, chronic health evaluation II and III (APACHE II and III), sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA), and Child-Pugh scoring systems, obtained on the first day of ICU admission, for hospital mortality in critically ill cirrhotic patients with renal failure. METHODS Sixty-seven patients with liver cirrhosis and renal failure were admitted to ICU from April 2001-March 2002. Information considered necessary for computing the Child-Pugh, SOFA, APACHE II and APACHE III score on the first day of ICU admission was prospectively collected. RESULTS The overall hospital mortality rate was 86.6%. Liver disease was most commonly attributed to hepatitis B viral infection. The development of renal failure was associated with a history of gastrointestinal bleeding. Goodness-of-fit was good for SOFA, APACHE II and APACHE III scores. The APACHE III and SOFA models reported good areas under receiver operating characteristic curve (0.878 +/- 0.050 and 0.868 +/- 0.051, respectively). CONCLUSION Renal failure is common in critically ill patients with cirrhosis. The prognosis for cirrhotic patients with renal failure is poor. APACHE III and SOFA showed excellent discrimination power in this group of patients. They are superior to APACHE II and Child-Pugh scores in this homogenous group of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y C Chen
- Division of Critical Care Nephrology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Chen PC, Pan IJ, Wang JD. PARENTAL EXPOSURE TO LEAD AND ADVERSE BIRTH OUTCOMES. Epidemiology 2003. [DOI: 10.1097/00001648-200309001-00203] [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: 11/25/2022]
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Abstract
Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS), or allergic granulomatous angiitis, is an uncommon vasculitic syndrome that is found mainly in middle-aged adults. We describe a 15-year-old girl with CSS, diagnosed by histological findings and characteristic clinical features. The patient experienced two episodes of catastrophic gastrointestinal vasculitis, resulting in resection of 150 cm of small intestine and right hemicolectomy. Colonoscopic examination showed multiple colonic ulcers with active bleeding. The clinical course of the patient was grave and refractory to the therapy of steroid and cytotoxic drugs. In the world literature only two patients with multiple colonic ulcers caused by CSS have been reported, and very rare cases of childhood-onset CSS have been published. We reviewed CSS in children and found that the prognosis was poorer than that in adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- T L Lin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical College, National Cheng-Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
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Affiliation(s)
- D D D'Lima
- Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Scripps Clinic, MS126, 11025 North Torrey Pines Road, Suite 140, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- D D D'Lima
- Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- D D D'Lima
- Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Scripps Clinic, MS126, 11025 North Torrey Pines Road, Suite 140, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- D D D'Lima
- Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Scripps Clinic, MS126, 11025 North Torrey Pines Road, Suite 140, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND An association between thymoma and second malignancy has been suggested but has not been validated. Whether the relation is due to treatment or to other thymoma-associated conditions is unclear. METHODS The authors studied 192 consecutive patients with thymoma and compared the incidence of second malignancies with those of 206 patients who underwent thymectomy for nonthymomatous conditions and 1426 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Detailed clinicopathologic features of thymoma patients with second malignancies were described. RESULTS Additional malignancies were detected in 15 of 192 patients (8%) during their clinical courses. The risk for those patients was significantly greater compared with the risk for patients with nonthymomatous conditions (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 3.81; 95% confidential intervals [95%CI], 1.05-13.81; P = 0.042) and patients with NPC (adjusted OR, 4.89; 95%CI, 2.26-10.53; P < 0.0001) after adjustment for age, gender, length of follow-up, myasthenia gravis, and radiation therapy. The occurrence of second malignancies did not correlate with histologic type or stage of thymoma, radiation therapy, or myasthenia gravis. CONCLUSIONS Thymoma is associated with an increased risk of second malignancy. The association cannot be attributed to the effect of thymectomy or radiation therapy. Patients with thymoma, even if it is benign, should be followed regularly to facilitate the early detection of other malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Pan
- Department of Pathology, Veterans General Hospital-Taipei, No. 201, Sec. 2, Shih-Pai Road, Taipei, 11217 Taiwan.
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Abstract
The molecular geometries and internal rotational barriers of the nitro group of 3-nitrotoluene (3-NT), 4-nitrotoluene (4-NT), 3-nitrophenol (3-NP), 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), 3-nitroaniline (3-NA), and 4-nitroaniline (4-NA) were calculated by five different types of density functional theory (DFT) methods with three different levels of basis sets. Analyses of the torsional angles of the nitro, methyl, amino, and hydroxyl groups indicate that 3-NP, and 4-NP are planar molecules, but 3-NT, 4-NT, 3-NA, and 4-NA are not planar molecules. Internal rotational barriers of the nitro group were calculated as the V2 barrier, and the NO2 torsional potentials for each molecule were given. The heights of the V2 barrier vary with the DFT methods, the basis sets, and the kinds and positions of substituents. The average values of the V2 barriers for 3-NT, 4-NT, 3-NP, 4-NP, 3-NA, and 4-NA are 6.44, 6.92, 6.64, 7.93, 6.38, and 9.13 kcal/mol, respectively. Torsional potentials of the OH and NH2 groups of nitrophenol and nitroaniline derivatives were also studied by a B3LYP/6-31G* approach. Except for the OH group in 2-NP, these derivatives have the V2 barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- P C Chen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Hsiuping Institute of Technology, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC.
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Chu SW, Chen IH, Liu TM, Chen PC, Sun CK, Lin BL. Multimodal nonlinear spectral microscopy based on a femtosecond Cr:forsterite laser. Opt Lett 2001; 26:1909-11. [PMID: 18059734 DOI: 10.1364/ol.26.001909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrate a novel multimodal nonlinear spectral microscopy based on a femtosecond Cr:forsterite laser at 1230 nm. By acquiring the whole nonlinear spectrum in the visible and near-NIR region, this novel technique allows a combination of different imaging modalities, including second-harmonic generation, third-harmonic generation, and multiple-photon fluorescence. Combined with the selected excitation wavelength, which is located in the IR transparency window, this microscopic technique can provide high penetration depth with reduced damage and is ideal for studying living cells.
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Abstract
Increased conformity at the tibiofemoral articulation increases contact area and reduces contact stresses in total knee arthroplasty. Malalignment, however, can increase polyethylene contact stresses. The effect of knee alignment and articular conformity on contact stresses was evaluated in a finite element model. The polyethylene insert and femoral component were modeled in high- and low-conformity conditions. An axial tibial load of 3000 N was applied across the tibiofemoral articulation at different knee positions ranging from 0 degrees, to 90 degrees, flexion, 0 to 10 mm anteroposterior translation, 0 degrees to 10 degrees axial rotation, and coronal plane angulation (liftoff). Increased conformity significantly reduced contact stresses in neutral alignment (by 44% at 0 degrees flexion and 36% at 60 degrees and 90 degrees flexion). Liftoff significantly increased contact stresses in low- and high-conformity conditions, but to a lesser degree in the high-conformity condition. Malalignment in rotation was most detrimental especially with the high-conformity insert design. Overall, increasing articular conformity reduced stresses when the knee was well-aligned. However, malalignment in axial rotation was detrimental. Mobile-bearing knee designs with increased articular congruity may result in lower contact stresses, especially the rotating-bearing designs that theoretically minimize rotational malalignment.
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Affiliation(s)
- D D D'Lima
- Joint Mechanics Laboratory, Division of Orthopaedics, Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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41
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Abstract
A six-station knee wear simulator was used to test a posterior cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty design. Six implants each were tested in three groups; low intensity, high intensity, and malalignment using kinematic inputs from normal gait data, more severe loading conditions, and 3 degrees varus malalignment, respectively. For each group, gravimetric wear of the polyethylene inserts was measured for 5,000,000 cycles. Knee wear testing showed significantly different results for the three groups. Low intensity group inserts had mean wear rates of 3.1 (+/- 1.2) mg per million cycles. High intensity group inserts had significantly higher mean wear rates of 7.4 (+/- 2.7) mg per million cycles. Malalignment group inserts had the highest wear rates of 9.2 (+/- 3.3) mg per million cycles. The wear generated in the knee simulator seems to be dependent on the relative motions and loads at the articulating surface. The high intensity groups were subjected to motions that included reciprocating anteroposterior translations and a higher peak axial load than the low intensity group. This resulted in increasing the amount of wear. Varus malalignment also increased the total wear significantly. These results may explain some of the wide variations in wear seen in retrieved knee implants.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND An association between thymoma and second malignancy has been suggested but has not been validated. Whether the relation is due to treatment or to other thymoma-associated conditions is unclear. METHODS The authors studied 192 consecutive patients with thymoma and compared the incidence of second malignancies with those of 206 patients who underwent thymectomy for nonthymomatous conditions and 1426 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Detailed clinicopathologic features of thymoma patients with second malignancies were described. RESULTS Additional malignancies were detected in 15 of 192 patients (8%) during their clinical courses. The risk for those patients was significantly greater compared with the risk for patients with nonthymomatous conditions (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 3.81; 95% confidential intervals [95%CI], 1.05-13.81; P = 0.042) and patients with NPC (adjusted OR, 4.89; 95%CI, 2.26-10.53; P < 0.0001) after adjustment for age, gender, length of follow-up, myasthenia gravis, and radiation therapy. The occurrence of second malignancies did not correlate with histologic type or stage of thymoma, radiation therapy, or myasthenia gravis. CONCLUSIONS Thymoma is associated with an increased risk of second malignancy. The association cannot be attributed to the effect of thymectomy or radiation therapy. Patients with thymoma, even if it is benign, should be followed regularly to facilitate the early detection of other malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Pan
- Department of Pathology, Veterans General Hospital-Taipei, No. 201, Sec. 2, Shih-Pai Road, Taipei, 11217 Taiwan.
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43
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE The effect of mechanical injury on chondrocyte viability and matrix degradation was studied. It was proposed that mechanical injury to human cartilage explants results in chondrocyte apoptosis with associated loss of glycosaminoglycans. DESIGN Full thickness human cartilage explants, 5 mm in diameter were subjected to a single static mechanical stress of 14 MPa for 500 ms under radially unconfined compression. Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) release and percentage of cells undergoing apoptosis were measured at 96 h after injury. To establish the time course of apoptosis, explants were subjected to 30% strain and cultured for varying intervals up to 7 days after injury. A group of loaded explants were also treated with the broad spectrum caspase inhibitor z-Vad.fmk after injury. RESULTS Internucleosomal DNA fragmentation as one indicator of apoptosis was observed in 34% (S.D.+/-11) of chondrocytes at 96 h in response to mechanical loading at 14 MPa, compared to 4% (S.D.+/-2) in the non-loaded explants. Evidence for cell death induction via apoptosis was also obtained by electron microscopy and caspase cleavage of cytokeratin. GAG release was also higher for the loaded explants, mean 1.9% (S.D.+/-0.14) of total GAG content, compared to control explants, mean 0.8% (S.D.+/-0.28). The percentage of apoptotic cells also correlated with the level of GAG release into the culture media. The percentage of apoptotic chondrocytes demonstrated a progressive increase from 6 h to 7 days post-injury. When loaded explants were cultured in z-Vad.fmk after injury, a 50% reduction in apoptosis rates was seen. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that mechanical injury induces chondrocyte apoptosis and release of GAG from the matrix. The time course suggests that a therapeutic window may exist where apoptosis could be inhibited. This potentially identifies a new approach to chondroprotection.
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Affiliation(s)
- D D D'Lima
- Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Scripps Clinic, California, USA
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Abstract
Posttraumatic arthritis is one of the most common causes of secondary osteoarthritis. The contribution of cell death to matrix degradation has not been characterized fully. The current study was designed to determine the effect of mechanical injury on chondrocyte viability and matrix degradation. Full-thickness bovine and human cartilage explants, 5 mm in diameter were subjected to mechanical loads representative of traumatic joint injury. Glycosaminoglycan release and percent apoptotic cells were measured. Unilateral patellas in eight anesthetized rabbits were subjected to an impact load. Rabbits were euthanized at 96 hours after injury and patellar cartilage was harvested for analysis. The effect of a pan-caspase inhibitor, z-VAD.fmk [benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp (OMe) fluoromethylketone] in preventing chondrocyte apoptosis in human articular cartilage explants was determined. A significant increase in the number of apoptotic cells was observed in response to mechanical loading. The mean in vivo apoptotic rates were 1% in control rabbits and 15% in impacted patellas. Caspase inhibition reduced chondrocyte apoptosis from 34% to 25% after mechanical injury and was associated with reduction in glycosaminoglycan release. Mechanical injury induces chondrocyte apoptosis that is sensitive to pharmacologic inhibition. This identifies a new approach to limit traumatic cartilage injury and the subsequent development of secondary osteoarthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- D D D'Lima
- Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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Abstract
1. To study the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in the increase in manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) gene expression following transient hypoxia in glial cells, we examined the mRNA levels of Mn-SOD using northern blot analysis. 2. The Mn-SOD mRNA levels were markedly increased after exposure to nitrogen gas for 5 min. 3. Pretreatment with chelerythrine or GF109203x, inhibitors of PKC, attenuated the increase in Mn-SOD mRNA following hypoxia in a concentration-dependent manner. 4. Incubation with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, the PKC activator, enhanced the increase in Mn-SOD gene expression in response to transient hypoxia. 5. The results suggest that hypoxia increases Mn-SOD gene expression in cultured glial cells mainly through activation of a PKC pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- W C Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan
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Yen SK, Chung MC, Chen PC, Yen HE. Environmental and developmental regulation of the wound-induced cell wall protein WI12 in the halophyte ice plant. Plant Physiol 2001. [PMID: 11598226 DOI: 10.1104/pp.010205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
A wounded gene WI12 was used as a marker to examine the interaction between biotic stress (wounding) and abiotic stress (high salt) in the facultative halophyte ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum). The deduced WI12 amino acid sequence has 68% similarity to WUN1, a known potato (Solanum tuberosum) wound-induced protein. Wounding, methyl jasmonate, and pathogen infection induced local WI12 expression. Upon wounding, the expression of WI12 reached a maximum level after 3 h in 4-week-old juvenile leaves, whereas the maximum expression was after 24 h in 8-week-old adult leaves. The temporal expression of WI12 in salt-stressed juvenile leaves was similar to that of adult leaves. The result suggests that a salt-induced switch from C3 to Crassulacean acid metabolism has a great influence on the ice plant's response to wounding. The expression of WI12 and the accumulation of WI12 protein were constitutively found in phloem and in wounded mesophyll cells. At the reproductive stage, WI12 was constitutively found in petals and styles, and developmentally regulated in the placenta and developing seeds. The histochemical analysis showed that the appearance of WI12 is controlled by both environmental and developmental factors. Immunogold labeling showed WI12 preferentially accumulates in the cell wall, suggesting its role in the reinforcement of cell wall composition after wounding and during plant development.
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Affiliation(s)
- S K Yen
- Department of Botany, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
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Chen PC, Wu JC, Chen SC. Correlations between theoretical and experimental determination of heat of formation of certain aliphatic nitro compounds. Comput Chem 2001; 25:439-45. [PMID: 11513234 DOI: 10.1016/s0097-8485(00)00105-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Heats of formation of energetic materials were calculated by Dewar's AM1 and Stewart's PM3 methods. In order to compare the theoretical results with the experimental ones, some correlation models were proposed in this study. Correlations were evaluated by multivariable linear regression method, considering the number of nitro groups and the use of quadratic relations involving the number of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen atoms. Results indicated very precise correlations. Based on these correlations, heats of formation of some aliphatic nitro compounds can be predicted at 95% predictive interval without experimental analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- P C Chen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Hsiuping Institute of Technology, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC
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Lai PH, Chen PC, Chang MH, Pan HB, Yang CF, Wu MT, Li JY, Chen C, Liang HL, Chen WL. In vivo proton MR spectroscopy of chorea-ballismus in diabetes mellitus. Neuroradiology 2001; 43:525-31. [PMID: 11512579 DOI: 10.1007/s002340100538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [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: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The most common cause of chorea-ballismus (CB) is a vascular lesion; it is also associated with nonketotic hyperglycaemia in diabetes mellitus (DM) and may be the first manifestation of this disorder. We describe the CT, MRI and proton MR spectroscopy (1H-MRS) of CB in eight patients. Six had hemichorea-hemiballismus (HC-HB) and two bilateral CB. Single-voxel (SV) 1H-MRS was performed using point-resolved spectroscopy (PRESS). Voxels were positioned in the basal ganglia of the patients and control subjects. PRESS was also used to obtain spectroscopic imaging (1H-MRSI) of the slice of interest in two patients. CT showed a slightly dense striatum in all the patients with CB, and T1-weighted images revealed high signal. The CB correlated well with the neuroimaging findings. SV 1H-MRS showed the mean (+/- SD) N-acetylaspartate (NAA)/ creatine (Cr) ratio to be 1.45 +/- 0.19 in HC-HB and 1.82 +/- 0.06 on the opposite normal side (P = 0.01). The choline (Cho)/ Cr ratio was 1.3 +/- 0.12 in HC-HB and 1.11 +/- 0.13 on the opposite normal side (P = 0.005). A lactate peak was seen in seven patients. The NAA/Cr ratio was 1.44 +/- 0.15 in bilateral CB and 1.74 +/- 0.16 in the controls (P = 0.017); the Cho/Cr ratios were 1.36 +/- 0.1 and 1.19 +/- 0.07 (P = 0.015). The low NAA/Cr suggests neuronal loss or damage and the high Cho/Cr probably indicates gliosis. The presence of lactate may suggest mild ischaemia due to acute vascular events during hyperglycaemia and underlying chronic focal cerebrovascular diseases in DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- P H Lai
- Department of Radiology, Veterans General Hospital-Kaohsiung, National Yang-Ming College, Taiwan.
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Cheung AT, Harmatz P, Wun T, Chen PC, Larkin EC, Adams RJ, Vichinsky EP. Correlation of abnormal intracranial vessel velocity, measured by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography, with abnormal conjunctival vessel velocity, measured by computer-assisted intravital microscopy, in sickle cell disease. Blood 2001; 97:3401-4. [PMID: 11369629 DOI: 10.1182/blood.v97.11.3401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Stroke Prevention Trial has confirmed that utilization of transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD), which examines blood flow in large intracranial vessels, can identify children with sickle cell disease (SCD) who are at high risk of developing a premature stroke. It is not known to what extent the vasculopathy in SCD involves small vessels and whether the abnormalities, if present, correlate with large-vessel vasculopathy. Eighteen children with SCD were examined with TCD to determine middle cerebral artery (MCA) velocity and computer-assisted intravital microscopy (CAIM) to determine bulbar conjunctival vessel velocity during the same visit for vasculopathy correlation. High MCA velocity (≥ 200 cm/sec) was found by TCD in 4 patients who also showed abnormal conjunctival velocity (< 0.2 mm/sec or intermittent trickle flow) by CAIM. Three patients had conditional (≥ 170 cm/sec and < 200 cm/sec) MCA velocity: 2 showed abnormal (trickle) and 1 showed normal conjunctival velocity (1.9 mm/sec). One patient with unmeasurable MCA velocity had abnormal (trickle) conjunctival velocity. Of the remaining 10 patients who had normal MCA velocity, 2 showed abnormal (0.05 mm/sec and 0.1 mm/sec) and 8 showed normal conjunctival velocities (1.1-2.4 mm/sec). The MCA velocities correlated significantly with bulbar conjunctival flow velocities (P ≤ .008, Fisher exact test). A correlation exists between MCA (large-vessel) and conjunctival (small-vessel) flow velocities. CAIM is a noninvasive quantitative technique that might contribute to the identification of SCD patients at high risk of stroke. Small-vessel vasculopathy might be an important pathological indicator and should be further explored in a large-scale study.
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Affiliation(s)
- A T Cheung
- Department of Medical Pathology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, 4645 Second Ave., Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.
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Abstract
This study was planned to obtain ultrastructural details of the early changes in intra-acinar arterioles in acute hypoxic pulmonary hypertension that could lead to understanding the mechanisms in the development of chronic hypoxic hypertension. In the anesthetized rat, using 5-10% normobaric O2, within minutes after hypoxia, there are changes in endothelial cells characteristic of activation: prominence of cell body and protuberance of the nucleus, electron-dense membrane-bound bodies adluminally, increasing pseudopodia of the adluminal cell membrane, edema within (vacuoles) and beneath the endothelial cells with separation of the endothelial cells from the basal lamina. There is activation of platelets and leucocytes in the lumen and accumulation of platelets at the endothelium. Arteriolar wall edema rapidly increases, is excessive within 1 h, with dissection of the basal lamina and wall and cytolysis of wall components. At 24 h edema is reduced, the number of platelets is increased at the endothelium and fibroblasts are newly aligned within the arteriolar wall. At 48 h platelets further increase, a basal lamina develops in fibroblasts termed transitional cells and myofibrils occur subsequently to form smooth muscle. These findings suggest that activation of the endothelial cell is the initial event in a cellular cascade in the arteriolar hypoxic responses with fibroblast-to-smooth muscle transformation, which results in pulmonary arteriolar hyperplasia and vascular remodeling in hypoxic chronic pulmonary hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- S S Sobin
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla 92093, USA.
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