1
|
Ou YH, Chang YT, Chen DP, Chuang CW, Tsao KC, Wu CH, Kuo AJ, You HL, Huang CG. Benefit analysis of the auto-verification system of intelligent inspection for microorganisms. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1334897. [PMID: 38562474 PMCID: PMC10982382 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1334897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the automatic machine for microbial identification and antibiotic susceptibility tests has been introduced into the microbiology laboratory of our hospital, but there are still many steps that need manual operation. The purpose of this study was to establish an auto-verification system for bacterial naming to improve the turnaround time (TAT) and reduce the burden on clinical laboratory technologists. After the basic interpretation of the gram staining results of microorganisms, the appearance of strain growth, etc., the 9 rules were formulated by the laboratory technologists specialized in microbiology for auto-verification of bacterial naming. The results showed that among 70,044 reports, the average pass rate of auto-verification was 68.2%, and the reason for the failure of auto-verification was further evaluated. It was found that the main causes reason the inconsistency between identification results and strain appearance rationality, the normal flora in the respiratory tract and urine that was identified, the identification limitation of the mass spectrometer, and so on. The average TAT for the preliminary report of bacterial naming was 35.2 h before, which was reduced to 31.9 h after auto-verification. In summary, after auto-verification, the laboratory could replace nearly 2/3 of manual verification and issuance of reports, reducing the daily workload of medical laboratory technologists by about 2 h. Moreover, the TAT on the preliminary identification report was reduced by 3.3 h on average, which could provide treatment evidence for clinicians in advance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Hsiang Ou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Ta Chang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Ding-Ping Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Laboratory Science, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang, Gung University, Taoyuan,, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Wei Chuang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Chien Tsao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chiu-Hsiang Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan
| | - An-Jing Kuo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Huey-Ling You
- Departments of Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Guei Huang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
He YZ, Liao PC, Chang YT. Enhancing patient-centred care in Taiwan's dental education system: Exploring the feasibility of doctor-patient communication education and training. J Dent Sci 2023; 18:1830-1837. [PMID: 37799875 PMCID: PMC10548035 DOI: 10.1016/j.jds.2023.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 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: 05/27/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background/purpose Improved communication can optimize treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction. Findings emphasize the need for tailored communication strategies based on patient characteristics. Implementing communication courses can enhance patient-centered care and reduce conflicts. Therefore, this study examined the feasibility of integrating doctor-patient communication education in Taiwan's dental education system. Materials and methods Using interviews and questionnaires, we conducted descriptive statistics and generalized linear mixed-effects model analysis on the importance of doctor-patient communication from the dentist and patient perspectives. Results More than 600 patient surveys and four interviewed dentists with 20+ years of experience stressed doctor-patient communication in dentistry. Patients' age and income were positively related to the emphasis on physician-patient communication but negatively associated with dental assistants' communication. Dentists valued communication education but differed in its execution and importance. Conclusion It is recommended to initiate dentist-patient communication education during university studies and continue its practice to adapt to the changing societal dynamics. Individuals with higher socioeconomic status and older age show a greater appreciation for dentist-patient communication, potentially driven by self-promotion, thereby highlighting the diverse nature of doctor-patient relationships. Based on our findings, we suggest to implement the doctor-patient communication courses in Taiwan.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Zhou He
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Chun Liao
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Ta Chang
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Chang YT, Kimeswenger S, Hötzenecker W, Guenova E, Ignatova D. IL32β supports the HLA I expression on tumor skin T lymphocytes as a tumor immune escape mechanism in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Eur J Cancer 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/s0959-8049(22)00607-4] [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: 11/28/2022]
|
4
|
Cheng FC, Wang LH, Lin TC, Chang YT, Lee MC, Chiang CP. The impact of integrating oral health education into a microbiology curriculum for students of department of life science. J Dent Sci 2022; 17:1253-1259. [PMID: 35784147 PMCID: PMC9236922 DOI: 10.1016/j.jds.2022.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/purpose Good oral health is important for general health of the body. This study aimed to evaluate an innovative design incorporating oral health education related to oral pathogenic bacteria into a microbiology laboratory curriculum for students of department of life science by evaluating the students' perspectives on the oral health curriculum. Materials and methods Twenty-six students who took the elective course entitled "Microbiology Laboratory" in the National Taiwan Normal University in 2022 were invited to fill out the questionnaire for a presurvey regarding their familiarity with basic oral health concepts, and a postsurvey in which the students answered the same presurvey questions after finishing the class. Results Of the 26 students, 25 (96.15%) participated in both the presurvey and postsurvey. The results showed that the learning unit of oral health education related to oral pathogenic bacteria helped students in raising their concepts of oral health. To the questions asking that I understand the bacteria that cause dental caries and the pathogenic mechanism and I understand the bacteria that cause periodontal diseases and the pathogenic mechanism, the numbers of students who agreed both questions increased from 2 (8%) to 25 (100%), respectively. Moreover, the mean scores increased from 2.64 to 4.32 (P < 0.001) and from 2.68 to 4.32 (P < 0.001) for the two corresponding questions, respectively. Conclusion The learning unit of oral health education in the microbiology laboratory curriculum helped the students of department of life science to increase their awareness and understanding of oral health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feng-Chou Cheng
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Science Education Center, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ling-Hsia Wang
- Center for the Literature and Art, Hsin Sheng Junior College of Medical Care and Management, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Chiang Lin
- Center for the Liberal Arts, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Ta Chang
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Chung Lee
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Pin Chiang
- Department of Dentistry, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Dentistry, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Cheng FC, He YZ, Wang LH, Chang JYF, Liu SY, Chang YT, Chiang CP. Comparison of past and current dental school curricula for dental students of National Taiwan University. J Dent Sci 2022; 17:1169-1179. [PMID: 35784145 PMCID: PMC9236938 DOI: 10.1016/j.jds.2022.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/purpose The complete curriculum schedule of the School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University (NTU) appeared in 1960. This study aimed to understand the development of dental education in Taiwan by comparing the past and current dental school curricula of NTU. Materials and methods This study collected the 1960, 1990 and 2020 dental school curriculum schedules for dental students of NTU from the related websites and used the documentary and secondary data analyses to further compare the obtained data. Results The number of credits for all the curricula offered by NTU to undergraduate dental students decreased from 264 in 1960 to 243 in 1990 and further to 242 in 2020 with a total decrease of 22 credits by 8.3%. The number (proportion) of credits of medicine courses decreased from 102 (38.6%) in 1960 to 52 (21.4%) in 1990, and then increased to 60 (24.8%) in 2020, with a total decrease of 42 credits by 41.2%, while those of dentistry courses increased from 70 (26.5%) in 1960 to 122 (50.2%) in 1990 and further to 132 (54.5%) in 2020, with a total increase of 62 credits by 88.6%. Among them, clinical practice of dentistry had the greatest growth with a total increase of 42 credits by 233.3%. Conclusion The increase of dentistry courses and the decrease of medicine courses are the general trends for modern dental education. The dental school of NTU has the ability to provide more refined dentistry courses to catch the world trend of dental education.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feng-Chou Cheng
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Science Education Center, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Zhou He
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ling-Hsia Wang
- Center for the Literature and Art, Hsin Sheng Junior College of Medical Care and Management, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Julia Yu-Fong Chang
- Department of Dentistry, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shiang-Yao Liu
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Science Education, College of Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Ta Chang
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Pin Chiang
- Department of Dentistry, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Dentistry, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Lee MC, Wang LH, Lin TC, Chang YT, Cheng FC, Chiang CP. The impact of integrating oral health education into a human physiology curriculum for students of early childhood education. J Dent Sci 2022; 17:1329-1334. [PMID: 35784164 PMCID: PMC9236955 DOI: 10.1016/j.jds.2022.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/purpose The good oral health plays a pivotal role in improving the general health of the body. The purpose of this study was to evaluate an innovative design incorporating oral health education into a human physiology curriculum for students of early childhood education by evaluating the students' perspectives on the oral health curriculum. Materials and methods Forty-two first-year students who took the compulsory course entitled "Introduction to Human Physiology" in National Taiwan Normal University in 2022 were invited to fill out the questionnaire for a presurvey regarding their familiarity with basic oral health concepts, and a postsurvey in which the students answered the same presurvey questions after finishing the class. Results Of the 42 students, 41 (97.62%) participated in both the presurvey and postsurvey. The results showed that the learning unit of oral health education helped students in raising their concepts on oral health. To the questions asking that I understand the structure and function of the oral cavity and I understand common oral diseases (dental caries and periodontal diseases), the numbers of students who agreed increased from 12 (29.27%) to 39 (95.12%) and 11 (26.83%) to 36 (87.80%), respectively. Moreover, the mean scores increased from 3.24 to 4.20 (P < 0.001) and from 3.12 to 4.29 (P < 0.001) for the two corresponding questions, respectively. Conclusion In this study, the learning unit of oral health education in the human physiology curriculum for students of early childhood education helped the students to increase their awareness and understanding of oral health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Chung Lee
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ling-Hsia Wang
- Center for the Literature and Art, Hsin Sheng Junior College of Medical Care and Management, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Chiang Lin
- Center for the Liberal Arts, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Ta Chang
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Feng-Chou Cheng
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Science Education Center, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Pin Chiang
- Department of Dentistry, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Dentistry, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Ma SH, Wu CY, Lyu YS, Chou YJ, Chang YT, Wu CY. Association between sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors and risk of bullous pemphigoid in patients with type 2 diabetes: A nationwide population-based cohort study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2022; 36:1318-1324. [PMID: 35344615 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.18106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Certain anti-diabetic agents have been linked to the development of bullous pemphigoid (BP). However, the relationship between BP and sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) remains inconclusive. OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between SGLT2i usage and BP. METHODS Participants were recruited from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database between 2007 and 2018. A total of 149,060 patients with diabetes receiving SGLT2i were matched 1:2 with diabetic patients without SGLT2i usage. Factors such as age, sex, duration of diabetes condition, DPP4i usage, insulin usage, and selected comorbidities were included in the multivariate analysis. RESULTS Compared with the control, the 2-year-cumulative incidence was significantly low in patients using SGLT2i after adjustment for competing mortality. Patients with diabetes receiving SGLT2i had a low risk (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0·56, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0·33-0·96) for BP after adjustment for potential confounders. Age (HR, 1·06), renal disease (HR, 1·79), cerebrovascular disease (HR, 3·23), epilepsy (HR, 3·07), DPP4i users (HR: 2·55), and insulin users (HR: 2·56) were significant risk factors for BP. CONCLUSIONS The risk of BP did not increase in patients receiving SGLT2i. Thus, SGLT2i could be a safe choice for patients with diabetes having additional risk factors or a history of BP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S H Ma
- Department of Dermatology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - C Y Wu
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Biomedical Informatics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Public Health and Department of Public Health, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Division of Translational Research and Center of Excellence for Cancer Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Y S Lyu
- Institute of Biomedical Informatics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Y J Chou
- Institute of Public Health and Department of Public Health, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Y T Chang
- Department of Dermatology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Dermatology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - C Y Wu
- Department of Dermatology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Public Health and Department of Public Health, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Dermatology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Cheng FC, Wang LH, Chang JYF, Lin TC, Liu TH, Tsai PF, Chang YT, Chiang CP. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the dentist manpower in Taiwan. J Dent Sci 2021; 16:1204-1213. [PMID: 34484589 PMCID: PMC8403789 DOI: 10.1016/j.jds.2021.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE The dentists are the high-risk group of infectious respiratory diseases during dental treatment. This study investigated the changes of the numbers of overall practicing dentists, dental clinics, and hospital dentists in Taiwan during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS We collected the data of the numbers of overall practicing dentists, dental clinics, and hospital dentists in each city and county of Taiwan in October 2019, April 2020, and October 2020 for evaluating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the dentist manpower in Taiwan. RESULTS After the COVID-19 outbreak, the total increased numbers of practicing dentists, dental clinics, and hospital dentists in Taiwan were 408, 14, and -16 from October 2019 to October 2020, respectively. In addition, their increased rates of the corresponding items were 2.76%, 0.21%, and -0.72%, respectively. The increased rate of practicing dentists from October 2019 to April 2020 was significantly higher than that of dental clinics (P < 0.001) and that of hospital dentists (P < 0.001). Moreover, the increased rate of practicing dentists from October 2019 to October 2020 was significantly higher than that of dental clinics (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION During the COVID-19 pandemic, the increased number of practicing dentists is not different from that in the past, but the increased numbers and rates of dental clinics and hospital dentists are lower than those in the past. This indicates that the willingness of dentists to open new dental clinics or work in hospitals reduces due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feng-Chou Cheng
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ling-Hsia Wang
- Center for the Literature and Art, Hsin Sheng Junior College of Medical Care and Management, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Julia Yu-Fong Chang
- Department of Dentistry, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Chiang Lin
- Center for the Liberal Arts, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Tsui-Hua Liu
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Po-Fang Tsai
- Graduate Institute of Humanities in Medicine, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Ta Chang
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Pin Chiang
- Department of Dentistry, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Dentistry, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Chang JYF, Cheng FC, Liu TH, Lin TC, Chang YT, Chiang CP. Distributions of dental freshmen and practicing dentists and their correlations in different regions of Taiwan in 2020. J Dent Sci 2021; 16:1125-1132. [PMID: 34484579 PMCID: PMC8403807 DOI: 10.1016/j.jds.2021.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [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: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/purpose Taiwan is facing the problems of the surplus, the uneven distribution, and the urban-rural gap of dental students and practicing dentists. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the distributions of dental freshmen and practicing dentists in different regions of Taiwan in 2020. Materials and methods We collected the numbers of dental freshmen and practicing dentists in different regions of Taiwan in 2020 for evaluation of their regional distributions in Taiwan and their relationship by the regression analysis. Results The numbers of dental freshmen and of practicing dentists per 100,000 people in municipalities were higher than those in non-municipalities (P < 0.01 for practicing dentists only). These corresponding numbers in cities with dental schools were significantly higher than those in cities and counties without dental schools, respectively (all P-values < 0.05). In addition, the coefficients of correlation between the dentist index and the dental student index were R2 = 0.7521 (P < 0.05) for municipalities (n = 6), R2 = 0.6332 (P < 0.001) for non-municipalities (n = 15), R2 = 0.9334 (P < 0.05) for cities with dental schools (n = 4), R2 = 0.4925 (P < 0.01) for cities and counties without dental schools (n = 17), and R2 = 0.5025 (P < 0.001) for nationwide (n = 21). Conclusion The dental freshmen and practicing dentists are still more concentrated in municipalities than in non-municipalities and in cities with dental schools than in cities and counties without dental schools in Taiwan in 2020.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julia Yu-Fong Chang
- Graduate Institute of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Dentistry, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Feng-Chou Cheng
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tsui-Hua Liu
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Chiang Lin
- Center for the Liberal Arts, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Ta Chang
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Pin Chiang
- Graduate Institute of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Dentistry, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Dentistry, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Cheng FC, Liu TH, Chang JYF, Lin TC, Tsai PF, Chang YT, Chiang CP. Distribution of students admitted to dental schools of general universities in Taiwan in 2020. J Dent Sci 2020; 16:567-579. [PMID: 33854705 PMCID: PMC8025223 DOI: 10.1016/j.jds.2020.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/purpose In Taiwan, the average income of a dentist increases after the implementation of national health insurance in 1995. Thus, the domestic departments of dentistry become a popular choice of university departments for high school graduates. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the distribution of students admitted to dental schools of general universities in each city or county in 2020 and to further compare the differences in regional distributions of dental freshmen accepted by three admission ways in 2020. Materials and methods This study collected the number of dental freshmen of general universities in each city or county in 2020 for further evaluating the differences in regional distributions of dental freshmen accepted by three admission ways in 2020. Results The distribution of dental freshmen in 2020 did have a big urban-rural gap. These dental freshmen were more concentrated in municipalities than in non-municipalities in Taiwan. The execution of three admission ways did play a role in balancing the urban-rural gap in the distribution of dental freshmen. Conclusion The urban-rural gap of the distribution of dental freshmen was not larger than that of dentists. The increased guaranteed enrollment quota of dental freshmen for the high school graduates in the offshore islands do cause unequal opportunities of admission to dental schools. If these extra-enrolled dentists do not return to their hometowns to practice, this may worsen the surplus of dentists and may fail to improve the uneven distribution of dentists in Taiwan.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feng-Chou Cheng
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tsui-Hua Liu
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Julia Yu-Fong Chang
- Department of Dentistry, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Chiang Lin
- Center for the Liberal Arts, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Po-Fang Tsai
- Graduate Institute of Humanities in Medicine, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Ta Chang
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Pin Chiang
- Department of Dentistry, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Dentistry, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Cheng FC, Chang JYF, Lin TC, Tsai PF, Chang YT, Chiang CP. The changes of the number and regional distribution of dentists and dental institutions 9 years after the implementation of postgraduate year training program for dentists in Taiwan. J Dent Sci 2020; 16:437-444. [PMID: 33384832 PMCID: PMC7770355 DOI: 10.1016/j.jds.2020.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/purpose In Taiwan, there are three major dentist occupation problems: a surplus of dentists, an uneven regional distribution of dentists, and a concentration of dentists in the metropolitan areas. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the distributions of the population and dentists in each city or county in 2001, 2010 and 2019 to further analyze the changes of regional distributions of dentists 9 years after the implementation of postgraduate year training program for dentists (PGYD) in 2010 in Taiwan. Materials and methods This study collected the data of population, the number of dentists in each city or county in 2001, 2010 and 2019, and the numbers of dentists and dental institutions from 2001 to 2019 for evaluating the changes of regional distributions of dentists 9 years after the PGYD implementation in Taiwan. Results Nine years after the PGYD implementation, the uneven distribution of dentists persisted. The number of dentists still increased and dentists were more concentrated in municipalities than in non-municipalities in Taiwan. Moreover, the number of dental institutions increased slowly, but dental institutions tended to become larger. Conclusion Because the PGYD system is not mandatory, dentists choose their practice locations as driven by the market factors. The increase in the average number of dentists in dental institutions is also driven by the market factors. The market-driven movement of dentists to the people-concentrated municipalities finally persist the imbalance of dentist distribution in Taiwan. This situation also enables the development of large-scale dental institutions in municipalities in Taiwan.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feng-Chou Cheng
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Dentistry, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Julia Yu-Fong Chang
- Department of Dentistry, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Chiang Lin
- Center for the Liberal Arts, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Po-Fang Tsai
- Graduate Institute of Humanities in Medicine, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Ta Chang
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Corresponding author. School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, No. 88, Section 4, Ting-Chou Road, Taipei 11677, Taiwan.
| | - Chun-Pin Chiang
- Department of Dentistry, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
- Department of Dentistry, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Dentistry, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan
- Corresponding author. Department of Dentistry, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, No. 707, Section 3, Chung-Yang Road, Hualien 970, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Abstract
Background/purpose Dental care has been officially incorporated into the hospital accreditation system in Taiwan since 2015. The geographical distribution of dentist manpower still remains in an unbalanced status as shown by the dentist-to-population ratio. This study tried to assess the dental manpower issue in terms of the status of hospital dentistry, and hence provided two organizational-level suggestions with their policy implications. Materials and methods This study utilized the secondary data analysis to evaluate the dental manpower in dental departments of medical centers, regional hospitals, and district hospitals in different regions of Taiwan in October 2019. Results Our results found that the dental manpower including the numbers of general dentists and dental specialists was highest in medical centers, followed by regional hospitals and district hospitals. Moreover, the dental resources and manpower were mostly concentrated in the northern region of Taiwan, followed by the central and southern regions of Taiwan, the eastern region of Taiwan, and offshore islands. Conclusion The hospital dentistry in Taiwan develops toward large-scale and specialization. Both hospital general dentists and dental specialists are concentrated in the medical centers, especially the medical centers in the northern region of Taiwan, indicating the problem of oversupply in the northern Taiwan and unbalanced distribution of dentists among the regions in Taiwan. Therefore, the responsibilities of the hospitals in metropolitan areas are to develop the elderly and disabled dentistry and to assist with oral health promotion and oral disease prevention in remote areas to reduce the urban-rural gap in dental resources in Taiwan.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feng-Chou Cheng
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Dentistry, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Julia Yu-Fong Chang
- Department of Dentistry, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Chiang Lin
- Center for the Liberal Arts, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Po-Fang Tsai
- Graduate Institute of Humanities in Medicine, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Ta Chang
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Pin Chiang
- Department of Dentistry, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan.,Department of Dentistry, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Dentistry, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Cheng FC, Yu-Fong Chang J, Lin TC, Chang WC, Chang YT, Chiang CP. Imbalance in the geographical distribution of practicing dentists in postgraduate dental training institutions in Taiwan. J Dent Sci 2020; 15:249-256. [PMID: 32952881 PMCID: PMC7486498 DOI: 10.1016/j.jds.2020.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/purpose Postgraduate year training program for dentists (PGYD) in Taiwan started since 2010. This study tried to assess the geographical distribution of practicing dentists in postgraduate dental training institutions in Taiwan. Materials and methods This study utilized the secondary data analysis to measure and compare the numbers of practicing dentists in each type of dental training institution and the numbers of overall practicing dentists among different cities and counties in Taiwan. Results Our results found that the practicing dentists in each type of dental training institution showed a significantly greater imbalance in geographical distribution than the overall practicing dentists. It meant that the practicing dentists in postgraduate dental training institutions were more concentrated in northern part of Taiwan than in other parts of Taiwan, compared to the number of overall practicing dentists in different cities or counties in Taiwan. However, the disparities in the number of practicing dentists in dental training institutions could be compensated by cross-regional collaborating institutions under the joint training group system. Conclusion Because continuation of the current PGYD system may accelerate the imbalance in geographical distribution of practicing dentists in dental training institutions in Taiwan. To prevent this, further studies on yearly changes in the geographical distribution of dentists in postgraduate dental training institutions by city or county should be taken to monitor whether we should further modify the currently used PGYD system toward a better one to solve the problem of imbalance in the geographical distribution of dentists in postgraduate dental training institutions in Taiwan.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feng-Chou Cheng
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Dentistry, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Julia Yu-Fong Chang
- Department of Dentistry, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Chiang Lin
- Center for the Liberal Arts, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Chiung Chang
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Ta Chang
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Pin Chiang
- Department of Dentistry, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan.,Department of Dentistry, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Dentistry, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Cheng FC, Yu-Fong Chang J, Lin TC, Chang WC, Chang YT, Chiang CP. Dentist manpower development and geographical distribution of dentists in Taiwan. J Dent Sci 2020; 15:121-131. [PMID: 32322365 PMCID: PMC7173809 DOI: 10.1016/j.jds.2020.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/purpose The development of dentists in Taiwan has been over a century. This study tried to explore the dentist manpower development and the current status of geographical distribution of dentists in Taiwan. Materials and methods This study used the secondary data analysis to survey the changes of total dentist number from 1986 to 2018 and the geographic distribution of dentists in different levels of dental institutions in 2019. Results The total number of dentists increased from 3739 in 1986 to 14,717 in 2018. The total number of hospital dentists increased from 809 in 1986 to 2121 in 2018. However, the proportion of hospital dentists in the total number of dentists decreased from 21.64% in 1986 to 14.41% in 2018. On the contrary, the total number of dental clinic dentists increased from 2930 in 1986 to 12,596 in 2018. The proportion of dental clinic dentists in the total number of dentists increased from 78.36% in 1986 to 85.59% in 2018. The northern region of Taiwan and Taipei City had 52.81% (7829/14,825) and 22.29% (3304/14,825) of the total number of dentists in 2019, respectively. Hospital dentists showed a significantly greater imbalance in geographic distribution than overall dentists. Conclusion Our results indicate that Taiwan has the problems of oversupply of dentists and imbalance in geographical distribution of dentists. Because continuation of the current dentist manpower development may accelerate the oversupply and geographical imbalance of dentists, a mechanism for controlling the total dentist manpower should be implemented to prevent the deterioration of the problems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feng-Chou Cheng
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Dentistry, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Julia Yu-Fong Chang
- Department of Dentistry, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Chiang Lin
- Center for the Liberal Arts, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Chiung Chang
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Ta Chang
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Pin Chiang
- Department of Dentistry, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan.,Department of Dentistry, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Dentistry, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien City, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Chang YT, Yang JL, Chang JS, Yang YW. Physiological status and functional anatomy of zebra fish ( Danio rerio) exposed to various levels of Ga 3. Toxicol Ind Health 2020; 36:153-160. [PMID: 32255739 DOI: 10.1177/0748233720915109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Gallium (Ga) is one of the intermetallic elements that has been used in cancer treatment for a long time. However, Ga compounds are increasingly being used to make high-speed semiconductors and photoelectric devices. The current work investigated physiological and pathological changes in zebra fish (Danio rerio) exposed to various Ga3+ levels (0.55, 1.5, and 3.85 mg/L) over a 14-day test period. Decreases in oxygen consumption were significant (p < 0.05) for groups exposed to 3.85 Ga3+ mg/L; this was associated with the fusion of zebra fish gills lamellae. Serum biochemical changes (including aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase) were consistent with observations of damage to organelles within the hepatocytes at higher Ga3+ exposure levels (1.5 and 3.85 mg/L) in zebra fish. We propose <0.55 Ga3+ mg/L as a biologically safe concentration that can be used to establish water quality criteria for this teleost model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yung-Ta Chang
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei
| | - Jen-Lee Yang
- Teacher Education Center, National Taiwan University of Arts, Taipei
| | - Jui-Sheng Chang
- Center of Excellence for the Oceans, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung
| | - Yu-Wen Yang
- Department of Industrial Education, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Cheng FC, Chang JYF, Lin TC, Chang WC, Chiang CP, Chang YT. Current practice patterns and training project of oral pathology specialists in Taiwan. J Dent Sci 2020; 15:168-175. [PMID: 32595897 PMCID: PMC7305439 DOI: 10.1016/j.jds.2020.03.002] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/purpose There were 70 oral pathology specialists (OPSs) in Taiwan till 2018. This study reported the current practice patterns and training project of OPSs in Taiwan. Materials and methods This study exploited the secondary data analysis and interview to survey the current practice patterns and training project of OPSs in Taiwan. Results Of the 70 OPSs, 8 practiced both anatomical oral pathology (oral histopathological diagnosis) and clinical oral pathology (oral medicine), 8 practiced both general pathology (majorly) and anatomical oral pathology (minorly), 5 practiced oral medicine only, 30 practiced general dentistry or other dental divisions, 11 did teaching or researching, and 8 had retired. There were 9 OPS training hospitals (8 medical centers and one regional hospital) that had 23 OPSs and a training capacity of 11 dentists. Of the 9 OPS training hospitals in Taiwan in 2019, 5 were located in the northern, one in central, two in southern, and one in eastern region. Moreover, we found none of the dentists applying for the OPS training program and the number of OPSs did not increase along with the population and the number of the dentists in recent two years. Conclusion Only 8 OPSs practice both anatomical oral pathology and oral medicine in Taiwan and the manpower of the OPSs in Taiwan faces a severe problem of shortage. We suggest that the government should build a long-term budget to subsidize young OPSs and those dentists who enter the OPS training program to resolve this OPS shortage problem.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feng-Chou Cheng
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Dentistry, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Julia Yu-Fong Chang
- Department of Dentistry, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Chiang Lin
- Center for the Liberal Arts, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Chiung Chang
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Pin Chiang
- Department of Dentistry, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan.,Department of Dentistry, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Dentistry, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien City, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Ta Chang
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Cheng FC, Chiang CP, Lin TC, Chang WC, Hsiang-Hua Lai E, Chang YT. Trends of participation of post-graduate year training program for dentists in Taiwan dental training institutions from 2010 to 2018. J Dent Sci 2019; 14:47-53. [PMID: 30988879 PMCID: PMC6445971 DOI: 10.1016/j.jds.2018.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/purpose The licensed dentists in Taiwan should join the post-graduate year training program for dentists (PGYD) since 2010. This study aimed to analyze the project types and the geographical distribution of the PGYD training institutions in Taiwan from 2010 to 2018. Materials and methods From 2010 to 2018, 735 hospitals and clinics participated in four types of PGYD project including hospital as the single training institution (project A), clinic as the single training institution (project B), hospital as the main training institution in the joint training group (project C), and clinic as the main training institution in the joint training group (project D). The project types and the geographical distribution of the training institutions were analyzed. Results The 735 PGYD training projects were proposed by the 735 dental institutions. The project number grew from 119 in 2010 to 195 in 2018. The most common project type was project B (307, 41.8%), followed by the project A (249, 33.9%), the project D (101, 13.7%), and the project C (78, 10.6%). Geographically, these 735 main training institutions were located most commonly in northern region of Taiwan (379, 51.6%), followed by the central region of Taiwan (171, 23.3%), southern region of Taiwan (156, 21.2%), and eastern region of Taiwan (29, 3.9%). Conclusion Hospital or clinic as the single training institution is the two most common PGYD project types in Taiwan from 2010 to 2018. These single or main dental training institutions are mainly located in the northern, central, and southern regions of Taiwan.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feng-Chou Cheng
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Dentistry, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Pin Chiang
- Department of Dentistry, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan.,Department of Dentistry, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Chiang Lin
- General Education Center, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Chiung Chang
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, Taiwan
| | - Eddie Hsiang-Hua Lai
- Department of Dentistry, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Ta Chang
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Chen CT, Hu HY, Chang YT, Li CP, Wu CY. Cancer is not a risk factor for bullous pemphigoid: 10-year population-based cohort study. Br J Dermatol 2018; 180:553-558. [PMID: 30216411 DOI: 10.1111/bjd.17197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is the most common autoimmune bullous disease. Whether there is an increased risk for subsequent BP among patients with cancer is still unclear. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the risk for subsequent BP in patients with cancer. METHODS This nationwide population-based cohort study was based on data obtained from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database between 2000 and 2011. A total of 36 838 patients with cancer and 147 352 age-, sex- and index-date-matched controls were recruited. The hazard ratio (HR) of subsequent BP in the patients with cancer was analysed using a Fine-Gray competing risk regression model with mortality as the competing event. RESULTS The incidence of BP per 100 000 person-years was 17·2 in the patients with cancer and 19·8 in the controls; therefore, the crude incidence rate ratio was 0·87 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0·53-1·36]. The HR of subsequent BP in the patients with cancer was 0·47 (95% CI 0·23-0·94) using the Fine-Gray competing risk regression model. Age (HR 1·05, 95% CI 1·03-1·07), diabetes mellitus (HR 1·69, 95% CI 1·10-2·59) and cerebrovascular disease (HR 2·14, 95% CI 1·36-3·34) were independent risk factors for BP. CONCLUSIONS The incidence of BP in patients with cancer was not higher than in the control group. Cancer is not a risk factor for BP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C T Chen
- Department of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - H Y Hu
- National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Public Health and Department of Public Health, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Y T Chang
- Department of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - C P Li
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Education and Research, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - C Y Wu
- Department of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Yang TL, Grišins P, Chang YT, Zhao ZH, Shih CY, Giamarchi T, Hulet RG. Measurement of the Dynamical Structure Factor of a 1D Interacting Fermi Gas. Phys Rev Lett 2018; 121:103001. [PMID: 30240232 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.121.103001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Revised: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
We present measurements of the dynamical structure factor S(q,ω) of an interacting one-dimensional Fermi gas for small excitation energies. We use the two lowest hyperfine levels of the ^{6}Li atom to form a pseudospin-1/2 system whose s-wave interactions are tunable via a Feshbach resonance. The atoms are confined to one dimension by a two-dimensional optical lattice. Bragg spectroscopy is used to measure a response of the gas to density ("charge") mode excitations at a momentum q and frequency ω, as a function of the interaction strength. The spectrum is obtained by varying ω, while the angle between two laser beams determines q, which is fixed to be less than the Fermi momentum k_{F}. The measurements agree well with Tomonaga-Luttinger theory.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T L Yang
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, USA
| | - P Grišins
- Department of Quantum Matter Physics, University of Geneva, 1211 Genève, Switzerland
| | - Y T Chang
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, USA
| | - Z H Zhao
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, USA
| | - C Y Shih
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, USA
| | - T Giamarchi
- Department of Quantum Matter Physics, University of Geneva, 1211 Genève, Switzerland
| | - R G Hulet
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Wang HY, Lee TY, Tseng YJ, Liu TP, Huang KY, Chang YT, Chen CH, Lu JJ. A new scheme for strain typing of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus on the basis of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry by using machine learning approach. PLoS One 2018. [PMID: 29534106 PMCID: PMC5849341 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), one of the most important clinical pathogens, conducts an increasing number of morbidity and mortality in the world. Rapid and accurate strain typing of bacteria would facilitate epidemiological investigation and infection control in near real time. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry is a rapid and cost-effective tool for presumptive strain typing. To develop robust method for strain typing based on MALDI-TOF spectrum, machine learning (ML) is a promising algorithm for the construction of predictive model. In this study, a strategy of building templates of specific types was used to facilitate generating predictive models of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strain typing through various ML methods. The strain types of the isolates were determined through multilocus sequence typing (MLST). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and the predictive accuracy of the models were compared. ST5, ST59, and ST239 were the major MLST types, and ST45 was the minor type. For binary classification, the AUC values of various ML methods ranged from 0.76 to 0.99 for ST5, ST59, and ST239 types. In multiclass classification, the predictive accuracy of all generated models was more than 0.83. This study has demonstrated that ML methods can serve as a cost-effective and promising tool that provides preliminary strain typing information about major MRSA lineages on the basis of MALDI-TOF spectra.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hsin-Yao Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
| | - Tzong-Yi Lee
- Department of Computer Science & Engineering, Yuan Ze University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
- School of Science and Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yi-Ju Tseng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
- Department of Information Management, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
| | - Tsui-Ping Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
| | - Kai-Yao Huang
- Department of Computer Science & Engineering, Yuan Ze University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Ta Chang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Hsien Chen
- Department of Information Management, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
- * E-mail: (CHC); (JJL)
| | - Jang-Jih Lu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Laboratory Science, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
- * E-mail: (CHC); (JJL)
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Weng MT, Tsao PN, Lin HL, Tung CC, Change MC, Chang YT, Wong JM, Wei SC. Hes1 Increases the Invasion Ability of Colorectal Cancer Cells via the STAT3-MMP14 Pathway. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0144322. [PMID: 26650241 PMCID: PMC4674118 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0144322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2015] [Accepted: 11/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The Notch pathway contributes to self-renewal of tumor-initiating cell and inhibition of normal colonic epithelial cell differentiation. Deregulated expression of Notch1 and Jagged1 is observed in colorectal cancer. Hairy/enhancer of split (HES) family, the most characterized targets of Notch, involved in the development of many cancers. In this study, we explored the role of Hes1 in the tumorigenesis of colorectal cancer. Knocking down Hes1 induced CRC cell senescence and decreased the invasion ability, whereas over-expression of Hes1 increased STAT3 phosphorylation activity and up-regulated MMP14 protein level. We further explored the expression of Hes1 in human colorectal cancer and found high Hes1 mRNA expression is associated with poor prognosis in CRC patients. These findings suggest that Hes1 regulates the invasion ability through the STAT3-MMP14 pathway in CRC cells and high Hes1 expression is a predictor of poor prognosis of CRC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- MT Weng
- Department of Internal Medicine, Far-Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science, Yuan-Ze University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - PN Tsao
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - HL Lin
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - CC Tung
- Department of Integrated Diagnostics & Therapeutics, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - MC Change
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - YT Chang
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - JM Wong
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - SC Wei
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Huang MY, Huang WD, Chou HM, Chen CC, Chen PJ, Chang YT, Yang CM. Structural, biochemical, and physiological characterization of photosynthesis in leaf-derived cup-shaped galls on Litsea acuminata. BMC Plant Biol 2015; 15:61. [PMID: 25849781 PMCID: PMC4351895 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-015-0446-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2014] [Accepted: 01/30/2015] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The source and sink relationships between insect-induced galls and host plant leaves are interesting. In this research, we collected cup-like galls induced by Bruggmanniella sp. (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) on host leaves of Litsea acuminata and assessed them to investigate source-sink relationships between galls and host leaves. We characterized several of their photosynthetic characteristics including chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm), stomatal conductance, and photosynthetic capacity, biochemical components such as total soluble sugar, starches, free amino acids, and soluble proteins. The structural analyses were performed under confocal, light, and scanning electron microscopies. RESULTS Compared with host leaves, galls exhibited slightly lower chlorophyll fluorescence; however, stomatal conductance and photosynthetic capacity were not detected at all. Galls accumulated higher total soluble sugars and free amino acids but less soluble proteins than host leaves. No stomata was observed on exterior or interior gall surfaces under light or scanning electron microscopy, but their inner surfaces were covered with fungal hyphae. Confocal imagery showed a gradient of chloroplasts distribution between gall outer and inner surfaces. CONCLUSIONS Our results strongly suggest that leaf-derived cecidomyiid galls are a type of chlorophyll-deficient non-leaf green tissue and consists on a novel sink in L. acuminate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Yuan Huang
- />Department of Horticulture and Biotechnology, Chinese Culture University, Taipei, 111 Hsulin Taiwan
| | - Wen-Dar Huang
- />Department of Agronomy, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 106 Daan Taiwan
| | - Hsueh-Mei Chou
- />Department of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Technology, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, Hsinchu, 300 Taiwan
| | - Chang-Chang Chen
- />Miaoli District Agricultural Research and Extension Station, COA, Guannan, Kungkuan, 363 Miaoli County Taiwan
| | - Pei-Ju Chen
- />Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, 116 Wenshan Taiwan
| | - Yung-Ta Chang
- />Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, 116 Wenshan Taiwan
| | - Chi-Ming Yang
- />Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115 Nankang Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Lu TH, Chang YT, Lin YM. Implementation of an Automatic Laboratory Data Checking System To Reduce Deduction of Statins Reimbursement in A Teaching Hospital in Taiwan. Value Health 2014; 17:A500. [PMID: 27201511 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2014.08.1505] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- T H Lu
- Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Y T Chang
- Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Y M Lin
- Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Huang MY, Huang WD, Chou HM, Lin KH, Chen CC, Chen PJ, Chang YT, Yang CM. Leaf-derived cecidomyiid galls are sinks in Machilus thunbergii (Lauraceae) leaves. Physiol Plant 2014; 152:475-85. [PMID: 24621096 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.12186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2013] [Revised: 02/06/2014] [Accepted: 02/10/2014] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Three relevant hypotheses - nutrition, environment and the enemies hypothesis - often invoked to explore source and sink relationships between galls and their host plants are still under dispute. In this research, chlorophyll fluorescence, gas exchange capacity, stomatal conductance, total carbon and nitrogen, total soluble sugars and starches, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy of two types of galls were used to investigate source-sink relationships. Compared with host leaves, these galls demonstrated slightly lower chlorophyll fluorescence; however, gas exchange capacity and stomatal conductance were not detected at all. Scanning electron micrographs demonstrated that the abaxial epidermis of host leaves contain normal amounts of stomata, whereas no stomata were observed on the exterior and interior surfaces of both types of galls. In addition, gall inner surfaces were covered with many kinds of fungal hyphae. Gall total carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) levels were lower but the C/N ratio was higher in galls than host leaves. Both types of galls accumulated higher total soluble sugars and starches than host leaves. Transmission electron micrographs also revealed that both types of galls contain plastoglobuli and giant starch granules during gall development. Results strongly indicate that leaf-derived cecidomyiid galls are sinks in Machilus thunbergii leaves. However, it is perplexing how larvae cycle and balance CO(2) and O(2) in gall growth chambers without stomata.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Yuan Huang
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Nankang, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Chuang YY, Lee DD, Lin CS, Chang YJ, Tanaka M, Chang YT, Liu HN. Characteristic dermoscopic features of primary cutaneous amyloidosis: a study of 35 cases. Br J Dermatol 2013; 167:548-54. [PMID: 22632408 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2012.11066.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary cutaneous amyloidosis (PCA) is a relatively common skin disorder among Asians and South Americans. It is usually diagnosed clinically. However, for cases with atypical presentations, the diagnosis can be a challenge and skin biopsy may be necessary. Dermoscopy has been proved to be a valuable, noninvasive tool in the diagnosis of cutaneous pigmented diseases. Most lesions of PCA show hyperpigmentation and the major histopathological abnormalities of PCA occur in the epidermis and dermal papillae. Dermoscopy might be a powerful tool to provide valuable information for the diagnosis of PCA. OBJECTIVES We aimed to find characteristic dermoscopic features of PCA. MATERIALS AND METHODS Cases with typical clinical presentations of PCA, either macular or lichen subtypes, were included in this study. All were evaluated using a hand-held, polarized and nonpolarized dermoscope. RESULTS A total of 35 patients with clinically diagnosed PCA were enrolled. Eighteen patients had lesions consistent with macular amyloidosis and 17 with lichen amyloidosus. We found two major dermoscopic patterns characteristic of PCA. The most common dermoscopic finding of PCA was a central hub, which could be either white or brown, surrounded by various configurations of pigmentation. For cases of lichen amyloidosus with prominent hyperkeratosis, the central hub was replaced by a scar-like morphology. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to report the characteristic dermoscopic features of PCA. We demonstrate that the use of a dermoscope may assist in achieving an accurate diagnosis of PCA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y Y Chuang
- Department of Dermatology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Chu TB, Liao CW, Huang YC, Chang YT, Costa ASRJ, Ji DD, Nara T, Tsubouchi A, Chang PWS, Chiu WT, Fan CK. Prevalence of Schistosoma intercalatum and S. haematobium Infection among Primary Schoolchildren in Capital Areas of Democratic Republic Of São Tomé and Príncipe, West Africa. Iran J Parasitol 2012; 7:67-72. [PMID: 23133474 PMCID: PMC3488823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2011] [Accepted: 12/11/2011] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A parasitological survey of Schistosoma haematobium and S. intercalatum infection among primary schoolchildren in capital area of Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe (DRSTP) was undertaken. METHODS Subjects with positive infection were confirmed by the detection of S. haematobium ova in the urine or S. intercalatum ova in the stool by using centrifugation concentration or merthiolate-iodine-formalin concentration method. Totally, 252 urine and stool samples, respectively, were obtained from apparently healthy schoolchildren, of which 121 from boys (9.8 ± 1.4 yr) and 131 from girls (9.7 ± 1.3 yr). RESULTS None of participating schoolchildren were found having S. haematobium ova in the urinary specimen. While, among 4 primary schools studied, only schoolchildren from Saint Marçal were detected with S. intercalatum ova in the fecal specimen, making the overall prevalence of S. intercalatum infection among schoolchildren was 2.4% (6/252) and girls had insignificantly higher prevalence (3.1%, 4/131) than that (1.7%, 2/121) in boys (χ(2) = 0.5, P = 0.5). CONCLUSION Water control and sanitation as well as snails eliminated by molluscicides are urgently needed to reduce S. intercalatum infection in DRSTP inhabitants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- TB Chu
- School of Health Care Administration, College of Public Health & Nutrition, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - CW Liao
- Dept. of Parasitology, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan,Dept. of Molecular and Cellular Parasitology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - YC Huang
- Dept. of Parasitology, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - YT Chang
- Taiwan Medical Mission in São Tomé, Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe
| | - ASRJ Costa
- Ministry of Health and Social Affairs, Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe
| | - DD Ji
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, Center for Diseases Control, Dept. of Health, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - T Nara
- Dept. of Molecular and Cellular Parasitology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - A Tsubouchi
- Dept. of Molecular and Cellular Parasitology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Peter WS Chang
- School of Public Health, College of Public Health & Nutrition, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - WT Chiu
- Dept. of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - CK Fan
- Dept. of Parasitology, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan,Center for International Tropical Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan,Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan,Corresponding author:E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Liu HN, Wang WJ, Chen CC, Lee DD, Chang YT. Senile gluteal dermatosis - a clinicopathologic study of 12 cases and its distinction from anosacral amyloidosis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2011; 26:258-60. [PMID: 22280513 DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2011.04045.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
28
|
Kim C, Shin H, Chang YT, Choi HK. Speciation pathway of Isoetes (Isoetaceae) in East Asia inferred from molecular phylogenetic relationships. Am J Bot 2010; 97:958-969. [PMID: 21622466 DOI: 10.3732/ajb.0900162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Polyploidy plays an important role in the speciation of Isoëtes. Increasing our knowledge about the specific origin of each polyploid or phylogenetic relationship among species has been hampered because of conserved morphological variation and scarce habitats. We present several hypotheses concerning the speciation pathways of Isoëtes species distributed in East Asia. Our hypotheses are inferred from phylogenetic relationships that were elucidated using sequences of the internal transcribed spacer regions of nuclear ribosomal DNA, a second intron of LEAFY, and chloroplast DNA trnS-psbC spacer regions. These inferred phylogenetic relationships indicated that (1) the Chinese tetraploid, I. sinensis, is closely related to I. yunguiensis; (2) the Korean endemic species, I. hallasanensis, is an autotetraploid derived from I. taiwanensis or closely related taxa; (3) the hexaploid I. coreana forms a clade and has its closest evolutionary relationships with I. taiwanensis or I. hallasanensis; and (4) the Japanese hexaploid I. japonica is closely related to I. taiwanensis-I. coreana and I. sinensis-I. yunguiensis. These results suggest that interspecific hybridization and polyploidization have played central roles in speciation of East Asian Isoëtes. Furthermore, I. taiwanensis, an endemic species in Taiwan, has been involved in at least three cases of autopolyploid or allopolyploid speciation in East Asia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Changkyun Kim
- Department of Biological Science, Ajou University, Suwon 443-749, Republic of Korea
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Hsiao YF, Kuo WM, Chang YT, Tarng YS. An optimization study of the motion table performance. ISA Trans 2010; 49:138-144. [PMID: 19883908 DOI: 10.1016/j.isatra.2009.09.008] [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] [Received: 05/27/2008] [Revised: 09/15/2009] [Accepted: 09/21/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
This paper investigates the optimal selection of processing parameters for motion table performance. The main objective of the mechanism of a one-axis servo motor table is to avoid vibration, thereby reducing experimental error. This experimental controller uses a grey-based Taguchi method to make a quality evaluation of three table characteristics; displacement, arriving time, and torsion. It is shown that the multiple response performance characteristics are greatly improved through this study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y F Hsiao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Chang YT, Chang HL, Su KW, Chen YF. High-efficiency Q-switched dual-wavelength emission at 1176 and 559 nm with intracavity Raman and sum-frequency generation. Opt Express 2009; 17:11892-11897. [PMID: 19582103 DOI: 10.1364/oe.17.011892] [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: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
An efficient Q-switched dual-wavelength laser with self-frequency Raman conversion in composite Nd:YVO(4) and intracavity sum-frequency generation in BBO is reported. With an input pump power of 17.5 W, average power of 0.53 W at the first-Stokes 1176 nm and average power of 1.67 W at the sum-frequency mixed 559 nm are simultaneously generated at a pulse repetition rate of 100 kHz, corresponding to a total conversion efficiency of 12.5%.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y T Chang
- Department of Electrophysics, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Wang Y, Huang WC, Wang CY, Tsai CC, Chen CL, Chang YT, Kai JI, Lin CF. Inhibiting glycogen synthase kinase-3 reduces endotoxaemic acute renal failure by down-regulating inflammation and renal cell apoptosis. Br J Pharmacol 2009; 157:1004-13. [PMID: 19508392 DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2009.00284.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Excessive inflammation and apoptosis are pathological features of endotoxaemic acute renal failure. Activation of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) is involved in inflammation and apoptosis. We investigated the effects of inhibiting GSK-3 on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute renal failure, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), inflammation and apoptosis. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The effects of inhibiting GSK-3 with inhibitors, including lithium chloride (LiCl) and 6-bromo-indirubin-3'-oxime (BIO), on LPS-treated (15 mg x kg(-1)) C3H/HeN mice (LiCl, 40 mg x kg(-1) and BIO, 2 mg x kg(-1)) and LPS-treated (1 microg x mL(-1)) renal epithelial cells (LiCl, 20 mM and BIO, 5 microM) were studied. Mouse survival was monitored and renal function was analysed by histological and serological examination. Cytokine and chemokine production, and cell apoptosis were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labelling staining, respectively. Activation of NF-kappaB and GSK-3 was determined by immunostaining and Western blotting, respectively. KEY RESULTS Mice treated with GSK-3 inhibitors showed decreased mortality, renal tubular dilatation, vacuolization and sloughing, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and renal cell apoptosis in response to endotoxaemia. Inhibiting GSK-3 reduced LPS-induced tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and CCL5/RANTES (released upon activation of normal T-cells) in vivo in mice and in vitro in murine kidney cortical collecting duct epithelial M1 cells. Inhibiting GSK-3 did not block TNF-alpha-induced cytotoxicity in rat kidney proximal tubular epithelial NRK52E or in M1 cells. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS These results suggest that GSK-3 inhibition protects against endotoxaemic acute renal failure mainly by down-regulating pro-inflammatory TNF-alpha and RANTES.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, Tainan 701, Taiwan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Huang YL, Chen YJ, Lin MW, Wu CY, Liu PC, Chen TJ, Chen YC, Jih JS, Chen CC, Lee DD, Chang YT, Wang WJ, Liu HN. Malignancies associated with dermatomyositis and polymyositis in Taiwan: a nationwide population-based study. Br J Dermatol 2009; 161:854-60. [PMID: 19558555 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2009.09274.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies showed that idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) carried an increased risk of cancers. However, no large-scale study of IIM has been conducted in the Chinese population. OBJECTIVES We sought to delineate the association of IIM and various cancer types from a nationwide database in Taiwan. METHODS We analysed the published national data from records of National Health Insurance claims. Cases of dermatomyositis (DM) and polymyositis (PM) from 2000 to 2005 and cancers registered in the catastrophic illness profile from 1997 to 2006 were collected. A nationally representative cohort of 1,000,000 enrollees was included for comparison. RESULTS In total, 136 patients (12.8%) among 1059 cases of DM and 46 persons (7.0%) among 661 cases of PM carried internal malignancies. Patients with DM tended to have cancers of nasopharynx, lung and breast. On the other hand, patients with PM tended to have breast, uterine cervix and lung cancers. Compared with the general population, DM gave a 10-fold increased risk for cancers, in which a 66-fold increased risk for nasopharyngeal carcinoma and a 31-fold increased risk for lung cancer were the two most significant. For patients with PM, a 6-fold increased risk for cancer was observed. Juvenile DM had a 16-fold increased risk for haematopoietic or lymphoid malignancy. Two thirds of comorbid malignancies were detected shortly after the diagnoses of IIM, within a mean of 1-2 years. Overall, younger patients with IIM carried the highest risk for malignancies, especially those in their twenties and thirties. CONCLUSIONS This is the first large-scale study to report the associated malignancies and the cancer risk of IIM in Taiwan.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y L Huang
- Department of Dermatology, National Yang-Mind University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Chang YT, Su KW, Chang HL, Chen YF. Compact efficient Q-switched eye-safe laser at 1525 nm with a double-end diffusion-bonded Nd:YVO4 crystal as a self-Raman medium. Opt Express 2009; 17:4330-4335. [PMID: 19293858 DOI: 10.1364/oe.17.004330] [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: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
We report on an efficient Q-switched eye-safe laser at 1525 nm with a double-end diffusion-bonded Nd:YVO(4) crystal as a self-Raman gain medium. A diffusion-bonded crystal not only reduces the thermal effects but also increase the interaction length for the stimulated Raman scattering. With an input pump power of 17.2 W, average power of 2.23 W at the first- Stokes wavelength of 1525 nm is generated at a pulse repetition rate of 40 kHz, corresponding to a conversion efficiency of 13%.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y T Chang
- Department of Electrophysics, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Huang YP, Chang HL, Huang YJ, Chang YT, Su KW, Yen WC, Chen YF. Subnanosecond mJ eye-safe laser with an intracavity optical parametric oscillator in a shared resonator. Opt Express 2009; 17:1551-1556. [PMID: 19188984 DOI: 10.1364/oe.17.001551] [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 theoretically verify that the threshold of an intracavity optical parametric oscillator pumped by a passively Q-switched laser is entirely controlled by the bleach of the saturable absorber not by the signal output reflectivity. We use a series of different output couplers to optimize the output performance. With a signal output reflectivity of 15%, we experimentally achieve an efficient subnanosecond eye-safe laser with 3.3 mJ pulse energy and 1.5 MW peak power.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y P Huang
- Department of Electrophysics, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Chang YT, Huang YP, Su KW, Chen YF. Comparison of thermal lensing effects between single-end and double-end diffusion-bonded Nd:YVO4 crystals for 4F 3/2-->4I 11/2 and 4F 3/2-->4I 13/2 transitions. Opt Express 2008; 16:21155-21160. [PMID: 19065256 DOI: 10.1364/oe.16.021155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The effective focal lengths of thermal lens in diode-end-pumped continuous-wave Nd:YVO(4) lasers for the (4)F(3/2)-->(4)I(11/2) and (4)F(3/2)-->(4)I(13/2) transitions were determined. The experimental results revealed that the thermal lensing effect for the (4)F(3/2)-->(4)I(11/2) transition can be sufficiently improved by employing a single-end diffusion-bonded Nd:YVO(4) crystal replacing a conventional Nd:YVO(4) crystal. However, using a double-end diffusion-bonded Nd:YVO(4) crystal was a great improvement over a single-end diffusion-bonded Nd:YVO(4) crystal for the (4)F(3/2)-->(4)I(13/2) transition with stronger thermal lensing effect.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y T Chang
- Department of Electrophysics, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Huang YP, Chang YT, Su KW, Chen YF, Huang KF. AlGaInAs intracavity selective absorber for an efficient high-power Nd:YAG laser operation at 1.44 microm. Opt Lett 2008; 33:1452-1454. [PMID: 18594662 DOI: 10.1364/ol.33.001452] [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
We develop an AlGaInAs material as a promising intracavity selective absorber for an efficient high-power Nd:YAG laser at 1.44 microm. With the ISA to suppress operation at 1.06 microm, the output coupler at 1.44 microm can be straightforwardly designed and optimized. At a pump power of 16 W an output power of 2.5 W at 1.44 microm, with a slope efficiency of 23%, was achieved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y P Huang
- Department of Electrophysics, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Abstract
A diode-pumped actively Q-switched mixed Nd:Y(0.3)Gd(0.7)VO(4) laser with an intracavity KTP crystal is developed to produce cascade SRS emission up to the fourth order. With an incident pump power of 14 W and a repetition rate of 50 kHz, the average output powers at the first, second, third and fourth Stokes modes are approximately 0.05 W, 0.61 W, 0.25 W, and 0.11 W, respectively. The maximum peak power is greater than 2 kW.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y T Chang
- Department of Electrophysics, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Chen YF, Su KW, Chang YT, Yen WC. Compact efficient eye-safe intracavity optical parametric oscillator with a shared cavity configuration. Appl Opt 2007; 46:3597-601. [PMID: 17514321 DOI: 10.1364/ao.46.003597] [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: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
We present a compact efficient eye-safe intracavity optical parametric oscillator pumped by a passively Q-switched Nd:YAG laser in a shared cavity configuration. A signal pulse of 3.3 mJ energy at a 1573 nm wavelength with a peak power of 150 kW was achieved. The effective conversion efficiency with respective to the optimized 1064 nm Q-switched pulse energy was as high as 51%.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y F Chen
- Department of Electrophysics, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y T Chang
- Department of Dermatology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y T Chang
- Department of Dermatology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y T Chang
- Department of Dermatology, Tapei Veterans General Hospital, Tapei, Taiwan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Chang YT, Lee JF, Chao HP, Liao WL. Bacterial community changes with N'-N' dimethylforamide (DMF) additives during polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) biodegardation. Environ Technol 2006; 27:1-14. [PMID: 16457170 DOI: 10.1080/09593332708618613] [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: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
This study examined the changes in the bacterial community during biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) substrate when N'-N' dimethylformamide (DMF) was added. The microbial populations that biodegrade the PAH substrate were assessed by Fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) and changed from 49.45% Archaea and 49.15% Bacteria to 42.00% Archaea and 51.78% Bacteria when the PAH was supplemented with DMF. Nine microorganisms were classified as Gram-negative alpha-, beta- and gamma-Proteobacteria bacteria during biodegradation of PAH alone by the Biolog system. Incentive eleven microorganisms obtained from the PAH-DMF mixed substrate were found to be beta-, gamma-Proteobacteria bacteria, high G+C Gram-positive bacteria (HGC), low G+C Gram-positive bacteria (LGC) and there was even one Deinococcus-Thermus strain; this indicates greater biodiversity. The numbers in the Pseudomonad group were as high as 10(5)-10(6) CFU ml(-1), suggesting that this group plays an important role in PAH biodegradation. Community-Level Physiological Profiling (CLPP) and physiological characterization were different in the PAH biodegradation process with and without DMF. Utilization of the 95 carbon sources from the Biolog GN2 microtiter plate was greater during PAH biodegradation when PAH is present alone compared to that in the presence of DMF. The range of enzymatic activities during PAH biodegradation was lower in the presence of DMF. These results show that DMF should be used with caution when PAH is a substrate during laboratory or pilot biotreatability studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y T Chang
- Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Central University, Chung-Li, 320, Taiwan
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Chang YT, Liu HN, Shiao YM, Lin MW, Lee DD, Liu MT, Wang WJ, Wu S, Lai CY, Tsai SF. A study of PSORS1C1 gene polymorphisms in Chinese patients with psoriasis. Br J Dermatol 2005; 153:90-6. [PMID: 16029332 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2005.06570.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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although genetic analyses have identified the HLA-Cw*0602 allele as the major risk allele for chronic plaque psoriasis in various ethnic groups, it has been proposed that the association of Cw*0602 is due to linkage disequilibrium and that other nearby genes are involved in susceptibility to psoriasis. The psoriasis susceptibility 1 candidate 1 (PSORS1C1, formerly SEEK1) gene, located 127 kb telomeric to the HLA-C locus, is considered to be one of the potential candidate genes of psoriasis. Up to the present, no association study of the PSORS1C1 gene has been conducted on Chinese patients with psoriasis. OBJECTIVES We aimed to determine whether the genetic polymorphisms of the PSORS1C1 gene were associated with an increased risk of psoriasis in Chinese patients. METHODS We investigated the PSORS1C1 gene for disease association by direct sequencing of the PSORS1C1 gene in 143 Chinese patients with chronic plaque psoriasis and 188 control subjects. Genotyping for HLA-Cw*0602 and the alpha-helix coiled-coil rod homologue (C6orf18, formerly HCR) gene was also carried out using a sequence-based typing method. RESULTS We identified 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the PSORS1C1 gene in our subjects; four of these SNPs cause amino acid change. We also detected poly(C) repeat variants from nucleotide positions 386-392 (poly(C)6-8). The poly(C) repeat polymorphisms cause a frame shift mutation. Another poly(C) repeat variant was also found at nucleotide positions 748-751. No significantly different allelic distributions of the PSORS1C1 SNPs or poly(C) repeat polymorphisms could be found between the patients with chronic plaque psoriasis and controls after correction for multiple testing. However, a significant increase of the Cw*0602 allele and tryptophan-tryptophan allele of the C6orf18 gene (HCR*WW) was found in patients with early onset psoriasis (21.9% vs. 4.8%, P < 10(-7)). Haplotype-based association analysis also showed a susceptibility haplotype carrying Cw*0602 and HCR*WW alleles in early onset Chinese patients. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that the PSORS1C1 gene might not play an important role in the causation of chronic plaque psoriasis in Chinese people.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y T Chang
- Department of Dermatology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y T Chang
- Department of Dermatology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Shih-Pai, Taipei 11217, Taiwan, Republic of China.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Abstract
The field of Small Molecule Microarray's (SMM's) is an ever-expanding part of the larger microarray field. SMM's are array based detection systems that use small molecules as probes immobilized on a variety of microarray surfaces that are screened against a number of targets for purposes including, but not limited to, protein-small molecule ligand recognition and protein function profiling. This review covers the recent advances in the field with particular emphasis on the successful applications of SMM's, as well as technical advances in platform optimization and novel small molecule immobilization strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D P Walsh
- New York University, Department of chemistry, 29 Washington place, room 551, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Chang YT, Shiao YM, Chin PJ, Liu YL, Chou FC, Wu S, Lin YF, Li LH, Lin MW, Liu HN, Tsai SF. Genetic polymorphisms of the HCR gene and a genomic segment in close proximity to HLA-C are associated with patients with psoriasis in Taiwan. Br J Dermatol 2004; 150:1104-11. [PMID: 15214895 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2004.05972.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although psoriasis vulgaris (PV) is strongly associated with HLA-Cw*0602, it has been proposed that the association of Cw*0602 is due to linkage disequilibrium and that other nearby genes are involved in PV susceptibility. The alpha-helix coiled-coil rod homologue (HCR) gene, located 110 kb telomeric to the HLA-C locus, is presumed to be one of the PV candidate genes. Recently, a 10-kb genomic segment, centromeric to HLA-C, defined by two new single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) n.7*A and n.9*C, was found to have a stronger association with psoriasis than the HCR gene. Until now, no study of the association of the HCR gene, SNPs n.7, and n.9 has been conducted on Chinese patients with psoriasis. OBJECTIVES We aimed to determine whether the genetic polymorphisms of the HCR gene, SNPs n.7*A, and n.9*C were associated with an increased risk of psoriasis in Chinese patients. METHODS Using direct sequencing of the HCR gene and the genomic region containing SNPs n.7 and n.9, we investigated the HCR gene, SNPs n.7, and n.9 for disease association in 115 Chinese patients with psoriasis and 103 control subjects. The HCR SNPs were confirmed by denaturing high performance liquid chromatography. Genotyping for HLA-Cw*0602 was also carried out using sequence-based typing. RESULTS We observed a different allelic distribution between patient and control groups at nucleotide positions 386, 404, 1802 and 2406 of the HCR gene, and SNPs n.7, and n.9. The associations were much stronger in early onset PV patients (for HCR-386*T and HCR-404*T, odds ratio = 5.63, Pc < 0.0001). The HLA-Cw*0602 also displayed a similar association with PV (odds ratio = 5.4, Pc < 0.0001). Moreover, SNP n.7*A, SNP n.9*C, Cw*0602, HCR-386*T, HCR-404*T and HCR-1802*T were in linkage disequilibrium with each other. Haplotype-based association analysis showed SNP n.7*A-SNP n.9*C-Cw*0602-HCR-386*T-HCR-404*T-HCR-1802*T-HCR-2406*G as a major susceptibility haplotype in this Chinese population (for early onset patients, odds ratio = 5.15, Pc < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that the HCR gene, SNP n.7*A, and SNP n.9*C as well as Cw*0602 are major susceptibility markers for psoriasis in Chinese patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y T Chang
- Department of Dermatology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Chang YT, Liu HN, Wang WJ, Lee DD, Tsai SF. A study of cytokeratin profiles in localized cutaneous amyloids. Arch Dermatol Res 2004; 296:83-8. [PMID: 15141317 DOI: 10.1007/s00403-004-0474-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 09/26/2003] [Revised: 03/12/2004] [Accepted: 04/02/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The major component of localized cutaneous amyloids may be derived from cytokeratin (CK). However, the CK profiles of primary cutaneous amyloidosis (PCA) and secondary cutaneous amyloidosis (SCA) remain obscure. Paraffin-embedded sections of skin tissue from 64 patients with PCA, 111 with SCA and 3 with systemic amyloidosis were analyzed immunohistochemically using 12 different polyclonal or monoclonal anti-CK antibodies (34betaE12, MNF116, LP34, AE1/AE3, anti-CK1, CK5, CK6, CK7, CK10, CK14, CK16 and CK17). In addition, frozen skin tissues from 12 patients with PCA were analyzed for comparison with the paraffin-embedded tissue. In all 64 PCA paraffin sections, the amyloid deposits were immunopositive for anti-CK5 antibody and 34betaE12. In all 12 frozen sections of PCA, the amyloid deposits were immunopositive for anti-CK5 antibody, 34betaE12, MNF116 and LP34, and seven (58.3%), three (25%) and one (8.3%) were immunopositive for anti-CK1, CK14, and CK10 antibodies, respectively. In all SCA sections, the amyloid deposits were immunopositive for CK5 and 34betaE12. In addition, MNF116 immunolabeled amyloids of all sections from patients with basal cell carcinoma and trichoepithelioma, and MNF116 and LP34 immunolabeled amyloids of sections from patients with porokeratosis. Our results indicate that CK5 is the major CK present in the amyloid deposits of PCA and SCA, and "amyloid-K" is mainly derived from basal keratinocytes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y T Chang
- Department of Dermatology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital and National Yang-Ming University, Shih-Pai, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Abstract
Although genetics analyses have identified the HLA-Cw6 allele to be the major risk allele for psoriasis vulgaris (PV) in many racial groups, it has been proposed that other putative genes near the HLA-C locus are involved in PV susceptibility and that the association of Cw6 is a result of linkage disequilibrium. The SPR1 gene, a predicted gene located 128 kb telomeric to the HLA-C locus, is considered to be one potential candidate gene of PV. Until now, no association study of the SPR1 gene has been conducted on psoriasis patients. We investigated the SPR1 gene for disease association by direct sequencing of the SPR1 gene in 116 Chinese patients with PV and 116 normal subjects. Genotyping for HLA-Cw6 was also carried out using polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism. Significant increase of the HLA-Cw6 allele was found in psoriasis patients (32.8% vs. 13.8%, P = 0.001). We found that the SPR1 gene is a highly polymorphic gene containing 13 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), two of which have not been previously reported, and four SNPs cause amino acid change. No significantly different allelic distribution of 13 SPR1 SNPs could be found between the patients with PV and controls after correction for multiple testing. If the frequencies of SPR1 SNPs were compared between the early onset psoriatics and control subjects, early onset patients were more likely to have G allele at position 988 (60% vs. 35.3%, P = 0.001). However, the significance disappeared upon stratification for the Cw6 status. Haplotype-based association analysis showed two susceptibility haplotypes (types 8 and 19) in early onset psoriasis patients. Nonetheless, the significance also disappeared after stratification of the Cw6 status. Our results suggest that HLA-Cw6 remains the major risk allele in Chinese psoriatics, and that the SPR1 gene might not play an important role in the causation of PV.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y T Chang
- Department of Dermatology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital and National Yang-Ming University, Taiwan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
El Fahime E, Bouchentouf M, Benabdallah BF, Skuk D, Lafreniere JF, Chang YT, Tremblay JP. Tubulyzine, a novel tri-substituted triazine, prevents the early cell death of transplanted myogenic cells and improves transplantation success. Biochem Cell Biol 2003; 81:81-90. [PMID: 12870872 DOI: 10.1139/o03-054] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Myoblast transplantation (MT) is a potential therapeutic approach for several muscular dystrophies. A major limiting factor is that only a low percentage of the transplanted myoblasts survives the procedure. Recent advances regarding how and when the myoblasts die indicate that events preceding actual tissue implantation and during the first days after the transplantation are crucial. Myoseverin, a recently identified tri-substituted purine, was shown to induce in vitro the fission of multinucleated myotubes and affect the expression of a variety of growth factors, and immunomodulation, extracellular matrix-remodeling, and stress response genes. Since the effects of myoseverin are consistent with the activation of pathways involved in wound healing and tissue regeneration, we have investigated whether pretreatment and co-injection of myoblasts with Tubulyzine (microtubule lysing triazine), an optimized myoseverin-like molecule recently identified from a triazine library, could reduce myoblast cell death following their transplantation and consequently improves the success of myoblast transplantation. In vitro, using annexin-V labeling, we showed that Tubulyzine (5 microM) prevents normal myoblasts from apoptosis induced by staurosporine (1 microM). In vivo, the pretreatment and co-injection of immortal and normal myoblasts with Tubulyzine reduced significantly cell death (assessed by the radio-labeled thymidine of donor DNA) and increased survival of myoblasts transplanted in Tibialis anterior (TA) muscles of mdx mice, thus giving rise to more hybrid myofibers compared to transplanted untreated cells. Our results suggest that Tubulyzine can be used as an in vivo survival factor to improve the myoblast-mediated gene transfer approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E El Fahime
- Human Genetic, CHUQ-CHUL, Laval University, 2705, boul. Laurier, RC-9300, Ste-Foy, QC GIV 4G2, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Chang YT, Tsai SF, Lee DD, Shiao YM, Huang CY, Liu HN, Wang WJ, Wong CK. A study of candidate genes for psoriasis near HLA-C in Chinese patients with psoriasis. Br J Dermatol 2003; 148:418-23. [PMID: 12653732 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2133.2003.05166.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [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: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genetic analyses have identified the HLA-Cw6 allele as the major risk allele for psoriasis in many racial groups. However, by serological typing, HLA-Cw6 is not considered a risk factor in Chinese psoriatics. There are several susceptibility genes for psoriasis residing in chromosome 6p near the HLA-C locus, including the corneodesmosin (CDSN) gene, the octamer transcription factor-3 (POU5F1) gene, the major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related gene A (MICA), and the gene for tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. However, the information about their role in psoriasis in Chinese patients is limited. OBJECTIVES We aimed to determine whether Cw6 and the genetic polymorphism of the CDSN gene, POU5F1 gene, MICA gene and the gene for TNF-alpha promoter region were associated with an increased risk of psoriasis in Chinese patients. METHODS We conducted a case-control association study in 105 Chinese patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 160 control subjects of similar ages. Genotypes of Cw6, the CDSN gene, the POU5F1 gene, and the gene for the TNF-alpha promoter region were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by restriction enzyme digestion. Genotyping of MICA was determined by PCR combined with fluorescent-based automated fragment detection technology. Results The allele frequencies showed no differences between patients and controls for the POU5F1 gene, MICA gene and the gene for TNF-alpha promoter region. The frequency of the HLA-Cw6 allele in the psoriasis group was significantly higher than that in the control group (18.6% vs. 6.56%, P < 0.00005). For the CDSN gene, patients were more likely to have C allele at position +619 (P = 0.006) and C allele at position +1243 (P = 0.007), but the significance disappeared after correction for multiple testing (Pc > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS HLA-Cw6 remains the most significant susceptibility gene in Chinese patients with psoriasis. However, the role of the CDSN gene in the pathogenesis of psoriasis deserves further scrutiny.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y T Chang
- Department of Dermatology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital and National Yang-Ming University, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|