The Outcome of Antipsychotics-induced Tardive Syndromes: A Ten-year Follow-up Study

Pei-Chien Chou,Yu Lee,Yung-Yee Chang,Pao-Yen Lin,Liang-Jen Wang 대한정신약물학회 2023 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.21 No.3

Objective: Tardive syndrome (TS) is an umbrella term used to describe a group of abnormal movement disorders caused by chronic exposure to dopamine receptor blocking agents. Few follow-up studies have been performed on the outcome of TS in patients using antipsychotics. The purpose of our study was to investigate the prevalence, incidence, remission rate, and factors associated with remission in patients using antipsychotics. Methods: This retrospective cohort study consisted of 123 patients who received continuous treatment of antipsychotics in a medical center in Taiwan, from April 1, 2011 to May 31, 2021. We assessed the demographic and clinical characteristics, prevalence, incidence, remission rate, and factors associated with remission in patients using antipsychotics. TS remission was defined as a Visual Analogue Scale score ≤ 3. Results: Of the 92 patients who completed the 10-year follow-up, 39 (42.4%) were found to have at least one episode of TS, with tardive dyskinesia (TD) being the most prevalent subtype (51.3%). With regard to concurrent physical illness, a history of extrapyramidal symptoms were significant risk factors for TS. During the 10-year follow-up period, the remission rate of TS was 74.3%. The use of antioxidants including vitamin B6 and piracetam was related to the remission of TS. Patients with tardive dystonia had a higher remission rate (87.5%) compared to TD (70%). Conclusion: Our study suggests that TS may be a treatable condition, and the key to a better outcome is early detection and prompt intervention, including closely monitoring antipsychotics-related TS symptoms and using antioxidants.

High Power Density Asymmetrical Full-Bridge Soft-Switching Inverter

Pei-Chin Chi,Cheng-Yen Chou,Marojahan Tampubolon,Yao-Ching Hsieh,Jing-Yuan Lin,Huang-Jen Chiu 전력전자학회 2015 ICPE(ISPE)논문집 Vol.2015 No.6

This paper presents a Zero-Voltage-Switching (ZVS) technique eliminating the switching loss on a proposed single phase bi-directional full-bridge Buck inverter in which asymmetrical filter topology and control scheme are for each arm. Here Metal-Oxide-Field-Effect- Transistor(MOSFET) is chosen as the switching device, an L₁-C₁ filter is connected across the full-bridge, an L₂ filter is connected in series to load or grid. While the arm connecting with the C₁ is controlled by the polarity of 50Hz sinusoid reference command and the arm connecting with the L₁ is controlled by a Pulse-Width-Modulation(PWM) signal modulated by sinusoid, the L₁-C₁ then operates as an output filter of Buck, and the succeeding L₂ filter further attenuates ripple current flowing to load or grid. The ZVS technique sets the L₁ inductance such low that its current flows bi-directionally within a switching period, then the bidirectional current with sufficiently high peaks in turn charge and discharge the output capacitance Coss of MOSFETs of the switching arm within floating time, defined as the duration when both MOSFETs of an arm are off, to let the MOSFETs D-S channels be turned on or off at the state that Coss are fully discharged to zero voltage, so ZVS of MOSFET is achieved. Under the ZVS operation without frequency proportional switching loss, the switching frequency is possible to be raised to high to compact the sizes of passive components and heat sink of the inverter for achieving high power density. Simulation and experiment have been carried out to verify the ZVS operation.

2022 Taiwan clinical multicenter expert consensus and recommendations for thyroid radiofrequency ablation

Wei-Che Lin,Wen-Chieh Chen,Pei-Wen Wang,Yi-Chia Chan,Yen-Hsiang Chang,Harn-Shen Chen,Szu-Tah Chen,Wei-Chih Chen,Kai-Lun Cheng,Shun-Yu Chi,Pi-Ling Chiang,Chen-Kai Chou,Feng-Fu Chou,Shun-Chen Huang,Feng 대한초음파의학회 2023 ULTRASONOGRAPHY Vol.42 No.3

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive management strategy that has been widely applied for benign and recurrent malignant thyroid lesions as an alternative to surgery in Taiwan. Members of academic societies for specialists in interventional radiology, endocrinology, and endocrine surgery collaborated to develop the first consensus regarding thyroid RFA in Taiwan. The modified Delphi method was used to reach a consensus. Based on a comprehensive review of recent and valuable literature and expert opinions, the recommendations included indications, pre-procedural evaluations, procedural techniques, post-procedural monitoring, efficacy, and safety, providing a comprehensive review of the application of RFA. The consensus effectively consolidates advice regarding thyroid RFA in clinical practice for local experts.

Use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Evaluating Residual Breast Tissue After Robotic-Assisted Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy in Women With Early Breast Cancer

Wu Wen-Pei,Lai Hung-Wen,Liao Chiung-Ying,Lin Joseph,Huang Hsin-I,Chen Shou-Tung,Chou Chen-Te,Chen Dar-Ren 대한영상의학회 2023 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.24 No.7

Objective: Prospective studies on postoperative residual breast tissue (RBT) after robotic-assisted nipple-sparing mastectomy (R-NSM) for breast cancer are limited. RBT presents an unknown risk of local recurrence or the development of new cancer after curative or risk-reducing mastectomies. This study investigated the technical feasibility of using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate RBT after R-NSM in women with breast cancer. Materials and Methods: In this prospective pilot study, 105 patients, who underwent R-NSM for breast cancer at Changhua Christian Hospital between March 2017 and May 2022, were subjected to postoperative breast MRI to evaluate the presence and location of RBT. The postoperative MRI scans of 43 patients (age, 47.8 ± 8.5 years), with existing preoperative MRI scans, were evaluated for the presence and location of RBT. In total, 54 R-NSM procedures were performed. In parallel, we reviewed the literature on RBT after nipple-sparing mastectomy, considering its prevalence. Results: RBT was detected in 7 (13.0%) of the 54 mastectomies (6 of the 48 therapeutic mastectomies and 1 of the 6 prophylactic mastectomies). The most common location for RBT was behind the nipple-areolar complex (5 of 7 [71.4%]). Another RBT was found in the upper inner quadrant (2 of 7 [28.6%]). Among the six patients who underwent RBT after therapeutic mastectomies, one patient developed a local recurrence of the skin flap. The other five patients with RBT after therapeutic mastectomies remained disease-free. Conclusion: R-NSM, a surgical innovation, does not seem to increase the prevalence of RBT, and breast MRI showed feasibility as a noninvasive imaging tool for evaluating the presence and location of RBT.

Real-time, Economical Identification of Microplastics Using Impedance-based Interdigital Array Microelectrodes and k-Nearest Neighbor Model

Congo Tak Shing Ching,Pei-Yuan Lee,Nguyen Van Hieu,Hsin-Hung Chou,Fiona Yan-Dong Yao,Cheng Sha-Yen,Lin Yung-Kai,Thien Luan Phan 한국생물공학회 2023 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.28 No.3

Microplastic, being a direct carrier of many pollutants, has caused grave concern and become a public issue. This gives rise to the need of a quick method for quantifying and identifying microplastics in the environment. This study uses impedance spectroscopy, particularly the imaginary part of impedance, for detection and identification of sample microplastics. Two type of common microplastic contaminants, Polyethylene and Polystyrene, diameter 20 m and 150 m, were chosen for this study. The results confirm accurate identification of microplastic material in question, by using self-normalized ratio between two characteristic frequencies of 7MHz and 8.9 MHz, Zf = 7 MHz / Zf = 8.9 MHz. 3-kNN classifier built with the ratio Zf = 7 MHz / Zf = 8.9 MHz, and Zf = 8 MHz /Zf = 8.9 MHz, demonstrates accuracy upto 90% for the identification of single or both microplastic types in samples. These results confirm impedance spectroscopy, permitting rapid identification of microplastic without labeling and skillful techniques, as a potential rapid sensor.

Learning-by-Exporting: Micro-dynamic Evidence from Taiwan

( Deng Shing Huang ),( Pei Chou Lin ),( Yo Yi Huang ) 연세대학교 동서문제연구원 2006 Global economic review Vol.35 No.4

Monitoring of genetically close Tsaiya duck populations using novel microsatellite markers with high polymorphism

Lai, Fang-Yu,Chang, Yi-Ying,Chen, Yi-Chen,Lin, En-Chung,Liu, Hsiu-Chou,Huang, Jeng-Fang,Ding, Shih-Torng,Wang, Pei-Hwa Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2020 Animal Bioscience Vol.33 No.6

Objective: A set of microsatellite markers with high polymorphism from Tsaiya duck were used for the genetic monitoring and genetic structure analysis of Brown and White Tsaiya duck populations in Taiwan. Methods: The synthetic short tandem repeated probes were used to isolate new microsatellite markers from the genomic DNA of Tsaiya ducks. Eight populations, a total of 566 samples, sourced from Ilan Branch, Livestock Research Institute were genotyped through novel and known markers. The population genetic variables were calculated using optional programs in order to describe and monitor the genetic variability and the genetic structures of these Tsaiya duck populations. Results: In total 24 primer pairs, including 17 novel microsatellite loci from this study and seven previously known loci, were constructed for the detection of genetic variations in duck populations. The average values for the allele number, the effective number of alleles, the observed heterozygosity, the expected heterozygosity, and the polymorphism information content were 11.29, 5.370, 0.591, 0.746, and 0.708, respectively. The results of analysis of molecular variance and principal component analysis indicated a contracting Brown Tsaiya duck cluster and a spreading White Tsaiya duck cluster. The Brown Tsaiya ducks and the White Tsaiya ducks with Pekin ducks were just split to six clusters and three clusters when K was set equal to 6 and 3 in the Bayesian cluster analysis. The individual phylogenetic tree revealed eight taxa, and each individual was assigned to its own population. Conclusion: According to our study, the 24 novel microsatellite markers exhibited a high capacity to analyze relationships of inter- and intra-population in those populations with a relatively limited degree of genetic diversity. We suggest that duck farms in Taiwan could use the new (novel) microsatellite set to monitor the genetic characteristics and structures of their Tsaiya duck populations at various intervals in order to ensure quality breeding and conservation strategies.

The role of the genomic mutation signature and tumor mutation burden on relapse risk prediction in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma after concurrent chemoradiotherapy

Wang Hui-Ching,Moi Sin-Hua,Chan Leong-Perng,Wu Chun-Chieh,Du Jeng-Shiun,Liu Pei-Lin,Chou Meng-Chun,Wu Che-Wei,Huang Chih-Jen,Hsiao Hui-Hua,Pan Mei-Ren,Chen Li-Tzong 생화학분자생물학회 2023 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.55 No.-

Personalized genetic profiling has focused on improving treatment efficacy and predicting risk stratification by identifying mutated genes and selecting targeted agents according to genetic testing. Therefore, we evaluated the role of genetic profiling and tumor mutation burden (TMB) using next-generation sequencing in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC). The relapse mutation signature (RMS) and chromatin remodeling mutation signature (CRMS) were explored to predict the risk of relapse in patients with HNSC treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients in the high RMS and CRMS groups showed significantly shorter relapse-free survival than those in the low RMS and CRMS groups, respectively (p < 0.001 and p = 0.006). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that extranodal extension, CCRT response, and three somatic mutation profiles (TMB, RMS, and CRMS) were independent risk predictors for HNSC relapse. The predictive nomogram showed satisfactory performance in predicting relapse-free survival in patients with HNSC treated with CCRT.