Echocardiographic parameters and indices in 23 healthy Maltese dogs

Chih-Hung Tsai,Chao-Chun Huang,Chia Chi Ho,Marta Claretti 대한수의학회 2021 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.22 No.5

Background: Echocardiography is a primary tool used by veterinarians to evaluate heart diseases. In recent years, various studies have targeted standard echocardiographic values for different breeds. Reference data are currently lacking in Maltese dogs and it is important to fill this gap as this breed is predisposed to myxomatous mitral valve disease, which is a volume overload disease. Objectives: To establish the normal echocardiographic parameters for Maltese dogs. Methods: In total, 23 healthy Maltese dogs were involved in this study. Blood pressure measurements, thoracic radiography, and complete transthoracic echocardiography were performed. The effects of body weight, age and sex were evaluated, and the correlations between weight and linear and volumetric dimensions were calculated by regression analysis. Results: The mean vertebral heart size was 9.1 ± 0.4. Aside from the ejection fraction, fractional shortening, and the left atrial to aorta root ratio, all the other echocardiographic parameters were significantly correlated with weight. Conclusion: This study describes normal echocardiographic parameters that may be useful in the echocardiographic evaluation of Maltese dogs.

Upregulating sirtuin 6 ameliorates glycolysis, EMT and distant metastasis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma with krüppel-like factor 10 deficiency

Tsai Yi-Chih,Chen Su-Liang,Peng Shu-Ling,Tsai Ya-Li,Chang Zuong-Ming,Chang Vincent Hung-Shu,Ch’ang Hui-Ju 생화학분자생물학회 2021 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.53 No.-

Krüppel-like factor 10 (KLF10) is a tumor suppressor in multiple cancers. In a murine model of spontaneous pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC), additional KLF10 depletion accelerated distant metastasis. However, Klf10 knockout mice, which suffer from metabolic disorders, do not develop malignancy. The mechanisms of KLF10 in PDAC progression deserve further exploration. KLF10-depleted and KLF10-overexpressing PDAC cells were established to measure epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), glycolysis, and migration ability. A murine model was established to evaluate the benefit of genetic or pharmacological manipulation in KLF10-depleted PDAC cells (PDACshKLF10). Correlations of KLF10 deficiency with rapid metastasis, elevated EMT, and glycolysis were demonstrated in resected PDAC tissues, in vitro assays, and murine models. We identified sirtuin 6 (SIRT6) as an essential mediator of KLF10 that modulates EMT and glucose homeostasis. Overexpressing SIRT6 reversed the migratory and glycolytic phenotypes of PDACshKLF10 cells. Linoleic acid, a polyunsaturated essential fatty acid, upregulated SIRT6 and prolonged the survival of mice injected with PDACshKLF10. Modulating HIF1α and NFκB revealed that EMT and glycolysis in PDAC cells were coordinately regulated upstream by KLF10/SIRT6 signaling. Our study demonstrated a novel KLF10/SIRT6 pathway that modulated EMT and glycolysis coordinately via NFκB and HIF1α. Activation of KLF10/SIRT6 signaling ameliorated the distant progression of PDAC. Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov. identifier: NCT01666184.

The Effect of the First Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis Event on the Mortality of Cirrhotic Patients with Ascites: A Nationwide Population-Based Study in Taiwan

( Tsung-hsing Hung ),( Chen-chi Tsai ),( Yu-hsi Hsieh ),( Chih-chun Tsai ),( Chih-wei Tseng ),( Kuo-chih Tseng ) 대한간학회 2016 Gut and Liver Vol.10 No.5

Background/Aims: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) contributes to poorer short-term mortality in cirrhotic patients with ascites. However, it is unknown how long the effect of the first SBP event persists in these patients. Methods: The National Health Insurance Database, derived from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Program, was used to identify and enroll 7,892 cirrhotic patients with ascites who were hospitalized between January 1 and December 31, 2007. All patients were free from episodes of SBP from 1996 to 2006. Results: The study included 1,176 patients with SBP. The overall 30-day, 90-day, 1-year, and 3-year mortality rates in this group were 21.8%, 38.9%, 57.5%, and 73.4%, respectively. The overall 30-day, 90-day, 1-year, and 3-year mortality rates in the non-SBP group were 15.7%, 32.5%, 53.3%, and 72.5%, respectively. After adjusting for gender, age, and other medical comorbidities, the adjusted hazard ratios of SBP for 30-day, 30- to 90-day, 90-day to 1-year, and 1- to 3-year mortality were 1.49 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.30 to 1.71), 1.19 (95% CI, 1.02 to 1.38), 1.04 (95% CI, 0.90 to 1.20), and 0.90 (95% CI, 0.77 to 1.05), respectively, compared with the non-SBP group. Conclusions: The effect of SBP on the mortality of cirrhotic patients with ascites disappeared in those surviving more than 90 days after the first SBP event. (Gut Liver 2016;10:803-807)

Iatrogenic Subclavian Artery Perforation Rescued by Operator-Modified Graft Sent

Chih-Hung Lai,Wen-Lieng Lee,Chung-Lin Tsai,Wei-Chun Chang,Chieh-Shou Su 연세대학교의과대학 2017 Yonsei medical journal Vol.58 No.2

Subclavian artery (SCA) perforation is a rare complication while performing SCA intervention. In our present report, a 73-year-old female, with stenosis of the left SCA and situs inversus, presented with exercise-induced left arm weakness. The SCA stenosis was treated with direct stenting with a balloon-expansible Express LD 10×25 mm stent. However, it caused iatrogenic SCA perforationand hemothorax. The perforation was sealed by endovascular repair with operator-modified Endurant II graft stent, which complicated with occlusion of left common carotid artery. And, the carotid artery was rescued by another stent. The graft stent, which was originally designed for abdominal aortic aneurysm, can be modified to suitable length and take as a rescue stent of large vessel with iatrogenic perforation. Due to strong radial force of graft stent, preservation of large side branches should been watched out.

Applying Theory of Constraint on Logistic Management in Large Scale Construction Sites~A Case Study of Steel Bar in TFT-LCD Factory Build-Up

( Chih Yao Huang ),( Ching Piao Chen ),( Rong Kwei Li ),( Chih Hung Tsai ) 한국품질경영학회 2008 The Asian Journal on Quality Vol.9 No.1

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Secreted-Extracellular Vesicles are Involved in Chondrocyte Production and Reduce Adipogenesis during Stem Cell Differentiation

Tsai Yu-Chen,Cheng Tai-Shan,Liao Hsiu-Jung,Chuang Ming-Hsi,Chen Hui-Ting,Chen Chun-Hung,Zhang Kai-Ling,Chang Chih-Hung,Lin Po-Cheng,Huang Chi-Ying F. 한국조직공학과 재생의학회 2022 조직공학과 재생의학 Vol.19 No.6

BACKGROUND: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are derived from internal cellular compartments, and have potential as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool in degenerative disease associated with aging. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have become a promising tool for functional EVs production. This study investigated the efficacy of EVs and its effect on differentiation capacity. METHODS: The characteristics of MSCs were evaluated by flow cytometry and stem cell differentiation analysis, and a production mode of functional EVs was scaled from MSCs. The concentration and size of EVs were quantitated by Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA). Western blot analysis was used to assess the protein expression of exosomespecific markers. The effects of MSC-derived EVs were assessed by chondrogenic and adipogenic differentiation analyses and histological observation. RESULTS: The range of the particle size of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs)- and Wharton’s jelly -MSCs-derived EVs were from 130 to 150 nm as measured by NTA, which showed positive expression of exosomal markers. The chondrogenic induction ability was weakened in the absence of EVs in vitro. Interestingly, after EV administration, type II collagen, a major component in the cartilage extracellular matrix, was upregulated compared to the EV-free condition. Moreover, EVs decreased the lipid accumulation rate during adipogenic induction. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that the production model could facilitate production of effective EVs and further demonstrated the role of MSC-derived EVs in cell differentiation. MSC-derived EVs could be successfully used in cell-free therapy to guide chondrogenic differentiation of ADSC for future clinical applications in cartilage regeneration.

Lactoferrin Increases Antioxidant Activities and Ameliorates Hepatic Fibrosis in Lupus-Prone Mice Fed with a High-Cholesterol Diet

Hung-An Chen,Chun-Ching Chiu,Chih-Yang Huang,Li-Jeng Chen,Chun-Chou Tsai,Tsai-Ching Hsu,Bor-Show Tzang 한국식품영양과학회 2016 Journal of medicinal food Vol.19 No.7

Lactoferrin (LF) has beneficial effects against various diseases. However, the effects of LF on liver fibrosis in systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are unknown. In this study, NZB/W F1 mice were utilized to investigate the effects of LF on SLE. Experiments reveal that LF significantly increases glutathione and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl levels and significantly decreased malondialdehyde levels in both serum and liver in NZB/W F1 mice. LF also lowered matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity and liver inflammatory indices, such as aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase. Notably, significantly decreased expression of fibrotic related molecules, including transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and TGF-β1 receptor, were observed in the livers of NZB/W F1 mice that had been treated with LF. Significantly, suppressed Smad2/3 signaling, α-smooth muscle actin, and collagen deposition were also detected. These findings reveal that LF has beneficial effects on SLE by increasing antioxidant activities and ameliorating liver inflammation and fibrosis, suggesting the therapeutic effectiveness of LF against SLE.

Applying Theory of Constraint on Logistic Management in Large Scale Construction Sites - A Case Study of Steel Bar in TFT-LCD Factory Build-Up

Huang, Chih-Yao,Chen, Ching-Piao,Li, Rong-Kwei,Tsai, Chih-Hung The Korean Society for Quality Management 2008 The Asian Journal on Quality Vol.9 No.1

The steel bars account for a high percentage of material costs for the current construction projects. At the present time, most of the construction projects for the factories of thin-film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) complete the transactions of steel bars when the suppliers ship the steel bars to the temporary storage/processing sites. This paper applies the buy-in concept in the Theory of Constraint (TOC) on the supply chain of steel bars. In this study, suppliers are required to establish warehouses at the construction sites and complete the transactions when the formed and processed steel bars are shipped into the factory sites. The aim is to find a win-win solution to meet with the expectations from constructors as they hope that there is no need to build up inventories but supply is ready at any time. Also, this paper compares and analyzes the traditional supply/inventory model of steel bars and the Demand-Pull (D-P) model under the TOC framework. It is proved that Vendor Management Inventory (VMI) in the D-P model is able to more effectively manage steel bars as a material.

Phylogenetics and Biogeography of the Phalaenopsis violacea (Orchidaceae) Species Complex Based on Nuclear and Plastid DNA

Chi-Chu Tsai,Chiou-Rong Sheue,Chih-Hsiung Chen,Chang-Hung Chou 한국식물학회 2010 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.53 No.6

The Phalaenopsis violacea complex includes two species: P. violacea Witte and Phalaenopsis bellina (Rchb.f.) E. A. Christ. However, three forms of P. violacea have been found in different areas, including Sumatra, the Malay Peninsula, and Mentawai Island. The phylogenetic tree inferred from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS)region of nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA), the trnL intron,and the atpB-rbcL spacer of plastid DNA were used to clarify the phylogenetics and biogeography of the P. violacea complex. Analyses of the trnL intron sequences and of the atpB-rbcL spacer did not allow for apparent discrimination among these three species of the P. violacea complex. Based on the phylogenetic tree inferred from the ITS sequence, P. bellina cannot be separated from populations of P. violacea, with the exception of the population distributed on Mentawai Is., Indonesia. Based on morphological characteristics, P. violacea distributed on Mentawai Is. has a long and roundish rachis and is separate from the other groups of the P. violacea complex described by Christenson (Timber, Portland, OR, 2001). Therefore,the results of this study show a trend that supports the conclusion that the population of the P. violacea complex on Mentawai Is. is a separate species from P. violacea. Based on the biogeography of the P. violacea complex,Mentawai plants of this complex might be descended from those on the Sumatra/Malay Peninsula.

The Study of the Cycle Time Improvement by Work-In-Process Statistical Process Control Method for IC Foundry Manufacturing

Yu Cheng Lin,Chih Hung Tsai,Rong Kwei Li,Ching Piao Chen,Hsien Ching Chen 한국품질경영학회 2008 The Asian Journal on Quality Vol.9 No.3

The definition of cycle time is the time from the wafer start to the wafer output. It usually takes one or two months to get the product since customer decides to produce it. The cycle time is a critical factor for customer satisfaction because it represents the response time to the market. Long cycle time reflects the ineffective investment for the capital. The cycle time is very important for foundry because long cycle time will cause customer unsatisfied and the order loss. Consequently, all of the foundries put lots of human source in the cycle time improvement. Usually, we make decisions based on the experience in the cycle time management. We have no mechanism or theory for cycle time management. We do work-in-process (WIP) management based on turn rate and standard WIP (STD WIP) set by experiences. But the experience didn`t mean the optimal solution, when the situation changed, the cycle time or the standard WIP will also be changed. The experience will not always be applicable. If we only have the experience and no mechanism, management will not be work out. After interview several foundry fab managers, all of the fab can`t reflect the situation. That is, all of them will have an impact period after product mix or utilization varied. In this study, we want to develop a formula for standard WIP and use statistical process control (SPC) concept to set WIP upper/lower limit level. When WIP exceed the limit level, it will trigger action plans to compensate WIP Profile. If WIP Profile balances, we don`t need too much WIP. So WIP level could be reduced and cycle time also could be reduced.