Capsaicin-Sensitive Sensory Nerves Indirectly Modulate Motor Function of the Urinary Bladder

Hsi-Hsien Chang,Shang-Jen Chang,Cheng-Hsing Hsieh,Chun-Kai Hsu,Stephen Shei-Dei Yang 대한배뇨장애요실금학회 2018 International Neurourology Journal Vol.22 No.2

Purpose: The urinary bladder (UB) is innervated by both sensory and autonomic nerves. Recent studies have shown that sensory neuropeptides induced contractions in the detrusor muscle. Therefore, in a mouse model, we investigated the presence of interactions between the submucosal sensory nerves and the autonomic nerves that regulate the motor function of the detrusor muscle. Methods: UB samples from male C57BL/6 mice were isolated, cut into strips, and mounted in an organ bath. Dose-response curves to norepinephrine and phenylephrine were studied in UB strips with and without mucosa, and the effects of preincubation with a receptor antagonist and various drugs on relaxation were also studied using tissue bath myography. Results: Phenylephrine-induced relaxation of the UB strips showed concentration-related effects. This relaxation appeared in both mucosa-intact and mucosa-denuded UB strips, and was significantly inhibited by lidocaine, silodosin, and guanethidine (an adrenergic neuronal blocker). Meanwhile, phenylephrine-induced relaxation was inhibited by pretreatment with propranolol and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)–depletory capsaicin in UB strips with and without mucosa. Conclusions: The present study suggests that phenylephrine activates the α-1A adrenergic receptor (AR) of the sensory nerve, and then activates capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves to release an unknown substance that facilitates the release of norepinephrine from adrenergic nerves. Subsequently, norepinephrine stimulates β-ARs in the detrusor muscle in mice, leading to neurogenic relaxation of the UB. Further animal and human studies are required to prove this concept and to validate its clinical usefulness.

Harm Avoidance is Correlated with the Reward System in Adult Patients with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

Tsung-Hua Lu(Tsung-Hua Lu),Shih-Hsien Lin(Shih-Hsien Lin),Mei Hung Chi(Mei Hung Chi),Ching-Lin Chu(Ching-Lin Chu),Dong-Yu Yang(Dong-Yu Yang),Wei Hung Chang(Wei Hung Chang),Po See Chen(Po See Chen),Yen 대한정신약물학회 2023 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.21 No.1

Objective: Hypoactivity in the reward system among patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a well-known phenomenon. Whether the activity in the reward pathway is related to harm avoidance, such as in sensitivity to punishment, is unclear. Evidence regarding the potential difference between ADHD patients and controls in terms of this association is scarce. Methods: Event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging was conducted on subjects performing the Iowa gambling test. Fourteen adults with ADHD and 14 controls were enrolled in the study. Results: Harm avoidance was found to be positively correlated with the activities of the bilateral orbitofrontal cortex and right insula in individuals with ADHD. A group difference was also confirmed. Conclusion: Understanding the roles of harm avoidance and brain activation during risk tasks is important.

Exendin-4 improves resistance to Listeria monocytogenes infection in diabetic db/db mice

Hsien Yueh Liu,Chih-Yao Chung,Wen-Chin Yang,Chih-Lung Liang,Chi-Young Wang,Chih-Yu Chang,Cicero Lee-Tian Chang 대한수의학회 2012 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.13 No.3

The incidence of diabetes mellitus is increasing among companion animals. This disease has similar characteristics in both humans and animals. Diabetes is frequently identified as an independent risk factor for infections associated with increased mortality. In the present study, homozygous diabetic (db/db) mice were infected with Listeria (L.) monocytogenes and then treated with the anti-diabetic drug exendin-4, a glucagon-like peptide 1 analogue. In aged db/db mice, decreased CD11b+ macrophage populations with higher lipid content and lower phagocytic activity were observed. Exendin-4 lowered high lipid levels and enhanced phagocytosis in macrophages from db/db mice infected with L. monocytogenes. Exendin-4 also ameliorated obesity and hyperglycemia, and improved ex vivo bacteria clearance by macrophages in the animals. Liver histology examined during L. monocytogenes infection indicated that abscess formation was much milder in exendin-4-treated db/db mice than in the control animals. Moreover, mechanistic studies demonstrated that expression of ATP binding cassette transporter 1, a sterol transporter, was higher in macrophages isolated from the exendin-4-treated db/db mice. Overall, our results suggest that exendin-4 decreases the risk of infection in diabetic animals by modifying the interaction between intracellular lipids and phagocytic macrophages.

Effects of virtual reality training on decreasing the rates of needlestick or sharp injury in new-coming medical and nursing interns in Taiwan

Szu-Hsien Wu,Chia-Chang Huang,Shiau-Shian Huang,Ying-Ying Yang,Chih-Wei Liu,Boaz Shulruf,Chen-Huan Chen 한국보건의료인국가시험원 2020 보건의료교육평가 Vol.17 No.-

Purpose: Senior nursing and medical interns’ lack of familiarity and confidence with respect to practicing universal precaution for theprevention of occupational needlestick or sharp injuries may harm themselves. Trainees’ self-reported needlestick or sharp injury ratewas known to be especially high during the first 2 months of internship in Taiwan. This prospective cohort study aimed to assess the effect of newly developed virtual reality (VR) game, which uses Gagne’s learning model to improve universal precaution for needlestickor sharp injury prevention and decrease the rates of needle stick or sharp injuries in new-coming medical and nursing interns in Taiwan. Methods: From 2017 to 2019, the VR system was developed and applied in training of 59 new-coming nursing and 50 medical interns. Occupational needlestick or sharp injury prevention was sought to be achieved through a game of right and wrong choices for safe orunsafe universal precaution behaviors. Results: In comparison with medical interns, a higher proportion of nursing interns had past experiences of deep occupational needlestick or sharp injury. Before VR training, the familiarity and confidence for needlestick or sharp injury prevention were higher amongnursing interns than medical interns. Trainees with past experiences of deep needlestick or sharp injury exhibited better performanceon the accuracy rate and time needed to complete 20 decisions than those without past experiences in VR practice. All trainees showedan improved performance after VR training. A high proportion of trainees reported that the VR-based training significantly decreasedtheir anxiety about needlestick or sharp injury prevention. Conclusion: This self-developed VR game system using Gagne’s flow improved universal precaution for needlestick or sharp injuryprevention and reduced the needlestick or sharp injury rates in the first 2 months of nursing and medical internship.

Improving the Sensitivity of a High-Tc SQUID Magnetometer with a Serial Array

Chiu-Hsien Wu,Hong-Chang Yang,J. C. Chen,C. T. Chiang,C. Y. Chen,Herng-Er Horng,J. T. Jeng,K. L Chen,M. J. Chen 한국물리학회 2006 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.48 No.5I

To pursue a high-reproducibility and high-quality SQUID for high-Tc superconducting applications, we have designed and fabricated a flip-chip magnetometer as a sensor for measuring weak magnetic signals. The magnetometer consists of a serial SQUID magnetometer coupled to a flux focuser. The SQUIDs are connected in series, thereby increasing the peak-to-peak value of the voltage-flux transfer function, V. A flux focuser is employed to increase the effective area of the SQUID. The serial SQUID array has high-quality device characteristics. High-Tc SQUID magnetometers exhibiting a magnetic field sensitivity of 45 fT/Hz1/2 in the white region and 200 fT/Hz1/2 at 1 Hz have been demonstrated in this work. The flip-chip SQUID magnetometer shows a sufficiently high sensitivity to record magnetocardiograms.

The Effect of Glycemic Status on Kidney Stone Disease in Patients with Prediabetes

Tzu-Hsien Lien,Jin-Shang Wu,Yi-Ching Yang,Zih-Jie Sun,Chih-Jen Chang 대한당뇨병학회 2016 Diabetes and Metabolism Journal Vol.40 No.2

Background: While the evidence supporting a positive association between diabetes mellitus and kidney stone disease (KSD) is solid, studies examining the association between impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and KSD show inconsistent results. Currently, there are no studies examining the relationship between impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and KSD. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of different glycemic statuses on KSD. The results may help to motivate patients with diabetes to conform to treatment regimens. Methods: We conducted a cross sectional study of a population that underwent health check-ups between January 2000 and August 2009 at the Health Evaluation Center of National Cheng Kung University Hospital. A total of 14,186 subjects were enrolled. The following categories of glycemic status were used according to the criteria of the 2009 American Diabetes Association: normal glucose tolerance, isolated IGT, isolated IFG, combined IFG/IGT, and diabetes. The existence of KSD was evaluated using renal ultrasonography, and the presence of any hyperechoic structures causing acoustic shadowing was considered to be indicative of KSD. Results: The prevalence of KSD was 7.4% (712/9,621), 9.3% (163/1,755), 10.8% (78/719), 12.0% (66/548), and 11.3% (174/1,543) in subjects with NGT, isolated IGT, isolated IFG, combined IFG/IGT, and diabetes, respectively. Isolated IFG, combined IFG/IGT, and diabetes were associated with KSD after adjusting for other clinical variables, but isolated IGT was not. Age (41 to 64 years vs. ≤40 years, ≥65 years vs. ≤40 years), male gender, hypertension, and hyperuricemia were also independently associated with KSD. Conclusion: Isolated IFG, combined IFG/IGT, and diabetes, but not isolated IGT, were associated with a higher risk of KSD.

Infusion of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improves Regenerative Niche in Thioacetamide-Injured Mouse Liver

Kao Ying-Hsien,Lin Yu-Chun,Lee Po-Huang,Lin Chia-Wei,Chen Po-Han,Tai Tzong-Shyuan,Chang Yo-Chen,Chou Ming-Huei,Chang Chih-Yang,Sun Cheuk-Kwan 한국조직공학과 재생의학회 2020 조직공학과 재생의학 Vol.17 No.5

Background: This study investigated whether xenotransplantation of human Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) reduces thioacetamide (TAA)-induced mouse liver fibrosis and the underlying molecular mechanism. Methods: Recipient NOD/SCID mice were injected intraperitoneally with TAA twice weekly for 6 weeks before initial administration of WJ-MSCs. Expression of regenerative and pro-fibrogenic markers in mouse fibrotic livers were monitored post cytotherapy. A hepatic stallate cell line HSC-T6 and isolated WJ-MSCs were used for in vitro adhesion, migration and mechanistic studies. Results: WJ-MSCs were isolated from human umbilical cords by an explant method and characterized by flow cytometry. A single infusion of WJ-MSCs to TAA-treated mice significantly reduced collagen deposition and ameliorated liver fibrosis after 2-week therapy. In addition to enhanced expression of hepatic regenerative factor, hepatocyte growth factor, and PCNA proliferative marker, WJ-MSC therapy significantly blunted pro-fibrogenic signals, including Smad2, RhoA, ERK. Intriguingly, reduction of plasma fibronectin (pFN) in fibrotic livers was noted in MSC-treated mice. In vitro studies further demonstrated that suspending MSCs triggered pFN degradation, soluble pFN conversely retarded adhesion of suspending MSCs onto type I collagen-coated surface, whereas pFN coating enhanced WJ-MSC migration across mimicked wound bed. Moreover, pretreatment with soluble pFN and conditioned medium from MSCs with pFN strikingly attenuated the response of HSC-T6 cells to TGF-β1-stimulation in Smad2 phosphorylation and RhoA upregulation. Conclusion: These findings suggest that cytotherapy using WJ-MSCs may modulate hepatic pFN deposition for a better regenerative niche in the fibrotic livers and may constitute a useful anti-fibrogenic intervention in chronic liver diseases.

Grey Neural Network-Based Forecasting System for Vision-Guided Robot Trajectory Tracking

Shih-Hung Yang,Chung-Hsien Chou,Chen-Fang Chung,Wen-Pang Pai,Tse-Han Liu,Yung-Sheng Chang,Jung-Che Li,Huan-Chan Ting,Yon-Ping Chen 제어로봇시스템학회 2011 제어로봇시스템학회 국제학술대회 논문집 Vol.2011 No.10

This paper presents a grey neural network-based forecasting system (GNNFS) in solving the prediction problem. GNNFS adopts a grey model to predict the signal and a neural network (NN) to forecast the prediction error of the grey model. A sequential batch learning (SBL) is developed to adjust the weights of the NN. The proposed GNNFS is applied to a binocular robot, called an Eye-Robot, for human-robot interaction which involved predicting the trajectory of a participant’s hand and tracking the hand. By applying the SBL, the GNNFS can gradually learn to predict the trajectory of the hand and track it well. The experimental results show that the GNNFS can carry out the SBL in real-time for vision-guided robot trajectory tracking.

Fibrous dysplasia in maxilla in a patient on hemodialysis with severe secondary hyperparathyroidism

Hui-Hsin Yang,Cheng-Hsien Wu,Hsin-Lin Tsai,Jei-Wen Chang 대한내과학회 2022 The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine Vol.37 No.3

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The Quantitative Analysis of Listening Examination in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Chiu,Chuang-Chien,Chang,Hen-Hong,Yang,Chung-Hsien INSTITUTE OF ORIENTAL MEDICINE KYUNG-HEE UNIVERSIT 1999 JOURNAL OF ORIENTAL MEDICINE Vol.4 No.1

The goal of this work is to propose novel acoustic parameters of voice for the purpose of providing a quantitative analysis of auscultation in traditional Chinese medical diagnosis. There was rare amount of literatures being found related to this topic. Four novel voice parameters, which are the average number of zero-crossings, the variations on local peaks and valleys, the variations on first and second formant frequencies, and the spectral energy ratio, have been presented to analyze and identify the characteristics among the nonvacuity, qi-vacuity, and yin-vacuity subjects. Among these voice parameters, two temporal parameters, i.e., the average number of zero-crossings and the variations on local peaks and valleys, outperformed other parameters in classifying the deficient(either qi-vacuity of yin-vacuity) and non-vacuity subjects. On the other hand, the spectral energy ratio is good for the classification between qi-vacuity and yin-vacuity patients. This research is an early step in an ongoing effort to modernize the auscultation in traditional Chinese medical diagnosis.