Taiwanese Female Vegetarians Have Lower Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2 Compared with Omnivores

Chih-Wei Chen,Chin-Lon Lin,Chih-Ta Lin,Ying-Lung Lin,Tin-Kwang Lin 연세대학교의과대학 2011 Yonsei medical journal Vol.52 No.1

Purpose: Many studies supported that vegetarians have a lower risk of cardiac diseases and mortality, partly due to better blood pressure and serum cholesterol profiles. However, the inflammatory markers, especially lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), have not been well-studied. This study aimed to compare inflammatory markers and conventional risk factors between vegetarians and omnivores. Materials and Methods: One hundred and seventy-three vegetarians and 190 omnivores were studied. Fasting blood samples were obtained to compare levels of glucose, total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, homocysteine, Lp-PLA2 activity, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Results: Vegetarians had higher serum levels of the following markers: hs-CRP (1.8 ± 3.4 vs. 1.2 1.8 mg/L, respectively; p = 0.05), homocysteine (9.39 ± 3.22 vs. 7.62 ± 2.41 μmol/L, respectively; p < 0.01), and triacylglycerol (96.91 ± 59.56 vs. 84.66 ± 43.24 mg/dL, respectively; p < 0.05). Vegetarians also had lower levels of Lp-PLA2 (18.32 ± 7.19 10-3 μmol/min/mL vs. 20.22 8.13 10-3 μmol/min/mL; p < 0.05), total cholesterol (180.62 ± 36.55 mg/dL vs. 192.73 ± 36.57 mg/dL; p < 0.01), LDL cholesterol (118.15 ± 32.8 vs. 126.41 ± 34.28 mg/dL; p < 0.05), and HDL cholesterol (55.59 ± 13.30 vs. 62.09 ± 14.52 mg/dL, p < 0.01). Multivariate analyses demonstrated that a vegetarian diet increases the chances for high serum hs-CRP and low Lp-PLA2 activity. Conclusion: In addition to lower total cholesterol,LDL-cholesterol, and HDL-cholesterol, Taiwanese female vegetarians have lower serum Lp-PLA2 activity but higher levels of hs-CRP, homocysteine, and triacylglyerol. It might be due to geographic differences of vegetarian diets, and further studies are needed.

Clinical Features and Computed Tomography Characteristics of Non-Klebsiella pneumoniae Liver Abscesses in Elderly (>65 Years) and Nonelderly Patients

Chih-Weim Hsiang,Wei-Chou Chang,Chang-Hsien Liu,Hsiu-Lung Fan,Kai-Hsiung Ko,Chih-Yung Yu,Hong-Hau Wang,Wen-I Liao,Hsian-He Hsu 연세대학교의과대학 2015 Yonsei medical journal Vol.56 No.2

Purpose: To compare the clinical and computed tomography (CT) appearances of liver abscesses caused by non-Klebsiella pneumoniae bacterial pathogens in elderly and nonelderly patients. Materials and Methods: Eighty patients with confirmed non-Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscesses (non-KPLAs) were enrolled and dividedinto two age groups: elderly (age ≥65 years, n=42) and nonelderly (age <65 years, n=38). Diagnosis of non-KPLA was established by pus and/or blood culture. We compared clinical presentations, outcomes, and CT characteristics of the two groups, and performed multivariate analysis for significant variables and receiver-operating-characteristic analysis to determine the cutoff value of abscess diameter for predicting non-KPLA. Results: Elderly patients with non-KPLA were associatedwith a longer hospital stay (p<0.01). Regarding etiology, biliary sources had a strong association in the elderly group (p<0.01), and chronic liver diseases were relatedto the nonelderly group (p<0.01). Non-KPLAs (52.5%) tended to show a large, multiloculated appearance in the elderly group and were associated with bile duct dilatation (p<0.01), compared with the nonelderly group. The abscess diameter (cutoff value, 5.2 cm; area under the curve, 0.78) between the two groups was predicted. In multivariate analysis, underlying biliary tract disease [odds ratio (OR), 3.58, p<0.05], abscess diameter (OR, 2.40, p<0.05), and multiloculated abscess (OR, 1.19, p<0.01) independently predicted elderly patients with non-KPLA. Conclusion:In the elderly patients with non-KPLA, a large, multiloculated abscess with a diameter greater than 5.2 cm was the predominant imaging feature.

[번역문] 제국적 시선과 인문주의적 비평의 사이

Lung-Chih Chang,하명자(번역자) 부산대학교 한국민족문화연구소 2010 로컬리티 인문학 Vol.0 No.4

본 연구는 일본식민지 담론이 현재 타이완의 정체성 정치에 미친 영향에 관한 지식의 생산과정을 고찰하고자 한다. 우선 저자는 식민지 타이완에 대해서 가장 잘 알려진 두 편의 일본 텍스트의 뚜렷한 특질들과 역사적 맥락을 분석, 비교할 것이다. 분석 대상의 텍스트는 타카데오시 요사부로의 『대만에서의 일본』(Japanese Rule in, Forrmosa, 1905)와 야나이하라 타다오의 『제국주의 하에서의 대만』 (Taiwan Under Imperialism, 1929)이다. 다음으로 본 연구는 석민지 근대성에 관한 전후 논쟁에 지속적으로 미치는 영향들을 논의할 것이다. 여기서 식민지 근대성이란 정치적 민주화와 토착화 논의에 있어 중국식 국가주의와 타이완식 국기주의 사이에 전개되는 복잡한 경쟁, 협상, 대결을 예로 든다. 결론으로 본 연구는 전지구화 시대에 타이완의 탈식민지화, 후기식민지주의, 국가주의 질문을 보다 더 성찰하고자 한다. This paper recounts the knowledge production process of Japanese colonial discourse and its impact on contemporary identity politics in Taiwan. I first analyze and compare the distinct textual features and historical contexts of two most famous Japanese texts on colonial Taiwan, namely Takekoshi Yosaburo's Japanese Rule in Formosa(1905) and Yanaihara Tadao's Taiwan Under Imperialism(l929). The paper then discusses their continuing influences on post-war debates regarding colonial modernity that exemplify complex competition, negotiation and confrontation between Chinese and Taiwanese nationalism in the course of political democratization and in digenization. The conclusion further reflects on the questions of Taiwan's de-colonization, post-colonialism and nationalism in the age of globalization.

Between Imperial Gaze and Humanist Critique

Lung-Chih Chang 부산대학교 한국민족문화연구소 2010 로컬리티 인문학 Vol.0 No.4

An innovative method for determining the diffusion coefficient of product nuclide

Chih-Lung Chen,Tsing-Hai Wang 한국원자력학회 2017 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.49 No.5

Diffusion is a crucial mechanism that regulates the migration of radioactive nuclides. In this study, an innovative numerical method was developed to simultaneously calculate the diffusion coefficient of both parent and, afterward, series daughter nuclides in a sequentially reactive through-diffusion model. Two constructed scenarios, a serial reaction (RN_1 → RN_2 → RN_3) and a parallel reaction (RN_1 → RN_2A + RN_2B), were proposed and calculated for verification. First, the accuracy of the proposed three-member reaction equations was validated using several default numerical experiments. Second, by applying the validated numerical experimental concentration variation data, the asdetermined diffusion coefficient of the product nuclide was observed to be identical to the default data. The results demonstrate the validity of the proposed method. The significance of the proposed numerical method will be particularly powerful in determining the diffusion coefficients of systems with extremely thin specimens, long periods of diffusion time, and parent nuclides with fast decay constants.

Dual-Output Single-Stage Bridgeless SEPIC with Power Factor Correction

Chih-Lung Shen,Shih-Hsueh Yang 전력전자학회 2015 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.15 No.2

This study proposes a dual-output single-stage bridgeless single-ended primary-inductor converter (DOSSBS) that can completely remove the front-end full-bridge alternating current?direct current rectifier to accomplish power factor correction for universal line input. Without the need for bridge diodes, the proposed converter has the advantages of low component count and simple structure, and can thus significantly reduce power loss. DOSSBS has two uncommon output ports to provide different voltage levels to loads, instead of using two separate power factor correctors or multi-stage configurations in a single stage. Therefore, this proposed converter is cost-effective and compact. A magnetically coupled inductor is introduced in DOSSBS to replace two separate inductors to decrease volume and cost. Energy stored in the leakage inductance of the coupled inductor can be completely recycled. In each line cycle, the two active switches in DOSSBS are operated in either high-frequency pulse-width modulation pattern or low-frequency rectifying mode for switching loss reduction. A prototype for dealing with an 85?265 Vrms universal line is designed, analyzed, and built. Practical measurements demonstrate the feasibility and functionality of the proposed converter.

The Ship Demolition Market behind the Economic Miracle in Taiwan

Chih-lung Lin(林志龍) 한국외국어대학교 대만연구센터 2020 대만연구 Vol.- No.15·16

The demolition industry is in the final destination of all ships worldwide. It is also notorious due to the pollution produced. In spite of the damages to the environment, many countries maintain this business operation. This paper outlines the short history of the ship demolition industry in Taiwan from its beginnings in 1945 to its end in the early 1980s. The general workings of this industry are known about, but detailed information is unavailable and low status. The ship demolition industry could be seen as the other side of the economic growth in Taiwan. It promoted the economy while damaging the environment. It was a typical industry of that period in Taiwan, when a firm expected low costs to make more profit. It is also an industry that the Taiwanese Government refrained from assisting as the shipbreakers helped themselves. As an industry whose machinations have been ignored and neglected in academics internationally, this case study would benefit the development of this subject for academic research.

제국적 시선과 인문주의적 비평의 사이 : 일본식민지 담론과 타이완의 정체성 정치에 관한 사례 연구

Lung-Chih Chang 부산대학교 한국민족문화연구소 2010 로컬리티 인문학 Vol.0 No.4

Feline mammary carcinoma-derived extracellular vesicle promotes liver metastasis via sphingosine kinase-1-mediated premetastatic niche formation

Yi-Chih Chang,Hao-Ping Liu,Hsiao-Li Chuang,Jiunn-Wang Liao,Pei-Ling Kao,Hsun-Lung Chan,Ter-Hsin Chen,Yu-Chih Wang 한국실험동물학회 2023 Laboratory Animal Research Vol.39 No.4

Background: Feline mammary carcinoma (FMC) is one of the most prevalent malignancies of female cats. FMC is highly metastatic and thus leads to poor disease outcomes. Among all metastases, liver metastasis occurs in about 25% of FMC patients. However, the mechanism underlying hepatic metastasis of FMC remains largely uncharacterized. Results: Herein, we demonstrate that FMC-derived extracellular vesicles (FMC-EVs) promotes the liver metastasis of FMC by activating hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) to prime a hepatic premetastatic niche (PMN). Moreover, we provide evidence that sphingosine kinase 1 (SK1) delivered by FMC-EV was pivotal for the activation of HSC and the formation of hepatic PMN. Depletion of SK1 impaired cargo sorting in FMC-EV and the EV-potentiated HSC activation, and abolished hepatic colonization of FMC cells. Conclusions: Taken together, our findings uncover a previously uncharacterized mechanism underlying liver-metastasis of FMC and provide new insights into prognosis and treatment of this feline malignancy.

Dual-Output Single-Stage Bridgeless SEPIC with Power Factor Correction

Shen, Chih-Lung,Yang, Shih-Hsueh The Korean Institute of Power Electronics 2015 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.15 No.2

This study proposes a dual-output single-stage bridgeless single-ended primary-inductor converter (DOSSBS) that can completely remove the front-end full-bridge alternating current-direct current rectifier to accomplish power factor correction for universal line input. Without the need for bridge diodes, the proposed converter has the advantages of low component count and simple structure, and can thus significantly reduce power loss. DOSSBS has two uncommon output ports to provide different voltage levels to loads, instead of using two separate power factor correctors or multi-stage configurations in a single stage. Therefore, this proposed converter is cost-effective and compact. A magnetically coupled inductor is introduced in DOSSBS to replace two separate inductors to decrease volume and cost. Energy stored in the leakage inductance of the coupled inductor can be completely recycled. In each line cycle, the two active switches in DOSSBS are operated in either high-frequency pulse-width modulation pattern or low-frequency rectifying mode for switching loss reduction. A prototype for dealing with an $85-265V_{rms}$ universal line is designed, analyzed, and built. Practical measurements demonstrate the feasibility and functionality of the proposed converter.