Cilostazol ameliorates diabetic nephropathy by inhibiting highglucose-induced apoptosis

Chien-Wen Chian,Yung-Shu Lee,Yi-Ju Lee,Ya-Hui Chen,Chi-Ping Wang,Wen-Chin Lee,Huei-Jane Lee 대한생리학회-대한약리학회 2020 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.24 No.5

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a hyperglycemia-induced progressive development of renal insufficiency. Excessive glucose can increase mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) and induce cell damage, causing mitochondrial dysfunction. Our previous study indicated that cilostazol (CTZ) can reduce ROS levels and decelerate DN progression in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetes. This study investigated the potential mechanisms of CTZ in rats with DN and in high glucose-treated mesangial cells. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed 5 mg/kg/day of CTZ after developing STZ-induced diabetes mellitus. Electron microscopy revealed that CTZ reduced the thickness of the glomerular basement membrane and improved mitochondrial morphology in mesangial cells of diabetic kidney. CTZ treatment reduced excessive kidney mitochondrial DNA copy numbers induced by hyperglycemia and interacted with the intrinsic pathway for regulating cell apoptosis as an antiapoptotic mechanism. In high-glucose-treated mesangial cells, CTZ reduced ROS production, altered the apoptotic status, and down-regulated transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB). Base on the results of our previous and current studies, CTZ deceleration of hyperglycemia-induced DN is attributable to ROS reduction and thereby maintenance of the mitochondrial function and reduction in TGF-β and NF-κB levels.

Analysis of CLIL Teachers’ Instruction on Language of Learning

Chin-Wen Chien 아시아테플 2022 The Journal of Asia TEFL Vol.19 No.2

Taiwanese English Majors’ Acquisition of Technical Vocabulary in TESOL Profession

Chin-Wen Chien 아시아영어교육학회 2020 The Journal of Asia TEFL Vol.17 No.3

This study explored the effects of the instructional strategies on technical vocabulary among 36 English majors in a TESOL course in a teacher education program in a university in northern Taiwan. The analysis of document, questionnaire, and participants’ final writing projects revealed that participants regarded “the instructor’s explanations and use of technical vocabulary” as the most useful instructional strategies. The instruction on technical vocabulary influenced the participants’ vocabulary use, particularly in memory recall and their final writing projects. The most frequent technical vocabulary used in the final writing projects was related to participants’ research topic interest. Suggestions on effective instruction in technical vocabulary are provided.

Psoas Abscess Caused by Non-Typhoid Salmonella in a Patient with Severe Aplastic Anemia

Chin-Chi Kuo,Shih-Chi Ku,Jann-Tay Wang,Ching-Wei Tsai,Vin-Cent Wu,Wen-Chien Chou 연세대학교의과대학 2010 Yonsei medical journal Vol.51 No.3

The clinical spectrum of infections caused by non-typhoid Salmonella spp. includes gastroenteritis, enteric fever,bacteremia, and extraintestinal localized complications, especially in immunocompromised hosts. Here we report a patient with severe aplastic anemia developing left iliopsoas abscess caused by non-typhoid Salmonella (NTS),which was successfully treated by prolonged antibiotic treatment and repeated debridement. Our data indicate that aplastic anemia is a risk factor for infection caused by NTS.

Determination of stay cable force based on effective vibration length accurately estimated from multiple measurements

Chien-Chou Chen,Wen-Hwa Wu,Chin-Hui Huang,Gwolong Lai 국제구조공학회 2013 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.11 No.4

Due to its easy operation and wide applicability, the ambient vibration method is commonly adopted to determine the cable force by first identifying the cable frequencies from the vibration signals. With given vibration length and flexural rigidity, an analytical or empirical formula is then used with these cable frequencies to calculate the cable force. It is, however, usually difficult to decide the two required parameters, especially the vibration length due to uncertain boundary constraints. To tackle this problem, a new concept of combining the modal frequencies and mode shape ratios is fully explored in this study for developing an accurate method merely based on ambient vibration measurements. A simply supported beam model with an axial tension is adopted and the effective vibration length of cable is then independently determined based on the mode shape ratios identified from the synchronized measurements. With the effective vibration length obtained and the identified modal frequencies, the cable force and flexural rigidity can then be solved using simple linear regression techniques. The feasibility and accuracy of the proposed method is extensively verified with demonstrative numerical examples and actual applications to different cable-stayed bridges. Furthermore, several important issues in engineering practice such as the number of sensors and selection of modes are also thoroughly investigated.

Determination of stay cable force based on effective vibration length accurately estimated from multiple measurements

Chen, Chien-Chou,Wu, Wen-Hwa,Huang, Chin-Hui,Lai, Gwolong Techno-Press 2013 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.11 No.4

Due to its easy operation and wide applicability, the ambient vibration method is commonly adopted to determine the cable force by first identifying the cable frequencies from the vibration signals. With given vibration length and flexural rigidity, an analytical or empirical formula is then used with these cable frequencies to calculate the cable force. It is, however, usually difficult to decide the two required parameters, especially the vibration length due to uncertain boundary constraints. To tackle this problem, a new concept of combining the modal frequencies and mode shape ratios is fully explored in this study for developing an accurate method merely based on ambient vibration measurements. A simply supported beam model with an axial tension is adopted and the effective vibration length of cable is then independently determined based on the mode shape ratios identified from the synchronized measurements. With the effective vibration length obtained and the identified modal frequencies, the cable force and flexural rigidity can then be solved using simple linear regression techniques. The feasibility and accuracy of the proposed method is extensively verified with demonstrative numerical examples and actual applications to different cable-stayed bridges. Furthermore, several important issues in engineering practice such as the number of sensors and selection of modes are also thoroughly investigated.

No Room to Move: Public Opinion in Taiwan Offers Few Options on China

Hsin-Hsin Pan,Wen-Chin Wu,Chien-Huei Wu 동아시아재단 2022 Global Asia Vol.17 No.3

Improved Electron Injection of Organic Light-emitting Diodes by Using an Ultrathin Lithium-hydroxide Buffer Layer

Po-Ching Kao,Shu-I Lin,Chin-Chih Chang,Ching-Wen Huang,Chien-Chi Liu 한국물리학회 2012 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.60 No.10

A cathode buffer layer of lithium hydroxide (LiOH) was used to improve the electro-optical properties of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). LiOH layers with various thicknesses were prepared by thermally evaporating LiOH powders. When a 1-nm-thick LiOH layer was inserted between the aluminum (Al) cathodes and the tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato)aluminum (Alq3) electrontransporting layers, device properties such as the turn-on voltage, the maximum luminance, and the device efficiency were improved, becoming better than those of the device with a LiF buffer layer. The surface of the Alq3 film became smoother after the LiOH layer had been deposited. Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy results show that the reaction between LiOH and Alq3 results in an n-type doping effect, which moves the Fermi level close to the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of Alq3. Thus, the electron-injection efficiency was enhanced due to a lower electron injection barrier, which improved the charge carrier balance in the OLEDs and led to a better device efficiency.

A Systemic Review and Experts’ Consensus for Long-acting Injectable Antipsychotics in Bipolar Disorder

Yuan-Hwa Chou,Po-Chung Chu,Szu-Wei Wu,Jen-Chin Lee,Yi-Hsuan Lee,I-Wen Sun,Chen-Lin Chang,Chien-Liang Huang,I-Chao Liu,Chia-Fen Tsai,Yung-Chieh Yen 대한정신약물학회 2015 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.13 No.2

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a major psychiatric disorder that is easily misdiagnosed. Patient adherence to a treatment regimen is of utmost importance for successful outcomes in BD. Several trials of antipsychotics suggested that depot antipsychotics, including long-acting first- and second-generation agents, are effective in preventing non-adherence, partial adherence, and in reducing relapse in BD. Various long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics are available, including fluphenazine decanoate, haloperidol decanoate, olanzapine pamoate, risperidone microspheres, paliperidone palmitate, and aripiprazole monohydrate. Due to the increasing number of BD patients receiving LAI antipsychotics, treatment guidelines have been developed. However, the clinical applicability of LAI antipsychotics remains a global cause for concern, particularly in Asian countries. Expert physicians from Taiwan participated in a consensus meeting, which was held to review key areas based on both current literature and clinical practice. The purpose of this meeting was to generate a practical and implementable set of recommendations for LAI antipsychotic use to treat BD; target patient groups, dosage, administration, and adverse effects were considered. Experts recommended using LAI antipsychotics in patients with schizophrenia, rapid cycling BD, BD I, and bipolar-type schizoaffective disorder. LAI antipsychotic use was recommended in BD patients with the following characteristics: multiple episodes and low adherence; seldom yet serious episodes; low adherence potential per a physician’s clinical judgment; preference for injectable agents over oral agents; and multiple oral agent users still experiencing residual symptoms.