Core prescription pattern of Chinese herbal medicine for depressive disorders in Taiwan: a nationwide population-based study

Diem Ngoc Hong Tran,I-Hsuan Hwang,Fun-Jou Chen,Yuan-Pu Tseng,Ching-Mao Chang,Shih-Jen Tsai,Jen-Lin Yang,Ta-Peng Wu,Chung-Hua Hsu,Fang-Pey Chen,Yen-Ying Kung 한국한의학연구원 2021 Integrative Medicine Research Vol.10 No.3

Background: Depressive disorders (DD) affect not only mood and behavior but also various physical functions. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been shown to have some benefits in treating DD. However, one formula or one single herb might be not show high efficacy when used to treat depression. Thus, this study aimed to examine the core prescription pattern of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) among patients with DD in Taiwan as a reference for related research and clinical applications. Methods: All patients, who had been diagnosed with major depressive disorder or minor depression or dysthymia without any other baseline diseases and had at least one CHM outpatient clinical visit from 2002 to 2011, were extracted from three randomly sampled cohorts, namely the 2000, 2005 and 2010 cohorts of the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) of Taiwan. The collected data was analyzed to explore the patterns of herbal products. Results: There were 197,146 patients with a diagnosis of DD and of these 1806 subjects had only a diagnosis of DD and utilized CHM. The most common formula was Gan-Mai-Da-Zao-Tang (12.19%), while Suan-Zao-Ren (3.99%) was the most commonly prescribed single herb. The core pattern of prescriptions consisted of a combination of Gan-Mai-Da-Zao-Tang, Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San, Chai-Hu-Jia-Long-Gu-Mu-Li-Tang, He-Huan-Pi, Yuan-Zhi and Shi-Chang-Pu. Conclusions: This study describes the CHM core prescription pattern used to treat patients in Taiwan with DD and it is a potential candidate for study in future pharmacological or clinical trials targeting DD.

Applying technological organization environmental model to examine the adopting intention of e-freight for the air freight forwarder

Ching-Cheng Chao,Fang-Yuan Chen,Ching-Chiao Yang,Chien-Yu Chen 인하대학교 정석물류통상연구원 2016 JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL LOGISTICS AND TRADE Vol.14 No.1

The e-freight program launched by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has gradually become a standard specification for international air freight operations. This study examined critical factors affecting air freight forwarders’ decision to adopt the IATA e-freight using a technology-organization-environment model with air freight forwarders in Taiwan as the base. Our findings show that ‘information technology (IT) competence’, ‘trading partner pressure’, ‘government policy’ and ‘competitive pressure’ all have significant positive effects on air freight forwarders’ decision to adopt the e-freight and the top three factors among these are ‘government funding’, ‘government’s active promotion’ and ‘government’s requirement of electronic air waybill (e-AWB)’. Finally, this study proposes strategies that can encourage air freight forwarders to decide on e-freight adoption for the information of relevant oK regyawniozradtison International Air Transport Association (IATA); IATA e-freight; Technology organization environment model; Air freight forwarder

Pan-Caspase Inhibitor zVAD Induces Necroptotic and Autophagic Cell Death in TLR3/4-Stimulated Macrophages

Yuan-Shen Chen,Wei-Chu Chuang,Hsiu-Ni Kung,Ching-Yuan Cheng,Duen-Yi Huang,Ponarulselvam Sekar,Wan-Wan Lin 한국분자세포생물학회 2022 Molecules and cells Vol.45 No.4

In addition to inducing apoptosis, caspase inhibition contributes to necroptosis and/or autophagy depending on the cell type and cellular context. In macrophages, necroptosis can be induced by co-treatment with Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands (lipopolysaccharide [LPS] for TLR4 and polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid [poly I:C] for TLR3) and a cell-permeable pan-caspase inhibitor zVAD. Here, we elucidated the signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms of cell death. We showed that LPS/zVAD- and poly I:C/zVAD-induced cell death in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) was inhibited by receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIP1) inhibitor necrostatin-1 and autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine. Electron microscopic images displayed autophagosome/autolysosomes, and immunoblotting data revealed increased LC3II expression. Although zVAD did not affect LPS- or poly I:C-induced activation of IKK, JNK, and p38, it enhanced IRF3 and STAT1 activation as well as type I interferon (IFN) expression. In addition, zVAD inhibited ERK and Akt phosphorylation induced by LPS and poly I:C. Of note, zVAD-induced enhancement of the IRF3/IFN/STAT1 axis was abolished by necrostatin-1, while zVAD-induced inhibition of ERK and Akt was not. Our data further support the involvement of autocrine IFNs action in reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent necroptosis, LPS/zVAD-elicited ROS production was inhibited by necrostatin-1, neutralizing antibody of IFN receptor (IFNR) and JAK inhibitor AZD1480. Accordingly, both cell death and ROS production induced by TLR ligands plus zVAD were abrogated in STAT1 knockout macrophages. We conclude that enhanced TRIF-RIP1-dependent autocrine action of IFNβ, rather than inhibition of ERK or Akt, is involved in TLRs/zVAD-induced autophagic and necroptotic cell death via the JAK/STAT1/ROS pathway.

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Increases Peritonsillar Abscess Susceptibility: Real-World Evidence

Ching-Lung Wu,Ming-Shao Tsai,Ta-Jen Lee,Yun-Ting Wang,Chia-Yen Liu,Yao-Hsu Yang,Yao-Te Tsai,Cheng-Ming Hsu,Ching-Yuan Wu,Pey-Jium Chang,Geng-He Chang 대한이비인후과학회 2021 Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology Vol.14 No.3

Objectives. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a risk factor for deep neck infection (DNI) and leads to complications and poor outcomes. Our study aimed to investigate the risk, prognosis, and complications of peritonsillar abscess (PTA) in patients with T2DM. Methods. We extracted data of patients newly diagnosed as having T2DM between January 2000 and December 2011 from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database. These patients were matched with patients without T2DM, and PTA incidence was compared between both cohorts. Results. In total, 67,852 patients with and 135,704 patients without T2DM were enrolled. PTA incidence was significantly higher in patients with T2DM (incidence rate ratio, 1.91; P<0.001); moreover, PTA incidence was higher at 1 to 5 years after T2DM diagnosis than at <1 and >5 years after T2DM diagnosis. Cox regression analysis showed that patients with T2DM had an approximately 2-fold higher PTA risk (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.89, P<0.001). Patients with a higher adapted Diabetes Complications Severity Index (aDCSI) had higher PTA risk than those with a lower aDCSI (aHRs: 2.17 for aDCSI ≥1, P=0.006 and 1.81 for aDCSI=0, P=0.002). T2DM patients with a high aDCSI (≥1) had a nonsignificantly longer hospitalization duration and a higher rate of DNI complications than did those with a low aDCSI (=0). Conclusion. In patients with T2DM, PTA incidence was relatively high, and it increased with T2DM severity. Moreover, T2DM patients should be particularly careful about PTA within 1 to 5 years after the diagnosis, and physicians should keep in mind that the prognosis of PTA was correlated with T2DM severity.

Remediation of Electroplating Contaminated Soil by a Field Scale Electrokinetic System with Stainless Steel Electrodes

Ching Yuan,Chia-Ren Tsai,Chung-Hsuang Hung 한국지하수토양환경학회 2014 지하수토양환경 Vol.19 No.5

A 1.5 m (L) × 1.0 m (W) × 1.1 m (H) polypropylene (PP) field scale electroniketic system coupled with stainless steel electrodes was designed to examined metal removal performance applied 0.2-0.35 V/cm potential gradient and 0.05-0.5M lactic acid for 20 day. Electroosmosis permeabilities of 2.2 × 10−5cm2/V-s to 4.8 × 10−5cm2/V-s were observed and it increased with the potential gradient increased. The reservoir pH controlled at 7.0 ± 1.0 has been effectively diminished the clogging of most metal oxides. The best removal efficiency of Zn, Pb, and Ni was 78.4%, 84.3%, and 40.1%, respectively, in the field scale EK system applied 0.35 V/cm and 0.05M lactic acid for 20 days. Increasing potential gradient would more effectively enhance metal removal than increasing concentration of processing fluid. The reservoir and soil temperatures were majorly related to potential gradient and power consumptio. A 4-16oC above room temperature was observed in the investigated system. It was found that the temperature increase in soil transported the pore water and metals from bottom to the topsoil. This vertical transport phenomenon is critical for the electrokinetic process to remediate in-situ deep pollution. A 1.5 m (L) × 1.0 m (W) × 1.1 m (H) polypropylene (PP) field scale electroniketic system coupled with stainless steelelectrodes was designed to examined metal removal performance applied 0.2-0.35 V/cm potential gradient and 0.05-0.5Mlactic acid for 20 day. Electroosmosis permeabilities of 2.2 × 10−5cm2/V-s to 4.8 × 10−5cm2/V-s were observed and itincreased with the potential gradient increased. The reservoir pH controlled at 7.0 ± 1.0 has been effectively diminishedthe clogging of most metal oxides. The best removal efficiency of Zn, Pb, and Ni was 78.4%, 84.3%, and 40.1%,respectively, in the field scale EK system applied 0.35 V/cm and 0.05M lactic acid for 20 days. Increasing potentialgradient would more effectively enhance metal removal than increasing concentration of processing fluid. The reservoirand soil temperatures were majorly related to potential gradient and power consumptio. A 4-16oC above room temperaturewas observed in the investigated system. It was found that the temperature increase in soil transported the pore water andmetals from bottom to the topsoil. This vertical transport phenomenon is critical for the electrokinetic process to remediatein-situ deep pollution.

Remediation of Electroplating Contaminated Soil by a Field Scale Electrokinetic System with Stainless Steel Electrodes

Yuan, Ching,Tsai, Chia-Ren,Hung, Chung-Hsuang Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment 2014 지하수토양환경 Vol.19 No.5

A $1.5m(L){\times}1.0m(W){\times}1.1m(H)$ polypropylene (PP) field scale electroniketic system coupled with stainless steel electrodes was designed to examined metal removal performance applied 0.2-0.35 V/cm potential gradient and 0.05-0.5M lactic acid for 20 day. Electroosmosis permeabilities of $2.2{\times}10^{-5}cm^2/V-s$ to $4.8{\times}10^{-5}cm^2/V-s$ were observed and it increased with the potential gradient increased. The reservoir pH controlled at $7.0{\pm}1.0$ has been effectively diminished the clogging of most metal oxides. The best removal efficiency of Zn, Pb, and Ni was 78.4%, 84.3%, and 40.1%, respectively, in the field scale EK system applied 0.35 V/cm and 0.05M lactic acid for 20 days. Increasing potential gradient would more effectively enhance metal removal than increasing concentration of processing fluid. The reservoir and soil temperatures were majorly related to potential gradient and power consumptio. A $4-16^{\circ}C$ above room temperature was observed in the investigated system. It was found that the temperature increase in soil transported the pore water and metals from bottom to the topsoil. This vertical transport phenomenon is critical for the electrokinetic process to remediate in-situ deep pollution.

A Study of Attitudes Toward Learning Art Education at An Early Age by Taiwanese Parents with Young Children

Jason, Ching Yuan Hsiao 한국국제미술교육학회 2014 한국국제미술교육학회 학술대회 Vol.2014 No.1

A Tracking System Using Location Prediction and Dynamic Threshold for Minimizing SMS Delivery

Yuan-Cheng Lai,Jian-Wei Lin,Yi-Hsuan Yeh,Ching-Neng Lai,Hui-Chuan Weng 한국통신학회 2013 Journal of communications and networks Vol.15 No.1

In this paper, a novel method called location-based delivery (LBD), which combines the short message service (SMS) and global position system (GPS), is proposed, and further, a realistic system for tracking a target’s movement is developed. LBD reduces the number of short message transmissions while maintaining the location tracking accuracy within the acceptable range. The proposed approach, LBD, consists of three primary features: Short message format, location prediction, and dynamic threshold. The defined short message format is proprietary. Location prediction is performed by using the current location, moving speed, and bearing of the target to predict its next location. When the distance between the predicted location and the actual location exceeds a certain threshold, the target transmits a short message to the tracker to update its current location. The threshold is dynamically adjusted to maintain the location tracking accuracy and the number of shortmessages on the basis of themoving speed of the target. The experimental results show that LBD, indeed, outperforms other methods because it satisfactorily maintains the location tracking accuracy with relatively fewer messages.

Detrital zircon evidence for the antiquity of Taiwan

Ching-Ying Lan,Tadashi Usuki,Kuo-Lung Wang,Tzen-Fu Yui,Kazuaki Okamoto,Yuan-Hsi Lee,Takafumi Hirata,Yoshitaka Kon,Yuji Orihashi,Juhn G. Liou,Chun-Sun Lee 한국지질과학협의회 2009 Geosciences Journal Vol.13 No.3

In-situ U–Pb geochronology and Hf isotopic studies of zircons from the Pre-Tertiary basement complex and Eocene rocks of the Central Range of Taiwan were carried out to elucidate the history of detrital zircons older than 2.3 Ga. Zircons from the eastern Backbone Range and Eastern Central Range show Paleoproterozoic to late Neoarchean ages (2.3 –³2.5 Ga), whereas those from the Hsuehshan Range yield Neoarchean to Mesoarchean ages (2.6–3.2 Ga). The εHf(T) for the Paleoproterozoic to late Neoarchean zircons varies from –7.4 to +5.1, implying both juvenile crustal growth and reworking of old crusts. This dual origin could extend back to Mesoarchean–Paleoarchean (3.0–3.4 Ga) based on Hf isotopic model ages. Consistent but narrower εHf(T) values and Hf crustal model ages for zircons from Taiwan compared to Cathaysia suggest a possible common origin for these zircons, although Taiwan has a generally younger crustal evolution history than SE China.

Real-World Effectiveness and Safety of SOF/LDV for Pa-tients with Chronic Hepatitis C in Taiwan

( Ching-chu Lo ),( Pin-nan Cheng ),( Chi-yi Chen ),( Chung-feng Huang ),( Hsing-tao Kuo ),( Kuo-chih Tseng ),( Yi-hsiang Huang ),( Chi-ming Tai ),( Cheng-yuan Peng ),( Ming-jong Bair ),( Chien-hung Ch 대한간학회 2021 춘·추계 학술대회 (KASL) Vol.2021 No.1