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.

Defense Policymaking of a Third-Tier Country: Taiwan as a Case Study

( Po Young Chu ),( Chiou Guey Jan ),( Pei Leen Liu ) 한국국방연구원 2006 The Korean Journal of Defense Analysis Vol.18 No.3

The process of formulating a national defense policy is very complicated, involving factors such as domestic military technology and the particular country`s relationship with potential adversary and allied nations. The world`s major military powers usually possess the full range of arms production capabilities, which results in greater independence in formulating a defense policy. Third-tier countries (TTCs), however, lack this extensive ownership of military technological capability, and must therefore depend on first- or second-tier countries` (FSTCs) exports, making it difficult to formulate a defense policy without interference from FSTCs. This study proposes a three-role model for the interaction between the ally, the potential adversary and the country. The vast influence of the interaction and changing roles of FSTCs on the defense policy of TTCs are analyzed based on this model. Taiwan is used here as a case study, to explore the dynamic relationship between Taiwan, its potential adversary (China) and its ally (the United States). After in-depth research of the evolving roles and interaction among the three countries over time, results show that the United States and China have greatly influenced the formulation of Taiwan`s defense policy by playing different roles. Finally, the implications of the model are also discussed.

Application of Rumen Undegradable Protein on Early Lactating Dairy Goats

Lee, Mei-Chu,Hwang, Sen-Yuan,Chiou, Peter Wen-Shyg Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2001 Animal Bioscience Vol.14 No.11

The application of rumen undegradable intake protein (UIP) on lactating dairy goats was studied. Thirty 2-year-old lactating dairy goats were selected and assigned to dietary treatments begun from the third week to the fourth month postpartum. Experimental diets were formulated into three, low (32% CP), med (35% CP) and high (38% CP), iso-nitrogenous (16% CP) and iso-energetic ($NE_L$ 1.68 Mcal/kg) UIP levels. Results showed that feed intake was not significantly different among the treatment groups. The milk yield in the High UIP group (3.17 kg) was significantly higher than the med (2.95 kg) and low UIP (2.45 kg) groups (p<0.05). The milk compositions, milk fat, milk lactose and milk solids-non-fat (SNF) showed no significant differences among the three treatment groups. The milk protein however was significantly (p<0.05) lower in the low UIP than in the other treatment groups. The milk urea-N was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the low UIP than in the other treatment groups. The mean serum aspartate amino transferase (AST), urinary-N and total protein concentrations were significantly (p<0.05) lower in the high and the med UIP groups than in the low UIP group.

Pyogenic Liver Abscess as a Warning Sign for Primary Liver Cancer: A Nationwide Population-based Study

Huang, Wen-Kuan,Lin, Yung-Chang,Chiou, Meng-Jiun,Yang, Tsai-Sheng,Chang, John Wen-Cheng,Yu, Kuang-Hui,Kuo, Chang-Fu,See, Lai-Chu Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.8

Background: There have been no large-scale population-based studies to estimate the subsequent risk of primary liver cancer (PLC) among patients with pyogenic liver abscess (PLA). This study aimed to provide relevant data. Materials and Methods: The Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database for the years 2000 and 2005 was used. The PLA group were adult inpatients who were newly diagnosed with PLA from 2000 to 2008. The control group was randomly selected and matched with the PLA group in terms of age, sex, and date in which medical treatment was sought other than for PLA. Results: There were 1,987 patients each in the PLA and control groups. In total, 56 had PLC, 48 (2.4%, 601.5 per 100,000 person-years) from the PLA group, and 8 from the control group. After adjusting for potential covariates, the hazard ratio of PLC for the PLA group was 3.4 times that of the control group (95% confidence interval = 1.6-7.3, p <0.001). The PLC risk for the PLA group was significantly higher within the first year after PLA diagnosis (hazard ratio: 35.4) as compared with the control group and became insignificant (hazard ratio: 2.0, 95% confidence interval = 0.8-4.9) more than one year after PLA diagnosis. Conclusions: Patients with PLA have a higher rate of PLC than matched controls, especially within the first year after the diagnosis of PLA, suggesting PLA is a warning sign for PLC.

Screening, Purification, and Characterization of an Extracellular Prolyl Oligopeptidase from Coprinopsis clastophylla

Jen-Tao Chen,Mei-Li Chao,Chiou-Yen Wen,Wen-Shen Chu 한국미생물학회 2012 The journal of microbiology Vol.50 No.4

Culture filtrates of 22 mushrooms were screened for extracellular prolyl oligopeptidase activity. Four strains with relatively high enzyme activity were all from inky cap mushrooms. The production of Coprinopsis clastophylla prolyl oligopeptidase was associated with the growth of the fungus and the enzyme was not released by cell lysis. The enzyme was purified 285-fold to a specific activity of 52.05 U/mg. It was purified to a single band on a native polyacrylamide gel. However, the enzyme separated into three bands on a sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel with mobility corresponding to molecular weights of approximately 84,60, and 26 kDa. The results of tandem mass spectrometric analysis revealed that the 60 kDa protein was likely a degradation product of the 84 kDa protein. The isoelectric point of the purified enzyme was 5.2. The purified enzyme had an optimal pH and temperature of 8.0 and 37°C, respectively. Diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP), p-chloromercuribenzoaic acid (PCMB), Hg2+, and Cu2+ strongly inhibited C. clastophylla prolyl oligopeptidase. This enzyme is a serine peptidase and one or more cysteine residues of the enzyme are close to the active site.

An 8-Week Low-Intensity Progressive Cycling Training Improves Motor Functions in Patients with Early-Stage Parkinson’s Disease

Hsiu-Chen Chang,Chin-Song Lu,Wei-Da Chiou,Chiung-Chu Chen,Yi-Hsin Weng,Ya-Ju Chang 대한신경과학회 2018 Journal of Clinical Neurology Vol.14 No.2

Background and Purpose The effects of high-intensity cycling as an adjuvant therapy forearly-stage Parkinson’s disease (PD) were highlighted recently. However, patients experience difficultiesin maintaining these cycling training programs. The present study investigated the efficacyof cycling at a mild-to-moderate intensity in early-stage PD. Methods Thirteen PD patients were enrolled for 16 serial cycling sessions over a 2-month period. Motor function was assessed using the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale part III(UPDRS III) and Timed Up and Go (TUG) test as primary outcomes. The Montreal CognitiveAssessment (MoCA), modified Hoehn and Yahr Stage (mHYS), total UPDRS, Falls EfficacyScale, New Freezing of Gait Questionnaire, Schwab and England Activities of Daily Living, 39-item Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire, Patient Global Impression of Change, and gait performancewere assessed as secondary outcomes. Results The age and the age at onset were 59.67±7.24 and 53.23±10.26 years (mean±SD), respectively. The cycling cadence was 53.27±8.92 revolutions per minute. The UPDRS III scoreimproved significantly after 8 training sessions (p=0.011) and 16 training sessions (T2) (p=0.001) in the off-state, and at T2 (p=0.004) in the on-state compared to pretraining (T0). TheTUG duration was significantly shorter at T2 than at T0 (p<0.05). The findings of MoCA, totalUPDRS, double limb support time, and mHYS (in both the off- and on-states) also improvedsignificantly at T2. Conclusions Our pioneer study has demonstrated that a low-intensity progressive cycling exercisecan improve motor function in PD, especially akinesia. The beneficial effects were similarto those of high-intensity rehabilitation programs.

Development of primary cell cultures from the adult xylem-feeding leafhopper, Kolla paulula, as a tool for studying Wolbachia biology

Rong-Jen Shiau,Yu-Der Wen,Hsien-Tzung Shih,Shin-Yi Chen,Chiou-Chu Su,Wei-Huang Tsai 한국응용곤충학회 2011 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.14 No.4

Xylophagous leafhoppers are vectors of xylem-limited plant pathogens such as citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC) and Pierce's disease, which cause Xylella diseases. Currently, no cure for Xylella diseases exists. The objective of endosymbiont control using Wolbachia pipientis is to reduce the populations of insect vectors,potentially preventing the expansion of Xylella diseases. The purpose of this study was to establish primary cell cultures from adult xylem-feeding leafhoppers to study Wolbachia biology. Cells from adult male and female Kolla paulula (Walker) (Hemiptera: Membracoidea: Cicadellinae) were successfully cultured in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium containing 20% fetal bovine serum and were maintained for more than 6 months. Cells of both male and female adults are round and semi-attached. The doubling times for male and female K. paulula cells are approximately 8 and 10 days, respectively. The presence of Wolbachia in K. paulula cell cultures was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of Wolbachia surface protein (wsp) gene. The cell cultures developed in this study may be useful in studying interactions between Wolbachia and its hosts of different genders.

Cross-Coupled Narrow-Band YBCO Filters with Spurious Suppression by Using a Tap-Connection Technique

L. M. Wang,Chung-I G. Hsu,D. S. Hsieh,L. H. Chen,M. L. Chu,S. M. Chiou 한국물리학회 2006 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.48 No.5I

Narrow-band microstrip cross-coupled band-pass filters based on a quadruplet geometry were designed for wireless-communication applications. High-Tc superconducting (HTS) filters were fabricated by patterning YBa2Cu3Oy (YBCO) films double-side deposited on 20-mm-square and 0.5- mm-thick LaAlO3 substrates. The filters with skew-symmetric feed were designed with a center frequency at 1.9 GHz and a bandwidth of 20 MHz. The inductive coupling between the non-adjacent resonators produced a pair of transmission zeros in the frequency response. Also observed was an additional pair of transmission zeros that enhance the out-of-band rejection characteristics. The realized YBCO filter showed a center frequency at 1.925 GHz with a bandwidth of 20 MHz and a minimum insertion loss of about 0.74 dB. Furthermore, a tap-connection technique was applied to cross-coupled HTS band-pass filters so as to suppress the second and/or the third passbands, which were spurious and undesirable. To improve the out-of-band performance of the band-pass filters, we tapped the input/output microstrip lines at certain locations. In this research, we confirmed that by tapping somewhere along the input/output microstrip lines, a /4 open stub or a /2 short stub, where refers to the guided wavelength at 2fo or 3fo, may effectively suppress harmonics at 2fo and/or 3fo by more than 25 dB. The simulated and the experimental results are discussed.