Validation of the Chinese Version of Penn Alcohol Craving Scale for Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder

Yu-Yu Ko,Su-Chen Fang,Wei-Chien Huang,Ming-Chyi Huang,Hu-Ming Chang 대한신경정신의학회 2024 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.21 No.2

Objective The Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS) is a five-item, single-dimension questionnaire that is used to measure a patient’s alcohol craving. We sought to develop the Chinese version of the PACS (PACS-C) and assess its reliability and validity.Methods A total of 160 Taiwanese patients with alcohol use disorder were enrolled in this study. The internal consistency and concurrent validity of the PASC-C with the visual analogue scale (VAS) for craving, the Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale for heavy drinking (YBOCS-hd), and the Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SADQ) were assessed. The test–retest reliability of the PASC-C was evaluated 1 day after the baseline measurements. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed to examine the psychometric properties of the PACS-C.Results The PACS-C exhibited good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α=0.95) and test–retest reliability (r=0.97). This scale showed high correlations with the VAS (r=0.81) and YBOCS-hd (r=0.81 and 0.79 for the obsession and compulsion subscales, respectively), and moderate correlation with the SADQ-C (r=0.47). Furthermore, CFA results revealed that the PACS-C had good fit indices under various models.Conclusion The PACS-C appears to be a reliable and valid tool for assessing alcohol craving in patients with alcohol use disorder in Taiwan.

Evaluation of barrier plants for the cultural control of tomato yellow leaf curl disease

Fang-Yu Hu,De-Fen Mou,Chi-Wei Tsai 한국응용곤충학회 2020 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.23 No.1

Barrier cropping plays an essential role in controlling insect pests and insect-transmitted diseases in cultural control. It has been proven efficient in suppressing the spread of nonpersistently transmitted viruses. For suppressing the spread of persistently transmitted viruses, barrier cropping is not considered an effective control strategy because barrier plants cannot act as a virus sink to purge the virus in the vector. However, few successful cases of barrier cropping suppressing the spread of persistently transmitted viruses have been reported. The objectives of the present study were to screen candidates (cucumber, okra, Chinese kale, soybean, and corn) for potential barrier plants to control tomato yellow leaf curl Thailand virus (TYLCTHV) and examine whether prefeeding on these plants can reduce the virus titer in its vector, Bemisia tabaci, thus reducing TYLCTHV transmission. The results revealed that nonviruliferous whiteflies preferred cucumber and okra to tomato, whereas viruliferous whiteflies preferred cucumber to tomato. Although prefeeding on cucumber, okra, and Chinese kale did not reduce the titer of TYLCTHV in viruliferous whiteflies, the vector transmission rate decreased after the whiteflies fed on Chinese kale. It implies that planting Chinese kale as a barrier plant for tomato cultivation may reduce the incidence of TYLCTHV. In addition, the preference to cucumber plants may reduce the incidence of whiteflies acquiring TYLCTHV from virus-infected tomato plants and of viruliferous whiteflies inoculating the virus into healthy tomato plants, thereby reducing the disease incidence. Further field trials of barrier cropping using the candidate plants are warranted.

Flavones from the Bark of Lindera caudata and Their Anti-Tobacco Mosaic Virus Activity

Yu-Chun Yang,Ying Qin,Xian-Xue Wu,Cong-Fang Xia,Yan-Lin Meng,Bin Zhou,Yan-Qing Ye,Xue-Mei Gao,Yin-Ke Li,Qiu-Fen Hu 대한화학회 2015 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.36 No.4

Two new flavones, 5-hydroxy-8-hydroxymethyl-7,4′-dimethoxy-flavone (1) and 6-hydroxy-8-hydroxymethyl-7,4′-dimethoxy-flavone (2), together with six known flavones (3–8), were isolated from the bark of Lindera caudata. The structures of 1–8 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including extensive 1D and 2D NMR techniques. Compounds 1–8 were evaluated for their anti-tobacco mosaic virus (anti-TMV) activity. The results showed that Compounds 1 and 2 showed high anti-TMV activity with inhibition rates of 31.2 and 28.8%, respectively. These values are close to those of positive control.

The Numerical Study of the Air Lubrication on the Hull Bottom of the Ship

Hu Shi-liang,Zhen An-ran,Sun Wen-yu,Yang Li,Wei Jin-fang 한국전산유체공학회 2022 한국전산유체공학회 학술대회논문집 Vol.2022 No.10

Retinoid Receptors in Gastric Cancer: Expression and Influence on Prognosis

Hu, Kong-Wang,Chen, Fei-Hu,Ge, Jin-Fang,Cao, Li-Yu,Li, Hao Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.5

Background: Gastric cancer is frequently lethal despite aggressive multimodal therapies, and new treatment approaches are therefore needed. Retinoids are potential candidate drugs: they prevent cell differentiation, proliferation and malignant transformation in gastric cancer cell lines. They interact with nuclear retinoid receptors (the retinoic acid receptors [RARs] and retinoid X receptors [RXRs]), which function as transcription factors, each with three subclasses, ${\alpha}$, ${\beta}$ and ${\gamma}$. At present, little is known about retinoid expression and influence on prognosis in gastric cancers. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the expression of the subtypes RARa, $RAR{\beta}$, $RAR{\gamma}$, RXRa, $RXR{\beta}$, $RXR{\gamma}$ by immunohistochemistry in 147 gastric cancers and 51 normal gastric epithelium tissues for whom clinical follow-up data were available and correlated the results with clinical characteristics. In addition, we quantified the expression of retinoid receptor mRNA using real-time PCR (RT-PCR) in another 6 gastric adenocarcinoma and 3 normal gastric tissues. From 2008 to 2010, 80 patients with gastric cancers were enrolled onto therapy with all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA). Results: RARa, $RAR{\beta}$, $RAR{\gamma}$ and $RXR{\gamma}$ positively correlated with each other (p < 0.001) and demonstrated significantly lower levels in the carcinoma tissue sections (p < 0.01), with lower $RAR{\beta}$, $RAR{\gamma}$ and RXRa expression significantly related to advanced stages (p < =0.01). Tumors with poor histopathologic grade had lower levels of RARa and $RAR{\beta}$ in different histological types of gastric carcinoma (p < 0.01). Patients whose tumors exhibited low levels of RARa expression had significantly lower overall survival compared with patients who had higher expression levels of this receptor (p < 0.001, HR=0.42, 95.0% CI 0.24-0.73), and patients undergoing ATRA treatment had significantly longer median survival times (p = 0.007, HR=0.41, 95.0% CI 0.21-0.80). Conclusions: Retinoic acid receptors are frequently expressed in epithelial gastric cancer with a decreased tendency of expression and RARa may be an indicator of a positive prognosis. This study provides a molecular basis for the therapeutic use of retinoids against gastric cancer.

Changes in Glucose Metabolism after Adrenalectomy or Treatment with a Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonist for Primary Aldosteronism

Yu-Fang Lin,Kang-Yung Peng,Chia-Hui Chang,Ya-Hui Hu,Vin-Cent Wu,Shiu-Dong Chung,Taiwan Primary Aldosteronism Investigation (TAIPAI) Study Group 대한내분비학회 2020 Endocrinology and metabolism Vol.35 No.4

Background: Data on the effects of excess aldosterone on glucose metabolism are inconsistent. This study compared the changes in glucose metabolism in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) after adrenalectomy or treatment with a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA). Methods: Overall, 241 patients were enrolled; 153 underwent adrenalectomy and 88 received an MRA. Fasting glucose, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and homeostatic model assessment of β-cell function (HOMA-β) were compared between the treatment groups after 1 year. Plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) and factors determining HOMA-IR and PAC were evaluated. Results: No baseline differences were observed between the groups. Fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, and HOMA-β increased in both groups and there were no significant differences in fasting glucose following treatment. Multiple regression analysis showed associations between PAC and HOMA-IR (β=0.172, P=0.017) after treatment. Treatment with spironolactone was the only risk factor associated with PAC >30 ng/dL (odds ratio, 5.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.7 to 10; P<0.001) and conferred a 2.48-fold risk of insulin resistance after 1 year compared with surgery (95% CI, 1.3 to 4.8; P=0.007). Conclusion: Spironolactone treatment might increase insulin resistance in patients with PA. This strengthened the current recommendation that adrenalectomy is the preferred strategy for patient with positive lateralization test. Achieving a post-treatment PAC of <30 ng/dL for improved insulin sensitivity may be appropriate.

Telbivudine-Induced Myopathy: Clinical Features, Histopathological Characteristics, and Risk Factors

Min-Yu Lan,Hui-Chen Lin,Tsung-Hui Hu,Shu-Fang Chen,Chien-Hung Chen,Yung-Yee Chang,King-Wah Chiu,Tsu-Kung Lin,Shun-Sheng Chen 대한신경과학회 2023 Journal of Clinical Neurology Vol.19 No.1

Background and Purpose Oral nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) are the mainstay treatment for chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Myotoxicity is an important extrahepatic effect related to NA treatment. Telbivudine is the NA for CHB that is frequently associated with muscle-related side effects. The risk factors for telbivudine-induced myopathy (TIM) are not yet clear. Methods This study characterized the clinical, magnetic resonance images (MRI), and pathological features of 12 TIM cases. A group of telbivudine-tolerant (TT) patients with CHB who received regular telbivudine treatment during the same period without the occurrence of myopathy was collected. Demographic and clinical factors were compared between the patients with TIM and the TT controls. Factors independently associated with TIM were identified using logistic regression analysis. Results The patients with TIM (males/females: 7/5, mean age: 57 years) developed myopathy after using telbivudine for a median period of 19.5 months. Muscle histopathology revealed abnormal proliferation, subsarcolemmal or sarcoplasmic accumulations, and ultrastructural defects of mitochondria. When compared with TT cases, patients with TIM had a lower estimated glomerular filtration rate and were more frequently positive for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg). Conclusions Mitochondrial abnormalities are characteristic histopathological features, and impaired renal function and HBeAg positivity are risk factors for TIM. Telbivudine-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and immune activation related to mitochondrial damage and HBeAg serostatus changes may underlie TIM. Constant clinical surveillance of myopathy during telbivudine treatment is needed due to the significant latency of its development. Dose adjustment for impaired renal function does not eliminate the risk of TIM occurrence.

Identification and expression analysis of four heat shock protein genes associated with thermal stress in rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae

Fei Hu,Kan Ye,Xiao-Fang Tu,Yu-Jie Lu,Kiran Thakur,Zhao-Jun Wei 한국응용곤충학회 2018 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.21 No.3

In order to explore the function of heat shock proteins during thermal stress in rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae, four heat shock protein genes were cloned and characterized. These heat shock protein genes (hsps) were named as Sohsp70–1, Sohsp70–2, Sohsc70, and Sohsp90, respectively. These hsps showed high sequence conservation with the maximum identity with hsps of Tribolium castaneum and other insects. All the four genes showed the highest mRNA expression in pupal stage and the lowest levels in larval stage. The induced expression of the two Sohsp70s (Sohsp70–1 and Sohsp70–2) were reached to the highest levels (15.59-fold and 12.66-fold) after 2 h of incubation at 37 °C, respectively. Expression of Sohsp90 not only was significantly elevated by heat stress but also by cold stress. Whereas, expression level of Sohsc70 was not induced either by heat or cold stress. Furthermore, for rapid heat hardening, the expression levels of Sohsp70–1, Sohsp70–2, Sohsc70 and Sohsp90 were observed as 2.57, 2.53, 3.33 and 2.33-fold higher than control, respectively; for rapid cold hardening, the expression levels of Sohsp70–1, Sohsp70–2, Sohsc70 and Sohsp90 were reported as 2.27, 3.02, 3.37 and 2.23-fold higher than control, respectively. Hence, our results revealed that the four Sohsps were associated with temperature adaption under rapid heat or cold hardening.

Cardioprotective effect of ginsenoside Rb1 via regulating metabolomics profiling and AMP-activated protein kinase-dependent mitophagy

Jingui Hu,Ling Zhang,Fei Fu,Qiong Lai,Lu Zhang,Tao Liu,Boyang Yu,Junping Kou,Fang Li 고려인삼학회 2022 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.46 No.2

Background: Ginsenoside Rb1, a bioactive component isolated from the Panax ginseng, acts as a remedy to prevent myocardial injury. However, it is obscure whether the cardioprotective functions of Rb1 are related to the regulation of endogenous metabolites, and its potential molecular mechanism still needs further clarification, especially from a comprehensive metabolomics profiling perspective. Methods: The mice model of acute myocardial ischemia (AMI) and oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD)-induced cardiomyocytes injury were applied to explore the protective effect and mechanism of Rb1. Meanwhile, the comprehensive metabolomics profiling was conducted by high-performance liquid chromatography and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-Q/TOF-MS) and a tandem liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Results: Rb1 treatment profoundly reduced the infarct size and attenuated myocardial injury. The metabolic network map of 65 differential endogenous metabolites was constructed and provided a new inspiration for the treatment of AMI by Rb1, which was mainly associated with mitophagy. In vivo and in vitro experiments, Rb1 was found to improve mitochondrial morphology, mitochondrial function and promote mitophagy. Interestingly, the mitophagy inhibitor partly attenuated the cardioprotective effect of Rb1. Additionally, Rb1 markedly facilitated the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase a (AMPKa), and AMPK inhibition partially weakened the role of Rb1 in promoting mitophagy. Conclusions: Ginsenoside Rb1 protects acute myocardial ischemia injury through promoting mitophagy via AMPKa phosphorylation, which might lay the foundation for the further application of Rb1 in cardiovascular diseases.

Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Psychological Effects of Primary Nocturnal Enuresis in Chinese Young Adults

Hui Jie Hu,Zhen Wei Zhang,Yu Liang,Yan Yan Luo,Qi Feng Dou,Cui Ping Song,Hui Min Zhang,Ying Zhao,Guang Run Tian,Ke Zhang,Qiu Fang Mao,Jing Gui Song,Soren Rittig,Jian Guo Wen 대한배뇨장애요실금학회 2021 International Neurourology Journal Vol.25 No.1

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, risk factors, and effects of primary nocturnal enuresis (PNE) on physical and mental health in young adults in mainland China. Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was used to collect information including the sociodemographic characteristics, history of PNE, family history, daytime voiding symptoms, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores, Self-Esteem Scale (SES), and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). A total of 22,500 university students from 23 provinces and 368 cities in mainland China were included. Results: In total, 21,082 questionnaires were collected, and 20,345 of them qualified for statistical analysis. The PNE prevalence was 1.17%, and the distribution of monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (MNE) and nonmonosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (NMNE) was 66.1% and 33.9%, respectively. In total, 28% of respondents with PNE reported bedwetting daily, 31.6% between 1 and 7 times weekly, and 40.4% between 1 and 4 times monthly; 80% of PNE cases had no history of treatment. The prevalence of PNE in patients with a family history, frequency, urgency, urinary incontinence, and recurrent urinary tract infections was significantly higher than in those without these conditions (P<0.001). PNE was significantly correlated with the PSQI total score (sleep quality) (P=0.011). The SES score was lower and the SDS was higher (P<0.001) in the PNE group than in those without PNE. Conclusions: In mainland China, the PNE prevalence among young adults was found to be high, and PNE had significant effects on physical and mental health. Risk factors included a family history, daytime voiding symptoms, and lack of treatment.