Factors affecting smile esthetics in adults with different types of anterior overjet malocclusion

Hsin-Chung Cheng,Pei-Chin Cheng 대한치과교정학회 2017 대한치과교정학회지 Vol.47 No.1

Objective: This study aimed to quantitatively assess the relationship of smile esthetic variables with various types of malocclusion, and identify the cephalometric factors affecting smile measurements. Methods: This retrospective study included 106 patients who were treated with retention at the orthodontic department of Taipei Medical University Hospital. Hard-tissue variables were measured using lateral cephalographic tracings, and nine smile esthetic variables were measured using facial photographs. The patients were divided into three groups according to their overjet (< 0, 0–4, and > 4 mm). An analysis of variance was conducted to compare the pretreatment cephalometric variables and smile esthetic variables among the three groups. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify the cephalometric factors affecting the smile measurements in each group. Results: Except the upper midline and buccal corridor ratio, all of the smile measurements differed significantly among the three groups before orthodontic treatment. Some of the smile characteristics were correlated with the cephalometric measurements in different types of malocclusion. The overjet was the major factor influencing the smile pattern in all three types of malocclusion. Conclusions: Smile characteristics differ between different types of malocclusion; the smile may be influenced by skeletal pattern, dental procumbency, or facial type. These findings indicate that establishment of an optimal horizontal anterior teeth relationship is the key to improving the smile characteristics in different types of malocclusion.

Which is more influential on teaching practice, classroom management efficacy or instruction efficacy? Evidence from TALIS 2018

Robin Jung-Cheng Chen,Hsin-Chih Lin,Yi-Lung Hsueh,Chuan-Chung Hsieh 서울대학교 교육연구소 2020 Asia Pacific Education Review Vol.21 No.4

This study aims to explore relationship between teacher self-efficacy and teacher teaching practice in junior high schools at Taiwan. TALIS (2018) survey database is adopted, and 3106 teachers were analyzed in this research. Through literature review and exploratory factor analysis (EFA), the research model is assumed to include two constructs (classroom management efficacy and instruction efficacy) in teacher self-efficacy, and three constructs (clarity of instruction practice, cognitive activation practice, and classroom management practice) in teacher teaching practice. Through the analysis of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), the main findings are as follows. (1) For clarity of instruction practice, instruction efficacy has more positive influences than classroom management efficacy. (2) For classroom management practice, classroom management efficacy as more positive influences than instruction efficacy. (3) For cognitive activation practice, instruction efficacy has positive influences but classroom management efficacy has negative influences.

Importance and performance of SDGs perception among college students in Taiwan

Sophia Shi-Huei Ho,Hsin-Chih Lin,Chuan-Chung Hsieh,Robin Jung-Cheng Chen 서울대학교 교육연구소 2022 Asia Pacific Education Review Vol.23 No.4

This study explores Taiwanese college students’ awareness and action on UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) launched in 2015. These goals define key dimensions wherein youth’s recognition, appreciation, and implementations ignite global citizenship, therefore enhancing both employability and mobility. The SDGs have set a strong presence in higher education, but perhaps not enough as most studies have not assessed a holistic view of undergraduates’ SDGs perception. In a well-globalized Chinese society where undergraduate degrees are as widespread as in Taiwan, this study aims to uncover whether higher education institutions (HEIs) in Taiwan have served as enabling environments for the growth of global citizens. Building on the government’s educational reforms and individual policies, it asks: on which aspects have Taiwan excelled or receded, why, and what can our example offer the global community in sowing global citizens? The Importance–Performance Analysis (IPA) grid was conducted to assess college students’ recognition and implementation of each goal. A list of 17 goals and 68 items were identified from literature reviews and each item was rated using a five-point Likert scale. On the scale, the online survey enables the 1238 college students from HEIs, ranging from research to non-research ones, to rate the relative importance of the items, followed by another performance rating. We aspire analysis of the responses to allow reflection on the implementation of professional and general education, as results indicate the factors contributing to students’ cognition of the SDGs. Echoing current policy in Taiwan, we intend to offer insights and recommendations to extend students’ SDGs vision, ultimately enhancing youth’s international understanding and mobility.

Molecular Identification of Diphyllobothrium latum from a Pediatric Case in Taiwan

Yu-Chin An,Chia-Cheng Sung,Chih-Chien Wang,Hsin-Chung Lin,Kuang-Yao Chen,Fu-Man Ku,Ruei-Min Chen,Mei-Li Chen,Kuo-Yang Huang 대한기생충학열대의학회 2017 The Korean Journal of Parasitology Vol.55 No.4

The Acquisition of Spanish Clitic Pronouns as a Third Language: A Corpus-based Study

Lu, Hui-Chuan,Cheng, An Chung,Chu, Yu-Hsin Institute for Corpus Research 2020 Asia pacific journal of corpus research Vol.1 No.2

This corpus-based study investigated third language acquisition by Taiwanese college students in learning Spanish clitic pronouns at beginning and intermediate levels. It examined the acquisition sequences of Spanish clitic pronouns of the Chinese-speaking learners whose second language was English and third language was Spanish. The results indicated that indirect object pronouns (OP) preceded direct OP (case), first person preceded third person OP (person), masculine preceded feminine OP (gender), and animate preceded inanimate OP (animacy). The findings presented similar patterns as those of previous studies on English-speaking learners of Spanish. In further comparisons of the target forms in Chinese, English, and Spanish, the results suggested that L1 Chinese had strong influence on L3 Spanish, which accounts for the challenges that Taiwanese learners of Spanish face as they learn the Spanish clitic pronouns in the beginning stage.

Elucidating the role of ApxI in hemolysis and cellular damage by using a novel apxIA mutant of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 10

Nai-Yun Chang,Zeng-Weng Chen,Ter-Hsin Chen,Jiunn-Wang Liao,Cheng-Chung Lin,Maw-Sheng Chien,Wei-Cheng Lee,Jiunn-Horng Lin,Shih-Ling Hsuan 대한수의학회 2014 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.15 No.1

Exotoxins produced by Actinobacillus (A.) pleuropneumoniae(Apx) play major roles in the pathogenesis of pleuropneumoniain swine. This study investigated the role of ApxI in hemolysisand cellular damage using a novel apxIA mutant, ApxIA336,which was developed from the parental strain A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 10 that produces only ApxI in vitro. The genotype of ApxIA336 was confirmed by PCR, Southernblotting, and gene sequencing. Exotoxin preparation derivedfrom ApxIA336 was analyzed for its bioactivity towardsporcine erythrocytes and alveolar macrophages. Analysisresults indicated that ApxIA336 contained a kanamycinresistantcassette inserted immediately after 1005 bp of theapxIA gene. Phenotype analysis of ApxIA336 revealed nodifference in the growth rate as compared to the parentalstrain. Meanwhile, ApxI production was abolished in thebacterial culture supernatant, i.e. exotoxin preparation. Theinability of ApxIA336 to produce ApxI corresponded to the lossof hemolytic and cytotoxic bioactivity in exotoxin preparation,as demonstrated by hemolysis, lactate dehydrogenase release,mitochondrial activity, and apoptosis assays. Additionally, thevirulence of ApxIA336 appeared to be attenuated by 15-fold inBALB/c mice. Collectively, ApxI, but not other components inthe exotoxin preparation of A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 10,was responsible for the hemolytic and cytotoxic effects onporcine erythrocytes and alveolar macrophages.

Study on Cellar Behaviors on Different Nanostructures by Nanoporous Alumina Template

Chiung-Fang Huang,Yung-Kang Shen,Hsin-Chung Cheng,Yi Lin,Chih-Wei Wu 한국정밀공학회 2014 International Journal of Precision Engineering and Vol. No.

Nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates are fabricated using an nodization method. The mean diameters of nanoporousanodic aluminum oxide templates are 100 nm and 200 nm by various processing parameters of the anodization method. A moldedplastic thin film nanostructure is fabricated by nanoimprinting using the AAO template as a mold insert. The surface properties ofthe molded plastic thin film are discussed using various nanoimprinting process parameters. Contact angles of the molded plastic thinfilm with the nanostructure exceed those without the nanostructure. The molded plastic thin films with a nanostructure and ahydrophobic surface are formed, and their contact angles exceed 90o. This study observes the behavior of osteoblast-like cells (MG63)cultured on nanostructure thin films, i.e., AAO, polylactic acid (PLA) and polycarbonate (PC). Cell growth behavior indicates thatthe AAO template with a 200 nm nanostructure is best. This study shows that cell adhesion and spreading are influenced by surfacetopography in the nanometer feature.

Sleep Quality and Self-Stigma Mediate the Association Between Problematic Use of Social Media and Quality of Life Among People With Schizophrenia in Taiwan: A Longitudinal Study

Mohsen Saffari,Kun-Chia Chang,Jung-Sheng Chen,Marc N. Potenza,Cheng-Fang Yen,Ching-Wen Chang,Po-Ching Huang,Hsin-Chi Tsai,Chung-Ying Lin 대한신경정신의학회 2023 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.20 No.11

Objective Problematic use of social media (PUSM) may affect sleep quality and self-stigma in people with schizophrenia and consequently reduce their quality of life (QoL). This longitudinal study investigated if sleep quality and self-stigma mediated relationships between PUSM and QoL.Methods One-hundred-and-ninety-three outpatients with schizophrenia were recruited from a psychiatric center in Taiwan from April 2019 to August 2021 and participated in a longitudinal study at intervals of three months between measurements. QoL was assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire Brief Version; sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; self-stigma using the Self-Stigma Scale-Short; and PUSM using the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale. Via SPSS 20.0, general estimating equation models assessed temporal associations between variables. Via R software, mediating effects of self-stigma and sleep quality were examined through Monte Carlo simulations with 20,000 repetitions.Results Mean scores of physical, psychological, social and environmental QoL ranged from 11.86 to 13.02. Mean scores of sleep quality and self-stigma were 9.1±4.5 and 2.2±0.8, respectively. Sleep quality and self-stigma were directly related to QoL (p<0.001) and mediated indirect relationships between PUSM and all components of QoL with a range of 95% confidence intervals spanning from -0.0591 to -0.0107 for physical QoL; -0.0564 to -0.0095 for psychological QoL; -0.0292 to -0.0035 for social QoL; and -0.0357 to -0.0052 for environmental QoL.Conclusion Sleep quality and self-stigma mediated relationships between PUSM and QoL in people with schizophrenia. Developing interventions targeting PUSM, sleep, and self-stigma may help improve QoL in people with schizophrenia.

Association of the PPAR-γ Gene with Altered Glucose Levels and Psychosis Profile in Schizophrenia Patients Exposed to Antipsychotics

Yun-Ru Liu,El-Wui Loh,Tsung-Ming Hu,Tsuo-Hung Lan,Hsien-Jane Chiu,Yung-Han Chang,Shuo-Fei Chen,Yen-Hsin Yu,Cheng-Chung Chen 대한신경정신의학회 2014 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.11 No.2

Objective Metabolic abnormalities, e.g., diabetes, are common among schizophrenia patients. Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) regulates glucose/lipid metabolisms, and schizophrenia like syndrome may be induced by actions involving retinoid X receptor-α/PPAR-γ heterodimers. We examined a possible role of the PPAR-γ gene in metabolic traits and psychosis profile in schizophrenia patients exposed to antipsychotics. Methods Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the PPAR-γ gene and a serial of metabolic traits were determined in 394 schizophrenia patients, among which 372 were rated with Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Results SNP-10, -12, -18, -19, -20 and -26 were associated with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) whereas SNP-18, -19, -20 and -26 were associated with fasting plasma glucose (FPG). While SNP-23 was associated with triglycerides, no associations were identified between the other SNPs and lipids. Further haplotype analysis demonstrated an association between the PPAR-γ gene and psychosis profile. Conclusion Our study suggests a role of the PPAR-γ gene in altered glucose levels and psychosis profile in schizophrenia patients exposed to antipsychotics. Although the Pro12Ala at exon B has been concerned an essential variant in the development of obesity, the lack of association of the variant with metabolic traits in this study should not be treated as impossibility or a proof of error because other factors, e.g., genes regulated by PPAR-γ, may have complicated the development of metabolic abnormalities. Whether the PPAR-γ gene modifies the risk of metabolic abnormalities or psychosis, or causes metabolic abnormalities that lead to psychosis, remains to be examined.