A Study of Two Propagating Heavy-Rainfall Episodes near Taiwan during SoWMEX/TiMREX IOP-8 in June 2008. Part I: Synoptic Evolution, Episode Propagation, and Model Control Simulation

Wang, C.-C.,Hsu, J.C.-S.,Chen, G.T.-J.,Lee, D.-I. AMERICAN METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY 2014 Monthly weather review Vol.142 No.8

THE TAIWAN-AMERICAN OCCULTATION SURVEY PROJECT STELLAR VARIABILITY. I. DETECTION OF LOW-AMPLITUDE δ SCUTI STARS

Kim, D.-W.,Protopapas, P.,Alcock, C.,Byun, Y.-I.,Kyeong, J.,Lee, B.-C.,Wright, N. J.,Axelrod, T.,Bianco, F. B.,Chen, W.-P.,Coehlo, N. K.,Cook, K. H.,Dave, R.,King, S.-K.,Lee, T.,Lehner, M. J.,Lin, H.- American Institute of Physics 2010 The Astronomical journal Vol.139 No.2

<P>We analyzed data accumulated during 2005 and 2006 by the Taiwan-American Occultation Survey (TAOS) in order to detect short-period variable stars (periods of <img entity='lsim' SRC='http://ej.iop.org/icons/Entities/lsim.gif' ALT='lsim' ALIGN='BASELINE' />1 hr) such as δ Scuti. TAOS is designed for the detection of stellar occultation by small-size Kuiper Belt Objects and is operating four 50 cm telescopes at an effective cadence of 5 Hz. The four telescopes simultaneously monitor the same patch of the sky in order to reduce false positives. To detect short-period variables, we used the fast Fourier transform algorithm (FFT) in as much as the data points in TAOS light curves are evenly spaced. Using FFT, we found 41 short-period variables with amplitudes smaller than a few hundredths of a magnitude and periods of about an hour, which suggest that they are low-amplitude δ Scuti stars. The light curves of TAOS δ Scuti stars are accessible online at the Time Series Center Web site (http://timemachine.iic.harvard.edu).</P>

Metformin Inhibits Nuclear Receptor TR4–Mediated Hepatic Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase 1 Gene Expression With Altered Insulin Sensitivity

Kim, Eungseok,Liu, Ning-Chun,Yu, I-Chen,Lin, Hung-Yun,Lee, Yi-Fen,Sparks, Janet D.,Chen, Lu-Min,Chang, Chawnshang American Diabetes Association 2011 Diabetes Vol.60 No.5

<P><B>OBJECTIVE</B></P><P>TR4 is a nuclear receptor without clear pathophysiological roles. We investigated the roles of hepatic TR4 in the regulation of lipogenesis and insulin sensitivity in vivo and in vitro.</P><P><B>RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS</B></P><P>TR4 activity and phosphorylation assays were carried out using hepatocytes and various TR4 wild-type and mutant constructs. Liver tissues from TR4 knockout, C57BL/6, and <I>db/db</I> mice were examined to investigate TR4 target gene stearoyl-CoA desaturase (<I>SCD</I>) 1 regulation.</P><P><B>RESULTS</B></P><P>TR4 transactivation is inhibited via phosphorylation by metformin-induced AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) at the amino acid serine 351, which results in the suppression of SCD1 gene expression. Additional mechanistic dissection finds TR4-transactivated <I>SCD1</I> promoter activity via direct binding to the TR4-responsive element located at −243 to −255 on the promoter region. The pathophysiological consequences of the metformin→AMPK→TR4→SCD1 pathway are examined via TR4 knockout mice and primary hepatocytes with either knockdown or overexpression of TR4. The results show that the suppression of <I>SCD1</I> via loss of TR4 resulted in reduced fat mass and increased insulin sensitivity with increased β-oxidation and decreased lipogenic gene expression.</P><P><B>CONCLUSIONS</B></P><P>The pathway from metformin→AMPK→TR4→SCD1→insulin sensitivity suggests that TR4 may function as an important modulator to control lipid metabolism, which sheds light on the use of small molecules to modulate TR4 activity as a new alternative approach to battle the metabolic syndrome.</P>

Effects of Scopolamine and Melatonin Cotreatment on Cognition, Neuronal Damage, and Neurogenesis in the Mouse Dentate Gyrus

Chen, B. H.,Ahn, J. H.,Park, J. H.,Choi, S. Y.,Lee, Y. L.,Kang, I. J.,Hwang, I. K.,Lee, T. K.,Shin, B. N.,Lee, J. C. Springer Science + Business Media 2018 Neurochem Res Vol.43 No.3

<P>It has been demonstrated that melatonin plays important roles in memory improvement and promotes neurogenesis in experimental animals. We examined effects of melatonin on cognitive deficits, neuronal damage, cell proliferation, neuroblast differentiation and neuronal maturation in the mouse dentate gyrus after cotreatment of scopolamine (anticholinergic agent) and melatonin. Scopolamine (1 mg/kg) and melatonin (10 mg/kg) were intraperitoneally injected for 2 and/or 4 weeks to 8-week-old mice. Scopolamine treatment induced significant cognitive deficits 2 and 4 weeks after scopolamine treatment, however, cotreatment of scopolamine and melatonin significantly improved spatial learning and short-term memory impairments. Two and 4 weeks after scopolamine treatment, neurons were not damaged/dead in the dentate gyrus, in addition, no neuronal damage/death was shown after cotreatment of scopolamine and melatonin. Ki67 (a marker for cell proliferation)- and doublecortin (a marker for neuroblast differentiation)-positive cells were significantly decreased in the dentate gyrus 2 and 4 weeks after scopolamine treatment, however, cotreatment of scopolamine and melatonin significantly increased Ki67- and doublecortin-positive cells compared with scopolamine-treated group. However, double immunofluorescence for NeuN/BrdU, which indicates newly-generated mature neurons, did not show double-labeled cells (adult neurogenesis) in the dentate gyrus 2 and 4 weeks after cotreatment of scopolamine and melatonin. Our results suggest that melatonin treatment recovers scopolamine-induced spatial learning and short-term memory impairments and restores or increases scopolamine-induced decrease of cell proliferation and neuroblast differentiation, but does not lead to adult neurogenesis (maturation of neurons) in the mouse dentate gyrus following scopolamine treatment.</P>

ALDH2 Gene: Its Effects on the Neuropsychological Functions in Patients with Opioid Use Disorder Undergoing Methadone Maintenance Treatment

Po-Wei Lee,Tzu-Yun Wang,Yun-Hsuan Chang,Sheng-Yu Lee,Shiou-Lan Chen,Ze-Cheng Wang,Po See Chen,Chun-Hsien Chu,San-Yuan Huang,Nian-Sheng Tzeng,I Hui Lee,Kao Chin Chen,Yen Kuang Yang,Jau-Shyong Hong,Ru-B 대한정신약물학회 2020 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.18 No.1

Objective: Patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) have impaired attention, inhibition control, and memory function. The aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2 ) gene has been associated with OUD and ALDH2 gene polymorphisms may affect aldehyde metabolism and cognitive function in other substance use disorder. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether ALDH2 genotypes have significant effects on neuropsychological functions in OUD patients undergoing methadone maintenance therapy (MMT). Methods: OUD patients undergoing MMT were investigated and followed-up for 12 weeks. ALDH2 gene polymorphisms were genotyped. Connors’ Continuous Performance Test (CPT) and the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised (WMS-R) were administered at baseline and after 12 weeks of MMT. Multivariate linear regressions and generalized estimating equations (GEEs) were used to examine the correlation between the ALDH2 genotypes and performance on the CPTs and WMS-R. Results: We enrolled 86 patients at baseline; 61 patients completed the end-of-study assessments. The GEE analysis showed that, after the 12 weeks of MMT, OUD patients with the ALDH2 *1/*2+*2/*2 (ALDH2 inactive) genotypes had significantly higher commission error T-scores (p = 0.03), significantly lower hit reaction time T-scores (p = 0.04), and significantly lower WMS-R visual memory index scores (p = 0.03) than did patients with the ALDH2 1 */*1 (ALDH2 active) genotype. Conclusion: OUD patients with the ALDH2 inactive genotypes performed worse in cognitive domains of attention, impulse control, and memory than did those with the ALDH2 active genotype. We conclude that the ALDH2 gene is important in OUD and is associated with neuropsychological performance after MMT.

Osmotically driven membrane processes: Exploring the potential of branched polyethyleneimine as draw solute using porous FO membranes with NF separation layers

Cho, M.,Lee, S.H.,Lee, D.,Chen, D.P.,Kim, I.C.,Diallo, M.S. Elsevier Scientific Pub. Co 2016 Journal of membrane science Vol.511 No.-

Forward osmosis (FO) is a promising membrane process with the potential to offer more efficient separation technologies for various environmental and industrial applications including (i) water reuse, (ii) desalination, and (iii) resource recovery. However, a major and unresolved challenge in FO remains the availability of efficient draw solutions that could be (i) implemented using porous and high flux FO membranes and (ii) reconstituted using a low-energy separation process. This study investigates the potential use of a branched polyethyleneimine (PEI) macromolecule (M<SUB>w</SUB> of 25,000Da) as osmotic agent to formulate new draw solutions that could be deployed using porous FO membranes with nanofiltration (NF) selective layers. To asses the potential of PEI-based draw solutions, we combine (i) osmotic pressure measurements, (ii) membrane preparation and characterization, (iii) water flux and reverse solute permeation measurements and (iv) draw solution concentration experiments using NF. The overall results of this study suggest that branched PEI macromolecules (M<SUB>w</SUB> of 25,000Da) are promising building blocks for the development of draw solutions for osmotically-driven membrane processes using a nanofibrous composite (NFC) polyacrylonitrile (PAN) membrane with an NF selective layer and no polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microporous support.

Holistic Consideration of Patients with Schizophrenia to Improve Medication Adherence and Outcomes

Lan-Ting Lee,Kao Chin Chen,Wei Hung Chang,Po See Chen,I Hui Lee,Yen Kuang Yang 대한정신약물학회 2015 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.13 No.2

Although several algorithms have been applied to treat patients with schizophrenia, their clinical use remains still limited, because most emphasize the prescription of antipsychotics. A new algorithm with a more holistic approach to treating patients with schizophrenia, to be used before applying traditional prescribing guidelines, was thus proposed by an expert team of Taiwanese psychiatrists. In this algorithm, several important treatment tasks/modalities are proposed, including long-acting injection antipsychotics, shared decision-making, a case management system, compulsory treatment by law, community rehabilitation programs, the patients’ feeling about their health care professionals (patients’ behaviors) and their attitude/knowledge of their conditions/ illness. This study proposes that evaluating the medication adherence of patients can be determined by two key domains, namely patients’ behaviors and attitudes. Based on different levels of their behaviors (X-axis) and attitude/knowledge (Y-axis), it is possible to categorize patients with schizophrenia into six subgroups, for which various different interventions, including the use of antipsychotics, could be applied and integrated. Further research is needed to assess the applicability of this treatment algorithm in clinical settings.

Effects of Replacing Soy Protein Concentrate with Fermented Soy Protein in Starter Diet on Growth Performance and Ileal Amino Acid Digestibility in Weaned Pigs

Min, B.J.,Cho, J.H.,Chen, Y.J.,Kim, H.J.,Yoo, J.S.,Wang, Q.,Kim, I.H.,Cho, W.T.,Lee, S.S. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2009 Animal Bioscience Vol.22 No.1

For Exp. 1, 120 ((Yorkshire${\times}$Landrace)${\times}$Duroc) weaned pigs (7.96${\pm}$0.01 kg average initial BW, 21 days weaning) were used in a 28 d-growth assay to determine the effects of replacing soy protein concentrate (SPC) with fermented soy protein (FSP) in a starter diet (d 0 to 7) on the growth performance, apparent fecal amino acid digestibility and subsequent performance in weaned pigs. Dietary treatments included: i) FSP0 (basal diet; whey-skim milk powder-SPC based diet); ii) FSP5 (replacing SPC with 5% FSP); iii) FSP10 (replacing SPC with 10% FSP). Pigs were fed the phase I diet for 7 days, and then each group was fed a common commercial diet for 21 days to determine the effect of previous diet on subsequent performance. Average daily gain (ADG) from d 5 to 7 (linear effect, p = 0.01) and d 7 to 14 (linear effect, p<0.001) were increased as FSP level increased. The pigs fed with FSP was heavier than the pigs fed with SPC at d 5 to 7 and d 7 to 14 after weaning (p<0.05). In the entire period (d 0 to 28), there were no significant differences in weight gain and final weight between SPC and FSP diets (p>0.05). Average daily feed intake (ADFI) was higher in pigs fed with the 5% FSP diet than those fed with the other diets at d 0 to 2 post-weaning (quadratic effect, p = 0.05). Also, for the entire period of phase I (d 0 to 7), pigs consumed more 5% FSP diet compared to other treatments (quadratic effect, p = 0.03). Gain/feed (G/F) was not affected by dietary SPC or FSP in phase I and subsequent periods, but G/F from d 5 to 7 after weaning was improved linearly (p = 0.04) as dietary FSP level increased. Pigs fed with 10% FSP also improved G/F compared with those fed only SPC (p<0.05). At d 7, there were linear increments in fecal dry matter (DM) (p<0.1) and nitrogen (N) (p<0.01) digestibilities as the dietary FSP level increased. The digestibilities of fecal essential and total amino acids were increased as the FSP level increased (linear effect, p<0.1). For Exp. 2, three ((Yorkshire${\times}$Landrace)${\times}$Duroc) weaned barrows (average initial BW of 7.32 kg) were surgically fitted with a simple T-cannula approximately 15 cm prior to the ileo-cecal junction. The experimental designs were 3${\times}$3 latin squares with pigs and periods as blocking criteria. Dietary treatments and composition were the same as in Exp. 1. Apparent ileal N digestibility was increased as FSP level was increased (linear effect, p<0.05). The dietary treatments (SPC and FSP) did not affect apparent ileal DM digestibility (p>0.05). Among essential amino acids, apparent digestibility of ileal arginine (Arg), lysine (Lys), methionine (Met) and phenylalanine (Phe) were improved as the FSP level increased (linear effect, p<0.1). Also, apparent ileal total essential, non-essential and total amino acid digestibilities were increased linearly (p<0.1). In conclusion, replacing SPC with fermented soy protein appeared beneficial in growth performance, N and amino acid digestibility during the early 7 days after weaning, and an equivalent effect showed on growth performance in subsequent period of 7 to 28 days after weaning.

Serotonin Modulates the Correlations between Obsessive-compulsive Trait and Heart Rate Variability in Normal Healthy Subjects: A SPECT Study with [123I]ADAM and Heart Rate Variability Measurement

Che Yu Kuo,Kao Chin Chen,I Hui Lee,Huai-Hsuan Tseng,Nan Tsing Chiu,Po See Chen,Yen Kuang Yang,Wei Hung Chang 대한정신약물학회 2022 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.20 No.2

Objective: The impact of serotonergic system on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is well studied. However, the correlation between OC presentations and autonomic nervous system (ANS) is still unclear. Furthermore, whether the correlation might be modulated by serotonin is also uncertain. Methods: We recruited eighty-nine healthy subjects. Serotonin transporter (SERT) availability by [123I]ADAM and heart rate variability (HRV) tests were measured. Symptoms checklist-90 was measured for the OC presentations. The interaction between HRV and SERT availability were calculated and the correlation between HRV and OC symptoms were analyzed after stratified SERT level into two groups, split at medium. Results: The interactions were significant in the factors of low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF), and root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD). Furthermore, the significantly negative correlations between OC symptoms and the above HRV indexes existed only in subjects with higher SERT availability. Conclusion: OC symptoms might be correlated with ANS regulations in subjects with higher SERT availability.

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.