Prediction of the Duration to Next Admission for an Acute Affective Episode in Patients with Bipolar I Disorder

Pao-Huan Chen(Pao-Huan Chen),Chun-Ming Shih(Chun-Ming Shih),Chi-Kang Chang(Chi-Kang Chang),Chia-Pei Lin(Chia-Pei Lin),Yung-Han Chang(Yung-Han Chang),Hsin-Chien Lee(Hsin-Chien Lee),El-Wui Loh(El-Wui Lo 대한정신약물학회 2023 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.21 No.2

Objective: Predicting disease relapse and early intervention could reduce symptom severity. We attempted to identify potential indicators that predict the duration to next admission for an acute affective episode in patients with bipolar I disorder. Methods: We mathematically defined the duration to next psychiatric admission and performed single-variate regressions using historical data of 101 patients with bipolar I disorder to screen for potential variables for further multivariate regressions. Results: Age of onset, total psychiatric admissions, length of lithium use, and carbamazepine use during the psychiatric hospitalization contributed to the next psychiatric admission duration positively. The all-in-one found that hyperlipidemia during the psychiatric hospitalization demonstrated a negative contribution to the duration to next psychiatric admission; the last duration to psychiatric admission, lithium and carbamazepine uses during the psychiatric hospitalization, and heart rate on the discharge day positively contributed to the duration to next admission. Conclusion: We identified essential variables that may predict the duration of bipolar I patients’ next psychiatric admission. The correlation of a faster heartbeat and a normal lipid profile in delaying the next onset highlights the importance of managing these parameters when treating bipolar I disorder.

Investors’ Herd Behavior: Rational or Irrational?

Shih-Chuan Tsai,William T. Lin,Pei-Yau Lung 한국증권학회 2013 Asia-Pacific Journal of Financial Studies Vol.42 No.5

This study examines the relationships between the herding of various investor groups and trading noise in the Taiwan stock market to determine whether any of the investor groups tend to herd rationally. The study uses a unique and comprehensive data set on intraday transactions and limit order books of the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE). We calculate the high-frequency herding measures and trading noise in a call auction market. We find that institutional investors are likely to be informed traders and herd rationally based on superior information. Institutional investors’ herding has a negative impact on trading noise. Their buy (sell) herding predicts positive (negative) future market returns. By contrast, the herding of individual investors tends to contain limited information, as it increases trading noise; the buy (sell) herding of individuals is negatively correlated with future market returns. These findings are more significant for stocks with higher turnover.

Benzodiazepine-Associated Carcinogenesis

Shih-Chieh Ku,Pei-Shen Ho,Yu-Ting Tseng,Ta-Chuan Yeh,Shu-Li Cheng,Chih-Sung Liang 대한신경정신의학회 2018 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.15 No.9

Objective Cellular, animal, and human epidemiological studies suggested that benzodiazepines increase the risk of cancer and cancer mortality. Obesity is also clearly linked to carcinogenesis. However, no human studies have examined benzodiazepine-associated carcinogenesis as assessed by changes in cancer biomarkers. Methods A total of 19 patients were recruited, and received a 6-week treatment of 0.5 mg lorazepam. The measured cancer biomarkers were angiopoietin-2 (ANG-2), soluble CD40 ligand, epidermal growth factor, endoglin, soluble Fas ligand (sFASL), heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF), insulin-like growth factor binding protein, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-18, plasminogen activator inhibitor (PLGF), placental growth factor, transforming growth factor (TGF)-α, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, urokinase-type plasminogen (uPA), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, VEGF-C, and VEGF-D. Results Six cancer biomarkers were significantly increased in all patients as a whole. The subgroup analysis revealed a distinct pattern of change. Overweight patients showed a significant increase in 11 cancer biomarkers, including ANG-2, sFASL, HB-EGF, IL-8, PLGF, TGF-α, TNF-α, uPA, VEGF-A, VEGF-C, and VEGF-D. However, normal-weight patients did not show any changes in cancer biomarkers. Conclusion Adiposity may have primed the carcinogenic potential, leading to lorazepam-associated carcinogenesis in overweight patients. Epidemiological studies addressing this issue should consider the potential modulator contributing to benzodiazepine-associated carcinogenesis.

Optical metrology of randomly-distributed Au colloids on a multilayer film

Hsu, Shih-Hsin,Chang, Yia-Chung,Chen, Yi-Chun,Wei, Pei-Kuen,Kim, Y. D. The Optical Society 2010 Optics express Vol.18 No.2

<P>Spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) measurements coupled with efficient theoretical modeling and scanning electron microscopy analysis are used in the metrology of randomly-distributed gold nanoparticles on a multilayer film. Measurements were conducted in the ultraviolet to near infrared region at several angles of incidence. To understand the size, shape, and distribution of nanoparticles, a finite-element Green's function approach considering the scattering from multiple nanoparticles was employed to calculate the ellipsometry parameters. Our calculations are in fair agreement with the ellipsometry measurements when suitable size, shape, and distribution pattern of nanoparticles are found. This demonstrates that SE could be a useful tool to the metrology of arbitrarily-distributed nanoparticles on a multilayer film.</P>

An Unusual Bioconjugate of Glycerol and Poly(γ-Glutamic Acid) Produced by Bacillus subtilis C1

( Ing Lung Shih ),( Jane Yii Wu ),( Pei Jen Wu ),( Ming Hau Shen ) 한국미생물생명공학회 2005 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.15 No.5

Indoxyl sulfate, homocysteine, and antioxidant capacities in patients at different stages of chronic kidney disease

Chen Cheng-Hsu,Huang Shih-Chien,Yeh En-Ling,Lin Pei-Chih,Tsai Shang-Feng,Huang Yi-Chia 한국영양학회 2022 Nutrition Research and Practice Vol.16 No.4

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Increased levels of uremic toxins and decreased antioxidant capacity have a significant impact on the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, it remains unclear whether they interact with each other to mediate the damage of kidney function. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether uremic toxins (i.e., homocysteine and indoxyl sulfate [IS]), as well as glutathione-dependent antioxidant enzyme activities are dependently or independently associated with kidney function during different stages of CKD patients. SUBJECTS/METHODS One hundred thirty-two patients diagnosed with CKD at stages 1 to 5 participated in this cross-sectional study. RESULTS Patients who had reached an advanced CKD stage experienced an increase in plasma uremic toxin levels, along with decreased glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity. Plasma homocysteine, cysteine, and IS concentrations were all positively associated with each other, but negatively correlated to GSH-Px activity levels after adjusting for potential confounders in all CKD patients. Although plasma homocysteine, cysteine, IS, and GSH-Px levels were significantly associated with kidney function, only plasma IS levels still had a significant association with kidney function after these parameters were simultaneously adjusted. In addition, plasma IS could interact with GSH-Px activity to be associated with kidney function. CONCLUSIONS IS plays a more dominant role than homocysteine and GSH-Px activity in relation to kidney function.

A Fatal Case of Naegleria fowleri Meningoencephalitis in Taiwan

Mei-Yu Su,Ming-Shih Lee,Ling-Yuh Shyu,Wei-Chen Lin,Pei-Ching Hsiao,Chi-Ping Wang,Dar-Der Ji,Ke-Min Chen,Shih-Chan Lai 대한기생충학열대의학회 2013 The Korean Journal of Parasitology Vol.51 No.2

Colorful Oxide Film Formation on Titanium by using EDM Process

Yao-Yang Tsai,Pei-Lun Song,Jeffrey Shih-Chung Fang 한국정밀공학회 2013 International Journal of Precision Engineering and Vol. No.

This paper describes the influence of the main factor on the colorful titanium oxide reacted film fabricated by EDM (Electrical Discharge machining). In our process, copper, together with pure titanium sheet, was used as anode and cathode (workpiece)respectively, and dielectric medium involved in the study was tap water. From the figures and tables shown, we can observe that colors of titanium oxide reacted films change with the increase of open voltages (0~240) from yellow (10 V), purple (20 V), indigo (30 V),golden yellow (70 V), to peach (100 V), blue (130 V), yellow green (180 V), pink (240 V). The other open voltages produce mixed colors between those created by neighboring voltages. Moreover, XRD as well as EDS analysis have made it evident that the structure of the reacted film mentioned above is Ti2O other than TiO2 and the rise of pulse duration and interval will cause non-uniform color distribution. Compared with anodizing process, the Electrical Discharge machining approach we developed for generating colorful titanium oxide reacted film in the paper is much simpler, faster, cheaper and have plenty of advantages still in environment protection and hazard avoidance.

The Aesthetics of Digital Clothes on Show Girls of Computex the sign and Metaphor of ShowGirl^LMI

( Hsieh Wei-her ),( Lu Shih-yun ),( Ho Pei-jung ) 한국기초조형학회 2022 한국기초조형학회 학술발표논문집 Vol.2022 No.1

Over the past decades, showgirls are absolutely essential and have played an indispensable role in the many exhibition field. They show up in various occasions such as furniture exhibitions, Computex Fair, Information Fairs, and Exhibitions of Innovation, etc...In the early stage, their dress are likely to be rubber, fitting, and bikini-like style, along with white or black tall platform boots mainly. Recently, their garment gradually had a new appearance, begun to wear streamlined one-piece dress, with company log and image color on it. Unlike the racing girl wear a costume with monotonous black and white boots, the new style of elegant and professional image are showing up. This study aims to analyze the developing aesthetic form of showgirls’ costume in Computex since 2010. And the possibility of combination of interactive technology and showgirls’ costume will also be discussed. As mentioned above, the fuction of costume can enhance the recognition, and create a powerful image to the audiences. showgirl is an eye-catching role by many reporters and photographers at the exhibition venue. They are part of exhibition as well.

Development of novel microsatellite markers to analyze the genetic structure of dog populations in Taiwan

Lai Fang-Yu,Lin Yu-Chen,Ding Shih-Torng,Chang Chi-Sheng,Chao Wi-Lin,Wang Pei-Hwa 아세아·태평양축산학회 2022 Animal Bioscience Vol.35 No.9

Objective: Alongside the rise of animal-protection awareness in Taiwan, the public has been paying more attention to dog genetic deficiencies due to inbreeding in the pet market. The goal of this study was to isolate novel microsatellite markers for monitoring the genetic structure of domestic dog populations in Taiwan. Methods: A total of 113 DNA samples from three dog breeds—beagles (BEs), bichons (BIs), and schnauzers (SCs)—were used in subsequent polymorphic tests applying the 14 novel microsatellite markers that were isolated in this study. Results: The results showed that the high level of genetic diversity observed in these novel microsatellite markers provided strong discriminatory power. The estimated probability of identity (P(ID)) and the probability of identity among sibs (P(ID)sib) for the 14 novel microsatellite markers were 1.7×10–12 and 1.6×10–5, respectively. Furthermore, the power of exclusion for the 14 novel microsatellite markers was 99.98%. The neighbor-joining trees constructed among the three breeds indicated that the 14 sets of novel microsatellite markers were sufficient to correctly cluster the BEs, BIs, and SCs. The principal coordinate analysis plot showed that the dogs could be accurately separated by these 14 loci based on different breeds; moreover, the Beagles from different sources were also distinguished. The first, the second, and the third principal coordinates could be used to explain 44.15%, 26.35%, and 19.97% of the genetic variation. Conclusion: The results of this study could enable powerful monitoring of the genetic structure of domestic dog populations in Taiwan. Objective: Alongside the rise of animal-protection awareness in Taiwan, the public has been paying more attention to dog genetic deficiencies due to inbreeding in the pet market. The goal of this study was to isolate novel microsatellite markers for monitoring the genetic structure of domestic dog populations in Taiwan.Methods: A total of 113 DNA samples from three dog breeds—beagles (BEs), bichons (BIs), and schnauzers (SCs)—were used in subsequent polymorphic tests applying the 14 novel microsatellite markers that were isolated in this study.Results: The results showed that the high level of genetic diversity observed in these novel microsatellite markers provided strong discriminatory power. The estimated probability of identity (P(ID)) and the probability of identity among sibs (P(ID)sib) for the 14 novel microsatellite markers were 1.7×10–12 and 1.6×10–5, respectively. Furthermore, the power of exclusion for the 14 novel microsatellite markers was 99.98%. The neighbor-joining trees constructed among the three breeds indicated that the 14 sets of novel microsatellite markers were sufficient to correctly cluster the BEs, BIs, and SCs. The principal coordinate analysis plot showed that the dogs could be accurately separated by these 14 loci based on different breeds; moreover, the Beagles from different sources were also distinguished. The first, the second, and the third principal coordinates could be used to explain 44.15%, 26.35%, and 19.97% of the genetic variation.Conclusion: The results of this study could enable powerful monitoring of the genetic structure of domestic dog populations in Taiwan.