Thyroid-Associated Orbitopathy: Evaluating Microstructural Changes of Extraocular Muscles and Optic Nerves Using Readout-Segmented Echo-Planar Imaging-Based Diffusion Tensor Imaging

Huan-Huan Chen,Hao Hu,Wen Chen,Dai Cui,Xiao-Quan Xu,Fei-Yun Wu,Tao Yang 대한영상의학회 2020 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.21 No.3

Objective: We aimed to investigate the ability of readout-segmented echo-planar imaging (rs-EPI)-based diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in assessing the microstructural change of extraocular muscles (EOMs) and optic nerves in patients with thyroidassociated orbitopathy (TAO) as well as in evaluating disease activity. Materials and Methods: We enrolled 35 TAO patients and 22 healthy controls (HCs) who underwent pre-treatment rs-EPIbased DTI. Mean, axial, and radial diffusivity (MD, AD, and RD) and fractional anisotropy (FA) of the medial and lateral EOMs and optic nerve for each orbit were calculated and compared between TAO and HC groups and between active and inactive TAO groups. Factors such as age, sex, disease duration, mediation, and smoking history between groups were also compared. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the predictive value of significant variables for disease activity. Results: Disease duration was significantly shorter in active TAOs than in inactive ones (p < 0.001). TAO patients showed significantly lower FA and higher MD, AD, and RD than HCs for both medial and lateral EOMs (p < 0.001), but not the AD value of lateral EOMs (p = 0.619). Active patients had significantly higher FA, MD, and AD than inactive patients for medial EOMs (p < 0.005), whereas only FA differed significantly in the lateral EOMs (p = 0.018). The MD, AD, and RD of optic nerves were significantly lower in TAO patients than HCs (p < 0.05), except for FA (p = 0.129). Multivariate analysis showed that the MD of medial EOMs and disease duration were significant predictors for disease activity. The combination of these two parameters showed optimal diagnostic efficiency for disease activity (area under the curve, 0.855; sensitivity, 68.4%; specificity, 96.9%). Conclusion: rs-EPI-based DTI is promising in assessing microstructural changes of EOMs and optic nerves and can help to indicate the disease activity of TAO, especially through the MD of medial EOMs.

Development and Validation of an Integrated Healthy Workplace Management Model in Taiwan

Chen Fu-Li,Chen Peter Y.,Chen Chi-Chen,Tung Tao-Hsin 한국산업안전보건공단 산업안전보건연구원 2022 Safety and health at work Vol.13 No.4

Background: Impacts of exposure are generally monitored and recorded after injuries or illness occur. Yet, absence of conventional after-the-effect impacts (i.e., lagging indicators), tend to focus on physical health and injuries, and fail to inform if workers are not exposed to safety and health hazards. In contrast to lagging indicators, leading indicators are proactive, preventive, and predictive indexes that offer insights how effective safety and health. The present study is to validate an extended Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) that consists of six leading indicators. Methods: Questionnaires were distributed to 13 organizations (response rate ¼ 93.1%, 1,439 responses) in Taiwan. Cronbach a, multiple linear regression and canonical correlation were used to test the reliability of the extended Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) which consists of six leading indicators (safe climate, transformational leadership, organizational justice, organizational support, hazard prevention and control, and training). Criteria-related validation strategy was applied to examine relationships of six leading indicators with six criteria (perceived health, burnout, depression, job satisfaction, job performance, and life satisfaction). Results: The results showed that the Cronbach’s a of six leading indicators ranged from 0.87 to 0.92. The canonical correlation analysis indicated a positive correlation between the six leading indicators and criteria (1st canonical function: correlation ¼ 0.647, square correlation ¼ 0.419, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The present study validates the extended VPP framework that focuses on promoting safety and physical and mental health. Results further provides applications of the extended VPP framework to promote workers’ safety and health.

Identification and Characterization of EDT1 Conferring Drought Tolerance in Rice

Tao Wu,Mingxing Zhang,Hongjia Zhang,Kai Huang,Mojun Chen,Chen Chen,Xue Yang,Zhao Li,Haoyuan Chen,Zhiming Ma,Xunming Zhang,Wenzhu Jiang,Xinglin Du 한국식물학회 2019 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.62 No.1

Basic Leucine Zipper (bZIP) transcription factors(TFs) play important roles in many processes, especially inabiotic stress response in plants. In this study, we characterizeda new gene EHANCED DROUGHT TOLERANCE 1 (EDT1),member of group E of bZIP transcription factor family inrice. The EDT1 protein contains one bZIP domain, oneputative nuclear localization signal (NLS) and six conservedphosphorylation sites. The expression of EDT1 is suppressedby several abiotic stresses, such as cold, droutht, and salt. Corresponding with expression patterns, several stress-associatedcis-acting elements were found in the EDT1 promoter. Theresults of subcellular localization and transactivation abilityanalyses indicated that EDT1 was localized in the nucleusand functioned as a nuclear protein, with its transactivationactivity primarily located in N-terminal. Transgenic riceoverexpressing EDT1 showed drought tolerance that hasbeen significantly improved. Real-time PCR analysis revealedthat some stress-related genes, such as OsbZIP12, SNAC1,OsLEA3, OsbZIP16, OsbZIP10 and OsABI2 were up-regulatedin EDT1 overexpression lines. These results indicate thatEDT1 plays a positive role in drought tolerance and providesvaluable targets for breeding drought-tolerant rice cultivars.

Triphenylphosphine-Containing Thermo-Responsive Copolymers: Synthesis, Characterization and Catalysis Application

Tao Chen,Shuo Zhang,Laiyu Hua,Zhenkai Xu,Lei Zhou,Jiping Wang 한국고분자학회 2019 Macromolecular Research Vol.27 No.10

Triphenylphosphine-containing thermo-responsive copolymers of 4- (diphenylphosphino) styrene (DPPS), di(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (DEGMA) and oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (average molecule weight is 300, OEGMA300) were synthesized by free-radical copolymerization using azodiisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator in solution polymerization. A series of copolymers P(DEGMA-co-DPPS-co-OEGMA300) with different lower critical solution temperature (LCST) were synthesized. The synthesized copolymers were well characterized by 1H NMR, 31P NMR and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Based on the copolymers, a thermo-responsive and water soluble assembled catalyst of palladium acetate was developed. In the presence of the thermoresponsive copolymer-supported palladium catalyst, the Suzuki-Miyaura reaction proceeded efficiently in water. The catalyst was reused at least five cycles without obvious decrease in catalytic activity and can be easily recovered by heating/centrifugation of the polymer aqueous solution.

Stock Return Anomalies from Ending-Digit Effects Around the World

Tao Chen 연세대학교 동서문제연구원 2017 Global economic review Vol.46 No.4

Ending-digit effects describe the presence of abnormal returns when the ending digits of stock prices are one penny below or above the zero-ending round number. Using data from 68 countries, I find abnormal positive returns when stock prices surpass the zero-ending threshold (i.e. when the ending digit is 1) but abnormal negative returns when prices drop below the same threshold (i.e. when the ending digit is 9). My findings survive alternative robustness checks. This ending-digit effect is more prominent in countries with more active innovation and better governance.

Integrated risk assessment method for spent fuel road transportation accident under complex environment

Tao, Longlong,Chen, Liwei,Long, Pengcheng,Chen, Chunhua,Wang, Jin Korean Nuclear Society 2021 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.53 No.2

Current risk assessment of Spent Nuclear Fuel (SNF) transportation has the problem of the incomplete risk factors consideration and the general particle diffusion model utilization. In this paper, the accident frequency calculation and the detailed simulation of the accident consequences are coupled by the integrated risk assessment method. The "man-machine-environment" three-dimensional comprehensive risk indicator system is established and quantified to characterize the frequency of the transportation accidents. Consideration of vegetation, building and turbulence effect, the standard k-ε model is updated to simulate radioactive consequence of leakage accidents under complex terrain. The developed method is applied to assess the risk of the leakage accident in the scene of the typical domestic SNF Road Transportation (SNFRT). The critical risk factors and their impacts on the dispersion of the radionuclide are obtained.

Application of a finite element and boundary element coupling algorithm in pressure response of a fracture-vuggy gas reservoir

Tao Zhang,Peng Chen,Yan Chen 한국자원공학회 2019 Geosystem engineering Vol.22 No.1

In carbonate reservoirs, multiple large-scale caves are controlled by some single wells. The fluid flowing law in the reservoir is complex, and the production performance is unclear, which restricts the highly effective development of these kinds of reservoirs. In this paper, Darcy flow is used to characterize the fluid flow outside the cave, and the Navier–Stokes equation is used to characterize the free flow of the fluid in the cave. Based on the Darcy flow and Navier–Stokes equations, a fluid flow mathematical model is established for carbonate gas reservoirs with multiple large-scale caves. Then, the Beavers–Joseph–Saffman boundary condition, the finite element and boundary element coupling algorithm are proposed for computing the bottom-hole pseudo-pressure. Subsequently, we establish the interpretation graph for a large-scale cave reservoir and analyse the influence of the reservoir parameters on the pseudo-pressure and pseudo-pressure derivative curves. The results showed the following: (i) the larger the radius of the cave, the larger the concave-convex amplitude of the bottom-hole pressure curve. (ii) For the bottom-hole pressure curve, the smaller the distance, the earlier the convex appears and the larger the concave-convex amplitude. The research results can improve the development effects of carbonate reservoirs with large-scale caves.

China Consensus Document on Allergy Diagnostics

Chen Hao,Li Jing,Cheng Lei,Gao Zhongshan,Lin Xiaoping,Zhu Rongfei,Yang Lin,Tao Ailin,Hong Haiyu,Tang Wei,Guo Yinshi,Huang Huaiqiu,Sun Jinlyu,Lai He,Lei Cheng,Liu Guanghui,Xiang Li,Chen Zhuanggui,Ma Ha 대한천식알레르기학회 2021 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol.13 No.2

The prevalence of allergic diseases has increased dramatically in recent years in China, affecting the quality of life in 40% of the population. The identification of allergens is the key to the diagnosis of allergic diseases. Presently, several methods of allergy diagnostics are available in China, but they have not been standardized. Additionally, cross-sensitization and co-sensitization make allergy diagnostics even more complicated. Based on 4 aspects of allergic disease (mechanism, diagnosis procedures, allergen detection in vivo and in vitro as well as the distribution map of the most important airborne allergens in China) and by referring to the consensus of the European Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, the World Allergy Organization, and the important literature on allergy diagnostics in China in recent years, we drafted this consensus of allergy diagnostics with Chinese characteristics. It aims to standardize the diagnostic methods of allergens and provides a reference for health care givers. The current document was prepared by a panel of experts from the main stream of professional allergy associations in China.

Impact of Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability with Lateral Collateral Ligament Injuries on Biochemical Alterations in the Cartilage of the Subtalar and Midtarsal Joints Based on MRI T2 Mapping

Tao Hongyue,Hu Yiwen,Lu Rong,Zhang Yuyang,Xie Yuxue,Chen Tianwu,Chen Shuang 대한영상의학회 2021 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.22 No.3

Objective: To quantitatively assess biochemical alterations in the cartilage of the subtalar and midtarsal joints in chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI) patients with isolated anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) injuries and combined calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) injuries using MRI T2 mapping. Materials and Methods: This study was performed according to regulations of the Committee for Human Research at our institution, and written informed consent was obtained from all participants. Forty CLAI patients (26 with isolated ATFL injuries and 14 with combined ATFL and CFL injuries) and 25 healthy subjects were recruited for this study. All participants underwent MRI scans with T2 mapping. Patients were assessed with the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) rating system. The subtalar and midtarsal joints were segmented into 14 cartilage subregions. The T2 value of each subregion was measured from T2 mapping images. Data were analyzed with ANOVA, the Student’s t test, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results: T2 values of most subregions of the subtalar joint and the calcaneal facet of the calcaneocuboid joint in CLAI patients with combined CFL injuries were higher than those in healthy controls (all p < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in T2 values in subtalar and midtarsal joints between patients with isolated ATFL injuries and healthy controls (all p > 0.05). Moreover, T2 values of the medial talar subregions of the posterior subtalar joint in patients with combined CFL injuries showed negative correlations with the AOFAS scores (r = -0.687, p = 0.007; r = -0.609, p = 0.021, respectively). Conclusion: CLAI with combined CFL injuries can lead to cartilage degeneration in subtalar and calcaneocuboid joints, while an isolated ATFL injury might not have a significant impact on the cartilage in these joints.

Significance of Caveolin-1 Regulators in Pancreatic Cancer

Chen, Tao,Liu, Liang,Xu, Hua-Xiang,Wang, Wen-Quan,Wu, Chun-Tao,Yao, Wan-Tong,Yu, Xian-Jun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.8

Caveolin-1 is a scaffold protein on the cell membrane. As the main component of caveolae, caveolin-1 is involved in many biological processes that include substance uptake and transmembrane signaling. Many of these processes and thus caveolin-1 contribute to cell transformation, tumorigenesis, and metastasis. Of particular interest are the dual rolesof tumor suppressor and oncogene that caveolin-1 appear to play in different malignancies, including pancreatic cancer. Therefore, analyzing caveolin-1 regulators and understanding their mechanisms of actionis key to identifying novel diagnostic and therapeutic tools for pancreatic cancer. This review details the mechanisms of action of caveolin-1 regulators and the potential significance for pancreatic cancer treatment.