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.

Changes in Nitrogen and Phosphorus Chemical Structure and Nutrients Release from Raw Biomass to its Converted Biochar

Yu-Hsuan Huang,Chi-Peng Chen,Da-Fang Lin,Chih-Hsin Cheng,Yaw-Wen Yang,Ling-Yun Jang,Oleg Menyailo 한국토양비료학회 2014 한국토양비료학회 학술발표회 초록집 Vol.2014 No.6

Dextromethorphan Protect the Valproic Acid Induced Downregulation of Neutrophils in Patients with Bipolar Disorder

Ru-Band Lu,Yun-Hsuan Chang,Sheng-Yu Lee,Tzu-Yun Wang,Shu-Li Cheng,Po See Chen,Yen Kuang Yang,Jau-Shyong Hong,Shiou-Lan Chen 대한정신약물학회 2020 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.18 No.1

Objective: Valproic acid (VPA) is an anticonvulsant and commonly long term used as a mood stabilizer for patients with mood disorders. However its chronic effects on the hematological changes were noticed and need to be further evaluated. In this study, we evaluated, in Taiwanese Han Chinese patients with bipolar disorders (BD), the chronic effects of VPA or VPA plus dextromethorphan (DM) on the hematological molecules (white blood cell [WBCs], red blood cells [RBCs], hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets). Methods: In a 12-week, randomized, double-blind study, we randomly assigned BD patients to one of three groups: VPA plus either placebo (VPA+P, n = 57) or DM (30 mg/day, VPA+DM30, n = 56) or 60 mg/day (VPA+DM60, n = 53). The Young Mania Rating Scale and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale were used to evaluate symptom severity, and the hematological molecules were checked. Results: Paired t test showed that the WBC, neutrophils, platelets and RBCs were significantly lowered after 12 weeks of VPA+P or VPA+DM30 treatment. VPA+DM60 represented the protective effects in the WBCs, neutrophils, and RBCs but not in the platelets. We further calculated the changes of each hematological molecules after 12 weeks treatment. We found that combination use of DM60 significantly improved the decline in neutrophils induced by the long-term VPA treatment. Conclusion: Hematological molecule levels were lower after long-term treatment with VPA. VPA+DM60, which yielded the protective effect in hematological change, especially in the neutrophil counts. Thus, DM might be adjunct therapy for maintaining hematological molecules in VPA treatment.

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.

Smek promotes corticogenesis through regulating Mbd3’s stability and Mbd3/NuRD complex recruitment to genes associated with neurogenesis

Moon, Byoung-San,Yun, Hyung-Mun,Chang, Wen-Hsuan,Steele, Bradford H.,Cai, Mingyang,Choi, Si Ho,Lu, Wange Public Library of Science 2017 PLoS biology Vol.15 No.5

<▼1><P>The fate of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) during corticogenesis is determined by a complex interplay of genetic or epigenetic components, but the underlying mechanism is incompletely understood. Here, we demonstrate that Suppressor of Mek null (Smek) interact with methyl-CpG–binding domain 3 (Mbd3) and the complex plays a critical role in self-renewal and neuronal differentiation of NPCs. We found that Smek promotes Mbd3 polyubiquitylation and degradation, blocking recruitment of the repressive Mbd3/nucleosome remodeling and deacetylase (NuRD) complex at the neurogenesis-associated gene loci, and, as a consequence, increasing acetyl histone H3 activity and cortical neurogenesis. Furthermore, overexpression of Mbd3 significantly blocked neuronal differentiation of NPCs, and Mbd3 depletion rescued neurogenesis defects seen in <I>Smek1/2</I> knockout mice. These results reveal a novel molecular mechanism underlying Smek/Mbd3/NuRD axis-mediated control of NPCs’ self-renewal and neuronal differentiation during mammalian corticogenesis.</P></▼1><▼2><P><B>Author summary</B></P><P>Neural progenitor cells are self-renewing, multipotent cells that generate major neural cell types, including neurons and glia. Their fate during development of the cerebral cortex is determined by a complex interplay of genetic and epigenetic components. It has been shown that Suppressor of Mek null (Smek) proteins—which are evolutionarily conserved—play a role during the asymmetric cell division of neuroblasts in invertebrates. Methyl-CpG–binding domain 3 (Mbd3) protein, a core component of the repressive nucleosome remodeling and deacetylase (NuRD) complex, is an important epigenetic regulator that plays an essential role in mammalian development. In this study, we discovered that Smek interacts with Mbd3 and promotes its degradation via a posttranslational modification called polyubiquitylation. Degradation of Mb3, in turn, blocks recruitment of Mbd3/NuRD complex on target gene promoters, leading to an increase in neuronal differentiation during cortical development. This study not only elucidates a distinct mechanism for Smek-mediated neuronal differentiation but also identifies Smek as a negative regulator of the Mbd3 protein during cortical brain development.</P></▼2>

A Hybrid Dynamic Stabilization and Fusion System in Multilevel Lumbar Spondylosis

Li-Yu Fay,Chih-Chang Chang,Hsuan-Kan Chang,Tsung-Hsi Tu,Tzu-Yun Tsai,Ching-Lan Wu,Wen-Cheng Huang,Jau-Ching Wu,Henrich Cheng 대한척추신경외과학회 2018 Neurospine Vol.15 No.3

Objective: The Dynesys-Transition-Optima (DTO) hybrid system was designed to achieve arthrodesis and stabilization in patients with lumbar degeneration. Satisfactory outcomes were demonstrated previously. However, no study has evaluated the effects of using the DTO system in patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis or stenosis. Methods: This retrospective study included 35 consecutive patients with multilevel lumbar degeneration with or without spondylolisthesis who underwent surgery using the DTO system. Imaging studies included pre- and postoperative radiography, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography. The clinical outcomes were measured by Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores, and a visual analogue scale (VAS) for back and leg pain. Results: Thirty patients (85.7%) with a mean age of 61.9 years completed the follow-up, with a mean duration of 35.1 months. There were 21 patients in the spondylolisthesis group and 9 in the stenosis group. The spondylolisthesis group had worse functional scores than the stenosis group preoperatively. After DTO surgery, all patients showed significant improvements in clinical outcomes, including VAS for back and leg pain, ODI, and JOA scores (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in clinical outcomes between the 2 groups. At a 2-year follow-up, lumbar alignment was well maintained in both groups (p=0.116). There were no significant differences in lumbar alignment between the 2 groups. Conclusion: During a follow-up period of over 2 years, both patients with spondylolisthesis and those with stenosis showed improvements and similar disability and pain scores after surgery using the DTO system. Lumbar alignment was also well maintained.

Mitigating SYN flooding Attack and ARP Spoofing in SDN Data Plane

Ting-Yu Lin,Jhen-Ping Wu,Pei-Hsuan Hung,Ching-Hsuan Shao,Yu-Ting Wang,Yun-Zhan Cai,Meng-Hsun Tsai 한국통신학회 2020 한국통신학회 APNOMS Vol.2020 No.09

As the number of network devices increases rapidly, it becomes more and more difficult to defend network attacks. Large-scaled attacks, such as SYN flooding, may lead to heavy burden to the switches as well as the controller in a software defined network (SDN). In this paper, we investigate the SYN flooding and Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) spoofing attacks in SDN, and then propose mechanisms to address these two attacks. We also present a new scheme to detect SYN flooding by using only a few forwarding rules. Moreover, we utilize the Programming Protocol-independent Packet Processors (P4) technique to mitigate the burden of the controller.

영화 공식 SNS의 정보품질에 영향을 미치는 팔로워 특성에 관한 연구

이종호(Lee, Jong-Ho),옥정원(Ock, Jung-Won),윤대홍(Yun, Dae-Hong),하품훤(Ho, Pin Hsuan) 한국상품학회 2012 商品學硏究 Vol.30 No.7

본 연구는 홍보용 소셜 네트워크 서비스를 통해 영화정보 습득시소비자가 지각하는 정보품질에 영향을 주는 SNS 팔로워의 특성을 규명하고 지각된 정보품질이 구전의도에 미치는 영향을 규명하기 위한 것으로 실증분석을 통해 검증하고자 하였다. 팔로워 특성을 정보신뢰성, 반응성, 정보성, 친근성, 그리고 상호작용성으로 선정되었고 정성적 조사를 통해 선행변수가 무엇인지 확인해보고자 하였다. 또한 이런 특성들이 매개변수인 지각된 정보품질에 어떠한 영향을 미치는지 알아보고자 하였으며, 마지막 결과변수로 구전의도에 어떠한 결과를 가져오는지 검증하고자 하였다. 실증연구에서는, 1차적 정성적 조사를 통해 2차적 정량적 조사에서 설문을 수집하고, 수집된 설문지에 대해 PLS구조방정식을 이용하여 탐색적 요인분석, 신뢰도 분석, 확인적 요인분석 등을 실시하였다. 실증분석 결과를 토대로 연구결과를 요약하면 다음과 같다. 첫째, 본 연구에서는 홍보용 소셜 네트워크 서비스 내 팔로워들의 특성요인이 매개변수에 어떤 영향을 미치는지 확인해 보았다. 이에 정보신뢰성, 정보성, 상호작용성은 지각된 정보품질에 각각 긍정적인 영향을 미치는 것이 확인되었으나(가설 1-1, 가설 1-3, 가설 1-5) 그 외에 반응성과 친근성은 지각된 정보품질에 영향을 미치지 않은 것으로 나타났다(가설 1-2, 가설 1-4). Social network service (SNS) is a sort of services which we can communicate with many people through network link. There are Twitter and Facebook of USA, and Cyworld of South Korea, etc. In terms of marketing academics view social networks between businesses and consumers in the new communication strategy, a new way to make them in terms of marketing a new business opportunity. The purpose of this study is to explore key characteristics of the followers in a promotional social network service of a movie that influence the information quality of the promotional social network service of a movie. Since SNS have become an important tool for marketing especially for movie products which is more risky to consumer, the perceptions of followers in a promotional social network service also becamemore important, so the finding of this study could be useful formarketers who intend to use promotional social network service as their marketing tool. The characteristics of followers that influence the information qualitywhich consumer perceive in this study are information reliability, respondence, informative ability, intimacy, and interaction. As the study method, I interviewed social network service user who mainly search information of a movie through SNS and use there perceived follower characteristics in a movie promotional SNS as the independent variables in the researchmodel. Then, I made up a survey. Data of survey is mostly collected from a sample of university students in Busan and was collected at on-line. 250 questionaries are distributed and except 26 unfaithful questionaries, 224 questionaries are used to acquire result. The result are summarized as follows. First, the characteristics of followers which effect on perceived information quality are "information reliability", "information ability" and "interactivity". Second, the perceived information quality of promotional have effect on the intention ofWOMof the informationwhich posted on the SNS. SNS has become more and more popular among companies as a marketing tool mainly because of its fast spreading through people network on the internet. In movie industry of South Korea, there are more than 40% of movies have a official Twitter to promote theirmovie, so we can say the findings of this study could be useful tomarketers who intend to use promotional SNS as their marketing tool and researchers need to continue the study of SNS.

Eosinophilia in Pleural Effusions: a Speculative Negative Predictor for Malignancy

Chu, Fang-Yeh,Liou, Ching-Biau,Sun, Jen-Tang,Bei, Chia-Hao,Liou, Tse-Hsuan,Tan, N-Chi,Yu, Yun-Chieh,Chang, Chih-Chun,Yen, Tzung-Hai,Su, Ming-Jang Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.3

Background: Eosinophilic pleural effusion (EPE) is an eosinophil count more than 10% on cytology of pleural samples. Recently, it was reported that malignancy had been the most prevalent cause inducing EPE. Therefore, we conducted an analysis on the prevalence and etiology of EPE and investigated the relationship between EPE and malignancy. Materials and Methods: Data for pleural cell differential count from patients receiving thoracentesis during the period from January 2008 to December 2013 were compared with clinical data and established diagnosis of patients obtained via electronic chart review. Results: A total of 6,801 requests of pleural cytology from 3,942 patients with pleural effusion who had received thoracentesis were available at Far Eastern Memorial Hospital from 2008 to 2013, and of these subjects, 115 (2.9%) were found to have EPE. The most frequent cause of EPE was malignancy (33.0%, n=38), followed by parapneumonic effusions (27.8%, n=32), tuberculosis pleuritis (13.9%, n=16), transudate effusions (12.2%, n=14) and the presence of blood or air in pleural space (10.4%, n=12). Additionally, an inverse relationship of eosinophilia in pleural fluid was identified in patients with malignancy and EPE. The cut-off eosinophil count in pleural fluid was 15% for the most accurate discrimination between malignancy and benign disorders in patients with EPE. At the cut-off level, the sensitivity and specificity were 65.8% and 67.5%, respectively. Conclusions: Pleural fluid eosinophilia was a speculative negative predictor for malignancy, despite the fact that cancers, including lung cancers and metastatic cancers to lung, were the most leading cause of pleural fluid eosinophilia. An inverse correlation was observed between the pleural eosinophil percentage and the likelihood of malignancy in patients with EPE.

The Association between Default-mode Network Functional Connectivity and Childhood Trauma on the Symptom Load in Male Adults with Methamphetamine Use Disorder

Shyh-Yuh Wei,Tsung-Han Tsai,Tsung-Yu Tsai,Po See Chen,Huai-Hsuan Tseng,Yen Kuang Yang,Tianye Zhai,Yihong Yang,Tzu-Yun Wang 대한정신약물학회 2024 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.22 No.1

Objective: The relationship between adverse childhood experiences and methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) has been shown in previous studies; nevertheless, the underlying neural mechanisms remain elusive. Childhood trauma is associated with aberrant functional connectivity (FC) within the default-mode network (DMN). Furthermore, within the DMN, FC may contribute to impaired self-awareness in addiction, while cross-network FC is critical for relapse. We aimed to investigate whether childhood trauma was associated with DMN-related resting-state FC among healthy controls and patients with MUD and to examine whether DMN-related FC affected the effect of childhood trauma on the symptom load of MUD diagnosis. Methods: Twenty-seven male patients with MUD and 27 male healthy controls were enrolled and completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. DMN-related resting-state FC was examined using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Results: There were 47.1% healthy controls and 66.7% MUD patients in this study with adverse childhood experiences. Negative correlations between adverse childhood experiences and within-DMN FC were observed in both healthy controls and MUD patients, while within-DMN FC was significantly altered in MUD patients. The detrimental effects of adverse childhood experiences on MUD patients may be attenuated through DMN-executive control networks (ECN) FC. Conclusion: Adverse childhood experiences were negatively associated with within-DMN FC in MUD patients and healthy controls. However, DMN-ECN FC may attenuate the effects of childhood trauma on symptoms load of MUD.