Association between PM2.5 exposure and risk of Parkinson’s disease in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Taiwan: a nested case-control study

Ci-Wen Luo(Ci-Wen Luo),Yu-Hsiang Kuan(Yu-Hsiang Kuan),Wen-Ying Chen(Wen-Ying Chen),Chun-Jung Chen(Chun-Jung Chen),Frank Cheau-Feng Lin(Frank Cheau-Feng Lin ),Stella Chin-Shaw Tsai(Stella Chin-Shaw Tsa 한국역학회 2023 Epidemiology and Health Vol.45 No.-

OBJECTIVES: This cohort study investigated the correlation between Parkinson’s disease (PD) risk and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) risk under particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5) exposure. METHODS: Data from the National Health Research Institutes of Taiwan were used in this study. The Environmental Protection Administration of Taiwan established an air quality monitoring network for monitoring Taiwan’s general air quality. COPD was indicated by at least 3 outpatient records and 1 hospitalization for COPD. After the implementation of age, sex, and endpoint matching at a 1:4 ratio, 137 patients and 548 patients were included in the case group and control group, respectively. Based on the 2005 World Health Organization (WHO) standards, monthly air particle concentration data were classified into the following 4 groups in analyses of exposure–response relationships: normal level, and 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 times the WHO level ([concentration ≥2]×25 μg/m3×number of exposure months). RESULTS: A multivariate logistic regression revealed that the 1.0 and 1.5 WHO level groups did not significantly differ from the normal level group, but the 2.0 WHO level did (odds ratio, 4.091; 95% confidence interval, 1.180 to 14.188; p=0.038). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated PM2.5 concentrations were significantly correlated with an increased risk of PD among patients with COPD. Furthermore, exposure to high PM2.5 levels can further increase the risk of PD.

Vγ1+ γδT Cells Are Correlated With Increasing Expression of Eosinophil Cationic Protein and Metalloproteinase-7 in Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps Inducing the Formation of Edema

Luo-ying Yang,Xia Li,Wen-ting Li,Jian-cong Huang,Zhi-yuan Wang,Zi-zhen Huang,Li-hong Chang,Ge-hua Zhang 대한천식알레르기학회 2017 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol.9 No.2

Purpose: We have found that expression of γδT cells is increased in pathological mucosa of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) compared with normal nasal mucosa. This increase is correlated with the infiltration of eosinophils in CRSwNP. Here, we investigated the expression of γδT cells, inflammation and tissue remodeling factors as well as their probable relationships in different types of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in China. Methods: A total of 76 surgical tissue samples that included 43 CRSwNP samples (15 eosinophilic and 28 non-eosinophilic), 17 CRS samples without nasal polyps (CRSsNP), and 16 controls were obtained. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to measure the mRNA expression levels of Vγ1+ γδT cells, Vγ4+ γδT cells, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), interleukin (IL)-8, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β2, metalloproteinase (MMP)-7, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-4 and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the protein level of ECP and MMP-7 in CRSwNP. The eosinophils were counted and the level of edema was analyzed with HE staining. Results: The mRNA expression levels of the Vγ1 subset, ECP and MMP-7 were significantly increased in CRSwNP with histological characteristics of eosinophilic infiltration and edema. The expression of the Vγ1 gene in CRSwNP correlated positively with the expression of both ECP and MMP-7. No significant decreases in the mRNA expression levels of TGF-β2, TIMP-4 or HIF-1α were observed in the CRSwNP samples. The expression levels of Vγ1 gene, ECP and MMP-7 were significantly increased in eosinophilic CRSwNP compared to non-eosinophilic CRSwNP. Conclusions: Our results suggest the associations between Vγ1+ γδT cells, ECP and MMP-7 in CRSwNP, indicating that Vγ1+ γδT cells can induce the eosinophilic inflammation, which has a further effect on the formation of edema.

Mechanical Performance of Prefabricated External Wall Panel under Horizontal Displacement

Ying Xu,Shuai-Ying Wang,Lei Chai,Cong-Cong Luo 대한토목학회 2018 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.22 No.11

In this paper, experiment and Finite Element Method (FEM) approaches are employed to study the mechanical performance of prefabricated external wall panel under lateral displacement. Tensile bond strength test and Z-shaped specimen direct shear test of the bonding interface of mortar to ceramsite concrete are performed, the normal and shear mechanical property of the interface is studied respectively. Scaled model test of prefabricated external wall panel under lateral displacement is then performed to obtain loaddisplacement curve, and mechanical behavior of prefabricated external wall panel in different stages is studied. Moreover, ABAQUS finite element analysis model for scaled model test panel is established based on previous study about bond interface and the results from experiment and FEM analysis are relatively consistent with each other. It is found that with the gradual increase in tangential contact stiffness of joint interfaces, the overall lateral stiffness of wall panels will approach complete joint consolidation conditions before the peak load. However, when the tangential contact stiffness of joint interfaces increases to a certain extent, there will be little change in initial lateral stiffness.

Mechanisms and Control Strategies of Antibiotic Resistance in Pathological Biofilms

( Ying Luo ),( Qianqian Yang ),( Dan Zhang ),( Wei Yan ) 한국미생물생명공학회(구 한국산업미생물학회) 2021 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.31 No.1

Bacterial biofilm is a community of bacteria that are embedded and structured in a self-secreted extracellular matrix. An important clinical-related characteristic of bacterial biofilms is that they are much more resistant to antimicrobial agents than the planktonic cells (up to 1,000 times), which is one of the main causes of antibiotic resistance in clinics. Therefore, infections caused by biofilms are notoriously difficult to eradicate, such as lung infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis patients. Understanding the resistance mechanisms of biofilms will provide direct insights into how we overcome such resistance. In this review, we summarize the characteristics of biofilms and chronic infections associated with bacterial biofilms. We examine the current understanding and research progress on the major mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in biofilms, including quorum sensing. We also discuss the potential strategies that may overcome biofilm-related antibiotic resistance, focusing on targeting biofilm EPSs, blocking quorum sensing signaling, and using recombinant phages.

Evaluation of full-order method for extreme wind effect estimation considering directionality

Ying Luo,Guoqing Huang,Yan Han,C. S. Cai 한국풍공학회 2021 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.32 No.3

The estimation of the extreme wind load (effect) under a mean recurrence interval (MRI) is an important task in the wind-resistant design for the structure. It can be predicted by either first-order method or full-order method, depending on the accuracy and complexity requirement. Although the first-order method with the consideration of wind directionality has been proposed, less work has been done on the full-order method, especially with the wind directionality. In this study, the full-order method considering the wind directionality is proposed based on multivariate joint probability distribution. Meanwhile, considering two wind directions, the difference of the corresponding results based on the first-order method and full-order method is analyzed. Finally, based on the measured wind speed data, the discrepancy between these two methods is investigated. Results show that the difference between two approaches is not obvious under larger MRIs while the underestimation caused by the first-order method can be larger than 15% under smaller MRIs. Overall, the first-order method is sufficient to estimate the extreme wind load (effect).

SELF-TUNING OCCUPANT INJURY PREDICTION ALGORITHM FOR ADVANCED AUTOMATIC CRASH NOTIFICATION SYSTEM

Ying Luo,Yuezhou Yin,Heng Wei,Na Chen 한국자동차공학회 2022 International journal of automotive technology Vol.23 No.4

In this study, the effect of discrimination threshold on velocity variation is investigated, and a self-tuning algorithm for velocity variation is proposed to improve the accuracy of an advanced automatic crash notification (AACN) system. First, after determining the factors affecting driver injury, an injury prediction model for the driver is developed. Second, the prediction accuracy affected by the discrimination threshold in the AACN system is analyzed using a finite element model for a sled crash test. Third, the self-tuning occupant injury prediction algorithm is presented based on an association model for the velocity variation error, discrimination threshold, and acceleration peak. Fourth, a vehicle terminal is designed by embedding a self-tuning algorithm into the system. Finally, a sled test and vehicle crash test are conducted to verify the reliability of the self-tuning algorithm. The test results show that the self-tuning algorithm can increase the accuracy of the probability of driver injury.

Application of Jasmonic Acid Followed by Salicylic Acid Inhibits Cucumber mosaic virus Replication

Luo, Ying,Shang, Jing,Zhao, Pingping,Xi, Dehui,Yuan, Shu,Lin, Honghui The Korean Society of Plant Pathology 2011 Plant Pathology Journal Vol.27 No.1

Systemic acquired resistance is a form of inducible resistance that is triggered in systemic healthy tissues of local-infected plants. Several candidate signaling molecules emerged in the past two years, including the methylated derivatives of well-known defense hormones salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA). In our present study, the symptom on Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) infected Arabidopsis leaves in 0.1 mM SA or 0.06 mM JA pre-treated plants was lighter (less reactive oxygen species accumulation and less oxidative damages) than that of the control group. JA followed by SA (JA${\rightarrow}$SA) had the highest inhibitory efficiency to CMV replication, higher than JA and SA simultaneous co-pretreatment (JA+SA), and higher than a JA or a SA single pretreatment. The crosstalk between the two hormones was further investigated at the transcriptional levels of pathogenesis-related genes. The time-course measurement showed JA might play a more important role in the interaction between JA and SA.

Fractional Order Periodic Adaptive Learning Compensation for State-Dependent Periodic Disturbance

Ying Luo,Yang Quan Chen,Hyo-Sung Ahn,You Guo Pi IEEE 2012 IEEE transactions on control systems technology Vol.20 No.2

<P>In this brief, a fractional order periodic adaptive learning compensation (FO-PALC) method is devised for the general state-dependent periodic disturbance minimization on the position and velocity servo platform. In the first trajectory period of the proposed FO-PALC scheme, a fractional order adaptive compensator is designed which can guarantee the boundedness of the system state, input and output signals. From the second repetitive trajectory period and onward, one period previously stored information along the state axis is used in the current adaptation law. Asymptotical stability proof of the system with the proposed FO-PALC is presented. Experimental validation is demonstrated to show the benefits from using fractional calculus in periodic adaptive learning compensation for the state-dependent periodic disturbance.</P>

Data fusion based improved Kalman filter with unknown inputs and without collocated acceleration measurements

Ying Lei,Sujuan Luo,Ying Su 국제구조공학회 2016 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.18 No.3

The classical Kalman filter (KF) can provide effective state estimation for structural identification and vibration control, but it is applicable only when external inputs are measured. So far, some studies of Kalman filter with unknown inputs (KF-UI) have been proposed. However, previous KF-UI approaches based solely on acceleration measurements are inherently unstable which leads to poor tracking and fictitious drifts in the identified structural displacements and unknown inputs in the presence of measurement noises. Moreover, it is necessary to have the measurements of acceleration responses at the locations where unknown inputs applied, i.e., with collocated acceleration measurements in these approaches. In this paper, it aims to extend the classical KF approach to circumvent the above limitations for general real time estimation of structural state and unknown inputs without using collocated acceleration measurements. Based on the scheme of the classical KF, an improved Kalman filter with unknown excitations (KF-UI) and without collocated acceleration measurements is derived. Then, data fusion of acceleration and displacement or strain measurements is used to prevent the drifts in the identified structural state and unknown inputs in real time. Such algorithm is not available in the literature. Some numerical examples are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.

Application of Jasmonic Acid Followed by Salicylic Acid Inhibits Cucumber mosaic virus Replication

Ying Luo,Jing Shang,Pingping Zhao,Dehui Xi,Shu Yuan,Honghui Lin 한국식물병리학회 2011 Plant Pathology Journal Vol.27 No.1

Systemic acquired resistance is a form of inducible resistance that is triggered in systemic healthy tissues of local-infected plants. Several candidate signaling molecules emerged in the past two years, including the methylated derivatives of well-known defense hormones salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA). In our present study, the symptom on Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) infected Arabidopsis leaves in 0.1 mM SA or 0.06 mM JA pre-treated plants was lighter (less reactive oxygen species accumulation and less oxidative damages)than that of the control group. JA followed by SA (JA→SA) had the highest inhibitory efficiency to CMV replication, higher than JA and SA simultaneous co-pretreatment (JA+SA), and higher than a JA or a SA single pretreatment. The crosstalk between the two hormones was further investigated at the transcriptional levels of pathogenesis-related genes. The time-course measurement showed JA might play a more important role in the interaction between JA and SA.