Development of the Mandarin Phoneme Detection Score Sheet as a Screening Tool

Lin Chun-Yi,Hung Yu-Chen,Chang Hsiu-Wen 대한청각학회 2022 Journal of Audiology & Otology Vol.26 No.1

Background and Objectives: Hearing thresholds across frequencies must be obtained for hearing aid fitting. Narrow-band noise (NBN) and speech sounds are often used as stimuli in pediatric audiologic assessments to elicit children’s attention due to their wider frequency ranges as compared to pure tones. However, obtaining complete responses across frequency ranges is challenging in pediatric practice. Therefore, we developed a frequency-specific phoneme screening tool, the Mandarin Phoneme Detection Score Sheet, to help clinicians evaluate aided performance in pediatric practice.Subjects and Methods: A total of 30 adults with typical hearing and 30 children aged 3-12 years with hearing loss were recruited. Threshold ranges for the aided detection of Mandarin phonemes and NBN were measured using 95% confidence intervals. A stepwise regression analysis was then performed to identify the Mandarin phonemes that can predict NBN detection performance.Results: The Mandarin Phoneme Detection Score Sheet was developed based on the results of the regression analysis. It was shown that the phonemes /ɤ, a, tɕh/ could predict detection performance at different frequencies.Conclusions: The Mandarin Phoneme Detection Score Sheet can allow audiologists and early intervention professionals to determine the benefits of hearing aids for pediatric patients in the early stage of hearing loss conditions.

A structural health monitoring system based on multifractal detrended cross-correlation analysis

Tzu-Kang Lin,Yi-Hsiu Chien 국제구조공학회 2017 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.63 No.6

In recent years, multifractal-based analysis methods have been widely applied in engineering. Among these methods, multifractal detrended cross-correlation analysis (MFDXA), a branch of fractal analysis, has been successfully applied in the fields of finance and biomedicine. For its great potential in reflecting the subtle characteristic among signals, a structural health monitoring (SHM) system based on MFDXA is proposed. In this system, damage assessment is conducted by exploiting the concept of multifractal theory to quantify the complexity of the vibration signal measured from a structure. According to the proposed algorithm, the damage condition is first distinguished by multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis. Subsequently, the relationship between the q-order, q-order detrended covariance, and length of segment is further explored. The dissimilarity between damaged and undamaged cases is visualized on contour diagrams, and the damage location can thus be detected using signals measured from different floors. Moreover, a damage index is proposed to efficiently enhance the SHM process. A sevenstory benchmark structure, located at the National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering (NCREE) , was employed for an experimental verification to demonstrate the performance of the proposed SHM algorithm. According to the results, the damage condition and orientation could be correctly identified using the MFDXA algorithm and the proposed damage index. Since only the ambient vibration signal is required along with a set of initial reference measurements, the proposed SHM system can provide a lower cost, efficient, and reliable monitoring process.

IL-33/ST2 axis mediates hyperplasia of intrarenal urothelium in obstructive renal injury

Wei-Yu Chen,Jenq-Lin Yan,Yi-Hsiu Wu,Lung-Chih Li,Ru-Fang Li,Ya-Ting Chang,Lo-Hsin Dai,Wan-Chen Wang,Ya-Jen Chang 생화학분자생물학회 2018 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.50 No.-

The monolayered intrarenal urothelium covers the renal papilla and ureteropelvic junction (UPJ). In response to increased renal pressure during obstruction or ischemic injuries, intrarenal urothelial cells begin to proliferate and form a multilayered urothelium. Little is known regarding the mechanism and pathophysiological role of urothelium hyperplasia during renal obstruction. In this study, we investigated the expression of interleukin (IL)-33, an IL-1 family cytokine, in kidneys with unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-induced obstructive injury. IL-33 levels in hydronephrotic urine and serum were upregulated 2 days after UUO. The number of ST2-expressing immune cells was increased in the UUO kidney. We found that IL-33 was upregulated in vimentin-positive cells in the cortical and medullar layers and the UPJ stroma. Moreover, IL-33 expression was predominantly induced in multilayered keratin 5- positive urothelial cells in the UPJ. IL-33 was not detected in terminally differentiated superficial umbrella cells expressing uroplakin 3a. In vivo, we confirmed that deficiency of IL33 or its receptor ST2 attenuated UUO-induced hyperplasia of the UPJ urothelium. Deficiency of IL33 attenuated the expression of UUO-induced type 2 inflammatory cytokines and upregulated uroplakins and urothelial differentiation signaling in UPJ tissues. Our results collectively suggest that the IL-33/ST2 axis mediates the activation of innate immune responses and contributes to urothelial hyperplasia by regulating urothelial differentiation in obstructive kidney injury.

Monitoring of genetically close Tsaiya duck populations using novel microsatellite markers with high polymorphism

Lai, Fang-Yu,Chang, Yi-Ying,Chen, Yi-Chen,Lin, En-Chung,Liu, Hsiu-Chou,Huang, Jeng-Fang,Ding, Shih-Torng,Wang, Pei-Hwa Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2020 Animal Bioscience Vol.33 No.6

Objective: A set of microsatellite markers with high polymorphism from Tsaiya duck were used for the genetic monitoring and genetic structure analysis of Brown and White Tsaiya duck populations in Taiwan. Methods: The synthetic short tandem repeated probes were used to isolate new microsatellite markers from the genomic DNA of Tsaiya ducks. Eight populations, a total of 566 samples, sourced from Ilan Branch, Livestock Research Institute were genotyped through novel and known markers. The population genetic variables were calculated using optional programs in order to describe and monitor the genetic variability and the genetic structures of these Tsaiya duck populations. Results: In total 24 primer pairs, including 17 novel microsatellite loci from this study and seven previously known loci, were constructed for the detection of genetic variations in duck populations. The average values for the allele number, the effective number of alleles, the observed heterozygosity, the expected heterozygosity, and the polymorphism information content were 11.29, 5.370, 0.591, 0.746, and 0.708, respectively. The results of analysis of molecular variance and principal component analysis indicated a contracting Brown Tsaiya duck cluster and a spreading White Tsaiya duck cluster. The Brown Tsaiya ducks and the White Tsaiya ducks with Pekin ducks were just split to six clusters and three clusters when K was set equal to 6 and 3 in the Bayesian cluster analysis. The individual phylogenetic tree revealed eight taxa, and each individual was assigned to its own population. Conclusion: According to our study, the 24 novel microsatellite markers exhibited a high capacity to analyze relationships of inter- and intra-population in those populations with a relatively limited degree of genetic diversity. We suggest that duck farms in Taiwan could use the new (novel) microsatellite set to monitor the genetic characteristics and structures of their Tsaiya duck populations at various intervals in order to ensure quality breeding and conservation strategies.

Increased risk of breast cancer in women with uterine myoma: a nationwide, population-based, case-control study

Jenn-Jhy Tseng,Yi-Huei Chen,Hsiu-Yin Chiang,Ching-Heng Lin 대한부인종양학회 2017 Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Vol.28 No.3

Objective: To evaluate if uterine myoma is associated with breast cancer. Methods: This case-control study used a nationwide database in Taiwan. We identified 24,315 patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer as cases and matched them with 24,281 patients without breast cancer on age, sex, urbanization, income, and initial diagnosis date. Patients with prior mastectomy were excluded. We used logistic regression analysis to assess the association between uterine myoma and breast cancer while adjusting for confounders. We evaluated the impact of surgical removal of uterine myoma on subsequent breast cancer among patients with uterine myoma. Results: We found that 2,892 (11.9%) patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer and 2,541 (10.5%) patients without breast cancer had a history of uterine myoma. The association between breast cancer and uterine myoma was significant (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=1.14; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.07–1.21; p<0.001). This association remained in patients who used hormone (aOR=1.20; 95% CI=1.08–1.33; p=0.001) or who did not use hormone (aOR=1.11; 95% CI=1.03–1.19; p=0.005) within 5 years prior to the index date. Surgical removal of uterine myoma was not associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer (aOR=0.99; 95% CI=0.88–1.10; p=0.795). Conclusion: A minor increased risk of breast cancer was found in women with a history of uterine myoma. This association remained in patients with recent hormone use. Removal of uterine myoma was not associated with decreased risk of breast cancer.

Prior uterine myoma and risk of ovarian cancer: a population-based case-control study

Jenn-Jhy Tseng,Chun-Che Huang,Hsiu-Yin Chiang,Yi-Huei Chen,Ching-Heng Lin 대한부인종양학회 2019 Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Vol.30 No.5

Objective Uterine myoma which results in the magnitude of ovarian cancer remains uncertain. This study aimed to assess the association between women with previous uterine myoma and the risk of ovarian cancer. Methods This population-based case-control study was conducted using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database between 2006 and 2010. We identified 4,088 adult women with newly diagnosed ovarian cancer with 16,348 women without ovarian cancer matched for age, urbanization level, income and initial diagnosis date. Logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the variables associated with ovarian cancer. In addition, the effect of surgical interventions on the risk of ovarian cancer was also evaluated. Results Women with previous uterine myoma were more likely than those who did not to have ovarian cancer (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=2.26; 95% confidence interval [CI]=2.06−2.49). Patients with uterine myoma who either received (aOR=1.79; 95% CI=1.51−2.13) or did not receive hormone replacement therapy (aOR=2.51; 95% CI=2.24−2.82) experienced a significantly higher risk of ovarian cancer than those without uterine myoma, respectively. However, patients with uterine myoma who underwent either myomectomy (aOR=0.55; 95% CI=0.39−0.77) or hysterectomy (aOR=0.33; 95% CI=0.26−0.42) had a significantly lower risk of ovarian cancer. Conclusion The results revealed that a significantly higher risk of ovarian cancer in women with previous uterine myoma, through an indirect mechanism. Furthermore, a lower risk of ovarian cancer was observed in women who underwent surgical removal of the uterine myoma.

Pan-Caspase Inhibitor zVAD Induces Necroptotic and Autophagic Cell Death in TLR3/4-Stimulated Macrophages

Yuan-Shen Chen,Wei-Chu Chuang,Hsiu-Ni Kung,Ching-Yuan Cheng,Duen-Yi Huang,Ponarulselvam Sekar,Wan-Wan Lin 한국분자세포생물학회 2022 Molecules and cells Vol.45 No.4

In addition to inducing apoptosis, caspase inhibition contributes to necroptosis and/or autophagy depending on the cell type and cellular context. In macrophages, necroptosis can be induced by co-treatment with Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands (lipopolysaccharide [LPS] for TLR4 and polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid [poly I:C] for TLR3) and a cell-permeable pan-caspase inhibitor zVAD. Here, we elucidated the signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms of cell death. We showed that LPS/zVAD- and poly I:C/zVAD-induced cell death in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) was inhibited by receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIP1) inhibitor necrostatin-1 and autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine. Electron microscopic images displayed autophagosome/autolysosomes, and immunoblotting data revealed increased LC3II expression. Although zVAD did not affect LPS- or poly I:C-induced activation of IKK, JNK, and p38, it enhanced IRF3 and STAT1 activation as well as type I interferon (IFN) expression. In addition, zVAD inhibited ERK and Akt phosphorylation induced by LPS and poly I:C. Of note, zVAD-induced enhancement of the IRF3/IFN/STAT1 axis was abolished by necrostatin-1, while zVAD-induced inhibition of ERK and Akt was not. Our data further support the involvement of autocrine IFNs action in reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent necroptosis, LPS/zVAD-elicited ROS production was inhibited by necrostatin-1, neutralizing antibody of IFN receptor (IFNR) and JAK inhibitor AZD1480. Accordingly, both cell death and ROS production induced by TLR ligands plus zVAD were abrogated in STAT1 knockout macrophages. We conclude that enhanced TRIF-RIP1-dependent autocrine action of IFNβ, rather than inhibition of ERK or Akt, is involved in TLRs/zVAD-induced autophagic and necroptotic cell death via the JAK/STAT1/ROS pathway.

Group-based trajectory model to analyze the growth of students’ academic performance: a longitudinal investigation at one Taiwanese high school

Fu, Yuan Chih,Chen, Sheng Lee,Quetzal, Amelio Salvador,Lee, Hsiu Ming,Lin, Yi Hua 서울대학교 교육연구소 2022 Asia Pacific Education Review Vol.23 No.3

This study investigated the growth trajectory of academic achievement in Math and English among 519 students in a vocational senior high school in Taiwan. Covering the complete individual learning profile, our dataset included pre-enrollment variables, periodic test scores, and college entrance examination scores. We employed a group-based trajectory model that identified three homogenous subgroups with distinct trajectories of academic achievement in Math and English and demonstrated baseline predictive factors associated with these trajectories as well as relationships between different trajectories and students’ college entrance examination scores. Our analysis contributes to the literature in two ways. First, this study demonstrates that when school practices focus on improving or remediating the performance of students in the low-achievement group, the obvious decrease in performance of those in the middle is ignored. Such finding indicates the need for inclusive or specialized practices that enhance the performance of students in all groups. Second, our analysis reveals that pre-enrollment academic preparation appears to be a strong predictor of later academic performance as noted through the reproduction of pre-enrollment academic performance in students’ college entrance examination scores. Therefore, upon enrollment, schools should start interventions that reflect the needs of different groups of students.

Combined Assessment of Serum Alpha-Synuclein and Rab35 is a Better Biomarker for Parkinson’s Disease

Hung-Li Wang,Chin-Song Lu,Tu-Hsueh Yeh,Yu-Ming Shen,Yi-Hsin Weng,Ying-Zu Huang,Rou-Shayn Chen,Yu-Chuan Liu,Yi-Chuan Cheng,Hsiu-Chen Chang,Ying-Ling Chen,Yu-Jie Chen,Yan-Wei Lin,Chia Chen Hsu,Huang-Li 대한신경과학회 2019 Journal of Clinical Neurology Vol.15 No.4

Background and Purpose It is essential to develop a reliable predictive serum biomarker for Parkinson’s disease (PD). Te accumulation of alpha-synuclein (αSyn) and up-regulated expression of Rab35 participate in the etiology of PD. Te purpose of this investigation was to determine whether the combined assessment of serum αSyn and Rab35 is a useful predictive biomarker for PD. Methods Serum levels of αSyn or Rab35 were determined in serum samples from 59 sporadic PD patients, 19 progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) patients, 20 multiple system atrophy (MSA) patients, and 60 normal controls (NC). Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves were calculated to determine the diagnostic accuracy of αSyn or/and Rab35 in discriminating PD patients from NC or atypical parkinsonian patients. Results The levels of αSyn and Rab35 were increased in PD patients. The serum level of Rab35 was positively correlated with that of αSyn in PD patients. Compared to analyzing αSyn or Rab35 alone, the combined analysis of αSyn and Rab35 produced a larger area under the ROC curve and performed better in discriminating PD patients from NC, MSA patients, or PSP patients. When age was dichotomized at 55, 60, 65, or 70 years, the combined assessment of αSyn and Rab35 for classifying PD was better in the group below the cutof age than in the group above the cutof age. Conclusions Combined assessment of serum αSyn and Rab35 is a better biomarker for discriminating PD patients from NC or atypical parkinsonian patients, and is a useful predictive biomarker for younger sporadic PD patients.

Comparison of Insulin Sensitivity, Glucose Sensitivity, and First Phase Insulin Secretion in Patients Treated with Repaglinide or Gliclazide

Chung-Ze Wu,Dee Pei,An-Tsz Hsieh,Kun Wang,Jiunn-Diann Lin,Li-Hsiu Lee,Yi-Min Chu,Fone-Ching Hsiao,Chun Pei,Te-Lin Hsia 대한약학회 2010 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.33 No.3

The traditional sulfonylureas with long half-lives have sustained stimulatory effects on insulin secretion compared to the short-acting insulin secretagogue. In this study, we used the frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIGT) to evaluate the insulin sensitivity (IS), glucose sensitivity (SG), and acute insulin response after glucose load (AIRg) after 4months treatment with either gliclazide or repaglinide. The design of study was randomizedcrossover. We enrolled 20 patients with new-onset type 2 diabetes (mean age, 49.3 years). Totally three FSIGTs were performed, one before and one after each of the two treatment periods as aforementioned. No significant differences in fasting plasma glucose, insulin, body mass index, blood pressure, glycated hemoglobin, or lipids were noted between the two treatments. After the repaglinide treatment, higher AIRg, lower IS, and lower SG were noted, but they did not reach statistical significance. The disposal index (DI) was also not significantly different between the two treatments. In conclusion, since non-significantly higher DI, AIRg, lower IS and SG were noted after repaglinide treatment, it might be a better treatment for diabetes, relative to gliclazide.