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.

An Internet Based Embedded Network Monitoring System for Renewable Energy Systems

Po-Yen Chen,Se-Kang Ho,Wei-Jen Lee,Chia-Chi Chu,Ching-Tsa Pan 전력전자학회 2007 ICPE(ISPE)논문집 Vol.- No.-

In this paper, an internet based embedded network monitoring system is proposed for renewable energy systems. By using a low cost network communication module (RCM 3700) as a web server, one can achieve better network security, lower power consumption, compact size, and easier to use as compared with a PC based one. Also, Java language is chosen for designing a dynamic webpage to graphically display various real time waveforms of the controlled system for multi-user at the same time. As an illustrative example, a small scale wind power generation system equipped with an EZDSP 2812 controller is adopted for demonstration. In addition, an FPGA EC10 is implemented as a bidirectional communication interface for coordinating the asynchronous data transmission modes. Experimental results from the constructed prototype verify that the proposed monitoring system can indeed achieve the desired function.

Striatal Dopamine Transporter Availability is Associated with Sleep Disturbance among Patients with Bipolar I Disorder: A Single-photon Emission Computed Tomography Study Using [99mTc] TRODAT-1

Tsung-Hua Lu(Tsung-Hua Lu),Shih-Hsien Lin(Shih-Hsien Lin),Huai-Hsuan Tseng(Huai-Hsuan Tseng),Yen Kuang Yang(Yen Kuang Yang),Nan Tsing Chiu(Nan Tsing Chiu),Po See Chen(Po See Chen) 대한정신약물학회 2022 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.20 No.4

Objective: Bipolar disorder (BD) is characterized by the poor sleep quality. Whether the striatal dopamine transporter (DAT) availability is related to sleep quality among patients with BD is unclear. Methods: Fifty-three euthymic patients with BD (24 BD-I and 29 BD-II) and sixty-eight healthy controls were enrolled. The Chinese Version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used, and the availability of DAT was assessed by single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) using [99mTc] TRODAT-1. Results: The sleep disturbance component of the PSQI was significantly associated with the level of DAT availability among patients with BD. Conclusion: The striatal dopaminergic activity that contributes to resilience to adversity was associated with sleep pattern among patients with BD.

Probing Insulator-quantum Hall Transitions by Current Heating

Kuang Yao Chen,N. Aoki,Y. Ochiai,K. A. Cheng,Li-Hung Lin,C. F. Huang,Yu-Ru Li,Yen Shung Tseng,Chun-Kai Yang,Po-Tsun Lin,Jau-Yang Wu,Sheng-Di Lin,C.-T. Liang 한국물리학회 2009 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.55 No.1

We report a magneto-transport study on the two-dimensional electron system (2DES) in an Al- GaAs/GaAs heterostructure. The direct insulator to quantum Hall conductor transition is observed at low temperatures by increasing the magnetic field B perpendicular to the 2DES. We can also observe the transition by varying the current I and find a relation Te~Ia between electron effective temperature Te and current. Here, a denotes the exponent for the power law. The exponent a, however, can have different values on the two sides of the transition point, which indicates different inelastic scattering mechanisms in the low-field insulator and in the quantum Hall conductor. We report a magneto-transport study on the two-dimensional electron system (2DES) in an Al- GaAs/GaAs heterostructure. The direct insulator to quantum Hall conductor transition is observed at low temperatures by increasing the magnetic field B perpendicular to the 2DES. We can also observe the transition by varying the current I and find a relation Te~Ia between electron effective temperature Te and current. Here, a denotes the exponent for the power law. The exponent a, however, can have different values on the two sides of the transition point, which indicates different inelastic scattering mechanisms in the low-field insulator and in the quantum Hall conductor.

Enhanced Phase Relaxation in a Hybrid Ferromagnet/Semiconductor System

Kuang Yao Chen,Chun-Kai Yang,N. Aoki,Y. Ochiai,Y. Ujiie,K. A. Cheng,Li-Hung Lin,C. F. Huang,Yu-Ru Li,Yen Shung Tseng,Po-Tsun Lin,Jau-Yang Wu,Sheng-Di Lin,C.-T. Liang 한국물리학회 2009 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.55 No.1

Hybrid ferromagnet/semiconductor systems have been the focus of considerable attention because of the transport properties of two-dimensional electron systems and their potential applications to magnetic storage and sensing devices. We use the weak localization effect to probe the dephasing mechanism at low temperatures. In our study, the zero-temperature phase-relaxation rate can be enhanced in a hybrid ferromagnet/semiconductor system, which may be due to the inhomogeneous magnetic field emanating from the Ni film. The result may improve understanding of the issue of zero-temperature dephasing in disordered systems. Hybrid ferromagnet/semiconductor systems have been the focus of considerable attention because of the transport properties of two-dimensional electron systems and their potential applications to magnetic storage and sensing devices. We use the weak localization effect to probe the dephasing mechanism at low temperatures. In our study, the zero-temperature phase-relaxation rate can be enhanced in a hybrid ferromagnet/semiconductor system, which may be due to the inhomogeneous magnetic field emanating from the Ni film. The result may improve understanding of the issue of zero-temperature dephasing in disordered systems.

Antioxidative and Hepatoprotective Effects of Magnolol on Acetaminophen-induced Liver Damage in Rats

Yung-Hsiang Chen,Feng-Yen Lin,Po-Len Liu,Yi-Tsau Huang,Jen-Hwey Chiu,Yi-Chun Chang,Kee-Ming Man,Chuang-Ye Hong,Yen-Yi Ho,Ming-Tsung Lai 대한약학회 2009 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.32 No.2

Acute liver failure (ALF), an often fatal condition characterized by massive hepatocyte necrosis, is frequently caused by drug poisoning, particularly with acetaminophen (N-acetyl-p-aminophenol/APAP). Hepatocyte necrosis is consecutive to glutathione (GSH) depletion and mitochondrial damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction. Magnolol, one major phenolic constituent of Magnolia officinalis, have been known to exhibit potent antioxidative activity. In this study, the anti-hepatotoxic activity of magnolol on APAP-induced toxicity in the Sprague-Dawley rat liver was examined. After evaluating the changes of several biochemical parameters in serum, the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were elevated by APAP (500 mg/kg) intraperitoneal administration (8 and 24 h) and reduced by treatment with magnolol (0.5 h after APAP administration; 0.01, 0.1, and 1 μg/kg). Histological changes around the hepatic central vein, lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance/TBARS), and GSH depletion in liver tissue induced by APAP were also recovered by magnolol treatment. The data show that oxidative stress followed by lipid peroxidation may play a very important role in the pathogenesis of APAP-induced hepatic injury; treatment with lipid-soluble antioxidant, magnolol, exerts anti-hepatotoxic activity. Our study points out the potential interest of magnolol in the treatment of toxic ALF.

Design tables and charts for uniform and non-uniform tuned liquid column dampers in harmonic pitching motion

Wu, Jong-Cheng,Wang, Yen-Po,Chen, Yi-Hsuan Techno-Press 2012 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.9 No.2

In the first part of the paper, the optimal design parameters for tuned liquid column dampers (TLCD) in harmonic pitching motion were investigated. The configurations in design tables include uniform and non-uniform TLCDs with cross-sectional ratios of 0.3, 0.6, 1, 2 and 3 for the design in different situations. A closed-form solution of the structural response was used for performing numerical optimization. The results from optimization indicate that the optimal structural response always occurs when the two resonant peaks along the frequency axis are equal. The optimal frequency tuning ratio, optimal head loss coefficient, the corresponding response and other useful quantities are constructed in design tables as a guideline for practitioners. As the value of the head loss coefficient is only available through experiments, in the second part of the paper, the prediction of head loss coefficients in the form of a design chart are proposed based on a series of large scale tests in pitching base motions, aiming to ease the predicament of lacking the information of head loss for those who wishes to make designs without going through experimentation. A large extent of TLCDs with cross-sectional ratios of 0.3, 0.6, 1, 2 and 3 and orifice blocking ratios ranging from 0%, 20%, 40%, 60% to 80% were inspected by means of a closed-form solution under harmonic base motion for identification. For the convenience of practical use, the corresponding empirical formulas for predicting head loss coefficients of TLCDs in relation to the cross-sectional ratio and the orifice blocking ratio were also proposed. For supplemental information to horizontal base motion, the relation of head loss values versus blocking ratios and the corresponding empirical formulas were also presented in the end.

A Systemic Review and Experts’ Consensus for Long-acting Injectable Antipsychotics in Bipolar Disorder

Yuan-Hwa Chou,Po-Chung Chu,Szu-Wei Wu,Jen-Chin Lee,Yi-Hsuan Lee,I-Wen Sun,Chen-Lin Chang,Chien-Liang Huang,I-Chao Liu,Chia-Fen Tsai,Yung-Chieh Yen 대한정신약물학회 2015 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.13 No.2

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a major psychiatric disorder that is easily misdiagnosed. Patient adherence to a treatment regimen is of utmost importance for successful outcomes in BD. Several trials of antipsychotics suggested that depot antipsychotics, including long-acting first- and second-generation agents, are effective in preventing non-adherence, partial adherence, and in reducing relapse in BD. Various long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics are available, including fluphenazine decanoate, haloperidol decanoate, olanzapine pamoate, risperidone microspheres, paliperidone palmitate, and aripiprazole monohydrate. Due to the increasing number of BD patients receiving LAI antipsychotics, treatment guidelines have been developed. However, the clinical applicability of LAI antipsychotics remains a global cause for concern, particularly in Asian countries. Expert physicians from Taiwan participated in a consensus meeting, which was held to review key areas based on both current literature and clinical practice. The purpose of this meeting was to generate a practical and implementable set of recommendations for LAI antipsychotic use to treat BD; target patient groups, dosage, administration, and adverse effects were considered. Experts recommended using LAI antipsychotics in patients with schizophrenia, rapid cycling BD, BD I, and bipolar-type schizoaffective disorder. LAI antipsychotic use was recommended in BD patients with the following characteristics: multiple episodes and low adherence; seldom yet serious episodes; low adherence potential per a physician’s clinical judgment; preference for injectable agents over oral agents; and multiple oral agent users still experiencing residual symptoms.

The Potassium to Magnesium Ratio Enables the Prediction of Internal Browning Disorder during Cold Storage of Asian Pears

Ho-Jin Seo,Po-An Chen,Shu-Yen Lin,Jin-Ho Choi,Wol-Soo Kim,Tzu-Bin Haung,Su-Feng Roan,Iou-Zen Chen 한국원예학회 2015 원예과학기술지 Vol.33 No.4

‘Taichung No. 2’ is a new Asian pear cultivar developed in Taiwan with low chilling requirement; however, is likely to develop internal browning disorder under low temperature storage conditions. We investigated the impact of storage time on f lesh b rowning d isorder in p ears harvested f rom 22 orchards in 2 010 a nd 2 011, and analy zed the levels o f nutrients in different fruit parts such as the peel, flesh, and core. Calcium and potassium contents were higher in the flesh and peel, respectively, of more severely browned fruits, whereas a lower magnesium content was recorded in the peel and core of these fruits. Nitrogen and potassium contents in the peel, and calcium content in the flesh were positively correlated with browning disorder severity. By contrast, the magnesium content in the core was negatively correlated with browning disorder severity. However, the nutrient contents in fruits varied between the two sampling years considered. Only the K/Mg ratio was an effective predictor of the browning disorder severity and showed a positive linear correlation in the two years. We recommend that the K/Mg ratio should be lower than 10 to avoid severe browning disorder in pears.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Neurodegenerative Diseases

Kim Jin Sun,Chen Mu-Hong,Wang Hohui E.,Lu Ching-Liang,Wang Yen-Po,Zhang Bing 거트앤리버 소화기연관학회협의회 2023 Gut and Liver Vol.17 No.4

A growing body of evidence has demonstrated an intricate association between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and neurodegenerative conditions, expanding beyond previous foci of comorbidities between IBD and mood disorders. These new discoveries stem from an improved understanding of the gut-microbiome-brain axis: specifically, the ability of the intestinal microbiota to modulate inflammation and regulate neuromodulatory compounds. Clinical retrospective studies incorporating large sample sizes and population-based cohorts have demonstrated and confirmed the relevance of IBD and chronic neurodegeneration in clinical medicine. In this review, we expound upon the current knowledge on the gut-microbiome-brain axis, highlighting several plausible mechanisms linking IBD with neurodegeneration. We also summarize the known associations between IBD with Parkinson disease, Alzheimer disease, vascular dementia and ischemic stroke, and multiple sclerosis in a clinical context. Finally, we discuss the implications of an improved understanding of the gut-microbiome-brain axis in preventing, diagnosing, and managing neurodegeneration among IBD and non-IBD patients.