The Clinical Observation of Inflammation Theory for Depression: The Initiative of the Formosa Long COVID Multicenter Study (FOCuS)

Shu-Tsen Liu(Shu-Tsen Liu),Sheng-Che Lin(Sheng-Che Lin),Jane Pei-Chen Chang(Jane Pei-Chen Chang),Kai-Jie Yang(Kai-Jie Yang),Che-Sheng Chu(Che-Sheng Chu),Chia-Chun Yang(Chia-Chun Yang),Chih-Sung Liang( 대한정신약물학회 2023 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.21 No.1

There is growing evidence that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is associated with increased risks of psychiatric sequelae. Depression, anxiety, cognitive impairments, sleep disturbance, and fatigue during and after the acute phase of COVID-19 are prevalent, long-lasting, and exerting negative consequences on well-being and imposing a huge burden on healthcare systems and society. This current review presented timely updates of clinical research findings, particularly focusing on the pathogenetic mechanisms underlying the neuropsychiatric sequelae, and identified potential key targets for developing effective treatment strategies for long COVID. In addition, we introduced the Formosa Long COVID Multicenter Study (FOCuS), which aims to apply the inflammation theory to the pathogenesis and the psychosocial and nutrition treatments of post-COVID depression and anxiety.

Up-regulation of Bax and endonuclease G, and down-modulation of Bcl-XL involved in cardiotoxin III-induced apoptosis in K562 cells

Sheng-Huei Yang,Ching-Ming Chien,Mei-Chin Lu,Yi-Hsiung Lin,Xiu-Wei Hu,Shinne-Ren Lin 생화학분자생물학회 2006 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.38 No.4

Cardiotoxin III (CTX III), a basic polypeptide with 60 amino acid residues isolated from Naja naja atra venom, has been reported to have anticancer activity. CTX III-induced K562 cell apoptosis was confirmed by DNA fragmentation (DNA ladder, sub-G1 for-mation) and phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization with an IC50 value of 1.7 g/ml at 48 h. A mechanistic analysis demonstrated that CTX III-induced apop-totic cell death was accompanied by up-regulation of both Bax and endonuclease G (Endo G), and downregulation of Bcl-XL. CTX III had no effect on the levels of Bcl-2, Bid, XIAP survivin, and AIF proteins. CTX III treatment caused loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential (Ψm), release of mitochon-drial cytochrome c to the cytosol, and activation of both caspase-9 and -3. CTX III-induced apoptosis was significantly blocked by the broad-spectrum cas-pase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK. However, CTX III did not generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and talase, did not block CTX III-induced apoptosis in K562 cells. Modulation of Bax, Bcl-XL, and the Endo G proteins, release of mitochondrial cytochome c, and activation of caspase-3 and -9 all are involved in the CTX III-triggered apoptotic process in human leukemia K562 cells.

Advanced Imaging of Nanometer-Scale Recorded Bits on Super-Resolution Near-Field Optical Disk

Pei Lin Yang,Din Ping Tsai,Cheng Wei Lin,Chih Ching Hsu,Pei Hsin Chang,Tsung Sheng Kao,Wei Chih Lin 한국물리학회 2005 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.47 No.1

An advanced imaging technique is demonstrated for fast, non-destructive and high resolution characterizations for nanometer-scale recorded bits on a super-resolution near-field optical disk (super-RENS). For the first time, an array of individual 100 nm recorded marks is imaged and studied by using the conductive-atomic force microscopy (C-AFM) method. Discussions also include comparisons of 300 nm, 200 nm and 100 nm recorded marks on both a super-RENS disk and a commercial DVD disk, and the image results are evidence of the high carrier-to-noise ratio (CNR) value on the super-RENS disk, even though the mark size has been shrunk to less than the diffraction limit.

Study and Implementation of a Single Switch Cascading High Step-Up DC-DC Converter

Mao-Sheng Lin,Lung-Sheng Yang,Tsorng-Juu Liang 전력전자학회 2011 ICPE(ISPE)논문집 Vol.2011 No.5

In this paper, a novel high step-up DC-DC converter is proposed. The proposed converter is constructed of a boost converter with a coupled inductor technique to achieve high step-up voltage gain by a single switch. The front semi-stage is a boost converter and the rear semi-stage utilizes the coupled inductor and clamp circuit to reduce the voltage stress on the power switch. Thus, the low voltage-rating switch with low conduction resistance can be used to improve the system efficiency. The operating principle and steady-state analysis of the proposed converter are discussed in detail. Finally, a laboratory prototype circuit of the proposed converter with 24 V input voltage and 400 V/400 W output is implemented to verify the performance of the proposed converter.

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.

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.

Correlation between E-Cadherin-Regulated Cell Adhesion and Human Osteosarcoma MG-63 Cell Anoikis

Lin, Ding-Sheng,Cai, Le-Yi,Ding, Jian,Gao, Wei-Yang Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.19

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between cell adhesion and anoikis evasion among human osteosarcoma cells (MG-63), and to further study the molecular mechanisms. Materials and Methods: Human osteosarcoma cells (MG-63) were assessed for apoptosis, and caspase-3, E-cadherin and ${\beta}$-catenin expression in EDTA and control non-EDTA groups. Results: MG-63 cells were predominantly aggregated when in suspension, and the suspended cells were more dispersed in the EDTA group. Following culture in suspension for 24 h, 48 h, or 72 h, the rates of apoptosis were $34.88%{\pm}3.64%$, $59.3%{\pm}7.22%$ and $78.5%{\pm}5.21%$ in the experimental group and $7.34%{\pm}2.13%$, $14.7%{\pm}3.69%$, and $21.4%{\pm}3.60%$ in the control group, respectively. Caspase-3 expression progressively increased and E-cadherin and ${\beta}$-catenin were decreased in the experimental group, whereas there was no change in the control group. Conclusions: MG-63 cells could avoid anoikis through cell adhesion, and E-cadherin might play a role in this process.

Acidic Pelvic Drainage as a Predictive Factor For Anastomotic Leakage after Surgery for Patients with Rectal Cancer

Yang, Liu,Huang, Xin-En,Xu, Lin,Zhou, Xin,Zhou, Jian-Nong,Yu, Dong-Sheng,Li, Dong-Zheng,Guan, Xin Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.9

Purpose: To demonstrate the value of sequential determinations of pelvic drainage in the identification of increased risk of anastomotic leakage (AL) after anterior resection for rectal cancer with a double stapling technique. Patients and Methods: Between January 2004 and December 2011, data for the daily postoperative pH of pelvic drainage fluid in 753 consecutive patients with rectal cancer who initially underwent anterior resection with a double stapling technique were reviewed. All patients experienced a total mesorectal excision. Patients with anastomotic leakage (Group AL, n=57) were compared to patients without leakage (Group nAL, n=696). Patients with perioperatively abdominopelvic implants that were likely to affect pH value (determined at $25^{\circ}C$) other than leakage were excluded. Mean postoperative values were compared. Results: Anastomotic leakage was noted in 57 (7.6%) of 753 patients with rectal cancer. The diagnosis of AL was made between the $6^{th}$ and $12^{th}$ postoperative day (POD; mean $8^{th}$ POD). There was no significance of the daily average values of pH on POD1 & 2 in group AL while a significantly sharp declining mean pH value reached its diagnostic point of AL (p<0.001) on POD3. A cut-off value of 6.978 on the $3^{rd}$ POD maximized the sensitivity (98.7.0%) and specificity (94.7%) in assessing the risk of leakage. Conclusion: According to these results, an early and persistent declining of pH value of pelvic drainage fluid after rectal surgery with anastomosis, is a marker of AL. A cut-off value of 6.798 determined at $25^{\circ}C$ on POD3 maximizes sensitivity and specificity.

An assessment of the applicability of multigroup cross sections generated with Monte Carlo method for fast reactor analysis

Lin, Ching-Sheng,Yang, Won Sik Korean Nuclear Society 2020 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.52 No.12

This paper presents an assessment of applicability of the multigroup cross sections generated with Monte Carlo tools to the fast reactor analysis based on transport calculations. 33-group cross section sets were generated for simple one- (1-D) and two-dimensional (2-D) sodium-cooled fast reactor problems using the SERPENT code and applied to deterministic steady-state and depletion calculations. Relative to the reference continuous-energy SERPENT results, with the transport corrected P₀ scattering cross section, the k-eff value was overestimated by 506 and 588 pcm for 1-D and 2-D problems, respectively, since anisotropic scattering is important in fast reactors. When the scattering order was increased to P₅, the 1-D and 2-D problem errors were increased to 577 and 643 pcm, respectively. A sensitivity and uncertainty analysis with the PERSENT code indicated that these large k-eff errors cannot be attributed to the statistical uncertainties of cross sections and they are likely due to the approximate anisotropic scattering matrices determined by scalar flux weighting. The anisotropic scattering cross sections were alternatively generated using the MC²-3 code and merged with the SERPENT cross sections. The mixed cross section set consistently reduced the errors in k-eff, assembly powers, and nuclide densities. For example, in the 2-D calculation with P3 scattering order, the k-eff error was reduced from 634 pcm to -223 pcm. The maximum error in assembly power was reduced from 2.8% to 0.8% and the RMS error was reduced from 1.4% to 0.4%. The maximum error in the nuclide densities at the end of 12-month depletion that occurred in ²³⁷Np was reduced from 3.4% to 1.5%. The errors of the other nuclides are also reduced consistently, for example, from 1.1% to 0.1% for ²³⁵U, from 2.2% to 0.7% for ²³⁸Pu, and from 1.6% to 0.2% for ²⁴¹Pu. These results indicate that the scalar flux weighted anisotropic scattering cross sections of SERPENT may not be adequate for application to fast reactors where anisotropic scattering is important.

Approximating the Controllability Robustness of Directed Random-graph Networks Against Random Edge-removal Attacks

Yang Lou,Lin Wang,Shengli Xie,Guanrong Chen 제어·로봇·시스템학회 2023 International Journal of Control, Automation, and Vol.21 No.2

Network controllability robustness reflects how well a networked system can maintain its controllability against destructive attacks. Its performance can be measured by a sequence of values that record the remaining controllability of the network after a sequential node-removal or edge-removal attacks. In this paper, a hybrid approximation (HyA) method is proposed to estimate the controllability robustness performance of large-scale directed random-graph (RG) networks under random edge-removal attacks. HyA sufficiently utilizes the similarity between the generation mechanism of the RG networks and the destructing process of random edge-removal attacks. Two threshold values are set to classify general RG networks as ‘dense’, ‘sparse’, or ‘median’, according to the average degree of each network. A two-phase approximation is applied to ‘sparse’ RG networks, while different threephase approximations are applied to ‘dense’ and ‘median’ RG networks, respectively. Simulation results verify that 1) HyA is able to precisely approximate the controllability curves of RG networks under random edge-removal attacks; 2) HyA is time-efficient as compared to the conventional time-consuming attack simulations.