Effectiveness of N-acetylcysteine in Treating Clinical Symptoms of Substance Abuse and Dependence: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Chung-Ting Chang,Pei-Ju Hsieh,Hsin-Chien Lee,Chun-Hong Lo,Ka-Wai Tam,El-Wui Loh 대한정신약물학회 2021 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.19 No.2

Objective: Treatment with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is believed to reduce the clinical symptoms among individuals with substance abuse or dependence. We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effective-ness of NAC in treating substance abuse and dependence. Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, ClinicalTrials.gov registry, and the Cochrane Library were searched for trials published before June 2020. Results: A total of 16 trials were analyzed. The treatment effectiveness domains assessed in this study were craving and depressive symptoms, withdrawal syndrome, adverse events, and smoking frequency. Standardized mean difference (SMD), weighted mean difference (WMD), and odds ratio (OR) were used for evaluation where appropriate. A significant decrease in craving symptoms was observed in the NAC treatment group compared with the control group (SMD, −0.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], −1.21 to 0.21). When withdrawal and depressive symptoms were considered as a single domain, the NAC treatment group demonstrated a significantly higher overall improvement than the control group (SMD, −0.35; 95% CI, −0.64 to −0.06). No between-group differences in term of the OR of adverse events (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.68 to 2.06) and a non-significant trend toward reduction in smoking frequency was observed in the NAC treatment group compared with the control group (WMD, −3.09; 95% CI, −6.50 to 0.32). Conclusion: NAC provides certain noticeable benefits in attenuating substance craving and might help alleviate depres-sive symptoms and withdrawal syndrome. Precautious measures should be considered when using NAC although no difference in adverse effects was found between NAC treatment and control group.

Swelling and hydraulic characteristics of two grade bentonites under varying conditions for low-level radioactive waste repository design

Chih-Chung Chung,Guo-Liang Ren,I-Ting Chen,Che-Ju, Cuo,Hao-Chun Chang Korean Nuclear Society 2024 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.56 No.4

Bentonite is a recommended material for the multiple barriers in the final disposal of low-level radioactive waste (LLW) to prevent groundwater intrusion and nuclear species migration. However, after drying-wetting cycling during the repository construction stage and ion exchange with the concrete barrier in the long-term repository, the bentonite mechanical behaviors, including swelling capacity and hydraulic conductivity, would be further influenced by the groundwater intrusion, resulting in radioactive leakage. To comprehensively examine the factors on the mechanical characteristics of bentonite, this study presented scenarios involving MX-80 and KV-1 bentonites subjected to drying-wetting cycling and accelerated ion migration. The experiments subsequently measured free swelling, swelling pressure, and hydraulic conductivity of bentonites with intrusions of seawater, high pH, and low pH solutions. The results indicated that the solutions caused a reduction in swelling volume and pressure, and an increase in hydraulic conductivity. Specifically, the swelling capability of bentonite with drying-wetting cycling in the seawater decreased significantly by 60%, while hydraulic conductivity increased by more than three times. Therefore, the study suggested minimizing drying-wetting cycling and preventing seawater intrusion, ensuring a long service life of the multiple barriers in the LLW repository.

Taiwan Report on Quitline Activities

Hsu, Pei-Ting,Chang, Chia-Wen,Chang, Te-Chung Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.no.sup2

Aiming at reducing smoking population, Taiwan government adopted a successful smoking cessation quitline model from California Smokers' Helpline, commissioned a private non-profit organization-Teacher Chang Foundation, which was well-known for its quality telephone counseling service-to set up Asia's first quitline, Taiwan Smokers' Helpline (TSH) in 2003. The establishment of the quitline is a significant progress for tobacco control in Taiwan, as it built up a cooperative model with smoking cessation clinics to increase the quit rate through assisting smokers to overcome their psychological obstacles while quitting smoking.

Comparison between residents with a 6-year medical program and a 7-year medical program in terms of objective structured clinical examination performance in postgraduate year training in Taiwan: a 2-group pre- and post-test non-synchronized study

Ya-Ting Chang,Ying-Ying Yang,Chung-Pin Li,Chen-Huan Chen 한국보건의료인국가시험원 2022 보건의료교육평가 Vol.19 No.-

Purpose In 2013, medical schools in Taiwan implemented a 6-year medical program that replaced the previous 7-year medical education program. The postgraduate year (PGY) program was also extended from 1 year to 2 years. The new program is characterized by diversified teaching, integration of medical skills, a system-oriented curriculum, and the implementation of primary care and clinical thinking training. The purpose of this study was to examine whether postgraduate residents who learned under the new program have better patient care skills than those who learned under the previous program. Methods Of 101 residents in the PGY program at Taipei Veterans General Hospital, 78 were trained in the 6-year program, while 23 were trained in the 7-year program. During the PGY training, 2 objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) were used to evaluate clinical reasoning, communication skills, and procedural skills at the beginning of the training and after 11 months of training, respectively. The scores of each OSCE and the rate of improvement of the pre- and post-tests were analyzed. Results Residents trained in the new program scored higher on clinical reasoning (P<0.001) and the total scores of the 3 tested skills (P=0.019) on the pre-test. In terms of improvement, residents educated in the previous system improved more in clinical reasoning than those educated in the new education system. Conclusion The new medical education program, which emphasizes clinical thinking, improved residents’ clinical skills. The PGY program was effective in improving the clinical performance of residents who were educated in the previous system.

LIGHTNING RABBIT – AN APPLICATION OF SOUND ENERGY TO PRODUCE MORE ELECTRICITY

Yu-Ting CHEN,Ching-Chung CHANG 국제과학영재학회 2011 APEC Youth Scientist Journal Vol.3 No.-

Chinese Translation and Validation of the Child and Adolescent Sleep Checklist for Parents

Yang Ya-Ting,Chang Han-Yun,Hsu Chung-Yao,Lin Cheng-Yu,Zeitzer Jamie M. 대한수면학회 2020 sleep medicine research Vol.11 No.2

Background and ObjectiveaaThe Child and Adolescent Sleep Checklist (CASC) for parents was originally developed and published in Japanese and has served as a valid and effective tool for the assessment of a parent’s perspective of their adolescent child’s sleep behaviors. To allow for comparisons of such perspectives among parents of different cultures, and with different linguistic backgrounds, reliable and valid measurement tools are necessary. The purpose of this study was to translate and validate a Chinese language version of this questionnaire. MethodsaaInternal consistency, factor structure, and criterion validity data were tested using 497 parent/adolescent dyads in Taiwan. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and internal consistency reliability were examined in a subset of the cohort (n = 241), while criterion validity and conduct confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was examined in a second subset of the cohort (n = 256). Preliminary criterion validity was established through a comparison with a measure of chronotype, Morningness- Eveningness Scale for Children. ResultsaaEFA resulted in four factors, consistent with the original version, with the four factors accounting for 60% of the total variance. The results of CFA presented good fit to the data. The questionnaire demonstrated also acceptable to good internal consistency (α = 0.84–0.89). Preliminary criterion validity was evident as the total score and each of the subscale scores on the questionnaire were significantly higher (worse sleep-related behavior) in evening-types. ConclusionsaaThe Chinese language version of the CASC for parents appears to be a psychometrically sound measure to evaluate sleep behaviors in Chinese-speaking adolescents.

Application of Artifical Textile Fiber as Growing Medium for Phalaenopsis Cultivation

Keng Heng Chang,Ting En Dai,Seng Chung Huang,Chin Yi Tsao,Wei Tin Tsai,Fei Neng Wang,Ai Hua Chang,Fong Wu How 한국원예학회 2006 한국원예학회 기타간행물 Vol.- No.-

Enhancement of Aggregation-Induced Emission in Dye-Encapsulating Polymeric Micelles for Bioimaging

Wu, Wen-Chung,Chen, Ching-Yi,Tian, Yanqing,Jang, Sei-Hum,Hong, Yuning,Liu, Yang,Hu, Rongrong,Tang, Ben Zhong,Lee, Yi-Ting,Chen, Chin-Ti,Chen, Wen-Chang,Jen, Alex K.-Y. WILEY-VCH Verlag 2010 Advanced Functional Materials Vol.20 No.9

<P>Three amphiphilic block copolymers are employed to form polymeric micelles and function as nanocarriers to disperse hydrophobic aggregation-induced emission (AIE) dyes, 1,1,2,3,4,5-hexaphenylsilole (HPS) and/or bis(4-(N-(1-naphthyl) phenylamino)-phenyl)fumaronitrile (NPAFN), into aqueous solution for biological studies. Compared to their virtually non-emissive properties in organic solutions, the fluorescence intensity of these AIE dyes has increased significantly due to the spatial confinement that restricts intramolecular rotation of these dyes and their better compatibility in the hydrophobic core of polymeric micelles. The effect of the chemical structure of micelle cores on the photophysical properties of AIE dyes are investigated, and the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) from the green-emitting donor (HPS) to the red-emitting acceptor (NPAFN) is explored by co-encapsulating this FRET pair in the same micelle core. The highest fluorescence quantum yield (∼62%) could be achieved by encapsulating HPS aggregates in the micelles. Efficient energy transfer (>99%) and high amplification of emission (as high as 8 times) from the NPAFN acceptor could also be achieved by spatially confining the HPS/NPAFN FRET pair in the hydrophobic core of polymeric micelles. These micelles could be successfully internalized into the RAW 264.7 cells to demonstrate high-quality fluorescent images and cell viability due to improved quantum yield and reduced cytotoxicity.</P> <B>Graphic Abstract</B> <P>Highly efficient fluorescence probes are achieved through the encapsulation of aggregation-induced emission molecules, 1,1,2,3,4,5-hexaphenylsilole (HPS) and/or bis(4-(N-(1-naphthyl) phenylamino)-phenyl)fumaronitrile (NPAFN) in the core of polymeric micelles. Bright fluorescence cell images are shown with tunable colors of green directly from HPS aggregates and red through efficient fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) from HPS aggregates to NPAFN aggregates. <img src='wiley_img_2010/1616301X-2010-20-9-ADFM200902043-content.gif' alt='wiley_img_2010/1616301X-2010-20-9-ADFM200902043-content'> </P>

Catheter Ablation of Ventricular Tachycardia in Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia/Cardiomyopathy

Fa-Po Chung,Chin-Yu Lin,Yenn-Jiang Lin,Shih-Lin Chang,Li-Wei Lo,Yu-Feng Hu,Ta-Chuan Tuan,Tze-Fan Chao,Jo-Nan Liao,Ting-Yung Chang,Shih-Ann Chen 대한심장학회 2018 Korean Circulation Journal Vol.48 No.10

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy (ARVD/C) is predominantly an inherited cardiomyopathy with typical histopathological characteristics of fibro-fatty infiltration mainly involving the right ventricular (RV) inflow tract, RV outflow tract, and RV apex in the majority of patients. The above pathologic evolution frequently brings patients with ARVD/C to medical attention owing to the manifestation of syncope, sudden cardiac death (SCD), ventricular arrhythmogenesis, or heart failure. To prevent future or recurrent SCD, an implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) is highly desirable in patients with ARVD/C who had experienced unexplained syncope, hemodynamically intolerable ventricular tachycardia (VT), ventricular fibrillation, and/or aborted SCD. Notably, the management of frequent ventricular tachyarrhythmias in ARVD/C is challenging, and the use of antiarrhythmic drugs could be unsatisfactory or limited by the unfavorable side effects. Therefore, radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) has been implemented to treat the drug-refractory VT in ARVD/C for decades. However, the initial understanding of the link between fibro-fatty pathogenesis and ventricular arrhythmogenesis in ARVD/C is scarce, the efficacy and prognosis of endocardial RFCA alone were limited and disappointing. The electrophysiologists had broken through this frontier after better illustration of epicardial substrates and broadly application of epicardial approaches in ARVD/C. In recent works of literature, the application of epicardial ablation also successfully results in higher procedural success and decreases VT recurrences in patients with ARVD/C who are refractory to the endocardial approach during long-term follow-up. In this article, we review the important evolution on the delineation of arrhythmogenic substrates, ablation strategies, and ablation outcome of VT in patients with ARVD/C.

A Study of Environmental Management Investment Allocation

Tien, Shiaw-Wen,Chang, Ting-Ting,Chung, Yi-Chan,Chen, Ching-Piao,Tsai, Chih-Hung The Korean Society for Quality Management 2008 The Asian Journal on Quality Vol.9 No.2

The $21^{st}$ century is a new century of environmental protection. Environmental protection is one of the most important subject matters yet to come. Moreover, as the public pays more attention to environmental problems, enterprises should increase their investment in environmental management. Therefore, determining the investment level for environmental management and allocating the investment to associated environmental management activities has become a major task. The principal and agent theory and sales response functions are used for analysis in this research. The allocation of capital investment in environmental management is found to have significant impact on the aggregate sales response, aggregate profit and investment level. Therefore, in preparing the budget for environmental management, enterprises should focus on investment allocation decisions, determine the investment level and allocation method using integrated means, and apply submarket data in the allocation decision-making process. In other words, in setting the investment level, executive management should take managers' willingness into consideration. In allocating capital investment, managers should identify the optimal allocation method based on submarket characteristics.