Association of AXIN1 With Parkinson’s Disease in a Taiwanese Population

Hwa-Shin Fang,Chih-Ying Chao,Chun-Chieh Wang,Wen-Lang Fan,Po-Jung Huang,Hon-Chung Fung,Yih-Ru Wu 대한파킨슨병및이상운동질환학회 2022 Journal Of Movement Disorders Vol.15 No.1

A meta-analysis of locus-based genome-wide association studies recently identified a relationship between AXIN1 and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Few studies of Asian populations, however, have reported such a genetic association. The influences of rs13337493, rs758033, and rs2361988, three PD-associated genetic variants of AXIN1, were investigated in the present study because AXIN1 is related to Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

Superoxide signaling in pain is independent of nitric oxide signaling

Kim, Hee Young,Wang, Jigong,Lu, Ying,Chung, Jin Mo,Chung, Kyungsoon Lippincott Williams Wilkins, Inc. 2009 NEUROREPORT - Vol.20 No.16

Two reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide (O2), contribute to persistent pain. Using three different animal models where ROS mediate pain, this study examined whether NO and O2 converge to peroxynitrite (ONOO) or whether each has an independent signaling pathway to produce hyperalgesia. The hyperalgesia after spinal nerve ligation was attenuated by removing O2 by TEMPOL or inhibiting NO production by L-NAME, but not by removing peroxynitrite with FeTMPyP. Nitric oxide-induced hyperalgesia was not affected by removing O2 but was reduced by a guanyl cyclase inhibitor. Superoxide-induced hyperalgesia was not affected by inhibiting NO production but was suppressed by a protein kinase C inhibitor. The data suggest that NO and O2 operate independently to generate pain.

Impact of Orange Juice Consumption on Bone Health of the U.S. Population in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003–2006

이상길,Meng Yang,Ying Wang,Terrence Vance,Beate Lloyd,Sang-Jin Chung,Sung I. Koo,Ock K. Chun 한국식품영양과학회 2014 Journal of medicinal food Vol.17 No.10

Orange juice (OJ) fortified with calcium (Ca) and vitamin D has turned OJ into a readily available source of these nutrients for children and adults. However, the impact of OJ consumption on Ca and vitamin D adequacy and bone health has not been documented. The aim of this study was the evaluation of the contribution of 100% OJ consumption to dietary and serum Ca and vitamin D status, and bone health parameters in the U.S. population aged 4 years and older (n = 13,971) using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003–2004 and 2005–2006. Food consumption data were coded to produce micronutrient intake values using the USDA Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies 3.0. Serum concentrations of bone-related micronutrients and biomarkers, bone mineral density (BMD), and bone mineral content (BMC) were measured. Analysis of data was conducted using SAS software 9.2 and SUDAAN. OJ consumers showed higher intakes of bone-related micronutrients, compared with nonconsumers (P < .05). In addition, OJ consumers had higher serum Ca levels in adults (P < .01) and had a lower odds ratio for serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 < 20 ng/mL in children (P < .05). OJ consumption was positively associated with femur BMD in children (P < .05) and with femur BMC in both children and adults (P < .05). In conclusion, OJ may be recommended as an effective dietary means of improving the status of Ca and vitamin D, acid-base balance, and of promoting bone health in children and adults.

Identification of an Antifungal Chitinase from a Potential Biocontrol Agent, Bacillus cereus 28-9

Huang, Chien-Jui,Wang, Tang-Kai,Chung, Shu-Chun,Chen, Chao-Ying Korean Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biol 2005 Journal of biochemistry and molecular biology Vol.38 No.1

Bacillus cereus 28-9 is a chitinolytic bacterium isolated from lily plant in Taiwan. This bacterium exhibited biocontrol potential on Botrytis leaf blight of lily as demonstrated by a detached leaf assay and dual culture assay. At least two chitinases (ChiCW and ChiCH) were excreted by B. cereus 28-9. The ChiCW-encoding gene was cloned and moderately expressed in Escherichia coli DH5$\alpha$. Near homogenous ChiCW was obtained from the periplasmic fraction of E. coli cells harboring chiCW by a purification procedure. An in vitro assay showed that the purified ChiCW had inhibitory activity on conidial germination of Botrytis elliptica, a major fungal pathogen of lily leaf blight.

An Observer-based Fuzzy Neural Network Adaptive ILC for Nonlinear Systems

Chiang-Ju Chien,Ying-Chung Wang 제어로봇시스템학회 2013 제어로봇시스템학회 국제학술대회 논문집 Vol.2013 No.10

To deal with the iterative learning control problem for more general class of uncertain nonlinear systems using only output measurement, an observer based adaptive iterative learning control strategy using filtered fuzzy neural network was proposed in this paper. A model reference control technique is firstly presented to derive a state error observer for state estimation. A mixed time-domain and ..-domain representation is then used to develop an error model as a relative degree one stable system with some uncertain nonlinearities and filtered signals as the inputs. An averaging filter is also proposed to further transform the error model so that the AILC can be implemented without using differentiators. The main learning component of the controller is constructed by an filtered fuzzy neural network with the estimated state variables as network input. This main component performs as an approximator to compensate for the unknown system nonlinearities. Furthermore, a normalization signal is applied as a bounding function for designing a robust learning component in order to overcome the lumped uncertainties from function approximation error and state estimation error. Finally, a stabilization learning component is used to guarantee the boundedness of internal signals. Adaptive algorithms are derived to search for suitable parameters during each iteration since the optimal parameters for a good function approximation are in general unavailable. Based on a Lyapunov like analysis, we show that the output tracking error can converge, with all the internal signals bounded, to a small residual set whose level of magnitude depends on a design parameter. Simulation results also show the nice tracking performance with application to some practical nonlinear systems.

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Saccharomyces cerevisiae feed supplements improve growth performance and gut mucosal architecture with modulations on cecal microbiota in red-feathered native chickens

Lee Tzu Tai,Chou Chung-Hsi,Wang Chinling,Lu Hsuan-Ying,Yang Wen-Yuan 아세아·태평양축산학회 2022 Animal Bioscience Vol.35 No.6

Objective: The aim of study was to investigate the effects of in-feed supplementation of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (BA) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) on growth performance, gut integrity, and microbiota modulations in red-feathered native chickens (RFCs). Methods: A total of 18,000 RFCs in a commercial farm were evenly assigned into two dietary treatments (control diet; 0.05% BA and 0.05% SC) by randomization and raised for 11 weeks in two separate houses. Fifty RFCs in each group were randomly selected and raised in the original house with the partition for performance evaluations at the age of 9 and 11 weeks. Six non-partitioned RFCs per group were randomly selected for analyses of intestinal architecture and 16S rRNA metagenomics. Results: Feeding BA and SC increased the body weight and body weight gain, significantly at the age of 11 weeks (p<0.05). The villus height/crypt ratio in the small intestines and Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio were also notably increased (p<0.05). The supplementation did not disturb the microbial community structure but promote the featured microbial shifts characterized by the significant increments of Bernesiella, Prevotellaceae_NK3B31_group, and Butyrucimonas, following remarkable decrements of Bacteroides, Rikenellaceae_RC9_ gut_group, and Succinatimonas in RFCs with growth benefits. Besides, functional pathways of peptidoglycan biosynthesis, nucleotide excision repair, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and aminoacyl transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA) biosynthesis were significantly promoted (p< 0.05). Conclusion: In-feed supplementation of BA and SC enhanced the growth performance, improved mucosal architectures in small intestines, and modulated the cecal microbiota and metabolic pathways in RFCs. Objective: The aim of study was to investigate the effects of in-feed supplementation of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (BA) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) on growth performance, gut integrity, and microbiota modulations in red-feathered native chickens (RFCs).Methods: A total of 18,000 RFCs in a commercial farm were evenly assigned into two dietary treatments (control diet; 0.05% BA and 0.05% SC) by randomization and raised for 11 weeks in two separate houses. Fifty RFCs in each group were randomly selected and raised in the original house with the partition for performance evaluations at the age of 9 and 11 weeks. Six non-partitioned RFCs per group were randomly selected for analyses of intestinal architecture and 16S rRNA metagenomics.Results: Feeding BA and SC increased the body weight and body weight gain, significantly at the age of 11 weeks (p<0.05). The villus height/crypt ratio in the small intestines and Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio were also notably increased (p<0.05). The supplementation did not disturb the microbial community structure but promote the featured microbial shifts characterized by the significant increments of Bernesiella, Prevotellaceae_NK3B31_group, and Butyrucimonas, following remarkable decrements of Bacteroides, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, and Succinatimonas in RFCs with growth benefits. Besides, functional pathways of peptidoglycan biosynthesis, nucleotide excision repair, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and aminoacyl transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA) biosynthesis were significantly promoted (p<0.05).Conclusion: In-feed supplementation of BA and SC enhanced the growth performance, improved mucosal architectures in small intestines, and modulated the cecal microbiota and metabolic pathways in RFCs.

Distal Mean Nocturnal Baseline Impedance Predicts Pathological Reflux of Isolated Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Symptoms

Hua-Nong Luo,Chen-Chi Wang,Ying-Cheng Lin,Chun-Yi Chuang,Yung-An Tsou,Ja-Chih Fu,Sheng-Shun Yang,Chi-Sen Chang,Han-Chung Lien 대한소화기 기능성질환∙운동학회 2023 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.29 No.2

Background/AimsDiagnosis of isolated laryngopharyngeal reflux symptoms (ILPRS), ie, without concomitant typical reflux symptoms (CTRS), remains difficult. Mean nocturnal baseline impedance (MNBI) reflects impaired mucosal integrity. We determined whether esophageal MNBI could predict pathological esophagopharyngeal reflux (pH+) in patients with ILPRS. MethodsIn this cross-sectional study conducted in Taiwan, non-erosive or low-grade esophagitis patients with predominant laryngopharyngeal reflux symptoms underwent combined hypopharyngeal multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH monitoring when off acid suppressants. Participants were divided into the ILPRS (n = 94) and CTRS (n = 63) groups. Asymptomatic subjects without esophagitis (n = 25) served as healthy controls. The MNBI values at 3 cm and 5 cm above the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and the proximal esophagus were measured. ResultsDistal but not proximal esophageal median MNBI values were significantly lower in patients with pH+ than in those with pH– (ILPRS in pH+ vs pH–: 1607 Ω vs 2709 Ω and 1885 Ω vs 2563 Ω at 3 cm and 5 cm above LES, respectively; CTRS in pH+ vs pH–: 1476 vs 2307 Ω and 1500 vs 2301 Ω at 3 cm and 5 cm above LES, respectively, P < 0.05 for all). No significant differences of any MNBI exist between any pH– subgroups and healthy controls. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve in the ILPRS group were 0.75 and 0.80, compared to the pH– subgroup and healthy controls (P < 0.001 for both), respectively. Interobserver reproducibility was good (Spearman correlation 0.93, P < 0.0001). ConclusionDistal esophageal MNBI predicts pathological reflux in patients with ILPRS.

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.

A Correlation between the Severity of Lung Lesions on Radiographs and Clinical Findings in Patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

Yung-Liang Wan,Pei-Kwei Tsay,Yun-Chung Cheung,Ping-Cherng Chiang,Chun-Hua Wang,Ying-Huang Tsai,Han-Ping Kuo,Kuo-Chien Tsao,Tzou-Yien Lin 대한영상의학회 2007 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.8 No.6

Objective: The purpose of this study was to quantify lesions on chest radiographs in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and analyze the severity of the lesions with clinical parameters. Materials and Methods: Two experienced radiologists reviewed chest radiographs of 28 patients with SARS. Each lung was divided into upper, middle, and lower zones. A SARS-related lesion in each zone was scored using a four-point scale: zero to three. The mean and maximal radiographic scores were analyzed statistically to determine if the scorings were related to the laboratory data and clinical course. Results: Forward stepwise multiple linear regression showed that the mean radiographic score correlated most significantly with the number of hospitalized days (p < 0.001). The second most significant factor was the absolute lymphocyte count (p < 0.001) and the third most significant factor was the number of days of intubation (p = 0.025). The maximal radiographic score correlated best with the percentage of lymphocytes in a leukocyte count (p < 0.001), while the second most significant factor was the number of hospitalized days (p < 0.001) and the third most significant factor was the absolute lymphocyte count (p = 0.013). The mean radiographic scores of the patients who died, with comorbidities and without a comorbidity were 11.1, 6.3 and 2.9, respectively (p = 0.032). The corresponding value for maximal radiographic scores were 17.7, 9.7 and 6.0, respectively (p = 0.033). Conclusion: The severity of abnormalities quantified on chest radiographs in patients with SARS correlates with the clinical parameters.

Identification of an Antifungal Chitinase from a Potential Biocontrol Agent, Bacillus cereus 28-9

( Chien Jui Huang ),( Tang Kai Wang ),( Shu Chun Chung ),( Chao Ying Chen ) 생화학분자생물학회 2005 BMB Reports Vol.38 No.1

Bacillus cereus 28-9 is a chitinolytic bacterium isolated from lily plant in Taiwan. This bacterium exhibited biocontrol potential on Botrytis leaf blight of lily as demonstrated by a detached leaf assay and dual culture assay. At feast two chitinases (ChiCW and ChiCH) were excreted by B. cereus 28-9. The ChiCW-encoding gene was cloned and moderately expressed in Escherichia coli DH5α. Near homogenous ChiCW was obtained from the periplasmic fraction of E. coli cells harboring chiCW by a purification procedure. An in vitro assay showed that the purified ChiCW had inhibitory activity on conidial germination of Botrytis elliptica, a major fungal pathogen of lily leaf blight.