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Wang CY, Peng WJ, Kuo BS, Ho YH, Wang MS, Yang YT, Chang PY, Shen YH, Hwang KP. Toward a Pan-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine targeting conserved epitopes on spike and non-spike proteins for potent, broad and durable immune responses. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1010870. [PMID: 37079651 PMCID: PMC10153712 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The SARS-CoV-2 non-Spike (S) structural protein targets on nucleocapsid (N), membrane (M) and envelope (E), critical in the host cell interferon response and memory T-cell immunity, are grossly overlooked in COVID vaccine development. The current Spike-only vaccines bear an intrinsic shortfall for promotion of a fuller T cell immunity. Vaccines designed to target conserved epitopes could elicit strong cellular immune responses that would synergize with B cell responses and lead to long-term vaccine success. We pursue a universal (pan-SARS-CoV-2) vaccine against Delta, Omicrons and ever-emergent new mutants. METHODS AND FINDINGS We explored booster immunogenicity of UB-612, a multitope-vaccine that contains S1-RBD-sFc protein and sequence-conserved promiscuous Th and CTL epitope peptides on the Sarbecovirus N, M and S2 proteins. To a subpopulation (N = 1,478) of infection-free participants (aged 18-85 years) involved in a two-dose Phase-2 trial, a UB-612 booster (third dose) was administered 6-8 months after the second dose. The immunogenicity was evaluated at 14 days post-booster with overall safety monitored until the end of study. The booster induced high viral-neutralizing antibodies against live Wuhan WT (VNT50, 1,711) and Delta (VNT50, 1,282); and against pseudovirus WT (pVNT50, 11,167) vs. Omicron BA.1/BA.2/BA.5 variants (pVNT50, 2,314/1,890/854), respectively. The lower primary neutralizing antibodies in the elderly were uplifted upon boosting to approximately the same high level in young adults. UB-612 also induced potent, durable Th1-oriented (IFN-γ+-) responses (peak/pre-boost/post-boost SFU/106 PBMCs, 374/261/444) along with robust presence of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells (peak/pre-boost/post-boost CD107a+-Granzyme B+, 3.6%/1.8%/1.8%). This UB-612 booster vaccination is safe and well tolerated without SAEs. CONCLUSIONS By targeting conserved epitopes on viral S2, M and N proteins, UB-612 could provide potent, broad and long-lasting B-cell and T-cell memory immunity and offers the potential as a universal vaccine to fend off Omicrons and new VoCs without resorting to Omicron-specific immunogens. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04773067; ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05293665; ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05541861.
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Lin MF, Chang PY, Lee CH, Wu XX, Jeng RJ, Chen CP. Biowaste Eggshell Membranes for Bio-triboelectric Nanogenerators and Smart Sensors. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:6699-6707. [PMID: 36844511 PMCID: PMC9948195 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c07292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we used a simple and cost-effective method to fabricate triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) based on biowaste eggshell membranes (EMs). We prepared stretchable electrodes with various types of EMs (hen, duck, goose, and ostrich) and employed them as positive friction materials for bio-TENGs. A comparison of the electrical properties of the hen, duck, goose, and ostrich EMs revealed that the output voltage of the ostrich EM could reach up to 300 V, due to its abundant functional groups, natural fiber structure, high surface roughness, high surface charge, and high dielectric constant. The output power of the resulting device reached 0.18 mW, sufficient to power 250 red light-emitting diodes simultaneously, as well as a digital watch. This device also displayed good durability when subjected to 9000 cycles at 30 N at a frequency of 3 Hz. Furthermore, we designed an ostrich EM-TENG as a smart sensor for the detection of body motion, including leg movement and the pressing of different numbers of fingers.
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Madrid PB, Chang PY. Accelerating space radiation countermeasure development through drug repurposing. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2022; 35:30-35. [PMID: 36336366 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2022.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The discovery of safe and effective radiation countermeasures (MCM) for long-duration spaceflight is challenging due to the complexity of the space radiation biology and high safety requirements. There are few if any clinically-validated molecular targets for this use case, and preclinical models have several known limitations. These challenges make the evaluation of existing FDA-approved drugs for this indication, or drug repurposing, an attractive strategy to accelerate space radiation countermeasure development. Drug repurposing offers several advantages over de novo drug discovery including established manufacturing methods, human clinical safety data, and well-understood dosing and pharmacokinetic considerations. There are limitations working with a fixed set of possible candidate compounds, but some properties of repurposed drugs can be tailored for well-defined new indications through reformulation and development of drug combinations. Drug repurposing is thus an attractive strategy for mitigating the high risks and costs of drug development and delivering new countermeasures to protect human from space radiation in long-term missions.
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Wang CY, Hwang KP, Kuo HK, Peng WJ, Shen YH, Kuo BS, Huang JH, Liu H, Ho YH, Lin F, Ding S, Liu Z, Wu HT, Huang CT, Lee YJ, Liu MC, Yang YC, Lu PL, Tsai HC, Lee CH, Shi ZY, Liu CE, Liao CH, Chang FY, Cheng HC, Wang FD, Hou KL, Cheng J, Wang MS, Yang YT, Chiu HC, Jiang MH, Shih HY, Shen HY, Chang PY, Lan YR, Chen CT, Lin YL, Liang JJ, Liao CC, Chou YC, Morris MK, Hanson CV, Guirakhoo F, Hellerstein M, Yu HJ, King CC, Kemp T, Heppner DG, Monath TP. A multitope SARS-COV-2 vaccine provides long-lasting B cell and T cell immunity against Delta and Omicron variants. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:157707. [PMID: 35316221 PMCID: PMC9106357 DOI: 10.1172/jci157707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Delta and Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2 are currently responsible for breakthrough infections due to waning immunity. We report phase I/II trial results of UB-612, a multitope subunit vaccine containing S1-RBD-sFc protein and rationally designed promiscuous peptides representing sarbecovirus conserved helper T cell and cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitopes on the nucleocapsid (N), membrane (M), and spike (S2) proteins. Method We conducted a phase I primary 2-dose (28 days apart) trial of 10, 30, or 100 μg UB-612 in 60 healthy young adults 20 to 55 years old, and 50 of them were boosted with 100 μg of UB-612 approximately 7 to 9 months after the second dose. A separate placebo-controlled and randomized phase II study was conducted with 2 doses of 100 μg of UB-612 (n = 3,875, 18–85 years old). We evaluated interim safety and immunogenicity of phase I until 14 days after the third (booster) dose and of phase II until 28 days after the second dose. Results No vaccine-related serious adverse events were recorded. The most common solicited adverse events were injection site pain and fatigue, mostly mild and transient. In both trials, UB-612 elicited respective neutralizing antibody titers similar to a panel of human convalescent sera. The most striking findings were long-lasting virus-neutralizing antibodies and broad T cell immunity against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VoCs), including Delta and Omicron, and a strong booster-recalled memory immunity with high cross-reactive neutralizing titers against the Delta and Omicron VoCs. Conclusion UB-612 has presented a favorable safety profile, potent booster effect against VoCs, and long-lasting B and broad T cell immunity that warrants further development for both primary immunization and heterologous boosting of other COVID-19 vaccines. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04545749, NCT04773067, and NCT04967742. Funding UBI Asia, Vaxxinity Inc., and Taiwan Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare.
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Tay SY, Chang PY, Lao WT, Lin YC, Chung YH, Chan WP. The proper use of coronary calcium score and coronary computed tomography angiography for screening asymptomatic patients with cardiovascular risk factors. Sci Rep 2017; 7:17653. [PMID: 29247160 PMCID: PMC5732297 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-17655-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Early detection and treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD) can reduce incidences of acute myocardial infarction. In this study, we determined the proper use of contributing risk factors and coronary artery calcium score (CACS) when screening asymptomatic patients with coronary arterial stenoses using coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). We reviewed 934 consecutive patients who received CACS and CCTA between December 2013 and November 2016. At least one cardiovascular disease risk factor was present in each of the 509 asymptomatic participants. Patients were grouped based on CACS into “zero,” “minimal” (0 < CACS ≤ 10), “mild” (10 < CACS ≤ 100), “moderate” (100 < CACS ≤ 400), and “excessive” (CACS > 400). Males over 45 years old with diabetes mellitus and hypertension had a higher risk of significant coronary stenosis. In multivariate analysis, age, sex, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus remained significant predictors of stenosis. A CACS of zero occurred in 227 patients (44.6%). There were no significant differences between the “zero” and “minimal” groups (p = 0.421), but the “mild,” “moderate,” and “excessive” groups showed correlations with significant coronary stenosis. Age, sex, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension were associated with higher risk of significant coronary stenosis. Asymptomatic patients with CACSs of zero do not require CCTA, and thereby avoid unnecessary radiation exposure.
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Abstract
This study investigates the radiation dose and image quality of patients not receiving β-blockers for cardiac CT angiography (CCTA) with or without the optimization of electrocardiographic (ECG) pulsing window. The differences in patient characteristics are also characterized.Normal-weight and obese patients (n = 154) with heart rates between 65 and 80 beats per minutes (bpm) during the prospective axial scanning were enrolled retrospectively. The ECG pulsing windows were set at 50% to 75% (Group A) or 60% to 75% (Group B) of the R-R interval for patients with heart rate variability higher than or not exceeding ±5 bpm, respectively. The effective doses of individual patient were estimated from the dose length product of the CCTA scan. Two radiologists independently reviewed the images and applied a 4-point Likert scale for image quality assessment. The patients' characteristics were compared along with the patients' effective doses between groups.The optimized pulsing window significantly reduced the average radiation dose for normal-weight and obese patients by 33% and 27%, respectively. The CCTA image quality of patients in Group A was not different overall from those obtained from Group B. Nondiabetic obese patients were more likely to be accepted for the use of the optimized pulsing window. Unlike obese patients, normal-weight patients revealed no characteristic difference between Groups A and B.This study indicates an equivalent efficacy of using optimized pulsing windows for reducing the radiation dose for patients without β-blocker administration between different body weight groups. Nevertheless, gender and diabetic status became prominent characteristics in the obese group when matching up with the optimized pulsing window.
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Chang PY, Lee SY, Wang HP, Yu JM. 0292 STRESS AND STRESS-RELATED SYMPTOMS AMONG TAIWANESE PRIMARY FAMILY CAREGIVERS IN INTENSIVE CARE UNITS. Sleep 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/sleepj/zsx050.291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Chang PY, Su TS, Shih CT, Lo CC. The Topographical Mapping in Drosophila Central Complex Network and Its Signal Routing. Front Neuroinform 2017; 11:26. [PMID: 28443014 PMCID: PMC5385387 DOI: 10.3389/fninf.2017.00026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Accepted: 03/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural networks regulate brain functions by routing signals. Therefore, investigating the detailed organization of a neural circuit at the cellular levels is a crucial step toward understanding the neural mechanisms of brain functions. To study how a complicated neural circuit is organized, we analyzed recently published data on the neural circuit of the Drosophila central complex, a brain structure associated with a variety of functions including sensory integration and coordination of locomotion. We discovered that, except for a small number of “atypical” neuron types, the network structure formed by the identified 194 neuron types can be described by only a few simple mathematical rules. Specifically, the topological mapping formed by these neurons can be reconstructed by applying a generation matrix on a small set of initial neurons. By analyzing how information flows propagate with or without the atypical neurons, we found that while the general pattern of signal propagation in the central complex follows the simple topological mapping formed by the “typical” neurons, some atypical neurons can substantially re-route the signal pathways, implying specific roles of these neurons in sensory signal integration. The present study provides insights into the organization principle and signal integration in the central complex.
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Chang PY, Saechao FS, Lee J, Haskell SG, Frayne SM, Lee JS. Prevalence and risk of fracture diagnoses in women across the adult life span: a national cross-sectional study. Osteoporos Int 2016; 27:3177-3186. [PMID: 27349559 DOI: 10.1007/s00198-016-3655-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2016] [Accepted: 05/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED In a national sample of women veterans, the rate of lower limb fracture diagnosis was the highest across ages 18-74 years; rates of fracture diagnosis of other skeletal sites peaked in women aged 75+. Women with two or more primary care visits or mental healthcare visits had elevated odds of fracture diagnosis. INTRODUCTION We assessed the prevalence and healthcare utilization characteristics associated with a diagnosis of any fracture in women of all adult ages within the Veterans Health Administration. METHODS In 344,488 women during fiscal year 2012, logistic regression models for fracture diagnosis included age, race/ethnicity, residence, number of primary care visits, number of mental healthcare visits, and degree of service-connected disability. RESULTS Lower limb fracture diagnosis was most prevalent across ages 18-74 years and peaked in women aged 55-64 years. In women aged 75+, the prevalence rates of fracture diagnosis at the hip (102, 95 % CI = 88-115 per 10,000 women), upper limb (100, 95 % CI = 87-114 per 10,000 women), and lower limb (84, 95 % CI = 72-97 per 10,000 women) were the highest. Fractures at other skeletal sites peaked in those aged 75+ years. Black women had the lowest odds of a fracture diagnosis, followed by Asian/Pacific Islander and Hispanic women compared to non-Hispanic White (by 25-51 %, P < 0.05). Having two or more primary care visits or any mental health visit was each associated with an increased risk. Women with five or more primary care visits had a 3.36-fold (95 % CI = 3.02-3.75) greater odds than those with no such visit, and separately, women with five or more mental health visits had a 1.51-fold (95 % CI = 1.43-1.60) greater odds. Women with a fracture diagnosis had higher overall healthcare costs than those without (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Prevalence of fracture diagnosis differed by age, race/ethnicity, and skeletal site of fracture. Fracture diagnosis may identify women veterans with greater overall healthcare needs.
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Yang L, Tian RG, Chang PY, Yan MR, Su XL. Association of SNPs in the PPARγ gene and hypertension in a Mongolian population. GENETICS AND MOLECULAR RESEARCH 2015; 14:19295-308. [PMID: 26782582 DOI: 10.4238/2015.december.29.39] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in PPARγ with hypertension is controversial. The aim of the present study was to clarify the contributions of PPARγ genetic variants to hypertension through an association study. A total of 414 unrelated Mongolian herdsmen and 524 Han farmers were included in this study. Fourteen intronic SNPs were analyzed and genotyped using a polymerase chain reaction/ligase detection reaction assay. Prior to correction for multiple testing, the SNPs rs6802898 and rs12633551 were significantly associated with the prevalence of hypertension in the Han and Mongolian populations, respectively. The genetic association of each SNP with hypertension was individually tested using logistic regression. The SNP rs6802898 was associated with hypertension in both dominant (P = 0.033) and additive models (P = 0.026) in the Han population, whereas the SNP rs12633551 was associated with hypertension in both dominant (P = 0.014) and additive models (P = 0.0073) in the Mongolian population. Moreover, SNP rs12633551 had a significant effect on systolic and diastolic blood pressure response. However, none of these associations were statistically significant after Bonferroni correction for multiple testing, although there was a significant difference among the haplotypes in the Han and Mongolian populations. Interestingly, there was an association of the PPARγ haplotypes with hypertension even after Bonferroni correction. Thus, determination of the PPARγ haplotypes in different populations may prove informative for assessment of the genetic risk for hypertension.
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Chang PY, Liu ZY, Qin L, Zhao P. Association of NPRA and NPRC gene variants and hypertension in Mongolian population. GENETICS AND MOLECULAR RESEARCH 2015; 14:18494-502. [PMID: 26782497 DOI: 10.4238/2015.december.23.37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
NPRA and NPRC are candidate susceptibility genes for essential hypertension (EH) and play a key role in the regulation of plasma levels and biological effects of natriuretic peptides. The aims of the present study were to find new genetic markers in the NPRA and NPRC genes and to assess relationships between variants and EH. A total of 797 unrelated Mongolian herdsmen were enrolled, including 389 EH patients and 408 normotensive controls. Genotyping was performed using the polymerase chain reaction/ligase detection reaction assay. The distribution of the T-allele frequency of rs1847018 in NPRC differed significantly between hypertensive subjects and controls. There was an association between rs1847018 and EH in the additive model in NPRC (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the genotype and allele frequency distributions for any of the 3 single nucleotide polymorphisms in NPRA between EH and normotensive individuals. In NPRA, the frequency of haplotype TCA in the EH group was significantly lower than in controls, while the frequency of haplotype TCG was significantly higher in the EH group than in controls; Individuals who possessed the TCA haplotype had a significantly lower risk of EH, whereas the presence of haplotype TCG was significantly associated with a higher risk of EH. However, there was no significant difference between the EH group and controls in any of the 8 haplotypes in NPRC. Rs1847018 is a genetic marker of EH in NPRC, and the frequency of haplotype TCA and TCG in NPRA is associated with EH in the Mongolian population.
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Chang PY, Qin L, Zhao P, Liu ZY. Association of regulator of G protein signaling (RGS5) gene variants and essential hypertension in Mongolian and Han populations. GENETICS AND MOLECULAR RESEARCH 2015; 14:17641-50. [PMID: 26782409 DOI: 10.4238/2015.december.21.37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Genetic variants of the RGS5 gene are believed to be risk factors for hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we investigated the association between RGS5 gene variants and hypertension in the Mongolian and Han populations. Peripheral blood was obtained from 429 unrelated Mongolian herdsmen and 416 Han farmers [including essential hypertension (EH) patients and controls]. Nine tagSNPs within the RGS5 genes were retrieved from HapMap, and the samples were individually genotyped using the polymerase chain reaction/ligase detection reaction assay. The distribution of the allele frequency of rs12035879 differed significantly between hypertensive subjects and controls in the Han population, while the distribution of the allele and genotype frequencies of rs16849802 differed significantly between hypertensive subjects and controls in the Mongolian population. We observed an association between rs16849802 and EH in the Mongolian population. The frequency of haplotype GAA was significantly higher in the EH group than in controls in the Mongolian population. However, the EH group and controls did not differ significantly in all 6 haplotypes in the Han population. The rs16849802 and haplotype GAA independently increased the risk of EH in Mongolian patients, and may be used as a risk factor for the prediction of high blood pressure.
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Liao CC, Chang PY, Yeh CC, Hu CJ, Wu CH, Chen TL. Outcomes after surgery in patients with previous stroke. Br J Surg 2014; 101:1616-22. [PMID: 25224956 DOI: 10.1002/bjs.9639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2014] [Revised: 06/27/2014] [Accepted: 07/30/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Limited information is available on the association between a medical history of stroke and postoperative outcomes. This study investigated the outcomes following non-neurological surgery in patients with previous stroke. METHODS Using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database, a nationwide cohort study was conducted of patients who underwent non-neurological surgery between 2008 and 2010 with a medical history of stroke in the 24-month period before operation. Patients who had non-neurological surgeries without previous stroke were selected as controls by the propensity score-matched pair method. Thirty-day postoperative complications and in-hospital mortality were compared between the two groups. RESULTS Some 1 426 795 adults underwent major inpatient non-neurological surgery, of whom 45 420 had a medical history of previous stroke. Patients with previous stroke who underwent surgery had an increased risk of postoperative pneumonia, septicaemia, acute renal failure, acute myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism and 30-day in-hospital mortality (adjusted rate ratio (RR) 1·79, 95 per cent c.i. 1·61 to 1·99). Compared with controls, patients with previous stroke due to intracerebral haemorrhage (RR 3·41, 2·97 to 3·91), and those who were treated in intensive care (RR 2·55, 2·24 to 2·90) or underwent neurosurgery (RR 2·49, 2·12 to 2·92), had an increased 30-day in-hospital mortality rate. Postoperative mortality also increased with stroke-related co-morbidities, and with stroke 1-6 months before surgery (RR 3·31, 2·91 to 3·75). CONCLUSION Patients with previous stroke had a higher risk of adverse postoperative outcomes; their 30-day in-hospital mortality rate was nearly twice that of patients without previous stroke.
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Lin YN, Chang PY, Hsiao PY, Lo CC. Polarity-specific high-level information propagation in neural networks. Front Neuroinform 2014; 8:27. [PMID: 24672472 PMCID: PMC3955877 DOI: 10.3389/fninf.2014.00027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2013] [Accepted: 02/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Analyzing the connectome of a nervous system provides valuable information about the functions of its subsystems. Although much has been learned about the architectures of neural networks in various organisms by applying analytical tools developed for general networks, two distinct and functionally important properties of neural networks are often overlooked. First, neural networks are endowed with polarity at the circuit level: Information enters a neural network at input neurons, propagates through interneurons, and leaves via output neurons. Second, many functions of nervous systems are implemented by signal propagation through high-level pathways involving multiple and often recurrent connections rather than by the shortest paths between nodes. In the present study, we analyzed two neural networks: the somatic nervous system of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) and the partial central complex network of Drosophila, in light of these properties. Specifically, we quantified high-level propagation in the vertical and horizontal directions: the former characterizes how signals propagate from specific input nodes to specific output nodes and the latter characterizes how a signal from a specific input node is shared by all output nodes. We found that the two neural networks are characterized by very efficient vertical and horizontal propagation. In comparison, classic small-world networks show a trade-off between vertical and horizontal propagation; increasing the rewiring probability improves the efficiency of horizontal propagation but worsens the efficiency of vertical propagation. Our result provides insights into how the complex functions of natural neural networks may arise from a design that allows them to efficiently transform and combine input signals.
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Fu CY, Shih CH, Chang PY, Hsiao CH, Wang YC, Chen RJ. Conservative treatment of concomitant extraperitoneal bladder rupture and intrabladder blood clot formation: Case report of application of ureteral catheterization. Can Urol Assoc J 2013; 6:E256-8. [PMID: 23283098 DOI: 10.5489/cuaj.11095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Most extraperitoneal bladder ruptures can be treated conservatively with catheter drainage only. However, in patients with concomitant intrabladder blood clot formation and extraperitoneal bladder rupture, surgery for blood clot evacuation and bladder repair are usually needed due to occlusion of the urinary catheter. In our patient, we used a ureteral catheter to bypass the clots in the bladder to provide adequate urinary drainage. This procedure serves as a valuable tool in the conservative treatment of extraperitoneal bladder injury.
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Fu CY, Shih CH, Chang PY, Hsiao CH, Wang YC, Chen RJ. Conservative treatment of concomitant extraperitoneal bladder rupture and intrabladder blood clot formation: Case report of application of ureteral catheterization. Can Urol Assoc J 2012. [DOI: 10.5489/cuaj.126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Most extraperitoneal bladder ruptures can be treated conservatively with catheter drainage only. However, in patients with concomitant intra bladder blood clot formation and extraperitoneal bladder rupture, surgery for blood clot evacuation and bladder repair are usually needed due to occlusion of the urinary catheter. In our patient, we used a ureteral catheter to bypass the clots in the bladder to provide adequate urinary drainage. This procedure serves as a valuable tool in the conservative treatment of extraperitoneal bladder injury.
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Chang PY, Fiksel G, Hohenberger M, Knauer JP, Betti R, Marshall FJ, Meyerhofer DD, Séguin FH, Petrasso RD. Fusion yield enhancement in magnetized laser-driven implosions. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2011; 107:035006. [PMID: 21838372 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.107.035006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Enhancement of the ion temperature and fusion yield has been observed in magnetized laser-driven inertial confinement fusion implosions on the OMEGA Laser Facility. A spherical CH target with a 10 atm D2 gas fill was imploded in a polar-drive configuration. A magnetic field of 80 kG was embedded in the target and was subsequently trapped and compressed by the imploding conductive plasma. As a result of the hot-spot magnetization, the electron radial heat losses were suppressed and the observed ion temperature and neutron yield were enhanced by 15% and 30%, respectively.
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Chang PY, Zhang XG, Su XL. Lack of association of variants of the renal salt reabsorption-related genes SLC12A3 and ClC-Kb and hypertension in Mongolian and Han populations in Inner Mongolia. GENETICS AND MOLECULAR RESEARCH 2011; 10:948-54. [PMID: 21644212 DOI: 10.4238/vol10-2gmr1165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Abnormalities in renal sodium chloride and water reabsorption play important roles in the development of hypertension. Mutations in the genes involved in renal sodium chloride reabsorption can affect blood pressure. Recently, the R904Q variant of the sodium/chloride transporters, member 3 (SLC12A3) gene and the T481S variant of the chloride channel Kb (ClC-Kb) gene were found to be implicated in essential hypertension. We investigated a possible role of the SLC12A3 and ClC-Kb genes in the prevalence of essential hypertension in the Mongolian and Han ethnic groups. The study population comprised 308 unrelated Mongolians with essential hypertension, 271 Mongolian normotensives, 285 unrelated Han with essential hypertension, and 194 Han normotensives living in Inner Mongolia. The presence of the SLC12A3 R904Q and ClC-Kb-T481S polymorphisms was determined using TaqMan PCR. The risk factors for hypertension were age, body mass index, alcohol consumption, total plasma cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The genotype and allele frequencies of SLC12A3 R904Q and ClC-Kb-T481S were not significantly different between hypertensive patients and controls in the Mongolian (SLC12A3 R904Q, P = 0.471 and P = 0.494, ClC-Kb-T481S, P = 0.960 and P = 0.960, respectively) and Han (SLC12A3 R904Q, P = 0.765 and P = 0.777, ClC-Kb-T481S, P = 0.100 and P = 0.103, respectively) populations. There was no significant association between the SLC12A3 R904Q variant and the ClC-Kb-T481S variant and essential hypertension in either ethnic group.
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Chang PY, Zhao LG, Su XL. Association of TSC gene variants and hypertension in Mongolian and Han populations. GENETICS AND MOLECULAR RESEARCH 2011; 10:902-9. [PMID: 21644207 DOI: 10.4238/vol10-2gmr1227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
We investigated a possible association between genetic variations in the thiazide-sensitive Na-Cl cotransporter (TSC) gene and essential hypertension (EH) in the Mongolian and Han ethnic groups in Inner Mongolia. Our study included 385 unrelated Mongolian herdsmen and 523 Han farmers. Nine tagSNPs of TSC were identified from the Chinese HapMap database based on pairwise r(2) ≥ 0.5 and minor allele frequency ≥0.05. Genotyping was performed using the PCR/ligase detection reaction assay. Association between tagSNPs and hypertension was investigated under the additive model. There were significant differences between the genotype and allele frequencies of rs13306673 between the EH group and the control group in the Han population. Significant associations were found between the rs7204044 variant and EH in both the Mongolian and Han ethnic groups. The frequency of haplotype GCA in the EH group was significantly higher than in the control group in the Mongolian population. In the Han population, the frequency of haplotype TGG was significantly higher in the EH group than in controls, whereas haplotype TGA occurred significantly less often in EH than in controls. We suggest that rs7204044 of TSC is a genetic factor for EH in these two ethnicities and that rs13306673 is a genetic factor for EH in the Han population.
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Chang PY, Giuliari GP, Shaikh M, Thakuria P, Makhoul D, Foster CS. Mycophenolate mofetil monotherapy in the management of paediatric uveitis. Eye (Lond) 2011; 25:427-35. [PMID: 21423146 DOI: 10.1038/eye.2011.23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate effectiveness and safety of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) monotherapy in paediatric autoimmune uveitis. METHODS We reviewed medical records of patients, 18 years of age or younger, with autoimmune uveitis treated with MMF at our practice from 2005 to 2009. The dose and duration of MMF therapy, inflammation status, visual acuity, previous immunomodulatory therapies, and adverse effects were recorded. In addition, the following subgroups were defined: (1) Durable Disease Control: patients whose uveitis remained quiescent for at least 2 years on MMF monotherapy, with no more than two flare-ups successfully treated with an increase in MMF dosage and/or a short course (<1 month) of corticosteroids; (2) Short-term Inflammation Control: patients whose uveitis remained quiescent for less than 2 years, with no more than one flare-up successfully treated with an increase in MMF dosage and/or a short course of corticosteroids, or who initially achieved inflammation control but discontinued MMF because of significant adverse effects. RESULTS A total of 38 out of 52 patients (73.1%) obtained inflammation control following 2 months of MMF monotherapy, achieving ≤ 0.5+ grading in anterior chamber cell/flare and vitreous haze. In the cross-sectional analysis, 25 patients (48.1%) met the criteria for Durable Disease Control, and 13 others (25.0%) qualified for Short-term Inflammation Control. Visual acuity remained stable or improved in 94.2% of the study population. Six patients (11.5%) discontinued MMF because of significant adverse effects, the most common of which was gastrointestinal disturbances. CONCLUSION MMF monotherapy appears to be an effective and safe treatment in paediatric autoimmune uveitis.
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Hsieh MC, Chang PY, Hsu WH, Yang SH, Chan WP. Role of three-dimensional rotational venography in evaluation of the left iliac vein in patients with chronic lower limb edema. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 2010; 27:923-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s10554-010-9745-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2010] [Accepted: 10/27/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Chang PY, Doppalapudi R, Bakke J, Wang A, Menda S, Davis Z. Biological impact of low dose-rate simulated solar particle event radiation in vivo. RADIATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOPHYSICS 2010; 49:379-388. [PMID: 20473680 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-010-0291-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2009] [Accepted: 05/01/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
C57Bl6-lacZ animals were exposed to a range of low dose-rate simulated solar particle event (sSPE) radiation at the NASA-sponsored Research Laboratory (NSRL) at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL). Peripheral blood was harvested from animals from 1 to 12 days after total body irradiation (TBI) to quantify the level of circulating reticulocytes (RET) and micronucleated reticulocytes (MN-RET) as an early indicator of radiation-induced genotoxicity. Bone marrow lymphocytes and hippocampal tissues from each animal were collected at 12 days and up to two months, to evaluate dose-dependent late effects after sSPE exposure. Early hematopoietic changes show that the % RET was reduced up to 3 days in response to radiation exposure but recovered at 12 days postirradiation. The % MN-RET in peripheral blood was temporally regulated and dependant on the total accumulated dose. Total chromosome aberrations in lymphocytes increased linearly with dose within a week after radiation and remained significantly higher than the control values at 4 weeks after exposure. The level of aberrations in the irradiated animals returned to control levels by 8 weeks postirradiation. Measurements of chromosome 2 and 8 specific aberrations indicate that, consistent with conventional giemsa-staining methods, the level of aberrations is also not significantly higher than in control animals at 8 weeks postirradiation. The hippocampus was surveyed for differential transcriptional regulation of genes known to be associated with neurogenesis. Our results showed differential expression of neurotrophin and their associated receptor genes within 1 week after sSPE exposure. Progressive changes in the profile of expressed genes known to be involved in neurogenic signaling pathways were dependent on the sSPE dose. Our results to date suggest that radiation-induced changes in the hematopoietic system, i.e., chromosome aberrations in lymphocytes, are transient and do not persist past 4 weeks after radiation. On the other hand, alteration in the profile of genes known to be involved in neurotrophic functions in the hippocampal tissue appears to persist for up to 8 weeks after radiation exposure. Such temporal changes confirm that, although cytogenetic changes after a single dose of low-dose and low-dose-rate protons appear to be transient, the impact of this exposure is sufficient to lead to persistent dynamic changes in neuronal tissues long after the initial radiation exposure.
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Wu YS, Chang PY, Chen SN. Abstract B53: Cytotoxic effect of 21kDa protein and antitumor effect of 31KDa protein derived from mushroom, schizophyllum commune. Clin Cancer Res 2010. [DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.tcmusa10-b53] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The present study attempts to the purified proteins from mushrooms that way activate and stimulate the proliferation of immune cell, resulting in the onset phagocytosis and nature killer cell (NK cell) activity, and promotes the cytotoxicity of tumor cell. In this study 21 and 30 KDa protein from fermentation liquid of the mushroom Schizophyllum commune were purified that exhibit a distinct cytotoxic capability: The 21 KDa protein was demonstrated to be capable of stimulating the NK cell activity, while the 30 KDa protein prevent the proliferation of Lewis lung carcinoma in vitro. Furthermore it was also forward that 21 KDa protein stimulate the the proliferation of mouse splenocyte at a various concentration levels without agglutinating the red blood cell of ICR mouse. Our result showed that when we used concentration level of 27 µg/ml protein, a significant activity of NK cell was obtained (p< 0.05). In addition 30 KDa protein may activate macrophage RAW264.7 enhance to production of nitric oxide and TNF-α, However, the production of nitric oxide by RAW264.7 was relied on the dose of 30 KDa protein in vitro. Based on the results, the purified proteins protein from Schizophyllum commune were potent immue stimulants and has a potential for development as a novel pharmacological agent.
Citation Information: Clin Cancer Res 2010;16(14 Suppl):B53.
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Giuliari GP, Chang PY, Thakuria P, Hinkle DM, Foster CS. Erratum: Pars plana vitrectomy in the management of paediatric uveitis: the Massachusetts Eye Research and Surgery Institution experience. Eye (Lond) 2010. [DOI: 10.1038/eye.2010.38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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Chang PY, Betti R, Spears BK, Anderson KS, Edwards J, Fatenejad M, Lindl JD, McCrory RL, Nora R, Shvarts D. Generalized measurable ignition criterion for inertial confinement fusion. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2010; 104:135002. [PMID: 20481889 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.104.135002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
A multidimensional measurable criterion for central ignition of inertial-confinement-fusion capsules is derived. The criterion accounts for the effects of implosion nonuniformities and depends on three measurable parameters: the neutron-averaged total areal density (rhoR(n)(tot)), the ion temperature (T(n)), and the yield over clean (YOC=ratio of the measured neutron yield to the predicted one-dimensional yield). The YOC measures the implosion uniformity. The criterion can be approximated by chi=(rhoR(n)(tot))(0.8) x (T(n)/4.7)(1.7)YOC(mu)>1 (where rhoR is in g cm(-2), T in keV, and mu approximately 0.4-0.5) and can be used to assess the performance of cryogenic implosions on the NIF and OMEGA. Cryogenic implosions on OMEGA have achieved chi approximately 0.02-0.03.
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