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Chou WC, Chou YY, Pan YW, Ou TY, Tsai MC. Correlates of disordered eating and insulin restriction behavior and its association with psychological health in Taiwanese youths with diabetes mellitus. J Eat Disord 2023; 11:158. [PMID: 37710329 PMCID: PMC10503123 DOI: 10.1186/s40337-023-00888-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with diabetes mellitus (DM) are prone to eating disorders that may worsen metabolic control. This study investigated the clinical and behavioral correlates of disordered eating and insulin restriction (DE/IR) behavior and its association with psychological health among AYAs with DM. METHODS We enrolled patients with DM aged 10-30 years receiving insulin treatment in a tertiary medical center from 2019 to 2021. After obtaining informed consent, we assessed various visit-to-visit HbA1c measures indicating glycemic control, DE/IR behavior using the modified SCOFF questionnaire, weight-control practices (e.g., self-medication, induced vomiting, and over-exercising), and anxious and depressive symptoms using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Correlation and hierarchical regression analyses were applied to understand the clinical and behavioral correlates of DE/IR behavior and its association with anxiety and depression. RESULTS Among the 110 patients with type 1 and type 2 DM recruited, we found 17.6% restricting insulin use and 6.3% self-medicating for weight control (higher in type 2 DM than type 1 DM). Hierarchical regression analyses showed HbA1c standard deviation (odds ratio = 2.18, [95% confidence interval 1.07-4.42]), body image (1.83, [1.05-3.20]), and dieting (4.74, [1.70-13.23]) associated with DE/IR behavior. Moreover, DE/IR behavior was further associated with anxiety (1.17 [1.08-1.27]) and depression (1.12 [1.03-1.22]). CONCLUSION DE/IR behavior is not uncommon among AYAs with DM, particularly those with type 2 DM, and may be associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms. In addition, HbA1c variability is correlated with DE/IR behavior, and the clinical implications need further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Chih Chou
- Department of Pediatrics, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatrics, Shin Huey Shin Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Yin Chou
- Division of Genetics, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Genomic Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Wen Pan
- Division of Genetics, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Ying Ou
- Department of Genomic Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatrics, Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Dalin, Taiwan
| | - Meng-Che Tsai
- Division of Genetics, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
- Department of Genomic Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
- Department of Medical Humanities and Social Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 138 Shengli Road, Tainan, 704, Taiwan.
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Chou WC, Chou YY, Pan YW, Tsai MC. Is Non-Stimulated C-Peptide at Diagnosis a Good Predictive Value for Insulin Use at Two Years after Diagnosis in Pediatric Diabetic Patients? Medicina (Kaunas) 2021; 57:medicina57090902. [PMID: 34577825 PMCID: PMC8465312 DOI: 10.3390/medicina57090902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Insulin treatment may be initially required to stabilize patients presenting with metabolic crisis at type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) onset. Some patients with type 2 DM may need persistent insulin treatment. This study aimed to examine the predictive performance of non-stimulated C-peptide level at the time of diagnosis for future insulin use in pediatric diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: We reviewed the medical charts of diabetic patients aged 18 years or younger in a medical center in southern Taiwan from January 2000 to December 2019. Clinical and individual data were collected at the time of DM diagnosis. Outcomes were persistent insulin use at the time of diagnosis, as well as at one and two years after diagnosis. Results: The final analysis included a total of 250 patients. The best cut-off point of non-stimulated C-peptide was 0.95 ng/mL, and the predictive indices for the insulin use were 0.84 for sensitivity and 0.94 for specificity at two years after DM diagnosis. Incorporating age at onset and presence of GAD antibodies can further increase the predictive power of non-stimulated C-peptide. Conclusions: The value of non-stimulated C-peptide at diabetic onset was feasible and effective for predicting future insulin treatment up to the time point of two years after diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Chih Chou
- Division of Genetics, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan; (W.-C.C.); (Y.-Y.C.); (Y.-W.P.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien 970, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Yin Chou
- Division of Genetics, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan; (W.-C.C.); (Y.-Y.C.); (Y.-W.P.)
| | - Yu-Wen Pan
- Division of Genetics, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan; (W.-C.C.); (Y.-Y.C.); (Y.-W.P.)
| | - Meng-Che Tsai
- Division of Genetics, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan; (W.-C.C.); (Y.-Y.C.); (Y.-W.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-6-235-3535 (ext. 4190)
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Hsiao YC, Wang JH, Chu CH, Chang YH, Chen JS, Jan RH, Yang SH, Chen MC, Chou WC, Chu SY, Lai PC, Cheng CF, Chiu PY, Liu YH, Chang YC. Comparison of Growth Velocity Among School Age Children With Different Body Mass Index From Childhood Into Early Adolescence in Hualien County, Taiwan: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Front Pediatr 2021; 9:599730. [PMID: 33643970 PMCID: PMC7907168 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2021.599730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the contribution of high body mass index (BMI) to growth velocity among school-aged children who remained in the same BMI categories for a 6-year period. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included children who enrolled in the school year 2009 and remained in the same BMI categories during their 1st, 4th, and 7th grades (6-7, 9-10, 12-13 years of age). Annual linear growth velocity and weight gain were calculated and compared between sexes, BMI groups, and different times. Risk analysis and repeated measures analysis of variance were performed to identify the impact of BMI on growth velocity. Results: Of the 1,637 subjects, 53.0% were male, and 2.5% and 10.9% belonged to BMI groups of overweight and obese, respectively. In students between 6 and 13 years of age, obesity was associated with higher annual weight gain and height gain. Risk analysis showed that obese subjects had higher linear growth velocity than normal BMI groups of both sexes between 6 and 9 years of age. Unexpectedly, overweight and obese girls between 9 and 13 years of age had less linear growth velocity than underweight girls at the same interval. Repeated measures analysis of variance in both sexes showed a significant statistical association between BMI and different times of growth. However, the effect was less in girls between 9 and 13 years of age. Conclusion: Puberty may dominate over BMI as the main contributor to high growth velocity in girls with underweight BMI emerging into pubertal age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Chao Hsiao
- Department of Pediatrics, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Jen-Hung Wang
- Department of Medical Research, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hsiang Chu
- Department of Pediatrics, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Hsun Chang
- Department of Pediatrics, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan.,Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jui-Shia Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Rong-Hwa Jan
- Department of Pediatrics, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Shang-Hsien Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Chun Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chih Chou
- Department of Pediatrics, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Shao-Yin Chu
- Department of Pediatrics, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Chun Lai
- Department of Pediatrics, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Education, Evidence-Based Medicine Center, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Feng Cheng
- School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan.,Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pin-Yun Chiu
- Department of Pediatrics, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Hsuan Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Chieh Chang
- Department of Pediatrics, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan
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Huang HY, Cai KB, Chang LY, Chen PW, Lin TN, Lin CAJ, Shen JL, Talite MJ, Chou WC, Yuan CT. Eco-friendly luminescent solar concentrators with low reabsorption losses and resistance to concentration quenching based on aqueous-solution-processed thiolate-gold nanoclusters. Nanotechnology 2017; 28:375702. [PMID: 28682300 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/aa7e1f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Heavy-metal-containing quantum dots (QDs) with engineered electronic states have been served as luminophores in luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) with impressive optical efficiency. Unfortunately, those QDs involve toxic elements and need to be synthesized in a hazardous solvent. Recently, biocompatible, eco-friendly gold nanoclusters (AuNCs), which can be directly synthesized in an aqueous solution, have gained much attention for promising applications in 'green photonics'. Here, we explored the solid-state photophysical properties of aqueous-solution-processed, glutathione-stabilized gold nanoclusters (GSH-AuNCs) with a ligand-to-metal charge-transfer (LMCT) state for developing 'green' LSCs. We found that such GSH-AuNCs exhibit a large Stokes shift with almost no spectral overlap between the optical absorption and PL emission due to the LMCT states, thus, suppressing reabsorption losses. Compared with GSH-AuNCs in solution, the photoluminescence quantum yields (PL-QYs) of the LSCs can be enhanced, accompanied with a lengthened PL lifetime owing to the suppression of non-radiative recombination rates. In addition, the LSCs do not suffer from severe concentration-induced PL quenching, which is a common weakness for conventional luminophores. As a result, a common trade-off between light-harvesting efficiency and solid-state PL-QYs can be bypassed due to nearly-zero spectral overlap integral between the optical absorption and PL emission. We expect that GSH-AuNCs hold great promise for serving as luminophores for 'green' LSCs by further enhancing solid-state PL-QYs.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Y Huang
- Department of Physics, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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5
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Ho YC, Weng CY, Chou WC, Lin SP, Chu SY. Psychosocial perspectives of a patient with mucopolysaccharidosis type VI. Tzu Chi Med J 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tcmj.2013.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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6
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Chou WC, Weng CY, Lin SP, Chu SY. Postenzyme replacement therapy era for type 2 mucopolysaccharidosis. Tzu Chi Med J 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tcmj.2012.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
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7
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Shu GW, Lin JY, Jian HT, Shen JL, Wang SC, Chou CL, Chou WC, Wu CH, Chiu CH, Kuo HC. Optical coupling from InGaAs subcell to InGaP subcell in InGaP/InGaAs/Ge multi-junction solar cells. Opt Express 2013; 21 Suppl 1:A123-A130. [PMID: 23389263 DOI: 10.1364/oe.21.00a123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Spatially-resolved electroluminescence (EL) images in the triple-junction InGaP/InGaAs/Ge solar cell have been investigated to demonstrate the subcell coupling effect. Upon irradiating the infrared light with an energy below bandgap of the active layer in the top subcell, but above that in the middle subcell, the EL of the top subcell quenches. By analysis of EL intensity as a function of irradiation level, it is found that the coupled p-n junction structure and the photovoltaic effect are responsible for the observed EL quenching. With optical coupling and photoswitching effects in the multi-junction diode, a concept of infrared image sensors is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- G W Shu
- Department of Physics, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chung-Li 32023, Taiwan
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8
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Chou JW, Lin KC, Tang YT, Hsueh FK, Lee YJ, Luo CW, Chen YN, Yuan CT, Shih HC, Fan WC, Lin MC, Chou WC, Chuu DS. Fluorescence signals of quantum dots influenced by spatially controlled array structures. Nanotechnology 2009; 20:415201. [PMID: 19755732 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/20/41/415201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Fluorescence signals of quantum dots (QDs) influenced by different array structures of gold-coated silicon nanorods (SiNRs) were investigated via experimental observations and two-dimensional (2D) finite element method (FEM) simulations. On the densest gold-coated SiNRs array structure, the highest QD fluorescence quenching rates were observed and on the sparsest array structure, the highest QD fluorescence enhancement rates were observed. By developing a new technique which obtains the optical image of the array structures without losing information about the QD locations, we were able to further investigate how the QD fluorescence is influenced by spatially controlled array structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- J W Chou
- Department of Electrophysics, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30050, Taiwan
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Abstract
Both ensemble and single-molecule measurements were performed to explore the fluorescence properties of Au nanoclusters (NCs). Photoinduced fluorescence enhancement was observed for ensemble NCs in solution, but photobleaching was found at ambient environments. At the single-molecule level, fluorescence blinking and single-step photobleaching were observed. Furthermore, their time-resolved fluorescence shows a single exponential decay with a lifetime of approximately 7 ns and is insensitive to changes in fluorescence intensity. The lifetime distribution is more homogeneous within ensemble Au NCs as compared to CdSe QDs. Therefore, Au NCs have potential applications as nontoxic fluorescent labels for lifetime-based imaging microscopy. However, their low quantum yields and poor photostability are disadvantageous factors, which require further improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- C T Yuan
- Research Center for Applied Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
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Fu SF, Wang SM, Lee L, Chen CY, Tsai WC, Chou WC, Lee MC, Chang WH, Chen WK. The structural and optical properties of InN nanodots grown with various V/III ratios by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition. Nanotechnology 2009; 20:295702. [PMID: 19567947 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/20/29/295702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Self-assembled InN nanodots have been prepared at 650 degrees C with various V/III ratios from 500 to 30 000 by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). It is found that the dot density and morphological size as well as the optical properties all display drastic changes at V/III = 12 000. Generally, denser and smaller InN nanodots with higher emission energy and narrower linewidth were obtained when growth was conducted at V/III ratios slightly lower than 12 000 as compared to those at higher V/III ratios. The physical properties of our MOCVD-grown InN nanodots are sensitive to the surface structure and the morphology is very similar to molecular beam epitaxially grown GaN and InN films, which may be used as a guide to optimize the InN growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- S F Fu
- Department of Electrophysics, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
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11
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Christiansen SH, Chou JW, Becker M, Sivakov V, Ehrhold K, Berger A, Chou WC, Chuu DS, Gösele U. Fluorescence signals of core-shell quantum dots enhanced by single crystalline gold caps on silicon nanowires. Nanotechnology 2009; 20:165301. [PMID: 19420566 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/20/16/165301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
We use nanoscale (20-300 nm in diameter) single crystalline gold (Au)-caps on silicon nanowires (NWs) grown by the vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) growth mechanism to enhance the fluorescence photoluminescence (PL) signals of highly dilute core/shell CdSeTe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) in aqueous solution (10(-5) M). For NWs without Au-caps, as they appear, for example, after Au etching in aqua regia or buffered KI/I(2)-solution, essentially no fluorescence signal of the same diluted QDs could be observed. Fluorescence PL signals were measured using excitation with a laser wavelength of 633 nm. The signal enhancement by single crystalline, nanoscale Au-caps is discussed and interpreted based on finite element modeling (FEM).
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Affiliation(s)
- S H Christiansen
- Max-Planck-Institute of Microstructure Physics, Weinberg 2, D-06120 Halle, Germany. Institute of Photonic Technology (IPHT), Albert-Einstein-Strasse 9, D-07745 Jena, Germany
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Ke WC, Fu CP, Huang CC, Ku CS, Lee L, Chen CY, Tsai WC, Chen WK, Lee MC, Chou WC, Lin WJ, Cheng YC. Optical properties and carrier dynamics of self-assembled GaN/Al(0.11)Ga(0.89)N quantum dots. Nanotechnology 2006; 17:2609-2613. [PMID: 21727512 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/17/10/027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
GaN quantum dots were grown on an Al(0.11)Ga(0.89)N buffer layer by using flow rate modulation epitaxy. The Stranski-Krastanov growth mode was identified by an atomic force microscopy study. The thickness of the wetting layer is about 7.2 monolayers. The temperature dependent photoluminescence studies showed that at low temperature the localization energy, which accounts for de-trapping of excitons, decreases with the reducing dot size. The decrease in emission efficiency at high temperature is attributed to the activation of carriers from the GaN dot to the nitrogen vacancy (V(N)) state of the Al(0.11)Ga(0.89)N barrier layer. The activation energy decreases with reducing dot size.
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Affiliation(s)
- W C Ke
- Department of Electrophysics, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan, Republic of China
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Lin CY, Chou WC, Lin WT. Modeling the width and placement of riparian vegetated buffer strips: a case study on the Chi-Jia-Wang stream, Taiwan. J Environ Manage 2002; 66:269-280. [PMID: 12448405 DOI: 10.1006/jema.2002.0589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Improper agricultural activities seriously affect water quality. It is very important to control agricultural nonpoint source pollution along the Chi-Jia-Wang Stream to protect the habitat of land-locked salmon (Oncorhynchus masou formosanus), one of the endangered species in Taiwan. Riparian vegetative buffer strips are used to intercept wastewater, surface runoff and groundwater flow to reduce pesticide, nutrient and other organic pollutants before they enter the stream. This study estimates the suitable width for vegetated buffer strips in the riparian zone along the stream using a geographic information system and an index model. The groundwater in the study area is easily contaminated by pollutants due to the high hydraulic conductivity in the riparian zone of the Chi-Jia-Wang Stream. After comparing simulations on selected 46 kinds of selected pesticides, the maximum safety depth of Fenarimol was estimated. A wider Fenarimol vegetated strip is needed as a buffer zone to ensure pollution control effectiveness. Simulation results can provide a preliminary evaluation for the soil or groundwater pollution caused by pesticides, but the actual influences require onsite data verification.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Y Lin
- Department of Soil and Water Conservation, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China
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Abstract
Arsenic is effective in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia. Paradoxically, it is also carcinogenic. In the process of elucidating a mechanism of arsenic resistance in a leukemia cell line, NB4, we discovered that arsenic exposure causes chromosomal abnormalities, with a preponderance of end-to-end fusions. These chromosomal end fusions suggested that telomerase activity may be inhibited by arsenic. We found that arsenic inhibits transcription of the hTERT gene, which encodes the reverse transcriptase subunit of human telomerase. This effect may in part be explained by decreased c-Myc and Sp1 transcription factor activities. Decreased telomerase activity leads to chromosomal end lesions, which promote either genomic instability and carcinogenesis or cancer cell death. These phenomena may explain the seemingly paradoxical carcinogenic and antitumor effects of arsenic.
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Affiliation(s)
- W C Chou
- Program in Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Abstract
Heterologous proteins expressed on the surface of cells may be useful for eliciting therapeutic responses and engineering new extracellular properties. We examined factors that control the membrane targeting of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and a single-chain antibody (scFv). Chimeric proteins were targeted to the plasma membrane by employing the transmembrane domain (TM) and cytosolic tail of murine CD8O (B7-1), the TM of the human platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), the glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor encoded by the C-terminal extension of decay-accelerating factor (DAF), and the TM of the H1 subunit of the human asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR). AFP chimeric proteins containing the B7, DAF, ASGPR, or PDGFR targeting domains displayed half-lives of 12.2, 3.8, 2.4, and 1.6 h, respectively. The newly synthesized B7 chimera was rapidly transported and remained on the cell surface. Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored chimeras reached the surface more slowly and significant amounts were released into the culture medium. PDGFR TM chimeras were rapidly degraded, whereas ASGPR chimeras were retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The surface expression of both AFP and scFv chimeric proteins followed the order (highest to lowest) of B7 > DAF >> PDGFR. Introduction of a dimerization domain (hinge-CH(2)-CH(3) region of human IgG1) between scFv and TM dramatically reduced cleavage of the chimeric protein, increased surface expression, and produced biologically active scFv. Our results indicate that transgenes designed for the expression of active scFv on cells should incorporate a TM that does not undergo endocytosis, include an intact cytoplasmic domain, and possess a spacer to reduce cleavage and retain biological activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- K W Liao
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan, ROC
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16
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Abstract
Applications such as optical data storage, optical computing, and optical interconnects require optical systems that manipulate binary-valued images. Such an optical system can be viewed as a two-dimensional array of binary communication channels. This perspective is used to motivate the use of pagewise mutual information as a metric for optical system analysis and design. Fresnel propagation and coherent imaging both are analyzed in terms of mutual-information transmission. An information-based space-bandwidth product is used to analyze the trade-off between the numerical aperture and the number of image pixels in a coherent 4f system. We propose a new merit function to facilitate information-based optical system design. Information maximization and bit-error-rate minimization both are possible with the new radially weighted encircled-energy merit function. We demonstrate the use of this new merit function through a design example and show that the information throughput is increased by 8% and the bit-error rate is reduced by 36% when compared with systems designed with traditional criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- W C Chou
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA.
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17
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Abstract
Targeting of proteins to the plasma membrane of cells may be useful for vaccine development, tissue engineering, genetic research, bioseparations, and disease treatment. The ability of different transmembrane domains (TM) to direct a reporter protein (human alpha-feto protein, AFP) to the surface of mammalian cells was examined. High surface expression was achieved with chimeric proteins composed of AFP and the TM and cytosolic tail of murine B7-1 (AFP-B7) as well as with AFP containing a GPI-anchor from decay-accelerating factor (AFP-DAF). Lower surface expression of AFP was observed when the TM of human platelet-derived growth factor receptor or the human asialoglycoprotein receptor H1 subunit were employed. Introduction of the hinge-CH2-CH3 region of human IgG (gamma1 domain) between AFP and TM allowed efficient formation of disulfide-linked dimers. Surface expression of AFP-gamma1-B7 dimers was impaired compared to AFP-B7 whereas AFP-gamma1-DAF dimers were efficiently targeted to the surface. Accumulation of chimeric proteins on the cell surface did not correlate with the level of protein expression. This study demonstrates that high levels of monomeric and dimeric proteins can be targeted to the cell membrane of mammalian cells by proper selection of TM.
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Affiliation(s)
- W C Chou
- Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
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Abstract
The specificity of tumor therapy may be improved by preferentially activating antineoplastic prodrugs at tumor cells pretargeted with antibody-enzyme conjugates. In this study, the conditions required for the efficient activation of p-hydroxyaniline mustard glucuronide (BHAMG) to p-hydroxyaniline mustard (pHAM) were investigated. pHAM induced cross-links in linearized double-stranded DNA at about 180-fold lower concentrations than BHAMG, indicating that the nucleophilicity of pHAM was decreased by the presence of a glucuronide group. The partition coefficient of BHAMG was about 1890 times lower than pHAM in an octanol-water two-phase system, suggesting that the reduced toxicity of BHAMG was due to both hindered diffusion across the lipid bilayer of cells and decreased reaction with nuclear DNA. BHAMG was significantly less toxic to BHK cells that expressed cytosolic Escherichia coli-derived beta-glucuronidase (betaG) compared with cells that were engineered to secrete betaG, demonstrating that extracellular localization of betaG was required for optimal activation of BHAMG. The extended retention of mAb RH1 on the surface of AS-30D cells was also consistent with extracellular activation of BHAMG. Taken together, our results indicate that the low toxicity of BHAMG was due to hindered cellular uptake and low alkylating activity. BHAMG must be enzymatically activated outside of tumor cells for maximum cytotoxicity, and non-internalizing antibodies are preferred for human tumor therapy by targeted antibody-enzyme activation of BHAMG.
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Affiliation(s)
- T L Cheng
- Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical School, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
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Chou WC, Chiang IP, Tang JL, Su IJ, Huang SY, Chen YC, Liu MC, Lee FY, Wang CH, Shen MC, Chuang SM, Tien HF. Clonal disease of natural killer large granular lymphocytes in Taiwan. Br J Haematol 1998; 103:1124-8. [PMID: 9886330 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2141.1998.01109.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Lymphoproliferative diseases of large granular lymphocytes (LDGL) may arise from either CD3+ T cells or CD3- natural killer (NK) cells. LDGL with clonal proliferation of large granular lymphocytes (LGL) is defined as LGL leukaemia. The number of patients with NK-LGL leukaemia reported is limited and the pathogenesis of the disease is not yet clear. From 1991 to 1998 six patients with cytogenetically proved clonal disease of NK-LGL were identified in our institute. All were seropositive for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). EBV RNA or DNA could be detected in LGL from four patients by EBV in situ hybridization or Southern blot analysis. Most patients ran an aggressive clinical course and five died of the disease. Nonrandom clonal chromosomal abnormalities, including duplication of 1q, rearrangement at 3q and loss of chromosomes Y, 13 or 10, were noted in the six patients from this study and in eight from the literature. The implications of these recurrent cytogenetic aberrations in the development and progression of the disease deserve further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- W C Chou
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei
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20
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Huang SY, Chang CS, Tang JL, Tien HF, Kuo TL, Huang SF, Yao YT, Chou WC, Chung CY, Wang CH, Shen MC, Chen YC. Acute and chronic arsenic poisoning associated with treatment of acute promyelocytic leukaemia. Br J Haematol 1998; 103:1092-5. [PMID: 9886325 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2141.1998.01079.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Seven relapsed and/or refractory acute promyelocytic leukaemia patients were treated by arsenic trioxide (As2O3). Four patients (4/7, 57%) achieved complete remission after one to three cycles of treatment and the most common acute side-effect was fluid retention (in six patients, 86%), including weight gains and pleuro-pericardial effusions. Evident polyneuropathy compatible with chronic arsenic toxicity was noted in two of the three patients who received As2O3 maintenance therapy and one of them had marked distal muscular atrophy. We suggest that As2O3 may be a useful salvage therapy for relapsed and refractory APL patients, but the acute or chronic arsenic toxicity should be carefully monitored.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Y Huang
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei
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21
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Abstract
We study the use of error-correction coding (ECC) and two-dimensional interleaving for volume holographic memory (VHM) systems suffering from both random and systematic errors. The bit-error rate (BER) is used as the data-fidelity measure and as a design metric for optical 4f systems. The correlated error patterns arising from both lens aberrations and misalignment errors are analyzed, and we discuss the information theoretic storage capacity of VHM in the presence of such correlated error patterns. The performance of interleaving and ECC is analyzed from both BER and storage-capacity perspectives. Magnification, rotation, tilt, and defocus errors are also studied, and an experimental demonstration that combines ECC with two-dimensional interleaving is included.
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Abstract
spiceis a widely used simulation tool for electrical circuits and systems. When optoelectronic elements, such as lasers, detectors, modulators, etc., and optical elements, such as lenses, gratings, beam splitters, etc., are incorporated into spice, optoelectronic system simulation can be combined with that of electronic systems, facilitating hybrid system design and analysis. We discuss an optoelectronic spice implementation that includes time-, power-, and wavelength-domain behaviors. Examples of optical component simulation and optical interconnect system simulation by use of spice are included and compared with the results from a conventional ray-tracing optical analysis tool.
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Burr GW, Chou WC, Neifeld MA, Coufal H, Hoffnagle JA, Jefferson CM. Experimental evaluation of user capacity in holographic data-storage systems. Appl Opt 1998; 37:5431-5443. [PMID: 18286027 DOI: 10.1364/ao.37.005431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
An experimental procedure for determining the relation between the number of stored holograms and the raw bit-error rate (BER) (the BER before error correction) of a holographic storage system is described. Compared with conventional recording schedules that equalize the diffraction efficiency, scheduling of recording exposures to achieve a uniform raw BER is shown to improve capacity. The experimentally obtained capacity versus the raw-BER scaling is used to study the effects of modulation and error-correction coding in holographic storage. The use of coding is shown to increase the number of holograms that can be stored; however, the redundancy associated with coding incurs a capacity cost per hologram. This trade-off is quantified, and an optimal working point for the overall system is identified. This procedure makes it possible to compare, under realistic conditions, system choices whose impact cannot be fully analyzed or simulated. Using LiNbO(3) in the 90 degrees geometry, we implement this capacity-estimation procedure and compare several block-based modulation codes and thresholding techniques on the basis of total user capacity.
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Chou WC, Tang JL, Yao M, Liang YJ, Lee FY, Lin MT, Wang CH, Shen MC, Chen YC, Tien HF. Clinical and biological characteristics of acute promyelocytic leukemia in Taiwan: a high relapse rate in patients with high initial and peak white blood cell counts during all-trans retinoic acid treatment. Leukemia 1997; 11:921-8. [PMID: 9204969 DOI: 10.1038/sj.leu.2400690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) patients treated with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and chemotherapy have been shown to have better outcome than those treated with conventional chemotherapy alone. However, the biological characteristics of leukemic cells and their clinical implications in patients treated with ATRA have not been well established. In this study, the biological and clinical features of 30 APL patients were reported. The risk factors for relapse and for occurrence of retinoic acid (RA) syndrome, which might cause morbidity or mortality of patients after ATRA treatment, were also analyzed. All patients showed 15;17 translocation by cytogenetic and/or gene analysis. Patients in this study had higher white blood cell (WBC) counts and a higher incidence of additional abnormalities than those from other areas. The ratio of long (L) form to short (S) form PML-RAR alpha fusion transcript was 1.8:1, a value lower than that of Latino patients but higher than that of Italians. Leukemic cells from four patients showed coexpression of T cell-associated antigen CD2 which was highly correlated with S form fusion transcript. Nine (36%) of the 25 patients treated with ATRA developed RA syndrome; all but one were successfully controlled by corticosteroid. Complete remission (CR) rate was 84%. Patients with high WBC counts tended to develop RA syndrome and had increased risk of relapse. Isochromosome for the long arm of the derivative chromosome 17, ider(17q), as an additional chromosomal abnormality was also associated with poor outcome in this study. In conclusion, APL in this study showed some different biological characteristics compared with those reported in other areas. High WBC count was a risk factor for relapse and development of RA syndrome after ATRA treatment. The prognostic implication of the presence of ider(17q) needs further clarification.
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Affiliation(s)
- W C Chou
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei
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25
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Abstract
We derive the information theoretic limit to storage capacity in volume holographic optical memories for the limiting cases of dominant intensity noise (Gaussian noise) and dominant field noise (Rician noise). These capacity bounds are compared with the performance achievable using simple Reed-Solomon error-correcting codes.
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Chou WC, Su IJ, Tien HF, Liang DC, Wang CH, Chang YC, Cheng AL. Clinicopathologic, cytogenetic, and molecular studies of 13 Chinese Patients with Ki-1 anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Special emphasis on the tumor response to 13-cis retinoic acid. Cancer 1996; 78:1805-12. [PMID: 8859196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The clinicopathologic and molecular features of the newly characterized Ki-1 lymphoma, although well studied in Western countries, are less well described in Asia. METHODS Pathology material of lymphoma cases, consecutively diagnosed at our institution between 1986 and 1994, was reviewed. The cases fulfilling the diagnostic criteria of Ki-1 lymphoma were selected, and their clinicopathologic features were studied. Immunohistochemistry and cytogenetic studies of the lymphoma tissues, and molecular analysis for nucleophosmin (NPM) gene translocation were performed. RESULTS A total of 13 cases (2.3%) of Ki-1 large cell lymphoma were identified from a total of 572 cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosed during this period of time. There were 10 men and 3 women with a median age of 43 years (range, 18 to 61 years). The initial presenting sites included the skin alone in five cases, lymph node alone in one case, both skin and lymph node in five cases, and the stomach in one case. All cases had large cell morphology, with the majority of the neoplastic cells expressing Ki-1 antigen (CD30). Except for the case with gastric involvement, all other cases were T-cell lymphomas. One of seven cases examined had chromosomal abnormality of t (2;5). Rearrangement of the NPM gene at chromosome 5 was detected by Southern blot analysis in three of nine cases. Two of seven cases tested by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction showed fusion of the NPM gene and anaplastic lymphoma kinase gene. Seven (78%) of 9 patients who had received systemic chemotherapy with a standard cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone regimen obtained a complete remission (CR). The median duration of remission was 33 months. Three (60%) of 5 patients, of whom 4 recurred from previous intensive chemotherapy, achieved a prolonged CR with treatment with 13-cis retinoic acid (RA). The median survival of the whole group has not yet been reached at a median follow-up of 40 months. CONCLUSIONS The clinicopathologic and molecular features of Ki-1 lymphoma of Chinese patients are comparable to those reported from Western countries. 13-cis RA appears to be an effective treatment of Ki-1 lymphoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- W C Chou
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Talpel, Taiwan
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Tsai CT, Chen SH, Chuu DS, Chou WC. Fabrication and physical properties of radio frequency sputtered Cd1-xMnxS thin films. Phys Rev B Condens Matter 1996; 54:11555-11560. [PMID: 9984944 DOI: 10.1103/physrevb.54.11555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
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28
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Abstract
Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TWHF) is a kind of Chinese herbal medicine used for 2000 years. It was applied externally for treatment of arthritis and inflammatory tissue swelling in early years. Recently, this drug has been found to have immunosuppressive effects which could successfully induce remission of some autoimmune disorders without obvious adverse effects. Although there are side effects of gastrointestinal upset, infertility and suppression of lymphocyte proliferation, little information about lethal toxicities has been reported. A case is presented here of a previously healthy young man who developed profuse vomiting and diarrhea, leukopenia, renal failure, profound hypotension and shock after ingestion of an extract of TWHF. In addition to his hypovolemic shock, serial electrocardiograms (ECG), cardiac enzyme studies, and echocardiography also showed some evidence of coexisting cardiac damage. He died of intractable shock 3 days after the abuse of TWHF. Further studies of the pathogenesis of peripheral collapse and possible cardiac toxicity, and determination of the therapeutic range of this drug are necessary before it is used extensively.
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Affiliation(s)
- W C Chou
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei
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Warnock J, Jonker BT, Petrou A, Chou WC, Liu X. Exciton energies in shallow quantum wells and spin superlattices. Phys Rev B Condens Matter 1993; 48:17321-17330. [PMID: 10008342 DOI: 10.1103/physrevb.48.17321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
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30
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Chou WC, Petrou A, Warnock J, Jonker BT. Spin-relaxation processes in ZnSe-based spin superlattices: A photoluminescence study. Phys Rev B Condens Matter 1992; 46:4316-4319. [PMID: 10004176 DOI: 10.1103/physrevb.46.4316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
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31
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Chou WC, Petrou A, Warnock J, Jonker BT. Spin superlattice behavior in ZnSe/Zn0.99Fe0.01Se quantum wells. Phys Rev Lett 1991; 67:3820-3823. [PMID: 10044834 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.67.3820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
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