Wen-chi Chen - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Wen-chi Chen

Journal of Food and Nutrition Research, 2015

Ractopamine is a β-adrenoreceptor agonist that excites sympathetic nerves. It has been used to in... more Ractopamine is a β-adrenoreceptor agonist that excites sympathetic nerves. It has been used to increase cattle weight, for breeding, and to enhance muscle content in some countries. The concentration allowed in the environment is below 10 parts per billion (ppb). However, there are increasing concerns about the effect of long-term ractopamine on health. Our study aimed to investigate the potential effects of a “safe” dosage of ractopamine on urinary tract by using genitourinary cell cultures and our well-established translational model, Drosophila melanogaster. The results showed that ractopamine dose-dependently induces cytotoxicity in SV40 MES 13 and SV-HUC-1 cells. After 21 days of 10 ppb ractopamine administration, the rate of crystal formation in the ractopamine group significantly increased. We also found that long-term administration of ractopamine to flies decreases their climbing ability and shortens their lifespan. Overall, the long-term effects of ractopamine on the urina...

Medicine, 2015

The prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseas... more The prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) seemed high; however, large scale of population-based study was absent.We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from the National Health Insurance system of Taiwan. The cohort included 29,042 male patients who were newly diagnosed with COPD. Patients were recruited between 2000 and 2011, and the date of diagnosis was defined as the index date. Each patient was randomly matched with 1 male person from the general population without COPD according to age and the index year. The occurrence of ED was followed up until the end of 2011. The hazard ratios of ED were estimated using the Cox proportional hazard model after adjusting for age, index year, comorbidities, and medications.The overall incidence of ED was 1.88-fold greater in the COPD cohort than in the non-COPD cohort (24.9 vs 13.3/1000 person-years, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.61-2.18). Compared with non-COPD...

ISRN psychiatry, 2013

Objectives. The objective of this study was to determine whether there is a relationship between ... more Objectives. The objective of this study was to determine whether there is a relationship between depression and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in older people in Taiwan. Methods. A case-control study was conducted to analyze the database from the Taiwan National Health Insurance program. We selected 1815 subjects aged 65 years or older with newly diagnosed HCC as the case group and 7260 subjects without HCC as the comparison group, from 2000 to 2010. Both groups were compared to measure the risk of HCC. Results. After controlling for confounders, the odds ratio of HCC was 0.81 in subjects with depression (95% confidence interval = 0.59, 1.11), as compared with nondepressed subjects. Conclusions. We conclude that no association is detected between depression and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in older people in Taiwan.

PLoS ONE, 2014

Estrogen has various regulatory functions in the growth, development, and differentiation of the ... more Estrogen has various regulatory functions in the growth, development, and differentiation of the female urogenital system. This study investigated the roles of ERb in stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Wild-type (ERb +/+) and knockout (ERb 2/2) female mice were generated (aged 6-8 weeks, n = 6) and urethral function and protein expression were measured. Leak point pressures (LPP) and maximum urethral closure pressure (MUCP) were assessed in mice under urethane anesthesia. After the measurements, the urethras were removed for proteomic analysis using label-free quantitative proteomics by nano-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis. The interaction between these proteins was further analysed using MetaCore. Lastly, Western blot was used to confirm the candidate proteins. Compared with the ERb +/+ group, the LPP and MUCP values of the ERb 2/2 group were significantly decreased. Additionally, we identified 85 differentially expressed proteins in the urethra of ERb 2/2 female mice; 57 proteins were up-regulated and 28 were downregulated. The majority of the ERb knockout-modified proteins were involved in cell-matrix adhesion, metabolism, immune response, signal transduction, nuclear receptor translational regelation, and muscle contraction and development. Western blot confirmed the up-regulation of myosin and collagen in urethra. By contrast, elastin was down-regulated in the ERb 2/2 mice. This study is the first study to estimate protein expression changes in urethras from ERb 2/2 female mice. These changes could be related to the molecular mechanism of ERb in SUI.

Urological Research, 2007

We investigated the eVects of a traditional Chinese herbal formula, Wulingsan (WLS), on renal sto... more We investigated the eVects of a traditional Chinese herbal formula, Wulingsan (WLS), on renal stone prevention using an ethylene glycol-induced nephrocalcinosis rat model. Forty-one male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into four groups. Group 1 (n = 8) was the normal control; group 2 (n = 11) served as the placebo group, and received a gastric gavage of starch and 0.75% ethylene glycol (EG) as a stone inducer; group 3 received EG and a low dose of WLS (375 mg/kg); and group 4 received EG and a high dose of WLS (1,125 mg/kg). Baseline and Wnal 24 h urine samples were collected individually; biochemical data of urine and serum were also obtained at the beginning and at the end of the experiment. After 4 weeks, animals were killed and kidneys were harvested. The kidney specimens were examined by polarized light microscopy and the crystal deposits were evaluated by a semi-quantitative scoring method using computer software (ImageScoring). The results revealed that the rats of placebo group gained the least signiWcant body weight; in contrast, the rats of WLS-fed groups could eVectively reverse it. The placebo group exhibited lower levels of free calcium (p = 0.059) and signiWcantly lower serum phosphorus (p = 0.015) in urine than WLS-fed rats. Histological Wndings of kidneys revealed tubular destruction, damage and inXammatory reactions in the EG-water rats. The crystal deposit scores dropped signiWcantly in the WLS groups, from 1.40 to 0.46 in the low-dose group and from 1.40 to 0.45 in the high-dose group. Overall, WLS eVectively inhibited the deposition of calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystal and lowered the incidence of stones in rats (p = 0.035). In conclusion, WLS signiWcantly reduced the severity of calcium oxalate crystal deposits in rat kidneys,

The Laryngoscope, 2002

Objectives/ Hypothesis: An important tumor suppressor gene, p53, plays a role in the regulation o... more Objectives/ Hypothesis: An important tumor suppressor gene, p53, plays a role in the regulation of cell progression and prevention of carcinogenesis. Mutated p53 is related to cell progression and malignancy. We aimed to evaluate the association between nasopharyngeal carcinoma and p53 polymorphism. Study Design: Case control study. Methods: All individuals were divided into two groups: nasopharyngeal carcinoma (n ‫؍‬ 50) and non-nasopharyngeal carcinoma groups (n ‫؍‬ 59). Their p53 codon 72 polymorphisms (arginine [Arg] homozygotes, heterozygotes, proline [Pro] homozygotes) were detected by polymerase chain reaction. Associations between nasopharyngeal carcinoma and p53 polymorphism were evaluated. Results: Distributions of various p53 polymorphisms significantly differed between the two groups. We noted a dominant presentation of Pro homozygotes in the nasopharyngeal carcinoma population over that in the non-nasopharyngeal carcinoma population. Proportions of Pro homozygotes and heterozygotes and Arg homozygotes were 32%, 28%, and 40% in the nasopharyngeal carcinoma population and were 13.5%, 44.1%, and 42.4% in the nonnasopharyngeal carcinoma population, respectively. Conclusions: An association exists between nasopharyngeal carcinoma and p53 codon 72 polymorphism. The p53 Pro homozygotes are to a higher risk of development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 2007

Urinary stone disease is a common disease and has a high rate of recurrence. There is no ideal lo... more Urinary stone disease is a common disease and has a high rate of recurrence. There is no ideal long-term medical treatment to prevent the recurrence of urinary stones. Wu-Ling-San (WLS) formula has been used for centuries in China for long-term treatment of urological diseases. However, no pharmacological studies have been conducted to evaluate its effect on urinary stone disease. Therefore, using a photospectrometer, we studied the effects of WLS on nucleation, growth and aggregation of calcium oxalate in vitro. The results showed that WLS extract significantly slowed the speed of calcium oxalate ( CaOx ) crystal nucleation. WLS extracts at concentrations of 6.25, 12.5, 25, and 50 mg/ml inhibited nucleation of calcium oxalate crystallization by 344, 387, 543, and 943%, respectively. WLS extracts did not inhibit the growth of CaOx crystallization; however, WLS extracts at concentrations of 12.5 and 25 mg/ml significantly inhibited the aggregation of CaOx crystallization by 74.24% an...

The Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences, 2013

Diet modification plays an important role in nephrolithiasis. Development of an easy, ready-to-us... more Diet modification plays an important role in nephrolithiasis. Development of an easy, ready-to-use beverage such as a commercial juice drink to use as a preventive treatment for renal calculi formation would be widely welcomed. We previously developed a novel Drosophila model for the study of nephrolithiasis. It provides a new well-established drug discovery platform for this common disease. In our current study, we used the Drosophila model to investigate the preventive effects of various commercial juices as potential treatments for nephrolithiasis. Our results showed that apple, cranberry, orange, and pomegranate juices failed to reduce calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystal formation, whereas our positive controldpotassium citrate (K-citrate)dsignificantly prevented CaOx crystal formation. Unlike the commercial fruit juices that were tested, the administration of K-citrate significantly ameliorated the ethylene glycol (EG)-induced lifespan reduction in treated flies. These results

Journal of the Chinese Medical Association, 2005

Background: The histologic grade of a prostate needle-core biopsy specimen can determine whether ... more Background: The histologic grade of a prostate needle-core biopsy specimen can determine whether a patient with prostate cancer is a candidate for radical prostatectomy or other treatment. Incorrect histologic grading can result in inappropriate treatment and possible liability. Thus, we conducted this study to determine the histologic-grading accuracy of prostate cancer needle-core biopsy specimens. Methods: Fifty-two patients with localized prostate cancer treated with radical prostatectomy were included in the study. The overall correlation between Gleason scores for needle-biopsy and prostatectomy specimens was evaluated by analyzing the following parameters: biopsy-core number; accurate biopsy-core length; prostate volume; and preoperative, serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level. A "downgrade" was defined as the Gleason score for the prostatectomy specimen being greater than that for the biopsy specimen, whereas an "upgrade" was defined as the converse. Results: No difference in Gleason scores was noted for 31% of specimens, whereas a downgrade was noted for 40%, and an upgrade for 29%. The accuracy of Gleason scores for biopsy specimens taken by the sextant systemicbiopsy method increased when specimens were > 15 mm in length. No correlation was noted between difference in Gleason scores and biopsy-core number, prostate volume, and preoperative serum PSA level. Conclusion: The accuracy of Gleason scores determined by needle biopsy in patients with prostate cancer seems to be unreliable. Therefore, further evaluation of patients is necessary. No correlations were noted between biopsymeasured errors in Gleason score and biopsy number, prostate volume, or preoperative serum PSA level. [

Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis, 2003

Asthma is an airway hyperresponsive disease characterized by the expression of multiple inflammat... more Asthma is an airway hyperresponsive disease characterized by the expression of multiple inflammatory genes, including cytokines. Interleukin-I and interleukin-10

Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis, 2010

Melamine-contaminated milk formula caused infant nephrolithiasis in some areas of China. Its comb... more Melamine-contaminated milk formula caused infant nephrolithiasis in some areas of China. Its combination with cyanuric acid causes crystallization in renal tubules. Following this renal damage and even renal failure that require long-term hemodialysis has been reported. Therefore, correct and timely diagnosis of these complex diseases is critical. Melamine containing stone is a combination of equal molar ratios of common stone compositions that has been reported from previous animal studies. We have previously identified the compositions of urinary tract stones with infrared (IR) spectroscopy. We hypothesized that the absorbance of wavelength of IR can identify melamine/cyanuric acid in the presence of mixing human stone compositions. In this study, we made an artificial stone composition and examine under IR absorbance by mixing equal molar ratios of melamine/cyanuric acid with different types of human urinary stones, and established a reference of IR analysis for the identification of melamine/cyanuric acid-containing human urinary tract stones. Knowledge of the precise stone composition allowed institution of appropriate prophylactic dietary and medical therapy and this may help in the prevention of urinary stone recurrence. The results are promising that melamine and cyanuric acid can be identified clearly in a low percentile ($1%) of stone mixture pellet. Therefore, IR seems to be an ideal tool for the identification of melamine/cyanuric acid-containing stones.

Journal of Applied Toxicology, 2002

In this study, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) were used to det... more In this study, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) were used to determine the inhibition of arylamine N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activity and DNA adduct formation in human bladder tumour cell line T-24. The activity of NAT was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography, assaying for the amounts of N-acetyl-2-aminofluorene and N-acetyl-p-aminobenzoic acid and remaining 2-aminofluorene and p-aminobenzoic acid. Human bladder tumour cell line T-24 cytosols and intact cells were used for examining NAT activity and carcinogen-DNA adduct formation. The results demonstrated that NAT activity and 2-aminofluorene-DNA adduct formation in human bladder tumour cells were inhibited and decreased by BHA and BHT in a dose-dependent manner. The effects of BHA and BHT on the values of the apparent K(m) and V(max) also were determined in both systems examined. The results indicated that BHA and BHT decreased the apparent values of K(m) and V(max) from human bladder tumour cells in both cytosol and intact cells.

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2014

Topical traditional Chinese medicine- (TTCM-) related contact dermatitis is not uncommon but igno... more Topical traditional Chinese medicine- (TTCM-) related contact dermatitis is not uncommon but ignored. Patch and photopatch tests using 6 individual herbal ingredients and Bai-Zhi-Kao (BZK;白芷膏), a skin-lightening TTCM preparation, were conducted on 30 participants. Twenty-five subjects showed at least 1 positive reaction, including 6 (20.0%) participants who reacted to BZK. The majority reacted to RadixAmpelopsis japonica(Bai-Lian;白蘞) (60.0%), whereas few reacted to Rhizoma Bletilla striata (Bai-Ji;白芨) (16.7%), RhizomaAtractylodis macrocephalae(Bai-Zhu;白朮) (10.0%), RadixAngelicae dahuricae(Bai-Zhi;白芷) (3.3%), and Herba asari (Xi-Xin;細辛) (3.3%). In the photopatch test, 3 participants (10.0%) reacted positively to BZK and 10 to ≥1 constituent; however, all reacted to RadixAngelicae dahuricae(26.7%), RadixAmpelopsis japonica(13.3%), and Rhizoma Bletilla striata (3.3%). In contrast, no subjects showed positive reactions to Sclerotium Poria cocos (Bai-Fu-Ling;白茯苓). Thus, BZK and its const...

European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, 2011

Objective: The goal of this study was to analyze the potential risk factors of surgical failure a... more Objective: The goal of this study was to analyze the potential risk factors of surgical failure after posterior intravaginal slingplasty for uterine or vaginal vault prolapse. Study design: Women with symptomatic uterine or vaginal vault prolapse that extended to or beyond the introitus were eligible for inclusion. Each woman underwent a detailed history taking and a vaginal examination for staging of pelvic organ prolapse before treatment. Follow-up evaluations were at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, and 30 months after the operation. Surgical failure is defined as the presence of symptomatic uterine or vaginal vault prolapse stage 2 (higher than 0, at the hymen) after posterior intravaginal slingplasty. Results: The surgical failure rate (8/61) following posterior intravaginal slingplasty was 13.1%. Using univariable logistic regression, C or D point stage IV before surgery was significantly associated with surgical failure of posterior intravaginal slingplasty for uterine or vaginal vault prolapse. Complications (11/61 = 18%) included vaginal erosion (9.8%), blood loss over 500 ml (4.9%), and perineal pain (3.3%). Conclusion: Procidentia is a significant risk factor for surgical failure of posterior intravaginal slingplasty, and therefore this procedure should never be used alone in patients with complete uterine or vaginal vault prolapse.

BMC Medical Genetics, 2010

Background Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a family of pattern-recognition receptors, which plays ... more Background Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a family of pattern-recognition receptors, which plays a role in eliciting innate/adaptive immune responses and developing chronic inflammation. The polymorphisms of TLRs have been associated with the risk of various autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), multiple sclerosis and rheumatorid arthritis. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether TLR genes could be used as genetic markers for the development of Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO). Methods 6 TLR-4 and 2 TLR-9 gene polymorphisms in 471 GD patients (200 patients with GO and 271 patients without GO) from a Taiwan Chinese population were evaluated. Results No statistically significant difference was observed in the genotypic and allelic frequencies of TLR-4 and TLR-9 gene polymorphisms between the GD patients with and without GO. However, sex-stratified analyses showed that the association between TLR-9 gene polymorphism and GO phenotype was more pronounced...

African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines, 2013

Wu-Ling-San (WLS) formula has been proved to prevent calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis both in vitr... more Wu-Ling-San (WLS) formula has been proved to prevent calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis both in vitro and in vivo. This is the first prospective, randomized and placebo-controlled clinical trial of WLS in calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis prevention. All patients who enrolled were asked to drink enough fluid to urinate at least 2 L daily during the study period. A 24-hour urine collection was performed to establish the baseline levels of multiple urinary parameters before taking the medicine. The patients were randomized and divided into two groups. The medication group took 2 gm WLS formula three times daily for 1 month. The control group took 2 gm placebo three times daily for 1 month. A 24-hour urine collection was performed to evaluate multiple urinary and serum parameters from all patients during the study period. A total of 39 patients were enrolled and 28 patients completed the study. Fourteen patients were allocated to WLS group and 14 patients to placebo group. After treatment, the mean urine output level increased to 2796.4  525.7 ml/day (percentage of change, 13.9 %) in the WLS formula group. With placebo therapy, the mean decreased slightly to 2521.4  762.7ml/day (percentage of change,-5.7 %). The percentage of change was significantly different between the two groups (independent t-test, P=0.02). No patient complained of side effects, such as fatigue, dizziness, musculoskeletal symptoms, or gastrointestinal disturbance. WLS formula is a promising adjunct to surgical and medical management of kidney stones. Active therapy with WLS formula has a positive effect on diuresis without leading to electrolyte imbalance.

Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, 2006

Background. In this study, we compared the differences in dynamic changes of the bladder neck bet... more Background. In this study, we compared the differences in dynamic changes of the bladder neck between women with and without urodynamic stress incontinence by computer-aided vector-based perineal ultrasound. Methods. The function and morphology of the lower urinary tract were assessed in 48 women with or without urodynamic stress incontinence by urodynamic study and computer-aided vector-based perineal ultrasound. Results. Patients in the urodynamic stress incontinence group had a significantly higher parity and higher prevalence of funneling of the bladder neck than participants in the control group (p B/0.05). After adjusting for parity, women with a corrected bladder neck movement ]/10 mm were 9.0 times more at risk of having urodynamic stress incontinence than women with a corrected bladder neck movement B/10 mm (pB/ 0.05). If we used corrected bladder neck movement ]/10 mm as the cutoff point for diagnosis of urodynamic stress incontinence, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were 77.8%, 66.7%, 87.5%, 50%, and 75%, respectively. Conclusions. The increase in corrected bladder neck movement is associated with functional impairment of urethral closure. Computer-aided vector-based perineal ultrasound is valuable in assessing anatomic change of the bladder neck, but it is not a sensitive tool for predicting urodynamic stress incontinence.

Case reports in nephrology, 2011

Renal colic is a common condition seen in the emergency department (ED). Our recent study showed ... more Renal colic is a common condition seen in the emergency department (ED). Our recent study showed that measures of electrical conductance may be used as supplementary diagnostic methods for patients with acute renal colic. Here, we describe the case of a 30-year-old male subject with a left ureteral calculus who presented with frequency and normal-looking urine. He had already visited the outpatient department, but in vain. Normal urinalysis and nonobstructive urogram were reported at that time. Two days later, he was admitted to the ED because of abdominal pain in the left lower quadrant. The urinalysis did not detect red blood cells. Ultrasonography did not indicate hydronephrosis. The meridian electrical conductance and index of sympathovagal balance were found to be abnormal. High level of electrical conductance on the left bladder meridian was found. An unenhanced helical computed tomography was scheduled to reveal a left ureterovesical stone. Ureteroscopic intervention was late...

Membranes

A new mode of electromembrane extraction (EME) has been developed for detection via matrix-assist... more A new mode of electromembrane extraction (EME) has been developed for detection via matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI/MS). Posaconazole, extracted from 8 mL of a 10 mM trifluoroacetic acid solution onto a thin polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) membrane, was used as a model analyte. The transport was forced by an electrical potential difference between two electrodes inside the lumen of a hollow fiber and glass tube. Under an application of 80 V, cationic posaconazole in the sample solution moved toward the negative electrode inside the glass tube and was trapped by the PVDF membrane on the side. After 15 min of extraction, 3 μL of α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA) solution was applied on top of the membrane, which was then analyzed by MALDI/MS. Under optimal extraction conditions, the calibration curve of posaconazole was linear over a concentration range of 0.10–100.00 nM. The limit of detection (LOD) at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 was 0.03 nM...

Medicine, 2018

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common disorder in the aging male population. Despite evi... more Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common disorder in the aging male population. Despite evidence that thyroid status impacts the prostate, the objective of this study was to examine whether patients with hyperthyroidism were at a greater risk for BPH.This study is a retrospective nationwide population-based cohort study of the Chinese population. Data for this study were retrieved from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). Overall, 1032 male patients aged 40 years or older with hyperthyroidism diagnosed between 2000 and 2006 were included in the hyperthyroidism group, and 4128 matched controls without hyperthyroidism were included in the non-hyperthyroidism group. Both groups were monitored until the end of 2011. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to compute and compare the risk of BPH between study participants with and those without hyperthyroidism.Patients with hyperthyroidism exhibited a greater incidence of BPH (18.51% vs 15.53%...