輔仁大學生物醫學暨藥學研究所Graduate Institute of Basic Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University

1. Director, Center for Medical Education, College of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University
2. Associate Professor, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University
3. Assistant Professor, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University
4. Teaching Assistant, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University
5. Ph.D., Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University

Specialty

1. Neuroanatomy
2. Peripheral nerve injury
3. Pain signaling

Research / Course

signaling pathway of neuropathic pain

Author

A. Joual Paper

2010 ~ Present:

1. Chun-Ta Huang, Seu-Hwa Chen, June-Hog Lue, Chi-Fen Chang, Wen-Hsin Wen, Yi-Ju Tsai.* (2016) Neurosteroid allopregnanolone suppresses median nerve injury-induced mechanical hypersensitivity and glial extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation through γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor modulation in rat cuneate nucleus. Anesthesiology 125:1202-1218.

2. Melissa C. Lipford, Kannan Ramar, Yao-Jen Liang, Chii-Wann Lin, Yun-Ting Chao, Jen An, Chih-Hsien Chiu, Yi-Ju Tsai, Chih-Hung Shu, Fei-Peng Lee, Rayleigh Ping-Ying Chiang.* (2016) Serotnin as a possible biomarker in obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep Medicine Reviews 28:125-132.

3. Chun-Ta Huang, Yi-Ju Tsai.* (2016) Docosahexaenoic acid confers analgesic effects after median nerve injury via inhibition of c-Jun N-terminal kinase activation in microglia. Joual of Nutritional Biochemistry 29:97-106.

4. Chun-Ta Huang, Yi-Ju Tsai, Pi-Ru Tsai, Chong-Jen Yu, Wen-Je Ko.* (2015) Epidemiology and outcome of severe sepsis and septic shock in surgical intensive care units in Northe Taiwan. Medicine 94(47):e2136.

5. Te-Wei Ho, Yi-Ju Tsai, Sheng-Yuan Ruan, Chun-Ta Huang*, Feipei Lai, Chong-Jen Yu. The HINT Study Group (2014) In-hospital and one-year mortality and their predictors in patients hospitalized for first-ever chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations: a nationwide population-based study. PLoS One 9(12): e114866.

6. Jiann-Hog Yeh, Chun-Ta Huang*, Chia-Hsiung Liu, Sheng-Yuan Ruan, Yi-Ju Tsai, Ying-Chun Chien, Ching-Yao Yang, Chun-Kai Huang, Chia-Lin Hsu, Lu-Cheng Kuo, Pei-Lin Lee, Shih-Chi Ku, Ping-Hung Kuo, Chong-Jen Yu. The HINT Study Group (2014) Cautious application of pleural N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide in diagnosis of congestive heart failure pleural effusions among critically ill patients. PLoS One 9(12): e115301.

7. Chun-Ta Huang, Rayleigh Ping-Ying Chiang, Chih-Li Chen, Yi-Ju Tsai*. (2014) Sleep deprivation aggravates median nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain and enhances microglial activation by suppressing melatonin secretion. Sleep 37(9): 1513-1523.

8. Chun-Ta Huang*, Hsien-Ho Lin, Sheng-Yuan Ruan, Meng-Sui Lee, Yi-Ju Tsai, Chong-Jen Yu. (2014) Efficacy and adverse events of high frequency oscillatory ventilation in adult patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome: a meta-analysis. Critical Care 18(3): R102.

9. Chun-Ta Huang, Li-Na Lee, Chao-Chi Ho, Chin-Chung Shu, Sheng-Yuan Ruan, Yi-Ju Tsai, Jann-Yuan Wang*, Chong-Jen Yu. (2014) High serum levels of procalcitonin and soluble TREM-1 correlated with poor prognosis in pulmonary tuberculosis. Joual of Infection 68(5): 440-447.

10. Chun-Ta Huang*, Yi-Ju Tsai, Jou-Wei Lin, Sheng-Yuan Ruan, Huey-Dong Wu, Chong-Jen Yu .(2014) Application of heart-rate variability in patients undergoing weaning from mechanical ventilation. Critical Care 18(1), R21.

11. Shih-Ping Hung, Ming-Jen Sheu, Ming-Chieh Ma, Jui-Ting Hu, Ya-Yun Sun, Chin-Cheng Lee, Yuan-Chiang Chung, Yi-Ju Tsai, Jing-Yuan Wang, Chih-Li Chen*. (2014) Runx1-deficient afferents impair visceral nociception, exacerbating dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis. Brain Behavior and Immunity 35: 96-106.

12. Chun-Ta Huang, Yi-Ju Tsai, Pi-Ru Tsai, Wen-Je Ko*. (2013) Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation resuscitation in adult patients with refractory septic shock. Joual of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 146(5): 1041-1046.

13. Shih-Chang Lin, Yi-Ju Tsai, Chun-Ta Huang*, Yao-Wen Kuo, Sheng-Yuan Ruan, Yu-Chung Chuang, Chong-Jen Yu. (2013) Prognostic value of plasma N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide levels in pneumonia patients requiring intensive care unit admission. Respirology 18(6): 933-941.

14. Hsin-Ying Wang, Yi-Ju Tsai, Seu-Hwa Chen, Chi-Te Lin, June-Hog Lue*. (2013) Lysophosphatidylcholine causes neuropathic pain via the increase of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in the dorsal root ganglion and cuneate nucleus. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior 106: 47-56.

15. Yi-Ju Tsai, Kannan Ramar, Yao-Jen Liang, Po-Han Chiu, Nelson Powell, Chao-Yun Chi, Tzu-Chen Lung, Wesley Wen-Yang Lin, Po-Jung Tseng, Ming-Ying Wu, Kuan-Chiao Chien, Edward M. Weaver, Fei-Peng Lee, Chia-Mo Lin, Kuang-Chao Chen, Rayleigh Ping-Ying Chiang*. (2013) Peripheral neuropathology of the upper airway in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Sleep Medicine Reviews 17(2): 161-168.

16. Rayleigh Ping-Ying Chiang, Chun-Ta Huang, Yi-Ju Tsai*. (2013) Melatonin reduces median nerve injury-induced mechanical hypersensitivity via inhibition of microglial p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in rat cuneate nucleus. Joual of Pineal Research 54(2): 232-244.

17. Chun-Ta Huang, Sheng-Yuan Ruan, Wei-Yu Liao, Yao-Wen Kuo, Chi-Ying Lin, Yi-Ju Tsai, Chao-Chi Ho*, Chong-Jen Yu. (2012) Risk factors of pneumothorax after endobronchial ultrasound-guided tansbronchial biopsy for peripheral lung lesions. PLoS One 7(11): e49125.

18. Chun-Ta Huang, Yi-Ju Tsai, Wei-Yu Liao, Pei-Chen Wu, Chao-Chi Ho*, Chong-Jen Yu, Pan-Chyr Yang. (2012) Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial biopsy of peripheral pulmonary lesions: how many specimens are necessary? Respiration 84(2): 128-134.

19. Seu-Hwa Chen, Yi-Ju Tsai, Chi-Te Lin, Hsin-Ying Wang, Shin-Fang Li, June-Hog Lue*. (2012) Changes in GABA and GABAB receptor expressions are involved in neuropathy in the rat cuneate nucleus following median nerve transection. Synapse 66(6): 561-572.

20. Chun-Ta Huang, Yi-Ju Tsai, Huey-Dong Wu, Jann-Yuan Wang*, Chong-Jen Yu, Li-Na Lee, Pan-Chyr Yang. (2012) Impact of non-tuberculous mycobacteria on pulmonary function decline in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Inteational Joual of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease 16(4): 539-545.

21. Yi-Ju Tsai*, Chun-Ta Huang, Shih-Chang Lin, Jiann-Hog Yeh. (2012) Effects of regional and whole-body hypothermic treatment before and after median nerve injury on neuropathic pain and glial activation in rat cuneate nucleus. Anesthesiology 116(2): 415-431.

22. Seu-Hwa Chen, Yi-Ju Tsai, Hsin-Ying Wang, Chi-Te Lin, Shin-Fang Li, June-Hog Lue*. (2012) Decreases of glycine receptor expression induced by median nerve injury in the rat cuneate nucleus contribute to NPY release and c-Fos expression. Life Sciences 90(7-8): 278-288.

23. Hsin-Ying Wang, Yi-Ju Tsai, Seu-Hwa Chen, Chi-Te Lin, June-Hog Lue*. (2012) Nitric oxide implicates c-Fos expression in the cuneate nucleus following electrical stimulation of the transected median nerve. Neurochemical Research 37(1): 84-95.

24. Shih-Chang Lin, Jiann-Hog Yeh, Chih-Li Chen, Shiu-Huey Chou, Yi-Ju Tsai*. (2011) Effects of local lidocaine treatment before and after median nerve injury on mechanical hypersensitivity and microglia activation in rat cuneate nucleus. European Joual of Pain 15(4): 359-367.

25. Yuan-Chiang Chung, Yi-Ju Tsai, Ting-Ying Shiu, Ya-Yun Sun, Pin-Fang Wang, Chih-Li Chen*. (2011) Screening large numbers of expression pattes of transcription factors in late stages of the mouse thymus. Gene Expression Pattes 11(1-2): 84-92.

26. Chun-Ta Huang, Yi-Ju Tsai, Jun-Yu Fan, Shih-Chi Ku*, Chong-Jen Yu. (2010) Cryptococcosis and tuberculosis co-infection at a university hospital in Taiwan, 1993-2006. Infection 38(5): 373-379.

27. Chi-Te Lin, Yi-Ju Tsai, Seu-Hwa Chen, Hsin-Ying Wang, Lung-Huang Lin, June-Hog Lue*. (2010) Early expression of injury-induced neuropeptide Y in primary sensory neurons and the cuneate nucleus in diabetic rats with median nerve transection. Joual of Chemical Neuroanatomy 40(2): 102-111.

28.Ming-Tzer Lin, Yi-Ju Tsai, Chun-Ta Huang*. (2010) Right-sided cardiophrenic mass in an older woman. American Family Physician 82(8): 971-972.

29. Chun-Ta Huang, Rouh-Fang Yen, Mei-Fang Cheng, Ya-Chieh Hsu, Pin-Fei Wei, Yi-Ju Tsai, Meng-Feng Tsai, Jin-Yuan Shih*, Chih-Hsin Yang, Pan-Chyr Yang. (2010) Correlation of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography maximal standardized uptake value and EGFR mutations in advanced lung adenocarcinoma. Medical Oncology 27(1): 9-15.

30. Jiann-Jy Chen, June-Hog Lue, Lung-Huang Lin, Chun-Ta Huang, Rayleigh Ping-Ying Chiang, Chih-Li Chen, Yi-Ju Tsai*. (2010) Effects of pre-emptive drug treatment on astrocyte activation in the cuneate nucleus following rat median nerve injury. Pain 148(1): 158-166.

B. Conference Paper

1. Rayleigh Ping-Ying Chiang, Yi-Ju Tsai. Abnormal afferent nerve endings in the uvulae of patients with obstructive sleep apnea. The 24th Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, LLC, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.A., 2010.

2. Chun-Ta Huang, Yi-Ju Tsai. Amelioration of peripheral neuropathy by implantation of neural stem cells in an animal model. The 2nd Pan Pacific Symposium on Stem Cells Research, Taichung, Taiwan, 2009. (Best Poster Award)

3. Yi-Tien Li, Shih-Chi Huang, Wan-Ting Liao, Chih-Li Chen, Chun-Ta Huang, Yi-Ju Tsai. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells reduce neuropathic pain behaviors in a rat model of chronic neuropathy. The 24th Joint Annual Conference of Biomedical Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan, 2009.

4. Yi-Ju Tsai, Ming-Tai Yu, Chih-Li Chen, Chun-Ta Huang, Yu-Tzu Huang, June-Hog Lue. Changes in interleukin-1β and astrocytes expression in rat median nerve chronic constriction injury model. The 23th Joint Annual Conference of Biomedical Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan, 2008.

5. Yi-Ju Tsai, Chi-Te Lin, Seu-Hwa Chen, Hsin-Ying Wang, June-Hog Lue. Effects of median nerve constriction injury along with reagents treatment on the changes in the activation of astrocytes in the rat cuneate nucleus. The 22th Joint Annual Conference of Biomedical Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan, 2007.

6. Yi-Ju Tsai, Seu-Hwa Chen, Chi-Te Lin, Hsin-Ying Wang, June-Hog Lue. The interaction of neuropeptide Y with c-Fos protein expression in the rat cuneate nucleus with transected median nerve. The 22th Joint Annual Conference of Biomedical Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan, 2007.

7. Chi-Te Lin, Yi-Ju Tsai, Hsin-Ying Wang, Mimg-Chuan Chang, Seu-Hwa Chen, June-Hog Lue. Pre-emptive treatment of lidocaine reduced nociceptive neuronal marker and relieved neuropathic pain behavior in median nerve injured rats. The 22th Joint Annual Conference of Biomedical Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan, 2007.

8. Hsin-Ying Wang, Chi-Te Lin, Mimg-Chuan Chang, Yi-Ju Tsai, Seu-Hwa Chen, June-Hog Lue. The changes of brain-derived neurotrophic factors and Trk B in primary sensory neurons after median nerve transection. The 22th Joint Annual Conference of Biomedical Sciences, Taipei, Taiwain, 2007.

9. Yi-Ju Tsai, Chi-Te Lin, Seu-Hwa Chen, June-Hog Lue. Characterization of the induced neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity in dorsal root ganglion neurons following complete median nerve transection. The Twentieth Joint Annual Conference of Biomedical Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan, 2005.

10. Chi-Te Lin, Yi-Ju Tsai, Seu-Hwa Chen, June-Hog Lue. Effect of pre-emptive lidocaine treatment on neuropathic pain and cuneate neuron Fos protein expression in chronic median constriction rat. The Twentieth Joint Annual Conference of Biomedical Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan, 2005.

11. Yi-Ju Tsai, Chen-Yuan Wen, Jeng-Yung Shieh, June-Hog Lue. Synaptic relationships between induced neuropeptide Y-immunoreactive terminals and cuneothalamic projection neurons in the rat cuneate nucleus following median nerve transection. The Nineteenth Joint Annual Conference of Biomedical Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan, 2004.

Research Grants

1. Histological alteration in the nervous system and mechanisms of critical illness polyneuropathy in a rat model of sepsis (Ministry of Science and Technology of Taiwan, 2014.08 - 2017.07)

2. Developing the longitudinal quantitative small animal PET imaging by integrating with a translational research in traumatic brain injury (National Science Council of Taiwan, 2013.08 - 2016.07) (Yi-Ju Tsai, Co-PI)

3. Experimental studies on neuroprotective effects of docosahexaenoic acid in rat models of neuropathy (National Science Council of Taiwan, 2012.08 - 2013.07)

4. Effects of total sleep deprivation on somatic and visceral pain in the rat (National Science Council of Taiwan, 2009.08 - 2012.07)

5. Effects of regional or general hypothermia on the expression of neuroglia and proinflammatory mediators in the rat cuneate nucleus and dorsal root ganglion in a median nerve injury model (National Science Council of Taiwan, 2007.08 - 2009.07)

Research Laboratory

Chronic pain is a major health problem worldwide; however, current managements for chronic pain are unsatisfactory. The major goals of our lab are to identify novel molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie the genesis of chronic pain. Recently, we also began to explore the mechanisms underlying the resolution of acute pain, and these mechanisms are involved in the evolution of pain from acute phase to chronic stage. We employ a multidisciplinary approach including in vitro and in vivo electrophysiology, neuronal and glial cell biology, transgenic mice, and behavior testing. We believe that better understanding the mechanisms of pain induction and resolution will lead to development of novel therapeutic strategies for chronic pain.