1. Serum lipid profiles are associated with semen quality
Asian Journal of Andrology 2017;19(6):633-638
We aimed to explore the associations between different lipid profiles and semen quality in a large-scale general male population. Sperm concentration, total sperm motility, progressive motility, and normal sperm morphology of total 7601 participants were recorded. The association of these semen parameters with the triglyceride, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and very low-density lipoprotein of serum lipid profiles was analyzed. Sperm concentration was statistically positively correlated with triglyceride and very low-density lipoprotein (adjusted P = 0.001 and P = 0.005, respectively). Total sperm motility and progressive motility were statistically increased with increasing low-density lipoprotein and cholesterol levels (both adjusted P = 0.008 and P < 0.001, respectively). The similar J-shaped associations (high-low-low-high) were noted between individual lipid profile and normal sperm morphology, especially low-density lipoprotein and cholesterol with statistical significance (adjusted P = 0.017 and P = 0.021, respectively). The prevalence of abnormal total sperm motility and progressive motility was decreased in participants with high levels of cholesterol (P = 0.008 and P = 0.019, respectively), and the reverse J-shaped associations (low-high-high-low) were noted between high-density lipoprotein, triglyceride, very low-density lipoprotein, and the prevalence of abnormal normal sperm morphology (P = 0.010, P = 0.037, and P = 0.025, respectively). A high cholesterol level was associated with better sperm motility. Similar J-shaped associations were noted between all lipid profiles and normal sperm morphology; meanwhile, the reverse J-shaped trends were identified between them and abnormal normal sperm morphology prevalence.
2.31 cases of pneumoconiosis complicated with acute myocardial infarction in coal miners.
Yong WON ; Hui CHIN ; Yu-tzai CHEN ; Shi-hi LIU ; Shi-she WANG ; Wen-sho HSU
Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases 2003;21(3):171-171
Aged
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Coal Mining
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Myocardial Infarction
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diagnosis
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etiology
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Pneumoconiosis
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complications
3.Genetic Risk Loci and Familial Associations in Migraine:A Genome-Wide Association Study in the Han Chinese Population of Taiwan
Yi LIU ; Po-Kuan YEH ; Yu-Kai LIN ; Chih-Sung LIANG ; Chia-Lin TSAI ; Guan-Yu LIN ; Yu-Chin AN ; Ming-Chen TSAI ; Kuo-Sheng HUNG ; Fu-Chi YANG
Journal of Clinical Neurology 2024;20(4):439-449
Background:
and Purpose Migraine is a condition that is often observed to run in families, but its complex genetic background remains unclear. This study aimed to identify the genetic factors influencing migraines and their potential association with the family medical history.
Methods:
We performed a comprehensive genome-wide association study of a cohort of 1,561 outpatients with migraine and 473 individuals without migraine in Taiwan, including Han Chinese individuals with or without a family history of migraine. By analyzing the detailed headache history of the patients and their relatives we aimed to isolate potential genetic markers associated with migraine while considering factors such as sex, episodic vs. chronic migraine, and the presence of aura.
Results:
We revealed novel genetic risk loci, including rs2287637 in DEAD-Box helicase 1 and long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 1804 and rs12055943 in engulfment and cell motility 1, that were correlated with the family history of migraine. We also found a genetic location downstream of mesoderm posterior BHLH transcription factor 2 associated with episodic migraine, whereas loci within the ubiquitin-specific peptidase 26 exonic region, dual specificity phosphatase 9 and pregnancy-upregulated non-ubiquitous CaM kinase intergenic regions, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 and STUM were linked to chronic migraine. We additionally identified genetic regionsassociated with the presence or absence of aura. A locus between LINC02561 and urocortin 3 was predominantly observed in female patients. Moreover, three different single-nucleotide polymorphisms were associated with the family history of migraine in the control group.
Conclusions
This study has identified new genetic locations associated with migraine and its family history in a Han Chinese population, reinforcing the genetic background of migraine. The findings point to potential candidate genes that should be investigated further.
4.The Clinical Characteristics and Manifestation of Anxious Depression Among Patients With Major Depressive Disorders-Results From a Taiwan Multicenter Study
Huang-Li LIN ; Wei-Yang LEE ; Chun-Hao LIU ; Wei-Yu CHIANG ; Ya-Ting HSU ; Chin-Fu HSIAO ; Hsiao-Hui TSOU ; Chia-Yih LIU
Psychiatry Investigation 2024;21(6):561-572
Objective:
Anxious depression is a prevalent characteristic observed in Asian psychiatric patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD). This study aims to investigate the prevalence and clinical presentation of anxious depression in Taiwanese individuals diagnosed with MDD.
Methods:
We recruited psychiatric outpatients aged over 18 who had been diagnosed with MDD through clinical interviews. This recruitment took place at five hospitals located in northern Taiwan. We gathered baseline clinical and demographic information from the participants. Anxious depression was identified using a threshold of an anxiety/somatization factor score ≥7 on the 21-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D).
Results:
In our study of 399 patients (84.21% female), 64.16% met the criteria for anxious depression. They tended to be older, married, less educated, with more children, and an older age of onset. Anxious depression patients had higher HAM-D and Clinical Global Impression–Severity scale score, more panic disorder (without agoraphobia), and exhibited symptoms like agitation, irritability, concentration difficulties, psychological and somatic anxiety, somatic complaints, hypochondriasis, weight loss, and increased insight. Surprisingly, their suicide rates did not significantly differ from non-anxious depression patients. This highlights the importance of recognizing and addressing these unique characteristics.
Conclusion
Our study findings unveiled that the prevalence of anxious depression among Taiwanese outpatients diagnosed with MDD was lower compared to inpatients but substantially higher than the reported rates in European countries and the United States. Furthermore, patients with anxious depression exhibited a greater occurrence of somatic symptoms.
5.Exendin-4 improves resistance to Listeria monocytogenes infection in diabetic db/db mice.
Hsien Yueh LIU ; Chih Yao CHUNG ; Wen Chin YANG ; Chih Lung LIANG ; Chi Young WANG ; Chih Yu CHANG ; Cicero Lee Tian CHANG
Journal of Veterinary Science 2012;13(3):245-252
The incidence of diabetes mellitus is increasing among companion animals. This disease has similar characteristics in both humans and animals. Diabetes is frequently identified as an independent risk factor for infections associated with increased mortality. In the present study, homozygous diabetic (db/db) mice were infected with Listeria (L.) monocytogenes and then treated with the anti-diabetic drug exendin-4, a glucagon-like peptide 1 analogue. In aged db/db mice, decreased CD11b+ macrophage populations with higher lipid content and lower phagocytic activity were observed. Exendin-4 lowered high lipid levels and enhanced phagocytosis in macrophages from db/db mice infected with L. monocytogenes. Exendin-4 also ameliorated obesity and hyperglycemia, and improved ex vivo bacteria clearance by macrophages in the animals. Liver histology examined during L. monocytogenes infection indicated that abscess formation was much milder in exendin-4-treated db/db mice than in the control animals. Moreover, mechanistic studies demonstrated that expression of ATP binding cassette transporter 1, a sterol transporter, was higher in macrophages isolated from the exendin-4-treated db/db mice. Overall, our results suggest that exendin-4 decreases the risk of infection in diabetic animals by modifying the interaction between intracellular lipids and phagocytic macrophages.
ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters/metabolism
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Age Factors
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Animals
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Blood Chemical Analysis
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Cholesterol/metabolism
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Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/*drug therapy/genetics
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Dyslipidemias/drug therapy/genetics
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Female
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Hyperglycemia/drug therapy/genetics
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Hypoglycemic Agents/*therapeutic use
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Injections, Intraperitoneal
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*Lipid Metabolism/drug effects
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Listeria monocytogenes/*drug effects/immunology
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Listeriosis/*drug therapy/immunology/microbiology
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Macrophages/drug effects/*metabolism
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Mice
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Obesity/drug therapy/genetics
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Peptides/*therapeutic use
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Phagocytosis/drug effects
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Venoms/*therapeutic use
6.Common Neurological Disorders Involving Inpatient Liaisons at a Secondary Referral Hospital in Taiwan: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study.
Chih Yang LIU ; Han Lin CHIANG ; Ser Chen FU ; Yu Chin SU ; Cheng Lun HSIAO ; Fu Yi YANG ; Shinn Kuang LIN
Journal of Clinical Neurology 2016;12(1):93-100
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The requirement for neurology liaison is increasing in accordance with the growing health care demands associated with aging populations. The aim of this study was to characterize the nature of neurological inpatient liaisons (NILs) to help plan for the appropriate use of neurology resources. METHODS: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of NILs in a secondary referral hospital over a 12-month period. RESULTS: There were 853 neurological consultations with a liaison rate of 3% per admission case. Chest medicine, gastroenterology, and infectious disease were the three most frequent specialties requesting liaison, and altered consciousness, seizure, and stroke were the three most frequent disorders for which a NIL was requested. Infection was the most common cause of altered consciousness. Epilepsy, infection, and previous stroke were common causes of seizure disorders. Acute stroke accounted for 44% of all stroke disorders. Electroencephalography was the most recommended study, and was also the most frequently performed. Ninety-five percent of emergency consultations were completed within 2 hours, and 85% of regular consultations were completed within 24 hours. The consult-to-visit times for emergency and regular consultations were 44+/-47 minutes (mean+/-standard deviation) and 730+/-768 minutes, respectively, and were shorter for regular consultations at intensive care units (p=0.0151) and for seizure and stroke disorders (p=0.0032). CONCLUSIONS: Altered consciousness, seizure, and stroke were the most common reasons for NILs. Half of the patients had acute neurological diseases warranting immediate diagnosis and treatment by the consulting neurologists. Balancing increasing neurologist workloads and appropriate health-care resources remains a challenge.
Aging
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Communicable Diseases
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Consciousness
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Cross-Sectional Studies*
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Delivery of Health Care
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Diagnosis
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Electroencephalography
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Emergencies
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Epilepsy
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Gastroenterology
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Humans
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Inpatients*
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Intensive Care Units
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Nervous System Diseases*
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Neurology
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Referral and Consultation
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Retrospective Studies*
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Secondary Care Centers*
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Seizures
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Stroke
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Taiwan*
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Thorax
7.Multislice CT Scans in Patients on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Emphasis on Hemodynamic Changes and Imaging Pitfalls.
Kao Lang LIU ; Yu Feng WANG ; Yeun Chung CHANG ; Shu Chien HUANG ; Shyh Jye CHEN ; Yuk Ming TSANG ; Chin Chen CHANG
Korean Journal of Radiology 2014;15(3):322-329
This pictorial review provides the principles of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support and associated CT imaging features with emphasis on the hemodynamic changes and possible imaging pitfalls encountered. It is important that radiologists in ECMO centers apply well-designed imaging protocols and familiarize themselves with post-contrast CT imaging findings in patients on ECMO.
Adult
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Aorta, Thoracic/physiopathology/radiography
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Contrast Media/administration & dosage/pharmacokinetics
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Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation/classification/*methods
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Female
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Heart-Assist Devices
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Hemodynamics/*physiology
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Humans
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Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping/instrumentation
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Male
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Middle Aged
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*Multidetector Computed Tomography
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Regional Blood Flow/physiology
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Retrospective Studies
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Ventricular Dysfunction, Left/physiopathology/radiography
8.Effects of Tai Chi Chuan combined with vibration training on the reflex activity of peripheral neuron
Chiang LIU ; Kuei yu YANG ; Wan chin CHEN ; Tzyy yuang SHIANG ; Long ren CHUANG
Journal of Medical Biomechanics 2011;26(4):E329-E334
Objective To investigate the effects of Tai Chi Chuan combined with vibration training on the excitability of α-motorneuron pool and γ-reflex arc. Methods 55 healthy college students were divided into Tai Chi Chuan + vibration training (TAV) group, Tai Chi Chuan training (TAI) group, vibration training (VB) group, and control group (CON) for 8 weeks with 3 times training per week. Each time at pre-and post-training, H-reflex and M-wave were recorded by electrical stimulus induced on soleus muscle. T-reflex was also collected by knocking on the Achill tendon. Results After 8-week training, the ratios of Hmax/Mmax and T-reflex/Mmax in VB group were significantly decreased (P<0.05), while the ratio of T-reflex/Mmax in TAV group was significantly increased (P<0.05), and the change percentage of T-reflex/Mmax was significantly higher than that in VB group (P<0.05). Conclusions Although the vibration training could decrease the resting excitability of α-motorneuron pool, the Tai Chi Chuan combined with vibration training could give the muscle spindle stronger excitement so as to further induce the high excitability of γ-reflex arc. It indicated that the Tai Chi Chuan combined with vibration training is feasible since the neural adaptation around peripheral neuron system could be induced after such kind of training.
9.Combined Assessment of Serum Alpha-Synuclein and Rab35 is a Better Biomarker for Parkinson's Disease
Hung Li WANG ; Chin Song LU ; Tu Hsueh YEH ; Yu Ming SHEN ; Yi Hsin WENG ; Ying Zu HUANG ; Rou Shayn CHEN ; Yu Chuan LIU ; Yi Chuan CHENG ; Hsiu Chen CHANG ; Ying Ling CHEN ; Yu Jie CHEN ; Yan Wei LIN ; Chia Chen HSU ; Huang Li LIN ; Chi Han CHIU ; Ching Chi CHIU
Journal of Clinical Neurology 2019;15(4):488-495
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: It is essential to develop a reliable predictive serum biomarker for Parkinson's disease (PD). The accumulation of alpha-synuclein (αSyn) and up-regulated expression of Rab35 participate in the etiology of PD. The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether the combined assessment of serum αSyn and Rab35 is a useful predictive biomarker for PD. METHODS: Serum levels of αSyn or Rab35 were determined in serum samples from 59 sporadic PD patients, 19 progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) patients, 20 multiple system atrophy (MSA) patients, and 60 normal controls (NC). Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves were calculated to determine the diagnostic accuracy of αSyn or/and Rab35 in discriminating PD patients from NC or atypical parkinsonian patients. RESULTS: The levels of αSyn and Rab35 were increased in PD patients. The serum level of Rab35 was positively correlated with that of αSyn in PD patients. Compared to analyzing αSyn or Rab35 alone, the combined analysis of αSyn and Rab35 produced a larger area under the ROC curve and performed better in discriminating PD patients from NC, MSA patients, or PSP patients. When age was dichotomized at 55, 60, 65, or 70 years, the combined assessment of αSyn and Rab35 for classifying PD was better in the group below the cutoff age than in the group above the cutoff age. CONCLUSIONS: Combined assessment of serum αSyn and Rab35 is a better biomarker for discriminating PD patients from NC or atypical parkinsonian patients, and is a useful predictive biomarker for younger sporadic PD patients.
alpha-Synuclein
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Humans
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Multiple System Atrophy
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Parkinson Disease
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ROC Curve
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Supranuclear Palsy, Progressive
10.The development of Taiwan Fracture Liaison Service network
Lo Yu CHANG ; Keh Sung TSAI ; Jen Kuei PENG ; Chung Hwan CHEN ; Gau Tyan LIN ; Chin Hsueh LIN ; Shih Te TU ; I Chieh MAO ; Yih Lan GAU ; Hsusan Chih LIU ; Chi Chien NIU ; Min Hong HSIEH ; Jui Teng CHIEN ; Wei Chieh HUNG ; Rong Sen YANG ; Chih Hsing WU ; Ding Cheng CHAN
Osteoporosis and Sarcopenia 2018;4(2):45-50
Osteoporosis and its associated fragility fractures are becoming a severe burden in the healthcare system globally. In the Asian-Pacific (AP) region, the rapidly increasing in aging population is the main reason accounting for the burden. Moreover, the paucity of quality care for osteoporosis continues to be an ongoing challenge. The Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) is a program promoted by International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) with a goal to improve quality of postfracture care and prevention of secondary fractures. In this review article, we would like to introduce the Taiwan FLS network. The first 2 programs were initiated in 2014 at the National Taiwan University Hospital and its affiliated Bei-Hu branch. Since then, the Taiwan FLS program has continued to grow exponentially. Through FLS workshops promoted by the Taiwanese Osteoporosis Association (TOA), program mentors have been able to share their valuable knowledge and clinical experience in order to promote establishments of additional programs. With 22 FLS sites including 11 successfully accredited on the best practice map, Taiwan remains as one of the highest FLS coverage countries in the AP region, and was also granted the IOF Best Secondary Fracture Prevention Promotion award in 2017. Despite challenges faced by the TOA, we strive to promote more FLS sites in Taiwan with a main goal of ameliorating further health burden in managing osteoporotic patients.
Aging
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Awards and Prizes
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Delivery of Health Care
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Education
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Financing, Organized
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Humans
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Mentors
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Osteoporosis
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Practice Guidelines as Topic
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Taiwan