Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Increases Peritonsillar Abscess Susceptibility: Real-World Evidence

Ching-Lung Wu,Ming-Shao Tsai,Ta-Jen Lee,Yun-Ting Wang,Chia-Yen Liu,Yao-Hsu Yang,Yao-Te Tsai,Cheng-Ming Hsu,Ching-Yuan Wu,Pey-Jium Chang,Geng-He Chang 대한이비인후과학회 2021 Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology Vol.14 No.3

Objectives. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a risk factor for deep neck infection (DNI) and leads to complications and poor outcomes. Our study aimed to investigate the risk, prognosis, and complications of peritonsillar abscess (PTA) in patients with T2DM. Methods. We extracted data of patients newly diagnosed as having T2DM between January 2000 and December 2011 from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database. These patients were matched with patients without T2DM, and PTA incidence was compared between both cohorts. Results. In total, 67,852 patients with and 135,704 patients without T2DM were enrolled. PTA incidence was significantly higher in patients with T2DM (incidence rate ratio, 1.91; P<0.001); moreover, PTA incidence was higher at 1 to 5 years after T2DM diagnosis than at <1 and >5 years after T2DM diagnosis. Cox regression analysis showed that patients with T2DM had an approximately 2-fold higher PTA risk (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.89, P<0.001). Patients with a higher adapted Diabetes Complications Severity Index (aDCSI) had higher PTA risk than those with a lower aDCSI (aHRs: 2.17 for aDCSI ≥1, P=0.006 and 1.81 for aDCSI=0, P=0.002). T2DM patients with a high aDCSI (≥1) had a nonsignificantly longer hospitalization duration and a higher rate of DNI complications than did those with a low aDCSI (=0). Conclusion. In patients with T2DM, PTA incidence was relatively high, and it increased with T2DM severity. Moreover, T2DM patients should be particularly careful about PTA within 1 to 5 years after the diagnosis, and physicians should keep in mind that the prognosis of PTA was correlated with T2DM severity.

Increase in Plasma Glucose Lowering Action of Rosiglitazone by Electroacupuncture at Bilateral Zusanli Acupoints (ST.36) in Rats

Hui-Ching Pai,Chung-Yuh Tzeng,Yu-Chen Lee,Chin-Hsien Chang,Jaung-Geng Lin,Juei-Tang Cheng,Shih-Liang Chang 사단법인약침학회 2009 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.2 No.2

Objectives: Hypoglycemia induced by electroacupuncture (EA) is due to an increase of insulin secretion and/or mediation of β-endorphin. We applied EA at the Zusanli (ST.36) acupuncture point (acupoint) in combination with rosiglitazone (TZD) administration to evaluate their effect on plasma glucose and to explore possible mechanisms of action. Methods: Thirty six normal adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: the 0.1 mg/kg TZD group (0.1TZD), 0.1 mg/kg TZD and EA group (0.1TZD + EA), EA group, and control group. In other experiments, streptozotocin was used to induce type 2 diabetes mellitus in neonatal rats; these were then randomly divided into a 0.1TZD group, 0.1TZD + EA group, and EA group and changes in plasma glucose and insulin concentrations evaluated. Results: A marked hypoglycemic response was observed in the normal rat 0.1TZD, 0.1TZD + EA and EA groups, with the response more significant in the 0.1TZD + EA group than in the 0.1TZD group. Among the diabetic animals, the hypoglycemic responses in the 0.1TZD + EA and EA groups were greater than in the 0.1TZD group. In both the normal and diabetic rats, insulin secretion was increased by EA or 0.1TZD + EA treatment, but not by 0.1TZD. Conclusions: The plasma glucose lowering action of rosiglitazone was increased by EA in both normal and diabetic rats, indicating that the application of EA may enhance the hypoglycemic action of this insulin sensitizer. Objectives: Hypoglycemia induced by electroacupuncture (EA) is due to an increase of insulin secretion and/or mediation of β-endorphin. We applied EA at the Zusanli (ST.36) acupuncture point (acupoint) in combination with rosiglitazone (TZD) administration to evaluate their effect on plasma glucose and to explore possible mechanisms of action. Methods: Thirty six normal adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: the 0.1 mg/kg TZD group (0.1TZD), 0.1 mg/kg TZD and EA group (0.1TZD + EA), EA group, and control group. In other experiments, streptozotocin was used to induce type 2 diabetes mellitus in neonatal rats; these were then randomly divided into a 0.1TZD group, 0.1TZD + EA group, and EA group and changes in plasma glucose and insulin concentrations evaluated. Results: A marked hypoglycemic response was observed in the normal rat 0.1TZD, 0.1TZD + EA and EA groups, with the response more significant in the 0.1TZD + EA group than in the 0.1TZD group. Among the diabetic animals, the hypoglycemic responses in the 0.1TZD + EA and EA groups were greater than in the 0.1TZD group. In both the normal and diabetic rats, insulin secretion was increased by EA or 0.1TZD + EA treatment, but not by 0.1TZD. Conclusions: The plasma glucose lowering action of rosiglitazone was increased by EA in both normal and diabetic rats, indicating that the application of EA may enhance the hypoglycemic action of this insulin sensitizer.

Impact Assessments of High Oil Prices on the Agro-Food System and the Role of Bioenergy Crops

Lee, Duu-Hwa,Lin, Hsin-Chun,Chang, Ching-Cheng,Hsu, Shih-Hsun,Chen, Chi-Chun,Sun, Jenny Chin-Hwa Korean Resource Economics Association 2007 자원·환경경제연구 Vol.16 No.3

In this study, multi-sectoral partial equilibrium and computable general equilibrium models of Taiwan are used to investigate the direct and indirect effects of energy price increases on overall economies and agro-food sector in Taiwan. The results suggest that agricultural prices, production cost would increase between 0.27% to 1.88%, and a reduction in GDP around 0.39% to 0.54 %. The negative impact on livestock sector is slightly higher than that on the crop sector. Negative impacts are also observed in the employment and wages. The rising oil price has the potential to discourage production of energy-intensive activity because of the possibility of substitution and adaptations. The growth rate of real GDP will shrink by 0.64% to 1.06% and CPI will increase by 1.17% to 1,95%. Both the agriculture and non-agricultural sector also respond by raising output prices by 0.80% to 1.33%. The rising international oil price has urged the government to take policy actions like using alternative fuels such as biodiesel, bioethanol, and adopting measures to cut down on energy consumptions mainly in transportation sectors in response to public concern over economic shocks.

Conservation of cis-Regulatory Element Controlling Timely Translation in the 3'-UTR of Selected Mammalian Maternal Transcripts

Lee, Hyun-Joo,Lim, Yoon-Ki,Chang, Sang-Ho,Min, Kwan-Sik,Han, Ching-Tack,Hwang, Sue-Yun Korea Genome Organization 2007 Genomics & informatics Vol.5 No.4

The earliest stages of mammalian embryogenesis are governed by the activity of maternally inherited transcripts and proteins. Cytoplasmic polyadenylation of selected maternal mRNA has been reported to be a major control mechanism of delayed translation during preimplantation embryogenesis in mice. The presence of cis-elements required for cytoplasmic polyadenylation (e.g., CPE) can serve as a useful tag in the screening of maternal genes partaking in key functions in the transcriptionally dormant egg and early embryo. However, due to its relative simplicity, UA-rich sequences satisfying the canonical rule of known CPE consensus sequences are often found in the 3'-UTR of maternal transcripts that do not actually undergo cytoplasmic polyadenylation. In this study, we developed a method to confirm the validity of candidate CPE sequences in a given gene by a multiplex comparison of 3'-UTR sequences between mammalian homologs. We found that genes undergoing cytoplasmic polyadenylation tend to create a conserved block around the CPE, while CPE-like sequences in the 3'-UTR of genes lacking cytoplasmic polyadenylation do not exhibit such conservation between species. Through this cross-species comparison, we also identified an alternative CPE in the 3'-UTR of tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA), which is more likely to serve as a functional element. We suggest that verification of CPEs based on sequence conservation can provide a convenient tool for mass screening of factors governing the earliest processes of mammalian embryogenesis.

Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptor-α Subunit Targeting Suppresses Metastasis in Advanced Thyroid Cancer In Vitro and In Vivo

( Ching-ling Lin ),( Ming-lin Tsai ),( Yu-hsin Chen ),( Wei-ni Liu ),( Chun-yu Lin ),( Kai-wen Hsu ),( Chien-yu Huang ),( Yu-jia Chang ),( Po-li Wei ),( Shu-huey Chen ),( Li-chi Huang ),( Chia-hwa Lee 한국응용약물학회 2021 Biomolecules & Therapeutics(구 응용약물학회지) Vol.29 No.5

Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy. Patients with well-differentiated thyroid cancers, such as papillary and follicular cancers, have a favorable prognosis. However, poorly differentiated thyroid cancers, such as medullary, squamous and anaplastic advanced thyroid cancers, are very aggressive and insensitive to radioiodine treatment. Thus, novel therapies that attenuate metastasis are urgently needed. We found that both PDGFC and PDGFRA are predominantly expressed in thyroid cancers and that the survival rate is significantly lower in patients with high PDGFRA expression. This finding indicates the important role of PDGF/PDGFR signaling in thyroid cancer development. Next, we established a SW579 squamous thyroid cancer cell line with 95.6% PDGFRA gene insertion and deletions (indels) through CRISPR/Cas9. Protein and invasion analysis showed a dramatic loss in EMT marker expression and metastatic ability. Furthermore, xenograft tumors derived from PDGFRA geneedited SW579 cells exhibited a minor decrease in tumor growth. However, distant lung metastasis was completely abolished upon PDGFRA gene editing, implying that PDGFRA could be an effective target to inhibit distant metastasis in advanced thyroid cancers. To translate this finding to the clinic, we used the most relevant multikinase inhibitor, imatinib, to inhibit PDGFRA signaling. The results showed that imatinib significantly suppressed cell growth, induced cell cycle arrest and cell death in SW579 cells. Our developed noninvasive apoptosis detection sensor (NIADS) indicated that imatinib induced cell apoptosis through caspase-3 activation. In conclusion, we believe that developing a specific and selective targeted therapy for PDGFRA would effectively suppress PDGFRA-mediated cancer aggressiveness in advanced thyroid cancers.

Grasping the Pseudo-Cleft in the Case of a Small, Severely Tethered Posterior Mitral Leaflet

Ching-Wei Lee,Shih-Hsien Sung,Ting-Yung Chang,I-Lin Tsai,Chih-Po Hsu,Chun-Che Shih 대한심장학회 2017 Korean Circulation Journal Vol.47 No.4

Effects of Seed Size and Several Factors on Ultra-drying and Germination of Ultra-dried Seeds in Soybean

Lee, Yeong-Ho,Chang, Ching-huan The Korean Society of Crop Science 2000 Korean journal of crop science Vol.45 No.5

Ultra-drying [<5.0% seed moisture content (SMC)] storage technique is a cost-effective storage method for oily seeds. To decide proper ultra-drying condition for soybean seeds, drying rate was compared three silica gel to seed ratios, two seed sizes with varietal difference, two kinds of container, and three seed amounts per container under :t 23$\pm$1$^{\circ}C$. When the relative humidity (RH) was reduced at the rate of less than 0.1 % a day, silica gel was replaced with dry one by 47 days. Higher silica gel to seed ratios (3:1 and 2:1) dried faster than lower ratio (1:1) until 28 days, but not after 43 days of drying. Also, large seeded variety was dried faster than small seeded variety. Kinds of container and seed amounts per container didn't show differences in drying of soybean seeds. After completion of ultra-drying, percentage germination by standard germination test (SGT) was not different among silica gel to seed ratios, kinds of container, and seed amounts per container, except among seed sizes (varieties). Before SGT, soybean seeds were premoistened using saturated ${CaCl}_2$ for 48 hours and ${NH}_4$Cl for 24 hours in desiccators. To compare germinability between ordinary-dried seeds and ultra-dried seeds, the seeds of seven soybean varieties, which were varying in size from 8.1 to 34.9 g per 100 seeds, were dried using same amount of silica gel under 23$\pm$1$^{\circ}C$. After completion of 76 days of drying, SMCs were reduced to 3.13-3.45% from 7.86-8.82%. SMC after completion of drying was not correlated with 100-seed weight (r=0.556). Before germination tests, soybean seeds were premoistened using saturated salt solutions. Percentage germination was higher with ultra-dried seeds than ordinary-dried seeds in SGT and higher with ordinary-dried seeds than ultra-dried seeds in AAT at the beginning of storage and after 6 months storage, but general trend of percentage germination was not observed among varieties classified by 100-seed weight. From these results, we concluded that further studies are needed to improve ultra-drying storage method for soybean seeds.

Reusing indigenous plant materials to restore vegetation: A practical case in Shei-Pa National Park

Ching-An Chiu,Sheng-Shan Lu,Mei-Fen Lee,Chen-Chang Pan,Kuo-Min Fu 국립중앙과학관 2020 Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity Vol.13 No.2

Using only local gene pools to restore native vegetation is challenging. This practice enabled native forestin a post-fired pine and silvergrass woodland to be rehabilitated by reusing indigenous materials in asimple and effective manner. We designed vegetation restoration processes, including uprooting silvergrassand removing pine leaf from woodland ground, collecting tree saplings on sliding slopes andtransplanting them, and collecting humus and seeds from roadsides and redistributing them at restorationsites. Volunteers, tourists, and employees of Shei-Pa National Park participated in the restorationpractices. Through 5-year practices, the native vegetation and forest floor environment exhibited aremarkable recovery, inducing the reappearance of the Guanwu salamander. This restoration practicecost little money but required much time and labor. The approach may be suitable for small restorationsites. We believe that this practice could enhance knowledge, technology, and enthusiasm for localecological restoration.

Influence of Residential Environment and Lifestyle on Multiple Primary Malignancies in Taiwan

Chang, Chih-Chun,Chung, Yi-Hua,Liou, Ching-Biau,Lee, Yi-Chen,Weng, Wei-Ling,Yu, Yun-Chieh,Yen, Tzung-Hai,Wu, Jiann-Ming Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.8

Background: Multiple primary malignancies (MPM) have become increasingly prevalent worldwide. This investigation was aimed at establishing the clinicopathological characteristics of MPM patients and evaluating the impact of the living environment on MPM in the Taiwanese population. Materials and Methods: From January 2009 to December 2013, a total of 8,268 cancer patients were identified in our institutional center. Of these, 125 were diagnosed as MPM and thus enrolled. Data for clinicopathological features and treatment approaches for these MPM patients living in urban or suburb zone were obtained. Findings for the air pollution status in Taiwan were also collected. Results: The most common cancer match of MPM was esophageal cancer with hypopharyngeal cancer (12.8%), followed by colorectal cancer with gastric cancer (6.4%) and colorectal cancer with breast cancer (5.6%). The air quality was significantly worse in the urban than in the suburban zone and there was a remarkably higher portion of MPM patients in the urban zone suffering from grade III and IV post-chemotherapeutic neutropenia (30.8% vs 15.1%, P=0.036). Conclusions: The tumor frequency and site distribution should be taken into the clinical evaluation because there is a relatively high risk of developing MPM. This study also highlighted the potential influence of environmental factors on post-chemotherapeutic neutropenia for patients with MPM.

Creatine Kinase (CK)-MB-to-Total-CK Ratio: a Laboratory Indicator for Primary Cancer Screening

Chang, Chih-Chun,Liou, Ching-Biau,Su, Ming-Jang,Lee, Yi-Chen,Liang, Chai-Ting,Ho, Jung-Li,Tsai, Huang-Wen,Yen, Tzung-Hai,Chu, Fang-Yeh Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.15

Background: For the determination of creatine kinase (CK)-MB, the immunoinhibition method is utilized most commonly. However, the estimated CK-MB activity may be influenced by the presence of CK isoenzymes in some conditions like cancer. Thus, a CK-MB-to-total-CK ratio more than 1.0 could be found in such a situation. The study aimed to explore the relationship of cancer to high CK-MB-to-total-CK ratio. Materials and Methods: From January 2011 to December 2014, laboratory data on all CK-MB and total CK test requests were extracted at Far Eastern Memorial Hospital (88,415 requests). Patients with a CK-MB-to-total-CK ratio more than 1.0 were registered in this study. Clinical data including tumor location, tumor TNM stage and metastatic status were also collected. Results: A total of 846 patients were identified with a CK-MB-to-total-CK ratio more than 1.0. Of these, 339 (40.1%) were diagnosed with malignancies. The mean CK-MB-to-total-CK ratio was significantly higher in malignancy than in non-malignancy ($1.35{\pm}0.28$ vs $1.25{\pm}0.23$, p<0.001) groups. The most frequent malignancy with a CK-MB-to-total-CK ratio more than 1.0 was colorectal cancer ($1.42{\pm}0.28$, 16.5%, n=56), followed by lung cancer ($1.38{\pm}0.24$, 15.9%, n=54) and hepatocellular carcinoma (14.5%, n=49). Higher CK-MB-to-total-CK ratios in hematological malignancies ($1.44{\pm}0.41$)were also noted. Additionally, the CK-MB-to-total-CK ratio was markedly higher in advanced stage malignancy than in early stage ($1.37{\pm}0.26$ vs. $1.29{\pm}0.31$, p=0.014) and significantly higher in liver metastasis than in non-liver metastasis ($1.48{\pm}0.30$ vs. $1.30{\pm}0.21$, p<0.001). Conclusions: The CK-MB-to-total-CK ratio is an easily available indicator and could be clinically utilized as a primary screening tool for cancer. Higher ratio of CK-MB-to-total-CK was specifically associated with certain malignancies, like colorectal cancer, lung cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma, as well as some cancer-associated status factors such as advanced stage and liver metastasis.