Changes in prostate-specific antigen kinetics during androgen-deprivation therapy as a predictor of response to abiraterone in chemonaïve patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer

Chung-Lin Lee,Ying-Hsu Chang,Chung-Yi Liu,Ming-Li Hsieh,Liang-Kang Huang,Yuan-Cheng Chu,Hung-Cheng Kan,Po-Hung Lin,Kai-Jie Yu,Cheng-Keng Chuang,Chun-Te Wu,See-Tong Pang,I-Hung Shao 대한비뇨의학회 2022 Investigative and Clinical Urology Vol.63 No.5

Purpose: Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) has a poor prognosis. Abiraterone acetate (AA), enzalutamide, and chemotherapy are first-line treatments for patients with mCRPC. This study examined prognostic factors for AA response in the form of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) kinetics throughout androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) in chemonaïve patients with mCRPC. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively included data from 34 chemonaïve patients with mCRPC who had received AA at some point between January 2017 and December 2018. We separated patients into two study arms according to the decrease in PSA percentages after use of AA for 3 months. We correlated PSA kinetics parameters with response and compared the two study groups with respect to PSA kinetics. Results: The patients’ median age was 77 years. In the total group of patients, 64% had a response to AA, whereas 35% did not. The ratio of the PSA level at nadir to the level during ADT was significantly higher in the AA-sensitive group (19.78 vs. 1.03, p=0.019). Conclusions: Patients who experienced a dramatic change in PSA level during ADT were more likely to be resistant to AA after progression to mCRPC. Chemotherapy rather than AA might be more suitable as a first-line treatment for these patients.

Online Experts Screening the Worst Slicing Machine to Control Wafer Yield via the Analytic Hierarchy Process

Lin, Chin-Tsai,Chang, Che-Wei,Wu, Cheng-Ru,Chen, Huang-Chu The Korean Society for Quality Management 2006 The Asian Journal on Quality Vol.7 No.2

This study describes a novel algorithm for optimizing the quality yield of silicon wafer slicing. 12 inch wafer slicing is the most difficult in terms of semiconductor manufacturing yield. As silicon wafer slicing directly impacts production costs, semiconductor manufacturers are especially concerned with increasing and maintaining the yield, as well as identifying why yields decline. The criteria for establishing the proposed algorithm are derived from a literature review and interviews with a group of experts in semiconductor manufacturing. The modified Delphi method is then adopted to analyze those results. The proposed algorithm also incorporates the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to determine the weights of evaluation. Additionally, the proposed algorithm can select the evaluation outcomes to identify the worst machine of precision. Finally, results of the exponential weighted moving average (EWMA) control chart demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed AHP-based algorithm in effectively selecting the evaluation outcomes and evaluating the precision of the worst performing machines. So, through collect data (the quality and quantity) to judge the result by AHP, it is the key to help the engineer can find out the manufacturing process yield quickly effectively.

Construction of Z-scheme W18O49/NiAl-LDH heterojunction with photothermal effect for photocatalytic reduction of CO2

Cheng Xia,Rui-Tang Guo,Zhen-rui Zhang,Chen-yuan Fan,Yu-zhe Liu,Yu-cheng Lin,Chu-fan Li,Wei-Guo Pan 한국공업화학회 2023 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.128 No.-

Recently, the photocatalytic CO2 reduction technology is an effective solution to remit the energy crisis. Inorder to improve the photocatalytic performance, Z-scheme W18O49/NiAl-LDH composite catalysts wereprepared by hydrothermal method. Fortunately, the prepared catalysts revealed excellent photocatalyticperformance under the simulated sunlight, and CO and CH4 could be detected in the reduction products. WO/LDH-0.5 catalyst possessed the optimal activity, with CO and CH4 yield of 37.09 and 8.01 lmol g-1h1separately, which were 7.9 and 3.6 times that of NiAl-LDH monomer. In addition, W18O49 endowedW18O49/NiAl-LDH catalysts with photothermal effect, which raised the surface temperature andfacilitated the catalytic reaction. Meanwhile, the Z-scheme heterojunction composed of flower-likeNiAl-LDH and urchin-like W18O49 accelerated the separation of photoexcited carriers and enhanced theredox ability. Through a series of characterizations and investigations, this work is promising to breaknew ground for the design of photocatalysts with photothermal effect.

A Simple Partial Discharge Detector for Low-Voltage Rotating Electrical Machines

Cheng-Chi Tai,Ting-Cheng Huang,Ching-Chau Su,Chien-Yi Chen,Ju-Chu Hsieh,Yu-Shiun Lin,Chung-Tzong Wang,Jeng-Hung Lai 전력전자학회 2007 ICPE(ISPE)논문집 Vol.- No.-

A new, simple partial discharge (PD) detector for low-voltage rotating electrical machines using acoustical emission (AE) technique is dseveloped in this study. Common electric components were used in the detector, which reduces the cost of inspection, comparing with the traditional PD detection methods that use expensive equipment costing from tens of thousands to several millions dollars. Experimental results by resonant type AE sensors (150 ㎑) which utilize power line-cycle in a microcontroller unit (MCU) as reference to measure the PDs generated in a low-voltage motor are presented. The AE signals are then amplified by a pre-amplifier (30 ㎑ ~ 300 ㎑, 34 ㏈). Since the resonant frequency of the sensor is much lower than that of the electromagnetic (EM) interferences around the motor, the effects of noise is substantially reduced by this method. In the mean time, the use of 150-㎑ resonant type AE sensor also avoids the disturbance of mechanical vibration noise. According to the experiment results, the measurement system developed in this study can be used to detect the PDs’ AE signals correctly. The AE measurement scheme proposed in this study provides an effective, low-cost method for PD measurements.

Evolutionary Studies of Weedy and Cultivated Rice Using Chloroplast Genome Sequencing

Lin Cheng,Yuan Cao,Rungnapa Phitaktansakul,Kyaw Myo Aung,Myeong-Hyun Min,Jungrye Nam,Eul Jai Myung,Sang-Ho Chu,Kyu-Won Kim,Yong-Jin Park 한국잡초학회 2019 한국잡초학회 별책(학술대회 초록집) Vol.39 No.1

Effects of Free-range Farming on Carcass and Meat Qualities of Black-feathered Taiwan Native Chicken

Cheng, F.Y.,Huang, C.W.,Wan, T.C.,Liu, Y.T.,Lin, L.C.,Lou Chyr, Chu-Ying Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2008 Animal Bioscience Vol.21 No.8

The effects of free-range farming, compared to a conventional production system, on carcass and meat qualities were studied using black-feathered Taiwan native chickens. Twenty 16-week old females were purchased separately from a free-range farm and a conventional production farm and used for this study. The results showed similarities in the live weight (roughly 2.1 kg), dressing percentage (69%) and meat percentage (19%) of deboned leg quarter. Significant differences (p<0.05) found for the free-range chickens included: a higher percentage of meat for the breast, an increased crude protein content and chewiness value for the breast, but decreased crude fat content and lower hardness and fracturablility values for the leg quarter. Significantly higher L* values were found for the breast and leg meat of conventionally produced chickens, whereas no significant differences were found for WHC and purge loss between the breast and the leg, and between the two production systems as well. Results of sensory evaluation showed a significant preference for leg over breast meat (p<0.05). The scores of all the attributes including aroma, flavor, firmness, tenderness, juiciness and overall acceptability of leg meat from free-range chickens were slightly higher than for conventional chickens, while the reverse was true for breast meat, though no significant difference could be found. Free-range Taiwan native chicken appeared to yield the best of the results, with flavorful yet tender leg meat for higher sensory satisfaction, and high-protein but low-fat breast meat for healthier diet choice.

Probiotic BSH Activity and Anti-Obesity Potential of Lactobacillus plantarum Strain TCI378 Isolated from Korean Kimchi

Chu-Han Huang,Cheng-Yu Ho,Ciao-Ting Chen,Hsin-Fen Hsu,Yung-Hsiang Lin 한국식품영양과학회 2019 Preventive Nutrition and Food Science Vol.24 No.4

Lactobacillus (Lab.) is a human probiotic beneficial for the prevention and improvement of disease, yet properties of different Lab. strains are diverse. To obtain a Lab. strain that possesses greater potential against gastrointestinal dysfunction, we isolated Lactobacillus plantarum TCI378 (TCI378) from naturally fermented Korean kimchi. TCI378 has shown potential as probiotic since it can survive at pH 3.0 and in the presence of 0.3% bile acid. The bile salt hydrolase activity of TCI378 was shown by formation of opaque granular white colonies on solid de Man Rogosa Sharpe (MRS) medium supplemented with taurodeoxycholic acid, and its cholesterol-lowering ability in MRS medium supplemented with cholesterol. The metabolites of TCI378 from liquid culture in MRS medium prevented emulsification of bile salts. Moreover, both the metabolites of TCI378 and the dead bacteria reduced oil droplet accumulation in 3T3-L1, as detected by Oil red O staining. The expressions of adipocyte-specific genes perilipin 1 and glucose transporter type 4 were suppressed by the metabolites of TCI378, indicating TCI378 may have anti-obesity effects in adipocytes. These in vitro data show the potential of the prophylactic applications of TCI378 and its metabolites for reducing fat and lowering cholesterol.

Distinctive Endophytic Fungal Assemblage in Stems of Wild Rice (Oryza granulata) in China with Special Reference to Two Species of Muscodor (Xylariaceae)

Zhi-lin Yuan,Zhen-zhu Su,Li-juan Mao,Yang-qing Peng,Guan-mei Yang,Fu-cheng Lin,Chu-long Zhang 한국미생물학회 2011 The journal of microbiology Vol.49 No.1

Ecological niches in the rhizosphere and phyllosphere of grasses capable of sustaining endophytes have been extensively studied. In contrast, little information regarding the identity and functions of endophytic fungi in stems is available. In this study, we investigated the taxonomic affinities, diversity, and host specificities of culturable endophytes in stems of wild rice (Oryza granulata) in China. Seventy-four isolates were recovered. Low recovery rate (11.7%) indicated that there were relatively few sites for fungal infection. Identification using morphology, morphospecies sorting, and molecular techniques resulted in classification into 50 taxa, 36 of which were recovered only once. Nucleotide sequence similarity analysis indicated that 30% of the total taxa recovered were highly divergent from known species and thus may represent lineages new to science. Most of the taxa were classified as members of the classes Sordariomycetes or Dothideomycetes (mainly in Pleosporales). The presence of Arthrinium and Magnaporthaceae species, most often associated with poaceous plants, suggested a degree of host specificity. A polyphasic approach was employed to identify two Muscodor taxa based on (i) ITS and RPB2 phylogenies, (ii) volatile compounds produced, and (iii)an in vitro bioassay of antifungal activity. This to our knowledge is only the second report regarding the isolation of Muscodor spp. in China. Therefore, we hypothesize that wild plants represent a huge reservoir of unknown fungi. The prevalence, novelty, and species-specificity of unique isolates necessitate a reevaluation of their contribution to ecosystem function and fungal biodiversity.

Credit Rating Anomaly in Taiwan Stock Market

Kuan-Cheng Ko,Shinn-Juh Lin,Hsiang-Hui Chu,Hsiao-Wei Ho 한국재무학회 2012 한국재무학회 학술대회 Vol.2012 No.09

Rational asset-pricing theory asserts that higher risk should be accompanied by higher expected return. The credit-risk puzzle, however, states a negative cross- sectional relationship between credit risk and future stock returns (Dichev, 1998; Grin and Lemmon, 2002; Campbell et al., 2008; Avramov et al., 2009). This pa- per examines the credit-risk puzzle using an independent dataset from Taiwan's stock market. We document the existence of the credit-risk premium in both portfolios and individual stocks, and demonstrate that it can not be explained by well-known asset-pricing models which include the CAPM, Fama and French's (1993) three-factor model, and Liu's (2006) liquidity-augmented CAPM. Unlike the evidence in the U.S. market, rating downgrades only have limited impact on stock returns in Taiwan. Further analysis indicates that credit rating serves as a better proxy for distress risk, and is thus priced in Taiwan's stock market.

A novel compact miniaturized wideband microstrip bandpass filters with dual-mode ring resonators

Chen, Chu-Yu,Hsu, Cheng-Ying,Lin, Sung-Fong Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 2005 MICROWAVE AND OPTICAL TECHNOLOGY LETTERS - Vol.45 No.4

<P>This paper presents a novel, compact, low-insertion-loss, sharp-rejection, wideband microstrip bandpass filter. The filter is based on a ring resonator with direct-connected orthogonal feed lines, and uses two stepped-impedance open stubs to construct a wideband passband with two sharp stopbands. The unit cell of the ring resonators is easily cascaded and also has the feature of a compact structure. The filter is designed to reduce interference in full-duplex systems for satellite communications. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 45: 312–315, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20807</P>