The Effect of Response Shift and Adaptation in Cancer Patients

Chao Li-Fen,Wu Hsu-Hui,Kuo Yi-Shuan,Lin Chia-Yu,Liu Hsueh-Erh 한국간호과학회 2009 한국간호과학회 학술대회 Vol.2009 No.10

Characterization and function of a short peptidoglycan recognition protein from the Chinese oak silkworm, Antheraea pernyi

Li-Shang Dai,Cen Qian, LeiWang,Guo-Qing Wei,Qiu-Ning Liu,Yu Sun,Cong-Fen Zhang,Jun Li,Dong-Ran Liu,Bao-Jian Zhu,Chao-Liang Liu 한국응용곤충학회 2015 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.18 No.4

Peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs) are conserved proteins in animals from insects to mammals and play an important role in immune response by recognizing peptidoglycan on microbial surfaces. In this study, a PGRP gene from Antheraea pernyi, named Ap-PGRP-A, was isolated and characterized. Sequence analysis revealed that the full-length cDNA of Ap-PGRP-A was 961 bp, containing a 40 bp 5′-untranslated sequence, a 339 bp 3′-untranslated region and an open reading frame of 582 bp. This gene encoded a putative protein of 193 amino acid residues. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that Ap-PGRP-A had the closest protein sequence similarity to Antheraea mylitta PGRP. The recombinant protein was successfully expressed in Escherichia coli cells and a rabbit anti-Ap-PGRP-A antibody was also prepared. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR analysis showed that Ap-PGRP-A was extensively expressed in the fat body, midgut, hemocyte,malpighian tubule and epidermis of A. pernyi, especially in the fat body and midgut. The expression levels of Ap-PGRP-A were significantly up-regulated by three types of microorganisms, and Ap-PGRP-A expression was more sensitive in response to the Gram-negative bacterium E. coli than the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis or the fungus Beauveria bassiana. These data indicate that Ap-PGRP-A may play a role in the innate immune responses of A. pernyi.

Shaking Table Test on Seismic Responses of a Monolithic Precast Concrete Shear Wall Structure

Chao-gang Qin,Guoliang Bai,Ya-zhou Xu,Ning Fen Su,Tao Wu,Zhong Liang Li,Yu Zhe Sun 대한토목학회 2018 KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering Vol.22 No.10

To examine the seismic performance of Monolithic Precast Concrete Shear Wall (MPCSW) structure, a 1/5-scaled twelve-story model is designed and investigated by shaking table test, and connections between the precast elements and their impact on seismic performance of the overall model are comprehensively inspected and analyzed. Based on the testing results, the structural responses are divided into elastic stage and plastic stage, and the variations of dynamic characteristics, cracking and failure pattern, seismic responses of the model are accordingly presented. The experimental results indicate that most of critical cracks of the MPCSW model locate on the coupling beams and horizontal connections of precast concrete shear walls, and the fundamental frequency exhibits a successively decreasing trend during the entire testing process. Furthermore, The MPCSW model is designed in accordance with Chinese codes meets the requirement for the seismic fortification intensity of eight, and shows an adequate safety margin to resist collapse in the case of 0.90 g.

Impact of the COVID-19 vaccine booster strategy on vaccine protection: a pilot study of a military hospital in Taiwan

Wang Yu-Li,Cheng Shu-Tsai,Shen Ching-Fen,Huang Shu-Wei,Cheng Chao-Min 대한백신학회 2023 Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research Vol.12 No.4

Purpose: The global fight against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has led to widespread vaccination efforts, yet the optimal dosing schedule for SARS-CoV-2 vaccines remains a subject of ongoing research. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of administering two booster doses as the third and fourth doses at different intervals to enhance vaccine protection. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted at a military regional hospital operated by the Ministry of National Defense in Taiwan. A cohort of vaccinated individuals was selected, and their vaccine potency was assessed at various time intervals following their initial vaccine administration. The study participants received booster doses as the third and fourth doses, with differing time intervals between them. The study monitored neutralizing antibody titers and other relevant parameters to assess vaccine efficacy. Results: Our findings revealed that the potency of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine exhibited a significant decline 80 days after the initial vaccine administration. However, a longer interval of 175 days between booster injections resulted in significantly higher neutralizing antibody titers. The individuals who received the extended interval boosters exhibited a more robust immune response, suggesting that a vaccine schedule with a 175-day interval between injections may provide superior protection against SARS-CoV-2. Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of optimizing vaccine booster dosing schedules to maximize protection against SARS-CoV-2. The results indicate that a longer interval of 175 days between the third and fourth doses of the vaccine can significantly enhance the neutralizing antibody response, potentially offering improved protection against the virus. These findings have important implications for vaccine distribution and administration strategies in the ongoing battle against the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Further research and large-scale trials are needed to confirm and extend these findings for broader public health implications.

Association between Initial Chest CT or Clinical Features and Clinical Course in Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pneumonia

Liu Zhe,Jin Chao,Wu Carol C.,Liang Ting,Zhao Huifang,Wang Yan,Wang Zekun,Li Fen,Zhou Jie,Cai Shubo,Zeng Lingxia,Yang Jian 대한영상의학회 2020 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.21 No.6

Objective: To identify the initial chest computed tomography (CT) findings and clinical characteristics associated with the course of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. Materials and Methods: Baseline CT scans and clinical and laboratory data of 72 patients admitted with COVID-19 pneumonia (39 men, 46.2 ± 15.9 years) were retrospectively analyzed. Baseline CT findings including lobar distribution, presence of ground glass opacities, consolidation, linear opacities, and lung severity score were evaluated. The outcome event was recovery with hospital discharge. The time from symptom onset to discharge or the end of follow-up (for those remained hospitalized) was recorded. Data were censored in events such as death or discharge without recovery. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression was used to explore the association between initial CT, clinical or laboratory findings, and discharge with recovery, whereby hazard ratio (HR) values < 1 indicated a lower rate of discharge at four weeks and longer time until discharge. Results: Thirty-two patients recovered and were discharged during the study period with a median length of admission of 16 days (range, 9 to 25 days), while the rest remained hospitalized at the end of this study (median, 17.5 days; range, 4 to 27 days). None died during the study period. After controlling for age, onset time, lesion characteristics, number of lung lobes affected, and bilateral involvement, the lung severity score on baseline CT (> 4 vs. ≤ 4 [reference]: adjusted HR = 0.41 [95% confidence interval, CI = 0.18–0.92], p = 0.031) and initial lymphocyte count (reduced vs. normal or elevated [reference]: adjusted HR = 0.14 [95% CI = 0.03–0.60], p = 0.008) were two significant independent factors that influenced recovery and discharge. Conclusion: Lung severity score > 4 and reduced lymphocyte count at initial evaluation were independently associated with a significantly lower rate of recovery and discharge and extended hospitalization in patients admitted for COVID-19 pneumonia.

Applicative Value of Serum CA19-9, CEA, CA125 and CA242 in Diagnosis and Prognosis for Patients with Pancreatic Cancer Treated by Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy

Gu, Yu-Lei,Lan, Chao,Pei, Hui,Yang, Shuang-Ning,Liu, Yan-Fen,Xiao, Li-Li Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.15

Objective: To evaluate the application value of serum CA19-9, CEA, CA125 and CA242 in diagnosis and prognosis of pancreatic cancer cases treated with concurrent chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: 52 patients with pancreatic cancer, 40 with benign pancreatic diseases and 40 healthy people were selected. The electrochemiluminescence immunoassay method was used for detecting levels of CA19-9, CEA and CA125, and a CanAg CA242 enzyme linked immunoassay kit for assessing the level of CA242. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for analyzing the prognostic factors of patients with pancreatic cancer. The Cox proportional hazard model was applied for analyzing the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidential interval (CI) for survival time of patients with pancreatic cancer. Results: The levels of serum CA19-9, CEA, CA125 and CA242 in patients with pancreatic cancer were significantly higher than those in patients with benign pancreatic diseases and healthy people (P<0.001). The sensitivity of CA19-9 was the highest among these, followed by CA242, CA125 and CEA. The specificity of CA242 is the highest, followed by CA125, CEA and CA19-9. The sensitivity and specificity of joint detection of serum CA19-9, CEA, CA125and CA242 were 90.4% and 93.8%, obviously higher than single detection of those markers in diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. The median survival time of 52 patients with pancreatic cancer was 10 months (95% CI7.389~12.611).. Patients with the increasing level of serum CA19-9, CEA, CA125, CA242 had shorter survival times (P=0.047. 0.043, 0.0041, 0.029). COX regression analysis showed that CA19-9 was an independent prognostic factor for patients with pancreatic cancer (P=0.001, 95%CI 2.591~38.243). Conclusions: The detection of serum tumor markers (CA19.9, CEA, CA125 and CA242) is conducive to the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and joint detection of tumor markers helps improve the diagnostic efficiency. Moreover, CA19-9 is an independent prognostic factor for patients with pancreatic cancer.

Abietane Diterpenoids from Perovskia atriplicifolia and Their Anti-HBV Activities

Zhi-Yong Jiang,Zhong-Qiu Li,Chao-Guan Huang,Jun Zhou,Qiu-Fen Hu,Wen-Xing Liu,Xiang-Zhong Huang,Wei Wang,Li-Zhu Zhang,Fu-Ting Xia 대한화학회 2015 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.36 No.2

Bioassay-guided phytochemical investigation on the 90% EtOH extract of Perovskia atriplicifolia resulted in the isolation of eight abietane diterpenoids, including three new ones (1–3). Based on spectroscopic methods involving 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy techniques, mass spectrometry, and optical rotation, the structures of the new compounds (1–3) were unambiguously characterized. Compounds 1–2 and 4–8 were evaluated for their anti-HBV (hepatitis B virus) activity in HepG 2.2.15 cell line. Results suggested rosmadial (8) had the most anti-HBV potency, suppressing the secretion of HBsAg and HBeAg, with IC50 values of 0.09 and 0.34 mM, respectively.