Scaling up the in-hospital hepatitis C virus care cascade in Taiwan

( Chung-feng Huang ),( Pey-fang Wu ),( Ming-lun Yeh ),( Ching-i Huang ),( Po-cheng Liang ),( Cheng-ting Hsu ),( Po-yao Hsu ),( Hung-yin Liu ),( Ying-chou Huang ),( Zu-yau Lin ),( Shinn-cherng Chen ),( 대한간학회 2021 Clinical and Molecular Hepatology(대한간학회지) Vol.27 No.1

Background/Aims: Obstacles exist in facilitating hepatitis C virus (HCV) care cascade. To increase timely and accurate diagnosis, disease awareness and accessibility, in-hospital HCV reflex testing followed by automatic appointments and a late call-back strategy (R.N.A. model) was applied. We aimed to compare the HCV treatment rate of patients treated with this strategy compared to those without. Methods: One hundred and twenty-five anti-HCV seropositive patients who adopted the R.N.A. model in 2020 and another 1,396 controls treated in 2019 were enrolled to compare the gaps in accurate HCV RNA diagnosis to final treatment allocation. Results: The HCV RNA testing rate was significantly higher in patients who received reflex testing than in those without reflex testing (100% vs. 84.8%, P<0.001). When patients were stratified according to the referring outpatient department, a significant improvement in the HCV RNA testing rate was particularly noted in patients from non-hepatology departments (100% vs. 23.3%, P<0.001). The treatment rate in HCV RNA seropositive patients was 83% (83/100) after the adoption of the R.N.A. model, among whom 96.1% and 73.9% of patients were from the hepatology and non-hepatology departments, respectively. Compared to subjects without R.N.A. model application, a significant improvement in the treatment rate was observed for patients from non-hepatology departments (73.9% vs. 27.8%, P=0.001). The application of the R.N.A. model significantly increased the in-hospital HCV treatment uptake from 6.4% to 73.9% for patients from non-hepatology departments (P<0.001). Conclusions: The care cascade increased the treatment uptake and set up a model for enhancing in-hospital HCV elimination. (Clin Mol Hepatol 2021;27:136-143)

Public Service Motivation and Perception of Self-efficacy: An Empirical Study in Taiwan

( Irving Yi Feng Huang ),( Wan Ling Huang ) 한국행정학회 2011 한국행정학회 학술발표논문집 Vol.2011 No.-

<i>In Situ</i> Atomic-Scale Observation of Surface-Tension-Induced Structural Transformation of Ag-NiP_<i>x</i> Core-Shell Nanocrystals

Huang, Xing,Liu, Zhongqiang,Millet, Marie-Mathilde,Dong, Jichen,Plodine, Milivoj,Ding, Feng,Schlö,gl, Robert,Willinger, Marc-Georg American Chemical Society 2018 ACS NANO Vol.12 No.7

<P>The properties of nanocrystals are highly dependent on their morphology, composition, and structure. Tailored synthesis over these parameters is successfully applied for the production of nanocrystals with desired properties for specific applications. However, in order to obtain full control over the properties, the behavior of nanocrystals under external stimuli and application conditions needs to be understood. Herein, using Ag-NiP<SUB><I>x</I></SUB> nanocrystals as a model system, we investigate the structural evolution upon thermal treatment by <I>in situ</I> aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy. A combination of real-time imaging with elemental analysis enables the observation of the transformation from a Ag-NiP<SUB><I>x</I></SUB> core-shell configuration to a Janus structure at the atomic scale. The transformation occurs through dewetting and crystallization of the NiP<SUB><I>x</I></SUB> shell and is accompanied by surface segregation of Ag. Further temperature increase leads to a complete sublimation of Ag and formation of individual Ni<SUB>12</SUB>P<SUB>5</SUB> nanocrystals. The transformation is rationalized by theoretical modeling based on density functional theory calculations. Our model suggests that the transformation is driven by changes of the surface energy of NiP<SUB><I>x</I></SUB> and the interfacial energy between NiP<SUB><I>x</I></SUB> and Ag. The direct observation of atomistic dynamics during thermal-treatment-induced structural modification will help to understand more complex transformations that are induced by aging over time or the interaction with a reactive gas phase in applications such as catalysis.</P> [FIG OMISSION]</BR>

Positively Charged and pH-sensitive Carbon Dots for Fluorescence Detection of Copper Ion

Feng Feng,Chenfang Miao,Yalan Zhang,Zhengjun Huang,Shaohuang Weng 대한화학회 2021 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.42 No.2

As an essential trace element in the human body, copper ion (Cu2+) performs an important role in many fundamental physiological processes that need a facile and effective method for the monitoring of Cu2+ in organisms. Herein, a turn-off, facile fluorescent strategy for sensing Cu2+ was proposed using positively charged carbon dots (P-CDs) as probe. The P-CDs prepared from melting strategy exhibited stable, biocompatible, and pH-sensitive luminescent properties. P-CDs can be selectively quenched by Cu2+ for the direct detection of Cu2+. The reaction mechanism between Cu2+ and P-CDs was systematically investigated, illustrating that Cu2+ coordinated with the surface functional groups in P-CDs. The binding effect of Cu2+ and P-CDs caused the constant morphology and static quenching behavior of P-CDs. The promising accuracy of the testing results of the addition of Cu2+ in diluted serum using P-CDs implied their extended application in the biological field.

Aberrant Expression of the Autocrine Motility Factor Receptor Correlates with Poor Prognosis and Promotes Metastasis in Gastric Carcinoma

Huang, Zhen,Zhang, Neng,Zha, Lang,Mao, Hong-Chao,Chen, Xuan,Xiang, Ji-Feng,Zhang, Hua,Wang, Zi-Wei Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.2

AMFR, autocrine motility factor receptor, also called gp78, is a cell surface cytokine receptor which has a dual role as an E3 ubiquitin ligase in endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation. AMFR expression is associated with tumor malignancy. We here investigated the clinical significance of AMFR and its role in metastasis and prognosis in gastric cancer. Expression of AMFR, E-cadherin and N-cadherin in cancer tissues and matched adjacent normal tissues from 122 gastric cancer (GC) patients undergoing surgical resection was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Levels of these molecules in 17 cases selected randomly were also analysed by Western blotting. AMFR expression was significantly increased in gastric cancer tissues, and associated with invasion depth and lymph node metastasis. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed AMFR expression correlated with poor overall survival and an increased risk of recurrence in the GC cases. Cox regression analysis suggested AMFR to be an independent predictor for overall and recurrence-free survival. E-cadherin expression was decreased in gastric cancer tissues; conversely, N-cadherin was increased. Expression of AMFR negatively correlated with E-cadherin expression, whereas N-cadherin expression showed a significant positive correlation with AMFR expression. AMFR might be involved in the regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, with aberrant expression correlating with a poor prognosis and promoting invasion and metastasis in GCs.

키랄(S)-이부푸로펜 함유 고분자의 합성과 제조된 고분자의 분자 인식 메커니즘

Feng Yun Huang Fu,Bing Wang,Yan Sun 한국고분자학회 2013 폴리머 Vol.37 No.3

A group of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) with specific recognition for chiral (S)-ibuprofen were successfully prepared based on hydrogen bonds, utilizing α-methacrylic acid as a functional monomer. The IR analysis of MIPs showed that the blue- and red-shifted hydrogen bonds were formed between templates and functional monomers in the process of self-assembly imprinting and re-recognition, respectively. According to UV-Vis analysis, we found that the ratio of host-guest complexes between template molecule and functional monomer was 1:1. The effect of crosslinker`s quantity on the polymerization was studied by transmission electron microscope (TEM). The adsorption selectivity experiments indicated that MIPs exhibited higher selectivity to (S)-ibuprofen than those to ketoprofen and (R)-ibuprofen, (S)-ibuprofen`s structural analogs.

Activating Transcription Factor 1 is a Prognostic Marker of Colorectal Cancer

Huang, Guo-Liang,Guo, Hong-Qiang,Yang, Feng,Liu, Ou-Fei,Li, Bin-Bin,Liu, Xing-Yan,Lu, Yan,He, Zhi-Wei Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.3

Objective: Identifying cancer-related genes or proteins is critical in preventing and controlling colorectal cancer (CRC). This study was to investigate the clinicopathological and prognostic value of activating transcription factor 1 (ATF1) in CRC. Methods: Protein expression of ATF1 was detected using immunohistochemistry in 66 CRC tissues. Clinicopathological association of ATF1 in CRC was analyzed with chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. The prognostic value of ATF1 in CRC is estimated using the Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression models. Results: The ATF1 protein expression was significantly lower in tumor tissues than corresponding normal tissues (51.5% and 71.1%, respectively, P = 0.038). No correlation was found between ATF1 expression and the investigated clinicopathological parameters, including gender, age, depth of invasion, lymph node status, metastasis, pathological stage, vascular tumoral emboli, peritumoral deposits, chemotherapy and original tumor site (all with P > 0.05). Patients with higher ATF1 expression levels have a significantly higher survival rate than that with lower expression (P = 0.026 for overall survival, P = 0.008 for progress free survival). Multivariate Cox regression model revealed that ATF1 expression and depth of invasion were the predictors of the overall survival (P = 0.008 and P = 0.028) and progress free survival (P = 0.002 and P = 0.005) in CRC. Conclusions: Higher ATF1 expression is a predictor of a favorable outcome for the overall survival and progress free survival in CRC.

Protective efficacy of a high-growth reassortant swine H3N2 inactivated vaccine constructed by reverse genetic manipulation

Feng Wen,Ji-Hong Ma,Hai Yu,Fu-Ru Yang,Meng Huang,Yan-Jun Zhou,Ze-Jun Li,Guangzhi Tong 대한수의학회 2014 JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCE Vol.15 No.3

Novel reassortant H3N2 swine influenza viruses (SwIV)with the matrix gene from the 2009 H1N1 pandemic virushave been isolated in many countries as well as duringoutbreaks in multiple states in the United States, indicatingthat H3N2 SwIV might be a potential threat to public health. Since southern China is the world’s largest producer of pigs,efficient vaccines should be developed to prevent pigs fromacquiring H3N2 subtype SwIV infections, and thus limit thepossibility of SwIV infection at agricultural fairs. In thisstudy, a high-growth reassortant virus (GD/PR8) wasgenerated by plasmid-based reverse genetics and tested as acandidate inactivated vaccine. The protective efficacy of thisvaccine was evaluated in mice by challenging them withanother H3N2 SwIV isolate [A/Swine/Heilongjiang/1/05(H3N2) (HLJ/05)]. Prime and booster inoculation withGD/PR8 vaccine yielded high-titer serum hemagglutinationinhibiting antibodies and IgG antibodies. Completeprotection of mice against H3N2 SwIV was observed, withsignificantly reduced lung lesion and viral loads invaccine-inoculated mice relative to mock-vaccinatedcontrols. These results suggest that the GD/PR8 vaccine mayserve as a promising candidate for rapid intervention ofH3N2 SwIV outbreaks in China.

Induction of Apoptosis by a Combination of Paclitaxel and Carboplatin in the Presence of Hyperthermia

Huang, Tao,Gong, Wei-Hua,Li, Xiu-Cheng,Zou, Chun-Ping,Jiang, Guang-Jian,Li, Xu-Hui,Feng, Dian-Peng Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.1

Purpose: To study enhancing effects of paclitaxel in the thermochemotherapy of osteosarcoma cell lines and related mechanisms. Materials and Methods: Paclitaxel and carboplatin were used alone or jointly on OS732 cell lines in the presence of hyperthermia. Inhibition of proliferation was measured by MTT assay and cellular changes were assessed with inverted phase contrast and fluorescence microscopy. Apoptosis was analyzed with flow cytometry (FCM) and Fas expression by immunocytochemistry. Results: At $43^{\circ}C$, one hour after the application of 10ug/ml paclitaxel and $5{\mu}g/ml$ carboplatin on OS732 cells jointly, the survival rate was 15.8% which was significantly lower than with $10{\mu}g/ml$ paclitaxel (45.8%) and $5{\mu}g/ml$ carboplatin (47.7%) respectively (P<0.01). Moreover, changes of morphology and apoptotic rates indicated that the apoptosis-inducing effect of combined application was also much enhanced, as evident also regarding Fas expression. Conclusion: Paclitaxel is conducive to thermochemotherapy of osteosarcoma cell lines, possibly accomplished by up-regulation of Fas expression with induction of apoptosis.

Structure of Penta-Alanine Investigated by Two-Dimensional Infrared Spectroscopy and Molecular Dynamics Simulation

Feng, Yuan,Huang, Jing,Kim, Seongheun,Shim, Ji Hyun,MacKerell, Alexander D.,Ge, Nien-Hui American Chemical Society 2016 The Journal of physical chemistry B Vol.120 No.24

<P>We have studied the structure of (Ala)(5), a model unfolded peptide, using a combination of 2D IR spectroscopy and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Two different isotopomers, each bis-labeled with C-13=O and C-13=O-18, were strategically designed to shift individual site frequencies and uncouple neighboring amide-I' modes. 2D IR. spectra taken under the double-crossed <pi/4, -pi/4, Y, Z > polarization show that the labeled four-oscillator systems can be approximated by three two-oscillator systems. By utilizing the different polarization dependence of diagonal and cross peaks, we extracted the coupling constants and angles between three pairs of amide-I' transition dipoles through spectral fitting. These parameters were related to the peptide backbone dihedral angles through DFT calculated maps. The derived dihedral angles are all located in the polyproline-II (ppII) region of the Ramachandran plot. These results were compared to the conformations sampled by Hamiltonian replica-exchange MD simulations with three different CHARMM force fields. The C36 force field predicted that ppII is the dominant conformation, consistent with the experimental findings, whereas C22/CMAP predicted similar population for alpha(+), beta, and ppII, and the polarizable Drude-2013 predicted dominating beta structure. Spectral simulation based on MD representative conformations and structure ensembles demonstrated the need to include multiple 2D spectral features, especially the cross-peak intensity ratio and shape, in structure determination. Using 2D reference spectra defined by the C36 structure ensemble, the best spectral simulation is achieved with nearly 100% ppII population, although the agreement with the experimental cross-peak intensity ratio is still insufficient. The dependence of population determination on the choice of reference structures/spectra and the current limitations on theoretical modeling relating peptide structures to spectral parameters are discussed. Compared with the previous results on alanine based oligopeptides, the dihedral angles of our fitted structure, and the most populated ppII structure from the C36 simulation are in good agreement with those suggesting a major ppII population. Our results provide further support for the importance of ppII conformation in the ensemble of unfolded peptides.</P>