The assessment of host and bacterial proteins in sputum from active pulmonary tuberculosis

Hsin-Chih Lai,Yu-Tze Horng,Pen-Fang Yeh,Jann-Yuan Wang,Chin-Chung Shu,Chia-Chen Lu,Jang-Jih Lu,Jen-Jyh Lee,Po-Chi Soo 한국미생물학회 2016 The journal of microbiology Vol.54 No.11

Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The protein composition of sputum may reflect the immune status of the lung. This study aimed to evaluate the protein profiles in spontaneous sputum samples from patients with active pulmonary TB. Sputum samples were collected from patients with pulmonary TB and healthy controls. Western blotting was used to analyze the amount of interleukin 10 (IL-10), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), IL-25, IL- 17, perforin-1, urease, albumin, transferrin, lactoferrin, adenosine deaminase (also known as adenosine aminohydrolase, or ADA), ADA-2, granzyme B, granulysin, and caspase- 1 in sputum. Results of detection of IL-10, IFN-γ, perforin- 1, urease, ADA2, and caspase-1, showed relatively high specificity in distinguishing patients with TB from healthy controls, although sensitivities varied from 13.3% to 66.1%. By defining a positive result as the detection of any two proteins in sputum samples, combined use of transferrin and urease as markers increased sensitivity to 73.2% and specificity to 71.1%. Furthermore, we observed that the concentration of transferrin was proportional to the number of acidfast bacilli detected in sputum specimens. Detection of sputum transferrin and urease was highly associated with pulmonary TB infection. In addition, a high concentration of transferrin detected in sputum might correlate with active TB infection. This data on sputum proteins in patients with TB may aid in the development of biomarkers to assess the severity of pulmonary TB.

The long-term anatomical and visual effect of intravitreal triamcinolone injection during vitrectomy for the treatment of idiopathic macular epiretinal membrane

Lai, Chi-Chun,Wang, Nan-Kai,Wu, Wei-Chi,Yeung, Ling,Hwang, Yih-Shiou,Chen, Kuan-Jen,Chen, Tun-Lu,Chuang, Lan-Hsin Informa Healthcare 2011 Cutaneous and ocular toxicology Vol.30 No.4

<P><I>Purpose</I>: To compare the long-term anatomical and visual outcomes of patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) removed by vitrectomy and membrane peeling with or without the use of intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA).</P><P><I>Methods</I>: A retrospective chart review was performed. Subjects who underwent vitrectomy and who were followed over 12 months were included. The study included two groups of patients. In group 1 (71 eyes), the patients underwent vitrectomy and membrane peeling without the use of IVTA. In group 2 (27 eyes), 2 mg of IVTA was given at the end of the surgery. The main outcome measures were best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central foveal thickness (CFT) determined by optical coherence tomography (OCT), the number of cataract surgeries, and the use of anti-glaucomatous drugs during the follow-up period.</P><P><I>Results</I>: This study included 98 eyes with ERM from 98 patients. There was no significant difference between the two groups with respect to age, gender, pre- and postoperative lens status, BCVA, CFT, or length of the follow-up period. The mean age for all of the patients was 62.45 ± 10.01 (mean ± SD) years, and the mean follow-up length was 20.58 ± 9.64 (mean ± SD) months. In all cases, the mean best-corrected logarithm of minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) acuity improved from a preoperative value of 0.91 ± 0.32 [Snellen equivalent (SE), 0.16 ± 0.14] to a postoperative value of 0.46 ± 0.36 (SE, 0.46 ± 0.29) (<I>P</I> < 0.0001). The CFT was reduced from a preoperative value of 473.46 ± 96.91 μm to a postoperative value of 302.44 ± 69.80 μm (<I>P</I> < 0.0001). Six patients (22.2%) in group 2 required anti-glaucomatous drugs to control intraocular pressure (IOP) during the follow-up period, and three patients (4.2%) in group 1 required drugs to control IOP (<I>P</I> == 0.012).</P><P><I>Conclusions</I>: The postoperative visual outcomes for patients with idiopathic ERM were favorable, but CFT did not return to a normal level, even in eyes in which 2 mg IVTA was used. The IVTA use after ERM removal produced no significant benefits during long-term follow-up, but IVTA did increase the risk of increased IOP.</P>

Risk of Second Primary Cancer in People with Non-melanoma Skin Cancer: A Nationwide Cohort Study

Shu-Hui Wang,Ching-Chi Chi,Zi-Hao Zhao,Tao-Hsin Tung 대한암학회 2018 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.50 No.2

Purpose Previous western studies have found Caucasians with skin cancer, either melanoma or nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC), have an elevated risk of second primary cancer. Our objective was to assess the risk of second primary cancer in Taiwanese with NMSC. Materials and Methods By using data from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database, we conducted a population-based cohort study to assess the risk of incident second primary cancer in Taiwanese affected by NMSC. Results We identified 505 subjects with NMSC and 2,020 matched controls. After adjustment for potential confounders including age, sex, urbanization, and Charlson Comorbidity Index, people who had NMSC had a 1.43-fold (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05 to 1.96) risk for the development of second primary cancer as compared with control group. Men with NMSC had a 2.99-fold (95% CI, 1.00 to 9.10) risk for second primary cancer involving the lip, oral cavity, and pharynx and a 3.51-fold (95% CI, 1.21 to 10.17) risk for second primary cancer involving the genitourinary organs when compared to the control group. By contrast, women with NMSC did not have an increased risk of second primary cancer. Conclusion This study revealed Asians with NMSC have an increased risk of second primary cancer. Our findings can be a useful reference for health care for people diagnosed with NMSC.

Impact of Chronic Kidney Disease on Long-Term Outcome in Coronary Bypass Candidates Treated with Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Jian-Rong Peng,Hsin-Fu Lee,Chi-Jen Chang,Chun-Li Wang,Ying-Chang Tung 대한심장학회 2017 Korean Circulation Journal Vol.47 No.1

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify clinical, lesional, and procedural predictors for adverse outcomes of coronary angioplasty and stenting in coronary bypass candidates. Subjects and Methods: This cohort study included 107 consecutive candidates for coronary artery bypass surgery who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention with multiple coronary stents between Jan 2004 and Dec 2011. The study endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) including all-cause mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction, repeat revascularization, and stent thrombosis. Follow up was from the date of index percutaneous coronary intervention to the date of the first MACE, date of death, or December 31, 2015, whichever came first. Results: In this study (age 62.3±11.2 years, 86% male), 38 patients (36%) had MACE. Among baseline, angiographic, and procedural parameters, there were significant differences in lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and worse renal function. In a Cox regression model, LVEF and chronic kidney disease (CKD) were significant predictors for MACE. After a multivariate adjustment, CKD remained a significant predictor of MACEs (hazard ratio: 2.97, 95% confidence interval: 1.50-5.90). Conclusions: For coronary bypass candidates who were treated with coronary angioplasty and stenting, CKD seems to be the strongest predictor for adverse outcomes compared with other traditional factors.

Distortion-Free Steganography Mechanism with Compression to VQ Indices (pp.39-52)

Chin-Chen Chang,Pei-Yu Lin,Hsin-Chi Wang 보안공학연구지원센터(IJUNESST) 2009 International Journal of u- and e- Service, Scienc Vol.2 No.2

A novel illumination system design for application in the integrated screen 3D display

Lin, Chu-Hsun,Lin, Chun-Chuan,Lo, Hsin-Hsiang,Chung, Shuang-Chao,Chen, Tian-Yuan,Wang, Chy-Lin The Korean Infomation Display Society 2010 Journal of information display Vol.11 No.1

A mini-projector prototype employing a LED light source, a nontelecentric structure, and an LCOS panel for application in the integrated 3D display was fabricated. A seamless image was obtained by tilting an array of mini-projectors. Seamless quality was created by the excellent uniformity of the projection intensity on the mini-projector's screen, which was simulated as 98.34%. Great uniformity can be realized by optimizing the design of the light source and the optics configuration, which is the key to such realization.

A novel illumination system design for application in the integrated screen 3D display

Chu-Hsun Lin,Chun-Chuan Lin,Hsin-Hsiang Lo,Shuang-Chao Chung,Tian-Yuan Chen,Chy-Lin Wang 한국정보디스플레이학회 2010 Journal of information display Vol.11 No.1

A mini-projector prototype employing a LED light source, a nontelecentric structure, and an LCOS panel for application in the integrated 3D display was fabricated. A seamless image was obtained by tilting an array of mini-projectors. Seamless quality was created by the excellent uniformity of the projection intensity on the mini-projector’s screen, which was simulated as 98.34%. Great uniformity can be realized by optimizing the design of the light source and the optics configuration, which is the key to such realization.

Concentration of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs in the Pelvic Floor Muscles: An Experimental Comparative Rat Model

Hung-Yen Chin,Chin-Jung Wang,Eileen Changchien,Mei-Fung Lin,Chi-Hsin Chiang 연세대학교의과대학 2014 Yonsei medical journal Vol.55 No.4

Purpose: The aim of this study is to explore non-steroid anti-inflammation drugs (NSAIDs) potency for pelvic floor muscle pain by measuring local concentration in a rat model. Materials and Methods: We used nine NSAIDs, including nabumetone,naproxen, ibuprofen, meloxicam, piroxicam, diclofenac potassium, etodolac, indomethacin, and sulindac, and 9 groups of female Wister rats. Each group of rats was fed with one kind of NSAID (2 mg/mL) for three consecutive days. Thereafter, one mL of blood and one gram of pelvic floor muscle were taken to measure drug pharmacokinetics, including partition coefficient, lipophilicity, elimination of half-life (T1/2) and muscle/plasma converting ratio (Css, muscle/Css, plasma). Results: Diclofenacpotassium had the lowest T1/2 and the highest mean Css, muscle/Css, plasma (1.9 hours and 0.85±0.53, respectively). The mean Css, muscle/Css, plasma of sulindac, naproxen and ibuprofen were lower than other experimental NSAIDs. Conclusion: Diclofenac potassium had the highest disposition in pelvic floor muscle in a rat model. The finding implies that diclofenac potassium might be the choice for pain relief in pelvicmuscle.

Distortion-Free Steganography Mechanism with Compression to VQ Indices

Chin-Chen Chang,Pei-Yu Lin,Hsin-Chi Wang 보안공학연구지원센터(IJSIP) 2009 International Journal of Signal Processing, Image Vol.2 No.2

Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Increased Autonomic Activation and Improved Symptoms of Depression and Insomnia among Patients with Major Depression Disorder

I-Mei Lin,Sheng-Yu Fan,Cheng-Fang Yen,Yi-Chun Yeh,Tze‐Chun Tang,Mei-Feng Huang,Tai-Ling Liu,Peng-Wei Wang,Huang-Chi Lin,Hsin-Yi Tsai,Yu-Che Tsai 대한정신약물학회 2019 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.17 No.2

Objective: Autonomic imbalance is considered a psychopathological mechanism underlying major depressive disorder (MDD). Heart rate variability (HRV) is an index for autonomic activation. Poor sleep quality is common among patients with MDD. HRV biofeedback (BF) has been used for regulating autonomic balance among patients with physical illness and mental disorders. The purpose of present study was to examine the effects of HRV-BF on depressive symptoms, sleep quality, pre-sleep arousal, and HRV indices, in patients with MDD and insomnia. Methods: In this case-controlled study, patients with MDD and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score higher than 6 were recruited. The HRV-BF group received weekly 60-minute protocol for 6 weeks, and the control group who have matched the age and sex received medical care only. All participants were assessed on Beck Depression Inventory-II, Back Anxiety Inventory, PSQI, and Pre-Sleep Arousal Scale. Breathing rates and electrocardiography were also performed under resting state at pre-testing, and post-testing conditions and for the HRV-BF group, also at 1-month follow-up. Results: In the HRV-BF group, symptoms of depression and anxiety, sleep quality, and pre-sleep arousal were significantly improved, and increased HRV indices, compared with the control group. Moreover, in the HRV-BF group, significantly improved symptoms of depression and anxiety, decreased breathing rates, and increased HRV indices were detected at post-testing and at 1-month follow-up, compared with pre-testing values. Conclusion: This study confirmed that HRV-BF is a useful psychosocial intervention for improving autonomic balance, baroreflex, and symptoms of depression and insomnia in MDD patients.