“Darkening the darkness”: Alchemy as Radical Negativity in Donne`s “A Nocturnal upon St. Lucy`s Day, being the shortest day”

( Jen Hui Bon Hoa ) 한국영어영문학회 2014 영어 영문학 Vol.60 No.1

In “A Nocturnal upon St. Lucy`s Day, being the shortest day” John Donne undertakes his most original exploration of alchemy, a privileged metaphor for the poet`s craft. As critics have noted, “Nocturnal” tends towards annihilation rather than regeneration and thus, they suggest, inverts or subverts the alchemical process. This interpretation, I contend, tells only half the story. Through a close reading of the poem, I show that Donne develops a metaphysics of absence in order to advance rather than reverse the process of alchemical distillation, ultimately to articulate a purity that transcends matter itself. Engaging with Derrida`s theories of extreme or undialectical negativity, I argue that the poet explores his grief by drawing himself further into the darkness towards an indeterminacy beyond the opposition of presence and absence, life and death. Against the convention of reading “Nocturnal” in terms of a redemptive work of mourning, I propose that, rather than seeking to return to familiarity after the experience of extremity, the poet tarries with this extreme negativity and allows his notion of existence to be transformed by it.

The Empty Body Without Organs, or When Becoming Active Goes Wrong: Deleuze and Guattari on Spinoza

( Jen Hui Bon Hoa ) 한국비교문학회 2014 比較文學 Vol.0 No.62

In A Thousand Plateaus, Deleuze and Guattari make a startling pronouncement: "Drug users, masochists, schizophrenics, lovers-all BwOs [Bodies without Organs] pay homage to Spinoza.” This essay seeks to explain the paradoxical association of self-destruction with Spinoza`s affirmative philosophy of self-mastery. I examine how Deleuze and Guattari develop the concept of the BwO, the signal figure of their philosophy of immanence, in dialogue with Spinoza`s Ethics, and how, to reassess their exuberant championing of revolutionary deterritorialization in Anti-Oedipus, they investigate, through the figure of the "empty" BwO, the circumstances under which Spinoza`s project of becoming active can lead to subjugation.

Antiproliferative and Antitumorigenic Activity of Toona sinensis Leaf Extracts in Lung Adenocarcinoma

Chih-Jen Yang,Yu-Jung Huang,Cheng-Yuan Wang,Chuan-Sheng Wang,Pei-Hui Wang,Jen-Yu Hung,Tung-Heng Wang,Hseng-Kuang Hsu,Hurng-Wern Huang,S.P. Anand Kumar,Ming-Shyan Huang,Ching-Feng Weng 한국식품영양과학회 2010 Journal of medicinal food Vol.13 No.1

Toona sinensis is a traditional Chinese herb, and the extracts of T. sinensis leaf possess a variety of biological functions. This study attempted to test the antiproliferative effect of TSL-1 (a bioactive fraction of T. sinensis) in H441 cells (lung adenocarcinoma). The data showed that the antiproliferative effect of TSL-1 on H441 cells is prominent using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. TSL-1-induced apoptosis was confirmed by cell morphology, sub-G1 peak accumulation, cleavage of poly(ADP)-ribose polymerase, and propidium iodide-annexin V double staining. Furthermore, decreased Bcl-2 accompanied by increased Bax (in western blotting) was found with TSL-1 treatment of H441 cells. TSL-1 treatment-induced G1 arrest was concurrent with the down-regulation of protein levels of cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 in H441 cells. Peroral and intraperitoneal administrations of TSL-1 were performed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy, and peroral administration of TSL-1 was also used to elucidate the therapeutic efficacy in the H441 cell xenograft model in vivo. The data revealed that TSL-1 treatment inhibited H441 tumor growth in both therapeutic and preventive experiments. Taken together, these results demonstrate that TSL-1 possesses the capability of preventing and alleviating lung cancer proliferation in vitro and in vivo with proven nephrological and hepatic safety and has the potential to be developed as an anti–lung cancer drug.

The role of the genomic mutation signature and tumor mutation burden on relapse risk prediction in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma after concurrent chemoradiotherapy

Wang Hui-Ching,Moi Sin-Hua,Chan Leong-Perng,Wu Chun-Chieh,Du Jeng-Shiun,Liu Pei-Lin,Chou Meng-Chun,Wu Che-Wei,Huang Chih-Jen,Hsiao Hui-Hua,Pan Mei-Ren,Chen Li-Tzong 생화학분자생물학회 2023 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.55 No.-

Personalized genetic profiling has focused on improving treatment efficacy and predicting risk stratification by identifying mutated genes and selecting targeted agents according to genetic testing. Therefore, we evaluated the role of genetic profiling and tumor mutation burden (TMB) using next-generation sequencing in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC). The relapse mutation signature (RMS) and chromatin remodeling mutation signature (CRMS) were explored to predict the risk of relapse in patients with HNSC treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients in the high RMS and CRMS groups showed significantly shorter relapse-free survival than those in the low RMS and CRMS groups, respectively (p < 0.001 and p = 0.006). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that extranodal extension, CCRT response, and three somatic mutation profiles (TMB, RMS, and CRMS) were independent risk predictors for HNSC relapse. The predictive nomogram showed satisfactory performance in predicting relapse-free survival in patients with HNSC treated with CCRT.

Facile hydrophilic modification of polydimethylsiloxane-based sponges for efficient oil–water separation

Chao-Jen Wang,Wei-Fan Kuan,Hui-Ping Lin,Yury A. Shchipunov,Li-Jen Chen 한국공업화학회 2021 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.96 No.-

In this study, an eco-friendly fabrication process for the hydrophilic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-basedsponge was proposed with the assistance of sugar templates and poly(dimethylsiloxane-b-ethyleneoxide) (PDMS-b-PEO) block copolymer additives. The effects of sugar loadings and sugar particle sizes onsponge structure and separation performance were investigated. Manipulating sugar loadings exhibiteda unique control over the porosity of sponge, which further influenced the absorption capacity and oil–water separation speed. Additionally, the surface modification of PDMS sponge from hydrophobic/oleophilic to hydrophilic/underwater oleophobic was achieved by incorporating PDMS-b-PEO. Suchmodified sponge demonstrated an underwater oil contact angle of 154 and a stable separation efficiencygreater than 99.9% in the gravity-driven cycledfiltration tests. The hydrophilic PDMS-b-PEO modifiedsponges highlighted herein reveal a promising potential for novel separation materials with energyefficientand cost-effective features, which are ideal for oil spill clean-up events and wastewatertreatment application.

Health and Economic Burden of HPV-related Diseases in Singapore

Low, Jeffrey Jen Hui,Ko, Yu,Ilancheran, Arunachalam,Zhang, Xu Hao,Singhal, Puneet K.,Tay, Sun Kuie Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.1

Objective: To assess the health and economic burden of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related diseases (cervical cancer, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1/2/3, and genital warts) in Singapore over a period of 25 years beginning in 2008. Methods: Incidence-based modeling was used to estimate the incidence cases and associated economic burden, with the assumption that age-stratified incidence rates will remain the same throughout the period of 25 years. The incidence rates in 2008 were projected based on data obtained from the National Cancer Registry for cervical cancer, and from a combination of published data and hospital registry review for CIN1/2/3 and genital warts. The population growth rate was factored into the projection of incidence cases over time. Direct cost data per cervical cancer and per CIN1/2/3 case were obtained from the financial database of large local hospitals while cost data for genital warts were obtained from the National Skin Center; these costs were multiplied by the number of incidence cases to produce an aggregate estimate of the economic burden over the 25-year period (in 2008 Singapore dollars) using a 3% discount rate. Results: The total number of incidence cases of HPV-disease over 25 years beginning in 2008 was estimated to be 60,183, including 8,078 for cervical cancer, 11,685 for CIN 2/3, 8,849 for CIN1, and 31,572 for genital warts. The estimated total direct cost was 83.2 million Singapore Dollars over 25 years: 57.6 million attributable to cervical cancer, 13.0 million to CIN2/3, 6.83 million to CIN1, and 5.70 million to genital warts. Conclusion: HPV-related diseases are expected to impose significant health and economic burden on the Singapore healthcare resources in the next 25 years.

Family History of Cancer and Head and Neck Cancer Risk in a Chinese Population

Huang, Yu-Hui Jenny,Lee, Yuan-Chin Amy,Li, Qian,Chen, Chien-Jen,Hsu, Wan-Lun,Lou, Pen-Jen,Zhu, Cairong,Pan, Jian,Shen, Hongbing,Ma, Hongxia,Cai, Lin,He, Baochang,Wang, Yu,Zhou, Xiaoyan,Ji, Qinghai,Zho Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.17

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate whether family history of cancer is associated with head and neck cancer risk in a Chinese population. Materials and Methods: This case-control study included 921 cases and 806 controls. Recruitment was from December 2010 to January 2015 in eight centers in East Asia. Controls were matched to cases with reference to sex, 5-year age group, ethnicity, and residence area at each of the centers. Results: We observed an increased risk of head and neck cancer due to first degree family history of head and neck cancer, but after adjustment for tobacco smoking, alcohol drinking and betel quid chewing the association was no longer apparent. The adjusted OR were 1.10 (95% CI=0.80-1.50) for family history of tobacco-related cancer and 0.96 (95%CI=0.75-1.24) for family history of any cancer with adjustment for tobacco, betel quid and alcohol habits. The ORs for having a first-degree relative with HNC were higher in all tobacco/alcohol subgroups. Conclusions: We did not observe a strong association between family history of head and neck cancer and head and neck cancer risk after taking into account lifestyle factors. Our study suggests that an increased risk due to family history of head and neck cancer may be due to shared risk factors. Further studies may be needed to assess the lifestyle factors of the relatives.

Morphological Characteristics of Granular Starch in Lotus Porridge Flour

Hui-Mei Lin,Jheng-Hua Lin,Yung-Ho Chang,Ming-Jen Sheu,Ting-Jang Lu 한국원예학회 2006 한국원예학회 기타간행물 Vol.- No.-

Breastfeeding Experiences of Taiwanese Mothers of Infants with Breastfeeding or Breast Milk Jaundice in Certified Baby-Friendly Hospitals

Kuei-Hui Chu,Shuh-Jen Sheu,Mei-Hwa Hsu,Jillian Liao,Li-Yin Chien 한국간호과학회 2019 Asian Nursing Research Vol.13 No.2

Purpose: The purpose was to explore the breastfeeding experiences of mothers of infants with breastfeeding or breast milk jaundice. Methods: In-depth qualitative interviews and content analysis were conducted with nine mothers of newborns with breastfeeding and/or breast milk jaundice who breastfed their babies during the first year postpartum. Results: Mothers' experiences can be described in four phases and six themes. (1) Prenatal stage: build breastfeeding belief, i.e., breastfeeding is best and a natural behavior, without awareness of neonatal jaundice; (2) stage after neonatal jaundice started to appear: include two themes, questioning beliefs in breastfeeding and happiness in being a mother. Mothers lacked knowledge and ignored the threat of neonatal jaundice, mainly focused on their physical discomforts and worried about insufficient breast milk; they also felt an intimate mothereinfant bond through breastfeeding; (3) stage when newborns had confirmed diagnosis of breastfeeding or breast milk jaundice that required medical attention: include two themes, diagnosis of breastfeeding or breast milk jaundice and phototherapy caused negative emotions and regaining original beliefs about breastfeeding. They struggled through emotional swings and inconsistent advices about whether phototherapy and formula supplementation are needed. Then, they decided breastfeeding or breast milk jaundice is only temporary and retrieved initial beliefs of breastfeeding. (4) Stage after neonatal jaundice faded and mothers continued breastfeeding: insisting and adapting. Conclusion: Breastfeeding mothers were unaware of neonatal jaundice until medical attention was required; they experienced physical and mental distress and gradually learned to manage jaundice while insisting on breastfeeding through their breastfeeding beliefs and happiness in being mothers.

Increase of Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog by Silymarin to Inhibit Human Pharynx Squamous Cancer

Chin-Hui Su,Li-Jen Chen,Jyh Fei Liao,Juei-Tang Cheng 한국식품영양과학회 2013 Journal of medicinal food Vol.16 No.9

Silymarin is an active principle from the seeds of the milk thistle plant and is widely used as a hepatoprotective gent due to its antioxidant-like activity. In the present study, we evaluated the potential efficacy of silymarin against oral cancer and investigated its possible mechanism of action. Cell viability assay and western blotting analyses were used to identify silymarin-induced apoptotic cell death in human pharynx squamous cell carcinoma (FaDu) cells. The short interfering RNA (siRNA) is used to confirm the role of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) in silymarin-induced apoptosis. Treatment of FaDu cells with silymarin resulted in a significant decrease in cell viability (up to 70%). Silymarin inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt (over 10-fold) with an increase in expression of PTEN (five to sixfold). Consequently, the level of Bcl-2 expression was decreased five to sixfold and caspase 3 activated to induce apoptosis. Treatment with siRNA specific to PTEN gene diminished the action of silymarin. The results suggest that silymarin inhibits the Akt signaling pathway by increasing PTEN expression in FaDu cells and directly affects Bcl-2 family members. Also, we demonstrated the inhibitory activity of silymarin for oral cancer is related to cell survival. These mechanisms may in part explain the actions of silymarin and provide a rationale for the development of silymarin as an anticancer agent.