Traditional Chinese medicine attenuates hospitalization and mortality risks in diabetic patients with carcinoma in situ in Taiwan

Tsai Li-Jen,Chung Chi-Hsiang,Lin Chien-Jung,Su Sheng-Chiang,Kuo Feng-Chih,Liu Jhih-Syuan,Chen Kuan-Chan,Ho Li-Ju,Kuo Chih-Chun,Chang Chun-Yung,Lin Ming-Hsun,Chu Nain-Feng,Lee Chien-Hsing,Hsieh Chang-H 한국한의학연구원 2022 Integrative Medicine Research Vol.11 No.2

Background: Diabetic patients are at high risk of developing cancer. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has become increasingly popular as an adjuvant treatment for patients with chronic diseases, and some studies have identified its beneficial effect in diabetic patients with cancer. The purpoes of this study was to outline the potential of TCM to attenuate hospitalization and mortality rates in diabetic patients with carcinoma in situ (CIS). Methods: A total of 6,987 diabetic subjects with CIS under TCM therapy were selected from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan, along with 38,800 of 1:1 sex-, age-, and index year-matched controls without TCM therapy. Cox proportional hazard analysis was conducted to compare hospitalization and mortality rates during an average of 15 years of follow-up. Results: A total of 3,999/1,393 enrolled-subjects (28.62%/9.97%) had hospitalization/mortality, including 1,777/661 in the TCM group (25.43%/9.46%) and 2,222/732 in the control group (31.80%/10.48%). Cox proportional hazard regression analysis showed a lower rate of hospitalization and mortality for subjects in the TCM group (adjusted HR=0.536; 95% CI=0.367–0.780, P<0.001; adjusted HR=0.783; 95% CI=0.574– 0.974, P = 0.022). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the cumulative risk of hospitalization and mortality in the case and control groups was significantly different (log rank, P<0.001 and P = 0.011, respectively). Conclusions: Diabetic patients with CIS under TCM therapy were associated with lower hospitalization and mortality rates compared to those without TCM therapy. Thus, TCM application may reduce the burden of national medical resources.

An Improvement on Robust H<SUB>∞</SUB> Control for Uncertain Continuous-Time Descriptor Systems

Hung-Jen Lee,Shih-Wei Kau,Yung-Sheng Liu,Chun-Hsiung Fang,Jian-Liung Chen,Ming-Hung Tsai,Li Lee 대한전기학회 2006 International Journal of Control, Automation, and Vol.4 No.3

This paper proposes a new approach to solve robust H∞ control problems for uncertain continuous-time descriptor systems. Necessary and sufficient conditions for robust H∞ control analysis and design are derived and expressed in terms of a set of LMIs. In the proposed approach, the uncertainties are allowed to appear in all system matrices. Furthermore, a couple of assumptions that are required in earlier design methods are not needed anymore in the present one. The derived conditions also include several interesting results existing in the literature as special cases.

Prenatal molecular cytogenetic analysis of a mild dysmorphic fetus with a huge unbalance karyotype involving partial 9p deletion and partial 18q duplication

Yueh-Chun Li,Yi-Ju Pan,Fuu-Jen Tsai,Chyi-Chyang Lin 한국유전학회 2016 Genes & Genomics Vol.38 No.1

Partial 9p deletion syndrome and partial 18q duplication syndrome each have distinct clinical features. We describe the prenatal molecular cytogenetic analysis of a de novo unbalanced karyotype with deletion of 9p23-pter and duplication of 18q12.2-qter in a mild dysmorphic female fetus. Fetal ultrasonography was performed and detailed karyotype analyses were conducted using a combination of G-banding, SKY analysis and FISH with chromosome arm specific sub-telomeric DNA probes and chromosomal region specific BAC clone probes. The fetal sonography and fetal echocardiography at 17 weeks’ gestation did not reveal any anomaly while the fetus had a large unbalance karyotype of 46,XX,der(9)t(9;18) (p23;q12.2) de novo. Its external phenotype at 21 weeks appeared to have some mild dysmorphic features including hypertelorism, low-set ears, micrognathia/retrognathia, clenched hands and rocker bottom feet. These dysmorphic features are seen in the Edward syndrome but with milder degrees.

A Neurovascular Transmission Model for Acupuncture-induced Nitric Oxide

Sheng-Hsiung Hsiao,Li-Jen Tsai 사단법인약침학회 2008 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.1 No.1

Acupuncture is the practice of inserting needles into the body to reduce pain or induce anesthesia. More broadly, acupuncture is a family of procedures involving the stimulation of anatomical locations on or in the skin by a variety of techniques. Employing acupuncture to treat human disease or maintain bodily condition has been practiced for thousands of years. However, the mechanism(s) of action of acupuncture at the various meridians are poorly understood. Most studies have indicated that acupuncture is able to increase blood flow. The acupuncture points have high electrical conductance and a relationship of the acupuncture points and meridians with the connective tissue planes and the perivascular space has also been suggested. Several studies employing the human and animal models have shown that acupuncture enhances the generation of nitric oxide (NO) and increases local circulation. Specifically, electroacupuncture (EA) seems to prevent the reduction in NO production from endothelial NO synthetase (eNOS) and neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) that is associated with hypertension and this process involves a stomachmeridian organ but not a non-stomach-meridian organ such as the liver. How can we explain the phenomena of EA and meridian effect? Here, we proposed a neurovascular transmission model for acupuncture induced NO. In this proposed model, the acupuncture stimulus is able to influence connective tissue via mechanical force transfer to the extracellular matrix (ECM). Through the ECM, the mechanotransduction stimulus can be translated or travel from the acupuncture points, which involve local tissue and cells. Cells in the local tissue that have received mechanotransduction induce different types of NO production that can induce changes in blood flow and local circulation. The local mechanical stress produced is coupled to a cyclic strain of the blood vessels and this could then change the frequency of resonance. According to the resonance theory, an oscillatory pattern of NO formation might occur in that specific organ. Therefore, the artery tree would then change the blood distribution and microcirculation of various organs and as a result further affect the production of NO. Acupuncture is the practice of inserting needles into the body to reduce pain or induce anesthesia. More broadly, acupuncture is a family of procedures involving the stimulation of anatomical locations on or in the skin by a variety of techniques. Employing acupuncture to treat human disease or maintain bodily condition has been practiced for thousands of years. However, the mechanism(s) of action of acupuncture at the various meridians are poorly understood. Most studies have indicated that acupuncture is able to increase blood flow. The acupuncture points have high electrical conductance and a relationship of the acupuncture points and meridians with the connective tissue planes and the perivascular space has also been suggested. Several studies employing the human and animal models have shown that acupuncture enhances the generation of nitric oxide (NO) and increases local circulation. Specifically, electroacupuncture (EA) seems to prevent the reduction in NO production from endothelial NO synthetase (eNOS) and neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) that is associated with hypertension and this process involves a stomachmeridian organ but not a non-stomach-meridian organ such as the liver. How can we explain the phenomena of EA and meridian effect? Here, we proposed a neurovascular transmission model for acupuncture induced NO. In this proposed model, the acupuncture stimulus is able to influence connective tissue via mechanical force transfer to the extracellular matrix (ECM). Through the ECM, the mechanotransduction stimulus can be translated or travel from the acupuncture points, which involve local tissue and cells. Cells in the local tissue that have received mechanotransduction induce different types of NO production that can induce changes in blood flow and local circulation. The local mechanical stress produced is coupled to a cyclic strain of the blood vessels and this could then change the frequency of resonance. According to the resonance theory, an oscillatory pattern of NO formation might occur in that specific organ. Therefore, the artery tree would then change the blood distribution and microcirculation of various organs and as a result further affect the production of NO.

Multimorbidity Pattern and Risk for Mortality Among Patients With Dementia: A Nationwide Cohort Study Using Latent Class Analysis

Che-Sheng Chu,Shu-Li Cheng,Ya-Mei Bai,Tung-Ping Su,Shih-Jen Tsai,Tzeng-Ji Chen,Fu-Chi Yang,Mu-Hong Chen,Chih-Sung Liang 대한신경정신의학회 2023 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.20 No.9

Objective Individuals with dementia are at a substantially elevated risk for mortality; however, few studies have examined multimorbidity patterns and determined the inter-relationship between these comorbidities in predicting mortality risk.Methods This is a prospective cohort study. Data from 6,556 patients who were diagnosed with dementia between 1997 and 2012 using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database were analyzed. Latent class analysis was performed using 16 common chronic conditions to identify mortality risk among potentially different latent classes. Logistic regression was performed to determine the adjusted association of the determined latent classes with the 5-year mortality rate.Results With adjustment for age, a three-class model was identified, with 42.7% of participants classified as “low comorbidity class (cluster 1)”, 44.2% as “cardiometabolic multimorbidity class (cluster 2)”, and 13.1% as “FRINGED class (cluster 3, characterized by FRacture, Infection, NasoGastric feeding, and bleEDing over upper gastrointestinal tract).” The incidence of 5-year mortality was 17.6% in cluster 1, 26.7% in cluster 2, and 59.6% in cluster 3. Compared with cluster 1, the odds ratio for mortality was 9.828 (95% confidence interval [CI]=6.708–14.401; p<0.001) in cluster 2 and 1.582 (95% CI=1.281–1.953; p<0.001) in cluster 3.Conclusion Among patients with dementia, the risk for 5-year mortality was highest in the subpopulation characterized by fracture, urinary and pulmonary infection, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, and nasogastric intubation, rather than cancer or cardiometabolic comorbidities. These findings may improve decision-making and advance care planning for patients with dementia.

Proactive Consultation by a Clinical Pathologist Prevents Diagnostic Delay in Hematological Malignancies

Chang, Chih-Chun,Su, Ming-Jang,Ho, Jung-Li,Sun, Jen-Tang,Tsai, Huang-Wen,Tang, Hui-Fei,Chu, Fang-Yeh Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.3

Background: Diagnostic difficulties in hematological malignancies may lead to unacceptably prolonged help-seeking to diagnostic interval as well as increased complications and poor outcomes. Proactive consultation by a clinical pathologist (PCCP) may help clinical diagnosis and therapeutic strategy. Hence, the aim of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of PCCP on the help-seeking to diagnostic interval in hematological cancer cases. Materials and Methods: From January to November, 2015, abnormal results of hematological laboratory testing with added laboratory comment were selectively screened out, and patients with such abnormalities in hematological laboratory testing and accompanied laboratory comment with PCCP were enrolled. Results: A total of 125 aberrant results of hematological laboratory testing were given with accompanied laboratory comments with PCCP and 40.8% (n=51) of these patient-oriented comments had an effect on clinical diagnosis and therapeutic strategy. Twelve of the subjects belonged to newly diagnosed hematological malignancies with the assistance of PCCP, and the help-seeking to diagnostic interval was also shortened from 42 days to 26 days in chronic lymphoid leukemia (CLL), from 83 days to 11 days in multiple myeloma (MM), and from 128 days to 15 days in myelodysplastic syndrome/myeloproliferative neoplasm (MDS/MPN). During the monitoring interval, neither complication events nor deaths were reported in the study group. Conclusions: It was seemingly that PCCP prevented diagnostic delay in hematological malignancies via shortening the help-seeking to diagnostic interval, particularly in CLL, MM and MDS/MPN cases. PCCP can be considered to play an essential role in prompt establishment of diagnosis in hematological malignancies for those who newly present.

Laser Interference Lithography and Nanoimprint Techniques for Lower Reflection Transparent Conducting Oxide Hybrid Films

Ta-Hsin Chou,Kuei-Yuan Cheng,Chih-Chieh Su,Tien-Li Chang,Chih-Wei Hsieh,Jen-Hui Tsai 한국정밀공학회 2010 International Journal of Precision Engineering and Vol.11 No.4

The transparent conducting oxide (TCO) film is a significant component in flat panel display industry, applied for flexible display, e-paper, and touch panel. The TCO materials have high refractive index, so the phenomenon of high reflectance is the major issue and needs solved in present and future market. In this study, the structure and process of new lower reflection TCO hybrid film is introduced. The laser interference lithography and UV nanoimprint are combined for fabrication of sub-wavelength structures on PET film, then the tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) deposited on structures. Finally, the best result of this hybrid film is reflectance reduced to 3.3% at wavelength 550nm, just 13% of the original film, and the resistance of ITO layer is 1.05x10-3 Ω-cm. This result is useful for the TCO film applied in low reflection demand products in the future.

Meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies in East Asian-ancestry populations identifies four new loci for body mass index

Wen, Wanqing,Zheng, Wei,Okada, Yukinori,Takeuchi, Fumihiko,Tabara, Yasuharu,Hwang, Joo-Yeon,Dorajoo, Rajkumar,Li, Huaixing,Tsai, Fuu-Jen,Yang, Xiaobo,He, Jiang,Wu, Ying,He, Meian,Zhang, Yi,Liang, Jun IRL Press 2014 Human molecular genetics Vol.23 No.20

<P>Recent genetic association studies have identified 55 genetic loci associated with obesity or body mass index (BMI). The vast majority, 51 loci, however, were identified in European-ancestry populations. We conducted a meta-analysis of associations between BMI and ∼2.5 million genotyped or imputed single nucleotide polymorphisms among 86 757 individuals of Asian ancestry, followed by <I>in silico</I> and <I>de novo</I> replication among 7488–47 352 additional Asian-ancestry individuals. We identified four novel BMI-associated loci near the <I>KCNQ1</I> (rs2237892, <I>P</I> = 9.29 × 10<SUP>−13</SUP>), <I>ALDH2/MYL2</I> (rs671, <I>P</I> = 3.40 × 10<SUP>−11</SUP>; rs12229654, <I>P</I> = 4.56 × 10<SUP>−9</SUP>), <I>ITIH4</I> (rs2535633, <I>P</I> = 1.77 × 10<SUP>−10</SUP>) and <I>NT5C2</I> (rs11191580, <I>P</I> = 3.83 × 10<SUP>−8</SUP>) genes. The association of BMI with rs2237892, rs671 and rs12229654 was significantly stronger among men than among women. Of the 51 BMI-associated loci initially identified in European-ancestry populations, we confirmed eight loci at the genome-wide significance level (<I>P</I> < 5.0 × 10<SUP>−8</SUP>) and an additional 14 at <I>P</I> < 1.0 × 10<SUP>−3</SUP> with the same direction of effect as reported previously. Findings from this analysis expand our knowledge of the genetic basis of obesity.</P>