Changes in prostate-specific antigen kinetics during androgen-deprivation therapy as a predictor of response to abiraterone in chemonaïve patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer

Chung-Lin Lee,Ying-Hsu Chang,Chung-Yi Liu,Ming-Li Hsieh,Liang-Kang Huang,Yuan-Cheng Chu,Hung-Cheng Kan,Po-Hung Lin,Kai-Jie Yu,Cheng-Keng Chuang,Chun-Te Wu,See-Tong Pang,I-Hung Shao 대한비뇨의학회 2022 Investigative and Clinical Urology Vol.63 No.5

Purpose: Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) has a poor prognosis. Abiraterone acetate (AA), enzalutamide, and chemotherapy are first-line treatments for patients with mCRPC. This study examined prognostic factors for AA response in the form of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) kinetics throughout androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) in chemonaïve patients with mCRPC. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively included data from 34 chemonaïve patients with mCRPC who had received AA at some point between January 2017 and December 2018. We separated patients into two study arms according to the decrease in PSA percentages after use of AA for 3 months. We correlated PSA kinetics parameters with response and compared the two study groups with respect to PSA kinetics. Results: The patients’ median age was 77 years. In the total group of patients, 64% had a response to AA, whereas 35% did not. The ratio of the PSA level at nadir to the level during ADT was significantly higher in the AA-sensitive group (19.78 vs. 1.03, p=0.019). Conclusions: Patients who experienced a dramatic change in PSA level during ADT were more likely to be resistant to AA after progression to mCRPC. Chemotherapy rather than AA might be more suitable as a first-line treatment for these patients.

BRCA1/2 mutation status in patients with metachronous breast and ovarian malignancies: clues towards the implementation of genetic counseling

Angel Chao,Yi-Hao Lin,Lan-Yan Yang,Ren-Chin Wu,Wei-Yang Chang,Pi-Yueh Chang,Shih-Cheng Chang,Chiao-Yun Lin,Huei-Jean Huang,Cheng-Tao Lin,Hung-Hsueh Chou,Kuan-Gen Huang,Wen-Ling Kuo,Ting-Chang Chang,Ch 대한부인종양학회 2020 Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Vol.31 No.3

Objective: The characteristics of patients with metachronous breast and ovarian malignancies and the pathogenic role of BRCA1/2 mutations remain poorly understood. We investigated these issues through a review of hospital records and nationwide Taiwanese registry data, followed by BRCA1/2 mutation analysis in hospital-based cases. Methods: We retrospectively retrieved consecutive clinical records of Taiwanese patients who presented with these malignancies to our hospital between 2001 and 2017. We also collected information from the Data Science Center of the Taiwan Cancer Registry (TCR) between 2007 and 2015. Next-generation sequencing and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification were used to identify BRCA1/2 mutations and large genomic rearrangements, respectively. When BRCA1/2 mutations were identified in index cases, pedigrees were reconstructed and genetic testing was offered to family members. Results: A total of 12,769 patients with breast cancer and 1,537 with ovarian cancer were retrieved from our hospital records. Of them, 28 had metachronous breast and ovarian malignancies. We also identified 113 cases from the TCR dataset. Eighteen hospital-based cases underwent BRCA1/2 sequencing and germline pathogenic mutations were detected in 7 patients (38.9%, 5 in BRCA1 and 2 in BRCA2). All BRCA1/2 mutation carriers had ovarian high-grade serous carcinomas. Of the 12 patients who were alive at the time of analysis, 5 were BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. All of them had family members with BRCA1/2-associated malignancies. Conclusions: Our results provide pilot evidence that BRCA1/2 mutations are common in Taiwanese patients with metachronous breast and ovarian malignancies, supporting the clinical utility of genetic counseling.

Ginsenoside Rg1 supplementation clears senescence-associated β-galactosidase in exercising human skeletal muscle

Wu, Jinfu,Saovieng, Suchada,Cheng, I-Shiung,Liu, Tiemin,Hong, Shangyu,Lin, Chang-Yu,Su, I-Chen,Huang, Chih-Yang,Kuo, Chia-Hua The Korean Society of Ginseng 2019 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.43 No.4

Background: Ginsenoside Rg1 has been shown to clear senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-${\beta}$-gal) in cultured cells. It remains unknown whether Rg1 can influence SA-${\beta}$-gal in exercising human skeletal muscle. Methods: To examine SA-${\beta}$-gal change, 12 young men (age $21{\pm}0.2years$) were enrolled in a randomized double-blind placebo controlled crossover study, under two occasions: placebo (PLA) and Rg1 (5 mg) supplementations 1 h prior to a high-intensity cycling (70% $VO_{2max}$). Muscle samples were collected by multiple biopsies before and after cycling exercise (0 h and 3 h). To avoid potential effect of muscle biopsy on performance assessment, cycling time to exhaustion test (80% $VO_{2max}$) was conducted on another 12 participants (age $23{\pm}0.5years$) with the same experimental design. Results: No changes of SA-${\beta}$-gal were observed after cycling in the PLA trial. On the contrary, nine of the 12 participants showed complete elimination of SA-${\beta}$-gal in exercised muscle after cycling in the Rg1 trial (p < 0.05). Increases in apoptotic DNA fragmentation (PLA: +87% vs. Rg1: +133%, p < 0.05) and $CD68^+$ (PLA:+78% vs. Rg1:+121%, p = 0.17) occurred immediately after cycling in both trials. During the 3-h recovery, reverses in apoptotic nuclei content (PLA:+5% vs. Rg1 -32%, p < 0.01) and increases in inducible nitrate oxide synthase and interleukin 6 mRNA levels of exercised muscle were observed only in the Rg1 trial (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Rg1 supplementation effectively eliminates senescent cells in exercising human skeletal muscle and improves high-intensity endurance performance.

Analysis of the following effect of the natural enemies with Frankliniella intonsa in tea garden

Cheng Honghao,Chen Shiyan,Wu Xiaomeng,Xu Yue,Zhang Lin,Sun Jiazhao,Zhou Xiazhi,Zou Yunding,Bi Shoudong 한국곤충학회 2022 Entomological Research Vol.52 No.8

In order to reasonably protect and utilize natural enemies for comprehensive control of Frankliniella intonsa, a systematic investigation was conducted on F. i n t o n s a and natural enemies in tea gardens in Hefei, Anhui Province, and the spatial following effect of natural enemies on F. intonsa was studied. The semi-variogram of natural enemies and thrips was obtained by the geostatistics method, and the correlation degree between them was analyzed by the grey correlation degree analysis method. The higher the correlation degree between natural enemies and F. intonsa, the closer the relationship between natural enemies and F. intonsa was. In this study, we analyzed the relationship between 11 natural enemies of F. i n t o n s a in tea gardens from October 28, 2020 to November 20, 2020 and from August 22, 2021 to November 19, 2021. The top five natural enemies with the largest closeness index to F. intonsa in Huangshan Dayezhong tea garden are Oxyopes sertatus, Theridion octomaculatum, Plexippus setipes, Xysticus ephippiafus and Erigonidium graminicolum. The top five natural enemies with the largest closeness index to F. intonsa in Pingyang Tezao tea garden are Erigonidium graminicolum, Plexippus setipes, Xysticus ephippiafus, Oxyopes sertatus and Clubiona japonicola.Among the top five natural enemies in the two tea gardens, those in common are Oxyopes sertatus, Erigonidium graminicolum, Xysticus ephippiafus and Plexippus setipes. According to the summation of the closeness index and the sum of the serial numbers, the top five natural enemies closely related to the spatial following of F. intonsa in the tea gardens were Oxyopes sertatus, Plexippus setipes, Erigonidium graminicolum, Xysticus ephippiafus and Theridion octomaculatum. One of the factors closely related to the space of F. i n t o n s a in the same tea garden was the ratio of F. i n t o n s a to a certain natural enemy. The smaller the ratio was, the closer the following relationship was. The results of this study provide scientific basis for biological control and natural enemy protection of F. intonsa.

Significance of Expression of Human METCAM/MUC18 in Nasopharyngeal Carcinomas and Metastatic Lesions

Lin, Jin-Ching,Chiang, Cheng-Feng,Wang, Shur-Wern,Wang, Wen-Yi,Kwan, Po-Cheung,Wu, Guang-Jer Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.1

Human METCAM/MUC18, a cell adhesion molecule (CAM) in the immunoglobulin-like gene super family, plays a dual role in the progression of several epithelium cancers; however, its role in the nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains unclear. To initiate the study we determined human METCAM/MUC18 expression in tissue samples of normal nasopharynx (NP), NPCs, and metastatic lesions, and in two established NPC cell lines. Immunoblotting analysis was used for the determination in lysates of frozen tissues, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) for expression in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections of 7 normal nasopharynx specimens, 94 NPC tissue specimens, and 3 metastatic lesions. Human METCAM/MUC18 was expressed in 100% of the normal NP, not expressed in 73% of NPC specimens (or expressed at very low levels in only about 27% of NPC specimens), and expressed again in all of the metastatic lesions. The level of human METCAM/MUC18 expression in NPC tissues was about one fifth of that in the normal NP and metastatic lesions. The low level of human METCAM/MUC18 expression in NPC specimens was confirmed by a weak signal of RT-PCR amplification of the mRNA. Low expression levels of human METCAM/MUC18 in NPC tissues were also reflected in the seven established NPC cell lines. These findings provided the first evidence that diminished expression of human METCAM/MUC18 is an indicator for the emergence of NPC, but increased expression then occurs with metastatic progression, suggesting that huMETCAM/MUC18, perhaps similar to TGF-${\beta}$, may be a tumor suppressor, but a metastasis promoter for NPC.

DISCOVERY OF X-RAY PULSATION FROM THE GEMINGA-LIKE PULSAR PSR J2021+4026

Lin, L. C. C.,Hui, C. Y.,Hu, C. P.,Wu, J. H. K.,Huang, R. H. H.,Trepl, L.,Takata, J.,Seo, K. A.,Wang, Y.,Chou, Y.,Cheng, K. S. IOP Publishing 2013 ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL LETTERS - Vol.770 No.1

<P>We report the discovery of an X-ray periodicity of similar to 265.3 ms from a deep XMM-Newton observation of the radio-quiet gamma-ray pulsar, PSR J2021+4026, located at the edge of the supernova remnant G78.2+2.1 (gamma-Cygni). The detected frequency is consistent with the gamma-ray pulsation determined by the observation of the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope at the same epoch. The X-ray pulse profile resembles the modulation of a hot spot on the surface of the neutron star. The phase-averaged spectral analysis also suggests that the majority of the observed X-rays have thermal origins. This is the third member in the class of radio-quiet pulsars with significant pulsations detected from both X-ray and gamma-ray regimes.</P>

A novel regression prediction model for structural engineering applications

Lin, Jeng-Wen,Chen, Cheng-Wu,Hsu, Ting-Chang Techno-Press 2013 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.45 No.5

Recently, artificial intelligence tools are most used for structural engineering and mechanics. In order to predict reserve prices and prices of awards, this study proposed a novel regression prediction model by the intelligent Kalman filtering method. An artificial intelligent multiple regression model was established using categorized data and then a prediction model using intelligent Kalman filtering. The rather precise construction bid price model was selected for the purpose of increasing the probability to win bids in the simulation example.

Value of CT in the Discrimination of Fatal from Non-Fatal Stercoral Colitis

Cheng-Hsien Wu,Chen-Chih Huang,Li-Jen Wang,Yon-Cheong Wong,Chao-Jan Wang,Wan-Chak Lo,Being-Chuan Lin,Yung-Liang Wan,Chuen Hsueh 대한영상의학회 2012 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.13 No.3

Objective: Clinical presentation and physical signs may be unreliable in the diagnosis of stercoral colitis (SC). This study evaluates the value of computed tomography (CT) in distinguishing fatal from non-fatal SC. Materials and Methods: Ten patients diagnosed as SC were obtained from inter-specialist conferences. Additional 13 patients with suspected SC were identified via the Radiology Information System (RIS). These patients were divided into two groups; fatal and non-fatal SCs. Their CT images are reviewed by two board-certified radiologists blinded to the clinical data and radiographic reports. Results: SC occurred in older patients and displayed no gender predisposition. There was significant correlation between fatal SC and CT findings of dense mucosa (p = 0.017), perfusion defects (p = 0.026), ascites (p = 0.023), or abnormal gas (p = 0.033). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of dense mucosa were 71%, 86%, and 81%, respectively. These figures were 75%, 79%, and 77% for perfusion defects; 75%, 80%, and 78% for ascites; and 50%, 93%, and 78% for abnormal gas, respectively. Each CT sign of mucosal sloughing and pericolonic abscess displayed high specificity of 100% and 93% for diagnosing fatal SC, respectively. However, this did not reach statistical significance in diagnosing fatal SC. Conclusion: CT appears to be valuable in discriminating fatal from non-fatal SC. Objective: Clinical presentation and physical signs may be unreliable in the diagnosis of stercoral colitis (SC). This study evaluates the value of computed tomography (CT) in distinguishing fatal from non-fatal SC. Materials and Methods: Ten patients diagnosed as SC were obtained from inter-specialist conferences. Additional 13 patients with suspected SC were identified via the Radiology Information System (RIS). These patients were divided into two groups; fatal and non-fatal SCs. Their CT images are reviewed by two board-certified radiologists blinded to the clinical data and radiographic reports. Results: SC occurred in older patients and displayed no gender predisposition. There was significant correlation between fatal SC and CT findings of dense mucosa (p = 0.017), perfusion defects (p = 0.026), ascites (p = 0.023), or abnormal gas (p = 0.033). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of dense mucosa were 71%, 86%, and 81%, respectively. These figures were 75%, 79%, and 77% for perfusion defects; 75%, 80%, and 78% for ascites; and 50%, 93%, and 78% for abnormal gas, respectively. Each CT sign of mucosal sloughing and pericolonic abscess displayed high specificity of 100% and 93% for diagnosing fatal SC, respectively. However, this did not reach statistical significance in diagnosing fatal SC. Conclusion: CT appears to be valuable in discriminating fatal from non-fatal SC.

Online Experts Screening the Worst Slicing Machine to Control Wafer Yield via the Analytic Hierarchy Process

Lin, Chin-Tsai,Chang, Che-Wei,Wu, Cheng-Ru,Chen, Huang-Chu The Korean Society for Quality Management 2006 The Asian Journal on Quality Vol.7 No.2

This study describes a novel algorithm for optimizing the quality yield of silicon wafer slicing. 12 inch wafer slicing is the most difficult in terms of semiconductor manufacturing yield. As silicon wafer slicing directly impacts production costs, semiconductor manufacturers are especially concerned with increasing and maintaining the yield, as well as identifying why yields decline. The criteria for establishing the proposed algorithm are derived from a literature review and interviews with a group of experts in semiconductor manufacturing. The modified Delphi method is then adopted to analyze those results. The proposed algorithm also incorporates the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to determine the weights of evaluation. Additionally, the proposed algorithm can select the evaluation outcomes to identify the worst machine of precision. Finally, results of the exponential weighted moving average (EWMA) control chart demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed AHP-based algorithm in effectively selecting the evaluation outcomes and evaluating the precision of the worst performing machines. So, through collect data (the quality and quantity) to judge the result by AHP, it is the key to help the engineer can find out the manufacturing process yield quickly effectively.

Differences in the closeness of spatial relationship between Ricanidae in their prime and natural enemies in five kinds of tea gardens

Cheng Xian,Zhang Lin,Wu Xiaomeng,Xu Yue,Sun Jiazhao,Zhou Xiazhi,Zou Yunding,Bi Shoudong 한국곤충학회 2022 Entomological Research Vol.52 No.8

To identify the natural enemy species which are close to Ricanidae in spatial relationship and to provide scientific basis for biological control and reasonable protection of natural enemies, geostatistics and the angular cosine coefficient method were used to analyze the population of Ricanidae in their prime and their natural enemies in the Anji white tea garden, the Longjing43 tea garden, the Nongkangzao tea garden, the Pingyangtezao tea garden and the Wuniuzao tea garden. The spatial relationship between six natural enemies and Ricanidae was also studied. The angular cosine coefficients were normalized to obtain the intimacy index. According to the sum of the intimacy index and the serial number of the intimacy index of each natural enemy in five tea gardens, the following conclusions could be drawn: the top three natural enemies closely related to Ricanidae in spatial relationship were Clubiona reichlini, Clubiona japonicola and Misumenops tricuspidatus; at least two species of the top three natural enemies in each tea garden were the same as the top three natural enemies in the comprehensive analysis of the five tea gardens; one of the factors that determined the spatial relationship between natural enemies and Ricanidae was the ratio of the number of Ricanidae and natural enemies. The results of this study identified the spider species of natural enemies which should be rationally used and protected in the five tea gardens.