The Presence of Borrelia valaisiana-Related Genospecies in Ticks and a Rodent in Taiwan

Chun-Man Huang,Hsi-Chieh Wang,Ying-Chun Lin,Shih-Hui Chiu,Ying-Shun Kao,Pei-Lung Lee,Hsiu-I Wang,Ruei-Chen Hung,Huang-I Chan,Ho-Sheng Wu,Chuen-Sheue Chiang,Jung-Jung Mu 한국미생물학회 2010 The journal of microbiology Vol.48 No.6

A field survey was conducted to investigate the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) in six counties of Taiwan. Spirochetes were successfully isolated from one rodent ear sample out of 485 rodent ears and 53live, fed tick (Ixodes granulatus) samples. The spirochetes were confirmed to be B. burgdorferi s.l. by real-time PCR. In addition, 23 of 113 tick samples were tested positive for Borrelia DNA according to real-time PCR. The Borrelia isolate from the rodent and the 23 Borrelia DNA samples from the ticks were identified as B. valaisiana-related genospecies by phylogenetic analysis based on flagellin gene sequences. These findings suggest that the Borrelia valaisiana-related strains are maintained in a zoonotic cycle between tick vectors and reservoir hosts in Taiwan.

The International Development Strategy of Les Enphants Roots in China Market

Huang, Shu-Tzu,Cho, Hsin-Ying,Hsu, Yin-Chieh The Korean Society of Costume 2014 International journal of costume and fashion Vol.14 No.1

Facing a mature domestic market and the challenges of the global consumer market, retailers in Taiwan are in pursuit of international development strategies for increasing its market opportunities as one of its key growth strategies. In the global market, the Chinese market becomes Taiwan retailers' main international development milestone due to its similarity of language, culture and historical background with China. Therefore, this research uses case study method based on Eclectic paradigm (Dunning 1981) to explore the various advantages of a Taiwanese children's clothing retailer Les Enphants, which include ownership advantage, internalization advantage, and location advantage. These advantages in turn demonstrate rationales behind Les Enphants' internationalization necessity (Why to Go), selecting China as an expansion target (Where to Go), and management and operation strategies implemented in China (How to Go). Our study highlights a successful entry and expansion model of the Taiwanese children clothing retailer, and may have solid contribution to the practical application of internationalization strategy theory.

A study on microstructural and dielectric properties of Ba0.5-xZnxSr0.45Ca0.05TiO3 ceramics

Ying-Chieh Lee,Hui-Ju Hsu,I-Yu Huang,Huei-Jyun Shih,Christian Pithan 한양대학교 청정에너지연구소 2023 Journal of Ceramic Processing Research Vol.24 No.6

reaction process and sintered at temperatures ranging from 1150 °C to 1250 °C. The properties of these ceramics werefound to be significantly affected by variations in the Zn content. Densification of the BZSCT ceramics was observed to occurat sintering temperatures exceeding 1225 °C. Notably, the crystalline phases and dielectric properties of these ceramics werestrongly influenced by the Zn content. Three distinct secondary phases were identified in the BZSCT ceramics, includingBaZn2.03Ti3.93O10.89, Ba2ZnTi5O13 and Zn2TiO4. The addition of Zn resulted in a shift of the Curie point to lower temperatures. Specifically, with Zn substitution (up to 15 at.%), a Curie point of -60 °C was observed in the BZSCT ceramics. Theseceramics exhibited a high dielectric constant of 1035, a low dielectric loss of 0.017%, and an impressive Q value of 442 whensintered at 1225 °C. Moreover, when comparing the dielectric constants of BZSCT ceramics at 1 MHz and 1 GHz, it wasnoted that the permittivity was only slightly reduced by less than 30% at lower frequencies. In contrast, the permittivity ofBST ceramics decreased significantly, by approximately 70%, at microwave frequencies. These findings highlight the uniqueproperties and potential applications of BZSCT ceramics, particularly in microwave applications where they outperformtraditional BST ceramics.

Using Carbonized Agricultural Waste to Reduce the Uptake of Some Chlorinated Contaminants into Crops

Chien-Ying Yang,Ying-Jie Chang,Sin-Yu Lan,Yu-Chieh Huang,Yang-Hsin Shih 한국토양비료학회 2014 한국토양비료학회 학술발표회 초록집 Vol.2014 No.6

Correlation between goose circovirus and goose parvovirus with gosling feather loss disease and goose broke feather disease in southern Taiwan

Chiu-Huang Ting,Chia-Ying Lin,Yang-Chieh Huang,Shyh-Shyan Liu,Shao-Yu Peng,Chen-Wei Wang,Hung-Yi Wu 대한수의학회 2021 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.22 No.1

Background: Goslings in several Taiwanese farms experienced gosling feather loss disease (GFL) at 21–35 days and goose broke feather disease (GBF) at 42–60 days. The prevalence ranges from a few birds to 500 cases per field. It is estimated that about 12,000 geese have been infected, the morbidity is 70–80% and the mortality is 20–30%. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the pathogens that cause GFL and GBF. Focus on the study of the correlation between goose circovirus (GoCV) and goose parvovirus (GPV) with the goose feather loss in southern Taiwan. Furthermore, a phylogenetic tree was established to align the differences between southern and northern Taiwan and compare with virus strains from China and Europe. Methods: Samples were collected from animal hospitals. Molecular and microscopy diagnostics were used to examine 92 geese. Specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) assays are performed to evaluate GPV and GoCV viral loads and simultaneously evaluated the feather loss conditions in geese with the scoring method. Results: High prevalence of GoCV and GPV infection in geese showing signs of GFL and GBF. Inclusion body was detected in the feather follicles and Lieberkühn crypt epithelial cells. The Q-PCR showed the high correlation between feather loss and viruses during 3rd–5th week. However, the infection was not detected using the same test in 60 healthy geese. Conclusions: Thus, GFL and GBF appear to be significantly closely related to GoCV and GPV. The geese feathers showed increasing recovery after being quarantined and disinfected.

The International Development Strategy of Les Enphants Roots in China Market

Shu Tzu Huang,Hsin Ying Cho,Yin Chieh Hsu 한국복식학회 2014 International journal of costume and fashion Vol.14 No.1

Facing a mature domestic market and the challenges of the global consumer market, retailers in Taiwan are in pursuit of international development strategies for increasing its market opportunities as one of its key growth strategies. In the global market, the Chinese market becomes Taiwan retailers’ main international development milestone due to its similarity of language, culture and historical background with China. Therefore, this research uses case study method based on Eclectic paradigm (Dunning 1981) to explore the various advantages of a Taiwanese children’s clothing retailer Les Enphants, which include ownership advantage, internalization advantage, and location advantage. These advantages in turn demonstrate rationales behind Les Enphants’ internationalization necessity (Why to Go), selecting China as an expansion target (Where to Go), and management and operation strategies implemented in China (How to Go). Our study highlights a successful entry and expansion model of the Taiwanese children clothing retailer, and may have solid contribution to the practical application of internationalization strategy theory.

The Clinical Outcomes of Different First-Line EGFR-TKIs Plus Bevacizumab in Advanced EGFR-Mutant Lung Adenocarcinoma

Yen-Hsiang Huang,Kuo-Hsuan Hsu,Chun-Shih Chin,Jeng-Sen Tseng,Tsung-Ying Yang,Kun-Chieh Chen,Kang-Yi Su,Sung-Liang Yu,Jeremy J.W. Chen,Gee-Chen Chang 대한암학회 2022 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.54 No.2

Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of various epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)–tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) plus bevacizumab in advanced EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma patients. Materials and Methods From August 2016 to October 2020, we enrolled advanced lung adenocarcinoma patients harboring exon 19 deletion or L858R receiving gefitinib, erlotinib and afatinib plus bevacizumab as the first-line treatment for the purposes of analysis. Results A total of 36 patients were included in the final analysis. Three patients received gefitinib, 17 received erlotinib, and 16 received afatinib combined with bevacizumab as the first-line treatment. The objective response rate was 77.8%, and disease control rate was 94.4%. The overall median progression-free survival (PFS) was 16.4 months, while the median PFS was 17.1 months in patients with exon 19 deletion, and 16.2 months in patients with L858R mutation (p=0.311). Regarding the use of different EGFR-TKIs, the median PFS was 17.1 months in the erlotinib group and 21.6 months in the afatinib group (p=0.617). In patients with brain metastasis at baseline, the median PFS was 18.9 months in the erlotinib group and 16.4 months in the afatinib group (p=0.747). Amongst patients harboring exon 19 deletion, the median PFS was 16.2 months in the erlotinib group and not-reached in the afatinib group (p=0.141). In patients with L858R mutation, the median PFS was 18.9 months in the erlotinib group and 16.2 months in the afatinib group (p=0.481). Conclusion Our research demonstrates that not only erlotinib combined with bevacizumab, but also afatinib plus bevacizumab as first-line treatment, provides solid clinical efficacy in advanced EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma patients. PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of various epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)–tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) plus bevacizumab in advanced <i>EGFR</i>-mutant lung adenocarcinoma patients.Materials and MethodsFrom August 2016 to October 2020, we enrolled advanced lung adenocarcinoma patients harboring exon 19 deletion or L858R receiving gefitinib, erlotinib and afatinib plus bevacizumab as the first-line treatment for the purposes of analysis.ResultsA total of 36 patients were included in the final analysis. Three patients received gefitinib, 17 received erlotinib, and 16 received afatinib combined with bevacizumab as the first-line treatment. The objective response rate was 77.8%, and disease control rate was 94.4%. The overall median progression-free survival (PFS) was 16.4 months, while the median PFS was 17.1 months in patients with exon 19 deletion, and 16.2 months in patients with L858R mutation (p=0.311). Regarding the use of different EGFR-TKIs, the median PFS was 17.1 months in the erlotinib group and 21.6 months in the afatinib group (p=0.617). In patients with brain metastasis at baseline, the median PFS was 18.9 months in the erlotinib group and 16.4 months in the afatinib group (p=0.747). Amongst patients harboring exon 19 deletion, the median PFS was 16.2 months in the erlotinib group and not-reached in the afatinib group (p=0.141). In patients with L858R mutation, the median PFS was 18.9 months in the erlotinib group and 16.2 months in the afatinib group (p=0.481).ConclusionOur research demonstrates that not only erlotinib combined with bevacizumab, but also afatinib plus bevacizumab as first-line treatment, provides solid clinical efficacy in advanced <i>EGFR</i>-mutant lung adenocarcinoma patients.

The Association of Acquired T790M Mutation with Clinical Characteristics after Resistance to First-Line Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor in Lung Adenocarcinoma

Yen-Hsiang Huang,Kuo-Hsuan Hsu,Jeng-Sen Tseng,Kun-Chieh Chen,Chia-Hung Hsu,Kang-Yi Su,Jeremy J. W. Chen,Huei-Wen Chen,Sung-Liang Yu,Tsung-Ying Yang,Gee-Chen Chang 대한암학회 2018 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.50 No.4

Purpose The main objective of this study was to investigate the relationship among the clinical characteristics and the frequency of T790M mutation in advanced epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)mutant lung adenocarcinoma patients with acquired resistance after firstline EGFRtyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment. Materials and Methods We enrolled EGFR-mutant stage IIIB-IV lung adenocarcinoma patients, who had progressed to prior EGFR-TKI therapy, and evaluated their rebiopsy EGFRmutation status. Results A total of 205 patients were enrolled for analysis. The overall T790M mutation rate of rebiopsy was 46.3%. The T790M mutation rates among patients with exon 19 deletion mutation, exon 21 L858R point mutation, and other mutations were 55.0%, 37.3%, and 27.3%, respectively. Baseline exon 19 deletion was associated with a significantly higher frequency of T790M mutation (adjusted odds ratio, 2.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20 to 3.83; p=0.010). In the exon 19 deletion subgroup, there was a greater prevalence of T790M mutation than other exon 19 deletion subtypes in patients with the Del E746-A750 mutation (61.6% vs. 40.6%; odds ratio, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.01 to 5.49; p=0.049). The progression- free survival (PFS) of first-line TKI treatment > 11 months was also associated with a higher T790M mutation rate (54.1% vs. 39.3%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.02 to 3.25; p=0.044). Patients who underwent rebiopsy at metastatic sites had more chance to harbor T790M mutation (52.6% vs. 33.8%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.06 to 3.67; p=0.032). Conclusion PFS of first-line EGFR-TKI, rebiopsy site, EGFR exon 19 deletion and its subtype Del E746- A750 mutation are associated with the frequency of T790M mutation.

Intercalated Treatment Following Rebiopsy Is Associated with a Shorter Progression-Free Survival of Osimertinib Treatment

Jeng-Sen Tseng,Tsung-Ying Yang,Kun-Chieh Chen,Kuo-Hsuan Hsu,Yen-Hsiang Huang,Kang-Yi Su,Sung-Liang Yu,Gee-Chen Chang 대한암학회 2018 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.50 No.4

Purpose Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) T790M mutation serves as an important predictor of osimertinib efficacy. However, little is known about how it works among patients with various timings of T790M emergence and treatment. Materials and Methods Advanced EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma patients with positive T790M mutation in tumor were retrospectively enrolled and observed to determine the outcomes of osimertinib treatment. We evaluated the association between patients’ characteristics and the efficacy of osimertinib treatment, particularly with respect to the timing of T790M emergence and osimertinib prescription. Results A total of 91 patients were enrolled, including 14 (15.4%) with primary and 77 (84.6%) with acquired T790M mutation. The objective response rate and disease control rate were 60.9% and 85.1%, respectively. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival were 11.5 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 9.0 to 14.0) and 30.4 months (95% CI, 11.3 to 49.5), respectively. There was no significant difference in response rate and PFS between primary and acquired T790M populations. In the acquired T790M subgroup, patients who received osimertinib after T790M had been confirmed by rebiopsy had a longer PFS than those with intercalated treatments between rebiopsy and osimertinib prescription (14.0 months [95% CI, 9.0 to 18.9] vs. 7.2 months [95% CI, 3.7 to 10.8]; adjusted hazard ratio, 0.48 [95% CI, 0.24 to 0.98; p=0.043]). Rebiopsy timing did not influence the outcome. Conclusion Osimertinib prescription with intercalated treatment following rebiopsy but not the timing of T790M emergence influenced the treatment outcome. We suggest that it is better to start osimertinib treatment once T790M mutation has been confirmed by biopsy.

Association of AXIN1 With Parkinson’s Disease in a Taiwanese Population

Hwa-Shin Fang,Chih-Ying Chao,Chun-Chieh Wang,Wen-Lang Fan,Po-Jung Huang,Hon-Chung Fung,Yih-Ru Wu 대한파킨슨병및이상운동질환학회 2022 Journal Of Movement Disorders Vol.15 No.1

A meta-analysis of locus-based genome-wide association studies recently identified a relationship between AXIN1 and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Few studies of Asian populations, however, have reported such a genetic association. The influences of rs13337493, rs758033, and rs2361988, three PD-associated genetic variants of AXIN1, were investigated in the present study because AXIN1 is related to Wnt/β-catenin signaling.