Silencing of Lysyl Oxidase Gene Expression by RNA Interference Suppresses Metastasis of Breast Cancer

Liu, Jian-Lun,Wei, Wei,Tang, Wei,Jiang, Yi,Yang, Hua-Wei,Li, Jing-Tao,Zhou, Xiao Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.7

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate possible mechanisms of LOX gene effects on invasion and metastasis of breast cancer cells by RNA interference. Methods: LOX-RNAi-LV was designed, synthesized, and then transfected into a breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231). Expression of LOX, MMP-2 and MMP-9 was determined by real-time PCR, and protein expression of LOX by Western blotting. Cell migration and invasiveness were assessed with Transwell chambers. A total of 111 cases of breast cancer tissues, cancer-adjacent normal breast tissues, and 20 cases of benign lesion tissues were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Results: Expression of LOX mRNA and protein was suppressed, and the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was significantly lower in the RNAi group than the control group (P<0.05), after LOX-RNAi-LV was transfection into MDA-MB-231 cells. Migration and invasion abilities were obviously inhibited. The expression of LOX protein in breast cancer, cancer-adjacent normal breast tissues and benign breast tumor were 48.6% (54/111), 26.1% (29/111), 20.0% (4/20), respectively, associations being noted with clinical stage, lymph node metastasis, tumor size and ER, PR, HER2, but not age. LOX protein was positively correlated with MMP-2 and MMP-9. Conclusion: LOX displayed an important role in invasion and metastasis of breast cancer by regulating MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression which probably exerted synergistic effects on the extracellular matrix (ECM).

2022 Taiwan clinical multicenter expert consensus and recommendations for thyroid radiofrequency ablation

Wei-Che Lin,Wen-Chieh Chen,Pei-Wen Wang,Yi-Chia Chan,Yen-Hsiang Chang,Harn-Shen Chen,Szu-Tah Chen,Wei-Chih Chen,Kai-Lun Cheng,Shun-Yu Chi,Pi-Ling Chiang,Chen-Kai Chou,Feng-Fu Chou,Shun-Chen Huang,Feng 대한초음파의학회 2023 ULTRASONOGRAPHY Vol.42 No.3

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive management strategy that has been widely applied for benign and recurrent malignant thyroid lesions as an alternative to surgery in Taiwan. Members of academic societies for specialists in interventional radiology, endocrinology, and endocrine surgery collaborated to develop the first consensus regarding thyroid RFA in Taiwan. The modified Delphi method was used to reach a consensus. Based on a comprehensive review of recent and valuable literature and expert opinions, the recommendations included indications, pre-procedural evaluations, procedural techniques, post-procedural monitoring, efficacy, and safety, providing a comprehensive review of the application of RFA. The consensus effectively consolidates advice regarding thyroid RFA in clinical practice for local experts.

Decentralized Fuzzy Control Based Trajectory Tracking of a Robotic Manipulator

Yi-Yang Cai,Hsiu-Ming Wu,Wei-Lun Su 제어로봇시스템학회 2023 제어로봇시스템학회 국제학술대회 논문집 Vol.2023 No.10

Competitive Influence Maximization on Online Social Networks under Cost Constraint

( Bo-lun Chen ),( Yi-yun Sheng ),( Min Ji ),( Ji-wei Liu ),( Yong-tao Yu ),( Yue Zhang ) 한국인터넷정보학회 2021 KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Syst Vol.15 No.4

In online competitive social networks, each user can be influenced by different competing influencers and consequently chooses different products. But their interest may change over time and may have swings between different products. The existing influence spreading models seldom take into account the time-related shifts. This paper proposes a minimum cost influence maximization algorithm based on the competitive transition probability. In the model, we set a one-dimensional vector for each node to record the probability that the node chooses each different competing influencer. In the process of propagation, the influence maximization on Competitive Linear Threshold (IMCLT) spreading model is proposed. This model does not determine by which competing influencer the node is activated, but sets different weights for all competing influencers. In the process of spreading, we select the seed nodes according to the cost function of each node, and evaluate the final influence based on the competitive transition probability. Experiments on different datasets show that the proposed minimum cost competitive influence maximization algorithm based on IMCLT spreading model has excellent performance compared with other methods, and the computational performance of the method is also reasonable.

Significant down-regulation of growth hormone receptor expression revealed as a new unfavorable prognostic factor in hepatitis C virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma

( Ching-chih Lin ),( Ta-wei Liu ),( Ming-lun Yeh ),( Yi-shan Tsai ),( Pei-chien Tsai ),( Chung-feng Huang ),( Jee-fu Huang ),( Wan-long Chuang ),( Chia-yen Dai ),( Ming-lung Yu ) 대한간학회 2021 Clinical and Molecular Hepatology(대한간학회지) Vol.27 No.2

Background/Aims: Growth hormone (GH) is the main regulator of somatic growth, metabolism, and gender dimorphism in the liver. GH receptor (GHR) signaling in cancer is derived from a large body of evidence, although the GHR signaling pathway involved in the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related HCC, remains unclear. We aimed to explore the expression of GHR and analyze its association with clinicopathologic features and prognosis of patients with chronic hepatitis C and HCC. Methods: The expression of GHR mRNA was investigated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in paired tumors and adjacent non-tumorous (ANT) liver tissues of 200 patients with chronic hepatitis C and HCC. Western blotting and immunofluorescence assays using the HCV-infected Huh7.5.1 cell model was performed. Results: GHR mRNA was significantly lower in HCV-HCC tissues than in corresponding ANT liver tissues. GHR mRNA and protein levels also decreased in the HCV-infected Huh7.5.1 cell model. Notably, lower GHR expression was associated with age of >60 years (P=0.0111) and worse clinicopathologic characteristics, including alpha-fetoprotein >100 ng/mL (P=0.0403), cirrhosis (P=0.0075), vascular invasion (P=0.0052), pathological stage II-IV (P=0.0002), and albumin ≤4.0 g/dL (P=0.0055), which were linked with poor prognosis of HCC. Most importantly, the high incidence of recurrence and poor survival rates in patients with a low ratio of tumor/ANT GHR (≤0.1) were observed, indicating that low expression levels of GHR had great risk for development of HCC in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates a significant down-regulation of GHR expression as a new unfavorable independent prognostic factor in patients with chronic hepatitis C and HCC. (Clin Mol Hepatol 2021;27:313-328)

Association of young age and male sex with primary sclerosing cholangitis in Taiwanese patients with inflammatory bowel disease

( Meng-tzu Weng ),( I-lun Shih ),( Chien-chih Tung ),( Yew-loong Leong ),( Ming-jium Shieh ),( Cheng-yi Wang ),( Jau-min Wong ),( Yen-hsuan Ni ),( Shu-chen Wei ) 대한장연구학회 2022 Intestinal Research Vol.20 No.2

Background/Aims: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We aimed to evaluate the prevalence, clinical manifestation, and outcomes of PSC in Taiwanese patients with IBD. Methods: This retrospective study enrolled patients with IBD admitted from January 1, 1996, to December 31, 2018, to National Taiwan University Hospital. A case-matched analysis was performed comparing patients with IBD with and without PSC according to age, sex, and time of admission, with ratios of 1:4 and 1:2 in the adult and pediatric groups, respectively. Results: In total, 763 patients with IBD were enrolled, 12 of whom were also diagnosed with PSC (1.57%). All these patients had ulcerative colitis (UC). A greater incidence of IBD with PSC was observed in younger patients than in older patients. Male sex was a risk factor for PSC in pediatric patients with IBD (P=0.015); 75% of these patients were diagnosed with PSC along with or after the diagnosis of UC. There was no significant difference in colitis extent and severity between the groups; however, a higher proportion of rectal sparing was observed in patients with PSC (P=0.001). There was no significant difference in cancer development between the groups (P=0.679). Conclusions: A 1.57% prevalence of PSC was observed in Taiwanese patients with IBD. The majority of patients with IBD and PSC were men and were diagnosed at a younger age. Hence, routine evaluation of biliary enzymes and liver imaging is recommended in young male patients with IBD. (Intest Res 2022;20:224-230)

Frog-Skin-Inspired Slippery Antibiofouling Coatings Through Degradable Block Copolymer Wrinkling

Han-Yu Hsueh,Ting-Lun Chen,Yi-Ju Yang,Wei-Lung Wang 한국고분자학회 2023 한국고분자학회 학술대회 연구논문 초록집 Vol.48 No.2

IPA기법을 활용한 해양레저 수용태세 개선에 관한 연구

신문기(Shin Mun Ki),김이태(Kim Yi Tae),부위륜(Fu Wei Lun) 대한관광경영학회 2017 觀光硏究 Vol.32 No.1

본 연구는 OW(Open Water)급 이상의 다이버를 위주로 포항의 스쿠버 다이빙의 수용태세 유지 및 개선을 위한 IPA분석을 실시하여 스쿠버 다이빙활동을 위한 실무적 시사점 제시를 목표로 한다. 본 연구의 설문조사는 2016년 5월 13일터 5월 22일까지 구룡포, 화진리, 칠포리, 월포리에서 실시하였으며 설문지는 불성실한 설문지 3부를 제외한 총 278부를 분석에 사용하였다. IPA 분석결과, 첫째, 중요도는 높으나 성취도는 낮은 집중영역에서는 “교통이용이 편리성”, “숙박시설에 부대시설을 갖추고 있다”, “샤워시설이 잘 갖추어져 있다”, “샤워실 수가 충분하다”, “응급구조 장비”, “대여 장비가 충분하다”, “보트상태가 양호하다” 등항목들은 집중적으로 개발해야 하는 것으로 나타났다. 둘째, 중요도 및 성취도가 높은 유지영역에서는 “숙박시설 품질”, “다양한 숙박시설이 갖추어져 있다”, “숙박시설의 청결”, “인터넷을 통해 유용한 정보를 얻을 수 있다”, “휴식공간이 깨끗하다”, “전반전인 서비스”, “종사원의 서비스”, “종사자가 성의있게 교육을 진행한다”, “휴식 공간 편리”, “화장실 접근이 용이하다”, “탈의실 수가 충분하다”, “보트 드라이버가 안전하게 조종을 한다” 등 항목이 유지해야 할 것으로 나타났다. 따라서 해당 지자체는 스쿠버 다이빙 수용태세에 대하여 집중영역에서는 집중적으로 개발하고 유지영역에서는 현재 상태를 유지하며 저 순위영역과 과잉영역에서는 불필요한 자원을 낭비하지 않는 것을 중심으로 개발 및 유지해야 하는 시사점을 제시한다. The purpose of this study to provide marketing strategy for scuba diving acitivity focused on level over OW divers in order to maintain and improve Pohang s scuba diving prepardness using IPA techique. The survey was implemented in Kuryong Po, Hwajin-Ri, Chilpo-Ri and Wolpo-Ri from May 13th to 22th. Total 278 surveys were used in IPA tecnique. Using the SPSS analysis tools 22, focus areas and hold area of the IPA analysis results are as follows. First of all, the achievement of the highest importance, but divers thought it was low in the area of metrics focus on ease-of-use transport , accommodation facilities with a shower are well equipped , enough shower rooms and ect and such items appeares to be more concentrated. Secondly, the divers highest importance and achievement of area metrics are accommodation facilities quaility , a variety of accommodation facilities , cleanliness etc , appeared to be maintained. Based on the results of the analysis, the government should develop intensively on focus area and maintain current status on holding area. Moreover, on the Lowspot and Excess area, still the development and maintainance are needed without the disspipation of the unneccessary resources.

Comedications and potential drug-drug interactions with direct-acting antivirals in hepatitis C patients on hemodialysis

( Po-yao Hsu ),( Yu-ju Wei ),( Jia-jung Lee ),( Sheng-wen Niu ),( Jiun-chi Huang ),( Cheng-ting Hsu ),( Tyng-yuan Jang ),( Ming-lun Yeh ),( Ching-i Huang ),( Po-cheng Liang ),( Yi-hung Lin ),( Ming-ye 대한간학회 2021 Clinical and Molecular Hepatology(대한간학회지) Vol.27 No.1

Background/Aims: Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have been approved for hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis. Nevertheless, the complicated comedications and their potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs) with DAAs might limit clinical practice in this special population. Methods: The number, class, and characteristics of comedications and their potential DDIs with five DAA regimens were analyzed among HCV-viremic patients from 23 hemodialysis centers in Taiwan. Results: Of 2,015 hemodialysis patients screened in 2019, 169 patients seropositive for HCV RNA were enrolled (mean age, 65.6 years; median duration of hemodialysis, 5.8 years). All patients received at least one comedication (median number, 6; mean class number, 3.4). The most common comedication classes were ESRD-associated medications (94.1%), cardiovascular drugs (69.8%) and antidiabetic drugs (43.2%). ESRD-associated medications were excluded from DDI analysis. Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir had the highest frequency of potential contraindicated DDIs (red, 5.6%), followed by glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (4.0%), sofosbuvir/ledipasvir (1.3%), sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (1.3%), and elbasvir/grazoprevir (0.3%). For potentially significant DDIs (orange, requiring close monitoring or dose adjustments), sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir had the highest frequency (19.9%), followed by sofosbuvir/ledipasvir (18.2%), glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (12.6%), sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (12.6%), and elbasvir/grazoprevir (7.3%). Overall, lipid-lowering agents were the most common comedication class with red-category DDIs to all DAA regimens (n=62), followed by cardiovascular agents (n=15), and central nervous system agents (n=10). Conclusions: HCV-viremic patients on hemodialysis had a very high prevalence of comedications with a broad spectrum, which had varied DDIs with currently available DAA regimens. Elbasvir/grazoprevir had the fewest potential DDIs, and sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir had the most potential DDIs. (Clin Mol Hepatol 2021;27:186-196)

A superior dye adsorbent towards the hydrogen evolution reaction combining active sites and phase-engineering of (1T/2H) MoS₂/α-MoO₃ hybrid heterostructured nanoflowers

Manikandan, Arumugam,Ilango, P. Robert,Chen, Chia-Wei,Wang, Yi-Chung,Shih, Yu-Chuan,Lee, Ling,Wang, Zhiming M.,Ko, Hyunhyub,Chueh, Yu-Lun The Royal Society of Chemistry 2018 Journal of Materials Chemistry A Vol.6 No.31

<P>Here, we demonstrate the successful synthesis of (1T/2H) MoS2/α-MoO3 heterostructured nanoflowers at a low temperature of 200 °C by a one-step hydrothermal method. By tuning the reaction time under the influence of thiourea and hydrazine hydrate, we established a complete phase-engineered MoS2 with 1T and 2H phases on the surface of α-MoO3. Active sites associated with the phase-engineered (1T/2H) MoS2/α-MoO3 hybrid nanoflowers enable them to exhibit dual roles as a superior dye adsorbent and an electrocatalyst towards the hydrogen evolution reaction. The 2H-rich (1T/2H) MoS2/α-MoO3 hybrid heterostructured nanoflowers prepared at 16 h achieved a high surface area of 37.97 m<SUP>2</SUP> g<SUP>−1</SUP>, and 97% of the RhB dye with an initial concentration of 47.9 mg L<SUP>−1</SUP> was removed within 10 min through the adsorption process, which is the highest known removal efficiency reported in the literature. As a hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalyst in acidic solution, the 1T-rich (1T/2H) MoS2/α-MoO3 hybrid heterostructured nanoflowers prepared at 12 h exhibited a highly efficient catalytic activity by achieving a low overpotential of 232 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm<SUP>−2</SUP>, which is comparable to those of previously reported HER catalysts based on MoS2. Moreover, this sample reached a low Tafel slope of 81 mV dec<SUP>−1</SUP> and was stable when operated for more than 1000 cycles.</P>