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.

Biomarkers in pursuit of precision medicine for acute kidney injury: hard to get rid of customs

( Kun-mo Lin ),( Ching-chun Su ),( Jui-yi Chen ),( Szu-yu Pan ),( Min-hsiang Chuang ),( Cheng-jui Lin ),( Chih-jen Wu ),( Heng-chih Pan ),( Vin-cent Wu ) 대한신장학회 2024 Kidney Research and Clinical Practice Vol.43 No.4

Traditional acute kidney injury (AKI) classifications, which are centered around semi-anatomical lines, can no longer capture the complexity of AKI. By employing strategies to identify predictive and prognostic enrichment targets, experts could gain a deeper comprehension of AKI’s pathophysiology, allowing for the development of treatment-specific targets and enhancing individualized care. Subphenotyping, which is enriched with AKI biomarkers, holds insights into distinct risk profiles and tailored treatment strategies that redefine AKI and contribute to improved clinical management. The utilization of biomarkers such as N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase, tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease-2·insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7, kidney injury molecule-1, and liver fatty acid-binding protein garnered significant attention as a means to predict subclinical AKI. Novel biomarkers offer promise in predicting persistent AKI, with urinary motif chemokine ligand 14 displaying significant sensitivity and specificity. Furthermore, they serve as predictive markers for weaning patients from acute dialysis and offer valuable insights into distinct AKI subgroups. The proposed management of AKI, which is encapsulated in a structured flowchart, bridges the gap between research and clinical practice. It streamlines the utilization of biomarkers and subphenotyping, promising a future in which AKI is swiftly identified and managed with unprecedented precision. Incorporating kidney biomarkers into strategies for early AKI detection and the initiation of AKI care bundles has proven to be more effective than using care bundles without these novel biomarkers. This comprehensive approach represents a significant stride toward precision medicine, enabling the identification of high-risk subphenotypes in patients with AKI.

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.

Robust design on the arrangement of a sail and control planes for improvement of underwater Vehicle's maneuverability

Wu, Sheng-Ju,Lin, Chun-Cheng,Liu, Tsung-Lung,Su, I-Hsuan The Society of Naval Architects of Korea 2020 International Journal of Naval Architecture and Oc Vol.12 No.-

The purpose of this study is to discuss how to improve the maneuverability of lifting and diving for underwater vehicle's vertical motion. Therefore, to solve these problems, applied the 3-D numerical simulation, Taguchi's Design of Experiment (DOE), and intelligent parameter design methods, etc. We planned four steps as follows: firstly, we applied the 2-D flow simulation with NACA series, and then through the Taguchi's dynamic method to analyze the sensitivity (β). Secondly, take the data of pitching torque and total resistance from the Taguchi orthogonal array (L9), the ignal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and analysis each factorial contribution by ANOVA. Thirdly, used Radial Basis Function Network (RBFN) method to train the non-linear meta-modeling and found out the best factorial combination by Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Weighted Percentage Reduction of Quality Loss (WPRQL). Finally, the application of the above methods gives the global optimum for multi-quality characteristics and the robust design configuration, including L/D is 9.4:1, the foreplane on the hull (Bow-2), and position of the sail is 0.25 Ls from the bow. The result shows that the total quality is improved by 86.03% in comparison with the original design.

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.

Generation of Selenoprotein with Glutathione Peroxidase Activity by Chemical Modification of the Single-chain Variable Fragment Expressed in a Single-protein Production System and Its Antioxidant Ability

Cheng Wang,Gang-Lin Yan,Shao-Wu Lü,Chun-Hong Sui,Yang Zhao,Ya-Wei Xu,Gang Zhao,Jun-jie Xu,Ping-Sheng Gong,Gui-Min Luo,Ying Mu 한국생물공학회 2013 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.18 No.1

Glutathione peroxidase (GPX) is one of the important members of the antioxidant enzyme family. It can catalyze the reduction of hydroperoxides with glutathione to protect cells against oxidative damage. Single-chain variable fragment (scFv) can be converted into seleniumcontaining single-chain variable fragment (Se-scFv) by chemical modification of the hydroxyl groups in scFv, thus Se-scFv possesses GPX activity and becomes a prodrug. To improve the expression of scFv and simplify its purification steps, Single-protein production (SPP) system was used to express scFv and chemical modification was used to synthesize Se-scFv. Therefore, we must construct a new scFv-WCD1-lessACA gene, which can express its mRNA not containing any ACA sequences and express its amino acid sequence of target protein (scFv) being same to scFv-WCD1. In this way, the scFv-WCD1-lessACA can be only expressed in SPP system and no other background proteins in the cells could be expressed. The expression results showed that high level of scFv-WCD1-lessACA synthesis was at least sustained for 96 h in the virtual absence of background protein synthesis. Then, selenocysteine (Sec) was incorporated into the scFv-WCD1-lessACA by chemical modification and resulted in Se-scFv-WCD1-lessACA. The enzymatic characteristics of Se-scFv-WCD1-lessACA were determined. GPX activity was 2,563 U/μmol,its binding constant for GSH was 0.687 ×105/mol. Moreover,Se-scFv-WCD1-lessACA was confirmed to have a strong antioxidant ability to protect mitochondria against oxidative damage induced by Vc/Fe2+ (mitochondrial damage model),suggesting that Se-scFv-WCD1-lessACA has potential application for protection of mitochondrial damage induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS).

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.

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.

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.

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>