Determining Disease Activity and Glucocorticoid Response in Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy: Preliminary Study Using Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI

Hao Hu,Xiong-Ying Pu,Jiang Zhou,Wen-Hao Jiang,Qian Wu,Jin-Ling Lu,Fei-Yun Wu,Huan-Huan Chen,Xiao-Quan Xu The Korean Society of Radiology 2024 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.25 No.12

Objective: To assess the role of dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MRI of the extraocular muscles (EOMs) for determining the activity of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) and treatment response to glucocorticoids (GCs). Materials and Methods: We prospectively enrolled 65 patients with TAO (41 active, 82 eyes; 24 inactive, 48 eyes). Twenty-two active patients completed the GC treatment and follow-up assessment, including 15 patients (30 eyes) and 7 patients (14 eyes), defined as responsive and unresponsive, respectively. Model-free (time to peak [TTP], area under the curve [AUC], and Slope_max) and model-based (K^trans, K_ep, and V_e) parameters of EOMs in embedded simplified histogram analyses were calculated and compared between groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent predictors. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance. Results: Active patients exhibited significantly higher TTP at the 10th percentile (-10th), TTP-mean, and TTP at the 90th percentile (-90th); AUC-10th, AUC-mean, AUC-90th, and AUC-max; K^trans-10th and K^trans-mean; and V_e-10th, V_e-mean, V_e-90th, and V_e-max than inactive patients (P < 0.05). Responsive patients exhibited significantly lower TTP-min; higher K^trans-mean and K^trans-max; and higher K_ep-10th, K_ep-mean, and K_ep-max than unresponsive patients (P < 0.05). TTP-mean and V_e-mean were independent variables for determining disease activity (P = 0.017 and 0.022, respectively). A combination of the two parameters could determine active TAO with moderate performance (AUROC = 0.687). TTP-min and K^trans-mean were independent predictors of the response to GCs (P = 0.023 and 0.004, respectively), uniting which could determine the response to GCs with decent performance (AUROC = 0.821). Conclusion: DCE-MRI-derived model-free and model-based parameters of EOMs can assist in the evaluation of TAO. In particular, TTP-mean and V_e-mean could be useful for determining the activity of TAO, whereas TTP-min and K^trans-mean could be promising biomarkers for determining the response to GCs.

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin–activated invariant natural killer T cells trigger an innate allergic immune response in atopic dermatitis

Wu, Wen Hao,Park, Chang Ook,Oh, Sang Ho,Kim, Hee Jung,Kwon, Yeon Sook,Bae, Byung Gi,Noh, Ji Yeon,Lee, Kwang Hoon Elsevier 2010 The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology Vol.126 No.2

<P><B>Background</B></P><P>Although invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells have been shown to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of asthma, the role of iNKT cells in atopic dermatitis (AD) has not been well evaluated.</P><P><B>Objective</B></P><P>We investigated whether iNKT cells in patients with AD increased and whether iNKT cells were activated by thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), which is highly expressed in keratinocytes of AD.</P><P><B>Methods</B></P><P>We assessed the population of iNKT cells in PBMCs of patients with AD and healthy controls (HCs) using flow cytometry. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate iNKT cells and TSLP expression in AD and HC skin. We also evaluated whether iNKT cells expressed the TSLP receptor, the effects of TSLP on iNKT cells, and iNKT cell–dendritic cell interactions in a TSLP-rich environment.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>There were more iNKT cells among PBMCs of patients with moderate to severe AD than mild AD (<I>P</I> < .05) and HC (<I>P</I> < .001). The number of iNKT cells was significantly larger in severe AD skin lesions than in mild (<I>P</I> < .001) or moderate AD skin lesions (<I>P</I> < .05). TSLP expression increased in lesional skin (<I>P</I> < .001) but not in the sera of patients with AD (<I>P</I> = .729) compared with HC. iNKT cells expressed TSLP receptor protein and mRNA. TSLP directly activated iNKT cells to secrete IL-4 and IL-13, and the concurrent addition of dendritic cells further activated IFN-γ expression.</P><P><B>Conclusion</B></P><P>Increased iNKT cells activated by TSLP, especially in patients with severe AD, might play an essential role in the innate allergic immune response in AD.</P>

Isolation of cutaneous resident dendritic cells and their role for inducing T cell-driven Th17 chemokine CCL20 in vitro

( Wen Hao Wu ),( Tae Gyun Kim ),( Do Young Kim ),( Hyun Joong Jee ),( Dashlkhumbe Byamba ),( Min Geol Lee ) 대한피부과학회 2011 초록집 Vol.49 No.20

Determining Disease Activity and Glucocorticoid Response in Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy: Preliminary Study Using Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI

Hu Hao,Pu Xiong-Ying,Zhou Jiang,Jiang Wen-Hao,Wu Qian,Lu Jin-Ling,Wu Fei-Yun,Chen Huan-Huan,Xu Xiao-Quan 대한영상의학회 2024 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.23 No.12

Objective: To assess the role of dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MRI of the extraocular muscles (EOMs) for determining the activity of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) and treatment response to glucocorticoids (GCs). Materials and Methods: We prospectively enrolled 65 patients with TAO (41 active, 82 eyes; 24 inactive, 48 eyes). Twenty-two active patients completed the GC treatment and follow-up assessment, including 15 patients (30 eyes) and 7 patients (14 eyes), defined as responsive and unresponsive, respectively. Model-free (time to peak [TTP], area under the curve [AUC], and Slopemax) and model-based (Ktrans, Kep, and Ve) parameters of EOMs in embedded simplified histogram analyses were calculated and compared between groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent predictors. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance. Results: Active patients exhibited significantly higher TTP at the 10th percentile (-10th), TTP-mean, and TTP at the 90th percentile (-90th); AUC-10th, AUC-mean, AUC-90th, and AUC-max; Ktrans-10th and Ktrans-mean; and Ve-10th, Ve-mean, Ve-90th, and Ve-max than inactive patients (P < 0.05). Responsive patients exhibited significantly lower TTP-min; higher Ktrans-mean and Ktrans-max; and higher Kep-10th, Kep-mean, and Kep-max than unresponsive patients (P < 0.05). TTP-mean and Ve-mean were independent variables for determining disease activity (P = 0.017 and 0.022, respectively). A combination of the two parameters could determine active TAO with moderate performance (AUROC = 0.687). TTP-min and Ktrans-mean were independent predictors of the response to GCs (P = 0.023 and 0.004, respectively), uniting which could determine the response to GCs with decent performance (AUROC = 0.821). Conclusion: DCE-MRI-derived model-free and model-based parameters of EOMs can assist in the evaluation of TAO. In particular, TTP-mean and Ve-mean could be useful for determining the activity of TAO, whereas TTP-min and Ktrans-mean could be promising biomarkers for determining the response to GCs.

Genomic Screening for Targets Regulated by Berberine in Breast Cancer Cells

Wen, Chun-Jie,Wu, Lan-Xiang,Fu, Li-Juan,Yu, Jing,Zhang, Yi-Wen,Zhang, Xue,Zhou, Hong-Hao Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.10

Berberine, a common isoquinoline alkaloid, has been shown to possess anti-cancer activities. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are still not completely understood. In the current study, we investigated the effects of berberine on cell growth, colony formation, cell cycle distribution, and whether it improved the anticancer efficiency of cisplatin and doxorubicin in human breast cancer estrogen receptor positive (ER+) MCF-7 cells and estrogen receptor negative (ER-) MDA-MB-231 cells. Notably, berberine treatment significantly inhibited cell growth and colony formation in the two cell lines, berberine in combination with cisplatin exerting synergistic growth inhibitory effects. Accompanied by decreased growth, berberine induced G1 phase arrest in MCF-7 but not MDA-MB-231 cells. To provide a more detailed understanding of the mechanisms of action of berberine, we performed genome-wide expression profiling of berberine-treated cells using cDNA microarrays. This revealed that there were 3,397 and 2,706 genes regulated by berberine in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells, respectively. Fene oncology (GO) analysis identified that many of the target genes were involved in regulation of the cell cycle, cell migration, apoptosis, and drug responses. To confirm the microarray data, qPCR analysis was conducted for 10 selected genes based on previously reported associations with breast cancer and GO analysis. In conclusion, berberine exhibits inhibitory effects on breast cancer cells proliferation, which is likely mediated by alteration of gene expression profiles.

Catalysis Reaction Engineering, Industrial Chemistry : NOχ, Storage-Reduction over Pt/Mg-Al-O Catalysts with Different Mg/Al Atomic Ratios

( Hao Cheng ),( Guang Wen Chen ),( Shu Dong Wang ),( Di Yong Wu ),( Yin Zhang ),( Hen Qiang Li ) 한국화학공학회 2004 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.21 No.3

Preferential Induction of CYP1A1 over CYP1B1 in Human Breast Cancer MCF-7 Cells after Exposure to Berberine

Wen, Chun-Jie,Wu, Lan-Xiang,Fu, Li-Juan,Shen, Dong-Ya,Zhang, Xue,Zhang, Yi-Wen,Yu, Jing,Zhou, Hong-Hao Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.1

Estrogens are considered the major breast cancer risk factor, and the carcinogenic potential of estrogens might be attributed to DNA modification caused by derivatives formed during metabolism. $17{\beta}$-estradiol ($E_2$), the main steroidal estrogen present in women, is metabolized via two major pathways: formation of 2-hydroxyestradiol (2-OH $E_2$) and 4-hydroxyestradiol ($4-OH\;E_2$) through the action of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 and 1B1, respectively. Previous reports suggested that $2-OH\;E_2$ has putative protective effects, while $4-OH\;E_2$ is genotoxic and has potent carcinogenic activity. Thus, the ratio of $2-OH\;E_2/4-OH\;E_2$ is a critical determinant of the toxicity of $E_2$ in mammary cells. In the present study, we investigated the effects of berberine on the expression profile of the estrogen metabolizing enzymes CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 in breast cancer MCF-7 cells. Berberine treatment produced significant induction of both forms at the level of mRNA expression, but with increased doses produced 16~ to 52~fold greater induction of CYP1A1 mRNA over CYP1B1 mRNA. Furthermore, berberine dramatically increased CYP1A1 protein levels but did not influence CYP1B1 protein levels in MCF-7 cells. In conclusion, we present the first report to show that berberine may provide protection against breast cancer by altering the ratio of CYP1A1/CYP1B1, could redirect $E_2$ metabolism in a more protective pathway in breast cancer MCF-7 cells.

Pulsed-laser-diode Intermittently Pumped 2-μm Acousto-optic Q-switched Tm:LuAG Laser

Ya Wen,Yan Jiang,Hao Zheng,Hongliang Zhang,Chao Wang,Chunting Wu,Guangyong Jin 한국광학회 2020 Current Optics and Photonics Vol.4 No.3

The heat distribution in crystals in a 2-µm acousto-optic Q-switched Tm:LuAG laser pumped by pulsed-laser-diode (pulsed-LD) intermittent-pumping technology was analyzed using COMSOL software. The thermal lensing effect of the Tm:LuAG crystal can be mitigated by pulsed-LD intermittent-pumping techniques. An experimental setup using this kind of approach achieved maximum output energy of 8.31 mJ, minimum pulse width of 101.9 ns, and highest peak power of 81.55 kW, reached at a Q-switched repetition rate of 200 Hz. It offers significant improvement of performance of the output laser beam, compared to pulsed-LD double-ended pumping technology at the same repetition rate.

Serum Zinc Status and Helicobacter Pylori Infection in Gastric Disease Patients

Zhang, Wen-Hua,Wu, Xiao-Jing,Niu, Jing-Xiu,Yan, Hao,Wang, Xin-Zhuo,Yin, Xiao-Dong,Pang, Yan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.10

The role of Helicobacter pylori status and serum zinc value in gastric disease patients and healthy controls were investigated. Cases used in this work were 45 gastric cancer patients, 44 with peptic ulcers, 52 suffering gastritis and 64 healthy controls, all diagnosed histologically with the controls undergoing medical checkups. Helicobacter pylori status and serum levels of Zn were determined by 13C-urea breath test and flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer, respectively. Our study showed that Helicobacter pylori infection has no change in gastritis, peptic ulcer and gastric cancer group, on the contrast, serum levels of Zn were significantly reduced in gastritis, peptic ulcer and gastric cancer group, compared with healthy controls, and the higher the Zn levels are, the more increased risk of gastric cancer. Helicobacter pylori infection is a cause of gastritis, peptic ulcers and even gastric cancer, while serum zinc level is an indicator of protection of gastric membranes against damage.

A modified method of augmented distal clavicle fracture osteosynthesis with a Fibertape coracoclavicular cerclage

ChengHan Wu,Timothy Wei Wen Teo,Andy Teck Huat Wee,Dong Hao Toon 대한견주관절의학회 2022 대한견주관절의학회지 Vol.25 No.3

Background: Unstable distal clavicles experience high non-union rates, prompting surgeons to recommend surgery for more predictable outcomes. There is a lack of consensus on the optimal method of surgical fixation, with an array of techniques described in the literature. We describe an alternative method of fixation involving the use of a distal clavicular anatomical locking plate with Fibertape cerclage augmentation in our series of patients. Methods: Nine patients (8 males and 1 female), with a mean age of 36 years, who sustained unstable fracture of the distal clavicle in our institution were treated with our described technique. Postoperative range of motion, functional and pain scores, and time to radiographic union were measured over a mean follow-up period of 10 months. Incidences of postoperative complications were also recorded. Results: At the last patient consult, the mean visual analog scale score was 0.88±0.35, with a mean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score of 1.46±0.87 and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score of 94.1±3.57. The mean range of motion achieved was forward flexion at 173°±10.6°, abduction at 173°±10.6°, and external rotation at 74.4°±10.5°. All patients achieved internal rotation at a vertebral height of at least L2 with radiographical union at a mean of 10 weeks. No removal of implants was required. Conclusions: Our described technique of augmented fixation of the distal clavicle is effective, produces good clinical outcomes, and has minimal complications.