Prognostic Factors in Adult Patients with Solid Cancers and Bone Marrow Metastases

Hung, Yu-Shin,Chou, Wen-Chi,Chen, Tai-Di,Chen, Tse-Ching,Wang, Po-Nan,Chang, Hung,Hsu, Hung-Chih,Shen, Wen-Chi,Cheng, Wei-Hong,Chen, Jen-Shi Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.1

Background: Solid cancers with bone marrow metastases are rare but lethal. This study aimed to identify clinical factors predictive of survival in adult patients with solid cancers and bone marrow metastases. Methods: A total of 83 patients were enrolled consecutively between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2012. Bone marrow metastases were confirmed by biopsies. Patient clinical features and laboratory data were analyzed for associations. Results: The median age of the patients was 54 years (range, 23-88 years), and 58% were male. The 3 most common primary tumor locations were the stomach (32 patients, 39%), prostate (16 patients, 19%), and lungs (12 patients, 15%). The median overall survival was 49 days (range, 3-1423 days). Patients with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 1, cancers of prostate origin, platelet counts over 50,000/ml, and undergoing antitumor therapies had a significantly better prognosis in the multivariate analysis. The median survival times were 173 and 33 days for patients with 2-3 more favorable parameters (n=24) and those with 0-1 (n=69), respectively (hazard ratio 0.30; 95% CI 0.17-0.52, p<0.001). Conclusions: Solid cancers with bone marrow metastases are dismal and incurable diseases. Understanding prognostic factors to these diseases helps medical personnel to provide appropriate treatments and better inform patients about outcomes. Antitumor therapies may improve outcomes in selected patient cohorts.

Research on Recognition of Graphic Symbols in Amusement Park: A Case Study of Taiwan's Theme Amusement Park

Hsu, Yao-Wen,Chung, Yi-Chan,Chen, Ching-Piao,Tsai, Chih-Hung The Korean Society for Quality Management 2008 The Asian Journal on Quality Vol.9 No.2

Each amusement park has a wayfinding system, while symbols are important mediums to guide tourists to find their destinations. It is very important that whether the meanings of symbols recognized by tourists immediately. This paper mainly discusses the recognition of graphic symbols in amusement park, and proposes the improvement suggestions. Materials for this study were drawn from 20 different graphic symbols of a theme amusement park in Taiwan. The testees were required to evaluate the design of graphic symbols based on symbolic meaning and graphics recognition to summarize the confusion matrix. The results show that there are three groups of graphic symbols easy to be confused, and five symbols not meeting a criterion of 67% correct responses. The reasons were discussed, and improvement and relevant suggestions have been proposed, which may be helpful to redesign of symbols.

A Study of the Ergonomics Evaluation of a Water Heater's Case Manufacturing Factory

Hsu, Yao-Wen,Chung, Yi-Chan,Chiu, Chung-Ching,Chen, Ching-Piao,Tsai, Chih-Hung The Korean Society for Quality Management 2008 The Asian Journal on Quality Vol.9 No.1

Unnatural working postures usually cause musculoskeletal problems for workers in work field, especially in traditional industry. Many analysis and survey methodologies have been developed to identify unnatural postures and disorder risks in workplaces. The Ovako Working Posture Analyzing System (OWAS) and Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) are the representative methods and applied widely. This study applied the both tools to investigate the work field of a manufacturing factory of the water heater's case. We divided the manufacturing process into nine workshops, took the pictures of working motions by DV camera and analyzed the postures on OWAS. From the OW AS results, we could identify the risks level of musculoskeletal symptoms as four Action Categories (AC). And from the comparison of OWAS and NMQ results, we could provide the suggestions to improve the working methods and environment. From the results of OWAS, we found that the operators' head/neck and back were above AC3 in some workshops. If the situation continued in long period, the operators might have the risk to get musculoskeletal symptoms. From the investigation of NMQ, we also found that the percentage of aches on neck, shoulders and lower back were higher than other parts of body. The correlation between aches and jobs was more than 75%. So we provided some suggestions to improve: work rotation and adjustment of work surface/height to fit in with Ergonomics. Then the risks of musculoskeletal symptoms would be reduced.

Treatment outcomes of patients with stage II pure endometrioid-type endometrial cancer: a Taiwanese Gynecologic Oncology Group (TGOG-2006) retrospective cohort study

Hung-Chun Fu,Jen-Ruei Chen,Min-Yu Chen,Keng-Fu Hsu,Wen-Fang Cheng,An Jen Chiang,Yu-Min Ke,Yu-Chieh Chen,Yin-Yi Chang,Chia-Yen Huang,Chieh-Yi Kang,Yuan-Yee Kan,Sheng-Mou Hsiao,Ming-Shyen Yen 대한부인종양학회 2018 Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Vol.29 No.5

Objective: Choice of hysterectomy and adjuvant treatment for International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2009 stage II endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC) is still controversial. Aims of this study were to evaluate survival benefits and adverse effects of different hysterectomies with or without adjuvant radiotherapy (RT), and to identify prognostic factors. Methods: The patients at 14 member hospitals of the Taiwanese Gynecologic Oncology Group from 1992 to 2013 were retrospectively investigated. Patients were divided into simple hysterectomy (SH) alone, SH with RT, radical hysterectomy (RH) alone, and RH with RT groups. Endpoints were recurrence-free survival (RFS), overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), adverse effects and prognostic factors for survival. Results: Total of 246 patients were enrolled. The 5-year RFS, OS, DSS and recurrence rates for the entire cohort were 89.5%, 94.3%, 96.2% and 10.2%, respectively. Patients receiving RH had more adverse effects including blood loss (p<0.001), recurrent urinary tract infections (p=0.013), and leg lymphedema (p=0.038). Age over 50-year (HR=9.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2–70.9) and grade 3 histology (HR=7.28; 95% CI, 1.45–36.6) were independent predictors of OS. Grade 3 histology was an independent predictor of RFS (HR=5.13; 95% CI, 1.38–19.1) and DSS (HR=5.97; 95% CI, 1.06–58.7). Patients receiving adjuvant RT had lower locoregional recurrence (p=0.046), but no impact on survival. Conclusion: Different treatment modalities yield similar survival outcomes. Patients receiving SH with RT had lower locoregional recurrent with acceptable morbidity. Age and tumor grading remained significant predictors for survival among patients with FIGO 2009 stage II EEC.

Tracing the origin of fish without hatchery information: genetic management of stock enhancement for mangrove red snapper (Lutjanus argentimaculatus) in Taiwan

Hsu Te-Hua,Huang Chang-Wen,Lin Cheng-Hui,Lee Hung-Tai,Pan Chieh-Yu 한국수산과학회 2020 Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Vol.23 No.2

Stock enhancement is considered to be a valuable approach for restoring fishery resources. Because no specific official institution in Taiwan is responsible for the production of fry, the released fry are purchased directly from the private sector. However, fishermen from the private industry have not established a genetic background, so the genetic composition for each batch of released fry is unclear. Mangrove red snapper (Lutjanus argentimaculatus), a prominent species released in Taiwan, was collected after its official release. One hundred and two field samples were compared with four batches of hatchery fry (n = 685) by using a microsatellite-based multiplex PCR assay. Four of the field samples (3.9%; 4/102) were revealed to be from a fish farm and most likely from a single batch. This study revealed that wild mangrove red snappers are genetically different from those originating from farms, and their origins can be traced through molecular markers, even without information on breeding stocks.

Tracing the origin of fish without hatchery information: genetic management of stock enhancement for mangrove red snapper (Lutjanus argentimaculatus) in Taiwan

Hsu, Te-Hua,Huang, Chang-Wen,Lin, Cheng-Hui,Lee, Hung-Tai,Pan, Chieh-Yu The Korean Society of Fisheries and Aquatic Scienc 2020 Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Vol.23 No.5

Stock enhancement is considered to be a valuable approach for restoring fishery resources. Because no specific official institution in Taiwan is responsible for the production of fry, the released fry are purchased directly from the private sector. However, fishermen from the private industry have not established a genetic background, so the genetic composition for each batch of released fry is unclear. Mangrove red snapper (Lutjanus argentimaculatus), a prominent species released in Taiwan, was collected after its official release. One hundred and two field samples were compared with four batches of hatchery fry (n = 685) by using a microsatellite-based multiplex PCR assay. Four of the field samples (3.9%; 4/102) were revealed to be from a fish farm and most likely from a single batch. This study revealed that wild mangrove red snappers are genetically different from those originating from farms, and their origins can be traced through molecular markers, even without information on breeding stocks.

Vimentin Is Involved in Peptidylarginine Deiminase 2-Induced Apoptosis of Activated Jurkat Cells

Hsu, Pei-Chen,Liao, Ya-Fan,Lin, Chin-Li,Lin, Wen-Hao,Liu, Guang-Yaw,Hung, Hui-Chih Korean Society for Molecular and Cellular Biology 2014 Molecules and cells Vol.37 No.5

Peptidylarginine deiminase type 2 (PADI2) deiminates (or citrullinates) arginine residues in protein to citrulline residues in a $Ca^{2+}$-dependent manner, and is found in lymphocytes and macrophages. Vimentin is an intermediate filament protein and a well-known substrate of PADI2. Citrullinated vimentin is found in ionomycin-induced macrophage apoptosis. Citrullinated vimentin is the target of anti-Sa antibodies, which are specific to rheumatoid arthritis, and play a critical role in the pathogenesis of the disease. To investigate the role of PADI2 in apoptosis, we generated a Jurkat cell line that overexpressed the PADI2 transgene from a tetracycline-inducible promoter, and used a combination of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and ionomycin to activate Jurkat cells. We found that PADI2 overexpression reduced the cell viability of activated Jurkat cells in1a dose- and time-dependent manner. The PADI2-overexpressed and -activated Jurkat cells presented typical manifestations of apoptosis, and exhibited greater levels of citrullinated proteins, including citrullinated vimentin. Vimentin overexpression rescued a portion of the cells from apoptosis. In conclusion, PADI2 overexpression induces apoptosis in activated Jurkat cells. Vimentin is involved in PADI2-induced apoptosis. Moreover, PADI2-overexpressed Jurkat cells secreted greater levels of vimentin after activation, and expressed more vimentin on their cell surfaces when undergoing apoptosis. Through artificially highlighting PADI2 and vimentin, we demonstrated that PADI2 and vimentin participate in the apoptotic mechanisms of activated T lymphocytes. The secretion and surface expression of vimentin are possible ways of autoantigen presentation to the immune system.

The Neural-Network Approach to Recognize Defect Pattern in LED Manufacturing

( Wen Chin Chen ),( Chih Hung Tsai ),( Shou Wen Hsu ) 한국품질경영학회 2006 The Asian Journal on Quality Vol.7 No.3

Contrasting clinical characteristics and treatment patterns in women with newly diagnosed advanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancer in Australia, South Korea and Taiwan

Hung-Hsueh Chou,Sian Fereday,Anna DeFazio,Chih-Long Chang,David Bowtell,Heng-Cheng Hsu,Nadia Traficante,Soo Young Jeong,Wen-Fang Cheng,Dinuka Ariyarantne,Australian Ovarian Cancer Study Group,Teresa T 대한부인종양학회 2023 Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Vol.34 No.1

Objective: The real-world INFORM study analyzed sociodemographics, treatment patterns and clinical outcomes for patients with newly diagnosed advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) in Australia, South Korea (S.Korea) and Taiwan preceding incorporation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors into clinical practice. Methods: Retrospective data from patients diagnosed with EOC (high-grade serous EOC for Taiwan) between January 2014 and December 2018 with ≥12 months follow-up from diagnosis were analyzed descriptively. Survival was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier with two-sided 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Of the 987 patients (Australia, 223; S.Korea, 513; Taiwan, 251), 98% received platinum-based chemotherapy (CT). In S.Korea and Taiwan 76.0% and 78.9% respectively underwent primary cytoreductive surgery; in Australia, 56.5% had interval debulking surgery. Bevacizumab was included in primary/maintenance therapy for 22.4%, 14.6% and 6.8% of patients in Australia, S.Korea and Taiwan, respectively. Patients receiving bevacizumab were high-risk (reimbursement policy) and achieved similar real-world progression-free survival (PFS) compared with CT only. Overall, the median real-world PFS (months; 95% CI) was similar across Australia (16.0 [14.63–18.08]), S.Korea (17.7 [16.18–19.27]) and Taiwan (19.1 [17.56–22.29]). Conclusion: This study reveals poor prognosis despite differences in demographics and treatment patterns for patients with EOC across Asia-Pacific suggesting the need for biomarker-driven novel therapies to improve outcomes.

Activation of Small GTPases RhoA and Rac1 Is Required for Avian Reovirus p10-induced Syncytium Formation

Hung-Jen Liu,Ping-Yuan Lin,Ling-Rung Wang,Hsue-Yin Hsu,Ming-Huei Liao,Wen-Ling Shih 한국분자세포생물학회 2008 Molecules and cells Vol.26 No.4

The first ORF of the ARV S1133 S1 segment encodes the nonstructural protein p10, which is responsible for the induction of cell syncytium formation. However, p10-dependent signaling during syncytium formation is fully unknown. Here, we show that dominant negative RhoA, Rho inhibitor C3 exoenzyme, ROCK/Rho-kinase inhibitor Y-27632 and Rac1 inhibitor NSC23766 inhibit p10-mediated cell fusion. p10 over-expression is concomitant with activation and membrane translocation of RhoA and Rac1, but not cdc42. RhoA and Rac1 downstream events, including JNK phosphorylation and transcription factor AP-1 and NF-B activation, as well as MLC expression and phosphorylation are simultaneously activated by p10. p10 point mutant T13M possessed 20% fusion-inducing ability and four p10 fusion-deficient mutants V15M, V19M, C21S and L32A reduced or lost their ability to activate RhoA and Rac1 signaling. We conclude that p10-mediated syncytium formation proceeds by utilizing RhoA and Rac1-dependent signaling.