The Site-Directed A184S Mutation in the HTH Domain of the Global Regulator IrrE Enhances Deinococcus radiodurans R1 Tolerance to UV Radiation and MMC Shock

( Chen Zhang ),( Zhengfu Zhou ),( Wei Zhang ),( Zhen Chen ),( Yuan Song ),( Wei Lu ),( Min Lin ),( Ming Chen ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2015 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.25 No.12

IrrE is a highly conserved global regulator in the Deinococcus genus and contributes to survival from high doses of UV radiation, ionizing radiation, and desiccation. Drad-IrrE and Dgob-IrrE from Deinococcus radiodurans and Deinococcus gobiensis I-0 each share 66% sequence identity. However, Dgob-IrrE showed a stronger protection phenotype against UV radiation than Drad-IrrE in the D. radiodurans irrE-deletion mutant (ΔirrE), which may be due to amino acid residues differences around the DNA-binding HTH domain. Site-directed mutagenesis was used to generate a Drad-IrrE A184S single mutant, which has been characterized and compared with the ΔirrE mutant complemented strain with Drad-irrE, designated ΔirrE-E. The effects of the A184S mutation following UV radiation and mitomycin C (MMC) shock were determined. The A184S mutant displayed significantly increased resistance to UV radiation and MMC shock. The corresponding A184 site in Dgob-IrrE was inversely mutated, generating the S131A mutant, which exhibited a loss of resistance against UV radiation, MMC shock, and desiccation. qPCR analysis revealed that critical genes in the DNA repair system, such as recA, pprA, uvrA, and ddrB, were remarkably induced after UV radiation and MMC shock in the ΔirrE-IE and A184S mutants. These data suggested that A184S improves the ability against UV radiation and MMC shock, providing new insights into the modification of IrrE. We speculated that the serine residue may determine the efficiency of DNA binding, leading to the increased expression of IrrE-dependent genes important for protection against DNA damage.

Sofosbuvir/Ledipasvir in the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C - A Subgroup Analysis from A Nationwide Real-World HCV Registry Program (TACR) in Taiwan

( Ming-Lung Yu ),( Chi-Yi Chen ),( Kuo-Chih Tseng ),( Ching-Chu Lo ),( Pin-Nan Cheng ),( Cheng-Yuan Peng ),( Ming-Jong Bair ),( Chih-Lang Lin ),( Chi-Ming Tai ),( Chi-Chieh Yang ),( Chih-Wen Lin ),( C 대한간학회 2020 춘·추계 학술대회 (KASL) Vol.2020 No.1

Aims: TASL HCV Registry (TACR) is a nationwide registry program organized and supervised by Taiwan Association for the Study of the Liver (TASL), which aims to setup the database and biobank of patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in Taiwan. The present study aimed to evaluate the treatment outcome of sofosbuvir (SOF)/ledipasvir (LDV) in Taiwanese CHC patients in TACR. Methods: By May 2020, 19 tertiary hospitals, 23 community hospitals and one primary care clinic join the TACR program. The baseline characteristics, prior liver and non-liver related medical history, DAA regimens, laboratory results, treatment course and outcome were recorded. The primary objective was sustained virological response, defined as undetectable HCV RNA 3 months after end-of-treatment (SVR12). Results: A total of 4742 SOF/LDV+ ribavirin treated CHC patients with available SVR12 data from 39 sites were enrolled in the current analysis. The mean age was 61.3 years, and female accounted for 54.8% of the population. The dominant viral genotypes were GT1b (52.6%) and GT2 (35.6%). 1354 (28.6%) patients had liver cirrhosis, including 156 (3.3%) with liver decompensation, 552 (11.6%) had preexisting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) before DAAs treatment and 413 (8.7%) had hepatitis B virus dual infections. The overall SVR12 rate was 98.5%, with 98.5%, 98.2%, 99.7% and 98.6% in treatment- naïve non-cirrhotics, treatment-naïve cirrhotics, treatment- experienced non-cirrhotics and treatment-experienced cirrhotics patients, respectively. While patients were stratified by HCV genotype, the SVR12 was 98.5%, 98.4% and 98.5% among those with GT1, GT2 and GT6 infection, respectively. The strongest factor independent associated with treatment failure was DAA adherence < 60% (odds ratio [OR]/95% confidence intervals [CI]: 125.4/25.7-612.4, P<0.0001), followed by active HCC (OR/CI: 6.20/2.57-14.97, P<0.0001), HIV co-infection (OR/CI: 3.01/1.14-7.92, P=0.026), and male gender (OR/ CI: 1.85/1.09-3.13, P=0.023). The eGFR decreased significantly at the end of treatment (EOT) (89.3 ml/min/1.73㎡ vs. 93.2 ml/min/1.73㎡, P< 0.001) and remained stable 3 months after EOT (89.3 ml/min/1.73㎡). However, the decreased eGFR was observed only in patients whose baseline eGFR > 90 ml/ min/1.73㎡. Instead, patients with chronic kidney diseases whose pretreatment eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73㎡ had improved eGFR after SOF/LDV. Conclusions: SOF/LDV is highly effective in treating CHC patients in real-world setting of Taiwan. The satisfactory result could be explicitly generalized to patients with different viral genotypes and liver disease severities.

Design of A Semi-spherical Microphone Array Based Sound Localization System

Ming-Yuan Shieh,Ming-Hung Tsai,Chin-Chien Chen,Jeng-Han Li 제어로봇시스템학회 2009 제어로봇시스템학회 국제학술대회 논문집 Vol.2009 No.8

This paper proposes a semi-spherical microphone array based sound localization system for a service robot. The hardware of the proposed system basically contains 12 capacitor microphones disposed in two layers on the semi-sphere of 19 cm diameter. It aims to estimate the degree relationship between the main speaker and the robot and provides the robot useful information for more effective human-robot interactions. The proposed system can determine the location of the voice according to energy information between the main speaker and robot not only in normal environment but also in blatant and/or reverberative spaces. The experimental results show that the proposed system has obtained satisfactory recognition efficiency, moreover, raised the robotic friendliness and adaptability.

Privet golden leaves adapt unexpectedly well to light changes

Ming Yuan,Bo Huang,Li-Hua Dong,Qiao-Hong Han,Yong Yang,Chun-Bang Ding,Chao Hu,Yang-Er Chen,Zhong-Wei Zhang,Shu Yuan 한국원예학회 2020 Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology Vol.61 No.4

Golden-leaf privet ( Ligustrum × vicaryi ) is widely used as a horticultural shrub because of its upper golden leaves, butits lower leaves are green. However, the putative mechanisms of its upper golden leaves and the leaf color changes inresponse to light shifts have not been well studied so far. Here, chlorophylls (Chl), carotenoids, and Chl precursors from bothgolden and green leaves grown in full sunlight (approximately 1200 μmol photons m −2 s −1 at noon) or low-light conditions(180 μmol m −2 s −1 ) were determined spectrophotometrically. In addition, their gas exchange parameters and Chl fl uorescencewere measured in situ. Metabolic fl ux analysis of chlorophyll intermediates indicated that the conversion of prochlorophyllideto chlorophyllide was signifi cantly blocked in golden leaves when compared with green leaves. Green leaves showed higherphotosynthetic capacity in low light than golden leaves, but golden leaves presented unexpectedly stronger photosyntheticcapacity and lower reactive oxygen species accumulation under the high-light condition. Furthermore, golden leaves showeda higher level of nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) after the light-to-dark shift and presented a stronger adaptive abilityto a broad range of light environments. Higher NPQ values and less oxidative damage in golden leaves may be correlatedwith their higher carotenoid levels. The results imply that lower chlorophyll levels and higher carotenoid levels in canopyleaves may help privet plants acclimate better to illumination changes. This study demonstrates the key role of irradiance ingenerating the two types of Ligustrum × vicaryi leaves and sheds a light on cultivation of other ornamental foliage plants.

Dark current suppression of amorphous selenium based photosensors by the ZnO hole blocking layer

Tung-Yuan Yu,Fu-Ming Pan,Cheng-Yi Chang,Tien Hu,Jenn-Fang Chen,Jia-Feng Wang,Jia-Feng Wang,Cheng-Lu Lin,Te-Ming Chen 한국물리학회 2014 Current Applied Physics Vol.14 No.5

To study the influence of defects in the hole blocking layer (HBL) on the dark current of amorphous selenium (a-Se) based photosensors, we prepared ZnO thin films by reactive sputter deposition (RSD) for the use as the HBL of the photosensors. The ZnO HBL layers prepared with different oxygen flow rates were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman scattering analysis and photoluminescence, indicating that the density of oxygen vacancies in the ZnO thin films is significantly affected by the oxygen flow rate. The deep level transient spectroscopy measurement reveals two hole trap levels present in the RSD deposited ZnO thin films; one is at 0.94 eV and the other at 0.24 eV above the valence band edge. The electrical performance of the a-Se photosensor is largely influenced by the amount of oxygen vacancies in the ZnO thin film. The a-Se photosensor with the ZnO HBL of the most oxygen vacancies has the lowest dark current and demonstrates the highest breakdown field.

Ferromagnetic CoPt₃ Nanowires : Structural Evolution from fcc to Ordered L1₂

Chao-Yuan Huang,Hao Ming Chen,Chia Fen Hsin,Po Yuan Chen,Ru-Shi Liu,Shu-Fen Hu,Jyh-Fu Lee,Ling-Yun Jang 한국자기학회 2010 한국자기학회 학술연구발표회 논문개요집 Vol.2010 No.12

The Feasibility of Using Simulated Targets in the Stomachs of Live Pigs for Full Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection Training

( Horng Yuan Wang ),( Shou Chuan Shih ),( Chien Yuan Hung ),( Chia Yuan Liu ),( Tze Yu Shieh ),( Ming Jen Chen ) 대한소화기학회 2014 Gut and Liver Vol.8 No.6

Background/Aims: In endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) training, only a flat target lesion can usually be simulated in the normal mucosa. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of simulated targets in the stomachs of live pigs for complete training. Methods: Six trained endoscopists with hands-on experience with ex vivo, isolated pig stomachs were enrolled in this pilot study. An endoscopic banding device was used to create a polyp that was snared, leaving an ulcerated lesion. This simulated target model was used to perform ESD in pigs. The en bloc resection rate, procedure time, complications, quality of resection, and participants` opinions on the simulated targets were compared with the conventional model. Results: En bloc resections were achieved in all six simulated targets and six conventional models. The mean size of the resected specimens was 32.2 mm (range, 20 to 39 mm) in the simulated target group and 23.5 mm (range, 11 to 40 mm) in the conventional group. The target model had a high quality of resection and had a high satisfaction rate for margin identification and correct peripheral marking. Conclusions: Good identification of the lesion and ease of periphery marking in the target model may improve resection quality. (Gut Liver 2014;8:619-624)

Pretreatment Serum Amyloid A and C-reactive Protein Comparing with Epstein-Barr Virus DNA as Prognostic Indicators in Patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Prospective Study

Qiu-Yan Chen,Qing-Nan Tang,Lin-Quan Tang,Wen-Hui Chen,Shan-Shan Guo,Li-Ting Liu,Chao-Feng Li,Yang Li,Yu-Jing Liang,Xue-Song Sun,Ling Guo,Hao-Yuan Mo,Rui Sun,Dong-Hua Luo,Yu-Ying Fan,Yan He,Ming-Yuan C 대한암학회 2018 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.50 No.3

Purpose The measuring Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA is an important predictor of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). This study evaluated the predictive value of pretreatment serum amyloid A (SAA) and C-reactive protein (CRP) comparing with EBV DNA in patients with NPC. Materials and Methods In an observational study of 419 non-metastatic NPC patients, we prospectively evaluated the prognostic effects of pretreatment SAA, CRP, and EBV DNA on survival. The primary endpoint was progress-free survival (PFS). Results The median level of SAA and CRP was 4.28 mg/L and 1.88 mg/L, respectively. For the high- SAA group (> 4.28 mg/L) versus the low-SAA ( 4.28 mg/L) group and the high-CRP group (> 1.88 mg/L) versus the low-CRP ( 1.88 mg/L) group, the 5-year PFS was 64.5% versus 73.1% (p=0.013) and 65.2% versus 73.3% (p=0.064), respectively. EBV DNA detection showed a superior predictive result, the 5-year PFS in the EBV DNA  1,500 copies/mL group was obviously different than the EBV DNA < 1,500 copies/mL group (62.2% versus 77.8%, p < 0.001). Multifactorial Cox regression analysis confirmed that in the PFS, the independent prognostic factors were including EBV DNA (hazard ratio [HR], 1.788; p=0.009), tumour stage (HR, 1.903; p=0.021), and node stage (HR, 1.498; p=0.049), but the SAA and CRP were not included in the independent prognostic factors. Conclusion The results of SAA and CRP had a certain relationship with the prognosis of NPC, and the prognosis of patients with high level of SAA and CRP were poor. However, the predictive ability of SAA and CRP was lower than that of EBV DNA.

Impact of Peri-Operative Anemia and Blood Transfusions in Patients with Gastric Cancer Receiving Gastrectomy

Chang, Chih-Chun,Sun, Jen-Tang,Chen, Jing-Yuan,Chen, Yi-Ting,Li, Pei-Yu,Lee, Tai-Chen,Su, Ming-Jang,Wu, Jiann-Ming,Yen, Tzung-Hai,Chu, Fang-Yeh Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.3

Background: Potential disadvantages of blood transfusion during curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer have been reported, and the role of peri-operative transfusions remains to be ascertained. Thus, the aim of our study was to survey its impact in patients with gastric cancer undergoinging gastrectomy. Materials and Methods: Clinical data of patients receiving curative gastrectomy at Far Eastern Memorial Hospital were obtained. Findings for pre-operative anemia states, pre-, peri- and post-operative transfusion of red blood cell (RBC) products as well as post-operative complication events were collected for univariate analysis. Results: A total of 116 patients with gastric cancer received gastrectomy at Far Eastern Memorial Hospital from 2011 to 2014. Both pre-operative and intra- and post-operative transfusion of RBC products were markedly associated with post-operative infectious events (OR: 3.70, 95% CI: 1.43-9.58, P=0.002; OR: 8.20, 95% CI: 3.11-22.62, P<0.001, respectively). In addition, peri- and post-operative RBC transfusion was significantly associated with prolonged hospital stay from admission to discharge (OR: 8.66, 95% CI: 1.73-83.00, P=0.002) and post-operative acute renal failure (OR: 19.69, 95% CI: 2.66-854.56, P<0.001). Also, the overall survival was seemingly decreased by peri-operative RBC transfusion in our gastric cancer cases (P=0.078). Conclusions: Our survey indicated that peri-operative RBC transfusion could increase the risk of infectious events and acute renal failure post curative gastrectomy as well as worsen the overall survival in gastric cancer cases. Hence, unnecessary blood transfusion before, during and after curative gastrectomy should be avoided in patients with gastric cancer.

The Prognostic Value of Treatment-Related Lymphopenia in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients

Li-Ting Liu,Qiu-Yan Chen,Lin-Quan Tang,Shan-Shan Guo,Ling Guo,Hao-Yuan Mo,Ming-Yuan Chen,Chong Zhao,Xiang Guo,Chao-Nan Qian,Mu-Sheng Zeng,Jin-Xin Bei,Jing Tan,Shuai Chen,Ming-Huang Hong,Jian-Yong Shao 대한암학회 2018 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.50 No.1

Purpose This study was conducted to evaluate the prognostic value of treatment-related lymphopenia in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Materials and Methods A total of 413 consecutive stage II-IVb NPC patients treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) were enrolled. The overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) were calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method, and differences were compared using the log-rank test. Results A minimum (mini)–absolute lymphocyte counts (ALC) of < 390 cells/μL or ALC after 3 months of CCRT (post3m-ALC) < 705 cells/μL was significantly associated with worse outcome than mini-ALC ! 390 cells/μL (OS, p=0.002; PFS, p=0.005; DMFS, p=0.004) or post3m-ALC ! 705 cells/μL (OS, p < 0.001; PFS, p < 0.001; DMFS, p=0.001). Patients with lymphopenia (mini-ALC < 390 cells/μL and post3m-ALC < 705 cells/μL) had a worse prognosis than those without lymphopenia (mini-ALC ! 390 cells/μL and post3m-ALC ! 705 cells/μL) (OS, p < 0.001; PFS, p < 0.001; DMFS, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that post3m-ALC was an independent prognostic factor for OS (hazard ratio [HR], 1.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12 to 2.78; p=0.015), PFS (HR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.23 to 2.82; p=0.003), and DMFS (HR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.13 to 3.08; p=0.014). Multivariate analysis also revealed that patients with lymphopenia had a high risk of death (HR, 3.79; 95% CI, 1.75 to 8.19; p=0.001), disease progression (HR, 2.93; 95% CI, 1.59 to 5.41; p=0.001), and distant metastasis (HR, 3.89; 95% CI, 1.67 to 9.10; p=0.002). Multivariate analysis performed with time dependent Cox regression demonstrated ALC was an independent prognostic factor for OS (HR, 0.995; 95% CI, 0.991 to 0.999; p=0.025) and PFS (HR, 0.993; 95% CI, 0.988 to 0.998; p=0.006). Conclusion Treatment-related lymphopenia was a poor prognostic factor in NPC patients.