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Chang CY, Chang SC, Wei YF, Tseng YT, Chou CH, Chen YY, Chen CY, Ye YL. Exploring the evolution of T cell function and diversity across different stages of non-small cell lung cancer. Am J Cancer Res 2024; 14:1243-1257. [PMID: 38590421 PMCID: PMC10998748 DOI: 10.62347/aryh6451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The immune system plays a key role in detecting and fighting cancerous tumors. T cells are a crucial component in both natural and therapeutic cancer immunoediting responses, but it is unclear if they are the primary agents of these processes. In this study, patients with lung lesions detected by CT scan were selected, and their peripheral blood samples were analyzed for T cell population and serum cytokines/chemokines. T cell subtypes (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD27, CD28, CD45, CD45RA, CD57, CCR7, and PD1) and serum cytokines/chemokines (IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ, TGF-β, TNFα, CXCL1, CXCL9, and CXCL12) were measured by flow cytometry and analysis before surgical resection or other cancer treatments. The frequency of T cell subpopulations in patients with lung cancer (n = 111) corresponded to those seen in patients with T cell exhaustion. As lung cancer progressed, the proportion of effector memory T cells decreased, while the proportion of naive T cells, PD-1, CD57+, CD28+CD27+, CD45RA+, and CD3+CD4+CCR7 increased. Circulating CD8+PD1+ T cells were positively correlated with intra-tumoral PD-L1 expression. Concurrently, serum levels of IL-2, TGF-β, and CXCL9 decreased, while IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ, and CXCL12 increased during the progression of lung cancer. In conclusion, T cell dysfunction is associated with cancer progression, particularly in advanced-stage lung cancer, and cancer immunoediting will provide early-stage cancer detection and further therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Yu Chang
- Division of Chest Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Far Eastern Memorial HospitalNew Taipei City, Taiwan
- Department of Nursing, Cardinal Tien Junior College of Healthcare and ManagementNew Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Chieh Chang
- Division of Chest Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, National Yang-Ming Chiao Tung University HospitalYilan City, Yilan County, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Feng Wei
- School of Medicine for International Students, College of Medicine, I-Shou UniversityKaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, E-Da Cancer Hospital, I-Shou UniversityKaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ting Tseng
- Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin BranchDouliu City, Yunlin County, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Hong Chou
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin BranchDouliu City, Yunlin County, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Yin Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin BranchDouliu City, Yunlin County, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Yu Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin BranchDouliu City, Yunlin County, Taiwan
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, National Taiwan UniversityTaipei City, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ling Ye
- Department of Biotechnology, National Formosa UniversityHuwei City, Yunlin County, Taiwan
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Chou CH, Chen YF, Peng HC, Chen CY, Cheng BW. Environmental pollutants increase the risks of acute exacerbation in patients with chronic airway disease. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1215224. [PMID: 38026400 PMCID: PMC10643209 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1215224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Respiratory infections are a common cause of acute exacerbations in patients with chronic airway disease, however, environmental factors such as air pollution can also contribute to these exacerbations. The study aimed to determine the correlation between pollutant levels and exacerbation risks in areas exposed to environmental pollution sources. Methods From 2015 to 2016, a total of 788 patients with chronic airway diseases were enrolled in a study. Their medical records, including hospital visits due to acute exacerbations of varying severity were analyzed. Additionally, data on daily pollutant levels from the Air Quality Monitoring Network from 2014 to 2016 was also collected and analyzed. Results Patients with chronic airway disease and poor lung function (FEV1 < 50% or obstructive ventilatory defect) have a higher risk of severe acute exacerbations and are more likely to experience more than two severe acute exacerbations within a year. The study found that in areas exposed to environmental pollution sources, there is a significant correlation between NO2, O3, and humidity with the main causes of severe acute exacerbation. When the levels of NO2 were higher than 16.65 ppb, O3 higher than 35.65 ppb, or humidity higher than 76.95%, the risk of severe acute exacerbation in patients with chronic airway disease increased. Conclusion Acute exacerbations of chronic airway disease can be triggered by both the underlying disease state and the presence of air pollution. Computer simulations and early warning systems should be developed to predict acute exacerbations of chronic airway disease based on dynamic changes in air pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Hong Chou
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin Branch, Yunlin, Taiwan
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Fu Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin Branch, Yunlin, Taiwan
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Chueh Peng
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin Branch, Yunlin, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Yu Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin Branch, Yunlin, Taiwan
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Bor-Wen Cheng
- Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, Yunlin, Taiwan
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Tsai CK, Kao TW, Lee JT, Wang CC, Chou CH, Liang CS, Yang FC, Chen WL. GAD65 as a potential marker for cognitive performance in an adult population with prediabetes. QJM 2020; 113:108-114. [PMID: 31532493 DOI: 10.1093/qjmed/hcz239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a well-known risk factor for cognitive dysfunction in aged populations. However, there are inconsistent reports about impaired fasting glucose or prediabetes as an independent risk factor for cognitive function. Glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (GAD65) is the key enzyme responsible for γ-aminobutyric acid synthesis in the central nervous system. Antibodies against GAD65 (GAD65Abs) are not only detected in approximately 80% of early-onset type 1 DM, but also linked to several neurological disorders. AIM This study aims to investigate the association between GAD65Ab titer levels and cognitive performance. In addition, we assessed the effect of GAD65Ab on cognitive function in adults with normal fasting glucose, prediabetes and DM. METHODS A total of 328 subjects aged 49.10 ± 5.72 years were enrolled from the Third Health and Nutrition Examination Survey dataset. Cognitive performance was assessed by three computerized neurobehavioral tests, including the serial digit learning test, simple reaction time test (SRTT) and symbol-digit substitution test (SDST). RESULTS Subjects with higher GAD65Ab titers had significantly poorer cognitive function in the SRTT and SDST (P < 0.05). Additionally, GAD65Ab was associated with cognitive decline in non-diabetic adults after adjusting for a number of relevant variables (P < 0.05 in both SRTT and SDST). CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that GAD65Ab may be a potential marker for cognitive impairment in non-diabetic adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- C-K Tsai
- From the Department of Neurology, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - T-W Kao
- Division of Family Medicine, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Family and Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - J-T Lee
- From the Department of Neurology, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - C-C Wang
- Division of Family Medicine, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Family and Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - C H Chou
- From the Department of Neurology, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - C-S Liang
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Department of Psychiatry, Beitou Branch, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - F-C Yang
- From the Department of Neurology, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - W-L Chen
- Division of Family Medicine, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Family and Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
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Chen YF, Cheng YC, Chou CH, Chen CY, Yu CJ. Major comorbidities lead to the risk of adverse cardiovascular events in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients using inhaled long-acting bronchodilators: a case-control study. BMC Pulm Med 2019; 19:233. [PMID: 31795986 PMCID: PMC6889444 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-019-0999-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background While inhaled bronchodilators reduce symptoms and acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), their use is associated with increased cardiovascular events in some studies. This study investigates the risk of adverse events associated with the use of inhaled bronchodilators in COPD patients with multimorbidity. Methods A case-control study was conducted between January 2015 and December 2017, and patients with spirometry-confirmed diagnosis of COPD (N = 1565) using inhaled long-acting bronchodilators were enrolled. Medical records were reviewed and clinical data, including age, gender, smoking status, major comorbidities, lung function stage, history of exacerbations, bronchodilator regimens, and treatment duration were analyzed. Major adverse cardiovascular events occurring during long-acting bronchodilator use were recorded. Results The most common comorbidities were cardiovascular disease (CVD) (53.6%) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) (25.8%). We observed that CVD (odds ratio [OR], 5.77), CKD (OR, 2.02) and history of frequent exacerbations (OR, 2.37) were independent risk factors for cardiovascular events, regardless of the type of bronchodilators use. Moreover, COPD patients with both CKD and CVD had higher risk (6.32-fold) of adverse cardiovascular effects than those with neither comorbidity. Eighty-seven of 1565 (5.56%) COPD patients died during this study period. Of them, 21.8% (19/87) were cardiovascular-related and 73.6% (64/87) patients were respiratory-related mortality. Among COPD patients using long-acting bronchodilators, CKD was the only risk factor to predict cardiovascular events and cardiovascular-related mortality (OR, 4.87; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.75–13.55]. Conclusions COPD patients had higher risk of cardiovascular events were associated with their CVD and/or CKD comorbidities and history of frequent exacerbations, rather than associated with their use of inhaled bronchodilators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Fu Chen
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin Branch, No.579, Sec. 2, Yunlin Rd., Douliu City, Yunlin County, 640, Taiwan, Republic of China.,Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, and College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ching Cheng
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin Branch, No.579, Sec. 2, Yunlin Rd., Douliu City, Yunlin County, 640, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Chien-Hong Chou
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin Branch, No.579, Sec. 2, Yunlin Rd., Douliu City, Yunlin County, 640, Taiwan, Republic of China.,Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, and College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Yu Chen
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin Branch, No.579, Sec. 2, Yunlin Rd., Douliu City, Yunlin County, 640, Taiwan, Republic of China. .,Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, and College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Chong-Jen Yu
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, and College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Chou CH, Chen CY. Inspiratory muscle training for reducing postoperative pulmonary complications: A simple method that we hope is effective. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2018; 156:1301-1302. [PMID: 29628350 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2018.03.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Hong Chou
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin Branch, Yunlin County, Taiwan; College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Yu Chen
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin Branch, Yunlin County, Taiwan; College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Hsiang JT, Chou CH, Subaşı Y, Hu BL. Quantum thermodynamics from the nonequilibrium dynamics of open systems: Energy, heat capacity, and the third law. Phys Rev E 2018; 97:012135. [PMID: 29448480 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.97.012135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
In a series of papers, we intend to take the perspective of open quantum systems and examine from their nonequilibrium dynamics the conditions when the physical quantities, their relations, and the laws of thermodynamics become well defined and viable for quantum many-body systems. We first describe how an open-system nonequilibrium dynamics (ONEq) approach is different from the closed combined system + environment in a global thermal state (CGTs) setup. Only after the open system equilibrates will it be amenable to conventional thermodynamics descriptions, thus quantum thermodynamics (QTD) comes at the end rather than assumed in the beginning. The linkage between the two comes from the reduced density matrix of ONEq in that stage having the same form as that of the system in the CGTs. We see the open-system approach having the advantage of dealing with nonequilibrium processes as many experiments in the near future will call for. Because it spells out the conditions of QTD's existence, it can also aid us in addressing the basic issues in quantum thermodynamics from first principles in a systematic way. We then study one broad class of open quantum systems where the full nonequilibrium dynamics can be solved exactly, that of the quantum Brownian motion of N strongly coupled harmonic oscillators, interacting strongly with a scalar-field environment. In this paper, we focus on the internal energy, heat capacity, and the third law. We show for this class of physical models, amongst other findings, the extensive property of the internal energy, the positivity of the heat capacity, and the validity of the third law from the perspective of the behavior of the heat capacity toward zero temperature. These conclusions obtained from exact solutions and quantitative analysis clearly disprove claims of negative specific heat in such systems and dispel allegations that in such systems the validity of the third law of thermodynamics relies on quantum entanglement. They are conceptually and factually unrelated issues. Entropy and entanglement will be the main theme of our second paper on this subject matter.
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Affiliation(s)
- J-T Hsiang
- Center for Field Theory and Particle Physics, Department of Physics, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - C H Chou
- Department of Physics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Y Subaşı
- Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA
| | - B L Hu
- Center for Field Theory and Particle Physics, Department of Physics, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.,Maryland Center for Fundamental Physics and Joint Quantum Institute, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742-4111, USA
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Chou CH, Chiang YC, Chfng HH. Autointoxication mechanism ofOryza sativa : III. Effect of temperature on phytotoxin production during rice straw decomposition in soil. J Chem Ecol 2014; 7:741-52. [PMID: 24420688 DOI: 10.1007/bf00990306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/1980] [Revised: 10/19/1980] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The phytotoxicity produced during decomposition of rice straw in soil was evaluated under both constant and changing temperature conditions. Bioassay tests showed that the aqueous extract from a soilstraw mixture after incubation at constant temperature was more than twice as phytotoxic as the extract from soil incubated alone. The phytotoxicity was highest at 20-25 ° C. Temperatures above 25 ° C enhanced rice straw decomposition and also degraded the phytotoxic substances more rapidly. After incubation of soil mixtures under changing temperature regimes in a phytotron, the phytotoxicy of the soil aqueous extracts increased in the following order: soil alone < soil + fertilizer < soil + straw < soil + straw + fertilizer. Growth inhibition of lettuce or rice seedlings was also at the highest at the temperature range of 25-30 ° C irrespective of the direction of temperature changes from either low to high or vice versa. Five phytotoxic phenolics,p-hydroxybenzoic, vanillic,p-coumaric, syringic, and ferulic acids, were obtained from both the aqueous extract and residue of the incubated soil samples and were quantitatively estimated by chromatography. The amount of phytotoxins found in various soil mixtures followed the same increasing order as that found by the seed bioassay test. Although no definite distribution pattern of the phenolics in the incubated soil samples can be attributed to temperature variations, the amount of the phenolics was likely higher in the samples incubated at 25 ° C than at either 15 ° C or 35 ° C. The quantity of toxins released during decomposition of rice straw in soil reached highest levels six weeks after incubation and gradually disappeared after twelve weeks.
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Affiliation(s)
- C H Chou
- Institute of Botany, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan, 115, Republic of China
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Chou CH, Lee YF. Allelopathic dominance ofMiscanthus transmorrisonensis in an alpine grassland community in Taiwan. J Chem Ecol 2013; 17:2267-81. [PMID: 24258605 DOI: 10.1007/bf00988007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/1991] [Accepted: 07/22/1991] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
A study site located at 2600 m elevation in Tartarchia Anpu, Nantou county, Taiwan, exhibits a unique grassland community composed of two principal species,Miscanthus transmorrisonensis andYushinia niitakayamensis, and 35 other species. The relative frequencies of the two species are 12% and 11%, while their relative coverages are 25% and 19.5%, respectively. The values for the remaining 35 species are lower than4% each, while species diversity of the community is -3.04839, indicating great diversity. To elucidate the mechanism of dominance ofM. transmorrisonensis, allelopathic evaluation of the plant was conducted. Aqueous extracts of M.Transmorrisonensis plant parts with two ecotypes were bioassayed. The extracts showed significant phytotoxic effects on seed germination and radicle growth of four tested plants: rye grass, lettuce, and two varieties of Chinese cabbage. In addition, rhizosphere soils underMiscanthus also exhibited significant phytotoxicity, indicating that allelopathic interaction was involved. Some responsible phytotoxic phenolics, namely, p-coumaric, ferulic, vanillic, protocatechuic, o-hydroxyphenylacetic, andm-hydroxyphenylacetic acids, and 4-hydroxycoumarin and phloridzin were identified. Allelopathy thus can play an important role in regulating plant diversity in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- C H Chou
- Institute of Botany, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan 11529 Republic of China
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Kao TW, Chou CH, Wang CC, Chou CC, Hu J, Chen WL. Associations between serum total bilirubin levels and functional dependence in the elderly. Intern Med J 2013; 42:1199-207. [PMID: 22032210 DOI: 10.1111/j.1445-5994.2011.02620.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2011] [Accepted: 10/20/2011] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many studies support the role of bilirubin as a cytoprotector in chronic inflammatory diseases, such as stroke and atherosclerosis. AIM To investigate the relationship between serum total bilirubin levels and functional dependence in older adults. METHODS Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999-2002) pertaining to 2235 old adults were analysed. All participants had given a household interview, providing information of five major domains on self-reported functional status (activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, leisure and social activities, lower extremity mobility and general physical activities), had completed serum total bilirubin measurement, and a questionnaire regarding personal health. Poor performance was defined as experiencing difficulty with one or more items in a given domain. Functional dependence was defined as having three or more poor performances in the five major domains. Multiple logistic regression was performed together with quartile-based stratified odds ratio (OR) comparison and trend tests. RESULTS The OR of functional dependence for each standard deviation increment in the serum total bilirubin level was 0.56 (P = 0.002). After additional adjustment, the inverse association remained essentially unchanged. In quartile-based analysis, participants with higher quartiles of serum total bilirubin tended to have lower ORs of functional dependence. The trends of lower likelihood of functional dependence across increasing quartiles of the serum total bilirubin level were statistically significant (P < 0.05 for all trends). CONCLUSIONS Higher serum total bilirubin levels were associated with lower likelihood of functional dependence in older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- T W Kao
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
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Chen RJ, Chen CH, Chou CH, Chang TC, Sheu BC. Vaginal cancer following etoposide-containing chemotherapy for metastatic gestational trophoblastic tumour. J OBSTET GYNAECOL 2012; 32:202-3. [PMID: 22296447 DOI: 10.3109/01443615.2011.635225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R J Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Wang CY, Chou CH, Wang HP, Chen JS, Lee P. Successful treatment of bronchoesophageal fistula with esophageal and bronchial stenting. J Formos Med Assoc 2011; 110:270-2. [PMID: 21540011 DOI: 10.1016/s0929-6646(11)60041-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2008] [Revised: 01/10/2009] [Accepted: 02/12/2009] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Bronchoesophageal fistula is reported in 5-10% of patients with esophageal cancer. In most of these cases, the insertion of a single stent, either a tracheobronchial or an esophageal stent, is sufficient to seal off the fistula. In this case we describe a 67-year-old man with esophageal cancer and complications of bronchoesophageal fistula, which resulted in repeated pneumonia and acute respiratory failure. Initially, two expandable metallic membranous esophageal stents were placed to cover the fistula. However, the esophageal stent failed to stop the air leak and dislodged into the stomach. Thereafter, a bronchial stent was placed at the right intermediate bronchus and successfully stopped the air leak. The patient was then weaned from the ventilator 1 week after the insertion of a bronchial stent. In conclusion, stenting in both the esophagus and airways should be considered when both are severely invaded by malignancy, when the airway is compressed, or when the fistula is insufficiently sealed by an esophageal stent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Yi Wang
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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Chou CH, Teng CM, Tzen KY, Chang YC, Chen JH, Cheng JCH. MMP-9 from sublethally irradiated tumor promotes Lewis lung carcinoma cell invasiveness and pulmonary metastasis. Oncogene 2011; 31:458-68. [DOI: 10.1038/onc.2011.240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Lai CC, Wang CY, Liu CY, Tan CK, Lin SH, Liao CH, Chou CH, Huang YT, Lin HI, Hsueh PR. Infections caused by Gordonia species at a medical centre in Taiwan, 1997 to 2008. Clin Microbiol Infect 2011; 16:1448-53. [PMID: 19832703 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2009.03085.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The inability of conventional identification systems to accurately identify Gordonia spp. often results in the misdiagnosis of infections by these rare pathogens, which require genomic sequencing for precise identification. In the present study, we describe nine cases of the various types of infection caused by Gordonia spp. From 1997 to 2008, 66 isolates (from 30 patients) initially identified as Rhodoccus spp. by conventional biochemical methods, by the Bacteriology Laboratory of National Taiwan University Hospital, were retrospectively analysed to assess the accuracy of species identification. Fifteen of these isolates (from nine patients) were later found to be Gordonia spp. by two molecular methods: PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism for heat shock protein gene (hsp65) and the 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis. Gordonia sputi (n = 8) was the most common species, followed by Gordonia terrae (n = 7). Most of the isolates were isolated from blood (n = 11), followed by soft tissue (n = 2) and eye (n = 2). Five patients presented with bacteraemia and two of these had catheter-related bloodstream infection. Two patients had soft tissue infections and another two patients had infective keratitis and conjunctivitis. The random amplified polymorphic DNA patterns for isolates from different patients were different, indicating that they were genetically unrelated. Accurate identification with molecular methods is required if the role of Gordonia spp. in causing infection is to be recognized.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Lai
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardinal Tien Hospital, Taipei County, Taipei, Taiwan
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Chou CH, Chen HY, Chen CY, Huang CT, Lai CC, Hsueh PR. Clinical features and outcomes of disseminated infections caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria in a university hospital in Taiwan, 2004-2008. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 43:8-14. [PMID: 20849364 DOI: 10.3109/00365548.2010.519345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
This retrospective study investigated the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of patients with disseminated infections caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in Taiwan. Forty patients who fulfilled the criteria for disseminated NTM infection at a medical centre from January 2004 to December 2008 were analyzed. More than half of the patients (n = 22, 55%) were HIV-infected and fever was the most common initial presentation (n = 21, 52.5%). There were 13 episodes of co-infection with other bacterial pathogens in 11 patients (30%). The most common site of NTM isolation from culture was blood (62.5%), followed by respiratory tract (52.5%). Mycobacterium avium complex was the most common species (70%). The overall mortality rate due to disseminated NTM infection was 30%. Univariate survival analysis showed significantly higher mortality rates in female patients, patients without anti-NTM treatment and patients co-infected with other bacterial pathogens. Multivariate analysis showed that lack of anti-NTM treatment was the only prognostic factor for a poor outcome (p = 0.001). In conclusion, maintaining a high level of suspicion and starting appropriate anti-NTM treatment promptly after diagnosis are crucial to improve outcome in patients with disseminated NTM infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Hong Chou
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Yun-Lin Branch, Yun-Lin County, Taiwan
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Hsiao CH, Lin YT, Lai CC, Chou CH, Hsueh PR. Identification of nontuberculous mycobacterial infection by IS6110 and hsp65 gene analysis on lung tissues. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2010; 68:241-6. [PMID: 20850247 DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2010.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2010] [Revised: 04/26/2010] [Accepted: 05/06/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The clinical, histologic, and radiographic presentations of nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease are usually indistinguishable from those of reactivated pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), so it remains a great challenge for the clinician to make treatment decisions for patients with old TB and a positive culture result for NTM. This study investigated whether the mycobacterial specific heat shock protein 65 (hsp65) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)-specific IS6110 gene would present in pulmonary lesions of patients with NTM pulmonary infection. Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue blocks of 24 patients with NTM infections treated at the hospital from 1998 to 2008 were included. Mycobacterial hsp65 gene was amplified in 20 of the 24 patients, and the species identified by sequencing was consistent with corresponding culture results in 12 of these patients. MTB-specific IS6110 gene was detected in 3 of the 7 patients who had old TB and a subsequent diagnosis of fibrocavitary NTM lung disease. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of hsp65 gene also confirmed the presence of MTB genes in 2 of these 3 patients. Our results indicate that PCR amplification and sequencing of the mycobacterial hsp65 gene is a sensitive assay for identification of NTM species in FFPE materials. However, consistent results of PCR analysis, microbiology study, histologic manifestations, radiology, and clinical presentation are important for correct diagnosis of NTM pulmonary infection. The presence of MTB gene in patients with fibrocavitary NTM lung lesions poses a clinical dilemma for deciding concurrent treatment TB and NTM infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Hsiang Hsiao
- Department of Pathology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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Lai CC, Tan CK, Chou CH, Hsu HL, Liao CH, Huang YT, Yang PC, Luh KT, Hsueh PR. Increasing Incidence of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria, Taiwan, 2000–2008. Emerg Infect Dis 2010. [DOI: 10.3201/eid1606.100329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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Tan CK, Lai CC, Chen HW, Liao CH, Chou CH, Huang YT, Yang WS, Yu CJ, Hsueh PR. Enzyme-linked immunospot assay for interferon-gamma to support the diagnosis of tuberculosis in diabetic patients. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 42:752-6. [DOI: 10.3109/00365548.2010.490237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Lai CC, Tan CK, Lin SH, Liao CH, Chou CH, Huang YT, Hsueh PR. Molecular Evidence of False-Positive Cultures for Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a Taiwanese Hospital With a High Incidence of TB. Chest 2010; 137:1065-70. [DOI: 10.1378/chest.09-1878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
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Chen MP, Yang SH, Chou CH, Yang KC, Wu CC, Cheng YH, Lin FH. The chondroprotective effects of ferulic acid on hydrogen peroxide-stimulated chondrocytes: inhibition of hydrogen peroxide-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines and metalloproteinase gene expression at the mRNA level. Inflamm Res 2010; 59:587-95. [PMID: 20349328 DOI: 10.1007/s00011-010-0165-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2009] [Revised: 12/17/2009] [Accepted: 01/25/2010] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of the study is to evaluate the effect of ferulic acid (FA), an antioxidant from the Chinese herb Dong-Gui [Chinese angelica, Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels], on the regulation of various genes in hydrogen peroxide-stimulated porcine chondrocytes at the mRNA level. METHODS The effect of FA and the effective concentration of FA on porcine chondrocytes was evaluated by the lactate dehydrogenase, WST-1, crystal violet assay, and a chemical luminescence assay. Gene expression in hydrogen peroxide-stimulated chondrocytes either pre- or post-treated with FA was evaluated by real-time PCR. RESULTS Chondrocytes pre-treated with 40 microM FA decreased the hydrogen peroxide-induced interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and MMP-1 and partially restored SOX9 gene expression. Post-treatment with 40 microM FA also decreased the expression of MMP-1 and MMP-13. CONCLUSION FA decreased the hydrogen peroxide-induced IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, MMP-1 and MMP-13 and increased SOX9 gene expression. These findings suggest that FA may prove to be important in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Further research is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- M P Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Abstract
Genetic manipulation of the host strain, by which cell physiology could be modulated, was exploited to enhance recombinant protein production in Escherichia coli. The effects of an inactivated stationary-phase gene (rmf or katF) on recombinant protein production in strains with two different expression systems (the pH-inducible and the lac promoters) were investigated. An improvement of recombinant protein production in the katF mutant at low growth rates was observed for both expression systems. A fourfold and a 30% increase in the volumetric recombinant protein activity were observed for the pH-inducible and the lac promoter system, respectively. The effect of the rmf mutation, on the other hand, depends on the expression system. A twofold increase in the volumetric recombinant protein activity was found for the pH-inducible promoter system, but there was no improvement for the lac promoter system. Improvement in culture performance for slow-growing cultures may have an impact on the design strategy of the host/vector system used in fed-batch cultures, where the specific growth rate is usually slow. The information may also be useful for developing optimal host/vector gene expression systems for recombinant protein production.
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Affiliation(s)
- C H Chou
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Institute of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Rice University, PO Box 1892, Houston, Texas 77251-1892, USA
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Tan CK, Lai CC, Liao CH, Chou CH, Hsu HL, Huang YT, Hsueh PR. RAPID DIAGNOSIS OF ACTIVE PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS IN THE ELDERLY USING ENZYME-LINKED IMMUNOSPOT ASSAY FOR INTERFERON-GAMMA. J Am Geriatr Soc 2009; 57:2361-2. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2009.02577.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Chen WL, Chen SC, Chen CC, Chou CH, Shih YY, Chen YL, Kuo TS. Patient-driven loop control for ambulation function restoration in a non-invasive functional electrical stimulation system. Disabil Rehabil 2009; 32:65-71. [PMID: 19925278 DOI: 10.3109/09638280903026564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE In this study, a patient-driven loop control in a non-invasive functional electrical stimulation (FES) system was designed to restore ambulation function of patients with stroke with their residual capabilities. METHOD With this patient-driven loop control, patients use the electromyographic (EMG) signals from their voluntary controlled muscles in affected extremity to adjust stimulus parameters of the system. A special designed FES system generated electrical stimuli to excite the paralysed muscles through surface electrodes on the basis of the control command from the residual myoelectric signals. The EMG signals were also served as the trigger and the adjustment of stimulus parameters and thereby adding versatility of the FES system. One patient with hemiplegia was recruited to conduct clinical evaluation and treated by using the new closed-loop FES system. RESULTS The experimental results showed that hemiplegic could successfully control the system to restore their lost ambulation functions with the strategy of patient-driven loop control. It is revealed that the mean velocity, cadence, stride length, active ankle motion range and functional ambulation category have improved significantly from 0.22 + or - 0.17 m/s, 37.3 + or - 15.5 steps/min, 0.32 + or - 0.11 m, 10 degrees , level 2 to 0.46 + or - 0.23 m/s, 58.2 + or - 19.1 steps/min, 0.73 + or - 0.22 m, 35 degrees , level 4 respectively for the patient. A paired t-test indicated that differences in the EMG of the tibialis anterior and the gastrocnemius muscles between patient's disabled (affected-side) foot and normal (unaffected-side) foot are not significant (p > 0.05) after 12 weeks of training. CONCLUSIONS According to the experiment results, this patient-driven loop control can be beneficial for patient with hemiplegia to restore their ambulation functions such as dorsi-flexion and plantar-flexion. The control strategy of this study has the potential to be employed not only in the FES system but also in other assistive devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- W L Chen
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan.
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Liao CH, Chou CH, Lai CC, Huang YT, Tan CK, Hsu HL, Hsueh PR. Diagnostic performance of an enzyme-linked immunospot assay for interferon-gamma in extrapulmonary tuberculosis varies between different sites of disease. J Infect 2009; 59:402-8. [PMID: 19819258 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2009.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2009] [Revised: 09/30/2009] [Accepted: 10/02/2009] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate diagnostic performance of an enzyme-linked immunospot assay for interferon-gamma (T SPOT-TB) in patients with suspected extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB). METHODS From January 2007 to December 2008, patients with suspected extrapulmonary TB were prospectively enrolled from 2 tertiary care hospitals. RESULTS A total of 138 patients with suspected extrapulmonary TB were enrolled; 50 patients had positive culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis and 39 patients had probable TB. The sites of infection were lymph node (n = 20), pleura (n = 19), bone/joint (n = 15), urinary tract (n = 7), peritoneum (n = 7), meninges (n = 6), disseminated (n = 5), intestine (n = 3), pericardium (n = 2), skin (n = 2), throat (n = 1), neck (n = 1), and genitalia (n = 1). The overall sensitivity and specificity were 79.8% (71/89) and 81.6% (40/49). The sensitivity ranged from 100% for tuberculous meningitis, tuberculous pericarditis, and intestinal TB, 95% for lymphadenitis, to 42.9% for tuberculous peritonitis. The sensitivity of the T SPOT-TB assay was 70.6% in immunocompromised patients and 85.5% in immunocompetent patients (p = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS The T SPOT-TB assay can be a useful tool for diagnosing extra-pulmonary TB in immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients, particularly for tuberculous meningitis, pericarditis, lymphadenitis, and intestinal TB.
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Affiliation(s)
- C H Liao
- Department of Internal Medicine, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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Liao CH, Lai CC, Tan CK, Chou CH, Hsu HL, Tasi TH, Huang YT, Hsueh PR. False-negative results by enzyme-linked immunospot assay for interferon-gamma among patients with culture-confirmed tuberculosis. J Infect 2009; 59:421-3. [PMID: 19766135 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2009.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2009] [Revised: 09/14/2009] [Accepted: 09/15/2009] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Lai CC, Liao CH, Tan CK, Chou CH, Huang YT, Hsueh PR. Diagnosis of peripheral tuberculous lymphadenitis by enzyme-linked immunospot assay for interferon-gamma. Am J Med 2009; 122:e3; author reply e5-6. [PMID: 19635262 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2009.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2009] [Revised: 02/11/2009] [Accepted: 02/11/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Kuo WC, Chan CH, Chou CH, Cheng JCH. Swept source optical coherence tomography for radiation-enhanced hepatocellular carcinoma cell invasion imaging. Phys Med Biol 2009; 54:4289-97. [DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/54/13/021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Chou CH, Hsu HL, Lee LN, Hsueh PR, Luh KT. Comparison of 2 interferon-gamma assays and Roche Cobas Amplicor Mycobacterium tuberculosis assay for rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis among patients with suspected tuberculosis in Taiwan. J Microbiol Immunol Infect 2009; 42:251-257. [PMID: 19812859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Two commercial interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) assays, which are commonly used for diagnosing latent tuberculosis (TB), are also useful for diagnosis of active TB. In this study, the IFN-gamma assays and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for diagnosis of TB were compared. METHODS A prospective comparison of the performance of 2 commercial IFN-gamma assays - QuantiFERON-TB Gold (QFT-G) and T-SPOT.TB (T SPOT) - and PCR using the Roche Cobas Amplicor Mycobacterium tuberculosis (RCA-TB) assay for the rapid diagnosis of TB was conducted from January 2007 to December 2007 at a university-affiliated hospital in Taiwan. RESULTS Of 187 patients enrolled in the study, results from both T SPOT and QFT-G were available for 154, including 109 patients with active TB and 45 with no TB. The sensitivity of T SPOT (89.0%) was higher than that of QFT-G (71.4%). RCA-TB had the highest sensitivity (90.2%) and specificity (100%), but was usually performed in patients with positive acid-fast bacilli smear test. In patients with extrapulmonary TB, T SPOT had a high diagnostic value (sensitivity, 81.3%). A significant discordance between the 2 IFN-gamma assays was also noted. IFN-gamma assays provided a more rapid diagnosis for tuberculosis than the conventional culture method (mean +/- standard deviation, 8.23 +/- 12.86 days; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Use of IFN-gamma may shorten the time to diagnosis of TB, especially for smear-negative patients and those with extrapulmonary disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Hong Chou
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Yun-Lin Branch, Yun-Lin, Taiwan
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Tan CK, Lai CC, Liao CH, Chou CH, Hsu HL, Huang YT, Hsueh PR. Comparative in vitro activities of the new quinolone nemonoxacin (TG-873870), gemifloxacin and other quinolones against clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. J Antimicrob Chemother 2009; 64:428-9. [PMID: 19454523 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkp174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Lai CC, Tan CK, Lin SH, Liao CH, Chou CH, Hsu HL, Huang YT, Hsueh PR. Comparative in vitro activities of nemonoxacin, doripenem, tigecycline and 16 other antimicrobials against Nocardia brasiliensis, Nocardia asteroides and unusual Nocardia species. J Antimicrob Chemother 2009; 64:73-8. [PMID: 19398458 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkp144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to assess the in vitro activities of nemonoxacin (a novel non-fluorinated quinolone), doripenem, tigecycline and 16 other antimicrobial agents against the Nocardia species. METHODS MICs of 19 antimicrobial agents for 125 clinical isolates of the Nocardia species were determined by the broth microdilution method. RESULTS Nocardia brasiliensis (n = 61), Nocardia asteroides (n = 45), Nocardia flavorosea (n = 5), Nocardia otitidiscaviarum (n = 4), Nocardia farcinica (n = 3), Nocardia beijingensis (n = 2), Nocardia puris (n = 2) and one each of Nocardia nova, Nocardia jinanensis and Nocardia takedensis were identified based on a 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis. For N. brasiliensis isolates, the MIC(90)s of the tested quinolones were in the order nemonoxacin < gemifloxacin = moxifloxacin < levofloxacin = ciprofloxacin, and the MIC(90)s of the tested carbapenems were in the order doripenem = meropenem < ertapenem < imipenem. Tigecycline had a lower MIC(90) (1 mg/L) than linezolid (8 mg/L). For N. asteroides isolates, the MIC(90)s of the tested quinolones were in the order nemonoxacin < gemifloxacin = moxifloxacin < levofloxacin < ciprofloxacin, and the MIC(90)s of the tested carbapenems were in the order doripenem = meropenem = imipenem < ertapenem. For the other 19 Nocardia species isolates, nemonoxacin showed good activity with the lowest MIC(90) of the tested quinolones. Among the four tested carbapenems, doripenem and meropenem had comparatively lower MIC(90)s. CONCLUSIONS The results of this in vitro study suggest that nemonoxacin, linezolid and tigecycline show promise as treatment options for nocardiosis. Further investigation of their clinical role is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Cheng Lai
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yi-Min Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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Liao CH, Lai CC, Huang YT, Chou CH, Hsu HL, Hsueh PR. Subcutaneous abscess caused by Mycobacterium conceptionense in an immunocompetent patient. J Infect 2009; 58:308-9. [PMID: 19286264 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2009.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2008] [Revised: 01/28/2009] [Accepted: 02/24/2009] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Tan CK, Lai CC, Chou CH, Hsueh PR. Mycobacterium celatum pulmonary infection mimicking pulmonary tuberculosis in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis. Int J Infect Dis 2009; 13:e459-62. [PMID: 19269205 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2008.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2008] [Accepted: 12/17/2008] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycobacterium celatum, a slow-growing acid-fast bacillus, is an uncommon cause of human infection, mainly occurring in patients with AIDS. Rarely, infections restricted to the lung and lymph nodes have been reported in immunocompetent hosts. We report herein a case of M. celatum pulmonary infection that mimicked pulmonary tuberculosis in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis. The literature was reviewed and clinical features of eight HIV-negative patients with M. celatum infection are discussed. The clinical presentation of M. celatum is indistinguishable from tuberculosis, especially in patients with a previous history of pulmonary tuberculosis. Proper treatment depends on a definitive identification of this pathogen, which requires 16S rDNA sequencing or mycolic acid high performance liquid chromatography analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Che-Kim Tan
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Yungkang, Tainan, Taiwan
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Wang JY, Chou CH, Lee LN, Hsu HL, Jan IS, Hsueh PR, Yang PC, Luh KT. Diagnosis of tuberculosis by an enzyme-linked immunospot assay for interferon-gamma. Emerg Infect Dis 2007; 13:553-8. [PMID: 17553269 PMCID: PMC2725949 DOI: 10.3201/eid1304.051195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
*National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, This assay for interferon-γ can rapidly and accurately diagnose active tuberculosis in a disease-endemic area. We evaluated an enzyme-linked immunospot assay for interferon-γ (T SPOT-TB) for rapid diagnosis of active tuberculosis (TB) in a disease-endemic area. From January to June 2005, patients whose clinical symptoms and radiographic findings were compatible with TB were recruited, and a blood sample was obtained for T SPOT-TB assay within 7 days of microbiologic studies. Sixty-five patients were studied, including 39 (60%) with active TB. Thirty-five (53.8%) patients had underlying medical conditions. Thirty-seven patients had positive cultures for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and 11 patients had positive cultures for nontuberculous mycobacteria. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the T SPOT-TB assay were 87.2%, 88.5%, 91.9%, and 82.1%, respectively. The accuracy of this test in diagnosing active TB is >80%, even in an area with a high incidence of nontuberculous mycobacteria disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jann-Yuan Wang
- National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
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Cheng JCH, Chou CH, Kuo ML, Hsieh CY. Radiation-enhanced hepatocellular carcinoma cell invasion with MMP-9 expression through PI3K/Akt/NF-kappaB signal transduction pathway. Oncogene 2006; 25:7009-18. [PMID: 16732316 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1209706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 259] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
This study is to investigate the molecular mechanism of radiation-enhanced cell invasiveness of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) correlating with clinical patients undergoing radiotherapy and subsequently developing metastasis. Three HCC cell lines (HepG2, Hep3B and Huh7) and normal hepatocyte cell line (CL-48) were irradiated with different doses. The effect of radiation on cell invasiveness was determined using the Boyden chamber assay. Radiation-enhanced invasion capability was evident in HCC cells but not in normal hepatocytes. Invasion was observed in gelatin-coated but not fibronectin-coated or type I collagen-coated membranes. Radiation upregulated matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) mRNA level, MMP-9 protein level and MMP-9 activity. MMP-9 antisense oligonucleotides inhibited radiation-induced MMP-9 expression and thereby significantly inhibited radiation-induced HCC invasion. Furthermore, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt chemical inhibitors LY294002 and wortmannin suppressed radiation-induced MMP-9 mRNA expression. Transient transfection with dominant-negative Akt plasmid also showed that the PI3K/Akt-signaling pathway was involved in this radiation-induced MMP-9 expression. Moreover, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) decoy oligodeoxynucleotide suppressed radiation enhanced MMP-9 promoter activity completely. PI3K/Akt chemical inhibitors inhibited radiation-induced NF-kappaB-driven luciferase promoter activity. Taken together, our results indicated that sublethal dose of radiation could enhance HCC cell invasiveness by MMP-9 expression through the PI3K/Akt/NF-kappaB signal transduction pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C-H Cheng
- Department of Oncology, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Lay JJ, Tsai CJ, Huang CC, Chang JJ, Chou CH, Fan KS, Chang JI, Hsu PC. Influences of pH and hydraulic retention time on anaerobes converting beer processing wastes into hydrogen. Water Sci Technol 2005; 52:123-9. [PMID: 16180418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
To convert high-solids organic wastes (3% w./w.) to high-value hydrogen, a full factorial experimental design was employed in planning the experiments for learning the effects of pH and hydraulic retention time (HRT) on the hydrogen production in a chemostat reactor using waste yeast obtained from beer processing wastes. For determining which experimental variable settings affect hydrogen production, predictive polynomial quadratic equation and response surface methodology were employed to determine and explain the conditions required for high-value hydrogen production. Experimental results indicate that a maximum hydrogen production rate of 460 mL/gVSS/d was obtained at pH = 5.8 and HRT = 32 hours. Moreover, hydrogenase targeted RT-PCR results indicate that Clostridium thermocellum and Klebsiella pneumoniae predominated.
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Affiliation(s)
- J J Lay
- Energy Research Centre, National Kaohsiung First University of Science and Technology, 1, University Road, Yanchau, Kaohsiung, Chinese Taiwan.
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Chao AC, Chern CM, Kuo TB, Chou CH, Chuang YM, Wong WJ, Hu HH. Noninvasive assessment of spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity and heart rate variability in patients with carotid stenosis. Cerebrovasc Dis 2003; 16:151-7. [PMID: 12792173 DOI: 10.1159/000070595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2002] [Accepted: 10/09/2002] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous limited observations have suggested that atherosclerosis may affect the distensibility of the carotid sinus and then impair the baroreflex sensitivity (BRS). No studies have been done to compare the BRS and heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with carotid stenosis and normal controls. METHODS A convenience-consecutive sample of 118 patients with transient ischemic attack or minor stroke 3 months to 1 year before (mean 6 months) who met the study criteria were referred to the neurovascular laboratory of the study hospital. Forty-three age-matched healthy adults were recruited as the normal controls. The inclusion criteria for participation were (1) no diabetes mellitus, (2) no history, symptoms or ECG signs of coronary artery disease or myocardial infarction, and (3) presence of carotid stenosis greater than or equal to 50%. The diagnosis of carotid stenosis was made using color-coded duplex ultrasound with published criteria. We categorized the patients into two groups: group 1 had moderate stenosis (50-75%) and group 2 had high-grade stenosis (75-99%). Instantaneous systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate of all participants were assessed noninvasively using servo-controlled infrared finger plethysmography. The fluctuation in SBP as well as the interpulse interval (IPI) was divided into three components at specific frequency ranges by fast Fourier transform as high frequency (HF; 0.15-0.4 Hz), low frequency (LF; 0.04-0.15 Hz) and very low frequency (VLF; 0.004-0.04 Hz). The BRS was expressed as (1) transfer function with its magnitude in the HF and LF ranges, (2) BRS index alpha, and (3) regression coefficient by sequence analysis. The HRV was expressed as total power and power in the three frequency ranges (HF, LF and VLF). RESULTS The final analysis included 99 patients (mean age 72 +/- 6 years, 79 male) and 43 healthy controls (mean age 68 +/- 7 years, 30 male). Forty-three patients were classified as group 1 (stenosis 50-75%) and 56 as group 2 (stenosis 75-99%). There was no significant difference in the IPI between patients and controls (p value = 0.8637). We observed a significant decrease in all three HRV components (VLF, LF and HF) in the patients; however, there were no differences between the two patient groups with various degrees of stenosis. All the indices of BRS, including the magnitude of SBP-IPI transfer function at LF and HF, the computed BRS index alpha and the regression coefficient of sequence analysis, revealed similar results. Patients exhibited a significant reduction in the BRS (p < 0.001) compared with controls, and no difference was found between the two groups of patients. CONCLUSIONS Our study linked significant carotid stenosis to two important autonomic markers (BRS and HRV) that may have prognostic value for patients with cardiovascular events. Further prospective studies are needed to explore whether or not the decreased BRS and HRV can be predictors for poor cardiovascular prognosis, or even for shortened life span in general, in patients with significant carotid stenosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C Chao
- Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Medical University and Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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37
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Abstract
In 16 patients with ulnar wrist pain, we performed primary arthroscopic or open repair of the peripheral rim tears of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) (14 ulnar, 4 volar, and 3 radial tears). The wrist function was assessed before and 1 year after the repair using the Mayo-modified wrist score. The average pain score improved from 9.1+/-8.0 to 21.2+/-6.5, the average functional score from 5.0+/-8.1 to 20.6+/-6.3, the average motion score from 4.7+/-2.8 to 15.6+/-7.3, and the average grip point from 4.4+/-3.5 to 15.6+/-7.7, all with significant differences (P<0.01). Ten of the 17 cases had instability of the distal radioulnar joint and five had recurrent instability after repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- C H Chou
- Orthopedic Department of Taichung Veteran General Hospital, Taiwan.
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38
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Chiang TY, Chiang YC, Chen YJ, Chou CH, Havanond S, Hong TN, Huang S. Phylogeography of Kandelia candel in East Asiatic mangroves based on nucleotide variation of chloroplast and mitochondrial DNAs. Mol Ecol 2001; 10:2697-710. [PMID: 11883883 DOI: 10.1046/j.0962-1083.2001.01399.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Vivipary with precocious seedlings in mangrove plants was thought to be a hindrance to long-range dispersal. To examine the extent of seedling dispersal across oceans, we investigated the phylogeny and genetic structure among East Asiatic populations of Kandelia candel based on organelle DNAs. In total, three, 28 and seven haplotypes of the chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) atpB-rbcL spacer, cpDNA trnL-trnF spacer, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) internal transcribed spacer (ITS) were identified, respectively, from 202 individuals. Three data sets suggested consistent phylogenies recovering two differentiated lineages corresponding to geographical regions, i.e. northern South-China-Sea + East-China-Sea region and southern South-China-Sea region (Sarawak). Phylogenetically, the Sarawak population was closely related to the Ranong population of western Peninsula Malaysia instead of other South-China-Sea populations, indicating its possible origin from the Indian Ocean Rim. No geographical subdivision was detected within the northern geographical region. An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed low levels of genetic differentiation between and within mainland and island populations (phiCT = 0.015, phiSC = 0.037), indicating conspicuous long-distance seedling dispersal across oceans. Significant linkage disequilibrium excluded the possibility of recurrent homoplasious mutations as the major force causing phylogenetic discrepancy between mtDNA and the trnL-trnF spacer within the northern region. Instead, relative ages of alleles contributed to non-random chlorotype-mitotype associations and tree inconsistency. Widespread distribution and random associations (chi2 = 0.822, P = 0.189) of eight hypothetical ancestral cytotypes indicated the panmixis of populations of the northern geographical region as a whole. In contrast, rare and recently evolved alleles were restricted to marginal populations, revealing some preferential directional migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Y Chiang
- Department of Biology, Cheng-Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
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39
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Abstract
The phylogegraphic pattern of Cycas taitungensis, an endemic species with two remaining populations in Taiwan, was investigated based on genetic variability and phylogeny of the atpB-rbcL noncoding spacer of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) and the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). High levels of genetic variation at both organelle loci, due to frequent intramolecular recombination, and low levels of genetic differentiation were detected in the relict gymnosperm. The apportionment of genetic variation within and between populations agreed with a migrant-pool model, which describes a migratory pattern with colonists recruited from a random sample of earlier existing populations. Phylogenies obtained from cpDNA and mtDNA were discordant according to neighbour-joining analyses. In total four chlorotypes (clades I-IV) and five mitotypes (clades A-E) were identified based on minimum spanning networks of each locus. Significant linkage disequilibrium in mitotype-chlorotype associations excluded the possibility of the recurrent homoplasious mutations as the major force causing phylogenetic inconsistency. The most abundant chlorotype I was associated with all mitotypes and the most abundant mitotype C with all chlorotypes; no combinations of rare mitotypes with rare chlorotypes were found. According to nested clade analyses, such nonrandom associations may be ascribed to relative ages among alleles associated with the geological history through which cycads evolved. Nested in networks as interior nodes coupled with wide geographical distribution, the most dominant cytotypes of CI and EI may represent ancestral haplotypes of C. taitungensis with a possible long existence prior to the Pleistocene glacial maximum. In contrast, rare chlorotypes and mitotypes with restricted and patchy distribution may have relatively recent origins. Newly evolved genetic elements of mtDNA, with a low frequency, were likely to be associated with the dominant chlorotype, and vice versa, resulting in the nonrandom mitotype-chlorotype associations. Paraphyly of CI and EI cytotypes, leading to the low level of genetic differentiation between cycad populations, indicated a short period for isolation, which allowed low possibilities of the attainment of coalescence at polymorphic ancestral alleles.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Huang
- Department of Biology, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei
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40
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Cheng CL, Chou CH. Determination of metformin in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography with spectrophotometric detection. J Chromatogr B Biomed Sci Appl 2001; 762:51-8. [PMID: 11589458 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-4347(01)00342-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
A simple, selective, sensitive and precise high-performance liquid chromatographic plasma assay for the hypoglycemic agent metformin is described. Acidified samples of plasma were deproteinated with acetonitrile, washed with dichloromethane and the resulting supernatant injected. Chromatography was performed at 40 degrees C by pumping a mobile phase of acetonitrile (250 ml) in pH 7, 0.03 M diammonium hydrogen phosphate buffer (750 ml) at a flow-rate of 1 ml/min through a silica column. Metformin and the internal standard (atenolol) were detected at 240 nm and were eluted 7.8 and 6.8 min, respectively, after injection. No endogenous substances were found to interfere. Calibration curves were linear (r>0.999) from 10 to 2000 ng/ml. The absolute recovery of both metformin and atenolol was greater than 76%. The detection limit and limit of quantitation were 2.5 and 10 ng/ml, respectively. The intra- and inter-day precision (C.V.) was 12%, or less, and the accuracy was within 6.2% of the nominal concentration. This method is suitable for clinical investigation and monitoring metformin concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- C L Cheng
- Department of Pharmacy, Chia-Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan, Taiwan
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41
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Wei LH, Kuo ML, Chen CA, Chou CH, Cheng WF, Chang MC, Su JL, Hsieh CY. The anti-apoptotic role of interleukin-6 in human cervical cancer is mediated by up-regulation of Mcl-1 through a PI 3-K/Akt pathway. Oncogene 2001; 20:5799-809. [PMID: 11593385 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1204733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2000] [Revised: 06/05/2001] [Accepted: 06/14/2001] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a multifunctional cytokine, has recently been implicated in human cervical cancer, though the mechanism remains elusive. This study demonstrates that the anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1 and IL-6 was concomitantly expressed in human cervical cancer tissues and cell lines, but not in normal cervix tissues. Upon IL-6 treatment, Mcl-1, but not other Bcl-2 family members, was rapidly up-regulated peaking at 4-8 h in human cervical cancer C33A cells. Supporting this observation, using anti-IL-6 or anti-IL-6 receptor antibody to interrupt the IL-6 autocrine loop in SiHa cells significantly reduced cellular level of Mcl-1. This study hypothesizes that the expression of Mcl-1 in cervical cancer cells is regulated by IL-6. The matter of which signaling pathways transduced by IL-6 is responsible for the Mcl-1 up-regulation is further investigated herein. Blocking the STAT3 or MAPK pathway with dominant-negative mutant STAT3F or the MEK inhibitor PD98059 failed to inhibit IL-6-mediated Mcl-1 expression. Meanwhile, the IL-6-induced Mcl-1 up-regulation was effectively abolished by treatment with PI 3-K inhibitors, LY294002. Additionally, overexpression of dominant-negative (dn) Akt in C33A cells could inhibit the IL-6-induced increase of Mcl-1. Finally, overexpression of IL-6 in C33A cells caused a markable resistance to apoptosis induced by doxorubicin or cisplatin. Transient transfection of IL-6-overexpressed cells with a mcl-1 antisense vector, leading to the attenuation of their apoptosis-resistant activity. In conclusion, the data herein suggest that IL-6 regulated the mcl-1 expression via a PI 3-K/Akt-dependent pathway that may facilitate the oncogenesis of human cervical cancer by modulating the apoptosis threshold.
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Affiliation(s)
- L H Wei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Taiwan University Hospital, No. 7 Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei, Taiwan
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Wong KT, Hung TH, Kao SC, Chou CH, Su YO. Synthesis and properties of novel bis(triarylamines) based on a 3,3'-diphenyl-2,2'-bithiophene core. Chem Commun (Camb) 2001:1628-9. [PMID: 12240415 DOI: 10.1039/b103194p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
An efficient synthesis of 3,3'-diphenyl-2,2'-bithiophene based bis(triarylamines) and their physical properties are reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- K T Wong
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan.
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43
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Abstract
A phytochemical study on a methanolic extract of leaves of Eriobotrya deflexa led to the isolation and characterization of nine terpenoid compounds. Four of these are new chemical entities, including two monoterpene glycosides, (3S)-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->3)-[4-O-(E)-coumaroyl]-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-linalool (1) and (3S)-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->3)-[4-O-(Z)-coumaroyl]-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-linalool (2), and two triterpene acids, 1beta,2alpha,19alpha-trihydroxy-3-oxo-12-ursen-28-oic acid (3) and 2alpha,3alpha,19alpha-trihydroxy-12-oleanen-28-oic acid (4). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. The activities of these isolates in an in vitro antiproliferation test were also determined.
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MESH Headings
- Acyclic Monoterpenes
- Adjuvants, Immunologic/blood
- Adjuvants, Immunologic/chemistry
- Adjuvants, Immunologic/isolation & purification
- Adjuvants, Immunologic/pharmacology
- Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/blood
- Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/chemistry
- Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/isolation & purification
- Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry
- Drugs, Chinese Herbal/isolation & purification
- Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology
- Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
- Glycosides/blood
- Glycosides/chemistry
- Glycosides/isolation & purification
- Glycosides/pharmacology
- Humans
- In Vitro Techniques
- Leukocytes, Mononuclear/drug effects
- Macrophages/drug effects
- Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
- Molecular Structure
- Monoterpenes
- Plant Leaves/chemistry
- Plants, Medicinal/chemistry
- Stereoisomerism
- Terpenes/blood
- Terpenes/chemistry
- Terpenes/isolation & purification
- Terpenes/pharmacology
- Triterpenes/blood
- Triterpenes/chemistry
- Triterpenes/isolation & purification
- Triterpenes/pharmacology
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Affiliation(s)
- T H Lee
- Institute of Botany, Academia Sinica, Nankang, Taipei, Taiwan
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44
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Abstract
Two new prenylflavanones, tanariflavanones A (1), and B (2), and one known compound, (-)-nymphaeol-C (3), were isolated from the fallen leaves of Macaranga tanarius. Compounds 1 and 2 showed inhibition of radical growth of lettuce seedlings at 200 ppm. Their structures were elucidated primarily by NMR, circular dichroism, and mass spectroscopic methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- M H Tseng
- Department of Botany, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 106, Republic of China
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45
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Tian MT, Chou CH, DeFranco AL. Apoptosis induced by the antigen receptor and Fas in a variant of the immature B cell line WEHI-231 and in splenic immature B cells. Int Immunol 2001; 13:581-92. [PMID: 11282997 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/13.4.581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Signaling by the BCR causes proliferation and resistance to Fas-induced apoptosis in mature B cells, but growth arrest and apoptosis in immature B cells. We have identified a variant of the immature B cell line WEHI 231 that retains the apoptotic response to the BCR but has acquired susceptibility to Fas-induced apoptosis. The Fas susceptibility was associated with increased Fas expression on the cell surface and down-regulated IgD expression. These cells exhibited a distinctive functional relationship in response to signals from the BCR, Fas and CD40: BCR stimulation markedly promoted Fas-mediated apoptosis (and vice versa) and Fas-induced apoptosis was not subject to modulation by CD40 signaling. While BCR-induced apoptosis was effectively rescued by CD40, it was not affected by the expression of a dominant-negative FADD. The mechanistic distinctions between BCR- and Fas-induced apoptosis were further characterized by the differential effects of different caspase inhibitors on these two processes which imply the involvement of different subsets of caspases. For BCR-induced apoptosis, we provide evidence that the final apoptotic destruction phase can be inhibited by the pan-caspase inhibitor BOC-Asp-FMK (BD) and that, in the presence of BD, the BCR only induces growth arrest which is reversible. The striking enhancing effects of Fas on BCR-induced apoptosis seen in the variant cells prompted us to examine if a similar cooperation in induction of apoptosis occurs in the highly tolerizable immature B cells of the spleen. We found that the splenic immature B population contains a significant number of Fas-expressing cells, but neither Fas-induced apoptosis nor an enhancing effect of Fas on BCR-induced apoptosis of these cells was detected in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- M T Tian
- G. W. Hooper Foundation & Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143-0552, USA
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46
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Richards JD, Davé SH, Chou CH, Mamchak AA, DeFranco AL. Inhibition of the MEK/ERK signaling pathway blocks a subset of B cell responses to antigen. J Immunol 2001; 166:3855-64. [PMID: 11238629 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.166.6.3855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Signal transduction initiated by B cell Ag receptor (BCR) cross-linking plays an important role in the development and activation of B cells. Therefore, considerable effort has gone into determining the biochemical signaling events initiated by the BCR and delineating which events participate in specific biological responses to Ag. We used two inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase (MEK) 1 and MEK2, PD98059, and U0126, to assess the role the Ras-mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway plays in several BCR-induced responses. PD98059 or U0126 treatment substantially inhibited the BCR-induced activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) forms of mitogen-activated protein kinase in the immature B cell line WEHI-231, in immature splenic B cells, and in mature splenic B cells. However, MEK-ERK inhibition did not block BCR-induced growth arrest or apoptosis of WEHI-231 cells or apoptosis of immature splenic B cells, indicating that the MEK-ERK pathway is not required for these events. In contrast, PD98059 and U0126 treatment did inhibit the up-regulation of specific BCR-induced proteins, including the transcription factor Egr-1 in WEHI-231 and mature splenic B cells, and the CD44 adhesion molecule and CD69 activation marker in mature splenic B cells. Moreover, both inhibitors suppressed BCR-induced proliferation of mature splenic B cells, in the absence and in the presence of IL-4. Therefore, activation of the MEK-ERK pathway is necessary for a subset of B cell responses to Ag.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antigens/immunology
- Antigens, CD/biosynthesis
- Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte/biosynthesis
- Apoptosis/drug effects
- Apoptosis/immunology
- B-Lymphocyte Subsets/cytology
- B-Lymphocyte Subsets/drug effects
- B-Lymphocyte Subsets/enzymology
- B-Lymphocyte Subsets/immunology
- Butadienes/pharmacology
- Cell Differentiation/drug effects
- Cell Differentiation/immunology
- Cell Division/drug effects
- Cell Division/immunology
- Cell Separation
- Cells, Cultured
- DNA-Binding Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors
- DNA-Binding Proteins/biosynthesis
- Early Growth Response Protein 1
- Enzyme Activation/drug effects
- Enzyme Activation/immunology
- Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Female
- Flavonoids/pharmacology
- Growth Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Hyaluronan Receptors/biosynthesis
- Immediate-Early Proteins
- Lectins, C-Type
- Lymphocyte Activation/drug effects
- MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors
- MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases/metabolism
- MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases/physiology
- MAP Kinase Signaling System/drug effects
- MAP Kinase Signaling System/immunology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Inbred DBA
- Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors
- Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism
- Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/physiology
- Nitriles/pharmacology
- Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell/physiology
- Spleen/cytology
- Spleen/immunology
- Transcription Factors/antagonists & inhibitors
- Transcription Factors/biosynthesis
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
- Up-Regulation/drug effects
- Up-Regulation/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- J D Richards
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, G. W. Hooper Foundation, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
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Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate feasibility and benefits of sonographic guidance of percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) in children with liver transplants. MATERIALS AND METHODS The authors prospectively followed 24 PTC procedures in 19 pediatric patients (11 females, 8 males; age 3 months to 17 years) randomized to fluoroscopic or sonographic guidance. The number of needle passes, the contrast material dose, fluoroscopy time, and procedure time for each procedure were recorded. All patients were transplant recipients-six whole and 13 reduced-size grafts. Cases were randomly assigned to two groups: group I, fluoroscopically guided PTC (12 procedures); group II, sonographically guided PTC (12 procedures). RESULTS The technical success rate was 92% (11 of 12) for each group. In group I, there were two procedure-related complications: postprocedural fever caused by biliary to portal vein fistula, and peritoneal bleeding requiring surgery. In group II, there were no procedure-related complications. A mean of 8.2 +/- 3.7 needle passes were required in group I compared to only 2.0 +/- 1.3 in group II (P < .0001). A mean contrast material dose of 19.5 mL +/- 13.4 was required in group I compared to only 2.5 mL +/- 1.9 in group II (P < .001). A mean procedure time of 15.7 minutes +/- 7.4 was required in group I compared to only 6.1 minutes +/- 4.5 in group II (P < .001). A mean fluoroscopy time of 10.4 minutes +/- 5.0 was required in group I compared to only 1.0 minutes +/- 0.7 in group II (P < .0001). CONCLUSION In pediatric patients who have undergone liver transplantation, sonographic guidance significantly decreases the number of needle passes, contrast material dose, and fluoroscopy time required for PTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Lorenz
- Department of Radiology, The University of Chicago Hospitals, IL 60637, USA.
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48
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Abstract
Although metformin is a widely used oral antihyperglycaemic, the exact mechanisms of its cellular uptake and action remain obscure. In this study the hepatic extraction and disposition kinetics of metformin were investigated by use of an isolated in-situ rat liver preparation. The liver was perfused in single-pass mode with protein-free Krebs bicarbonate medium at a flow rate of 20 mL min(-1). During constant infusion with 1 mg L(-1) metformin hydrochloride the hepatic uptake of metformin approached equilibrium within 10 min. The steady-state availability, F, determined from the ratio of outflow concentration to input concentration, was 0.99+/-0.02 (mean +/- s.d., n = 4). The outflow profile of metformin resulting from a bolus injection of 25 microg into the portal vein, had a sharp peak then a slower declining terminal phase. The mean transit time (MTT; 49.5+/-14.5, n = 6) and normalized variance (CV2; 4.13+/-0.05) of the hepatic transit times of metformin were estimated by numerical integration from the statistical moments of the outflow data. The volume of distribution of metformin in the liver (1.58+/-0.28 mL (g liver)(-1)) was estimated from its MTT. The volume of distribution is greater than the water space of liver, indicating that metformin enters the hepatic aqueous space and becomes distributed among cellular components. The magnitude of CV2 for metformin is greater than for the vascular marker sucrose, suggesting that distribution of metformin into hepatic tissue is not instantaneous. In conclusion, hepatic uptake of metformin is rate-limited by a permeability barrier. Although metformin is accumulated in the liver, the organ does not extract it.
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Affiliation(s)
- C H Chou
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Medical College, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
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49
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Abstract
The objective of this study was to measure the concentration of 14 elements in human bone and investigate the affecting factors. This study aims to establish a database of elements in Taiwanese bone. Seventy-seven bone samples were taken from 70 subjects who were undertaking various bone surgeries from a medical center in central Taiwan. Bone samples were pretreated using microwave digestion and then, after determining the optimal conditions for analysis, fourteen elements were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Results showed that Ca had the highest concentration, followed by Mg and Zn. The lowest concentrations were of Mn, followed by Cd and Co. There was a positive correlation between the frequency of seafood intake and presence of all the 14 elements in human bone. There were several elements that had positive inter-correlation: As with Co; Al, Ag and Ca; Ni with Co, Mn and Al; Co with Al, Ag and Ca; Mn with Cr and Cu; Cr with Cu; Mg with Ca; Al with Ag and Ca; Ag with Ca; and also Zn with Mg. There were no significant differences found between concentrations of elements and etiology of bone disease and age. The authors suggest that further studies be conducted to establish a normal value of elements in human bone in Taiwan. This will greatly benefit the understanding of the relationship between disease pattern and elements in human bone.
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Affiliation(s)
- H W Kuo
- Institute of Environmental Health, China Medical College, Hsueh-Shin RD, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC.
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50
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Abstract
Myricetin 3-O-(2"-O-galloyl)-alpha-rhamnopyranoside 7-methyl ether (1), myricetin 3-O-(3"-galloyl)-alpha-rhamnopyranoside 7-methyl ether (2), and myricetin 3-O-(2",3" -di-O-galloyl)-alpha-rhamnopyranoside (3), three new flavonol galloylglycosides, were isolated from leaves of Acacia confusa sampled from Chaoushi in the north of Taiwan. Their structures were established by analysis of spectroscopic data, and the compounds were evaluated for anti-hatch activity against brine shrimp.
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Affiliation(s)
- T H Lee
- Institute of Botany, Academia Sinica, Nankang, Taipei, Taiwan 11529, Republic of China
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