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Chou H, Godbeer L, Ball ML. Establishing breath as a biomarker platform-take home messages from the Breath Biopsy Conference 2023. J Breath Res 2024; 18:030401. [PMID: 38631337 DOI: 10.1088/1752-7163/ad3fdf] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
The annual Breath Biopsy Conference hosted by Owlstone Medical gathers together the leading experts, early career researchers, and physicians working with breath as a biomarker platform for clinical purposes. The current topics in breath research are discussed and presented, and an overarching topical theme is identified and discussed as part of an expert panel to close the conference. The profiling of normal breath composition and the establishment of standards for analyzing breath compared to background signal were two important topics that were major focuses of this conference, as well as important innovative progress that has been made since last year, including the development of a non-invasive breath test for lung cancer and liver disease. This meeting report offers an overview of the key take-home messages from the various presentations, posters, and discussions from the conference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsuan Chou
- Owlstone Medical Ltd, 183 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge, CB4 0GJ, United Kingdom
| | - Lucy Godbeer
- Owlstone Medical Ltd, 183 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge, CB4 0GJ, United Kingdom
| | - Madeleine L Ball
- Owlstone Medical Ltd, 183 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge, CB4 0GJ, United Kingdom
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John K, Huntress I, Smith E, Chou H, Tollison TS, Covarrubias S, Crisci E, Carpenter S, Peng X. Human long noncoding RNA, VILMIR, is induced by major respiratory viral infections and modulates the host interferon response. bioRxiv 2024:2024.03.25.586578. [PMID: 38585942 PMCID: PMC10996554 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.25.586578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a newer class of noncoding transcripts identified as key regulators of biological processes. Here we aimed to identify novel lncRNA targets that play critical roles in major human respiratory viral infections by systematically mining large-scale transcriptomic datasets. Using bulk RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis, we identified a previously uncharacterized lncRNA, named virus inducible lncRNA modulator of interferon response (VILMIR), that was consistently upregulated after in vitro influenza infection across multiple human epithelial cell lines and influenza A virus subtypes. VILMIR was also upregulated after SARS-CoV-2 and RSV infections in vitro. We experimentally confirmed the response of VILMIR to influenza infection and interferon-beta (IFN-β) treatment in the A549 human epithelial cell line and found the expression of VILMIR was robustly induced by IFN-β treatment in a dose and time-specific manner. Single cell RNA-seq analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples from COVID-19 patients uncovered that VILMIR was upregulated across various cell types including at least five immune cells. The upregulation of VILMIR in immune cells was further confirmed in the human T cell and monocyte cell lines, SUP-T1 and THP-1, after IFN-β treatment. Finally, we found that knockdown of VILMIR expression reduced the magnitude of host transcriptional responses to IFN-β treatment in A549 cells. Together, our results show that VILMIR is a novel interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) that regulates the host interferon response and may be a potential therapeutic target for human respiratory viral infections upon further mechanistic investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen John
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC
- Genetics & Genomics Graduate Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
| | - Ian Huntress
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC
- Bioinformatics Graduate Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
| | - Ethan Smith
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC
- Bioinformatics Graduate Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
| | - Hsuan Chou
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC
| | - Tammy S. Tollison
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC
| | - Sergio Covarrubias
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA
| | - Elisa Crisci
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC
| | - Susan Carpenter
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA
| | - Xinxia Peng
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC
- Bioinformatics Graduate Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
- Bioinformatics Research Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
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Chou H, Arthur K, Shaw E, Schaber C, Boyle B, Allsworth M, Kelley EF, Stewart GM, Wheatley CM, Schwartz J, Fermoyle CC, Ziegler BL, Johnson KA, Robach P, Basset P, Johnson BD. Metabolic insights at the finish line: deciphering physiological changes in ultramarathon runners through breath VOC analysis. J Breath Res 2024; 18:026008. [PMID: 38290132 DOI: 10.1088/1752-7163/ad23f5] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Exhaustive exercise can induce unique physiological responses in the lungs and other parts of the human body. The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath are ideal for studying the effects of exhaustive exercise on the lungs due to the proximity of the breath matrix to the respiratory tract. As breath VOCs can originate from the bloodstream, changes in abundance should also indicate broader physiological effects of exhaustive exercise on the body. Currently, there is limited published data on the effects of exhaustive exercise on breath VOCs. Breath has great potential for biomarker analysis as it can be collected non-invasively, and capture real-time metabolic changes to better understand the effects of exhaustive exercise. In this study, we collected breath samples from a small group of elite runners participating in the 2019 Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc ultra-marathon. The final analysis included matched paired samples collected before and after the race from 24 subjects. All 48 samples were analyzed using the Breath Biopsy Platform with GC-Orbitrap™ via thermal desorption gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to determine whether VOC abundances differed between pre- and post-race breath samples (adjustedP-value < .05). We identified a total of 793 VOCs in the breath samples of elite runners. Of these, 63 showed significant differences between pre- and post-race samples after correction for multiple testing (12 decreased, 51 increased). The specific VOCs identified suggest the involvement of fatty acid oxidation, inflammation, and possible altered gut microbiome activity in response to exhaustive exercise. This study demonstrates significant changes in VOC abundance resulting from exhaustive exercise. Further investigation of VOC changes along with other physiological measurements can help improve our understanding of the effect of exhaustive exercise on the body and subsequent differences in VOCs in exhaled breath.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsuan Chou
- Owlstone Medical, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Elen Shaw
- Owlstone Medical, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Eli F Kelley
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States of America
| | - Glenn M Stewart
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States of America
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Courtney M Wheatley
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ, United States of America
| | - Jesse Schwartz
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States of America
| | - Caitlin C Fermoyle
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States of America
- Utah Vascular Research Laboratory, Salt Lake City, UT, United States of America
| | - Briana L Ziegler
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States of America
| | - Kay A Johnson
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States of America
| | - Paul Robach
- Ecole Nationale des Sports de Montagne, Chamonix, France
| | | | - Bruce D Johnson
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States of America
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Lin CR, Tsai SHL, Huang KY, Tsai PA, Chou H, Chang SH. Analgesic efficacy of collagen peptide in knee osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Orthop Surg Res 2023; 18:694. [PMID: 37717022 PMCID: PMC10505327 DOI: 10.1186/s13018-023-04182-w] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The management of knee osteoarthritis involves various treatment strategies. It is important to explore alternative therapies that are both safe and effective. Collagen peptides have emerged as a potential intervention for knee osteoarthritis. This study aims to evaluate the analgesic effects and safety of collagen peptide in patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis. METHODS We conducted a systematic literature search following the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. Multiple databases including PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published up to 27 May 2023 that focused on the analgesic outcomes and adverse events associated with collagen peptides or hydrolyzed collagen in patients with osteoarthritis. We assessed the quality of the included studies and the strength of evidence using the Cochrane ROB 2.0 tool and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations. RESULTS Four trials involving 507 patients with knee osteoarthritis were included and analyzed using the random-effects model. All these trials were considered to have a high risk of bias. Our results revealed a significant difference in pain relief between the collagen peptide group and the placebo group in patients with knee osteoarthritis (standardized mean difference: - 0.58; 95% CI - 0.98, - 0.18, p = 0.004; I2: 68%; quality of evidence: moderate). However, there was no significant difference in the risk of adverse events between collagen peptide and placebo (odds ratio: 1.66; 95% CI 0.99, 2.78, p = 0.05; I2: 0%; quality of evidence: very low). CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate significant pain relief in patients with knee osteoarthritis who received collagen peptides compared to those who received placebo. In addition, the risk of adverse events did not differ significantly between the collagen peptide group and the placebo group. However, due to potential biases and limitations, well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed to validate and confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Ru Lin
- Department of Medical Education, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, No. 5, Fuxing Street, Guishan District, Taoyuan City 333, Taiwan
| | - Sung Huang Laurent Tsai
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung Branch, and Chang Gung University, F7, No 222 Mai-King Road, Keelung, Taiwan
| | - Ko-Yen Huang
- Department of Medical Education, Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho Hospital, No. 291, Zhongzheng Road, Zhonghe District, New Taipei City, 235041, Taiwan
| | - Po-An Tsai
- Department of Medical Education, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, No. 5, Fuxing Street, Guishan District, Taoyuan City 333, Taiwan
| | - Hsuan Chou
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, 242008, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Hao Chang
- Department of Orthopedics, Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital, Fu Jen Catholic University, No. 69, Guizi Rd., Taishan Dist., New Taipei City, 24352, Taiwan.
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, No. 510, Zhongzheng Rd., Xinzhuang Dist., New Taipei City, 24205, Taiwan.
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Lin CR, Chou H, Luo CA, Chang SH. A Novel Technique for Autograft Preparation Using Patient-Specific Instrumentation (PSI) Assistance in Total Hip Arthroplasty in Developmental Dysplasia of Hip (DDH). J Pers Med 2023; 13:1331. [PMID: 37763099 PMCID: PMC10532815 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13091331] [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: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to the change in the structure of the proximal femur and acetabulum in patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip, total hip arthroplasty (THA) was difficult to perform for surgeons. To elevate the acetabular coverage rate, we developed a technique in the use of a patient-specific instrumentation (PSI) graft in patients with developmental dysplasia of hip (DDH) undergoing surgery. This study aims to evaluate the peri-operative outcomes of THA with PSI graft in patients with DDH. This study recruited 6 patients suffering from Crowe I DDH with secondary Grade IV osteoarthritis. All the patients underwent THA with PSI graft performed by a well-experienced surgeon. Perioperative outcomes included surgical procedures, blood loss during operation, the volume of blood transfusion, length of hospitalization, complications, and the mean difference in hemoglobin levels before and after surgery. All the outcomes analyzed were assessed by mean and standard deviation. The average duration of the surgical procedure was found to be 221.17 min, with an SD of 19.65 min. The mean blood loss during the operation was 733.33 mL, with an SD of 355.90 mL. The mean length of hospital stay was calculated to be 6 days, with an SD of 0.89 days. Furthermore, the mean difference between the pre- and postoperative hemoglobin levels was 2.15, with an SD of 0.99. A total of three patients received 2 units of leukocyte-poor red blood cells (LPR) as an accepted blood transfusion. There were no reported complications observed during the admission and one month after the operation. This study reported the peri-operative outcomes in the patients with DDH who underwent THA with PSI graft. We found that THA with PSI graft would provide a safe procedure without significant complications. We assumed that the PSI graft in THA may increase the coverage rate of the acetabulum, which may increase the graft union rates. Further cohort studies and randomized controlled trials were needed to confirm our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Ru Lin
- Department of Medical Education, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, No. 5, Fuxing Street, Guishan District, Taoyuan City 333423, Taiwan;
| | - Hsuan Chou
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, No. 510, Zhongzheng Road, Xinzhuang District, New Taipei City 24205, Taiwan;
| | - Chu-An Luo
- Department of Precision Surgery Development, A Plus Biotechnology Co., Ltd., 6F, No. 23, Qiaohe Road, Zhonghe District, New Taipei City 23529, Taiwan;
| | - Shu-Hao Chang
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, No. 510, Zhongzheng Road, Xinzhuang District, New Taipei City 24205, Taiwan;
- Department of Orthopedics, Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital, Fu Jen Catholic University, No. 69, Guizi Road, Taishan District, New Taipei City 24352, Taiwan
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6
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Tan E, Wang MQW, Leong S, Chou H, Too CW. Neurological pain relief interventional radiology procedures. Clin Radiol 2023; 78:254-264. [PMID: 35773096 DOI: 10.1016/j.crad.2022.03.026] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Neurological interventions have taken on a significant role in interventional radiology (IR) practice. Indications fall under three main categories: (1) intraprocedural pain management, (2) cancer pain palliation, and (3) chronic non-cancer pain control. Short-term regional anaesthesia can be achieved with local anaesthetics, while longer-term pain control can be attained with radiofrequency neuromodulation (pulsed or otherwise) or thermal/chemical neurolysis. This review article summarises the therapeutic options, applications, and techniques of commonly used peripheral nerve and plexus interventions in IR.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Tan
- Department of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Singapore General Hospital, Outram Road, Singapore, 169608, Singapore
| | - M Q W Wang
- Department of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Singapore General Hospital, Outram Road, Singapore, 169608, Singapore
| | - S Leong
- Department of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Singapore General Hospital, Outram Road, Singapore, 169608, Singapore
| | - H Chou
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, 90 Yishun Central, Singapore, 768828, Singapore
| | - C W Too
- Department of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Singapore General Hospital, Outram Road, Singapore, 169608, Singapore.
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Tchelebi L, Kapur A, Chou H, Potters L. Improving Radiation Quality Through the Implementation of Prospective Peer Review. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2022.07.1738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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8
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Walsh ES, Tollison TS, Brochu HN, Shaw BI, Diveley KR, Chou H, Law L, Kirk AD, Gale M, Peng X. Single-Cell-Based High-Throughput Ig and TCR Repertoire Sequencing Analysis in Rhesus Macaques. J Immunol 2022; 208:762-771. [PMID: 34987112 PMCID: PMC8820446 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2100824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Recent advancements in microfluidics and high-throughput sequencing technologies have enabled recovery of paired H and L chains of Igs and VDJ and VJ chains of TCRs from thousands of single cells simultaneously in humans and mice. Despite rhesus macaques being one of the most well-studied model organisms for the human adaptive immune response, high-throughput single-cell immune repertoire sequencing assays are not yet available due to the complexity of these polyclonal receptors. We used custom primers that capture all known rhesus macaque Ig and TCR isotypes and chains that are fully compatible with a commercial solution for single-cell immune repertoire profiling. Using these rhesus-specific assays, we sequenced Ig and TCR repertoires in >60,000 cells from cryopreserved rhesus PBMCs, splenocytes, and FACS-sorted B and T cells. We were able to recover every Ig isotype and TCR chain, measure clonal expansion in proliferating T cells, and pair Ig and TCR repertoires with gene expression profiles of the same single cells. Our results establish the ability to perform high-throughput immune repertoire analysis in rhesus macaques at the single-cell level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan S. Walsh
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC 27607,Bioinformatics Graduate Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695
| | - Tammy S. Tollison
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC 27607
| | - Hayden N. Brochu
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC 27607,Bioinformatics Graduate Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695
| | - Brian I. Shaw
- Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710
| | - Kayleigh R. Diveley
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC 27607,Genetics Graduate Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695
| | - Hsuan Chou
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC 27607
| | - Lynn Law
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109
| | - Allan D. Kirk
- Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710
| | - Michael Gale
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109,Center for Innate Immunity and Immune Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109,Washington National Primate Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98121
| | - Xinxia Peng
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC 27607,Bioinformatics Graduate Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695,Bioinformatics Research Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695
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Dwivedi GD, Kumawat SM, Yen TW, Wang CW, Chandrasekhar Kakarla D, Joshi AG, Yang HD, Huang SM, Chou H. Understanding the correlation between orbital degree of freedom, lattice-striction and magneto-dielectric coupling in ferrimagnetic Mn 1.5Cr 1.5O 4. J Phys Condens Matter 2021; 33:505802. [PMID: 34547729 DOI: 10.1088/1361-648x/ac28c3] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Dielectric anomaly observed in cubic Mn1.5Cr1.5O4around ferrimagnetic ordering temperature (TN) suggests a possible magneto-dielectric coupling in the system. This report confirms the presence of a weak but significant magneto-dielectric coupling in the system. Theab initiocalculations show a band gap of around 1.2 eV, with Fermi-level closer to the conduction band. The major features of conduction band nearest to the Fermi-level correspond todxzandd3z2-r2orbitals of Mn3+ion. Temperature-dependent neutron diffraction results show a rapid decay in structural parameters (lattice-striction and transition metal-oxygen bond length) aroundTN.We confirmed that these changes in structural parameters atTNare not related to structural transition but the consequences of orbital-ordering of Mn3+. The rapid decay in transition metal-oxygen bond length under internal magnetism of the system shows that magnetism could certainly manipulate the electric dipole moment and hence the dielectric constant of the system. Magneto-striction acts as a link between magnetic and dielectric properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- G D Dwivedi
- Department of Physics, and Center of Crystal Research, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 80424, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - S M Kumawat
- Department of Physics, and Center of Crystal Research, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 80424, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Tsung-Wen Yen
- Department of Physics, and Center of Crystal Research, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 80424, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - C W Wang
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, Hsinchu, 30076, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - D Chandrasekhar Kakarla
- Department of Physics, and Center of Crystal Research, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 80424, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Amish G Joshi
- CSIR-Central Glass & Ceramic Research Institute, Naroda Centre, 168-169 Naroda Industrial Estate, Ahmedabad-382 330, India
- CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, Dr. K. S. Krishnan Road, New Delhi 110012, India
| | - H D Yang
- Department of Physics, and Center of Crystal Research, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 80424, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Shin-Ming Huang
- Department of Physics, and Center of Crystal Research, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 80424, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - H Chou
- Department of Physics, and Center of Crystal Research, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 80424, Taiwan, Republic of China
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Grant MP, VanderSchee CR, Chou H, Bolt A, Epure LM, Kuter D, Antoniou J, Bohle S, Mann KK, Mwale F. Tungsten accumulates in the intervertebral disc and vertebrae stimulating disc degeneration and upregulating markers of inflammation and pain. Eur Cell Mater 2021; 41:517-530. [PMID: 33999403 DOI: 10.22203/ecm.v041a33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Tungsten is incorporated in many industrial goods, military applications and medical devices due to its ability to impart flexibility, strength and conductance to materials. Emerging evidence has questioned the safety of tungsten exposure as studies have demonstrated it can promote tumour formation, induce pulmonary disease and alter immune function. Although tungsten is excreted from the body it can accumulate in certain organs such as the brain, colon, liver, kidneys, spleen and bones, where most of the bioaccumulation occurs. Whether prolonged tungsten exposure leads to accumulation in other tissues is unknown. The present study demonstrated that mice exposed to 15 ppm sodium tungstate for 4 weeks in their drinking water showed comparable accumulation in both the bony vertebrae and intervertebral discs (IVDs). Lumbar IVD height was significantly reduced in tungsten-exposed mice and accompanied by decreased proteoglycan content and increased fibrosis. In addition to catabolic enzymes, tungsten also increased the expression of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α as well as the neurotrophic factors nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived nerve factor (BDNF) in IVD cells. Tungsten significantly increased the presence of nociceptive neurons at the endplates of IVDs as observed by the expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and anti-protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5) in endplate vessels. The present study provided evidence that tungsten may enhance disc degeneration and fibrosis as well as increase the expression of markers for pain. Therefore, tungsten toxicity may play a role in disc degeneration disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - F Mwale
- SMBD-Jewish General Hospital, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, 3755 Cote Ste-Catherine Road, Room F-602, Montreal, QC, CAN, H3T
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Fu H, Tsao C, Chou N, Yu H, Chen Y, Chou H, Wang C. Outcome of Urgent Desensitization in Sensitized Heart Transplant Recipients. J Heart Lung Transplant 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2021.01.667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
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12
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Chou H, Lee C. 319 Scientific Publications Trend of Emergency Departments of International Federation for Emergency Medicine Members, 2009 to 2018. Ann Emerg Med 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2020.09.334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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13
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Chen Y, Chi N, Wang C, Yu H, Chou N, Chou H. Double Bridge May Result Similar 3-year Outcome after Heart Transplantation. J Heart Lung Transplant 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2020.01.1136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
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Potters L, Chou H, Kapur A. Reducing Treatment Delays with a Modified No-Fly Policy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2019.06.424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Dwivedi GD, Sun SJ, Kuo YK, Chou H. Role of electron-magnon interaction in non-Fermi liquid behavior of SrRuO 3. J Phys Condens Matter 2019; 31:125602. [PMID: 30625456 DOI: 10.1088/1361-648x/aafd0c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
SrRuO3 is a popular material extensively used as a bottom electrode in various applications, however, a few problems which will certainly change the interface band structure and greatly alter the device's property are still not fully understood, such as the change of carrier types at a certain temperature and the quasiparticle scattering for non-Fermi liquid behavior below ferromagnetic transition temperature. In this study, magnetic, transport (electrical and thermal) properties and x-ray photoemission spectra have been used to understand the role of quasiparticle interactions in the SrRuO3 bulk system. At the Fermi level, the hybridization of Ru4dt 2g ↓ and O2p bands form a typical two band system. In order to explain the problems as mentioned, our present work reveals that there must be an impurity band that couples with the bands around Fermi level and serves as a charge reservoir. In the present case, the impurity is attributed to the Ru vacancies. As a result, the conduction electrons scatter strongly with the Ru vacancies and couple with the Ru magnons to give rise to a dominant electron-magnon coupling that overwhelms the electron-phonon coupling in the temperature range of 90-150 K.
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Affiliation(s)
- G D Dwivedi
- Department of Physics, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan, Republic of China
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Buckner E, Madison I, Chou H, Matthiadis A, Melvin CE, Sozzani R, Williams C, Long TA. Automated Imaging, Tracking, and Analytics Pipeline for Differentiating Environmental Effects on Root Meristematic Cell Division. Front Plant Sci 2019; 10:1487. [PMID: 31803217 PMCID: PMC6877711 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2019.01487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Exposure of plants to abiotic stresses, whether individually or in combination, triggers dynamic changes to gene regulation. These responses induce distinct changes in phenotypic characteristics, enabling the plant to adapt to changing environments. For example, iron deficiency and heat stress have been shown to alter root development by reducing primary root growth and reducing cell proliferation, respectively. Currently, identifying the dynamic temporal coordination of genetic responses to combined abiotic stresses remains a bottleneck. This is, in part, due to an inability to isolate specific intervals in developmental time where differential activity in plant stress responses plays a critical role. Here, we observed that iron deficiency, in combination with temporary heat stress, suppresses the expression of iron deficiency-responsive pPYE::LUC (POPEYE::luciferase) and pBTS::LUC (BRUTUS::luciferase) reporter genes. Moreover, root growth was suppressed less under combined iron deficiency and heat stress than under either single stress condition. To further explore the interaction between pathways, we also created a computer vision pipeline to extract, analyze, and compare high-dimensional dynamic spatial and temporal cellular data in response to heat and iron deficiency stress conditions at high temporal resolution. Specifically, we used fluorescence light sheet microscopy to image Arabidopsis thaliana roots expressing CYCB1;1:GFP, a marker for cell entry into mitosis, every 20 min for 24 h exposed to either iron sufficiency, iron deficiency, heat stress, or combined iron deficiency and heat stress. Our pipeline extracted spatiotemporal metrics from these time-course data. These metrics showed that the persistency and timing of CYCB1;1:GFP signal were uniquely different under combined iron deficiency and heat stress conditions versus the single stress conditions. These metrics also indicated that the spatiotemporal characteristics of the CYCB1;1:GFP signal under combined stress were more dissimilar to the control response than the response seen under iron deficiency for the majority of the 24-h experiment. Moreover, the combined stress response was less dissimilar to the control than the response seen under heat stress. This indicated that pathways activated when the plant is exposed to both iron deficiency and heat stress affected CYCB1;1:GFP spatiotemporal function antagonistically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eli Buckner
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Imani Madison
- Plant and Microbial Biology Department, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Hsuan Chou
- Plant and Microbial Biology Department, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Anna Matthiadis
- Plant and Microbial Biology Department, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Charles E. Melvin
- Plant and Microbial Biology Department, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Rosangela Sozzani
- Plant and Microbial Biology Department, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Cranos Williams
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
- *Correspondence: Cranos Williams, ; Terri A. Long,
| | - Terri A. Long
- Plant and Microbial Biology Department, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
- *Correspondence: Cranos Williams, ; Terri A. Long,
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Rodríguez-Celma J, Chou H, Kobayashi T, Long TA, Balk J. Hemerythrin E3 Ubiquitin Ligases as Negative Regulators of Iron Homeostasis in Plants. Front Plant Sci 2019; 10:98. [PMID: 30815004 PMCID: PMC6381054 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2019.00098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Iron (Fe) is an essential nutrient for plants, but at the same time its redox properties can make it a dangerous toxin inside living cells. Homeostasis between uptake, use and storage of Fe must be maintained at all times. A small family of unique hemerythrin E3 ubiquitin ligases found in green algae and plants play an important role in avoiding toxic Fe overload, acting as negative regulators of Fe homeostasis. Protein interaction data showed that they target specific transcription factors for degradation by the 26S proteasome. It is thought that the activity of the E3 ubiquitin ligases is controlled by Fe binding to the N-terminal hemerythrin motifs. Here, we discuss what we have learned so far from studies on the HRZ (Hemerythrin RING Zinc finger) proteins in rice, the homologous BTS (BRUTUS) and root-specific BTSL (BRUTUS-LIKE) in Arabidopsis. A mechanistic model is proposed to help focus future research questions towards a full understanding of the regulatory role of these proteins in Fe homeostasis in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Rodríguez-Celma
- Department of Biological Chemistry, John Innes Centre, Norwich, United Kingdom
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Hsuan Chou
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Takanori Kobayashi
- Research Institute for Bioresources and Biotechnology, Ishikawa Prefectural University, Nonoichi, Japan
| | - Terri A. Long
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Janneke Balk
- Department of Biological Chemistry, John Innes Centre, Norwich, United Kingdom
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Janneke Balk,
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Buchwalter D, Scheibener S, Chou H, Soucek D, Elphick J. Are sulfate effects in the mayfly Neocloeon triangulifer driven by the cost of ion regulation? Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2018; 374:rstb.2018.0013. [PMID: 30509915 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2018.0013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Elevated major ion concentrations in streams are commonly observed as a consequence of resource extraction, de-icing and other anthropogenic activities. Ecologists report biodiversity losses associated with increasing salinity, with mayflies typically being highly responsive to increases of different major ions. In this study, we evaluated the performance of the mayfly Neocloeon triangulifer reared for its entire larval phase in a gradient of sulfate concentrations. Two natural waters were amended with SO4 as a blend of CaSO4 and MgSO4 and exposures ranged from 5 to 1500 mg l-1 SO4. Survival (per cent successful emergence to the subimago stage) was significantly reduced at the highest SO4 concentration in both waters, while development was significantly delayed at 667 mg l-1 SO4 Final sub-adult body weights were consistent across treatments, except at the highest treatment concentration. Despite evidence for sulfate uptake rates increasing with exposure concentrations and not being saturated at even extremely high SO4 concentrations, total body sulfur changed little in subimagos. Together, these results suggest that elevated SO4 imposes an energetic demand associated with maintaining homeostasis that is manifested primarily as reduced growth rates and associated developmental delays. We identified two genes related to sulfate transport in N. trianguliferThis article is part of the theme issue 'Salt in freshwaters: causes, ecological consequences and future prospects'.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Buchwalter
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Shane Scheibener
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Hsuan Chou
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - David Soucek
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Champaign, IL, USA
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Riegel A, Vaccarelli M, Cox B, Cao Y, Chou H, Potters L. Impact of Prospective Peer Review on Target and Organ-at-risk Delineation. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2018.07.1325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Chen S, Chou H, Hsieh T. Development of an efficient biocatalyst system for GABA production. N Biotechnol 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2018.05.1078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Chou H, Pathmasiri W, Deese-spruill J, Sumner SJ, Jima DD, Funk DH, Jackson JK, Sweeney BW, Buchwalter DB. The Good, the Bad, and the Lethal: Gene Expression and Metabolomics Reveal Physiological Mechanisms Underlying Chronic Thermal Effects in Mayfly Larvae (Neocloeon triangulifer). Front Ecol Evol 2018. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2018.00027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
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Teckie S, Rudin B, Chou H, Stanzione R, Potters L. Creation of an Episode-Based Payment Model for Prostate and Breast Cancer Radiation Therapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2017.06.1601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Cox B, Kapur A, Chou H, Potters L. Long-Term Outcomes With Prospective Contouring Rounds. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2017.06.179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Chou H, Pathmasiri W, Deese-Spruill J, Sumner S, Buchwalter DB. Metabolomics reveal physiological changes in mayfly larvae (Neocloeon triangulifer) at ecological upper thermal limits. J Insect Physiol 2017; 101:107-112. [PMID: 28733240 PMCID: PMC5575740 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2017.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2017] [Revised: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Aquatic insects play critical roles in freshwater ecosystems and temperature is a fundamental driver of species performance and distributions. However, the physiological mechanisms that determine the thermal performance of species remain unclear. Here we used a metabolomics approach to gain insights into physiological changes associated with a short-term, sublethal thermal challenge in the mayfly Neocloeon triangulifer (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae). Larvae were subjected to a thermal ramp (from 22 to 30°C at a rate of 1°C/h) and metabolomics analysis (both Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy and Gas Chromatography coupled Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (GC-TOF-MS)) indicated that processes related to energetics (sugar metabolism) and membrane stabilization primarily differentiated heat treated larvae from controls. Limited evidence of anaerobic metabolism was observed in the heat treated larvae at 30°C, a temperature that is chronically lethal to larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsuan Chou
- Graduate Toxicology Program, Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, United States.
| | - Wimal Pathmasiri
- Systems and Translational Sciences, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, United States
| | - Jocelin Deese-Spruill
- Systems and Translational Sciences, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, United States
| | - Susan Sumner
- Systems and Translational Sciences, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, United States
| | - David B Buchwalter
- Graduate Toxicology Program, Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, United States
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Kim KS, Chou H, Funk DH, Jackson JK, Sweeney BW, Buchwalter DB. Physiological responses to short-term thermal stress in mayfly (Neocloeon triangulifer) larvae in relation to upper thermal limits. J Exp Biol 2017; 220:2598-2605. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.156919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Understanding species' thermal limits and their physiological determinants is critical in light of climate change and other human activities that warm freshwater ecosystems. Here, we ask whether oxygen limitation determines the chronic upper thermal limits in larvae of the mayfly Neocloeon triangulifer, an emerging model for ecological and physiological studies. Our experiments are based on a robust understanding of the upper acute (∼40°C) and chronic thermal limits of this species (>28°C, ≤30°C) derived from full life cycle rearing experiments across temperatures. We tested two related predictions derived from the hypothesis that oxygen limitation sets the chronic upper thermal limits: (1) aerobic scope declines in mayfly larvae as they approach and exceed temperatures that are chronically lethal to larvae; and (2) genes indicative of hypoxia challenge are also responsive in larvae exposed to ecologically relevant thermal limits. Neither prediction held true. We estimated aerobic scope by subtracting measurements of standard oxygen consumption rates from measurements of maximum oxygen consumption rates, the latter of which was obtained by treating with the metabolic uncoupling agent carbonyl cyanide-4-(trifluoromethoxy) pheylhydrazone (FCCP). Aerobic scope was similar in larvae held below and above chronic thermal limits. Genes indicative of oxygen limitation (LDH, EGL-9) were only upregulated under hypoxia or during exposure to temperatures beyond the chronic (and more ecologically relevant) thermal limits of this species (LDH). Our results suggest that the chronic thermal limits of this species are likely not driven by oxygen limitation, but rather are determined by other factors, e.g. bioenergetics costs. We caution against the use of short-term thermal ramping approaches to estimate critical thermal limits (CTmax) in aquatic insects because those temperatures are typically higher than those that occur in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoung Sun Kim
- Graduate Toxicology Program, Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Hsuan Chou
- Graduate Toxicology Program, Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - David H. Funk
- Stroud Water Research Center, Avondale, PA 19311, USA
| | | | | | - David B. Buchwalter
- Graduate Toxicology Program, Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
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Wen C, Lin H, Chou H, Lai M. AGE-RELATED CHANGES IN HYPOTHALAMIC-PITUITARY-GONADAL AXIS AMONG AGING POPULATION. Innov Aging 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igx004.2881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- C. Wen
- Department of Geriatrics and Gerontology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan,
- Department of Family Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - H. Lin
- MJ Health Screening Center, Taipei, Taiwan,
| | - H. Chou
- Graduate Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan,
- Clinical Research Outcome and Training Center, Big Data Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan,
| | - M. Lai
- Graduate Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan,
- MJ Health Screening Center, Taipei, Taiwan,
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Chou H, Wen C, Chiu H, Huang H, Kuo C, Huang C. USE OF ANTI-GOUT AGENT AMONG CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE PATIENT WITH HYPERURICEMIA. Innov Aging 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igx004.583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- H. Chou
- Clinical Research Outcome and Training Center, Big Data Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan,
| | - C. Wen
- Clinical Research Outcome and Training Center, Big Data Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan,
- Department of Family Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan,
| | - H. Chiu
- Clinical Research Outcome and Training Center, Big Data Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan,
| | - H. Huang
- Clinical Research Outcome and Training Center, Big Data Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan,
| | - C. Kuo
- Big Data Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan,
- Kidney Institute, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - C. Huang
- Kidney Institute, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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Peng ML, Chiu HF, Chou H, Liao HJ, Chen ST, Wong YC, Shen YC, Venkatakrishnan K, Wang CK. Influence/impact of lutein complex (marigold flower and wolfberry) on visual function with early age-related macular degeneration subjects: A randomized clinical trial. J Funct Foods 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2016.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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Na SR, Rahimi S, Tao L, Chou H, Ameri SK, Akinwande D, Liechti KM. Clean graphene interfaces by selective dry transfer for large area silicon integration. Nanoscale 2016; 8:7523-7533. [PMID: 26902897 DOI: 10.1039/c5nr06637a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Here we present a very fast, selective mechanical approach for transferring graphene with low levels of copper contamination from seed wafers on which it was grown to target wafers for very large scale integration (VLSI) electronics. We found that graphene/copper or copper/silicon oxide delamination paths could be selected by slow and faster separation rates, respectively. Thus graphene can be transferred to a target wafer, either exposed or protected by the seed copper layer, which can later be removed by etching. Delamination paths were identified by SEM and Raman spectroscopy. The sheet resistance of the graphene produced by the two approaches was slightly higher than graphene transferred by a PMMA wet-transfer process, indicating reduced impurity doping, and the variation in the sheet resistance values was much lower. Copper contamination levels, quantitatively established by TOF-SIMS, were several orders of magnitude lower than the values for PMMA assisted transfer. In addition, we demonstrated that top-gated transistor devices from our mechanical, delamination transferred graphene exhibited superior transistor behavior to PMMA-assisted wet transfer graphene. The adhesion energy, strength and range of the interactions were quantitatively determined by nonlinear fracture analyses, and suggest that the roughness of the interface between graphene and copper plays an important role with implications for improvements in manufacturing processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- S R Na
- Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, Research Center for the Mechanics of Solids, Structures and Materials, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA.
| | - S Rahimi
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - L Tao
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - H Chou
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - S K Ameri
- Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, Research Center for the Mechanics of Solids, Structures and Materials, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA. and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - D Akinwande
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - K M Liechti
- Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, Research Center for the Mechanics of Solids, Structures and Materials, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA.
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Sinsabaugh C, Chou H, Agarwal D. Questions surrounding the new IR residency: what applicants and program directors need to know approaching the match. J Vasc Interv Radiol 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jvir.2015.12.598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
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Chou H, Zhu Y, Ma Y, Berkowitz GA. The CLAVATA signaling pathway mediating stem cell fate in shoot meristems requires Ca(2+) as a secondary cytosolic messenger. Plant J 2016; 85:494-506. [PMID: 26756833 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.13123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2015] [Revised: 12/17/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
CLAVATA1 (CLV1) is a receptor protein expressed in the shoot apical meristem (SAM) that translates perception of a non-cell-autonomous CLAVATA3 (CLV3) peptide signal into altered stem cell fate. CLV3 reduces expression of WUSCHEL (WUS) and FANTASTIC FOUR 2 (FAF2) in the SAM. Expression of WUS and FAF2 leads to maintenance of undifferentiated stem cells in the SAM. CLV3 binding to CLV1 inhibits expression of these genes and controls stem cell fate in the SAM through an unidentified signaling pathway. Cytosolic Ca(2+) elevations, cyclic nucleotide (cGMP)-activated Ca(2+) channels, and cGMP have been linked to signaling downstream of receptors similar to CLV1. Hence, we hypothesized that cytosolic Ca(2+) elevation mediates the CLV3 ligand/CLV1 receptor signaling that controls meristem stem cell fate. CLV3 application to Arabidopsis seedlings results in elevation of cytosolic Ca(2+) and cGMP. CLV3 control of WUS was prevented in a genotype lacking a functional cGMP-activated Ca(2+) channel. In wild-type plants, CLV3 inhibition of WUS and FAF2 expression was impaired by treatment with either a Ca(2+) channel blocker or a guanylyl cyclase inhibitor. When CLV3-dependent repression of WUS is blocked, altered control of stem cell fate leads to an increase in SAM size; we observed a larger SAM size in seedlings treated with the Ca(2+) channel blocker. These results suggest that the CLV3 ligand/CLV1 receptor system initiates a signaling cascade that elevates cytosolic Ca(2+), and that this cytosolic secondary messenger is involved in the signal transduction cascade linking CLV3/CLV1 to control of gene expression and stem cell fate in the SAM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsuan Chou
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, Agricultural Biotechnology Laboratory, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269-4163, USA
| | - Yingfang Zhu
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, Agricultural Biotechnology Laboratory, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269-4163, USA
| | - Yi Ma
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, Agricultural Biotechnology Laboratory, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269-4163, USA
| | - Gerald A Berkowitz
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, Agricultural Biotechnology Laboratory, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269-4163, USA
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Cox B, Chou H, Kapur A, Goode G, Antone J, Sharma A, Teckie S, Potters L. Quantifying Physician Performance Using Peer Review During Prospective Contouring Rounds. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2015.07.1812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Raince J, Riegel A, Chou H, Halthore A, Potters L, Cox B. Integrated Deformable Registration and Biologic Modeling to Compare Dose Distributions of High-Dose IMRT and Combination IMRT-Brachytherapy (Combo-RT) in Localized Prostate Cancer. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2014.05.2452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [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: 11/15/2022]
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Jain P, Chou H, Marrero M, Montchal E, Ghaly M. Radiographic, Neurological, and Clinical Assessment of Fractionated Stereotactic Radiosurgery in the Treatment of Metastatic Epidural Spinal Cord Compression at a Single Institution. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2014.05.1014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Rea A, Kuruvilla A, Riegel A, Kapur A, Chou H, Jamshidi A, Potters L. SU-E-T-217: The Effect of Image-Guided Isocenter Shifts On Optically-Stimulated Luminescent in Vivo Dosimetry. Med Phys 2013. [DOI: 10.1118/1.4814652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [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: 11/07/2022] Open
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Kapur A, Chou H, Goode G, Sharma A, Cao Y, Adair N, Mogavero J, Jamshidi A, Potters L. An Audit of Treatment Overrides in a Paperless Radiation Medicine Department. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2012.07.1770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Lee L, Louis P, Chou H, Kapur A, Stanzione R. Operational Process for Treatment Pathways in Radiation Medicine. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2012.07.1435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Riegel A, Antone J, Chou H, Schwartz D. Ultrasound-compatible Thermoplastic Masks for Patient Immobilization During Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy of Head-and-Neck Cancer. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2012.07.560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Chou H, Tam MF, Chiang CH, Chou CT, Tai HY, Shen HD. Transaldolases are novel and immunoglobulin E cross-reacting fungal allergens. Clin Exp Allergy 2012; 41:739-49. [PMID: 21488999 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2011.03698.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mould-induced atopic respiratory diseases are a worldwide problem. Characterization of fungal allergens is of major clinical importance. OBJECTIVE We identified a novel transaldolase family allergen of Cladosporium and Penicillium species. METHODS Fungal allergens were identified by immunoblotting, peptide mass mapping and partial sequencing, cDNA cloning and IgE epitope mapping. RESULTS A 36.5 kDa IgE-binding component in a partially purified C. cladosporioides preparation was identified. Mass spectrometric analyses suggest that this novel IgE-reacting allergen is a transaldolase. A corresponding full-length 1246 bp cDNA encoding a polypeptide of 325 residues was isolated. The newly identified transaldolase allergen has been designated as Cla c 14.0101. The cDNA encoding the Pencillium chrysogenum transaldolase was isolated by RT-PCR according to the cDNA sequence encoding a P. chrysogenum Wisconsin 54-1255 hypothetical protein. The purified rCla c 14.0101 protein reacted with IgE antibodies in 10 (38%) of 26 Cladosporium cladosporioides-sensitized asthmatic patients. Nine of the 10 rCla c 14.0101-positive sera have IgE binding against the recombinant Penicillium transaldolase (rPen ch 35.0101). Among the eight fungal transaldolase-positive sera tested, three showed IgE binding against the recombinant human transaldolase. To determine cross-reactivity between the Cladosporium and Penicillium fungi, IgE cross-reactivity was detected between these two fungal transaldolase allergens by inhibition assays. Both the N- and the C-terminal fragments of Cla c 14.0101 were recognized by IgE antibodies. The C-terminal IgE-reacting determinant was narrowed down to a region encompassing Thr257 to Ser278 of Cla c 14.0101. It was mapped onto a loop-like structure of a 3D model constructed for Cla c 14.0101. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE We identified transaldolase as a novel and IgE cross-reactive allergen family of C. cladosporioides and P. chrysogenum. In addition, an IgE-reacting fragment (Thr257 to Ser278) was pinpointed to a loop-like structure on Cla c 14.0101. Results obtained provide important information in clinical mould allergy.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Chou
- Department of Medical Research and Education, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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Chou H, Tam MF, Lee SS, Tang RB, Lin TH, Tai HY, Chen YS, Shen HD. Asp159 is a critical core amino acid of an IgE-binding and cross-reactive epitope of a dust mite allergen Der f 7. Mol Immunol 2011; 48:2130-4. [PMID: 21820178 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2011.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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: 05/20/2011] [Revised: 07/06/2011] [Accepted: 07/07/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Der f 7 and Der p 7 are important house dust mite allergens with known structure and suggested biological function recently. However, their IgE-binding determinants remain unknown. The purpose of this study is to identify the IgE-reactive epitopes of Der f 7 and the determinants of IgE-mediated cross-reactivity between Der f 7 and Der p 7. IgE-reactive determinants were identified by immunodot blot inhibition using synthetic overlapping peptides, allergen mutants, and a Der f 7 structural model. Our results showed that synthetic peptides with sequence (156)SILDP(160) on Der f 7 bind IgE in two of the 30 asthmatic serum samples tested. Recombinant Der f 7 I157A, L158A, or D159A mutants have reduced IgE-binding activity. Inhibition experiments confirmed Asp159 as a critical core residue for IgE-binding. Among Der p 7, Der f 7 and Der f 7 mutants with single substitution between residues 156 and 160, only the D159A mutant cannot inhibit significantly IgE-binding against Der p 7. Therefore, Asp159 contributes to IgE-mediated cross-reactivity between Der f 7 and Der p 7. The structural model constructed for Der f 7 suggests that the IgE-binding epitope forms a loop-like structure on the surface of the molecule. In conclusion, Asp 159 is a critical core residue of an IgE-binding and IgE-mediated cross-reactive epitope (156)SILDP(160) of Der f 7. Results obtained from this study provide more information on molecular and structural features related to allergenicity, underlying basis of IgE cross-reactivity between allergens, and in designing safer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Chou
- Department of Medical Research and Education, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Shih-Pai, Taipei 11217, Taiwan
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Cheng H, Chao A, Huang H, Chou H, Chang T, Liao M, Lai C. An exploration of Pap smear history and behavior of patients with newly diagnosed cervical cancer in Taiwan. J Clin Oncol 2009. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2009.27.15_suppl.e20582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
e20582 Background: The national health insurance policy has provided a yearly Pap smear for women >= 30 years old since 1994 in Taiwan, yet the coverage rate is still unsatisfactory. The purpose of this study is (1) to investigate the Pap smear screening history of women newly diagnosed with cervical cancer and (2) to examine factors that influence participation in Pap smear screening program in these women. Methods: Patients primarily treated for cervical cancer at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital between November 2006 and June 2007 were enrolled into this prospective study. Questionnaires included (1) socio-demographic data, and (2) knowledge on Pap smear and cervical cancer. Results: Two hundred sixty-nine patients were eligible for analysis. The median age was 51 years old (range, 25–83). Of the 269 patients, 147 (54.6%) had never had a Pap smear before diagnosis, and 35 (13.0%) did not know about Pap smear. Socio-demographic factors that significantly influenced number of previous Pap smear screening (0 vs >=1) were education level, income less than 600 U.S. dollars per month, menopaused, multiple sexual partners, and increase number of sexual partners of the male consort. Of the 147 never received Pap women, the most common reasons were thought that Pap smear screening was not necessary (46.3%), embarrassment (42.0%), busy (43.5%), and worry about the screening findings (20.4%). Of the 122 patients who have received Pap smear, 56.6% patients thought that Pap smear screening was necessary, 35.2% patients worried about the disease, 24.6% were alert on their check-ups, and 20.5% did the screening for the convenience to nearby clinics. Conclusions: Public health organizations in Taiwan should put more efforts to provide women in low education level, low income and multiple sexual partners with information on Pap smear. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
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Affiliation(s)
- H. Cheng
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Taipei, Taiwan; Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - A. Chao
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Taipei, Taiwan; Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - H. Huang
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Taipei, Taiwan; Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - H. Chou
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Taipei, Taiwan; Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - T. Chang
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Taipei, Taiwan; Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - M. Liao
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Taipei, Taiwan; Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - C. Lai
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Taipei, Taiwan; Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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Abe H, Umeda T, Kawai Y, Tanaka M, Shimizu T, Chou H, Kubota Y, Mekata E, Kurumi Y, Tani T. Feasibility and toxicity of docetaxel before or after fluorouracil, epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide as adjuvant chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer. J Clin Oncol 2009. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2009.27.15_suppl.604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
604 Background: As adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer, the addition of docetaxel to regimens containing anthracyline has been shown to be effective. However, tolerance and safety associated with the administration order of the two drugs have not been evaluated. Methods: Breast cancer patients with node-positive or high-risk patients with node-negative were eligible. The treatment completion rate and toxicity were evaluated in 2 arms who underwent a total of 6 courses of the following regimens: Arm A: 3 courses of fluorouracil 500 mg/m2, epirubicin 100 mg/m2 and cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m2 (FEC100: q3w) followed by 3 courses of docetaxel (DOC100: 100 mg/m2, q3w); and Arm B: 3 courses of DOC100 (q3w) followed by 3 courses of FEC100 (q3w). Results: June 2006 to April 2008, 42 patients were registered. To the present, analysis has been completed in 21 patients in arm A and 21 in arm B. The mean age of patients was 49.1 years and 53.8 years, respectively. In arm A, the stage of cancer was 1 in 4 patients, 2a in 10, and 2b in 7, in arm B, the stage of cancer was 1 in 3 patients, 2a in 9, and 2b in 9. The adjuvant chemotherapy completion rate was 100 % for arm A and 95.2 % for arm B. The relative dose intensity (RDI) was 94.2 % for FEC100 and 97.8 % for DOC100 in arm A, and 98.9 % for DOC100 and 95.2 % for FEC100 in arm B. In arm A, grade 3 or higher hematological toxicity was observed in 9 patients, and febrile neutropenia developed in 3 patients with FEC100. In arm B, grade 3 or higher hematological toxicity was observed in 7 patients, but febrile neutropenia was not noted in any patients. Grade 3 or higher non-hematological toxicity was observed with FEC100 in 2 patients each in the two arms. Grade 1 or 2 edema developed in 11 patients with DOC100 in the two arms. Conclusions: In both arm A and B, adverse events associated with FEC100 were frequently observed but spontaneously recovered, or adequate management was possible by supportive therapy. Adverse events associated with DOC100 were mild. The regimens in both arms A and B were safe regarding adjuvant chemotherapy for early stage breast cancer. However, DOC100 followed by FEC100 may be more tolerable and effective. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
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Affiliation(s)
- H. Abe
- Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Shiga, Japan
| | - T. Umeda
- Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Shiga, Japan
| | - Y. Kawai
- Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Shiga, Japan
| | - M. Tanaka
- Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Shiga, Japan
| | - T. Shimizu
- Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Shiga, Japan
| | - H. Chou
- Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Shiga, Japan
| | - Y. Kubota
- Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Shiga, Japan
| | - E. Mekata
- Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Shiga, Japan
| | - Y. Kurumi
- Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Shiga, Japan
| | - T. Tani
- Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Shiga, Japan
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Low R, Ahsan MW, Chou H, Bahrainian M, Singh A, Kumar A. Central-line-related septic shock: early appropriate antimicrobial therapy and rapid source control reduce mortality. Crit Care 2008; 12. [PMCID: PMC4088768 DOI: 10.1186/cc6618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- R Low
- University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - MW Ahsan
- University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - H Chou
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - M Bahrainian
- University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - A Singh
- University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - A Kumar
- University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
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Rosenstock J, Rood J, Cobitz A, Biswas N, Chou H, Garber A. Initial treatment with rosiglitazone/metformin fixed-dose combination therapy compared with monotherapy with either rosiglitazone or metformin in patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Obes Metab 2006; 8:650-60. [PMID: 17026489 DOI: 10.1111/j.1463-1326.2006.00659.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [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] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AIM This study assessed the efficacy and safety of rosiglitazone and metformin (RSG/MET) fixed-dose combination (AVANDAMET) as initial therapy in patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes compared with monotherapy with either RSG or MET after 32 weeks of treatment. METHODS A total of 468 drug-naive patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes were recruited for this multicentre, double-blind trial if their glycated haemoglobin (A1c) was greater than 7.5%, but less than or equal to 11%, and their fasting plasma glucose (FPG) was less than or equal to 15 mmol/l. Patients were randomized to 32 weeks of blinded treatment with either RSG/MET fixed-dose combination (n = 155), MET (n = 154) or RSG (n = 159). The groups were comparable at baseline, with mean A1c of 8.8% and FPG of 11 mmol/l. RSG/MET was initiated with a total daily dose of 2 mg/500 mg and could be increased up to 8 mg/2000 mg; MET therapy began with a total daily dose of 500 mg and could be increased up to 2000 mg; and RSG treatment began with a total daily dose of 4 mg and could be increased up to 8 mg. Medication was uptitrated during on-therapy visits based on failure to attain glycaemic target of mean daily glucose less than or equal to 6.1 mmol/l (unless at maximum tolerated dose). Patients were assessed for efficacy and safety at nine visits over a 32-week treatment period. This was a trial designed to show greater efficacy of RSG/MET combination therapy compared with MET or RSG monotherapy. The primary end point was change in A1c from baseline to week 32. Secondary end points included the proportion of patients achieving recommended A1c and FPG targets for glycaemic control and change from baseline in FPG, free fatty acid, lipids, insulin, insulin sensitivity, C-reactive protein and adiponectin. Safety evaluations included adverse-event (AE) monitoring, changes in weight and clinical laboratory evaluations. RESULTS At week 32, RSG/MET showed significant improvements in A1c from a baseline of 8.9 +/- 1.1% to 6.6 +/- 1.0% at study end, and this 2.3% reduction was significantly greater than the reductions achieved individually with MET (-1.8%; p = 0.0008) and RSG (-1.6%; p < 0.0001). The greatest mean decrease in FPG was seen with RSG/MET (-4.1 mmol/l) and was significant compared with MET (-2.8 mmol/l; p < 0.0001) and RSG (-2.6 mmol/l; p < 0.0001). Target A1c of less than or equal to 6.5% and less than 7% were achieved in more patients in the RSG/MET group (60% and 77%) than with MET (39% and 57%) or RSG (35% and 58%) respectively. Treatment was well tolerated, with nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea as the most commonly reported AEs. Oedema was comparable between RSG/MET (6%) and RSG (7%) and lower in the MET group (3%). No new safety and tolerability issues were observed in the RSG/MET group. CONCLUSIONS As first-line therapy in patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes, RSG/MET fixed-dose combination therapy achieved significant reductions in A1c and FPG compared with either RSG or MET monotherapy. RSG/MET was generally well tolerated as initial therapy, with no new tolerability issues identified with the fixed-dose combination.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Rosenstock
- Dallas Diabetes and Endocrine Center, Dallas, TX 75230, USA.
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Tai HY, Tam MF, Chou H, Peng HJ, Su SN, Perng DW, Shen HD. Pen ch 13 allergen induces secretion of mediators and degradation of occludin protein of human lung epithelial cells. Allergy 2006; 61:382-8. [PMID: 16436150 DOI: 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2005.00958.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [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: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alkaline serine proteases from six prevalent airborne Penicillium and Aspergillus species have been identified as a group of major allergens (group 13). After entering human airways, the allergens are in initial contacts with respiratory epithelial cells. The purpose of this study is to investigate interactions between the Pen ch 13 allergen from P. chrysogenum and human lung epithelial cells. METHODS A549 cells, 16HBE14o- cells and primary cultures of human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEpC) were exposed to purified Pen ch 13 and mediators released into culture supernatants were assayed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Cleavage of occludin in 16HBE14o- cells was analysed by immunofluorescent staining of whole cells and immunoblot analysis of whole cell extracts. Fragments generated by incubating Pen ch 13 and a synthetic peptide carrying the occludin sequence were analysed by mass spectrometry. RESULTS Pen ch 13 induced productions of prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2), interleukin (IL)-8 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 by A549 cells, 16HBE14o- cells and primary cultures of HBEpC. The protease activity of Pen ch 13 is needed for the induction of PGE2 IL-8, TGF-beta1 and cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2 expression. A tight junction protein occludin of 16HBE14o- cells can be cleaved by Pen ch 13 at Gln202 and Gln211 which are within the second extracellular domain of the protein. CONCLUSION Pen ch 13 may contribute to asthma by damaging the barrier formed by the airway epithelium and stimulating the release of mediators that orchestrate local immune responses and inflammatory process from HBEpC.
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Affiliation(s)
- H-Y Tai
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
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Abstract
BACKGROUND We have identified previously that Penicillium citrinum is the most prevalent Penicillium species in the Taipei area. It is important to delineate the whole spectrum of allergenic components of this prevalent airborne fungus. The purpose of this study was to identify novel P. citrinum allergens through molecular cloning of allergen genes using a cDNA library of P. citrinum and sera from patients with bronchial asthma. METHODS A lambda-Uni-ZAP XR-based cDNA library of P. citrinum was screened with sera from asthmatic patients. An IgE-binding cDNA clone was isolated and heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli. The frequency of IgE-binding to the expressed protein and the IgE reactivity to allergen subunits were analyzed by immunoblotting. RESULTS An IgE-reactive cDNA clone (clone B) was isolated by plaque immunoassay. The cDNA insert is 876-bp long and encodes a 228-amino acid polypeptide with a calculated molecular mass of 25 035 Da. Protein database search with the deduced clone B sequence revealed that 121 (53%) and 82 (36%) of the 228 amino acids were identical to those of the elongation factor 1-beta (EF-1beta) proteins from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the parasite Echinococcus granulosus, respectively. His-tagged recombinant clone B proteins were constructed and expressed in E. coli. Seven (8%) of the 92 serum samples from patients with bronchial asthma showed IgE-binding to the recombinant clone B protein. Among these seven positive sera, five demonstrated IgE-binding to the C-terminal fragment (aa 119-228) while the other two sera showed IgE reactivity to the N-terminal fragment (aa 1-118) of this newly identified EF-1betaPenicillium allergen. CONCLUSIONS A novel P. citrinum allergen (Pen c 24) was identified and characterized in the present study. Results obtained provide more information about allergens of prevalent airborne fungi and a basis to understand more about the IgE responses in human atopic disorders and in parasitic infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- R-B Tang
- Department of Pediatrics, Veterans General Hospital-Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan
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Lai HY, Tam MF, Chou H, Lee SS, Tai HY, Shen HD. Molecular and structural analysis of immunoglobulin E-binding epitopes of Pen ch 13, an alkaline serine protease major allergen from Penicillium chrysogenum. Clin Exp Allergy 2004; 34:1926-33. [PMID: 15663570 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2004.02115.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Through proteomic and genomic approaches we have previously identified and characterized an alkaline serine protease that is a major allergen (88% frequency of IgE binding) of Penicillium chrysogenum (Pen ch 13). OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study is to identify the linear IgE-binding epitopes of Pen ch 13. METHODS IgE-binding regions were identified by dot-blot immunoassay using 11 phage-displayed peptide fragments spanning the whole molecule of Pen ch 13. The minimal epitope requirements for IgE binding were further defined with overlapping peptides synthesized on derivatized cellulose membranes using SPOTs technology. The critical residues on the immunodominant epitopes were mapped through site-directed mutagenesis. The locations of the IgE epitopes identified were correlated with a three-dimensional structure of Pen ch 13. RESULTS IgE antibodies in 35 serum samples reacted with at least one of the 11 peptide fragments of Pen ch 13. Peptide f-2n (residues 31-61) showed a high-intensity and the highest frequency (77%) of IgE binding. The frequencies of IgE binding to peptide f-4 (residues 93-133), f-1 (residues 1-37) and f-7 (residues 168-206) were 51%, 34% and 31%, respectively. SPOTs assay narrowed down the region of IgE binding of f-2n to residues 48-55 (GHADFGGR). Three, two and one epitope(s) that are four to nine amino acids in length, within f-4, f-1 and f-7, respectively, were found. Site-directed mutagenesis of Pen ch 13 revealed that substitution of His49 and/or Phe52 on Pen ch 13 with methionine resulted in proteins with drastic loss of IgE binding in seven sera tested. Proteins with amino acid replacements at residues 15-18 (RISS), or at residues 112 (I) and 116 (D) have lower IgE-binding reactivity in one of the two patient's sera tested. Substituting residues 117 (W), 119 (V) and 120 (K) also block most of the IgE binding in one of the two patient's sera tested. In addition, replacing residues 203 (V) and 204 (D) along with a deletion at residue 206 (Y) diminished the IgE binding in two serum samples tested. A model was constructed based on the structure of P. cyclopium subtilisin protease that has >90% (256 out of 283 amino acids) sequence identity with Pen ch 13. The major epitope (GHADFGGR) on Pen ch 13 formed a loop-like structure and was located at the surface of the allergen. CONCLUSIONS Several linear IgE-reactive epitopes and their critical core amino acid residues were identified for the Pen ch 13 allergen. The major linear IgE-binding epitope, 48GHADFGGR55, formed a loop-like structure at the surface of the allergen. Substitution of His49 and/or Phe52 with methionine significantly reduced IgE-binding to Pen ch 13. Mapping of these results on a 3D model of the allergen provides valuable information about the molecular basis of allergenicity for Pen ch 13 and for designing specific immunotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- H-Y Lai
- Department of Medical Research and Education, Veterans General Hospital-Taipei, Taipei 11217, Taiwan
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