Publications by authors named "Chih Hung Lin"
Introduction: Chrysophanol (Cho) is a natural anthraquinone with biological effects such as inducing ferroptosis and anticancer activity. The hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) is essential for HBV replication. We aimed to identify the key pathways in HBx-induced hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and to characterize the potential mechanisms of action of Cho against liver fibrosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDDX3 is critical for female fertility via translational control in oogenesis.
Cell Death Discov
November 2024
DEAD-box RNA helicase 3 (DDX3) and its homologs play a vital role in translation initiation by unwinding secondary structures of selected mRNAs. The human DDX3 gene is located on the sex chromosomes, so there are DDX3X and DDX3Y. DDX3X is ubiquitously expressed in almost all tissues and critical for embryonic development, whereas DDX3Y is only expressed in the testis and essential for male fertility.
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- * Key factors associated with worse progression-free survival (PFS) included driver gene mutations, being classified as Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 2, and having stage II-IIIB tumors.
- * Despite the increased risk of disease progression linked to driver gene mutations, those receiving driver gene-targeted therapy showed improved post-progression survival rates, suggesting that early testing for these mutations could be beneficial in treatment planning.
Background: The prognostic significance of margin-to-depth ratio (MDR) in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) remains unclear, particularly in comparison to traditional margin status. We aimed to examine the association between MDR and clinical outcomes in a large Taiwanese cohort.
Methods: A total of 18,324 patients with first primary OCSCC were categorized by margin status: positive (1013), <5 mm (8371), and ≥ 5 mm (8940).
Prognostic significance of adjuvant therapy and specific radiation dosages in Taiwanese patients with oral cavity cancer and extra-nodal extension: a nationwide cohort study.
BMC Cancer
October 2024
Background: The evidence for adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) with extra-nodal extension (ENE) in National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines is derived from patients with head and neck cancer. The guidelines further suggest a radiation dose ranging from 6000 to 6600 cGy. In this nationwide study, we sought to evaluate the prognostic significance of adjuvant therapy and the specific radiation dosage in Taiwanese patients with pure OCSCC and ENE.
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- * A total of 101 flap reconstructions were analyzed, with a follow-up involving various questionnaires and sensory testing, ultimately including 29 participants who reported no significant differences in functional or sensory outcomes between TP and MP flaps.
- * Both flap types proved effective for coverage and sensation without substantial differences, and the study suggests the choice of flap should be based on individual patient needs, highlighting the need for further research on long-term outcomes for larger defects.
Background And Objectives: An extra health screening, including glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), was initiated for regular donors aged over 40 in Taiwan in November 2015. This study aimed to determine its benefits on donor health management and retention.
Materials And Methods: A stratified random mail survey was conducted among donors who received HbA1c, TC and LDL-C screening between November 2015 and June 2017 to investigate their awareness of the screening, medical histories and post-screening behaviours.
Article Synopsis
- The study focused on the safe use of radiofrequency ablation for thyroid nodules while protecting the recurrent laryngeal nerve from thermal damage using a porcine animal model.
- Twelve piglets were tested at various radiofrequency power levels, with monitoring of real-time signal changes to assess safety distances and cooling durations related to the nerve.
- Results showed that at set power levels, there were significant signal reductions near the nerve, with no recovery in a 20-minute window, indicating careful management is necessary during procedures to prevent nerve injury.
Article Synopsis
- - The microvascular free fibula (MFF) flap is effective for reconstructing the jaw after cancer surgery, but it often has limited bone height, leading to challenges in fitting dental implants and increasing treatment time for prosthetic solutions.
- - A 64-year-old man with oral cancer had a MFF flap to reconstruct his jaw after tumor removal, followed by procedures to improve mouth opening and address issues with scar tissue affecting dental impressions.
- - Using the all-on-4 implant system and CAD/CAM technology, the patient received a custom prosthetic within a month, which effectively dealt with the bone height issue and significantly reduced the rehabilitation time while improving chewing function and quality of life.
The prognostic value of central pathology review in upper urinary tract cancer (UTUC) remains inadequately addressed in existing literature. In this study, we conducted an extensive central pathology review and presented its influence on multi-center UTUC studies. We conducted a retrospective review of patients who underwent radical nephroureterectomy or segmental resection for UTUC to determine eligibility for central pathology review.
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- Induction chemotherapy (IC) is used as a treatment prior to surgery for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC), and this study analyzes its impact on patient survival in Taiwan.
- A total of 29,891 OCSCC patients were examined, comparing those who had surgery only to those who received IC before surgery, with a focus on survival outcomes through matched analysis.
- The results show that while overall survival rates were similar for both groups, patients with aggressive pT4a tumors had better outcomes with surgery alone compared to those who received IC before surgery.
Background: Advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can be treated with novel targeted therapies that are tailored to the genetic characteristics of malignancy. While tissue-based genomic testing is considered the gold standard for the detection of oncogenic driver mutations, several challenges like inadequate tissue availability, the invasiveness of procuring tumors, and prolonged turnaround time of analysis are encountered. Considering these limitations, guidelines have recognized liquid biopsies using circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) as a useful tool to complement conventional tissue testing.
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- Elective tracheotomy is often performed on patients with resected oral squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) to help keep their airways open, but its necessity varies among surgeons.
- A large study including over 18,000 OCSCC patients found that those who had tracheotomies had lower 5-year disease-specific and overall survival rates compared to those who didn't, even after adjusting for other factors.
- Despite the survival rates being similar after matching groups for other variables, patients with tracheotomies generally experienced longer hospital stays, indicating the procedure may be associated with more complications or extended recovery times.
Esophageal cancer ranks among the ten most common cancers worldwide. Despite the adoption of neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy (nCCRT) followed by surgery as the standard treatment approach in recent years, the local recurrence rate remains high. In this study, we employed RNA-seq to investigate distinctive gene expression profiles in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) with or without recurrence following a standard treatment course.
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- This study compared clinical outcomes between initial surgery and primary definitive radiotherapy (RT) for Taiwanese patients with cT1-2N0M0 oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) between 2011 and 2019.
- After analyzing data from over 13,500 patients and matching groups for fairness, the results showed much higher 5-year disease-specific survival rates (DSS) for the surgery group compared to the RT group (86% vs. 58%).
- The findings suggest that initial surgery significantly improves survival outcomes in these patients, highlighting a notable survival gap of 30% between the two treatment modalities.
Article Synopsis
- Congenital pseudoarthrosis of the tibia (CPT) is a rare condition often linked with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), characterized by tibial bowing and the risk of nonhealing fractures, requiring treatment that may include both conservative methods and various surgical options.
- A study involving nine pediatric patients assessed the effectiveness of vascularized fibula reconstruction vs. conservative treatment, measuring outcomes like fractures and limb length discrepancies.
- Results showed that while all surgical flaps survived, patients experienced complications such as stress fractures and limb length issues, confirming that vascularized free fibula flaps can be a viable option even for those with prior failed surgeries.
Article Synopsis
- * A matched analysis revealed that patients with margins < 1 mm had better disease-specific survival (DSS) and overall survival (OS) rates compared to those with positive margins, with 5-year DSS rates at 71% vs 59% and OS rates at 60% vs 48%.
- * The findings suggest that OCSCC patients with < 1 mm margins have better prognostic outcomes and different clinical characteristics compared to those with positive margins,
Article Synopsis
- * Early prosthetic use and physiotherapy are made more effective by providing painless soft tissue coverage on the stump, which aids in rehabilitation.
- * A study at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital from 2009-2016 showed that soft tissue transfers after amputation improved outcomes, particularly in younger female patients, by preserving tibial bone length and enhancing overall functionality.
The Taiwan Society of Cardiology (TSOC) and Taiwan Society of Plastic Surgery (TSPS) have collaborated to develop a joint consensus for the management of patients with advanced vascular wounds. The taskforce comprises experts including preventive cardiologists, interventionists, and cardiovascular and plastic surgeons. The consensus focuses on addressing the challenges in diagnosing, treating, and managing complex wounds; incorporates the perfusion evaluation and the advanced vascular wound care team; and highlights the importance of cross-disciplinary teamwork.
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- The study evaluates the effectiveness of elective neck dissection (END) versus neck observation (NO) in patients with early-stage oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) where the depth of invasion (DOI) exceeds 3 mm, as per current NCCN guidelines.
- An analysis of 4,723 patients revealed that those who underwent END had significantly better survival rates and neck control compared to those monitored without surgery.
- Through risk stratification, researchers identified distinct subgroups within the NO group, finding that 26% of low-risk patients achieved positive outcomes comparable to the END group, suggesting some patients might not require immediate surgery.
Article Synopsis
- Lower extremity trauma often requires flap transfer for reconstruction, with the goal of achieving thin tissue coverage, which usually involves secondary debulking of the flap.
- The study compares two debulking methods: conventional lipectomy and liposuction followed by excision of excess flap tissue, analyzing patient demographics, surgical details, and outcomes.
- Results indicate similar postoperative complication rates for both methods, though liposuction leads to significant initial decreases in flap perfusion, which may not predict actual flap necrosis or complications accurately.
Objective: Open tibial fractures are frequently encountered in high-energy traumas and can result in significant complications such as nonunion, osteomyelitis, and even amputation. Among open tibial fractures, Gustilo type IIIC cases are particularly challenging due to the concomitant occurrence of neurovascular injuries and soft tissue defects. This study aimed to assess factors that affect union time and complications in Gustilo IIIC tibial fractures.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExcessive exposure to sunlight, especially UV irradiation, causes skin photodamage. Sunscreens, such as TiO and ZnO, can potentially prevent UV via scattering, reflection, and absorption. Topical antioxidants are another means of skin photoprotection.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: There is a great clinical need for novel markers to predict kidney function decline in patients with type 2 diabetes. We explored the potential of posttranslationally modified fetuin-A fragments in urine (uPTM-FetA) as such a marker.
Methods: We included patients with type 2 diabetes from two independent, nonoverlapping prospective cohort studies.