Publications by authors named "Jui-Ming Liu"
Article Synopsis
- * Out of 16,160 spinal surgery patients analyzed, 432 (2.67%) experienced APOUR, with significant risk factors identified as being older, male, and having undergone more than two spinal surgeries.
- * The findings suggest that understanding these risk factors may help surgeons identify high-risk patients and provide earlier interventions to improve postoperative outcomes.
Article Synopsis
- A study was conducted to evaluate early continence outcomes after a specific surgical technique (three-layer vesicourethral reconstruction) during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) in 170 prostate cancer patients.
- Results showed that patients who underwent the three-layer reconstruction had significantly better continence rates at various postoperative intervals compared to those who had a one-layer reconstruction, with a 42% lower risk of incontinence.
- Postoperative cystography results indicated that the three-layer group experienced less leakage and better bladder neck positioning, which contributed to overall improved continence outcomes.
Article Synopsis
- * Key findings indicated that the ethyl acetate fraction (AHE) and a methanolic fraction (AHE-2) effectively disrupted the cell cycle and induced apoptosis in cancer cells while sparing non-cancerous cells.
- * Additionally, the research highlighted the role of autophagy in the cancer cell response to peanut skin extracts, suggesting that inhibiting autophagy may enhance the effectiveness of these extracts in inducing cancer cell death.
Article Synopsis
- - The study examines the outcomes and survival rates of patients with localized upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) after major surgical procedures, focusing on a well-defined group of 476 patients diagnosed with pT2N0M0.
- - Results indicated that patients with tumors located in the renal pelvis, ureter, or both had varying 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates, suggesting that tumor location significantly impacts prognosis.
- - Key negative prognostic factors identified include age over 60, prior bladder cancer, ureteral involvement, and positive surgical margins, highlighting the need for closer monitoring and possible additional treatment for at-risk patients post-surgery.
Article Synopsis
- A study was conducted in Taiwan to evaluate the incidence of inguinal hernias in patients undergoing dialysis treatment, specifically comparing peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis (HD).
- The research included a retrospective analysis of 3,891 end-stage renal disease patients from 2001 to 2009, utilizing health database codes to track hernia occurrences.
- Findings indicated that patients on PD had a significantly higher risk of developing inguinal hernias—7 times greater than those on HD—highlighting the importance for clinicians to monitor hernia risks in dialysis patients.
Article Synopsis
- * The study focused on the effects of docetaxel, an antitumor drug, on SAS cells from human tongue SCC, revealing that it induces cell death and activates apoptosis-related proteins.
- * Docetaxel's mechanism involves altering mitochondrial functions and activating specific signaling pathways (MAPK and AMPK), where inhibiting these pathways reduces the drug's apoptotic effects on cancer cells.
Article Synopsis
- Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is a widely used pesticide that has been linked to neurotoxic effects, raising concerns about its role in neurodegenerative diseases.
- The study found that CPF exposure significantly reduced the viability of Neuro-2a cells and increased signs of apoptosis, including the activation of specific cellular markers like caspase-3 and CHOP.
- Findings suggest that CPF induces neuronal cytotoxicity through two independent pathways: reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and Akt activation, both of which lead to cell death in nerve cells.
Article Synopsis
- Ketamine-associated cystitis causes inflammation and cell death in the bladder, and its main metabolite norketamine (NK) has been shown to have even greater toxic effects on bladder cells than ketamine itself.
- In studies, exposure to NK resulted in reduced cell viability and increased apoptosis in bladder cells, linked to mitochondrial dysfunction and elevated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers.
- The study also found that inhibiting certain pathways (like ERK1/2 and calcium signaling) effectively reduced the harmful effects of NK, suggesting new avenues for potential treatments or preventive measures against NK-induced urothelial damage.
Article Synopsis
- Studies showed that MeHg exposure leads to increased apoptotic events in pancreatic cells, characterized by changes in mitochondrial function, ER stress, and activation of specific enzymes involved in cell death.
- The research indicates that antioxidants and specific inhibitors can mitigate MeHg-induced damage, highlighting the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cytotoxic process.
Article Synopsis
- A nationwide study in Taiwan analyzed data from over 17,000 prostate cancer patients to investigate the effects of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) on thyroid diseases.
- The research found that patients undergoing ADT had a significantly lower risk of developing thyroid diseases compared to those who did not receive ADT, with an adjusted hazard ratio indicating a 21% reduced risk.
- Additionally, the study revealed that the longer the duration of ADT, the lower the risk of thyroid diseases among patients.
Article Synopsis
- Tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a prevalent oral cancer with poor survival rates, highlighting the need for effective treatments.
- The study examines quercetin, a natural flavonoid found in plants, and its effects on inducing apoptosis (cell death) in tongue SCC cells (SAS cell line).
- Results indicated that quercetin decreased cell viability, increased apoptosis markers, and activated specific cellular pathways, suggesting it might be a promising candidate for therapeutic development against tongue SCC.
Medical Utilization of Emergency Departments among Patients with Prostate Cancer: A Nationwide Population-Based Study in Taiwan.
Int J Environ Res Public Health
December 2021
Article Synopsis
- Prostate cancer is on the rise in Taiwan, prompting a study on how patients utilize emergency departments (EDs) for their care.
- The research, conducted on a large scale from 1997 to 2013, analyzed over 18,000 patients, revealing an increase in ED visits and various spending patterns related to treatment types.
- Key findings showed a high rate of ED utilization (822 per 1000 people), with injury/poisoning and genitourinary disorders being common reasons for visits, highlighting areas for potential improvement in healthcare services.
Article Synopsis
- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is linked to increased gastric cancer risk and may impact androgen activity in men, but its effects on prostate cancer patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) are unclear.
- A study analyzed data from 62,014 prostate cancer patients, focusing on those who received ADT and comparing outcomes between those with and without H. pylori infections.
- Results showed that H. pylori infection was associated with lower risks of all-cause mortality and prostate cancer-specific mortality in patients undergoing ADT, suggesting it may have a protective effect.
Article Synopsis
- COVID-19 has resulted in severe health issues globally, and colchicine has been proposed as a potential treatment due to its anti-inflammatory properties.* -
- A systematic review analyzed 11 studies involving 17,205 COVID-19 patients, finding that colchicine treatment was linked to a significantly lower risk of mortality but had a non-significant impact on the need for mechanical ventilation.* -
- While colchicine appeared beneficial for reducing mortality in the overall analysis, randomized controlled trials showed no statistically significant difference, indicating the need for more research to verify its effectiveness.*
Article Synopsis
- The researchers analyzed newly diagnosed PCa patients divided into ADT and ADT-naïve groups, adjusting for differences in their characteristics using propensity score methods.
- The results showed no significant difference in the incidence rates of dementia between ADT patients and those not receiving ADT, suggesting ADT may not be associated with higher dementia risk in these patients.
Preterm Labor Using Tocolysis as a Possible Risk Factor for Postpartum Depression: A 14-Year Population-Based Study in Taiwan.
Int J Environ Res Public Health
July 2021
Article Synopsis
- * This study analyzed data from the National Health Insurance Research Database over 14 years to assess the mental stress caused by common obstetric medications during labor.
- * Findings revealed that the injection form of ritodrine, used for preterm labor treatment, significantly increases the risk of PPD, suggesting healthcare providers should be mindful of maternal mental health in high-risk pregnancies.
Article Synopsis
- Inorganic arsenic (As) is a global pollutant linked to neurodegenerative disorders, with the study focusing on how it affects neuronal cells through autophagy and apoptosis.
- The research indicates that As exposure activates both autophagy and apoptosis in Neuro-2a cells, showing signs of cell death and increased autophagic markers, while inhibiting autophagy can prevent these effects.
- The study highlights that As-induced neuronal cell death is mediated by the inactivation of Akt and activation of AMPK, suggesting that targeting these pathways could help protect against arsenic-related neurotoxicity.
Article Synopsis
- Bisphenol A (BPA) is a harmful pollutant linked to neurodegenerative diseases, with its major metabolite, 4-methyl-2,4-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)pent-1-ene (MBP), being even more toxic than BPA itself.
- Studies have shown that MBP reduces the viability of Neuro-2a cells and induces apoptosis at lower concentrations compared to BPA, involving mitochondrial dysfunction and endoplasmic reticulum stress.
- Intervention with specific inhibitors and siRNAs can mitigate the harmful effects of MBP on neuronal cells, suggesting potential pathways for therapeutic strategies against MBP-induced neurotoxicity.*
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to assess the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients undergoing second-line hormonal therapies, specifically enzalutamide and abiraterone acetate.
- Utilizing a large dataset from 2014 to 2017, researchers compared MACE rates between patients on second-line therapy and those receiving first-line androgen-deprivation therapy, revealing higher event rates in the second-line group.
- Results indicated that second-line hormonal therapy significantly increased the risk of MACE, including acute coronary syndrome and heart failure, while the risk for ischemic stroke was similar between both treatment groups.
Article Synopsis
- - The incidence of prostate cancer in Taiwan has risen significantly over the past few decades, with rates increasing from 35.47 per 100,000 men in 2006 to 52.87 in 2012, alongside an increase in comorbidities linked to metabolic syndrome.
- - Researchers analyzed data from the nationwide Health and Welfare Database (HWD) to explore the relationships between prostate cancer diagnoses, PSA test utilization, and underlying health conditions.
- - Findings indicate a strong correlation between the frequency of PSA testing and the rise in new prostate cancer cases, suggesting that increased PSA testing may lead to more diagnoses, while metabolic health issues may also play a role.
Article Synopsis
- Androgen-independent prostate cancer is a significant cause of mortality worldwide, leading researchers to explore treatments using extracts from the medical fungus Ganoderma.
- In this study, extracts (hexane and butanol) from Ganoderma showed a dose-dependent inhibition of DU145 cells, a type of prostate cancer cell that doesn't rely on androgens.
- The extracts not only caused cell-cycle arrest but also promoted programmed cell death in cancer cells while showing lower toxicity to normal cells, suggesting their potential as treatments for androgen-independent prostate cancer.
Decreased Risk of Renal Calculi in Patients Receiving Androgen Deprivation Therapy for Prostate Cancer.
Int J Environ Res Public Health
March 2020
Article Synopsis
- Renal calculi (kidney stones) are more common in men, potentially influenced by exposure to androgens, and the effects of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) on kidney stone risk in prostate cancer patients are unclear.
- A population-based study using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database analyzed 3,309 prostate cancer patients from 2001 to 2013, comparing those on ADT with matched controls not on ADT.
- Results showed that ADT patients had a significantly lower risk of developing renal calculi (12.3% incidence) compared to non-ADT patients, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 0.38, indicating a reduced risk by about one-third.