Publications by authors named "Po-Wen Gu"

Liver transplant recipients are immunocompromised and have low immunogenicity to produce antibodies in anti-COVID-19 vaccination. Whether immunosuppressant adjustment could facilitate anti-COVID-19 antibody production in anti-COVID-19 mRNA vaccination is undetermined. Our patients were informed to temporarily suspend mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) or everolimus (EVR) for 2 weeks during both the 1st and 2nd doses of Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine.

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Objectives: We conducted a single-blinded, randomized trial to evaluate the safety, reactogenicity, and immunogenicity of heterologous booster vaccination in health care workers (HCW) who had received two doses of ChAdOx1 nCov-19.

Methods: HCW who had at least 90 days after the second dose were enrolled to receive one of the four vaccines: BNT162b2 (30 μg), half-dose mRNA-1273 (50 μg), mRNA-1273 (100 μg), and MVC-COV1901 (15 μg). The primary outcomes were humoral and cellular immunogenicity and secondary outcomes assessed safety and reactogenicity at 28 days post-booster.

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Liver transplant recipients on chronic immunosuppression show an attenuated antibody response after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Adjusting immunosuppressants during vaccination remains debated. We enrolled 380 liver transplant recipients receiving 2 doses of a protein subunit, mRNA, or a vector vaccine.

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Cytokine-mediated inflammation is involved in the pathophysiology of paraquat toxicity. Nevertheless, few human studies have examined fluctuations in circulating cytokine levels. Blood samples were obtained from 21 patients with paraquat poisoning and compared to those of 18 healthy controls.

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Both hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) might contribute to insulin resistance (IR), how RBP4 links to IR in HCV infection remain elusive. A joint study of a prospective cohort of 842 chronically HCV-infected (CHC) patients (with 842 controls) and a line of HCV core transgenic mice was conducted. Of 842 patients, 771 had completed anti-HCV therapy and 667 had sustained virological responses (SVRs).

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Patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) are frequently first diagnosed at an advanced stage, leading to poor prognosis and high mortality rates. Early detection of OSCC using body fluid-accessible biomarkers may improve the prognosis and survival rate of OSCC patients. As tumor interstitial fluid is a proximal fluid enriched with cancer-related proteins, it is a useful reservoir suitable for the discovery of cancer biomarkers and dysregulated biological pathways in tumor microenvironments.

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Paraquat intoxication is characterized by acute kidney injury and multi-organ failure, causing substantial mortality and morbidity. This study aims to develop a 2-in-1 paper-based analytical device to detect the concentrations of paraquat and creatinine in human serum, which can help clinicians diagnose patients with paraquat poisoning in a more rapid and geographically unrestricted manner. The procedure involves fabrication of a paper-based analytical device, i.

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Objective: To investigate health problems, especially pulmonary function, among electroplating workers exposed to nickel.

Methods: We recruited 153 nickel-exposed and 74 control workers from electroplating shops in printed circuit board production plants. Questionnaires were conducted to collect basic information.

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Context: The mechanism of nickel-induced pathogenesis remains elusive.

Objective: To examine effects of nickel exposure on plasma oxidative and anti-oxidative biomarkers.

Materials And Methods: Biomarker data were collected from 154 workers with various levels of nickel exposure and from 73 controls.

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Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the infections with a highest prevalence in Taiwan. The most important marker is hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Using the new generation of HBsAg quantitative assay, HBsAg level may have good correlation with viral activity during different phases of chronic hepatitis B virus infection.

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Objective: To investigate the relationship of vitamin D status with lung function and fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) in a population sample of children.

Study Design: A total of 1315 children aged 5-18 years were evaluated using serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels, spirometry, a single-breath online FeNO measurement, and questionnaires.

Results: After adjusting for confounders, the mean forced vital capacity was 53.

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Background: New evidence shows high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in many countries and some studies suggest a possible link between vitamin D status and allergic diseases. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of suboptimal vitamin D status in a population sample of Asian children and to investigate the relationship of vitamin D status with allergic diseases and atopy.

Methods: Children aged 5-18 years (N = 1315) in the Prediction of Allergies in Taiwanese CHildren (PATCH) study were evaluated using questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, and serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and total and specific immunoglobulin E (IgE).

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To investigate the molecular mechanisms of arsenic (As)-associated carcinogenesis, we performed proteomic analysis on E7 immortalized human uroepithelial cells after treatment with As in vitro. Quantitative proteomics was performed using stable isotope dimethyl labeling coupled with two-dimensional liquid chromatography peptide separation and mass spectrometry (MS)/MS analysis. Among 285 proteins, a total of 26 proteins were upregulated (ratio>2.

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The typical creatine kinase (CK) isoenzymes include CK-BB, CK-MB, and CK-MM. Macro CK type 1, one of the atypical CK enzymes, has been identified in human serum, but the clinical significance still remains uncertain. In our laboratory, 105 patients who expressed serum macro CK isoenzyme type 1 were identified from March 2004 to March 2007.

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Objectives: Inflammation, a major risk factor for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), is associated with leukocytic activation, secretion of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and generation of the oxidative damage marker, 3-chlorotyrosine (3-Cl-Tyr). To study their association with AMI and their value in diagnosis of AMI, white blood cell (WBC) count, plasma MPO, plasma 3-Cl-Tyr, and conventional risk factors such as cardiac troponin I and CK-MB were examined in AMI patients during the onset of chest pain.

Methods: After obtaining informed consent, blood samples were collected from 77 AMI patients during the onset of chest pain and from 53 normal controls.

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Oxidative stress has been associated with degenerative diseases such as cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is the major cause of death among cardiovascular diseases. Inflammation, a major risk factor of AMI, is associated with leukocytic activation, secretion of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and subsequent oxidant generation.

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