Different Characteristics and Clinical Outcomes between Early-Onset and Late-Onset Asthma: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Late-onset asthma (LOA) differs from early-onset asthma (EOA) in terms of prognosis and the treatment response because it has a much worse prognosis and a poorer response to standard asthma treatment. This study sought to investigate the characteristics and clinical outcomes of asthma patients with phenotypes distinguished by age at onset and atopy status. We prospectively recruited patients with asthma who were registered in a pay-for-performance program operated by Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA).

Prior EGFR-TKI Treatment in EGFR-Mutated NSCLC Affects the Allele Frequency Fraction of Acquired T790M and the Subsequent Efficacy of Osimertinib.

Background: The first (1G) and second (2G) generations of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) show differential inhibitory capacities towards EGFR T790M-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells.

Objective: To assess the ratio of the allele fractions of T790M (AF) to EGFR-activating mutations (AF) in patients treated with 1G and 2G EGFR TKIs who acquired T790M-mediated resistance and to determine the relationship between AF and the later efficacy of osimertinib.

Patients And Methods: The efficacy of osimertinib was reviewed for 54 T790M-positive EGFR-mutated NSCLC patients grouped by the generation of prior EGFR TKI use (1G vs.

Impact of prolonged and early bevacizumab treatment on the overall survival of EGFR-mutant and EGFR-wild type nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: VEGF plays a key role in tumor angiogenesis and immunosuppression. VEGF-blocking has proven beneficial for EGFR mutant and wild-type nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (nonsq-NSCLC); however, the number of cycles and treatment line yielding the optimal benefit are unknown.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 115 patients with advanced/metastatic nonsq-NSCLC administered at least one cycle of bevacizumab.

Unique Immune Gene Expression Patterns in Bronchoalveolar Lavage and Tumor Adjacent Non-Neoplastic Lung Tissue in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Background: The immune cells in the local environments surrounding non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) implicate the balance of pro- and antitumor immunity; however, their transcriptomic profiles remain poorly understood.

Methods: A transcriptomic microarray study of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells harvested from tumor-bearing lung segments was performed in a discovery group. The findings were validated (1) in published microarray datasets, (2) in an independent group by RT-qPCR, and (3) in non-diseased and tumor adjacent non-neoplastic lung tissue by immunohistochemistry and in BAL cell lysates by immunoblotting.

Epicardial adipose tissue relating to anthropometrics, metabolic derangements and fatty liver disease independently contributes to serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein beyond body fat composition: a study validated with computed tomography.

Background: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) measured by echocardiography has been proposed to be associated with metabolic syndrome and increased cardiovascular risks. However, its independent association with fatty liver disease and systemic inflammation beyond clinical variables and body fat remains less well known.

Methods: The relationships between EAT and various factors of metabolic derangement were retrospectively examined in consecutive 359 asymptomatic subjects (mean age, 51.

Pericardial and thoracic peri-aortic adipose tissues contribute to systemic inflammation and calcified coronary atherosclerosis independent of body fat composition, anthropometric measures and traditional cardiovascular risks.

Background: Coronary atherosclerosis has traditionally been proposed to be associated with several cardiovascular risk factors and anthropometric measures. However, clinical data regarding the independent value of visceral adipose tissue in addition to such traditional predictors remains obscure.

Materials And Methods: We subsequently studied 719 subjects (age: 48.

Distribution of colon neoplasia in Chinese patients: implications for endoscopic screening strategies.

Objectives: Our aim was to measure the prevalence and distribution of colonic neoplasia in Chinese adults, and to estimate the sensitivity of sigmoidoscopic screening strategies for detecting those with advanced neoplasia.

Methods: Asymptomatic, average-risk Chinese adults aged 50 years or older underwent screening colonoscopy. The prevalence and distribution of colonic neoplasia and advanced neoplasia (defined as an adenoma >or=10 mm or with villous, high-grade dysplastic, or malignant features) were reviewed retrospectively and the outcomes of various sigmoidoscopic screening strategies estimated.

Anticancer activity of botanical alkyl hydroquinones attributed to topoisomerase II poisoning.

Cytotoxic alkyl hydroquinone compounds have been isolated from many plants. We previously isolated 3 structurally similar cytotoxic alkyl hydroquinone compounds from the sap of the lacquer tree Rhus succedanea L. belonging to the sumac family, which have a long history of medicinal use in Asia.

Screening colonoscopy in Chinese and Western patients: a comparative study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare findings on screening colonoscopy in a Chinese cohort versus a concurrent Western cohort.

Methods: Asymptomatic adults aged 40 years or older concurrently underwent screening colonoscopy in two hospitals, one in Taiwan and the other in Seattle. The prevalence and distribution of colonic neoplasia and advanced neoplasia (defined as an adenoma >or=10 mm or with villous, high-grade dysplastic, or malignant features) were compared between the two groups.