Fu Jen Catholic University

About: Fu Jen Catholic University is a education organization based out in Taipei, Taiwan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 6842 authors who have published 9512 publications receiving 171005 citations. The organization is also known as: FJU & Fu Jen.

Cancer risk in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: a nationwide cohort study

Abstract: This study examined the risk of cancer in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT). The Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) was used to identify 1521 newly diagnosed HT patients from 1998–2010, and 6084 frequency-matched non-HT patients. The risk of developing cancer for HT patients was measured using the Cox proportional hazard model. The incidence of developing cancer in the HT cohort was 5.07 per 1000 person-years, which was 1.68-fold higher than that in the comparison cohort (P 55 years: HR=9.66). After adjusting for sex, age, and comorbidities, the HT cohort had HRs of 4.76 and 11.8 for developing colorectal cancer and thyroid cancer, respectively, compared with non-HT cohort. Furthermore, the HT cohort to non-HT cohort incidence rate ratio (IRR) of thyroid cancer was higher in the first 3 years (48.4, 95% confidence interval (CI)=35.0–66.3), with an adjusted HR of 49.4 (95% CI=6.39–382.4). Hashimoto’s thyroiditis patients have a higher risk of thyroid cancer and colorectal cancer. The thyroid cancer prevention effort should start soon after HT is diagnosed, while being cautious of colorectal cancer increases with time.

Cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity of gold-supported cerium oxide nanoparticles.

Abstract: BACKGROUND Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2) have been shown to be a novel therapeutic in many biomedical applications. Gold (Au) nanoparticles have also attracted widespread interest due to their chemical stability and unique optical properties. Thus, decorating Au on CeO2 nanoparticles would have potential for exploitation in the biomedical field. METHODS In the present work, CeO2 nanoparticles synthesized by a chemical combustion method were supported with 3.5% Au (Au/CeO2) by a deposition-precipitation method. The as-synthesized Au, CeO2, and Au/CeO2 nanoparticles were evaluated for antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 normal cells and A549 lung cancer cells. RESULTS The as-synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and ultraviolet-visible measurements. The X-ray diffraction study confirmed the formation of cubic fluorite-structured CeO2 nanoparticles with a size of 10 nm. All synthesized nanoparticles were nontoxic towards RAW 264.7 cells at doses of 0-1,000 μM except for Au at >100 μM. For A549 cancer cells, Au/CeO2 had the highest inhibitory effect, followed by both Au and CeO2 which showed a similar effect at 500 and 1,000 μM. Initial binding of nanoparticles occurred through localized positively charged sites in A549 cells as shown by a shift in zeta potential from positive to negative after 24 hours of incubation. A dose-dependent elevation in reactive oxygen species indicated that the pro-oxidant activity of the nanoparticles was responsible for their cytotoxicity towards A549 cells. In addition, cellular uptake seen on transmission electron microscopic images indicated predominant localization of nanoparticles in the cytoplasmic matrix and mitochondrial damage due to oxidative stress. With regard to antibacterial activity, both types of nanoparticles had the strongest inhibitory effect on Bacillus subtilis in monoculture systems, followed by Salmonella enteritidis, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus, while, in coculture tests with Lactobacillus plantarum, S. aureus was inhibited to a greater extent than the other bacteria. CONCLUSION Gold-supported CeO2 nanoparticles may be a potential nanomaterial for in vivo application owing to their biocompatible and antibacterial properties.

Testing a mediation framework for the link between perceived discrimination and psychological distress among sexual minority individuals.

Abstract: Perceived discrimination is a risk factor for mental health problems among sexual minority individuals. An increasing number of research studies have investigated the mechanisms through which stigma-related stressors such as perceived discrimination are linked with adverse mental health outcomes for sexual minority populations. The integrative mediation framework proposed by Hatzenbuehler (2009) underscores the importance of identifying mediators in the association between stigma-related stressors and mental health outcomes. This study tested 3 mediators--expectations of rejection, anger rumination, and self-compassion--in the perceived discrimination-distress link. Moreover, it examined associations among these mediators. A nationwide sample of 265 sexual minorities responded to an online survey. Structural equation modeling results supported the mediator roles of expectations of rejection, anger rumination, and self-compassion. More specifically, perceived discrimination was associated with expectations of rejection, which, in turn, was associated with increased anger rumination and less self-compassion, resulting in greater psychological distress. The findings suggest several avenues for prevention and intervention with sexual minority individuals.

The Impact of Acute Kidney Injury With Temporary Dialysis on the Risk of Fracture

Abstract: Acute kidney injury (AKI) has a negative impact on long-term renal function and prognosis. However, the association between acute renal dysfunction and long-term effects on bone disorders has not yet been characterized. Using a population-based cohort study, we aimed to evaluate associations between AKI and long-term effects on bone fractures. We identified relevant data of all hospitalized patients aged >18 years with histories of dialysis-requiring AKI, with subsequent recovery and discharge, from the claim records of the Taiwan National Health Insurance database between 2000 and 2008. We determined long-term de novo bone fracture and all-cause mortality after patients' index-hospitalization discharge using propensity score–adjusted Cox proportional hazard model. Varying-time models were used to adjust for long-term effects of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on main outcomes. Among 448 AKI patients who had dialysis and survived 90 days after index-hospitalization discharge without reentering dialysis, 273 were male (60.9%) with a mean age of 61.4 ± 16.6 years. Controls included 1792 hospitalized patients without AKI, dialysis, or bone fracture history. In the AKI recovery group, bone fracture incidence was 320 per 10,000 person-years and hazard ratio (HR) of long-term bone fracture was 1.25 (p = 0.049) compared with the control group, independent of subsequent ESRD status (HR = 1.55; p = 0.01). Both AKI recovery status (HR = 2.31; p < 0.001) and time varying factor of bone fracture (HR = 1.43; p < 0.001) were independent predictors of mortality compared with controls. In conclusion, AKI requiring temporary dialysis independently increases long-term risk of bone fracture, regardless of subsequent progression to ESRD. Long-term bone fractures may negatively impact patient mortality. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.