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 & Hazard ratio. The organization has 6842 authors who have published 9512 publications receiving 171005 citations. The organization is also known as: FJU & Fu Jen.

Polyester-degrading thermophilic actinomycetes isolated from different environment in Taiwan

Abstract: Thermophilic actinomycetes strains were isolated from various environment in Taiwan and screened for degradation of poly(ethylene succinate) (PES), poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) and/or poly(β-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) by the clear-zone method. Out of 341 strains of thermophilic actinomycetes, 105 isolates were PHB-degraders (30.8%), 198 isolates were PCL-decomposers (58.1%), and 99 isolates could degrade PES (29.0%). Furthermore, 77 isolates could degrade both PHB and PCL (22.6%), 35 isolates could degrade both PHB and PES (10.3%), 81 isolates could degrade both PES and PCL (23.8%) and 31 isolates could degrade the three polyesters used in this study (9.1%). Base on the morphological and chemical characteristics, these 31 isolates belonging to Actinomadura (12.9%), Microbispora (25.8%), Streptomyces (48.4%), Thermoactinomyces (9.7%) and Saccharomonospora genus (3.22%).

Probing water micro-solvation in proteins by water catalysed proton-transfer tautomerism

Abstract: Detailed knowledge of the water environment within proteins may lead to an increased understanding of protein folding and function. Here the authors present a tryptophan analogue with remarkable water catalysed proton-transfer properties that may be exploited for site-specific water sensing.

Diagnostic value of International Prostate Symptom Score voiding-to-storage subscore ratio in male lower urinary tract symptoms.

Abstract: Summary Aims: To investigate the diagnostic value of the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) voiding-to-storage subscore ratio (IPSS-V/S) in male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Methods: A total of 253 men with LUTS were enrolled from January 2005 to July 2010. The voiding (IPSS-V) and storage IPSS (IPSS-S) subscores were recorded separately by the patients themselves. The IPSS-V/S was calculated and compared among various aetiologies based on videourodynamic studies. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves were constructed for comparing the diagnostic value of various non-invasive methods for predicting failure to voiding and storage lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD). Results: Patients with failure to voiding LUTD, including benign prostatic obstruction (n = 72), bladder neck dysfunction (n = 19), urethral stricture (n = 3) and poor relaxation of the urethral sphincter (n = 32), had mean IPSS-V/S scores > 1. In contrast, patients who were urodynamically normal (n = 2) or had failure to storage LUTD, including idiopathic detrusor overactivity (n = 84), increased bladder sensation (n = 37), and detrusor overactivity and impaired contractility (n = 4), had IPSS-V/S scores ≤ 1. When IPSS-V/S was used to differentiate male LUTS, failure to voiding LUTD was found in 81.2% of patients with IPSS scores > 1, while failure to storage LUTD was found in 75.7% of patients with IPSS-V/S ≤ 1. The area under ROC curve of IPSS-V/S was higher than for other non-invasive methods for predicting failure to voiding and storage LUTD. Conclusion: Measuring IPSS subscores and calculating IPSS-V/S is a simple and useful method to differentiate failure to voiding and failure to storage LUTD in men with LUTS. IPSS-V/S may provide a guide for the initial treatment, especially for primary care physicians without access to urological studies.

Correlation of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography maximal standardized uptake value and EGFR mutations in advanced lung adenocarcinoma.

Abstract: Objective Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in lung adenocarcinoma are involved in the tumorigenesis and regulation of cell metabolism via Akt signaling. F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography ([18F]FDG PET), a functional imaging modality, can be used to measure tumor cell metabolism. Thus, in this study, we hypothesize that there exist correlations between EGFR mutation status and [18F]FDG uptake of advanced lung adenocarcinoma. Methods From May 2004 to April 2008, patients with stage IIIB or IV lung adenocarcinoma who underwent [18F]FDG PET and EGFR mutation analysis before receiving any treatment were eligible to participate in this study. The association of EGFR mutation status with patient characteristics and the SUVMAX from the [18F]FDG PET was evaluated. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze predictors of EGFR mutations. Results Seventy-seven lung adenocarcinoma patients were included in this study. EGFR mutations were identified in 49 (64%) of the patients. The [18F]FDG uptake was significantly higher in EGFR-mutant (mean SUVMAX = 10.5 ± 4.7) than wild-type (8.0 ± 3.3) lung adenocarcinoma patients (P = 0.008). The median SUVMAX was 9.5, and patients with an SUVMAX ≥ 9.5 were more likely to harbor EGFR mutations (P = 0.009). In the multivariate analysis, an SUVMAX ≥ 9.5 remained a statistically significant predictor of EGFR mutations (P = 0.005). Conclusions Among Asian patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma, those with higher SUVMAX on the [18F]FDG PET are more likely to carry EGFR mutations.

Hepatic histopathology of morbid obesity: concurrence of other forms of chronic liver disease.

Abstract: Background: Obesity is a chronic inflammatory condition, with related steatohepatitis and liver fibrosis. The authors analyzed the hepatic histopathology in morbidly obese patients and predictors of concurrence of clinical and/ or histopathologic findings of steatohepatitis with other forms of chronic liver disease. Methods: The histopathologic findings in the liver of 160 patients who were undergoing laparoscopic gastric bypass or gastric banding for morbid obesity, were examined. Clinical data (gender, age, BMI and associated diseases) and laboratory evaluation were obtained from the patient records. The degree of steatosis, ballooning degeneration, lobular inflammation and fibrosis were determined and scored. Results: Among the patients, 62.5% (n=100) were females and 37.5% (n=60) were males, age 27 ± 12 years, with mean BMI 43 ± 5.8 kg/m2. 63, 54, 26, 15 and 2 patients were diagnosed as non-nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (non-NASH), NASH, chronic hepatitis B (CHB), alcoholic steatohepatitis and chronic hepatitis C (CHC), respectively. The prevalence of NASH was 33.8%, of which 5 patients (9.2%) had bridging fibrosis, but no cirrhosis was found in the NASH group. The prevalence of CHB was 16.3%, of which 3 patients (11.6%) had bridging fibrosis and/or cirrhosis. Multivariate analysis showed an association between steatosis and AST, ALT, GGT, C-peptide, insulin, HOMA-IR and adiponectin. The predictors of ballooning degeneration were serum sugar and AST, whereas the predictors of lobular inflammation were AST and ALT. There was a trend toward a correlation between abnormal liver function, insulin resistance, steatosis, liver cell injury and Mallory body in the NASH population. BMI, C-peptide, steatosis, ballooning degeneration and portal inflammation were significantly different between NASH and CHB groups, but only steatosis and ballooning degeneration were independent factors of NASH compared with CHB group after multivariate analysis. Overall, AST, AST/ALT ratio, uric acid and portal inflammation were independently associated with advanced fibrosis, while only Mallory body (P=0.033) and portal inflammation (P=0.015) were significantly different between mild-moderate fibrosis and advanced fibrosis in the NASH patients. Conclusion: Hepatic steatosis, features of metabolic syndrome and liver cell injuries were common in morbidly obese patients. Abnormal liver function and portal inflammation were related to hepatic fibrosis. The coexistance of clinical and histologic features of steatohepatitis with another chronic liver disease may reflect the biological significance of the chronic inflammatory condition in the obese population, which requires further investigation.