Tsunghsien Lee | Dahan Institute of Technology (original) (raw)
Books by Tsunghsien Lee
Papers by Tsunghsien Lee
ELEMENTS OF PROGRAMMING INTERVIEWS: THE INSIDERS' GUIDE
Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2005
Objective: We report a patient with late onset of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)... more Objective: We report a patient with late onset of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) combined with pregnancy subsequent to in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles without embryo transfer, which is extremely rare. Case Report: This case of severe OHSS was in a 27-year-old woman who underwent controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH), oocyte collection, and IVF. All embryos were cryopreserved to prevent possible OHSS due to an extremely high level of estradiol (6,357 pg/mL). No embryo was transferred in this cycle. However, she was admitted 7 days after oocyte retrieval because of massive ascites and enlarged ovaries. Pregnancy was diagnosed by serum-human chorionic gonadotropin (51 mIU/mL) 4 days later. Fetal heartbeat was demonstrated by ultrasound examination during follow-up. Conclusion: Prompt recognition of pregnancy and proper medical intervention should be given to patients with late-onset OHSS, even if no embryo was transferred in the fresh cycle. We suggest that more preventive procedures for OHSS may be necessary for patients undergoing COH and receiving no embryo transfer, such as oocyte donors and patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.
Procedia Engineering, 2014
A hollow extrusion process by varying pocket geometry in welding chamber and bearing length to ob... more A hollow extrusion process by varying pocket geometry in welding chamber and bearing length to obtain a uniform material flow is studied. Finite element analysis and Taguchi method are used to obtain a better porthole type extrusion die design. The research results show that the billet has the best uniform material flow and minimum dead metal zone in Double arc type, and the ramp load shows that R of 40 mm is smaller than 45mm. In addition, unequal bearing length makes metal flow more uniform. Finally, extrusion die with porthole die structure has been manufactured and a successful extruding process has been conducted which proves the better design using the double arc pocket and unequal bearing length.
Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2014
Objective: This study aimed to clarify the usefulness of blastocyst scores and female age as embr... more Objective: This study aimed to clarify the usefulness of blastocyst scores and female age as embryo competence markers for embryo transfer in in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. Materials and Methods: A total of 352 IVF cycles were investigated. The relevance of blastocyst scores and female age to pregnancy outcome was assessed by logistic regression analysis. Results: We revealed that, for patients aged < 35 years, the score of the best embryo was the sole factor related to multiple pregnancy, whereas the score of the best two embryos was the only factor relevant to pregnancy. For patients aged 35e37 years, the score of the best three embryos was the sole factor correlated to both pregnancy and multiple pregnancy. As for older patients, the correlation between blastocyst morphology and pregnancy outcome was mainly affected by female age. Conclusion: The blastocyst score could be used to determine the number of blastocysts transferred to younger patients, but it is less useful for patients aged > 38 years. For older patients, female age is a better indicator to determine the number of transferred blastocysts.
Reproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E, Jan 17, 2009
This study was designed to assess the capability of ovarian reserve markers, including baseline F... more This study was designed to assess the capability of ovarian reserve markers, including baseline FSH levels, baseline anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels, and antral follicle count (AFC), as predictors of live births during IVF cycles, especially for infertile couples with advanced maternal age and/or male factors. A prospective cohort of 336 first IVF/ICSI cycles undergoing a long protocol with GnRH agonist was investigated. Patients with endocrine disorders or unilateral ovaries were excluded. Among the ovarian reserve tests, AMH and age had a greater area under the receiving operating characteristic curve than FSH in predicting live births. Furthermore, AMH and age were the sole predictive factors of live births for women greater than or equal to 35 years of age; while AMH was the major determinant of live births for infertile couples with absence of male factors by multivariate logistic regression analysis. However, all the studied ovarain reserve tests were not preditive of live...
Taiwanese journal of obstetrics & gynecology, 2014
This study determined the correlation between the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in prep... more This study determined the correlation between the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in prepared culture media and the early development of human embryos. This was an autocontrolled comparison study. A total of 159 patients undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment were recruited in this study. The pH values, osmolarity pressures, and ROS levels of 15 batches of two culture media were measured. Sibling oocytes or embryos from individual patients were randomly assigned to two culture groups with Quinn's Advantage Cleavage and Blastocyst media (QAC/QAB) or GIII series cleavage and blastocyst media (G1.3/G2.3). The difference between the two culture groups was analyzed using one-sample t test. The QAC/QAB and G1.3/G2.3 media exhibited similar pH values and osmolarity pressures. However, the prepared QAC/QAB media were characterized to contain lower amounts of ROS than the G1.3/G2.3 media. Furthermore, the blastocysts that developed under the ...
Reproductive Sciences, 2012
This study was designed to determine the relevance between the levels of reactive oxygen species ... more This study was designed to determine the relevance between the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in microenvironment (follicular fluid or culture media) and the embryo development in IVF/ICSI cycles. A total of 466 follicles from 174 IVF/ICSI cycles were collected for this study. The ROS levels in monofollicular fluid and spent culture media were evaluated by chemiluminescence assay with luminol as a probe. The results demonstrated that it is in ICSI cycles that elevated ROS levels in follicular fluid were associated with day 3 poor embryo quality. The ROS levels in spent culture media were correlated with advanced degree of fragmentation. In addition, ROS levels in culture media, instead of in follicular fluid, were negatively correlated with implantation potential of embryos. The ROS levels in culture media may be viewed as an embryo metabolic marker and function as an adjuvant criterion for embryo selection.
Reproductive Sciences, 2013
Few studies reported the implication of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of monocyte chemoa... more Few studies reported the implication of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and its receptor chemokine receptor 2 (CCR-2) in clinical significance of cancer of uterine cervix. We hypothesized that SNPs of MCP-1 and CCR-2 may affect the expression of these genes and then proteins. Therefore, we investigated the influence of the gene polymorphisms of MCP-1 and CCR-2 on the susceptibility and clinicopathologic characteristics of cervical neoplasia in Taiwan women. We recruited 86 patients with invasive cancer and 61 with high-grade dysplasia and 253 control women and selected 1 MCP-1 SNP rs1024611 (-2518G/A) and 1 CCR-2 SNP rs1799864 (190G/A; V64I) to determine their genotypes distribution using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. In comparison to normal individuals with homozygotes GG in MCP-2 SNP, women with GA or AA carried a 2.01 odds ratio of developing cervical cancer. Nevertheless, it was not demonstrated in CCR-2 SNP. Furthermore, women with mutant homozygote (AA) of MCP-1 SNP increased the risk of deep stromal invasion, large tumor diameter, and parametrium invasion of cervical cancer, when compared to those with wild homozygote GG or heterozygote GA. However, women with mutant homozygotes (AA) of CCR-2 SNP did not increase the risk of poor clinicopathologic characteristics. In conclusion, MCP-1 SNP may be correlated with the development, deep stromal invasion, large tumor diameter, and parametrium invasion of cervical cancer but not with cancer recurrence or survival of Taiwan women patients with cancer. However, the SNP of its receptor, CCR-2, is not implicated in cervical cancer.
Reproductive BioMedicine Online, 2008
in Taiwan. He has worked with infertile couples for over 20 years and has achieved over five thou... more in Taiwan. He has worked with infertile couples for over 20 years and has achieved over five thousand healthy babies after treatment of couples by IVF. He has performed and published many studies on clinical reproductive medicine.
Prenatal Diagnosis, 2007
To study the role of selected cytokines and growth factors involved in the pathogenesis of fetal ... more To study the role of selected cytokines and growth factors involved in the pathogenesis of fetal chylous pleural effusion. Seventeen fetuses with prenatal chylothorax at gestational age (GA) 17-29 weeks were enrolled as the study group during the period 2003-2005. Their pleural effusion (n = 17) and amniotic fluid (n = 17) were drawn when disease set in. Eleven fetuses received cordocentesis because of suspected fetal anemia. Forty-one normal fetuses without adverse perinatal outcome at GA 17-29 weeks received amniocentesis and were enrolled in the reference group. Levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), stromal-derived factor-1(SDF-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin-8 (IL-8), macrophage migratory inhibition factor (MIF), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were determined in the samples from both groups (amniotic fluid, pleural fluid, and cord blood from the study group and amniotic fluid from the reference group) by enzyme-linked immunoassay (EIA). No significant differences were observed in the amniotic fluids between the study group and the reference group regarding levels of IL-6, IL-8, MIF, SDF-1, HGF and VEGF. In the study group, levels of IL-8, VEGF and SDF-1 (all pro-angiogenic) showed no significant differences between the amniotic fluid, cord blood and pleural effusion. The level of HGF (proangiogenic) was significantly higher in the amniotic fluid than in the cord blood or the pleural effusion, but there were no significant differences between the levels in the pleural fluid and in the cord blood. Interestingly, the levels of MIF and IL-6 (both are proinflammatory) in the amniotic fluid and in the pleural effusion were much higher than the levels in the cord blood. Our study demonstrated that the levels of pro-inflammatory proteins (MIF and IL-6) that we tested were higher in the fetal pleural effusion than in the fetal circulation, a phenomenon not observed in the levels of proangiogenic proteins (HGF, SDF-1, VEGF, IL-8). This result implies that inflammation-related proteins may be more relevant than the angiogenesis-related proteins in the local environment of accumulating pleural effusion, a prominent feature of prenatal chylothorax.
![Research paper thumbnail of Biological evaluation of 9-[(6-chloropyridin-4-yl)methyl]-9H-carbazole-3-carbinol as an anticancer agent](https://attachments.academia-assets.com/105101478/thumbnails/1.jpg)
](Oncology Reports, 2013
Most conventional anticancer drugs exert either anti-proliferation or anti-angiogenesis activity.... more Most conventional anticancer drugs exert either anti-proliferation or anti-angiogenesis activity. Recently, searching for potential multi-target agents has become an alternative strategy for cancer treatment. Several structurally different carbazole alkaloids from either natural or synthesized sources represent an important and heterogeneous class of anticancer agents. In the present study, we investigated the anticancer activity of a novel synthetic carbazole derivative, 9-[(6-chloropyridin-4-yl)methyl]-9H-carbazole-3-carbinol (HYL-6d), which is structurally different from other previously characterized carbazoles. HYL-6d-treated human breast cancer MCF-7 cells exhibited an increased population arrested at the sub-G 1 and S phases, as well as an increase of p53 and decrease of cyclin D1, A and CDK2. Also, HYL-6d treatment induced MCF-7 cell apoptosis and this was accompanied by a decreased expression of Bcl-2, increased levels of p53 and Bcl-X S and the activation of caspase-9. Experimental results from human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) showed that HYL-6d also exerted its anti-angiogenic activity in HUVECs by inhibiting cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation induced by VEGF-or bFGF in vitro. In summary, the data indicate that HYL-6d exhibits both cytotoxic effects against human cancer cells and antiangiogenic activities, which make it a potential therapeutic drug for cancer treatment.
Journal of the Formosan Medical Association, 2007
Turner syndrome (karyotype: 45,X) affects 1 in 5000 live born females. Features include redundant... more Turner syndrome (karyotype: 45,X) affects 1 in 5000 live born females. Features include redundant neck skin (web neck), peripheral lymph edema, short stature, cardiovascular abnormalities, and ovarian dysfunction. 1 Unfortunately, a highly variable phenotypical spectrum is noted in mosaic sex chromosome disorders, including mosaic 45,X. The uncertainty regarding genotype-phenotype relationship in this group of disorders renders our genetic counseling difficult. 2 A structurally altered Y chromosome is occasionally observed in patients with mosaic Turner syndrome. Amongst these structurally altered Y chromosomes, dicentric Y is the most common form. 3 SRY inhibits the DAX1 gene (at Xp21.2), consequently suppresses the antagonizing effect of DAX1 to SF1 (steroidogenic factor 1, at 11q13 and enhances the maleness) and therefore enhances the development of the undifferentiated gonad to testes. 4 Mutations of SRY gene (including loss-offunction mutations and deletion), the ratios of Y-containing cells to 45,X cells, the responsiveness of undifferentiated gonads to androgenic factors and hormones, may all affect the development of
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, 2013
Purpose Previous studies reported that patients with endometriosis had excess nitric oxide (NO) i... more Purpose Previous studies reported that patients with endometriosis had excess nitric oxide (NO) in the reproductive tract and poor embryo development in IVF cycles. This study aims to elucidate the effects of NO on early embryo development. Methods Zygotes from superovulated B6CBF1 mice were cultured to blastocysts in a variety of media. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and N G-nitro-L-arginine (LNA) were added to the culture medium as a NO donor and a NO synthase inhibitor, respectively. The localization and fluorescence intensity of S-nitrosylated (SNO) proteins within 2-cell stage embryos were analyzed with confocal microscopy. Apoptosis and ATP production in the blastocysts were measured. Result(s) Subsequent to NO exposure, the SNO proteins mainly colocalized with the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum and the intensity of SNO proteins increased. The addition of a quanylate cyclase inhibitor and a cyclic GMP mimic agent induced nonsignificant changes in SNO proteins, whereas addition of a superoxide scavenger or a reduced form of glutathione rescued the embryos from the effects of NO. However, superoxide scavenger supplementation resulted in decreased blastocyst ATP production. Conclusion(s) Elevated NO exerts deleterious effects on embryo development, possibly through protein S-nitrosylation in the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. Including glutathione as a component in the culture medium might counteract this effect.
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, 2008
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, 2010
Purpose The purpose of this study was to identify agerelated oocyte or embryo markers suitable fo... more Purpose The purpose of this study was to identify agerelated oocyte or embryo markers suitable for non-invasive analysis, as women over 38 years of age experience diminished pregnancy and ovulation rates. Methods We used real-time quantitative PCR to examine the gene expression profiles in cumulus cells acquired from older and younger age groups. We selected 11 genes involved in three functions that directly affect cellular aging: cell cycle control, apoptosis, and metabolism. Results CKB and PRDX2 were up-regulated in women older than 38 years, and the expression of these genes in cumulus cells was associated with embryo quality. In goodquality embryos, CKB expression was higher in the cumulus cells acquired from both older and younger age groups than in poor-quality embryos. Conclusions These potential relationships among cumulus cell gene expression, oocyte quality, and age may expand our understanding of oogenesis and embryo development. CKB and PRDX2 may serve as biomarkers or therapeutic targets for the developmental potential of oocytes. Keywords Aging. Creatin kinase B (CKB). Cumulus cells. Embryo quality. Peroxiredoxin 2 (PRDX2) Capsule In cumulus cell gene expression, Creatin kinase B and peroxiredoxin 2 may serve as biomarkers or therapeutic targets for the developmental potential of oocytes.
ELEMENTS OF PROGRAMMING INTERVIEWS: THE INSIDERS' GUIDE
Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2005
Objective: We report a patient with late onset of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)... more Objective: We report a patient with late onset of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) combined with pregnancy subsequent to in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles without embryo transfer, which is extremely rare. Case Report: This case of severe OHSS was in a 27-year-old woman who underwent controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH), oocyte collection, and IVF. All embryos were cryopreserved to prevent possible OHSS due to an extremely high level of estradiol (6,357 pg/mL). No embryo was transferred in this cycle. However, she was admitted 7 days after oocyte retrieval because of massive ascites and enlarged ovaries. Pregnancy was diagnosed by serum-human chorionic gonadotropin (51 mIU/mL) 4 days later. Fetal heartbeat was demonstrated by ultrasound examination during follow-up. Conclusion: Prompt recognition of pregnancy and proper medical intervention should be given to patients with late-onset OHSS, even if no embryo was transferred in the fresh cycle. We suggest that more preventive procedures for OHSS may be necessary for patients undergoing COH and receiving no embryo transfer, such as oocyte donors and patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.
Procedia Engineering, 2014
A hollow extrusion process by varying pocket geometry in welding chamber and bearing length to ob... more A hollow extrusion process by varying pocket geometry in welding chamber and bearing length to obtain a uniform material flow is studied. Finite element analysis and Taguchi method are used to obtain a better porthole type extrusion die design. The research results show that the billet has the best uniform material flow and minimum dead metal zone in Double arc type, and the ramp load shows that R of 40 mm is smaller than 45mm. In addition, unequal bearing length makes metal flow more uniform. Finally, extrusion die with porthole die structure has been manufactured and a successful extruding process has been conducted which proves the better design using the double arc pocket and unequal bearing length.
Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2014
Objective: This study aimed to clarify the usefulness of blastocyst scores and female age as embr... more Objective: This study aimed to clarify the usefulness of blastocyst scores and female age as embryo competence markers for embryo transfer in in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. Materials and Methods: A total of 352 IVF cycles were investigated. The relevance of blastocyst scores and female age to pregnancy outcome was assessed by logistic regression analysis. Results: We revealed that, for patients aged < 35 years, the score of the best embryo was the sole factor related to multiple pregnancy, whereas the score of the best two embryos was the only factor relevant to pregnancy. For patients aged 35e37 years, the score of the best three embryos was the sole factor correlated to both pregnancy and multiple pregnancy. As for older patients, the correlation between blastocyst morphology and pregnancy outcome was mainly affected by female age. Conclusion: The blastocyst score could be used to determine the number of blastocysts transferred to younger patients, but it is less useful for patients aged > 38 years. For older patients, female age is a better indicator to determine the number of transferred blastocysts.
Reproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E, Jan 17, 2009
This study was designed to assess the capability of ovarian reserve markers, including baseline F... more This study was designed to assess the capability of ovarian reserve markers, including baseline FSH levels, baseline anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels, and antral follicle count (AFC), as predictors of live births during IVF cycles, especially for infertile couples with advanced maternal age and/or male factors. A prospective cohort of 336 first IVF/ICSI cycles undergoing a long protocol with GnRH agonist was investigated. Patients with endocrine disorders or unilateral ovaries were excluded. Among the ovarian reserve tests, AMH and age had a greater area under the receiving operating characteristic curve than FSH in predicting live births. Furthermore, AMH and age were the sole predictive factors of live births for women greater than or equal to 35 years of age; while AMH was the major determinant of live births for infertile couples with absence of male factors by multivariate logistic regression analysis. However, all the studied ovarain reserve tests were not preditive of live...
Taiwanese journal of obstetrics & gynecology, 2014
This study determined the correlation between the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in prep... more This study determined the correlation between the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in prepared culture media and the early development of human embryos. This was an autocontrolled comparison study. A total of 159 patients undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment were recruited in this study. The pH values, osmolarity pressures, and ROS levels of 15 batches of two culture media were measured. Sibling oocytes or embryos from individual patients were randomly assigned to two culture groups with Quinn's Advantage Cleavage and Blastocyst media (QAC/QAB) or GIII series cleavage and blastocyst media (G1.3/G2.3). The difference between the two culture groups was analyzed using one-sample t test. The QAC/QAB and G1.3/G2.3 media exhibited similar pH values and osmolarity pressures. However, the prepared QAC/QAB media were characterized to contain lower amounts of ROS than the G1.3/G2.3 media. Furthermore, the blastocysts that developed under the ...
Reproductive Sciences, 2012
This study was designed to determine the relevance between the levels of reactive oxygen species ... more This study was designed to determine the relevance between the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in microenvironment (follicular fluid or culture media) and the embryo development in IVF/ICSI cycles. A total of 466 follicles from 174 IVF/ICSI cycles were collected for this study. The ROS levels in monofollicular fluid and spent culture media were evaluated by chemiluminescence assay with luminol as a probe. The results demonstrated that it is in ICSI cycles that elevated ROS levels in follicular fluid were associated with day 3 poor embryo quality. The ROS levels in spent culture media were correlated with advanced degree of fragmentation. In addition, ROS levels in culture media, instead of in follicular fluid, were negatively correlated with implantation potential of embryos. The ROS levels in culture media may be viewed as an embryo metabolic marker and function as an adjuvant criterion for embryo selection.
Reproductive Sciences, 2013
Few studies reported the implication of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of monocyte chemoa... more Few studies reported the implication of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and its receptor chemokine receptor 2 (CCR-2) in clinical significance of cancer of uterine cervix. We hypothesized that SNPs of MCP-1 and CCR-2 may affect the expression of these genes and then proteins. Therefore, we investigated the influence of the gene polymorphisms of MCP-1 and CCR-2 on the susceptibility and clinicopathologic characteristics of cervical neoplasia in Taiwan women. We recruited 86 patients with invasive cancer and 61 with high-grade dysplasia and 253 control women and selected 1 MCP-1 SNP rs1024611 (-2518G/A) and 1 CCR-2 SNP rs1799864 (190G/A; V64I) to determine their genotypes distribution using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. In comparison to normal individuals with homozygotes GG in MCP-2 SNP, women with GA or AA carried a 2.01 odds ratio of developing cervical cancer. Nevertheless, it was not demonstrated in CCR-2 SNP. Furthermore, women with mutant homozygote (AA) of MCP-1 SNP increased the risk of deep stromal invasion, large tumor diameter, and parametrium invasion of cervical cancer, when compared to those with wild homozygote GG or heterozygote GA. However, women with mutant homozygotes (AA) of CCR-2 SNP did not increase the risk of poor clinicopathologic characteristics. In conclusion, MCP-1 SNP may be correlated with the development, deep stromal invasion, large tumor diameter, and parametrium invasion of cervical cancer but not with cancer recurrence or survival of Taiwan women patients with cancer. However, the SNP of its receptor, CCR-2, is not implicated in cervical cancer.
Reproductive BioMedicine Online, 2008
in Taiwan. He has worked with infertile couples for over 20 years and has achieved over five thou... more in Taiwan. He has worked with infertile couples for over 20 years and has achieved over five thousand healthy babies after treatment of couples by IVF. He has performed and published many studies on clinical reproductive medicine.
Prenatal Diagnosis, 2007
To study the role of selected cytokines and growth factors involved in the pathogenesis of fetal ... more To study the role of selected cytokines and growth factors involved in the pathogenesis of fetal chylous pleural effusion. Seventeen fetuses with prenatal chylothorax at gestational age (GA) 17-29 weeks were enrolled as the study group during the period 2003-2005. Their pleural effusion (n = 17) and amniotic fluid (n = 17) were drawn when disease set in. Eleven fetuses received cordocentesis because of suspected fetal anemia. Forty-one normal fetuses without adverse perinatal outcome at GA 17-29 weeks received amniocentesis and were enrolled in the reference group. Levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), stromal-derived factor-1(SDF-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin-8 (IL-8), macrophage migratory inhibition factor (MIF), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were determined in the samples from both groups (amniotic fluid, pleural fluid, and cord blood from the study group and amniotic fluid from the reference group) by enzyme-linked immunoassay (EIA). No significant differences were observed in the amniotic fluids between the study group and the reference group regarding levels of IL-6, IL-8, MIF, SDF-1, HGF and VEGF. In the study group, levels of IL-8, VEGF and SDF-1 (all pro-angiogenic) showed no significant differences between the amniotic fluid, cord blood and pleural effusion. The level of HGF (proangiogenic) was significantly higher in the amniotic fluid than in the cord blood or the pleural effusion, but there were no significant differences between the levels in the pleural fluid and in the cord blood. Interestingly, the levels of MIF and IL-6 (both are proinflammatory) in the amniotic fluid and in the pleural effusion were much higher than the levels in the cord blood. Our study demonstrated that the levels of pro-inflammatory proteins (MIF and IL-6) that we tested were higher in the fetal pleural effusion than in the fetal circulation, a phenomenon not observed in the levels of proangiogenic proteins (HGF, SDF-1, VEGF, IL-8). This result implies that inflammation-related proteins may be more relevant than the angiogenesis-related proteins in the local environment of accumulating pleural effusion, a prominent feature of prenatal chylothorax.
Oncology Reports, 2013
Most conventional anticancer drugs exert either anti-proliferation or anti-angiogenesis activity.... more Most conventional anticancer drugs exert either anti-proliferation or anti-angiogenesis activity. Recently, searching for potential multi-target agents has become an alternative strategy for cancer treatment. Several structurally different carbazole alkaloids from either natural or synthesized sources represent an important and heterogeneous class of anticancer agents. In the present study, we investigated the anticancer activity of a novel synthetic carbazole derivative, 9-[(6-chloropyridin-4-yl)methyl]-9H-carbazole-3-carbinol (HYL-6d), which is structurally different from other previously characterized carbazoles. HYL-6d-treated human breast cancer MCF-7 cells exhibited an increased population arrested at the sub-G 1 and S phases, as well as an increase of p53 and decrease of cyclin D1, A and CDK2. Also, HYL-6d treatment induced MCF-7 cell apoptosis and this was accompanied by a decreased expression of Bcl-2, increased levels of p53 and Bcl-X S and the activation of caspase-9. Experimental results from human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) showed that HYL-6d also exerted its anti-angiogenic activity in HUVECs by inhibiting cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation induced by VEGF-or bFGF in vitro. In summary, the data indicate that HYL-6d exhibits both cytotoxic effects against human cancer cells and antiangiogenic activities, which make it a potential therapeutic drug for cancer treatment.
Journal of the Formosan Medical Association, 2007
Turner syndrome (karyotype: 45,X) affects 1 in 5000 live born females. Features include redundant... more Turner syndrome (karyotype: 45,X) affects 1 in 5000 live born females. Features include redundant neck skin (web neck), peripheral lymph edema, short stature, cardiovascular abnormalities, and ovarian dysfunction. 1 Unfortunately, a highly variable phenotypical spectrum is noted in mosaic sex chromosome disorders, including mosaic 45,X. The uncertainty regarding genotype-phenotype relationship in this group of disorders renders our genetic counseling difficult. 2 A structurally altered Y chromosome is occasionally observed in patients with mosaic Turner syndrome. Amongst these structurally altered Y chromosomes, dicentric Y is the most common form. 3 SRY inhibits the DAX1 gene (at Xp21.2), consequently suppresses the antagonizing effect of DAX1 to SF1 (steroidogenic factor 1, at 11q13 and enhances the maleness) and therefore enhances the development of the undifferentiated gonad to testes. 4 Mutations of SRY gene (including loss-offunction mutations and deletion), the ratios of Y-containing cells to 45,X cells, the responsiveness of undifferentiated gonads to androgenic factors and hormones, may all affect the development of
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, 2013
Purpose Previous studies reported that patients with endometriosis had excess nitric oxide (NO) i... more Purpose Previous studies reported that patients with endometriosis had excess nitric oxide (NO) in the reproductive tract and poor embryo development in IVF cycles. This study aims to elucidate the effects of NO on early embryo development. Methods Zygotes from superovulated B6CBF1 mice were cultured to blastocysts in a variety of media. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and N G-nitro-L-arginine (LNA) were added to the culture medium as a NO donor and a NO synthase inhibitor, respectively. The localization and fluorescence intensity of S-nitrosylated (SNO) proteins within 2-cell stage embryos were analyzed with confocal microscopy. Apoptosis and ATP production in the blastocysts were measured. Result(s) Subsequent to NO exposure, the SNO proteins mainly colocalized with the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum and the intensity of SNO proteins increased. The addition of a quanylate cyclase inhibitor and a cyclic GMP mimic agent induced nonsignificant changes in SNO proteins, whereas addition of a superoxide scavenger or a reduced form of glutathione rescued the embryos from the effects of NO. However, superoxide scavenger supplementation resulted in decreased blastocyst ATP production. Conclusion(s) Elevated NO exerts deleterious effects on embryo development, possibly through protein S-nitrosylation in the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. Including glutathione as a component in the culture medium might counteract this effect.
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, 2008
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, 2010
Purpose The purpose of this study was to identify agerelated oocyte or embryo markers suitable fo... more Purpose The purpose of this study was to identify agerelated oocyte or embryo markers suitable for non-invasive analysis, as women over 38 years of age experience diminished pregnancy and ovulation rates. Methods We used real-time quantitative PCR to examine the gene expression profiles in cumulus cells acquired from older and younger age groups. We selected 11 genes involved in three functions that directly affect cellular aging: cell cycle control, apoptosis, and metabolism. Results CKB and PRDX2 were up-regulated in women older than 38 years, and the expression of these genes in cumulus cells was associated with embryo quality. In goodquality embryos, CKB expression was higher in the cumulus cells acquired from both older and younger age groups than in poor-quality embryos. Conclusions These potential relationships among cumulus cell gene expression, oocyte quality, and age may expand our understanding of oogenesis and embryo development. CKB and PRDX2 may serve as biomarkers or therapeutic targets for the developmental potential of oocytes. Keywords Aging. Creatin kinase B (CKB). Cumulus cells. Embryo quality. Peroxiredoxin 2 (PRDX2) Capsule In cumulus cell gene expression, Creatin kinase B and peroxiredoxin 2 may serve as biomarkers or therapeutic targets for the developmental potential of oocytes.
International Congress Series, 2004
The study was designed to determine the nitric oxide (NO) levels in IVF/ICSI cycles subsequent to... more The study was designed to determine the nitric oxide (NO) levels in IVF/ICSI cycles subsequent to GnRH antagonist and GnRH agonist treatment and to explain the difference of pregnancy rate between these protocols. A prospective, randomized controlled study was performed with 20 patients treated with cetrorelix and 37 patients with buserelin. Serum and follicular levels of NO was determined with chemiluence method. The patients underwent the protocol with cetrorelix had less number of follicles (11.8 F 4.7 vs. 14.5 F 5.5, p = 0.033) and lower pregnancy rate (25% vs. 56.8%, p = 0.022), together with higher levels of serum NO (p = 0.008). The follicular levels of NO were associated with fragmentation degree of embryos (p = 0.030) in IVF cycles. We conclude that the GnRH antagonist protocol is associated with elevated levels of NO and a reduced pregnancy rate noted in IVF cycles. Elevated follicular levels of NO are associated with poor embryo quality.