Biomedical subjects

Ming-Hsien Wu

Publications and source records attributed to Ming-Hsien Wu.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2026

MMP-2 rs243865 Polymorphism as a Risk Modifier of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Taiwanese Males, Smokers and Alcohol Consumers.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) plays an important role in extracellular matrix remodeling and HCC progression. This study investigated the associations of two functional MMP-2 promoter polymorphisms, rs243865 and rs2285053, with HCC susceptibility in a Taiwanese population and explored their potential interactions with environmental risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A hospital-based case-control study was conducted at China Medical University Hospital (Taichung, Taiwan), involving 298 HCC patients and 889 age- and sex-matched cancer-free controls recruited in Taiwan. MMP-2 rs243865 and rs2285053 genotypes were determined utilizing polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods. Stratified analyses were used to explore their potential interactions between MMP-2 genotypes and environmental factors including sex, smoking and alcohol drinking status. RESULTS: No significant association was observed between HCC susceptibility and either rs243865 (CT+TT versus CC: odds ratio (OR)=1.20, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.87-1.66, p=0.2944] or rs2285053 (CT+TT versus CC: OR=1.12, 95% CI=0.86-1.46, p=0.4219). Similarly, allelic analyses revealed no significant effects. Interestingly, stratified analyses demonstrated significant gene-environment interactions for rs243865. Male carriers of the TT genotype exhibited an increased HCC risk (OR=3.24, 95% CI=1.12-9.37, p=0.0488). Among smokers, the TT genotype was associated with a markedly elevated risk (OR=6.46, 95% CI=1.65-25.29, p=0.0055), while alcohol drinkers carrying the TT genotype showed the highest susceptibility (OR=9.69, 95% CI=1.99-47.13, p=0.0022). No significant association was found for rs2285053 genotype in any genetic variant and subgroup. CONCLUSION: Although MMP-2 rs243865 and rs2285053 do not independently determine HCC susceptibility, rs243865 T allele may serve as a genetic biomarker for identifying Taiwanese males, smokers, and alcohol drinkers at elevated risk of HCC. These findings highlight the importance of gene-environment interactions in hepatocarcinogenesis and support the incorporation of genetic information into personalized HCC risk assessment and prediction strategies.

Humans↗

PubMed2005

Complete genome sequence of the grouper iridovirus and comparison of genomic organization with those of other iridoviruses.

The complete DNA sequence of grouper iridovirus (GIV) was determined using a whole-genome shotgun approach on virion DNA. The circular form genome was 139,793 bp in length with a 49% G + C content. It contained 120 predicted open reading frames (ORFs) with coding capacities ranging from 62 to 1,268 amino acids. A total of 21% (25 of 120) of GIV ORFs are conserved in the other five sequenced iridovirus genomes, including DNA replication, transcription, nucleotide metabolism, protein modification, viral structure, and virus-host interaction genes. The whole-genome nucleotide pairwise comparison showed that GIV virus was partially colinear with counterparts of previously sequenced ranaviruses (ATV and TFV). Besides, sequence analysis revealed that GIV possesses several unique features which are different from those of other complete sequenced iridovirus genomes: (i) GIV is the first ranavirus-like virus which has been sequenced completely and which infects fish other than amphibians, (ii) GIV is the only vertebrate iridovirus without CpG sequence methylation and lacking DNA methyltransferase, (iii) GIV contains a purine nucleoside phosphorylase gene which is not found in other iridoviruses or in any other viruses, (iv) GIV contains 17 sets of repeat sequence, with basic unit sizes ranging from 9 to 63 bp, dispersed throughout the whole genome. These distinctive features of GIV further extend our understanding of molecular events taking place between ranavirus and its hosts and the iridovirus evolution.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Generation of submicrometer structures by photolithography using arrays of spherical microlenses.

This paper describes the fabrication of arrays of spherical microlenses by self-assembly of microspheres and the use of these arrays for nearfield photolithography to generate repetitive microstructures in photoresist. We used these arrays of microspheres to fabricate two types of elastomeric membranes: (i) membranes that have microspheres embedded in their surface and (ii) membranes that have hemispherical wells in their surface. Both types of membranes act as amplitude masks that pattern the intensity of illumination in the near field incident on the photoresist. Microspheres in the first type of membrane act as convergent lenses that generate recessed microstructures in positive photoresist. Hemispherical wells in the second type of membrane act as divergent lenses that produce protrusive microstructures in positive photoresist. This method can generate dense, regular arrays of microstructures with a variety of profiles--circular or hexagonal holes, circular posts, hollow posts, and cones--depending on the sizes and refractive indices of the spherical lenses and the distance between the lenses and the photoresist. This technique provides a simple route to large areas (>4 cm2) of repetitive, simple microstructures.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2002

Patterning flood illumination with microlens arrays.

We describe a convenient lithographic technique that can produce simple, repetitive micropatterns over large areas (several square centimeters). The technique uses an illuminated array of micrometer-scale lenses to generate an array of optical patterns in an image plane located within micrometer distances from the lens array. A layer of photoresist, placed in the image plane, records the patterns. Microlenses with different sizes, profiles, composition, and indices of refraction produce corresponding patterns in exposed and developed photoresist. Both spherical and nonspherical microlenses were examined. Several types of optical element containing arrays of microlenses were fabricated and used to demonstrate that this technique can generate uniform micropatterns over large areas (>4 cm2) in a single exposure. The smallest features produced had dimensions of approximately 100 nm.

Journal Article↗