Biomedical subjects

Shu-Chen Liu

Publications and source records attributed to Shu-Chen Liu.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

A Bayes regression approach to array-CGH data.

This paper develops a Bayes regression model having change points for the analysis of array-CGH data by utilizing not only the underlying spatial structure of the genomic alterations but also the observation that the noise associated with the ratio of the fluorescence intensities is bigger when the intensities get smaller. We show that this Bayes regression approach is particularly suitable for the analysis of cDNA microarray-CGH data, which are generally noisier than those using genomic clones. A simulation study and a real data analysis are included to illustrate this approach.

Bayes Theorem↗

PubMed2006

Temporal transcription program of recombinant Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrosis virus.

Baculoviruses, a family of large, rod-shaped viruses that mainly infect lepidopteran insects, have been widely used to transduce various cells for exogenous gene expression. Nonetheless, how a virus controls its transcription program in cells is poorly understood. With a custom-made baculovirus DNA microarray, we investigated the recombinant Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrosis virus (AcMNPV) gene expression program in lepidopteran Sf21 cells over the time course of infection. Our analysis of transcription kinetics in the cells uncovered sequential viral gene expression patterns possibly regulated by different mechanisms during different phases of infection. To gain further insight into the regulatory network, we investigated the transcription program of a mutant virus deficient in an early transactivator (pe38) and uncovered several pe38-dependent and pe38-independent genes. This study of baculovirus dynamic transcription programs in different virus genetic backgrounds provides new molecular insights into how gene expression in viruses is regulated.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis: a case successfully treated with a minimum dose of a steroid.

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a benign, chronic non-caseating breast disease, often mistaken for breast cancer. It usually affects women of child-bearing age. The treatment for IGM is inconclusive. In the past, surgical intervention was suggested due to the possibility of malignancy. However, in recent reports, corticosteroid therapy has been used with a good response. We present a case of a female with IGM who was treated successfully with 0.8 mg/kg/day prednisolone.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Analysis of the health status of foreign brides in a community hospital in Taipei County.

BACKGROUND: Very few studies regarding the health status of foreign brides in Taiwan are so far available. The purpose of this study was to analyze the health status of foreign brides in a community hospital setting in Taipei County. METHODS: We retrieved and analyzed 493 foreign brides' medical records recorded between November 1, 2002 and October 31, 2003. The records included a medical history, physical examination parameters, serological test data for infectious diseases, urinalysis for drug use, stool sample data for intestinal parasites, and chest radiography mainly to rule out tuberculosis. RESULTS: Of the 493 foreign brides included in this study, 247 were from China (50.1%); 122 from Burma (24.7%), 55 from Indonesia (11.2%), and 32 from Vietnam (6.5%). A small proportion of women, 69 (14%), were infected with intestinal parasites. Seven subjects (1.4 %) had tuberculosis, of which 4 (0.8%) were diagnosed as having old tuberculosis. None of the foreign brides was positive for the HIV antibody or on the syphilis screening. The seronegative rate of anti-rubella IgG among the foreign brides was 14.4%. Three percent of the brides had an elevated morphine level (> or = 300 ng/mL), but none of them was positive (> or = 500 ng/mL) for amphetamine. CONCLUSIONS: Future national statistics should include brides from China. The main concerns about foreign brides are the low vaccination rate against rubella virus, the high infection rate with intestinal parasites, and the high prevalence of tuberculosis. A nationwide survey should be carried out in order to assess the health status of all foreign brides in Taiwan.

Emigration and Immigration↗

PubMed2004

[Measurement of intracellular pH in long-chain dicarboxylic acid-producing yeast Candida tropicalis and its growth activity].

Intracellular pH (pHi) has an important influence on the metabolic activity of cells or cellular processes. The intracellular pH (pHi) of long-chain alpha,omega-dicarboxylic acid-producing Candida tropicalis was determined by fluorescence technique using a pH-sensitive fluorescent probe 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein diacetate. Optimal loading conditions of the fluorescent probe into the cells were experimentally determined. Effects of extracellular pH and carbon sources for growth on pHi in the cell grown in a flask were studied; the results indicated that extracellular pH has a slight influence on pHi, whereas carbon sources such as sucrose, glucose, acetic acid, and n-tridecane showed moderate influences. Further work on the relationship between the cell growth activity and pHi was carried out in a 5 L bioreactor. The time course of specific rates of the cell growth, glucose consumption, CO2 production, and pH gradients across cell plasma membrane were plotted, where the cell growth was improved by the higher pHi at 8 - 12 h. The measured pHi values were varied from 5.72 to 6.15 at medium pH 6.0 in which glucose and sodium acetate were used together as carbon source. The investigation of pHi can be helpful for understanding its effects on the kinetics of the metabolic steps involved in the synthesis rate of alpha,omega-dicarboxylic acid and alpha,omega-dicarboxylic acid transport across plasma membranes.

Candida tropicalis↗