CCN2 Enhances Resistance to Cisplatin-Mediating Cell Apoptosis in Human Osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common form of malignant bone tumor and is an aggressive malignant neoplasm exhibiting osteoblastic differentiation. Cisplatin is one of the most efficacious antitumor drugs for osteosarcoma patients. However, treatment failures are common due to the development of chemoresistance. CCN2 (also known as CTGF), is a secreted protein that binds to integrins, modulates the invasive behavior of certain human cancer cells. However, the effect of CCN2 in cisplatin-mediated chemotherapy is still unknown. Here, we found that CCN2 was upregulated in human osteosarcoma cells after treatment with cisplatin. Moreover, overexpression of CCN2 increased the resistance to cisplatin-mediated cell apoptosis. In contrast, reduction of CCN2 by CCN2 shRNA promoted the chemotherapeutic effect of cisplatin. We also found that CCN2 provided resistance to cisplatin-induced apoptosis through upregulation of Bcl-xL and survivin. Knockdown of Bcl-xL or survivin removed the CCN2-mediated resistance to apoptosis induced by cisplatin. On the other hand, CCN2 also promoted FAK, MEK, and ERK survival signaling pathways to enhance tumor survival during cisplatin treatment. In a mouse xenograft model, overexpression of CCN2 promoted resistance to cisplatin. However, knockdown of CCN2 increased the therapeutic effect of cisplatin. Therefore, our data suggest that CCN2 might be a critical oncogene of human osteosarcoma for cisplatin-resistance and supported osteosarcoma cell growth in vivo and in vitro

Exploring the Information-Seeking Behaviors and Decision-Making Processes of Couples in Response to Unfamiliar Tornado Threats

The unique disaster, tornado, causes significant damage and casualties in the US every year, and tornado warnings are crucial to helping people take protective action and reduce the negative impact, especially in an unfamiliar situation. It is important for authorities to better understand how households in low-risk areas rely on information, perceive risk, and make protective action decisions because tornadoes can occur in many geographic locations and might cause significant damage. However, tornado information search behavior and the dynamic decision-making process are not well understood in the existing literature. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the effect of the interaction between couples on their information search behaviors and protective action decisions. To better understand this issue, 68 couples who were living in the Seattle (WA) metropolitan area, known for being at low risk of experiencing tornadoes, were recruited to respond to an escalating tornado scenario (Alerts 1 to 5). An experiment, using the DynaSearch computer program, was conducted to get insight into couples’ decision-making processes in terms of individual and joint decision-making. DynaSearch, using internet web browsers, was set up to display the severe weather scenario (5-stage alerts) on Information Screens and ask questions on Questionnaire Screens. To investigate couples’ information preferences, DynaSearch displayed four types of graphic information and eight kinds of textual information for each alert. DynaSearch also recorded the mouse click counts and click duration when participants searched for information. Additionally, to examine their responses when faced with the threat, participants reported the likelihood of taking eight types of actions after each alert. The results showed that the differences in risk perception between couples and individuals were not significant in an unfamiliar event. Yet, the interaction between couples has an impact on their responses to the threat. Couples and male individuals were less likely to leave home or seek a public shelter under a tornado warning compared to female individuals. Additionally, risk information comprehension and tornado knowledge were positively correlated with staying at home and not evacuating (i.e., perceiving the need for immediate protective action rather than potentially putting oneself in harm’s way) while under a tornado warning. Moreover, compared to tornado risk maps, people preferred textual information (e.g., protective action recommendations, potential impact, hazards, storm location) when faced with an unfamiliar situation. Overall, these findings can inform authorities and meteorologists in understanding how households in low-risk areas search for tornado information, their preferences, and the different responses based on decision-making conditions

Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with tubo-ovarian abscess at a tertiary care hospital in Northern Taiwan

Background/PurposeControversy exists regarding the need for surgical intervention in patients with tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA). This study was aimed at investigating the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes in patients with TOA at a tertiary care hospital in Taiwan.MethodsThe medical records of 83 patients who presented at the hospital with TOA between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2007, were retrospectively reviewed. Outcomes of patients who received medical treatment alone or underwent surgical intervention were analyzed using univariate and logistic regression analyses.ResultsAmong the 83 patients with TOA, 13 patients (15.7%) underwent surgical intervention, and 70 patients (84.3%) received medical treatment alone. Significant variables related to surgical treatment in the univariate analysis were length of stay (short vs. long; t = −2.267, p = 0.026), department of admission (emergency room vs. outpatient department; χ2 = 7.459, p = 0.006), number of live births (nulliparous vs. multiparous; χ2 = 18.202, p = 0.001), and C-reactive protein (CRP) level (high vs. low; t = −2.250, p = 0.028). Logistic regression analysis performed to determine influential factors for surgical treatment showed that the operation odds ratio of three to four live births versus no live births was 33.995 (p = 0.043) and that of two live births versus no live births was 13.598 (p = 0.026).ConclusionPatients with TOA who underwent surgery had a longer duration of hospitalization. Among the patients who underwent surgical intervention, those admitted to the emergency room had higher CRP levels and were more likely to be multiparous

Different effect of hypercholesterolemia on mortality in hemodialysis patients based on coronary artery disease or myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND: Studies on the association of total cholesterol (TC) levels and mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients demonstrated conflicting results. The differenct effect of Hypercholesterolemia on HD patients based on the presence of myocardial infarction (MI) or coronary artery disease (CAD) is unknown. METHODS: We analyzed data from the Taiwan Renal Registry Data System (TWRDS) between 2005 and 2012. Patients were divided into MI/CAD or non-MI/CAD group. The primary outcome was three-year mortality. The association between primary outcome and first year average TC and effect of change in cholesterol level between the first and third year of dialysis were explored. RESULTS: Of 90,795 HD patients, 77,762 (85.6%) patients were assigned to non-MI/CAD group and 13,033 (14.4%) to the MI/CAD group. In the non-MI/CAD subjects, both TC > 250 mg/dL and < 150 mg/dL were associated with increased risk of mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.27; 1.17–1.37 and 1.14; 1.11–1.18) compared to the reference (TC: 150–200 mg/dL). In the MI/CAD patients, only TC < 150 mg/dL had increased risk (HR; 95% CI: 1.15; 1.08–1.24). In addition, patients of the non-MI/CAD group with highest level of TC (>250 mg/dL) in both first and third year of dialysis had a 64% increased risk for mortality (HR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.51–1.80). CONCLUSION: In this nationwide hemodialysis cohort, hypercholesterolemia was associated with increased mortality in HD patients without MI/CAD. Further investigation on primary prevention of CAD with statin is warranted

HUMAN RESOURCE DEMAND AND DETERMINANTS IN ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY AGRICULTURE: A CASE STUDY OF SUSTAINABLE FARMING IN TAIWAN

The transformation of agriculture toward sustainable and environmentally friendly practices has created a growing demand for a specialized workforce capable of integrating traditional farming knowledge with modern agricultural technologies. This study investigates the human resource needs and influencing factors within Taiwan's environment-friendly farming sector. Drawing on a comprehensive survey of 391 farmers, the research examines current workforce structures, recruitment challenges, talent retention issues, and future labor requirements across seven functional categories, including production, marketing, and R&D. The findings highlight that talent demand is shaped by a combination of policy support, market trends, and internal farm management factors. Key constraints include low salary levels, a lack of specialized training, and limited attractiveness of agricultural careers to younger generations. To bridge these gaps, the study recommends strategic investments in human capital development, enhanced policy incentives, adoption of smart farming technologies, and improvement of rural infrastructure. These insights offer a foundation for shaping agricultural workforce strategies and ensuring the resilience of eco-friendly agriculture in Taiwan