Author: Tsai, Ming-Tsun ; Guo, Bei-Chia ; Huang, Jenq-Wen ; Tarng, Der-Cherng ; Hu, Po-An ; Lee, Tzong-Shyuan ; Chen, Chia-Hui ; Chen, Hao-Wen ; Chen, Wen-Hua

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a key public health issue. It initiates an inflammatory response and fibrotic processes, resulting in a gradual decline in kidney function. Yet, the detailed mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease remains unclear. Transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8), a calcium (Ca²⁺) permeable, non-selective cation channel, is predominantly expressed in primary sensory neurons and plays a critical role in activating sensory neurons and regulating the inflammatory response upon stimulation. However, the interplay between TRPM8 and CKD is largely unknown. In this investigation, we used kidney samples from CKD patients and wild-type (WT) mice, TRPM8 null (TRPM8^-/-) mice with an adenine diet-fed as in vivo models, and endothelial cells (EC) with TNF-α and indoxyl sulfate (IS) treatment as an in vitro model. Our results showed that the mRNA level of TRPM8 in the kidney of CKD patients is associated with the progression of interstitial fibrosis, tubular atrophy, and proteinuria, as well as the expression of autophagy-related genes. Genetic deletion of TRPM8 in mice attenuated the adenine diet-induced increase in blood urea nitrogen and creatinine. Compared to WT mice, genetic disruption of TRPM8 alleviated the fibrotic and inflammatory response by increasing the EC integrity, autophagy flux, and antioxidant capacity. The in vitro study showed that genetic deletion of TRPM8 prevented the TNF-α and IS-induced calcium influx and EC dysfunction by increasing nitric oxide bioavailability. Collectively, our findings suggest that TRPM8 plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of CKD and may serve as a therapeutic target for treating CKD and related renal diseases.

01 Jul 2025·Ear, nose, & throat journal

The Development and Evaluation of a Smartphone-Aided Diagnosis Application to Measure Tympanic Membrane Perforations

Article

Author: Wu, Cheng-Jung ; Wang, Shin-Yi ; Tsai, Cheng-Yu ; Wu, Te-Fang ; Chen, Chih-Jou ; Wu, Lucas Yee-Yan ; Yang, Jinn-Moon ; Li, Lok-Yee Joyce

Objectives:

Chronic otitis media is a long-term infection of the middle ear. It is characterized by persistent discharge from the middle ear through a perforated tympanic membrane. It is one of the most common causes of preventable hearing loss, especially in developing countries. Precise estimation of the size of tympanic membrane perforation is essential for successful clinical management. In this study, we developed a smartphone-based application to calculate the ratio of the area of tympanic membrane perforation to the area of the tympanic membrane. Twelve standardized patients and 60 medical students were involved to assess the area of tympanic membrane perforation, in particular, the percentage of perforation size.

Methods:

In total, 60 student doctors (including year 5 and year 6 medical students, intern and post-graduate year training of doctors) were recruited during their rotation at the Otolaryngology department of Taipei Medical University Shuang-Ho Hospital. Twelve standardized patients with chronic otitis media were recruited through a single otology practice. Oto-endoscopic examination was performed for all patients by using a commercially-available digital oto-endoscope, and clinical images of the tympanic membrane perforation were obtained. To demonstrate the variability of perforation size estimation by different student doctors, we calculated the percentage of perforation using the smartphone-based application for 12 tympanic membranes objectively and compared the results with those visually estimated by the 60 student doctors subjectively.

Results:

The variance in the visual estimation by the 60 student doctors was large. By contrast, variances in smartphone-based application calculations were smaller, indicating consistency in the results obtained from different users. The smartphone-based application accurately estimated the presence of perforation for tympanic membranes with high consistency. The differences in visual estimations can be considerably great and the variances can be large among different individuals.

Conclusions:

The smartphone-based application is a dependable tool for precisely evaluating the size of tympanic membrane perforation.

14 Apr 2025·NANOTECHNOLOGY

Competitive mechanism between light extraction efficiency and sidewall passivated effect in the green micro-LEDs with varied thickness of Al₂O₃ layer

Article

Author: Lin, Youqin ; Lin, Zongmin ; ShouQiang, Lai ; Li, Denghai ; Chen, Zhong ; Kuo, Hao-Chung ; Deng, Youcai ; Liu, Zongyuan ; Chen, Xinxing ; Dai, Yurong ; Wu, Tingzhu

Abstract:

In this study, green micro-light-emitting diodes (μ-LEDs) with Al2O3 layers of varying thicknesses (0, 30, 60, and 90 nm) was fabricated using atomic layer deposition (ALD) technology. The optoelectronic characteristics of devices was measured and investigated. Current–voltage (I–V) measurements indicate that the ALD passivation layer effectively reduces leakage current. By applying the ABC + f(n) model to analyze external quantum efficiency, the internal physical mechanisms that the ALD passivation layer enhances the optoelectronic performance of green μ-LEDs was identified. Optical simulations demonstrated the transmittance relationship for different ALD passivation layer thicknesses, explaining improvements of light extraction efficiency. Furthermore, aging tests confirmed that the ALD passivation layer significantly increases the stability of green μ-LEDs. These findings offer valuable insights for enhancing the luminous efficiency and reliability of green μ-LEDs.

News (Medical) associated with National Chiao Tung University

20 Feb 2025

·www.prnewswire.com

NaviFUS Corp. Leverages Taiwan's Advanced Chip Technology to Lead Non-Invasive Precision Medicine for Brain Disorders

TAIPEI, Feb. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- NaviFUS Corp. is dedicated to advancing non-invasive treatments for complex brain disorders, a challenging area in medical innovation. By using ultrasound technology for both diagnosis and therapy, NaviFUS exceeds the signal processing capabilities of traditional medical devices. This is made possible by Taiwan's advanced chip technology, which positions NaviFUS as a global leader in focused ultrasound-based treatment solutions. This cutting-edge technology integrates ICT capabilities into high-end medical devices seamlessly. The core technologies of the NaviFUS system include transcranial focused ultrasound and therapeutic guidance tracking, primarily used in drug delivery for brain diseases and neuromodulation. These innovations offer new hope for patients with brain cancer and drug-resistant epilepsy. Strong Industry Backing and Global Collaboration NaviFUS has secured significant support from domestic venture capital firms and ICT industry leaders. Key investors include Andy T.C. Chiu, Chairman of Top Taiwan Venture Capital, Stan Shih, Founder of Acer and Chairman of Himalaya Venture Capital, and Max Wu, Chairman of the Spring Foundation of National Chiao Tung University. The company also partners with YoungTek Electronics Corp. Chairman Bily Wang, who contributed to the development of the clinical trial device Model-101. Additionally, collaborations with Genovate Biotechnology Co., Ltd. Specialized in new drug development and Dr. Neal Kassell, Chairman of the Focused Ultrasound Foundation (FUSF), along with leading global clinical experts, are accelerating the development and application of NaviFUS technology. Breakthrough Clinical Achievements NaviFUS successfully completed a Phase II clinical trial in Taiwan in combination with Bevacizumab, a second-line drug for recurrent glioblastoma (rGBM). The trial showed: Progression-free survival at six months (PFS-6): 66.7% (vs. historical 42.6%) Median progression-free survival (PFS): 8.9 months (vs. historical 4.2 months) Due to its strong safety and efficacy, NaviFUS is now conducting a pivotal clinical trial under the guidance of Taiwan's regulatory agency. In drug-resistant epilepsy, clinical studies indicate that the NaviFUS system significantly reduces seizure frequency and duration, offering new treatment options for patients unresponsive to multiple drug therapies. Phase II trials are ongoing in Taiwan, along with pilot studies in Australia and the United States. Expanding Global Reach with Key Partnerships NaviFUS serves leading medical centers specializing in brain tumor and epilepsy treatments. A strategic partnership with Brainlab, a global leader in surgical navigation systems, enhances treatment precision and real-time monitoring. Brainlab's network of 6,300 hospital partnerships in 120 countries is instrumental in NaviFUS' international expansion. Driving Taiwan's Global Leadership in Smart Healthcare Chairman Jen Chen emphasized that Taiwan's government is prioritizing the biomedical industry, with a focus on internationalizing smart healthcare solutions, as highlighted by Acer founder Stan Shih during NaviFUS' pre-listing presentation. NaviFUS is Taiwan's first and only high-end medical device company leveraging advanced chip integration and chip deployment, cementing its leadership in the global market. As the demand for non-invasive brain treatments grows, NaviFUS is poised to lead the way in providing precise, non-invasive, and highly effective treatments for brain diseases. About NaviFUS Corp.: NaviFUS is a pioneering biotech company developing a novel focused ultrasound (FUS) platform for blood-brain barrier (BBB) opening, enhancing drug delivery and advancing neuromodulation. Our technology improves treatment outcomes for patients with brain diseases such as glioblastoma and epilepsy, ultimately empowering CNS patients by extending survival and improving quality of life. SOURCE NaviFUS Corp. WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

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