Chun-Ko Hsieh

Intracerebral hemorrhage as initial presentation of gestational choriocarcinoma: a case report and literature review.

Choriocarcinoma is the most malignant tumor of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. It grows rapidly and metastasizes to the lung, liver, and, less frequently, to the brain. One rare case of metastatic cerebral choriocarcinoma with initial presentation of intracerebral hemorrhage is reported. A 40-year-old woman initially presented sudden onset of headache. Intracerebral hemorrhage resulting from ruptured pseudoaneurysm was suspected. Emergent surgery with excision of the pseudoaneurysms was performed. Metastatic choriocarcinoma was accidentally found with positive immunohistochemical staining of cytokeratin and β subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG). Choriocarcinoma with brain metastases was diagnosed. She then received chemotherapy with regimen of etoposide, methotrexate, actinomycin-D, cyclophosphamide, and vincristine (EMACO). Elevated serum β-HCG (30.3 mIU/mL) and new pulmonary lesions were noted by computed tomography 4 months after completion of EMACO. Salvage chemotherapy with etoposide, methotrexate, actinomycin-D, etoposide, and cisplatin (EMAEP) regimen was given. Seven months later after completion of EMAEP, two new pulmonary lesions were detected by positron emission tomography (PET) scan. So she received video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery with tumor excision. Pathologic report confirmed the diagnosis of lung metastases. The patient recovered well. She is free of disease for 12 months. The diagnosis of metastatic cerebral choriocarcinoma was only made by histopathology after craniotomy. Metastatic choriocarcinoma should be always in the differential diagnosis for women at childbearing age presenting with unexplained stroke-like symptoms. In addition, PET scan may be valuable in detecting occult metastatic lesions of choriocarcinoma.

Sindbis virus replicon particles encoding calreticulin linked to a tumor antigen generate long-term tumor-specific immunity

Alphavirus vectors have emerged as a promising strategy for the development of cancer vaccines and gene therapy applications. In this study, we used the replication-defective vaccine vector SIN replicon particles from a new packaging cell line (PCL) to develop SIN replicon particles encoding calreticulin (CRT) linked to a model tumor antigen, human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) E7 protein. The linkage of CRT to E7 in SIN replicon particles resulted in a significant increase in E7-specific CD8+ T-cell precursors and a strong antitumor effect against E7-expressing tumors in vaccinated mice. SINrep5-CRT/E7 replicon particles enhanced presentation of E7 through the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I pathway by infecting dendritic cells (DCs) directly and pulsing DCs with lysates of cells infected by SINrep5-CRT/E7 replicons. Vaccination of immunocompromised (BALB/c nu/nu) mice with SINrep5-CRT/E7 replicon particles also generated significant reduction of lung tumor nodules, suggesting that antiangiogenesis may contribute to the antitumor effect of SINrep5-CRT/E7 replicon particles. Furthermore, SINrep5-CRT/E7 replicon particles generated long-term in vivo tumor protection effects and antigen-specific memory immunities. We concluded that the CRT strategy used in the context of SIN replicon particles facilitated the generation of a highly effective vaccine for cancer prophylaxis and immunotherapy.

Human papillomaviral load changes in low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions of the uterine cervix

To better predict risk of progression of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSILs) of the uterine cervix in women with human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, 294 baseline cervical specimens from women with LSILs were evaluated. Specimens were tested for HPV DNA using hybrid capture 2 (HC2) and PCR-reverse line blotting. 65 LSILs with HPV DNA types 16, 18, 52, or 58 were examined for physical status, E2/E6 ratio and viral load at two time points, along with patient age. Women with LSILs whose viral loads increased between baseline and 6 month follow-up had a 45% risk of developing HSIL (OR=7.6, 95% CI=1.9–29.4, P<0.01), as evaluated by real-time PCR and a 44% risk (OR=6.1, 95% CI=1.6–22.7, P<0.01), as evaluated by HC2. The two viral load measures correlated well (Persons coefficient, r=0.687, P<0.001). Such evaluations of viral load changes (increased or not increased) through repeat HPV DNA testing could predict progression of disease in LSIL cases of HPV types 16, 18, 52, and 58, which correlates to clinical implications.

Interacting with the past: Creating a time perception journey experience using kinect-based breath detection and deterioration and recovery simulation technologies

We propose an application that allows a museum audience to interact with the past and to appreciate the value of antique objects through multimedia installations. Discussions in this article are based on our experiences in developing the Mao-Kung Cauldron time perception journey multimedia application. This installation was inspired by the Mao-Kung Cauldron, an ancient bronze cauldron in the collection of the National Palace Museum known for its historical significance. The question, however, lies in how to create an experience in which the audiences can interact with the past. To address this issue, the research team used the Kinect-based breath detection and deterioration/recovery simulation technologies to develop the application. This installation is the first application linked to Kinect-based breath detection and deterioration/recovery simulation technologies. The main contribution of this work is the analysis of design concepts, design decisions, and evaluations in a museum setting. We conduct a control group study to compare the outcomes between the experimental group (Mao-Kung Cauldron time perception journey multimedia application) and control group (asynchronous web-based kiosk). Both the quantitative (questionnaire survey) and qualitative methods (observation) are used to analyze the collected data. This work proposes a feasibility design to let museum audiences experience the features of cultural object by the virtual time perception journey application.

Viewing Chinese Art on an Interactive Tabletop

To protect fragile paintings and calligraphy, Taiwans National Palace Museum (NPM) has policies controlling the frequency and duration of their exposure. So, visitors might not see the works they planned to see. To address this problem, the NPM installed an interactive tabletop for viewing the works. This tabletop, the first to feature multiresolution and gigapixel photography technology, displays extremely high-quality images revealing brushwork-level detail. A user study at the NPM examined the tabletops performance and collected visitor feedback.

Easy and Deep Media in Cultural Heritage Field: The Development of Mau-kung Ting Educational Media for the National Palace Museum

This project intends to develop an effective educational media that is not only rich in cultural content but also feasible in the museum setting. We want to introduce the Mao-Kung Ting, one of the most valuable collections of the National Palace Museum, to the public in two key aspects -- its aesthetic beauty as an antique bronze cauldron, and its historical significance of carrying the longest bronze inscriptions ever discovered among unearthed bronze in China, which has made it plays an important role in the evolution of Chinese characters. Our mission is to develop an interactive installation that could help the audiences to understand this critical cultural heritage with ease. The major techniques that have been employed to facilitate this process include intuitive interactive interface, computer graphics animation, as well as an immersive environment with audio and video.

Turning Rust into Gold: An ancient artifact as an interactive artwork

Turning Rust into Gold is inspired by a Chinese antique Mao-Kung Ting (cauldron) treasured by the National Palace Museum in Taiwan. Having a five-hundred-character inscription cast inside, and its weathered appearance made the Mao-Kung very unique. Motivated by revealing the great nature of the artifact and interpreting it into a meaningful narrative, we have proposed an interactive multimedia system that facilitates effective communication between museum audiences and the Mao-Kung Ting. Three technologies have been implemented to emphasize the weathered appearance of the bronze. De-/weathering simulation techniques have been deployed to revive the bronze to its original shiny gold color; while breath-based biofeedback and haptic technology have been utilized as user interfaces to trigger the de-weathering process of the Mao-Kung Ting. Also, the interactive scenarios have been designed with the Chinese cultural context and philosophy Qi, enabling users more easily fall into the Chinese civilization. The paper aims to present the development of the artwork Turing Rust into Gold, in order to further contribute to the feasibility of incorporating new media art in a historical museum context, and bring a new horizon in the museum sector.

Transformational breathing between present and past: virtual exhibition system of the mao-kung ting

The Mao-Kung Ting is one of the most precious artifacts in the National Palace Museum. Having five-hundred-character inscription cast inside, the Mao-Kung Ting is regarded as a very important historical document, dating back to 800 B.C.. Motivated by revealing the great nature of the artifact and interpreting it into a meaningful narrative, we have proposed an innovative Virtual Exhibition System to facilitate communication between the Mao-Kung Ting and audiences. Consequently, we develop the Virtual Exhibition system into the following scenarios: “Breathing through the History” and “View-dependent display”.