Latest news with #Tainan
Medscape
23-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Neoadjuvant RT for Rectal Cancer: A Clinical Trade-Off?
Neoadjuvant radiotherapy followed by surgery can improve overall survival compared with surgery alone in certain patients with locally advanced rectal cancers, most notably in those with lower rectal cancers, new research found. However, patients can experience a trade-off: An increased risk for permanent diverting stomas. This risk may become especially concerning in patients with upper rectal cancers. The study revealed that patients with upper rectal cancers did not experience a survival benefit from neoadjuvant radiotherapy and had the highest risk for permanent diverting stomas. 'The trade-off between [neoadjuvant radiotherapy] use and diverting stoma nonreversal may not be justified for upper rectal cancer, emphasizing the importance of considering tumor height when treating resectable [locally advanced rectal cancer],' wrote senior author Chao-Han Lai, MD, PhD, from National Cheng Kung University Hospital and College of Medicine, Tainan, Taiwan, and colleagues. The Trade-Off The standard of care for resectable locally advanced rectal cancer has been neoadjuvant radiation and chemotherapy followed by surgery for resectable locally advanced rectal cancers. However, some recent studies have called that standard into question. For instance, the recent PROSPECT trial indicated that many patients without high-risk features could forgo radiation before surgery and just receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy. To better understand the optimal approach for these patients, Lai and colleagues analyzed data from 3792 individuals undergoing curative resection for locally advanced rectal cancer between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2017, with follow-up until December 31, 2020. Patients were registered on the Taiwan Cancer Registry Database and the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database. A target trial emulation framework was applied to simulate randomization of 1308 who underwent neoadjuvant radiotherapy followed by surgery (median age, 62 years) and 2484 who underwent upfront surgery (median age, 65 years). Among patients in the neoadjuvant radiotherapy group, 82.3% received long-course radiotherapy, and 78.6% received concurrent 5-fluorouracil–based chemotherapy. Patients were followed from the date of treatment until death or December 31, 2020, whichever came first. Primary outcomes were overall survival and local recurrence, and a secondary outcome was intraoperative diverting stoma that remained permanent 3 years after surgery. The researchers found that 3-year overall rates were significantly higher in the radiotherapy group than in the upfront surgery group (88.5% vs 85.2%; hazard ratio [HR], 0.74; 95% CI, 0.59-0.92), though local recurrence rates were not significantly different (5.7% vs 6.6%; HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.55-1.11). However, the trade-off in the neoadjuvant radiotherapy group was a higher rate of both intraoperative stoma creation and nonreversal of those stomas. Overall, 49.4% of patients underwent intraoperative diverting stoma creation — 65.5% in the neoadjuvant radiotherapy group and 41.0% in the upfront surgery group (relative risk [RR], 1.6). While 71.6% of all stomas were closed within 1 year of treatment, patients in the radiotherapy group had a nearly twofold higher rate of permanent diverting stoma at 3 years in the radiotherapy group (20.6% vs 11.1% in the surgery group; RR, 1.91). Tumor Height Matters A subgroup analysis revealed that the 3-year overall survival benefit of neoadjuvant radiotherapy was greatest in patients with lower rectal cancers (HR, 0.66). While 3-year overall survival was better among those with middle rectal cancers (90.3% vs 84.5%), the difference was not statistically significant (HR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.48-1.02). And for those with upper rectal disease, neoadjuvant radiotherapy offered no survival benefit (HR, 1.54; 95% CI, 0.82-2.90). Similarly, for 3-year local recurrence, neoadjuvant radiotherapy led to a statistically significant benefit for lower rectal cancers (HR, 0.53), but not middle (HR, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.60-2.14) or upper (HR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.23-5.00). Likewise, while the risk of diverting stoma creation and permanent diverting stomas was higher with the neoadjuvant radiotherapy group than in the upfront surgery group overall, the risks were highest for upper rectal cancer (RR, 3.61 and RR, 3.54, respectively) and lowest for lower rectal cancer (RR, 1.31 and RR, 1.62, respectively). 'Thus, for upper rectal cancer, the trade-off between using [neoadjuvant radiotherapy] to pursue better oncological outcomes and creating diverting stomas to lower the risk of symptomatic leak may not be justified,' the authors concluded. 'These findings raise concerns about the potential overtreatment and harm of neoadjuvant radiotherapy.' The Findings in Context George Chang, MD, who wasn't involved in the research, noted that no prior randomized studies have demonstrated an overall survival benefit with radiation. 'The primary reason we give radiation is to decrease local recurrence risk,' explained Chang, chair of Colon and Rectal Surgery at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. But, Chang noted, in North America and other parts of the world, the use of neoadjuvant radiotherapy is already based on factors such as tumor location, microsatellite instability status, and patient preferences. Still, 'we are likely overtreating some rectal cancer patients with radiotherapy in the US if we broadly apply a recommendation for radiotherapy for all patients without risk stratification,' he said. 'Indeed, the greatest benefit of radiotherapy is for those patients with low rectal cancers or those with locally advanced cancers with high-risk features such as at-risk circumferential margins. Those with proximal rectal cancers, especially above the pelvic reflection, are least likely to benefit.' Deborah Schrag, MD, chair of the Department of Medicine at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, agreed. 'When proximal tumors are in the upper rectum and lymph nodes appear to be uninvolved, US practice guidelines continue to endorse surgical resection as a treatment option,' she said. 'The risk is that if surgical pathology identifies more extensive involvement, postoperative radiation could be indicated — and we know that postoperative radiation is less well tolerated than preoperative treatment,' Schrag added. The bottom line, according to Schrag, is 'when it comes to rectal cancer, one size does not fit all.' No disclosures were reported. This study was supported by grants from the Taiwan Ministry of Science and Technology and the National Cheng Kung University Hospital.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Nvidia's Huang sparks 'Jensanity' in Taiwan with AI hero's welcome
By Ben Blanchard and Wen-Yee Lee TAIPEI (Reuters) -Wherever AI darling Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang goes in Taiwan, his adoring fans and excited reporters follow, hanging on his every word, arms outstretched as they beseech him to sign books, posters and even baseballs. Huang, born in Taiwan's historic capital of Tainan before migrating to the United States when he was nine, is visiting Taipei this week for the annual Computex trade show, and his every move has been watched since his private jet touched down on Friday afternoon. "Jensen I love you!" one woman shouted out to him from the crowd in English as he greeted a throng in front of a Taipei restaurant on Saturday night where he was entertaining Taiwanese tech titans from companies like chipmaker TSMC, dubbed by local media the "trillion dollar dinner" given the market capitalisation of the assembled firms. "I love coming to Taiwan and love seeing everybody here and I appreciate their support, and everybody's very, very kind," Huang told Reuters when asked about the wildly enthusiastic reception he gets in Taiwan. Visiting Taipei for Computex last year, some Taiwanese media termed the expression "Jensanity" to describe the level of devotion he generates when he visits. This year, Nvidia has set up a pop-up store selling playing cards, shirts and other memorabilia with Huang's image on it. His fame in Taiwan prompts bafflement from Nvidia colleagues, given he is often largely unnoticed when he attends similar events in the United States, and concern from his bodyguards as they try to hold back reporters and fans alike. "He's not saying anything important," one bodyguard told reporters, asking them to step back as Huang handed out fried ice cream to his gathered fans on Saturday night outside the restaurant, where he and his guests enjoyed rice noodle soup and Taiwan's award-winning Kavalan whisky. "He has encouraged Taiwanese young people like myself. I believe what he is doing is something we should learn from," said 21-year-old student Hsu Han-yuan, who got Huang's autograph outside the restaurant. GUEST OF HONOUR AT SPORTING EVENT After finishing the dinner, Huang rushed off to the opening ceremony of the World Masters Games, an Olympics adjacent event for athletes mostly over 30, where he was a guest of honour along with Olympics gold medalist boxer Lin Yu-ting and renowned Taiwanese actor and director Sylvia Chang. Huang's participation even briefly embroiled Taiwan's presidential office, after criticism from opposition politicians that Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim was only making a last-minute appearance to "freeload" on Huang also being there. When Hsiao confirmed she was going she did not know Huang would also be doing so, and in any case the presidential security detail had checked out the venue a month ago, her office said in a statement. Given the intensity and breathlessness of the Taiwanese media coverage, at least one government department weighed in over the weekend to set the record straight on one issue - how much it costs to park his Bombardier private jet at Taipei's downtown Songshan airport. Taiwan's transport ministry said it would be T$95,562 ($3,167) assuming he was staying for six days - following local media reports as to the cost and length of stay. "The number reported in the media of more than T$60,000 is wrong, (nobody asked the Civil Aviation Administration or the airport, and the source of this is unclear)," it added, in a slightly indignant tone. In the end, the aircraft, operated by executive aircraft charter operator VistaJet, left Taipei on Saturday afternoon to fly to Honolulu, according to flight tracking apps. ($1 = 30.1770 Taiwan dollars) Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Nvidia's Huang sparks 'Jensanity' in Taiwan with AI hero's welcome
By Ben Blanchard and Wen-Yee Lee TAIPEI (Reuters) -Wherever AI darling Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang goes in Taiwan, his adoring fans and excited reporters follow, hanging on his every word, arms outstretched as they beseech him to sign books, posters and even baseballs. Huang, born in Taiwan's historic capital of Tainan before migrating to the United States when he was nine, is visiting Taipei this week for the annual Computex trade show, and his every move has been watched since his private jet touched down on Friday afternoon. "Jensen I love you!" one woman shouted out to him from the crowd in English as he greeted a throng in front of a Taipei restaurant on Saturday night where he was entertaining Taiwanese tech titans from companies like chipmaker TSMC, dubbed by local media the "trillion dollar dinner" given the market capitalisation of the assembled firms. "I love coming to Taiwan and love seeing everybody here and I appreciate their support, and everybody's very, very kind," Huang told Reuters when asked about the wildly enthusiastic reception he gets in Taiwan. Visiting Taipei for Computex last year, some Taiwanese media termed the expression "Jensanity" to describe the level of devotion he generates when he visits. This year, Nvidia has set up a pop-up store selling playing cards, shirts and other memorabilia with Huang's image on it. His fame in Taiwan prompts bafflement from Nvidia colleagues, given he is often largely unnoticed when he attends similar events in the United States, and concern from his bodyguards as they try to hold back reporters and fans alike. "He's not saying anything important," one bodyguard told reporters, asking them to step back as Huang handed out fried ice cream to his gathered fans on Saturday night outside the restaurant, where he and his guests enjoyed rice noodle soup and Taiwan's award-winning Kavalan whisky. "He has encouraged Taiwanese young people like myself. I believe what he is doing is something we should learn from," said 21-year-old student Hsu Han-yuan, who got Huang's autograph outside the restaurant. GUEST OF HONOUR AT SPORTING EVENT After finishing the dinner, Huang rushed off to the opening ceremony of the World Masters Games, an Olympics adjacent event for athletes mostly over 30, where he was a guest of honour along with Olympics gold medalist boxer Lin Yu-ting and renowned Taiwanese actor and director Sylvia Chang. Huang's participation even briefly embroiled Taiwan's presidential office, after criticism from opposition politicians that Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim was only making a last-minute appearance to "freeload" on Huang also being there. When Hsiao confirmed she was going she did not know Huang would also be doing so, and in any case the presidential security detail had checked out the venue a month ago, her office said in a statement. Given the intensity and breathlessness of the Taiwanese media coverage, at least one government department weighed in over the weekend to set the record straight on one issue - how much it costs to park his Bombardier private jet at Taipei's downtown Songshan airport. Taiwan's transport ministry said it would be T$95,562 ($3,167) assuming he was staying for six days - following local media reports as to the cost and length of stay. "The number reported in the media of more than T$60,000 is wrong, (nobody asked the Civil Aviation Administration or the airport, and the source of this is unclear)," it added, in a slightly indignant tone. In the end, the aircraft, operated by executive aircraft charter operator VistaJet, left Taipei on Saturday afternoon to fly to Honolulu, according to flight tracking apps. ($1 = 30.1770 Taiwan dollars)
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Himax to Debut Breakthrough Ultra-Luminous Miniature Dual-Edge Front-lit LCoS Microdisplay at SID Display Week 2025
Setting the Standard for Next-Gen AR Applications and Optical Systems with Industry-Leading Brightness, Power Efficiency and an Ultra-Compact Form Factor TAINAN, Taiwan, May 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Himax Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: HIMX) ('Himax' or 'Company'), a leading supplier and fabless manufacturer of display drivers and other semiconductor products, today announced the unveiling of its miniature ultra-luminous Dual-Edge Front-lit LCoS microdisplay at Display Week 2025. Organized by the Society for Information Display (SID), Display Week is one of the premier symposiums and exhibitions in the display industry and taking place May 11–16, 2025 in San Jose. Himax Senior Director, Simon Fan-Chiang will deliver an in-depth presentation on this cutting-edge technology during Session 3 of the symposium on May 13. Himax's proprietary Dual-Edge Front-lit LCoS microdisplay integrates both the illumination optics and LCoS panel into an exceptionally compact form factor, as small as 0.09 c.c., and weighing only 0.2 grams, while targeting up to 350,000 nits brightness and 1 lumen output at just 250mW maximum total power consumption, demonstrating unparalleled optical efficiency. With a 720x720 resolution and 4.25µm pixel pitch, it delivers outstanding clarity and color vibrancy in a miniature footprint. The microdisplay's compact and power-efficient design enables significantly smaller form factors without compromising brightness, clarity, or color, redefining the boundaries of high-performance miniature optics. With industry-leading compact form factor, superior brightness and power efficiency, it is ideally suited for next-generation AR glasses and head-mounted displays where space, weight, and thermal constraints are critical. 'We are proud to introduce our state-of-the-art Dual-Edge Front-lit LCoS microdisplay, a true milestone in display innovation,' said Jordan Wu, CEO of Himax. This achievement is the result of years of rigorous development, delivering an industry-leading combination of ultra-compact size, extremely lightweight design, high brightness, and exceptional power efficiency to meet the demanding needs of AR device makers. We believe this breakthrough technology will be a game-changer for next-generation AR applications.' About Himax Technologies, Inc. Himax Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: HIMX) is a leading global fabless semiconductor solution provider dedicated to display imaging processing technologies. The Company's display driver ICs and timing controllers have been adopted at scale across multiple industries worldwide including TVs, PC monitors, laptops, mobile phones, tablets, automotive, ePaper devices, industrial displays, among others. As the global market share leader in automotive display technology, the Company offers innovative and comprehensive automotive IC solutions, including traditional driver ICs, advanced in-cell Touch and Display Driver Integration (TDDI), local dimming timing controllers (Local Dimming Tcon), Large Touch and Display Driver Integration (LTDI) and OLED display technologies. Himax is also a pioneer in tinyML visual-AI and optical technology related fields. The Company's industry-leading WiseEye™ Ultralow Power AI Sensing technology which incorporates Himax proprietary ultralow power AI processor, always-on CMOS image sensor, and CNN-based AI algorithm has been widely deployed in consumer electronics and AIoT related applications. Himax optics technologies, such as diffractive wafer level optics, LCoS microdisplays and 3D sensing solutions, are critical for facilitating emerging AR/VR/metaverse technologies. Additionally, Himax designs and provides touch controllers, OLED ICs, LED ICs, EPD ICs, power management ICs, and CMOS image sensors for diverse display application coverage. Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Tainan, Taiwan, Himax currently employs around 2,200 people from three Taiwan-based offices in Tainan, Hsinchu and Taipei and country offices in China, Korea, Japan, Germany, and the US. Himax has 2,603 patents granted and 389 patents pending approval worldwide as of March 31, 2025. Forward Looking Statements Factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those described in this conference call include, but are not limited to, the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Company's business; general business and economic conditions and the state of the semiconductor industry; market acceptance and competitiveness of the driver and non-driver products developed by the Company; demand for end-use applications products; reliance on a small group of principal customers; the uncertainty of continued success in technological innovations; our ability to develop and protect our intellectual property; pricing pressures including declines in average selling prices; changes in customer order patterns; changes in estimated full-year effective tax rate; shortage in supply of key components; changes in environmental laws and regulations; changes in export license regulated by Export Administration Regulations (EAR); exchange rate fluctuations; regulatory approvals for further investments in our subsidiaries; our ability to collect accounts receivable and manage inventory and other risks described from time to time in the Company's SEC filings, including those risks identified in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in its Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the SEC, as may be amended. Company Contacts: Karen Tiao, Head of IR/PRHimax Technologies, +886-2-2370-3999Fax: +886-2-2314-0877Email: hx_ir@ Mark Schwalenberg, DirectorInvestor Relations - US RepresentativeMZ North AmericaTel: +1-312-261-6430Email: HIMX@
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Himax Technologies, Inc. Declares Cash Dividend for FY2024
37.0 cents per ADS payable on July 11, 2025 TAINAN, Taiwan, May 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Himax Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: HIMX) ('Himax' or 'Company'), a leading supplier and fabless manufacturer of display drivers and other semiconductor products, today declared a cash dividend of 37.0 cents per ADS, equivalent to 18.5 cents per ordinary share, for the year of 2024. The cash dividend will be payable on July 11, 2025 to all the shareholders of record as of June 30, 2025. The ADS book will be closed for issuance and cancellation from June 23, 2025 to June 30, 2025. Typically, Himax pays out its yearly dividend at approximately the middle of its current calendar year based on the Company's previous year financial performance. 'Since our IPO in 2006, we have consistently rewarded shareholders for their ongoing commitment with our dividend policy,' said Mr. Jordan Wu, President and Chief Executive Officer of Himax. 'This year we are pleased to declare an annual cash dividend of 37.0 cents per ADS, representing a payout ratio of 81.1% of last year's profit. Himax will continue to focus on maintaining a healthy balance sheet while driving sustainable long-term growth to deliver value for our shareholders through high dividends and share repurchases,' concluded Mr. Wu. About Himax Technologies, Inc. Himax Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: HIMX) is a leading global fabless semiconductor solution provider dedicated to display imaging processing technologies. The Company's display driver ICs and timing controllers have been adopted at scale across multiple industries worldwide including TVs, PC monitors, laptops, mobile phones, tablets, automotive, ePaper devices, industrial displays, among others. As the global market share leader in automotive display technology, the Company offers innovative and comprehensive automotive IC solutions, including traditional driver ICs, advanced in-cell Touch and Display Driver Integration (TDDI), local dimming timing controllers (Local Dimming Tcon), Large Touch and Display Driver Integration (LTDI) and OLED display technologies. Himax is also a pioneer in tinyML visual-AI and optical technology related fields. The Company's industry-leading WiseEyeTM Ultralow Power AI Sensing technology which incorporates Himax proprietary ultralow power AI processor, always-on CMOS image sensor, and CNN-based AI algorithm has been widely deployed in consumer electronics and AIoT related applications. Himax optics technologies, such as diffractive wafer level optics, LCoS microdisplays and 3D sensing solutions, are critical for facilitating emerging AR/VR/metaverse technologies. Additionally, Himax designs and provides touch controllers, OLED ICs, LED ICs, EPD ICs, power management ICs, and CMOS image sensors for diverse display application coverage. Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Tainan, Taiwan, Himax currently employs around 2,200 people from three Taiwan-based offices in Tainan, Hsinchu and Taipei and country offices in China, Korea, Japan, Germany, and the US. Himax has 2,603 patents granted and 389 patents pending approval worldwide as of March 31, 2025. Forward Looking Statements Factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those described in this conference call include, but are not limited to, the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Company's business; general business and economic conditions and the state of the semiconductor industry; market acceptance and competitiveness of the driver and non-driver products developed by the Company; demand for end-use applications products; reliance on a small group of principal customers; the uncertainty of continued success in technological innovations; our ability to develop and protect our intellectual property; pricing pressures including declines in average selling prices; changes in customer order patterns; changes in estimated full-year effective tax rate; shortage in supply of key components; changes in environmental laws and regulations; changes in export license regulated by Export Administration Regulations (EAR); exchange rate fluctuations; regulatory approvals for further investments in our subsidiaries; our ability to collect accounts receivable and manage inventory and other risks described from time to time in the Company's SEC filings, including those risks identified in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in its Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the SEC, as may be amended. Company Contacts: Karen Tiao, Head of IR/PRHimax Technologies, +886-2-2370-3999Fax: +886-2-2314-0877Email: hx_ir@ Mark Schwalenberg, DirectorInvestor Relations - US RepresentativeMZ North AmericaTel: +1-312-261-6430Email: HIMX@
