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Suppressive Effect of Tetrahydrocurcumin on Pseudomonas aeruginosa Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation by Suppressing JAK/STAT and Nrf2/HO-1 Pathways in Microglial Cells
No full text[[abstract]]Brain inflammation, a pathological feature of neurodegenerative disorders, exhibits elevated microglial activity and increased levels of inflammatory factors. The present study was aimed at assessing the anti-inflammatory response of tetrahydrocurcumin (THC), the primary hydrogenated metabolite of curcumin, which was applied to treat Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P.a.) lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) stimulated BV2 microglial cells. THC reduced P.a. LPS–induced mortality and the production of inflammatory mediators IL-6, TNF-α, MIP-2, IP-10, and nitrite. A further investigation revealed that THC decreased these inflammatory cytokines synergistically with JAK/STAT signaling inhibitors. THC also increased Nrf2/HO-1 signaling transduction which inhibits iNOS/COX-2/pNFκB cascades. Additionally, the presence of the HO-1 inhibitor Snpp increased the levels of IP-10, IL-6, and nitrite while THC treatment reduced those inflammatory factors in P.a. LPS–stimulated BV2 cells. In summary, we demonstrated that THC exhibits anti-inflammatory activities in P.a. LPS-induced inflammation in brain microglial cells by inhibiting STAT1/3-dependent NF-κB activation and inducing Nrf2-mediated HO-1 expression
Temporal and double inverted internal limiting membrane flap for bilateral choroidal ruptures complicated by bilateral macular holes
No full text[[abstract]]Choroidal ruptures occur in 5% to 10% closed-globe injuries with wide variation in visual prognosis, which depending on the visual acuity at presentation, the location of the rupture, and other associated ocular injuries. We reported a case of bilateral traumatic choroidal rupture with a large macular hole. We performed surgery in the right eye of microincisional vitrectomy, temporally inverted internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap, and C3F8 tamponade; then microincisional vitrectomy, fibrotic scar removal, double inverted ILM flap, and C3F8 tamponade in the left eye. After surgery, she achieved both good anatomical and visual acuity improvement in the right eye, but limited visual acuity improvement in the left eye due to subfoveal choroidal scar formation
Do Social Networks of Listed Companies Help Companies Recover from Financial Crises?
No full text[[abstract]]This study aims to examine how the social networks of top management affect the recovery
of their companies when facing a financial crisis. We mainly use the logit and Cox regression models
to investigate whether social networks help overcome the financial distress and shorten the crisis
duration. The empirical findings suggest that companies with characteristics of low degree centrality
of the chairman’s bank networks and high closeness centrality of the general manager’s general
networks and bank networks are more likely to overcome financial distress and get back to normal
status. Furthermore, for companies with characteristics of low degree centrality of the chairman’s
personal general networks, low closeness centrality of the financial executive’s personal general
networks, and high degree centrality of the financial executive’s personal bank networks, it was
easier to shorten the crisis duration. The practical implication is that companies need to prioritize
quality over quantity in order to survive or shorten the crisis. All company top managers should not
look only at the size of the company but consider how the social network is configured
疫情來了，你行動支付了沒
No full text[[abstract]]在全球商業社會行動支付持續被廣泛應用，但各國應用步調並不一致。由於此科技可促進與實現金融普及化，對於行動支付使用率低的新興經濟體而言，是件特別需關注的課題。本研究為能協助政府制訂適當行動支付相關法令與配套措施，調查與分析影響民眾於疫情期間的使用滿意和後疫情續用意圖的決定因素。由於台灣社會行動支付發展，政府並未出面主導與統合，致使行動支付業者百花齊放、服務參差不齊，此提供我們一個適當研究課題。在期望價值理論架構下，我們考慮使用者對新科技的正面和反面看法建構本研究模型。其次，透過對創新用途的理解，利用科技賦能和限制理論完善本研究模型。再者，我們收集151位有效的台灣民眾問卷樣本進行模型分析。研究結果顯示知覺便利與科技知識對台灣民眾疫情期間的使用滿意有顯著的影響，而僅有科技知識與使用滿意對後疫情續用意圖的影響顯著。這些發現顯示消費者對於行動支付的科技知識，行動支付的操作使用便利性，對於後疫情行動支付普及化具有重要意義，進而可協助政府與業者透過各種政策與研發設計，以提升行動支付使用率，而達到普惠金融境界。[[abstract]]在全球商業社會行動支付持續被廣泛應用，但各國應用步調並不一致。由於此科技可促進與實現金融普及化，對於行動支付使用率低的新興經濟體而言，是件特別需關注的課題。本研究為能協助政府制訂適當行動支付相關法令與配套措施，調查與分析影響民眾於疫情期間的使用滿意和後疫情續用意圖的決定因素。由於台灣社會行動支付發展，政府並未出面主導與統合，致使行動支付業者百花齊放、服務參差不齊，此提供我們一個適當研究課題。在期望價值理論架構下，我們考慮使用者對新科技的正面和反面看法建構本研究模型。其次，透過對創新用途的理解，利用科技賦能和限制理論完善本研究模型。再者，我們收集151位有效的台灣民眾問卷樣本進行模型分析。研究結果顯示知覺便利與科技知識對台灣民眾疫情期間的使用滿意有顯著的影響，而僅有科技知識與使用滿意對後疫情續用意圖的影響顯著。這些發現顯示消費者對於行動支付的科技知識，行動支付的操作使用便利性，對於後疫情行動支付普及化具有重要意義，進而可協助政府與業者透過各種政策與研發設計，以提升行動支付使用率，而達到普惠金融境界
Artemisia argyi extract ameliorates IL-17A-induced inflammatory response by regulation of NF-κB and Nrf2 expression in HIG-82 synoviocytes
No full text[[abstract]]Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune and chronic inflammatory disease that results in joint destruction and disability in the adult population. RA is characterized by the accumulation and proliferation of fibroblast-like synoviocytes. Many pro-inflammatory mediators are associated with RA, such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-17, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). Furthermore, IL-17 upregulates the production of other pro-inflammatory mediators, including IL-1β and IL-6, and promotes the recruitment of neutrophils in RA. Artemisia argyi, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, is used for the treatment of diseases associated with inflammation and microbial infections. In this study, synoviocytes (HIG-82) were treated with varying doses of A. argyi extract (AAE) following IL-17A stimulation. Proliferation of the IL-17A-stimulated cells was increased compared to that of the non-stimulated control cells. However, cell proliferation decreased significantly in a dose-dependent manner following AAE treatment. Treatment of IL-17A-stimulated cells with AAE resulted in decreased levels of phosphorylated (p)-NF-κB, p-IκB-α, and COX-2. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results showed that IL-1β and IL-6 levels were increased in the IL-17A-stimulated group but decreased in the AAE treatment group. Additionally, we found that AAE facilitated nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression and promoted its nuclear translocation, thereby inducing the expression of heme oxygenase-1. Moreover, AAE did not attenuate IL-17A-induced inflammatory mediator production in the presence of ML385, an Nrf2-specific inhibitor. These results suggest that the downregulation of expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the transcription factor NF-κB by AAE may be a potential therapeutic strategy for reducing inflammation associated with RA
Calreticulin Regulates β1-Integrin mRNA Stability in PC-3 Prostate Cancer Cells
No full text[[abstract]]Prostate cancer (PCa) is the major cause of cancer-related death among aging men worldwide. Recent studies have suggested that calreticulin (CRT), a multifunctional chaperon protein, may play an important role in the regulation of PCa tumorigenesis and progression. However, the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. Integrin is an important regulator of cancer metastasis. Our previous study demonstrated that in J82 bladder cancer cells, CRT affects integrin activity through FUBP-1-FUT-1-dependent fucosylation, rather than directly affecting the expression of β1-integrin itself. However, whether this regulatory mechanism is conserved among different cell types remains to be determined. Herein, we attempted to determine the effects of CRT on β1-integrin in human prostate cancer PC-3 cells. CRT expression was suppressed in PC-3 cells through siRNA treatment, and then the expression levels of FUT-1 and β1-integrin were monitored through RT-PCR. We found that knockdown of CRT expression in PC-3 cells significantly affected the expression of β1-integrin itself. In addition, the lower expression level of β1-integrin was due to affecting the mRNA stability. In contrast, FUT-1 expression level was not affected by knockdown of CRT. These results strongly suggested that CRT regulates cellular behavior differently in different cell types. We further confirmed that CRT directly binds to the 3'UTR of β1-integrin mRNA by EMSA and therefore affects its stability. The suppression of CRT expression also affects PC-3 cell adhesion to type I collagen substrate. In addition, the levels of total and activated β1-integrin expressed on cell surface were both significantly suppressed by CRT knockdown. Furthermore, the intracellular distribution of β1-integrin was also affected by lowering the expression of CRT. This change in distribution is not lysosomal nor proteosomal pathway-dependent. The treatment of fucosydase significantly affected the activation of surface β1-integrin, which is conserved among different cell types. These results suggested that CRT affects the expression of β1-integrin through distinct regulatory mechanisms
Comparison of responsiveness of the Barthel Index and modified Barthel Index in patients with stroke
No full text[[abstract]]Purpose: To compare the group- and individual-level responsiveness of the Barthel Index (BI) and modified BI (MBI) in patients with early subacute stroke.
Materials and methods: The BI and MBI scores of 63, 63, and 55 patients were retrieved at 3 time points with a 3-weeks interval. The group-level responsiveness was examined using paired t-test and standardized response mean (SRM). The individual-level responsiveness was examined by the percentage of patients who achieved significant improvement exceeding the corresponding minimal detectable change.
Results: At the group level, the MBI showed significantly larger SRMs than did the BI in the 1st-2nd assessment (1.10 vs. 0.81 [95% CI of mean difference = 0.05-0.38]) and the 2nd-3rd assessment (0.94 vs. 0.72 [95% CI of mean difference = 0.04-0.41]). At the individual level, the MBI detected significantly more patients with significant improvement than the BI for the 1st-2nd assessments only (34.9 vs. 25.4% [95% CI of mean differences = 3.2-17.5]).
Conclusions: The MBI has better responsiveness than the BI at both the group and individual levels in the patients with early subacute stroke. The MBI is recommended for clinical and research use as an outcome measure for patients with stroke.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONThe MBI is recommended for clinical and research applications because of its superior ability to detect subtle changes in ADL performance in patients with subacute stroke.The MBI and the BI have equal responsiveness for patients whose magnitude of improvement of ADL is substantial
彈性髓內釘於脛骨骨幹骨折固定之靜態與動態穩定度分析與評估
No full text[[abstract]]彈性髓內釘為臨床上用來固定青少年和兒童之長骨骨幹骨折之裝置，其優勢包括避免傷害生長板，同時兼具傷口小、不傷害骨頭周圍軟組織、手術時間短、術後恢復快等等。但是，彈性髓內釘之固定機制與一般成人常用之鎖固式髓內釘不同，並沒有使用螺釘進行鎖固，僅靠彈性髓內釘與骨頭內壁間之正向力與摩擦力來提供穩定與支撐，所能提供之固定力較弱，容易在反覆的負載施加下（例如走路），使髓內釘產生滑動，除了造成骨折處之不癒合、延遲逾合、癒合不良之外，也會因為髓內釘末端不斷的刺激周圍軟組織，進而造成周圍軟組織發炎、腫脹與疼痛。統計資料指出，體重超過55公斤或是年紀大於13歲之族群，使用彈性髓內釘會有明顯較高的失敗率及併發症發生，可能原因為髓內釘承受的負載會隨患者體重之增加而增加，一旦負載超過髓內釘之承載能力，即造成上述之併發症。但是，目前少有研究針對髓內釘所承受的力量(負載)大小與其滑動的關係進行分析與探討，尤其是在反覆的動態循環負載下，臨床醫療團隊缺乏科學量化的參考依據可以做為術後運動計畫與負載強度訂定之參考依據，僅能採取保守之作法，延長保護時間，以避免併發症之發生；但如此一來也推遲患者恢復的時間。所以本研究之目的為分析彈性髓內釘對於脛骨骨折固定之穩定度，包含不同大小負載做用下之靜態與動態循環穩定度，做為臨床物理治療師與醫師在骨折術後照護與運動強度訂定之參考依據。所使用之彈性髓內釘材質包含目前臨床上常用之鈦合金與不銹鋼以及目前尚在研發階段的鎳鈦合金髓內釘，本研究擬採用有限元素模擬分析、人工仿骨與大體脛骨來進行分析與評估，分兩年進行： 第一年：使用人工仿骨與有限元素模型進行研究 以圓管形狀之人工仿骨，量測髓內釘在植入仿骨髓內腔後，與仿骨內壁產生之接觸力大小，以增進我們對髓內釘之基本作用機制之了解。 使用脛骨有限元素模型，計算髓內釘對於不同骨折位置固定之靜態穩定度。評估比較之指標包含整體位移量、骨折間隙變化、髓內釘末端滑移量、髓內釘與髓腔壁之接觸力變化等等。 第二年：使用大體脛骨進行測試，評估彈性髓內釘在不同負載強度之反覆(循環)作用下，其穩定度表現，比較指標為亦為骨折間隙變化與髓內釘末端滑移量。[[note]]科技部[[note]]2020-03-01～2022-07-3
回收再利用金滑菇菇腳副產物生理活性成分生產製程開發及其在皮膚照護應用研究
No full text[[abstract]]食用菇蕈被認為是高級的食材，含多種生理活性成分，包括β-葡聚醣、三萜類化合物、核酸、固醇類、類黃酮以及多酚等，具有開發為機能性食品或皮膚保養照護產品，以及醫療產品的潛力。台灣菇類年產值將近100億元新台幣，是值得重視開發的產業。食用菇類在收成時，接近培養介質的菇柄或菇腳必須切除，成為生產副產物或稱為下腳。其生理活性成分與產品菇相近，生產中大都被當成廢棄物轉化為有機堆肥，造成優質營養資源的巨大浪費。從循環經濟與循環材料的觀點出發，如何有效利用副產物菇腳，充分將其營養價值，轉化開發新型高值化產品，是非常值得探討的研究議題。本計畫選擇台灣特有原生種黃色品系金針菇(一般稱金滑菇或華翠菇)為研究重點，進行分離程序的設計與操作，從回收菇腳副產物中提取具有生理活性功能的化合物，高值化再利用金滑菇副產物，生產機能性皮膚照護、功能化妝品原料或醫用生物敷料。 研究方法與步驟重點在於:1.生理活性成分分析方法建立與測試；2. 不同生理活性成分，設計不同提取操作策略。基本操作變數包括:萃取溶劑種類、提取溫度、提取時間、固液比例、pH值等。3. 比較不同成分萃取條件的相似性與差異性，依照功能需求設定目標商品產物特性。考慮兩種以上活性成分提取條件，依照目標商品需求設定，調整決定最適化萃取操作條件。4. 粗萃取物精製與分離純化技術開發，粗多醣純化步驟主要有脫蛋白、脫色、除低聚醣等小分子雜質，利用管柱層析方法，最終獲得分子量相對集中的精多醣。5.萃取物皮膚照護活性評估；6比較金針菇或金滑菇分離純化物功效差異，考慮特殊機能成分純化研究。7. 目標商品生產製程建立：進行小規模量產試驗與成本分析。期望藉由本研究計劃了解食用菇類副產物高質化再利用的可行性，經由萃取分離純化操作，開發可以量產功能性皮膚照護或化妝保養品原料的生產製程。[[note]]科技部[[note]]2020-08-01～2021-07-3
探討Metformin對放射線心臟毒性之保護效應與機制
No full text[[abstract]]放射線治療是重要且有效益的癌症治療的方式之ㄧ。如何降低放射線治療導致的副作用是臨床上重要的議題。我們的臨床研究發現放射治療對於亞洲女性的晚期放射線心毒性相較於歐美來得快且風險較高(發表於Strahlenther Onkol. 2018)，尤其是早期乳癌患者有良好預後的病人，將來輔助性放射線乳房治療後，因放射線造成的心臟衰竭以及冠狀動脈症後群風險遠高於未接受乳房放射治療的乳癌患者。我們的臨床資料研究顯示metformin具有降低乳癌患者之放射線心毒性的效用(發表於American Journal of Cancer Research. 2019)。我們初步使用商業購買之人類心肌細胞(Human Cardiomyocytes)，進行metformin與放射治療併用的細胞試驗。由cytochrome c釋放與active caspase3偵測的研究結果顯示metformin確實具有減緩放射治療導致心肌細胞凋亡的效用；活體的模式中，我們也觀察到metformin具有降低心肌組織纖維化的效用。在本二年期計劃中，我們主要將以動物與細胞研究模式，完整探討metformin保護血管內皮細胞與心肌細胞降低放射線治療導致織損傷的效應及其分子機制。我們的分年目標為:第一年: 探討metformin對放射線引發之心血管組織損傷的保護效應。主要之研究策略與方法為:A. 以免疫完整的C57/B6，Balbc，ICR品系小鼠進行併用心臟放射線照射與metformin對心血管組織損傷的效應探討。B. 由上述實驗模式設計metformin給予的時間軸與劑量效應。C. 將收集到的心臟與冠狀動脈組織進行細胞增生，細胞凋亡與血管密度的免疫染色。也將心臟組織進行細胞肥大、組織纖維化等病理判別。第二年:探討metformin降低放射線治療導致織損傷的分子機制。主要之研究策略與方法為:A. 以商業購買之人類心肌細胞與動脈血管內皮細胞為模式。B. 以蛋白質晶片分析進行下列生物功能蛋白質:(1)Apoptosis(2) Cell stress(3) Cytokine(4)Chemokine(5) Angiogenesis. C.以western blot 與ELISA方式針對特殊蛋白質進行表現程度的確認。D.以免疫組織染色利用第一年研究所收集的小鼠心臟組織，確認特殊蛋白質在心臟組織中的表現位置與表現差異。[[note]]科技部[[note]]2020-08-01～2021-07-3