Effects of natto extract on endothelial injury in a rat model

Vascular endothelial damage has been found to be associated with thrombus formation, which is considered to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. A diet of natto leads to a low prevalence of cardiovascular disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of natto extract on vascular endothelia damage with exposure to laser irradiation. Endothelial damage both in vitro and in vivo was induced by irradiation of rose bengal using a DPSS green laser. Cell viability was determined by MTS assay, and the intimal thickening was verified by a histological approach. The antioxidant content of natto extract was determined for the free radical scavenging activity. Endothelial cells were injured in the presence of rose bengal irradiated in a dose-dependent manner. Natto extract exhibits high levels of antioxidant activity compared with purified natto kinase. Apoptosis of laser-injured endothelial cells was significantly reduced in the presence of natto extract. Both the natto extract and natto kinase suppressed intimal thickening in rats with endothelial injury. The present findings suggest that natto extract suppresses vessel thickening as a synergic effect attributed to its antioxidant and anti-apoptosis properties

Preparation of N- TiO

This study applied the microwave/sol-gel method to prepare nitrogen-doped TiO2 (N-TiO2). The N-TiO2 was immobilized in glass balls to form N-TiO2/glass beads and applied to degrade Bisphenol A (BPA) under visible-light and sunlight irradiation. The characteristics of the prepared photocatalysts were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Experimental results demonstrate that the percentage of anatase increased as the amount of N in N-TiO2 increased. Compared with the undoped TiO2 (420 nm), spectra show that the absorption edge shifted to a longer wavelength (445 nm) after N doping. The XPS characterization confirms the substitution of crystal lattice O to N species in N-TiO2, forming Ti–O–N and N–Ti–O. With an increased N/Ti ratio, photodegradation efficiency increased and then decreased; moreover, the optimal amount for N doping was determined as an N/Ti mole ratio of 0.08 (0.1 NT). The efficiency of 0.1 NT in doing BPA photodegradation was greater than that of Degussa P25. After reaction for 61 min, the mineralization percentage of 0.1 NT under visible-light irradiation reached 41%. Photocatalyst efficiency decreased as the number of repeats increased in the visible-light/N-TiO2 system; however, these systems were stable during reaction

Impacts of increasing typhoons on the structure and function of a subtropical forest: reflections of a changing climate

Due to their destructive and sporadic nature, it is often difficult to evaluate and predict the effects of typhoon on forest ecosystem patterns and processes. We used a 21-yr record of litterfall rates to explore the influence of typhoon frequency and intensity, along with other meteorological variables, on ecosystem dynamics in a subtropical rainforest. Over the past half century there has been an increasing frequency of strong typhoons (category 3; >49.6 m s-1; increase of 1.5 typhoons/decade) impacting the Fushan Experimental Forest, Taiwan. At Fushan strong typhoons drive total litterfall mass with an average of 1100 kg ha-1 litterfall typhoon-1. While mean typhoon season litterfall has been observed to vary by an order of magnitude, mean litterfall rates associated with annual leaf senescence vary by <20%. In response to increasing typhoon frequency, total annual litter mass increased gradually over the 21-year record following three major typhoons in 1994. Monthly maximum wind speed was predictive of monthly litterfall, yet the influence of precipitation and temperature was only evident in non-typhoon affected months. The response of this subtropical forest to strong typhoons suggests that increasing typhoon frequency has already shifted ecosystem structure and function (declining carbon sequestration and forest stature)

Ecophysiology and plant size in a tropical epiphytic fern, Asplenium nidus, in Taiwan

Recent studies indicate that, especially in epiphytes, plant size has a strong influence on the ecophysiology of individual leaves of a plant. Extensive data sets that address this phenomenon, however, are limited to a few taxa of flowering plants. It was the purpose of this study to examine numerous physiological parameters in individuals of varying sizes of Asplenium nidus, a widespread epiphytic tropical fern, in a rain forest in northeastern Taiwan. Although stomatal dimensions and frond thickness did not vary with plant size, frond stomatal densities were higher in larger plants. Frond elemental concentration did not vary with plant size for nitrogen, magnesium, phosphorus, and sodium, while the concentrations of carbon, calcium, and potassium changed with plant size, though in different ways. The osmotic concentration of liquid expressed from the fronds did not change with plant size, nor did chlorophyll concentrations and chlorophyll a/b ratio. Fronds excised from smaller plants contained more water yet lost water at lower rates in laboratory drying experiments. Although rates of net CO2 exchange of the fronds measured in situ in the field appeared to increase with plant size, this increase and other size-related differences in gas exchange parameters were not significant. Although some aspects of the ecophysiology of this epiphytic fern varied with changes in plant size, most physiological parameters did not. Thus, the results of this study lend only little support to past findings that plant size is an important consideration in ecophysiological studies of plants

The Relationship between Brown Adipose Tissue Activity and Neoplastic Status: an 18F-FDG PET/CT Study in the Tropics

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Brown adipose tissue (BAT) has thermogenic potential. For its activation, cold exposure is considered a critical factor though other determinants have also been reported. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between neoplastic status and BAT activity by 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose (¹⁸F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in people living in the tropics, where the influence of outdoor temperature was low.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT scans were reviewed and the total metabolic activity (TMA) of identified activated BAT quantified. The distribution and TMA of activated BAT were compared between patients with and without a cancer history. The neoplastic status of patients was scored according to their cancer history and ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT findings. We evaluated the relationships between the TMA of BAT and neoplastic status along with other factors: age, body mass index, fasting blood sugar, gender, and outdoor temperature.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Thirty of 1740 patients had activated BAT. Those with a cancer history had wider BAT distribution (<it>p </it>= 0.043) and a higher TMA (<it>p </it>= 0.028) than those without. A higher neoplastic status score was associated with a higher average TMA. Multivariate analyses showed that neoplastic status was the only factor significantly associated with the TMA of activated BAT (<it>p </it>= 0.016).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Neoplastic status is a critical determinant of BAT activity in patients living in the tropics. More active neoplastic status was associated with more vigorous TMA of BAT.</p

Necrotizing fasciitis in liver cirrhosis

SummaryBackgroundNecrotizing fasciitis (NF) is associated with a high mortality rate. Hepatitis is endemic in Taiwan, and liver cirrhosis is associated with the development of NF. The characteristics of these patients, however, have not been well documented or the predictors of mortality clearly identified. The purpose of this study is to identify predictors of mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis and necrotizing fasciitis.MethodsThis study was conducted at the Chi-Mei Medical Center in southern Taiwan. Demographic data, clinical characteristics, and the microorganisms responsible for NF in patients with liver cirrhosis were recorded. To identify independent predictors associated with mortality, univariate analysis followed by multivariate logistic regression modeling was performed.ResultsDuring the period 2003–2011, a total of 55 patients with liver cirrhosis and NF were treated at the Chi-Mei Medical Center. Most patients had infections by monomicrobial Gram-negative bacilli. Univariate analysis revealed that severity of liver cirrhosis, shock, band polymorphonuclear neutrophil (>10%), international normalized ratio (>1.5), serum creatinine (>2.0 mg/dL), serum albumin (<2.5 g/dL), and activated partial thromboplastin time (>60 seconds) were significantly associated with mortality. However, multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that serum albumin of <2.5 g/dL was the only independent predictor of mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis and NF.ConclusionNF in the vast majority of cirrhotic patients was caused by Gram-negative bacilli. Hypoalbuminemia (serum albumin <2.5 g/dL) was associated with mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis and NF. Further studies are needed to assess whether resuscitation with albumin-containing solutions lowers the mortality rate in such patients

Selected vs. non-selected under-20 national futsal players: differences between physical performance and training intensity experienced in training camps

The aim of this study was two-fold: (i) analyze the variations in the physical fitness of selected and non-selected under-20 male national futsal players; and (ii) analyze the variations in training intensity monitored during training camps. Thirty-three Taiwan under-20 national futsal players were monitored for training intensity during 18 training camps. They were divided into two groups: selected (n = 14) and non-selected (n = 17) players. The physical assessments included the following measures: body mass, distance covered at Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test Level 1, final velocity at 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (30-15 IFT), standing long jump, maximum heart rate (HR), and 1-min sit-up. The training intensity was monitored using the rate of perceived exertion (RPE), HR at different intensity zones, and locomotor demands measured at different speed thresholds. The results revealed that the selected players were significantly faster in the 15-m sprint with ball (p = 0.001) and 30-m sprint (p = 0.001). Additionally, the selected players presented significantly greater HRaverage and time spent above 90% maximum HR during the three-to-six-day training camps (p < 0.05) compared to the non-selected players. Interestingly, the NS demonstrated a greater number of sprints during the training camps (p = 0.001), while the selected players presented greater distance/minute and average speed (p = 0.001). A regression analysis showed that the distance/minute and average speed was a significant predictor of maximum HR in the selected players. As conclusions, the physical fitness outcomes are different between the selected and non-selected national futsal players. The selected players spent more time in high intensity HR demands in training sessionsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Application of Multiple Sensors in Monitoring Land Subsidence in Central Taiwan

Source: ICHE Conference Archive - https://mdi-de.baw.de/icheArchive

Localization of Cholecystokinin and Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide in Lower Biliary Tract in Cats Following Electroacupuncture on Right Qimen (LR14) and Riyue (GB 24): an Immunohistochemistry Study

ABSTRACT: Accumulating evidence has shown that control of the motility of the sphincter of Oddi (SO) involves a complex interaction between nerves, neurotransmitters and gastrointestinal hormones such as vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and cholecystokinin (CCK). Our previous studies demonstrated that electroacupuncture (EA) modulated the SO motiiity in cats and rabbits through activation of nonadrenergic non-choiinergic (NANC) pathway. This study was designed to investigate the changes of neurotransmitters such as CCK and VIP in lower biliary tract in cats receiving EA stimulation. After cats were anesthetized with intramuscular injection of ketamine hydrochloride. they were prepared to conduct EA stimulation on right Qimen (LR14) and Riyue (GB 24). The parameters of EA were 6 pulses/ 3 sec and 45 pulses/ 3 sec alternatively in frequency, 1-2 mA in intensity and 20 min in stimulation duration. After the completeness of EA stimulation, visceral organs such as gallbladder, duodenum and the sphincter of Oddi were removed and frozen for immunohistochemistry localization of CCK and VIP, The results showed that the distribution of CCK-Iabeled cells in duodenum, gallbladder and SO were more and distinct after EA than before EA stimulation. Whereas, the VIP-Iabcled cells were significantly more and distinct in duodenum and SO, but not in gall bladder. We conclude that EA regulates the biliary motility though increasing the distribution of CCK-and VIP-containing cells in duodenum and the sphincter of Oddi

Continuous epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor administration in primary lung adenocarcinoma patients harboring favorable mutations with controlled target lung tumors dose not hinder survival benefit despite small new lesions

AbstractBackgroundIn this study, we investigated the efficacy of continuous epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) administration in lung adenocarcinoma patients harboring favorable mutations regarding the progressive disease (PD) status with appearance of indolent new lesions.MethodsFrom June 2010 to October 2012, 102 patients with lung adenocarcinoma, harboring favorable EGFR mutations and treated with EGFR-TKI were analyzed. Definite new lesions were detected during EGFR-TKI therapy, even though the primary target tumors were controlled.ResultsOf the 102 patients, 57 continued and 45 discontinued EGFR-TKI therapy. The median overall survival was 529 days for the discontinuation group and 791 days for the continuation group (p = 0.0197). Median survival time after the discontinuation of EGFR-TKI was 181 days and 115 days in the discontinuation and continuation groups, respectively (p = 0.1776), whereas median survival time after the appearance of indolent new lesions was 204 days and 262 days, respectively (p = 0.0237).ConclusionContinuous EGFR-TKI administration in favorable EGFR-mutative lung adenocarcinoma patients with controlled primary tumors did not hinder the survival benefit, despite the appearance of new lesions