Partially hydrolyzed guar gum supplement reduces high-fat diet increased blood lipids and oxidative stress and ameliorates FeCl3-induced acute arterial injury in hamsters

Increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and hyperlipidemia can promote arterial thrombus. We evaluated the potential of a partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) as dietary fiber on lipid profiles and FeCl3-induced arterial thrombosis in the high fat-diet fed hamsters. Our in vitro results found that PHGG is efficient to scavenge O2-•, H2O2, and HOCl. High fat-diet increased plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL, VLDL, methylguanidine and dityrosine level and accelerated FeCl3-induced arterial thrombosis formation (from 463 ± 51 to 303 ± 45 sec). Low dose PHGG supplement significantly decreased the total cholesterol, LDL, methylguanidine and dityrosine level and delayed the time for arterial thrombosis formation (528 ± 75 sec). High dose PHGG supplement decreased the level in triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL and VLDL and further delayed the time for arterial thrombus (671 ± 36 sec). The increased Bax protein and decreased Bcl-2 and HSP-70 protein expression was found in the carotid and femoral arteries of high fat-diet hamsters. Low and high dose of PHGG supplement decreased Bax expression and increased Bcl-2 and HSP-70 protein expression. We found that FeCl3 significantly enhanced intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and 4-hydroxynonenal expression in the endothelial site of damaged artery after 150-sec FeCl3 stimulation. PHGG supplement decreased the endothelial ICAM-1 and 4-hydroxynonenal expression after 150-sec FeCl3 stimulation. Based on these results, we conclude that PHGG supplement can increase antioxidant protein expression and thus decrease oxidative stress induced arterial injury

The study on SFLAB GanedenBC30 viability on baking products during storage

AbstractFor understanding Bacillus coagulans, GanedenBC30 was used in different ways to added in raw dough and examine their viability after baking. Eight different baking products: (1) chrysanthemum cookies, (2) egg pastry cakes, (3) mooncakes, (4) muffins, (5) polo breads, (6) soda cookies, (7) sponge cakes, and (8) toasts were made from 0.5% GanedenBC30 added to their dough in two ways: (a) flour powder or (b) egg yolk. Then the (a) pH value, (b) titratable acidity, (c) GanedenBC30 counts, and (d) viability GanedenBC30 of eight different baking products were determined after storing at 4oC for 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 days, or 25oC for 0, 3, 6 days. The eight types of raw dough had relatively lower pH values and rise after baking. The titratable acidity of the eight types of dough was relatively higher, and declined after baking. However, the pH value and titratable acidity of the eight baking products remained the same after 9 days at 4oC. On the other hand, the GanedenBC30 counts in the eight baking products were less than their raw dough GanedenBC30 levels. For storage at both 4 and 25oC, the results show the GanedenBC30 viability of baking products decreased with storage days. The dough made by flour powder and baking showed higher GanedenBC30 viability than by egg yolk. GanedenBC30 are good candidates for baking product use, both in lactic acid production and probiotic preparations

A Study of the Cognition-Action Gap in Knowledge Management

We investigated three types of volitional control mechanisms that may impact people’s knowledge management (KM) practices. Our results show that, when employing KM, people do not always perform in a manner consis- tent with their beliefs concerning attitudes and intentions. This cognition-behavior inconsistency can be ex- plained by volitional control mechanisms. Specifically, both perceived self-efficacy (Bandura 1997) and action control (Kuhl and Bechmänn 1985) play a role in motivating individuals to share and use knowledge, while perceived behavioral control does not. In addition, action/state orientation moderates a person’s enactment of subjective norm and self-efficacy beliefs into intentions just as it moderates enactment of perceived behavioral control belief into behaviors. These results have important theoretical and managerial implication

Paraphyly of organelle DNAs in Cycas Sect. Asiorientales due to ancient ancestral polymorphisms

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This study addresses the apportionment of genetic diversity between <it>Cycas revoluta </it>and <it>C. taitungensis</it>, species that constitute the section <it>Asiorientales </it>and represent a unique, basal lineage of the Laurasian genus <it>Cycas</it>. Fossil evidence indicates divergence of the section from the rest of <it>Cycas </it>at least 30 million years ago. Geographically, <it>C. taitungensis </it>is limited to Taiwan whereas <it>C. revoluta </it>is found in the Ryukyu Archipelago and on mainland China.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The phylogenies of ribosomal ITS region of mtDNA and the intergenic spacer between <it>atp</it>B and <it>rbc</it>L genes of cpDNA were reconstructed. Phylogenetic analyses revealed paraphyly of both loci in the two species and also in the section <it>Asiorientales</it>. The lack of reciprocal monophyly between these long isolated sections is likely due to persistent shared ancestral polymorphisms. Molecular dating estimated that mt- and cp DNA lineages coalesced to the most recent common ancestors (TMRCA) about 327 (mt) and 204 MYA (cp), corresponding with the divergence of cycad sections in the Mesozoic.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Fates of newly derived mutations of cycads follow Klopfstein et al.'s surfing model where the majority of new mutations do not spread geographically and remain at low frequencies or are eventually lost by genetic drift. Only successful 'surfing mutations' reach very high frequencies and occupy a large portion of a species range. These mutations exist as dominant cytotypes across populations and species. Geographical subdivision is lacking in both species, even though recurrent gene flow by both pollen and seed is severely limited. In total, the contrasting levels between historical and ongoing gene flow, large population sizes, a long lifespan, and slow mutation rates in both organelle DNAs have all likely contributed to the unusually long duration of paraphyly in cycads.</p

Giant lipoma arising from deep lobe of the parotid gland

BACKGROUND: Lipomas are common benign soft tissue neoplasms but they are found very rarely in the deep lobe of parotid gland. Surgical intervention in these tumors is challenging because of the proximity of the facial nerve, and thus knowledge of the anatomy and meticulous surgical technique are essential. CASE PRESENTATION: A 71-year-old female presented with a large asymptomatic mass, which had occupied the left facial area for over the past fifteen years, and she requested surgical excision for a cosmetically better facial appearance. The computed tomography (CT) scan showed a well-defined giant lipoma arising from the left deep parotid gland. The lipoma was successfully enucleated after full exposure and mobilization of the overlying facial nerve branches. The surgical specimen measured 9 × 6 cm in size, and histopathology revealed fibrolipoma. The patient experienced an uneventful recovery, with a satisfying facial contour and intact facial nerve function. CONCLUSION: Giant lipomas involving the deep parotid lobe are extremely rare. The high-resolution CT scan provides an accurate and cost-effective preoperative investigative method. Surgical management of deep lobe lipoma should be performed by experienced surgeons due to the need for meticulous dissection of the facial nerve branches. Superficial parotidectomy before deep lobe lipoma removal may be unnecessary in selected cases because preservation of the superficial lobe may contribute to a better aesthetic and functional result

Neurological Complications in Young Infants With Acute Bacterial Meningitis

We aimed to evaluate the occurrence, treatment, and outcomes of neurological complications after bacterial meningitis in young infants. A case series study from a retrospective cohort from two tertiary-level medical centers in Taiwan between 2007 and 2016 was conducted. Eighty-five young infants aged &lt; 90 days with bacterial meningitis were identified. 25 (29.4%) were born at preterm. Group B Streptococcus (GBS) and Escherichia coli caused 74.1% of identified cases. Despite the majority (90.6%) initially received microbiologically appropriate antibiotics, 65 (76.5%) had experienced at least one neurological complication identified at a median of 6 days (range: 1–173) after onset of bacterial meningitis. The most common neurological complication was seizure (58.8%), followed by subdural effusion (47.1%), ventriculomegaly (41.2%), subdural empyema (21.2%), hydrocephalus (18.8%), ventriculitis (15.3%), periventricular leukomalacia (11.8%), and encephalomalacia (10.6%). Nine patients (10.6%) died (including 4 had critical discharge on request) and 29/76 (38.2%) of the survivors had major neurological sequelae at discharge. Nighteen (22.4%) received surgical intervention due to these complications. After multivariate logistic regression, initial seizure (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 4.76, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.7–13.0, P = 0.002) and septic shock (aOR: 6.04; 95% CI: 1.35–27.0, P = 0.019) were independent predictors for final unfavorable outcomes.Conclusions: Neurological complications and sequelae are common in young infants after bacterial meningitis. Patients presented with early seizure or septic shock can be an early predictor of final unfavorable outcomes and require close monitoring. Further research regarding how to improve clinical management and outcomes is warranted

Genetic population structure of the alpine species Rhododendron pseudochrysanthum sensu lato (Ericaceae) inferred from chloroplast and nuclear DNA

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A complex of incipient species with different degrees of morphological or ecological differentiation provides an ideal model for studying species divergence. We examined the phylogeography and the evolutionary history of the <it>Rhododendron pseudochrysanthum </it>s. l.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Systematic inconsistency was detected between gene genealogies of the cpDNA and nrDNA. Rooted at <it>R. hyperythrum </it>and <it>R. formosana</it>, both trees lacked reciprocal monophyly for all members of the complex. For <it>R. pseudochrysanthum </it>s.l., the spatial distribution of the cpDNA had a noteworthy pattern showing high genetic differentiation (F_ST= 0.56-0.72) between populations in the Yushan Mountain Range and populations of the other mountain ranges.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Both incomplete lineage sorting and interspecific hybridization/introgression may have contributed to the lack of monophyly among <it>R. hyperythrum</it>, <it>R. formosana </it>and <it>R. pseudochrysanthum </it>s.l. Independent colonizations, plus low capabilities of seed dispersal in current environments, may have resulted in the genetic differentiation between populations of different mountain ranges. At the population level, the populations of Central, and Sheishan Mountains may have undergone postglacial demographic expansion, while populations of the Yushan Mountain Range are likely to have remained stable ever since the colonization. In contrast, the single population of the Alishan Mountain Range with a fixed cpDNA haplotype may have experienced bottleneck/founder's events.</p

Prescription characteristics of Xue-Fu-Zhu-Yu-Tang in pain management: a population-based study using the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan

Objective: To explore the prevalence and distinctive features of Xue-Fu-Zhu-Yu-Tang (XFZYT) prescriptions by analyzing the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) to identify the specific medical problems for which XFZYT is prescribed.Methods: This nationwide, population-based, cross-sectional study included 109,073 XFZYT users and 532,848 XFZYT non-users among Chinese herbal product (CHP) users in NHIRD. Chi-squared tests were used to analyze disparities between the XFZYT user and XFZYT non-user cohorts, and the mean age was evaluated using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Logistic regression was used to compute the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).Results: XFZYT was frequently used to treat pain. The top five conditions for which the Taiwanese traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners would prescribe XFZYT were chest pain; headache; myalgia and myositis; lumbago; and neuralgia, neuritis, and radiculitis.Conclusion: This study represents an inaugural comprehensive survey conducted on the utilization of XFZYT prescriptions among patients with diverse diseases. XFZYT is mostly used to treat pain conditions in Taiwan. Combined with the combination use of other CHPs, XFZYT is used to treat symptoms of the chest and respiratory system, soft tissue conditions, menstruation disorders, and joint and back discomfort. These results suggest that further clinical trials are warranted to verify the effects of XFZYT in pain management

Exploring the use of social capital to support technology adoption and implementation

Information System (IS) implementations are a risky business with studies showing only a 16%-29% success rate. This research explores the use of social capital to support technology implementations. This research brings together two distinct bodies of knowledge: social network analysis (SNA) and technology acceptance models, in order to better understand the relationship between social capital and technology acceptance. The first aspect of the research looks at social network centrality and influence measures as an alternative means to measure social influence in the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model. The social influence construct has proven to be inconsistent in past research. An individual‟s decision to adopt a new technology is influenced by their social context or the informal social network within which they work. The social capital of others influences their attitudes and decision to adopt a new technology. Social Capital, as measured through social network analysis, could be substituted for the social influence construct of the UTAUT model. Two revised UTAUT models are developed and tested. The second aspect of this research uses social capital to inform membership of a Community of Practice (CoP) to support a Finance Management System implementation in a higher education organization. SNA can be used to gain an understanding of the social network and identify individuals with high social capital. There is growing evidence that CoP support successful organizational change initiatives but it is less clear how CoP membership might be determined. SNA provides an evidence-based approach to CoP formation. The IS implementation cases described in the paper demonstrate an innovative approach to IS implementation grounded in social capital and technology acceptance research that add to the body of knowledge in both theory and practice.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo