A Blueprint for Applications in Enterprise Information Portals

Electronic Commerce (E-Commerce, EC) is thoroughly changing business models of organizations (governments, corporations, and communities) and individuals the way of living and working. However, the major success will accrue to those companies that are willing to transform their organizations and business processes, which is the scope of e-Business. An Enterprise Information Portal (EIP) provides real time information and integrated applications to knowledge workers, employees, customers, business partners and the general public as well. Effective applications of EIP facilitate high quality strategic decisions. That is, an EIP can enhance an organization’s productivity, improve the collaboration to facilitate E-Commerce and gain competitive advantages. However, the EIP solutions are usually too expensive to small businesses. With Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) approach, this paper presents an economic way to design a low-cost EIP that leverages existing systems. Moreover, a prototype is implemented to show the feasibility. For the external data access, the web mining technology is utilized to mine some relevant and valuable web contents from the Internet and put these contents into the document warehouse. By combining the textual information inside the document warehouse and the numeric data from the data warehouse, competitive advantages can be provided over those who work with just the numbers

Dye-Affinity Nanofibrous Membrane for Adsorption of Lysozyme: Preparation and Performance Evaluation

Nanomembrana od poliakrilonitrila pripremljena je metodom elektropredenja. Nakon toplinske obrade i alkalne hidrolize, na membranu, koja je slabi ionski izmjenjivač, vezan je hitozan, a zatim je membrana kovalentno imobilizirana bojom Cibacron Blue F3GA. Ispitani su sljedeći parametri: promjer vlakana, propusnost i veličina pora membrane te gustoća imobilizirane boje. Osim toga, u šaržnom je postupku ispitana sposobnost membrane da veže lizozim promjenom različitih parametara, kao što su: pH-vrijednost, masa hitozana po volumenu otopine, koncentracija boje, snaga ionske veze i temperatura. Rezultati ispitivanja primijenjeni su za pročišćavanje lizozima iz bjelanjka kokošjeg jajeta pomoću membranske kromatografije. Dobiveni podaci pokazuju da je u jednom stupnju procesa učinkovitost vezivanja lizozima bila 90 %, iskoristivost membrane 87 %, a lizozim je pročišćen 47 puta. Sposobnost vezivanja ostala je nepromijenjena tijekom pet ciklusa ponavljanja postupaka adsorpcije i desorpcije. Rad je pokazao da nanomembrana koja sadržava ligande što vežu boju pruža velike mogućnosti pročišćavanja lizozima izravno iz sirovine.Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibrous membrane was prepared by an electrospinning technique. After heat treatment and alkaline hydrolysis, the weak ion exchange membrane was grafted with chitosan molecule and then covalently immobilized with a Cibacron Blue F3GA (CB). Fibre diameter, porosity and pore size of the membrane and immobilized dye density were characterized. Furthermore, the membrane was applied to evaluate the binding performance of lysozyme under various operating parameters (pH, chitosan mass per volume ratio, dye concentration, ionic strength and temperature) in batch mode. The experimental results were directly applied to purify lysozyme from chicken egg white by membrane chromatography. The results showed that the capture efficiency, recovery yield and purification factor were 90 and 87 %, and 47-fold, respectively, in a single step. The binding capacity remained consistent after five repeated cycles of adsorption-desorption operations. This work demonstrates that the dye-affinity nanofibrous membrane holds great potential for purification of lysozyme from real feedstock

Major interventions are associated with survival of out of hospital cardiac arrest patients - a population based survey

Background. The overall survival rate of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in Taiwan or even in the whole of Asia is relatively low. Major interventions, such as target temperature management (TTM), coronary artery angiography, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), have been associated with better patient outcome. However, studies in Taiwan revealing evidence of the benefits of these interventions are limited. Methods. A population-based study used an 8-year database to analyze overall survival and risk factors ˝among OHCA patients. All adult non-trauma OHCA patients were identified through diagnostic and procedure codes. Hospital survival and return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) were primary and secondary outcomes. Logistic regression and Cox regression analyses were conducted. Results. There was a relationship between major interventions (including TTM, coronary artery angiography, and ECMO) and better hospital survival. Age, income, major interventions, and acute myocardial infarction history were associated with hospital survival. The adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were 0.406 (95% CI, 0.295 to 0.558), 1.109 (95% CI, 1.027 to 1.197), 1.075 (95% CI, 1.002 to 1.154), 1.097 (95% CI, 1.02 to 1.181) and 0.799(95% CI, 0.677 to 0.942) for patients with major interventions, age≥50, medium low and low income, middle income, and acute myocardial infarction history, respectively. Conclusion. This population-based study in Taiwan revealed that older age (≥50), medium low and low income were associated with a lower rate of survival. Major interventions, including TTM, coronary angiography, and ECMO, were related to better survival

Ginsenoside-Rg1 Protects the Liver against Exhaustive Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress in Rats

Despite regular exercise benefits, acute exhaustive exercise elicits oxidative damage in liver. The present study determined the hepatoprotective properties of ginsenoside-Rg1 against exhaustive exercise-induced oxidative stress in rats. Forty rats were assigned into vehicle and ginsenoside-Rg1 groups (0.1 mg/kg bodyweight). After 10-week treatment, ten rats from each group performed exhaustive swimming. Estimated oxidative damage markers, including thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) (67%) and protein carbonyls (56%), were significantly (P < 0.01) elevated after exhaustive exercise but alleviated in ginsenoside-Rg1 pretreated rats. Furthermore, exhaustive exercise drastically decreased glutathione (GSH) content (∼79%) with concurrent decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities. However, these changes were attenuated in Rg1 group. Additionally, increased xanthine oxidase (XO) activity and nitric oxide (NO) levels after exercise were also inhibited by Rg1 pretreatment. For the first time, our findings provide strong evidence that ginsenoside-Rg1 can protect the liver against exhaustive exercise-induced oxidative damage

Sex difference in the associations among hyperuricemia with self-reported peptic ulcer disease in a large Taiwanese population study

BackgroundHyperuricemia may play a role in various systemic diseases. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between hyperuricemia and the risk of peptic ulcer disease (PUD). Therefore, in this population-based study, we enrolled over 120,000 participants from the Taiwan Biobank (TWB) and examined the risk factors for self-reported PUD. In addition, we investigated sex differences in the association between hyperuricemia and self-reported PUD.MethodsData of 121,583 participants were obtained from the TWB. Male participants with a serum uric acid level &gt;7 mg/dl and female participants with a serum uric acid level &gt;6 mg/dl were classified as having hyperuricemia. Details of self-reported PUD were obtained by questionnaire. The association between hyperuricemia and self-reported PUD in the male and female participants was examined using multivariable logistic regression analysis.ResultsThe overall prevalence of self-reported PUD was 14.6%, with a higher incidence in males (16.5%) compared to females (13.5%). After multivariable adjustment, male sex [vs. female sex; odds ratio (OR) = 1.139; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.084–1.198; p &lt; 0.001], and hyperuricemia (OR = 0.919; 95% CI = 0.879–0.961; p &lt; 0.001) were significantly associated with self-reported PUD. Further, a significant interaction was found between sex and hyperuricemia on self-reported PUD (p = 0.004). Hyperuricemia was associated with a low risk of self-reported PUD in males (OR = 0.890; 95% CI = 0.837–0.947; p &lt; 0.001) but not in females (p = 0.139).ConclusionThe prevalence of self-reported PUD was higher in the male participants than in the female participants. Hyperuricemia was associated with low prevalence of self-reported PUD in males, but not in females. Further studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms behind these observations and verify the potential protective role of hyperuricemia on the development of self-reported PUD

Comorbidity and dementia: A nationwide survey in Taiwan

Background Comorbid medical diseases are highly prevalent in the geriatric population, imposing hardship on healthcare services for demented individuals. Dementia also complicates clinical care for other co-existing medical conditions. This study investigated the comorbidities associated with dementia in the elderly population aged 65 years and over in Taiwan. Methods We conducted a nationwide, population-based, cross-sectional survey; participants were selected by computerized random sampling from all 19 Taiwan counties between December 2011 and March 2013. After exclusion of incomplete or erroneous data, 8,456 subjects were enrolled. Of them, 6,183 were cognitively normal (control group), 1,576 had mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 697 had dementia. We collected information about types of comorbidities (i.e., vascular risk factors, lung diseases, liver diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, and cancers), Charlson comorbidity index score, and demographic variables to compare subjects with normal cognition, MCI, and dementia. Results Regardless of the cognitive condition, over 60% of the individuals in each group had at least one comorbid disease. The proportion of subjects possessing at least three comorbidities was higher in those with cognitive impairment (MCI 20.9%, dementia 27.3%) than in control group (15%). Hypertension and diabetes mellitus were the most common comorbidities. The mean number of comorbidities and Charlson comorbidity index score were greater in MCI and dementia groups than in control group. Logistic regression demonstrated that the comorbidities significantly associated with MCI and dementia were cerebrovascular disease (OR 3.35, CI 2.62–4.28), cirrhosis (OR 3.29, CI 1.29–8.41), asthma (OR 1.56, CI 1.07–2.27), and diabetes mellitus (OR 1.24, CI 1.07–1.44). Conclusion Multiple medical comorbid diseases are common in older adults, especially in those with cognitive impairment. Cerebrovascular disease, cirrhosis, asthma, and diabetes mellitus are important contributors to cognitive deterioration in the elderly. Efforts to lower cumulative medical burden in the geriatric population may benefit cognitive function

Oral Rg1 supplementation strengthens antioxidant defense system against exercise-induced oxidative stress in rat skeletal muscles

BACKGROUND: Previous studies reported divergent results on nutraceutical actions and free radical scavenging capability of ginseng extracts. Variations in ginsenoside profile of ginseng due to different soil and cultivating season may contribute to the inconsistency. To circumvent this drawback, we assessed the effect of major ginsenoside-Rg1 (Rg1) on skeletal muscle antioxidant defense system against exhaustive exercise-induced oxidative stress. METHODS: Forty weight-matched rats were evenly divided into control (N = 20) and Rg1 (N = 20) groups. Rg1 was orally administered at the dose of 0.1 mg/kg bodyweight per day for 10-week. After this long-term Rg1 administration, ten rats from each group performed an exhaustive swimming, and remaining rats considered as non-exercise control. Tibialis anterior (TA) muscles were surgically collected immediately after exercise along with non-exercise rats. RESULTS: Exhaustive exercise significantly (p<0.05) increased the lipid peroxidation of control group, as evidenced by elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. The increased oxidative stress after exercise was also confirmed by decreased reduced glutathione to oxidized glutathione ratio (GSH/GSSG ratio) in control rats. However, these changes were completely eliminated in Rg1 group. Catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were significantly (p<0.05) increased by Rg1 in non-exercise rats, while no significant change after exercise. Nevertheless, glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities were significantly increased after exercise in Rg1 group. CONCLUSIONS: This study provide compelling evidences that Rg1 supplementation can strengthen antioxidant defense system in skeletal muscle and completely attenuate the membrane lipid peroxidation induced by exhaustive exercise. Our findings suggest that Rg1 can use as a nutraceutical supplement to buffer the exhaustive exercise-induced oxidative stress

Comorbidity and dementia: A nationwide survey in Taiwan

Background Comorbid medical diseases are highly prevalent in the geriatric population, imposing hardship on healthcare services for demented individuals. Dementia also complicates clinical care for other co-existing medical conditions. This study investigated the comorbidities associated with dementia in the elderly population aged 65 years and over in Taiwan. Methods We conducted a nationwide, population-based, cross-sectional survey; participants were selected by computerized random sampling from all 19 Taiwan counties between December 2011 and March 2013. After exclusion of incomplete or erroneous data, 8,456 subjects were enrolled. Of them, 6,183 were cognitively normal (control group), 1,576 had mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 697 had dementia. We collected information about types of comorbidities (i.e., vascular risk factors, lung diseases, liver diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, and cancers), Charlson comorbidity index score, and demographic variables to compare subjects with normal cognition, MCI, and dementia. Results Regardless of the cognitive condition, over 60% of the individuals in each group had at least one comorbid disease. The proportion of subjects possessing at least three comorbidities was higher in those with cognitive impairment (MCI 20.9%, dementia 27.3%) than in control group (15%). Hypertension and diabetes mellitus were the most common comorbidities. The mean number of comorbidities and Charlson comorbidity index score were greater in MCI and dementia groups than in control group. Logistic regression demonstrated that the comorbidities significantly associated with MCI and dementia were cerebrovascular disease (OR 3.35, CI 2.62–4.28), cirrhosis (OR 3.29, CI 1.29–8.41), asthma (OR 1.56, CI 1.07–2.27), and diabetes mellitus (OR 1.24, CI 1.07–1.44). Conclusion Multiple medical comorbid diseases are common in older adults, especially in those with cognitive impairment. Cerebrovascular disease, cirrhosis, asthma, and diabetes mellitus are important contributors to cognitive deterioration in the elderly. Efforts to lower cumulative medical burden in the geriatric population may benefit cognitive function

Biomechanical investigation of flexor digitorum tendons in trigger finger patients using sonography

Trigger finger (TF) has generally been ascribed to primary changes in the first annular (A1) pulley. Repeated friction between the A1 pulley and flexor digitorum tendons could result in swelling of soft tissues, and thus it has been speculated that TF affects tendons’ biomechanical behaviors. However, the pathology mechanism related to these behaviors remains unclear. The purposes of this study are to understand (1) the variations in the morphologies of the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) and flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) between normal fingers and TFs, (2) the differences in the biomechanical behaviors of the FDP and FDS between normal fingers and TFs in various finger flexion positions, and (3) the effect of various finger positions on the biomechanical behaviors of the FDP and FDS

Leptospira santorosai serovar shermani detergent extract induces an increase in fibronectin production through a toll-like receptor 2-mediated pathway

Leptospirosis can activate inflammatory responses through Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and may cause renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis characterized by the accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM). We have previously demonstrated that Leptospira santorosai serovar Shermani detergent extract stimulates ECM accumulation in vitro. The aim of this study was to examine the mechanistic basis of these previous observations and, in particular, to examine the potential involvement of TLRs. The addition of serovar Shermani detergent extract led to an increase in fibronectin gene expression and production. Inhibition of TLR2 but not TLR4 expression abrogated serovar Shermani detergent extract-mediated increases in fibronectin production. This response was also blocked by the knockdown of the gene expression of the TLR2 downstream transducers myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6). Serovar Shermani detergent extract also activated nuclear factor-κB, and its inhibition by curcumin-attenuated serovar Shermani detergent extract induced increases in fibronectin production. These effects were also mimicked by the specific TLR2 agonist, Pam(3)CsK(4), a response that was also abrogated by the knockdown of MyD88 and TRAF6. Similarly, the administration of live leptospires to cells also induced fibronectin production that was blocked by inhibition of TLR2 and MyD88 expression. In conclusion, serovar Shermani detergent extract can induce fibronectin production through the TLR2-associated cascade, providing evidence of an association between TLRs and leptospirosis-mediated ECM deposition