‘Chang’: A New Competitive Thinking Framework from The Viewpoint of Management Information Systems

Because of rapidly information technological innovation, to investigate competitive advantage we need to build institutions overall view that link all competitive elements from inside to outside, and from now to future. As the phenomenon that competition is a stochastic process, by defining “Chang” (a transliteration of Chinese word-場) “a set of space intersection time, which exists influence”, here we construct a new competitive thinking framework and expound that why and how “Chang” is a good way that can connect Strategy, Management and customer value in the overall view of institutions to enable competitive advantage business

Immunostimulatory Activities of CpG-Oligodeoxynucleotides in Teleosts: Toll-Like Receptors 9 and 21

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are pattern-recognition receptors that detect a wide variety of microbial pathogens for the initiation of host defense immunological responses. Thirteen TLRs have been identified in mammals, and teleosts contain 22 mammalian or non-mammalian TLRs. Of these, TLR9 and TLR21 are the cytosine-phosphate-guanosine-oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-ODNs) recognition TLRs in teleosts. TLR9 is a mammalian TLR expressed in teleost but not in the avian species. TLR21 is a non-mammalian TLR expressed in both teleost and the avian species. Synthetic CpG-ODNs are potent immunostimulants that are being studied for their application against tumors, allergies, and infectious diseases, and as a vaccine adjuvant in humans. The immunostimulatory effects of CpG-ODNs as vaccine adjuvants and their antimicrobial function in domestic animals and teleosts are also being investigated. Most of our current knowledge about the molecular basis for the immunostimulatory activity of CpG-ODNs comes from earlier studies of the interaction between CpG-ODN and TLR9. More recent studies indicate that in addition to TLR9, TLR21 is another receptor for CpG-ODN recognition in teleosts to initiate immune responses. Whether these two receptors have differential functions in mediating the immunostimulatory activity of CpG-ODN in teleost has not been well-studied. Nevertheless, the existence of two recognition TLRs suggests that the molecular basis for the immunostimulatory activity of CpG-ODN in teleosts is different and more complex than in mammals. This article reviews the current knowledge of TLR9 and TLR21 activation by CpG-ODNs. The key points that need to be considered for CpG-ODNs as immunostimulants with maximum effectiveness in activation of immune responses in teleosts are discussed. This includes the structure/activity relationship of CpG-ODN activities for TLR9 and TLR21, the structure/functional relationship of these two TLRs, and differential expression levels and tissue distributions for these two TLRs

Acute Fatty Liver of Pregnancy in a Taiwanese Tertiary Care Center: A Retrospective Review

SummaryObjectiveTo evaluate the demographics, clinical presentations, laboratory findings, and maternal and fetal outcomes in patients with acute fatty liver of pregnancy.Materials and MethodsA retrospective review was conducted of the records of pregnant patients with a diagnosis of acute fatty liver in a tertiary medical center over a 22-year period.ResultsEighteen patients with acute fatty liver of pregnancy were recruited, all of whom developed the disease in the third trimester. Eleven women (61%) were primigravid and four (22%) had twin pregnancies; six (33%) were diagnosed antepartum, and the other 12 (67%) were diagnosed postpartum. There were two maternal deaths (11%) and four fetal deaths (18%). The most common complications apart from severe liver dysfunction were acute renal failure (83%), hypoglycemia (61%), and disseminated intravascular coagulation (61%).ConclusionWomen who become acutely ill during the third trimester of pregnancy should undergo tests for acute fatty liver of pregnancy, including laboratory tests for assessing liver function and coagulation profile

Static behaviour of two-tiered Dou-Gong system reinforced by super-elastic alloy

Dou-Gong system in Asian timber structures play an important role in resisting seismic action. Traditional carpentry in Asia uses timber pegs to connect components which enables relative movement between components, and hence provide friction to dissipate energy in an earthquake. This method however has some short falls such as inadequate stiffness to resist large lateral force and therefore the structures tend to exhibit permanent deformation after the earthquakes. This study proposes a new technique by using super-elastic alloy bars to replace the conventional wooden peg connections to enhance the seismic performance of the structures. Static push-over experiments were conducted on full scaled two-tiered Dou-Gong systems and the high-strength steel and conventional wood pegs as benchmarks. The ultimate stiffness of Dou-Gong system has shown increase by using both high-strength steel and super-elastic alloy bars, but only super-elastic alloy can provide a consistent high damping ratio. This technique also involves pre-strain the super-elastic alloy and the outcomes of this series of experiments have shown that pre-strain in the super-elastic alloy can significantly increase the damping ratio in the structure and hence more energy is dissipated. The results of this paper can be used in the projects of timber structures with Dou-Gong system

Natural Modulators of Endosomal Toll-Like Receptor-Mediated Psoriatic Skin Inflammation

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that can be initiated by excessive activation of endosomal toll-like receptors (TLRs), particularly TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9. Therefore, inhibitors of endosomal TLR activation are being investigated for their ability to treat this disease. The currently approved biological drugs adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, ustekinumab, ixekizumab, and secukizumab are antibodies against effector cytokines that participate in the initiation and development of psoriasis. Several immune modulatory oligonucleotides and small molecular weight compounds, including IMO-3100, IMO-8400, and CPG-52364, that block the interaction between endosomal TLRs and their ligands are under clinical investigation for their effectiveness in the treatment of psoriasis. In addition, several chemical compounds, including AS-2444697, PF-05387252, PF-05388169, PF-06650833, ML120B, and PHA-408, can inhibit TLR signaling. Although these compounds have demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity in animal models, their therapeutic potential for the treatment of psoriasis has not yet been tested. Recent studies demonstrated that natural compounds derived from plants, fungi, and bacteria, including mustard seed, Antrodia cinnamomea extract, curcumin, resveratrol, thiostrepton, azithromycin, and andrographolide, inhibited psoriasis-like inflammation induced by the TLR7 agonist imiquimod in animal models. These natural modulators employ different mechanisms to inhibit endosomal TLR activation and are administered via different routes. Therefore, they represent candidate psoriasis drugs and might lead to the development of new treatment options

Manipulation Therapy Relieved Pain More Rapidly Than Acupuncture among Lateral Epicondylalgia (Tennis Elbow) Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial with 8-Week Follow-Up

Radial bone adjustment manipulation treatment may be effective to reduce pain rapidly in lateral epicondylalgia patients and the pathological tension in the biceps brachii muscle is highly concerned. To prove this hypothesis, we conducted a randomized controlled trial and included 35 patients with lateral epicondylalgia for more than 2 months. Either manipulation treatment (n=16) or acupuncture (n=19) was given to these patients for 2 weeks and all patients’ symptoms were followed up for 8 weeks after treatment. Both groups demonstrated changes in pain VAS score, grip strength, and DASH questionnaire. Lateral epicondylalgia patients who received manipulation treatment felt pain relief sooner than those who had acupuncture treatments during the first few treatments. However, both acupuncture and manipulation are effective, while the difference has no significance at the 8-week follow-up. The trial was registered with Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN81308551 on 5 February 2016