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Ching YH, Kuo YC, Su MC, Wang SC, Lin CF, Tu WC, Lin MD. Genetic Differentiation of the Bloodsucking Midge Forcipomyia taiwana (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae): Implication of the Geographic Isolation by the Central Mountain Ranges in Taiwan. Insects 2024; 15:23. [PMID: 38249029 PMCID: PMC10817045 DOI: 10.3390/insects15010023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Forcipomyia (Lasiohelea) taiwana, a small bloodsucking midge, thrives in moderately moist habitats and is commonly found in grassy and bushy areas at an elevation below 250 m. This species exhibits a diurnal biting pattern and shows a marked preference for human blood. Although not known to transmit arthropod-borne diseases, the bites of F. taiwana can induce severe allergic reactions in some individuals. As a significant nuisance in Taiwan, affecting both daily life and the tourism industry, comprehensive studies on its population genetics across different geographical regions remain scarce. The central mountain ranges in Taiwan, comprising more than two hundred peaks above 3000 m in elevation, extend from the north to the south of the island, creating distinct eastern and western geographical divisions. This study utilizes microsatellite markers to explore the genetic differentiation of F. taiwana populations located in the eastern and western regions of the mountain ranges. Our findings reveal substantial genetic differentiation among populations inhabiting Taiwan's western region compared to those in the eastern region. This indicates that the topographical barriers presented by the mountain ranges significantly restrict gene flow, particularly given the species' limited active flight ability and habitat preferences. Although passive dispersal mechanisms, like wind or human activity, could contribute, this study concludes that the gene flow of F. taiwana between the western and eastern regions is primarily influenced by topographical constraints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yung-Hao Ching
- Department of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan; (Y.-H.C.); (Y.-C.K.); (M.-C.S.); (S.-C.W.)
| | - Yuan-Chen Kuo
- Department of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan; (Y.-H.C.); (Y.-C.K.); (M.-C.S.); (S.-C.W.)
| | - Ming-Ching Su
- Department of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan; (Y.-H.C.); (Y.-C.K.); (M.-C.S.); (S.-C.W.)
| | - Szu-Chieh Wang
- Department of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan; (Y.-H.C.); (Y.-C.K.); (M.-C.S.); (S.-C.W.)
| | - Chuen-Fu Lin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan;
| | - Wu-Chun Tu
- Department of Entomology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan;
| | - Ming-Der Lin
- Department of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan; (Y.-H.C.); (Y.-C.K.); (M.-C.S.); (S.-C.W.)
- Institute of Medical Science, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan
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Hsueh FC, Kuo KL, Hsu FY, Wang SY, Chiu HJ, Wu MT, Lin CF, Huang YH, Chiou MT, Lin CN. Molecular Characteristics and Pathogenicity of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) 1 in Taiwan during 2019-2020. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13030843. [PMID: 36983998 PMCID: PMC10056585 DOI: 10.3390/life13030843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Two variants of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), PRRSV 1 and PRRSV 2, have caused abortion in pregnant sows and respiratory distress in nursery pigs worldwide. PRRSV 2 has been thoroughly researched in Taiwan since 1993; however, the first case of PRRSV 1 was not reported until late 2018. To decipher the genetic characteristics of PRRSV 1 in Taiwan, open reading frame 5 (ORF5) genes of PRRSV 1 strains collected from 11 individual pig farms in 2019-2020 were successfully sequenced. All Taiwanese ORF5 sequences were closely related to Spanish-like PRRSV strains, which are considered to share a common evolutionary origin with the strain used for the PRRSV 1 vaccine. Analyses of amino acid (aa) and non-synonymous substitutions showed that genetic variations resulted in numerously specific codon mutations scattered across the neutralizing epitopes within the ORF5 gene. The PRRSV 1 challenge experiment disclosed the pathogenetic capability of the NPUST2789 isolate in nursery pigs. These findings provide comprehensive knowledge of the molecular diversity of the PRRSV 1 variant in local Taiwanese fields and facilitate the development of suitable immunization programs against this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu-Chun Hsueh
- Animal Disease Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
| | - Kun-Lin Kuo
- Animal Disease Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
| | - Feng-Yang Hsu
- Animal Disease Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Yuan Wang
- Animal Disease Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
| | - Hsien-Jen Chiu
- Animal Disease Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
| | - Meng-Tien Wu
- Animal Disease Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
| | - Chuen-Fu Lin
- Animal Disease Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Han Huang
- Animal Disease Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Tang Chiou
- Animal Disease Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Nan Lin
- Animal Disease Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
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Chen PW, Lin CF. Characterization of a novel theta-type replicon of indigenous plasmid pTE15 from Lactobacillus reuteri N16. BMC Microbiol 2022; 22:298. [PMID: 36510154 PMCID: PMC9743546 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-022-02718-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND pTE15 is a ~ 15-kb narrow-host-range indigenous plasmid from Lactobacillus reuteri N16 that does not replicate in selected Bacillus spp., Staphylococcus spp., and other Lactobacillus spp. METHODS Combined deletion analysis the minireplicon essential of pTE15 with replicon-probe vector pUE80 (-) to confirmed sufficient for replication and from the ssDNA intermediate detection, plasmid amplification tested by chloramphenicol treatment, and replication origin sequence analysis to delineated the novel theta-type replication of pTE15. RESULTS Single-stranded intermediate of pTE15 DNA was not detected in L. reuteri, indicating that this plasmid does not replicate via a rolling circle mechanism. The replicon of pTE15 did not display the structural organization typical of rolling-circle plasmids, nor were they similar to known rolling-circle plasmids. We further provided evidence that this plasmid applied a new mode of theta-type replication mechanism: (1) the size of this plasmid was > 10-kb; (2) the minireplicon consisted of AT-rich (directed repeat, iteron) and DnaA sequences; (3) the minireplicon did not contain double-strand origin (DSO) and essential rep genes, and it also showed no single-strand origin (SSO) structure; (4) the intermediate single-stranded DNA products were not observed for pTE15 replication; (5) the minireplicon did not contain a typical essential replication protein, Rep, (6) its copy number was decreased by chloramphenicol treatment, and (7) genes in pTE15 replication region encoded truncated RepA (TRepA), RepB and RepC, which were replication-associated proteins, but they were not essential for pTE15 replication. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, our results strongly suggested that the indigenous plasmid pTE15 of L. reuteri N16 belongs to a new class of theta replicons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Po-Wen Chen
- grid.260542.70000 0004 0532 3749Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 40249 Taiwan
| | - Chuen-Fu Lin
- grid.412083.c0000 0000 9767 1257Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, 91201 Taiwan ,grid.412083.c0000 0000 9767 1257Animal disease diagnostic center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, 91201 Taiwan
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Lee AY, Chen CH, Liou JS, Lin YC, Hamada M, Wang YT, Peng LL, Chang SC, Chen CC, Lin CF, Huang L, Huang CH. Micrococcus porci sp. nov., Isolated from Feces of Black Pig ( Sus scrofa). Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12111749. [PMID: 36362904 PMCID: PMC9697426 DOI: 10.3390/life12111749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
An aerobic bacterium, designated as strain KD337-16T, was isolated from the fecal samples of a black pig. It exhibited spherical, non-motile and non−spore-forming, Gram-positive cells. KD337-16T was identified as a member of the genus Micrococcus through 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and its closest relatives were found to be Micrococcus endophyticus YIM 56238T (99.5% similarity), Micrococcus luteus NCTC 2665T (99.1%), Micrococcus yunnanensis YIM 65004T (99.1%), Micrococcus aloeverae AE-6T (99.1%), Micrococcus antarcticus T2T (98.9%), and Micrococcus flavus LW4T (98.7%). Phylogenomic trees were constructed, and strain KD337-16T was found to form its own cluster as an independent lineage of M. flavus LW4T. Between KD337-16T and its close relatives, the average nucleotide identity, average amino acid identity, and digital DNA−DNA hybridization were below the respective species delineation thresholds at 82.1−86.6%, 78.1−86.1%, and 24.4−34.9%. The major cellular fatty acids and polar lipids were anteiso-C15:0 and iso-C15:0, and DPG and PG, respectively. The predominant menaquinone was MK-8(H2). Taken together, the results indicate that strain KD337-16T is a novel species of the genus Micrococcus, for which the name Micrococcus porci sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KD337-16T (=BCRC 81318T = NBRC 115578T).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ai-Yun Lee
- Bioresource Collection and Research Center (BCRC), Food Industry Research and Development Institute, Hsinchu 30062, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hsuan Chen
- Livestock Research Institute, Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan, Tainan 71246, Taiwan
| | - Jong-Shian Liou
- Bioresource Collection and Research Center (BCRC), Food Industry Research and Development Institute, Hsinchu 30062, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chun Lin
- Livestock Research Institute, Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan, Tainan 71246, Taiwan
| | - Moriyuki Hamada
- Biological Resource Center, National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NBRC), 2-5-8 Kazusakamatari, Kisarazu, Chiba 292-0818, Japan
| | - Yu-Ting Wang
- Division of Research and Analysis, Food and Drug Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei 11561, Taiwan
| | - Lin-Liang Peng
- Kaohsiung Animal Propagation Station, COA-LRI, Pingtung 91247, Taiwan
| | - Shen-Chang Chang
- Kaohsiung Animal Propagation Station, COA-LRI, Pingtung 91247, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Chieh Chen
- Institute of Medical Science and Technology, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan
- Rapid Screening Research Center for Toxicology and Biomedicine, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan
| | - Chuen-Fu Lin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 912301, Taiwan
| | - Lina Huang
- Bioresource Collection and Research Center (BCRC), Food Industry Research and Development Institute, Hsinchu 30062, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Hsun Huang
- Bioresource Collection and Research Center (BCRC), Food Industry Research and Development Institute, Hsinchu 30062, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-3-522-3191; Fax: +886-3-522-4171
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Lin CT, Lin CF, Wu JT, Tsai HP, Cheng SY, Liao HJ, Lin TC, Wu CH, Lin YC, Wang JH, Chang GR. Effects of Para-Toluenesulfonamide on Canine Melanoma Xenotransplants in a BALB/c Nude Mouse Model. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12172272. [PMID: 36077992 PMCID: PMC9454485 DOI: 10.3390/ani12172272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Canine melanomas are malignant neoplasms, and primary melanomas arise at the footpad, nail bed, gastrointestinal tract, mucocutaneous junction, and eyes. Para-toluenesulfonamide (PTS) is a small molecule that acts against several cancers (hepatocellular carcinoma, nonsmall-cell lung cancer, and tongue squamous cell carcinoma). The pharmacological pathway of PTS has the potential to exert anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic functions. We established canine melanoma xenografts in mice and randomized the animals into four treatment groups: saline, cisplatin, PTS, and PTS combined with cisplatin. The findings indicated that compared with the control mice, mice treated with PTS and the combination of PTS and cisplatin showed retarded tumor growth; increased tumor apoptosis through the upregulation of caspase 3 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation; decreased inflammation levels of cytokines, such as interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6; reduced inflammation-related factors, such as the cyclooxygenase-2 protein and nuclear factor-κB mRNA; enhanced anti-inflammation-related factors; and inhibition of the metastasis-related factors transforming growth factor β, CD44, epidermal growth factor receptor, and vascular endothelial growth factor. Combining cisplatin with PTS has a stronger effect than PTS alone. These findings may prove useful in further explorations of the application of PTS or PTS combined with cisplatin to the treatment of canine melanoma in general. Abstract The pharmacological pathway of para-toluenesulfonamide (PTS) restricts the kinase activity of the mammalian target of rapamycin, potentially leading to reductions in cell division, cell growth, cell proliferation, and inflammation. These pathways have a critical effect on tumorigenesis. We aimed to examine the antitumor effect of PTS or PTS combined with cisplatin on canine melanoma implanted in BALB/c nude mice by estimating tumor growth, apoptosis expression, inflammation, and metastasis. The mice were randomly divided into four groups: control, cisplatin, PTS, and PTS combined with cisplatin. Mice treated with PTS or PTS combined with cisplatin had retarded tumor growth and increased tumor apoptosis through the enhanced expression of cleaved caspase 3 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation, decreased inflammatory cytokine levels, reduced inflammation-related factors, enhanced anti-inflammation-related factors, and inhibition of metastasis-related factors. Mice treated with PTS combined with cisplatin exhibited significantly retarded tumor growth, reduced tumor size, and increased tumor inhibition compared with those treated with cisplatin or PTS alone. PTS or PTS combined with cisplatin could retard canine melanoma growth and inhibit tumorigenesis. PTS and cisplatin were found to have an obvious synergistic tumor-inhibiting effect on canine melanoma. PTS alone and PTS combined with cisplatin may be antitumor agents for canine melanoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Teng Lin
- Ph.D. Program of Agriculture Science, National Chiayi University, 300 University Road, Chiayi 60004, Taiwan
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chiayi University, 580 Xinmin Road, Chiayi 60054, Taiwan
| | - Chuen-Fu Lin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, 1 Shuefu Road, Neipu, Pingtung 912301, Taiwan
| | - Jui-Te Wu
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chiayi University, 580 Xinmin Road, Chiayi 60054, Taiwan
| | - Hsiao-Pei Tsai
- Ph.D. Program of Agriculture Science, National Chiayi University, 300 University Road, Chiayi 60004, Taiwan
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chiayi University, 580 Xinmin Road, Chiayi 60054, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Ying Cheng
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chiayi University, 580 Xinmin Road, Chiayi 60054, Taiwan
- Department of Pet Medicine, Gongwin Biopharma Co., Ltd., 1 Section, 80 Jianguo North Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei 104001, Taiwan
| | - Huei-Jyuan Liao
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chiayi University, 580 Xinmin Road, Chiayi 60054, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Chun Lin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chiayi University, 580 Xinmin Road, Chiayi 60054, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Hsuan Wu
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chiayi University, 580 Xinmin Road, Chiayi 60054, Taiwan
- Department of Pet Medicine, Gongwin Biopharma Co., Ltd., 1 Section, 80 Jianguo North Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei 104001, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chin Lin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chiayi University, 580 Xinmin Road, Chiayi 60054, Taiwan
- Department of Pet Medicine, Gongwin Biopharma Co., Ltd., 1 Section, 80 Jianguo North Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei 104001, Taiwan
| | - Jiann-Hsiung Wang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chiayi University, 580 Xinmin Road, Chiayi 60054, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (J.-H.W.); (G.-R.C.); Tel.: +886-5-2732959 (J.-H.W.); +886-5-2732946 (G.-R.C.)
| | - Geng-Ruei Chang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chiayi University, 580 Xinmin Road, Chiayi 60054, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (J.-H.W.); (G.-R.C.); Tel.: +886-5-2732959 (J.-H.W.); +886-5-2732946 (G.-R.C.)
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Wu CF, Wu CY, Lin CF, Liu YW, Lin TC, Liao HJ, Chang GR. The anticancer effects of cyanidin 3-O-glucoside combined with 5-fluorouracil on lung large-cell carcinoma in nude mice. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 151:113128. [PMID: 35609368 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The haskap (Lonicera caerulea L., Caprifoliaceae) berry has been widely used in traditional medicine in Kuril Islands, Russia, Japan, and China. Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) is the most abundant anthocyanin in haskap berries, and C3G induces antiproliferative pharmacological activity in various cancer cells. However, no study has investigated its anti-lung large-cell carcinoma (LCC) pharmacological role. Therefore, this study determined whether C3G alone or C3G combined with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) inhibits human lung LCC. We determined the tumor growth, apoptosis, inflammation, and metastasis in the H661 lung LCC lines xenografted into BALB/c nude mice. The mice were administered saline (control), 5-FU, C3G, or both C3G and 5-FU. Relative to the control mice, those treated with C3G alone or both C3G and 5-FU exhibited impaired tumor growth; increased tumor apoptosis; decreased inflammatory cytokine levels (e.g., IL-1β, TNF-α, C-reactive protein, and IL-6); decreased inflammation-related factors, including cyclooxygenase-2 protein and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) mRNA; increased inhibition of NF-κB kinase α mRNA; and downregulated metastasis-related factors, such as transforming growth factor-β, CD44, epidermal growth factor receptor, and vascular endothelial growth factor. In addition, C3G alone or combined with 5-FU affected the expression of the tumor microenvironment-related factors Ki67, CD45, PDL1, and CD73. Compared with the mice treated with 5-FU or C3G alone, those treated with both C3G and 5-FU exhibited significantly impaired tumor growth, decreased tumor sizes, and increased tumor inhibition. This in vivo study demonstrated that C3G alone or combined with 5-FU may impair the growth of lung LCC and inhibit tumorigenesis. The findings indicate that C3G alone or C3G combined with 5-FU may be beneficial for treating human lung LCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Feng Wu
- Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, 5 Fuxing Street, Guishan District, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan; Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Guishan, 259 Wenhua 1st Road, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan.
| | - Ching-Yang Wu
- Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, 5 Fuxing Street, Guishan District, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan; Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Guishan, 259 Wenhua 1st Road, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan.
| | - Chuen-Fu Lin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, 1 Shuefu Road, Neipu, Pingtung 912301, Taiwan.
| | - Yi-Wen Liu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Biopharmaceuticals, College of Life Sciences, National Chiayi University, 300 Syuefu Road, Chiayi 60004, Taiwan.
| | - Tzu-Chun Lin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chiayi University, 580 Xinmin Road, Chiayi 60054, Taiwan.
| | - Huei-Jyuan Liao
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chiayi University, 580 Xinmin Road, Chiayi 60054, Taiwan.
| | - Geng-Ruei Chang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chiayi University, 580 Xinmin Road, Chiayi 60054, Taiwan.
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Hsueh FC, Wu CN, Lin MYC, Hsu FY, Lin CF, Chang HW, Lin JH, Liu HF, Chiou MT, Chan KR, Lin CN. Phylodynamic analysis and spike protein mutations in porcine deltacoronavirus with a new variant introduction in Taiwan. Virus Evol 2021; 7:veab096. [PMID: 34858636 PMCID: PMC8634457 DOI: 10.1093/ve/veab096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) is a highly transmissible intestinal pathogen that causes mild to severe clinical symptoms, such as anorexia, vomiting, and watery diarrhea in pigs. By comparing the genetic sequences of the spike glycoprotein between historical and current Taiwanese PDCoV strains, we identified a novel PDCoV variant that displaced the PDCoV responsible for the 2015 epidemic. This PDCoV variant belongs to a young population within the US lineage, and infected pigs carry high concentrations of the virus. It also has several critical point mutations and an amino acid insertion at position 52 that may enhance the affinity between the B-cell epitopes located in the N-terminal domain with its complementarity regions, consequently facilitating binding or penetration between the fusion peptide and cellular membrane. Furthermore, viral protein structure prediction demonstrated that these amino acid changes may change the ability of the virus to bind to the receptor, which may consequently alter virus infectivity. Our results hence suggest the emergence of new PDCoV strains in Taiwan with the potential for greater transmission and pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu-Chun Hsueh
- Animal Disease Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Scienceand Technology, Pingtung 912301, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Nan Wu
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taichung 406053, Taiwan
| | | | - Feng-Yang Hsu
- Animal Disease Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Scienceand Technology, Pingtung 912301, Taiwan
| | - Chuen-Fu Lin
- Animal Disease Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Scienceand Technology, Pingtung 912301, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Wen Chang
- Graduate Institute of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Jih-Hui Lin
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Taipei 11561, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Fu Liu
- Department of Medical Research, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei 10449, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Tang Chiou
- Animal Disease Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Scienceand Technology, Pingtung 912301, Taiwan
| | - Kuan Rong Chan
- Program in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - Chao-Nan Lin
- Animal Disease Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Scienceand Technology, Pingtung 912301, Taiwan
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Wang JH, Chang CP, Chang CC, Wang CM, Lin CF, Lin JW, Lin WL, Liao HJ, Kao CY, Fan PS, Yang WC, Chang GR. Analysis of persistent organochlorine pesticides in shellfish and their risk assessment from aquafarms in Taiwan. Mar Pollut Bull 2021; 172:112811. [PMID: 34403924 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In Taiwan, freshwater clams (Corbicula fluminea) and hard clams (Meretrix lusoria) are the most frequently raised shellfish in land-based pond aquaculture, but research on the accumulation of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in these shellfish is limited. We detected the levels of 14 OCPs in 62 shellfish from Taiwanese aquafarms by performing gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. OCP residues were detected in 4.84% of the samples including readings of 0.04 mg/kg chlordane (in a freshwater clam), 0.03 mg/g p,p'-DDE (in a freshwater clam), and 0.02 mg/g p,p'-DDE (in a hard clam). However, the associated estimated daily intake values were less than the acceptable daily intake levels of chlordane and p,p'-DDE Therefore, the consumption of these shellfish presents no immediate health risks. Our findings contribute to food safety and serve as a reference for OCP screenings for aquatic shellfish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiann-Hsiung Wang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chiayi University, 580 Xinmin Road, Chiayi 60054, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Pei Chang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, 1 Section, 542 Chung-Shan Road, Changhua 50008, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Chia Chang
- Animal Drugs Inspection Branch, Animal Health Research Institute, Council of Agriculture, 21 Muchang, Ciding Village, Zhunan Township, Miaoli 35054, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Min Wang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chiayi University, 580 Xinmin Road, Chiayi 60054, Taiwan
| | - Chuen-Fu Lin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, 1, Shuefu Road, Neipu, Pingtung 912301, Taiwan
| | - Jen-Wei Lin
- Bachelor Degree Program in Animal Healthcare, Hungkuang University, 6 Section, 1018 Taiwan Boulevard, Shalu District, Taichung 433304, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Li Lin
- Bachelor Degree Program in Animal Healthcare, Hungkuang University, 6 Section, 1018 Taiwan Boulevard, Shalu District, Taichung 433304, Taiwan; General Education Center, Chaoyang University of Technology, 168 Jifeng Eastern Road, Taichung 413310, Taiwan
| | - Huei-Jyuan Liao
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chiayi University, 580 Xinmin Road, Chiayi 60054, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Yung Kao
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chiayi University, 580 Xinmin Road, Chiayi 60054, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Shan Fan
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chiayi University, 580 Xinmin Road, Chiayi 60054, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Cheng Yang
- School of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, 4 Section, 1 Roosevelt Road, Taipei 10617, Taiwan.
| | - Geng-Ruei Chang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chiayi University, 580 Xinmin Road, Chiayi 60054, Taiwan.
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9
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Huang YH, Chen YH, Chen JH, Hsu PS, Wu TH, Lin CF, Peng CC, Wu MC. A potential probiotic Leuconostoc mesenteroides TBE-8 for honey bee. Sci Rep 2021; 11:18466. [PMID: 34531482 PMCID: PMC8446051 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-97950-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
An isolated bacterium TBE-8, was identified as Leuconostoc mesenteroides according to the sequences of 16S rDNA and the 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region. The probiotic properties of the L. mesenteroides TBE-8 strain were characterized and revealed that TBE-8 could utilize various carbohydrates, exhibited high tolerance to sucrose's osmotic pressure and acidic conditions, and could mitigate the impact of the bee pathogen Paenibacillus larvae. In addition, we found that the TBE-8 broth increased the expression of the nutrition-related genes major royal jelly protein 1 and vitellogenin in bees by approximately 1400- and 20-fold, respectively. The expression of genes encoding two antibacterial peptides, hymenoptaecin and apidaecin, in the bee abdomen was significantly increased by 17- and 7-fold in bees fed with the TBE-8 fermented broth. Furthermore, we fed four-frame bee colonies with 50% sucrose syrup containing TBE-8 and can detect the presence of approximately 2 × 106 16S rDNA copies of TBE-8 in the guts of all bees in 24 h, and the retention of TBE-8 in the bee gut for at least 5 days. These findings indicate that the L. mesenteroides TBE-8 has high potential as a bee probiotic and could enhance the health of bee colonies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Han Huang
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Hsin Chen
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Jui-Hung Chen
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Shou Hsu
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Miaoli District Agricultural Research and Extension Station, Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Hsien Wu
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Miaoli District Agricultural Research and Extension Station, Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Chuen-Fu Lin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Chung Peng
- Department of Biotechnology, National Formosa University, Yunlin, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Cheng Wu
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan.
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10
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Chang GR, Liu HY, Yang WC, Wang CM, Wu CF, Lin JW, Lin WL, Wang YC, Lin TC, Liao HJ, Hou PH, Chan CH, Lin CF. Clozapine Worsens Glucose Intolerance, Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Kidney Damage, and Retinal Injury and Increases Renal Reactive Oxygen Species Production and Chromium Loss in Obese Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22136680. [PMID: 34206460 PMCID: PMC8268139 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22136680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Clozapine is widely employed in the treatment of schizophrenia. Compared with that of atypical first-generation antipsychotics, atypical second-generation antipsychotics such as clozapine have less severe side effects and may positively affect obesity and blood glucose level. However, no systematic study of clozapine’s adverse metabolic effects—such as changes in kidney and liver function, body weight, glucose and triglyceride levels, and retinopathy—was conducted. This research investigated how clozapine affects weight, the bodily distribution of chromium, liver damage, fatty liver scores, glucose homeostasis, renal impairment, and retinopathy in mice fed a high fat diet (HFD). We discovered that obese mice treated with clozapine gained more weight and had greater kidney, liver, and retroperitoneal and epididymal fat pad masses; higher daily food efficiency; higher serum or hepatic triglyceride, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine levels; and higher hepatic lipid regulation marker expression than did the HFD-fed control mice. Furthermore, the clozapine group mice exhibited insulin resistance, poorer insulin sensitivity, greater glucose intolerance, and less Akt phosphorylation; their GLUT4 expression was lower, they had renal damage, more reactive oxygen species, and IL-1 expression, and, finally, their levels of antioxidative enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase) were lower. Moreover, clozapine reduced the thickness of retinal cell layers and increased iNOS and NF-κB expression; a net negative chromium balance occurred because more chromium was excreted through urine, and this influenced chromium mobilization, which did not help overcome the hyperglycemia. Our clozapine group had considerably higher fatty liver scores, which was supported by the findings of lowered adiponectin protein levels and increased FASN protein, PNPLA3 protein, FABP4 mRNA, and SREBP1 mRNA levels. We conclude that clozapine can worsen nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, diabetes, and kidney and retinal injury. Therefore, long-term administration of clozapine warrants higher attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geng-Ruei Chang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chiayi University, 580 Xinmin Road, Chiayi 600023, Taiwan; (G.-R.C.); (C.-M.W.); (C.-F.W.); (T.-C.L.); (H.-J.L.)
| | - Hsien-Yueh Liu
- Bachelor Degree Program in Animal Healthcare, Hungkuang University, 6 Section, 1018 Taiwan Boulevard, Shalu District, Taichung 433304, Taiwan; (H.-Y.L.); (J.-W.L.); (W.-L.L.)
| | - Wei-Cheng Yang
- School of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, 4 Section, 1 Roosevelt Road, Taipei 100046, Taiwan;
| | - Chao-Min Wang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chiayi University, 580 Xinmin Road, Chiayi 600023, Taiwan; (G.-R.C.); (C.-M.W.); (C.-F.W.); (T.-C.L.); (H.-J.L.)
| | - Ching-Fen Wu
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chiayi University, 580 Xinmin Road, Chiayi 600023, Taiwan; (G.-R.C.); (C.-M.W.); (C.-F.W.); (T.-C.L.); (H.-J.L.)
| | - Jen-Wei Lin
- Bachelor Degree Program in Animal Healthcare, Hungkuang University, 6 Section, 1018 Taiwan Boulevard, Shalu District, Taichung 433304, Taiwan; (H.-Y.L.); (J.-W.L.); (W.-L.L.)
| | - Wei-Li Lin
- Bachelor Degree Program in Animal Healthcare, Hungkuang University, 6 Section, 1018 Taiwan Boulevard, Shalu District, Taichung 433304, Taiwan; (H.-Y.L.); (J.-W.L.); (W.-L.L.)
- General Education Center, Chaoyang University of Technology, 168 Jifeng Eastern Road, Taichung 413310, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chen Wang
- Division of Cardiology, Asia University Hospital, 222 Fuxin Road, Wufeng District, Taichung 413505, Taiwan;
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Asia University, 500 Lioufeng Road, Wufeng District, Taichung 413305, Taiwan
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, 2 Yude Road, North District, Taichung 404332, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, China Medical University, 91 Hsueh-Shih Road, North District, Taichung 404333, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Chun Lin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chiayi University, 580 Xinmin Road, Chiayi 600023, Taiwan; (G.-R.C.); (C.-M.W.); (C.-F.W.); (T.-C.L.); (H.-J.L.)
| | - Huei-Jyuan Liao
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chiayi University, 580 Xinmin Road, Chiayi 600023, Taiwan; (G.-R.C.); (C.-M.W.); (C.-F.W.); (T.-C.L.); (H.-J.L.)
| | - Po-Hsun Hou
- Department of Psychiatry, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, 4 Section, 1650 Taiwan Boulevard, Taichung 407219, Taiwan
- Faculty of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 2 Section, 155 Linong Street, Beitou District, Taipei 112304, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (P.-H.H.); (C.-H.C.); (C.-F.L.); Tel.: +886-4-23592525 (P.-H.H.); +886-975-617071 (C.-H.C.); +886-8-7703202 (C.-F.L.)
| | - Chee-Hong Chan
- Division of Nephrology, Chang Bing Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, 6 Lugong Road, Lukang Township, Changhua 505029, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (P.-H.H.); (C.-H.C.); (C.-F.L.); Tel.: +886-4-23592525 (P.-H.H.); +886-975-617071 (C.-H.C.); +886-8-7703202 (C.-F.L.)
| | - Chuen-Fu Lin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, 1 Shuefu Road, Neipu, Pingtung 912301, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (P.-H.H.); (C.-H.C.); (C.-F.L.); Tel.: +886-4-23592525 (P.-H.H.); +886-975-617071 (C.-H.C.); +886-8-7703202 (C.-F.L.)
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11
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Wu CF, Wu CY, Chiou RYY, Yang WC, Lin CF, Wang CM, Hou PH, Lin TC, Kuo CY, Chang GR. The Anti-Cancer Effects of a Zotarolimus and 5-Fluorouracil Combination Treatment on A549 Cell-Derived Tumors in BALB/c Nude Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:4562. [PMID: 33925400 PMCID: PMC8123799 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Zotarolimus is a semi-synthetic derivative of rapamycin and a novel immunosuppressive agent used to prevent graft rejection. The pharmacological pathway of zotarolimus restricts the kinase activity of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), which potentially leads to reductions in cell division, cell growth, cell proliferation, and inflammation. These pathways have a critical influence on tumorigenesis. This study aims to examine the anti-tumor effect of zotarolimus or zotarolimus combined with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cell line implanted in BALB/c nude mice by estimating tumor growth, apoptosis expression, inflammation, and metastasis. We established A549 xenografts in nude mice, following which we randomly divided the mice into four groups: control, 5-FU (100 mg/kg/week), zotarolimus (2 mg/kg/day), and zotarolimus combined with 5-FU. Compared the results with those for control mice, we found that mice treated with zotarolimus or zotarolimus combined with 5-FU retarded tumor growth; increased tumor apoptosis through the enhanced expression of cleaved caspase 3 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation; decreased inflammation cytokines levels (e.g., IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6); reduced inflammation-related factors such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) mRNA; enhanced anti-inflammation-related factors including IL-10 and inhibitor of NF-κB kinase α (IκBα) mRNA; and inhibited metastasis-related factors such as transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), CD44, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Notably, mice treated with zotarolimus combined with 5-FU had significantly retarded tumor growth, reduced tumor size, and increased tumor inhibition compared with the groups of mice treated with 5-FU or zotarolimus alone. The in vivo study confirmed that zotarolimus or zotarolimus combined with 5-FU could retard lung adenocarcinoma growth and inhibit tumorigenesis. Zotarolimus and 5-FU were found to have an obvious synergistic tumor-inhibiting effect on lung adenocarcinoma. Therefore, both zotarolimus alone and zotarolimus combined with 5-FU may be potential anti-tumor agents for treatment of human lung adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Feng Wu
- Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, Linkou, 5 Fuxing Street, Guishan District, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan; (C.-F.W.); (C.-Y.W.)
| | - Ching-Yang Wu
- Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, Linkou, 5 Fuxing Street, Guishan District, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan; (C.-F.W.); (C.-Y.W.)
| | - Robin Y.-Y. Chiou
- Department of Food Science, National Chiayi University, 300 University Road, Chiayi 60004, Taiwan;
| | - Wei-Cheng Yang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, 4 Section, 1 Roosevelt Road, Taipei 10617, Taiwan;
| | - Chuen-Fu Lin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, 1 Shuefu Road, Neipu, Pingtung 912301, Taiwan;
| | - Chao-Min Wang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chiayi University, 580 Xinmin Road, Chiayi 60054, Taiwan; (C.-M.W.); (T.-C.L.)
| | - Po-Hsun Hou
- Department of Psychiatry, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, 4 Section, 1650 Taiwan Boulevard, Taichung 40705, Taiwan;
- Faculty of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, 2 Section, 155 Linong Street, Beitou District, Taipei 11221, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Chun Lin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chiayi University, 580 Xinmin Road, Chiayi 60054, Taiwan; (C.-M.W.); (T.-C.L.)
| | - Chan-Yen Kuo
- Department of Research, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, 289 Jianguo Road, Xindian District, New Taipei City 231405, Taiwan
| | - Geng-Ruei Chang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chiayi University, 580 Xinmin Road, Chiayi 60054, Taiwan; (C.-M.W.); (T.-C.L.)
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12
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Tsai MY, Yang WC, Lin CF, Wang CM, Liu HY, Lin CS, Lin JW, Lin WL, Lin TC, Fan PS, Hung KH, Lu YW, Chang GR. The Ameliorative Effects of Fucoidan in Thioacetaide-Induced Liver Injury in Mice. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26071937. [PMID: 33808318 PMCID: PMC8036993 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26071937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Revised: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver disorders have been recognized as one major health concern. Fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide extracted from the brown seaweed Fucus serratus, has previously been reported as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. However, the discovery and validation of its hepatoprotective properties and elucidation of its mechanisms of action are still unknown. The objective of the current study was to investigate the effect and possible modes of action of a treatment of fucoidan against thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver injury in male C57BL/6 mice by serum biochemical and histological analyses. The mouse model for liver damage was developed by the administration of TAA thrice a week for six weeks. The mice with TAA-induced liver injury were orally administered fucoidan once a day for 42 days. The treated mice showed significantly higher body weights; food intakes; hepatic antioxidative enzymes (catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD)); and a lower serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Additionally, a reduced hepatic IL-6 level and a decreased expression of inflammatory-related genes, such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA was observed. These results demonstrated that fucoidan had a hepatoprotective effect on liver injury through the suppression of the inflammatory responses and acting as an antioxidant. In addition, here, we validated the use of fucoidan against liver disorders with supporting molecular data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Yang Tsai
- Animal Industry Division, Livestock Research Institute, Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan, 112 Muchang, Xinhua Dist, Tainan 71246, Taiwan;
- Graduate Institute of Bioresources, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, 1 Shuefu Road, Neipu, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Cheng Yang
- School of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, 4 Section, 1 Roosevelt Road, Taipei 10617, Taiwan; (W.-C.Y.); (C.-S.L.)
| | - Chuen-Fu Lin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Shuefu Road, Neipu, Pingtung 912301, Taiwan;
| | - Chao-Min Wang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chiayi University, 580 Xinmin Road, Chiayi 60054, Taiwan; (C.-M.W.); (T.-C.L.); (P.-S.F.)
| | - Hsien-Yueh Liu
- Bachelor Degree Program in Animal Healthcare, Hungkuang University, 6 Section, 1018 Taiwan Boulevard, Shalu District, Taichung 433304, Taiwan; (H.-Y.L.); (J.-W.L.); (W.-L.L.)
| | - Chen-Si Lin
- School of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, 4 Section, 1 Roosevelt Road, Taipei 10617, Taiwan; (W.-C.Y.); (C.-S.L.)
| | - Jen-Wei Lin
- Bachelor Degree Program in Animal Healthcare, Hungkuang University, 6 Section, 1018 Taiwan Boulevard, Shalu District, Taichung 433304, Taiwan; (H.-Y.L.); (J.-W.L.); (W.-L.L.)
| | - Wei-Li Lin
- Bachelor Degree Program in Animal Healthcare, Hungkuang University, 6 Section, 1018 Taiwan Boulevard, Shalu District, Taichung 433304, Taiwan; (H.-Y.L.); (J.-W.L.); (W.-L.L.)
- General Education Center, Chaoyang University of Technology, 168 Jifeng Eastern Road, Taichung 413310, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Chun Lin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chiayi University, 580 Xinmin Road, Chiayi 60054, Taiwan; (C.-M.W.); (T.-C.L.); (P.-S.F.)
| | - Pei-Shan Fan
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chiayi University, 580 Xinmin Road, Chiayi 60054, Taiwan; (C.-M.W.); (T.-C.L.); (P.-S.F.)
| | - Kuo-Hsiang Hung
- Graduate Institute of Bioresources, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, 1 Shuefu Road, Neipu, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (K.-H.H.); (Y.-W.L.); (G.-R.C.)
| | - Yu-Wen Lu
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, 1 Section, 542 Chung-Shan Road, Changhua 50008, Taiwan
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Chang Bing Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, 6 Lugong Road, Changhua 50544, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (K.-H.H.); (Y.-W.L.); (G.-R.C.)
| | - Geng-Ruei Chang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chiayi University, 580 Xinmin Road, Chiayi 60054, Taiwan; (C.-M.W.); (T.-C.L.); (P.-S.F.)
- Correspondence: (K.-H.H.); (Y.-W.L.); (G.-R.C.)
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13
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Liu ZS, Lin CF, Lee CP, Hsieh MC, Lu HF, Chen YF, Ku YW, Chen PW. A Single Plasmid of Nisin-Controlled Bovine and Human Lactoferrin Expressing Elevated Antibacterial Activity of Lactoferrin-Resistant Probiotic Strains. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:antibiotics10020120. [PMID: 33513782 PMCID: PMC7911973 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10020120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Lactoferrin (LF) is a multifunctional protein found in mammals, and it shows broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. To improve the functional properties of specific probiotics in order to provide both the beneficial characteristics of lactic acid bacteria and the biological activity of LF, cDNAs of bovine LF (BLF), human LF (HLF), or porcine LF (PLF) were cloned into a nisin-inducible plasmid. These were then transformed into the selected eight probiotics, which are LF-resistant hosts. Expression of recombinant LFs (rLFs) was analyzed via SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis. Although the selected host strains may not contain the nisRK genes (NisK, the sensor kinase; NisR, the regulator protein), the components of autoregulation, a low level of LFs expression can be successfully induced by using nisin within bacterial cells in a time-dependent manner in three engineered clones, including Lactobacillus delbrueckii/HLF, L. delbrueckii/BLF, and L. gasseri/BLF. Lactobacillus delbrueckii and Lactobacillus gasseri originate from yogurt and human milk, respectively, and both strains are functional probiotic strains. Therefore, we further compared the antibacterial activities of disrupted recombinant probiotic clones, conventional strains (host control), and vector control ones by using agar diffusion and broth inhibition analysis, and the expression of rLFs in the above three clones considerately improved their antibacterial efficacies against four important food-borne pathogens, namely, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Salmonellaenterica. In conclusion, this study provides a simple strategy for the production of functional LFs (BLF and HLF) in both functional and LF-resistant hosts for applications in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen-Shu Liu
- Department of Safety, Health and Environmental Engineering, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei City 24301, Taiwan; (Z.-S.L.); (M.-C.H.); (H.-F.L.)
- Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion Research Center, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Chiayi 61363, Taiwan
- Center for Environmental Sustainability and Human Health, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei City, 24301, Taiwan
| | - Chuen-Fu Lin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan;
| | - Chung-Pei Lee
- School of Nursing, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei 11219, Taiwan;
| | - Min-Chi Hsieh
- Department of Safety, Health and Environmental Engineering, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei City 24301, Taiwan; (Z.-S.L.); (M.-C.H.); (H.-F.L.)
| | - Hung-Fu Lu
- Department of Safety, Health and Environmental Engineering, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei City 24301, Taiwan; (Z.-S.L.); (M.-C.H.); (H.-F.L.)
| | - Ying-Fang Chen
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40249, Taiwan; (Y.-F.C.); (Y.-W.K.)
| | - Yu-We Ku
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40249, Taiwan; (Y.-F.C.); (Y.-W.K.)
| | - Po-Wen Chen
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40249, Taiwan; (Y.-F.C.); (Y.-W.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-4-22840368-36
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14
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Hoang M, Wu CN, Lin CF, Nguyen HTT, Le VP, Chiou MT, Lin CN. Genetic characterization of feline panleukopenia virus from dogs in Vietnam reveals a unique Thr101 mutation in VP2. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9752. [PMID: 33083102 PMCID: PMC7560322 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) and feline parvovirus (FPV) are known as the main causes of several serious diseases and have a severe impact on puppies and kittens, respectively. FPV and new CPV-2 variants are all able to infect cats, causing diseases indistinguishable from feline panleukopenia. However, FPV only replicates efficiently in feline cells in vitro and replicates in dogs in the thymus and bone marrow without being shed in feces. In our previous study, the genotypes of six parvoviral isolates were unable to be identified using a SimpleProbe® real-time PCR assay. Methods In the present study, we characterized previously unidentified FPV-like viruses isolated from dogs in Vietnam. The six isolates were utilized to complete VP2 gene sequencing and to conduct phylogenetic analyses. Results Sequence analysis of the six parvoviral strains identified the species as being similar to FPV. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the complete VP2 genes of the strains are similar to those of FPV. The FPV-like strains contain a Thr101 mutation in the VP2 protein, which is different from prototype FPV strains. Discussion Our data provide evidence for the existence of changes in the charge, protein contact potential and molecular surface of the core of the receptor-binding size with an Ile101 to Thr101 mutation. This is also the first study to provide reliable evidence that FPV may be a threat to the Vietnamese dog population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minh Hoang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan.,Department of Anatomy and Histology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Cheng-Nan Wu
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chuen-Fu Lin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan.,Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chiayi University, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Huong Thanh Thi Nguyen
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Van Phan Le
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Ming-Tang Chiou
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan.,Animal Disease Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Nan Lin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan.,Animal Disease Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
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15
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Lin WH, Shih HC, Lin CF, Yang CY, Lin CN, Chiou MT. Genotypic analyses and virulence characterization of Glaesserella parasuis isolates from Taiwan. PeerJ 2019; 7:e6960. [PMID: 31149406 PMCID: PMC6526895 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Glaesserella (Haemophilus) parasuis (G. parasuis) causes severe economic losses in the swine industry. Multiple G. parasuis strains can exist in single animals. Typing techniques are required for identifying G. parasuis isolates. Different strains within a serovar display varying virulence. Enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus polymerase chain reaction (ERIC-PCR) can assess the heterogeneity. The group 1 virulence-associated trimeric autotransporters (vtaA) gene is an indicator of virulence. The aim of this study was to characterize Taiwanese G. parasuis isolates via molecular serotyping, vtaA PCR and ERIC-PCR. Methods One hundred and forty-five strains were collected between November 2013 and March 2017 in Taiwan and further examined by molecular serotyping, vtaA PCR and ERIC-PCR. Results The dendrogram revealed heterogeneous genetic diversity within many clusters. Partial correlation between the ERIC-PCR clusters of different strains, serovars and lesion patterns was observed. Twelve herds (8.3%) infected with more than one strain. Group 1 vtaA positive rate reached 98.6%. Discussion This study showed the high genetic diversity of G. parasuis in Taiwan by a high discriminatory capability of ERIC-PCR. Group 1 vtaA commonly exists in G. parasuis isolates and may play important roles in the pathogenesis of Taiwanese G. parasuis isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Hao Lin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan.,Animal Disease Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Hsing-Chun Shih
- Animal Disease Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Chuen-Fu Lin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chiayi University, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Yao Yang
- Graduate Institute of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Nan Lin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan.,Animal Disease Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Tang Chiou
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan.,Animal Disease Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan.,Research Center for Animal Biologics, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
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16
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Lin WH, Shih HC, Wang SY, Lin CF, Yang CY, Chiou MT, Lin CN. Emergence of a virulent porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in Taiwan in 2018. Transbound Emerg Dis 2019; 66:1138-1141. [PMID: 30884148 PMCID: PMC6850005 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Revised: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
In March 2018, an abortion storm caused by porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus was confirmed in a farrow‐to‐finish pig herd in Taiwan. Open reading frame 5 and non‐structural protein 2 of the virus confirmed that the virus is closely related to the virulent strains circulating in the United States.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Hao Lin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan.,Animal Disease Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Hsing-Chun Shih
- Animal Disease Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Yuan Wang
- Animal Disease Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Chuen-Fu Lin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chiayi University, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Yao Yang
- Graduate Institute of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Tang Chiou
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan.,Animal Disease Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan.,Research Center for Animal Biologics, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Nan Lin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan.,Animal Disease Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
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17
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Yang WC, Yang CY, Liang YC, Yang CW, Li WQ, Chung CY, Yang MT, Kuo TF, Lin CF, Liang CL, Chang CLT. Anti-coccidial properties and mechanisms of an edible herb, Bidens pilosa, and its active compounds for coccidiosis. Sci Rep 2019; 9:2896. [PMID: 30814608 PMCID: PMC6393484 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-39194-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Avian coccidiosis is an economically important disease in the poultry industry. In view of the disadvantages of anti-coccidial drugs in chickens, edible plants and their compounds are re-emerging as an alternative strategy to combat this disease. A previous publication reported that the edible plant B. pilosa showed promise for use against coccidiosis. Here, we first investigated into the anti-coccidial effects of B. pilosa. We found that B. pilosa at 100 ppm or more significantly suppressed E. tenella as evidenced by reduction in mortality rate, oocyst excretion and gut pathological severity in chickens and its minimum prophylactic duration was 3 days. Next, we explored the mode of action of anti-coccidial mechanism of B. pilosa. The E. tenella oocysts were not directly killed by B. pilosa; however, administration of the plant suppressed oocyst sporulation, sporozoite invasion, and schizonts in the life cycle of E. tenella. Besides, B. pilosa boosted T cell-mediated immunity. Finally, we characterized the related anti-coccidial phytochemicals and their mode of action. One of three potent polyynes present in B. pilsoa, Compound 1 (cytopiloyne), acted against coccidiosis in chickens in a similar manner to B. pilosa. These data illustrate the anti-coccidial potency and mechanism of B. pilosa and one of its active compounds, and provide a cornerstone for development of novel herbal remedies for avian coccidiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Chin Yang
- Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei City, Taiwan.,Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung City, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Ying Yang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung City, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chuan Liang
- Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Chu-Wen Yang
- Department of Microbiology, Soochow University, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Qun Li
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung City, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Yao Chung
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung City, Taiwan
| | - Meng-Ting Yang
- Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei City, Taiwan.,Molecular and Biological Agricultural Sciences, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica, Taiwan, and National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung City, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung City, Taiwan
| | - Tien-Fen Kuo
- Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Chuen-Fu Lin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chiayi University, Chiayi City, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Lung Liang
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung City, Taiwan
| | - Cicero Lee-Tian Chang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung City, Taiwan.
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18
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Lin WH, Shih HC, Lin CF, Yang CY, Chang YF, Lin CN, Chiou MT. Molecular serotyping of Haemophilus parasuis isolated from diseased pigs and the relationship between serovars and pathological patterns in Taiwan. PeerJ 2018; 6:e6017. [PMID: 30519512 PMCID: PMC6275120 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Haemophilus parasuis is the etiological agent of Glässer’s disease, and causes severe economic losses in the swine industry. Serovar classification is intended as an indicator of virulence and pathotype and is also crucial for vaccination programs and vaccine development. According to a polysaccharide biosynthesis locus analysis, H. parasuis isolates could be classified by a molecular serotyping assay except serovars 5 and 12 detected by the same primer pair. The aim of this study was to identify H. parasuis isolates from diseased pigs in Taiwan by using a molecular serotyping assay and to analyze the relationship between serovars and pathological patterns. Methods From August 2013 to February 2017, a total of 133 isolates from 277 lesions on 155 diseased animals from 124 infected herds serotyped by multiplex PCR and analyzed with pathological data. Results The dominant serovars of H. parasuis in Taiwan were serovars 5/12 (37.6%), 4 (27.8%) and 13 (15%) followed by molecular serotyping non-typable (MSNT) isolates (13.5%). Nevertheless, the serovar-specific amplicons were not precisely the same sizes as previously indicated in the original publication, and MSNT isolates appeared with unexpected amplicons or lacked serovar-specific amplicons. Most H. parasuis isolates were isolated from nursery pigs infected with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus. The percentage of lung lesions (30.4%) showing H. parasuis infection was significantly higher than that of serosal lesions. Discussion Collectively, the distribution of serovars in Taiwan is similar to that found in other countries, but MSNT isolates remain due to genetic variations. Furthermore, pulmonary lesions may be optimum sites for H. parasuis isolation, the diagnosis of Glässer’s disease, and may also serve as points of origin for systemic H. parasuis infections in hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Hao Lin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan.,Animal Disease Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Hsing-Chun Shih
- Animal Disease Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Chuen-Fu Lin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chiayi University, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Yao Yang
- Graduate Institute of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Fu Chang
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, NY, USA
| | - Chao-Nan Lin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan.,Animal Disease Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Tang Chiou
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan.,Animal Disease Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan.,Research Center for Animal Biologics, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
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19
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Chien SC, Lo CI, Lin CF, Yeh HI, Hung CL. P3731Albumin, lymphocyte count, and prognostic nutritional index in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction-related to obesity paradox. Eur Heart J 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehy563.p3731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- S C Chien
- Mackay Memorial Hospital, Critical Care Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan ROC
| | - C I Lo
- Mackay Memorial Hospital, Critical Care Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan ROC
| | - C F Lin
- Mackay Memorial Hospital, Cardiovascular, Taipei, Taiwan ROC
| | - H I Yeh
- Mackay Memorial Hospital, Critical Care Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan ROC
| | - C L Hung
- Mackay Memorial Hospital, Critical Care Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan ROC
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20
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Hsu YH, Chou SJ, Chang CC, Pan MJ, Yang WC, Lin CF, Chan KW. Development and validation of a new loop-mediated isothermal amplification for detection of pathogenic Leptospira species in clinical materials. J Microbiol Methods 2017; 141:55-59. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2017.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Revised: 07/19/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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21
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Lin CH, Lee MC, Tzen JTC, Lee HM, Chang SM, Tu WC, Lin CF. Efficacy of Mastoparan-AF alone and in combination with clinically used antibiotics on nosocomial multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Saudi J Biol Sci 2016; 24:1023-1029. [PMID: 28663698 PMCID: PMC5478288 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2016.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2016] [Revised: 06/25/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Emergence of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAB) has become a critical clinical problem worldwide and limited therapeutic options for infectious diseases caused by MDRAB. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of new antimicrobial agents or alternative therapy to combat MDRAB infection. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of Mastoparan-AF (MP-AF), an amphipathic peptide isolated from the hornet venom of Vespa affinis with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, on MDRAB. As compared with clinical used antibiotics, MP-AF exhibited potent antimicrobial activity at 2–16 μg/ml against the reference strain A. baumannii ATCC 15151 and seven MDRAB clinical isolates, especially the colistin-resistant MDRAB, E0158. The synergistic antimicrobial combination study revealed that MP-AF acted synergistically with specific antibiotics, e.g., ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (SXT) or colistin against some isolates of the MDRAB. It was noteworthy when MP-AF combined with SXT exhibited synergistic activity against all SXT-resistant MDRAB isolates. The synergistic combination of MP-AF and antibiotics could reduce the dosage recommended of each antimicrobial agent and improve the safety of medications with ignorable adverse effects, such as colistin with nephrotoxicity in therapeutic dose. Furthermore, MP-AF combined with antibiotics with different antimicrobial mechanisms could reduce selective pressure of antibiotics on bacteria and prevent the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant strains. Importantly, we are the first finding that MP-AF could make MDRAB from the original non-susceptibility to SXT become sensitivity. In conclusion, MP-AF alone or in combination with other antibiotics, especially SXT, is a potential candidate against MDRAB infection in clinical medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Hsien Lin
- Department of Entomology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Mong-Chuan Lee
- Graduate Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering, Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Jason T C Tzen
- Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hsien-Ming Lee
- Department of Nursing, Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Sam-Min Chang
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Feng Yuan Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Wu-Chun Tu
- Department of Entomology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chuen-Fu Lin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chiayi University, Chiayi City, Taiwan
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22
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Lin CF, Lin CK, Liu YJ, Chiang CH, Pan MJ, Baldeck PL, Lin CL. Correction: Laser-induced cross-linking GFP-AcmA′ bioprobe for screening Gram-positive bacteria on a biochip. RSC Adv 2015. [DOI: 10.1039/c4ra90055c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Correction for ‘Laser-induced cross-linking GFP-AcmA′ bioprobe for screening Gram-positive bacteria on a biochip’ by Chuen-Fu Lin et al., RSC Adv., 2014, 4, 62882–62887.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuen-Fu Lin
- National Chiayi University
- Department of Veterinary Medicine
- Chiayi
- Taiwan
| | - Che-Kuan Lin
- Feng Chia University
- Department of Automatic Control Engineering
- Taichung
- Taiwan
| | - Yi-Jui Liu
- Feng Chia University
- Department of Automatic Control Engineering
- Taichung
- Taiwan
| | - Chung-Han Chiang
- Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science
- Taichung
- Taiwan
| | - Ming-Jeng Pan
- Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology
- Graduate Institute of Biotechnology
- Taichung
- Taiwan
| | | | - Chih-Lang Lin
- Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science
- Taichung
- Taiwan
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23
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Huang CW, Chien JH, Peng RY, Tsai DJ, Li MH, Lee HM, Lin CF, Lee MC, Liao CT. Molecular epidemiology of CTX-M-type extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Proteus mirabilis isolates in Taiwan. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2014; 45:84-5. [PMID: 25446905 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2014.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2014] [Revised: 09/15/2014] [Accepted: 09/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Wen Huang
- Division of Chest Medicine, Feng Yuan Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Executive Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ju-Huei Chien
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Tzu Chi Hospital, Taichung Branch, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ru-Yan Peng
- Institute of Biotechnology, Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taiwan, ROC
| | - De-Jiun Tsai
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology, No. 660 Buzih Road, Beitun District, Taichung City 40601, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ming-Hsien Li
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology, No. 660 Buzih Road, Beitun District, Taichung City 40601, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Hsien-Ming Lee
- Institute of Biotechnology, Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chuen-Fu Lin
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology, No. 660 Buzih Road, Beitun District, Taichung City 40601, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Mong-Chuan Lee
- Institute of Biotechnology, Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chao-Tsai Liao
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology, No. 660 Buzih Road, Beitun District, Taichung City 40601, Taiwan, ROC.
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24
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Wu CM, Lin CF, Chang YC, Chung TC. Construction and Characterization of Nisin-Controlled Expression Vectors for Use inLactobacillus reuteri. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2014; 70:757-67. [PMID: 16636439 DOI: 10.1271/bbb.70.757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The Nisin-controlled gene expression (NICE) system, which was discovered in Lactococcus lactis, was adapted to Lactobacillus reuteri by ligating nisA promoter (PnisA) and nisRK DNA fragments into the Escherichia coli-Lb. reuteri shuttle vector pSTE32. This chimerical plasmid (pNICE) was capable of expressing the heterologous amylase gene (amyL) under nisin induction. Optimization of induction factors for this Lb. reuteri/pNICE system, including nisin concentration (viz. 50 ng/ml), growth phase of culture at which nisin be added (viz. at the early exponential phase), and the best time for analyzing the gene product after inoculation (viz. at the 3rd h), allowed the amylase product to be expressed in high amounts, constituting up to about 18% of the total intracellular protein. Furthermore, the signal peptide (SP) of amyL gene (SPamyL) from Bacillus licheniformis was ligated to the downstream of PnisA in pNICE, upgrading this vector to a NICE-secretion (NIES) level, which was then designated pNIES (Sec+, secretion positive). Characterization of pNIES using an amyL-SPDelta gene (amyL gene lacking its SP) as a reporter revealed the 3rd h after induction as the secretion peak of this system, at which the secretion efficiency and the amount of alpha-amylase being secreted into the culture supernatant were estimated to reach 77.6% and 27.75 mg/l. Expression and secretion of AmyL products by pNIES in Lb. reuteri was also confirmed by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Ming Wu
- Graduate Institute of Veterinary Microbiology, National Chung-Hsing University, Taiwan, ROC
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25
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Lin CF, Lin CK, Liu YJ, Chiang CH, Pan MJ, Baldeck PP, Lin CL. Laser-induced cross-linking GFP-AcmA′ bioprobe for screening Gram-positive bacteria on a biochip. RSC Adv 2014. [DOI: 10.1039/c4ra12600a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Serviceable bioprobes, fabricated by laser-induced cross-linking technology, for simple and direct screening of Gram-positive bacteria on a biochip.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuen-Fu Lin
- National Chiayi University
- Department of Veterinary Medicine
- Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Che-Kuan Lin
- Feng Chia University
- Department of Automatic Control Engineering
- Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Jui Liu
- Feng Chia University
- Department of Automatic Control Engineering
- Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Han Chiang
- Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science
- Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Jeng Pan
- Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology
- Graduate Institute of Biotechnology
- Taichung, Taiwan
| | | | - Chih-Lang Lin
- Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science
- Taichung, Taiwan
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26
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Lambert JC, Ibrahim-Verbaas CA, Harold D, Naj AC, Sims R, Bellenguez C, DeStafano AL, Bis JC, Beecham GW, Grenier-Boley B, Russo G, Thorton-Wells TA, Jones N, Smith AV, Chouraki V, Thomas C, Ikram MA, Zelenika D, Vardarajan BN, Kamatani Y, Lin CF, Gerrish A, Schmidt H, Kunkle B, Dunstan ML, Ruiz A, Bihoreau MT, Choi SH, Reitz C, Pasquier F, Cruchaga C, Craig D, Amin N, Berr C, Lopez OL, De Jager PL, Deramecourt V, Johnston JA, Evans D, Lovestone S, Letenneur L, Morón FJ, Rubinsztein DC, Eiriksdottir G, Sleegers K, Goate AM, Fiévet N, Huentelman MW, Gill M, Brown K, Kamboh MI, Keller L, Barberger-Gateau P, McGuiness B, Larson EB, Green R, Myers AJ, Dufouil C, Todd S, Wallon D, Love S, Rogaeva E, Gallacher J, St George-Hyslop P, Clarimon J, Lleo A, Bayer A, Tsuang DW, Yu L, Tsolaki M, Bossù P, Spalletta G, Proitsi P, Collinge J, Sorbi S, Sanchez-Garcia F, Fox NC, Hardy J, Deniz Naranjo MC, Bosco P, Clarke R, Brayne C, Galimberti D, Mancuso M, Matthews F, Moebus S, Mecocci P, Del Zompo M, Maier W, Hampel H, Pilotto A, Bullido M, Panza F, Caffarra P, Nacmias B, Gilbert JR, Mayhaus M, Lannefelt L, Hakonarson H, Pichler S, Carrasquillo MM, Ingelsson M, Beekly D, Alvarez V, Zou F, Valladares O, Younkin SG, Coto E, Hamilton-Nelson KL, Gu W, Razquin C, Pastor P, Mateo I, Owen MJ, Faber KM, Jonsson PV, Combarros O, O'Donovan MC, Cantwell LB, Soininen H, Blacker D, Mead S, Mosley TH, Bennett DA, Harris TB, Fratiglioni L, Holmes C, de Bruijn RF, Passmore P, Montine TJ, Bettens K, Rotter JI, Brice A, Morgan K, Foroud TM, Kukull WA, Hannequin D, Powell JF, Nalls MA, Ritchie K, Lunetta KL, Kauwe JS, Boerwinkle E, Riemenschneider M, Boada M, Hiltuenen M, Martin ER, Schmidt R, Rujescu D, Wang LS, Dartigues JF, Mayeux R, Tzourio C, Hofman A, Nöthen MM, Graff C, Psaty BM, Jones L, Haines JL, Holmans PA, Lathrop M, Pericak-Vance MA, Launer LJ, Farrer LA, van Duijn CM, Van Broeckhoven C, Moskvina V, Seshadri S, Williams J, Schellenberg GD, Amouyel P. Meta-analysis of 74,046 individuals identifies 11 new susceptibility loci for Alzheimer's disease. Nat Genet 2013; 45:1452-8. [PMID: 24162737 PMCID: PMC3896259 DOI: 10.1038/ng.2802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2947] [Impact Index Per Article: 267.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2013] [Accepted: 09/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Eleven susceptibility loci for late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) were identified by previous studies; however, a large portion of the genetic risk for this disease remains unexplained. We conducted a large, two-stage meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in individuals of European ancestry. In stage 1, we used genotyped and imputed data (7,055,881 SNPs) to perform meta-analysis on 4 previously published GWAS data sets consisting of 17,008 Alzheimer's disease cases and 37,154 controls. In stage 2, 11,632 SNPs were genotyped and tested for association in an independent set of 8,572 Alzheimer's disease cases and 11,312 controls. In addition to the APOE locus (encoding apolipoprotein E), 19 loci reached genome-wide significance (P < 5 × 10(-8)) in the combined stage 1 and stage 2 analysis, of which 11 are newly associated with Alzheimer's disease.
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Chang YC, Huang JY, Chiou MT, Chung TC, Hsu WL, Lin CF. Characterization of a small cryptic plasmid pK50-2 isolated from Lactobacillus reuteri K50. Plasmid 2013; 69:58-66. [DOI: 10.1016/j.plasmid.2012.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2012] [Revised: 08/28/2012] [Accepted: 08/29/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Lin CH, Hou RF, Shyu CL, Shia WY, Lin CF, Tu WC. In vitro activity of mastoparan-AF alone and in combination with clinically used antibiotics against multiple-antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli isolates from animals. Peptides 2012; 36:114-20. [PMID: 22561066 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2012.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2012] [Revised: 03/02/2012] [Accepted: 03/02/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The in vitro activity of mastoparan-AF, an amphipathic antimicrobial peptide isolated from the hornet venom of Vespa affinis, alone and in combination with various clinically used antibiotics, was investigated against 21 Escherichia coli isolates/strains. Most E. coli isolates tested were detected containing multiple-antimicrobial resistance genes. Antimicrobial activity of mastoparan-AF was measured by MIC, MBC, time-kill kinetic assay and chequerboard titration method. Mastoparan-AF exhibited potent antimicrobial activity against most multiple-antibiotic-resistant E. coli isolates at the concentrations ranging from 4 to 16 μg/ml. Combination studies showed that mastoparan-AF acts synergistically with certain antibiotics, i.e., cephalothin or gentamicin, against some multiple-antibiotic-resistant E. coli isolates. In conclusion, mastoparan-AF alone or in combination with other antibiotics could be promising as alternatives for combating multiple-antibiotic-resistant E. coli in future clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Hsien Lin
- Department of Entomology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan, ROC
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Lin KH, Lin CF, Chiou SS, Hsu AP, Lee MS, Chang CC, Chang TJ, Shien JH, Hsu WL. Application of purified recombinant antigenic spike fragments to the diagnosis of avian infectious bronchitis virus infection. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2012; 95:233-42. [PMID: 22627759 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-012-4143-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2012] [Revised: 04/23/2012] [Accepted: 04/25/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The spike (S) protein, containing two subunits, S1 and S2, is the major immunity-eliciting antigen of avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), a highly contagious disease of chickens. Several immunogenic regions, mainly located within the S1 subunit, have been identified. Nonetheless, these immune-dominant regions were defined using selected monoclonal antibodies or using a short peptide approach that involves only certain limited regions of the S protein. In addition, some immune-dominant regions are located in hypervariable regions (HVRs) which are not present in all serotypes. Hence, the aim of this study was to determine a broader range of antigenic regions that have strong antibody eliciting ability; these could then be applied for development of an IBV-diagnostic tool. Initially, the S1 and part of the S2 subunit protein (24-567 amino acids) were expressed as five fragments in prokaryotic system. The antigenicity was confirmed using IBV immunized sera. Performance of the S subfragments was evaluated by ELISA using a panel of field chicken sera with known IBV titres determined by a commercial kit. This indicated that, among the five antigenic recombinant proteins, the region S-E showed the highest specificity and sensitivity, namely 95.38 % and 96.29 %, respectively. The κ value for the in-house ELISA using the S-E fragment compared to a commercial kit was 0.9172, indicating a high agreement between these two methods. As region S-E harbors strong immunogenicity within the spike protein, it has the potential to be exploited as an antigen when developing a cost-effective ELISA-based diagnosis tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuan-Hsun Lin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, 250 Kuo Kuang Road, Taichung 402, Taiwan
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Lin KH, Hsu AP, Shien JH, Chang TJ, Liao JW, Chen JR, Lin CF, Hsu WL. Avian reovirus sigma C enhances the mucosal and systemic immune responses elicited by antigen-conjugated lactic acid bacteria. Vaccine 2012; 30:5019-29. [PMID: 22531554 PMCID: PMC7115360 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2012.04.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2011] [Revised: 03/29/2012] [Accepted: 04/10/2012] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Mucosal surfaces are common sites of pathogen colonization/entry. Effective mucosal immunity by vaccination should provide protection at this primary infection site. Our aim was to develop a new vaccination strategy that elicits a mucosal immune response. A new strain of Enterococcus faecium, a non pathogenic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with strong cell adhesion ability, was identified and used as a vaccine vector to deliver two model antigens. Specifically, sigma (σ) C protein of avian reovirus (ARV), a functional homolog of mammalian reovirus σ1 protein and responsible for M-cell targeting, was administered together with a subfragment of the spike protein of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). Next, the effect of immunization route on the immune response was assessed by delivering the antigens via the LAB strain. Intranasal (IN) immunization induced stronger humoral responses than intragastic (IG) immunization. IN immunization produced antigen specific IgA both systemically and in the lungs. A higher IgA titer was induced by the LAB with ARV σC protein attached. Moreover, the serum of mice immunized with LAB displaying divalent antigens had much stronger immune reactivity against ARV σC protein compared to IBV-S1. Our results indicate that ARV σC protein delivered by LAB via the IN route elicits strong mucosal immunity. A needle-free delivery approach is a convenient and cost effective method of vaccine administration, especially for respiratory infections in economic animals. Furthermore, ARV σC, a strong immunogen of ARV, may be able to serve as an immunoenhancer for other vaccines, especially avian vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuan-Hsun Lin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, 250 Kuo Kuang Road, Taichung 402, Taiwan
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Lin CF, Hung SI, Chiang IH. An 802.11 n wireless local area network transmission scheme for wireless telemedicine applications. Proc Inst Mech Eng H 2011; 224:1201-8. [PMID: 21138238 DOI: 10.1243/09544119jeim729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
In this paper, an 802.11 n transmission scheme is proposed for wireless telemedicine applications. IEEE 802.11n standards, a power assignment strategy, space-time block coding (STBC), and an object composition Petri net (OCPN) model are adopted. With the proposed wireless system, G.729 audio bit streams, Joint Photographic Experts Group 2000 (JPEG 2000) clinical images, and Moving Picture Experts Group 4 (MPEG-4) video bit streams achieve a transmission bit error rate (BER) of 10-7, 10-4, and 103 simultaneously. The proposed system meets the requirements prescribed for wireless telemedicine applications. An essential feature of this proposed transmission scheme is that clinical information that requires a high quality of service (QoS) is transmitted at a high power transmission rate with significant error protection. For maximizing resource utilization and minimizing the total transmission power, STBC and adaptive modulation techniques are used in the proposed 802.11 n wireless telemedicine system. Further, low power, direct mapping (DM), low-error protection scheme, and high-level modulation are adopted for messages that can tolerate a high BER. With the proposed transmission scheme, the required reliability of communication can be achieved. Our simulation results have shown that the proposed 802.11 n transmission scheme can be used for developing effective wireless telemedicine systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- C F Lin
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Department of Center for Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Taiwan Ocean University, Republic of China.
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Yang CY, Lin CN, Lin CF, Chang TC, Chiou MT. Serotypes, antimicrobial susceptibility, and minimal inhibitory concentrations of Actionbacillus pleuropneumoniae isolated from slaughter pigs in Taiwan (2002-2007). J Vet Med Sci 2010; 73:205-8. [PMID: 20948169 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.10-0339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In total, 211 isolates of A. pleuropneumoniae were collected from pigs with hemorrhagic pneumonia at slaughterhouses during 2002-2007. Serotypes, antimicrobial susceptibility and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were determined for each isolate of A. pleuropneumoniae to 10 antimicrobial agents. Serovar 1 of A. pleuropneumoniae was predominant in Taiwan in 138 of the 211 isolates, followed by serovars 2 and 5. More than 90% of collected isolates were sensitive to ceftiofur, cephalothin, and chloramphenical. However, lincospectin and gentamicin were relatively less susceptible with sensitivities of only 2.4 and 5.7%, respectively. Additionally, ceftiofur had the highest in vitro activity with an MIC(50) of 2.2 µg/ml, followed by cephalothin (2.7 µg/ml) and chloramphenicol (7.9 µg/ml). Lincospectin had the least activity with MIC(50) and MIC(90) values of 73.9 and 114.5 µg/ml, respectively. The data indicate that ceftiofur and cephalothin were extremely active against A. pleuropneumoniae and with minimum MIC values. These drugs are suitable for controlling and treating hemorrhagic pleuropneumonia outbreaks in swine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Yao Yang
- Division of Animal Medicine, Animal Technology Institute Taiwan
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Huang HW, Lee KY, Huang JK, Lin CH, Lin CF, Yu CC, Kuo HC. Light extraction efficiency enhancement of GaN-based light emitting diodes on n-GaN layer using a SiO2 photonic quasi-crystal overgrowth. J Nanosci Nanotechnol 2010; 10:6363-6368. [PMID: 21137731 DOI: 10.1166/jnn.2010.2639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, GaN-based LEDs with a SiO2 photonic quasi-crystal (PQC) pattern on an n-GaN layer by nano-imprint lithography (NIL) are fabricated and investigated. At a driving current of 20 mA on Transistor Outline (TO)-can package, the better light output power of LED III (d = 1.2 microm) was enhanced by a factor of 1.20. After 1000 h life test (55 degrees C/50 mA) condition, Normalized output power of LED with a SiO2 PQC pattern (LED III (d = 1.2 microm)) on an n-GaN layer only decreased by 5%. This results offer promising potential to enhance the light output power of commercial light-emitting devices using the technique of nano-imprint lithography.
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Affiliation(s)
- H W Huang
- Institute of Electro-Optical Engineering, National Chiao-Tung University, Hsinchu 30050, Taiwan, ROC
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Wong HC, Hu CA, Yeh HL, Su W, Lu HC, Lin CF. Production, Purification, and Characterization of alpha-Galactosidase from Monascus pilosus. Appl Environ Microbiol 2010; 52:1147-52. [PMID: 16347214 PMCID: PMC239188 DOI: 10.1128/aem.52.5.1147-1152.1986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A Monascus pilosus strain was selected for production of intracellular alpha-galactosidase. Optimum conditions for mycelial growth and enzyme induction were determined. Galactose was one of the best enzyme inducers. The enzyme was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel filtration, and ion exchange chromatography and was demonstrated to be homogeneous by slab gel electrophoresis. The molecular weight of this enzyme, estimated by gel filtration, was about 150,000. The optimum conditions for the enzyme reaction was pH 4.5 to 5.0 at 55 degrees C. The purified enzyme was stable at 55 degrees C or below and in buffer at pH 3 to 8. The activity was inhibited by mercury, silver, and copper ions. The kinetics of this enzyme, with p-nitrophenyl-alpha-d-galactoside as substrate, was determined: K(m) was about 0.8 mM, and V(max) was 39 mumol/min per mg of protein. Enzymatic hydrolysis of melibiose, raffinose, and stachyose was analyzed by thin-layer chromatography.
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Affiliation(s)
- H C Wong
- Department of Microbiology, Soochow University, Taipei, and Institute for Microbial Resources, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China
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Chang NW, Wu CT, Wang SY, Pei RJ, Lin CF. Alpinia pricei Hayata rhizome extracts have suppressive and preventive potencies against hypercholesterolemia. Food Chem Toxicol 2010; 48:2350-6. [PMID: 20561946 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2010.05.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2009] [Revised: 04/13/2010] [Accepted: 05/25/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 70% ethanol extracts of Alpinia pricei (APE) on lipid profiles and lipid peroxidation. Syrian hamsters were fed a chow-based hypercholesterolemic diet (HCD) for 2 weeks to induce hypercholesterolemia (>250 mg/dl). To evaluate the potency of APE in suppressing hypercholesterolemia, hamsters were then fed HCD plus a high dose (500 mg/kg body weight) or a low dose (250 mg/kg body weight) of APE, or only HCD for another 4 weeks. We found that hypercholesterolemic hamsters fed a high dose of APE had lower serum total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, lower thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities, lower atherogenic indices (LDL-C/HDL-C and TC/HDL-C ratios), and lower hepatic protein expression of peroxisome proliferators activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) than hamsters fed a HCD diet. In addition, we also determined the preventive effects of APE on hamsters fed a HCD for 6 weeks. The hypocholesterolemic effects were also found in hamsters co-fed a high dose of APE and HCD for 6weeks. These results suggest that APE has both suppressive and preventive potencies against hypercholesterolemia and has the potency to protect against lipid peroxidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- N W Chang
- Departments of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, China Medical University, 91 Hsueh-Shih Road, Taichung 404, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC.
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De AK, Banerjee S, Lin CF, Skinner K, Schiffhauer L, Peacock J, Huston A, Shayne M, Strickland J, O'Donoghue L. Abstract 882: Serum Hsp27 levels may serve as a prognostic biomarker in patients with localized breast cancer: A preliminary report. Cancer Res 2010. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am10-882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Although there exist some prognostic biomarkers (eg, CA 15-3) for evaluation of responses to therapy in metastatic breast cancer patients, there is no reliable biomarker for early stage breast cancer patients. Heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27) has been reported as elevated in many human cancers of carcinoma origin. We have simultaneously tested serum levels of Hsp27 and CA 15-3 by specific ELISA in 49 untreated breast cancer patients (age→52.77±1.28) with early to locally advanced disease [Stage I (n=21), IIA and B (n=21), IIIA, B and C (n=7)] and 37 female controls (age→50.86±1.60). Hsp27 levels were significantly (p<0.0001) increased in these patients (894.76±116.45 pg/ml) as compared to controls (301.34±44.73 pg/ml). In contrast, CA 15-3 levels, the most characterized and frequently used prognostic biomarker for evaluation of metastatic breast cancer patients’ clinical responses to therapy, showed no increase in these patients (16.36±1.07 U/ml) as compared to controls (16.67±1.27 U/ml). Serum Hsp27 levels were modestly but not significantly elevated in stage III patients (1091.1±486.6 pg/ml) as compared to stage I (887.7±125.6 pg/ml) or II (836.3±188.8 pg/ml) patients. Similarly, serum Hsp27 levels were modestly (not significant) elevated in high grade patients (973.2±180.9 pg/ml; n=22) as compared to low (836.1±212.9 pg/ml; n= 15) or intermediate (824.1±230.1 pg/ml; n=12) grade patients. Although the serum Hsp27 levels were not significantly higher in Stage III or high grade patients as compared to early stage or lower grade patients respectively, post - surgery follow-up serum Hsp27 data are highly encouraging. We have followed 22 patients upto 12 months post - surgery (sample collection at pre-surgery, 6 and 12 months post-surgery). These patients’ pre-surgery Hsp27 levels (995.50±189.74 pg/ml) were significantly (p<0.0002) elevated as compared to healthy controls, but were reduced to almost control levels as tested at 6 (484.32±73.85 pg/ml) and 12 (490.49±119.70 pg/ml) months post-surgery. Thus, our data strongly suggest the possibility of using serum Hsp27 levels as a prognostic biomarker to evaluate clinical responses to therapy in early stage to locally advanced breast cancer patients.
Work supported by ACS RSG-06-266-01-LIB awarded to A. De
Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 882.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asit K. De
- 1Univ. of Rochester Medical Ctr., Rochester, NY
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Abstract
It is suggested that activation and differentiation of T-helper cells are required for peri-operative anti-tumor and anti-infection immunity. The present study aimed to evaluate whether propofol stimulates the activation and differentiation of these cells in patients undergoing pulmonary lobectomy for non-small-cell lung cancer. Thirty patients were randomly allocated to receive propofol or isoflurane throughout surgery. The CD4(+)CD28(+) percentage (p < 0.0001) and the ratio of interferon-gamma:interleukin-4 (p = 0.001) all increased with propofol but showed no change with isoflurane. In contrast, cortisol increased with isoflurane (p < 0.0001) but not with propofol over time (p = 0.06). We conclude that propofol promotes activation and differentiation of peripheral T-helper cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- X F Ren
- Department of Anesthesiology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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Huang YF, Kuan WH, Lo SL, Lin CF. Hydrogen-rich fuel gas from rice straw via microwave-induced pyrolysis. Bioresour Technol 2010; 101:1968-1973. [PMID: 19836946 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2009.09.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2009] [Revised: 09/21/2009] [Accepted: 09/24/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to research the productivity of H(2)-rich fuel gas from rice straw using the microwave-induced pyrolysis. The formation constituents of gas product and the mechanism of its production were also discussed. The primary components of gas product were H(2), CO(2), CO, and CH(4), with average percentages of 50.67, 22.56, 16.09, and 7.42vol.%, respectively. According to the TA-MS analysis, it was suggested that focused heating by microwaves made the microwave-induced pyrolysis different from the traditional pyrolysis. A chemical equation could be nearly balanced to illustrate the gas composition generated from rice straw. From the viewpoint of energy consumption, close to 60% of the input energy could be derived and utilized as bioenergy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y F Huang
- Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, 71 Chou-Shan Road, Taipei 106, Taiwan, ROC
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Lee CY, Wang JY, Chou Y, Cheng CL, Chao CH, Shiu SC, Hung SC, Chao JJ, Liu MY, Su WF, Chen YF, Lin CF. White-light electroluminescence from ZnO nanorods/polyfluorene by solution-based growth. Nanotechnology 2009; 20:425202. [PMID: 19779242 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/20/42/425202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
We report bright white-light electroluminescence (EL) from a diode structure consisting of a ZnO nanorod (NR) and a p-type conducting polymer of poly(fluorine) (PF) fabricated using a hydrothermal method. ZnO NRs are successfully grown on an organic layer of PF using a modified seeding layer. The EL spectrum shows a broad emission band covering the entire visible range from 400 to 800 nm. White-light emission is possible because the ZnO-defect-related emission from the ZnO NR/PF heterostructure is enhanced to become over thousand times stronger than that from the usual ZnO NR structure. This strong green-yellow emission associated with the ZnO defects, combined with the blue PF-related emission, results in the white-light emission. Enhancement of the ZnO-defect emission is caused by the presence of Zn(OH)(2) at the interface between the ZnO NRs and PF. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy reveals that the absorption peaks at 3441, 3502, and 3574 cm(-1) corresponding to the OH group are formed at the ZnO NR/PF heterostructure, which confirms the enhancement of defect emission from the ZnO NR/PF heterostructure. The processing procedure revealed in this work is a convenient and low-cost way to fabricate ZnO-based white-light-emitting devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Y Lee
- Graduate Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
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Wang Y, Huang WC, Wang CY, Tsai CC, Chen CL, Chang YT, Kai JI, Lin CF. Inhibiting glycogen synthase kinase-3 reduces endotoxaemic acute renal failure by down-regulating inflammation and renal cell apoptosis. Br J Pharmacol 2009; 157:1004-13. [PMID: 19508392 DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2009.00284.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Excessive inflammation and apoptosis are pathological features of endotoxaemic acute renal failure. Activation of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) is involved in inflammation and apoptosis. We investigated the effects of inhibiting GSK-3 on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute renal failure, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), inflammation and apoptosis. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The effects of inhibiting GSK-3 with inhibitors, including lithium chloride (LiCl) and 6-bromo-indirubin-3'-oxime (BIO), on LPS-treated (15 mg x kg(-1)) C3H/HeN mice (LiCl, 40 mg x kg(-1) and BIO, 2 mg x kg(-1)) and LPS-treated (1 microg x mL(-1)) renal epithelial cells (LiCl, 20 mM and BIO, 5 microM) were studied. Mouse survival was monitored and renal function was analysed by histological and serological examination. Cytokine and chemokine production, and cell apoptosis were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labelling staining, respectively. Activation of NF-kappaB and GSK-3 was determined by immunostaining and Western blotting, respectively. KEY RESULTS Mice treated with GSK-3 inhibitors showed decreased mortality, renal tubular dilatation, vacuolization and sloughing, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and renal cell apoptosis in response to endotoxaemia. Inhibiting GSK-3 reduced LPS-induced tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and CCL5/RANTES (released upon activation of normal T-cells) in vivo in mice and in vitro in murine kidney cortical collecting duct epithelial M1 cells. Inhibiting GSK-3 did not block TNF-alpha-induced cytotoxicity in rat kidney proximal tubular epithelial NRK52E or in M1 cells. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS These results suggest that GSK-3 inhibition protects against endotoxaemic acute renal failure mainly by down-regulating pro-inflammatory TNF-alpha and RANTES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, Tainan 701, Taiwan
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Huang YF, Kuan WH, Lo SL, Lin CF. Total recovery of resources and energy from rice straw using microwave-induced pyrolysis. Bioresour Technol 2008; 99:8252-8258. [PMID: 18440807 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2008.03.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2007] [Revised: 03/04/2008] [Accepted: 03/05/2008] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
This article presents the application of microwave-induced pyrolysis to total recovery of resources and energy from rice straw. The microwave power and particle size of feedstock were both key parameters affecting the performance of microwave-induced pyrolysis. Under 400-500W microwave power, the reduction of fixed carbon in the biomass was significant. From the experimental results of specific surface area, zeta potential, and Cu2+ adsorption, the applications of solid residues in the water and wastewater treatment could be expected. The major compositions in gaseous product were H2, CO2, CO, CH4 of 55, 17, 13, 10vol.%, respectively. The high H2 content might imply that microwave-induced pyrolysis of biomass waste has the potential to produce the H2-rich fuel gas. Alkanes, polars, and low-ringed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were three primary kinds of compounds in the liquid product.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y F Huang
- Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, 71, Chou-Shan Road, Taipei 106, Taiwan, ROC
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Hsu LC, Wang SL, Tzou YM, Lin CF, Chen JH. The removal and recovery of Cr(VI) by Li/Al layered double hydroxide (LDH). J Hazard Mater 2007; 142:242-9. [PMID: 16978767 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2006.08.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2006] [Revised: 08/04/2006] [Accepted: 08/08/2006] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Hexavalent Cr has been identified as one of the toxic metals commonly present in industrial effluents. Among the treatment techniques developed for removing Cr(VI) from waste waters, sorption is most commonly applied, due to its simplicity and efficiency. However, few adsorbents can be recycled and reused cost-effectively. In this study, the removal and recovery of Cr(VI) from water using Li/Al LDH was investigated. The removal of Cr(VI) by Li/Al LDH was evaluated in a batch mode. The results demonstrated that Cr(VI) adsorption onto Li/Al LDH occurs by replacing the Cl(-) that originally exists in the interlayer of the adsorbent. The degree of Cr(VI) adsorption observed for Li/Al LDH was relatively high and the process occurred rapidly; however, a portion of adsorbed Cr(VI) was gradually desorbed, due to the Li de-intercalation of Li/Al LDH. Lithium de-intercalation from Li/Al LDH with interlayer Cl(-) and interlayer Cr(VI) follows the first order kinetics and has the activation energies of 76.6 and 41.5 kJ mol(-1), respectively. The properties of thermal unstability and the high adsorption capacity of Li/Al LDH may lead to the development of an innovative technique for the removal of Cr(VI) from Cr(VI)-containing wastewater. That is, Li/Al LDH may be used as an effective adsorbent for the adsorption of Cr(VI) in an ambient environment. Following the adsorptive process, the adsorbed Cr(VI) may be released, using heated water to treat the Cr(VI)-containing Li/Al LDH particles. Through this hydrothermal treatment of the used adsorbent, Cr(VI) can be recovered and the solid product (gibbsite) can be recycled for further use.
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Affiliation(s)
- L C Hsu
- Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
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Abstract
Ceramide, a product of sphingolipid metabolism, is generated in response to various stress stimuli, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, CD95/Fas, chemotherapeutic agents, and irradiation. Ceramide may modulate the biochemical and cellular processes that lead to apoptosis. However, the mechanisms by which ceramide regulates apoptotic events are not fully defined. It is believed that the biological effect of ceramide depends on its concentration, the activation or differentiation status of the cell, and the time frame of action. Here, we discuss the metabolism and cell apoptotic signaling of ceramide. The involvement of protein kinases (i.e. PI3K/Akt and GSK-3beta) and protein phosphatases (i.e. PP1 and PP2A), Bcl-2 family proteins, mitochondrial damage, and caspase cascade activation are demonstrated. Further, ceramide and its derivatives have recently been incorporated into strategies for anticancer therapies. An understanding of the apoptotic signaling pathways mediated by ceramide may shed light on its potential for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- C F Lin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, Tainan, Taiwan.
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Shih CJ, Lin CF. A two-stage topological optimum design for monolithic compliant microgripper integrated with flexure hinges. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006. [DOI: 10.1088/1742-6596/34/1/139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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45
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Lin YS, Lin CF, Fang YT, Kuo YM, Liao PC, Yeh TM, Hwa KY, Shieh CCK, Yen JH, Wang HJ, Su IJ, Lei HY. Antibody to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-associated coronavirus spike protein domain 2 cross-reacts with lung epithelial cells and causes cytotoxicity. Clin Exp Immunol 2005; 141:500-8. [PMID: 16045740 PMCID: PMC1809466 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.2005.02864.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Both viral effect and immune-mediated mechanism are involved in the pathogenesis of severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) infection. In this study, we showed that in SARS patient sera there were autoantibodies (autoAbs) that reacted with A549 cells, the type-2 pneumocytes, and that these autoAbs were mainly IgG. The autoAbs were detectable 20 days after fever onset. Tests of non-SARS-pneumonia patients did not show the same autoAb production as in SARS patients. After sera IgG bound to A549 cells, cytotoxicity was induced. Cell cytotoxicity and the anti-epithelial cell IgG level were positively correlated. Preabsorption and binding assays indicated the existence of cross-reactive epitopes on SARS-CoV spike protein domain 2 (S2). Furthermore, treatment of A549 cells with anti-S2 Abs and IFN-gamma resulted in an increase in the adherence of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells to these epithelial cells. Taken together, we have demonstrated that the anti-S2 Abs in SARS patient sera cause cytotoxic injury as well as enhance immune cell adhesion to epithelial cells. The onset of autoimmune responses in SARS-CoV infection may be implicated in SARS pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y S Lin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, Tainan, Taiwan
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46
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Huang WW, Yang JS, Lin CF, Ho WJ, Lee MR. Pycnogenol induces differentiation and apoptosis in human promyeloid leukemia HL-60 cells. Leuk Res 2005; 29:685-92. [PMID: 15863210 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2004.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2004] [Accepted: 10/26/2004] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Pycnogenol, rich of many phytochemicals of medical value, is a commercialized nutrient supplement extracted from the bark of European coastal pine. In this study, we investigated the anti-tumor effects of Pycnogenol on HL-60, U937 and K562 human leukemia cell lines. We found that Pycnogenol inhibited cell proliferation dose- and time-dependently, and the IC(50)s of Pycnogenol on HL-60, U937 and K562 cells were 150, 40 and 100 microg/ml, respectively. When HL-60 cells were incubated with low concentrations of Pycnogenol (50, 100 and 125 microg/ml) for 24 h, a prominent G0/G1 arrest was observed, followed by gradual accumulation of sub-G0/G1 nuclei. At 48 h of treatment, 50-70% of HL-60 cells differentiated, as evidenced by morphological changes, NBT reduction, induction of NSE activity, and increases of cell surface expression of CD11b. However, results from Annexin V/PI staining, DAPI staining and DNA fragmentation assay indicated that Pycnogenol induced HL-60, U937 and K562 cell apoptosis at their respective IC(50)s after 24 h of treatments. Pretreatment of z-DEVD-fmk, a caspase-3 specific inhibitor, not only decreased caspase-3 activity but also reduced the percentage of apoptotic cells induced by Pycnogenol. This indicated that caspase-3 activation was involved in Pycnogenol induced-apoptosis. In conclusion, Pycnogenol induced differentiation and apoptosis in leukemia cells. Our data suggest that Pycnogenol could serve as a potent cancer chemopreventive or chemotherapeutic agent for human leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- W W Huang
- Department of Biology, China Medical University, 91 Hsueh-Shih Road, Taichung 404, Taiwan, ROC
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47
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Abstract
Vascular disorders, resulting from endothelial cell dysfunction, may be caused by various stimuli, including infectious pathogens, cytotoxic reagents, and pathophysiological mechanisms mediated by immune responses. Endothelial cell dysfunction characterized by apoptosis and abnormal immune activation is, at least in part, induced by anti-endothelial cell antibody (AECA) in some cases of autoimmune disease. However, the molecular mechanisms of AECA-mediated pathogenetic damage to host vascular system remain unclear. The dual role of nitric oxide (NO) both in endothelial cell apoptosis and survival has been described. In this paper, endothelial cell apoptosis caused by the presence of cross-reactive AECA via a NO-mediated mechanism is demonstrated in dengue virus infection. Endothelial cells undergo apoptosis via the mitochondria-dependent pathway that is regulated by NO production. NO-regulated endothelial cell injury thus may play a role in the disruption of vessel endothelium and contribute to the AECA-induced pathogenesis of vasculopathy. The modulation of NO may provide the therapeutic strategies for autoimmune diseases by preventing the AECA-mediated endothelial cell damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y S Lin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China.
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Chen KS, Wang WC, Chen HM, Lin CF, Hsu HC, Kao JH, Hu MT. Motorcycle emissions and fuel consumption in urban and rural driving conditions. Sci Total Environ 2003; 312:113-122. [PMID: 12873404 DOI: 10.1016/s0048-9697(03)00196-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
This work reports sampling of motorcycle on-road driving cycles in actual urban and rural environments and the development of representative driving cycles using the principle of least total variance in individual regions. Based on the representative driving cycles in individual regions, emission factors for carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), nitrogen oxides (NO(x)=NO+NO(2)) and carbon dioxide (CO(2)), as well as fuel consumption, were determined using a chassis dynamometer. The measurement results show that the representative driving cycles are almost identical in the three largest cities in Taiwan, but they differ significantly from the rural driving cycle. Irrespective of driving conditions, emission factors differ insignificantly between the urban and rural regions at a 95% confidence level. However, the fuel consumption in urban centers is approximately 30% higher than in the rural regions, with driving conditions in the former usually poor compared to the latter. Two-stroke motorcycles generally have considerably higher HC emissions and quite lower NO(x) emissions than those of four-stroke motorcycles. Comparisons with other studies suggest that factors such as road characteristics, traffic volume, vehicle type, driving conditions and driver behavior may affect motorcycle emission levels in real traffic situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- K S Chen
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND This study is to determine whether occupational stress (defined as high psychological demands and low decision latitude on the job) is associated with increased blood pressure and abnormal level of blood lipids as cardiovascular risk factors. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study at three work sites of 526 white-collar male workers aged 20 to 66 years without evidence of cardiovascular disease. Systolic, diastolic blood pressure, serum total, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and plasma triglyceride were measured. Occupational stress index was derived from data collected in the job strain questionnaire. RESULTS In multiple linear regression models, occupational stress index was significantly related to diastolic blood pressure and plasma triglyceride, after adjusting for age, education, smoking, and alcohol consumption. A higher occupational stress index was directly associated with higher systolic, diastolic blood pressure and higher level of plasma triglyceride. CONCLUSIONS These data from a white-collar working population confirm independent relations between occupational stress defined in the job demand-control model and diastolic blood pressure observed in predominantly Western populations and extend the range of associations to plasma triglyceride than do previous studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- C T Su
- School of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Hsing St., 110, Taipei, Taiwan.
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50
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE The overall objectives are to develop a biomechanical model for a simulated fall with outstretched hand. DESIGN Cross-sectional study involving young healthy volunteers in a university research laboratory setting. BACKGROUND Little is known about the factors which influence fracture risk during a fall on outstretched hand. METHODS A group of 11 male subjects volunteered for this investigation. A set of eight reflective markers was placed bilaterally on selected anatomic landmarks. Subjects were suspended with both elbows extended and wrists dorsiflexed, preparing to impact the ground and force plates from two different fall heights: 3 and 6 cm. Two different postures for the elbows were employed. In the elbow extension experiment, the elbows were extended at all times. In the elbow flexion experiment, the elbows were extended at impact, but then flexed immediately, as though in the initial downward phase of a push-up exercise. RESULT Increasing the fall height significantly increased the upper extremity axial forces by 10% and 5%. No significantly different differences were found in the axial forces applied to the wrist, elbow or shoulder between the elbow flexion and elbow extension trials, but the elbow mediolateral shear force was 68% larger (P=0.002) in the extension trials. CONCLUSIONS Performing an elbow flexion movement at impact reduces the first peak impact force value and postpones the maximum peak value. Although changing the fall arrest strategy from elbow extension to elbow flexion did not affect the peak impact force on the hand, it did require substantially greater elbow and shoulder muscle strengths. RELEVANCE This paper yields insights into how the physical demands of arresting mild falls may relate to upper extremity muscle capacity, joint dislocation and bony fracture.
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Affiliation(s)
- P H Chou
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
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