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  • 1
    In: Materials, MDPI AG, Vol. 13, No. 19 ( 2020-09-26), p. 4299-
    Abstract: The objective of this study was to verify the feasibility of electrolyzed oxidizing (EO) water as a mouthwash through the evaluation of its in vivo toxicity by embryonic zebrafish and antimicrobial efficacy against Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans). Methodology: Each 1.5–3.0 g of sodium chloride (NaCl), sodium bromide (NaBr), or calcium chloride (CaCl2) were added into an electrolyzer with 300 mL of DD water to produce electrolyzed oxidizing (EO) water. A zebrafish embryo assay was used to evaluate acute toxicity of specimens. Antimicrobial property was conducted with 100 μL microbial count of 1 × 108 cfu/mL S. mutans to blend with each 10 mL specimen of chlorhexidine (CHX) gluconate or hypochlorous acid (HOCl) for various time points. The concentration of viable microorganisms was assessed according to individually standardized inoculum by a plate-count method. Results: Among the EO water produced from NaCl, NaBr, and CaCl2, the EO water from NaCl showed a relatively low mortality rate of zebrafish embryos and was chosen for a detailed investigation. The mortality rates for the groups treated with EO water containing 0.0125% and 0.0250% HOCl were not statically different from those of a negative control, however the mortality rate was 66.7 ± 26.2% in 0.2% CHX gluconate for the same treatment time of 0.5 min. All of the HOCl or 2.0% CHX gluconate groups showed 〉 99.9% antimicrobial effectiveness against S. mutans; while the 0.2% CHX gluconate group showed a bacterial reduction rate of 87.5% and 97.1% for treatment times of 0.5 min and 1.0 min, respectively. Conclusions: Except for the 0.2% CHX gluconate, all the HOCl specimens and 2.0% CHX gluconate revealed similar antimicrobial properties ( 〉 99.9%) against S. mutans. The EO water comprised of both 0.0125% and 0.0250% HOCl showed 〉 99.9% antimicrobial efficacy but with little in vivo toxicity, illuminating the possibility as an alternative mouthwash for dental and oral care.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 1996-1944
    Language: English
    Publisher: MDPI AG
    Publication Date: 2020
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2487261-1
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  • 2
    In: Processes, MDPI AG, Vol. 10, No. 12 ( 2022-11-22), p. 2470-
    Abstract: The coding region for the sortase A (SrtA) of Staphylococcus aureus was fused at the N-terminus of LfcinB. The SrtA-LfcinB fusion protein in E. coli C43(DE3) was expressed with the expected sizes of 21 kDa and 38 kDa by pET21b-SrtA-LfcinB and pET32-1SrtA-LfcinB constructs, respectively. Increased levels of the TrxA-His-SrtA-SrtA-LfcinB fusion protein were detected by the pET32-3SrtA-LfcinB construct having three expression cassettes. LfcinB is released from the expressed SrtA-LfcinB protein by SrtA self-cleavage which is induced in the presence of Ca2+. The antibacterial activity was detected after SrtA-mediated cleavage of LfcinB. Furthermore, to reduce the antimicrobial peptide toxicity to the E. coli host, the human interferon-γ (hIFN-γ) sequences were mutated into a negatively charged mIFc2 protein (7 kDa), which was co-expressed with LfcinB in an insoluble form. The yield of LfcinB was elevated while changing the gene order of LfcinB and mIFc2 (pET21b-fLfcinB-bmIFc2). Furthermore, increased levels of LfcinB were detected using the pET21b-(fLfcinB-bmIFc2)2 construct. To increase the dissolution rate of inclusion bodies, inclusion bodies treated with different temperatures and pH and resuspended in different volumes of 50 mM Tris-HCl were assayed. Our results reveal that heat-treated LfcinB/mIFc2 inclusion bodies at 90 °C, pH 10, and 16X resuspended volumes have the best resolubilization rate. This work suggests that the mIFc2 co-expression system shows higher efficiency for LfcinB production than the SrtA fusion system. The expressed LfcinB from the mIFc2 co-expression system exhibits excellent broad-spectrum antibacterial activities against thirteen Gram-negative and ten Gram-positive bacteria species with a range of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) between 37–150 ug/mL.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 2227-9717
    Language: English
    Publisher: MDPI AG
    Publication Date: 2022
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2720994-5
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  • 3
    Online Resource
    Online Resource
    MDPI AG ; 2018
    In:  Energies Vol. 11, No. 3 ( 2018-02-28), p. 527-
    In: Energies, MDPI AG, Vol. 11, No. 3 ( 2018-02-28), p. 527-
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 1996-1073
    Language: English
    Publisher: MDPI AG
    Publication Date: 2018
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2437446-5
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  • 4
    In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, MDPI AG, Vol. 17, No. 19 ( 2020-10-08), p. 7350-
    Abstract: Lung adenocarcinoma (LADC) is the most common subtype of lung cancer worldwide and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has a great influence on its clinical course, mainly due to the influence of different phenotypes. The Aurora kinase A (AURKA) would influence the progression of several solid malignancies. However, whether the interaction between EGFR phenotypes and AURKA would influence the clinical characteristics of LADC remains unknown. Herein, this study aimed to explore the effects of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of AURKA and EGFR phenotypes on the clinicopathological characteristics of LADC. Four loci of AURKA SNPs (rs1047972, rs2273535, rs6024836, and rs2064863) were genotyped using TaqMan allelic discrimination in 105 wild-type EGFR individuals and 167 LADC patients with EGFR mutations. After the statistical analysis, patients with LADC who had CT heterozygotes of AURKA rs1047972 had a lower risk of EGFR mutations than patients with wild-type homozygotes. Moreover, female and nonsmoking patients who carried the CT genotype of AURKA rs1047972 had a lower risk of EGFR mutation (p = 0.008 and p = 0.004, respectively). Moreover, in patients with EGFR mutations, AURKA SNP rs6024836 G allele (AG + GG) carriers had a lower risk of developing advanced-stage LADC (stage III or IV; odds ratio = 0.423, 95% confidence interval: 0.203–0.879, p = 0.019) than patients with AA homozygotes. Our results suggested that AURKA rs1047972 variants are significantly associated with EGFR mutations among patients with LADC, particularly in female and nonsmoking patients. AURKA variants may contribute to the pathological development of LADC.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 1660-4601
    Language: English
    Publisher: MDPI AG
    Publication Date: 2020
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2175195-X
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  • 5
    In: Journal of Clinical Medicine, MDPI AG, Vol. 11, No. 18 ( 2022-09-16), p. 5441-
    Abstract: Objective: To investigate the maternal–neonatal outcomes of obstetric deliveries performed in negative pressure isolated delivery rooms (NPIDRs) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) omicron variant pandemic period in a single tertiary center in northern Taiwan. Methods: Confirmed positive and suspected-positive COVID-19 cases delivered in NPIDRs and COVID-19-negative mothers delivered in conventional delivery rooms (CDRs) in the period of 1 May 2022 to 31 May 2022 during the COVID-19 omicron variant pandemic stage were reviewed. The maternal–neonatal outcomes between the two groups of mothers were analyzed. All deliveries were performed following the obstetric and neonatologic protocols conforming to the epidemic prevention regulations promulgated by the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (T-CDC). Multiple gestations, deliveries at gestational age below 34 weeks, and major fetal anomalies were excluded from this study. Results: A total of 213 obstetric deliveries were included. Forty-five deliveries were performed in NPIDRs due to a positive COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test (n = 41) or suspected COVID-19 positive status (n = 4). One hundred and sixty-eight deliveries with negative COVID-19 PCR tests were performed in CDRs. There was no statistical difference in maternal characteristics between the two groups of pregnant women. All COVID-19-confirmed cases either presented with mild upper-airway symptoms (78%) or were asymptomatic (22%); none of these cases developed severe acute respiratory syndrome. The total rate of cesarean section was not statistically different between obstetric deliveries in NPIDRs and in CDRs (38.1% vs. 40.0%, p = 0.82, respectively). Regardless of delivery modes, poorer short-term perinatal outcomes were observed in obstetric deliveries in NPIDRs: there were significant higher rates of neonatal respiratory distress (37.8% vs. 10.7%, p 〈 0.001, respectively), meconium-stained amniotic fluid (22.2% vs. 4.2%, p 〈 0.001, respectively) and newborn intensive care unit admission (55.6% vs. 8.3%, p 〈 0.001, respectively) in obstetric deliveries performed in NPIDRs than in CDRs. Maternal surgical outcomes were not significantly different between the two groups of patients. There was no vertical transmission or nosocomial infection observed in COVID-19 confirmed cases in this study period. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that obstetric deliveries for positive and suspected COVID-19 omicron-variant cases performed in NPIDRs are associated with poorer short-term perinatal outcomes. Reasonable use of personal protective equipment in NPIDRs could effectively prevent nosocomial infection during obstetric deliveries for pregnant women infected with the COVID-19 omicron variant.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 2077-0383
    Language: English
    Publisher: MDPI AG
    Publication Date: 2022
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2662592-1
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  • 6
    Online Resource
    Online Resource
    MDPI AG ; 2020
    In:  International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Vol. 17, No. 16 ( 2020-08-06), p. 5694-
    In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, MDPI AG, Vol. 17, No. 16 ( 2020-08-06), p. 5694-
    Abstract: Fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4) is involved in multiple physiological and pathological processes. Several genetic variants of FGFR4 have been shown to be associated with tumor progression in many cancers. However, its association, such as genetic variants and expression levels, with lung cancer is controversial. The present study examined the relationship between four single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs2011077 T/C, rs351855 G/A, rs7708357 G/A, and rs1966265 A/G) of FGFR4 and the risk of lung adenocarcinoma with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation status in a Taiwanese cohort. The results demonstrated that FGFR4 rs2011077 (odds ratio (OR) = 0.348, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.136–0.891, p = 0.024), and rs351855 (OR = 0.296, 95% CI = 0.116–0.751, p = 0.008) showed an inverse association with distant metastasis in wild-type EGFR lung adenocarcinoma. Furthermore, a database analysis using The Cancer Genome Atlas revealed that the higher FGFR4 expression level was correlated with poor survival rates in wild-type EGFR lung adenocarcinoma. In conclusion, the data suggest that FGFR4 SNPs may help in identifying patient subgroups at low-risk for tumor metastasis, among carriers of lung adenocarcinoma bearing wild-type EGFR.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 1660-4601
    Language: English
    Publisher: MDPI AG
    Publication Date: 2020
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2175195-X
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  • 7
    Online Resource
    Online Resource
    MDPI AG ; 2020
    In:  Sustainability Vol. 12, No. 20 ( 2020-10-21), p. 8755-
    In: Sustainability, MDPI AG, Vol. 12, No. 20 ( 2020-10-21), p. 8755-
    Abstract: Due to its unpredictability, the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has changed the global business climate and commercial management practices in unprecedented ways. As a direct result of the pandemic, the hospitality and tourism sectors have shut down, and business failure rates have occurred exponentially. The franchise hospitality industry has experienced significant impact and challenged a basic understanding of knowledge management (KM) implementation in the face of the COVID-19 outbreak. A strategic KM implementation practice can not only guide a large-scale operation, but also adjust an organization’s performance and competitiveness. The purpose of this study is to examine the influential criteria of success through effective KM implementation and to predict the probability of successful KM in a post-pandemic era. The conceptual framework for KM applies an analytic hierarchical prediction model reliant upon consistent fuzzy preference relations to assist the franchise hospitality sector’s consciousness of the influential criteria. An empirical case study is used to apply pairwise comparisons used to determine the priority weights and two possible outcomes. The case study will assist franchise organizations to analyze whether or not to implement KM, interdict application, or adopt revised actions. This assistance will enhance the success possibility of KM implementation within such a crisis environment. This study uses a case setting by assessing 15 franchises hospitality experts’ opinions in Taiwan relevant to KM implementation.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 2071-1050
    Language: English
    Publisher: MDPI AG
    Publication Date: 2020
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2518383-7
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  • 8
    In: World, MDPI AG, Vol. 3, No. 2 ( 2022-04-02), p. 219-236
    Abstract: This study applies consistent fuzzy preference relations (CFPR) to evaluate the influential criteria of revitalization strategies (RS) for the hospitality industry in the post-pandemic (COVID-19) era in Taiwan. A real case applies CFPR in order to analyze the relationship between governmental implementation and industrial expectations in Taiwan. The results indicate that “market revitalization”, such as the Taiwanese government’s implementation of various stimulus vouchers and coupons to encourage market consumption and revitalize the overall economy, is considered the most essential/important criteria for RS. This study strengthens the government sector by evaluating the heterogeneity of revitalization strategies best used to formulate the actions to pilot industries as a global contribution to fight the COVID-19 pandemic within a global crisis.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 2673-4060
    Language: English
    Publisher: MDPI AG
    Publication Date: 2022
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 3038918-5
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  • 9
    In: International Journal of Molecular Sciences, MDPI AG, Vol. 23, No. 22 ( 2022-11-15), p. 14064-
    Abstract: Adrenomedullin, a peptide with vasodilatory, natriuretic, and diuretic effects, may be a novel agent for treating heart failure. Heart failure is associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF), but the effects of adrenomedullin on atrial arrhythmogenesis remain unclear. This study investigated whether adrenomedullin modulates the electrophysiology of the atria (AF substrate) or pulmonary vein (PV; AF trigger) arrhythmogenesis. Conventional microelectrode or whole-cell patch clamps were used to study the effects of adrenomedullin (10, 30, and 100 pg/mL) on the electrical activity, mechanical response, and ionic currents of isolated rabbit PV and sinoatrial node tissue preparations and single PV cardiomyocytes. At 30 and 100 pg/mL, adrenomedullin significantly reduced the spontaneous beating rate of the PVs from 2.0 ± 0.4 to 1.3 ± 0.5 and 1.1 ± 0.5 Hz (reductions of 32.9% ± 7.1% and 44.9 ± 8.4%), respectively, and reduced PV diastolic tension by 12.8% ± 4.1% and 14.5% ± 4.1%, respectively. By contrast, adrenomedullin did not affect sinoatrial node beating. In the presence of L-NAME (a nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor, 100 μM), adrenomedullin (30 pg/mL) did not affect the spontaneous beating rate or diastolic tension of the PVs. In the single-cell experiments, adrenomedullin (30 pg/mL) significantly reduced the L-type calcium current (ICa-L) and reverse-mode current of the sodium–calcium exchanger (NCX). Adrenomedullin reduces spontaneous PV activity and PV diastolic tension by reducing ICa-L and NCX current and thus may be useful for treating atrial tachyarrhythmia.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 1422-0067
    Language: English
    Publisher: MDPI AG
    Publication Date: 2022
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2019364-6
    SSG: 12
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  • 10
    Online Resource
    Online Resource
    MDPI AG ; 2018
    In:  Energies Vol. 11, No. 10 ( 2018-10-01), p. 2618-
    In: Energies, MDPI AG, Vol. 11, No. 10 ( 2018-10-01), p. 2618-
    Abstract: This paper proposes a novel bilateral zero-voltage switching (ZVS) bidirectional converter with synchronous rectification. By controlling the direction and timing of excessive current injection, the main power switches can achieve bilateral ZVS under various loads and output voltages. Compared with the common soft-switching power converter with only zero-voltage turn-on, the proposed bilateral ZVS bidirectional converter can achieve both zero-voltage switching on and off in every switching cycle. This feature can alleviate the output switching noise due to the controlled rising and falling slope of the switch voltage. Furthermore, the voltage slopes almost remain unchanged over a wide range of output voltages and load levels. The most important feature of bilateral ZVS is to reduce the output switching noise. Experimental results based on a 1 kW prototype are presented to demonstrate the performance of the proposed converter. From experimental results on the proposed scheme, the switching noise reduction is about 75%.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 1996-1073
    Language: English
    Publisher: MDPI AG
    Publication Date: 2018
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2437446-5
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