Poly(allylguanidine)-Coated Surfaces Regulate TGF-β in Glioblastoma Cells to Induce Apoptosis NF-κB Pathway Activation.

Polycationic biomaterials are currently widely applied in neuronal cell cultures to promote cell adhesion and viability. However, polycations generally have cytotoxic properties that limit their application in the field of biomaterials. In this study, we examined the use of a novel polycation poly(allylguanidine) (PAG), which contains a guanidine group in the side chain and a structure similar to poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH), an example of another commonly used polycation.

Identification and management of contraindicated drug-drug interactions through pharmaceutical care programs: Experience in direct-acting antivirals therapy.

Background/purpose: To investigate the impact of pharmaceutical care programs for the management of contraindicated drug-drug interactions (DDIs) in direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) therapy.

Methods: A prospective observational study was performed at Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital between January 2018 and December 2019. Pharmacists screened DDIs for all hepatitis C patients before DAA therapy.

Preparation of aligned poly(glycerol sebacate) fibrous membranes for anisotropic tissue engineering.

The use of fibrous scaffolds for tissue repair or regeneration is advantageous for its microstructure similar to that of the native ECM. Aligned fibrous scaffold, in particular, can be used to manipulate cell alignment and hence the microstructure of the resultant tissue. In our previous study, nanofibers consisting of solely poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) have been successfully fabricated using core-shell coaxial electrospinning followed by curing and subsequent shell removal.

Perturbation of cytosolic calcium by 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate and caffeine affects zebrafish myofibril alignment.

The objective of the current study was to investigate the effects of Ca(2+) levels on myofibril alignment during zebrafish embryogenesis. To investigate how altered cytoplasmic Ca(2+) levels affect myofibril alignment, we exposed zebrafish embryos to 2-aminothoxyldiphenyl borate (2-APB; an inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor inhibitor that reduces cytosolic Ca(2+) levels) and caffeine (a ryanodine receptor activator that enhances cytosolic Ca(2+) levels). The results demonstrated that the most evident changes in zebrafish embryos treated with 2-APB were shorter body length, curved trunk and malformed somite boundary.

Plant chitinase III Ziz m 1 stimulates multiple cytokines, most predominantly interleukin-13, from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of latex-fruit allergic patients.

Background: Indian jujube is a fruit abundantly cultivated in Taiwan. Its major allergen in latex-fruit syndrome is Ziz m 1 of the chitinase III family. The Ziz m 1 Pichia (rZiz m 1-P) has chitinase activity but not Ziz m 1 E.

Demonstration of expression of a neuropeptide-encoding gene in crustacean hemocytes.

Crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) was originally identified in a neuroendocrine system-the X-organ/sinus gland complex. In this study, a cDNA (Prc-CHH) encoding CHH precursor was cloned from the hemocyte of the crayfish Procambarus clarkii. Analysis of tissues by a CHH-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) confirmed the presence of CHH in hemocytes, the levels of which were much lower than those in the sinus gland, but 2 to 10 times higher than those in the thoracic and cerebral ganglia.

Transgenic zebrafish line with over-expression of Hedgehog on the skin: a useful tool to screen Hedgehog-inhibiting compounds.

We generated a transgenic line Tg(k18:shh:RFP) with overexpression of Sonic hedgehog in the skin epidermis. By 5 day-post-fertilization (dpf), many epidermal lesions were clearly observed, including a swollen yolk sac, epidermis growth malformation around the eyes and at the basement of the pectoral fins. Skin histology revealed embryos derived from Tg(k18:shh:RFP) displayed an elevated Nuclear/Cytoplasmic ratio and pleomorphic nuclei compared to their wild type littermates, suggesting the abnormal growth pattern on the epidermis of Tg(k18:shh:RFP) embryos were dysplasia.

Specific IgE and IgG responses and cytokine profile in subjects with allergic reactions to biting midge Forcipomyia taiwana.

Background: Forcipomyia taiwana is a tiny blood-sucking midge whose habitat covers large parts of Taiwan and southern China. Female midges bite during the day, causing intense pruritus and swelling in allergic individuals. In this study, we investigated the immune responses of different allergic reactions to midge bites.

A hospital-based screening study of latex allergy and latex sensitization among medical workers in Taiwan.

Background And Purpose: Natural rubber latex is the most important occupational allergen among medical workers, and remains a significant occupational health issue in Taiwan. We conducted this large-scale hospital-based screening study to understand the incidence of latex allergy and latex sensitization among medical workers in Taiwan over the past 5 years.

Methods: 1253 medical workers were enrolled in this study.

Development of a whole-organism model to screen new compounds for sun protection.

We used zebrafish as a whole-organism model to screen new compounds for sun protection activity. First of all, we designed a series of UVB exposure experiments and recorded the phenotypic changes of zebrafish embryos. Results showed that 100 mJ/cm(2) of UVB given six times separated by 30 min intervals is the best condition.

Molecular cloning and differential expression pattern of two structural variants of the crustacean hyperglycemic hormone family from the mud crab Scylla olivacea.

Two full-length cDNA sequences encoding a crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) precursor were cloned from tissues of the mud crab Scylla olivacea. Sco-CHH (S. olivacea CHH) was cloned from eyestalk ganglia, whereas Sco-CHH-L (S.