The feasibility study of shear wave elastography in the diagnosis of erectile dysfunction.

The aim of this study was to explore the value of Shear wave elastography (SWE) in evaluating vascular and nonvascular erectile dysfunction. In this study, erectile dysfunction (ED) patients enrolled (n = 114) received SWE and Doppler ultrasonography (PCDU) exams. The peak systolic velocity (PSV) and end-diastolic velocity (EDV) were used as the classification standard.

Unpredicted protective function of Fc-mediated inhibitory antibodies for HIV and SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.

Developing effective vaccines is necessary in combating new virus pandemics. For HIV and SARS-CoV-2, the induction of neutralizing antibodies (NAb) is important for vaccine protection; however, the exact mechanisms underlying protection require further study. Recent data emphasize that even Abs that do not exhibit neutralizing activity may contribute to immune defense.

RT-RPA-Ago detection platform for one-tube simultaneous typing diagnosis of human respiratory syncytial virus.

Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is the most prevalent pathogen contributing to acute respiratory tract infections (ARTI) in infants and young children and can lead to significant financial and medical costs. Here, we developed a simultaneous, dual-gene and ultrasensitive detection system for typing HRSV within 60 minutes that needs only minimum laboratory support. Briefly, multiplex integrating reverse transcription-recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA) was performed with viral RNA extracted from nasopharyngeal swabs as a template for the amplification of the specific regions of subtypes A (HRSV) and B (HRSV) of HRSV.

Vulnerable brain regions in adolescent major depressive disorder: A resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging activation likelihood estimation meta-analysis.

Background: Adolescent major depressive disorder (MDD) is a significant mental health concern that often leads to recurrent depression in adulthood. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) offers unique insights into the neural mechanisms underlying this condition. However, despite previous research, the specific vulnerable brain regions affected in adolescent MDD patients have not been fully elucidated.

The Browning Properties, Antioxidant Activity, and α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Improvement of Aged Oranges ().

Oranges contain many natural active chemicals, organic acids, and polysaccharides. Aging processing is commonly used to modify the color, quality, functional components, and stability of fruits. This study assesses the preparation of aging black oranges using various pre-treatments and solid fermentation.

Developing the procedure-enhanced model of ginger-infused sesame oil based on its flavor and functional properties.

Ginger-infused sesame oil enriches the nutrition and provides enhanced flavor for the foods. An original processing procedure and module for evaluation were established in this study, using different raw materials (Guangdong and Chu ginger) and treatments (ginger powder, extract, and both). The quality, functionality, and flavor of the infused oils were evaluated.

Alteration of GABAergic neurons and abnormality of NKCC1/KCC2 in focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) type â…¡ lesions.

Background: The current conclusions of molecular genetics still cannot satisfactorily explain the pathogenesis of focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) and the reason for drug resistance. The interneurons of GABA deserve attention. To observe the distribution and changes of GABAergic neurons and to explore the expression of cation chloride cotransporter NKCC1/KCC2 in focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) type II lesions is a highly significant job.

-Synephrine Indicates Internal Maturity of (L.) Osbeck cv. Mato Peiyu-Reclaiming Functional Constituents from Nonedible Parts.

The processing of Osbeck cv. Mato Peiyu (CGMP) fruits generates a considerable amount of waste, mainly the flavedo, albedo, and segment membrane; the generated waste yields severe environmental and economic challenges. In this study, we tried to reclaim some functional chemicals from the waste.

Analysis of Volatile Compounds from Different Parts of Thunb.

Thunb. is a medicinal and edible plant that has been commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine since ancient times. This study used headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and direct injection, combined with gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), to identify the volatile compounds in Extraction from different parts of the plant using different extraction techniques for the identification of volatile compounds were determined.

Identification of early-induced broadly neutralizing activities against transmitted founder HIV strains.

Objectives: Broadly neutralizing antibodies have been proposed as key actors for HIV vaccine development. However, they display features of highly matured antibodies, hampering their induction by vaccination. As protective broadly neutralizing antibodies should be induced rapidly after vaccination and should neutralize the early-transmitted founder (T/F) viruses, we searched whether such antibodies may be induced following HIV infection.

Molecular Action Mechanism of Coixol from Soft-Shelled Adlay on Tyrosinase: The Future of Cosmetics.

var. L. Gramineae is widely cultivated in Taiwan.

Fc receptors and the diversity of antibody responses to HIV infection and vaccination.

The development of an effective vaccine against HIV is desperately needed. The successive failures of HIV vaccine efficacy trials in recent decades have shown the difficulty of inducing an appropriate protective immune response to fight HIV. Different correlates of antibody parameters associated with a decreased risk of HIV-1 acquisition have been identified.

Molecular Surveillance of Artemisinin-Based Combination Therapies Resistance in Plasmodium falciparum Parasites from Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea.

Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) resistance has emerged and could be diffusing in Africa. As an offshore island on the African continent, the island of Bioko in Equatorial Guinea is considered severely affected and resistant to drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria. However, the spatial and temporal distribution remain unclear.

Volatile Variation of Malvaceae L. Beans Cultivated in Taiwan Affected by Processing via Fermentation and Roasting.

After being harvested, cacao beans are usually subjected to very complex processes in order to improve their chemical and physical characteristics, like tastefulness with chocolate characteristic flavors. The traditional process consists of three major processing stages: fermentation, drying, and roasting, while most of the fermentation is carried out by an on-farm in-box process. In Taiwan, we have two major cocoa beans, the red and the yellow.

Conformational Stabilization of Gp41-Mimetic Miniproteins Opens Up New Ways of Inhibiting HIV-1 Fusion.

Inhibition of the HIV-1 fusion process constitutes a promising strategy to neutralize the virus at an early stage before it enters the cell. In this process, the envelope glycoprotein (Env) plays a central role by promoting membrane fusion. We previously identified a vulnerability at the flexible C-terminal end of the gp41 C-terminal heptad repeat (CHR) region to inhibition by a single-chain miniprotein (named covNHR-N) that mimics the first half of the gp41 N-terminal heptad repeat (NHR).

Effects of Roasting Sweet Potato ( L. Lam.): Quality, Volatile Compound Composition, and Sensory Evaluation.

Roasting can increase the Maillard reaction and caramelization of sweet potatoes to create an attractive appearance, color, aroma, and taste, and is rapidly increasing in the commercial market. This study mainly analyzed the influence of roasting sweet potatoes, with and without the peel, on sweet potato quality and flavor characteristics combined with sensory qualities. The results showed that the a* value (1.

Population genetic analysis of the Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte binding antigen-175 (EBA-175) gene in Equatorial Guinea.

Background: Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte binding antigen-175 (PfEBA-175) is a candidate antigen for a blood-stage malaria vaccine, while various polymorphisms and dimorphism have prevented to development of effective vaccines based on this gene. This study aimed to investigate the dimorphism of PfEBA-175 on both the Bioko Island and continent of Equatorial Guinea, as well as the genetic polymorphism and natural selection of global PfEBA-175.

Methods: The allelic dimorphism of PfEBA-175 region II of 297 bloods samples from Equatorial Guinea in 2018 and 2019 were investigated by nested polymerase chain reaction and sequencing.

Genetic diversity and natural selection on the thrombospondin-related adhesive protein (TRAP) gene of Plasmodium falciparum on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea and global comparative analysis.

Background: Thrombospondin-related adhesive protein (TRAP) is a transmembrane protein that plays a crucial role during the invasion of Plasmodium falciparum into liver cells. As a potential malaria vaccine candidate, the genetic diversity and natural selection of PfTRAP was assessed and the global PfTRAP polymorphism pattern was described.

Methods: 153 blood spot samples from Bioko malaria patients were collected during 2016-2018 and the target TRAP gene was amplified.

Reverse Transcription Recombinase-Aided Amplification Assay With Lateral Flow Dipstick Assay for Rapid Detection of 2019 Novel Coronavirus.

Background: The emerging Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) has challenged the public health globally. With the increasing requirement of detection for SARS-CoV-2 outside of the laboratory setting, a rapid and precise Point of Care Test (POCT) is urgently needed.

Methods: Targeting the nucleocapsid (N) gene of SARS-CoV-2, specific primers, and probes for reverse transcription recombinase-aided amplification coupled with lateral flow dipstick (RT-RAA/LFD) platform were designed.

Seeking Medical Assistance for Dysphonia Is Associated with an Improved Survival Rate in Laryngeal Cancer: Real-World Evidence.

(1) Background: Patients with laryngeal cancer usually present with dysphonia. However, some studies reported that the duration from dysphonia to cancer diagnosis has been prolonged significantly in recent years. This study aimed to evaluate that in the initial dysphonia-related diagnosis and the interval between the diagnosis of laryngeal cancer may affect the overall survival (OS).

Speech Performance after Anterolateral Thigh Phonatory Tube Reconstruction for Total Laryngectomy.

Objective: Traditionally, after total laryngopharyngectomy (TLP), patients cannot speak without a prosthesis or an artificial larynx. In Taiwan, most patients use a commercialized pneumatic laryngeal device (PLD). Phonatory tube reconstruction with the anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap is a novel, modified version of synchronous digestive and phonatory reconstruction involving a free muscular cutaneous flap.

Genetic polymorphism of Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea and global comparative analysis.

Background: Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (PfCSP) is a potential malaria vaccine candidate, but various polymorphisms of the pfcsp gene among global P. falciparum population become the major barrier to the effectiveness of vaccines. This study aimed to investigate the genetic polymorphisms and natural selection of pfcsp in Bioko and the comparison among global P.

Manufacturing technology of banana-assorted breads: The fermentative characteristics affected by different banana cultivars.

Taiwan produces large quantities of bananas in the southern area. Recently, due to the export quantity has been greatly reduced, in order to efficiently maintain the banana agriculture and economy, the development of alternate uses of bananas has become urgently in need. Bananas contain a fair amount of nutrients with low glycemic index.

Coronaviruses pandemics: Can neutralizing antibodies help?

For the first time in Homo sapiens history, possibly, most of human activities is stopped by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Nearly eight billion people of this world are facing a great challenge, maybe not "to be or not to be" yet, but unpredictable. What happens to other major pandemics in the past, and how human beings went through these hurdles? The human body is equipped with the immune system that can recognize, respond and fight against pathogens such as viruses.

Trends in Molecular Markers Associated with Resistance to Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine (SP) Among Isolates on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea: 2011-2017.

Purpose: Antimalarial drug resistance is one of the major challenges in global efforts to control and eliminate malaria. In 2006, sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) replaced with artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea, in response to increasing SP resistance, which is associated with mutations in the dihydrofolate reductase () and dihydropteroate synthase () genes.

Patients And Methods: To evaluate the trend of molecular markers associated with SP resistance on Bioko Island from 2011 to 2017, 179 samples collected during active case detection were analysed by PCR and DNA sequencing.