Upregulation of bone morphogenetic protein 1 is associated with poor prognosis of late-stage gastric Cancer patients.

Background: Gastric cancer is the eighth most common cancer in Taiwan, with a 40% 5-year survival rate. Approximately 40% of patients are refractory to chemotherapy. Currently, the anti-HER2 therapy is the only clinically employed targeted therapy.

Extracts of black garlic exhibits gastrointestinal motility effect.

In this studied, extracts of black garlic on the improvement of gastrointestinal function, antioxidant activity, total polyphenols, total flavonoids and total polysaccharides were evaluated. Results showed that the black garlic n-butanol fraction extract (BA) had significantly increased effect within small intestine in vitro, while the ethyl acetate fractions had no significant effect on small intestine in vitro. Increase of 5-HT content effectively stimulated the gastrointestinal peristalsis, which enhanced its gastrointestinal tract emptying, and promoted defecation.

Molecular Re Cages: Structural and Luminescent Properties.

Versatile building block [{Re(CO) } (C N S )] (1 a; C N S =cyanurate trianion) reacts with linear dipyridyl ligands [i.e., pyrazine (pz), 4,4'-bipyridine (bpy), 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene (bpe), bis(4-pyridyl)acetylene (bpa), and 1,4-bis(pyridyl-4-ylethynyl)benzene (bpb)] and a tripyridyl ligand [1,3,5-tris(4-pyridylethynyl)benzene (tpb)] to afford a series of molecular cages [{Re(CO) } (L) (C N S ) ] [L=pz (2), bpy (3), bpe (4), bpa (5), bpb (6)] and [{Re(CO) } (tpb) (C N S ) ] (7) under solvothermal conditions.

The evaluation of trustworthiness to identify health insurance fraud in dentistry.

Objective: According to the investigations of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), health insurance fraud has caused an enormous pecuniary loss in the U.

Hepatoprotective effect of Coreopsis tinctoria flowers against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in mice.

Background: Coreopsis tinctoria is a traditional remedy for the management of various diseases including hepatitis. The hepatoprotective role of the plant is not scientifically explored till now. This study was designed to investigate the hepatoprotective potentials of the ethanol extract from C.

Enhancing the Antioxidant Ability of Trametes versicolor Polysaccharopeptides by an Enzymatic Hydrolysis Process.

Polysaccharopeptides (PSPs) are among the main bioactive constituents of Trametes versicolor (T. versicolor). The purpose of this research was to investigate the antioxidant activities of enzymatic hydrolysates obtained from T.

Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of Ajuga nipponensis extract by ultrasonic-assisted extraction.

Objective: To investigate suitable condition for extraction of the active components from Ajuga nipponensis (A. nipponensis).

Methods: Orthogonal experimental design was used to determine the optimal extraction parameters for ecdysterones and flavonoids.

Single-trial EEG analysis using similarity measure.

Single-trial electroencephalogram (EEG) data are analyzed with similarity measure. Time-frequency representation is constructed from EEG signals. It is then weighted with t-statistics.

Anion- and Solvent-Induced Assembly and Reversible Structural Transformation of d(10)-Metal Coordination Architectures Containing N-(4-(4-Aminophenyloxy)phenyl)isonicotinamide.

We set out studies on anion- and solvent-induced assembly based on the ligand N-(4-(4-aminophenyloxy)phenyl)isonicotinamide (papoa), which is synthesized to show a bent and flexible backbone. Reactions of papoa with ZnX2 (X=Cl, Br, and I) gave the dinuclear macrocycles ([ZnX2 (papoa)]2 ; X=Cl (1 a), Br (2 a), I (3)), the structure of which was determined by X-ray diffraction. Notably, the less bulky Cl and Br compounds afforded the coordinated imine in acetone (i.

Global profiling of histone modifications in the polyomavirus BK virion minichromosome.

During polyomavirus infection, the viral DNA adopts histones from host cells and forms minichromosomes as an important part of the viral life cycle. However, the detailed mechanisms of this histone incorporation remain unclear. Here, we profiled the histone posttranslational modifications (PTMs) in BKPyV minichromosomes and in the chromatin of BKPyV host cells.

Effect of different alkali treatments on the chemical composition, physical properties, and microstructure of pidan white.

Changes in chemical composition, physical property and microstructure of pidan white treated with 4.5 % NaOH or 5.5 % KOH were monitored during pickling up to 4 weeks, and followed by aging for another 2 weeks.

Optimization of ultrasonic-assisted extraction of cordycepin from Cordyceps militaris using orthogonal experimental design.

This study reports on the optimization of the extraction conditions of cordycepin from Cordyceps militaris by using ultrasonication. For this purpose, the orthogonal experimental design was used to investigate the effects of factors on the ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE). Four factors: extraction time (min), ethanol concentration (%), extraction temperature (°C) and extraction frequency (kHz), were studied.

Single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation and solvochromic luminescence of a dinuclear gold(I)-(aza-[18]crown-6)dithiocarbamate compound.

The treatment of [AuCl(SMe2 )] with an equimolar amount of NaO5 NCS2 (O5 NCS2 =(aza-[18]crown-6)dithiocarbamate) in CH3 CN gave [Au2 (O5 NCS2 )2 ]⋅2 CH3 CN (2⋅2 CH3 CN), and its crystal structure displays a dinuclear gold(I)-azacrown ether ring and an intermolecular gold(I)⋅⋅⋅gold(I) contact of 2.8355(3) Å in crystal lattices. It is noted that two other single crystals of 2⋅tert-butylbenzene⋅H2 O and 2⋅0.

Process optimization of microencapsulation of curcumin in γ-polyglutamic acid using response surface methodology.

The aim of this study was to develop an optimal microencapsulation method for an oil-soluble component (curcumin) using γ-PGA. The results show that Span80 significantly enhances the encapsulation efficiency (EE) of γ-Na(+)-PGA microcapsules. Therefore, the effects of γ-Na(+)-PGA, curcumin and Span80 concentration on EE of γ-Na(+)-PGA microcapsules were studied by means of response surface methodology (RSM).

Indium droplet formation in InGaN thin films with single and double heterojunctions prepared by MOCVD.

Indium gallium nitride (InGaN) samples with single heterojunction (SH) and double heterojunction (DH) were prepared using metal-organic chemical vapor deposition. SH has a layer of InGaN thin film (thicknesses, 25, 50, 100, and 200 nm) grown on an uGaN film (thickness, 2 μm). The DH samples are distinguished by DH uGaN film (thickness, 120 nm) grown on the InGaN layer.

Ultrasound-assisted extraction of phenolic compounds from Phyllanthus emblica L. and evaluation of antioxidant activities.

Objective: The objective of this study was to optimize ultrasound-assisted extraction of phenolic compounds from Phyllanthus emblica.

Methods: Extracts obtained by UAE were evaluated for their antioxidant activities. Extraction experiments were carried out with three factors and three levels namely extraction time (varying from 15 to 60 min), ethanol concentration (varying from 50 to 90%) and frequency (varying from 28 to 56 kHz).

Ligand-coupling assembly of Re(I)-thiolate complexes.

By taking advantage of solvothermal reactions of Re2(CO)10 with 2-mercaptobenzothiazol (HNS2) or 2-mercaptobenzoxazol (HNOS), a series of Re(I) complexes (1-4) with in situ ligands were synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction. In this study, we examined the effects of reaction conditions (i.e.

Zn -Dipyridylamide-Based Coordination Frameworks: Structural Transformation and Anion Effect.

We have synthesized a series of 1 D double-zigzag ({[Zn(paps) (H O) ](PF ) }  (1), {[Zn(papo) (H O) ](PF ) }  (3), and {[Zn(papc) (H O) ](PF ) }  (5)) and 2 D polyrotaxane ([Zn(papc) (PF ) ]  (6)) frameworks through the reaction of Zn(PF ) with dipyridylamide ligands (N,N'-bis(pyridylcarbonyl)-4,4'-diaminodiphenyl thioether (paps), N,N'-bis(pyridylcarbonyl)-4,4'-diaminodiphenyl ether (papo), and N,N'-(methylenedi-p-phenylene)bispyridine-4-carboxamide (papc), respectively), and their molecular structures have been determined through X-ray diffraction studies. From the powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) experiments, it is found that on heating, the double-zigzag frameworks 1 and 3 undergo structural transformation to give the respective polyrotaxane frameworks 2 ([Zn(paps) (PF ) ] ) and 4 ([Zn(papo) (PF ) ] ), which matched well with those of their Zn(ClO ) analogues. Furthermore, grinding the solid samples of 2 and 4 in the presence of moisture resulted in total conversion back to the double-zigzag frameworks 1 and 3, respectively.

Fabrication of piezoelectric components for a tunable and efficient device for DNA delivery into mammalian cells.

We fabricated three piezoelectric components (PZT) that can produce ultrasonic waves with various generated power in order to improve the delivery of DNA molecule and polymer/DNA complexes into cells. Two cationic polymers (PEI and PDMAEMA) were interacted with DNA to form nano-scaled DNA/polymer complexes with/without the help of PZT devices. The application of PZT devices under optimal conditions helped to avoid cytotoxicity and greatly increased the transfection (DNA delivery) efficiency of these complexes in mammalian cells.

Polyurethane-based drug delivery systems.

Polyurethanes (PUs) are formed by a reaction between isocyanates and diols to yield polymers with urethane bonds (-NH-COO-) in their main chain. A great variety of building blocks is commercially available that allows the chemical and physical properties of PUs to be tailored to their target applications, particularly for the biomedical and pharmaceutical fields. This article reviews the synthesis and characterization of PUs and PU-copolymers, as well as their in vitro and in vivo biodegradability and biocompatibility.

Defocus blur parameters identification by histogram matching.

A defocus blur identification technique based on histogram analysis of a real edge image is presented. The image defocus process of a camera is formulated by incorporating the nonlinear camera response and the intensity-dependent noise model. The histogram matching between the synthesized and real defocused regions is then carried out with intensity-dependent filtering.

Reversible phase transformation and luminescence of cadmium(II)-dipyridylamide-based coordination frameworks.

We have synthesized a series of 1D double-zigzag ({[Cd(paps)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](ClO(4))(2)}(n) (1), {[Cd(papo)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](ClO(4))(2)}(n) (3), and {[Cd(papc)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](ClO(4))(2)}(n) (5)) and 2D polyrotaxane frameworks ([Cd(papc)(2)(ClO(4))(2)](n) (6)) by the reaction of Cd(ClO(4))(2) with dipyridylamide ligands N,N'-bis(pyridylcarbonyl)-4,4'-diaminodiphenyl thioether (paps), N,N'-bis(pyridylcarbonyl)-4,4'-diaminodiphenyl ether (papo), and N,N'-(methylenedi-p-phenylene)bispyridine-4-carboxamide (papc), respectively, where their molecular structures have been determined by X-ray diffraction studies. Based on the powder X-ray data (PXRD) of compound 3 and its Zn(II) analogue, heating the double-zigzag framework of compound 3 can give the polyrotaxane framework of [Cd(papo)(2)(ClO(4))(2)](n) (4) and grinding this powder sample in the presence of moisture resulted in its complete conversion back into the pure double-zigzag framework. In addition, heating the double-zigzag frameworks of compounds 1 and 5 can induce structural transformation into their respective polyrotaxanes, whereas grinding these solid samples in the presence of moisture did not lead to the formation of the double zigzags.

Effects of pH and temperature on microstructure and morphology of hydroxyapatite/collagen composites synthesized in vitro.

Hydroxyapatite/collagen composites (HAp/Col) were synthesized, in vitro, using the self-organization mechanism, by the co-precipitation of collagen, extracted from pork skin, and aqueous HPO and Ca(OH). The effects of pH and temperature, on the microstructure and morphology of HAp/Col composites, were extensively studied. It was shown that the yield of the composite is closely related to the pH value, during preparation.

Reversible phase transformation and mechanochromic luminescence of Zn(II)-dipyridylamide-based coordination frameworks.

A 1D double-zigzag framework, {[Zn(paps)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](ClO(4))(2)}(n) (1; paps = N,N'-bis(pyridylcarbonyl)-4,4'-diaminodiphenyl thioether), was synthesized by the reaction of Zn(ClO(4))(2) with paps. However, a similar reaction, except that dry solvents were used, led to the formation of a novel 2D polyrotaxane framework, [Zn(paps)(2)(ClO(4))(2)](n) (2). This difference relies on the fact that water coordinates to the Zn(II) ion in 1, but ClO(4)(-) ion coordination is found in 2.

Suppression of surface recombination in surface plasmon coupling with an InGaN/GaN multiple quantum well sample.

Temperature-dependent picosecond non-degenerate four-wave-mixing experiments were performed to explore the carrier dynamics in an InGaN/GaN multiple quantum well sample, in which light emission enhancement with surface plasmon (SP) coupling has been identified. In the time-resolved photoluminescence results, we can identify the faster carrier decay time of the sample with surface plasmon coupling. The faster decay time is due to this sample's ability to create additional channels for effective carrier recombination.