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We synthesized 2-amino-1,3-propanediol-modified boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) in a rapid two-step synthesis, with a total reaction time of 6 hours. The resulting fluorophore's emission was significantly quenched by polar solvents but increased fourfold upon the addition of Hg2+ ions. Notably, this BODIPY fluorophore exhibited high selectivity toward Hg2+ ions over various other metal ions (Li+, Na+, K+, Ca2+ Co2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, Pb2+, Zn2+, Mn3+, Ag+, and Fe3+), with a binding constant of 7.36 × 104 M−1. The binding mechanism was investigated using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy and revealed that 2-amino-1,3-propanediol moieties chelated the Hg2+ ions. These chelated Hg2+ ions could be displaced by hexadentate EDTA molecules. Furthermore, treating BODIPY with an acid restored fluorescence emission, while a base diminished it, and this process was reversible. This rapidly synthesized BODIPY fluorophore holds great potential for Hg2+ ion detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Previously, we demonstrated that IL17RB plays an essential role in lung cancer progression. This study aimed to determine whether IL17RB correlates with oral cancer and promotes oral cancer progression. Subjects and Methods: IL17RB expression in oral cancer tissues and normal tissues was determined by immunohistochemistry staining, while the association of IL17RB expression with the clinicopathological characteristics of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients was analyzed and its correlation with progression‐free survival and response to radiotherapy and chemotherapy in OSCC patients was also explored. Western blotting was performed to investigate the expression of IL17RB in various OSCC cell lines; moreover, transwell assay was performed to evaluate the effect of IL17RB expression on cell migration ability. Results: In this study, we found that IL17RB was expressed higher in OSCC tissues compared to normal oral mucosa tissues and its expression was positively correlated with tumor size, lymph node metastasis, advanced cancer stage, and poor prognosis. In vitro study showed that IL17RB expression in OSCC cell lines as determined by Western blotting, was positively correlated with their migration ability. Conclusion: Clinical and in vitro studies suggest that IL17RB might serve as an independent risk factor and a therapeutic target for oral cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the etiology and ossicular pathology of traumatic ossicular injury in Taiwan and examine the hearing outcomes and predictive factors between the titanium prosthesis and autologous incus groups. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients with traumatic ossicular injury from 2011 to 2020 in Taiwan. Patients were divided into the titanium or autologous group according to the surgical materials used. The audiometric outcomes and predictive factors of ossiculoplasty were analyzed between groups. Results: Twenty patients with ossicular chain discontinuity were enrolled (8 in the titanium group and 12 in the autologous group). The postoperative hearing threshold (26.6 ± 8.9 dB) and air-bone gap (10.3 ± 5.6 dB) improved significantly compared with the preoperative hearing threshold (50.7 ± 13.3 dB) and air-bone gap (29.9 ± 11.0 dB). The improvements in the hearing threshold and air-bone gap were not significantly different between the titanium and autologous groups. Our patients presented an improvement in hearing restoration with 65% closure of the air-bone gap in 0 to 10 dB range and 30% in 11 to 20 dB range, without sensorineural hearing loss during surgery. Univariate regression analysis revealed that vertigo, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, and temporal bone fracture may serve as negative factors influencing the air-bone gap gain. Conclusions: Ossiculoplasty with both titanium prosthesis and autologous materials demonstrated favorable hearing recovery in traumatic ossicular injury. Vertigo, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, and temporal bone fracture may serve as negative predictive factors of the hearing benefit after surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many factors are thought to be associated with the development of cholesteatoma, while the mechanisms of its formation remain unclear. This study aimed to identify the potential mechanisms of the proliferation and growth of cholesteatoma by analysis of the differential expressions of proteins in cholesteatoma and retroauricular skin tissue collected from the same patients. Methods: The present study is a retrospective study performed in an academic medical center. Comparative proteomics analyses using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), in addition to immunohistochemical analysis, were conducted to identify differentially-expressed proteins in cholesteatoma tissue as compared with retroauricular skin tissue. Western blotting was also employed to verify the expression patterns of the specific proteins identified by 2-DE and to measure the changes in potential modulators related to cholesteatoma proliferation and growth. Results: Calreticulin (CRT) and annexin A2 (AnxA2) were identified as being differentially-expressed in cholesteatoma by 2-DE and LC-MS/MS, the results of which were in agreement with the results of immunohistochemical analysis and western blotting. Downregulation of CRT and AnxA2 were observed in cholesteatoma. Conclusion: Our data suggests that CRT and AnxA2 downregulation are seen in cholesteatoma compared to retroauricular skin. We speculate that the reduced expression of CRT and the persistent inflammatory response play important roles in the epithelial proliferation of cholesteatoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most important parameter of piezoelectric materials is piezoelectric coefficient (d33). In this study, the piezoelectric ZnO thin films were deposited on the SiNx/Si substrate. The 4 inches substrate is diced into 8 cm× 8 cm piece. During the deposition process, a zinc target (99.999 wt%) of 2 inches diameter was used. The vertical distance between the target and the substrate holder was fixed at 5 cm. The piezoelectric response of zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films were obtained by using a direct measurement system. The system adopts a mini impact tip to generate an impulsive force and read out the piezoelectric signals immediately. Experimentally, a servo motor is used to produce a fixed quantity of force, for giving an impact against to the piezoelectric film. The ZnO thin films were deposited using the reactive radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering method. The electric charges should be generated because of the material’s extrusion. This phenomenon was investigated through the oscilloscope by one shot trigger. It was apparent that all ZnO films exhibit piezoelectric responses evaluated by our measurement system, however, its exhibit a significant discrepancy. The piezoelectric responses of ZnO thin film at various deposition positions were measured and the crystal structures of the sputtering pressure were also discussed. The crystalline characteristics of ZnO thin films are investigated through the XRD and SEM. The results show the ZnO thin film exhibits good crystalline pattern and surface morphology with controlled sputtering condition. The ZnO thin films sputtered using 2 inches target present various piezoelectric responses. With the exactly related position, a best piezoelectric response of ZnO thin film can be achieved.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) ranks sixth among the most common cancers in the world. Interlukin-8 (CXCL-8), a major role in inflammatory response and tumor microenvironment, correlates with tumor progression, metastasis and invasion. We explored CXCL-8 promotes tumor progression in different differentiation HNSCC cells. This project would apply to development on biomarker and target in HNSCC as well as provide a basis of early diagnosis and treatment for clinical. CXCL-8, NOD1 (nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 1) and receptor-interacting protein kinase (RIPK2) levels were detected statistically higher in patient tissue with HNSCC than in non-cancerous matched tissue (NCMT) in the microarray and qRT-PCR study, whereas NOD2 was weakly expressed. Similar results were obtained for CXCL-8, NOD1, NOD2 and RIP2 from RT-PCR and western blotting. High CXCL-8, NOD1 and RIP2 expressions were found on HNSCC patient tissue than that of NCMT, whereas NOD2 was weakly expressed. The analytical results indicate that CXCL-8 is required in NOD 1-mediated signalling pathways in HNSCC.

Background: Djulis (Chenopodium formosanum Koidz.) is a cereal food and its antioxidant and pigment constituents may protect skin from photoaging, but conclusive experiments have not been carried out. Objective: This investigation evaluates the effects of djulis extract as a functional supplement. Patients/Methods: In this study, the effects of djulis functional drinks on the free radical scavenging activities, promotion of collagen synthesis and protection against oxidative stress and the effects of ultraviolet B (UVB)‐irradiated of pUC119 DNA were explored. Thirty healthy subjects (aged 35–55 years old) were randomly allocated to djulis or placebo drinks groups (50 ml of a djulis/placebo drink daily for 8 weeks for each subject) in a double‐blind crossover study. Results: The regular consumption of the djulis functional drinks significantly increased levels of the serum biochemical superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (+9.5% and +124.8%) after 8 weeks, relative to baseline controls. The improvements in skin moisture, brightness, elasticity, crow's feet, texture, wrinkles, pores, and collagen content after 8 weeks in the djulis group were +13.3%, +3.8%, +13.2%, −21.8%, −12.1%, −11.0%, −1.4%, and +33.7%, respectively, relative to the baseline without treatment. Conclusions: These work findings suggest the daily consumption of djulis drinks can protect the skin against oxidative stress‐induced damage, delay skin aging and improve skin conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Streptococcus thermophilus (TCI633) is a probiotic that has been newly isolated from human breast milk, and it can produce hyaluronic acid (HA) when colonizing the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of rodents and humans. A recent study has the established that TCI633 can alleviate synovial tissue inflammation and has potential to mitigate the progression of osteoarthritis. Objective: TCI633 has not been available for use in skincare and this preliminary clinical study will assess its improvement of the skin. Methods: In this study, DNA protection, Hyaluronidase assay, cell viability, and collagen synthesis on human fibroblasts of TCI633 were assessed. Subjects were enrolled in this clinical study and randomly assigned to the TCI633 or placebo group. Each subject was informed to intake two tablets daily for 8 weeks. Each subject was required to undergo skin condition inspection at weeks 0, 4, and 8 and hematology tests to monitor HA, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase levels, and kidney and liver function at weeks 0 and 8. Results: The effects of TCI633 supplementation, including the promotion of skin cell proliferation, the increase of their collagen content, their protection against DNA damage, and the inhibition of hyaluronidase activities, are investigated. Subjects were recruited for an 8‐week long clinical trial to confirm the efficacy of TCI633 in improving the serum biochemical HA, SOD and catalase levels, and anti‐skin age markers. Conclusions: This work provides an alternative approach to improving health, indicating the potential of TCI633 supplementation to delay the aging of skin and improve its condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Punica granatum (pomegranate) potentially ameliorates skin inflammation and pain, including herpetic stromal keratitis. Fermentation is a biotechnological technique that may naturally induce health benefits by producing antioxidants. However, the anti‐aging effect of fermented pomegranate extracts (FPE) on the skin is still unclear. Aim: This investigation evaluates the effects of fermented pomegranate as a functional supplement (FPE drink, FPE‐D) and a cosmetic ingredient (FPE serum, FPE‐S) in vitro and in vivo. Patients/Methods: The effects of FPE products for anti‐oxidation, anti‐tyrosinase, anti‐inflammation, and anti‐aging were examined. Forty subjects were randomly allocated to FPE‐D or placebo drink groups (50 ml of a FPE‐D /placebo drink daily for 8 weeks for each subject), and another 40 subjects were recruited to FPE‐S or placebo serum groups (about 3 ml of a FPE‐S /placebo serum daily and nightly/daily for 4 weeks for each subject) in a double‐blind study. Results: The effects of FPE products on the DPPH, ABTS+, and NO· free radical scavenging activities, their inhibiting of tyrosinase activity and their enhancement of the skin health of healthy subjects, were investigated. FPE‐D improved the moisture, brightness, elasticity, and collagen density of the skin of most subjects at 8 weeks relative to the baseline without treatment (p < 0.05). After 4 weeks of FPE‐S serum consumption, the moisture, brightness, elasticity, spots, UV spots, and collagen density of skin were slightly better than those at week 0 (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The daily consumption of fermented pomegranate extracts can protect the skin against oxidative stress and slow skin aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Coffee and coffee products are known potentially to reduce levels of oxidative stress biomarkers in humans. Objective: This investigation evaluates the effects of coffee pulp extract as a functional supplement (in coffee pulp drink, CPD) and a cosmetic ingredient (coffee pulp serum, CPS). Patients/Methods: The effects of CPD and CPS for anti‐oxidation and anti‐aging were investigated. Forty subjects were randomly allocated to CPD or placebo drink groups (50 ml of a CPD/placebo drink daily for 8 weeks for each subject), and another 40 subjects were recruited to CPS or placebo serum groups (about 3 ml of a CPS/placebo serum day and night/daily for 4 weeks for each subject) in a double‐blind study. Results: The CPD and CPS (20%) can increase free radical scavenging activities by 93.3% and 85% (p < 0.001) for DPPH, 94.5% and 61.3% (p < 0.01) for ABTS·+, 43.8% and 15.3% (p < 0.05) for NO· than placebo. The inhibition of tyrosinase activity was increased by 91.6% and 51.0% (p < 0.05) after CPD and CPS application. The CPD comprehensively improved the moisture, brightness, elasticity, spotting, texture, and collagen content of skin for most subjects after 8 weeks, relative to the baseline without treatment (p < 0.05). After 4 weeks of CPS serum consumption, the brightness, elasticity, spotting, UV spots, and collagen content of skin were slightly better than those at week 0 (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The daily consumption of coffee pulp extract products can slow the skin aging process and improve skin health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]