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Matriptase plays important roles in epithelial integrity and function, which depend on its sorting to the basolateral surface of cells, where matriptase zymogen is converted to an active enzyme in order to act on its substrates. After activation, matriptase undergoes HAI-1-mediated inhibition, internalization, transcytosis, and secretion from the apical surface into the lumen. Matriptase is a mosaic protein with several distinct protein domains and motifs, which are a reflection of matriptase's complex cellular itinerary, life cycle, and the tight control of its enzymatic activity. While the molecular determinants for various matriptase regulatory events have been identified, the motif(s) required for translocation of human matriptase to the basolateral plasma membrane is unknown. The motif previously identified in rat matriptase is not conserved between the rodent and the primate. We, here, revisit the question for human matriptase through the use of a fusion protein containing a green fluorescent protein linked to the matriptase N-terminal fragment ending at Gly-149. A conserved seven amino acid motif EEGEVFL, which is similar to the monoleucine C-terminal to an acidic cluster motif involved in the basolateral targeting for some growth factors, has been shown to be required for matriptase translocation to the basolateral plasma membrane of polarized MDCK cells. Furthermore, time-lapse video microscopy showed that the motif appears to be required for entry into the correct transport vesicles, by which matriptase can undergo rapid trafficking and translocate to the plasma membrane. Our study reveals that the EEGEVFL motif is necessary, but may not be sufficient, for matriptase basolateral membrane targeting and serves as the basis for further research on its pathophysiological roles.

Background: Studies have demonstrated that high-speed jaw-opening exercises are effective in improving swallowing function. However, there has been no objective tool available for monitoring jaw-opening pace. This study aimed to develop an objective tool for monitoring and validating jaw-opening pace and compare it between young and old ages from different age groups. Materials and methods: A load cell plug-in jaw pad connected to an automatic recording and analysis system was used to record jaw-opening motions for offline analysis. We recruited 58 healthy volunteers from different age groups (20–39 y/o; 40-59y/o; 60-79y/o). During a 2-min recording session, each participant was instructed to fully open and close their jaw as quickly as possible while wearing a sensor. Bland-Altman plot, paired t-test and Pearson's correlation test were used to compare the number of jaw-opening motions between manual counting and automatic software analysis. The number of jaw-opening motions during the 2-min recording was compared between the three age groups. Results: Automated analysis of jaw-opening pace was efficient and equally comparable with the traditional manual counting method across the three age groups. A declining trend in jaw-opening pace among the old age group was found but with no statistically significant difference. Conclusion: A jaw-opening motion monitoring tool with reliable automatic pace analysis software was validated in young and old ages The jaw-opening pace demonstrated a tendency to decline with age.

Purpose: Podcasting is a new mobile technology application for language learning. Drawing upon the stimulus-organism-response model and the interest driven creator (IDC) theory from e-learning, this study aims to develop and test an integrative conceptual framework. This study investigates contextual and environmental stimuli effects (content richness [CR], self-directed learning [SDL] and situational interest [SI]) from a podcast English learning context on learners' experience states (cognitive absorption [CA], pleasure [PL] and arousal [AR]) and their subsequent responses (continuance learning intention [CLI]). Design/methodology/approach: Using 416 valid responses from five universities located in North Taiwan, data analysis is performed using a structural equation model. Findings: The results show that most of the interest factor stimuli (CR, SDL and SI) have significant impacts on learners' experiences (CA, PL and AR), which in turn affect their CLI. Practical implications: The findings provide useful insights for English show podcasters and operators to invest in establishing learners' interest factor and stimulating experiences to improve their CLI. Originality/value: This paper contributes to a better understanding of students who use contextual factors of podcast English learning and how these factors influence their CLI via a framework of stimulus-organism-response and the IDC theory.

Unlike naturally occurring oxide crystals such as ruby and gemstones, there are no naturally occurring nitride crystals because the triple bond of the nitrogen molecule is one of the strongest bonds in nature. Here, we report that when the transition metal scandium is subjected to molecular nitrogen, it self-catalyzes to break the nitrogen triple bond to form highly crystalline layers of ScN, a semiconductor. This reaction proceeds even at room temperature. Self-activated ScN films have a twin cubic crystal structure, atomic layering, and electronic and optical properties comparable to plasma-based methods. We extend our research to showcase Sc’s scavenging effect and demonstrate self-activated ScN growth under various growth conditions and on technologically significant substrates, such as 6H–SiC, AlN, and GaN. Ab initio calculations elucidate an energetically efficient pathway for the self-activated growth of crystalline ScN films from molecular N2. The findings open a new pathway to ultralow-energy synthesis of crystalline nitride semiconductor layers and beyond.

ABSTRACT: Coccidiosis, caused by a protozoan parasite of the genus Eimeria, is one of the most severe contagious parasite diseases affecting the poultry industry worldwide. Using phytogenics to prevent chicken coccidiosis is a strategy aimed at combating the increasing issue of drug-resistant strains of Eimeria spp. This study demonstrates the anticoccidial activities of a medicinal herb, Trifolium pratense (TP) powder, and its ethanolic extract (designated TPE) against Eimeria spp. TPE exhibited significant suppressive activity against E. maxima oocyst sporulation and E. tenella sporozoite invasion and reproduction in Madin-Darby bovine kidney cells. Furthermore, administration of basal chicken diets containing TP powder or TPE to Eimeria-infected chickens significantly reduced the output of oocysts and severity of intestinal lesions. Dietary supplementation with TP significantly improved relative weight gain in E. tenella- and E. acervulina-infected chickens, while there was no significant improvement in E. maxima-infected chickens. The anticoccidial activities of TP and TPE on E. acervulina, E. tenella and E. maxima were further supported by anticoccidial index scores, which showed greater efficacy than those of amprolium, a commercial coccidiostat used in poultry. TP supplementation positively impacted the primary metabolism of chickens challenged with E. tenella or E. acervulina. The chemical fingerprints of TPE were established using liquid column chromatography; TPE contained 4 major compounds: ononin, sissotrin, formononetin, and biochanin A. In addition, various spectrometric methods were used to ensure the batch-to-batch consistency of TP/TPE. In conclusion, T. pratense is demonstrated to be a novel phytogenic supplement that can be used to control Eimeria-induced coccidiosis in chickens.

BackgroundUnderstanding the interplay between psychopathology of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) in alcohol use disorder (AUD) patients may improve the effectiveness of relapse interventions for AUD. Network theory of mental disorders assumes that mental disorders persist not of a common functional disorder, but from a sustained feedback loop between symptoms, thereby explaining the persistence of AWS and the high relapse rate of AUD. The current study aims to establish a network of AWS, identify its core symptoms and find the bridges between the symptoms which are intervention target to relieve the AWS and break the self-maintaining cycle of AUD.MethodsGraphical lasso network were constructed using psychological symptoms of 553 AUD patients. Global network structure, centrality indices, cluster coefficient, and bridge symptom were used to identify the core symptoms of the AWS network and the transmission pathways between different symptom clusters.ResultsThe results revealed that: (1) AWS constitutes a stable symptom network with a stability coefficient (CS) of 0.21-0.75. (2) Anger (Strength = 1.52) and hostility (Strength = 0.84) emerged as the core symptom in the AWS network with the highest centrality and low clustering coefficient. (3) Hostility mediates aggression and anxiety; anger mediates aggression and impulsivity in AWS network respectively.ConclusionsAnger and hostility may be considered the best intervention targets for researching and treating AWS. Hostility and anxiety, anger and impulsiveness are independent but related dimensions, suggesting that different neurobiological bases may be involved in withdrawal symptoms, which play a similar role in withdrawal syndrome.

BackgroundRural-to-urban migrant workers are a vulnerable group at risk of developing depression. Based on the social-ecological systems theory, this study investigates the impact of the lack of social integration on depression, considering the mediating roles of migrant workers’ microsystems (family happiness and job burnout). Additionally, the study explores whether having sons influences these associations.MethodsThe sample of 4,618 rural-to-urban migrant workers was obtained from the 2018 wave of the China Labor Force Dynamics Survey (CLDS). All the measures in the survey exhibited good reliability, including the Center for Epidemiological Research Depression Scale (CES-D), family happiness, job burnout, and social integration. The data were primarily analyzed using a structural equation model.ResultsSocial integration had a direct impact on depression among migrant workers. Additionally, it indirectly affected depression through the mediating roles of family happiness not job burnout. The moderating effect of having sons mainly occurred on the path from social integration to family happiness.LimitationsThe cross-sectional design impeded the ability to draw causal inferences.ConclusionThis finding highlights the potential benefits of social integration and family happiness in promoting early prevention of depression among migrant workers. It indicates that the inclination toward having sons among migrant workers continues to impact their mental health.

IntroductionPatients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) often experience repeated withdrawal. Impulsivity is the most relevant factor influencing successful withdrawal. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BNDF) and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) are associated with impulsivity. Previous studies on the differential effects of BDNF or FGF21 on impulsivity have focused on single-gene effects and have inconsistent results. We aim to investigate the effects of BDNF rs6265 and FGF21 rs11665896, individually and together, on impulsivity during alcohol withdrawal in patients with AUD.MethodsWe recruited 482 adult Han Chinese males with AUD and assessed their impulsivity using the Barratt Impulsivity Scale. Genomic DNA was extracted and genotyped from peripheral blood samples. Statistical analysis was conducted on the data.ResultsThe T-test and 2 × 2 analysis of variance were used to investigate the effects of the genes on impulsivity. There was a significant BDNF × FGF21 interaction on no-planning impulsiveness (F = 9.15, p = 0.003, η2p = 0.03). Simple main effects analyses and planned comparisons showed that BDNF rs6265 A allele × FGF21 rs11665896 T allele was associated with higher no-planning impulsiveness. Finally, hierarchical regression analyses revealed that only the interaction of BDNF and FGF21 accounted for a significant portion of the variance in no-planning impulsiveness.Conclusion and significanceThe combination of BDNF rs6265 A allele and FGF21 rs11665896 T allele may increase impulsivity and discourage alcohol withdrawal. Our study provides a possible genetic explanation for the effects of associated impulsivity in patients with AUD from the perspective of gene-gene interactions.

Delays occur commonly for construction projects. How to control projects before delays are desired by project managers. The Earned schedule method (ESM), a derivative of the earned value management method, forecasts project durations effectively regarding time and cost perspectives, that provides new performance measures for better project control. This study proposes an enhanced approach, ESmin+ method that is designed to solve the incapability of two existing earned schedule methods, to instantly identify schedule delays when the delayed activity is on a non-critical path. To validate the capability of the proposed approach, this study examines the factors that affect the accuracy of duration forecasting, including performance factors, project seriality, and project delay conditions. The enhanced ESM-based approach yields more precise project duration forecasts, particularly in situations where delays occur. By implementing the proposed working procedure, project managers and schedulers can expect superior outcomes in schedule management, ultimately leading to more successful construction projects

Abstract Background Difficulties in emotion regulation (DER) are widely considered to underlie anxiety and depression. Given the prevalence of anxiety and depression in adolescents and the fact that adolescence is a key period for the development of emotion regulation ability, it is important to examine how DER is related to anxiety and depression in adolescents in clinical settings. Methods In the present study, we assessed 209 adolescents in clinical settings using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and examined the associations between six components of DER and 14 symptoms of anxiety and depression. We used network analysis, constructed circular and multidimensional scaling (MDS) networks, and calculated network centrality, bridge centrality, and stability of centrality indices. Results The results showed that: (1) The global centrality index shows that the Strategy component (i.e., lack of access to strategies) is the center in the whole network, ranking highest in strength, closeness, betweenness, and expected influence. (2) The MDS network showed a closeness of anxiety and depression symptoms, while Awareness component (i.e., lack of emotional awareness) stayed away from other DER components, but Awareness is close to some depression symptoms. (3) The bridge nodes of three groups, Strategy from DERS, Worry and Relax from anxiety symptoms, and Cheerful and Slow from depression symptoms, had the strongest relationships with the other groups. Conclusion Lack of access to strategies remains in the center not only in DER but also in the DER-anxiety-depression network, while lack of awareness is close to depression but not to anxiety. Worrying thoughts and inability to relax are the bridging symptoms for anxiety, while lack of cheerful emotions and slowing down are the bridging symptoms for depression. These findings suggest that making emotion regulation strategies more accessible to patients and reducing these bridging symptoms may yield the greatest rewards for anxiety and depression therapy.

Microsporidiosis, which is caused by the pathogen Vairimorpha ceranae, is a prevalent disease in the honey bee (Apis mellifera) and might lead to significant adult honey bee mortality. In this study, we conducted an annual survey of the mature spore load of V. ceranae in the guts of nurse bees and forager bees in the apiary of National Chung Hsing University (NCHU) in Taiwan. The results indicated that, on average, honey bees hosted approximately 2.13 × 106 mature spore counts (MSCs)/bee in their guts throughout the entire year. The highest number of MSCs was 6.28 × 106 MSCs/bee, which occurred in April 2020, and the lowest number of MSCs was 5.08 × 105 MSCs/bee, which occurred in November 2020. Furthermore, the guts of forager bees had significantly higher (>58%) MSCs than those of nurse bees. To evaluate the potential of the probiotic to treat microsporidiosis, the lactic acid bacterium Leuconostoc mesenteroides TBE-8 was applied to honey bee colonies. A significant reduction (>53%) in MSCs following probiotic treatment was observed, indicating the potential of probiotic treatment for managing microsporidiosis. This research provided information on V. ceranae MSCs in the honey bee gut at NCHU in Taiwan and the MSCs’ correlation with the annual season. Furthermore, a potential probiotic treatment for microsporidiosis was assessed for future management.

Based on the idea of adiabatic symmetry, we present a novel basis set expansion method—the kinetic energy partition (KEP) method—for solving quantum eigenvalue problems. Broken symmetry is responsible for quantum entanglement in many-body systems via parametric non-adiabatic corrections. Starting from simple one-particle-in-one-dimension problems, we gradually increase the complexity in the number of particles and the interaction patterns. Our goal in the mini-review is to advocate for the utility of the KEP method in front-line research, in particular for research beginners in quantum many-body problems.

This study investigated the shielding effectiveness (SE) of glass materials with conductive coatings by establishing a 3000 × 3000 × 3000 mm electromagnetic pulse (EMP)—shielded room according to the EMP shielding requirements in the US military standard MIL-STD-188-125-1. The EMP SE of conductive-coated glass samples was measured and verified with the broadband EMP conditions of 10 kHz∼1 GHz. The conductive thin film coating on the glass was made by mixing conductive materials, including In2O3, SnO2, Ta2O5, NbO, SiO2, TiO2, and Al2O3, at different ratios. The mixed solutions were then coated onto the glass targets to facilitate conductive continuity between the conductive oxides and the shielding metal structure. The glass samples had dimensions of 1000 × 600 mm, which had electrolytic conductivity σ = 4.0064 × 103∼4.7438 × 103 (S/cm), 74∼77% transmittance, and 6.4∼6.8 Ω/□ film resistance. The experimental results indicated that the glass had SE of 35∼40 dB under 1 GHz EMP, satisfying the US National Coordinating Center for Communications’ Level 3 shielding protection requirement of at least 30 dB. The glass attenuated energy density by more than 1000 times, which is equivalent to shielding over 97% of EMP energy. Accordingly, the glass materials can be used as high-transmittance conductive glass for windows of automobiles, vessels, and aircrafts to protect from EMPs.

The vortex system on the SACCON model is studied under low Reynolds number by using the flow visualization technique and the surface pressure testing measurement in a low-speed water channel and a wind tunnel, respectively. A main topic is discussed below. The blunt leading-edge section on this SACCON model induces various flow phenomena under different angles of attack. The attached flow appearing around the upstream leading-edge region at a low angle of attack induces different flow phenomena downstream, so does the branched vortices appearing near the trailing-edge. Although this attached flow is vanished at higher angle of attack, the stability of forming an outboard vortex can be shown in the results of pressure coefficients as a function of an angle of attack. Moreover, how the blunt leading-edge contour on SACCON model and other models affecting flow field can be compared with the findings given in the previous studies. The models with only blunt leading-edge contour can prompt an outboard vortex and an inner vortex, compared to the flow fields on the models with spanwise-varying leading-edge contours. This inner vortex is formed due to the attached flow inboard passing downstream and being affected by the outboard vortex. However, this attached flow is different from the attached flow observed on SACCON model. Therefore, flow phenomena occurring on different blunt leading-edge models can be differentiated.

BackgroundAcupuncture or electroacupuncture (EA) appears to be a potential treatment in acute clinical traumatic brain injury (TBI); however, it remains uncertain whether acupuncture affects post-TBI histone deacetylase (HDAC) expression or impacts other biochemical/neurobiological events.Materials and methodsWe used behavioral testing, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry analysis to evaluate the cellular and molecular effects of EA at LI4 and LI11 in both weight drop-impact acceleration (WD)- and controlled cortical impact (CCI)-induced TBI models.ResultsBoth WD- and CCI-induced TBI caused behavioral dysfunction, increased cortical levels of HDAC1 and HDAC3 isoforms, activated microglia and astrocytes, and decreased cortical levels of BDNF as well as its downstream mediators phosphorylated-Akt and phosphorylated-GSK-3β. Application of EA reversed motor, sensorimotor, and learning/memory deficits. EA also restored overexpression of HDAC1 and HDAC3, and recovered downregulation of BDNF-associated signaling in the cortex of TBI mice.ConclusionThe results strongly suggest that acupuncture has multiple benefits against TBI-associated adverse behavioral and biochemical effects and that the underlying mechanisms are likely mediated by targeting HDAC overexpression and aberrant BDNF-associated Akt/GSK-3 signaling.

Abstract Background Nasal colonization of Staphylococcus aureus is a risk factor for the pathogen transmission and the development of infections. Limited information is available on the prevalence and molecular characteristics of S. aureus colonization in pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Methods A cross-sectional, island-wide study was conducted in 2011. Nasal swabs were collected from pediatric ICU patients at six tertiary hospitals in Taiwan. Results Of 114 patients enrolled in total, nasal colonization of S. arueus was detected in 30 (26.3%) of them, among whom 20 (17.5%) with methicillin-resistant S. arueus (MRSA). The ST59/SCCmec IV and V clones were most common and accounted for 45% of MRSA isolates, followed by ST239/SCCmec III (25%) and ST45/SCCmec IV (20%) clones. Three ST59 MRSA isolates carried the Panton-Valentine Leukocidin genes. Conclusions The results indicated a high prevalence of S. arueus and MRSA nasal colonization among pediatric ICU patients in Taiwan. Identification of epidemic clones warrants the implement of infection control measures to reduce colonization and prevent the dissemination of MRSA in hospitals.

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to develop and validate a new diabetes distress scale suitable for Chinese and Taiwanese culture.MethodsThis study collected the current diabetes distress measurement tools, re-organized current definitions about the domains of diabetes distress, and then developed a new tool. Three hundred and ninety-five participants from four hospitals in northern Taiwan were recruited by cluster randomized sampling for validity test.ResultsWe found the new diabetes distress scale had appropriate reliability and validity, including an acceptable model fit for the 12-item scale.ConclusionsThis new diabetes distress scale might be more directly related to emotional distress issues blood glucose control, improve the clinical conspicuity of diabetes distress, and even benefit the overall care of diabetic patients in Taiwan. Further studies about the validity and reliability of this new tool in a nationwide setting are needed.

Objectives Early diagnosis and intervention are keys for improving long-term outcomes of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, existing screening tools have shown insufficient accuracy. Our objective is to predict the risk of ASD in young children between 18 months and 30 months based on their medical histories using real-world health claims data.Methods Using the MarketScan Health Claims Database 2005–2016, we identified 12 743 children with ASD and a random sample of 25 833 children without ASD as our study cohort. We developed logistic regression (LR) with least absolute shrinkage and selection operator and random forest (RF) models for predicting ASD diagnosis at ages of 18–30 months, using demographics, medical diagnoses and healthcare service procedures extracted from individual’s medical claims during early years postbirth as predictor variables.Results For predicting ASD diagnosis at age of 24 months, the LR and RF models achieved the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.758 and 0.775, respectively. Prediction accuracy further increased with age. With predictor variables separated by outpatient and inpatient visits, the RF model for prediction at age of 24 months achieved an AUROC of 0.834, with 96.4% specificity and 20.5% positive predictive value at 40% sensitivity, representing a promising improvement over the existing screening tool in practice.Conclusions Our study demonstrates the feasibility of using machine learning models and health claims data to identify children with ASD at a very young age. It is deemed a promising approach for monitoring ASD risk in the general children population and early detection of high-risk children for targeted screening.

Exosomes are effective therapeutic vehicles that may transport their substances across cells. They are shown to possess the capacity to affect cell proliferation, migration, anti-apoptosis, anti-scarring, and angiogenesis, via the action of transporting molecular components. Possessing immense potential in regenerative medicine, exosomes, especially stem cell-derived exosomes, have the advantages of low immunogenicity, minimal invasiveness, and broad clinical applicability. Exosome biodistribution and pharmacokinetics may be altered, in response to recent advancements in technology, for the purpose of treating particular illnesses. Yet, prior to clinical application, it is crucial to ascertain the ideal dose and any potential negative consequences of an exosome. This review focuses on the therapeutic potential of stem cell-derived exosomes and further illustrates the molecular mechanisms that underpin their potential in musculoskeletal regeneration, wound healing, female infertility, cardiac recovery, immunomodulation, neurological disease, and metabolic regulation. In addition, we provide a summary of the currently effective techniques for isolating exosomes, and describe the innovations in biomaterials that improve the efficacy of exosome-based treatments. Overall, this paper provides an updated overview of the biological factors found in stem cell-derived exosomes, as well as potential targets for future cell-free therapeutic applications.