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Sodium citrate (SC) is sensitive to violet light illumination (VLI) and acts as a weak reductant. Conversely, gold (III) chloride trihydrate (GC) often acts as an oxidant in a redox reaction. In this study, the influences of colored light on the production of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in a mixture of gold (III) ions and citrate via VLI and the antibacterial photodynamic inactivation (aPDI) of Escherichia coli (E. coli) are determined under alkaline conditions. The diameter of AuNPs is within the range of 3–15 nm, i.e., their mean diameter is 9 nm; when citrate is mixed with gold (III) ions under VLI, AuNPs are formed via an electron transfer process. Additionally, GC mixed with SC (GCSC) inhibits E. coli more effectively under VLI than it does under blue, green, or red light. GCSC and SC are shown to inhibit E. coli populations by 4.67 and 1.12 logs, respectively, via VLI at 10 W/m2 for 60 min under alkaline conditions. GCSC-treated E. coli has a more significant photolytic effect on anionic superoxide radical (O2•−) formation under VLI, as more O2•− is formed within E. coli if the GCSC-treated samples are subjected to VLI. The O2•− exhibits a greater effect in a solution of GCSC than that shown by SC alone under VLI treatment. Gold (III) ions in a GCSC system appear to act as an oxidant by facilitating the electron transfer from citrate under VLI and the formation of AuNPs and O2•− via GCSC photolysis under alkaline conditions. As such, the photolysis of GCSC under VLI is a useful process that can be applied to aPDI.

The purpose of the milr package is to analyze multiple-instance data. Ordinary multipleinstance data consists of many independent bags, and each bag is composed of several instances. The statuses of bags and instances are binary. Moreover, the statuses of instances are not observed, whereas the statuses of bags are observed. The functions in this package are applicable for analyzing multiple-instance data, simulating data via logistic regression, and selecting important covariates in the regression model. To this end, maximum likelihood estimation with an expectation-maximization algorithm is implemented for model estimation, and a lasso penalty added to the likelihood function is applied for variable selection. Additionally, an "milr" object is applicable to generic functions fitted, predict and summary. Simulated data and a real example are given to demonstrate the features of this package. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a commercially available fluorescent dye, Lissamine rhodamine B sulfonyl hydrazine (LRSH), was designed to specifically stain the glycoproteins in polyacrylamide gels. Through the periodate/Schiff base mechanism, the fluorescent dye readily attaches to glycoproteins and the fluorescence can be simultaneously observed under either 305nm or 532nm excitation therefore, the dye-stained glycoproteins can be detected under a regular UV transilluminator or a more elegant laser-based gel scanner. The specificity and detection limit were examined using a standard protein mixture in polyacrylamide gels in this study. The application of this glycoprotein stain dye was further demonstrated using pregnancy urine samples. The fluorescent spots were further digested in gel and their identities confirmed through LC-MS/MS analysis and database searching. In addition, the Nglycosylation sites of LRSH-labeled uromodulin were readilymapped via in-gel PNGaseF deglycosylation and LC-MS/MS analysis, which indicated that this fluorescent dye labeling does not interfere with enzymatic deglycosylation. Hence, the application of this simple and specific dual-wavelength excitable dye staining in current glycoproteome research is promising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Formaldehyde can be added illegally as a food preservative in addition to the endogenous formaldehyde that naturally occurs in aquatic products. In this study, formaldehyde was derivatized from 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine and analyzed using gas chromatography--mass spectrometry to investigate free and reversibly bound formaldehyde in 10 squid and squid products. The results were compared to those obtained by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The limit of detection was 2.0 mg/kg. The total concentrations of free and reversibly bound formaldehyde were, on average, higher than the free formaldehyde concentration by 26.6 mg/kg. Free formaldehyde made up, on average, 39% of total free and reversibly bound formaldehyde. The sum of the concentrations of free and reversibly bound formaldehyde was, on average, higher than the free formaldehyde concentration by 19.3 mg/ kg in the HPLC method. Free formaldehyde made up an average of 39% of total free and reversibly bound formaldehyde in the HPLC method. The use of gas chromatography--mass spectrometry to detect formaldehyde in aquatic products allowed confirmation through retention time and molecular mass information. The monitoring of free formaldehyde in aquatic products and proper control of the manufacturing process could help to reduce the formaldehyde level in shredded squid products. Finally, exposure to formaldehyde from consumption of shredded squid was estimated: it was less than 0.2 mg/kg, which is the oral reference dose suggested by the US Environmental Protection Agency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Candies, chewing gums, dried fruits, jellies, chocolate, and shredded squid pieces imported from 17 countries were surveyed for their aluminum content. The samples were bought from candy shops, supermarkets, and convenience stores, and through online shopping. Sample selection focused on imported candies and snacks. A total of 67 samples, including five chewing gums, seven dried fruits, 13 chocolates, two jellies, two dried squid pieces, and 38 candies, were analyzed. The content of aluminum was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES). The limit of quantitation for aluminum was 1.53 mg/kg. The content of aluminum ranged from not detected (ND) to 828.9 mg/kg. The mean concentrations of aluminum in chewing gums, dried fruits, chocolate, jellies, dried squid pieces, and candies were 36.62 mg/kg, 300.06 mg/kg, 9.1 mg/kg, 2.3 mg/kg, 7.8 mg/kg, and 24.26 mg/kg, respectively. Some samples had relatively high aluminum content. The highest aluminum content of 828.9 mg/kg was found in dried papaya threads imported from Thailand. Candies imported from Thailand and Vietnam had aluminum contents of 265.7 mg/kg and 333.1 mg/kg, respectively. Exposure risk assessment based on data from the Taiwan National Food Consumption Database was employed to calculate the percent provisional tolerable weekly intake (%PTWI). The percent provisional tolerable weekly intake of aluminum for adults (19-50 years) and children (3-6 years) based on the consumption rate of the total population showed that candies and snacks did not contribute greatly to aluminum exposure. By contrast, in the exposure assessment based on the consumers-only consumption rate, the estimated values of weekly exposure to aluminum from dried papaya threads in adults (19-50 years) and children (3-6 years) were 4.18 mg/kg body weight (bw)/wk and 7.93 mg/kg bw/wk, respectively, for 50th percentile consumers, and 6.26 mg/kg bw/wk and 12.88 mg/kg bw/wk, respectively, for 95th percentile consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Data comparing the efficacy and safety of combination therapy with peginterferon plus low-dose ribavirin and peginterferon monotherapy in treatmentnaive haemodialysis patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 2 (HCV-2) infection are limited. Design In this randomised trial, 172 patients received 24 weeks of peginterferon alfa-2a 135 µg/week plus ribavirin 200 mg/day (n=86) or peginterferon alfa-2a 135 µg/week (n=86). The efficacy and safety endpoints were sustained virological response (SVR) rate and adverse event (AE)-related withdrawal rate. Results Compared with monotherapy, combination therapy had a greater SVR rate (74% vs 44%, relative risk (RR): 1.68 [95% CI 1.29 to 2.20]; p<0.001). The beneficial effect of combination therapy was more pronounced in patients with baseline viral load >800 000 IU/mL than those with baseline viral load <800 000 IU/mL (RR: 3.08 [95% CI 1.80 to 5.29] vs RR: 1.11 [95% CI 0.83 to 1.45]; interaction p=0.001). Patients receiving combination therapy were more likely to have a haemoglobin level of <8.5 g/dL (70% vs 8%, risk difference (RD): 62% [95% CI 50% to 73%]; p<0.001) and required a higher dosage [mean: 13 417vs 6667 IU/week, p=0.027] of epoetin ß to manage anaemia than those receiving monotherapy. The AE-related withdrawal rates were 6% and 3% in combination therapy and monotherapy groups, respectively (RD: 2% [95% CI - 4% to 9%]). Conclusions In treatment-naive haemodialysis patients with HCV-2 infection, combination therapy with peginterferon plus low-dose ribavirin achieved a greater SVR rate than peginterferon monotherapy. Most haemodialysis patients can tolerate combination therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper traces the transformation of Hou Hsiao-Hsien's creative approach through an investigation of the intimate relationship between Hou's films and the development of Taiwanese film history by placing Hou's films into the interlacing framework of the politics, economy, society and aesthetics of Taiwan. The paper approaches the films with regard to genre and author theory, the studio system, influence from predecessors, Taiwanese laws and regulations, censorship system, film festival and film awards, box office and critical reviews. The paper is structured chronologically, starting with an examination of Hou's earlier films and experiences to provide a glimpse into Hou's early approach which has often been overlooked. Later, the paper clarifies Hou's role in and overall relation to Taiwan's New Cinema. The paper describes how Hou successfully drew together two different forces in New Cinema, creating a pattern where directors actively participated in each other's projects. These new culturally and socially conscious films, including Hou's Sandwich Man, were rich in artistry, and quickly gained support from the newly risen middle class during the later period of martial law. Through a discussion of Hou's The Boys from Fengkuei, A Summer at Grandpa's, A Time to Live, A Time to Die and Dust in the Wind, this paper depicts New Cinema undergoing setbacks at the box-office and confrontations with local media, which resulted in the issuance of a manifesto in 1987. While considering the significance of the renowned Taiwan Trilogy (A City of Sadness, The Puppetmaster and Good Men, Good Women) the importance of A City of Sadness, which had an enormous impact on Taiwanese politics, society, culture and economy, is emphasized. Finally the discussion focuses on Hou's later films Goodbye South, Goodbye, Flowers of Shanghai and Millennium Mambo where Hou displayed an entirely different interest in shaping space and time in his narrative. In the process of this discussion, Hou's interaction with the Taiwan social environment is repositioned in a review of his path as a commercial film director to auteur, from a concern with society to his involvement in politics. Hou's work is seen as a historical milestone in the development of Taiwanese film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatitis C virus genotype 2 (HCV-2) slow responders poorly respond to 24 weeks of peginterferon (Peg-IFN) plus ribavirin (RBV). We evaluated the efficacy of extended 48-week regimen and the role of interleukin-28B (IL-28B) genotype in this clinical setting. Treatment-naïve HCV-2 patients not achieving rapid virologic response (RVR) by Peg-IFN alfa-2a 180 μg/week plus weight-based RBV (1,000-1,200 mg/day, cutoff body weight of 75 kg) were randomly assigned to receive a total duration of 48 (n = 94) or 24 (n = 93) weeks of therapy. The primary endpoint was sustained virologic response (SVR). Baseline patient characteristics to predict SVR were analyzed. Patients receiving 48 weeks of treatment had a greater SVR rate than those receiving 24 weeks of treatment (70.2% versus 46.2%, P = 0.001). Compared to patients treated for 24 weeks, the SVR rate in those treated for 48 weeks increased by 10.9% [95% CI: −5.9% to 27.7%] and 65.6% [95% CI: 44.5% to 86.7%] if they had IL-28B rs8099917 TT genotype, and GT/GG genotype, respectively (interaction P = 0.002). In conclusion, 48-week treatment with Peg-IFN plus weight-based RBV provides a greater SVR rate than 24-week treatment in treatment-naïve HCV-2 patients with unfavorable IL-28B genotypes who fail to achieve RVR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a commercially available fluorescent dye, Lissamine rhodamine B sulfonyl hydrazine (LRSH), was designed to specifically stain the glycoproteins in polyacrylamide gels. Through the periodate/Schiff base mechanism, the fluorescent dye readily attaches to glycoproteins and the fluorescence can be simultaneously observed under either 305 nm or 532 nm excitation therefore, the dye-stained glycoproteins can be detected under a regular UV transilluminator or a more elegant laser-based gel scanner. The specificity and detection limit were examined using a standard protein mixture in polyacrylamide gels in this study. The application of this glycoprotein stain dye was further demonstrated using pregnancy urine samples. The fluorescent spots were further digested in gel and their identities confirmed through LC-MS/MS analysis and database searching. In addition, the N-glycosylation sites of LRSH-labeled uromodulin were readily mapped via in-gel PNGaseF deglycosylation and LC-MS/MS analysis, which indicated that this fluorescent dye labeling does not interfere with enzymatic deglycosylation. Hence, the application of this simple and specific dual-wavelength excitable dye staining in current glycoproteome research is promising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]