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  • 1
    Online Resource
    Online Resource
    Investigating Sources of Marine Litter and Developing Coping Strategies in Scuba Diving Spots in Taiwan
    MDPI AG ; 2022
    In:  Sustainability Vol. 14, No. 9 ( 2022-05-09), p. 5726-
    Details
    In: Sustainability, MDPI AG, Vol. 14, No. 9 ( 2022-05-09), p. 5726-
    Abstract: Marine debris and floating marine debris issues have recently become a matter of great concern. The present study selected Kenting National Park and Northeast Cape and Yilan Coast National Scenic Area as the survey areas, where most of the popular scuba diving spots in Taiwan are located, to identify the volume, types, and sources of marine litter. The findings could be regarded as the foundation for future study and the suggestions for managerial strategies. The visual and line transect methods were used to conduct fourteen investigations of marine litter in four scuba diving spots from June 2020 to November 2020. Descriptive analysis and the chi-square test were used to analyze the volume, types, and sources of marine litter, as well as the different distributions under diverse locations, terrains, season, and tides. The results indicate that 2841 pieces of marine litter are identified, including 1786 (63%) plastic containers, 312 (11%) plastic bags, 254 (9%) disposable tableware for take-out beverages, 285 (10%) other materials, 72 (2%) cigarette butts, and 30 (1%) fishery and recreational fishing pieces. Different seasons, locations, and tides cause a significantly different marine litter distribution among these areas. The findings are expected to promote source reduction, develop shore and underwater cleaning proposals, and enhance marine protection education.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 2071-1050
    URL: Article
    DOI: 10.3390/su14095726
    Language: English
    Publisher: MDPI AG
    Publication Date: 2022
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2518383-7
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  • 2
    Online Resource
    Online Resource
    Co-Design of a Neurodevelopment Assessment Scale: A Study Protocol
    MDPI AG ; 2021
    In:  International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Vol. 18, No. 23 ( 2021-12-06), p. 12837-
    Details
    In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, MDPI AG, Vol. 18, No. 23 ( 2021-12-06), p. 12837-
    Abstract: Neurodevelopmental disorders are a heterogeneous group of conditions with overlapping symptomatology and fluctuating developmental trajectories that transcend current diagnostic categorisation. There is a need for validated screening instruments which dimensionally assess symptomatology from a holistic, transdiagnostic perspective. The primary aim is to co-design a Neurodevelopment Assessment Scale (NAS), a user-friendly transdiagnostic assessment inventory that systematically screens for all signs and symptoms commonly encountered in neurodevelopmental disorders. Our first objective is to undertake development of this tool, utilising co-design principles in partnership with stakeholders, including both those with lived experience of neurodevelopmental disorders and service providers. Our second objective is to evaluate the face validity, as well as the perceived utility, user-friendliness, suitability, and acceptability (i.e., ‘social validity’), of the NAS from the perspective of parents/caregivers and adults with neurodevelopmental disorders, clinicians, and service providers. Our third objective is to ascertain the psychometric properties of the NAS, including content validity and convergent validity. The NAS will provide an efficient transdiagnostic tool for evaluating all relevant signs, symptoms, and the dimensional constructs that underpin neurodevelopmental presentations. It is anticipated that this will maximise outcomes by enabling the delivery of personalised care tailored to an individual’s unique profile in a holistic and efficient manner.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 1660-4601
    URL: Article
    DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182312837
    Language: English
    Publisher: MDPI AG
    Publication Date: 2021
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2175195-X
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  • 3
    Online Resource
    Online Resource
    Distress Levels of Parents of Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comparison between Italy and Australia
    MDPI AG ; 2021
    In:  International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Vol. 18, No. 21 ( 2021-10-21), p. 11066-
    Details
    In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, MDPI AG, Vol. 18, No. 21 ( 2021-10-21), p. 11066-
    Abstract: Parents of children with a neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) report higher levels of distress compared to those of typically developing children. Distress levels may be heightened by the restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is unclear whether distress levels of parents varied by the diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorder in children during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to investigate whether parental distress was influenced by the type of NDD. Participants were from Australia (N = 196) and Italy (N = 200); the parents of children aged 3–18 were invited to complete an online self-reported survey which included the 6-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6) to determine parental distress. The results show that intellectual or learning disorder (ILD) is a major contributor to parental distress compared to other NDDs in both Australia and Italy. Moreover, the worsening of symptomatic changes in children with NDDs was significantly associated with parental distress. The differences between the two countries in terms of the pandemic impact, however, were not statistically significant. The results suggest that intervention strategies need to be tailored for individual clinical information and factor in the society’s stringency level of anti-contagion policies to improve parental wellbeing.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 1660-4601
    URL: Article
    DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182111066
    Language: English
    Publisher: MDPI AG
    Publication Date: 2021
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2175195-X
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  • 4
    Online Resource
    Online Resource
    Cotargeting CHK1 and PI3K Synergistically Suppresses Tumor Growth of Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Patient-Derived Xenografts
    MDPI AG ; 2020
    In:  Cancers Vol. 12, No. 7 ( 2020-06-29), p. 1726-
    Details
    In: Cancers, MDPI AG, Vol. 12, No. 7 ( 2020-06-29), p. 1726-
    Abstract: Oral cavity squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) are aggressive tumors, and their recurrence leads to poor prognosis and reduced survival rates. This study aimed to identify therapeutic targets and to evaluate the efficacy of targeted inhibitors in OSCC patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models. Herein, we reported that OSCC PDXs recapitulated the genomic signatures of their paired primary tumors and the expression of CHEK1, PIK3CA, and PIK3CD was significantly upregulated in OSCC. The antitumor efficacy of CHK1 inhibitors (PF477736, AZD7762, LY2606368) and PI3K inhibitors (BYL719, GDC0941, GSK1059615) was investigated in OSCC cell lines and PDX models. Targeting either CHK1 or PI3K effectively inhibited cell proliferation and colony formation by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in in vitro cell-based assays. Cisplatin-based chemotherapy combined with CHK1 inhibitor treatment synergistically inhibited cell proliferation by suppressing CHK1 phosphorylation and inducing PARP cleavage. Furthermore, compared with monotherapy, cotreatment with CHK1 and PI3K inhibitors exerted synergistic anticancer effects by suppressing CHK1, AKT, and 4E-BP1 phosphorylation. In summary, our study identified CHK1 and PI3K as promising targets, especially in a dual treatment strategy combining a CHK1 inhibitor with cisplatin or a PI3K inhibitor as a novel therapeutic approach for OSCC patients with aberrant cell cycle regulation and PI3K signaling activation.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 2072-6694
    URL: Article
    DOI: 10.3390/cancers12071726
    Language: English
    Publisher: MDPI AG
    Publication Date: 2020
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2527080-1
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  • 5
    Online Resource
    Online Resource
    Strategic Decoy Peptides Interfere with MSI1/AGO2 Interaction to Elicit Tumor Suppression Effects
    MDPI AG ; 2022
    In:  Cancers Vol. 14, No. 3 ( 2022-01-20), p. 505-
    Details
    In: Cancers, MDPI AG, Vol. 14, No. 3 ( 2022-01-20), p. 505-
    Abstract: Peptide drugs that target protein–protein interactions have attracted mounting research efforts towards clinical developments over the past decades. Increasing reports have indicated that expression of Musashi 1 (MSI1) is tightly correlated to high grade of cancers as well as enrichment of cancer stem cells. Treatment failure in malignant tumors glioblastoma multiform (GBM) had also been correlated to CSC-regulating properties of MSI1. It is thus imperative to develop new therapeutics that could effectively improve current regimens used in clinics. MSI1 and AGO2 are two emerging oncogenic molecules that both contribute to GBM tumorigenesis through mRNA regulation of targets involved in apoptosis and cell cycle. In this study, we designed peptide arrays covering the C-terminus of MSI1 and identified two peptides (Pep#11 and Pep#26) that could specifically interfere with the binding with AGO2. Our Biacore analyses ascertained binding between the identified peptides and AGO2. Recombinant reporter system Gaussian luciferase and fluorescent bioconjugate techniques were employed to determine biological functions and pharmacokinetic characteristics of these two peptides. Our data suggested that Pep#11 and Pep#26 could function as decoy peptides by mimicking the interaction function of MSI1 with its binding partner AGO2 in vitro and in vivo. Further experiments using GMB animal models corroborated the ability of Pep#11 and Pep#26 in disrupting MSI1/AGO2 interaction and consequently anti-tumorigenicity and prolonged survival rates. These striking therapeutic efficacies orchestrated by the synthetic peptides were attributed to the decoy function to C-terminal MSI1, especially in malignant brain tumors and glioblastoma.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 2072-6694
    URL: Article
    DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030505
    Language: English
    Publisher: MDPI AG
    Publication Date: 2022
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2527080-1
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  • 6
    Online Resource
    Online Resource
    Generating a Baseline Map of Surface Fuel Loading Using Stratified Random Sampling Inventory Data through Cokriging and Multiple Linear Regression Methods
    MDPI AG ; 2021
    In:  Remote Sensing Vol. 13, No. 8 ( 2021-04-17), p. 1561-
    Details
    In: Remote Sensing, MDPI AG, Vol. 13, No. 8 ( 2021-04-17), p. 1561-
    Abstract: Surface fuel loading is a key factor in controlling wildfires and planning sustainable forest management. Spatially explicit maps of surface fuel loading can highlight the risks of a forest fire. Geospatial information is critical in enabling careful use of deliberate fire setting and also helps to minimize the possibility of heat conduction over forest lands. In contrast to lidar sensing and/or optical sensing based methods, an approach of integrating in-situ fuel inventory data, geospatial interpolation techniques, and multiple linear regression methods provides an alternative approach to surface fuel load estimation and mapping over mountainous forests. Using a stratified random sampling based inventory and cokriging analysis, surface fuel loading data of 120 plots distributed over four kinds of fuel types were collected in order to develop a total surface fuel loading model (lntSFL-BioTopo model) and a fine surface fuel model (lnfSFL-BioTopo model) for generating tSFL and fSFL maps. Results showed that the combination of topographic parameters such as slope, aspect, and their cross products and the fuel types such as pine stand, non-pine conifer stand, broadleaf stand, and conifer–broadleaf mixed stand was able to appropriately describe the changes in surface fuel loads over a forest with diverse terrain morphology. Based on a cross-validation method, the estimation of tSFL and fSFL of the study site had an RMSE of 3.476 tons/ha and 3.384 tons/ha, respectively. In contrast to the average loading of all inventory plots, the estimation for tSFL and fSFL had a relative error of 38% (PRMSE). The reciprocal of estimation bias of both SFL-BioTopo models tended to be an exponential growth function of the amount of surface fuel load, indicating that the estimation accuracy of the proposed method is likely to be improved with further study. In the regression modeling, a natural logarithm transformation of the surface fuel loading prevented the outcome of negative estimates and thus improved the estimation. Based on the results, this paper defined a minimum sampling unit (MSU) as the area for collecting surface fuels for interpolation using a cokriging model. Allocating the MSUs at the boundary and center of a plot improved surface fuel load prediction and mapping.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 2072-4292
    URL: Article
    DOI: 10.3390/rs13081561
    Language: English
    Publisher: MDPI AG
    Publication Date: 2021
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2513863-7
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  • 7
    Online Resource
    Online Resource
    Investigation of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), Other Illicit Drugs, and Drug-Related Compounds in a Taiwanese Wastewater Sample Using High-Resolution Mass-Spectrometry-Based Targeted and Suspect Screening
    MDPI AG ; 2023
    In:  Molecules Vol. 28, No. 13 ( 2023-06-28), p. 5040-
    Details
    In: Molecules, MDPI AG, Vol. 28, No. 13 ( 2023-06-28), p. 5040-
    Abstract: The proliferation of new psychoactive substances (NPSs) in recent years has posed a significant challenge to public health. Traditional monitoring methods have proven insufficient in tracking these constantly evolving substances, leading to the development of alternative approaches such as wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE). The present study aims to utilize high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS)-based targeted and suspect screening to profile NPS, other illicit drugs, and drug-related compounds in a Taiwanese wastewater sample. For the targeted analysis, 8 out 18 standards of illicit drugs have been identified. The suspect screening approach based on approximately 3600 substances in the SWGDRUG library can further identify 92 compounds, including opiate analgesics, synthetic cathinones, phenylalkylamines derivatives, phenethylamine derivatives, tryptamine derivatives, steroids, and ephedrine-related compounds. Additionally, the presence of 5-methoxy-2-aminoindane (MEAI) in the wastewater indicates that drug dealers have recently sold this potential NPS to evade drug regulations. This study firstly reports the HRMS-based comprehensive profile of NPS, other illicit drugs, and drug-related compounds in Taiwan, which could be applied as biomarkers for estimating the consumption of drugs.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 1420-3049
    URL: Article
    DOI: 10.3390/molecules28135040
    Language: English
    Publisher: MDPI AG
    Publication Date: 2023
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2008644-1
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  • 8
    Online Resource
    Online Resource
    Rice Bran Feruloylated Oligosaccharides Activate Dendritic Cells via Toll-Like Receptor 2 and 4 Signaling
    MDPI AG ; 2014
    In:  Molecules Vol. 19, No. 4 ( 2014-04-23), p. 5325-5347
    Details
    In: Molecules, MDPI AG, Vol. 19, No. 4 ( 2014-04-23), p. 5325-5347
    Abstract: This work presents the effects of feruloylated oligosaccharides (FOs) of rice bran on murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) and the potential pathway through which the effects are mediated. We found that FOs induced phenotypic maturation of DCs, as shown by the increased expression of CD40, CD80/CD86 and MHC-I/II molecules. FOs efficiently induced maturation of DCs generated from C3H/HeN or C57BL/6 mice with normal toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) or TLR-2 but not DCs from mice with mutated TLR4 or TLR2. The mechanism of action of FOs may be mediated by increased phosphorylation of ERK, p38 and JNK mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs) and increased NF-kB activity, which are important signaling molecules downstream of TLR-4 and TLR-2. These data suggest that FOs induce DCs maturation through TLR-4 and/or TLR-2 and that FOs might have potential efficacy against tumor or virus infection or represent a candidate-adjuvant approach for application in immunotherapy and vaccination.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 1420-3049
    URL: Article
    DOI: 10.3390/molecules19045325
    Language: English
    Publisher: MDPI AG
    Publication Date: 2014
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2008644-1
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  • 9
    Online Resource
    Online Resource
    Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor, Trichostatin A, Synergistically Enhances Paclitaxel-Induced Cytotoxicity in Urothelial Carcinoma Cells by Suppressing the ERK Pathway
    MDPI AG ; 2019
    In:  International Journal of Molecular Sciences Vol. 20, No. 5 ( 2019-03-07), p. 1162-
    Details
    In: International Journal of Molecular Sciences, MDPI AG, Vol. 20, No. 5 ( 2019-03-07), p. 1162-
    Abstract: Trichostatin A (TSA), an antifungal antibiotic derived from Streptomyces, inhibits mammalian histone deacetylases, and especially, selectively inhibits class I and II histone deacetylase (HDAC) families of enzymes. TSA reportedly elicits an antiproliferative response in multifarious tumors. This study investigated the antitumor effects of TSA alone and in combination with paclitaxel when applied to two high-grade urothelial carcinoma (UC) cell lines (BFTC-905 and BFTC-909). Fluorescence-activated cell sorting, flow cytometry, and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium assay were used to assess TSA’s cytotoxicity and effects on apoptosis induction. TSA induced synergistic cytotoxicity, when combined with paclitaxel (combination index 〈 1), resulted in concomitant suppression of paclitaxel-induced activation of phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2. A xenograft nude mouse model confirmed that TSA enhances the antitumor effects of paclitaxel. These findings demonstrate that the administration of TSA in combination with paclitaxel elicits a synergistic cytotoxic response. The results of this study indicate that the chemoresistance of UC could be circumvented by combining HDAC inhibitors to target the ERK pathway.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 1422-0067
    URL: Article
    DOI: 10.3390/ijms20051162
    Language: English
    Publisher: MDPI AG
    Publication Date: 2019
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2019364-6
    SSG: 12
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  • 10
    Online Resource
    Online Resource
    Metformin-Incorporated Gelatin/Nano-Hydroxyapatite Scaffolds Promotes Bone Regeneration in Critical Size Rat Alveolar Bone Defect Model
    MDPI AG ; 2022
    In:  International Journal of Molecular Sciences Vol. 23, No. 1 ( 2022-01-05), p. 558-
    Details
    In: International Journal of Molecular Sciences, MDPI AG, Vol. 23, No. 1 ( 2022-01-05), p. 558-
    Abstract: In this study, we fabricated gelatin/nano-hydroxyapatite/metformin scaffold (GHMS) and compared its effectiveness in bone regeneration with extraction-only, Sinbone, and Bio-Oss Collagen® groups in a critical size rat alveolar bone defect model. GHMS was synthesized by co-precipitating calcium hydroxide and orthophosphoric acid within gelatin solution, incorporating metformin, and cross-linked by microbial transglutaminase. The morphology, characterization, and biocompatibility of scaffold were examined. The in vitro effects of GHMS on osteogenic gene and protein expressions were evaluated. In vivo bone formation was assessed in a critical size rat alveolar bone defect model with micro-computed tomography and histological examination by comparing GHMS with extraction-only, Sinbone, and Bio-Oss Collagen®. The synthesized GHMS had a highly interconnected porous structure with a mean pore size of 81.85 ± 13.8 µm. GHMS exhibited good biocompatibility; promoted ALPL, RUNX2, SP7, BGLAP, SPARC and Col1a1 gene expressions; and upregulated the synthesis of osteogenic proteins, including osteonectin, osteocalcin, and collagen type I. In critical size rat alveolar bone defects, GHMS showed superior bone regeneration compared to extraction-only, Sinbone, and Bio-Oss Collagen® groups as manifested by greater alveolar ridge preservation, while more bone formation with a lower percentage of connective tissue and residual scaffold at the defect sites grafted with GHMS in histological staining. The GHMS presented in this study may be used as a potential bone substitute to regenerate alveolar bone. The good biocompatibility, relatively fast degradation, interconnected pores allowing vascularization, and higher bioactivity properties of the components of the GHMS (gelatin, nHA, and metformin) may contribute to direct osteogenesis.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 1422-0067
    URL: Article
    DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010558
    Language: English
    Publisher: MDPI AG
    Publication Date: 2022
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2019364-6
    SSG: 12
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