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Tseng YH, Liao CW, Lin YL, Fan YC, Chang CW, Chang CT, Chen JT. Solvent-Tailored Reversible Self-Assembly: Unveiling Ionic Transport Nanochannels in Block Copolymer Composite Electrolytes. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2024; 16:2716-2725. [PMID: 38085978 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c14669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Block copolymer composite electrolytes have gained extensive attention for their promising performance in ionic conductivity and mechanical properties, making them valuable for future technologies. The control of the ionic conductivity through the self-assembly of block copolymers, however, remains a great challenge, especially in confined environments. In this study, we prepare block copolymer composite electrolytes using polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (PS-b-PEO, SEO) as the polymer matrix and anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates as the ceramic skeleton. The self-assembly of SEO creates nanoscale ion transport pathways in the PEO regions through ionic interactions with lithium salts. The nanopores of the AAO templates provide a confined environment for complex phase separation of SEO controlled by selective solvent vapor annealing. Our findings demonstrate that transforming self-assembled SEO structures allows for precise control of ion transport pathways with cylindrical structures exhibiting 20 times higher ionic conductivities than those of helical structures. For AAO templates with pore diameters of 20 nm (SEO-LiTFSI@AAO-20), the ionic conductivities are approximately 410 times higher than those with pore diameters of 200 nm (SEO-LiTFSI@AAO-200), owing to the larger specific surface areas within the smaller nanopores. Utilizing the self-assembly of SEO not only enables the construction of vertically aligned ion transport channels on various scales but also offers a fascinating approach to tailor the conductive capabilities of composite electrolytes, enhancing the ion transport efficiency and allowing for the flexible design of block copolymer composite electrolytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Hsuan Tseng
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan 300093
| | - Chih-Wei Liao
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan 300093
| | - Yu-Liang Lin
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan 300093
| | - Yi-Chun Fan
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan 300093
| | - Chia-Wei Chang
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan 300093
| | - Chun-Ting Chang
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan 300093
| | - Jiun-Tai Chen
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan 300093
- Center for Emergent Functional Matter Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan 300093
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Liao CW, Yeh YW, El-Shall H, Gower LB. Biotechnology Approach to Mineral Separation via Phage Flotation Collectors. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2022; 14:9795-9806. [PMID: 35143175 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c22595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
A long-standing challenge in the mining industry is the separation of mineral particles that have similar surface characteristics for which surfactant-based flotation collectors cannot discriminate. In Florida phosphate mining, this problem occurs in the separation of dolomite [CaMg(CO3)2] contaminants from the desired francolite mineral {a fluorapatite [Ca5(PO4)3(F,OH)]}. In this study, phage display techniques were used to select phage clones with specific binding affinity to francolite, which were then tested in a benchtop bubbler flotation apparatus for their ability to selectively float francolite particles from mixtures containing dolomite. Contact angles measured with the captive bubble technique were used to examine changes in the surface character of the mineral particles upon adsorption of the phage, which showed that the most selective phage led to an increase in the contact angle from 16 to 50°. Although this is below the level considered hydrophobic, the correlation between contact angles and increased flotation recovery suggests that the phage coat proteins are behaving as efficient bioamphiphiles for the attachment of the particles to air bubbles, demonstrating a new and environmentally friendly type of biocollector system. The chemical and physical characteristics of the phage "tail" peptides were evaluated to offer an explanation for the specificity of phage binding. We conclude with a discussion of the potential benefits of this biotechnology approach, even for commodity industries such as mining or other particle separation systems, when costs and sustainability are considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Wei Liao
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Ya-Wen Yeh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Hassan El-Shall
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
- Particle Engineering Research Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Laurie B Gower
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
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Chiang HC, Wang CH, Yeh SC, Lin YH, Kuo YT, Liao CW, Tsai FY, Lin WY, Chuang WH, Tsou TC. Comparative microarray analyses of mono(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate impacts on fat cell bioenergetics and adipokine network. Cell Biol Toxicol 2017; 33:511-526. [DOI: 10.1007/s10565-016-9380-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 12/29/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Wu SC, Liao CW, Pan RL, Juang JL. Infection-induced intestinal oxidative stress triggers organ-to-organ immunological communication in Drosophila. Cell Host Microbe 2012; 11:410-7. [PMID: 22520468 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2012.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2011] [Revised: 01/21/2012] [Accepted: 03/23/2012] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Local infections can trigger immune responses in distant organs, and this interorgan immunological crosstalk helps maintain immune homeostasis. We find that enterobacterial infection or chemically and genetically stimulating reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced stress responses in the Drosophila gut triggers global antimicrobial peptide (AMP) responses in the fat body, a major immune organ in flies. ROS stress induces nitric oxide (NO) production in the gut, which triggers production of the AMP Diptericin, but not Drosomycin, in the fat body. Hemocytes serve as a signaling relay for communication between intestinal ROS/NO signaling and fat body AMP responses. The induction of AMP responses requires Rel/NF-κB activation within the fat body. Although Rel-mediated Drosomycin induction is repressed by the AP-1 transcription factor, this repressor activity is inhibited by intestinal ROS. Thus, intestinal ROS signaling plays an important role in initiating gut-to-fat body immunological communication in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shih-Cheng Wu
- Institute of Molecular and Genomic Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli, Taiwan
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Chu TB, Liao CW, Huang YC, Chang YT, Costa ASRJ, Ji DD, Nara T, Tsubouchi A, Chang PWS, Chiu WT, Fan CK. Prevalence of Schistosoma intercalatum and S. haematobium Infection among Primary Schoolchildren in Capital Areas of Democratic Republic Of São Tomé and Príncipe, West Africa. Iran J Parasitol 2012; 7:67-72. [PMID: 23133474 PMCID: PMC3488823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2011] [Accepted: 12/11/2011] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A parasitological survey of Schistosoma haematobium and S. intercalatum infection among primary schoolchildren in capital area of Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe (DRSTP) was undertaken. METHODS Subjects with positive infection were confirmed by the detection of S. haematobium ova in the urine or S. intercalatum ova in the stool by using centrifugation concentration or merthiolate-iodine-formalin concentration method. Totally, 252 urine and stool samples, respectively, were obtained from apparently healthy schoolchildren, of which 121 from boys (9.8 ± 1.4 yr) and 131 from girls (9.7 ± 1.3 yr). RESULTS None of participating schoolchildren were found having S. haematobium ova in the urinary specimen. While, among 4 primary schools studied, only schoolchildren from Saint Marçal were detected with S. intercalatum ova in the fecal specimen, making the overall prevalence of S. intercalatum infection among schoolchildren was 2.4% (6/252) and girls had insignificantly higher prevalence (3.1%, 4/131) than that (1.7%, 2/121) in boys (χ(2) = 0.5, P = 0.5). CONCLUSION Water control and sanitation as well as snails eliminated by molluscicides are urgently needed to reduce S. intercalatum infection in DRSTP inhabitants.
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Affiliation(s)
- TB Chu
- School of Health Care Administration, College of Public Health & Nutrition, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - CW Liao
- Dept. of Parasitology, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan,Dept. of Molecular and Cellular Parasitology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - YC Huang
- Dept. of Parasitology, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - YT Chang
- Taiwan Medical Mission in São Tomé, Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe
| | - ASRJ Costa
- Ministry of Health and Social Affairs, Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe
| | - DD Ji
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, Center for Diseases Control, Dept. of Health, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - T Nara
- Dept. of Molecular and Cellular Parasitology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - A Tsubouchi
- Dept. of Molecular and Cellular Parasitology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Peter WS Chang
- School of Public Health, College of Public Health & Nutrition, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - WT Chiu
- Dept. of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - CK Fan
- Dept. of Parasitology, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan,Center for International Tropical Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan,Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan,Corresponding author:E-mail:
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Chu TB, Liao CW, D'Lamini P, Chang PWS, Chiu WT, Du WY, Fan CK. Prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium infection among inhabitants of Lowveld, Swaziland, an endemic area for the disease. Trop Biomed 2010; 27:337-342. [PMID: 20962734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
We carried out a parasitological survey of Schistosoma haematobium infection among the residents of Lowveld Siphofaneni, Swaziland, an area which is devoid of sanitation. Subjects with positive infection were confirmed by the detection of S. haematobium ova in their urine. The intensity of the infection was estimated by calculating the total number of S. haematobium ova present in 10 ml urine specimen (geometric mean intensity; GMI). Overall, the prevalence of S. haematobium infection was 6.1% (18/295) with a GMI of 20.7 (95% CI=9.1~32.2). Female (10.5%, 16/153) had significantly higher prevalence than that in male (1.4%, 2/142) (ORs=8.2, 95% CI=1.8- 36.2, P<0.01); conversely, male had higher GMI (60.0) than that (17.3) in female. The age group of ≤5 yrs (15.3%, 9/59) had significantly higher prevalence than that in age group of ≥19 yrs (2.6%, 3/115) (ORs=0.2, 95% CI=0.04-0.57, P<0.01). The highest GMI of 27.9 (95% CI=7.6~48.2) was also seen in age group of ≤5 yrs.
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Affiliation(s)
- T B Chu
- Department and Graduate Institute of Business Administration, National Taiwan University, 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, 106 Taipei, Taiwan
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Liao CW, Lee YL, Sukati H, D'lamini P, Huang YC, Chiu CJ, Liu YH, Chou CM, Chiu WT, Du WY, Hung CC, Chan HC, Chu B, Cheng HC, Su J, Tu CC, Cheng CY, Fan CK. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among children in Swaziland, southern Africa. Ann Trop Med Parasitol 2010; 103:731-6. [PMID: 20030998 DOI: 10.1179/000349809x12554106963474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C W Liao
- Department of Parasitology, Taipei Medical University College of Medicine, Taiwan
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Liao CW, Lien CC. Estimating intracellular Ca2+ concentrations and buffering in a dendritic inhibitory hippocampal interneuron. Neuroscience 2009; 164:1701-11. [PMID: 19782725 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2009.09.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2009] [Revised: 09/18/2009] [Accepted: 09/19/2009] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Calcium is known to regulate several phenomena like neuronal excitability and plasticity. Interestingly, the spatiotemporal profile of dendritic calcium depends on several processes, specific to each neuronal type. In this study, we investigated Ca(2+) buffering and action potential (AP)-evoked Ca(2+) signaling in the dendrites of anatomically identified oriens lacunosum-moleculare (O-LM) cells, a major type of dendrite-targeting interneurons in the hippocampal CA1 region, using a combination of whole-cell patch-clamp recording and fast Ca(2+) imaging in acute rat brain slices. Cells were loaded with fluorescent Ca(2+) indicators fura-2 or Oregon Green BAPTA-1 (OGB-1) via patch-clamping electrode, and the effect of fura-2 on AP-evoked dendritic Ca(2+) transients was determined by ratiometric Ca(2+) imaging. To estimate intracellular Ca(2+) concentrations ([Ca(2+)](i)) and endogenous Ca(2+)-binding ratio (kappa(s)) in the proximal dendrite, fluorescence signals were converted into [Ca(2+)](i) using the ratioing method and were analyzed on the basis of the "single compartment model." Resting [Ca(2+)](i) was 22+/-5 nM and the build-up of [Ca(2+)](i) during a single AP was up to 656+/-226 nM. Analysis of Ca(2+) transients revealed that O-LM cells have a relatively low endogenous Ca(2+)-binding ratio (kappa(s)): the kappa(s) was 20+/-8 estimated during fura-2 loading and 27 estimated under steady-state fura-2 concentrations, respectively. To further examine the spatial profile of dendritic Ca(2+) transients, we measured somatic AP-evoked Ca(2+) transients beyond proximal dendrites using OGB-1. Dendritic Ca(2+) transients evoked by single APs or AP trains are not limited to regions close to the soma. The amplitude and decay of [Ca(2+)](i) associated with backpropagating APs are relatively independent of the distance from the soma. In sum, O-LM cells exhibit low endogenous Ca(2+)-binding ratios and relatively distance-independent Ca(2+) dynamics in the dendrites. These special features of Ca(2+) signaling in O-LM cells may have important functional implications for both normal and pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- C W Liao
- Institute of Neuroscience and Brain Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, 155, Section 2, Li-Nong Street, Taipei 112, Taiwan, Republic of China
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Lin JH, Weng CN, Liao CW, Yeh KS, Pan MJ. Protective effects of oral microencapsulated Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae vaccine prepared by co-spray drying method. J Vet Med Sci 2003; 65:69-74. [PMID: 12576707 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.65.69] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The efficacy of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae oral vaccine was investigated in microsphere dosage form. A co-spray drying process was used to apply an encapsulating material, Eudragit L30 D-55, to microspheres containing Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae antigens. The microspheres were generally effective (>93%) with protein release at pH 7.4, but almost none were released at pH 1.2, for 3 hr in an in vitro dissolution test. An SPF-swine model was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the microspheres as an oral vaccine, and the related immune responses. The serum's systemic IgG against M. hyopneumoniae was evoked by ELISA analysis, after a 2nd immunization of all pigs. The vaccinated groups' mean lesion score was significantly lower after the Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae challenge than that of the nonvaccinated/challenged groups (P<0.05). This study strongly suggests that the oral microspheres vaccine prepared by a co-spray drying method can provide effective protection against M. hyopneumoniae infection in pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- J H Lin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Abstract
This study evaluated the suitability of fimY gene amplification by PCR as an effective means of detecting Salmonella species. Although fimY gene of Salmonella typhimurium is involved in regulating type 1 fimbrial expression, the amino acid sequence of FimY shares very little homology with other known prokaryotic proteins in the GenBank database. Therefore, fimY is a promising target gene to detect the presence of Salmonella species. Herein, two primers internal to the fimY gene of S. typhimurium are used to investigate the distribution of the fimY homologous sequence among 45 Salmonella serovars and 20 non-Salmonella species by using PCR. Experimental results indicated that only Salmonella species possessed the fimY homologous sequence, subsequently generating the specific 526-bp DNA fragments. The sensitivity of the fmY-specific primer set was demonstrated on a Salmonella-free swab sample from a pork carcass surface, which was then artificially contaminated with different concentrations of S. typhimurium. A combining of pre-enrichment step in buffered peptone water and PCR amplification of fimY allowed the detection of S. typhimurium at the concentration of 3.4 x 10(0) CFU/ml from the swab sample. With an additional enrichment step in Rappaport-Vassiliadis (RV) broth, this procedure can also detect pork carcass surface naturally contaminated with Salmonella species in a slaughterhouse. Results in this study demonstrate that fimY is unique to Salmonella species and is an appropriate PCR target for detecting these microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- K S Yeh
- Department of Pathobiology, Pig Research Institute Taiwan, Chunan, Miaoli.
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Lin JH, Pan MJ, Liao CW, Weng CN. In vivo and in vitro comparisons of spray-drying and solvent- evaporation preparation of microencapsulated Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae for use as an orally administered vaccine for pigs. Am J Vet Res 2002; 63:1118-23. [PMID: 12171164 DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.2002.63.1118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of an orally administered vaccine of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae that was prepared by spray drying or solvent evaporation. ANIMALS Thirty 6-week-old, crossbred, specific-pathogen-free (SPF) pigs. PROCEDURE Pigs were randomly allocated into 5 groups and housed in an SPF facility. Pigs in 2 groups (groups AQ and CAP) were fed M hyopneumoniae enteric-coated vaccine on days 0, 10, and 20. A third group (group IM) received an IM injection of M hyopneumoniae vaccine with aluminium hydroxide as an adjuvant on days 0, 10, and 20. The last 2 groups (non-vaccinated-challenged [NV-C] and nonchallenged [NC]) were fed a sham treatment. All 24 pigs in groups AQ, CAFP IM, and NV-C were challenge exposed with 5 ml of a 10% pneumonic lung suspension administered on day 40 via intubation of the trachea. All pigs were slaughtered and the lungs removed and examined for lesions on day 68. RESULTS In vitro studies indicated that these 2 microencapsulation techniques formed an effective shell and protected mycoplasmal antigen from gastric acid. Results of inoculation and challenge tests indicated that microencapsulated M hyopneumoniae were sufficiently potent to induce an immune response and provide good protection. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Orally administered microencapsulated M hyopneumoniae vaccines induced an immune response and reduced the severity of lung lesions in challenge-exposed pigs. Results suggest that this novel method can be applied to other antigens, because the spray-drying process yielded an orally administered M hyopneumoniae vaccine that induced a good immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- J H Lin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Republic of China
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Fan CK, Su KE, Lin YH, Liao CW, Du WY, Chiou HY. Seroepidemiologic survey of Dirofilaria immitis infection among domestic dogs in Taipei City and mountain aboriginal districts in Taiwan (1998-1999). Vet Parasitol 2001; 102:113-20. [PMID: 11705657 DOI: 10.1016/s0304-4017(01)00511-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
To estimate the seroprevalence of Dirofilaria immitis infection in domestic dogs in Taiwan, we utilized a commercial ELISA kit (Snap, IDEXX, USA) for detecting circulating antigens released by adult female worms. Serum specimens of 664 domestic dogs sampled from Taipei City in northern Taiwan and 14 mountain aboriginal districts in eastern Taiwan were screened for D. immitis antigens. Multivariate-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by multiple logistic regression analysis. A total of 89 subjects were antigen-positive, giving a seroprevalence of 13.4%, of which the seroprevalence in Taipei City and mountain aboriginal districts were 13.8 and 12.1%, respectively. The mean overall seropositive rates were 6.3% in 1-3-year-old age group, 14.1% in 3-6-year-old age group and 23.7% in the > or =6-year-old age group. The older the age, the higher the seroprevalence (OR=4.6, 95% CI=2.4-9.0 for the > or =6-year-old age group versus 1-3-year-old age group, P<0.001) for all the dogs in the present study. Moreover, seroprevalence was not different between female and male dogs in either Taipei City or mountain aboriginal districts (P>0.05). Also, no significant difference in seroprevalence among dogs between the two geographical areas was found (P>0.05). In the logistic regression analysis, the seroprevalence of D. immitis remained significantly increased with age after multivariate adjustment in the present study. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the status of D. immitis infection in domestic dogs in Taipei City and mountain aboriginal districts in Taiwan to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- C K Fan
- Department of Parasitology, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Hsin Street, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
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Fan CK, Liao CW, Kao TC, Lu JL, Su KE. Toxoplasma gondii infection: relationship between seroprevalence and risk factors among inhabitants in two offshore islands from Taiwan. Acta Med Okayama 2001; 55:301-8. [PMID: 11688954 DOI: 10.18926/amo/32014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
A seroepidemiological study of toxoplasmosis among inhabitants of Penghu Island and Kinmen Island offshore of Taiwan was performed using the latex agglutination test from July 1999 to June 2000. In order to determine risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection, the effects of a history of eating raw/undercooked meats and raising pets were focused on using a self-administrated questionnaire. The seroprevalence (28.2%; 190/673) in Kinmen Island was significantly higher than that (2.71%; 8/293) in Penghu Island (P < 0.001). A significant difference in seroprevalence between both sexes was found in Kinmen Island (P < 0.05), but not in Penghu Island. The results of multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the older the age, the higher the OR in both Islands, yet a significant difference in seroprevalence between children and adults or the elderly was observed in Kinmen Island (P < 0.001). Moreover, those who had histories of raising cats or eating raw/undercooked meats seemed to have greater opportunities to become infected with T. gondii (OR = 2.9, 95% CI = 1.9-4.5, P < 0.001; OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.1-2.1, P < 0.05). In Penghu Island, a significant association between seroprevalence and a history of raising cats was also observed (OR = 4.6, 95% CI = 1.1-20.1, P < 0.05). Furthermore, workers, farmers, and fishermen seemed to be more susceptible to T. gondii infection than students in Kinmen Island.
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Affiliation(s)
- C K Fan
- Department of Parasitology, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan, Republic of China.
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Chen JR, Liao CW, Mao SJ, Weng CN. A recombinant chimera composed of repeat region RR1 of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae adhesin with Pseudomonas exotoxin: in vivo evaluation of specific IgG response in mice and pigs. Vet Microbiol 2001; 80:347-57. [PMID: 11348771 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-1135(01)00315-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Using the binding and translocation domain of Pseudomonas exotoxin A [domain III deleted PE termed PE(DeltaIII)] as a vehicle, this study characterized and evaluated a novel application of PE toxin in Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae adhesin used as an immunogen. PCR and sequence analysis revealed that 16 copies of AAKPV(E) in tandem repeat region 1 (RR1) of M. hyopneumoniae 97kDa adhesion were successfully fused to the downstream of PE(DeltaIII) to create a subunit vaccine, i.e. PE(DeltaIII)-RR1. This chimeric protein, over-expressed in inclusion bodies of E. coli BL21(DE3)pLysS, was characterized by a monoclonal antibody (MAb) F2G5 prepared against RR1 of the 97kDa adhesin and was readily purified. The data indicated that the epitope recognized by MAb F2G5 was located in the structure of PE(DeltaIII)-RR1. Using ELISA and Western blot analyses, the specific IgG immune response against RR1 and whole adhesin in mice immunized with PE(DeltaIII)-RR1 was found more marked than that in mice immunized with the M. hyopneumoniae whole cells. Similarly, PE(DeltaIII)-RR1 also stimulated a remarkable IgG response against RR1 in pigs compared to that in pigs immunized with the conventional M. hyopneumoniae vaccine. The PE(DeltaIII)-RR1 would be potentially useful for the future development of a M. hyopneumoniae adhesin vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- J R Chen
- Department of Pathobiology, Pig Research Institute Taiwan, P.O. Box 23, 35099, ROC, Chunan Miaoli, Taiwan
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Liao CW, Cheng IC, Yeh KS, Lin FY, Weng CN. Release characteristics of microspheres prepared by co-spray drying Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae antigens and aqueous ethyl-cellulose dispersion. J Microencapsul 2001; 18:285-97. [PMID: 11308220 DOI: 10.1080/02652040010019442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Using formalin inactivated Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae antigens and aqueous ethylcellulose dispersions, microspheres of oral vaccines were developed by a co-spray drying process. The present study attempted to determine whether the dosage formulations of microspheres could form enteric matrices. To assess the enteric characteristics, an in vitro dissolution test was performed with the AQ6-AP microspheres; 95% of the A. pleuropneumoniae protein was released within 3 h at pH 7, but there was no release at pH 1.5. The scanning microscopy revealed that the surface structure of AQ6-AP microspheres became porous at neutral pH. The SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the release rate of proteins from the microspheres was pH dependent not only for the AQ6-AP formulation but also when antigens of A. pleuropneumoniae were replaced with porcine serum. The results suggest that the A. pleuropneumoniae antigens were entrapped in the AQ6 microspheres under the acidic conditions. In a mouse model, oral immunization with AQ6-AP microspheres containing A. pleuropneumoniae evoked systemic IgG and mucosal IgA responses against A. pleuropneumoniae antigens. Thus, the present method may further provide an opportunity to develop oral vaccines and mucosal immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- C W Liao
- Department of Pathobiology, Pig Research Institute Taiwan, Chu-Nan, Miaoli, Republic of China.
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Abstract
This study employed large unilamillar vesicles composed of purchased stratum corneum lipids to investigate the binding/partition of amino acids/dipeptides to stratum corneum lipid vesicles. The partition coefficients of amino acids/dipeptides between the stratum corneum lipid vesicles and the acetate buffer were determined by HPLC. In addition, the binding/partition enthalpy of amino acids/dipeptides with the stratum corneum lipid vesicles was derived by directly measuring the binding/partition heat with isothermal titration calorimetry. According to the binding/petition Gibbs free energy and the binding/partition enthalpy, all the binding/partition of amino acids/dipeptides with the stratum corneum lipid vesicles is endothermic, implying an entropy-driven binding/partition. Also, the equilibrium binding/partition results demonstrate that the partition coefficients of amino acids/dipeptides do not correlate with the transdermal permeability. This finding suggests that either the interaction between the penetrants and the lipid bilayer between corneocytes may not be a determining step or that the paracellular path is not a dominant route of transdermal penetration.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Y Lin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Central University, Chung-Li, Taiwan, R.O.C
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Liao CW, Hseu TH, Hwang J. A target-specific chimeric toxin composed of epidermal growth factor and Pseudomonas exotoxin A with a deletion in its toxin-binding domain. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 1995; 43:498-507. [PMID: 7632400 DOI: 10.1007/bf00218456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
We have fused the epidermal growth factor (EGF) to the amino terminus of Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE) to create a cytotoxic agent, designated EGF-PE, which preferentially kills EGF-receptor-bearing cells. In this study, we analyzed the effect of the Ia domain, the binding domain of PE on the cytotoxicity of EGF-PE towards EGF-receptor-bearing cells and tried to develop a more potent EGF-receptor-targeting toxin. EGF-PE molecules with sequential deletions at the amino terminus of PE were constructed and expressed in E. coli strain BL21(DE3). The cytotoxicity of these chimeric toxins was then examined. Our results show that the amino-terminal and carboxy-terminal regions of the Ia domain of PE are important for the cytotoxicity of a PE-based targeting toxin. To design a more potent PE-based EGF-receptor-targeting toxin, a chimeric toxin, named EGF-PE(delta 34-220), which had most of the Ia domain deleted but retained amino acid residues 1-33 and 221-252 of this domain, was constructed. EGF-PE(delta 34-220) has EGF-receptor-binding activity but does not show PE-receptor-binding activity and is mildly cytotoxic to EGF-receptor-deficient NR6 cells. As expected, EGF-PE(delta 34-220) is a more potent cytotoxic agent towards EGF-receptor-bearing cells than EGF-PE(delta 1-252), where the entire Ia domain of PE was deleted. In addition, EGF-PE(delta 34-220) was shown to be extremely cytotoxic to EGF-receptor-bearing cancer cells, such as A431, CE81T/VGH, and KB-3-1 cells. We also found that EGF-PE(delta 34-220) was highly expressed in BL21(DE3) and could be easily purified by urea extraction. Thus, EGF-PE(delta 34-220) can be a useful cytotoxic agent towards EGF-receptor-bearing cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- C W Liao
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Nankang, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C
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Liao CW, Veum TL. Effects of dietary energy intake by gilts and heat stress from days 3 to 24 or 30 after mating on embryo survival and nitrogen and energy balance. J Anim Sci 1994; 72:2369-77. [PMID: 8002456 DOI: 10.2527/1994.7292369x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Bred gilts were used in two experiments (n = 140) to study the interaction and main effects of dietary energy intake and heat stress on embryo survival and nitrogen (N) and energy balance from d 3 to slaughter on d 30 (Exp. 1) or d 24 (Exp. 2) after mating. In both experiments, the ME treatments were 5.4 or 8.1 Mcal of ME/(gilt.d). Temperatures were either a constant thermoneutral of 23 +/- 1 degrees C or a heat stress regimen, making four treatments in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement. Gilts were allotted directly to one of the treatments on d 3 after mating. In Exp. 1, the 24-h cyclic heat stress regimen consisted of an increase from 25 degrees C at 0800 to 34 degrees C at 1400, 34 degrees C from 1400 to 1700, then a decline to 25 degrees C at 2000, with 25 degrees C until 0800. In Exp. 2, heat stress was constant at 33 +/- 1 degrees C. No energy x temperature treatment interactions occurred (P > .2 to .8) for the variables measured in Exp. 1 and 2. Heat stress reduced (P < .05 or .01) diet and ME intake/day, ME retained/day, and ME/GE compared with the thermoneutral controls in Exp. 1 and 2. Heat stress reduced (P < .05) N digestibility in Exp. 1 and reduced (P < .01) N retained/day and N retention/N intake in Exp. 2. Rectal temperature and respiration rate were increased (P < .01) by heat stress in Exp. 1 and 2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Affiliation(s)
- C W Liao
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia 65211
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