Screening, Purification, and Characterization of an Extracellular Prolyl Oligopeptidase from Coprinopsis clastophylla

Jen-Tao Chen,Mei-Li Chao,Chiou-Yen Wen,Wen-Shen Chu 한국미생물학회 2012 The journal of microbiology Vol.50 No.4

Culture filtrates of 22 mushrooms were screened for extracellular prolyl oligopeptidase activity. Four strains with relatively high enzyme activity were all from inky cap mushrooms. The production of Coprinopsis clastophylla prolyl oligopeptidase was associated with the growth of the fungus and the enzyme was not released by cell lysis. The enzyme was purified 285-fold to a specific activity of 52.05 U/mg. It was purified to a single band on a native polyacrylamide gel. However, the enzyme separated into three bands on a sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel with mobility corresponding to molecular weights of approximately 84,60, and 26 kDa. The results of tandem mass spectrometric analysis revealed that the 60 kDa protein was likely a degradation product of the 84 kDa protein. The isoelectric point of the purified enzyme was 5.2. The purified enzyme had an optimal pH and temperature of 8.0 and 37°C, respectively. Diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP), p-chloromercuribenzoaic acid (PCMB), Hg2+, and Cu2+ strongly inhibited C. clastophylla prolyl oligopeptidase. This enzyme is a serine peptidase and one or more cysteine residues of the enzyme are close to the active site.

Does serum vitamin D level alter ovarian response to ovarian stimulation in IVF/ICSI cycles?

( Jen-yu Wen ) 대한산부인과학회 2019 대한산부인과학회 학술대회 Vol.105 No.-

Introduction: Vitamin D is essential for proper functioning of the entire human body. There is some evidence of its association with female fertility but its impact on the effectiveness of IVF treatment has not been clarified. Our study is aimed to investigate of serum vitamin D level influence the outcome of ovarian stimulation in IVF/ICSI cycles. Materials, Settings and Methods: This retrospective data analysis included patients undergoing IVF/ICSI from May 2015 to June 2016 in our hospital. Vitamin D status was determined by measurement of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-(OH)D) level. All the patients underwent controlled ovarian stimulation either with antagonist protocol or with long agonist protocol depending on individual condition. The patients were divided into two groups according to the serum 25-(OH) D level < 30ng/mL or ≥ 30ng/mL. The ovarian stimulation outcomes were compared. Student t-test was used for statistical analyses. P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Totally 134 patients undergoing IVF/ICSI were included, in which 85% had vitamin D insufficiency. The age, BMI, AMH, basal FSH and basal estrogen level were similar in both groups. The days of ovarian stimulation, peak estrogen level after stimulation were comparable. There were no statistical differences in the number of mature oocytes retrieved between the two groups. Conclusion: The incidence of vitamin D insufficiency among infertile women in southern Taiwan is high. The status of vitamin D insufficiency did not alter the ovarian response to controlled ovarian stimulation in our study.

Safety Management Documentation Models for the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006

Wen-jen WU,Don Jyh-Fu JENG 한국해운물류학회 2012 The Asian journal of shipping and Logistics Vol.28 No.1

The Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006), which will enter into force in 2012 or 2013, focuses on seafarers’ rights, safety and health in order to promote a better shipping environment. A Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance Part II (DMLC II) is required to state the measures taken to ensure the quality of seafarers’ living and working conditions on-board a ship. It is a challenge for ship owners to establish such a document and fit it into the existing safety management systems, International Safety Management Code (ISM). This paper proposes four possible documentation models of the ship owners’ management system to cover the DMLC II with pros and cons. An appropriate documentation model not only benefits owners with regard to enforcement of the MLC, 2006, but also helps the flag and port state administrations to perform effective and efficient inspections.

Enhancement of Aggregation-Induced Emission in Dye-Encapsulating Polymeric Micelles for Bioimaging

Wu, Wen-Chung,Chen, Ching-Yi,Tian, Yanqing,Jang, Sei-Hum,Hong, Yuning,Liu, Yang,Hu, Rongrong,Tang, Ben Zhong,Lee, Yi-Ting,Chen, Chin-Ti,Chen, Wen-Chang,Jen, Alex K.-Y. WILEY-VCH Verlag 2010 Advanced Functional Materials Vol.20 No.9

<P>Three amphiphilic block copolymers are employed to form polymeric micelles and function as nanocarriers to disperse hydrophobic aggregation-induced emission (AIE) dyes, 1,1,2,3,4,5-hexaphenylsilole (HPS) and/or bis(4-(N-(1-naphthyl) phenylamino)-phenyl)fumaronitrile (NPAFN), into aqueous solution for biological studies. Compared to their virtually non-emissive properties in organic solutions, the fluorescence intensity of these AIE dyes has increased significantly due to the spatial confinement that restricts intramolecular rotation of these dyes and their better compatibility in the hydrophobic core of polymeric micelles. The effect of the chemical structure of micelle cores on the photophysical properties of AIE dyes are investigated, and the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) from the green-emitting donor (HPS) to the red-emitting acceptor (NPAFN) is explored by co-encapsulating this FRET pair in the same micelle core. The highest fluorescence quantum yield (∼62%) could be achieved by encapsulating HPS aggregates in the micelles. Efficient energy transfer (>99%) and high amplification of emission (as high as 8 times) from the NPAFN acceptor could also be achieved by spatially confining the HPS/NPAFN FRET pair in the hydrophobic core of polymeric micelles. These micelles could be successfully internalized into the RAW 264.7 cells to demonstrate high-quality fluorescent images and cell viability due to improved quantum yield and reduced cytotoxicity.</P> <B>Graphic Abstract</B> <P>Highly efficient fluorescence probes are achieved through the encapsulation of aggregation-induced emission molecules, 1,1,2,3,4,5-hexaphenylsilole (HPS) and/or bis(4-(N-(1-naphthyl) phenylamino)-phenyl)fumaronitrile (NPAFN) in the core of polymeric micelles. Bright fluorescence cell images are shown with tunable colors of green directly from HPS aggregates and red through efficient fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) from HPS aggregates to NPAFN aggregates. <img src='wiley_img_2010/1616301X-2010-20-9-ADFM200902043-content.gif' alt='wiley_img_2010/1616301X-2010-20-9-ADFM200902043-content'> </P>

TESTS OF NONLINEAR CONSUMPTION FUNCTIONS : THE CASE OF KOREA , TAIWAN , THAILAND AND INDIA

HSIEH, WEN JEN,HSING, YU 한국국제경제학회 1994 International Economic Journal Vol.8 No.2

In this study, the permanent-income hypothesis and the Keynesian consumption function for four Asian countries are considered. The MPCs for Korea and Taiwan characterized by rapid economic growth have been on the decline, whereas the MPCs for Thailand and India with moderate or low economic growth have been stable. The decline in MPCs and rise in MPSs, in turn, are expected to facilitate government debt financing domestically and/or improve trade balance account. The real interest rate is found to be negative and significant only for India, suggesting that the government may use monetary policy to encourage saving. [E21, O11]

Comparison of Short- and Long-term Hearing Outcomes of Successful Inlay Cartilage Tympanoplasty Between Small and Large Eardrum Perforations

Pei-Wen Wu,Wen-Hung Wang,Chi-Che Huang,Ta-Jen Lee,Chien-Chia Huang 대한이비인후과학회 2015 Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology Vol.8 No.4

Objectives. To compare the short- and long-term hearing outcomes after successful inlay cartilage tympanoplasty between patients with small (≤25%) and large (≥50%) eardrums perforations. Methods. This is a retrospective case series study conducted in a tertiary referral center. Twenty-five patients who underwent 27 procedures were enrolled. Their mean age was 60.26 years (range, 42 to 76 years). The mean follow-up time was 18.86 months (range, 12.30 to 35.83 months). The preoperative, initial postoperative, and long-term hearing results in patients with total repair of the eardrum were analyzed. Results. In the small size group, the average (±standard deviation) air-bone gap (ABG) closure was 1.08±7.53 dB in the short-term and 2.33±11.56 dB in the long-term hearing examinations. There was no difference between short- and long-term ABG closure (P=0.689). In the large size group, the average ABG closure was 9.77±9.40 dB in the short-term and 16.25±6.01 dB in the long-term hearing examinations. There was a significant difference between short- and long-term ABG closure (P=0.029). Conclusion. Patients with large perforations have continuous hearing improvement and ABG closure for more than one year. In contrast, the short- and long-term postoperative ABGs are almost the same in patients with small perforations. More long-term postoperative follow-up of hearing results is necessary for large perforations.

Photocatalytic study of Zinc Oxide with bismuth doping prepared by spray pyrolysis

Lin, Tzu-Yang,Hsu, Yu-Ting,Lan, Wen-How,Huang, Chien-Jung,Chen, Lung-Chien,Huang, Yu-Hsuan,Lin, Jia-Ching,Chang, Kuo-Jen,Lin, Wen-Jen,Huang, Kai-Feng Techno-Press 2015 Advances in nano research Vol.3 No.3

The unintentionally doped and bismuth (Bi) doped zinc oxide (ZnO) films were prepared by spray pyrolysis at $450^{\circ}C$ with zinc acetate and bismuth nitrate precursor. The n-type conduction with concentration $6.13{\times}10^{16}cm^{-3}$ can be observed for the unintentionally doped ZnO. With the increasing of bismuth nitrate concentration in precursor, the p-type conduction can be observed. The p-type concentration $4.44{\times}10^{17}cm^{-3}$ can be achieved for the film with the Bi/Zn atomic ratio 5% in the precursor. The photoluminescence spectroscopy with HeCd laser light source was studied for films with different Bi doping. The photocatalytic activity for the unintentionally doped and Bi-doped ZnO films was studied through the photodegradation of Congo red under UV light illumination. The effects of different Bi contents on photocatalytic activity are studied and discussed. Results show that appropriate Bi doping in ZnO can increase photocatalytic activity.

Safety and Efficacy of Adalimumab for Patients With Moderate to Severe Crohn`s Disease: The Taiwan Society of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (TSIBD) Study

( Chen Wang Chang ),( Shu Chen Wei ),( Jen Wei Chou ),( Tzu Chi Hsu ),( Chiao Hsiung Chuang ),( Ching Pin Lin ),( Wen Hung Hsu ),( Hsu Heng Yen ),( Jen Kou Lin ),( Yi Jen Fang ),( Horng Yuan Wang ),( 대한장연구학회 2014 Intestinal Research Vol.12 No.4

Background/Aims: Only moderate to severe Crohn`s Disease (CD) patients without a satisfactory conventional therapy effect are eligible to get reimbursement from the National Health Insurance of Taiwan for using adalimumab. These are more stringent criteria than in many Western countries and Japan and Korea. We aim to explore the efficacy of using adalimumab in CD patients under such stringent criteria. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted in nine medical centers in Taiwan and we collected the results of CD patients receiving adalimumab from Sep 2009 to Mar 2014. The clinical characteristics, response measured by CDAI (Crohn`s Disease Activity Index), adverse events and survival status were recorded and analyzed. CR-70, CR-100, and CR-150 were defined as attaining a CDAI decrease of 70, 100 or 150 points compared with baseline. Results: A total of 103 CD patient records were used in this study. Sixty percent of these patients received combination therapy of adalimumab together with immunomodulators. CR-70 was 68.7%, 74.5% and 88.4% after week 4, 8 and 12 of treatment, respectively. The steroid-free rate, complications and survival were 47.6%, 9.7% and 99% of patients, respectively. In considering the mucosal healing, only 25% patients achieve mucosal healing after treatment for 6 to12 months. Surgery was still needed in 16.5% of patients. Combination treatment of adalimumab with immunomodulators further decreased the level of CDAI at week 8 when compared with the monotherapy. Conclusions: Even under the stringent criteria for using adalimumab, the response rate was comparable to those without stringent criteria. (Intest Res 2014;12:287-292)

Proposed Digital Control Scheme for Improved Current Share of Multiphase DC/DC Converters

Jen-Ta Su,Chih-Wen Liu 전력전자학회 2011 ICPE(ISPE)논문집 Vol.2011 No.5

In this paper, a novel control scheme is proposed to improve the current share for multiphase DC/DC converters. The proposed control scheme is based upon gain scheduling method to automatically tune the parameters such as on resistance of power MOSFET or board impedance between each phase for optimization in current balance. The purpose of this paper is proposed a digitally control method to implement the voltage mode control with current sense by inductor series resistance and combined with gain scheduling method. The proposed scheme is verified on 12V input with 1 V output, 40 A 2-phases interleaved DC/DC buck converter and the simulation and experimental results are presented to demonstrate the theoretical analysis.

Meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies in East Asian-ancestry populations identifies four new loci for body mass index

Wen, Wanqing,Zheng, Wei,Okada, Yukinori,Takeuchi, Fumihiko,Tabara, Yasuharu,Hwang, Joo-Yeon,Dorajoo, Rajkumar,Li, Huaixing,Tsai, Fuu-Jen,Yang, Xiaobo,He, Jiang,Wu, Ying,He, Meian,Zhang, Yi,Liang, Jun IRL Press 2014 Human molecular genetics Vol.23 No.20

<P>Recent genetic association studies have identified 55 genetic loci associated with obesity or body mass index (BMI). The vast majority, 51 loci, however, were identified in European-ancestry populations. We conducted a meta-analysis of associations between BMI and ∼2.5 million genotyped or imputed single nucleotide polymorphisms among 86 757 individuals of Asian ancestry, followed by <I>in silico</I> and <I>de novo</I> replication among 7488–47 352 additional Asian-ancestry individuals. We identified four novel BMI-associated loci near the <I>KCNQ1</I> (rs2237892, <I>P</I> = 9.29 × 10<SUP>−13</SUP>), <I>ALDH2/MYL2</I> (rs671, <I>P</I> = 3.40 × 10<SUP>−11</SUP>; rs12229654, <I>P</I> = 4.56 × 10<SUP>−9</SUP>), <I>ITIH4</I> (rs2535633, <I>P</I> = 1.77 × 10<SUP>−10</SUP>) and <I>NT5C2</I> (rs11191580, <I>P</I> = 3.83 × 10<SUP>−8</SUP>) genes. The association of BMI with rs2237892, rs671 and rs12229654 was significantly stronger among men than among women. Of the 51 BMI-associated loci initially identified in European-ancestry populations, we confirmed eight loci at the genome-wide significance level (<I>P</I> < 5.0 × 10<SUP>−8</SUP>) and an additional 14 at <I>P</I> < 1.0 × 10<SUP>−3</SUP> with the same direction of effect as reported previously. Findings from this analysis expand our knowledge of the genetic basis of obesity.</P>