http://scholars.ntou.edu.tw/handle/123456789/207 2026-03-12T22:09:34Z 2026-03-12T22:09:34Z Yang, Ying-Fei Ling, Min-Pei Chen, Szu-Chieh Lin, Yi-Jun You, Shu-Han Lu, Tien-Hsuan Chen, Chi-Yun Wang, Wei-Min Chen, Si-Yu Lai, I-Hsuan Hsiao, Huai-An Liao, Chung-Min http://scholars.ntou.edu.tw/handle/123456789/26515 2026-03-12T03:37:03Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Biomarker-Based Risk Assessment Strategy for Long COVID: Leveraging Spike Protein and Proinflammatory Mediators to Inform Broader Postinfection Sequelae Authors: Yang, Ying-Fei; Ling, Min-Pei; Chen, Szu-Chieh; Lin, Yi-Jun; You, Shu-Han; Lu, Tien-Hsuan; Chen, Chi-Yun; Wang, Wei-Min; Chen, Si-Yu; Lai, I-Hsuan; Hsiao, Huai-An; Liao, Chung-Min Abstract: Long COVID, characterized by persistent symptoms following acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, has emerged as a significant public health challenge with wide-ranging clinical and socioeconomic implications. Developing an effective risk assessment strategy is essential for the early identification and management of individuals susceptible to prolonged symptoms. This study uses a quantitative approach to characterize the dose-response relationships between spike protein concentrations and effects, including Long COVID symptom numbers and the release of proinflammatory mediators. A mathematical model is also developed to describe the time-dependent change in spike protein concentrations post diagnosis in twelve Long COVID patients with a cluster analysis. Based on the spike protein concentration-Long COVID symptom numbers relationship, we estimated a maximum symptom number (similar to 20) that can be used to reflect a persistent predictor. We found that among the crucial biomarkers associated with Long COVID proinflammatory mediator, CXCL8 has the lowest 50% effective dose (0.01 mu g mL(-1)), followed by IL-6 (0.39), IL-1 beta (0.46), and TNF-alpha (0.56). This work provides a comprehensive risk assessment strategy with dose-response tools and mathematical modeling developed to estimate potential spike protein concentration. Our study suggests persistent Long COVID guidelines for personalized care strategies and could inform public health policies to support early interventions that reduce long-term disability and healthcare burdens with possible other post-infection syndromes.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Chan, Pei-Ching Ku, Wei-Lun Chuang, Yung-Kun Chou, Yu-Chieh Hsieh, Chen-Che Lin, Yung-Kai Santoso, Shella Permatasari Lin, Shin-Ping http://scholars.ntou.edu.tw/handle/123456789/26402 2026-03-12T03:36:30Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Optimized Microbial Scaffolds Immobilized with Pleurotus ostreatus and Aspergillus oryzae on Foaming Bacterial Cellulose Authors: Chan, Pei-Ching; Ku, Wei-Lun; Chuang, Yung-Kun; Chou, Yu-Chieh; Hsieh, Chen-Che; Lin, Yung-Kai; Santoso, Shella Permatasari; Lin, Shin-Ping Abstract: In this study, we explored the development and characterization of fungus-immobilized foamed bacterial cellulose (FBC) scaffolds using Pleurotus ostreatus and Aspergillus oryzae. FBC, a porous biomaterial with high structural integrity and resistance to enzymatic degradation, served as a three-dimensional matrix for fungal cultivation. The results indicated effective fungal immobilization, with the 1% A. oryzae-immobilized FBC group (FBC/1A) achieving the highest production yield. The water content (97%) and swelling behavior (95.9%) analyses revealed that P. ostreatus-immobilized FBC maintained high hydration levels and rehydration capacities, whereas A. oryzae immobilization led to slightly reduced water retention. Morphological assessments via SEM confirmed the presence of fungal-derived fibers integrated with native cellulose structures, suggesting successful immobilization. A thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated enhanced thermal stability in fungus-immobilized FBC, particularly in the A. oryzae group, while FTIR spectra suggested possible structural alterations induced by fungal activity. Collectively, these findings support the potential of fungal-immobilized FBC as a robust, biodegradable material with promising applications in biotechnology and sustainable material development.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Cheng, Yu-Hsuan Li, Hung-Keng Chang, Kai-Hsian Lin, Yung-Kai Lin, Yung-Hsiang Chiang, Chi-Fu Yang, Jyh-Chin Chien, Chiang-Ting http://scholars.ntou.edu.tw/handle/123456789/26397 2026-03-12T03:36:29Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Bacillus coagulans TCI803 confers gastroesophageal protection against Helicobacter pylori-evoked gastric oxidative stress and acid-induced lower esophageal sphincter inflammation Authors: Cheng, Yu-Hsuan; Li, Hung-Keng; Chang, Kai-Hsian; Lin, Yung-Kai; Lin, Yung-Hsiang; Chiang, Chi-Fu; Yang, Jyh-Chin; Chien, Chiang-Ting Abstract: Background:Probiotic Bacillus coagulans (BC) may have an impact on gastrointestinal protection. This study was designed to investigate the BC effects on Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) induced gastric inflammation in mice and acid-induced lower esophageal sphincter (LES) dysfunction in rats. We determined the oxidative stress/apoptosis/autophagy signaling pathways in H. pylori-induced gastric inflammation and HCl-evoked LES inflammation.Methods:H. pylori-induced gastric inflammation was used in 40 mice and HCl-evoked LES inflammation in 40 Wistar rats. Western blot, immunohistochemistry and cytokine array were used to determine the pathophysiologic mechanisms.Results:H. pylori increased leukocyte infiltration-mediated inflammation and the expression levels of gastric cytokines, 3NT/4HNE-mediated oxidative stress, and Bax/Caspase3-mediated apoptosis, but decreased Beclin-1/LC3-II-mediated autophagy in the mice gastric mucosa. BC treatment decreased inflammation, cytokines release, oxidative stress, and apoptosis, and reversed autophagy in H. pylori-infected gastric mucosa. To replace the antibiotic therapy, BC TCI803 was selected to inhibit H. pylori infection for commercial interests. Saline esophageal infusion evoked an increase in LES pressure and efferent vagus nerve activity during the emptying phase. However, HCI dysregulated LES motility esophageal infusion by a decrease in threshold pressure, intercontraction interval and an increase in efferent vagus nerve activity. BC treatment significantly recovered the level of threshold pressure, intercontraction interval, and depressed the enhanced efferent vagus nerve activity. In vitro LES wire myography data displayed that HCl-treated LES significantly decreased the contractile response to acetylcholine. BC treatment significantly restored the contractile response to acetylcholine in LES wire myography. LES after HCl stimulation significantly increased leukocyte infiltration-mediated inflammation, whereas BC treatment effectively reduced the leukocyte infiltration-mediated inflammation in the HCl-treated LES.Conclusion:BC via anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation confers gastroesophageal protection against H. pylori involved oxidative stress/inflammation/apoptosis/autophagy signaling in mice with gastric inflammation and HCl-induced LES dysregulation and inflammation.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Mao, Hsu-, I Chan, Tzu-Hsien Yen, Hao-Chen Tsai, Wei-Chun Lin, Shin-Ying Wang, Chin-Yen Lin, Yung-Kai Chen, Chin-Wen http://scholars.ntou.edu.tw/handle/123456789/26354 2026-03-12T03:36:13Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Optimizing Adhesion and Thermal Properties of PBAT-Based Hot-Melt Adhesives via Tailored Side-Chain Architectures Authors: Mao, Hsu-, I; Chan, Tzu-Hsien; Yen, Hao-Chen; Tsai, Wei-Chun; Lin, Shin-Ying; Wang, Chin-Yen; Lin, Yung-Kai; Chen, Chin-Wen Abstract: This study explores the optimization of adhesion and thermal properties of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT)-based hot-melt adhesives through tailored side-chain architectures. PBAT copolymers were synthesized via melt polycondensation with 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol (MPO) and neopentyl glycol (NPG) as comonomers to enhance adhesion performance for polyester fabric lamination. Structural characterization by H-1-NMR and FT-IR confirmed successful incorporation, while DSC revealed a reduction in melting temperature (Tm) from 134.3 degrees C to 95.4 degrees C and a decrease in crystallization temperature (Tc) with increasing MPO/NPG content. TGA demonstrated high thermal stability, with Td-5% ranging from 350.5 degrees C to 362.5 degrees C. Mechanical testing showed enhanced flexibility, decreasing Shore D hardness from 24.7 to 17.3 at 30 mol% modification. Rheological analysis indicated improved melt flow and shear-thinning behavior, facilitating processing. T-peel strength tests significantly increased, reaching 101.20 N/25 mm for PBAT-N20 at Tm + 15 degrees C, compared to 35.64 N/25 mm for neat PBAT. Water contact angle measurements confirmed increased hydrophobicity, rising from 62.89 degrees to 74.80 degrees, contributing to improved hydrolysis resistance. These findings highlight the effectiveness of side-chain engineering in fine-tuning PBAT-based adhesives, achieving an optimal balance of adhesion strength, flexibility, and durability for high-performance textile applications.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z