Abstract: The present invention discloses a respiratory mask to connect a user and a breathing tube for receiving a first gas and releasing a second gas, so as to provide an user's respiratory system to exchange gas. It comprises a main part, an air chamber exchange part, an insert and a clamping part. The main part provides a first, second, and third openings that are communicated each other. The first opening connects to the breathing tube to receive the first gas from the breathing tube. The air chamber exchange part provides an exhaust assembly to relieve pressure according to an internal air pressure of the air chamber exchange part. The insert connects to the user's nose so as to direct the first gas to the user or direct the second gas from the user to the air chamber exchange part. The clamping part connects to the user's mouth.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of treating a subject having arterial stenosis. The method comprises: (a) providing a plurality of image frames of an artery of the subject taken in sequence; (b) in a plurality of cross-sections of the artery, determining a maximum diameter and a minimum diameter of each of the plurality of cross-sections of the artery among the plurality of image frames of the step (a); (c) calculating an average vasodilation ratio of the artery base on the maximum diameter and the minimum diameter determined in the step (b); and (d) treating the subject based on the average vasodilation ratio calculated in the step (c), by implanting a stent to the subject when the average vasodilation ratio is equal to or greater than 0.2; or administering to the subject an effective amount of a vasodilator when the average vasodilation ratio is less than 0.2.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for treating an inflammatory disease in a subject, including administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA) coated gold nanocluster about 0.1 to 20 nm in diameter. Also disclosed is a method for reducing the expression of a pro-inflammatory molecule in a cultured cell, including contacting the cultured cell with the said DHLA coated gold nanocluster. Still disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition that includes the present DHLA coated gold nanocluster. The pharmaceutical composition is useful for treating the inflammatory disease in the subject.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of treating a subject having arterial stenosis. The method comprises: (a) providing a plurality of image frames of an artery of the subject taken in sequence; (b) in a plurality of cross-sections of the artery, determining a maximum diameter and a minimum diameter of each of the plurality of cross-sections of the artery among the plurality of image frames of the step (a); (c) calculating an average vasodilation ratio of the artery base on the maximum diameter and the minimum diameter determined in the step (b); and (d) treating the subject based on the average vasodilation ratio calculated in the step (c), by implanting a stent to the subject when the average vasodilation ratio is equal to or greater than 0.2; or administering to the subject an effective amount of a vasodilator when the average vasodilation ratio is less than 0.2.

Abstract: A novel intraluminal therapy system for providing a quick and effective way to treat gastrointestinal infections. The invention includes a brand new system of treating Helicobacter pylori infections and an agent dispenser for an endoscope apparatus, comprising a pump, a catheter connected to the pump and a nozzle connected to the catheter. The devices are used along with a complex of antibiotic and/or antimicrobial agents to eradicate Helicobacter pylori while performing an endoscopic procedure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and devices forrestricting the blood flow of an area in a subject. The device includes a restrictor, a bolt and a strip. The restrictor includes a cylindrical body having one open end, one closed end, and a passage therethrough, in which the inner surface of the cylindrical body towards the open end is threaded; and a protrusion disposed on the outer surface of the closed end of the body. The strip is preferably made of an elastic material and is coupled to the protrusion of the restrictor at one end, while allowing the other end (i.e., the free end) to circumvent the area before passing through the passage of the cylindrical body to form a loop that can be tightened to restrict the blood flow of the area in the subject.

Abstract: A device for measuring brain oxygen level of a subject, including a probe (210) and a detecting means (220), which are respectively coupled to a processor (230). According to the example, the probe (210) includes three light sources (215a, 215b, 215c) that simultaneously emit the first, second, and third NIR wavelengths across the brain of the subject. The first NIR wavelength is the isosbestic wavelength for oxy-hemoglobin (HbO2) and deoxy-hemoglobin (Hb), the second NIR wavelength is shorter than the first NIR wavelength, and the third NIR wavelength is longer than the first NIR wavelength. The detecting means (220) includes a first, second and third detectors (221, 222, 223) for respectively detecting the NIR intensities of the first, second and third NIR wavelengths traveled across the brain. The processor (230) is configured to determine blood oxygen level based on the measured NIR intensities of the first, second and third NIR wavelengths by use of build-in algorithm derived from Beer-Lambert Law.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a novel use of HSD3B1 in disease diagnosis. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the mRNA or protein level of HSD3B1 may serve as an indicator for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma. Also disclosed herein are methods for treating hepatocellular carcinoma by use of HSD3B1 inhibitor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method and a system for creating a registered image that integrates the information of CT and CBCT images. With the present method and system, medical practitioners can precisely transform the information of CT image-based treatment plan into the CBCT image so as to accurately control the dosage and location of a radiation therapy. Accordingly, also disclosed herein are methods of treating a cancer in the subject with the aid of the method and/or system of the present disclosure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a portable ventilator and a method for providing an oscillatory flow to a subject in need thereof. The method comprises: (a) forming a gas mixture comprising pure oxygen and air; (b) converting the gas mixture into the oscillatory flow by applying thereto a predetermined oscillatory frequency and a predetermined ventilatory duration; (c) outputting the oscillatory flow of the step (b) at a first jet pressure, in which the outputted oscillatory flow has a first flow rate; and (d) modulating the outputted oscillatory flow of the step (c) by, (i) varying the respective amounts of the pure oxygen and the air in the gas mixture; or (ii) varying the predetermined ventilatory duration of the step (b), in which if the fist jet pressure is smaller than the predetermined jet pressure, then decreases the predetermined ventilatory duration; or if the first jet pressure is greater than the predetermined jet pressure, then increases the predetermined ventilatory duration.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are synthetic peptides and compositions comprising the same for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of a disease or a condition related to dry eye syndrome, psoriasis vulgaris or multiple myeloma. Also disclosed herein are methods of treating and/or preventing a disease or a condition related to dry eye syndrome, psoriasis vulgaris or multiple myeloma, by administering to a subject in need of such treatment a composition containing a therapeutically effective amount of a synthetic peptide of the present disclosure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to benzoxazole derivatives having the following Formula (I): The compounds of the present invention are found to possess the ability to decrease PD-L1 level, suggesting that the compounds of the invention can be used in cancer immunotherapy and treatment or prevention of sepsis or septic shock.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for treating an inflammatory disease in a subject, including administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA) coated gold nanocluster about 0.1 to 20 nm in diameter. Also disclosed is a method for reducing the expression of a pro-inflammatory molecule in a cultured cell, including contacting the cultured cell with the said DHLA coated gold nanocluster. Still disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition that includes the present DHLA coated gold nanocluster. The pharmaceutical composition is useful for treating the inflammatory disease in the subject.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel compounds and uses thereof. The present compounds may suppress the activity of farnesyl transferase and thus, may act as modulators of immune cells; therefor, they are useful for the development of a medicament for treating diseases that are associated with or caused by excessive levels of farnesyl transferase or immune response. Also disclosed herein are pharmaceutical compositions containing the present compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for modulating immune response based on binding I-domain of CD11b on the tumor associated myeloid cells (TAMCs) in the tumor microenvironment. Particularly, binding to I-domain of CD11b with anti-CD11b-I-domain antibody triggers immunostimulatory environment that have one or more of the following effects in the tumor microenvironment: increase the inflammatory cytokine in the tumor microenvironment, decrease the population of IDO+ myeloid suppresser cells, up-regulate M1 marker over M2 marker on the tumor associated macrophage, increase M1:M2 tumor associated macrophage ratio, promote differentiation of dendritic cells (DC), nature killer dendritic cells (NKDC), and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC), increase population of 4?1BB+PD?1+ neoantigen specific CD8 T cells. Converting cold (non-inflamed) to hot (inflamed) tumor by binding to I-domain of CD11b with anti-CD11b-I-domain antibody allows enhanced effectiveness of immune response modulator.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved pharmaceutical management system and methods implemented by the system for sorting and identifying a medicine via its label and/or package. The method comprises steps of: (1) receiving a plurality of raw images of a package of a medication; (b) juxtaposing two of the plurality of raw images to produce a combined image, in which the two raw images are different from each other; (c) processing the combined image to produce a reference image; and (d) establishing the medication library with the aid of the reference image. The system comprises an image capturing device, an image processor, and a machine learning processor. The image processor is programmed with instructions to execute the method for producing a combined image.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are synthetic peptides and compositions comprising the same for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of a disease or a condition related to dry eye syndrome, psoriasis vulgaris or multiple myeloma. Also disclosed herein are methods of treating and/or preventing a disease or a condition related to dry eye syndrome, psoriasis vulgaris or multiple myeloma, by administering to a subject in need of such treatment a composition containing a therapeutically effective amount of a synthetic peptide of the present disclosure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a formulation comprising an extracellular vesicle (EV), and a therapeutic active agent induced or embedded in the EV. According to preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, the EV is isolated from umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells, and the active agent may be a growth factor, an immune-modulating agent, a small molecule, an siRNA, cDNA or a plant ingredient; for example, curcumin. Also disclosed herein are methods for producing the present formulation, and uses of the present formulation in the treatment of various diseases.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of treating a cancer, a degenerative disease, an infectious disease, or aging in a subject. According to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, the method comprises, (a) obtaining a biological sample from the subject; (b) isolating a plurality of extracellular vesicles (EVs) from the biological sample; (c) determining the expression level of a target molecule of the plurality of EVs; and (d) treating the cancer, the degenerative disease, the infectious disease, or the aging based on the expression level of the target molecule determined in step (c).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are synthetic peptides and compositions comprising the same for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of a disease or a condition related to dry eye syndrome, psoriasis vulgaris or multiple myeloma. Also disclosed herein are methods of treating and/or preventing a disease or a condition related to dry eye syndrome, psoriasis vulgaris or multiple myeloma, by administering to a subject in need of such treatment a composition containing a therapeutically effective amount of a synthetic peptide of the present disclosure.