Abstract: The present invention is disclosed an array-type-transducer-based high-power ultrasound delivery system which includes a support bracket, an array-type ultrasound transducer, and a plurality of containers. The support bracket includes a plurality of grooves, and the array-type ultrasound transducer includes a clamp and N ultrasound transducers. The clamp includes a plurality of wedges configured for engaging in the grooves of the support bracket and thereby connecting the array-type ultrasound transducer to the support bracket. The containers are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix so that the ultrasound transducers of the array-type ultrasound transducer can dip into and leave the ultrasound-conducting medium in the containers vertically. The disclosed system features high operation speed and low labor requirement. Moreover, the depth by which and the time for which the ultrasound transducers dip into the ultrasound-conducting medium in the containers can be controlled and quantified.

Abstract: In this patent, we isolated a novel compound from fruiting body of Antrodia cinnamomea, namely, (22R)-5?-lanosta-8,24-dien-3?,15?,21-triol. This compound possesses preferential cytotoxicity against human leukemia, pancreatic cancer, esophageal cancer, hepatoma, and cervical cancer cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure elucidates that 34-mer PEDF suppresses hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) from activation by diminishing the levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin (?-SMC), collagen type 1, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1); and 44-mer PEDF promotes liver regeneration process by enhancing the replication of liver-derived progenitor cells (LDPCs). Accordingly, methods and compositions directing to the new use of the 34-mer PEDF or 44-mer PEDF in patients suffering from liver cirrhosis are provided herein.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for inhibiting the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, comprising: administering at least one selective binding agent such as an anti-CD13 antibody or a CD13 antagonist which can bind a CD13 receptor of a cell to inhibit infection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Administration of anti-CD13 antibody can reduce an expression level of the CD13 receptor, inhibit entry of Mycobacterium tuberculosis into monocytes, reduce survival of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in monocytes, and kill Mycobacterium tuberculosis effectively.

Abstract: An evaluation system for determination of cardiovascular function parameters using ultrasound images is provided. The evaluation system includes a data reading module, a 2D image generating module, a contour determination module, an active contour module, a geometric center axis computing module, and a function evaluation module. After reading cardiovascular ultrasonographic files with the data reading module, the 2D image generating module displays 2D images. Then, active contours are generated by the contour determination module and the active contour module, so as for the geometric center axis computing module to calculate geometric center axes. Finally, the function evaluation module calculates evaluation parameters according to the geometric center axes. Thus, evaluation parameters can be derived from cardiovascular ultrasound images for clinical diagnosis in the evaluation of cardiovascular functions.

Abstract: The present invention is a C-reactive protein imprinted polymer film. The C-reactive protein antibody imprinted polymer film comprises a plurality of imprinted nanocavities with unified orientation and distribution formed by removing a plurality of C-reactive proteins from a polymer film. Its ability to capture the target proteins can achieve 99% compared with the natural antibodies. The present invention further provides a C-reactive protein microchip system formed by the dynamic capacitance sensing method with the above imprinted polymer film. The C-reactive protein microchip system comprises a body having a first chamber and a second chamber, and a detector.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for treating a symptom of M. tuberculosis infection in a subject, comprising administering the patient with an effective amount of (3R,4S)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-[(3S)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-hydroxypropyl]-4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)zetidin-2-one (EZETIMIBE). In the preferred embodiments, EZETIMIBE is capable of significantly inhibiting the survival and proliferation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the monocytes. The anti-tuberculous effect of EZETIMIBE is partly through stimulating CD13 leading to monocytes activation and thus bacterial killing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and partly through depleting the intracellular nutrition necessary for the survival of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is also proved that EZETIMIBE is capable of directly killing Mycobacterium tuberculosis outside cells.

Abstract: The present invention is disclosed an array-type-transducer-based high-power ultrasound delivery system which includes a support bracket, an array-type ultrasound transducer, and a plurality of containers. The support bracket includes a plurality of grooves, and the array-type ultrasound transducer includes a clamp and N ultrasound transducers. The clamp includes a plurality of wedges configured for engaging in the grooves of the support bracket and thereby connecting the array-type ultrasound transducer to the support bracket. The containers are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix so that the ultrasound transducers of the array-type ultrasound transducer can dip into and leave the ultrasound-conducting medium in the containers vertically. The disclosed system features high operation speed and low labor requirement. Moreover, the depth by which and the time for which the ultrasound transducers dip into the ultrasound-conducting medium in the containers can be controlled and quantified.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is the novel use of a gold nanocluser for ameliorating oxidative stress and/or aging of a cultured cell or a subject having an oxidative stress and/or aging condition mediated by a vascular factor. The gold nanocluster has a particle size ranging from about 0.1 to 20 nm, and preferably is dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA) coated gold nanocluster.

Abstract: The present disclosure elucidates that 34-mer PEDF suppresses hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) from activation by diminishing the levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin (?-SMC), collagen type 1, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1); and 44-mer PEDF promotes liver regeneration process by enhancing the replication of liver-derived progenitor cells (LDPCs). Accordingly, methods and compositions directing to the new use of the 34-mer PEDF or 44-mer PEDF in patients suffering from liver cirrhosis are provided herein.

Abstract: In this patent, we isolated a novel compound from fruiting body of Antrodia cinnamomea, namely, (22R)-5?-lanosta-8,24-dien-3?,15?,21-triol. This compound possesses preferential cytotoxicity against human leukemia, pancreatic cancer, esophageal cancer, hepatoma, and cervical cancer cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stroboscopic optical image mapping system comprising a control module, an optical module, and an image acquiring unit. The control unit forms a delayed pulse signal by modulating a first pulse signal having a plurality of pulses with a pulse period, wherein a time interval between two adjacent pulses of the delayed pulse signal has a time difference with respect to the pulse period. The optical module provides an incident light to be projected on an organic object, which has a dye therein and is stimulated by a second pulse signal for generating a sequential action potential. The fluorescence generates from the dye inside the organic object, which corresponds to the intensity of the sequential action potential. The image acquiring unit is actuated to acquire the fluorescent light according to the delayed pulse signal, thereby forming a plurality of fluorescent images.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for treating a symptom of M. tuberculosis infection in a subject, comprising administering the patient with an effective amount of (3R,4S)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-[(3S)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-hydroxypropyl]-4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)zetidin-2-one (EZETIMIBE). In the preferred embodiments, EZETIMIBE is capable of significantly inhibiting the survival and proliferation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the monocytes. The anti-tuberculous effect of EZETIMIBE is partly through stimulating CD13 leading to monocytes activation and thus bacterial killing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and partly through depleting the intracellular nutrition necessary for the survival of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is also proved that EZETIMIBE is capable of directly killing Mycobacterium tuberculosis outside cells.

Abstract: An endotracheal tube holder is provided. The endotracheal tube holder includes an adjustable securing clamp, an adjusting unit, a bite block, and a securing strap. The adjustable securing clamp includes a first clamping unit having a first clamping portion, and a second clamping unit having a second clamping portion. The first clamping portion and the second clamping portion are oppositely and correspondingly aligned for holding an endotracheal tube. The adjusting unit includes an elastic member, coupled between the first clamping unit and the second clamping unit. The bite block is configured at one side of the first clamping portion and includes an endotracheal tube accommodation portion. The endotracheal tube accommodation portion covers over the endotracheal tube for providing a protection to the endotracheal tube. The securing strap includes two ends respectively coupled to two lateral sides of the first clamping unit.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for inhibiting the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, comprising: administering at least one selective binding agent such as an anti-CD13 antibody or a CD13 antagonist which can bind a CD13 receptor of a cell to inhibit infection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Administration of anti-CD13 antibody can reduce an expression level of the CD13 receptor, inhibit entry of Mycobacterium tuberculosis into monocytes, reduce survival of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in monocytes, and kill Mycobacterium tuberculosis effectively.

Abstract: An endotracheal tube holder is provided. The endotracheal tube holder includes an adjustable securing clamp, an adjusting unit, a bite block, and a securing strap. The adjustable securing clamp includes a first clamping unit having a first clamping portion, and a second clamping unit having a second clamping portion. The first clamping portion and the second clamping portion are oppositely and correspondingly aligned for holding an endotracheal tube. The adjusting unit includes an elastic member, coupled between the first clamping unit and the second clamping unit. The bite block is configured at one side of the first clamping portion and includes an endotracheal tube accommodation portion. The endotracheal tube accommodation portion covers over the endotracheal tube for providing a protection to the endotracheal tube. The securing strap includes two ends respectively coupled to two lateral sides of the first clamping unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for inhibiting tumor growth, in particular to the method using dehydrosulphurenic acid to inhibit the growth of leukemia cell or pancreatic cancer cell by a compound extracted and purified from Antrodia cinnamomea. Dehydrosulphurenic acid of the invention can be used as a pharmaceutical composition to inhibit the tumor growth of leukemia or pancreatic cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating leukemia using rice prolamin, and a pharmaceutical composition for treating leukemia, comprising an effective amount of rice prolamin together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or excipients. For the treatment application, the rice prolamin can stimulate human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) to produce cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, to inhibit growth of and induce differentiation of human leukemia U937 cells. The rice prolamin is gluten-free, thus will not trigger gastrointestinal allergic reaction.

Abstract: A multi-loop bridge-type apparatus for the collection of cells is provided. The multi-loop bridge-type apparatus includes a barrel, a plunger, a filter unit, and at least two external ducts. The barrel includes one open end. The filter unit is disposed inside an inner space of the barrel and partitions the inner space of the barrel into a first space and a second space. The open end is structured for connection to the first space. The plunger is coupled with the barrel and is adapted for executing a piston motion along the second space. Each external duct has two ends respectively communicating with the first space and the second space. Each external duct further includes a control valve for controlling the duct to be conducted or shut off.

Abstract: There is an urgent need for a method to reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV during breastfeeding in HIV pandemic regions. The present invention provides a supplement for reducing the chance of transmitting HIV during MTCT and method thereof. The supplement comprising arachidonic acid (AA) alone, or a mixture of AA and DHA at safe intake doses. The supplement is provided to either the breastfeeding mothers or the babies to maintain cell membrane potential polarization through activation of the background potassium channels, thereby reducing the risk of HIV transmission.