Abstract: The present invention develops a straightforward and rapid method for generating immunomodulatory cells from peripheral mononuclear cells, comprising treating peripheral mononuclear cells with a hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) to induce differentiation of the peripheral mononuclear cells into immunomodulatory leukocytes. The present invention also provides an immunomodulatory cell prepared according to this method. The present invention further provides a method for treating a disease caused by abnormal immune response comprising administering a HGF to a patient exhibiting the disease, inducing the patient's peripheral mononuclear cells to differentiate into immunomodulatory leukocytes, and modulating the abnormal immune response.
Abstract: Cathepsin S inhibitors having formula (I), (II), (III) or (IV) as shown in the specification. These inhibitors can be used to treat cancer and autoimmune/inflammatory diseases.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 6, 2010
Date of Patent:
November 25, 2014
Assignees:
DCB-USA, LLC, National Tsing Hua University, National Health Research Institutes
Abstract: A transducer for use with a high intensity focused ultrasound medical system has transducer elements that are made from a piezocomposite material bonded together in turn with an adhesive. The elements are deployed along a surface of a geometric structure with two curvatures. The structure is a truncated curved cylinder. The transducer also includes electrodes, each of which is arranged on a corresponding one of the transducer elements for exciting the transducer elements to emit ultrasonic waves in response to electrical signals applied to the electrodes to steer the waves to form a common focus zone in a desired heating area.
Abstract: Methods for identifying a therapeutic agent for treating a Germinal Center Kinase (GCK)-Like Kinase (GLK)-mediated disease are disclosed. Methods for detecting a modulation of GLK signaling by a test compound are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for detecting the presence and/or severity of an autoimmune disease and/or cancer.
Abstract: Described herein are isolated polypeptides each containing one or more receptor-binding sites of toxin A (tcdA) of Clostridium difficile (Cd), nucleic acids encoding the polypeptides, and methods of using the polypeptides and nucleic acids.
Abstract: An ultrasound probe structure dedicated for guiding the puncture needle. It has a passage in the center of the structure and the diameter of the passage is equal to the outer diameter of puncture needle. The bony and non-bony tissues can be distinguished according to the strength of the echoes so that the puncture needle can be guided to avoid hitting the bony tissue before or during insertion.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 5, 2014
Publication date:
September 11, 2014
Applicants:
National Health Research Institutes, National Yang-Ming University
Abstract: A caged platinum nanocluster complex is disclosed. The complex comprises (a) an amine-terminated dendrimer; and (b) a platinum nanocluster comprising platinum oxides, the platinum nanocluster being confined inside of the amine-terminated dendrimer. The complex exhibits cytotoxicity to cancer cells. A double-caged platinum nanocluster complex is also disclosed, which comprises polyethylene glycol (PEG) coated on the surface of a dendrimer caged platinum nanocluster complex. The double-caged caged platinum nanocluster complex comprises pH-sensitive bonds on the surface thereof. Also disclosed are methods of preparing and using the same.
Abstract: A recombinant bacterial cell strain is disclosed. It comprises: a) a first vector comprising a fusion transgene encoding Ag85B-CFP10 fusion protein, the fusion transgene being operably linked to a promoter effective for expression of the Ag85B-CFP10 fusion protein; and b) a second vector comprising a transgene encoding interleukin-12 (IL-12), the transgene being operably linked to a promoter effective for expression of the IL-12 protein. A method of inhibiting intracellular growth of Mycobacterium in a subject is also disclosed.
Abstract: A method of producing a recombinant lipidated polypeptide in E. coli. The method includes providing an E. coli host cell adapted to express a recombinant lipidated polypeptide; and culturing the E. coli host cell in a minimal medium under conditions that allow expression of the polypeptide in lipidated form.
Abstract: The present application provides a primer set for genotyping M. tuberculosis selected from the group consisting of primer sets 1-25 (SEQ ID Nos. 1-50), and also provides an extension primer for genotyping M. tuberculosis selected from one of the group consisting of SEQ ID Nos. 51-75. The present application provides a combination of single-nucleotide polymorphism markers of M. tuberculosis. Further, the present application provides a method and a kit for genotyping M. tuberculosis.
Abstract: A method of synthesizing ligand-conjugated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) is disclosed. The method comprises: a) providing an amine-modified silica particle; b) providing a solution comprising Au+3 ions; c) suspending the amine-modified silica particle in the solution comprising Au+3 ions; d) allowing the Au3+ ions to be adsorbed and/or immobilized onto the surface of the amine-modified silica particle; e) exposing the Au3+ ions immobilized onto the surface of the amine-modified silica particle to radiation to obtain bare gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) adsorbed and/or immobilized onto the surface of the amine-modified silica particle, wherein the bare AuNPs are without organic surface modifications; and f) reacting a ligand with the bare AuNPs adsorbed and/or immobilized onto the surface of the amine-modified SiNP and thereby obtain ligand-conjugated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs).
Abstract: A method of treating hepatitis C virus infection, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof (a) an effective amount of at least one HCV inhibitor selected from the group consisting of an HCV NS3 inhibitor, an HCV NS5B inhibitor, ribavirin, and an IFN-?; and (b) an effective amount of an anti-HCV compound of formula (I).
Abstract: A method for preparing and purifying recombinant lipoprotein Ag473 of Neisseria meningitidis (NM) group B isolates. The method can be used in large-scale production of vaccines for Neisseria meningitidis (NM) group B.
Abstract: Quinoline compounds of formula (I): in which A, B, D, E, F, G, R1, R2, R3, X, Y, n, p, and q are defined herein. Also disclosed is a method for treating a viral infection with a compound of formula (I).
Abstract: The present disclosure is to destroy adipose tissue non-invasively by using focused ultrasound (FUS) and to increase the treatment efficiency by the synergy of the novel FUS and electrical stimulation. Lipid can be released from the destroyed adipocytes and stay in the interstitial fluid of undestroyed adipocytes. In the meanwhile or after the treatment of FUS, a passive exercise of muscle in thighs or other parts is performed by electrical stimulation to consume energy. Therefore, metabolism of the free lipid can be enhanced by supplying energy to the muscles. The ultrasound treatment of the present disclosure is able to increase the treatment area, and while in combination with electrical stimulation, it can efficiently remove lipids in the circulation.
Type:
Application
Filed:
October 11, 2013
Publication date:
April 17, 2014
Applicants:
National Cheng Kung University, National Health Research Institutes
Abstract: Compounds of formula (I): wherein X, Y, and Z are defined herein. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions and therapeutical methods related to these compounds.
Abstract: The present invention develops a straightforward and rapid method for generating immunomodulatory cells from peripheral mononuclear cells, comprising treating peripheral mononuclear cells with a hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) to induce differentiation of the peripheral mononuclear cells into immunomodulatory leukocytes. The present invention also provides an immunomodulatory cell prepared according to this method. The present invention further provides a method for treating a disease caused by abnormal immune response comprising administering a HGF to a patient exhibiting the disease, inducing the patient's peripheral mononuclear cells to differentiate into immunomodulatory leukocytes, and modulating the abnormal immune response.
Abstract: This invention relates to an immunosuppressive cell, and methods of obtaining the cell and using the cell. The immunosuppressive cell is obtained by culturing a precursor cell in a medium that contains a GRO chemokine.
Type:
Application
Filed:
June 4, 2013
Publication date:
February 27, 2014
Applicant:
National Health Research Institutes
Inventors:
Shu-Ching Hsu, Hsin-Wei Chen, Pele Choi- Sing Chong, Hsin-Yu Chen, Li-Tzu Wang