Fu Jen Catholic University

About: Fu Jen Catholic University is a education organization based out in Taipei, Taiwan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 6842 authors who have published 9512 publications receiving 171005 citations. The organization is also known as: FJU & Fu Jen.

Topical cooling (Icing) delays recovery from eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage

Abstract: It is generally thought that topical cooling can interfere with blood perfusion and may have positive effects on recovery from a traumatic challenge. This study examined the influence of topical cooling on muscle damage markers and hemodynamic changes during recovery from eccentric exercise. Eleven male subjects (age 20.2 ± 0.3 years) performed 6 sets of elbow extension at 85% maximum voluntary load and randomly assigned to topical cooling or sham groups during recovery in a randomized crossover fashion. Cold packs were applied to exercised muscle for 15 minutes at 0, 3, 24, 48, and 72 hours after exercise. The exercise significantly elevated circulating creatine kinase-MB isoform (CK-MB) and myoglobin levels. Unexpectedly, greater elevations in circulating CK-MB and myoglobin above the control level were noted in the cooling trial during 48-72 hours of the post-exercise recovery period. Subjective fatigue feeling was greater at 72 hours after topical cooling compared with controls. Removal of the cold pack also led to a protracted rebound in muscle hemoglobin concentration compared with controls. Measures of interleukin (IL)-8, IL-10, IL-1β, and muscle strength during recovery were not influenced by cooling. A peak shift in IL-12p70 was noted during recovery with topical cooling. These data suggest that topical cooling, a commonly used clinical intervention, seems to not improve but rather delay recovery from eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage.

Melatonin reduces lung cancer stemness through inhibiting of PLC, ERK, p38, β‐catenin, and Twist pathways

Abstract: Lung cancer is one of the most common cancer in cancer-related deaths worldwide, which is characterized by its strong metastatic potential. The melatonin hormone secreted by the pineal grand has an antioxidant effect and protects cells against carcinogenic substances. However, the effects of melatonin in lung cancer stemness are largely unknown. We found that melatonin reduces CD133 expression by ~50% in lung cancer cell lines, while results of a sphere formation assay showed that melatonin inhibits lung cancer stemness. These effects of melatonin were reversed when the cell lines were incubated with phospholipase C (PLC), ERK/p38, and a β-catenin activator. Transfection with Twist siRNA augmented the inhibitory effects of melatonin, indicating that melatonin suppresses lung cancer stemness by inhibiting the PLC, ERK/p38, β-catenin, and Twist signaling pathways. We also found CD133 expression is positively correlated with Twist expression in lung cancer specimens. Melatonin shows promise in the treatment of lung cancer stemness and deserves further study.

Home appliance energy monitoring and controlling based on Power Line Communication

Abstract: In this paper an embedded remote monitoring and controlling power socket (RMCPS) has been developed with high suitability for automatic and power management of home electric appliances. It requires no new layout and has the advantage of low cost, low electricity consumption, small volume and convenient installation to replace the PC with a Web server construction. The RMCPS consists of three modules: the Essential Module, the Power Line Communication (PLC) Module and the Detection Module. This allows the user a remote Internet connection to an embedded power socket to both monitor and control home electric appliances.

P-gp Inhibition and Mitochondrial Impairment by Dual-Functional Nanostructure Based on Vitamin E Derivatives To Overcome Multidrug Resistance

Abstract: Vitamin E derivatives possess many essential features for drug-delivery applications, such as biocompatibility, stability, improvement of water solubility of hydrophobic compounds, anticancer activity, and the ability to overcome multidrug resistance (MDR). Herein, vitamin E derivatives are used to overcome MDR through a combined P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibition and mitochondrial impairment strategy. A novel nanomicellar drug-delivery system as a carrier for doxorubicin (DOX) was developed, in which d-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate was used as a P-gp inhibitor, α-tocopheryl succinate was introduced as a mitochondrial disrupting agent, and d-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 2000 succinate was used as the main building block of micelles. The optimal ratio between the components of the nanocarrier was determined. The resultant DOX-loaded mixed micelles exhibited a suitable size of 52.08 nm, high drug-loading encapsulation efficiency (>98%), high stability, and pH-dependent drug release. In v...