MingDao University

About: MingDao University is a education organization based out in Bitou, Taiwan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Thin film & Coating. The organization has 557 authors who have published 903 publications receiving 17915 citations.

Multiplex nested‐polymerase chain reaction for the simultaneous detection of Aeromonas hydrophila, Edwardsiella tarda, Photobacterium damselae and Streptococcus iniae, four important fish pathogens in subtropical Asia

Abstract: A multiplex nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based (m-nested PCR) method was developed for simultaneous detection of four important freshwater/marine fish pathogens in subtropical Asia, including Aeromonas hydrophila, Edwardsiella tarda, Photobacterium damselae and Streptococcus iniae. The specificity of the oligonucleotide primers used for PCR detection was confirmed to generate specific amplicons for the corresponding pathogens. Moreover, non-specific amplicons were observed when the primers were tested using pure DNA extracted from 31 related bacterial strains belonging to 23 species or tissue homogenates of infected tilapia. This m-nested PCR approach could detect 19 colony forming unit (CFU) for A. hydrophila, 62 CFU for E. tarda, 280 CFU for P. damselae subsp. piscicida and 179 CFU for S. iniae in infected tilapia kidney homogenates, consistent with the results derived from bacteriological methods. The assay described in this paper is a sensitive and effective method for simultaneous detection of multiple fish pathogens.

Using the Selective Ion Exchange Resin Extraction and XANES Methods to Evaluate the Effect of Compost Amendments on Soil Chromium(VI) Phytotoxicity

Abstract: The Cu-saturated selective ion exchange resin (DOWEX M4195) extraction method was used to investigate the effects of two amendments, 5 and 15% organic matter in the form of hog-dung compost (HC) or cattle-dung compost (CC), on Cr(VI) bioavailability in three soils spiked with various levels of Cr(VI). The results showed that addition of composts could decrease the amounts of resin-extractable Cr(VI) in Cr(VI)-spiked soils, and the CC amendment decreased resin-extractable Cr(VI) more than the HC amendment. The X-ray Absorption Near-edge Structure spectroscopy (XANES) method was used to examine the distribution of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) species in Cr(VI)-spiked soils that were affected by compost amendments, and to elucidate the mechanisms for the decrease of resin-extractable Cr(VI) due to the application of composts. The XANES results suggested that the decrease in the amounts of resin-extractable Cr(VI) after compost addition was mainly due to the reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III). The amounts of soil resin-extractable Cr(VI) were also correlated with wheat seedling growth in order to evaluate the effect of compost amendments on decreasing the phytotoxicity of soil Cr(VI). The results showed that there was a sigmoidal relationship between soil resin-extractable Cr(VI) and the plant height of wheat seedlings and the obtained effective concentrations of resin-extractable Cr(VI) resulting in 10 and 50% growth inhibition (EC10 and EC50) were 76 and 191 mg kg−1 respectively. The above results suggested that the resin extraction method was a useful tool for assessing Cr(VI) phytotoxicity and that addition of composts would enhance Cr(VI) reduction to Cr(III) in soils and thus relieve Cr(VI) phytotoxicity.

Nimbolide induces apoptosis in human nasopharyngeal cancer cells.

Abstract: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), a tumor arising from epithelial cells that cover the surface and line the nasopharynx, is a rare malignancy worldwide but is prevalent in certain geographical areas, such as Southern Asia (Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, and Southern China) and North Africa. Despite advances in diagnostic techniques and improvements in treatment modalities, the prognosis of NPC remains poor. Therefore, an effective chemotherapy regimen that enhances tumor sensitivity to chemotherapeutics is urgently required. Nimbolide, derived from Azadirachta indica, has a wide range of beneficial effects, including anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. The present study evaluated the antitumor activity of nimbolide in NPC cells and its underlying mechanisms. Our results revealed that the treatment of HONE-1 cells with nimbolide potently inhibited cell viability. Moreover, nimbolide led to cell cycle arrest, which subsequently activated caspase-3, -8, and -9 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase to induce cell apoptosis. Moreover, nimbolide induced Bik, Bax, and t-Bid expression in HONE-1 cells. The results indicated that nimbolide induces apoptosis through the modulation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) pathways. Nimbolide induces apoptosis in human NPC cells and is a potential chemopreventive agent against NPC proliferation. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 2085-2092, 2017.