An easy and efficient protocol in the production of pflp transgenic banana against Fusarium wilt

Yip, Mei-Kuen,Lee, Sin-Wan,Su, Kuei-Ching,Lin, Yi-Hsien,Chen, Tai-Yang,Feng, Teng-Yung The Korean Society of Plant Biotechnology 2011 Plant biotechnology reports Vol.5 No.3

This study describes an efficient protocol for Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of two subgroups of genotype AAA bananas (Musa acuminata cv. Pei Chiao and Musa acuminata cv. Gros Michel). Instead of using suspension cells, cauliflower-like bud clumps, also known as multiple bud clumps (MBC), were induced from sucker buds on MS medium containing $N^6$-Benzylaminopurine (BA), Thidiazuron (TDZ), and Paclobutrazol (PP333). Bud slices were co-cultivated with A. tumefaciens C58C1 or EHA105 that carry a plasmid containing Arabidopsis root-type ferredoxin gene (Atfd3) and a plant ferredoxin-like protein (pflp) gene, respectively. These two strains showed differences in transformation efficiency. The EHA105 strain was more sensitive in Pei Chiao, 51.3% bud slices were pflp-transformed, and 12.6% slices were Atfd3-transformed. Gros Michel was susceptible to C58C1 and the transformation efficiency is 4.4% for pflp and 13.1% for Atfd3. Additionally, gene integration of the putative pflp was confirmed by Southern blot. Resulting from the pathogen inoculation assay, we found that the pflp transgenic banana exhibited resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4. This protocol is highly advantageous to banana cultivars that have difficulties in setting up suspension cultures for the purpose of quality improvement through genetic transformation. In addition, this protocol would save at least 6 months in obtaining explants for transformation and reduce labor for weekly subculture in embryogenic cell suspension culture systems.

Voltage Equalizing of Solar Modules for Shadowing Compensation

Jou, Hurng-Liahng,Wu, Kuen-Der,Wu, Jinn-Chang,Chung, Cheng-Huan,Huang, Ding-Feng The Korean Institute of Power Electronics 2017 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.17 No.2

This paper proposes a shadowing compensation method for the solar modules of grid-connected photovoltaic generation systems. The shadowing compensator (SC) implemented by the proposed shadowing compensation method is used only for the solar modules that can be shaded by predictable sources of shading. The proposed SC can simplify both the power circuit and the control circuit as well as improve power efficiency and utilizes a voltage equalizer configured by a modified multi-winding fly-back converter. The proposed SC harvests energy from the entire solar cell array to compensate for the shaded sub-modules of the solar cell array, producing near-identical voltages of all shaded and un-shaded sub-modules in the solar cell array. This setup prevents the formation of multiple peaks in the P-V curve under shaded conditions. Hardware prototypes are developed for the SCs implemented by the conventional and modified multi-winding fly-back converters, and their performance is verified through testing. The experimental results show that both SCs can overcome the multiple peaks in the P-V curve. The proposed SC is superior to the SC implemented by the conventional multi-winding fly-back converter.

Assessing Neurobehavioral Alterations Among E-waste Recycling Workers in Hong Kong

Liao Gengze,Wang Feng,Lu Shaoyou,Yu Yanny Hoi Kuen,Arrandale Victoria H.,Chan Alan Hoi-shou,Tse Lap Ah 한국산업안전보건공단 산업안전보건연구원 2024 Safety and health at work Vol.15 No.1

Background E-waste workers in Hong Kong are handling an unprecedented amount of e-waste, which contains various neurotoxic chemicals. However, no study has been conducted to evaluate the neurological health status of e-waste workers in Hong Kong. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of neurobehavioral alterations and to identify the vulnerable groups among Hong Kong e-waste workers. Methods We recruited 109 Hong Kong e-waste workers from June 2021 to September 2022. Participants completed standard questionnaires and wore a GENEActiv accelerometer for seven days. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Questionnaire 16/18 (Q16/18) were used to assess subjective neurobehavioral alterations. The GENEActiv data generated objective sleep and circadian rhythm variables. Workers were grouped based on job designation and entity type according to the presumed hazardous level. Unconditional logistic regression models measured the associations of occupational characteristics with neurobehavioral alterations after adjusting for confounders. Results While dismantlers/repairers and the workers in entities not funded by the government were more likely to suffer from neurotoxic symptoms in Q18 (adjusted odds ratio: 3.18 [1.18–9.39] and 2.77 [1.10–7.46], respectively), the workers from self-sustained recycling facilities also have poor performances in circadian rhythm. Results also showed that the dismantlers/repairers working in entities not funded by the government had the highest risk of neurotoxic symptoms compared to the lowest-risk group (i.e., workers in government-funded companies with other job designations). Conclusion This timely and valuable study emphasizes the importance of improving the working conditions for high-risk e-waste workers, especially the dismantlers or repairers working in facilities not funded by the government. Background E-waste workers in Hong Kong are handling an unprecedented amount of e-waste, which contains various neurotoxic chemicals. However, no study has been conducted to evaluate the neurological health status of e-waste workers in Hong Kong. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of neurobehavioral alterations and to identify the vulnerable groups among Hong Kong e-waste workers. Methods We recruited 109 Hong Kong e-waste workers from June 2021 to September 2022. Participants completed standard questionnaires and wore a GENEActiv accelerometer for seven days. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Questionnaire 16/18 (Q16/18) were used to assess subjective neurobehavioral alterations. The GENEActiv data generated objective sleep and circadian rhythm variables. Workers were grouped based on job designation and entity type according to the presumed hazardous level. Unconditional logistic regression models measured the associations of occupational characteristics with neurobehavioral alterations after adjusting for confounders. Results While dismantlers/repairers and the workers in entities not funded by the government were more likely to suffer from neurotoxic symptoms in Q18 (adjusted odds ratio: 3.18 [1.18–9.39] and 2.77 [1.10–7.46], respectively), the workers from self-sustained recycling facilities also have poor performances in circadian rhythm. Results also showed that the dismantlers/repairers working in entities not funded by the government had the highest risk of neurotoxic symptoms compared to the lowest-risk group (i.e., workers in government-funded companies with other job designations). Conclusion This timely and valuable study emphasizes the importance of improving the working conditions for high-risk e-waste workers, especially the dismantlers or repairers working in facilities not funded by the government.

Voltage Equalizing of Solar Modules for Shadowing Compensation

Hurng-Liahng Jou,Kuen-Der Wu,Jinn-Chang Wu,Cheng-Huan Chung,Ding-Feng Huang 전력전자학회 2017 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.17 No.2

This paper proposes a shadowing compensation method for the solar modules of grid-connected photovoltaic generation systems. The shadowing compensator (SC) implemented by the proposed shadowing compensation method is used only for the solar modules that can be shaded by predictable sources of shading. The proposed SC can simplify both the power circuit and the control circuit as well as improve power efficiency and utilizes a voltage equalizer configured by a modified multi-winding fly-back converter. The proposed SC harvests energy from the entire solar cell array to compensate for the shaded sub-modules of the solar cell array, producing near-identical voltages of all shaded and un-shaded sub-modules in the solar cell array. This setup prevents the formation of multiple peaks in the P–V curve under shaded conditions. Hardware prototypes are developed for the SCs implemented by the conventional and modified multi-winding fly-back converters, and their performance is verified through testing. The experimental results show that both SCs can overcome the multiple peaks in the P–V curve. The proposed SC is superior to the SC implemented by the conventional multi-winding fly-back converter.

New Single-Phase Power Converter Topology for Frequency Changing of AC Voltage

Hurng-Liahng Jou,Jinn-Chang Wu,Kuen-Der Wu,Ting-Feng Huang,Szu-Hsiang Wei 전력전자학회 2018 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.18 No.3

This paper proposes a new single-phase power converter topology for changing the frequency of AC voltage. The proposed single-phase frequency converter (SFC) includes a T-type multi-level power converter (TMPC), a frequency decoupling transformer (FDT) and a digital signal processor (DSP). The TMPC can convert a 60 Hz AC voltage to a DC voltage and then convert the DC voltage to a 50 Hz AC voltage. Therefore, the output currents of the two T-type power switch arms have 50 Hz and 60 Hz components. The FDT is used to decouple the 50 Hz and 60 Hz components. The salient feature of the proposed SFC is that only one power electronic converter stage is used since the functions of the AC-DC and DC-AC power conversions are integrated into the TMPC. Therefore, the proposed SFC can simplify both the power circuit and the control circuit. In order to verify the functions of the proposed SFC, a hardware prototype is established. Experimental results verify that the performance of the proposed SFC is as expected.

Microstructures, Mechanical Properties, and Fracture Behaviors of Metal-Injection Molded 17-4PH Stainless Steel

Ming-Wei Wu,Zeng-Kai Huang,Chun-Feng Tseng,Kuen-Shyang Hwang 대한금속·재료학회 2015 METALS AND MATERIALS International Vol.21 No.3

Metal injection molding (MIM) is a versatile technique for economically manufacturing various metal parts with complicated shapes and excellent properties. The objective of this study was to clarify the effects of powder type (water-atomized and gas-atomized powders) and various heat treatments (sintering, solutioning, H900, and H1100) on the microstructures, mechanical properties, and fracture behaviors of MIM 17- 4PH stainless steels. The results showed that better mechanical properties of MIM 17-4PH can be achieved with gas-atomized powder than with water-atomized powder due mainly to the lower silicon and oxygen contents and fewer SiO2 inclusions in the steels. The presence of 10 vol% δ ferrite does not impair the UTS or elongation of MIM 17-4PH stainless steels. The δ ferrite did not fracture, even though the neighboring martensitic matrix was severely cracked. Moreover, H900 treatment produces the highest hardness and UTS, along with moderate elongation. H1100 treatment produces the best elongation, along with moderate hardness and UTS.

New Single-Phase Power Converter Topology for Frequency Changing of AC Voltage

Jou, Hurng-Liahng,Wu, Jinn-Chang,Wu, Kuen-Der,Huang, Ting-Feng,Wei, Szu-Hsiang The Korean Institute of Power Electronics 2018 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.18 No.3

This paper proposes a new single-phase power converter topology for changing the frequency of AC voltage. The proposed single-phase frequency converter (SFC) includes a T-type multi-level power converter (TMPC), a frequency decoupling transformer (FDT) and a digital signal processor (DSP). The TMPC can convert a 60 Hz AC voltage to a DC voltage and then convert the DC voltage to a 50 Hz AC voltage. Therefore, the output currents of the two T-type power switch arms have 50 Hz and 60 Hz components. The FDT is used to decouple the 50 Hz and 60 Hz components. The salient feature of the proposed SFC is that only one power electronic converter stage is used since the functions of the AC-DC and DC-AC power conversions are integrated into the TMPC. Therefore, the proposed SFC can simplify both the power circuit and the control circuit. In order to verify the functions of the proposed SFC, a hardware prototype is established. Experimental results verify that the performance of the proposed SFC is as expected.

Enhanced x-ray irradiation-induced cancer cell damage by gold nanoparticles treated by a new synthesis method of polyethylene glycol modification

Liu, Chi-Jen,Wang, Chang-Hai,Chien, Chia-Chi,Yang, Tsung-Yeh,Chen, Shin-Tai,Leng, Wei-Hua,Lee, Cheng-Feng,Lee, Kuen-Ho,Hwu, Y,Lee, Yao-Chang,Cheng, Chia-Liang,Yang, Chung-Shi,Chen, Y J,Je, J H,Margari IOP Pub 2008 Nanotechnology Vol.19 No.29

<P>We explored a very interesting gold nanoparticle system—pegylated gold in colloidal solution—and analyzed its uptake by mice colorectal adenocarcinoma CT26 tumor cells and the impact on the cell’s response to x-ray irradiation. We found that exposure to polyethylene glycol (PEG) modified (‘pegylated’) 4.7 ± 2.6 nm gold nanoparticles synthesized by a novel synchrotron-based method enhances the response of CT26 cells to x-ray irradiation. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and confocal microscopy revealed that substantial amounts of such nanoparticles are taken up and absorbed by the cells and this conclusion is supported by quantitative induced coupled plasma (ICP) results. Standard tests indicated that the internalized particles are highly biocompatible but strongly enhance the cell damage induced by x-ray irradiation. Synchrotron radiation Fourier transform infrared (SR-FTIR) spectromicroscopy analyzed the chemical aspects of this phenomenon: the appearance of C = O stretching bond spectral features could be used as a marker for cell damage and confirmed the enhancement of the radiation-induced toxicity for cells.</P>

The tyrosine kinase inhibitor nintedanib activates SHP-1 and induces apoptosis in triple-negative breast cancer cells

Chun-Yu Liu,Tzu-Ting Huang,Pei-Yi Chu,Chun-Teng Huang,Chia-Han Lee,Wan-Lun Wang,Ka-Yi Lau,Wen-Chun Tsai,Tzu-I Chao,Jung-Chen Su,Ming-Huang Chen,Chung-Wai Shiau,Ling-Ming Tseng,Kuen-Feng Chen 생화학분자생물학회 2017 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.49 No.-

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains difficult to treat and urgently needs new therapeutic options. Nintedanib, a multikinase inhibitor, has exhibited efficacy in early clinical trials for HER2-negative breast cancer. In this study, we examined a new molecular mechanism of nintedanib in TNBC. The results demonstrated that nintedanib enhanced TNBC cell apoptosis, which was accompanied by a reduction of p-STAT3 and its downstream proteins. STAT3 overexpression suppressed nintedanib-mediated apoptosis and further increased the activity of purified SHP-1 protein. Moreover, treatment with either a specific inhibitor of SHP-1 or SHP-1-targeted siRNA reduced the apoptotic effects of nintedanib, which validates the role of SHP-1 in nintedanib-mediated apoptosis. Furthermore, nintedanib-induced apoptosis was attenuated in TNBC cells expressing SHP-1 mutants with constantly open conformations, suggesting that the autoinhibitory mechanism of SHP-1 attenuated the effects of nintedanib. Importantly, nintedanib significantly inhibited tumor growth via the SHP-1/p-STAT3 pathway. Clinically, SHP-1 levels were downregulated, whereas p-STAT3 was upregulated in tumor tissues, and SHP-1 transcripts were associated with improved disease-free survival in TNBC patients. Our findings revealed that nintedanib induces TNBC apoptosis by acting as a SHP-1 agonist, suggesting that targeting STAT3 by enhancing SHP-1 expression could be a viable therapeutic strategy against TNBC.