Thermal oxidation temperature effect on the phases and photocatalytic properties of silver-doped TiO2 thin film prepared by co-sputtering

Hui-Ru Xu,Ping-Yuan Lee,Ya-Wei Tsai,Ying-Chieh Lee 한양대학교 세라믹연구소 2021 Journal of Ceramic Processing Research Vol.22 No.2

Titanium dioxide thin films with silver dopant (Ag-TiO2) were successfully prepared on glass substrates using the thermaloxidation method. Ag-doped titanium films were prepared using direct current (DC) and radio frequency (RF) magnetron cosputteringsystems. The thermal oxidation temperature and Ag content effects on the phase evolution, microstructure, andphoto catalytic activity of TiO2 film were studied. The crystalline structures and photo catalytic activity of the annealed AgdopedTiO2 films were methodically investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanningelectron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and ultraviolet spectrophotometry. The results exhibited that thethermal oxidation process at 550 oC clearly caused rutile phase formation in the 2.7% Ag-doped TiO2 films directly affectingthe photo catalytic activity. The Ag-doped TiO2 films showed good photo catalytic activity under UV-light radiation, with 59%methylene blue dye degradation rate.

Air pollution and hospital admissions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: are their potentially sensitive groups?

Tsai, Shang-Shyue,Yang, Ya-Hui,Liou, Saou-Hsing,Wu, Trong-Neng,Yang, Chun-Yuh Techno-Press 2012 Advances in environmental research Vol.1 No.1

Recent studies showed that air pollution is a risk factor for hospitalization for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, there is limited evidence to suggest which subpopulations are at higher risk from air pollution. This study was undertaken to examine the modifying effect of specific secondary diagnosis (including hypertension, diabetes, pneumonia, congestive heart failure) on the relationship between hospital admissions for COPD and ambient air pollutants concentrations. Hospital admissions for COPD and ambient air pollution data for Taipei were obtained for the period from 1999-2009. The relative risk of hospital admissions for COPD was estimated using a case-crossover approach. None of the secondary diagnosis we examined showed much evidence of effect modification.

Upregulating sirtuin 6 ameliorates glycolysis, EMT and distant metastasis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma with krüppel-like factor 10 deficiency

Tsai Yi-Chih,Chen Su-Liang,Peng Shu-Ling,Tsai Ya-Li,Chang Zuong-Ming,Chang Vincent Hung-Shu,Ch’ang Hui-Ju 생화학분자생물학회 2021 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.53 No.-

Krüppel-like factor 10 (KLF10) is a tumor suppressor in multiple cancers. In a murine model of spontaneous pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC), additional KLF10 depletion accelerated distant metastasis. However, Klf10 knockout mice, which suffer from metabolic disorders, do not develop malignancy. The mechanisms of KLF10 in PDAC progression deserve further exploration. KLF10-depleted and KLF10-overexpressing PDAC cells were established to measure epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), glycolysis, and migration ability. A murine model was established to evaluate the benefit of genetic or pharmacological manipulation in KLF10-depleted PDAC cells (PDACshKLF10). Correlations of KLF10 deficiency with rapid metastasis, elevated EMT, and glycolysis were demonstrated in resected PDAC tissues, in vitro assays, and murine models. We identified sirtuin 6 (SIRT6) as an essential mediator of KLF10 that modulates EMT and glucose homeostasis. Overexpressing SIRT6 reversed the migratory and glycolytic phenotypes of PDACshKLF10 cells. Linoleic acid, a polyunsaturated essential fatty acid, upregulated SIRT6 and prolonged the survival of mice injected with PDACshKLF10. Modulating HIF1α and NFκB revealed that EMT and glycolysis in PDAC cells were coordinately regulated upstream by KLF10/SIRT6 signaling. Our study demonstrated a novel KLF10/SIRT6 pathway that modulated EMT and glycolysis coordinately via NFκB and HIF1α. Activation of KLF10/SIRT6 signaling ameliorated the distant progression of PDAC. Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov. identifier: NCT01666184.

Hyaluronic Acid Stimulated Enterocytic Differentiation of Intestinal Stem Cells and Enhanced Enteroid Grafting on Scaffolds

Siu Chung Ha,Ya-Hui Tsai,Shinn-Gwo Hong,Yun Chen,Chao-Ling Yao 한국생물공학회 2023 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.28 No.3

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is one of the main components of the extracellular matrix, and functions as a stabilizing molecule for cell-niche interactions. Although the mechanism of HA in supporting cell attachment is debatable, HA-based scaffolds are increasingly being applied in tissue engineering owing to their excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility. HA reportedly enhances the intestinal growth in postnatal mice. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of HA on intestinal stem cells (ISCs) using an in vitro enteroid culture system. A high-concentration of HA (0.5 mg/mL) significantly lowered the proliferative activity of ISCs with decreased enteroid-forming efficiency compared to the control ISCs. In contrast, a low-concentration of HA (0.1 mg/mL) did not affect the enteroid-forming efficiency of ISCs, but up regulated markers of enterocytic differentiation, villin, and HA receptor, CD44 and TLR4, in the enteroid cells. When enteroid fragments were seeded on an intestinal submucosa bioscaffold, HA treatment enhanced the growth and differentiation of enteroid cells on the material with a high villin expression level in the cell grafts. These results suggest that HA treatment is effective in promoting enterocytic differentiation of ISCs and enteroid grafting on scaffolds.

Ginsenoside Rb1 Inhibits Cell Activation and Liver Fibrosis in Rat Hepatic Stellate Cells

Yu-Ting Lo,Ya-Hui Tsai,Shu-Ju Wu,Jiun-Rong Chen,C.-J. Chao 한국식품영양과학회 2011 Journal of medicinal food Vol.14 No.10

Chronic hepatitis/cirrhosis is the eighth leading cause of death in Taiwan. Excess accumulated extracellular matrix produced by activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is the major cause of liver fibrosis. Ginsenoside Rb1, the most active compound purified from ginseng, has been considered to be hepatoprotective. This study investigated the effects of ginsenoside Rb1 (98.8% purity) on activation, proliferation, and profibrotic factors in rat HSC-T6 cells under H₂O₂oxidative stress. Rat HSC-T6 cells were activated by 10 nM H₂O₂and then incubated with different concentrations of ginsenoside Rb1 (5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 μg/mL) for 24 hours. Medium containing 0.08% dimethyl sulfoxide or 5 mM N-acetyl-l-cysteine was used as a negative or positive control, respectively. The results showed that ginsenoside Rb1 at 5–40 μg/mL significantly reduced α-smooth muscle actin levels and at 5–80 μg/mL inhibited cell proliferation in HSC-T6 cells after induction with H₂O₂(P<.05). Collagen secreted by HSC-T6 cells was decreased by ginsenoside Rb1 at 5–80 μg/mL (P<.05). Protein expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 was suppressed by ginsenoside Rb1 at 10–80 μg/mL (P<.05). In addition, mRNA expression of type I and III collagen, TGF-β1, and TIMP-1 was inhibited by ginsenoside Rb1 (10 and 80 μg/mL) (P<.05). Therefore, ginsenoside Rb1 exerted an antifibrotic effect on HSCs by inhibiting activation, proliferation, and expression of collagen, TGF-β1, MMP-2, and TIMP-1.

Curcumin or Saikosaponin a Improves Hepatic Antioxidant Capacity and Protects Against CCl4-Induced Liver Injury in Rats

Shu-Ju Wu,Yun-Ho Lin,Chia-Chou Chu,Ya-Hui Tsai,Jane C.-J. Chao 한국식품영양과학회 2008 Journal of medicinal food Vol.11 No.2

Curcumin and saikosaponin a, the bioactive phytochemicals of turmeric and Bupleurum, act as antioxidants.This study investigated the effects of supplementation with curcumin and/or saikosaponin a on hepatic lipids and antioxidantstatus in rats with CCl4-induced liver injury. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control, CCl4, CCl4 .curcumin (0.005%; CU), CCl4 . saikosaponin a (0.004%; SS), and CCl4 . curcumin. saikosaponin a (0.005%. 0.004%;CU. SS) groups. CCl4 (40% in olive oil) was injected intraperitoneally at a dose of 0.75 mL/kg once a week. Curcumin and/orsaikosaponin a was administered orally 1 week before CCl4 injection for 8 weeks. The pathological results showed that liverfibrosis was ameliorated in the SS and CU. SS groups. After 8 weeks, supplementation with curcumin and/or saikosaponina significantly decreased plasma alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities, as well as plasma and he-patic cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The CU. SS group showed reversal of the impaired hepatic superoxide dismutaseactivity and an increase in total glutathione level. Supplementation with curcumin and/or saikosaponin a significantly im-proved hepatic antioxidant status and suppressed malondialdehyde formation. Therefore, supplementation with curcumin and/orsaikosaponin a protects against CCl4-induced liver injury by attenuating hepatic lipids and lipid peroxidation and enhancingantioxidant defense. Curcumin and saikosaponin a had no additive effects on hepatoprotection except for greater improve-ment in the total glutathione level and antioxidant status.