Transient Knock Down of Grp78 Reveals Roles in Serum Ferritin Mediated Pro-inflammatory Cytokine Secretion in Rat Primary Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells

Wang, Chi-Mei,Li, Shan-Jen,Wu, Chi-Hao,Hu, Chien-Ming,Cheng, Hui-Wen,Chang, Jung-Su Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.2

Chronic liver diseases, including cancer, are characterized by inflammation and elevated serum ferritin (SF). However, the causal-relationship remains unclear. This study used primary rat hepatic stellate cells (HSC) as a model to investigate effects of physiological SF concentrations (10, 100 and 1000 pM) because HSCs play a central role in the development and progression of liver fibrosis. Physiological concentrations of SF, either horse SF or human serum, induced pro-inflammatory cytokine $IL1{\beta}$, IL6 and $TNF{\alpha}$ secretion in rat activated HSCs (all p<0.05). By contrast, treatment did not alter activation marker ${\alpha}SMA$ expression. The presence of SF markedly enhanced expression of Grp78 mRNA (p<0.01). Furthermore, transient knock down of Grp78 by endotoxin EGF-SubA abolished SF-induced $IL1{\beta}$ and $TNF{\alpha}$ secretion in activated HSCs (all p<0.05). In conclusion, our results showed that at physiological concentrations SF functions as a pro-inflammatory mediator in primary rat HSCs. We also provide a molecular basis for the action of SF and identified Grp78-associated ER stress pathways as a novel potential therapeutic target for resolution of fibrosis and possible prevention of liver cancer.

Intense X-ray induced formation of silver nanoparticles stabilized by biocompatible polymers

Wang, Chang-Hai,Liu, Chi-Jen,Wang, Cheng-Liang,Chien, Chia-Chi,Hwu, Y.,Liu, Ru-Shi,Yang, Chung-Shi,Je, Jung-Ho,Lin, Hong-Ming,Margaritondo, G. Springer-Verlag 2009 Applied physics. A, Materials science & processing Vol.97 No.2

A Simple Partial Discharge Detector for Low-Voltage Rotating Electrical Machines

Cheng-Chi Tai,Ting-Cheng Huang,Ching-Chau Su,Chien-Yi Chen,Ju-Chu Hsieh,Yu-Shiun Lin,Chung-Tzong Wang,Jeng-Hung Lai 전력전자학회 2007 ICPE(ISPE)논문집 Vol.- No.-

A new, simple partial discharge (PD) detector for low-voltage rotating electrical machines using acoustical emission (AE) technique is dseveloped in this study. Common electric components were used in the detector, which reduces the cost of inspection, comparing with the traditional PD detection methods that use expensive equipment costing from tens of thousands to several millions dollars. Experimental results by resonant type AE sensors (150 ㎑) which utilize power line-cycle in a microcontroller unit (MCU) as reference to measure the PDs generated in a low-voltage motor are presented. The AE signals are then amplified by a pre-amplifier (30 ㎑ ~ 300 ㎑, 34 ㏈). Since the resonant frequency of the sensor is much lower than that of the electromagnetic (EM) interferences around the motor, the effects of noise is substantially reduced by this method. In the mean time, the use of 150-㎑ resonant type AE sensor also avoids the disturbance of mechanical vibration noise. According to the experiment results, the measurement system developed in this study can be used to detect the PDs’ AE signals correctly. The AE measurement scheme proposed in this study provides an effective, low-cost method for PD measurements.

Nonlinear dynamic analysis of a relatively short spherical gas journal bearing system

Cheng-Chi Wang,Chao-Lin Kuo 대한기계학회 2010 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.24 No.8

This paper studies the nonlinear dynamic behavior and bifurcation of a rigid rotor supported by two relatively short spherical gas journal bearings. The modified Reynolds equation is solved by a hybrid numerical method combining the differential transformation method (DTM) and the finite difference method (FDM). The analytical results reveal a complex dynamic behavior comprising periodic, subharmonic and quasi-periodic responses as the rotor mass and bearing number are increased. The results obtained using the hybrid DTM&FDM scheme are found to be in good agreement with those of a hybrid scheme comprising the successive over relaxation (SOR)method and the FDM scheme. Therefore, the DTM&FDM method provides an effective means of gaining insights into the nonlinear dynamics of relatively short spherical gas rotor-bearing systems.

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>

Advances in Understanding the “Perfect Monsoon-influenced Typhoon”: Summary from International Conference on Typhoon Morakot (2009)

Cheng-Shang Lee,Chun-Chieh Wu,Tai-Chi Chen Wang,Russell L. Elsberry 한국기상학회 2011 Asia-Pacific Journal of Atmospheric Sciences Vol.47 No.3

Typhoon Morakot (2009) produced 2855 mm of rain and was the deadliest typhoon to impact Taiwan with 619 deaths and 76missing persons, including a landslide that wiped out an entire village. While Morakot did not exceed the heaviest 24-h rain record,the combination of heavy rain and long duration that led to the record accumulation is attributed to the southwest summer monsoon influence on the typhoon. Thus, a special combination of factors was involved in the Morakot disaster: (i) Strong southwesterly monsoon winds; (ii) Convergence between the typhoon circulation and monsoon flow to form an east-west oriented convective band over the Taiwan Strait that was quasi-stationary and long-lasting; (iii) A typhoon in a specific location relative to the Central Mountain Range and moving slowly; and (iv) Steep topography that provided rapid lifting of the moist air stream. The contributions of each of these four factors in leading to the Morakot disaster are reviewed primarily based on new research presented at the International Conference on Typhoon Morakot (2009). Historical data sets, new Doppler radar observations, and numerical modeling have advanced the understanding of the special conditions of monsoon-influenced typhoons such as Morakot. This research is also leading to modifications of existing and development of new forecasting tools. Gaps in scientific understanding, limits to the predictability, and requirements for advanced forecast guidance tools are described that are challenges to improved warnings of these extreme precipitation and flooding events in monsoon-influenced typhoons.

Integrated Calibration for the Cross Magnetic Gradiometer

Cheng Chi,Jun-Wei Lv,Dan Wang,Zhen-Tao Yu,Jing-Li Huang 한국자기학회 2017 Journal of Magnetics Vol.22 No.3

The magnetic gradiometer onboard a maneuverable vehicle is subjected to not only magnetometer errors and misalignment errors but also magnetic interference of vehicle. Measurement precision of the magnetic gradiometer is greatly affected by those errors, so an integrated error calibration method is proposed in this paper. Firstly, considering vector magnetometer errors and magnetic interference, an integrated error calibration model for vector magnetometer is established, and ellipsoid fitting parameters are calculated by the least square algorithm under ellipsoid restriction, then the error calibration matrices are solved by the Cholesky factorization. Secondly, the misalignment error calibration matrices are obtained by solving the Orthogonal Procrustes problem. Finally, simulations and experiments with a cross magnetic gradiometer are performed to verify effectiveness and robustness of the proposed method. Results show that the proposed method can effectively calibrate the cross magnetic gradiometer, and measurement accuracy of the cross magnetic gradiometer is increased greatly.

Dyeing Wool Knitted Fabric in Nano-scale Reverse Micelle with Reactive Dyes - A Computer Colour Matching Study

Cheng-hao Lee,Yanming Wang,Yiu-lun Tang,Chi-wai Kan 한국섬유공학회 2021 Fibers and polymers Vol.22 No.5

The colour quality assessment of reverse micelle-based (in octane or nonane medium) and conventional waterbaseddyed wool knitted fabric has been investigated using computer colour matching (CCM) approach. Both water-basedand non-aqueous based dyeing methods exhibited no chromatic shift from the reflectance curves and established goodlinearity in the construction of calibration curves. The linearity of both calibration curves in terms of R2 value played a criticalrole in CCM. The colour yield obtained from reverse micellar dyed fabric samples was higher than the colour yield valuesfrom wool knitted fabrics dyed in water bath under different dye percentages. The CCM predicted concentrations were ingood agreement to theoretical concentrations for both dyeing systems. To conclude, the results showed that reverse micellardyeing in octane and nonane is capable of generating reliable colour recipes. The relative unlevelness indices (RUI) obtainedfrom dyed wool knitted fabrics using reverse micellar approach reveal good to excellent levelness, which fulfills therequirements of the textile processing industry. TEM picture illustrated that reverse micelles are in nano-scale and this couldenhance the dyeing effect of wool with reactive dyes.

Allicin Inhibits Glutamate Release from Rat Cerebral Cortex Nerve Terminals Through Suppressing Ca2+ Influx and Protein Kinase C Activity

Cheng Wei Lu,Chi-Feng Hung,Tzu Yu Lin,Ting Yang Hsieh,Su-Jane Wang 한국식품영양과학회 2019 Journal of medicinal food Vol.22 No.7

Evidence indicates that indirect inhibitory regulation of glutamatergic transmission, via reducing glutamate release, may induce neuroprotection. The present work was designed to examine whether allicin, a major component of garlic with neuroprotective effects, affected the release of glutamate evoked by 4-aminopyridine in rat cerebrocortical nerve terminals (synaptosomes). Allicin caused a potent inhibition on the release of glutamate evoked by 4-aminopyridine, and this inhibitory effect was abolished in the presence of Ca2+-free medium and vesicular transporter inhibitor. Allicin decreased the 4-aminopyridine-evoked elevation of intrasynaptosomal Ca2+ levels, but had no effect on the synaptosomal plasma membrane potential. The allicin-mediated inhibition of glutamate release was prevented by the N- and P/Q-type channel blocker and the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, but was not affected by the intracellular Ca2+-release inhibitors, mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor, and protein kinase A inhibitor. Western blotting data also showed that allicin significantly reduced the phosphorylation of PKC. Together, these data indicate that in rat cerebrocortical nerve terminals, allicin depresses glutamate release and appears to decrease N- and P/Q-type Ca2+ channel and PKC activity.

Validation of a Palliative Prognostic Index to Predict Life Expectancy for Terminally Ill Cancer Patients in a Hospice Consultation Setting in Taiwan

Cheng, Wei-Hong,Kao, Chen-Yi,Hung, Yu-Shin,Su, Po-Jung,Hsieh, Chia-Hsun,Chen, Jen-Shi,Wang, Hung-Ming,Chou, Wen-Chi Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.6

Background: The aim of our study was to assess the practical utility of the palliative prognostic index (PPI) as a prognostic tool used by nurse specialists in a hospice consultation setting in Taiwan. Methods: In total, 623 terminal cancer patients under hospice consultation care from one medical center in northern Taiwan were enrolled between January 1 and June 30, 2011. PPI was assessed by a nurse specialist at first hospice consultation and patients categorized into groups by prognosis (good, intermediate, poor). Patient survival was analyzed retrospectively to determine significance of between-group differences. Results: By PPI sum score, 37.2% of patients were in the good prognosis group, 18% in the intermediate prognosis group and 44.8% in the poor prognosis group. The death rates were 56%, 81.2% and 89.6% and median survivals were 76, 18 and 7 days, respectively. The hazard ratio was 0.19 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.10-0.24, p<0.001) for the poor versus good prognosis group and 0.54 (95% CI 0.43-0.69, p<0.001) for the poor versus intermediate prognosis group. The sensitivity and specificity for the poor prognosis group was 66% and 71%; the positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 81% and 52%, respectively, to predict patient death within 21 days (area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic was 0.68). Conclusions: Assessment by PPI can accurately predict survival of terminal cancer patients receiving hospice consultation care. PPI is a simple tool and can be administered by nurse members of hospice consultation teams.