Relative Genetic Effects of Duroc and Taoyuan Breeds on the Economic Traits of Their Hybrids

Yen, N.T.,Tai, C.,Cheng, Y.S.,Huang, M.C. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2001 Animal Bioscience Vol.14 No.4

For determining the relative genetic effects of Duroc (D) and Taoyuan (T) breeds on the economic traits of their hybrids, 72 litters of pigs, from four mating types, namely TT (T♂$\times$T♀), DD (D♂$\times$D♀) and D-T hybrids (TD, T♂$\times$D♀ and DT, D♂$\times$T♀) were used in this study. The various crossbreeding parameters were estimated by comparisons among mating types using linear contrasts of least-square analysis. The results of reproductive traits analysis showed that T breed had contributed superior genetic effects on the total number of piglets at birth (TBN) (p<0.10) and number of live piglets at 21 days (LP21) (p<0.05) to the D-T hybrids. Estimates of maternal genetic effects showed that the T females were superior in TBN (p<0.05), but inferior in average birth weight (ABW) and average litter birth weight (LBW) (p<0.01) to the D females. Direct heterosis effects were significant for LBW, LP21 and LWT21 (p<0.01). Least-squares analysis of other economic traits showed that T breed had relative negative effects on all growth traits, withers height (WH), body type index (BTI), average backfat thickness (ABF), carcass length (LENG), loin eye area (longissimus) (LEARA), and lean percentage (LEAN) of D-T hybrids (p<0.05). Estimates of direct genetic effects showed that the D breed was superior to the T breed in all growth and carcass traits except the average backfat (BF). Estimates of maternal genetic effects showed that average body weight at 180 days (WT180) of progenies from T sows were lighter than from D sows. Progenies from D females had larger and leaner carcass than those from T females. Direct heterosis effects were significant for average daily weight gains from 150 to 180 days ($ADG_{150-180}$) (p<0.05) and for average body weights at 150 (WT150), and 180 days (WT180), average daily weight gains from birth to 150 and 180 days ($ADG_{150}$ and $ADG_{180}$, respectively), WH, body length (BL), ABF, BTI, and LENG (p<0.01). The results showed that D-T hybrids tended to have superior TBN and LP21 than D breed, and to be superior in all growth and most conformation and carcass traits to the T breed.

c-Cbl-Mediated Neddylation Antagonizes Ubiquitination and Degradation of the TGF-β Type II Receptor

Zuo, W.,Huang, F.,Chiang, Y.,Li, M.,Du, J.,Ding, Y.,Zhang, T.,Lee, H.,Jeong, L.,Chen, Y.,Deng, H.,Feng, X.H.,Luo, S.,Gao, C.,Chen, Y.G. Cell Press 2013 Molecular cell Vol.49 No.3

Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is a potent antiproliferative factor in multiple types of cells. Deregulation of TGF-β signaling is associated with the development of many cancers, including leukemia, though the molecular mechanisms are largely unclear. Here, we show that Casitas B-lineage lymphoma (c-Cbl), a known proto-oncogene encoding an ubiquitin E3 ligase, promotes TGF-β signaling by neddylating and stabilizing the type II receptor (TβRII). Knockout of c-Cbl decreases the TβRII protein level and desensitizes hematopoietic stem or progenitor cells to TGF-β stimulation, while c-Cbl overexpression stabilizes TβRII and sensitizes leukemia cells to TGF-β. c-Cbl conjugates neural precursor cell-expressed, developmentally downregulated 8 (NEDD8), a ubiquitin-like protein, to TβRII at Lys556 and Lys567. Neddylation of TβRII promotes its endocytosis to EEA1-positive early endosomes while preventing its endocytosis to caveolin-positive compartments, therefore inhibiting TβRII ubiquitination and degradation. We have also identified a neddylation-activity-defective c-Cbl mutation from leukemia patients, implying a link between aberrant TβRII neddylation and leukemia development.

Epigenomic promoter alterations predict for benefit from immune checkpoint inhibition in metastatic gastric cancer

Sundar, R,Huang, K K,Qamra, A,Kim, K -M,Kim, S T,Kang, W K,Tan, A L K,Lee, J,Tan, P Oxford University Press 2019 Annals of oncology Vol.30 No.3

<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P><B>Background</B></P><P>Utilization of alternative transcription start sites through alterations in epigenetic promoter regions causes reduced expression of immunogenic N-terminal peptides, which may facilitate immune evasion in early gastric cancer. We hypothesized that tumors with high alternate promoter utilization would be resistant to immune checkpoint inhibition in metastatic gastric cancer.</P><P><B>Patients and methods</B></P><P>Two cohorts of patients with metastatic gastric cancer treated with immunotherapy were analyzed. The first cohort (<I>N </I>=<I> </I>24) included patients treated with either nivolumab or pembrolizumab. Alternate promoter utilization was measured using the NanoString<SUP>®</SUP> (NanoString Technologies, Seattle, WA, USA) platform on archival tissue samples. The second cohort was a phase II clinical trial of patients uniformly treated with pembrolizumab (<I>N </I>=<I> </I>37). Fresh tumor biopsies were obtained, and transcriptomic analysis was carried out on RNAseq data. Alternate promoter utilization was correlated to T-cell cytolytic activity, objective response rate and survival.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>In the first cohort 8 of 24 (33%) tumors were identified to have high alternate promoter utilization (AP<SUB>high</SUB>), and this was used to define the AP<SUB>high</SUB> tertile of the second cohort (13 AP<SUB>high</SUB> of 37). AP<SUB>high</SUB> tumors exhibited decreased markers of T-cell cytolytic activity and lower response rates (8% versus 42%, <I>P </I>=<I> </I>0.03). Median progression-free survival was lower in the AP<SUB>high</SUB> group (55 versus 180 days, <I>P </I>=<I> </I>0.0076). In multivariate analysis, alternative promoter utilization was an independent predictor of immunotherapy survival [hazard ratio 0.29, 95% confidence interval 0.099–0.85, <I>P </I>=<I> </I>0.024). Analyzing tumoral evolution through paired pre-treatment and post-treatment biopsies, we observed consistent shifts in alternative promoter utilization rate associated with clinical response.</P><P><B>Conclusion</B></P><P>A substantial proportion of metastatic gastric cancers utilize alternate promoters as a mechanism of immune evasion, and these tumors may be resistant to anti-PD1 immune checkpoint inhibition. Alternate promoter utilization is thus a potential mechanism of resistance to immune checkpoint inhibition, and a novel predictive biomarker for immunotherapy.</P><P><B>Trial Registration</B></P><P>ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT#02589496</P>

An AzTEC 1.1-mm survey for ULIRGs in the field of the Galaxy Cluster MS 0451.6−0305

Wardlow, J. L.,Smail, Ian,Wilson, G. W.,Yun, M. S.,Coppin, K. E. K.,Cybulski, R.,Geach, J. E.,Ivison, R. J.,Aretxaga, I.,Austermann, J. E.,Edge, A. C.,Fazio, G. G.,Huang, J.,Hughes, D. H.,Kodama, T.,K Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2010 MONTHLY NOTICES- ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY Vol.401 No.4

<P>ABSTRACT</P><P>We have undertaken a deep (σ∼ 1.1 mJy) 1.1-mm survey of the <I>z</I>= 0.54 cluster MS 0451.6−0305 using the AzTEC camera on the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope. We detect 36 sources with signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) ≥ 3.5 in the central 0.10 deg<SUP>2</SUP> and present the AzTEC map, catalogue and number counts. We identify counterparts to 18 sources (50 per cent) using radio, mid-infrared, <I>Spitzer</I> InfraRed Array Camera (IRAC) and Submillimetre Array data. Optical, near- and mid-infrared spectral energy distributions are compiled for the 14 of these galaxies with detectable counterparts, which are expected to contain all likely cluster members. We then use photometric redshifts and colour selection to separate background galaxies from potential cluster members and test the reliability of this technique using archival observations of submillimetre galaxies. We find two potential MS 0451−03 members, which, if they are both cluster galaxies, have a total star formation rate (SFR) of ∼100 M<SUB>⊙</SUB> yr<SUP>−1</SUP>– a significant fraction of the combined SFR of all the other galaxies in MS 0451−03. We also examine the stacked rest-frame mid-infrared, millimetre and radio emission of cluster members below our AzTEC detection limit, and find that the SFRs of mid-IR-selected galaxies in the cluster and redshift-matched field populations are comparable. In contrast, the average SFR of the morphologically classified late-type cluster population is nearly three times less than the corresponding redshift-matched field galaxies. This suggests that these galaxies may be in the process of being transformed on the red sequence by the cluster environment. Our survey demonstrates that although the environment of MS 0451−03 appears to suppress star formation in late-type galaxies, it can support active, dust-obscured mid-IR galaxies and potentially millimetre-detected LIRGs.</P>

Effects of Levels and Sources of Follicular Fluid on the In Vitro Maturation and Development of Porcine Oocytes

Huang, W.T.,Tang, P.C.,Wu, S.C.,Cheng, S.P.,Ju, J.C. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2001 Animal Bioscience Vol.14 No.10

The aims of this study were first to evaluate the effects of different levels (20, 40 and 100%) and sources (follicular size: large, >7 mm; medium, >5-7 mm; small, 3-5 mm) of porcine follicular fluid (pFF) on the in vitro maturation (IVM) of porcine oocytes, and the effects of fertilization treatments and different culture conditions on development of fertilized oocytes were also investigated. No differences in the maturation (63.6-76.6%) and cleavage (24.8-34.3%) rates were observed among the 20,40 and 100% pFF groups (p>0.05). The cleavage rates of oocytes cultured and fertilized in 40% and 100% pFF maturation media were significantly higher than those fertilized in m199-NBCS (51.0-61.2% vs. 12.8-31.8%. p<0.05), regardless of sources of the pFF. When oocytes were fertilized in m199-NBCS followed by culture in rabbit oviducts for 4 days, the cleavage rate in 40% pFF group was better than that in 100% pFF group (46.9% vs. 32.5%, p<0.05). Two oocytes recovered from the oviducts in the 40% pFF group developed to blastocysts after IVC. However, none developed to blastocysts when fertilized in the IVM medium after being transferred to rabbit oviducts. In conclusion, addition of pFF accompanied with gonadotropins (FSH, LH) in IVM medium enhanced maturation and cleavage rates of porcine oocytes. Direct addition of sperm suspension to IVM medium may be an alternative to simplify the fertilization procedures and to reduce the mechanical lesion during manipulation. Furthermore, rabbit oviducts provide a better environment for the in vitro fertilized oocyte developing to the morula and blastocyst stages.

Microstructure and Coercivity of Nanocomposite FePt Films with Different Capped Layer

S. C. Chen,P. C. Kuo,T. Y Kuo,Y. H. Fang,G. P. Lin,S. L. Ou,K. T. Huang 한국자기학회 2008 한국자기학회 학술연구발표회 논문개요집 Vol.- No.-

Enhancement in Perpendicular Hard Magnetic Properties of Co-rich Co-Pt films by Epitaxial Deposition without Capped Layer

S. C. Chen,P. C. Kuo,Y. H. Fang,S. L. Ou,G. P. Lin,K. T. Huang,S. L. Hsu,T. Y. Kuo 한국자기학회 2008 한국자기학회 학술연구발표회 논문개요집 Vol.- No.-

Self-Organization of A Two-Dimensional Array of Gold Nano-Dots Encapsulated by Alkanethiol

S. Huang,H. Sakaue,S. Shingubara,T. Takahagi 대한전자공학회 1998 International Conference on Electronics, Informati Vol.- No.-

Tabletop laser-driven gamma-ray source with nanostructured double-layer target

Huang, T W,Kim, C M,Zhou, C T,Ryu, C M,Nakajima, K,Ruan, S C,Nam, C H IOP 2018 Plasma physics and controlled fusion Vol.60 No.11

<P>Laser-driven gamma-ray source potentially offers a compact, cost-effective, ultra-short, and ultra-bright alternative to conventional gamma-ray sources based on large-scale particle accelerators. Based on the laser-driven approach, we use multidimensional particle-in-cell simulations to demonstrate that a nanostructured double-layer target, which consists of a nanostructured foam coated on top of a metal substrate, can absorb laser energy into high-energy electrons in the nanostructured foam, and then efficiently convert it into copious gamma photons via the nonlinear Compton scattering process enabled by the solid-density substrate, which acts as a plasma mirror to reflect the laser pulse. The effects of different nanostructures in the foam target and the oblique laser incidence are presented. It is shown that the conversion efficiency of gamma photons increases when the size of nanoparticles decreases or the filling factor of nanoparticles increases in nanostructured foam target, but decreases when the laser incidence angle increases. At realistic conditions with nanostructured foam and non-normal incidence, the double-layer target still exhibits an unprecedentedly high conversion efficiency in high-energy gamma-ray production due to the laser reflection by the plasma mirror, which can be two and even three orders of magnitude higher than that of the single-layer target without the substrate using currently available lasers with intensity of 10<SUP>21</SUP> <img ALIGN='MIDDLE' ALT='${\rm{W}}/{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$' SRC='http://ej.iop.org/images/0741-3335/60/11/115006/ppcfaadbebieqn1.gif'/>.</P>

SWITCHING BEHAVIORS OF SCALED BIPOLAR/CMOS CIRCUITS AT LOW TEMPERATURES

Huang, J. S. T. 대한전자공학회 1989 ICVC : International Conference on VLSI and CAD Vol.1 No.1

The switching performance of CMOS and bipolar circuits at room temperature and liquid nitrogen temperatures are examined analytically and experimentally. The switching delay in CMOS circuits is reduced at low temperatures whereas that in bipolar circuits is generally increased. On the other hand, performance enhancement can be achieved for both technologies through proper horizontal and vertical scalings to smaller dimensions. Some conclusions can be drawn concerning the combined effects of scaling and low temperature operation on future circuit performances. Implication for other device structures and BiCMOS technology operating at low temperatures are also discussed.