Evidence for Fossil Fuel PM Accumulation in Marine Biota.

When fine particulates such as those with a diameter of approximately 1 μm (particulate matter, PM) are released from fossil fuel combustion into the air, they warm the atmosphere and contribute to millions of premature deaths in humans each year. Considerable quantities of PM eventually enter the oceans as suspended particulates, yet subsequent removal mechanisms are poorly understood. In fact, the presence of PM in marine biota has never been reported.

Assessing the endocrine disrupting potentials and genotoxicity in environmental samples from Taiwanese rivers.

Background: Surface waters receive a variety of organic pollutants via wastewater discharge, and sediment represents a sink for hydrophobic contaminants. In this study, we used in vitro yeast-based reporter gene assays and a Rec-assay to examine the occurrence of endocrine disrupting activities and genotoxic potentials in samples collected from three Taiwanese rivers. Levels of 51 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in muscles of fish captured from same rivers were also analyzed to assess in vivo pollution of PAHs.

Inactivation of the tight junction gene CLDN11 by aberrant hypermethylation modulates tubulins polymerization and promotes cell migration in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Background: Aberrant hypermethylation of cellular genes is a common phenomenon to inactivate genes and promote tumorigenesis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods: Methyl binding domain (MBD)-ChIP sequencing of NPC cells, microarray data of NPC biopsies and gene ontology analysis were conducted to identify a potential tumor suppressor gene CLDN11 that was both hypermethylated and downregulated in NPC. Bisulfite sequencing, qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry staining of the NPC clinical samples and addition of methylation inhibitor, 5'azacytidine, in NPC cells were performed to verify the correlation between DNA hypermethylation and expression of CLDN11.

Growth and characterization of textured well-faceted ZnO on planar Si(100), planar Si(111), and textured Si(100) substrates for solar cell applications.

In this work, textured, well-faceted ZnO materials grown on planar Si(100), planar Si(111), and textured Si(100) substrates by low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and cathode luminescence (CL) measurements. The results show that ZnO grown on planar Si(100), planar Si(111), and textured Si(100) substrates favor the growth of ZnO(110) ridge-like, ZnO(002) pyramid-like, and ZnO(101) pyramidal-tip structures, respectively. This could be attributed to the constraints of the lattice mismatch between the ZnO and Si unit cells.

Intrinsically Stretchable Nanostructured Silver Electrodes for Realizing Efficient Strain Sensors and Stretchable Organic Photovoltaics.

In this study, a new hybrid electrode featuring a high gauge factor of >30, decent stretchability (100% of the original conductivity can be retained after 50 cycles of stretching under a 20% strain without prestrain treatment), high transmittance (>70%) across 400-900 nm, and a good sheet resistance (<50 Ω sq) was successfully exploited. These superior properties were revealed to originate from the reversible phase separation endowed by the nanogranular-like morphology formed in Ag. Owing to such discrete nanomorphology, the free volume within this Ag electrode is susceptible to the applied tensile strain and the ensuing change in conductivity enables the realization of an efficient strain sensor.

Applying Benthic Foraminiferal Assemblage to Evaluate the Coral Reef Condition in Dongsha Atoll lagoon.

Coral reefs in the South China Sea are threatened by environmental changes and anthropogenic disruptions. Foraminifera, a group of unicellular shelled protists, has been considered a reliable indicator of water quality and reef health. However, this indicator has not yet been used to study coral reefs in the South China Sea.

Simulation of shear bands with Soft PARticle Code (SPARC) and FE.

The aim of this paper is to numerically investigate the development, thickness and orientation of shear bands, in biaxial test with two approaches towards solving problems of continuum mechanics, namely the meshless "Soft PARticle" method and the mesh based Finite Element method. Soft PArticle Code (SPARC) is a straightforward collocation numerical method based on strong formulation, in which a first order polynomial basis is adopted for the evaluation of spatial derivatives in partial differential equations. A novel nonlinear constitutive model- barodesy for clay, is adopted in this study.

A 14.7% Organic/Silicon Nanoholes Hybrid Solar Cell via Interfacial Engineering by Solution-Processed Inorganic Conformal Layer.

We demonstrated a high-performance Si-organic hybrid heterojunction solar cell utilizing low-temperature and liquid-phase-processed TiO as an interlayer between poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and Si nanoholes to produce a conformal contact on the surface of the Si nanostructure. The hydrophilic TiO/Si-nanohole surface enabled the PEDOT:PSS to flow into the spacing of the close-packed nanoholes. Scanning electron microscopy images were used to confirm the PEDOT:PSS nanohole filling induced by the TiO.

RelA-Mediated BECN1 Expression Is Required for Reactive Oxygen Species-Induced Autophagy in Oral Cancer Cells Exposed to Low-Power Laser Irradiation.

Low-power laser irradiation (LPLI) is a non-invasive and safe method for cancer treatment that alters a variety of physiological processes in the cells. Autophagy can play either a cytoprotective role or a detrimental role in cancer cells exposed to stress. The detailed mechanisms of autophagy and its role on cytotoxicity in oral cancer cells exposed to LPLI remain unclear.

Dependence of lattice strain relaxation, absorbance, and sheet resistance on thickness in textured ZnO@B transparent conductive oxide for thin-film solar cell applications.

The interplay of surface texture, strain relaxation, absorbance, grain size, and sheet resistance in textured, boron-doped ZnO (ZnO@B), transparent conductive oxide (TCO) materials of different thicknesses used for thin film, solar cell applications is investigated. The residual strain induced by the lattice mismatch and the difference in the thermal expansion coefficient for thicker ZnO@B is relaxed, leading to an increased surface texture, stronger absorbance, larger grain size, and lower sheet resistance. These experimental results reveal the optical and material characteristics of the TCO layer, which could be useful for enhancing the performance of solar cells through an optimized TCO layer.

Tuning Surface Charge and Morphology for the Efficient Detection of Dopamine under the Interferences of Uric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, and Protein Adsorption.

In this research, we aimed to evaluate the impact of the surface charges and morphologies of electrodes on electrochemically detecting dopamine (DA) in the presence of protein adsorption, uric acid (UA), and ascorbic acid (AA). Through the electropolymerization of functionalized 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophenes (EDOT) directly on Au electrodes, we successfully created PEDOT-coated electrodes with three different functional groups and nanostructures. Negatively charged carboxylic acid groups attracted DA while reducing the interferences of UA and AA due to electrostatic effect.

Reduction of global 5-hydroxymethylcytosine is a poor prognostic factor in breast cancer patients, especially for an ER/PR-negative subtype.

DNA methylation at the 5 position of cytosine (5 mC) is an epigenetic hallmark in cancer. The 5 mC can be converted to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5 hmC) through a ten-eleven-translocation (TET). We investigated the impact of 5 mC, 5 hmC, TET1, and TET2 on tumorigenesis and prognosis of breast cancer.

Real-time sample analysis using a sampling probe and miniature mass spectrometer.

A miniature mass spectrometry system with a sampling probe has been developed for real-time analysis of chemicals from sample surfaces. The sampling probe is 1.5 m in length and is comprised of one channel for introducing the spray and the other channel for transferring the charged species back to the Mini MS.

Change of scaling-induced proinflammatory cytokine on the clinical efficacy of periodontitis treatment.

Proinflammatory cytokines are key inflammatory mediators in periodontitis. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between proinflammatory cytokines in saliva and periodontal status. To investigate the usefulness of cytokines in the therapeutic approach for periodontal disease, the relationship between stimulated cytokine changes and the periodontitis treatment outcome was investigated in this study.

A randomized trial comparing concurrent chemoradiotherapy with single-agent cisplatin versus cisplatin plus gemcitabine in patients with advanced cervical cancer: An Asian Gynecologic Oncology Group study.

Objective: A recent randomized trial demonstrated that concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with weekly cisplatin and gemcitabine, followed by two adjuvant cycles of cisplatin and gemcitabine improved survival for advanced cervical cancer patients. An Asian Gynecologic Oncology Group (AGOG) study was designed to determine whether only adding gemcitabine in the chemoradiation phase without adjuvant chemotherapy could improve survival.

Methods: Between March 2009 and March 2013, 74 eligible patients with International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology stage III/IVA cervical cancer or stage I/II with positive pelvic/para-aortic nodal metastasis were enrolled.

Scaling-stimulated salivary antioxidant changes and oral-health behavior in an evaluation of periodontal treatment outcomes.

Aim: Our goal was to investigate associations among scaling-stimulated changes in salivary antioxidants, oral-health-related behaviors and attitudes, and periodontal treatment outcomes.

Materials And Methods: Thirty periodontitis patients with at least 6 pockets with pocket depths of >5 mm and more than 16 functional teeth were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into three groups: an abandoned group (AB group), a nonprogress outcome group (NP group), and an effective treatment group (ET group).

Design of portable mass spectrometers with handheld probes: aspects of the sampling and miniature pumping systems.

Miniature mass spectrometry analytical systems of backpack configuration fitted with sampling probes could potentially be of significant interest for in-field, real-time chemical analysis. In this study, various configurations were explored in which a long narrow tube was used to connect the turbo and backing pumps used to create and maintain vacuum. Also, for the first time we introduced two new types of pumps for miniature mass spectrometers, the Creare 130 g drag pump and Creare 350 g scroll backing pump.

Enhanced cytotoxicity of natural killer cells following the acquisition of chimeric antigen receptors through trogocytosis.

Natural killer (NK) cells have the capacity to target tumors and are ideal candidates for immunotherapy. Viral vectors have been used to genetically modify in vitro expanded NK cells to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), which confer cytotoxicity against tumors. However, use of viral transduction methods raises the safety concern of viral integration into the NK cell genome.

Autonomous in situ analysis and real-time chemical detection using a backpack miniature mass spectrometer: concept, instrumentation development, and performance.

A major design objective of portable mass spectrometers is the ability to perform in situ chemical analysis on target samples in their native states in the undisturbed environment. The miniature instrument described here is fully contained in a wearable backpack (10 kg) with a geometry-independent low-temperature plasma (LTP) ion source integrated into a hand-held head unit (2 kg) to allow direct surface sampling and analysis. Detection of chemical warfare agent (CWA) simulants, illicit drugs, and explosives is demonstrated at nanogram levels directly from surfaces in near real time including those that have complex geometries, those that are heat-sensitive, and those bearing complex sample matrices.

Occurrence of xenobiotic ligands for retinoid X receptors and thyroid hormone receptors in the aquatic environment of Taiwan.

Various synthetic compounds are frequently discharged into the environment via human activities. Among them, certain contaminants may disrupt normal physiological functions of wildlife and humans via interactions with nuclear receptors. To protect human health and the environment, it is important to detect environmental ligands for human nuclear receptors.

Occurrence of aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonists and genotoxic compounds in the river systems in Southern Taiwan.

Water and sediment samples from river systems located in Southern Taiwan were investigated for the presence of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonists and genotoxicants by a combination of recombinant cell assays and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. AhR agonist activity and genotoxic response were frequently detected in samples collected during different seasons. In particular, dry-season water and sediment samples from Erren River showed strong AhR agonist activity (201-1423 ng L(-1) and 1374-5631 ng g(-1) β-naphthoflavone equivalents) and high genotoxic potential.

Development of a mass spectrometry sampling probe for chemical analysis in surgical and endoscopic procedures.

A sampling probe based on ambient desorption ionization was designed for in vivo chemical analysis by mass spectrometry in surgical and endoscopic procedures. Sampling ionization of analytes directly from tissue was achieved by sealing the sampling tip against the tissue surface without allowing leakage of the auxiliary gas used for desorption ionization. The desorbed charged species were transferred over a long distance (up to 4 m) through a flexible tube of internal diameter as small as 1/16 in.

Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy for treating incompetent great saphenous veins--results of 5 years of analysis and morphologic evolvement study.

Background: Varicose veins of the lower leg is a common disease and is associated with long-term morbidity. It has been treated using high ligation with stripping and endovenous laser surgery of the great saphenous vein (GSV).

Objectives: To investigate the clinical outcomes of GSV insufficiency after ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) using 3% sodium tetradecyl sulfate (STS).