Photochemical oxidation of VOCs and their source impact assessment on ozone under de-weather conditions in Western Taiwan.

The application of statistical models has excellent potential to provide crucial information for mitigating the challenging issue of ozone (O) pollution by capturing its associations with explanatory variables, including reactive precursors (VOCs and NO) and meteorology. Considering the large contribution of O in degrading the air quality of western Taiwan, three-year (2019-2021) hourly concentration data of VOC, NO and O from 4 monitoring stations of western Taiwan: Tucheng (TC), Zhongming (ZM), Taixi (TX) and Xiaogang (XG), was evaluated to identify the effect of anthropogenic emissions on O formation. Owing to the high-ambient reactivity of VOCs on the underestimation of sources, photochemical oxidation was assessed to calculate the consumed VOC (VOC) which was followed by the source identification of their initial concentrations.

Enhanced Calvarial Bone Repair Using ASCs Engineered with RNA-Guided Split dCas12a System that Co-Activates Sox 5, Sox6, and Long Non-Coding RNA H19.

Healing of large calvarial bone defects remains challenging. An RNA-guided Split dCas12a system is previously harnessed to activate long non-coding RNA H19 (lncRNA H19, referred to as H19 thereafter) in bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). H19 activation in BMSCs induces chondrogenic differentiation, switches bone healing pathways, and improves calvarial bone repair.

Source-apportionment and spatial distribution analysis of VOCs and their role in ozone formation using machine learning in central-west Taiwan.

This study assessed the machine learning based sensitivity analysis coupled with source-apportionment of volatile organic carbons (VOCs) to look into new insights of O pollution in Yunlin County located in central-west region of Taiwan. One-year (Jan 1 to Dec 31, 2021) hourly mass concentrations data of 54 VOCs, NO, and O from 10 photochemical assessment monitoring stations (PAMs) in and around the Yunlin County were analyzed. The novelty of the study lies in the utilization of artificial neural network (ANN) to evaluate the contribution of VOCs sources in O pollution in the region.

Split dCas12a activator for lncRNA H19 activation to enhance BMSC differentiation and promote calvarial bone healing.

Healing of large calvarial bone defects in adults is challenging. We previously showed that inducing chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow (BMSC) or adipose tissue (ASC) before implantation can switch the repair pathway and improve calvarial bone healing. Split dCas12a activator is a new CRISPR activation system comprising the amino (N) and carboxyl (C) fragments of dCas12a protein, each being fused with synthetic transcription activators at both termini.

Neuroprotective effects of intraoperative dexmedetomidine versus saline infusion combined with goal-directed haemodynamic therapy for patients undergoing cranial surgery: A randomised controlled trial.

Background: By inhibiting neuroinflammation dexmedetomidine may be neuroprotective in patients undergoing cranial surgery, but it reduces cardiac output and cerebral blood flow.

Objective: To investigate whether intra-operative dexmedetomidine combined with goal-directed haemodynamic therapy (GDHT) has neuroprotective effects in cranial surgery.

Design: A double-blind, single-institution, randomised controlled trial.

Accuracy of dynamic preload variables for predicting fluid responsiveness in patients with pediatric liver cirrhosis: A prospective study.

Background: We have previously reported that dynamic preload variables predicted fluid responsiveness in adult patients with liver cirrhosis. However, pediatric patients with cirrhosis may present with unique hemodynamic characteristics, and therefore, the predictive accuracy of these variables in such patients must be clarified.

Aims: To investigate the accuracy of dynamic preload variables for predicting fluid responsiveness in pediatric patients with cirrhosis.

The correlation of the presence and expression levels of cry genes with the insecticidal activities against Plutella xylostella for Bacillus thuringiensis strains.

The use of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) strains with high insecticidal activity is essential for the preparation of bioinsecticide. In this study, for 60 Bt strains isolated in Taiwan, their genotypes and the correlation of some cry genes as well as the expression levels of cry1 genes, with their insecticidal activities against Plutella xylostella, were investigated. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) results revealed that the genotypes of these Bt strains are highly diversified.

Transplantation of human Wharton's Jelly-derived stem cells alleviates chemically induced liver fibrosis in rats.

There is currently no effective treatment method available for liver fibrosis. We therefore evaluated the use of Wharton's jelly stem cells (WJSCs; the major umbilical cord stem cell population) to treat chemically induced liver fibrosis via intraperitoneal injection of thioacetamide. WJSCs were transplanted into liver-damaged rats via the portal vein and the treatment was evaluated by assessing serum biochemistry and histopathology.