Publications by authors named "Ting-Wei Chang"
The glucoconjugation between linear chimeric α-(1→4)- and α-(1→6)-glucosidic segments exhibits functional properties throughout their structure. In this study, we enzymatically synthesized three new series of chimeric nonreducing isomaltomegalosaccharides (N-IMS-n/m), each featuring a constant n, α-(1→4)-segment (average degree of polymerization, DP = 22-25) at the nonreducing terminal, and varying m, α-(1→6)-main chain lengths (DP = 7-53). The synthesized compounds-N-IMS-25/7, N-IMS-24/19, and N-IMS-22/53-were compared to amylose (DP = 28) and previous samples of N-IMS-15/35 and D-IMS-28.
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- The rise of skin-like electronics has led to a demand for polymer semiconductors (PSCs) that are both stretchy and perform well electrically, but achieving this balance is challenging.
- Researchers suggest using tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane (BCF) for Lewis acid doping to improve charge mobility while enhancing stretchability by increasing structural disorder.
- Key findings show that adjusting the lamellar stacking distance and reducing crystallinity allows for better BCF incorporation, leading to a two-fold increase in carrier mobility and a 100% crack onset strain, with stable performance under significant strain over extended cycles.
Article Synopsis
- - This study explores using the C1 nerve root as a key surgical guide for identifying the shunting point of craniocervical junction spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (CCJ-SDAVF) during surgery, based on data from 7 patients treated from January 2017 to June 2023.
- - Of the 7 patients, most (71.4%) were male, and all showed complete obliteration of the CCJ-SDAVFs post-surgery, with follow-up assessments revealing no recurrences within two years.
- - The findings suggest that interrupting CCJ-SDAVFs surgically yields high success rates and good functional recovery for most patients, emphasizing the importance of identifying the C1 nerve
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- Karyopherin α 2 (KPNA2) is a protein that plays a key role in transporting other proteins between the nucleus and cytoplasm and is involved in essential cellular activities like cell cycle control and apoptosis.
- This study focuses on how oxidative stress influences the distribution of KPNA2, specifically showing that oxidative stress leads to increased retention of KPNA2 in the nucleus by reducing its serine 62 phosphorylation through AKT1 activation.
- Findings suggest that the AKT1-CDK1 signaling pathway is crucial in determining the localization and functions of KPNA2 during oxidative stress, as it affects S62 phosphorylation and, consequently, KPNA2's interaction with other proteins involved in gene transcription regulation.
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- * Researchers divided the sTBI patients into three groups based on disability severity using the Modified Rankin Score, analyzing the relationship between biomarker levels and patient outcomes over the week following the injury.
- * Findings showed that elevated levels of specific cytokines, particularly IL-6, were associated with different outcomes among the patient groups, indicating their potential use in predicting recovery or decline in sTBI cases.
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- - Conjugated polymer sorting is an efficient method for extracting semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (s-SWCNTs), but it usually involves harmful petroleum-based solvents.
- - This study introduces a new fluorene-based conjugated polymer with diamines and ethylene glycol linkers, which improves solubility and affinity for s-SWCNTs in bio-renewable solvents, resulting in a high sorting yield of 55% and purity of 99.6%.
- - The sorted s-SWCNTs were used to create thin-film transistors that showed excellent charge carrier mobilities and high on/off current ratios, demonstrating the effectiveness of using eco-friendly solvents in the purification process.
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- Rituximab, an immunosuppressant, poses a significant risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in patients with chronic HBV, particularly those with autoimmune diseases.
- A study conducted on 95 HBsAg-positive patients revealed that without antiviral prophylaxis, 59% experienced HBV flares, while those on nucleos(t)ide analogues (NA) had no such incidents.
- The findings emphasize the importance of ongoing antiviral prophylaxis for rheumatic patients receiving rituximab, as stopping NA treatment can lead to high rates of HBV reactivation, even after discontinuation of rituximab.
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- - Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) is a serious brain disorder caused by a lack of vitamin B1 (thiamine), often occurring in people with chronic alcoholism or poor diets.
- - There have been rare cases of WE developing after bariatric surgeries like the laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB).
- - This case study highlights a male patient who experienced sudden changes in mental status three months post-RYGB, which improved rapidly with high-dose intravenous thiamine treatment.
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- * Researchers conducted a three-year analysis using the eddy covariance method in a Japanese cypress forest to track continuous CO2 flux and found that most CO2 uptake occurs after rainfall rather than during it.
- * The study's model simulations showed that the most accurate predictions of CO2 exchange were made when the abaxial leaf surface was assumed to be 50% wet, revealing its crucial role in controlling photosynthesis and helping improve ecosystem carbon exchange models amid climate change.
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- * A retrospective review of 147 patients showed that those who received PDI reported lower pain scores, reduced instances of PONV, and a lesser need for additional pain medications compared to those who did not receive PDI.
- * The results suggest that using dexmedetomidine enhances analgesic benefits and the overall postoperative experience, especially for patients with type II diabetes.
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- A study evaluated a new portable neuroendoscopic system for minimally invasive surgery to remove spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhages, showing promising outcomes in a small group of ten patients.
- The system allowed for improved surgical precision and efficiency, resulting in an 86% reduction in hematoma volume within 6 hours post-surgery and significant improvement in patient recovery scores.
- No deaths or complications like rebleeding occurred in the follow-up period, indicating the device's potential, but further research is necessary to understand its long-term benefits.
Article Synopsis
- The forgetting process in stored memories of ensemble cells can prevent animals from responding to natural cues, highlighting a challenge in memory retrieval.
- This study utilized Drosophila to show that memory from a single aversive olfactory conditioning can become accessible again after mild retraining, despite being initially inaccessible.
- Key cellular mechanisms involved in this process include the protein creb in KCαβ for long-lasting memory and orb in MBON-α3 for transient memory, with PPL1-α3 playing a negative role in retrieval of forgotten memories.
Article Synopsis
- * The incorporation of MB induces kinking in the polymer structure, altering its conformation and increasing free volume, which ultimately leads to greater stretchability and reduced crystallinity.
- * This innovative method has shown broad applicability across various polymer types, as demonstrated by the successful fabrication of durable, fully stretchable transistors that retain high mobility after extensive mechanical testing.
Article Synopsis
- Advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) shows a high expression level of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which is linked to metastasis, though the role of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) in this process is not well understood.
- This study identifies two RBPs, nucleolin (NCL) and hnRNPA2B1, as key players in promoting the mesenchymal phenotype of HNSCC and notes that reducing their levels can significantly decrease EGF-induced metastasis.
- Furthermore, the research suggests that these RBPs regulate the stability of the fibronectin mRNA through specific pathways, facilitating tumor cell attachment to blood vessels and enhancing the likelihood of metastasis, especially
Biomimetic affinity sensor for the ultrasensitive detection of neonicotinoids.
Biosens Bioelectron
November 2023
Article Synopsis
- Multiple pesticides pose detection challenges, so a new method combines an insect protein (OBP2) and modified gold nanoparticles to detect neonicotinoid pesticides efficiently.
- The sensor utilizes digital nanoplasmonometry (DiNM) to measure tiny shifts in light signals when pesticides bind to the protein, achieving impressive detection limits for three specific neonicotinoids.
- This method is practical for field use due to its high selectivity, quick results, and benefits of using recombinant OBP2 from E. coli instead of traditional antibodies, making it more cost-effective.
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- Intraoperative teaching is tough, but the BID model—focused on guided discovery learning—shows promise, especially for medical clerks.
- A study with 37 first-year medical clerks assessed their learning through observation and hands-on suturing during a surgery, using pre-/posttests and an objective skill assessment.
- Results indicated that while those who sutured reported a better learning experience, their actual skills were similar to those who only observed, suggesting the modified BID model is useful in practical teaching contexts.
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- This study addresses the lack of visual data on carbon storage in Taiwan's forests, crucial for policy-making to combat global warming.* -
- A model was developed to estimate forest carbon storage across 51 major forest types, revealing a total carbon storage of 165.65 Mt C in 2006, with natural forests contributing 68.9% of this total.* -
- The research also estimated annual carbon sequestration between 2006 and 2007 to be 5.21 Mt C, highlighting the changes in forest coverage and land use over time in Taiwan.*
Article Synopsis
- Rathke's cleft cyst is a rare condition with varying features, and this study assessed long-term outcomes of treating symptomatic cases using an endoscopic endonasal approach.
- The study involved 38 patients and analyzed symptoms, hormone levels, and imaging before and after surgery, finding common issues like visual field deficits and hormonal imbalances.
- Results showed significant improvements in symptoms post-surgery, though some patients experienced temporary Diabetes insipidus and recurrence of cysts was linked to residual tissue.
Article Synopsis
- Carotid artery dissection (CAD) is a significant cause of ischemic strokes in younger individuals, contributing to about 25% of cases in this demographic.
- Young patients presenting with unexplained head and neck pain should be evaluated for CAD, which is diagnosed through specific neuroimaging findings.
- The article discusses a rare case of simultaneous bilateral carotid artery dissection successfully treated with carotid artery stenting, leading to a satisfactory recovery for the patient.