Combination of XEOL, TR-XEOL and HB-T interferometer at the TPS 23A X-ray nanoprobe for exploring quantum materials.

In this study, a combination of X-ray excited optical luminescence (XEOL), time-resolved XEOL (TR-XEOL) and the Hanbury-Brown and Twiss (HB-T) interferometer at the Taiwan Photon Source (TPS) 23A X-ray nanoprobe beamline for exploring quantum materials is demonstrated. On the basis of the excellent spatial resolution rendered using a nano-focused beam, emission distributions of artificial micro-diamonds can be obtained by XEOL maps, and featured emission peaks of a selected local area can be obtained by XEOL spectra. The hybrid bunch mode of the TPS not only provides a sufficiently high peak power density for experiments at each beamline but also permits high-quality temporal domain (∼200 ns) measurements for investigating luminescence dynamics.

The transcription factor NAC102 confers cadmium tolerance by regulating WAKL11 expression and cell wall pectin metabolism in Arabidopsis.

Cadmium (Cd) toxicity severely limits plant growth and development. Moreover, Cd accumulation in vegetables, fruits, and food crops poses health risks to animals and humans. Although the root cell wall has been implicated in Cd stress in plants, whether Cd binding by cell wall polysaccharides contributes to tolerance remains controversial, and the mechanism underlying transcriptional regulation of cell wall polysaccharide biosynthesis in response to Cd stress is unknown.

Visualizing the valence states of europium ions in Eu-doped BaAlO using X-ray nanoprobe mapping.

This study develops and successfully demonstrates visualization methods for the characterization of europium (Eu)-doped BaAlO phosphors using X-ray nanoprobe techniques. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) mapping not only gives information on the elemental distributions but also clearly reveals the valence state distributions of the Eu and Eu ions. The accuracy of the estimated valence state distributions was examined by performing X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) across the Eu L-edge (6.

Capabilities of time-resolved X-ray excited optical luminescence of the Taiwan Photon Source 23A X-ray nanoprobe beamline.

Time-resolved X-ray excited optical luminescence (TR-XEOL) was developed successfully for the 23A X-ray nanoprobe beamline located at the Taiwan Photon Source (TPS). The advantages of the TR-XEOL facility include (i) a nano-focused X-ray beam (<60 nm) with excellent spatial resolution and (ii) a streak camera that can simultaneously record the XEOL spectrum and decay time. Three time spans, including normal (30 ps to 2 ns), hybrid (30 ps to 310 ns) and single (30 ps to 1.

Time-resolved X-ray reflection phases of the nearly forbidden Si(222) reflection under laser excitation.

The covalent electron density, which makes Si(222) measurable, is subject to laser excitation. The three-wave Si(222)/(13 {\overline 1}) diffraction at 7.82 keV is used for phase measurements.

Higher levels of thyroxine may predict a favorable response to donepezil treatment in patients with Alzheimer disease: a prospective, case-control study.

Background: Cholinergic hypothesis has been advanced as an etiology of Alzheimer disease (AD) on the basis of the presynaptic deficit found in the diseased brains, and cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) are the treatment of choice for these patients. However, only about half of treatment efficacy was found. Because increasing evidence supports an extensive interrelationship between thyroid hormones (THs), cortisol level and the cholinergic system, the aim of the present study was to evaluate thyroid function and cortisol level in patients with mild to moderate AD before and after ChEIs treatment, and to identify possible variations in response.

Validation of simplified postoperative nausea and vomiting intensity scale in Taiwan.

This study determined whether the Simplified Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting Impact Scale (SPONVIS), could be used to predict clinically important PONV in Taiwanese. In this prospective, observational study, SPONVIS, simplified Apfel PONV Risk Scores, post-operative anti-emetic drug use, total PONV score, and 3-month recall score for PONV were recorded from Taiwanese patients who had undergone general anesthesia and surgery. With antiemetic use and 3-month recall score as validations of clinical significance, we determined whether the elements and cut-off points used in the original SPONVIS study could be used in Taiwanese patients.

1s2p resonant inelastic X-ray scattering combined dipole and quadrupole analysis method.

In this study an analysis strategy towards using the resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) technique more effectively compared with X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is presented. In particular, the question of when RIXS brings extra information compared with XAS is addressed. To answer this question the RIXS plane is analysed using two models: (i) an exciton model and (ii) a continuum model.

Sapphire hard X-ray Fabry-Perot resonators for synchrotron experiments.

Hard X-ray Fabry-Perot resonators (FPRs) made from sapphire crystals were constructed and characterized. The FPRs consisted of two crystal plates, part of a monolithic crystal structure of Al2O3, acting as a pair of mirrors, for the backward reflection (0 0 0 30) of hard X-rays at 14.3147 keV.

Trans-system mechanisms against ischemic myocardial injury.

A mammalian organism possesses a hierarchy of naturally evolved protective mechanisms against ischemic myocardial injury at the molecular, cellular, and organ levels. These mechanisms comprise regional protective processes, including upregulation and secretion of paracrine cell-survival factors, inflammation, angiogenesis, fibrosis, and resident stem cell-based cardiomyocyte regeneration. There are also interactive protective processes between the injured heart, circulation, and selected remote organs, defined as trans-system protective mechanisms, including upregulation and secretion of endocrine cell-survival factors from the liver and adipose tissue as well as mobilization of bone marrow, splenic, and hepatic cells to the injury site to mediate myocardial protection and repair.

Trefoil factor 3 as an endocrine neuroprotective factor from the liver in experimental cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Cerebral ischemia, while causing neuronal injury, can activate innate neuroprotective mechanisms, minimizing neuronal death. In this report, we demonstrate that experimental cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in the mouse causes upregulation of the secretory protein trefoil factor 3 (TFF3) in the hepatocyte in association with an increase in serum TFF3. Partial hepatectomy (~60% liver resection) immediately following cerebral injury significantly lowered the serum level of TFF3, suggesting a contribution of the liver to the elevation of serum TFF3.

Endocrine protection of ischemic myocardium by FGF21 from the liver and adipose tissue.

Myocardial ischemia, while causing cardiomyocyte injury, can activate innate protective processes, enhancing myocardial tolerance to ischemia. Such processes are present in not only the heart, but also remote organs. In this investigation, we demonstrated a cardioprotective process involving FGF21 from the liver and adipose tissue.

Cardioprotective proteins upregulated in the liver in response to experimental myocardial ischemia.

Myocardial ischemia (MI) activates innate cardioprotective mechanisms, enhancing cardiomyocyte tolerance to ischemia. Here, we report a MI-activated liver-dependent mechanism for myocardial protection. In response to MI in the mouse, hepatocytes exhibited 6- to 19-fold upregulation of genes encoding secretory proteins, including α-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP)2, bone morphogenetic protein-binding endothelial regulator (BMPER), chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 13, fibroblast growth factor (FGF)21, neuregulin (NRG)4, proteoglycan 4, and trefoil factor (TFF)3.

Impairment of perceptual and motor abilities at the end of a night shift is greater in nurses working fast rotating shifts.

Objective: A three-shift work schedule with fast rotation is common among healthcare workers in Taiwan. This study compared cognitive performance at the time of maximum fatigue (3-4am on the last night shift of the rotation) between nurses working two, three, and four consecutive night shifts.

Methods: Sixty-two nurses [mean age 26.

Elastic laminae in vascular development and disease.

The activities of vascular cells, including adhesion, proliferation, and migration, are mediated by extracellular matrix components, including collagen matrix and elastic fibers or laminae. Whereas the collagen matrix stimulates vascular cell adhesion, proliferation, and migration, the elastic laminae inhibit these activities. Coordinated regulation of cell activities by these matrix components is an essential process for controlling the development and remodeling of the vascular system.

Liver cell-mediated alleviation of acute ischemic myocardial injury.

Cardiomyocyte injury occurs in myocardial ischemia, resulting in impairment of cardiac function. As the endogenous protective function of adult cardiomyocytes is limited, nonmyocytic cells may be activated to protect myocardium from ischemic injury. In this investigation, we demonstrated in a mouse model of myocardial ischemia that the liver was able to respond to myocardial ischemia to upregulate a number of genes encoding secreted proteins, mobilize its cells, and release cell contents into the circulatory system.

Formation of smooth muscle alpha actin filaments in CD34+ bone marrow cells on arterial elastic laminae: potential role of SH2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase-1.

Arterial smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are present in the elastic lamina-containing media, suggesting that the elastic laminae may regulate the development of SMCs. Here, we investigated the role of elastic laminae in regulating the formation of SM alpha actin filaments in mouse CD34+ bone marrow cells and the role of a protein tyrosine phosphatase, SH2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase (SHP)-1, in the mediation of this process. Mouse CD34+ bone marrow cells were isolated by magnetic separation and used for assessing the influence of elastic laminae and collagen matrix on the formation of SM alpha actin filaments.

Association of genetic polymorphism in GH gene with milk production traits in Beijing Holstein cows.

Associations were analysed between polymorphisms of the growth hormone gene (GH-MspI) (localized in intron 3) and milk production traits of Beijing Holstein cows (a total of 543 cows). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method was used for identification of various genotypes. Frequencies of genotypes were 0.