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Lin CH, Wang CK, Chen YA, Peng CC, Liao WH, Tung YC. Measurement of in-plane elasticity of live cell layers using a pressure sensor embedded microfluidic device. Sci Rep 2016; 6:36425. [PMID: 27812019 PMCID: PMC5095558 DOI: 10.1038/srep36425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2016] [Accepted: 10/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
In various physiological activities, cells experience stresses along their in-plane direction when facing substrate deformation. Capability of continuous monitoring elasticity of live cell layers during a period is highly desired to investigate cell property variation during various transformations under normal or disease states. This paper reports time-lapsed measurement of live cell layer in-plane elasticity using a pressure sensor embedded microfluidic device. The sensor converts pressure-induced deformation of a flexible membrane to electrical signals. When cells are cultured on top of the membrane, flexural rigidity of the composite membrane increases and further changes the output electrical signals. In the experiments, human embryonic lung fibroblast (MRC-5) cells are cultured and analyzed to estimate the in-plane elasticity. In addition, the cells are treated with a growth factor to simulate lung fibrosis to study the effects of cell transformation on the elasticity variation. For comparison, elasticity measurement on the cells by atomic force microscopy (AFM) is also performed. The experimental results confirm highly anisotropic configuration and material properties of cells. Furthermore, the in-plane elasticity can be monitored during the cell transformation after the growth factor stimulation. Consequently, the developed microfluidic device provides a powerful tool to study physical properties of cells for fundamental biophysics and biomedical researches.
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Lee PC, Liu LL, Sun Y, Chen YA, Liu CC, Li CY, Yu HL, Ritz B. Traffic-related air pollution increased the risk of Parkinson's disease in Taiwan: A nationwide study. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2016; 96:75-81. [PMID: 27614945 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2016.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2016] [Revised: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 08/22/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ambient air pollution has been associated with many health conditions, but little is known about its effects on neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease (PD). In this study, we investigated the influence of ambient air pollution on PD in a nationwide population-based case-control study in Taiwan. METHODS We identified 11,117 incident PD patients between 2007 and 2009 from the Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database and selected 44,468 age- and gender-matched population controls from the longitudinal health insurance database. The average ambient pollutant exposure concentrations from 1998 through the onset of PD were estimated using quantile-based Bayesian Maximum Entropy models. Basing from logistic regression models, we estimated the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of ambient pollutant exposures and PD risk. RESULTS We observed positive associations between NOx, CO exposures, and PD. In multi-pollutant models, for NOx and CO above the 75th percentile exposure compared with the lowest percentile, the ORs of PD were 1.37 (95% CI=1.23-1.52) and 1.17 (95% CI=1.07-1.27), respectively. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that ambient air pollution exposure, especially from traffic-related pollutants such as NOx and CO, increases PD risk in the Taiwanese population.
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Lin HJ, Hsu FY, Chen WW, Lee CH, Lin YJ, Chen YYM, Chen CJ, Huang MZ, Kao MC, Chen YA, Lai HC, Lai CH. Helicobacter pylori Activates HMGB1 Expression and Recruits RAGE into Lipid Rafts to Promote Inflammation in Gastric Epithelial Cells. Front Immunol 2016; 7:341. [PMID: 27667993 PMCID: PMC5016528 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with several gastrointestinal disorders in the human population worldwide. High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a ubiquitous nuclear protein, mediates various inflammation functions. The interaction between HMGB1 and receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) triggers nuclear factor (NF)-κB expression, which in turn stimulates the release of proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-8, and enhances the inflammatory response. However, how H. pylori activates HMGB1 expression and mobilizes RAGE into cholesterol-rich microdomains in gastric epithelial cells to promote inflammation has not been explored. In this study, we found that HMGB1 and RAGE expression increased significantly in H. pylori-infected cells compared with -uninfected cells. Blocking HMGB1 by neutralizing antibody abrogated H. pylori-elicited RAGE, suggesting that RAGE expression follows HMGB1 production, and silenced RAGE-attenuated H. pylori-mediated NF-κB activation and IL-8 production. Furthermore, significantly more RAGE was present in detergent-resistant membranes extracted from H. pylori-infected cells than in those from -uninfected cells, indicating that H. pylori exploited cholesterol to induce the HMGB1 signaling pathway. These results indicate that HMGB1 plays a crucial role in H. pylori-induced inflammation in gastric epithelial cells, which may be valuable in developing treatments for H. pylori-associated diseases.
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Wei FJ, Tsai YC, Hsu YM, Chen YA, Huang CT, Wu HP, Huang LT, Lai MH, Kuang LY, Lo SF, Yu SM, Lin YR, Hsing YIC. Lack of Genotype and Phenotype Correlation in a Rice T-DNA Tagged Line Is Likely Caused by Introgression in the Seed Source. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0155768. [PMID: 27186981 PMCID: PMC4871347 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0155768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Rice (Oryza sativa) is one of the most important crops in the world. Several rice insertional mutant libraries are publicly available for systematic analysis of gene functions. However, the tagging efficiency of these mutant resources-the relationship between genotype and phenotype-is very low. We used whole-genome sequencing to analyze a T-DNA-tagged transformant from the Taiwan Rice Insertional Mutants (TRIM) resource. The phenomics records for M0028590, one of the TRIM lines, revealed three phenotypes-wild type, large grains, and tillering dwarf-in the 12 T1 plants. Using the sequencing data for 7 plants from three generations of this specific line, we demonstrate that introgression from an indica rice variety might occur in one generation before the seed was used for callus generation and transformation of this line. In addition, the large-grain trait came from the GS3 gene of the introgressed region and the tillering dwarf phenotype came from a single nucleotide change in the D17 gene that occurred during the callus induction to regeneration of the transformant. As well, another regenerant showed completely heterozygous single-nucleotide polymorphisms across the whole genome. In addition to the known sequence changes such as T-DNA integration, single nucleotide polymorphism, insertion, deletion, chromosome rearrangement and doubling, spontaneous outcrossing occurred in the rice field may also explain some mutated traits in a tagged mutant population. Thus, the co-segregation of an integration event and the phenotype should be checked when using these mutant populations.
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Lai CK, Chen YA, Lin CJ, Lin HJ, Kao MC, Huang MZ, Lin YH, Chiang-Ni C, Chen CJ, Lo UG, Lin LC, Lin H, Hsieh JT, Lai CH. Molecular Mechanisms and Potential Clinical Applications of Campylobacter jejuni Cytolethal Distending Toxin. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2016; 6:9. [PMID: 26904508 PMCID: PMC4746238 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2016.00009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytolethal distending toxin (CDT), a genotoxin produced by Campylobacter jejuni, is composed of three subunits: CdtA, CdtB, and CdtC. CdtB is a DNase that causes DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) in the nucleus resulting in cell cycle arrest at the G2/M stage and apoptosis. CdtA and CdtC bind to cholesterol-rich microdomains on the cytoplasmic membrane, a process required for the delivery of CdtB to cells. Although a unique motif associated with cholesterol-binding activity has been identified in other pathogens, the mechanism underlying the interaction between the CdtA and CdtC subunits and membrane cholesterol remains unclear. Also, the processes of cell uptake and delivery of CdtB in host cells and the translocation of CdtB into the nucleus are only partially understood. In this review, we focus on the underlying relationship among CDT, membrane cholesterol, and the intracellular trafficking pathway as a unique mechanism for C. jejuni-induced pathogenesis. Moreover, we discuss the clinical aspects of a possible therapeutic application of CDT in cancer therapy. Understanding the molecular mechanism of CDT-host interactions may provide insights into novel strategies to control C. jejuni infection and the development of potential clinical applications of CDT.
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Lin CJ, Liao WC, Lin HJ, Hsu YM, Lin CL, Chen YA, Feng CL, Chen CJ, Kao MC, Lai CH, Kao CH. Statins Attenuate Helicobacter pylori CagA Translocation and Reduce Incidence of Gastric Cancer: In Vitro and Population-Based Case-Control Studies. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0146432. [PMID: 26730715 PMCID: PMC4701455 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0146432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2015] [Accepted: 12/15/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The correlation of Helicobacter pylori and the etiology of gastric cancer was substantially certain. Cholesterol-rich microdomains (also called lipid rafts), which provide platforms for signaling, are associated with H. pylori-induced pathogenesis leading to gastric cancer. Patients who have been prescribed statins, inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, have exhibited a reduced risk of several types of cancer. However, no studies have addressed the effect of statins on H. pylori-associated gastric cancer from the antineoplastic perspective. In this study, we showed that treatment of gastric epithelial cells with simvastatin reduced the level of cellular cholesterol and led to attenuation of translocation and phosphorylation of H. pylori cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA), which is recognized as a major determinant of gastric cancer development. Additionally, a nationwide case-control study based on data from the Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) was conducted. A population-based case-control study revealed that patients who used simvastatin exhibited a significantly reduced risk of gastric cancer (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.76, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.70–0.83). In patients exhibiting H. pylori infection who were prescribed simvastatin, the adjusted OR for gastric cancer was 0.25 (95% CI = 0.12–0.50). Our results combined an in vitro study with a nationwide population analysis reveal that statin use might be a feasible approach to prevent H. pylori-associated gastric cancer.
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107
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Tsai SH, Chen YA, Lo JC. A novel stabilization condition for a class of T–S fuzzy time-delay systems. Neurocomputing 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neucom.2015.10.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Choufani S, Cytrynbaum C, Chung BHY, Turinsky AL, Grafodatskaya D, Chen YA, Cohen ASA, Dupuis L, Butcher DT, Siu MT, Luk HM, Lo IFM, Lam STS, Caluseriu O, Stavropoulos DJ, Reardon W, Mendoza-Londono R, Brudno M, Gibson WT, Chitayat D, Weksberg R. NSD1 mutations generate a genome-wide DNA methylation signature. Nat Commun 2015; 6:10207. [PMID: 26690673 PMCID: PMC4703864 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2015] [Accepted: 11/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Sotos syndrome (SS) represents an important human model system for the study of epigenetic regulation; it is an overgrowth/intellectual disability syndrome caused by mutations in a histone methyltransferase, NSD1. As layered epigenetic modifications are often interdependent, we propose that pathogenic NSD1 mutations have a genome-wide impact on the most stable epigenetic mark, DNA methylation (DNAm). By interrogating DNAm in SS patients, we identify a genome-wide, highly significant NSD1+/−-specific signature that differentiates pathogenic NSD1 mutations from controls, benign NSD1 variants and the clinically overlapping Weaver syndrome. Validation studies of independent cohorts of SS and controls assigned 100% of these samples correctly. This highly specific and sensitive NSD1+/− signature encompasses genes that function in cellular morphogenesis and neuronal differentiation, reflecting cardinal features of the SS phenotype. The identification of SS-specific genome-wide DNAm alterations will facilitate both the elucidation of the molecular pathophysiology of SS and the development of improved diagnostic testing. Sotos syndrome is an growth syndrome characterized by advanced growth in childhood, characteristic facial appearance and intellectual disability. Here the authors identify a genome-wide DNA methylation signature that accurately diagnoses Sotos Syndrome and distinguishes it from similar conditions.
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Chen CC, Chen YA, Yao DJ. Centrifugal Filter Device for Detection of Rare Cells With Immuno-Binding. IEEE Trans Nanobioscience 2015; 14:864-9. [PMID: 26452287 DOI: 10.1109/tnb.2015.2485298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Many investigations have shown circulating tumor cells (CTCs) to serve as a significant biomarker of cancer progression and for cancer treatment. Multiple blood samples detection of CTCs during a course of treatment might facilitate a choice by a medical doctor of an effective drug and a treatment for particular patients. A simple and cost-effective method to identify the trend of decreasing CTCs during a treatment with various therapies is in great demand. A novel multilayer, concentric filter device combined with an immune-binding method enables the enrichment and detection of rare cells in a mass cell population with a separation based on size. Such separation implemented with a filter is among the most efficient, simple and inexpensive methods to isolate cells, but its main disadvantages are clogging, deformation of cells, and a requirement of a significant difference of size between targeted rare cells and normal cells. We designed a concentric filter device and an immune-binding method to create a significant size difference of target cells, and increased the efficiency of separation to identify rare cells with a simple miniature centrifuge in the laboratory. The enrichment of target rare cells from a mass cell population and the detection were demonstrated on mixing targeted MCF-7 blast cancer cells and Jurkat blood cells in ratio 1:1 000 000. The device is prospectively applicable for the detection of circulating tumor cells in a clinical application.
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110
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Chen YA, Obliosca JM, Liu YL, Liu C, Gwozdz ML, Yeh HC. NanoCluster Beacons Enable Detection of a Single N⁶-Methyladenine. J Am Chem Soc 2015; 137:10476-9. [PMID: 26261877 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5b06038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
While N(6)-methyladenine (m(6)A) is a common modification in prokaryotic and lower eukaryotic genomes and has many biological functions, there is no simple and cost-effective way to identify a single N(6)-methyladenine in a nucleic acid target. Here we introduce a robust, simple, enzyme-free and hybridization-based method using a new silver cluster probe, termed methyladenine-specific NanoCluster Beacon (maNCB), which can detect single m(6)A in DNA targets based on the fluorescence emission spectra of silver clusters. Not only can maNCB identify m(6)A at the single-base level but it also can quantify the extent of adenine methylation in heterogeneous samples. Our method is superior to high-resolution melting analysis as we can pinpoint the location of m(6)A in the target.
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Lin CJ, Lien HM, Lin HJ, Huang CL, Kao MC, Chen YA, Wang CK, Chang HY, Chang YK, Wu HS, Lai CH. Modulation of T cell response by Phellinus linteus. J Biosci Bioeng 2015; 121:84-88. [PMID: 26092448 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2015.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2015] [Revised: 04/17/2015] [Accepted: 05/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Phellinus linteus, a species of mushroom, has been shown to contribute to health benefits, such as anti-inflammatory activity and immunomodulatory efficacy. The aim of this study was to analyze the most effective constituents of P. linteus fermented broths, polysaccharides, and to evaluate their immunoregulatory effects on T cells. Four fermented broths (PL1-4) and the dialyzate medium (MD) were prepared from P. linteus mycelia, and the polysaccharide contents of each were analyzed. The P. linteus samples were tested for biological activity in the regulation of T cell activation. In T cells, the production of mitogen-induced interleukin (IL)-2 and cell cycle progression were dose-responsively inhibited by PL3 and MD, primarily through cell-cycle arrest in S phase. PL3 broth, which contained large quantities of polysaccharides, significantly decreased the ratio of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) to interleukin 4 (IL-4) in T cells. Thus, P. linteus fermented broths produced additive effects on the regulation of the Th1/Th2 balance and show promise for the development of immunomodulatory therapeutics.
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Lin CJ, Lai CK, Kao MC, Wu LT, Lo UG, Lin LC, Chen YA, Lin H, Hsieh JT, Lai CH, Lin CD. Impact of cholesterol on disease progression. Biomedicine (Taipei) 2015; 5:7. [PMID: 26048694 PMCID: PMC4502043 DOI: 10.7603/s40681-015-0007-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2015] [Accepted: 04/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholesterol-rich microdomains (also called lipid rafts), where platforms for signaling are provided and thought to be associated with microbe-induced pathogenesis and lead to cancer progression. After treatment of cells with cholesterol disrupting or usurping agents, raft-associated proteins and lipids can be dissociated, and this renders the cell structure nonfunctional and therefore mitigates disease severity. This review focuses on the role of cholesterol in disease progression including cancer development and infectious diseases. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of cholesterol in these diseases may provide insight into the development of novel strategies for controlling these diseases in clinical scenarios.
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113
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Juul S, Obliosca JM, Liu C, Liu YL, Chen YA, Imphean DM, Knudsen BR, Ho YP, Leong KW, Yeh HC. NanoCluster Beacons as reporter probes in rolling circle enhanced enzyme activity detection. NANOSCALE 2015; 7:8332-7. [PMID: 25901841 PMCID: PMC4441223 DOI: 10.1039/c5nr01705j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
As a newly developed assay for the detection of endogenous enzyme activity at the single-catalytic-event level, Rolling Circle Enhanced Enzyme Activity Detection (REEAD) has been used to measure enzyme activity in both single human cells and malaria-causing parasites, Plasmodium sp. Current REEAD assays rely on organic dye-tagged linear DNA probes to report the rolling circle amplification products (RCPs), the cost of which may hinder the widespread use of REEAD. Here we show that a new class of activatable probes, NanoCluster Beacons (NCBs), can simplify the REEAD assays. Easily prepared without any need for purification and capable of large fluorescence enhancement upon hybridization, NCBs are cost-effective and sensitive. Compared to conventional fluorescent probes, NCBs are also more photostable. As demonstrated in reporting the human topoisomerases I (hTopI) cleavage-ligation reaction, the proposed NCBs suggest a read-out format attractive for future REEAD-based diagnostics.
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Wang JIJ, Yang Y, Chen YA, Watanabe K, Taniguchi T, Churchill HOH, Jarillo-Herrero P. Electronic transport of encapsulated graphene and WSe2 devices fabricated by pick-up of prepatterned hBN. NANO LETTERS 2015; 15:1898-903. [PMID: 25654184 DOI: 10.1021/nl504750f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
We report high quality graphene and WSe2 devices encapsulated between two hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) flakes using a pick-up method with etched hBN flakes. Picking up prepatterned hBN flakes to be used as a gate dielectric or mask for other 2D materials opens new possibilities for the design and fabrication of 2D heterostructures. In this Letter, we demonstrate this technique in two ways: first, a dual-gated graphene device that is encapsulated between an hBN substrate and prepatterned hBN strips. The conductance of the graphene device shows pronounced Fabry-Pérot oscillations as a function of carrier density, which implies strong quantum confinement and ballistic transport in the locally gated region. Second, we describe a WSe2 device encapsulated in hBN with the top hBN patterned as a mask for the channel of a Hall bar. Ionic liquid selectively tunes the carrier density of the contact region of the device, while the hBN mask allows independent tunability of the contact region for low contact resistance. Hall mobility larger than 600 cm(2)/(V·s) for few-layer p-type WSe2 at 220 K is measured, the highest mobility of a thin WSe2 device reported to date. The observations of ballistic transport in graphene and high mobility in WSe2 confirm pick-up of prepatterned hBN as a versatile technique to fabricate ultraclean devices with high quality contact.
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Hsu KY, Chen YA, Juan CH. Does ethnic variability exist in the systemic exposures of oatp1a2 substrates–fexofenadine in taiwanese? Indian J Pharm Sci 2015; 77:573-8. [PMID: 26798172 PMCID: PMC4700710 DOI: 10.4103/0250-474x.169032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate differences in organic anion transporting polypeptide 1A2 activity among the Taiwanese population via an analysis of 3 pharmacokinetic studies completed in a total of 103 healthy male Taiwanese subjects. The pharmacokinetics of fexofenadine was measured as an indicator of organic anion transporting polypeptide 1A2 activity. Using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and quantile plots, the frequency distributions of area under the concentration-time curve and concentration were shown to be tri-modal and to represent 3 pharmacokinetic phenotypes. In a comparison with published data, the mean area under the concentration-time curve of fexofenadine in the Taiwanese subjects was similar to that in American, German, and Indian subjects, but significantly different from that in some Asian populations, including Korean and Japanese ethnic groups. These results suggested that Taiwanese subjects showed genetic variation in fexofenadine pharmacokinetics that was associated with differences in organic anion transporting polypeptide 1A2 activity.
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Obliosca JM, Babin MC, Liu C, Liu YL, Chen YA, Batson RA, Ganguly M, Petty JT, Yeh HC. A complementary palette of NanoCluster Beacons. ACS NANO 2014; 8:10150-60. [PMID: 25299363 PMCID: PMC4212725 DOI: 10.1021/nn505338e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
NanoCluster Beacons (NCBs), which use few-atom DNA-templated silver clusters as reporters, are a type of activatable molecular probes that are low-cost and easy to prepare. While NCBs provide a high fluorescence enhancement ratio upon activation, their activation colors are currently limited. Here we report a simple method to design NCBs with complementary emission colors, creating a set of multicolor probes for homogeneous, separation-free detection. By systematically altering the position and the number of cytosines in the cluster-nucleation sequence, we have tuned the activation colors of NCBs to green (C8-8, 460 nm/555 nm); yellow (C5-5, 525 nm/585 nm); red (C3-4, 580 nm/635 nm); and near-infrared (C3-3, 645 nm/695 nm). At the same NCB concentration, the activated yellow NCB (C5-5) was found to be 1.3 times brighter than the traditional red NCB (C3-4). Three of the four colors (green, yellow, and red) were relatively spectrally pure. We also found that subtle changes in the linker sequence (down to the single-nucleotide level) could significantly alter the emission spectrum pattern of an NCB. When the length of linker sequences was increased, the emission peaks were found to migrate in a periodic fashion, suggesting short-range interactions between silver clusters and nucleobases. Size exclusion chromatography results indicated that the activated NCBs are more compact than their native duplex forms. Our findings demonstrate the unique photophysical properties and environmental sensitivities of few-atom DNA-templated silver clusters, which are not seen before in common organic dyes or luminescent crystals.
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Patra B, Peng YS, Peng CC, Liao WH, Chen YA, Lin KH, Tung YC, Lee CH. Migration and vascular lumen formation of endothelial cells in cancer cell spheroids of various sizes. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2014; 8:052109. [PMID: 25332736 PMCID: PMC4189544 DOI: 10.1063/1.4895568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2014] [Accepted: 09/01/2014] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
We developed a microfluidic device to culture cellular spheroids of controlled sizes and suitable for live cell imaging by selective plane illumination microscopy (SPIM). We cocultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) within the spheroids formed by hepatocellular carcinoma cells, and studied the distributions of the HUVECs over time. We observed that the migration of HUVECs depended on the size of spheroids. In the spheroids of ∼200 μm diameters, HUVECs migrated outwards to the edges within 48 h; while in the spheroids of ∼250 μm diameters, there was no outward migration of the HUVECs up to 72 h. In addition, we studied the effects of pro-angiogenic factors, namely, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor (β-FGF), on the migration of HUVECs in the carcinoma cell spheroid. The outward migration of HUVECs in 200 μm spheroids was hindered by the treatment with VEGF and β-FGF. Moreover, some of the HUVECs formed hollow lumen within 72 h under VEGF and β-FGF treatment. The combination of SPIM and microfluidic devices gives high resolution in both spatial and temporal domains. The observation of HUVECs in spheroids provides us insight on tumor vascularization, an ideal disease model for drug screening and fundamental studies.
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Yankowitz M, Wang JIJ, Birdwell AG, Chen YA, Watanabe K, Taniguchi T, Jacquod P, San-Jose P, Jarillo-Herrero P, LeRoy BJ. Electric field control of soliton motion and stacking in trilayer graphene. NATURE MATERIALS 2014; 13:786-789. [PMID: 24776537 DOI: 10.1038/nmat3965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2013] [Accepted: 03/31/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The crystal structure of a material plays an important role in determining its electronic properties. Changing from one crystal structure to another involves a phase transition that is usually controlled by a state variable such as temperature or pressure. In the case of trilayer graphene, there are two common stacking configurations (Bernal and rhombohedral) that exhibit very different electronic properties. In graphene flakes with both stacking configurations, the region between them consists of a localized strain soliton where the carbon atoms of one graphene layer shift by the carbon-carbon bond distance. Here we show the ability to move this strain soliton with a perpendicular electric field and hence control the stacking configuration of trilayer graphene with only an external voltage. Moreover, we find that the free-energy difference between the two stacking configurations scales quadratically with electric field, and thus rhombohedral stacking is favoured as the electric field increases. This ability to control the stacking order in graphene opens the way to new devices that combine structural and electrical properties.
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Chen CC, Chen YA, Liu YJ, Yao DJ. A multilayer concentric filter device to diminish clogging for separation of particles and microalgae based on size. LAB ON A CHIP 2014; 14:1459-1468. [PMID: 24615295 DOI: 10.1039/c3lc51345a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae species have great economic importance; they are a source of medicines, health foods, animal feeds, industrial pigments, cosmetic additives and biodiesel. Specific microalgae species collected from the environment must be isolated for examination and further application, but their varied size and culture conditions make their isolation using conventional methods, such as filtration, streaking plate and flow cytometric sorting, labour-intensive and costly. A separation device based on size is one of the most rapid, simple and inexpensive methods to separate microalgae, but this approach encounters major disadvantages of clogging and multiple filtration steps when the size of microalgae varies over a wide range. In this work, we propose a multilayer concentric filter device with varied pore size and is driven by a centrifugation force. The device, which includes multiple filter layers, was employed to separate a heterogeneous population of microparticles into several subpopulations by filtration in one step. A cross-flow to attenuate prospective clogging was generated by altering the rate of rotation instantly through the relative motion between the fluid and the filter according to the structural design of the device. Mixed microparticles of varied size were tested to demonstrate that clogging was significantly suppressed due to a highly efficient separation. Microalgae in a heterogeneous population collected from an environmental soil collection were separated and enriched into four subpopulations according to size in a one step filtration process. A microalgae sample contaminated with bacteria and insect eggs was also tested to prove the decontamination capability of the device.
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Liu WL, Chen YA, Lai YW, Hsueh TY, Chen SS, Chiu AW. Nationwide survey to evaluate the characteristics of medical utilization in patients with varicocele in Taiwan. UROLOGICAL SCIENCE 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.urols.2013.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
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Liu WL, Chen YA, Lai YW, Hsueh TY, Chen SS, Chiu AW. Nationwide survey to evaluate medical utilization by patients with inguinal hernia and the risk of developing varicocele in Taiwan. Patient Prefer Adherence 2014; 8:101-5. [PMID: 24470759 PMCID: PMC3901776 DOI: 10.2147/ppa.s56922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to analyze age, geographical and seasonal variations in medical service utilization by patients with inguinal hernia in Taiwan, and the influence of herniorrhaphy on development of ipsilateral varicocele in male patients. METHODS Between 2001 and 2008, comprehensive data on the characteristics of medical service utilization by patients with inguinal hernia was evaluated via a retrospective nationwide population-based study. Data were obtained from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. Parameters for comparison included newly diagnosed inguinal hernia cases, number of herniorrhaphies, and incidence rates every year, number of outpatient visits for inguinal hernia, and herniorrhaphy by age, season, and area of Taiwan. RESULTS There was an average of 1,466 newly diagnosed inguinal hernia cases and 871.9 herniorrhaphies performed per year per million population during the study period. The male ratio for both newly diagnosed inguinal hernia cases and number of herniorrhaphies increased significantly by age. The number of newly diagnosed inguinal hernia cases and outpatient visits for inguinal hernia was highest during summer, followed by spring, autumn, and winter, and in the north of Taiwan, followed by the center, south, and east. Additionally, the incidence of developing ipsilateral varicocele after herniorrhaphy was low in male patients. CONCLUSION The number of newly diagnosed inguinal hernia cases and outpatient visits for inguinal hernia is highest during summer and lowest in eastern Taiwan. In addition, the incidence of developing ipsilateral varicocele after herniorrhaphy is higher in patients aged 10-19 years.
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Sze CI, Su WP, Chiang MF, Lu CY, Chen YA, Chang NS. Assessing current therapeutic approaches to decode potential resistance mechanisms in glioblastomas. Front Oncol 2013; 3:59. [PMID: 23516171 PMCID: PMC3601334 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2013.00059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2012] [Accepted: 03/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Unique astrocytic cell infiltrating growth and glial tumor growth in the confined skull make human glioblastoma (GBM) one of the most difficult cancers to treat in modern medicine. Prognosis for patients is very poor, as they die more or less within 12 months. Patients either die of the cancer itself, or secondary complications such as cerebral edema, herniations, or hemorrhages. GBMs rarely metastasize to other organs. However, GBM recurrence associated with resistance to therapeutic drugs is common. Patients die shortly after relapse. GBM is indeed an outstanding cancer model to search for potential mechanisms for drug resistance. Here, we reviewed the current cancer biology of gliomas and their pathophysiological events that contribute to the development of therapeutic resistance. We have addressed the potential roles of cancer stem cells, epigenetic modifications, and epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the development of resistance to inhibitor drugs in GBMs. The potential role of TIAF1 (TGF-β-induced antiapoptotic factor) overexpression and generation of intratumor amyloid fibrils for conferring drug resistance in GBMs is discussed.
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Chen YA, Chen KC, Tsai VFS, Huang ZW, Hsieh JT, Wo AM. Direct Characterization of Motion-Dependent Parameters of Sperm in a Microfluidic Device: Proof of Principle. Clin Chem 2013; 59:493-501. [DOI: 10.1373/clinchem.2012.190686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Semen analysis is essential for evaluating male infertility. Besides sperm concentration, other properties, such as motility and morphology, are critical indicators in assessing sperm quality. Nevertheless, rapid and complete assessment of these measures still presents considerable difficulty and involves a range of complex issues. Here we present a microfluidic device capable of quantifying a range of properties of human sperm via the resistive pulse technique (RPT).
METHODS
An aperture, designed as a long channel, was used to allow the quantification of various properties as sperm swam through.
RESULTS
The time trace of the voltage drop across the aperture during sperm passage contained a wealth of information: the sperm volume was presented by the amplitude of the induced pulse, the swim velocity was evaluated via the duration, and the beat frequency was calculated from the voltage undulation superposed on the pulse signal. The RPT measurement of swim velocity and beat frequency showed a correlation with the same observation in a microscope (R2 = 0.94 and 0.70, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS
The proposed proof of principle enables substantial quantification of the motion-dependent properties of sperm. Because this approach requires only a current/voltage source and data analysis, it is economically advantageous compared with optical methods for characterizing sperm motion. Furthermore, this approach may be used to characterize sperm morphology.
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Hong Q, Hsu LJ, Chou PY, Chou YT, Lu CY, Chen YA, Chang NS. Self-aggregating TIAF1 in lung cancer progression. TRANSLATIONAL RESPIRATORY MEDICINE 2013; 1:5. [PMID: 27234387 PMCID: PMC6733429 DOI: 10.1186/2213-0802-1-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2012] [Accepted: 02/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have demonstrated that transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β1)-induced antiapoptotic factor (TIAF1) is able to form aggregates in the hippocampi of middle-aged normal individuals. The aggregating TIAF1 induces generation of amyloid beta (Aβ) for causing neurodegeneration. Intriguingly, TIAF1 aggregates are shown, together with Smad4 and Aβ, in the cancer stroma and peritumor capsules of many solid tumors. During lung cancer progression, for example, TIAF1 and amyloid fibrils are significantly upregulated in the cancer stroma. Aggregates of TIAF1 and Aβ are shown on the interface between metastatic lung cancer cells and the brain tissues. Conceivably, these peritumor materials are needed for cancer cells to survive. In vitro experiments revealed that TIAF1 is a crucial component for tumor suppressors p53 and WWOX-mediated tumor suppression and apoptosis. While metastatic lung cancer cells are frequently devoid of WWOX and p53, we provide new perspectives regarding the role of TIAF1 in the pathogenesis of lung cancer development, and propose a therapeutic approach for targeting TIAF1.
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Lee YL, Chen YC, Chen YA. Obesity and the occurrence of bronchitis in adolescents. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2013; 21:E149-53. [PMID: 23505197 DOI: 10.1002/oby.20262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2011] [Accepted: 05/29/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Previous studies have shown that an elevated BMI was associated with higher risks of bronchitis among children. The magnitude of how increase in BMI influencing the risk of incident bronchitis remained unexplored. The objective of this study is to assess the association between BMI and the incidence of bronchitis in the Taiwan Children Health Study. DESIGN A school-based prospective cohort study. METHODS We conducted a population-based prospective cohort study among seventh-grade school children in 14 Taiwanese communities. A total of 3,634 adolescents completed follow-up questionnaire in 2009. Associations between BMI and incident bronchitis were analyzed by multiple Poisson regression models, taking overdispersion into account. RESULTS Among eligible cohort participants without bronchitis at study entry, the proportion of overweight and obesity were 32.1% and 17.9%. Overweight was 40.7% and obesity was 27.7% among those with incident bronchitis. The BMI percentile categories showed significant increasing trends for bronchitis in total eligible children and in girls (P for trend <0.001). Overweight and obesity were both associated with increased risks of incident bronchitis. This association was significant in girls only while stratified by gender. CONCLUSIONS Our data showed that the BMI percentile and weight status were associated with higher risks of incident bronchitis in adolescents, especially in girls.
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