Browsing by Author "Chiang, Cheng-Cheng"

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Calcitriol exerts a mineralization-inductive effect comparable to that of vitamin C in cultured human periodontium cells
(2019-01-01)
Hong, Hsiang-Hsi
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Hong, Adrienne
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Wang, Chun-Chieh
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Huang, E-Wen
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Chiang, Cheng-Cheng
This study inspected whether calcitriol could exert a mineralization-inductive effect comparable to that of vitamin C in cultured human periodontium cells (hPDCs). The mRNA expression of the mineralization-related biomarkers core-binding factor subunit alpha-1 (Cbfal), collagen 1 alpha l (Col-l), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteopontin (OPN), bone sialoprotein (BSP), osteocalcin (OCN), vitamin D receptor (VDR), cementum protein 1 (CEMP-1), cementum attachment protein (CAP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) was surveyed after incubation of hPDCs with vitamin C and calcitriol for 2 weeks. Translational expression information from ALP activity and CEMP-1 and CAP immunofluorescence assays was acquired from hPDCs at the second and third weeks. Extracellular calcifications were confirmed by von Kossa staining, Alizarin Red staining and synchrotron transmission X-ray microscopy (TXM) at the fourth and fifth weeks. It was found that both vitamin C and calcitriol not only increased mineralization-related mRNA fold-changes but also enhanced ALP activity, CEMP1 immunofluorescence, von Kossa and Alizarin Red staining and TXM-associated calcifications. Generally, 10(-8) M calcitriol displayed greater mineralization significance than 10(-7) M calcitriol in the assays tested. However, vitamin C stimulated lower Cbfal, Col-1, ALP, OPN, BSP, OCN, VDR, CEMP-1 and IL-6 mRNA fold-changes than 10(-8) M calcitriol. Finally, TXM analysis indicated that a 10(-8) M calcitriol treatment stimulated greater calcifications than vitamin C treatment. Therefore, the analytical results confirmed the osteo-inductive potential of vitamin C in cultured hPDCs. In contrast, 10(-8) M calcitriol could potentially function as a substitute because it stimulates a greater mineralization effect than vitamin C or 10(-7) M calcitriol.
Evidence of preserved collagen in an Early Jurassic sauropodomorph dinosaur revealed by synchrotron FTIR microspectroscopy
(2017-01-31)
Lee, Yao-Chang
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Chiang, Cheng-Cheng
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Huang, Pei-Yu
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Chung, Chao-Yu
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Huang, Timothy D.
Fossilized organic remains are important sources of information because they provide a unique form of biological and evolutionary information, and have the long-term potential for genomic explorations. Here we report evidence of protein preservation in a terrestrial vertebrate found inside the vascular canals of a rib of a 195-million-year-old sauropodomorph dinosaur, where blood vessels and nerves would normally have been present in the living organism. The in situ synchrotron radiation-based Fourier transform infrared (SR-FTIR) spectra exhibit the characteristic infrared absorption bands for amide A and B, amide I, II and III of collagen. Aggregated haematite particles (alpha-Fe2O3) about 6 similar to 8 mu m in diameter are also identified inside the vascular canals using confocal Raman microscopy, where the organic remains were preserved. We propose that these particles likely had a crucial role in the preservation of the proteins, and may be remnants partially contributed from haemoglobin and other iron-rich proteins from the original blood.
Growth competition between layer-type and porous-type Cu3Sn in microbumps
(2017-12-01)
Chu, David T.
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Chu, Yi-Cheng
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Lin, Jie-An
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Chen, Yi-Ting
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Wang, Chun-Chieh
Experimental study of growth competition between the co-existing layer-type and porous-type Cu3Sn in solder microbumps of Cu/SnAg/Cu is reported. The thickness of the SnAg solder is about 14 pm and the Cu column on both sides is 20 pm. Upon wetting-reflow, the solder is reacted completely to form Cu Sn iptermetallic compounds in a multi-layered structure of Cu/Cu3Sn/Cu6Sn5/Cu3Sn/Cu. Upon further annealing at 220 degrees C and 260 C, we obtain Cu/Cu3Sn/porous Cu3Sn/Cu3Sn/Cu, in which both types of Cu3Sn co-exist and form an interface. In the layer-type growth, we assume Cu to be the dominant diffusing species, coming from the Cu column. The Cu reacts with Cu6Sn5 to grow the Cu3Sn layer. In the porous-type growth, we assume Sn to be the dominant diffusing species, coming from the depletion of Sn in Cu6Sn5. The depleted Cu6Sn5 transforms to the porous-type Cu3Sn. At the same time, the Sn diffuses to the side-wall of Cu column to form a coating of Cu3Sn. Experimental observations of 3-dimensional distribution of voids in the porous-type Cu3Sn are performed by synchrotron radiation tomography; the voids are interconnected for the out-diffusion of Sn. The competing growth between the layer-type and the porous-type Cu3Sn is analyzed. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Ultramicrostructural reductions in teeth: implications for dietary transition from non-avian dinosaurs to birds
(2020-04-21)
Li, Zhiheng
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Wang, Chun-Chieh
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Wang, Min
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Chiang, Cheng-Cheng
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Wang, Yan
Background Tooth morphology within theropod dinosaurs has been extensively investigated and shows high disparity throughout the Cretaceous. Changes or diversification in feeding ecology, i.e., adoption of an herbivorous diet (e.g., granivorous), is proposed as a major driver of tooth evolution in Paraves (e.g., Microraptor, troodontids and avialans). Here, we studied the microscopic features of paravian non-avian theropod and avialan teeth using high-spatial-resolution synchrotron transmission X-ray microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Results We show that avialan teeth are characterized by the presence of simple enamel structures and a lack of porous mantle dentin between the enamel and orthodentin. Reduced internal structures of teeth took place independently in Early Cretaceous birds and a Microraptor specimen, implying that shifts in diet in avialans from that of closely related dinosaurs may correlate with a shift in feeding ecology during the transition from non-avian dinosaurs to birds. Conclusion Different lines of evidence all suggest a large reduction in biting force affecting the evolution of teeth in the dinosaur-bird transition. Changes in teeth microstructure and associated dietary shift may have contributed to the early evolutionary success of stemward birds in the shadow of other non-avian theropods.