Browsing by Author "Lin, CS"

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A physical model for the correlation between holding voltage and holding current in epitaxial CMOS latch-up
(1998-08-01)
Chen, MJ
;
Lee, HS
;
Chen, JH
;
Hou, CS
;
Lin, CS
A new physical model concerning the holding points for latch-up in epitaxial CMOS structures is established by combining the lateral p-i-n high level injection and the vertical BJT base push-out formula. The model matches adequately the correlation between holding voltage and holding current extensively measured from different combinations of temperatures, epitaxial layer thicknesses, and anode-to-cathode spacings, This is also the case for the two-dimensional device simulations. A quantitative analysis based on the model consistently judges the crucial role of the vertical BJT base push-out width in producing the observed correlation. The potential merits of the model in extended applications are outlined.
Activation of the calcineurin-nuclear factor of activated T-cell signal transduction pathway in atrial fibrillation
(2003-10-28)
Lai, LP
;
Lin, CC
;
Lin, JL
;
Lin, CS
;
生物科技學系
Activation of the calcineurin-nuclear factor of activated T-cell signal transduction pathway in atrial fibrillation
(2004-12-01)
Lin, CC
;
Lin, JL
;
Lin, CS
;
Tsai, MC
;
Su, MJ
Study objectives: The calcineurin-nuclear factor of activated T-cell (NFAT) signal transduction pathway regulates the expression of a plethora of genes in the myocardium. Cytosolic calcium overloading occurs in atrial fibrillation (AF), and this fulfills the condition needed for activation of this pathway. We therefore investigated the NFAT pathway in atrial tissue in a porcine model of AF. Methods and results: AF was induced in eight adult pigs by rapid atrial pacing. Investigations on the calcineurin and NFAT pathway were performed on transmural left atrial tissue obtained 6 weeks after implantation of the pacemaker (pacing for 4 weeks, and AF without pacing for 2 weeks). In the AF group, the left atrial dimension increased significantly (26 4 mm vs 31 4 mm respectively, p < 0.05 [mean +/- SD]) Calcineurin enzyme activity increased significantly in pigs with AF (n = 8) when compared to control pigs (n = 6) [0.143 +/- 0.034 vs 0.038 +/- 0.063 mmol PO4- released, p < 0.01]. We found that both NFAT-c3 and NFAT-c4, the downstream effectors of calcineurin, increased significantly in the nuclei in AF tissue using immunoblotting. Translocation of NFAT-c3 and NFAT-c4 into the nuclei was also demonstrated in AF tissue microsections using immunohistochemistry. The electrophoresis mobility shift assay further demonstrated that nuclear extracts from AF tissue had a significantly larger binding capacity for NFAT-specific oligonucleotide probes. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that calcineurin activity was increased in AF with subsequent NFAT-c3 and NFAT-c4 translocation into the nucleus. Activation of this signal transduction pathway may play an important role in the pathogenesis of AF.
Differentially transcribed genes in skeletal muscle of Duroc and Taoyuan pigs
(2005-09-01)
Lin, CS
;
Hsu, CW
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生物科技學系
;
Department of Biological Science and Technology
The objective of this study was to compare gene transcription profiles of LM between two pig breeds, Duroc and Taoyuan, which display dramatically different postnatal muscle growth. We isolated LM from neonatal pigs, and the Duroc muscle length and mass were greater (P < 0.01) than for Taoyuan pigs; however, insignificant differences in the muscle fiber area and the percentage of fiber types were found. A human high-density complementary DNA (cDNA) microarray consisting of 9,182 probes was used to compare gene transcription profiles of LM between the two breeds. The results showed that the transcription level of 73 genes and 44 genes in Duroc LM were upregulated and down-regulated by at least 1.75-fold (P < 0.05) compared with Taoyuan, respectively. The strongly upregulated genes in Duroc pigs included those encoding the complex of myofibrillar proteins (e.g., myosin light and heavy chains, and troponin), ribosomal proteins, transcription regulatory proteins (e.g., skeletal muscle LIM protein 1 [SLIM1] and high-mobility group proteins), and energy metabolic enzymes (e.g., electron-transferring flavo-protein dehydrogenase, NADH dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, and ATP synthases). The highly transcribed genes that encode energy metabolic enzymes indicate a more glycolytic metabolism in Duroc LM, thereby favoring carbohydrates rather than lipids for use as energy substrates in this tissue. The over-transcribed genes that encode skeletal muscle-predominant proteins or transcription regulators that control myogenesis and/or muscle growth suggest a general mechanism for the observed higher rate of postnatal muscle growth in Duroc pigs. The transcription of one such gene, SLIM1, was more highly transcribed (P < 0.01) in Duroc LM at birth and at postnatal d 7 than in Taoyuan. The transcription of SLIM1 increased (P < 0.05) in Duroc LM from neonate through 7 d of age, whereas its transcription remained essentially constant in Taoyuan during this period. These results suggest that SLIM1 may be useful for the development of markers associated with the postnatal muscle growth of pigs.
Dynamic tuning of chemical-mechanical planarization operation via sliding-mode theory
(2004-09-01)
Lin, CS
;
Chi, CY
;
機械工程學系
;
Department of Mechanical Engineering
The development of chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP) to date relies on multi-stage polishing for better performance. The straight relationship between performance and operation provides a new method of control for CMP process. The strategy of dynamic tuning is proposed in this paper and one possible operation profile is established via sliding-mode theory. Because of the lack of operation mechanism of the equipment in existence, more elaborate experimental verification of the strategy is yet to follow. We may need to work with some equipment suppliers. Based on the proposed strategy, lower dishing and more efficient copper step height reduction can be verified from some numerical simulations. Simulation results show better performance under the same throughput. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Effects of glucose concentration on in vitro fertilization in BALB/c mice
(2003-12-01)
Wu, HT
;
Chou, CK
;
Lin, CS
;
Huang, MC
;
生物科技學系
BALB/c mice are widely used in genetic, tumour and immunological studies. However, the mice demonstrate a lower reproduction rate, low fertility and small litters, because of their highly genetic homozygoisty. Based on in vitro fertilization (IVF), a routine technique for biomedical studies, it is worth to evaluate the effects to BALB/c mice on IVF efficiency. In order to test the genetic factor affecting the IVF efficiency of BALB/c, four reciprocal IVF tests of BALB/cByJ and FVB/NCrl mice were performed. The results showed that the average fertility of IVF sponsored by FVB/NCrl spermatozoa was 69.6%, but only 12.1% was obtained from BALB/cByJ strain. Effect of glucose contained in the culture medium to the IVF efficiency of BALB/cByJ was also evaluated. The results showed that the fertility of BALB/cByJ spermatozoa incubated with 0, 2.7, 5.5, 11.1 and 22.2 mM of glucose in the TYH medium were 6.8, 9.9, 13.9, 32.7 and 22.2%, respectively. It is showed that IVF efficiency of BALB/cByJ spermatozoa could be improved depending on the concentration of glucose in the IVF medium. According to the results, it is beleived that lower IVF of BALB/cByJ mice might be due to the genetic defect in spermatozoa and increasing glucose in the IVF medium which significantly affect the IVF efficiency of BALB/cByl via activating the spermatozoa.
Establishment and application of a fluorescent polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method for identifying porcine, caprine, and bovine meats
(2003-03-26)
Sun, YL
;
Lin, CS
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生物科技學系
;
Department of Biological Science and Technology
A method of fluorescent Polymerase Chain Reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was applied as an analytical and quantitative tool for meat identification. Following alignments of the nucleotide sequences, an oligonucleotide primer pair was designed to amplify the partial sequences within the 12S ribosomal RNA (12S rRNA) gene of mitochondrial DNA from porcine, caprine, and bovine meats. No fragment can be amplified from dog, cat, fish, duck, goose, turkey, and chicken DNA with the primer pair. Using fluorescence sensor capillary electrophoresis, the species-specific DNA fingerprints of pork, goat, and beef were generated by restriction enzyme digestion following a fluorescence-labeling PCR amplification. Species identification was conducted on the meat mixtures. The reliably semiquantitative levels were below 1% for binary mixtures of pork, goat, and beef. Cooking and autoclaving of meats did not influence the generation of the PCR-RFLP profiles or the analytical accuracy.
Formation behavior of high-T-c Tl-based superconductors
(1999-02-01)
Koo, HS
;
Lo, JR
;
Tseng, TY
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Lin, CS
;
電子工程學系及電子研究所
The effects of Ca, Cu, and Ca-Cu richness on the formation behavior and physical characteristics of high-T-c Tl-based superconductors were investigated systematically. In addition to sintering temperature and time, intermediate phases which proved important to the formation and properties of nearly single-phase, triple-CuO-layers Tl2Ba2Ca2Cu3Oy superconductors and optimal processing conditions were also investigated. Ca and Ca-Cu richness introduced positive effects on the properties of nearly single-phase Tl2Ba2Ca2Cu3Oy superconductors and helps in the formation of the appropriate intermediate phases, whereas Cu richness produced a negative effect. The higher sintering temperatures of the specimens accounted for the tailing of electrical resistance before the critical zero resistance temperature was approached, and for the instability of the superconducting phase. Lower post-annealing temperatures of the bulk samples slightly improved the superconducting properties. The resultant bulk Tl-based superconductors can be used as a Tl vapor source for the formation of superconducting thin films within a closed system.
Gene transfection and expression in a primary culture of mammary epithelial cells isolated from lactating sows
(2005-07-01)
Sun, YL
;
Lin, CS
;
Chou, YC
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生物科技學系
;
Department of Biological Science and Technology
Porcine mammary epithelial cells (PMECs) were isolated from lactating sow mammary glands and cultured on a matrix gel. Primary culture cells expressed significant amounts of the specific marker cytokeratin as determined by immunohistochemistry, and exhibited mammary-specific functions, such as transcription of alpha-lactalbumin, beta-casein and beta-lactoglobulin genes. They also formed mammospheres when the medium was supplemented with lactogenic hormones. The PMECs were used to study gene transfer and expression in vitro. A gene encoding enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) was used as a reporter and two constructs were investigated, pEGFP-N1 (a vector constructed with a CMV promoter followed by the EGFP gene) and pGB562/GFP (a mammary gland-specific expression vector with regulatory sequences from the goat beta-casein gene linked to EGFP). The efficiency of DNA transfer into the cultured PMECs was about 20-30%. GFP expression in the pGB562/GFP-transfected PMECs was markedly stimulated by prolactin supplements in the medium. The established PMECs maintained optimal gene expression from 1 to 20 passages and appeared to provide an efficient and convenient system for assessing the expression of transgenes containing mammary gland-specific promoters. (c) 2005 International Federation for Cell Biology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
In vitro and ex vivo green fluorescent protein expression in alveolar mammary epithelial cells and mammary glands driven by the distal 5 '-regulative sequence and intron 1 of the goat beta-casein gene
(2003)
Wu, HT
;
Lin, CS
;
Huang, MC
;
生物科技學系
;
Department of Biological Science and Technology
The 5'-regulative sequence and intron 1 of the goat beta-casein gene from -4044 to +2123 by was cloned and fused with the reporter gene of green fluorescent protein (GFP) to create a plasmid termed pGB562/GFP To detect GFP expression, pGB562/GFP was transfected in vitro via liposomes into the mammary epithelial cell line NMuMG. Cells could not express GFP unless the transfected NMuMG cells lined up to create functional alveoli. These functional cells were cultured with lactogenic hormones, including insulin, dexamethasone and prolactin, and were grown on a layer of the extracellular matrix Matrigel. Green fluorescent protein expression levels in NMuMG cells were 25-, 55- and 42-fold those in the control group at 24, 48, and 72 h after pGB562/GFP transfection respectively. In addition, pGB562/GFP was transfected ex vivo by electroporation into mammary gland fragments and cells were then cultured in vitro with a supplement of lactogenic hormones. Strong GFP expression localized in fragments of the mammary gland was observed 24 h after gene transfer. The novel strategy of ex vivo gene transfer into mammary tissue using GFP as a reporter gene to detect the function of a tissue-specific promoter is efficient and convenient. The data obtained herein reveal that the 5'-regulative sequence and intron 1 of the 6.2 kb goat beta-casein gene can enhance the efficiency of transgene expression. Thus, the GB562 sequence may act as a good promoter and effectively elevate the production of exogenous protein in mammary glands.
Leukemia inhibitory factor in follicular fluid is not related to the number and quality of embryos as well as implantation and pregnancy rates
(2005-10-01)
Hsieh, YY
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Chang, CC
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Tsai, HD
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Lin, CS
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生物科技學系
Monodisperse nanoparticle synthesis by an atmospheric pressure plasma process: An example of a visible light photocatalyst
(2004-10-27)
Bai, HL
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Chen, CC
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Lin, CS
;
Den, W
;
Chang, CL
An atmospheric pressure plasma-enhanced nanoparticle synthesis (APPENS) process was proposed to produce a titania-based visible light photocatalyst. The titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP) precursor was vaporized with a N-2 carrier gas and entered a nonthermal AC plasma system. The N-2 gas was dissociated into N atoms by the plasma energy, and then they were doped into the precursor vapors. The produced TiO2-xNx nanoparticles were highly uniform and adjustable in size. The titania-based particle sizes ranged from 25 to 40 nm, and they depended on the precursor ratio of TTIP/H-2O. In addition to producing the photocatalytic particles, the APPENS process has a potential application as a continuous-flow nanosize monodisperse aerosol generator.
Postnatal expression of growth/differentiation factor-8 (GDF-8) gene in European and Asian pigs
(2002-09-01)
Lin, CS
;
Wu, YC
;
Sun, YL
;
Huang, MC
;
生物科技學系
Myostatin (growth differentiation factor (GDF)-8), is one member of the transforming growth factor beta superfamily. Investigations of GDF-8 null mice and double-muscled cattle revealed that GDF-8 has a profound influence upon skeletal muscle growth. Therefore, the GDF-8 effect upon the productive performance of pigs is worth exploring. In the present study, the nucleotide sequences and expression levels of GDF-8 genes in European pigs (Landrace and Duroc) and Asian pigs (Taoyuan and Small-ear) were evaluated. Based upon their genetic background these breeds possess significantly distinct growth rate and muscle production-phenotypes. Our sequence data showed that the nucleotide sequences of European and Asian pigs were 100% similar. Postnatal expression of GDF-8 gene in skeletal muscles, from birth to 12 mo of age, among different breeds was measured. GDF-8 expression levels in the longissimus muscle of neonatal European breed littermates were the highest, however it declined significantly (p<0.05) at 1 and 3 mo, and then increased gradually at 6 to 12 mo. The Asian breeds, however, GDF-8 expression level increased markedly at 3 mo and maintained a constant level thereafter. The results indicate that rather than polymorphism within the GDF-8 functional sequence between European and Asia breeds, it was relative to the gene regulation in postnatal muscle growth.
PROGINS Alu sequence insertion is associated with hyperprolactinaemia but not leiomyoma susceptibility
(2005-04-01)
Hsieh, YY
;
Chan, IP
;
Wang, HI
;
Chang, CC
;
Huang, CW
Objective Leiomyoma and hyperprolactinaemia are both progesterone-dependent diseases. Hormone-related genes, such as the progesterone receptor (PGR), might be involved in their pathogenesis. Design and measurements Subjects were divided into three groups: (i) leiomyoma (n = 120); (ii) hyperprolactinaemia (n = 101); (iii) normal controls (n = 140). We investigated the Alu (306-bp DNA) insertion in intron G of the PGR gene in all individuals. PGR gene polymorphisms [T1 (wild-type); T2 (PROGINS, with Alu insertion)] were determined by PCR and electrophoresis. Genotype and allele frequencies of the PROGINS in each group were detected and compared. Results We observed no significant difference of the PGR*T1/T2 genotypes and allele frequencies between leiomyoma and other two groups. The proportions of T1 homozygote/heterozygote/T2 homozygote in each group were (i) 90/8.3/1.7%; (ii) 84.2/9.9/5.9%; (iii) 92.9/6.4/0.7%. In contrast, a higher percentage of T2-related genotype and allele were noted in hyperprolactinaemic women compared to other two groups. The proportions of T1/T2 alleles in each group were: (i) 94.2/5.8%; (ii) 89.1/10.9%; (iii) 96.1/3.9%. Conclusions The PROGIN*T2-related genotype and allele are related to a higher susceptibility to hyperprolactinaemia. The PROGINS polymorphism is not associated with leiomyoma development.
Structural and biochemical evidence of mitochondrial depletion in pigs with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
(2003-06-01)
Lin, CS
;
Sun, YL
;
Liu, CY
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生物科技學系
;
Department of Biological Science and Technology
Pig hearts with naturally occurring hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) were isolated to investigate the effects of mitochondrial deficiency at biochemical and molecular levels. Enzyme activities of mitochondrial-encoded cytochrome c oxidase and NADH dehydrogenase in the HCM hearts (n = 12) were lower than that in the controls (n = 12) by 41 +/- 29% (P < 0.01) and 43 +/- 21% (P < 0.001), respectively. Additionally, Southern blot analysis was conducted to quantify the relative amount of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from the HCM and controls. The relative amount of mtDNA in the HCM hearts was significantly 57 +/- 19% (P < 0.001) lower than that in the controls. Both mitochondrial enzyme deficiency and mtDNA depletion were significantly correlated with the degree of cardiac hypertrophy judged based on the ratio of heart/body weight. In conclusion, our results reveal that a secondary effect of tissue-specific mtDNA depletion and mitochondrial dysfunction is in response to the LICK © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Superoxide dismutase activities of spermatozoa and seminal plasma are not correlated with male infertility
(2002)
Hsieh, YY
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Sun, YL
;
Chang, CC
;
Lee, YS
;
Tsai, HD
Abnormal reactive oxygen species (ROS) production is associated with defective sperm function. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is related with the scavenging of seminal ROS. We aimed to determine the effect of SOD activities of spermatozoa and seminal plasma on sperm quality. Semen samples from infertile couples who consented to the analyses were divided into two groups: 1) normospermia (n = 20); and 2) oligoasthenozoospermia (n = 31). The SOD activities of the spermatozoa and seminal plasma were measured by determining the inhibition of pyrogallol autoxidation. The SOD activities of spermatozoa and seminal plasma in both groups were compared. The relationships between the SOD activities and the sperm qualities were determined. We noted that SOD activities of sperm/seminal plasma in both groups were nonsignificantly different (group 1 vs. 2 = 0.77 +/- 0.33/0.84 +/- 0.40 U/mg protein for sperm, and 0.66 +/- and 0.36/0.83 +/- 0.47 U/ml for seminal plasma). SOD activities of sperm/seminal plasma were positively but nonsignificantly correlated with the sperm motility (SOD of sperm = 0.0008 x motility + 0.67; SOD of seminal plasma = 0.0006 x motility + 0.81) and concentration (SOD of sperm = 0.0006 x concentration + 0.67; SOD of seminal plasma = 0.0021 x concentration + 0.73). We concluded that SOD activities of sperm and seminal plasma were nonsignificantly correlated with the seminal quality. It appears that the SOD survey is not a useful tool for determining sperm fertilization potential. (C) 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.