Tree Ring Characteristics of 30-Year-Old Swietenia Macrophylla Plantation Trees

Ring characteristics of mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla K.) plantation trees grown in Taiwan were explored. Significant differences in average ring width (RW) and ring density (RD) occurred among three tree-diameter classes and three radial stages of ring numbers. RW in the radial direction decreased from the pith outward to the bark and followed a distinctive three-stage variation pattern (juvenile, transition, and mature zones). RD in the radial direction increased slowly from the pith outward to the bark. Wider tree rings and lower density are associated with juvenile wood close to the pith, whereas narrower tree rings and higher density are typical for mature wood outward toward the bark. RD in overtopped trees was higher than that in dominant trees. However, RW in dominant trees was wider than that in intermediate and overtopped trees. Earlywood density, latewood density, maximum density, and minimum density were the most important factors determining overall RD. There was a weak relationship between RW and RD, indicating that it is unlikely for growth rates of mahogany plantation trees to have a significant impact on wood density

Evaluation of Moisture Content Changes in Taiwan Red Cypress During Drying Using Ultrasonic and Tap-Tone Testing

Moisture content affects most of the important properties of wood, therefore it is important to control during drying and in use. The purpose of this study was to investigate moisture content changes in Taiwan red cypress during drying. Two types of nondestructive testing were used, ultrasonic and tap-tone. The results showed that ultrasonic and tap-tone velocities increased with decreasing moisture content with the major effect below the FSP. A second-order regression relationship was found between ultrasonic and tap-tone velocities with moisture content desorption during drying with a coefficient of determination of 0.77 and 0.88, respectively. Moreover, the effects of moisture content desorption on dynamic moduli, calculated from ultrasonic and tap-tone methods, were demonstrated. Finally, a new parameter (Vi/Vx), the ratio of initial velocity (before drying) to the velocity at any moisture content, was effectively applied to evaluate moisture content changes in wood during drying. The tap-tone method was found to be a reliable tool to measure moisture content changes during the drying of wood

Numerical earthquake models of the 2013 Nantou, Taiwan, earthquake series: Characteristics of source rupture processes, strong ground motions and their tectonic implication

On 27 March and 2 June 2013, two large earthquakes with magnitudes of ML 6.2 and ML 6.5, named the Nantou earthquake series, struck central Taiwan. These two events were located at depths of 15–20 km, which implied that the mid-crust of central Taiwan is an active seismogenic area even though the subsurface structures have not been well established. To determine the origins of the Nantou earthquake series, we investigated both the rupture processes and seismic wave propagations by employing inverse and forward numerical simulation techniques. Source inversion results indicated that one event ruptured from middle to shallow crust in the northwest direction, while the other ruptured towards the southwest. Simulations of 3-D wave propagation showed that the rupture characteristics of the two events result in distinct directivity effects with different amplified shaking patterns. From the results of numerical earthquake modeling, we deduced that the occurrence of the Nantou earthquake series may be related to stress release from the easternmost edge of a preexistent strong basement in central Taiwan

Pelvic skeletal metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma with sarcomatous change: a case report

Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a very rare histologic variant of HCC. The characteristic of skeletal metastatic sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma has never been reported. We reported a patient with sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma pelvic metastasis who presented with huge pelvic metastasis that had relatively small osteolytic lesion centrally located accompanied by huge bipeduncular invasive expansile lesions into surrounding soft tissue. The lesion showed almost non-isotope uptake in 99mTc-methylene diphosphonate bone scintigraphy study. He underwent radiotherapy and tumor excision but the tumor rapidly recurred. In addition, serum α-fetoprotein level was never elevated beyond normal limit (< 20 ng/mL) through the whole course of treatment. We considered sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma bone metastasis a highly aggressive lesion with unusual metastatic pattern. Surgical treatment with adequate safe margin in such a huge tumor with hypervascularity and extensive invasion in the pelvis was difficult; and radiotherapy maybe refractory regarding the sarcomatous nature. Therefore, debulking operation with local symptoms control may provide a better quality of life. And the clinical course suggests sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma is derived from the transition of an ordinary hepatocellular carcinoma

Hesperetin-7,3'-O-dimethylether selectively inhibits phosphodiesterase 4 and effectively suppresses ovalbumin-induced airway hyperresponsiveness with a high therapeutic ratio

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hesperetin was reported to selectively inhibit phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4). While hesperetin-7,3'-<it>O</it>-dimethylether (HDME) is a synthetic liposoluble hesperetin. Therefore, we were interested in investigating its selectivity on PDE4 and binding ability on high-affinity rolipram-binding sites (HARBs) <it>in vitro</it>, and its effects on ovalbumin-induced airway hyperresponsiveness <it>in vivo</it>, and clarifying its potential for treating asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>PDE1~5 activities were measured using a two-step procedure. The binding of HDME on high-affinity rolipram-binding sites was determined by replacing 2 nM [³<it>H</it>]-rolipram. AHR was assessed using the FlexiVent system and barometric plethysmography. Inflammatory cells were counted using a hemocytometer. Cytokines were determined using mouse T helper (Th)1/Th2 cytokine CBA kits, and total immunoglobulin (Ig)E or IgG_2alevels were done using ELISA method. Xylazine (10 mg/kg)/ketamine (70 mg/kg)-induced anesthesia was performed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>HDME revealed selective phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibition with a therapeutic (PDE4_H/PDE4_L) ratio of 35.5 <it>in vitro</it>. <it>In vivo</it>, HDME (3~30 μmol/kg, orally (p.o.)) dose-dependently and significantly attenuated the airway resistance (R_L) and increased lung dynamic compliance (C_dyn), and decreased enhanced pause (P_enh) values induced by methacholine in sensitized and challenged mice. It also significantly suppressed the increases in the numbers of total inflammatory cells, macrophages, lymphocytes, neutrophils, and eosinophils, and levels of cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-5, interferon-γ, and tumor necrosis factor-α in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of these mice. In addition, HDME (3~30 μmol/kg, p.o.) dose-dependently and significantly suppressed total and ovalbumin-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E levels in the BALF and serum, and enhanced IgG_2alevel in the serum of these mice.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>HDME exerted anti-inflammatory effects, including suppression of AHR, and reduced expressions of inflammatory cells and cytokines in this murine model, which appears to be suitable for studying the effects of drugs on atypical asthma and COPD, and for screening those on typical asthma. However, HDME did not influnce xylazine/ketamine-induced anesthesia. Thus HDME may have the potential for use in treating typical and atypical asthma, and COPD.</p

Butylidenephthalide Blocks Potassium Channels and Enhances Basal Tension in Isolated Guinea-Pig Trachea

Butylidenephthalide (Bdph, 30∼300 M), a constituent of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort., significantly enhanced tension in isolated guinea-pig trachea. In this study, we investigate the mechanism(s) of Bdph-induced contraction in the tissue. Isolated trachea was bathed in 5 mL of Krebs solution containing indomethacin (3 M), and its tension changes were isometrically recorded. Cromakalim (3 M), an ATP-dependent K + channel opener, significantly antagonized the Bdph-induced enhancement of baseline tension. Bdph (300 M) also significantly antagonized cromakalim-induced relaxation. Bdph (300 M) did not significantly influence the antagonistic effects of glibenclamide (GBC, 1 M) and tetraethylammonium (TEA, 8 mM) against the cromakaliminduced relaxation. However, Bdph (300 M) and 4-aminopiridine (4-AP, 5 mM), a blocker of K 1 family of K + channels, in combination significantly rightward shifted the log concentration-relaxation curve of cromakalim. The antagonistic effect of the combination almost equals the sum of the individual effects of Bdph and 4-AP, suggesting that the antagonistic mechanism of Bdph may be similar to that of 4-AP. All calcium channel blockers influenced neither the baseline tension nor antagonistic effect of Bdph against cromakalim. In conclusion, Bdph may be similar to 4-AP, a blocker of K 1 family of K + channels, to enhance the baseline tension of guinea-pig trachea

A strong-motion hot spot of the 2016 Meinong, Taiwan, earthquake (M_w = 6.4)

Despite a moderate magnitude, M_w = 6.4, the 5 February 2016 Meinong, Taiwan, earthquake caused significant damage in Tainan City and the surrounding areas. Several seismograms display an impulsive S-wave velocity pulse with an amplitude of about 1 m s-1, which is similar to large S-wave pulses recorded for the past several larger damaging earthquakes, such as the 1995 Kobe, Japan, earthquake (M_w = 6.9) and the 1994 Northridge, California, earthquake (M_w = 6.7). The observed PGV in the Tainan area is about 10 times larger than the median PGV of M_w = 6.4 crustal earthquakes in Taiwan. We investigate the cause of the localized strong ground motions. The peak-to-peak ground-motion displacement at the basin sites near Tainan is about 35 times larger than that at a mountain site with a similar epicentral distance. At some frequency bands (0.9 - 1.1 Hz), the amplitude ratio is as large as 200. Using the focal mechanism of this earthquake, typical “soft” and “hard” crustal structures, and directivity inferred from the observed waveforms and the slip distribution, we show that the combined effect yields an amplitude ratio of 17 to 34. The larger amplitude ratios at higher frequency bands can be probably due to the effects of complex 3-D basin structures. The result indicates that even from a moderate event, if these effects simultaneously work together toward amplifying ground motions, the extremely large ground motions as observed in Tainan can occur. Such occurrences should be taken into consideration in hazard mitigation measures in the place with frequent moderate earthquakes

Cyclooxygenase-2 enhances α2β1 integrin expression and cell migration via EP1 dependent signaling pathway in human chondrosarcoma cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, the inducible isoform of prostaglandin (PG) synthase, has been implicated in tumor metastasis. Interaction of COX-2 with its specific EP receptors on the surface of cancer cells has been reported to induce cancer invasion. However, the effects of COX-2 on migration activity in human chondrosarcoma cells are mostly unknown. In this study, we examined whether COX-2 and EP interaction are involved in metastasis of human chondrosarcoma.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We found that over-expression of COX-2 or exogenous PGE₂increased the migration of human chondrosarcoma cells. We also found that human chondrosarcoma tissues and chondrosarcoma cell lines had significant expression of the COX-2 which was higher than that in normal cartilage. By using pharmacological inhibitors or activators or genetic inhibition by the EP receptors, we discovered that the EP1 receptor but not other PGE receptors is involved in PGE₂-mediated cell migration and α2β1 integrin expression. Furthermore, we found that human chondrosarcoma tissues expressed a higher level of EP1 receptor than normal cartilage. PGE₂-mediated migration and integrin up-regulation were attenuated by phospholipase C (PLC), protein kinase C (PKC) and c-Src inhibitor. Activation of the PLCβ, PKCα, c-Src and NF-κB signaling pathway after PGE₂treatment was demonstrated, and PGE₂-induced expression of integrin and migration activity were inhibited by the specific inhibitor, siRNA and mutants of PLC, PKC, c-Src and NF-κB cascades.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results indicated that PGE₂enhances the migration of chondrosarcoma cells by increasing α2β1 integrin expression through the EP1/PLC/PKCα/c-Src/NF-κB signal transduction pathway.</p

Hesperidin-3′- O

Hesperidin is present in the traditional Chinese medicine, “Chen Pi,” and recently was reported to have anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, we were interested in comparing the effects of hesperidin and hesperidin-3′-O-methylether on phosphodiesterase inhibition and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in a murine model of asthma. In the present results, hesperidin-3′-O-methylether, but not hesperidin, at 30 μmol/kg (p.o.) significantly attenuated the enhanced pause (Penh) value, suppressed the increases in numbers of total inflammatory cells, macrophages, lymphocytes, neutrophils, and eosinophils, suppressed total and OVA-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E levels in the serum and BALF, and enhanced the level of total IgG2a in the serum of sensitized and challenged mice, suggesting that hesperidin-3′-O-methylether is more potent than hesperidin in suppression of AHR and immunoregulation. The different potency between them may be due to their aglycons, because these two flavanone glycosides should be hydrolyzed by β-glucosidase after oral administration. Neither influenced xylazine/ketamine-induced anesthesia, suggesting that they may have few or no adverse effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and gastric hypersecretion. In conclusion, hesperidin-3′-O-methylether is more potent in phosphodiesterase inhibition and suppression of AHR and has higher therapeutic (PDE4H/PDE4L) ratio than hesperidin. Thus, hesperidin-3′-O-methylether may have more potential for use in treating allergic asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease