姑婆芋的傳粉生物學
我們在校園內設置兩樣區，從2007 年4 月至2007年6月，共調查9株姑婆芋，93朵佛焰花，以瞭解姑婆芋生活史、傳粉昆蟲生活史及兩者之間的互動關係。 姑婆芋在11 月至7 月花期時會不斷產生佛焰花苞，剛冒出的花苞經過1到3天後，雌蕊漸成熟，佛焰苞會漸漸展開，開始產熱及一些特殊氣味，吸引果蠅科未知種的蠅類傳粉。當胚株受粉後，佛焰苞頸部會閉合，迫使傳粉昆蟲會往上爬到雄蕊部位攜帶花粉，飛至另一株姑婆芋雌蕊上傳粉，因此姑婆芋與傳粉昆蟲之間具有互利共生的關係。佛焰花序主要產生氣味的部位是在附屬物及雄部，而佛焰苞則可以幫助吸引更多傳粉昆蟲。佛焰花序的附屬物及雄部相對溫度較高，可能具有產熱以吸引傳粉昆蟲的功能。 ;Our study started from April, 2007 to June, 2007. We observed a total of 9 Alocasia odora and 93 spathes to help understand the life cycle of these understory clonal herbs, its pollinators, and the relationship between them. Alocasia odora produces spathes continuously during inflorescence. In the female phase, the pistillate part of the inflorescence ripens and an opening appears at the spathe, heat and a special odor is produced to attract pollinators of Drosophilidae. When the ovule is pollinated, the male phase begins and the opening encloses, which forces the pollinators upwards to the staminate part to carry its pollens, and then fly to an other Alocasia odora, Heat and the special odor are produced by the appendix and the staminate part of the inflorescence, and the spathe can increase the number of pollinators attracted. The relationship of mutualism between these two species contribute to the study of coevolution.
廣鹽性吳郭魚氯離子調節機制- - - NKCC在氯細胞中扮演之角色
本實驗中我們利用廣鹽性吳郭魚進行氯離子調節機制的研究，探討廣鹽性吳郭魚如何能在不同環境中維持體內氯離子恆定，進而適應生存環境。我門想要探討：『是否NKCC 這種蛋白質在淡水吳郭魚MR 細胞中扮演吸收 Cl- 的角色? 如果是，吳郭魚又如何藉NKCC 的調節適應環境中 Cl- 的變化呢？』我們利用細胞免疫螢光染色法、西方墨點法和共軛焦顯微鏡觀察分析NKCC 在不同 Cl- 濃度人工淡水馴養的吳郭魚MR 細胞上的表現量，結果發現 NKCC 分布於頂端細胞膜(又稱為細胞開口)，及其附近的細胞質內；環境中 Na+ 濃度的差異對NKCC 在MR 細胞上的表現影響不大，但低 Cl- 環境馴養的吳郭魚，NKCC 表現量都高出其他組很多。顯示NKCC 參與了氯吸收的機制。另一個實驗中，我們將吳郭魚由淡水中轉移至海水以分析它們在適應海水的過程中NKCC 的表現變化。結果發現在馴養初期（16 小時內），圓點狀NKCC 仍然可以在MR 細胞的開口附近觀察到，但到了24 小時後，NKCC 在開口的表現就明顯減少甚至消失，取而代之的是轉移到底側邊細胞膜上的NKCC。此實驗證實了NKCC 這一個與Cl-運送相關的蛋白質，在廣鹽性吳郭魚氯離子調節中扮演了很重要的角色。
Euryhaline tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) is capable of maintaining internal ion constant ineither hypertonic or hypotonic environments (fresh water or seawater).MR cells in the gills of tilapia play critical role in absorbing Cl- from fresh water or pumping redundant Cl- from body fluid into seawater. Chloride transporter (NKCC) which distributed in basolateral membrane of MR cells is involved in Cl- secretion of seawater teleost. However, the mechanism of Cl- absorption in fresh water MR cells is still unclear. Whether NKCC is also involved in Cl- absorption and how do tilapia regulate Cl- absorption are the questions this study aim to answer. By using immunofluorescent staining, western blot, and confocal microscopy, the distribution and expression level of NKCC in fresh water MR cells were examined. We found that NKCC is distributed on the apical membrane of freshwater MR cells where is known to be the site for active Cl- absorption of MR cells. We compared the expression level of NKCC in MR cells from tilapia acclimated in high, normal, and low Cl- artificial water for 7 days. The results showed that NKCC is induced by ambient low Cl- , and in contrast suppressed by high Cl- water, indicating NKCC might be involved in Cl- absorption of freshwater MR cells and up-or down-regulated to maintain Cl- uptake constant. In addition, we also examine the expression pattern of NKCC in MR cells from tilapia transferred from fresh water to seawater. Confocal images show that apical expressed NKCC disappear gradually within 24h seawater acclimation and is substituted by basolateral expressed NKCC. This study provides a novel regulatory mechanism of NKCC in Cl- transporter of MR cells.
利用自製頻譜儀研究蜜蜂的發聲系統
本研究利用麥克風與相關電腦設備，結合成自製頻譜儀用以觀測多種情況下蜜蜂的聲音頻率。若將蜜蜂的翅膀加以修剪，可測得有不同的頻率，解析頻率發現「翅膀為主要發聲點，但去除翅膀仍有高頻的發聲，且有三種不同的頻率。」將蜜蜂置於不同溫度下，解析頻率得知「一定溫度範圍內，溫度越高蜜蜂發聲頻率越高，反之亦然。」幼期在胸部塗顏料使絨毛無法生長，去除雙翅後，仍有頻率相近的發聲，得知「胸部絨毛不是造成高頻的原因。」靜置５分鐘，待蜜蜂停止發聲後，剪去腳、挑弄蜜蜂會發出高頻，得知「情緒是引起高頻的原因。」將蜜蜂的翅膀加以修剪，分別放回蜂窩口，發現「同一族群蜜蜂可用發聲頻率來辨別同伴。」比較義大利蜂及中華蜜蜂，得知「在多種情況下中華蜜蜂發聲頻率皆較義大利蜂高約７０Hz。」因此本實驗之結論並不受蜂種影響。The study, capitalizing on a hand-made frequency divider, the microphone and computerized equipment, observes a variety of frequency of sound given off by bees. We read different frequencies from the apparatus when the bee’s wings were trimmed. Analyzing it, we discover that the bee’s winds are major source of its sound, but it still gives out high-frequency sound when the wings were completely cut off.” After analyzing the frequency, we discover that within a certain temperature range the higher the temperature is, the higher the frequency is, and vice versa. In one experiment, we painted the thorax at its pupal stage to stop the bee from growing fine hairs. Even though the wings had been removed, it still gave out high-frequency sound. We, therefore, conclude that fine hairs on the thorax have nothing to do with the making of the sound. In another experiment, bees were placed in an undisturbed environment until they are completely silent. Then, some of the bee’s legs were cut off, while others were provoked. And all the bees make high-frequency sound in the process. We make a hypothesis that emotion could be the cause of bees’ sound-making. The bees with different trimmed wings were put back to the beehive; the bees can still recognize one another by the different sound frequencies. If we compare A. m. ligustica with A. c. cerana under different conditions, we find that the frequency from the latter is about 70 Hz higher than that form the former.
月亮太陽斜斜掛
In this project, we mainly employ the self-made “positioning system for celestial objects” (PSFCO) to investigate the relations among Sun, Moon, and Earth. Based on the observational data, we then construct a three-dimensional (3D) model to further understand the hidden mystery. We first use the PSFCO, which was developed through four generations (see figure 1), to measure the change for a whole year in the North Polar Distance (NPD) of Sun and Moon individually. From the data analysis, we find that: 1. This change in NPD is very close to a sinusoidal function. 2. The date when the NPD of Moon is the largest in a month shifts earlier by 2.26 days every month on average. 3. The angle between the equatorial axis (EA) and the lunar orbital plane (LOP) is about 63.5 degrees, while the angle between the EA and the ecliptic plane (EP) is about 66.5 degrees. 4. The angle between the LOP and the EP is about 5 degrees. This is exactly why the solar eclipse and the lunar eclipse do not happen every month. 5. Time for a celestial object to be above the horizon = 1080 minutes – 4 (minute/degree) x NPD of the object. We geographically prove this empirical formula. With this formula and the PSFCO, we can accurately predict the times when an object rises and sets. We finally make a 3D model for Sun, Moon, and Earth. In this process, we confronted and then solved several difficult questions in mathematics and astronomy. This research dramatically enhances our understanding in our local planetary system. 主要利用自製的“天體定位儀”來詳細探討月亮、太陽及地球之間的位置及軌道關 係，並藉由三度空間模型的製作來進一步了解其中的奧妙。 首先利用天體定位儀 (共研發出四代，見圖1) 來量測月亮及太陽各自與北極的夾角 在1 年內的變化，經數據分析發現： 一、這個變化很像sin 函數。 二、月亮與北極的夾角發生極大值的農曆日數，每月平均提早約2.26 日。 三、白道面與赤道軸的夾角約為63.5 度，黃道面與赤道軸的夾角約為66.5 度。 四、白道面與黃道面之間的夾角約為5 度。這正是日蝕及月蝕不常發生的主要原因。 五、天體在地平線上的時間(分) = 1080 分－４(分/度) x 天體與北極夾角(度)。我們用幾 何定理證明了這個觀測到的關係式，且配合天體定位儀可準確預測任何可見天體 升上及落下地平線的時間。 最後製作月亮、太陽及地球的3D 軌道模型。過程中遭遇並解決了各種數學及天文 難題，使我們對這個行星系統有了更深一層的認識。
台灣沿岸地形與海嘯的實驗室模擬
本實驗利用喇叭、薄膜電極、波型產生器、鎖相放大器、及750 介面卡組合一套系統,此系統可使偵測精密度大幅提升(±4*10-5cm),使得水槽及地表模型尺度變小(40*22*35cm),因此可節省實驗的成本與時間我們在坡度實驗中,發現坡度在3 度左右,淺化係數都超過3. 對照台灣沿岸發生海嘯的歷史記載,確實在台灣東北角及西南沿岸等坡度為三度之地區都發生較明顯的海嘯危害. 反之,坡度在四度以上的東岸其海嘯波高都非常低.最後再藉著硬體系統及電腦2D 動畫模擬的整合,使我們可方便掌握波浪在不同坡度及位置,其波長及波高變化比,如此有助於預估及說明海嘯隨地形變化的狀況.By using the horn, membranous electrodes, function generator, phase-locked amplifier, and Science Workshop 750, we plan to assemble a tsunami simulation system in which the precision can be getting increased (±4*10-5cm) .Because of the improvement of its precision, the size of the tank and of the surface models will become smaller .As a result, the money and time spent on the experiment will be spare. When experimenting on the influence of inclination of the landforms, we observed that when the inclination reaches about 3 degrees, the shoaling coefficient exceeded 3 .The result of our experiment can provide an explanation to the tsunami on the northeast and southwest coast of Taiwan .According to the historical records, the disastrous tsunami happens frequently on the northeast and southwest coast of Taiwan where its inclination is also about 3 degrees as well .On the other hand, on the eastern coast, the wave height is lower and its inclination exceeds 4 degrees .Apparently, our experimenting result is correspond to the natural phenomena in Taiwan’s coast . Besides, with the help of hardware system and computer 2D animation simulation, we can easily measure the wavelength and wave height scale of the wave in different inclinations and positions. Therefore, this tsunami simulation system can provide a great help to estimate and explain the phenomena of tsunami which may change its condition in different landforms.
台北市內湖區金面山地衣調查與空氣污染對地衣影響之探究
本研究工作自2001 年7 月至2002 年6 月止，在臺北市內湖區金面山進行地衣實地探勘採集調查，以位於臺北市內湖區之麗山高級中學之校園為中心點，範圍由校園金面山至學校前門所面對的港墘路與環山路口。應用「外部型態比較」，「切片觀察(徒手切片技術)」與「化學分析(薄層色層分析Thin Layer Chromatography, TLC)」等三種方法，鑑定所採集之地衣所屬種類，並探討空氣污染程度對金面山地衣類分佈狀況的影響。調查至2002年6月為止，本研究已發現生長於金面山區之數種地衣，其中殼狀地衣包含有：癩屑衣屬(Lepraria)、球粉衣屬(Spheophorus)、大孢衣屬(Megalospora)等三屬；屬於莖狀地衣的僅有石蕊屬(Cladonia)；為葉狀地衣的則有：黃梅衣屬(Xanthoparmelia)、裸緣梅衣屬(Parmotrema)、梅衣屬(Parmelia)等三屬，合計共七個屬。本研究針對臺北市金面山區及麗山高級中學之校園附近市區道路地衣類分佈的情形做調查，結果發現行道樹上之附生地衣在較靠近山區的地方，於樹幹上的生長覆蓋面積才會有明顯增加的情形，又其中在市區道路上只發現殼狀地衣生長，而莖狀及葉狀地衣則出現於金面山頂附近，所以就此情況而言，除了金面山區外，市區已呈現地衣沙漠化之狀況，間接顯示，市區的空氣污染是相當嚴重的。本研究將所調查結果之各屬地衣類進行特徵描述與分佈地區之標定，以便於日後臺北市內湖區金面山地衣之鑑識及後續相關研究之進行。This research was carried out between July 2001 and June 2002 on the Jinmian Mountain in Neihu,\r Taipei City and consisted of an on-the-spot exploration and collection of lichen. The Taipei Municipal\r Lishan High School was the center of this research, and the researched territory consisted of the areas\r between the mountain at the back of the school (Jinmian Mountain) and the intersection between\r Gangcian Rd. and Huanshan Rd. in front of the school’s main gate. Comparison of external appearance,\r dissectional observation (manual breaking technique), and chemical analysis (Thin Layer\r Chromatography, TLC) were the research methods applied to determine the genus of the lichen and the\r influence of the degree of air pollution on the distribution of the lichen.\r By the end of the research in June 2002 the presence of three types of lichen on the Jinmian\r Mountain was observed: crustose lichen: Lepraria, Spheophorus, Megalospora; fruticose lichen: Cladonia;\r foliose lichen: Xanthoparmelia, Parmotrema, Parmelia. Seven different genus of lichen have been found.\r The research has been done on the distribution of these different genus of lichen in the area of the\r Jinmian Mountain and The Taipei Municipal Lishan High School: By observation the sidewalk trees\r near the mountain’s area, we found the covering area of the lichen on the sterns apparently increases,\r while on the trees in the city district, only crustose lichen grow. The fruticose and foliose lichen only\r grow near the top of the Jinmian Mountain. This impoverishment of the diversity of lichen in the city\r district might (indirectly) be an indicator of the considerable decline of air quality in the city. The\r outcomes of this research regarding the description and distribution of the lichens contribute to the\r knowledge on lichens in the Jingmian Mountain area in the Neihu District, and may raise the similar\r research in the future as well.
STATIN 類降血脂藥物對血管平滑肌細胞一氧化氮合成?的基因調控作用
動脈硬化是個致病率和致死率相當高的慢性發炎疾病。HMG-CoA 還原酵素抑制劑 纇藥物，簡稱statin, 是一類強效的降血脂藥物，而且在臨床上對於心血管疾病有廣泛的 治療效果。然而近年來的研究報導指出，statin 會有如此廣效治療效果，其原因不僅僅 是因為它的降血脂能力，而是statin 也具有抑制發炎作用的效果。雖然臨床上已經證實 statin 可以減緩動脈硬化的病程，但是statin 對於誘發型一氧化氮合成酵素(iNOS)表現的 調控機制還不明確。有文獻指出NOS 代謝產物nitric oxide (NO)可以改善血流，而可能 在動脈硬化上扮演保護角色。值得一提的是雖然適量 NO 有維持血管恆定的功能，過 量時則會造成血壓過低休克的現象，這就是細菌感染後因內毒素 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 作用引發敗血性休克的主要原因之一。在本實驗中，我們使用fluvastatin、lovastatin、 pravastatin 和 atorvastatin 這四種statins 來探討它們對於血管平滑肌細胞由LPS 及IL-1β 誘導iNOS 基因表現的影響。我們發現，statin 可以抑制LPS 所誘發的NO 和iNOS 表現， 但卻會促進IL-1β所誘發的反應。NF-κB 在iNOS 的基因調控上扮演重要的角色，而在 探討NF-κB 被LPS 和IL-1β活化的情形中，statin 同樣會促進IL-1β活化NF-κB，但抑制 LPS 活化NF-κB。我們也發現fluvastatin 對於IL-1β所引發NO 的產生、iNOS 的表現、 NF-κB 的活化，以及p65 向細胞核移動的促進作用，在ROCK 抑制劑Y-27632 的處理後 可以看到相同的現象。IKK kinase assay 顯示Y-27632 對於LPS 所促進的IKK 活性影響 很小，但是會促進IL-1β的活化作用。接著，在ROCK 的活性方面，LPS 會抑制原本已 表現的ROCK 活性， 而相反的，IL-1β會增加ROCK 的活性。總括來說，這些結果顯示 ROCK 在血管平滑肌細胞中扮演IKK/NF-κB 的負向訊息調控者角色，而這個機制在LPS 和IL-1β的訊息傳遞路徑中有不同的調控。即ROCK 以負向調控機制角色影響IL-1β的 訊息傳遞，卻不存在於LPS 的情況中。就是因為透過反轉這個負向調控的機制，statins 3 和ROCK 抑制劑對於LPS 及IL-1β引發血管平滑肌細胞的iNOS 表現，呈現相反的調控 結果。這些作用可能參與statin 預防血管再阻塞，抗發炎，抗動脈硬化的作用。此外Statin 抑制LPS 的iNOS 表現作用或許將來可運用於治療敗血性休克。利用基因微陣列分析也 偵測到一些受fluvastatin 正向或負向調控的基因，目前我們正朝鑑定基因的表現改變及 確認其功能，生理意義進行實驗中。 The 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG)-CoA reductase inhibitors, statins, are potent inhibitors of cholesterol synthesis and have wide therapeutic use in cardiovascular diseases. Recent evidence, however, suggests that the beneficial effects of statins may extend beyond their action on serum cholesterol levels. Although statins have been shown to reduce progression of atherosclerosis, little is known about mechanism by which statins affect iNOS expression. Optimal level of NOS product, NO, possesses the anti-inflammation and anti-proliferation effects in atherosclerosis, while large amount of NO contributes to the septic shock in response to bacterial endotoxin, lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In this study, we investigated the effects of fluvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin and atorvastatin on IL-1β- and LPS-induced NO production in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). We found statins can inhibit LPS-induced iNOS expression and NO production, while they can potentiate IL-1β-elicited responses. In studying the activity of NF-κB, which plays an important role for iNOS gene induction, we found that fluvastatin can increase IL-1β-induced p65 nuclear translocation and NF-κB activity, while inhibit those induced by LPS. The potentiation effects of fluvastatin on IL-1β-induced NO production, iNOS expression, NF-κB activation and p65 nuclear translocation were all mimicked by a ROCK inhibitor, Y-27632. IKK kinase assay showed that Y-27632 itself has minimal effect on LPS-induced IKK activation, while enhances the response of IL-1β. Studies on examining ROCK activity showed LPS can downregulate constitutive ROCK activity, while IL-1β oppositely increases ROCK activity. Taken together these data suggest ROCK is a crucial negative regulator of IKK/NF-κB signaling pathway in VSMC, and this negative control is existing in the action IL-1β, but is absent in the action of LPS. Through abrogating the function of this negative regulator, statins and ROCK inhibitor thus differentially regulate iNOS expression induced by LPS and IL-1β in VSMC. These results suggest that stimulation of iNOS expression in the presence of IL-1β might contribute to the beneficial effects of statins in atherosclerotic process in terms of vasodilation, anti-inflammation and inhibition of smooth muscle cell proliferation. In contrast, the diminishing effect on LPS-induced NO response possibly may provide new therapeutic strategy in sepsis. Al these results strengthen the pleiotropic actions of statins in anti-inflammation and anti-atherosclerosis. Preliminary microarray analysis further revealed several genes either upregulated or downregulated by fluvastatin. The identification of these genes and studying their functional roles in atherosclerosis are currently in progress.