全國中小學科展

臺灣

STATIN類降血脂藥物對血管平滑肌細胞之作用

動脈硬化是個致病率和致死率相當高的慢性發炎疾病,為台灣十大死因之一。在病理過程中血中濃度過高的膽固醇為動脈硬化的一大危險因子,其會誘發一連串的發炎反應驅使血管壁內皮細胞功能喪失,血壓上升,平滑肌細胞增生等。Statin 是臨床上十分有效的降血脂藥物,雖然其作用機制已知在於抑制膽固醇合成酵素 HMG-CoA reductase 而有降血脂功效,但近年來探討 statin 在抗發炎方面的作用也漸受重視。nitric oxide synthase (NOS) 代謝產物如 nitric oxide (NO),cyclooxygenase (COX) 代謝產物如 prostaglandin (PGE?、PGI?),及 heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) 代謝產物如 carbon monoxide (CO),均有文獻指出可以改善血流,而可能在動脈硬化上扮演保護角色。相反的,matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 的表現會誘使更多的免疫細胞浸潤到血管壁,並增加動脈硬化斑破裂,引起栓塞和中風的發生。在此實驗中,我們利用培養的大鼠主動脈血管平滑肌細胞作為研究材料,發現了 statin (lovastatin 、pravastatin、atorvastatin 、fluvastatin) 具有一些和降血脂無關的直接保護血管壁能力。包括會增加 interleukin-1β (IL-1β) 所誘導 iNOS 蛋白的表現及NO 的產生; statin 本身會增加 COX-2 和 HO-1 蛋白的表現及 PGE? 和PGI? 的產生,及抑制 MMP-2 和 MMP-9 蛋白活性的表現。此外分析調控 iNOS 基因轉錄最為關鍵的基因轉錄因子 NF-κB,發現適量的 statin 會增加 IL-1β 活化NF-κB 的作用。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。為更進一步釐清 statin 是否會影響受細菌感染病人的生命危險,我們也探討 statin 對LPS 作用的影響。結果發現 statin 反而會抑制 LPS 誘導大量 iNOS 蛋白的表現,NO 的產生及 NF-κB 的活化。這些新的實驗結果提供更多證據支持 statin 可以藉由維持血管舒張,減緩血管壁的發炎反應,穩定動脈硬化斑的作用,以有效控制動脈硬化各個病程的進展。這發現能讓我們更透徹明白 statin 的作用,且對將來研發 statin 在心血管疾病方面新的臨床治療用途是有所助益的。 ;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. In this study, we investigated the effects of lovastatin, pravastatin, atorvastatin, and fluvastatin on cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells. We found statins can inhibit LPS-induced iNOS expression and NO production, while they can potentiate IL-1β-elicited responses. Moreover, statins themselves can stimulate COX-2 expression, PGE?, PGI? formation, and HO-1 induction. In contrast, statins can inhibit basal and IL-1β-induced enzyme activities of MMP-9 and MMP-2. In studying the activity of NF-κB, which plays an important role for iNOS gene induction, we found that statin can increase IL-1β-induced NF-κB activity, while inhibit that induced by LPS. All these results suggest that stimulation of iNOS expression in the presence of IL-1β, togeth1er with the increased COX-2 and HO-1 expression might contribute to the beneficial effects of statins in atherosclerotic process in terms of vasodilation and inhibition of smooth muscle cell proliferation. The inhibition of MMP activity might enhance plaque stability and reduce the development of atherosclerosis. All these results strengthen the pleiotropic actions of statins in anti-inflammation and anti-atherosclerosis.

確認傳染性胰臟壞死病毒之VP3蛋白質進出細胞核的序列

IPNV 已是世界性分布的魚類病原體,其感染對象以鮭魚、?魚為主,但也在其他魚類分離出來,如鰻魚、吳郭魚、梭子魚、鱈魚、鱸魚、文蛤、泥鰍、虱目魚、香魚、金龍、石斑、等中皆曾發現IPNV之感染。足見此病毒廣泛地存在於魚貝類,常造成經濟魚貝類的重大損失。感染性胰臟壞死病毒之致病株,可造成魚類急性感染,而大量死亡。非致病株 ,不會造成大量死亡。國科會整合計劃之一其研究結果顯示,非致病株IPNV感染石斑魚死亡率只有10%,若病毒與重金屬同時存在時,會有55~92%死亡率; 在弧菌(Vibrio)與IPNV混合感染,亦有相似結果,此說明單一病毒感染魚貝類或單一環境因子,都不會造成大量死亡,但病毒和環境因子加在一起,引發大量死亡。所以對IPNV的防治是很重要的,所以針對病毒基因加以研究,IPNV是一種兩段雙股核糖核酸病毒,複製是在其細胞內的,但其團譯出的VP3中,已經證明與雙祋核糖核酸結合有關。近發現Michelle Donnelly及Gillain Elliott 的研究論文"Nuclear Localiziont and Shuttling of Herpes Simplex Virus Tegumnet Pretin"中,證明了HSV病毒所轉譯出的蛋白質VP13及VP14中,密集出現精胺酸(Arginine)的地方具有能將蛋白質帶入細胞核內的功能,而攜出細胞核的序列則有斷續的白胺酸(Leucine)出現。我們發現了傳染性胰臟壞死病毒(IPNV)病毒的轉譯出的VP3中也有能將蛋白質帶入或帶出細胞核的按基酸序列,故欲利用實驗證明是否有類似將蛋白質送進及送出的訊息,以便進一步探討VP3是否進入細胞核直接調控細胞核的某些功能。

綠色陶土分子篩-污染大剋星

現今日常生活充斥著有機污染物,然而處理含有有機污染物的廢水需要極高的成本,有鑑於此,我們參考Fenton Reaction,從成本、毒性、活化能、操作方便性、二次污染及經濟效益的多方考量下,選擇以分子篩來固定鐵、鈷、鎳、錳、鋅之金屬離子,並決定以鐵分子篩為研究主軸,並探討其催化過氧化氫對有機物的分解。鑒於粉末狀的分子篩容易流失,我們以陶土固定分子篩,製作成反應杯槽,發現了分子篩與陶土的結合性。接著藉由二氧化碳感測器及光譜儀來感測有機物的分解速率,在控制溫度,濃度等條件下,探討分解有機物的反應及其反應時的特性。由實驗結果得知,分子篩能有效分解簡單醇類、氯仿、四氯化碳及indigo。使用0.35克陶土鐵分子篩,1M 以下的雙氧水50ml,其分解異丙醇所生成二氧化碳的速率可達0.34-0.55ppm/sec 之間(3.1-4.9×10-9mol/sec),此外有機氯化物分解後生成無毒性的氯離子;indigo染料分解後褪色。本實驗證實,陶土鐵分子篩:一、可以重複使用;二、可在較低濃度環境下運作;三、在酸性較弱環境下運作;四、可在低溫環境下運作(10℃);五、不須對大量鐵離子做沉澱回收的工作(此五點優於Fenton Reaction)。相較於TAML 等人工合成的催化劑雖有避免污染的優點,但卻有無法重複使用的缺點,綜合以上幾點看來,陶土鐵分子篩在操作方便性及經濟與環境保護上具有相當的潛力及價值。With organic pollutants everywhere and the high cost to dispose of them, this study, a two-stage experiment, aimed first to evaluate the efficiency of zeolite with different metal ions and then to compare their rates in reacting to the decomposition of organic matter with hydrogen peroxide as the catalyst. Since zeolite powder can be easily washed away, we tested zeolite with clay to hold such metal ions as Fe, Co, Ni, Mn, and Zn and finally used the Argillaceous Fe-zeolite for its superiority on the basis of cost, toxin, activation energy, easy operation, and contamination. A carbon dioxide sensor and a spectrometer for visible light were used to measure the decomposition rate of organic matter under controlled temperature and resolution concentrations. The results of the experiments showed that zeolite achieved excellent effects in decomposing organic chlorides such as lower alcohols, chloroform, and carbon tetrachloride. When 0.35g of zeolite and less than 1M of hydrogen peroxide resolution were used the rate of carbon dioxide production reached 0.34-0.35 ppm/sec (3.1-4.9x10-9 mol/sec). The decomposition of organic chloride produced nontoxic Cl and the indigo dye faded after it was decomposed. Our experiments proved that Argillaceous Fe-zeolite has the following five advantages over Fenton Reaction. First, it can be reused. Second, it performed well at lower concentrations. Third, it worked well under weak acid conditions. Fourth, it worked at a lower temperature (20℃). And finally, there was no need to recycle a large amount of Fe ions. Argillaceous Fe-zeolite was also found to be superior to TAML, which has the advantage of avoiding contamination but is not reusable. The above observation and discussion demonstrate that Argillaceous Fe-zeolite possesses very significant value in terms of easy application, economy, and environmental protection.

灰階影像內容之檢索技術

資訊時代的來臨,促使我們的社會型態大幅改變,無一不朝數位化的方向邁進。網際網路與資訊科技的快速發展,近年來影像資料庫和數位圖書館大量的成立,關於影像資料檢索的研究已漸漸成為一門極為重要的研究議題。在本研究報告中,我們提出一種植基於向量量化編碼法的灰階影像檢索技術。向量量化編碼法是一種極為簡單的影像壓縮技術。我們應用這個編碼法,來萃取出灰階影像內容的特徵值。同時我們也計算出整張影像與影像中間位置的像素平均值,作為日後檢索影像時過濾掉影像資料庫中不需要比對特徵值的依據。\r 我們所提出的方法能有效地萃取影像內容的特徵值並且讓使用者可以快速且正確地查詢到所需要的影像。當影像資料庫中存在與查詢影像完全相同的影像時,我們的檢索技術都能在第一時間第一順位檢索出這張影像。即便影像資料庫中不存在與查詢影像完全相同的影像時,我們的檢索技術平均74.3%也能在第一時間前五個順位檢索出最相似的影像。\r \r With the coming of the information age, our sociological system change extensively, and everything has moves toward digitization. Due to the rapid development of Internet, information technology, the rapid growth of image databases and digital libraries recently, the related researches of image retrieval have become a very important issue. In this memoir, we propose an image retrieval scheme based on the vector quantization to retrieve similar images from the image database according to the pre-collected image features. Vector quantization is a very simple image compression scheme. We have applied vector quantization to extract features from grayscale image. In order to speed up the retrieval process, we also calculated the mean pixel values of whole images and the central part of the image to filter the images, which are significantly dissimilar to the query image.\r The experimental results show that our proposed approaches can effectively extract features from the image and enable users to retrieve images from image database quickly and accurately. When images stored in image database match query image, the proposed scheme can instantly retrieve the stored image at the first rank. Even though images stored in image database query image exactly, the proposed scheme can instantly retrieve the stored image over 74.3% at the first five ranks.

在浪碎之前

本研究以模擬實驗探討波浪在斜坡海灘上的行為。實驗在長1.8公尺、寬0.75公尺的透明水波槽中進行,以長0.90公尺、寬0.60公尺的木板在深水區產生單峰波向淺水區前進,同時以數位錄影機錄影後進行分析。結果發現單峰波由深水進入淺水,波速會變慢,但當波高對水深的比值增加到一定值時,波速隨水深變淺而變快,波高也變高。當比值繼續增加,波前方的水面形成垂直的水牆,接著波就碎了。如果坡度較緩,碎波點會離水岸線較遠,水牆維持的時間也較長。有趣的是,水波槽中的單峰波移動時,有蠕動現象,波寬會伸縮,波高會起伏,波速也會些微地忽快忽慢。 ;This study simulates the behavior of the wave on a sloping beach. Experiments are performed in a sloping wave tank. A paddle wave maker at the deeper end generates single crest waves. To analyze the wave height, speed and breaking point, a digital camera is used. The results show that when the wave moves toward the coast, the shallower the water is, the slower the wave moves. But when the ratio (wave-height/water-depth) exceeds a critical value, it turns out that when the water is shallower, the wave speed becomes faster and the wave height, higher. As the ratio keeps on increasing, the front part of wave becomes a vertical water-wall, and then breaks. If the slope is gentler, the breaking point will be farther from the coast and the water-wall will keep for a longer time. An interesting phenomenon is also found that a single crest wave squirms with slightly undulated changing of width, height, and speed while it propagates in the sloping wave tank.

利用Google Maps 建立高中地理資訊系統

台灣通史「婆娑之洋,美麗之島」,身為台灣人,應知台灣事,本研究本維 基百科(Wikipedia)所揭示的「海納百川,有容乃大」精神,以Apache 網頁伺 服器為平台,MySQL 為資料庫,利用AJAX、PHP 網頁技術,並使用Google Maps 提供之服務,建立符合Web 2.0 精神的的b04地理資訊共享系統。在此系統下, 我們允許教師(編輯者)以合作方式上網提供與課程相關的地理資訊,並可進行資 訊修改或刪除,希望集合所有教師之力,提供給學生最豐富、最正確的b04地理 資訊系統。 In this paper, we propose a new map-based collaboration environment “MyGIS” for geographical information distribution. In MyGIS, the publishers/teachers can easily collaborate to annotate a spot with contents such as messages and links. The annotations of a spot are updated on the map in real-time which enables the receivers/students to correctly study at anywhere and anytime. To ensure the trustfulness of the content, the publishers are authenticated using login mechanism. In this study, several technologies inc lu ding Apache, PHP, MySQL, Ajax are involved. Finally, We implemented MyGIS on Google Maps and evaluated its feasibility and usefulness.

小魚接招--不同因子對朱文錦環境偏好的影響

This research analyzes goldfish’ (Carassius auratus) environmental preference behavior by setting up different environmental color-models to spur goldfish’reactions. It is investigated that pre-conditioned preference of goldfish was stressed by electric shock or high osmotic pressure. We’re interested in how stress experience modulate goldfish’ exploring behavior and its environmental preference. Goldfish that prefers brown-colored environment (compared with white) is suitable for being an model animal to investigate fish’s environmental preference. Both electric shocks and high osmotic pressure, two different kinds of stress, can affect goldfish’ behavior. It shows that fish have the ability to learn and memorize the stress experience. Besides, different stress has different effects on fish’ environmental preference behavior. It proves that there are complicated interactions among environmental stimulus, memories of stress and behavior caused by different kinds of stress.本研究利用環境色彩特徵的差異,建立朱文錦(Carassius auratus)環境偏好行為之動物模式,探討不同逆境刺激經驗(施予電擊或高滲透壓環境),與魚類環境偏好行為的交互作用,以研究魚類的逆境經驗,是否可形成記憶,並影響其行為。我們發現朱文錦偏好土色環境(相對於白色環境),適合作為探討魚類對環境偏好的實驗動物。電擊與高滲透壓兩種不同性質的逆境經驗,皆可影響朱文錦的環境偏好,顯示魚類具有記憶逆境環境的學習能力。此外,不同性質的逆境經驗,對魚類的環境偏好行為具有不同的影響。證明「環境刺激—經驗(記憶)—行為表現」三者之間具複雜的交互作用。

以Geobacillus thermoleovorans T4 菌株轉化農業廢棄纖維素為葡萄糖以發展生質酒精

我們得知從高雄糖廠及堆肥中篩出的嗜高溫好氧菌Geobacillus thermoleovorans T4,是本種細菌首先被報導具有纖維素分解能力的菌株,但目前僅止於學術研究階段,尚未實際應用於廢棄纖維素的分解上。本研究以廢棄農作物纖維素取代學術研究所用的羧甲基纖維素(Carboxymethyl Cellulose,CMC) ,將T4菌株置於稻稈與米糠培養基內,進行分解效能比較,再利用酵母菌的發酵作用進一步將葡萄糖轉化為酒精。本研究發現,在60℃的環境中,活化的T4 菌株可在CMC、稻稈及米糠培養基中生長繁殖且發揮其分解纖維素為葡萄糖的能力,尤其在米糠培養基中的分解效果最快也最好。此外,將生產的葡萄糖加入酵母菌之後,初步發現也能成功地進行發酵作用產生酒精,生質酒精的產出指日可待!;The Research on Using Geobacillus thermoleovorans T4 to Turn the Deserted Cellulose in Agriculture into glucose in Order to Produce Bio-Renewable Energy It has been found that Geobacillus thermoleovorans T4, a thermophilic aerobic bacterial strain isolated from a sugar refinery wastewater (55-60℃)in Kaohsing, Taiwan, can secrete thermostable endocellulase and hydrolyze carboxymethylcellulose (CMC)in some academic research, but it is stillunknown whether T4 hydrolyzes deserted cellulose in Agriculture. The aim of this study is to investigate the best conditions of T4 cellulase activity after mixing with deserted cellulose (such as rice bran and rice straw) by measuring the glucose concentration and bacteria number, and to produce the ethanol by activated yeast. T4 was added rice bran and rice straw medium, and cultured in 60℃ for 10 hours. The number of T4 and the concentration of glucose were measured every two hours. The best conditions were examined by comparing the hydrolyzation efficiency of T4 in different cellulose medium. We observed that T4 grew efficiently in different cellulose medium and hydrolyzed cellulose into glucose, especially in rice bran medium. The yeast also converted glucose into ethanol. Our research may shed light to the development of bio-renewable energy!

探討第三號誘餌受體對NOD小鼠糖尿病預防與T細胞分化影響之研究

DcR3是腫瘤壞死因子6B的成員(Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily),又稱為TR6或M68。DcR3會藉由與Fas Ligand, LIGHT或TL1A等細胞表面配位結合,阻擋T細胞的死亡訊息傳輸,保護該細胞免於細胞凋亡;另外,DcR3也會與抗原呈現細胞的硫化肝素糖蛋白結合,誘導未分化之T細胞發育成能減少自體免疫疾病發生的Th2細胞,顯示DcR3有充分作為自體免疫疾病預防之藥物的可能性。因此我藉本實驗探討DcR3對T細胞分化與發育造成的影響與造成此一現象的原因。 根據實驗結果,我們發現DcR3不僅有上述之功能,更能增加調節型T細胞(Treg)這種抑制免疫反應的特殊T細胞表現量,若能藉由Treg調控免疫系統活力,將可改善易般免疫抑制劑治療造成病人免疫力下降之缺點。因此我藉由NOD小鼠,實際檢測DcR3在活體中對抗自體免疫疾病發生的能力,並以DcR3與T 細胞之交互作用實驗,探討現象的成因。根據實驗結果,在Somatic gene therapy和Protein therapy的實驗中,皆可看出疾病延遲發生的現象。而在DcR3對T細胞存活率的影響方面,可看出DcR3並不會造成T細胞之異常死亡。故我們推測DcR3可藉由增加Treg表現量減緩或降低NOD小鼠糖尿病的發病。 因此我們認為DcR3非常有潛力作為未來自體免疫疾病預防或移植手術後用以抗排斥之藥物。

化學光電池之光敏劑的開發與研究

六種自行合成出來的聯吡啶釕錯合物Ru(bpy)₃、Ru(bpy)₂(phen) 、 Ru(bpy)₂dcbpy、Ru(phen)₃、Ru(phen)₂(bpy)、Ru(phen)₂dcbpy 及商用染料N3-dye,被成功的做成光敏性太陽能電池。光電流的產生率可由IPCE (incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency) 的測量可知。此類釕錯合物可以物理吸附或化學鍵結於TiO₂奈米粒子上。IPCE 的大小可以用來探討不同吸附方式的釕錯合物轉換光電流的效率。在物理吸附上Ru(phen)₂(bpy)的效率最好。化學鍵結的以N3 Dye 最好,我們合成的錯合物以Ru(bpy)₂dcbpy 較佳。此種以TiO₂奈米結構為承載基材的太陽能光電池(Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell),染料仍以商用染料 N3-dye 最佳。本研究發現物理吸附的Ru complexes 也可產生光電流,若能最佳化,將可簡化染料錯合物之合成。 Six ruthenium complexes, Ru(bpy)₃, Ru(bpy)₂(phen), Ru(bpy)₂dcbpy, Ru(phen)₃, Ru(phen)₂(bpy), and Ru(phen)₂dcbpy were synthesized. These Ru complexes and N3 dye have been incorporated into the dye-sensitized solar cell system. The solar energy conversion of the ruthenium complexes were measured and converted to IPCE (incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency). There complexes were either chemically bonded or physically absorbed onto the nano-sized TiO₂ particles. The IPCE were utilized to compare the photon-to-current efficiency of these Ru complexes. Among the physical-absorbed dyes, Ru(phen)₂(bpy) has the highest IPCE. For chemical-absorbed dyes, the commercial N3 dye is still the best. Among the complexes synthesized in this research that are chemical-absorbed, Ru(phen)₂dcbpy has the highest IPCE The commercial N3 dye has the highest IPCE in the dye-sensitized TiO₂nanoparticle solar cell. We found that physically absorbed dye can convert photon to current. With better solar cell assembly, physically absorbed dye can have the same conversion efficiency as N3 dye.