Ta-Chih (TC) HSIAO | 蕭大智

Research

In the past years, I have conducted several NSC/MOST projects and can be classified into 3 categories:
Aerosol Instrumentation, Atmospheric Aerosol & Ambient Monitoring, PM & Nanoparticle Toxicity.

PM & Nanoparticle Toxicity:

Silver Nanoparticle

(MS. Student: Z.H. Lin, J.C. Lin; 奈米微粒健康風險評估與管理研究-奈米微粒產生及暴露系統開發(II)/ 國科會/NSC 100-2621-M-008 -002; 奈米微粒物質安全資料表測試技術建立與影響因素探討/行政院勞動部勞動及職業安全衛生研究所)

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are being suggested for potential use in asthma prevention and therapy. However, the adjuvanticity and toxicology of AgNPs in healthy and susceptible individuals remain unclear. We investigated pathophysiological responses to AgNP inhalation in a murine model of asthma. Continuous and stable levels of AgNPs were generated at 3.3 mg/m3 during the experimental period. AgNP exposure concomitant with OVA challenge induced increased AHR in both control and allergic mice. AgNP evoked neutrophil, lymphocyte and eosinophil infiltration into the airways and elevated the levels of allergic markers [immunoglobulin E (IgE) and leukotriene E4 (LTE4)], type 2 T helper (Th2) cytokine [interleukin-13 (IL-13)] and oxidative stress [8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)] in both control and allergic mice. Bronchiolocentric interstitial inflammation was also observed after AgNP inhalation. After inhalation, AgNPs were predominantly accumulated in the lungs, with insignificant excretion via urine and faeces. Furthermore, AgNPs induced chronic inflammatory responses in the pericardium, capsule of the liver and spleen and perirenal soft tissue. The adjuvant toxicity of inhaled AgNPs is determined by their allergic, inflammatory and oxidative potencies, which likely play a role in regulating the immune system. Inhalation of AgNPs could have safety concerns in healthy and susceptible individuals.

Chuang, Hsiao-Chi*, Ta-Chih Hsiao*, Cheng-Kuan Wu, Hui-Hsien Chang, Chii-Hong Lee, Chih-Cheng Chang, and Tsun-Jen Cheng., Allergenicity and Toxicology of Inhaled Silver Nanoparticles in Allergen-Provocation Mice Models, International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2013, 8, 4495-4506.
Pan, Chih-Hong*, Wen-Te Liu*, Mauo-Ying Bien, I-Chan Lin, Ta-Chih Hsiao, Chih-Ming Ma, Ching-Huang Lai, Mei-Chieh Chen, Kai-Jen Chuang, and Hsiao-Chi Chuang. Effects of size and surface of zinc oxide and aluminum-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles on cell viability inferred by proteomic analyses. International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2014, 9, 3631-3643.
Tsun-Jen Cheng*, Hsiao-Chi Chuang, Ta-Chih Hsiao, Cheng-Kuan Wu, Hui-Hsien Chang, Allergenicity and toxicology of inhaled silver nanoparticles in allergen provocation mice models, 6th International Symposium on Nanotechnology, Occupational and Environmental Health, Nagoya, Japan, Oct. 28-31, 2013.

Soot Nano-aggregates & Cigarette Smoke

(MS. Student: Y.F. Shen, Y.J. Chen, J.C. Lin)

Soot particle is one of the indicators of traffic emissions. The high specific surface area resulted by its irregular shape make it as a good candidate to carry organic and inorganic toxic substances. Therefore, exposure to soot particles could potentially increase the risk of lung cancer. In recent years, many studies have investigated the health effects of soot particles and focus on their chemical composition. However, very few work have explored the effect of particle charges. In this study. a stable soot particle exposure system was established to study the biological responses of mouse after exposing to the neutral, positively and negatively charged soot particles.

Cigarette smoking and air pollution have been considered to be risk factors for developing COPD. Previous works indicated that macrophages, neutrophils and T lymphocytes in smokers are more than people which can cause inflammation. These inflammatory cells would increase ageing and death in lung epithelial cells and poor cilia function, leading to formation of emphysema. Previous researches have shown corticosteroids associated with autophagy. However, the effect of corticosteroids on autophagy in COPD is still unknown. The objective of this study is to investigate the association between corticosteroids and autophagy in COPD animal model.

Surgical Smoke Particles

(MS. Student: C.C. Liao)

Surgical smoke is produced by the use of ultrasound, laser and electro-surgical instruments during the surgeries in Operating room. Many chemical contents in surgical smoke, such as PAHs, phenols, benzene, formaldehyde, nitriles, hydrogen cyanide. Different size of particle in smoke between different type surgeries and the use of instruments. Studies indicated that in surgical smoke produced by electrosurgical unit in surgery, the particle size is about 10 nm – 1.0 um and number concentration could be higher than 10e5 cm-3 . Surgical smoke with complex chemicals and small particles has been considered as potentially hazardous risk factor. Many organizations suggested that related institutions should set up policies and procedures to protect professionals in health care system. In this study, we would like to quantify the PM mass concentration, particle number concentration, particle size distribution and lung surface area in operating period, and to characterize surgical smokes generated by electrocautery during different surgical procedures.