National Cheng Kung University

About: National Cheng Kung University is a education organization based out in Tainan City, Taiwan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Thin film. The organization has 49723 authors who have published 69799 publications receiving 1437420 citations. The organization is also known as: NCKU.

The protective effect of habitual tea consumption on hypertension.

Abstract: Methods:We examined the effect of tea drinking, measured in detail for the past decades, on the risk of newly diagnosed hypertension in 1507 subjects (711 men and 796 women), 20 years or older, who did not have a hypertensive history during 1996 in Taiwan. Results:Sixhundredsubjects(39.8%)werehabitualtea drinkers,definedbyteaconsumptionof120mL/dormore foratleast1year.Comparedwithnonhabitualteadrinkers,theriskofdevelopinghypertensiondecreasedby46% for those who drank 120 to 599 mL/d and was further reduced by 65% for those who drank 600 mL/d or more after carefully adjusting for age, sex, socioeconomic status, family history of hypertension, body mass index, waist-hip ratio, lifestyle factors (total physical activity, highsodiumintake,cigarettesmoking,alcoholconsumption, and coffee drinking), and dietary factors (vegetable, fruit, unrefined grain, fish, milk, visible-fat food, and deep fried food intake). However, tea consumption for more than 1 year was not associated with a further reduction of hypertension risk. Conclusion: Habitual moderate strength green or oolong tea consumption, 120 mL/d or more for 1 year, significantly reduces the risk of developing hypertension in the Chinese population. Arch Intern Med. 2004;164:1534-1540

Review of MEMS-based drug delivery and dosing systems

Abstract: Micro-dosing/drug delivery control system is a bio-chip in practice. It is mostly developed by Micro-electro-mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology. In micro-dosing or drug delivery control systems, the driving power source with driving methodology and bio-compatibility are the two key issues that a great deal of researchers are truly interested in. Since the micro-dosing and drug delivery systems are applied on human bodies, there inevitably exist inherent limitations. Our study is aimed at driving technology review from all aspects. Comparisons are made to unveil the advantages and shortcomings of different driving designs. In addition, bio-compatibility is addressed and discussed, especially upon the currently-used and potential bio-materials in bio-MEMS.

The Apostasia genome and the evolution of orchids

Abstract: Constituting approximately 10% of flowering plant species, orchids (Orchidaceae) display unique flower morphologies, possess an extraordinary diversity in lifestyle, and have successfully colonized almost every habitat on Earth. Here we report the draft genome sequence of Apostasia shenzhenica, a representative of one of two genera that form a sister lineage to the rest of the Orchidaceae, providing a reference for inferring the genome content and structure of the most recent common ancestor of all extant orchids and improving our understanding of their origins and evolution. In addition, we present transcriptome data for representatives of Vanilloideae, Cypripedioideae and Orchidoideae, and novel third-generation genome data for two species of Epidendroideae, covering all five orchid subfamilies. A. shenzhenica shows clear evidence of a whole-genome duplication, which is shared by all orchids and occurred shortly before their divergence. Comparisons between A. shenzhenica and other orchids and angiosperms also permitted the reconstruction of an ancestral orchid gene toolkit. We identify new gene families, gene family expansions and contractions, and changes within MADS-box gene classes, which control a diverse suite of developmental processes, during orchid evolution. This study sheds new light on the genetic mechanisms underpinning key orchid innovations, including the development of the labellum and gynostemium, pollinia, and seeds without endosperm, as well as the evolution of epiphytism; reveals relationships between the Orchidaceae subfamilies; and helps clarify the evolutionary history of orchids within the angiosperms.