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.

Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Cervical Cancer: Correlation with Tumor Progression, Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Overexpression, and Snail Up-Regulation

Abstract: Purpose: Acquisition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by primary carcinoma cells is associated with disrupted epithelial integrity, local invasion, and ultimately metastasis. Little is known about the existence and function of EMT in cervical cancer. This study aims to investigate the regulation of EMT in cervical squamous cell carcinoma. Experimental Design: We investigated the molecular events of EMT in surgical specimens, which present the progression of cervical carcinoma. Two cervical cancer cell lines and the primary culture of normal cervical epithelia were used to study the regulatory mechanisms of EMT. Results: The chronic epidermal growth factor (EGF) treatment induces the elongation of cell shape, increases cell scattering, and enhances cell invasion. EGF treatment down-regulates E-cadherin and up-regulates vimentin in cervical cancer cells. These characteristics are consistent with the morphologic changes, molecular events, and functional significance of EMT. EGF receptor (EGFR) signaling inactivates glycogen synthase kinase-3β, which results in the nuclear accumulation of up-regulated Snail and then leads to EMT program. α 5 β 1 integrin signaling and extracellular matrix fibronectin can modulate EGF-induced EMT. Importantly, the immunofluorescent stainings of surgical specimens indicate that cervical carcinoma progression is accompanied by EGFR overexpression, which is in parallel with decreased E-cadherin and increased vimentin. Up-regulation and nuclear accumulation of Snail correlate with EMT program in tumor tissues. Conclusion: EGF cooperates with α 5 β 1 integrin signaling to induce EMT in cervical cancer cells via up-regulated Snail. Blockade of EGFR activity or expression may provide a potential target for the treatment of cervical cancer progression.

Nano-architectured Co(OH)2 electrodes constructed using an easily-manipulated electrochemical protocol for high-performance energy storage applications

Abstract: A simple, low-cost, and efficient electrochemical strategy, which includes the co-deposition of a Ni–Cu layer, selective etching of Cu from the film (leaving nano-porous Ni), and electrodeposition of Co(OH)2 nano-whiskers on the obtained Ni substrate, is used to construct a nano-structured electrode. This process can be conducted on many conductive surfaces, which can be cheap, flexible, and wearable, and can be integrated into advanced mobile micro-power systems. Due to its unique nano-architecture, the prepared Co(OH)2 electrode shows exceptional energy storage performance as compared to that of the conventional version of the electrode. The optimum specific capacitance obtained in this study, evaluated using cyclic voltammetry (CV), was as high as 2800 F/g. When the CV scan rate was increased from 5 to 200 mV/s, only a 4% decay in the capacitance was found, indicating excellent high-power capability. These characteristics make the nano-structured Co(OH)2 electrode a promising candidate for supercapacitor applications.

The relationship between supply chain quality management practices and organizational performance

Abstract: This study tests middle managers’ perceptions on the association between supply chain quality management practices and organizational performance. Two instruments were used for the study: a revised version of Saraph et al.’s quality management instrument and Madu et al.’s organizational performance instrument. The data were classified into three groups based on the level of supply chain quality practices. It is observed that high quality‐tendency systems tend to perform better than low quality‐tendency systems on cost savings. High quality‐tendency organizations can be differentiated from medium quality‐tendency organizations in areas such as productivity, sales growth, and earning growth. Medium quality‐tendency systems seem to be differentiated from low quality‐tendency systems on indicators like employee satisfaction, productivity, and sales growth. Our results suggest that organizational performance could be enhanced through improved supply chain quality management.

Harnessing MOF materials in photovoltaic devices: recent advances, challenges, and perspectives

Abstract: Metal–organic framework (MOF) materials have achieved significant research interest in the fields of gas storage and separation over the last two decades because of the need for hydrogen utilization and carbon dioxide reduction. Besides, recently numerous functional MOFs have been exploited and applied in the optoelectronic field owing to some unique properties of MOF materials in those photovoltaic devices with enhanced performance and stability. This review focuses on the comprehensive summary of recent representative progress in the applications of MOFs in solar cell devices, including dye-sensitized solar cells, organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells, and organic solar cells, aiming to portray their prospects in the future.

A double-blind placebo-controlled study of the effectiveness and tolerability of oral stevioside in human hypertension.

Abstract: Aims Stevioside is a natural plant glycoside isolated from the plant Stevia rebaudiana which has been commercialized as a sweetener in Japan for more than 20 years. Previous animal studies have shown that stevioside has an antihypertensive effect. This study was to designed to evaluate the effect of stevioside in human hypertension. Methods A multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was undertaken. This study group consisted of 106 Chinese hypertensive subjects with diastolic blood pressure between 95 and 110 mmHg and ages ranging from 28 to 75 years with 60 subjects (men 34, women 26; mean t s.d., 54.1t3.8 years) allocated to active treatment and 46 (men 19, women 27; mean t s.d., 53.7t4.1 years) to placebo treatment. Each subject was given capsules containing stevioside (250 mg) or placebo thrice daily and followed-up at monthly intervals for 1 year. Results After 3 months, the systolic and diastolic blood pressure of the stevioside group decreased significantly (systolic: 166.0t9.4‐152.6t6.8 mmHg; diastolic: 104.7t5.2‐90.3t3.6 mmHg, P<0.05), and the effect persisted during the whole year. Blood biochemistry parameters including lipid and glucose showed no significant changes. No significant adverse effect was observed and quality of life assessment showed no deterioration. Conclusions This study shows that oral stevioside is a well tolerated and effective modality that may be considered as an alternative or supplementary therapy for patients with hypertension.