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.

An Application of Hedonic Pricing Analysis to the Case of Hotel Rooms in Taipei

Abstract: This study investigates the impact of a variety of attributes or ‘characteristics’ on the rates charged for hotel rooms in Taipei. The authors employ a ‘hedonic pricing’ method and use data obtained for 73 hotels from an Internet travel agent. The results show that hotel location, the availability of LED TV and the presence of conference facilities have significant effects on both weekday and weekend room rates. By contrast, Internet access and the presence of a fitness centre have significant effects on weekday rates only, while room size has a significant effect on weekend rates only. Of particular interest, given the results obtained in earlier work, is that in Taipei there is a negative relationship between proximity to the city centre and room rates, both on weekdays and at weekends.

MicroRNA-320 suppresses the stem cell-like characteristics of prostate cancer cells by downregulating the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway

Abstract: Prostate cancer (PCa) is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in men worldwide, and emerging evidence suggests that the CD44(high) prostate tumor-initiating cells (TICs) are associated with its poor prognosis. Although microRNAs are frequently dysregulated in human cancers, the influence of microRNAs on PCa malignancy and whether targeting TIC-associated microRNAs inhibit PCa progression remain unclear. In this study, we found that miR-320 is significantly downregulated in PCa. Overexpression of miR-320 in PCa cells decreases PCa tumorigenesis in vitro and in vivo. Global gene expression profiling of miR-320-overexpressing PCa cells reveals that downstream target genes of Wnt/β-catenin pathway and cancer stem cell markers are significantly decreased. MicroRNA-320 inhibits β-catenin expression by targeting the 3'-untranslated region of β-catenin mRNA. The reduction of miR-320 associated with increased β-catenin was also found in CD44(high) subpopulation of prostate cancer cells and clinical PCa specimens. Interestingly, knockdown of miR-320 significantly increases the cancer stem-like properties, such as tumorsphere formation, chemoresistance and tumorigenic abilities, although enriching the population of stem-like TICs among PCa cells. Furthermore, increased miR-320 expression in prostate stem-like TICs significantly suppresses stem cell-like properties of PCa cells. These results support that miR-320 is a key negative regulator in prostate TICs, and suggest developing miR-320 as a novel therapeutic agent may offer benefits for PCa treatment.

Galectin-1, a novel ligand of neuropilin-1, activates VEGFR-2 signaling and modulates the migration of vascular endothelial cells.

Abstract: Galectin-1 (Gal-1), a homodimeric prototype of the galectins with a single carbohydrate-recognition domain, was recently identified as being overexpressed in tumor-associated capillary endothelial cells. The role of Gal-1 in endothelial cellular functions and the mechanism of action of Gal-1 remain unknown. Neuropilin-1 (NRP1) is a neuronal receptor that mediates repulsive growth cone guidance, and NRP1 functions in endothelial cells as a coreceptor (with vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFRs)) for VEGF(165). In this study, we found that Gal-1 was overexpressed in the tumor-associated endothelial cells of oral squamous cell carcinomas (P<0.001). Gal-1 increased the proliferation and adhesion of endothelial cells, and enhanced cell migration in combination with VEGF(165). Surprisingly, Gal-1 selectively bound NRP1 via the carbohydrate-recognition domain, but did not bind VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2 or VEGFR-3. The Gal-1-NRP1 interaction mediated the migration and adhesion of endothelial cells. The binding of Gal-1 to NRP1 enhanced VEGFR-2 phosphorylation and stimulated the activation of the mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinases SAPK1/JNK (stress activated protein kinase-1/c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase). These findings show, for the first time, that Gal-1 can directly bind to NRP1 on endothelial cells, and can promote the NRP1/VEGFR-2-mediated signaling pathway as well as NRP1-mediated biological activities.

Neutrophils and macrophages promote angiogenesis in the early stage of endometriosis in a mouse model

Abstract: Substantial evidence suggests that inflammatory cytokines, immune cells, and angiogenesis are important for endometriosis. In this study, we investigated the role of the sequential events in the development of endometriosis in a mouse model. Uterine tissue was transplanted into the peritoneum of ovariectomized mice and then supplemented with estrogen or vehicle. On different days after transplantation, cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and infiltrated immune cells in ectopic tissue were examined using immunochemical staining. Many disintegrated blood vessels but no bromodeoxyuridine-positive cells in ectopic tissue were observed in the estrogen-treated group on posttransplantation d 1 and 2. On d 4–7, bromodeoxyuridine-positive cells were detected in the blood vessels of ectopic tissue, indicating that angiogenesis was initiated in this stage. Angiogenesis also occurred in ectopic tissue in the vehicle-treated group. Profound infiltration of neutrophils in ectopic tissue occurred on d 1–4, when the number...