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.

Calcium store sensor stromal-interaction molecule 1-dependent signaling plays an important role in cervical cancer growth, migration, and angiogenesis

Abstract: Store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) is the principal Ca2+ entry mechanism in nonexcitable cells. Stromal-interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) is an endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ sensor that triggers SOCE activation. However, the role of STIM1 in regulating cancer progression remains controversial and its clinical relevance is unclear. Here we show that STIM1-dependent signaling is important for cervical cancer cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis. STIM1 overexpression in tumor tissue is noted in 71% cases of early-stage cervical cancer. In tumor tissues, the level of STIM1 expression is significantly associated with the risk of metastasis and survival. EGF-stimulated cancer cell migration requires STIM1 expression and EGF increases the interaction between STIM1 and Orai1 in juxta-membrane areas, and thus induces Ca2+ influx. STIM1 involves the activation of Ca2+-regulated protease calpain, as well as Ca2+-regulated cytoplasmic kinase Pyk2, which regulate the focal-adhesion dynamics of migratory cervical cancer cells. Because of an increase of p21 protein levels and a decrease of Cdc25C protein levels, STIM1-silencing in cervical cancer cells significantly inhibits cell proliferation by arresting the cell cycle at the S and G2/M phases. STIM1 also regulates the production of VEGF in cervical cancer cells. Interference with STIM1 expression or blockade of SOCE activity inhibits tumor angiogenesis and growth in animal models, confirming the crucial role of STIM1-mediated Ca2+ influx in aggravating tumor development in vivo. These results make STIM1-dependent signaling an attractive target for therapeutic intervention.

Laterally grown ZnO nanowire ethanol gas sensors

Abstract: We report the growth of ZnO nanowires on ZnO:Ga/glass templates and the fabrication of laterally grown ZnO nanowire ethanol sensors. It was found that growth direction of the nanowires depends strongly on growth parameters. It was also found that resistivity of the fabricated sensor decreased upon ethanol gas injection. By introducing 1500 ppm ethanol gas, it was found that the device response were around 20%, 35%, 58% and 61% when the gas sensor was operated at 180 °C, 230 °C, 260 °C and 300 °C, respectively. It was also found that the device response at 300 °C were around 18%, 26%, 43%, 55% and 61% when the concentration of injected ethanol gas was 50 ppm, 100 ppm, 500 ppm, 1000 ppm and 1500 ppm, respectively.

Online hotel booking: The effects of brand image, price, trust and value on purchase intentions

Abstract: Leisure travelers increasingly prefer to book hotel online when considering the convenience and cost/time saving. This research examines the direct and mediating effects of brand image, perceived price, trust, perceived value on consumers' booking intentions and compares the gender differences in online hotel booking. The outcomes confirm most of the direct and indirect path effects and are consistent with findings from previous studies. Consumers in Taiwan tend to believe the hotel price is affordable, the hotel brand is attractive, the hotel is trustworthy, the hotel will offer good value for the price and the likelihood of their booking intentions is high. Brand image, perceived price, and perceived value are the three critical determinants directly influencing purchase intentions. However, the impact of trust on purchase intentions is not significant. The differences between males and females on purchase intentions are not significant as well. Managerial implications of these results are discussed.