HOXC10 promotes nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell proliferation and migration by regulating PI3K/AKT pathway

Purpose: To evaluate the role of homeobox C10 (HOXC10) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods: Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and colony formation assays were conducted to determine NPC cell proliferation. Cell migration and invasion were assessed using a Transwell assay, while western blot was used to investigate the mechanism of action involved in HOXC10- mediated NPC. Results: HOXC10 levels were significantly elevated in NPC cells (p < 0.001). Over-expression of HOXC10 significantly increased NPC cell viability (p < 0.05) and proliferation. However, silencing HOXC10 reduced NPC cell proliferation. HOXC10 knockdown suppressed NPC cell migration and invasion. NPC expression of phosphorylated phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (AKT) proteins were up-regulated after HOXC10 over-expression but were down-regulated upon silencing HOXC10 (p < 0.05). Conclusion: HOXC10 knockdown reduces NPC cell proliferation and metastasis by inactivating PI3K/AKT pathway, and therefore, can potentially be developed for the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Developing a B2B E-Commerce Evolution Model -- The Case Studies of Seven Industries in Taiwan

The e-commerce environment is changing fast and getting mature, the internet technology enabled evolution created many new business organizations and new business models. It also caused new competitions and new management challenges. Although B2B e-marketplace have been promoted as tools for reducing transaction costs, streamlining process efficiency, and enabling virtual collaboration among partners, there are still not many successful B2B e-marketplaces in Asian. This research tried to develop an evolution model based on the IOS (Inter-Organizational Systems) model defined by Benjamin (1990)(1)and Applegate et al, (1996)(2). Through over 100 firms’ case studies in seven industries of Taiwan, the patents of business partnership structures and the path of e-marketplace evolution were found. In order to explore the factors effected e-marketplace evolution, this paper summarized the possible impact factors based on ‘Transaction cost theory’, ‘Resource dependent theory’, ‘Institution theory’, and the ‘Contextual Influences’ which were highlighted as three levels in previous study – socio-cultural, national/regional, and structural (Hsiao and Ming, 2002)(3). The questionnaires were developed and mailed to 980 firms on the list of class-A members of ‘Taiwan Taiwan Electric and Electronic Manufacturers\u27 Association.’ 178 valid questionnaires were received and investigated. The data analysis result suggested that factors of institutionalization effect may be one of the most significant impact dimensions of e-marketplace evolution

Improving fiscal space for health from the perspective of efficiency in low- and middle-income countries: what is the evidence?

Background: Conceptual frameworks of fiscal space for health have traditionally considered health system efficiency improvements as a means to free up resources for the sector. However, there has been no comprehensive review of the evidence to confirm the relationship between efficiency and fiscal space. Methods: We conducted a systematic review to synthesize evidence on whether efficiency gains increase fiscal space for health. We searched bibliographic databases for specific keywords - namely, fiscal space, efficiency and health - and identified 22 articles that examined links between efficiency gains and fiscal space for health. The articles, which encapsulated 28 case studies, were included in the analysis. Results: The 28 case studies varied widely with regard to how efficiency was evaluated, the extent to which efficiency was explored, and how efficiency gains could be achieved. Half of the studies assessed both technical and allocative efficiency, and the other half assessed technical efficiency only. The indicators to examine potential inefficiencies varied substantially among studies. The most frequently cited inefficiencies stemmed from public financial management (budget implementation, budget allocation and strategic purchasing) and governance issues, even though these were characterized in various ways. The second most cited set of inefficiencies that caused health systems to function poorly were those related to health service delivery. Procurement and delivery of input factors was also mentioned in some studies as a source of inefficiency. Though most studies conceded that efficiency gains were a potential means to improve fiscal space for health, very few quantified the potential gains or explored practical mechanisms to translate efficiency gains into fiscal space for health. Conclusions: While the conceptual link between efficiency gains and fiscal space for health may be assumed, there is no direct empirical evidence proving that efficiency gains translate into more resources for the health sector. Mechanisms to translate efficiency gains into fiscal space are barely explored in the fiscal space literature. Public financial management rules and related rules for reallocating funds within the sector need to be further examined to guide countries in the transformation of efficiency gains into more resources for health

Job Satisfaction Among Methadone Maintenance Treatment Clinic Service Providers in Jiangsu, China: A Cross-sectional Survey.

ObjectiveService providers' job satisfaction is critical to the stability of the work force and thereby the effectiveness of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) programs. This study aimed to explore MMT clinic service providers' job satisfaction and associated factors in Jiangsu, China.MethodsThis secondary study used baseline data of a randomized interventional trial implemented in Jiangsu, China. A survey was conducted among 76 MMT service providers using the computer-assisted self-interview (CASI) method. Job satisfaction responses were assessed via a 30-item scale, with a higher score indicating a higher level of job satisfaction. Perceived institutional support and perceived stigma due to working with drug users were measured using a 9-item scale. Correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with job satisfaction.ResultsCorrelation analyses found a significant association between job satisfaction and having professional experience in the prevention and control of HIV, other sexually transmitted infections, or other infectious diseases (P = 0.046). Multiple regression analyses revealed that working at MMT clinics affiliated with Center for Disease Control and Prevention sites was associated with a lower level of job satisfaction (P = 0.014), and perception of greater institutional support (P = 0.001) was associated with a higher level of job satisfaction.ConclusionJob satisfaction among MMT clinic service providers was moderate in our study. Our findings suggest that institutional support for providers should be improved, and that acquisition of additional expertise should be encouraged

Supersymmetric Signatures at an eeγ\gamma Collider

High energy electron-photon colliders provide unique opportunities for probing physics beyond the standard model. We have studied the experimental signatures for two supersymmetric scenarios, with the lightest supersymmetric particle (LSP) being either the lightest neutralino or the gravitino. In the ``neutralino LSP'' scenario favored by the minimal supersymmetric standard model (MSSM), it is found that some basic parameters of the model, $\mu$, $\tan\beta$, $M_1$ and $M_2$, may be uniquely determined from the outgoing electron energy spectrum without assuming high scale unification of the masses or couplings. In the ``gravitino LSP'' scenario which occurs naturally in models of low energy dynamical supersymmetry breaking, it is possible to have background-free signatures if the next-to-lightest supersymmetric particle (NLSP) has a long decay length. In cases that the NLSP decays quickly, ways to distinguish among the experimental signatures of the two scenarios and of the standard model (SM) background are discussed.Comment: 14 pages, LaTex file, 3 figure