BPI-fold (BPIF) containing/plunc protein expression in human fetal major and minor salivary glands.

The aim of this study was to determine expression, not previously described, of PLUNC (palate, lung, and nasal epithelium clone) (BPI-fold containing) proteins in major and minor salivary glands from very early fetal tissue to the end of the second trimester and thus gain further insight into the function of these proteins. Early fetal heads, and major and minor salivary glands were collected retrospectively and glands were classified according to morphodifferentiation stage. Expression of BPI-fold containing proteins was localized through immunohistochemistry. BPIFA2, the major BPI-fold containing protein in adult salivary glands, was detected only in the laryngeal pharynx; the lack of staining in salivary glands suggested salivary expression is either very late in development or is only in adult tissues. Early expression of BPIFA1 was seen in the trachea and nasal cavity with salivary gland expression only seen in late morphodifferentiation stages. BPIFB1 was seen in early neural tissue and at later stages in submandibular and sublingual glands. BPIFA1 is significantly expressed in early fetal oral tissue but BPIFB1 has extremely limited expression and the major salivary BPIF protein (BPIFA2) is not produced in fetal development. Further studies, with more sensitive techniques, will confirm the expression pattern and enable a better understanding of embryonic BPIF protein function

Prognostic value of gross tumor volume delineated by FDG-PET-CT based radiotherapy treatment planning in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We aimed to assess whether gross tumor volume (GTV) determined by fusion of contrast-enhanced computerized tomography (CT) and 18F-fluoro-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography-CT (FDG-PET-CT) based radiotherapy planning could predict outcomes, namely overall survival (OS), local-regional progression-free survival (LRPFS), and progression-free survival (PFS) in cases with locally advanced pancreas cancer (LAPC) treated with definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 30 patients with histological proof of LAPC underwent 50.4 Gy (1.8 Gy/28 fractions) of radiotherapy concurrent with continuously infused 5-FU followed by 4 to 6 courses of maintenance gemcitabine. Target volume delineations were performed on FDG-PET-CT-based RTP. Patients were stratified into 2 groups: GTV lesser (GTV_L) versus greater (GTV_G) than cut off value determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, and compared in terms of OS, LRPFS and PFS.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Median GTV delineated according to the FDG-PET-CT data was 100.0 cm³. Cut off GTV value determined from ROC curves was 91.1 cm³. At a median follow up of 11.2 months, median OS, LRPFS and PFS for the entire population were 10.3, 7.8 and 5.7 months, respectively. Median OS, LRPFS and PFS for GTV_Land GTV_Gcohorts were 16.3 vs. 9.5 (<it>p </it>= 0.005), 11.0 vs. 6.0 (<it>p </it>= 0.013), and 9.0 vs. 4.8 months (<it>p </it>= 0.008), respectively.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The superior OS, LRPFS and PFS observed in GTV_Lpatients over GTV_Gones suggests a potential for FDG-PET-CT-defined GTV size in predicting outcomes of LAPC patients treated with definitive C-CRT, which needs to be validated by further studies with larger cohorts.</p

Interplay between SIN3A and STAT3 Mediates Chromatin Conformational Changes and GFAP Expression during Cellular Differentiation

BACKGROUND: Neurons and astrocytes are generated from common neural precursors, yet neurogenesis precedes astrocyte formation during embryogenesis. The mechanisms of neural development underlying suppression and de-suppression of differentiation-related genes for cell fate specifications are not well understood. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: By using an in vitro system in which NTera-2 cells were induced to differentiate into an astrocyte-like lineage, we revealed a novel role for Sin3A in maintaining the suppression of GFAP in NTera-2 cells. Sin3A coupled with MeCP2 bound to the GFAP promoter and their occupancies were correlated with repression of GFAP transcription. The repression by Sin3A and MeCP2 may be an essential mechanism underlying the inhibition of cell differentiation. Upon commitment toward an astrocyte-like lineage, Sin3A- MeCP2 departed from the promoter and activated STAT3 simultaneously bound to the promoter and exon 1 of GFAP; meanwhile, olig2 was exported from nuclei to the cytoplasm. This suggested that a three-dimensional or higher-order structure was provoked by STAT3 binding between the promoter and proximal coding regions. STAT3 then recruited CBP/p300 to exon 1 and targeted the promoter for histone H3K9 and H3K14 acetylation. The CBP/p300-mediated histone modification further facilitates chromatin remodeling, thereby enhancing H3K4 trimethylation and recruitment of RNA polymerase II to activate GFAP gene transcription. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: These results provide evidence that exchange of repressor and activator complexes and epigenetic modifications are critical strategies for cellular differentiation and lineage-specific gene expression

Implementing Differentiated Language Instruction: Action Research on a Senior High EFL Classroom in Taiwan

近兩年來，差異化語言教學(Differentiated Instruction)一直是臺灣英語教學領域中持續發燒的話題。隨著學生有不同的需求，越來越多的老師採用了差異化語言教學，而他們對這種教學方式亦抱持著正面的態度，但對尚未進入此項教學的老師，卻有很多的不了解與質疑。本研究目的在於探究差異化語言教學在現行臺灣高中英語教室裡實行時所面臨的機會與挑戰。本研究以質性行動研究的方式，針對差異化語言教學之執行提出四個研究問題：(1)在三個特定選出的組別中，學生是怎麼了解差異化語言教學的?(2)在三位特定選出的學生中，由於各自不同的語言學習背景和經驗，他們在差異化語言教學中表現得如何呢？在怎麼樣的情況下，學生會覺得差異化語言教學是對他有幫助的？(3)從學生的觀點出發，他們在差異化語言教學中遇到了什麼機會和挑戰？他們又是如何去克服這些挑戰的呢？(4)從老師的觀點出發，依據這三個特定組別和三位學生的表現，差異化語言教學有何重要思考的議題？此研究從2014年秋季至2015年春季共進行了三個循環，是在北臺灣的一所高中二年級的班級實行，班上有二十位學生。資料來源是學生的學習單、課堂觀察、訪談以及教師日誌。研究結果顯示：差異化語言教學的確能增進不同程度學生的學習興趣並敦促學生去反省他們的學習歷程。在實行差異化語言教學後，學生所展露出來的信心以及滿足感是給予老師持續進行此種教學法最大的希望。對於學生的父母親以及校方方面，持續的溝通是相當重要的，如此一來，差異化語言教學才能在現行課室中繼續且成功地執行下去。同時，對老師而言，實行差異化語言教學也有三項挑戰，分別是：彈性分組、教師的角色以及同儕壓力。在本文之末，作者分別述說了實行差異化語言教學後的心得、教學上的意涵以及對於未來相關研究之方向建議。Differentiated instruction (DI) has been part of an ongoing discussion in Taiwanese English teaching field in the recent two years. With students’ varied needs, more and more teachers have adopted DI in their own class and held a positive attitude towards this concept. However, for those who have not experienced DI, there is also much doubt and questions. This study aimed to explore the opportunities and challenges during the implementation of DI in one senior high EFL classroom in Taiwan. As qualitative action research, the study research provides an in-depth understanding of (1) how the three selected groups perceive the differentiated instructional design? (2) how three selected students of varied language learning backgrounds experience the instruction? To what extent they feel it is helpful? (3) from the students’ perspective, what opportunities and challenges are there, and how they manage the challenges? (4) from the teacher’s perspective, what critical issues have differentiated instruction raised based on the three selected groups’ and the three students' experiences? Three cycles of the study were implemented in a second-year class of 20 students in a northern senior high school, from fall semester in 2014 to spring semester in 2015. The results derived from students’ worksheets, classroom observation, interviews and teacher’s logs showed: DI has greatly enhanced students’ learning interests and urged students to reflect their learning process. Then, the sense of confidence and satisfaction after the DI implementation has fostered great hopes for teachers to continuously conduct DI classes. Moreover, it is paramount to have constant communication with parents and school authorities so that DI can be continuously and successfully carried out in current English classrooms in Taiwan. Based on the findings of this study, three critical challenges for those who plan to conduct DI classes are discussed, including flexible grouping, changing teacher’s role, and peer pressure from colleagues. At the end of the thesis, the researcher’s responses after the DI implementation, pedagogical implications, limitation of the study, suggestions for future study and conclusion are discussed

Enterprise Development Strategy and Transformation – A Case Study of S Company in Medical Instrument Industry

近年來，台灣已邁入高齡化與高所得的環境，國民對於醫療保健日益重視。而台灣的健保制度的完善，保障了全體國人就醫的權利，相同地也引領著台灣醫療產業的蓬勃發展。然而，國人對於健保資源認知有限的情況下，使得醫療支出快速攀升，導致健保署於給付方面開始實施各種節制措施。此外，醫療機構集團化的增長，使其集團醫療器材採購採用聯合採購制度，造成醫療器材廠商議價能力的下降。種種原因削弱了台灣醫療器材公司的生存空間。本研究以醫療器材代理與製造商S公司為例，探討企業於環境變遷下，如何就現有的競爭優勢與環境的改變，研擬出企業未來的轉型目標與方向。 本文透過Andrews（1971）「SWOT分析」、Porter（1979）「五力分析模型」、Porter（1985）「價值鏈分析」及Porter（1985）「一般性策略」分析個案公司現今之競爭優勢與策略。接著使用陳明璋（1996）「企業轉型的策略與成功關鍵」內的五種轉型類別探討個案公司未來所期望的轉型方向與目標。In recent years, Taiwan has moved toward the aging society and the high income situation, so people here become more consider the healthcare. National Health Insurance in Taiwan which leads the development of medical industry ensures people's right of seeking medical advice. However, the medical expenditure rapidly goes up, because people mistake the real concept of the health insurance. To fix the situation, National Health Insurance Administration has to apply some control measures. Furthermore, the grow of the medical institution organization leads the outcome that the group can purchase medical device with a huge amount, causing the medical instrument companies' bargain power become lower than before. Therefore, all of above would reduce the medical instrument companies' living space. In this thesis, I would choose S company which is the agent and the manufacturer in this industry as an example, and figure out how this company to follow its existing advantages to develop its transformation under these situations. In this thesis, I would adopt Andrews（1971）'SWOT Analysis'、 Porter（1979）'Five Forces Analysis'、 Porter（1985）'Value Chain Analysis' and Porter（1985）'Generic Strategies' to analyze the company's existing competitive advantages and strategies. After that, I adopt Chen（1996）five kinds of transformation to study the company's future purpose and direction.第一章 緒論 - 1 - 第一節 研究背景與動機 - 1 - 第二節 研究目的 - 2 - 第三節 研究流程 - 2 - 第二章 文獻探討 - 4 - 第一節 醫療器材產業經營策略 - 4 - 第二節 企業轉型 - 6 - 第三章 研究方法 - 11 - 第一節 個案公司選取 - 11 - 第二節 研究方法與架構 - 11 - 第四章 產業及個案公司介紹 - 19 - 第一節 醫療器材產業定義與特性 - 19 - 第二節 全球醫療器材發展概況 - 20 - 第三節 台灣醫療器材產業發展概況 - 21 - 第四節 個案公司介紹 - 23 - 第五章 S公司競爭優勢分析 - 26 - 第一節 五力分析－微生物產品代理業務 - 26 - 第二節 五力分析－臨床檢驗代檢業務 - 28 - 第三節 五力分析－醫療器材GMP製造廠 - 29 - 第四節 SWOT分析－微生物產品代理業務 - 30 - 第五節 SWOT分析－臨床檢驗代檢業務 - 31 - 第六節 SWOT分析－醫療器材GMP製造廠 - 33 - 第七節 價值鏈分析 - 34 - 第八節 一般性策略 - 36 - 第六章 S公司的未來轉型與變革 - 38 - 第一節 外部環境分析－PEST分析法 - 38 - 第二節 轉型策略 - 40 - 第七章 結論 - 44 - 參考文獻 - 45

The Impact of Board Diversity on Corporate Investment Policy

[[abstract]]本研究探討董事會多元性是否會影響公司的投資決策，採用代理董事會多元性變數，包含：女性董監事比率、董事職業與專業背景、外部董監事比率和董監事的學歷等，探討其與公司資本支出和研發費用的關聯性。本研究對象以2001年至2017年共計17年間的所有台灣證交所上市公司為實證樣本，實證結果發現女性董監事比率、外部董監事比率和專業背景指標與資本支出率和研發支出率呈負相關，代表女性董監事比率、外部董監事比率和專業背景指標越高時，資本支出率和研發支出率越低，符合本文自由現金流量假說的預期。 This study explores whether board diversity affects a firm’s investment decision-making. Proxy variables of board diversity, including percentage of female directors on the board, occupations and professional backgrounds of the directors on the board, percentage of outside directors, and educational attainment of the directors on the board, are used to identify their relevance to capital expenditures and research and development expenditures of the firm. All listed firms on the Taiwan Stock Exchange from 2001 to 2017 are used as empirical samples. The empirical results reveal that percentage of female directors, percentage of outside directors, and professional background indicators of the directors are negatively correlated with capital expenditures and research and development expenditures. In other words, when the percentages of female directors and outside directors and the professional background indicators of the directors increase, the capital expenditures and research and development expenditures decrease. This result supports the hypothesis of free cash flow proposed in this study