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The most important parameter of piezoelectric materials is piezoelectric coefficient (d33). In this study, the piezoelectric ZnO thin films were deposited on the SiNx/Si substrate. The 4 inches substrate is diced into 8 cm× 8 cm piece. During the deposition process, a zinc target (99.999 wt%) of 2 inches diameter was used. The vertical distance between the target and the substrate holder was fixed at 5 cm. The piezoelectric response of zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films were obtained by using a direct measurement system. The system adopts a mini impact tip to generate an impulsive force and read out the piezoelectric signals immediately. Experimentally, a servo motor is used to produce a fixed quantity of force, for giving an impact against to the piezoelectric film. The ZnO thin films were deposited using the reactive radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering method. The electric charges should be generated because of the material’s extrusion. This phenomenon was investigated through the oscilloscope by one shot trigger. It was apparent that all ZnO films exhibit piezoelectric responses evaluated by our measurement system, however, its exhibit a significant discrepancy. The piezoelectric responses of ZnO thin film at various deposition positions were measured and the crystal structures of the sputtering pressure were also discussed. The crystalline characteristics of ZnO thin films are investigated through the XRD and SEM. The results show the ZnO thin film exhibits good crystalline pattern and surface morphology with controlled sputtering condition. The ZnO thin films sputtered using 2 inches target present various piezoelectric responses. With the exactly related position, a best piezoelectric response of ZnO thin film can be achieved.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) ranks sixth among the most common cancers in the world. Interlukin-8 (CXCL-8), a major role in inflammatory response and tumor microenvironment, correlates with tumor progression, metastasis and invasion. We explored CXCL-8 promotes tumor progression in different differentiation HNSCC cells. This project would apply to development on biomarker and target in HNSCC as well as provide a basis of early diagnosis and treatment for clinical. CXCL-8, NOD1 (nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 1) and receptor-interacting protein kinase (RIPK2) levels were detected statistically higher in patient tissue with HNSCC than in non-cancerous matched tissue (NCMT) in the microarray and qRT-PCR study, whereas NOD2 was weakly expressed. Similar results were obtained for CXCL-8, NOD1, NOD2 and RIP2 from RT-PCR and western blotting. High CXCL-8, NOD1 and RIP2 expressions were found on HNSCC patient tissue than that of NCMT, whereas NOD2 was weakly expressed. The analytical results indicate that CXCL-8 is required in NOD 1-mediated signalling pathways in HNSCC.

Background: Djulis (Chenopodium formosanum Koidz.) is a cereal food and its antioxidant and pigment constituents may protect skin from photoaging, but conclusive experiments have not been carried out. Objective: This investigation evaluates the effects of djulis extract as a functional supplement. Patients/Methods: In this study, the effects of djulis functional drinks on the free radical scavenging activities, promotion of collagen synthesis and protection against oxidative stress and the effects of ultraviolet B (UVB)‐irradiated of pUC119 DNA were explored. Thirty healthy subjects (aged 35–55 years old) were randomly allocated to djulis or placebo drinks groups (50 ml of a djulis/placebo drink daily for 8 weeks for each subject) in a double‐blind crossover study. Results: The regular consumption of the djulis functional drinks significantly increased levels of the serum biochemical superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (+9.5% and +124.8%) after 8 weeks, relative to baseline controls. The improvements in skin moisture, brightness, elasticity, crow's feet, texture, wrinkles, pores, and collagen content after 8 weeks in the djulis group were +13.3%, +3.8%, +13.2%, −21.8%, −12.1%, −11.0%, −1.4%, and +33.7%, respectively, relative to the baseline without treatment. Conclusions: These work findings suggest the daily consumption of djulis drinks can protect the skin against oxidative stress‐induced damage, delay skin aging and improve skin conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Streptococcus thermophilus (TCI633) is a probiotic that has been newly isolated from human breast milk, and it can produce hyaluronic acid (HA) when colonizing the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of rodents and humans. A recent study has the established that TCI633 can alleviate synovial tissue inflammation and has potential to mitigate the progression of osteoarthritis. Objective: TCI633 has not been available for use in skincare and this preliminary clinical study will assess its improvement of the skin. Methods: In this study, DNA protection, Hyaluronidase assay, cell viability, and collagen synthesis on human fibroblasts of TCI633 were assessed. Subjects were enrolled in this clinical study and randomly assigned to the TCI633 or placebo group. Each subject was informed to intake two tablets daily for 8 weeks. Each subject was required to undergo skin condition inspection at weeks 0, 4, and 8 and hematology tests to monitor HA, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase levels, and kidney and liver function at weeks 0 and 8. Results: The effects of TCI633 supplementation, including the promotion of skin cell proliferation, the increase of their collagen content, their protection against DNA damage, and the inhibition of hyaluronidase activities, are investigated. Subjects were recruited for an 8‐week long clinical trial to confirm the efficacy of TCI633 in improving the serum biochemical HA, SOD and catalase levels, and anti‐skin age markers. Conclusions: This work provides an alternative approach to improving health, indicating the potential of TCI633 supplementation to delay the aging of skin and improve its condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Punica granatum (pomegranate) potentially ameliorates skin inflammation and pain, including herpetic stromal keratitis. Fermentation is a biotechnological technique that may naturally induce health benefits by producing antioxidants. However, the anti‐aging effect of fermented pomegranate extracts (FPE) on the skin is still unclear. Aim: This investigation evaluates the effects of fermented pomegranate as a functional supplement (FPE drink, FPE‐D) and a cosmetic ingredient (FPE serum, FPE‐S) in vitro and in vivo. Patients/Methods: The effects of FPE products for anti‐oxidation, anti‐tyrosinase, anti‐inflammation, and anti‐aging were examined. Forty subjects were randomly allocated to FPE‐D or placebo drink groups (50 ml of a FPE‐D /placebo drink daily for 8 weeks for each subject), and another 40 subjects were recruited to FPE‐S or placebo serum groups (about 3 ml of a FPE‐S /placebo serum daily and nightly/daily for 4 weeks for each subject) in a double‐blind study. Results: The effects of FPE products on the DPPH, ABTS+, and NO· free radical scavenging activities, their inhibiting of tyrosinase activity and their enhancement of the skin health of healthy subjects, were investigated. FPE‐D improved the moisture, brightness, elasticity, and collagen density of the skin of most subjects at 8 weeks relative to the baseline without treatment (p < 0.05). After 4 weeks of FPE‐S serum consumption, the moisture, brightness, elasticity, spots, UV spots, and collagen density of skin were slightly better than those at week 0 (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The daily consumption of fermented pomegranate extracts can protect the skin against oxidative stress and slow skin aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Coffee and coffee products are known potentially to reduce levels of oxidative stress biomarkers in humans. Objective: This investigation evaluates the effects of coffee pulp extract as a functional supplement (in coffee pulp drink, CPD) and a cosmetic ingredient (coffee pulp serum, CPS). Patients/Methods: The effects of CPD and CPS for anti‐oxidation and anti‐aging were investigated. Forty subjects were randomly allocated to CPD or placebo drink groups (50 ml of a CPD/placebo drink daily for 8 weeks for each subject), and another 40 subjects were recruited to CPS or placebo serum groups (about 3 ml of a CPS/placebo serum day and night/daily for 4 weeks for each subject) in a double‐blind study. Results: The CPD and CPS (20%) can increase free radical scavenging activities by 93.3% and 85% (p < 0.001) for DPPH, 94.5% and 61.3% (p < 0.01) for ABTS·+, 43.8% and 15.3% (p < 0.05) for NO· than placebo. The inhibition of tyrosinase activity was increased by 91.6% and 51.0% (p < 0.05) after CPD and CPS application. The CPD comprehensively improved the moisture, brightness, elasticity, spotting, texture, and collagen content of skin for most subjects after 8 weeks, relative to the baseline without treatment (p < 0.05). After 4 weeks of CPS serum consumption, the brightness, elasticity, spotting, UV spots, and collagen content of skin were slightly better than those at week 0 (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The daily consumption of coffee pulp extract products can slow the skin aging process and improve skin health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The engineering of biomaterials provides an opportunity for developing new polymeric composites. In this context, the objective of this work is to produce and evaluate fiber obtained from mixtures of corn straw waste and polylactic acid (PLA) in vitro. Treated corn straw fiber (TCSF) was made by cutting corn straw waste and applying alkali, acid, and silane treatments. Corn straw fiber (CSF) or TCSF was combined with PLA or modified PLA (MPLA) in an electrospinning technique, to manufacture a 100–500 nm nanofiber mat. We studied morphology, mechanical properties, water resistance, biodegradability, and cytocompatibility properties of the electrospun PLA/CSF and MPLA/TCSF nanofibers. The resulting tensile properties and morphological characterizations indicated enhanced adhesion between TCSF and MPLA in the nanofiber, as well as improved water resistance and tensile strength, compared to PLA/CSF nanofiber. Regarding biocompatibility, only viable cells were found for all of the compositions, and the biocompatibility of the materials was validated by morphological analysis of cultured cells. Morphology proliferation assays showed that human keratinocyte cells grow well on the surfaces of PLA, MPLA, and their composite nanofibers. The weight loss of PLA/CSF and MPLA/TCSF composites buried in soil indicated that both were biodegradable, especially at high levels of CSF or TCSF substitution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The efficacy of Djulis for skin care is currently based on cellular or animal models, and the clinical aspect is not in place. Aim: This clinical study is to investigate the synergistic effect of fish collagen and Djulis (Chenopodium formosanum Koidz.) for improvement of skin parameters. We used the combination of hydrolyzed collagen and Djulis to develop a new functional formula for skin improvement. Patients/Methods: Fifty volunteers were randomly allocated (in a 1:1 ratio) to the placebo or collagen drink group. Volunteers were required to consume a 50 mL of a collagen drink or placebo drink daily for 8 weeks. For measurements, the indexes of skin conditions were measured at the baseline and 4 and 8 weeks. Results: The improvements of skin hydration, brightness, crow's feet, texture, wrinkles, pores, spots, and collagen content after 8 weeks in collagen group were 17.8%, 5.4%, 14.9%, 9.9%, 29.3%, 10.4%, 9.9%, and 22.3%, respectively. Noticeably, over 68% of subjects got improved for their skin parameters after 8‐week intake of collagen drink. The improvement levels indicated competitive skin improvement effects in comparison with previous studies. Conclusion: This clinical study demonstrates the synergistic effect of fish collagen and Djulis (the main components) for the substantial improvements in hydration, brightness, crow's feet, texture, wrinkles, pores, surface spots, and collagen content in skin. The collagen drink comprehensively improved skin parameters for most subjects after 4‐week intake and manifested competitive efficiency in comparison with other similar studies. We convince that the collagen drink may delay skin aging process and improve skin aging parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]