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AIMS: Xanthohumol isolated from hops has been reported to exhibit anticancer effects in diverse human cancers. However, its effect on breast cancer has not yet been clearly defined. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of xanthohumol on breast cancer cell proliferation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After treatment with 5 µM, 10 µM, and 20 µM xanthohumol for 48 h, cells from the human breast cancer cell line MDA‑MB‑231 were studied using colony assay, flow cytometry, and western blotting. RESULTS: The survival rate of the MDA‑MB231 cells treated with 10 µM and 20 µM xanthohumol for 48 h decreased significantly by 64.7 ± 1.8% and 40.1 ± 1.8%, respectively. The numbers of SubG0/G1 cells in the group treated with 10 µM and 20 µM xanthohumol increased significantly to 11.3 ± 0.2 and 18.4 ± 0.1, respectively. A ladder pattern of DNA fragmentation was also observed. Xanthohumol increased the expression of Bax in the mitochondria, which correspondingly decreased in the cytoplasm. The activity of caspase‑3 and caspase‑9 was shown to increase significantly in the treated groups but not in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Xanthohumol inhibited the proliferation of MDA‑MB‑231 cells through a mitochondria‑ and caspase‑dependent apoptotic pathway. This result suggests that xanthohumol might serve as a novel therapeutic drug for breast cancer.
ABSTRACT
Abstract. This study was conducted to investigate the low prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis in dogs in Johor Bahru as reported by veterinary practitioners, using wet blood mount, Knott’s Concentration Test and two heartworm antigen test kits (IDEXX Canine SNAP® 4Dx and RapiGEN®). This study also compared the two test kits used and determined the microfilaria species. Blood were collected from 100 owned dogs and 50 stray dogs in Johor Bahru via cephalic venipuncture. A thick blood smear was done and examined for samples that were positive for microfilaria species identification. The overall prevalence of D. immitis in dogs in Johor Bahru was 1.33% (2/150) and the microfilaria identified was D. immitis. The prevalence of heartworm in owned and stray dogs in this study was 1% and 2% respectively. With only one false negative result from RapiGEN® test kit, comparing the sensitivity between the two test kits could not be achieved. The low prevalence of D. immitis found in this study confirmed anecdotal evidence that prevalence of dirofilariasis is indeed low in Johor Bahru. Additionally, we speculate that dirofilariasis in dogs might be considered as an indicator of vector availability.
ABSTRACT
La atención odontológica de una embarazada es todo un desafío cuando la misma presenta complicaciones que implican dolor e infección, pues la gran mayoría de los fármacos para tratar estas afecciones atraviesan la barrera placentaria. El profesional odontólogo debe conocer la etiopatogenia de las patologías que se presentan y la terapia más efectiva y segura, de manera a no ocasionar daño al niño. La posición de las embarazadas en el sillón dental también debe ser cuidada. Con el objetivo de determinar el nivel de conocimiento de los docentes de la Facultad de Odontología de la UNA en el año 2010, se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo de corte transversal. La muestra estuvo constituída por 136 sujetos. En relación a la administración de antibióticos y AINES, la respuesta de la mayoría de los encuestados fue acertada. Así como el conocimiento sobre el fármaco administrado en el último periodo del embarazo. El 60% refirió que el trimestre óptimo para la atención odontológica es el segundo. El 41% consideró que se pueden realizar todo tipo de tratamiento durante el embarazo y el 43% consideró que únicamente se pueden eliminar focos sépticos. Sólo el 32% respondió correctamente sobre el uso de anestésico local. El síndrome hipotensivo de las embarazadas es desconocido para el 33% de los docentes. En este estudio se concluyó que las variables nivel de conocimiento, sexo, años de profesión, y docencia no están asociadas. Debido a que la demanda de servicios dentales en el período de gestación es elevada, es importante realizar estudios que aporten elementos que contribuyan a mejorar las condiciones de la atención odontológica a gestantes, siendo esa la relevancia de este trabajo .
Subject(s)
Pregnancy , Dental Care/statistics & numerical data , Pregnancy , DentistryABSTRACT
Rhodococcus sp. EH831 is a microbial species that can degrade volatile organic compounds. We optimized a method for monitoring quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) of EH831 that was incorporated into a polyurethane (PU) biofilter. When the genomic DNA of EH831 was directly extracted from a PU sample with immobilized EH831, the recovery efficiency was very low due to DNA absorption into the PU. DNA amplification during PCR was also inhibited by PU impurities. Therefore, a pre-treatment step was necessary. We successfully recovered cells from the PU by squeezing the matrix, adding sterilized water, and vortexing. The recovery efficiency ranged from 105 to 144%, and there was no statistically significant difference. We designed a novel TaqMan probe for EH831 and demonstrated its high specificity for EH831. The detection range for EH831 was 105-1011 CFU ml-1. The method described in this study can be used to investigate the relationship between quantitative analysis of Rhodococcus sp. EH831 and PU biofilter performance.
ABSTRACT
Este manuscrito visa a ajudar o leitor a coletar dados válidos e confiáveis para quantificar a força e a potência muscular. Vários inconvenientes e desvantagens de testes específicos, assim como recomendações para praticantes também são apresentadas. O conteúdo é dividido em seções, abrangendo modos de exercício isométrico, isotônico, testes de campo e isocinéticos. Inerentes a esses modos estão ambas as ações musculares concêntricas e excêntricas, assim como as atividades de cadeia cinética aberta e fechada. Para o teste isométrico, as contrações devem ocorrer com uma duração de quatro a cinco segundos com um período de transição de um segundo no início da contração. Ao menos um minuto de descanso deve ser oferecido entre as contrações. Para cada músculo testado, em cada posição, no mínimo três contrações devem ser executadas, embora outras possam ser executadas se julgadas necessárias pelo examinador. Para o teste isotônico, o teste de 1-RM deve ser executado. Após o aquecimento geral, o indivíduo deve executar uma série de aquecimento específico de 8 repetições a aproximadamente 50% da 1-RM estimada, seguida por outra série de três repetições a 70% da 1-RM estimada. Os levantamentos subseqüentes são repetições simples com cargas progressivamente mais pesadas até a fadiga. Repete-se até que a 1-RM seja determinada com o nível desejado de precisão. O intervalo de descanso entre as séries não deve ser menor que um e maior que cinco minutos. O número ótimo de repetições simples varia de três a cinco. Os dados e diretrizes dos seguintes testes de campo também são fornecidos: salto vertical, supino, Teste ciclístico anaeróbico de Wingate (WAT), e o Teste Margaria de corrida em escada (Teste de potência de Margaria). Para o teste isocinético, são fornecidos detalhes sobre o pico de torque, trabalho, potência, endurance e estimativa dos percentuais dos tipos de fibra.
The content of this manuscript is intended to assist the reader in collecting valid and reliable data for quantifying muscular strength and power. Various drawbacks and pitfalls of specific tests, as well as recommendations for the practitioner are also provided. The content is divided into sections covering isometric, isotonic, field tests, and isokinetic modes of exercise. Inherent in these modes are both concentric and eccentric muscle actions as well as both open and closed kinetic chain activities. For Isometric testing, contractions should occur over a four to five seconds duration with a one second transition period at the start of the contraction. At least one minute of rest should be provided between contractions. For each muscle tested at each position, at least three contractions should be performed although more may be performed if deemed necessary by the tester. For isotonic testing, the 1-RM test should be performed. After the general warm-up, the subject should perform a specific warm-up set of 8 repetitions at approximately 50% of the estimated 1-RM followed by another set of 3 repetitions at 70% of the estimated 1-RM. Subsequent lifts are single repetitions of progressively heavier weights until failure. Repeat until the 1-RM is determined to the desired level of precision. The rest interval between sets should be not less than one and not more than five minutes. The optimal number of single repetitions ranges fADM three to five. Data and guidelines of the following field tests are also provided; vertical jump, bench press, Wingate anaerobic cycle test (WAT), and the Margaria stair-run test. For isokinetic testing, details are provided for testing peak torque, work, power, endurance, and estimation of fiber type percentages.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Exercise , Muscle ContractionABSTRACT
The prevalence of antibodies to the hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) in Singapore was assessed using a recombinant-based enzyme linked immunoassay system. 1004 serum samples were obtained from normal subjects (463), hemodialysis patients (112), hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers (188), patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (58) and patients with non-hepatitis B virus related liver diseases (183). Anti-HCV was found to be positive in 1.7% of healthy subjects, and in 20% of patients on regular hemodialysis. Three percent of HBV carriers were positive for anti-HCV. Twelve percent of patients with acute hepatitis with no known causes and 20% patients with chronic hepatitis with no known causes were positive for anti-HCV. Among patients with cirrhosis for which no known causes were found 33% were positive for anti-HCV. Thirty six percent of patients with HCC not associated with the presence of HBsAg were positive of anti-HCV. None of the patients with known causes of liver disease were positive for anti-HCV.