Characterization of Oncolytic Vaccinia Virus Harboring the Human IFNB1 and CES2 Transgenes / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to assess characteristics of SJ-815, a novel oncolytic vaccinia virus lacking a functional thymidine kinase-encoding TK gene, and instead, having two human transgenes: the IFNB1 that encodes interferon β1, and the CES2 that encodes carboxylesterase 2, which metabolizes the prodrug, irinotecan, into cytotoxic SN-38. @*Materials and Methods@#Viral replication and dissemination of SJ-815 were measured by plaque assay and comet assay, respectively, and compared to the backbone of SJ-815, a modified Western Reserve virus named WI. Tumor cytotoxicity of SJ-815 (or mSJ-815, which has the murine IFNB1 transgene for mouse cancers) was evaluated using human and mouse cancer cells. Antitumor effects of SJ-815, with/without irinotecan, were evaluated using a human pancreatic cancer-bearing mouse model and a syngeneic melanoma-bearing mouse model. The SN-38/ irinotecan ratios in mouse melanoma tissue 4 days post irinotecan treatment were compared between groups with and without SJ-815 intravenous injection. @*Results@#SJ-815 demonstrated significantly lower viral replication and dissemination, but considerably stronger in vitro tumor cytotoxicity than WI. The combination use of SJ-815 plus irinotecan generated substantial tumor regression in the human pancreatic cancer model, and significantly prolonged survival in the melanoma model (hazard ratio, 0.11; 95% confidence interval, 0.02 to 0.50; p=0.013). The tumor SN-38/irinotecan ratios were over 3-fold higher in the group with SJ-815 than those without (p < 0.001). @*Conclusion@#SJ-815 demonstrates distinct characteristics gained from the inserted IFNB1 and CES2 transgenes. The potent antitumor effects of SJ-815, particularly when combined with irinotecan, against multiple solid tumors make SJ-815 an attractive candidate for further preclinical and clinical studies.

Association of Contraceptive Knowledge, Sexual Double Standard and Contraceptive Self-Efficacy among Unmarried Women in Their 30s and 40s / 여성건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: To determine association of contraceptive knowledge, sexual double standard, and contraceptive self-efficacy among unmarried women in their 30s and 40s. METHODS: With a survey design, data were collected from 119 unmarried women in their 30s and 40s in G city of Korea from September 2017 to March 2018. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheffé test, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression. RESULTS: Contraceptive knowledge, sexual double standard, and contraceptive self-efficacy scores of participants were 8.97±2.22, 18.54±5.57, and 45.84 ± 6.90, respectively. Contraceptive self-efficacy was negatively correlated with sexual double standard. Factors influencing contraceptive self-efficacy were sexual double standard (β =−.26, p=.003), existence of boyfriend (β=.25, p=.004), and contraceptive education need for adults (β=.17, p=.044). They explained 19% of contraceptive self-efficacy of participants. CONCLUSION: To increase contraceptive self-efficacy of unmarried women in their 30s and 40s, lowering sexual double standard and developing customized contraceptive education according to age and knowledge level are needed. Research on factors related to contraceptive self-efficacy of unmarried women in their 30s and 40s from various regions are also needed in the future.

Effects of Sex Communication with Friends and Sexual Double Standard on Contraceptive Self-efficacy among University Students

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of sex communication with friends and sexual double standard on contraceptive self-efficacy among university students. METHODS: With a survey design, data were collected from 251 university students from three universities in G city from September 2016 to October 2016. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and stepwise multiple regression. RESULTS: Sex communication with friends, sexual double standard, and contraceptive self-efficacy scores of participants were 58.82±8.78, 21.73±6.00, and 44.20±5.91, respectively. Sex communication with friends and sexual double standard were related to contraceptive self-efficacy. Sexual double standard, sex communication with friends, female, contraceptive education, and contraceptive experience explained 33% of contraceptive self-efficacy of participants. CONCLUSION: Sexual double standard and sex communication with friends were influencing factors of contraceptive self-efficacy. To improve contraceptive self-efficacy of university students, a program is needed to eliminate sexual double standard and improve sex communication with friends among university students in Korea.

Reliability and Validity of the Korean Version of the Contraceptive Self-efficacy Scale: Focused on Women University Students

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop and test the validity and reliability of the Korean version of the Contraceptive Self-efficacy (K-CSE) scale. METHODS: The K-CSE scale was developed through forward-backward translation methods. Construct and criterion validity and internal consistency reliability were calculated using SPSS/WIN 21.0. Data were collected from 257 women students from two universities in G city, South Korea. RESULTS: The factor structure of the K-CSE scale showed the cumulative variance as 62.9% in the factor analysis. Factor loading of 13 items on four subscales ranged from .47 to .88. Factors were named as 'initiative of contraceptive use', 'sexual assertiveness', 'refusal of sexual intercourse', and 'autonomic sexual behavior'. Criterion validity compared to the Sexual Autonomy Measurement (SAM) showed significant correlation. Cronbach's α for the reliability of each subscale were .50~.82 and .76 for the total scale. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study demonstrate that the K-CSE scale is a satisfactory valid and reliable scale. Therefore, the CSE scale can be useful in measuring contraceptive self-efficacy among women university students in Korea.

Effect of aldosterone on the amplification of oncolytic vaccinia virus in human cancer lines / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: JX-594 is an oncolytic virus derived from the Wyeth vaccinia strain that causes replication-dependent cytolysis and antitumor immunity. Starting with a cross-examination of clinical-trial samples from advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients having high levels of aldosterone and virus amplification in JX-594 treatment, we investigated the association between virus amplification and aldosterone in human cancer cell lines. METHODS: Cell proliferation was determined by a cell-counting-kit-based colorimetric assay, and vaccinia virus quantitation was performed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and a viral plaque assay. Also, the intracellular pH was measured using a pH-sensitive dye. RESULTS: Simultaneous treatment with JX-594 and aldosterone significantly increased viral replication in A2780, PC-3, and HepG2 cell lines, but not in U2OS cell lines. Furthermore, the aldosterone treatment time altered the JX-594 replication according to the cell line. The JX-594 replication peaked after 48 and 24 hours of treatment in PC-3 and HepG2 cells, respectively. qPCR showed that JX-594 entry across the plasma membrane was increased, however, the changes are not significant by the treatment. This was inhibited by treatment with spironolactone (an aldosterone-receptor inhibitor). JX-594 entry was significantly decreased by treatment with EIPA [5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)amiloride; a Na+/H+-exchange inhibitor], but aldosterone significantly restored JX-594 entry even in the presence of EIPA. Intracellular alkalization was observed after aldosterone treatment but was acidified by EIPA treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Aldosterone stimulates JX-594 amplification via increased virus entry by affecting the H+ gradient.

A Study on the Relationship between Risk Behaviors, Sexual Knowledge, Sexual Attitudes, and Sexual Experience in Male High School Students / 여성건강간호학회지

PURPOSES: This study examined the relationship between risk behaviors and sexual knowledge, sexual attitudes, and sexual experiences of male high school students. METHOD: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted. Data were collected from 2 male high schools in metropolitan Gwangju. Five hundred forty-eight boys were enrolled in this study. Descriptive statistics, factor analysis, t-test or ANOVA, and Pearson's correlation were used for data analysis. RESULTS: The mean sexual knowledge and sexual experience scores were relatively low, 0.60 out of 1 point, and 0.75 out of 4 points, respectively. Three attitude types of the students were identified: permissible, conservative and pleasure seeking attitude. The score of the permissible type was affected by the subjects' exposure to pornographic material. The score of the conservative type was affected by alcohol consumption and acquaintances with a heterosexual friend. The score of the pleasure seeking type was affected by their exposure to pornographic material, alcohol consumption, smoking, going to a video-room, and acquaintances with a heterosexual friend. There was a negative correlation between the permissible type and sexual knowledge, and a positive correlation between the conservative and pleasure seeking types and sexual experience. CONCLUSION: Male high school students who have been exposed to risk behaviors have a higher likelihood of indulging in sexual activity, and the pleasure seeking type appears to be related to sexual experience. An educational program may be needed to prevent risky behaviors and sexual experiences in male high school students considering their sexual attitude type.