Reduced Autophagy in 5-Fluorouracil Resistant Colon Cancer Cells

We investigated the role of autophagy in SNUC5/5-FUR, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) resistant SNUC5 colon cancer cells. SNUC5/5-FUR cells exhibited low level of autophagy, as determined by light microscopy, confocal microscopy, and flow cytometry following acridine orange staining, and the decreased level of GFP-LC3 puncta. In addition, expression of critical autophagic proteins such as Atg5, Beclin-1 and LC3-II and autophagic flux was diminished in SNUC5/5-FUR cells. Whereas production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was significantly elevated in SNUC5/5-FUR cells, treatment with the ROS inhibitor N-acetyl cysteine further reduced the level of autophagy. Taken together, these results indicate that decreased autophagy is linked to 5-FU resistance in SNUC5 colon cancer cells.

Experience of Becoming a Father of a High Risk Premature Infant

PURPOSE: This study was performed to identify the experience of becoming a father of a high risk premature infant. METHODS: Grounded theory was used for this research. The participants were 12 fathers who had premature infants lighter than 2,500g of birth weight, less than 37 weeks of gestational age and having stayed 2 weeks or longer in a NICU right after birth. Theoretical sampling was done to identify participants and indepth interviews were done for the data collection. For data analysis, the process suggested by Corbin and Strauss was used. RESULTS: For these participants the core phenomenon of the experience of becoming a father of a high risk premature infant was ‘striving through with belief and patience’. The phenomenon was ‘being frustrated in an unrealistic shock’. Contextual conditions were ‘uncertainty in the health status of the premature baby’ and ‘no one to ask for help’ and intervening conditions were ‘possibility in the health recovery of the premature baby’ and ‘assistance from significant others’. Action/interaction strategies were ‘withstanding with belief in the baby’ and ‘enduring with willpower as head of the family’ and the consequence was ‘becoming a guardian of the family’. CONCLUSION: For the participants, the process of becoming the father of a high risk premature infant was striving through the situation with belief in their babies' ability to overcome the crisis and waiting for the babies' recovery with patience.

A Benzylideneacetophenone Derivative Induces Apoptosis of Radiation-Resistant Human Breast Cancer Cells via Oxidative Stress

Benzylideneacetophenone derivative (1E)-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) hept-1-en-3-one (JC3) elicited cytotoxic effects on MDA-MB 231 human breast cancer cells-radiation resistant cells (MDA-MB 231-RR), in a dose-dependent manner, with an IC₅₀ value of 6 μM JC3. JC3-mediated apoptosis was confirmed by increase in sub-G1 cell population. JC3 disrupted the mitochondrial membrane potential, and reduced expression of anti-apoptotic B cell lymphoma-2 protein, whereas it increased expression of pro-apoptotic Bcl-2-associated X protein, leading to the cleavage of caspase-9, caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. In addition, JC3 activated mitogen-activated protein kinases, and specific inhibitors of these kinases abrogated the JC3-induced increase in apoptotic bodies. JC3 increased the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species and enhanced oxidative macromolecular damage via lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, and DNA strand breakage. Considering these findings, JC3 is an effective therapy against radiation-resistant human breast cancer cells.

Galangin Activates the ERK/AKT-Driven Nrf2 Signaling Pathway to Increase the Level of Reduced Glutathione in Human Keratinocytes

Previously, we demonstrated that galangin (3,5,7-trihydroxyflavone) protects human keratinocytes against ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced oxidative damage. In this study, we investigated the effect of galangin on induction of antioxidant enzymes involved in synthesis of reduced glutathione (GSH), and investigated the associated upstream signaling cascades. By activating nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2), galangin treatment significantly increased expression of glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC) and glutathione synthetase (GSS). This activation of Nrf2 depended on extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) and protein kinase B (AKT) signaling. Inhibition of GSH in galangin-treated cells attenuated the protective effect of galangin against the deleterious effects of UVB. Our results reveal that galangin protects human keratinocytes by activating ERK/AKT-Nrf2, leading to elevated expression of GSH-synthesizing enzymes.

Protective Effect of an Isoflavone, Tectorigenin, Against Oxidative Stress-induced Cell Death via Catalase Activation

BACKGROUND: Isoflavones are biologically active compounds that occur naturally in a variety of plants, with relatively high levels in soybean. Tectorigenin, an isoflavone, protects against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced cell damage. However, the underlying mechanism is unknown. METHODS: The MTT assay was performed to determine cell viability. Catalase activity was assessed by determining the amount of enzyme required to degrade 1 μM H2O2. Protein expression of catalase, phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), IκB-α, and NF-κB were evaluated by Western blot analysis. A mobility shift assay was performed to assess the DNA-binding ability of NF-κB. Transient transfection and a NF-κB luciferase assay were performed to assess transcriptional activity. RESULTS: Tectorigenin reduced H2O2-induced death of Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts (V79-4). In addition, tectorigenin increased the activity and protein expression of catalase. Blockade of catalase activity attenuated the protective effect of tectorigenin against oxidative stress. Furthermore, tectorigenin enhanced phosphorylation of ERK and nuclear expression of NF-κB, while inhibition of ERK and NF-κB attenuated the protective effect of tectorigenin against oxidative stress. CONCLUSIONS: Tectorigenin protects cells against oxidative damage by activating catalase and modulating the ERK and NF-κB signaling pathway.

Baicalein Protects Human Skin Cells against Ultraviolet B-Induced Oxidative Stress

Baicalein (5,6,7-trihydroxy-2-phenyl-chromen-4-one) is a flavone, a type of flavonoid, originally isolated from the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis. This study evaluated the protective effects of baicalein against oxidative damage-mediated apoptosis induced by ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation in a human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT). Baicalein absorbed light within the wavelength range of UVB. In addition, baicalein decreased the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in response to UVB radiation. Baicalein protected cells against UVB radiation-induced DNA breaks, 8-isoprostane generation and protein modification in HaCaT cells. Furthermore, baicalein suppressed the apoptotic cell death by UVB radiation. These findings suggest that baicalein protected HaCaT cells against UVB radiation-induced cell damage and apoptosis by absorbing UVB radiation and scavenging ROS.

Analysis of Experimental Researches in Korea on the Effects of Aromatherapy to Relieve Pain / 한국호스피스완화의료학회지

PURPOSE: This study identifies research trends and provides fundamental data related to curative power of aromatherapy to relieve pain in Korea. METHODS: The study analyzed 44 experimental studies on humans that were published in Korea before the end of December, 2009. The key words used for searching were: aroma, aromatherapy, hyang-yobeob, hyanggi-yobeob, hyanggichilyo, aromatherapy and pain, headache, scapulodynia, omodynia, feeling uncomfortable in the perineal region, sense of pain, labor pains, arm pain, menstrual pain, aches, and dysmenorrheal. Those words were found on websites, including those for Korea Education & Research Information Service, the National Assembly Library, KISS, KoreaMed, and NDSL. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: The results showed that most of essential oils to relieve pain is composed of three to four kinds of oils, including Lavender, Roman chamomile, Rosemary, and Clarysage. Aromatherapy is applied usually by means of massage (50%), inhalation (13.6%), or a combination of the above two (13.6%). Measuring instruments as a dependent variable include VAS, questionnaire, GRS, blood pressure, pulse, and Algometer. Aromatherapy plays an important role in soothing headaches and arthralgia. However, when it comes to labor and menstrual pain, it doesn't seem to be effective. CONCLUSION: The study found that different kinds of oil, frequencies, and periods of time are used for the same symptoms. Further research should employ standardized oil blending, application, duration, and measuring instruments, and more systematically analyze the effects of aromatherapy to establish the effects on relieving pain.

The Relation Between the Occupational Stress and Fatigue Level of Neonatal Nurses / 산업간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate occupational stress and fatigue level of neonatal nurses and to assess relationship between the two of them. METHODS: Subjects were 109 neonatal nurses working at 2 university hospitals and 9 women's hospitals in D city, and the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analysis by the SPSS/WIN 15.0. RESULTS: The mean score of nurses' occupational stress level was 3.22, and the highest was 'night shift' among the 7 subcategories, and fatigue level was 62.0, and the highest was physical fatigue in configuration field. In logistic regression analyses, 'heavy workload' and 'inadequate physical environment' led to most occupational stress. CONCLUSION: In addition to significantly higher levels of occupational stress of neonatal nurses, the cumulative fatigue also resulted in decreased quality of nursing, job satisfaction and nursing productivity; therefore, appropriate number of nurses and improvement of work environment is necessary. Furthermore, to reduce the occupational stress and fatigue, we should try to develop adequate clinical guidelines and intervention strategies and apply them in neonatal care unit.

The Effect of Aroma-therapy Combined with Heat Application on the Pain, Range of Motion of Lower limb Joint, and Discomfort of Activities of Daily Living among Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis / 성인간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to examine the effects of aroma-therapy combined with heat application on pain, ROM of lower limb joints, and discomfort from activities of daily living(ADL) among the patients with rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: Aroma blended oil was rubbed over the knees and ankles of 19 experimental group A and 20 B, and then heat therapy was given using an electric hot & wet poultice pad to only group A. There was no treatment on the 19 control group. There was measured for pain, ROM of lower limb joints and discomfort of ADL. The data was analyzed using SPSS/WIN 11.0 program. RESULTS: In comparing the effects of pain reduction by time, the ROM of lower limb joints, and discomfort of ADL, there were significant differences among three groups. There was no significant difference between experimental group in pain scale by time, range of ROM of knee and ankle joint and discomfort of ADL. CONCLUSION: On the basis of results, aroma-therapy can be applied as a nursing intervention to reduce pain for not only rheumatoid arthritis patients but also for other patients with other diseases.