Incidence and Analysis of Adverse Transfusion Reactions at a Single Children’s Hospital / 대한수혈학회지

Adverse transfusion reactions (ATRs) are unexpected reactions to transfusion. This study examined the frequency, types of ATRs, and related blood products retrospectively in pediatric patients with less information than in adult patients. Four hundred and forty transfusions were performed for two months at a children’s hospital: 247 units of red blood cell (RBC) products, 142 units of platelet products, and 41 units of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) were used.Five adverse reactions occurred in five patients, three cases were allergic reactions, and two were febrile nonhemolytic reactions. The frequency was 1.13%, and apheresis platelets and leukocyte-reduced RBC were transfused. Two patients’ ATRs were found in the previous transfusions, and ATRs were repeated in subsequent transfusions in one patient. One of the ATRs was not reported to the blood bank and was then discovered during the study. Because pediatric patients may have limitations in recognizing or expressing their symptoms compared to adults, medical staff rely solely on vital signs and laboratory results rather than symptoms, causing difficulty in noticing ATRs. Information on ATRs and education on appropriate blood products will improve awareness of ATRs and blood management among medical staff at transfusion sites and blood banks.

Molecular Epidemiology of Viral Conjunctivitis in the Southern Region of South Korea, 2012–2016

Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) and acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC) are common diseases caused by human adenoviruses (HAdV) and enteroviruses, respectively, in South Korea. However, there are limited studies on the molecular epidemiology of viral conjunctivitis in South Korea. The main objective of this study was to characterize the genotypes of adenoviruses and enteroviruses causing viral conjunctivitis in the southwest region of South Korea. We collected conjunctival swabs from 492 patients with suspected cases of viral conjunctivitis from 6 ophthalmic hospitals in Gwangju Metropolitan City, in South Korea, between 2012 and 2016. Of the 492 samples tested, HAdVs and enteroviruses were detected in 249 samples (50.6%) and 19 samples (3.9%), respectively. The genotype analysis detected HAdV-8 in 183 samples (73.5%), HAdV-37 in 14 samples (5.6%), and HAdV-3, and HAdV-4 in 9 samples (3.6%) each. We detected coxsackievirus A24 (CVA24) and coxsackievirus B1 (CVB1) in 8 samples (42.0%) and 4 samples (21.0%), respectively. We also reported for the first time HAdV-56-infected cases of EKC in South Korea. Furthermore, we found three cases of coinfection with HAdV and enterovirus genotypes in our samples. HAdV-8 and CVA24, the main causes of EKC and AHC, respectively, worldwide, were also found to be the predominant genotypes in our study.

Nursing Needs and Satisfaction of Family of Pediatric Cancer Patients during Chemotherapy

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to explore the nursing needs and satisfaction of pediatric cancer patient families during chemotherapy. METHODS: Data collection was conducted from April to July 2016 using the questionnaire of nursing needs and satisfaction developed by the researchers in 123 families of children who were diagnosed with pediatric cancer and undergoing chemotherapy. The collected data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, and ANCOVA using the SPSS 22.0 program. RESULTS: Nursing needs and satisfaction were 4.27 ± 0.78 and 4.16 ± 0.57, respectively. Significant differences between nursing need and satisfaction were observed in the educational/informational domain (t=3.94, p=<.001) and community resources nursing domain (t=2.16, p=.032). Also, in terms of general characteristics, the nursing needs were significantly different depending on the elapsed time after diagnosis (t=1.98, p=.049), and the nursing satisfaction was significantly different depending on the type of treatment (F=4.02, p=.009). CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, when caring for children who are receiving chemotherapy and their family, it is necessary to develop nursing interventions that meet the individualized nursing needs of those directly and indirectly affected.

Autophagy Regulates Formation of Primary Cilia in Mefloquine-Treated Cells

Primary cilia have critical roles in coordinating multiple cellular signaling pathways. Dysregulation of primary cilia is implicated in various ciliopathies. To identify specific regulators of autophagy, we screened chemical libraries and identified mefloquine, an anti-malaria medicine, as a potent regulator of primary cilia in human retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells. Not only ciliated cells but also primary cilium length was increased in mefloquine-treated RPE cells. Treatment with mefloquine strongly induced the elongation of primary cilia by blocking disassembly of primary cilium. In addition, we found that autophagy was increased in mefloquine-treated cells by enhancing autophagic flux. Both chemical and genetic inhibition of autophagy suppressed ciliogenesis in mefloquine-treated RPE cells. Taken together, these results suggest that autophagy induced by mefloquine positively regulates the elongation of primary cilia in RPE cells.

Anti-proliferative Activity of T-bet

T-bet is a critical transcription factor that regulates differentiation of Th1 cells from CD4+ precursor cells. Since T-bet directly binds to the promoter of the IFN-gamma gene and activates its transcription, T-bet deficiency impairs IFN-gamma production in Th1 cells. Interestingly, T-bet-deficient Th cells also display substantially augmented the production of IL-2, a T cell growth factor. Exogenous expression of T-bet in T-bet deficient Th cells rescued the IFN-gamma production and suppressed IL-2 expression. IFN-gamma and IL-2 reciprocally regulate Th cell proliferation following TCR stimulation. Therefore, we examined the effect of T-bet on Th cell proliferation and found that T-bet deficiency significantly enhanced Th cell proliferation under non-skewing, Th1-skewing, and Th2-skewing conditions. By using IFN-gamma-null mice to eliminate the anti-proliferative effect of IFN-gamma, T-bet deficiency still enhanced Th cell proliferation under both Th1- and Th2-skewing conditions. Since the anti-proliferative activity of T-bet may be influenced by IL-2 suppression in Th cells, we examined whether T-bet modulates IL-2-independent cell proliferation in a non-T cell population. We demonstrated that T-bet expression induced by ecdysone treatment in human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells increased IFN-gamma promoter activity in a dose dependent manner, and sustained T-bet expression considerably decreased cell proliferation in HEK cells. Although the molecular mechanisms underlying anti-proliferative activity of T-bet remain to be elucidated, T-bet may directly suppress cell proliferation in an IFN-gamma- or an IL-2-independent manner.

Suicidal Ideation and Associated Factors among Korean Elementary School Students / 대한정신약물학회지

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the occurrence and associated factors with self-reported suicidal ideation within the last 12 months among Korean elementary school students. METHODS: In a school-based cross-sectional survey, a total of 657 students were recruited from elementary schools (age range: 11??2 years) in Jeju area. They filled out self-completing questionnaires on suicidality (suicidal ideation and suicidal attempt), depression (Kovacs' Children's Depression Inventory), and sociodemographic characteristics, including school and family factors. RESULTS: A total of 192 (29.2%) students reported suicidal ideation, and the rate of suicidal attempt was 6.1% (n=40). Logistic regression analysis identified factors associated with recent suicidal ideation. Female had higher rates of suicidal ideation than male [odds ratio (OR)=1.81, p=0.005], and students with depression (OR=3.23, p<0.001) and experience of abuse in the home (OR=6.77, p<0.001) were at high risk for suicidal ideation. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that suicidal ideation and actions are relatively common in Korean elementary school students, and have implications for prevention and intervention.

Factors Affecting Suicidal Ideation in Korean High School Students / 대한정신약물학회지

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of the suicidal ideation and associated factors with self-reported suicidal ideation within the last 12 months among Korean high school students. METHODS: A total of 697 adolescents were recruited from high schools (age range: 15-16 years) in Jeju area. According to existence of suicidal ideation, they were divided into two groups-suicidal ideation group and non-suicidal ideation group, and the differences between groups in terms of various sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, including depression (Beck Depression Inventory), and health related conditions. RESULTS: A total of 187 (26.8%) high school students reported suicidal ideation, and the rate of suicidal attempt was 4.9% (n=34). The associated factors of suicidal ideation were depression [odds ratio (OR)=2.42, p< or =0.001], short sleep duration (OR=1.84, p=0.009), current alcohol use (OR=4.94, p< or =0.001), self reported poor health (OR=2.10, p=0.004), and school bullying (OR=3.06, p=0.002). CONCLUSION: These results may have important implications for the strategies and specified intervention in preventing suicidal ideation in Korean high school students.

Down-Regulation of Survivin by Nemadipine-A Sensitizes Cancer Cells to TRAIL-Induced Apoptosis

The tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor family of cytokines. TRAIL selectively induces apoptotic cell death in various tumors and cancer cells, but it has little or no toxicity in normal cells. Agonism of TRAIL receptors has been considered to be a valuable cancer-therapeutic strategy. However, more than 85% of primary tumors are resistant to TRAIL, emphasizing the importance of investigating how to overcome TRAIL resistance. In this report, we have found that nemadipine-A, a cell-permeable L-type calcium channel inhibitor, sensitizes TRAIL-resistant cancer cells to this ligand. Combination treatments using TRAIL with nemadipine-A synergistically induced both the caspase cascade and apoptotic cell death, which were blocked by a pan caspase inhibitor (zVAD) but not by autophagy or a necrosis inhibitor. We further found that nemadipine-A, either alone or in combination with TRAIL, notably reduced the expression of survivin, an inhibitor of the apoptosis protein (IAP) family of proteins. Depletion of survivin by small RNA interference (siRNA) resulted in increased cell death and caspase activation by TRAIL treatment. These results suggest that nemadipine-A potentiates TRAIL-induced apoptosis by down-regulation of survivin expression in TRAIL resistant cells. Thus, combination of TRAIL with nemadipine-A may serve a new therapeutic scheme for the treatment of TRAIL resistant cancer cells, suggesting that a detailed study of this combination would be useful.

Influence of Family Support on Depressive Symptom among High School Students in Jeju Island, Korea / 대한정신약물학회지

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the prevalence of depressive symptom and effect of family support on depressive symptom among high school students in Jeju Island, Korea. METHODS: The study subjects were 711 high school students consisting of 403 males and 308 females of three high schools in urban Jeju Island and the data was gathered using self-reporting questionnaires consisting of BDI, sociodemographic factors, health behavior and family support, etc. RESULTS: The prevalence of depressive symptom in high school students in Jeju Island is 17.7% in total, 17.1% in male, 18.5% in female. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the family support had significantly effect on depression after controlling other confounding variables including age, sex, socioeconomic state, parent's marital statue, body image satisfaction, academic achievement, time spend with parents to build a relationship, and mother's education year. CONCLUSION: Family support was found to be a significant correlate of depressive symptom high school students in Jeju Island. Variety of supports to enhance family cohesion and family relation including sociocultural and political policies and program would be needed to reduce the risk of having depressive symptom and suicide ideation among high school students in Jeju Island.

Factors Related with Suicidality in High-School Students : Focused on Perceived Academic Performance

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated factors related to suicide in high school students and focused on perceived academic performance. METHODS: We surveyed 293 grade 10 high-school students in Jeju and Gyeonggi provinces and gave them self-assessment questionnaires. To evaluate the suicide risk, the questionnaire included questions about suicidal thoughts, plans, threats, deliberate self-injury, and suicide attempts from the Scale for Suicide Ideation (SSI). Also, it included the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), Locus of Control Scale (LOC), Rosenberg's Self Esteem Scale (RSE) and Perceived Academic Performance (PAP) to identify factors related to suicide in high school students. RESULTS: Depression, hopelessness, and low self-esteem were related with suicidal thoughts, plans, attempts, and severe suicidal ideation (SSI score> or =16). In the multivariate analysis, a low level of PAP (OR=3.796, 95%CI 1.280-11.257) was significantly associated with severe suicidal ideation (SSI score> or =16). Deliberate self-injury was most prevalent in failing the PAP group and also having a high level of PAP (OR=6.161, 95%CI 1.474-25.760). CONCLUSION: The authors found that the suicide risk of high school students is related to depression, hopelessness, low self-esteem and a low level of PAP. These results provide significant indicators in planning an adolescent suicide prevention program.

Factors Related with Suicidality in High-School Students : Focused on Perceived Academic Performance

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated factors related to suicide in high school students and focused on perceived academic performance. METHODS: We surveyed 293 grade 10 high-school students in Jeju and Gyeonggi provinces and gave them self-assessment questionnaires. To evaluate the suicide risk, the questionnaire included questions about suicidal thoughts, plans, threats, deliberate self-injury, and suicide attempts from the Scale for Suicide Ideation (SSI). Also, it included the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), Locus of Control Scale (LOC), Rosenberg's Self Esteem Scale (RSE) and Perceived Academic Performance (PAP) to identify factors related to suicide in high school students. RESULTS: Depression, hopelessness, and low self-esteem were related with suicidal thoughts, plans, attempts, and severe suicidal ideation (SSI score> or =16). In the multivariate analysis, a low level of PAP (OR=3.796, 95%CI 1.280-11.257) was significantly associated with severe suicidal ideation (SSI score> or =16). Deliberate self-injury was most prevalent in failing the PAP group and also having a high level of PAP (OR=6.161, 95%CI 1.474-25.760). CONCLUSION: The authors found that the suicide risk of high school students is related to depression, hopelessness, low self-esteem and a low level of PAP. These results provide significant indicators in planning an adolescent suicide prevention program.

Expression of HSP70 and Its Relation with Other Cytokines in Human Middle Ear Effusion

OBJECTIVES: While other cytokines are known to be associated with otitis media with effusion (OME), the involvement of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in middle ear effusion (MEE) is unknown. This study was undertaken to investigate the possibility of there being a HSP70 expression in human MEE and to determine its potential role as a cytokine in OME. METHODS: The levels of HSP70, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in the effusion of different groups of OME patient following collection of the MEE using our new collection system. The clinical characteristics of the OME patients and the MEE status were analyzed. RESULTS: HSP70 was expressed in all the types of MEE. The mucous and seromucous effusions showed higher HSP70 levels than that of the serous effusion. The HSP70 level was correlated with the levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-1beta in the effusions. The positive correlations between HSP70, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta were statistically significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The highly elevated level of HSP70 in the seromucous and mucous effusions implicates this protein in the chronicity of OME.

Aripiprazole Effects in Patients with Acute Schizophrenia Experiencing Higher or Lower Agitation / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and predictors of response to aripiprazole treatment in acute schizophrenic patients. We investigated whether baseline agitation level influences the treatment response, and examined the effects of oral aripiprazole in acute patients with schizophrenia experiencing either higher or lower levels of agitation. METHODS: In this 8-week non-comparative clinical trial, 19 patients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of acute schizophrenia were enrolled. They were divided into groups experiencing higher or lower agitation at baseline. PANSS scores, CGI scores, GAF scores, and PANSS-EC score were used for efficacy assessments. RESULTS: 63.2% of patients completed the study. The average dosage of aripiprazole was 26.2+/-4.8 mg. Treatment with aripiprazole resulted in significant improvement from baseline in all efficacy measures. In both the higher and lower groups, aripiprazole treatment produced significantly lower PANSS total and PANSS-EC scores, compare with baseline. Moreover, these significant improvements were sustained throughout a 8-week period. A shorter duration of the present episode is associated with a better clinical response. Extrapyramidal symptoms were observed in 36.8% of patients; however, the side effects did not influence the treatment response. CONCLUSION: High doses of aripiprazole significantly improved acute symptoms of schizophrenia irrespective to baseline agitation level, without any significant adverse event. These results suggest that aripiprazole is an effective and safe treatment option for patients with acute schizophrenia who manifest agitation symptoms.

Preliminary Study of Children's Sleep Problems in an Elementary School in Daegu

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of sleep problems in Korean elementary school children and the differences in sleep problems related to their school grade and gender. METHODS: One public elementary school in Dae-gu, Korea was randomly selected. And, parents who agreed to participate this study were asked to complete a modified version of Tucson Children's Assessment of Sleep Apnea screening questionnaire (TuCASA). RESULTS: The most common sleep problem was 'falling asleep in a vehicle (44.2%)' and the prevalence rate of this problem differed by school grade. The prevalence rate of falling asleep while watching TV before 8 P.M. (8.0%), daytime fatigue (21.9%) and nocturnal enuresis during the past 6 months (5.3%) were significantly differed by school grade. The prevalence rate of falling asleep while doing home work, falling asleep during a lesson, snoring and bruxism were 12.6%, 1.0%, 26.7% and 13.2% respectively. Although these rates did not show any differences between grades, snoring was more in boys and daytime fatigue was more in girls.. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that many elementary school children may have various sleep problems. Lower grade elementary schoolers had sleep problems which related to neuro-developmental factors, whereas higher grade elementary schoolers had sleep problems related to sleep deprivation and stress. Finally, more female schooler showed signs of fatigue or sleepiness than male schoolers.

The Histologic Features of the Uterus and Adnexa Extirpated from Gender Identity Disorder Patients with Depot Androgen Injection / 대한불임학회지

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the histologic features of the uterus and adnexae extirpated from gender identity disorder (GID) patients that received depot androgen injection. METHODS: We reviewed the histologic findings of the uterus and adnexae removed from sixteen GID patients, who had taken depot androgen injection for 5~168 months. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (87.5%) showed the atrophied epithelium of exocervix and all of 16 patients (100%) showed the atrophy of endometrium. Seven patients (43.7%) showed multiple cystic follicles in the ovarian cortex and 6 patients (37.5%), 3 patients (18.7%) showed corpus albicans and corpus luteum, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Exogenous androgen induced atrophy of cervix and endometrium. This effect was more prominent in the endometrium. In addition, PCO-like histologic features were observed in the ovary.

A Case of Premature Ovarian Failure in Patient with Unbalanced translocation on the X chromosome / 대한산부인과학회지

Premature ovarian failure (POF) is defined as the complete cessation of menses less than 40 years of age. The criteria are more than four months of amenorrhea, with serum follicle stimulating hormone value of >40 mIU/mL and the frequency of POF is about 1% of all women. Although the etiologies of POF remain unknown, suggested factors are genetic, autoimmune, chemotherapy and environmental toxicants. The cytogenetic abnormalities predominantly concern the X chromosome, including Turner syndrome, Fragile X syndrome and deletion or translocation of X chromosome. We report a case of premature ovarian failure with the following karyotype: 46,X,der(X), t(X;11)(q28;p13).

Cytogenetic Analysis in 785 Cases of Midtrimester Amniocentesis Using In Situ Coverslip Culture / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: Amniocentesis is the most commonly used invasive method for prenatal diagnosis of genetic disorders. We performed this study to analyze the indications, distributions of maternal age and cytogenetic results of midtrimester amniocentesis. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 785 cases of midtrimester prenatal genetic amniocentesis which were performed in the cytogenetics laboratory using in situ coverslip culture at Dong-A University Hospital from January 1995 to March 2003. RESULTS: Amniocentesis was practiced mostly from 15 weeks to 20 weeks of gestational ages. Requested indications of amniocentesis were abnormal maternal serum screening (421, 53.7%), advanced maternal age (233, 29.7%) and abnormal ultrasonographic finding (61, 7.8%) in the order of decrease. The overall incidence of chromosome abnormalities was 5.1% (40 cases), and it contains 27 cases (3.4%) of numerical abnormalities and 13 cases (1.7%) of structural abnormalities. Among autosomal abnormalities Down syndrome was most common (13 cases) and followed by Edward syndrome (2 cases). Of the sex chromosomal abnormalities, three cases of Turner syndrome and three cases of Kleinefelter syndrome were found. Chromosomal abnormalities were most frequently noted in the maternal age of 30 to 34 years old (14 cases, 35.0%), 25 to 29 years old (12 cases, 30.0%), followed by 35 to 39 years old (7 cases, 17.5%). The frequency of pseudomosaicism were 5 cases (0.6%). CONCLUSION: Maternal serum screening, advanced maternal age and antenatal ultrasonographic finding must be important screening methods for amniocentesis which is considered to the most effective diagnostic procecdure for prenatal cytogenetic studies. I conclude that the karyotyping analysis of midtrimester amniocentesis is efficacious method for detection of chromosomal aberration and genetic counselling for parents.

Effects of Intravenous Fluid and Diuretics on Stone Fragmentation and Passage during Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) of Upper Ureteral Stone / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: A prospective randomized controlled trial was performed to investigate the effects of intravenous hydration, both with and without diuretics, on the fragmentation and passage of an upper ureteral stone during ESWL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 65 patients with upper ureteral stones, primarily treated with piezoelectric LT-02 lithotripter, between November, 2001 and March, 2002. The patients were divided in 3 groups; the 20 patients in group A were injected with 500ml of normal saline for intravenous hydration, and 20mg of furosemide for diuretic effect during the ESWL; the 20 patients in group B were injected with normal saline without furosemide, and the remaining 25, group C, were used as controls. The same energy settings for the shockwaves in one session were equally applied to all the patients during the ESWL, with a 4Hz shockwave frequency, 100% power, a 50 minute treatment and 43 minute storage time. After 2 weeks, the degrees of stone fragmentation, and the residual fragments, were evaluated on the post-ESWL KUB and compared with the pre-ESWL KUB. RESULTS: After a single ESWL treatment, the stone-free rate was 70% (14 of 20 patients) in group A, 60% (12 of 20 patients) in group B and 28% (7 of 25 patients) in group C (p0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous hydration with normal saline, both with and without a furosemide injection for diuretic effect, during ESWL would be an effective method to facilitate the fragmentation and passage of upper ureteral stones smaller than 10mm.

Expression of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug-Activated Gene-1(NAG-1) in Human Nasal Mucosa and Cultured Nasal Epithelial Cells / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-activated gene-1 (NAG-1) is a recently discovered TGF-beta superfamily cytokine. But localization and functions of NAG-1 have not been thoroughly studied. So, we wanted to investigate its expression and localization in human nasal mucosa and also wanted to investigate the change of NAG-1 expression as a function of mucociliary and squamous differentiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Anterior and middle portion of human inferior turbinate were used and immunohistochemistry with NAG-1 antibody was done. Passage-2 normal human nasal epithelial cell culture using air-liquid interface method was performed for 14 days and the cells were divided as retinoic acid (RA)-sufficient and RA-deficient group. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was done on each group to study the degree of differentiation. Western blot analysis for NAG-1 expression was performed on each group on 0, 7, and 14 days. RESULTS: NAG-1 expression of muco-ciliated epithelium was noted in ciliated cells and serous acini, but was not found in goblet cells and mucous acini. In the squamous epithelium, its expression was weaker than in the mucociliated epithelium. In the RA-sufficient culture, NHNE cells were differentiated into ciliated epithelium, but in the RA-deficient culture, keratinizing squamous epithelium was noted. In the Western blot analysis, NAG-1 expression was significantly higher in the RA-sufficient culture than in the RA-deficient culture and this expression was time-dependent. CONCLUSION: NAG-1 may be related to differentiation and apoptotic process of nasal epithelial cells. However, it is still unclear whether NAG-1 is an inducer or a byproduct of differentiation or apoptosis. The role of NAG-1 protein remains to be solved.

Effect of Selective Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitor on Apoptosis of the Human Prostate Cancer Cell Xenografted in Nude Mice / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, an inducible enzyme that catalyzes the formation of prostaglandins from arachidonic acid, is overexpressed in various cancers, including prostate cancer, and cell lines. COX-2 has been reported to play an important role in carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a selective COX-2 inhibitor (meloxicam) on the cell proliferation, apoptosis, Bcl-2, and Bcl-xL expression in prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 20 male nude mice were subcutaneously inoculated with 1 million PC-3 cells expressing COX-2. After 1 week, the mice were divided into two groups of 10 mice. Group 1 was left untreated, which served as a control. Group 2 was treated with meloxicam (40mg/kg) four times a week for 3 weeks. After the 4 weeks experimental period, the tumors were immunohistochemically assayed for apoptosis (TUNEL) and proliferation (Ki-67). The COX-2, Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL mRNA expression levels in the tumors were evaluated by RT-PCR. RESULTS: The meloxicam had no effect on the tumor cell proliferation, but induced inhibition of PC-3 tumor cell growth and apoptosis. The Bcl-2 expression decreased in the meloxicam-treated group, but there was no significant difference between the two groups. The Bcl-xL expression was significantly down regulated in the meloxicam-treated group (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that a selective COX-2 inhibitor suppresses PC-3 cell tumor growth in vivo. Tumor growth suppression was achieved by the induction of tumor cell apoptosis, and was associated with a decreased Bcl-xL expression, which is one of the Bcl-2 related genes.