Urushiol V Suppresses Cell Proliferation and Enhances Antitumor Activity of 5-FU in Human Colon Cancer Cells by Downregulating FoxM1

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignant tumor. 5-FU is commonly used for the treatment of CRC. However, the development of drug resistance in tumor chemotherapy can seriously reduce therapeutic efficacy of 5-FU. Recent data show that FoxM1 is associated with 5-FU resistance in CRC. FoxM1 plays a critical role in the carcinogenesis and drug resistance of several malignancies. It has been reported that urushiol V isolated from the cortex of Rhus verniciflua Stokes is cytotoxic to several types of cancer cells. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms for its antitumor activity and its potential to attenuate the chemotherapeutic resistance in CRC cells remain unknown. Here, we found that urushiol V could inhibit the cell proliferation and induced S-phase arrest of SW480 colon cancer cells. It inhibited protein expression level of FoxM1 through activation of AMPK. We also investigated the combined effect of urushiol V and 5-FU. The combination treatment reduced FoxM1 expression and consequently reduced cell growth and colony formation in 5-FU resistant colon cancer cells (SW480/5-FUR). Taken together, these result suggest that urushiol V from Rhus verniciflua Stokes can suppress cell proliferation by inhibiting FoxM1 and enhance the antitumor capacity of 5-FU. Therefore, urushiol V may be a potential bioactive compound for CRC therapy.

Factors Affecting Abnormal Eating Behaviors among Adults in Obesity Clinic / 정신간호학회지

Purpose@#This study aimed to identify the factors influencing abnormal eating behavior among adults who visit obesity clinics. @*Methods@#Questionnaires were used to collect data from 234 adults who visit obesity clinics at K University Hospital. The questions included eating attitude, alexithymia, and depression. Data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, Scheffétest, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis. @*Results@#Abnormal eating behaviors were significantly associated with alexithymia, depression, and body mass index. The predictors of abnormal eating behaviors were depression, body mass index, difficulty identifying feelings, perceived economic status, body image perception, and gender, which explained 28% (Adj. R2=.28) of the abnormal eating behaviors. @*Conclusion@#The findings revealed a need for educational programs that can contribute to desirable eating behaviors and strategies for healthy weight control. In addition, a support program should be availed to help them recognize and properly express their feelings along with prevention and management of depression.

Prominent Inflammatory Features of Monocytes/Macrophages in Acute Calcium Pyrophosphate Crystal Arthritis: a Comparison with Acute Gouty Arthritis

Calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) crystals can present as acute inflammatory arthritis which is known as an acute CPP crystal arthritis. Although monocytes/macrophages have been shown to play a role in the initiation of crystal-mediated inflammatory responses, differences in their phenotypes between acute CPP crystal arthritis and acute gouty arthritis have not yet been investigated. We examined the immunological characteristics of synovial monocytes/macrophages in patients with acute CPP crystal and acute gouty arthritis. CD14⁺CD3⁻CD19⁻CD56⁻ cell frequencies in synovial fluid mononuclear cells (SFMCs) were measured. Expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and markers was determined. The SFMCs were dominated by a population of monocytes/macrophages in acute CPP crystal arthritis similar to that in acute gout. Synovial monocytes/macrophages showed the phenotypes of infiltrated monocytes as shown by expression of CD88, C-C chemokine receptor type 2, myeloid-related protein (MRP)8 and MRP14 but not proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase MER. Comparatively, the CD14⁺ cells from patients with acute CPP crystal arthritis had similar high levels of IL-1β and TNF-α production but significantly lower expression of IL-10 and M2 marker (CD163). The monocytes/macrophages had the capacity to produce IL-8 in response to CPP crystals. Proinflammatory features were more dominant in monocytes/macrophages during acute CPP crystal arthritis than those during acute gouty arthritis.

A Structural Equation Modeling of Prostate Cancer Screening Intention

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with the intention of the prostate cancer screening (PCS). To achieve this purpose, a structural equation model was established based on the health belief model and the theory of planned behavior.METHODS: The subjects of this study were 260 male participants who were between 40 and 74 years old and had not taken the PCS. Data were collected using a structured self-report questionnaire (i.e., perceived benefits, perceived barriers, attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavior control, and intention of the PCS). Descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, correlation analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and fitness test were used to test hypotheses.RESULTS: The intention of the PCS was directly affected by the perceived behavior control and indirectly influenced by the perceived benefits. The structural equation model also showed that the perceived behavior control explained 78% of the intention.CONCLUSION: To raise the intention to take the PCS, it is necessary to increase the confidence of a subject that may control its difficulties and inform the perceived benefits of the PCS to a subject.

Influence of Clinical Characteristics and Restriction Factors on Cooperation for Orthodontic Treatment in Adolescent Orthodontic Patients / 치위생과학회지

Cooperation of the patients in orthodontic treatment is an essential element. This study examines the internal and external restriction factors and level of cooperation for orthodontic treatment of adolescent orthodontic treatment patients, and the factors that impart influence on the level of cooperation for orthodontic treatment. ‘Form for students’ among the indices of internal and external restrictions for orthodontics, which is an adaption of ‘Orthodontic Locus of Control Scale’ was used as survey tool, and ‘Reliability and Stability of the Orthodontic Patient Cooperation Scale’ was used as survey tool for the level of cooperation of orthodontic patients. As the result of examination of the effect of internal and external restriction factors on level of cooperation for orthodontic treatment by compensating the general characteristics in the multiple regression analysis, it was found that the level of cooperation for orthodontic treatment is higher for the patients who believe there is strong influence of external restrictions–patents–on the events that determines orthodontic treatment. In order to enhance the level of cooperation for orthodontic treatment of adolescent orthodontic patients, there is a need to assess the relationship between the patient and parents as well as the attitude or psychological state of the patients on orthodontic treatment.

Increased p190RhoGEF expression in activated B cells correlates with the induction of the plasma cell differentiation

Previously, we demonstrated that the p190 Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor (p190RhoGEF) was induced following CD40 stimulation of B cells. In this study, we examined whether p190RhoGEF and a downstream effector molecule RhoA are required for B cell differentiation. Expression of p190RhoGEF positively correlated with the expression of surface markers and transcriptional regulators that are characteristic of mature B cells with plasma cell (PC) phenotypes. Moreover, either the overexpression of p190RhoGEF or the expression of a constitutively active RhoA drove cellular differentiation toward PC phenotypes. B cell maturation was abrogated in cells that overexpressed p190RhoGEF and a dominant-negative form of RhoA simultaneously. CD40-mediated maturation events were also abrogated in cells that overexpressed either dominant-negative p190RhoGEF or RhoA. Together, these data provide evidence that p190RhoGEF signaling through RhoA in CD40-activated B cells drives the induction of the PC differentiation.