ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is associated with high recurrence and poor prognosis. Baicalin has multiple pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activities. Here, we examine the effect of baicalein on OSCC metastasis and its potential mechanism of action. METHODS: SCC-4 and CAL-27 cells were treated with different concentrations of baicalein. The proliferation of OSCC cells was evaluated by Methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. As for migration and metastasis, baicalein-treated OSCC cells were used for wound healing assay and Transwell assay. The levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related proteins (E-cadherin, N-cadherin, vimentin) and extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK)/ETS Transcription Factor ELK1 (ELK-1)/Snail signaling pathway-related proteins in baicalein-treated OSCC cells were evaluated by western blotting. RESULTS: The rates of cell proliferation and migration, along with the metastatic potential, of baicalein-treated cells were significantly lower than those of the control (p < 0.05), and the effects were concentration-dependent. Furthermore, compared to the control, baicalein significantly decreased the levels of N-cadherin and vimentin in SCC-4 and CAL-27 cells, and increased the E-cadherin level (p < 0.05). Mechanistically, baicalein downregulated the levels of p-ERK1/2, phospho-ETS Transcription Factor ELK1 (p-ELK-1), and Snail (p < 0.05). Finally, the ERK/ELK-1/Snail pathway inhibitor (U0126) promoted the effect of baicalein in inhibiting the migration and invasion of OSCC cells (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Baicalein abates the migration, invasion, and metastasis of OSCC cells through the ERK/ELK-1/Snail signaling pathway. This study provides a basis for the development of baicalein as a compound for the treatment of OSCC.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell , Cell Movement , Cell Proliferation , Flavanones , Mouth Neoplasms , Signal Transduction , Snail Family Transcription Factors , ets-Domain Protein Elk-1 , Flavanones/pharmacology , Flavanones/therapeutic use , Humans , ets-Domain Protein Elk-1/metabolism , Snail Family Transcription Factors/metabolism , Mouth Neoplasms/pathology , Mouth Neoplasms/drug therapy , Mouth Neoplasms/metabolism , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Movement/drug effects , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/drug therapy , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/metabolism , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Signal Transduction/drug effects , Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition/drug effects , MAP Kinase Signaling System/drug effects , Neoplasm Metastasis , Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases/metabolismABSTRACT
Workplace social capital is the relational network, created by respectful interactions among members of a workforce, can contribute to the formation of a wholesome psychological work environment in an organization. Nurses' workplace social capital is a derivative of the workplace social capital, formed because of the complex interactions among the nursing and between the other healthcare professionals. Transformational leadership is a style of leadership that addresses the emotional wellbeing of its workforce and inspires shared group ethics, norms, and goals. The philosophy of transformational leadership is grounded on the premise of workforce as human beings with specific needs. Transformational leadership has been confirmed as a strong predictor of nurses' workplace social capital. Meanwhile, it is of an academic and/or healthcare industry operational value to scholarly assess and discern the theoretical influence of transformational leadership on nurses' workplace social capital. In this paper, we have attempted to explore the associations between transformational leadership and nurses' workplace social capital from a theoretical perspective. We have discussed the importance of each sub-dimension of transformational leadership (modeling the way, inspiring a shared vision, challenging the process, enabling others to act and encouraging the heart) in building up the social capital relational network. Finally, we have proposed a graphic framework of our analysis to facilitate understanding of the associations between the transformational leadership and nurses' workplace social capital, in formation of a healthy work environment which is the foundation for efficiency and productivity of the workforce.
Subject(s)
Nurses , Social Capital , Humans , Job Satisfaction , Leadership , WorkplaceABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The development of Cancer Stem-like Cells (CSCs) is one of the main causes of ovarian cancer tolerance to radiotherapy. Autophagy is an adaptive process by which cells damage due to radiation. As a metabolite of riboflavin, lumiflavin can enhance the chemotherapeutic effects of cisplatin on ovarian cancer CSCs. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the synergistic effects of lumiflavin and ionising radiation on ovarian cancer CSCs and explore the association of this metabolite with autophagy. METHODS: CSCs of human ovarian cancer cell lines HO8910 were treated with lumiflavin and rapamycin and then subjected to irradiation at a cumulative dose of 8 Gy. Cell proliferation ability, clonal formation ability, apoptosis rate, autophagy changes and autophagy-related protein changes were detected. RESULTS: Lumiflavin and ionising radiation synergistically reduced cell vitality and clone formation and increased the apoptosis of CSCs compared with irradiation alone. In addition, ionising radiation increased autophagy and the expression of associated proteins, whereas lumiflavin reduced those changes in autophagy progression. Moreover, rapamycin, an autophagy inhibitor, was observed to block the synergistic effects of lumiflavin and ionising radiation on CSC apoptosis. CONCLUSION: Lumiflavin can enhance the effects of ionising radiation on ovarian cancer CSCs. The mechanism by which these effects are exerted is related to blocking the autophagy pathway.
