OSCC is currently the most common malignancy of the head and neck, affecting tens of thousands of patients per year worldwide. Natural flavonoids from plants are potential sources for novel anti-cancer drugs. Icariin is the active ingredient of flavonol glycoside, which is derived from the medical plant Herba Epimedii. A metabolite of icariin, icariside II exhibits a variety of pharmacological actions, including anti-rheumatic, anti-depressant, cardiovascular protective, and immunomodulatory functions. However, the exact mechanism causing the apoptosis-inducing effect of icariside II in OSCC is still not fully understood. In the present study, we assessed the anti-cancer effect of icariside II in OSCC cell lines by measuring its effect on cell viability, cell proliferation, and mitochondria membrane potential (MMP). Icariside II treatment of OSCC cells resulted in a dose- and time-dependent decrease in cell viability. Hoechst staining indicated apoptosis in icariside II-treated HSC cells. Icariside II inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in HSC cells, with significant increases in all present parameters in HSC-4 cells. The results clearly suggested that icariside II induced apoptosis via activation of intrinsic pathways and caspase cascades in HSC-4 cell lines. The collective findings of the study suggested that Icariside II is a potential treatment for OSCC; in addition, the data could provide a basis for the development of a novel anti-cancer strategy.
Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Survival ; Flavonoids ; Head ; Humans* ; Membrane Potentials ; Mitochondria ; Neck ; Plants ; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation

Quercetin is a natural flavonoid phytochemical that is extracted from various plants. Having an advantages due to its varied biological properties, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-oxidant, and anti-cancer effects, quercetin is used to treat many diseases. Recently, it has been reported that autophagy inhibition may play a key role in anti-cancer therapy. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms and anti-cancer effects of quercetin in human osteosarcoma cells via autophagy inhibition. We ascertained that quercetin inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell death, these process is demonstrated that apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway and the caspase cascade. Quercetin also induced autophagy which was inhibited by 3-MA, autophagy inhibitor and the blockade of autophagy promoted the quercetin-induced apoptosis, confirming that autophagy is a pro-survival process. Thus, these findings demonstrate that quercetin is an effective anti-cancer agent, and the combination of quercetin and an autophagy inhibitor should enhance the effect of anti-cancer therapy.
Apoptosis* ; Autophagy* ; Cell Death ; Cell Proliferation ; Humans ; Osteosarcoma* ; Quercetin*

Shikonin, a major ingredient in the traditional Chinese herb Lithospermumerythrorhizon, exhibits multiple biological functions including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor effects. It has recently been reported that shikonin displays antitumor properties in many cancers. This study was aimed to investigate whether shikonin could inhibit oral squamous carcinoma cell (OSCC) growth via mechanisms of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. The effects of shikonin on the viability and growth of OSCC cell line, SCC25 cells were assessed by MTT assay and clonogenic assays, respectively. Hoechst staining and DNA electrophoresis indicated that the shikonin-treated SCC25 cells were undergoing apoptosis. Western blotting, immunocytochemistry, confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, MMP activity, and proteasome activity also supported the finding that shikonin induces apoptosis. Shikonin treatment of SCC25 cells resulted in a time- and dose-dependent decrease in cell viability, inhibition of cell growth, and increase in apoptotic cell death. The treated SCC25 cells showed several lines of apoptotic manifestation as follows: nuclear condensation; DNA fragmentation; reduced MMP and proteasome activity; decrease in DNA contents; release of cytochrome c into cytosol; translocation of AIF and DFF40 (CAD) onto the nuclei; a significant shift in Bax/Bcl-2 ratio; and activation of caspase-9, -7, -6, and -3, as well as PARP, lamin A/C, and DFF45 (ICAD). Shikonin treatment also resulted in down-regulation of the G1 cell cycle-related proteins and up-regulation of p27(KIP1). Taken together, our present findings demonstrate that shikonin strongly inhibits cell proliferation by modulating the expression of the G1 cell cycle-related proteins, and that it induces apoptosis via the proteasome, mitochondria, and caspase cascades in SCC25 cells.
Apoptosis* ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Blotting, Western ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Caspase 9 ; Cell Cycle Checkpoints* ; Cell Death ; Cell Line* ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Survival ; Cytochromes c ; Cytosol ; DNA ; DNA Fragmentation ; Down-Regulation ; Electrophoresis ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Mitochondria ; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex ; Tongue* ; Up-Regulation

PURPOSE: The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) is generally self- administrated; however, it is doubtful that the self-administrated IPSS score correctly reflects patients' symptoms; therefore, the difference in the IPSS self-administrated score and physician-interviewed patients was studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 202 patients completed two IPSS questionnaires during the same office visit, one by self-administration and the other by physician-interview, at two medical centers, one located in an urban area and the other in a rural area. The mean total symptom score and the score for each question, and the quality of life score were compared between the two modes of administration. A multi-logistical regression analysis was performed to identify differences due to the effects of age, the order of administration, location and educational level. RESULTS: The mean total symptom score and quality of life score were higher in the self-administrated than physician-interviewed group (14.16 vs. 13.07, p=0.001, 3.27 vs. 3.2, p=0.090). The residual sense (2.03 vs. 1.97, p=0.20), frequency (2.07 vs. 1.97, p=0.026), interruption (1.83 vs. 1.61, p=0.002), urgency (1.89 vs. 1.55, p=0.001), weak stream (2.74 vs. 2.60, p=0.042), hesitancy (1.77 vs. 1.59, p=0.005) and nocturia (1.82 vs. 1.77, p=0.12) were also higher in the self-administrated group. The multi- logistical regression analysis revealed statistically significant differences in relation to age and location. CONCLUSIONS: The self-administrated IPSS score was higher than the physician-interview score, especially in relation to an older age and an urban location. Therefore, active intervention should be considered during the administration of the IPSS, especially for old aged patients living in urban areas.
Humans ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms* ; Nocturia ; Office Visits ; Prostate* ; Quality of Life ; Questionnaires ; Rivers ; Urinary Tract

Introduction: This study determined nitrate concentration and identify the classifying sources of nitrate pollution in the alluvial deposit aquifer system in Bachok, Kelantan. Materials and Methods: A total of 300 groundwater samples were collected in two different areas; agricultural area (150 samples) and non-agricultural area (150 samples). The samples were analyzed for nitrate and other parameters such as pH, EC, NH4+, TDS, turbidity and salinity. The multivariate analyses were used to identify factors that govern the groundwater quality and potential nitrate sources in the study area. Results: Samples in the agricultural area were slightly acidic (5.89 ± 0.67), contained high nitrate (15.10 ± 15.90 mg/L NO3-N), NH4+ (0.82 ± 1.24 mg/L) and turbidity (3.25 ± 2.78 NTU). The principal component analysis (PCA) have identified the groundwater quality in the study area was influenced by the natural processes and anthropogenic activities. Based on the hierarchal cluster analysis (HCA), Cluster II in the agricultural area was identified to be most heavily nitrate contamination, while Cluster III in the non-agricultural area was identified to be strongly affected by seawater intrusion. Conclusion: The findings of this study are useful for developing protection alternatives of private well waters to prevent further deterioration of groundwater quality by nitrate such as control of nitrogen fertilizer use, manure applications and other agricultural practices in the agricultural area. In order to reduce the health risk of nitrate, private well water users in this area should be advised to treat their water or find alternative sources for drink

Introduction: Tanjung Karang is a paddy growing town in Selangor, Malaysia. The paddy farmers in Tanjung Karang were using pesticides to control pests from invading the crops during agricultural activities with limited knowledge of its deleterious effects on their health. Objective: This study aims to (i) determine the respiratory health symptoms of paddy farmers due to occupational exposure of commonly used pesticides through inhalation and (ii) assess correlations between climatological conditions and the concentrations of pesticides in personal air samples among paddy farmers in Tanjung Karang, Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the occupational exposures to pesticides among 83 paddy farmers in Kampung Sawah Sempadan. The data were collected with face-to-face interviews with the farmers based on a set of questionnaire. Results: The self-reported respiratory health symptoms of paddy farmers were as follows: breathing difficulty (16.9%), chest pain (15.7%), cough (41.0%), phlegm (39.8%), and wheezing (18.1%). Simple logistic regressions analysis indicated that exposure to azoxystrobin, buprofezin, chlorantraniliprole, fipronil, isoprothiolane, pretilachlor, propiconazole, tricyclazole and trifloxystrobin were contributing factors that affect self-reported respiratory health symptoms in this study. Spearman’s correlation coefficient test stated that the concentrations of chlorantraniliprole, fipronil and pymetrozine were affected by wind speed and temperature. Conclusion: The information obtained in this study is useful to understand the exposure of pesticides among paddy farmers and useful for risk management in the agricultural community.

A multiplex PCR protocol was established to simultaneously detect major bacterial pathogens in olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) including Edwardsiella (E.) tarda, Streptococcus (S.) parauberis, and S. iniae. The PCR assay was able to detect 0.01 ng of E. tarda, 0.1 ng of S. parauberis, and 1 ng of S. iniae genomic DNA. Furthermore, this technique was found to have high specificity when tested with related bacterial species. This method represents a cheaper, faster, and reliable alternative for identifying major bacterial pathogens in olive flounder, the most important farmed fish in Korea.
Animals ; Edwardsiella tarda/genetics/*isolation & purification ; Enterobacteriaceae Infections/diagnosis/microbiology/*veterinary ; Fish Diseases/*diagnosis/microbiology ; Fisheries/*methods ; *Flatfishes ; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction/economics/*veterinary ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Streptococcal Infections/diagnosis/microbiology/*veterinary ; Streptococcus/genetics/*isolation & purification

In the present study, we evaluated the effect of CGM on osteogenic differentiation of cultured osteoblasts, and determined whether combination treatment with LLLT had synergistic effects on osteogenic differentiation. The results indicated that CGM promoted proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization of osteoblasts at the threshold concentration of 10 µg/ml; whereas, CGM showed cytotoxic properties at concentrations above 100 µg/ml. ALP activity and mineralization were increased at concentrations above 10 µg/ml. CGM in concentrations up to 10 µg/ml also increased the expression of osteoblast-activated factors including type I collagen, BMP-2, RUNX2, and Osterix. The CGM (50 µg/ml) and LLLT (80 mW for 15 sec) combination treatment group showed the highest proliferation levels, ALP activity, and mineralization ratios. The combination treatment also increased the levels of phosphorylated forms of p38, ATF2, PKD, ERK, and JNK. In addition, the osteoblast differentiation factors including type I collagen, BMP-2, RUNX2, and Osterix protein levels were clearly increased in the combination treatment group. These results suggested that the combination treatment of CGM and LLLT has synergistic effects on the differentiation and mineralization of osteoblastic cells.
Collagen Type I ; Gingiva* ; Low-Level Light Therapy* ; Miners ; Osteoblasts*

Halothane was introduced in 1956. It has been used worldwidely as a relatively safe inhalation anesthetic but it is generally accepted that it can cause decrease of liver function. But the causative factor has not yet been pinpointed. Enflurane also seems to decrease liver function but the exact cause is not yet known. In order to study the effects of enflurane and halothane on liver function, we used 10 cases of spinal anesthesia as a control group, and 20 cases each of enflurane and halothane anesthesia respectively as experimental group. We then checked serum GOT, GPT, total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, and eosinophil count in peripheral venous blood before oeration and 6 days after operation and looked for the existence of high fever of more than 39 degrees C 3 days postoperatively. The results are as follows: 1) We found statistical significant change of serum GOT, GPT, total billirubin alkaline phosphatase and eosinophil count in spinal, enflurane, or halothane anesthesia beofre and after operation. There was no statistically significance between the control and experimental groups. 2) No patient developed high fever of more than 39 degrees C until 3 days after anesthesia in any group. 3) No significant change of mean arterial blood pressure was observed before and during anesthesia in each group. In this study no definite conclusion that enflurane and halothane might have affected the liver function.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Spinal ; Anesthetics* ; Arterial Pressure ; Bilirubin ; Enflurane* ; Eosinophils ; Fever ; Halothane* ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Liver*

Fluoride has been accepted as an important material for oral health and is widely used to prevent dental caries in dentistry. However, its safety is still questioned by some. Autophagy has been implicated in cancer cell survival and death, and may play an important role in oral cancer. This study was undertaken to examine whether sodium fluoride (NaF) modulates autophagy in SCC25 human tongue squamous cell carcinoma cells. NaF demonstrated anticancer activity via autophagic and apoptotic cell death. Autophagic vacuoles were detectable using observed to form by monodansylcadaverine (MDC) and acridine orange (AO). Analysis of NaF-treated SCC25 cells for the presence of biochemical markers revealed direct effects on the conversion of LC-3II, degradation of p62/SQSTM1, cleavage formation of ATG5 and Beclin-1, and caspase activation. NaF-induced cell death was suppressed by the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA). NaF-induced autophagy was confirmed as a pro-death signal in SCC25 cells. These results implicate NaF as a novel anticancer compound for oral cancer therapy.
Acridine Orange ; Apoptosis ; Autophagy* ; Biomarkers ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Cell Death ; Cell Survival ; Dental Caries ; Dentistry ; Fluorides ; Humans ; Mouth Neoplasms ; Oral Health ; Sodium Fluoride ; Tongue* ; Vacuoles