Objective To study the antitumor effects on human prostate cancer cell lines of a traditional Chinese medicine named atractylodes macrocephala koidz volatile oil in vitro.Methods LNCaP and DU145 cell lines were normally cultured and were divided into 4 control groups including:Blank culture without serum and without cell (group A),Blank culture with serum but without cell (group B),LNCaP cell culture with serum (group C),DU145 cell culture with serum (group D).In the meanwhile,there were 6 experimental groups:adding 50 μg/ml of atractylodes macrocephala koidz volatile oil in culture of group C1 and group D1,250ug/ml in group C2 and group D2,and 500ug/ml in group C3 and group D3.All of the 10 groups were simultaneously cultured in 24-well-plates for 48 hrs,and each group was repeatedly studied for three times.Forty-eight hours later,every 2 × 106 cells of LNCaP or DU145 was seeded into each well and atractylodes macrocephala koidz volatile oil was added in 6 experimental groups,and saline water was added into 4 control groups.Another 48 hrs later,the culture solutions of the 10 groups were separately collected for testosterone (T),estradiol (E2),progesterone (P),vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF),basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF),total prostate specific antigen (tPSA) and free prostate specific antigen (fPSA) analysis with enzyme-linked immunoassay kits.The experiment was repeated for 3 times,and the mean data were statistically analyzed by SPSS One-way ANOVA.Results The growth of cultured cells was found to have been effectively inhibited in group C1 and group D2.The inhibition severity of LNCaP cells was positively related with the drug concentration and time,while DU145 cells could only be highly inhibited (60.96％) after 24hrs drug treatments.In group C and group D,we found that both T were in very low level (0 ng/ml) whereas both E2 were in high levels (269 pg/ml and 239.81 pg/ml,P ＜ 0.05),no distinct differences showed in P; In addition,VEGF,b-FGF and fPSA were all in high values,whose values were 102.96 pg/ml and 1763.40 pg/ml,0.26 ng/ml and 6.41 ng/ml,0.16 ng/ml and 0.44 ng/ml,respectively; DU145 cells had higher values than LNCaP cells (P ＜ 0.05).As regard to the 6 experimental groups,in the groups C1,C2,C3 and D3,we found that T had been unexpectedly increased from 0 to 0.37 ng/ml (P ＜ 0.05),E2 continuously elevated from 239.81 pg/ml to 649.90 pg/ml (P ＜0.05),surprisingly P were also increased from 0.98 ng/ml to 9.83 ng/ml (P ＜0.01).On the contrary,VEGF,b-FGF and fPSA levels were all graduallydecreased,dropping down to 47.79 pg/ml and 59.56pg/ml,0 and 1.79 ng/ml,0 and 0.11 ng/ml,respectively; nevertheless,in group C2 and group D2,fPSA values were surprisingly increased from 0 and 0.04 ng/ml up to 1.78 ng/ml and 0.23 ng/ml respectively.Conclusions Atractylodes macrocephala koidz volatile oil has certain anti-tumor effects on human prostate cancer.Compared with LNCaP cells,DU145 cells have many different characteristics in sex hormone,cytokine and PSA expressions.

Objective To explore the relation of early time secretion function of Beta cell in newly diag-nosed type 2 diabetic patient and the changes of body weight following intensification therapy of insulin. Methods 237 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients were divided into 1 kg lower group, the 1-5 kg group, the 5 kg above group. The maximum body weight and waist circumference were recorded. The present body weight and waist circum-ference were measured according to OGTT study, meanwhile,30 minuets blood sugars, the insulin and the C-peptide (C-P) level and the blood pressure(BP) and the insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), the early insulin secretion index (△I30/△G30) was calculated. All cases were treated for 14 days. Results Early time secretion function of Beta cell in the group keeping above lose weight 5 kg was the worst, after treatment insulin secretion level were in-creased 1.12 times and 1.86 times in 1 kg lower group than in the 1-5 kg group and above 5 kg group. Conclusions Early time secretion function of Beta cell in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patient is correlated with the maxi-mum body weight decrease.

The differences in intracellular and extracellular protein expressions between human prostate cancer lines LNCap and DU145 were examined. The proteins of the two cell lines were extracted and condensed by using protein extraction kits. And the intracellular and extracellular proteins were quantitatively detected on a micro-plate reader by using bicinchoninic acid (BCA) method. The proteins in cell culture fluid were qualitatively assayed by SELDI-TOF-MS. The results showed that the intracellular protein contents of LNCap cells were extremely higher than those of DU145 cells. After serum-free culture, both intracellular and extracellular protein contents of LNCap and DU145 were decreased to some extent. And the intracellular proteins were decreased by 5% in LNCap and by 36% in DU145 respectively, while the extracellular proteins were decreased by 89% in LNCap and 96% in DU145 respectively. SELDI assay revealed that there were 5 marker proteins in LNCap and 6 in DU145. Although both LNCap and DU145 cell lines originated from human prostate cancer, they had some differences in protein expression.
Cell Line, Tumor ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Mass Spectrometry/*methods ; Prostatic Neoplasms/*metabolism ; Proteins/chemistry ; Proteins/metabolism ; Proteomics/*methods ; Tumor Markers, Biological

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The mucosal immune response depends on the surveillance network established by dendritic cells (DC) localized within the respiratory epithelium. Fungi have been increasingly recognized as important pathogens in respiratory diseases. We hypothesized that DCs play a central role in the immune response against airborne fungi. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Monocyte-derived DCs were developed by incubating monocytes with interleukin-4 (IL-4) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. DCs were stimulated with Alternaria alternata and Aspergillus nigra for 24 hours and then co-cultured with CD4-positive lymphocytes for 6 days. Levels of IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were measured to determine activation of the DCs, and levels of TNF-alpha, IL-5, and interferon-gamma (INF-gamma) were measured to determine Th polarization. DC migration was induced with conditioned media from nasal polyp epithelial cells stimulated with fungi. RESULTS: Alternaria and Aspergillus activated DCs with enhanced production of cytokines. When activated DCs were co-cultured with CD4-positive lymphocytes, Th2 cytokine and IL-5 production was significantly increased by Alternaria. DC migration was significantly increased by conditioned media from cells that were activated with Alternaria. CONCLUSION: Airborne fungi induced different immune responses depending on the fungi. Alternaria strongly induced DC migration and a Th2 immune response.
Alternaria ; Aspergillus ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; Culture Media, Conditioned ; Cytokines ; Dendritic Cells ; Epithelial Cells ; Fungi ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Immunity, Mucosal ; Interferon-gamma ; Interleukin-4 ; Interleukin-5 ; Interleukin-6 ; Monocytes ; Nasal Polyps ; Respiratory Mucosa ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

In the present study,healthy adults who had been residing at the average altitudes of 6,2260,and 2800 m for 10 years were recruited,and the number of red blood cells,the levels of hemoglobin,and HbA1C were tested.The results showed that the level of HbA1C in altitude 2800 m group was higher compared with the other 2 groups(5.80％ ± 0.50％ vs 5.39％ ± 0.47％,P＜0.05 ).Therefore,this difference should be considered when diagnosis and treatment for diabetes mellitus were made in the region.

Sixty-one newly-diagnosed diabetic patients from high altitude area were treated individually plus metformin 1.5 g/d for 14 days. The difference of oxygen partial pressure was 3.5 mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0. 133kPa) between altitude 2 260 m and 2 780 m districts. In these patients, their serum lactic acid was increased before treatment. At altitude 2 780 m district, serum lactic acid in middle-aged and elder groups were even higher [(3.90±0.85 vs 3.65±0.70), (4. 67±0.80 vs 3.69±0.78) mmol/L, both P＜0. 05＝. After 14-day treatment, serum lactic acid in middle-aged diabetic patients remained statistically unchanged [(4.50±0.50 and 3.79±0.62 ) mmol/L, P＞0.05], while that in elder patients was increased significantly [(5.59±0.55 and 5.27±0.43 ) mmol/L,P＜0. 05]. The results suggested that metformin should not be used or be used carefully in elder diabetic patients at high altitude area.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of educational nurse practitioners at comprehensive nursing care service units by comparing the educational satisfaction of general nurses and the occupational stress of preceptor nurses before and after education by educational nurse practitioners. Methods: Participants were 71 general nurses and 71 preceptor nurses working at comprehensive nursing care service units of G University hospital in I City. The level of educational satisfaction of general nurses and occupational stress of preceptor nurses were measured and compared. The differences in educational satisfaction and occupational stress before and after the education program were verified by paired t-test and one-way ANOVA using SPSS/WIN 27.0 statistical program. Differences before and after the education program according to the general characteristics were analyzed with repeated measure analysis of variance after Sapiro-Wilks normality test, and post-hoc analysis was conducted using Scheffé test. Results: It was inferred that there was a significant difference (t=-9.32, p <.001) in the educational satisfaction of general nurses, with an average of 3.72±0.77 before the education and 4.47±0.60 after the education. However, there was no significant difference in occupational stress in the preceptor nurses. Conclusion It could be concluded that introduction of educational nurse practitioners at comprehensive nursing care service units has a positive effect on the educational satisfaction of general nurses. This result will serve as basic data to implement educational nurse practitioners for general nurses in all medical institutions as well as comprehensive nursing care service units.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of educational nurse practitioners at comprehensive nursing care service units by comparing the educational satisfaction of general nurses and the occupational stress of preceptor nurses before and after education by educational nurse practitioners. Methods: Participants were 71 general nurses and 71 preceptor nurses working at comprehensive nursing care service units of G University hospital in I City. The level of educational satisfaction of general nurses and occupational stress of preceptor nurses were measured and compared. The differences in educational satisfaction and occupational stress before and after the education program were verified by paired t-test and one-way ANOVA using SPSS/WIN 27.0 statistical program. Differences before and after the education program according to the general characteristics were analyzed with repeated measure analysis of variance after Sapiro-Wilks normality test, and post-hoc analysis was conducted using Scheffé test. Results: It was inferred that there was a significant difference (t=-9.32, p <.001) in the educational satisfaction of general nurses, with an average of 3.72±0.77 before the education and 4.47±0.60 after the education. However, there was no significant difference in occupational stress in the preceptor nurses. Conclusion It could be concluded that introduction of educational nurse practitioners at comprehensive nursing care service units has a positive effect on the educational satisfaction of general nurses. This result will serve as basic data to implement educational nurse practitioners for general nurses in all medical institutions as well as comprehensive nursing care service units.

The criteria of suitability for a cochlear implant has been extended postlingual deaf adult including prelingual deaf children in their difficulty with speech and vocabulary development. The cognitve ability of deaf students has been investigated in a deaf school using Kedi-WISC. The results are as follows; 1) The deaf students were not inferior in intelligence when compared with normal hearers, but the intelligence between deaf students and normal hearers was different in quality. 2) In subtest they made higher scores at object assembly, block design and coding in senior group 3) It is supposed for deaf student that performance under vision and memory is relatively excellent although concrete and abstract tasks is retarded. No emotional disordered cases is found in this study.
Adult ; Child ; Clinical Coding ; Cochlear Implants ; Deafness* ; Humans ; Intelligence ; Memory ; Vocabulary

BACKGROUND: Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is characterized by the retrograde movement of gastric contents into the esophagus and laryngopharynx. Recent studies have described a relationship between GER and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The aim of this study was to determine whether the presence of GER affects the symptoms and treatment results of OSA. METHODS: One hundred twenty-seven OSA patients were enrolled in this study. All subjects underwent overnight polysomnography. Objective symptoms were evaluated using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), the Stanford Sleepiness Scale (SSS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Korean version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Instrument-BREF (WHOQOL). Diagnosis of GER was based on the Korean version of GER questionnaires. Post-operative subjective symptoms were evaluated 3 months after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. RESULTS: Body mass index, ESS, and SSS were significantly higher in the GER group, but polysomnographic parameters were not different between two groups. In the GER group, post-operative overall health quality was significantly improved, but the subjective symptoms were not different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although the prevalence of GER was higher in OSA patients, GER did not significantly influence OSA symptoms and post-operative results.
Body Mass Index ; Esophagus ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Humans ; Hypopharynx ; Polysomnography ; Prevalence ; Quality of Life ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; World Health Organization ; Surveys and Questionnaires