PURPOSE: Cyclooxygenases (COXs) are key enzymes in the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins and other ecosanoids. There are two isoforms of COX, a constitutive one is COX-1 and inducible counterpart is COX-2. COX-2 promotes colorectal tumorigenesis, metastatic potential and angiogenesis. COX-2 inhibitors induce apoptotic cell death and prostaglandin E2 induces its expression. For examination of the action mechanism of COX-2, we investigated expression of bcl-2 related genes through the treatment of COX-2 selective inhibitor, NS-398 on two prostatic cancer cell lines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two prostatic cancer cell lines, PC-3 and LNCaP, were used. MTT assay was done to estimate the viability of prostatic cancer cells after NS-398 treatment. COX-2, bcl-2, bcl-XL, mcl-1, bfl-1, bax, bak, bik and bcl-Xs mRNA expression levels were evaluated by RT-PCR and cDNA Southern blot. RESULTS: The viability of PC-3 and LNCaP cells were decreased by NS-398 treatment. COX-2 mRNA expression was confirmed in PC-3 and LNCaP cells but faintly expressed in LNCaP cells. Bcl-2, bcl-XL, mcl-1, bfl-1, bax, bak, bik and bcl-Xs mRNA were expressed in both cell lines. After NS-398 treatment, bax-alpha mRNA expression were increased and bfl-1 was decreased in PC-3 cells. CONCLUSIONS: COX-2 inhibitor, NS-398 decreases the viability of PC-3 and LNCaP cells. Its mechanism is probably partially related with bfl-1 and bax-alpha mRNA expression levels. Because NS-398 induced apoptotic cell death can be develped by COX-2 protein independent pathway, additional experiment is needed by COX-2 transfection method.
Apoptosis ; Arachidonic Acid ; Blotting, Southern ; Carcinogenesis ; Cell Death ; Cell Line* ; Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors ; Cyclooxygenase 2* ; Dinoprostone ; DNA, Complementary ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases ; Prostaglandins ; Prostatic Neoplasms* ; Protein Isoforms ; RNA, Messenger ; Transfection

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The clinical utility of otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) has been well established in childhood hearing screenings. As middle ear negative pressure prevails in normal children, and since all OAEs must be transmitted through the middle ear before they can be measured in the ear canal, OAEs can be affected by middle ear negative pressure. The purpose of this study is to elucidate the effect of middle ear negative pressure on the detectability of OAEs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: TEOAEs were recorded for 36 ears using click before & after tonsillectomy and, or adenoidectomy (T and, or A) operations. Before & after T and or A operations, DPOAEs were generated at six geometric mean frequencies between 1-6 kHz for two different groups, Group I (40 ears) and Group II (36 ears). Group I: 3(f2/f1) ratios (1.21, 1.22 and 1.23) were used at the fixed stimulus level (70-70 dB SPL). Group II:3 stimulus levels were used (70-70 dB SPL, 60-70 dB SPL and 30-40 dB SPL). RESULTS: The negative middle ear pressure attenuated low frequency emission more than high frequency emission. CONCLUSION: Negative middle ear pressure may increase false alarm. So pneumatic otoscopy and aural immittance testing should be utilized to predict the feasibility of applying OAEs in childhood hearing screening test.
Adenoidectomy ; Child ; Ear ; Ear Canal ; Ear, Middle* ; Hearing ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Otoscopy ; Tonsillectomy

Various venous approaches are available for chemoport insertion. The subclavian vein and jugular vein are commonly used. The cephalic vein has several advantages for chemoport insertion. The authors introduce chemoport insertion using cephalic vein. Operation methods were as follows: patient was placed in supine position. Under local anesthesia, the incision was made in the infraclavicular portion, dissection was performed along the deltopectoral groove and the cephalic vein was identified and isolated. Dissection was performed between the subcutaneous fat layer and the muscle layer to make space for chemoport placement. The cephalic vein was incised and the catheter was introduced to the cephalic vein directly and examined by fluoroscopy. Chemoport insertion using cephalic vein is a useful method of chemoport insertion.
Anesthesia, Local ; Catheters ; Fluoroscopy ; Humans ; Jugular Veins ; Muscles ; Subclavian Vein ; Subcutaneous Fat ; Supine Position ; Veins