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Anti-proliferative Activities of Metallic Nanoparticles in an in Vitro Breast Cancer Model

  • Loutfy, Samah A;Al-Ansary, Nadia A;Abdel-Ghani, Nour T;Hamed, Ahmed R;Mohamed, Mona B;Craik, James D;Eldin, Taher A. Salah;Abdellah, Ahmed M;Hussein, Yassmein;Hasanin, MTM;Elbehairi, Serag Eldin I
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.16 no.14
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    • pp.6039-6046
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    • 2015
  • Aims: To investigate effect of metallic nanoparticles, silver (AgNPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as antitumor treatment in vitro against human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) and their associated mechanisms. This could provide new class of engineered nanoparticles with desired physicochemical properties and may present newer approaches for therapeutic modalities to breast cancer in women. Materials and Methods: A human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) was used as a model of cells. Metallic nanoparticles were characterized using UV-visible spectra and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Cytotoxic effects of metallic nanoparticles on MCF-7 cells were followed by colorimetric SRB cell viability assays, microscopy, and cellular uptake. Nature of cell death was further investigated by DNA analysis and flow cytometry. Results: Treatment of MCF-7 with different concentrations of 5-10nm diameter of AgNPs inhibited cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, with IC50 value of $6.28{\mu}M$, whereas treatment of MCF-7 with different concentrations of 13-15nm diameter of AuNPs inhibited cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, with IC50 value of $14.48{\mu}M$. Treatment of cells with a IC50 concentration of AgNPs generated progressive accumulation of cells in the S phase of the cell cycle and prevented entry into the M phase. The treatment of cells with IC50 concentrations of AuNPs similarly generated progressive accumulation of cells in sub-G1 and S phase, and inhibited the entrance of cells into the M phase of the cell cycle. DNA fragmentation, as demonstrated by electrophoresis, indicated induction of apoptosis. Conclusions: Our engineered silver nanoparticles effectively inhibit the proliferation of human breast carcinoma cell line MCF-7 in vitro at high concentration ($1000{\mu}M$) through apoptotic mechanisms, and may be a beneficial agent against human carcinoma but further detailed study is still needed.

A Study on the Food-culture's Property of the Traditional Generation through the Oral Interview (구술을 통한 전통세대의 음식문화특성 연구)

  • Kim, Mi-Hye;Chung, Hae-Kyung
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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    • v.24 no.6
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    • pp.613-630
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    • 2009
  • This thesis, which involves honest life stories of members of the ìtraditionalî Korean generation that lived through the turbulent times of the first half of the twentieth century, assesses the meaning and import of Korean cuisine during an individual Korean's lifetime, as well as the relevant properties of the culinary culture of the traditional generation and how those properties continue to influence the present generation of Koreans. Thus, traditional Korean culinary culture was subdivided into the following four aspects, each of which were exemplified by representative examples. The first of these is slow-food dietary life, which is exemplified by fermented foods. The development of side dishes (panchan) based on fermentation - kimchi, different types of soy and bean paste, salted seafoods, dishes of dried radish or cucumber slices seasoned with soy sauce, and so on - made the quantitative and qualitative supplementation of food possible for traditional Koreans. The second of these aspects, referred to as friendly dietary life, is exemplified by self-sufficiently produced foods. The system of many species and small production suitable with the season made it possible to produce food from sustainable ecological systems and to maintain locally grown food-cultures, each of which was distinguished from others by a local specialty product. The third aspect of the traditional Korean culinary culture involves the same use of medicinal roots and plant materials for foodstuff, and this is exemplified by the use of foods to cure and prevent diseases. The notion, for example, that 'boiled rice is an invigorant' is characteristic of the notion that diet can function in a preventative medical context, and other similar Korean notions illustrate the importance, also, of the curative properties of food. The fourth and final aspect of traditional Korean culinary culture identified herein is creative dietary life, which can be viewed essentially as a Korean adaptation to the turbulence of life during the early $20^{th}$ century in Korea. This trend is exemplified by many Korean foods that were created in response to foreign influences, such as onions, cabbages, curry, etc. which found their place in overall Korean culture through the age of Japanese settlement, as well as the Korean war.

Testicular Cancer and Testicular Self-Examination; Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice in Final Year Medical Students in Nigeria

  • Ugwumba, Fred O;Ekwueme, Osa Eloka C;Okoh, Agharighom D
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.17 no.11
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    • pp.4999-5003
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    • 2016
  • The testicular cancer (TCa) incidence is increasing in many countries, with age-standardized incidence rates up to 7.8/100,000 men in the Western world, although reductions in mortality and increasingly high cure rates are being witnessed at the same time. In Africa, where rates are lower, presentation is often late and morbidity and mortality high. Given this scenario, awareness of testicular cancer and practice of testicular self-examination among future first response doctors is very important. This study was conducted to determine knowledge and attitude to testicular cancer, and practice of testicular self-examination (TSE) among final (6th) year medical students. In addition, the effect of an intervention in the form of a single PowerPoint(R) lecture, lasting 40 minutes with image content on testicular cancer and testicular self examination was assessed. Pre and post intervention administration of a self-administered structured pre tested questionnaire was performed on 151 medical students, 101 of whom returned answers (response rate of 66.8%). In the TC domain, there was a high level of awareness of testicular cancer, but poor knowledge of the age group most affected, with significant improvement post intervention (p<0.001). Notable also was the poor awareness of the potential curability of TC, this also being improved following the intervention (p<0.001). A poor level of awareness and practice of testicular self-examination pre-intervention was found considering the nature of the study group..Respondents had surprisingly weak/poor responses to the question "How important to men's health is regular testicular self-examination?" Answers to the questions "Do you think it is worthwhile to examine your testis regularly?" and "Would you be interested in more information on testicular cancer and testicular self-examination?" were also suboptimal, but improved post intervention p<0.001, p<0.001 and p=0.037. Age, gender and marital status were without specific influence. In conclusion, this study showed poor levels of knowledge regarding epidemiology of TCa and its potential curability when detected early. There was also a poor awareness of, practice of, and poor attitudes to TSE. The significant improvement in these parameters post intervention indicates value in educational intervention. We recommend inclusion of TCa coverage and TSE teaching in the secondary school curriculum (targeting adolescents). Greater emphasis should also be given to testicular cancer in the curricula of medical schools and other training institutions for health care personnel.

A Study of 'uplift yang-qi to raise sinking' efficacy in Radix Bupleuri (시호(柴胡)의 승약작용에 관한 연구)

  • Park, Pil-Sang;Kang, Ok-Hwa;Lee, Go-Hoon;Lee, Kye-Suk;Ko, Ho-Yeon;Kwon, Dong-Yeul
    • The Korea Journal of Herbology
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    • v.21 no.4
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    • pp.213-218
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    • 2006
  • Objectives : Radix Bupleuri is from the dried root of the herb of the Perennial herbaceous plant, Bulpleurum falcatum L. or Bulpleurum chinense DC. or Bulpleurum. scorzonerifolium Willd., family Umbelliferae. Medicinal Properties are bitter and pungent in flavor, slightly cold in nature and attributed to the liver and gallbladder meridians. Actions in modern Materia Medica are regulate the functional relation of internal organs to relieve fever, disperse the stagnated liver-qi and uplift yang-qi to raise sinking. The ‘uplift yang-qi to raise sinking’ efficacy, out of three efficacies (regulate the functional relation of internal organs to relieve fever, disperse the stagnated liver-qi and uplift yang-qi to raise sinking), has been disputed in the medical profession for a long period. Hereupon, this study ascertained the reason why it has been disputed. Methods : With respect to this medicinal herb, the efficacies of regulate the functional relation of internal organs to relieve fever, disperse the stagnated liver-qi and uplift yang-qi to raise sinking were described as to what was written in ‘Shen Nong's Herbal’ from Chin and Han dynasties until Jin and Yuan dynasties. Results : The beginning of Jin and Yuan dynasties, it began to deal with the ‘uplift yang-qi to raise sinking’ efficacy and so it has been carried on modern textbooks and medical books. The reason why it was added is that it was influenced by the theory of ‘Raise Sinking’ advocated by Zhang jieku who lived in the period of Jin and Yuan dynasties. Since then, the properties of ‘Radix Bupleuri’ have been wrongly known to the public. Additionally, ‘Radix Stellariae Seu Gypsophilae’, which was begun to be introduced from the Four Cities since the Five Dynasties, has been combined with the best stuffs of ‘Radix Bupleuri’ produced from Yin Zhou. Consequently, its original properties were remarkably disordered. Likewise, respective medical schools’ theories were changed by the influence of ‘Bulpleurum. scorzonerifolium Willd’ begun to be used since Tang dynasty. Conclusion : it is considered that the current ‘Raise Sinking’ efficacy of Radix Bupleuri is unreasonable to be applied to the efficacy of the whole Radix Bupleuri because it is limited to certain species.

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Differential Diagnosis between Small Cell Carcinoma and Adenocarcinoma of Lung in Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (세침흡인 세포검사에서 폐의 소세포암종과 샘암종의 감별진단)

  • Choi, Young-Hee;Koh, Jae-Soo;Park, Sun-Hoo;Kim, Min-Suk;Cho, Soo-Youn;Kim, Jung-Soon;Ha, Hwa-Jung;Lee, Seung-Sook
    • The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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    • v.17 no.2
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    • pp.120-125
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    • 2006
  • Distinguishing small cell carcinoma from other lung malignancies is of great clinico-therapeutic significance. Small cell carcinoma is an aggressive tumor with a tendency to metastasize early. Survival time if untreated is low but this tumor is highly responsive to chemotherapy. We have occasionally experienced difficulties in differentiation between adenocarcinoma and small cell carcinoma of the lung in fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of distinguishing small cell carcinoma from adenocarcinoma of the lung in FNAC. We evaluated cytomorphological features of FNAC specimens from 62 small cell carcinomas and 57 adenocarcinomas from the lung that were confirmed by biopsy and/or immunohistochemistry on cell block. Cytomorphological details of the two tumors were compared. Nuclear smearing and nearly absent cytoplasm were the most distinct findings in small cell carcinoma compared to adenocarcinoma (p<0.05). Necrotic background, architecture and chromatin pattern, nuclear molding and nucleoli were significantly different (p<0.05). Nuclear size, nuclear membrane nature and nuclear size variation however were not helpful in distinguishing the two tumors. Combining several features described above, small cell carcinoma can be properly differentiated from adenocarcinoma on FNAC. FNAC is proposed as a diagnostic tool of small cell carcinoma of the lung in the case of inaccessibility to biopsy, and so may allow the proper therapeutic strategies to be determined in such cases

Humoral immune responses to periodontal pathogens in the elderly

  • Shet, Uttom;Oh, Hee-Kyun;Chung, Hyun-Ju;Kim, Young-Joon;Kim, Ok-Su;Lim, Hoi-Jeong;Shin, Min-Ho;Lee, Seok-Woo
    • Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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    • v.45 no.5
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    • pp.178-183
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    • 2015
  • Purpose: Elderly people are thought to be more susceptible to periodontal disease due to reduced immune function associated with aging. However, little information is available on the nature of immune responses against putative periodontal pathogens in geriatric patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the serum IgG antibody responses to six periodontal pathogens in geriatric subjects. Methods: The study population consisted of 85 geriatric patients and was divided into three groups: 29 mild (MCP), 27 moderate (MoCP), and 29 severe (SCP) chronic periodontitis patients. Serum levels of IgG antibody to Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Prevotella intermedia were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and compared among the groups. Results: All three groups showed levels of serum IgG in response to P. gingivalis, A. actinomycetemcomitans, and P. intermedia that were three to four times higher than levels of IgG to T. forsythia, T. denticola, and F. nucleatum. There were no significant differences among all three groups in IgG response to P. gingivalis (P=0.065), T. forsythia (P=0.057), T. denticola (P=0.1), and P. intermedia (P=0.167), although the IgG levels tended to be higher in patients with SCP than in those with MCP or MoCP (with the exception of those for P. intermedia). In contrast, there were significant differences among the groups in IgG levels in response to F. nucleatum (P=0.001) and A. actinomycetemcomitans (P=0.003). IgG levels to A. actinomycetemcomitans were higher in patients with MCP than in those with MoCP or SCP. Conclusions: When IgG levels were compared among three periodontal disease groups, only IgG levels to F. nucleatum significantly increased with the severity of disease. On the contrary, IgG levels to A. actinomycetemcomitans decreased significantly in patients with SCP compared to those with MCP. There were no significant differences in the IgG levels for P. gingivalis, T. forsythia, T. denticola, and P. intermedia among geriatric patients with chronic periodontitis.

Genetic Diversity and Natural Selection in 42 kDa Region of Plasmodium vivax Merozoite Surface Protein-1 from China-Myanmar Endemic Border

  • Zhou, Xia;Tambo, Ernest;Su, Jing;Fang, Qiang;Ruan, Wei;Chen, Jun-Hu;Yin, Ming-Bo;Zhou, Xiao-Nong
    • Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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    • v.55 no.5
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    • pp.473-480
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    • 2017
  • Plasmodium vivax merozoite surface protein-1 (PvMSP1) gene codes for a major malaria vaccine candidate antigen. However, its polymorphic nature represents an obstacle to the design of a protective vaccine. In this study, we analyzed the genetic polymorphism and natural selection of the C-terminal 42 kDa fragment within PvMSP1 gene ($PvMSP1_{42}$) from 77 P. vivax isolates, collected from imported cases of China-Myanmar border (CMB) areas in Yunnan province and the inland cases from Anhui, Yunnan, and Zhejiang province in China during 2009-2012. Totally, 41 haplotypes were identified and 30 of them were new haplotypes. The differences between the rates of non-synonymous and synonymous mutations suggest that $PvMSP1_{42}$ has evolved under natural selection, and a high selective pressure preferentially acted on regions identified of $PvMSP1_{33}$. Our results also demonstrated that $PvMSP1_{42}$ of P. vivax isolates collected on China-Myanmar border areas display higher genetic polymorphisms than those collected from inland of China. Such results have significant implications for understanding the dynamic of the P. vivax population and may be useful information towards China malaria elimination campaign strategies.

A Study on the Status of Health and Medication in the Elderly (노인의 건강상태와 복약실태)

  • Cho Won Sun
    • Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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    • v.14 no.2
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    • pp.431-445
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    • 2000
  • In general the prevalence of old people is high and frequently have multiple diseases and symtoms requiring treatment. The nature of illness in the elderly has to be faced, and drugs do have an important part in the treatment of that illness. The purpose of this study were to describe health status and medication, and to provide some basic data for elderly's health education, especially for the right medication. Body mass index, self perceived health status, activities of daily living, disease and experience of past operation were surveyed to recognize the 249 elderly's actual health status. The degree of the elderly's understanding the way of medication, experience of side effects, experience of drug combination and incidence of drug adverse reaction along with drug combination were examined for medication. The aged $women(BMI; 10.7\pm13.3\%)$ overweighed the aged $men(BMI; 4.0\pm10.4\%)$. $69.0\%$ of them recognized their health good. Their activities of daily living were diminished following by the age group(p=0.0068) and relationship with self perceived health status were very significant(p=0.0005). They(192 elderly) suffered from multiple disease such as $osteoarthritis(49.5\%)$, $hypertension(32.0\%)$, gastric $disorder(16.1%)$, $diabetes(14.6\%)$, $osteomalacia(10.9\%)$, cardiovascular $disease(9.9\%)$, senile $cataract(5.7\%)$, skin $rash(5.2\%)$, liver $disease(4.2\%)$, kidney $disease(3.6\%)$, spinal cord $problem(3.6\%)$, respiratory $disease(2.1\%)$ $tuberculosis(1.0\%)\;etc(1.0\%).$ $28.3\%$ of them replied that they had an operation for appendictis senile cataract, peptic ulcer, spinal cord problem, pleurisy, hemorrhoid and the rest. Most of $them(87.4\%)$ knew the way very well how to use drugs, and $21.6\%$ of the replied 171 elderly experienced adverse drug reaction. Drug compliance rate were $high(83.6\%)$. In our study 56.9% of the 167 elderly took several medicine together. And $18.9\%$ of the 95 elderly who did drug combination had an experience of drug interaction. One person kept average 5.5 kinds of drugs at home among 243 elderly. They kept $digestives(79.4\%)$, $ointments(68.7\%)$, $vitamins(59.7\%)$, $analgesics(59.7\%)$, cold $medicines(45.3\%)$ antiarthritic $drugs(33.3\%)$, health $foods(27.7\%)$, antihypertensive $drugs(25.1\%)$, anti peptic ulcer $drugs(24.7\%)$, $laxatives(19.8\%)$, $antacids(16.5\%),\;antibiotics(l6.5\%)$, hypoglycemic $agents(10.3\%)$, cardiac $stimulants(7.0\%)$, $diuretics(4.5\%)$, antiarrhythmic $drugs(4.9\%)$, anti anginal $drugs(4.1\%)$, $hypnotics(3.3\%)$, $etc(38.3\%)$. With this result, we ascertain that polypharmacy in the elderly caused by multiple disease is common, which lead to drug interaction. So our task is to educate elderly how to use drugs in order to maximize their efficiency and to minimize their adverse effects.

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Is Target Oriented Surgery Sufficient with Borderline Ovarian Tumors? - Role of Accompanying Pathologies

  • Gungor, Tayfun;Cetinkaya, Nilufer;Yalcin, Hakan;Ozdal, Bulent;Ozgu, Emre;Baser, Eralp;Yilmaz, Nafiye;Caglar, Mete;Zergeroglu, Sema;Erkaya, Salim
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.15 no.16
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    • pp.6749-6754
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    • 2014
  • Background: There are limited data in the literature related to concomitant genital or extra-genital organ pathologies in patients with borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs). The aim of this study was to evaluate our experience with 183 patients to draw attention to the accompanying organ pathologies with BOTs. Materials and Methods: One hundred eighty-three patients with BOTs, diagnosed and/or treated in our center between January of 2000 and March of 2013 were evaluated retrospectively. Data related to age, tumor histology, lesion side, disease stage, accompanying incidental ipsilateral and/or contralateral ovarian pathologies, treatment approaches, and follow-up periods were investigated. Incidental gynecologic and non-gynecologic concomitant organ pathologies were also recorded. Results: The mean age at diagnosis was 40.6 years (range: 17-78). Ninety-five patients (51%) were ${\leq}40$ years. A hundred and forty-seven patients (80%) were at stage IA of the disease. The most common type of BOT was serous in histology. Non-invasive tumor implants were diagnosed in 4% and uterine involvement was found 2% among patients who underwent hysterectomies. There were 12 patients with positive peritoneal washings. Only 17 and 84 patients respectively had concomitant ipsilateral and concomitant contralateral incidental ovarian pathologies. The most common type of uterine, appendicular and omental pathologies were chronic cervicitis, lymphoid hyperplasia and chronic inflammatory reaction. Conclusions: According to our findings most of accompanying pathologies for BOT are benign in nature. Nevertheless, there were additional malignant diseases necessitating further therapy. We emphasize the importance of the evaluation of all abdominal organs during surgery.

PHYSIOLOGIC DRIFT OF THE MANDIBULAR DENTITION FOLLOWING THE EXTRACTION OF FOUR FIRST PREMOLARS (상, 하악 제1소구치 발치 후 하악치열의 생리적 치아이동에 관한 연구)

  • Chun, Youn-Sic
    • The korean journal of orthodontics
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    • v.26 no.1 s.54
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    • pp.33-41
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    • 1996
  • Retrostpective study of two groups of patients was conducted to evaluate the physiologic drift of the mandibular teeth following the extraction of four first premolars. The concept of physiologic drift, commonly referred to as 'driftodontics', following first premolar extractions has been gaining acceptance in the orthodontic community, the exact nature and amount of drift has not been adequately documented. There were also no guide lines as to when drift should be allowed to now. The purpose of this study was to quantify physiologic drift of the untreated mandibular dentition following extraction of the four first premolars during the early permanent and late permanent dentition stages. The early permanent dentition extraction sample(Group 1) included 26 Patients and the mean age at pretreatment was approximately 13.5 years. The observation period following extraction was approximately 6.96 months. The late permanent dentition extraction sample(Group 2) included 31 patients. The mean age at pretreatment was 21.3 years, followed by a observation period of 7.26 months. During the observation period, except for the extractions, no other mandibular therapy was rendered. Pre-and post-treatment lateral cephalograms and dental casts were analyzed. The obtained results were as follows 1. Group 2 showed marked changes in movements of the mandibular incisors and canines but minimal changes in molars. 2. The amount of changes in movements of the mandibular incisors and canines were significantly greater in Group 1 than in Group 2. The results showed no differences in rates of molar movements between groups. 3. Physiologic drift of the dentition produced desirable changes such as decreased Incisor Irregularity.

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