Promising Anticancer Effect of Aurisin A Against the Human Lung Cancer A549 Cell Line

Objective: To investigate the anticancer effect of aurisin A and the underlying mechanisms of its action on the human lung cancer A549 cell line. Methods: Cell viability was determined by sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay, while cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry. The molecular underlying mechanisms of anti-cancer properties of aurisin A was determined by western blot analysis. Results: Aurisin A exerts its anticancer effects by inhibiting cell growth (p<0.001), increasing the proportion of cells at the G0/G1 phase (p<0.001), and decreasing the expression of cyclin D (p<0.05) and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (Cdk-4) (p<0.001). Nuclear morphological changes were observed in aurisin A-treated cells, demonstrated by a dose-dependent increase in the number of apoptosis cells (p<0.001). After aurisin A treatment, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) was down-regulated (p<0.05), cleaved caspase-3 was up-regulated (p<0.05). In addition, aurisin A inhibits migration of cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.001) and decreases the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) (p<0.05) and phosphorylated p38 (pp38) (p<0.05). Conclusion: These results indicated that in-vitro treatment of aurisin A against this human lung cancer cell line inhibits cell proliferation and migration, and induces apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest.  Aurisin A is a promising anticancer agent for use against human lung cancer.     

Scoliosis in Elderly and Age-Related Bone Loss: A Population-Based Study

Osteoporosis, a common metabolic condition resulting in reduced bone mass, causes significant morbidity in affected individuals by predisposing them to osteoporotic fractures. To determine the relationship of scoliosis and osteoporosis, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans of 493 men and 762 women were analyzed according to their scoliotic status. No association was observed in the few scoliotic men without osteoarthritis of the spine compared to nonscoliotic men. Without osteoarthritis, scoliotic women had significantly decreased bone mass of the total hip and the femoral neck (p < 0.05) compared to nonscoliotic women, whereas in spine, bone mass was also decreased compared to nonscoliotic women, but not statistically significant. This suggests that scoliosis associates with bone loss, and affected women may benefit from early institution of therapeutic measures.     

Differences in levels of platelet-derived microparticles in platelet components prepared using the platelet rich plasma,buffy coat,and apheresis procedures

Background

There has been an increased interest in platelet-derived microparticles (PMPs) in transfusion medicine. Little is known about PMP status during the preparation of platelet concentrates for transfusion.

Induction of TNF-α in human macrophages by avian and human influenza viruses

The highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 is known to induce high level of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) from primary macrophages. However, it is still unclear whether current H5N1 strains also induce high TNF-α production, as most of the data were derived from extinct clade 0 H5N1 strain. Here, we show that current clade 1 and 2 H5N1 strains induce variable levels of TNF-α that are not necessarily higher than those induced by seasonal influenza viruses. The result suggests that hyper-induction of TNF-α in human macrophages is not always associated with a highly pathogenic phenotype. We further tested the contribution of the NS gene segment from H5N1 isolates to TNF-α induction by using reverse genetics. While NS conferred some variation in TNF-α induction when incorporated into an H1N1 virus genetic background, it did not affect TNF-α induction in an H5N1 virus genetic background, suggesting that other viral genes are involved.     

Inhibitory Effect of Aspirin on Cholangiocarcinoma Cells

Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reduce the risk of cancer due to their anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects, which are the important mechanisms for their anti-tumor activity. Here, the effect of aspirin on human cholangiocarcinoma cells (KKU-214) and the underlying mechanisms of its action were explored. Cell proliferation was measured by sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay, while cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were determined by flow cytometry. Western blotting was used to explore protein expression underlying molecular mechanisms of anti-cancer treatment of aspirin. Aspirin reduced cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and altered the cell cycle phase distribution of KKU-214 cells by increasing the proportion of cells in the G0/G1 phase and reducing the proportion in the S and G2/M phases. Consistent with its effect on the cell cycle, aspirin also reduced the expression of cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (Cdk-4), which are important for G0/G1 cell cycle progression. Treatment with aspirin led to increased induction of apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Further analysis of the mechanism underlying the effect of this drug showed that aspirin induced the expression of the tumor-suppressor protein p53 while inhibiting the anti-apoptotic protein B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2). Correspondingly, the activation of caspase-9 and -3 was also increased. These findings suggest that aspirin causes cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, both of which could contribute to its anti-proliferative effect.     

BLOOD DONORS AND BLOOD COLLECTION: Web interface–supported transmission risk assessment and cost‐effectiveness analysis of postdonation screening: a global model applied to Ghana,Thailand, and the Netherlands

BACKGROUND: The goal of our research was to actively involve decision makers in the economic assessment of screening strategies in their region. This study attempted to accomplish this by providing an easy‐to‐use Web interface at http://www.bloodsafety.info that allows decision makers to adapt this model to local conditions. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The cost‐effectiveness was compared of 1) adding antigen screening to antibody screening for hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); 2) adding nucleic acid amplification testing (NAT) on hepatitis B virus (HBV), HCV, and HIV in minipool (pool of 6 [MP6] and 24 [MP24]) to antibody screening and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) screening; and 3) individual‐donation NAT on HBV, HCV, and HIV to antibody screening and HBsAg screening for Ghana, Thailand, and the Netherlands. RESULTS: The combination of HCV antibody‐antigen combination (combo) and HIV combo added to antibody screening in Ghana and Thailand was cost‐effective according to the WHO criteria. MP24‐NAT screening in Ghana was also cost‐effective. MP24‐NAT on HBV, HCV, and HIV was not cost‐effective compared to the other screening strategies evaluated for the Netherlands. Large regional differences in cost‐effectiveness were found for Thailand. CONCLUSION: The young transfusion recipient population of Ghana in combination with a high risk of viral transmission yields better cost‐effectiveness for additional tests. The advanced age of the transfused population of the Netherlands and a small risk of viral transmission gives poor cost‐effectiveness for more sensitive screening techniques. It was demonstrated that a global health economic model combined with a Web interface can provide easy access to risk assessment and cost‐effectiveness analysis.     

The way forward: experiences of health promotion development in Thailand

A landmark in health promotion in Thailand came in 2001 with the launching of the Universal Health Coverage Scheme at the cost of approximately USD 2 billion a year. Another important event was the establishment of the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) as a health promotion funding mechanism that draws upon a 2 percent surcharge levied on alcohol and tobacco excise tax, approximately USD 50-60 million a year. The most significant institutional development is the promulgation of the National Health Act in 2007. The Act embraces the principle of human rights and key principles of the Ottawa Charter in 2005. It is a result of five years of extensive public dialogues on important health issues that enhanced public awareness and nation wide networking on health promotion. ThaiHealth regards itself as a catalyst for health promotion. The organisation collaborates with all sectors of the society, from the national to the grassroots level, and is the most notable organisation for health promotion in Thailand. ThaiHealth funds programs on health risks/issues such as alcohol, tobacco, accidents, exercise, as well as area or setting based programs, for example, school, work place, community, and programs that target specific population groups such as the youth, the elderly, Muslim community. The open grants program invites proposals from all kinds of organizations/groups interested in launching health promotion initiatives. The endeavour has started to bear fruit. Smoking and alcohol consumption rates have dropped and more people have become health conscious and do more exercise. However, much remains to be done as some population groups especially the youth have become susceptible to various kinds of health risks. This remarkable start must be sustained and reinforced by the continuation and expansion of knowledge generation and dissemination, relentless policy advocacy and creative public campaign, with a strong health promotion network as the most critical success factor.