• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.108-121
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• 2005

Backgrounds: Amygdalin (D-mandelonitrile B-gentiobioside), a cynogenic compound, is found in sweet and bitter almond, Persicae semen, and Armeniacae semen. Aqueous extract of amygdalin was made from Armeniacae semen and used in this study. Objectives: Apoptosis is a very important mechanism in cancer treatment. In the present study, it was investigated whether amygdalin induces apoptotic cell death in human COLO 201 colon cancer cells. Materials and Methods: For this study, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, 4,6diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, flow cytometric analysis, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(PR-PCR), western blot analysis, and caspase-3 enzyme assay were performed on COLO 201 cells. Cells treated with amygdalin exhibited several characteristics of apoptosis. Results: Amygdalin treatment enhanced Bax expression and suppressed Bcl-2 expression in COLO 201 cells. Amygdalin also was shown to increase the caspase-3 activity. Conclusions: Amygdalin induces apoptotic cell death via Bax-dependent caspase-3 activation in COLO 201 cells.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.130-142
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• 2005

Objectives: Amygdalin is known to be a natural compound which has antitussive and anticancer activities. Amygdalin is abundant in the seeds of bitter almond and apricots of the Prunus genus, and other rosaceous plants. We investigated whether amygdalin induces apoptosis. Materials and Methods : 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT)assay, terminal deoxynuclotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay, 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAFI) staining, flow cytometric analysis, DNA fragmentation assay, western blot, and caspase-3 enzyme assay were performed on ME-180 cervical cancer cells treated with amygdalin. Results: Through morphological and biochemical analyses, it was demonstrated that ME-180 cells treated with amygdalin exhibit several apoptotic features. It was shown that amygdalin induces increases in levels of Bax and caspase-3 and a decrease in Bcl-2 expression. Conclusions: These results suggest the possibility that amygdalin exerts an anti-tumor effect on human cervical cancer.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.591-597
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• 2003

Human urokinase kringle domain, sharing homology with angiostatin kringles, has been shown to be an inhibitor of angiogenesis, which can be used for the treatment of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and retinopathy. Here, the expression of the kringle domain of urokinase (UK1) as a secreted protein in high levels is reported. UK1 was expressed in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris GS115 by fusion of the cDNA spanning from Ser47 to Lys135 to the secretion signal sequence of ${\alpha}-factor$ prepro-peptide. In a flask culture, the secreted UK1 reached about 1 g/l level after 120h of methanol induction and was purified to homogeneity by ion-exchange chromatography. Amino-terminal sequencing of the purified UK1 revealed that it was cleaved at the Ste13 signal cleavage site. The molecular mass of UK1 was determined to be 10,297.01 Da. It was also confirmed that the purified UK1 inhibited endothelial cell proliferation stimulated by basic fibroblast growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, or epidermal growth factor, in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that a P. pastoris sytem can be employed to obtain large amounts of soluble and active UK1.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.56-62
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• 1999

Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) has been considered to be as one of major antioxidants present in grapes responsible for beneficial effects of red wine consumption on coronary heart disease. This triphenolic stilbene has been suggested as a potential cancer chemopreventive agent based on its striking inhiitory effects on diverse cellular events associated with tumor initiation, promotion, and progression. The compound has strong antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities which amy contribute to its chemopreventive/chemoprotective properties. In the present work, we have found that resveratrol reduces viability and DNA synthesis capability of cultured human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cells. Likewise, the viability of human breast cancer cell line, MCF-7 was reduced by resveratrol treatment. The growth inhibitory and antiproliferative properties of resveratrol appear to be associated with its induction of apoptotic cell death as determined by morphological and ultrastructural changes, agarose gel electrphoretic analysis of internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, and in situ terminal end-labeling of fragmented DNA (TUNEL). This compound also inhibited the phorbol ester-induced expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein in immortalized human mammary epithelial MCF-10A cells. These results suggest that resveratrol has the promising cancer therapeutic/chemopreventive potential.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.5477-5482
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• 2013

Background: Communication plays an important role for the well being of patients, families and also health care professionals in cancer care. Conversely, ineffective communication may cause depression, increased anxiety, hopelessness and decreased of quality life for patients, families and also nurses. Objective: This study aimed to explore communication difficulties of pediatric hematology/oncology nurses with patients and their families, as well as their suggestions about communication difficulties. Materials and Methods: It was conducted in a pediatric hematology/oncology hospital in Ankara, Turkey. Qualitative data were collected by focus groups, with 21 pediatric hematology/oncology nursing staff from three groups. Content analysis was used for data analysis. Results: Findings were grouped in three main categories. The first category concerned communication difficulties, assessing problems in responding to questions, ineffective communication and conflicts with the patient's families. The second was about the effects of communication difficulties on nurses and the last main category involved suggestions for empowering nurses with communication difficulties, the theme being related to institutional issues. Conclusions: Nurses experience communication difficulties with children and their families during long hospital stays. Communication difficulties particularly increase during crisis periods, like at the time of first diagnosis, relapse, the terminal stage or on days with special meaning such as holidays. The results obtained indicate that pediatric nurses and the child/family need to be supported, especially during crisis periods. Feeling of empowerment in communication will improve the quality of care by reducing the feelings of exhaustion and incompetence in nurses.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.897-902
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• 2005

Internal deficiency of vital Qi is origination of cancer and root cause of its development from the viewpoint of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). For about 40 years, China has developed a combined system of TCM and Western medical system in treatment of cancers, laying stress on the therapeutic principle of strengthening the body resistance and restoring normal functioning of the body to consolidate the constitution (Fu Zheng Pei Ben). According to the results of the latest clinical and experimental studies, Chinese medicine not only increases curative effectiveness, but also reduces the side effect caused by the toxic, radio and chemical treatment of cancer cases in the western medical system as well as various complications. Long-term taking Chinese herbal medicine prevents recurrence and metastasis of tumor, and heightens long-term curative effectiveness after western medical treatments. It also helps to relieve symptoms, improve the quality of life, and prolong life of terminal cancer patients who have already lost opportunities of western medical treatments. In addition, it can prevent and cure premonitory symptoms of cancer.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.840-846
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• 2007

Human prostate-specific antigen(PSA), a 33 kDa serine protease with comprehensive homology to glandular kallikrein, is secreted from prostatic tissue into the seminal fluid and enters into the circulation. The level of PSA increases in the serum of patients with prostatic cancer and hence is widely employed as a marker of the disease status. In particular, an enzymatically active PSA that is a form cleaved at the N-terminal seven-amino-acids prosequence, APLILSR, of proPSA may play an important roll in the progression of prostate cancer. Thus, the presence of the active form would selectively discriminate the cancer from benign prostatic hyperplasia. In this study, we developed a convenient purification method for the acquisition of active PSA and proPSA. Recombinant proPSA and active PSA were expressed directly in Escherichia coli, easily and efficiently isolated from inclusion bodies, refolded, and purified. Moreover, the enzymatic activity of the recombinant active PSA was confirmed as serine protease using chromogenic chymotrypsin substrate. This purified active PSA could be further applied to scrutinize the biological or conformational characteristics of the protein and to develop specific diagnostic and/or therapeutic agents against prostate cancer.

• Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.243-251
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• 2023

Purpose: The aim of this descriptive study was to identify factors influencing quality of life among family caregivers of non-cancer patients at the end-of-life stage. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a questionnaire. Participants included 172 family caregivers caring for non-cancer patients. Data were collected from April to May 2016 and analyzed with descriptive statistics, an independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and a hierarchical regression analysis using the SPSS/WIN 24.0 program. Results: The mean of the participants' quality of life was 51.70±9.98. Factors influencing quality of life among family caregivers were spiritual care (𝛽=-.45, p=.021), coordination among family members or relatives (𝛽=-.27, p=.029), and psychological support (𝛽=-.04, p=.031). The explanatory power of the model was 21.0%. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that care needs; spiritual care, coordination among family members or relatives, and psychological support are important factors for family caregivers' quality of life. To improve quality of life among family caregivers who are taking care of non-cancer patients at the end-of-life stage, national systems establishing comprehensive support considering the respective care needs of patients are crucial.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.787-795
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• 1997

This descriptive study was conducted to ascertain whether the needs of patients with cancer, their caregivers and their nurses changed according to the illness phases and if the perceived needs of the three groups were different for three categories of nursing needs. At two hospitals in Seoul and Choongnam, three groups of subjects, -patients with cancer(79), caregivers(92), and nurses(72) - responded to a questionnaire consisting of items on educational need(11 items), physical need(8 items), emotional need(9 items) using a 4-point Likert scale. The patients and caregivers were selected according to the phase of the cancer (initial, intermediate or recurred, terminal phases). Finding revealed that the level of perception and degree of satisfaction of the needs were low, just around two points in patients and caregivers. Of the three categories of needs, physical needs were received the highest score and the degree of satisfaction of physical needs was also the highest. There was no significant difference between the level of perception and satisfaction of needs in patients and caregivers according to the phases of the illness and the degree of per reception and the satisfaction of the patients were not significantly different and caregivers showed the same result. There was a significant difference in the level of importance of the needs of nurses according to the phases of the cancer. They perceived emotional needs were the most important in first phase and second phase, physical needs in third phase and the educational needs were more important in the first phase than in any other phase. The degree of importance of needs was significantly lower than the degree to which needs were addressed, according to the nurses response. In a comparison of patient and caregiver's perceived degrees of need, and need satisfaction, and nurse's perceived degree of need provision, patient and caregiver scores were lower than the nurses.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7497-7500
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• 2015

Background: Tumor markers, designated as a broad group of substances produced by malignancies, could be in the form of biochemical substances, immunological substances, cell surface changes and genetic alterations. Cancer, a disorder of cellular behavior is characterized by alteration of serum glycoproteins. L-fucose, a hexose, which is the terminal sugar in most of the plasma glycoproteins, may be useful as a tumor marker for the detection, monitoring and prognostic assessment of malignancies. The aim of the study was to ascertain the role of serum fucose as a biomarker for early detection of oral cancer and to compare serum fucose levels in healthy controls, leukoplakia and oral cancer patients. Materials and Methods: The study included 60 (100.0%) subjects, who were grouped as 20 (33.3%) control subjects, 20 (33.3%) squamous cell carcinoma patients and 20 (33.3%) leukoplakia patients. Fucose estimation was done using UV-visible spectrophotometry based on the method as adopted by Winzler using cysteine reagent. The results were analyzed statistically using ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc tests. Results: Results showed a high significance in serum fucose in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and leukoplakia subjects compared to normal controls. There was a gradual increase in the values noted from control to leukoplakia and to squamous cell carcinoma. Conclusions: Estimation of serum fucose may be a reliable marker and can be used as an effective diagnostic biomarker in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients.