Apigenin Induces Apoptosis through a Mitochondria/Caspase-Pathway in Human Breast Cancer MDA-MB-453 Cells

In this study, we investigated the mechanistic role of the caspase cascade in extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis induced by apigenin, which has been targeted as a candidate in the development of noncytotoxic anticancer medicines. Treatment with apigenin (1–100 µM) significantly inhibited the proliferation of MDA-MB-453 human breast cancer cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner with IC50 values of 59.44 and 35.15 µM at 24 and 72 h, respectively. This inhibition resulted in the induction of apoptosis and the release of cytochrome c in cells exposed to apigenin at its 72 h IC50. Subsequently, caspase-9, which acts in mitochondria-mediated apoptosis, was cleaved by apigenin. In addition, apigenin activated caspase-3, which functions downstream of caspase-9. The apigenin-induced activation of caspase-3 was accompanied by the cleavage of capases-6, -7, and -8. These results are supported by evidence showing that the activity patterns of caspases-3, -8, and -9 were similar. The present study supports the hypothesis that apigenin-induced apoptosis involves the activation of both the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways

The Challenging and Transformative Implications of Education for Sustainable Development: A Case Study in South Korea

Sustainable development can be considered one of the biggest global challenges of this era, especially in the domain of education. Hence, this paper presents a case study on how the “Tongyoeng Regional Center for Expertise (Tongyoeng RCE)” has contributed to the practice of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and to the reformation of curriculum development process in South Korea. It establishes a cooperative system between formal education and in/non-formal education within an environment of a conservative and exclusive educational system. While focusing on the substantial achievement of Tongyoeng RCE that has transformed the South Korean education system from a “knowledge and grade-centred” Eastern educational regime to a “value and practice centred” one, this study also addresses how the RCE has initiated a “learning society,” that is, decentralized and deregulated educational communities that are more flexible in resolving the unprecedented challenges of globalization. This research emphasizes the implications of education for sustainable development as a challenging and transformative curriculum development process in South Korea

Development of a quantitative system for subjective evaluation of tracked vehicle crew jackets

The purpose of this study is to develop a quantitative evaluation system that reflects the required performance factors that are important for a tracked vehicle crew jacket. We identified and analyzed the necessary performance factors obtained from a focus group interview and a questionnaire survey. Further, we proposed a new method of calculating weights and developed a quantitative evaluation system. This system featured an equation that calculated the evaluation score out of 100, using the factors percentages in the total factor as factor weights. The systems application was verified by the assessment of subfactors by active-duty soldiers, and by confirmation that the results of the developed factor scores reflected the proposed development direction. The study is significant for its provision of a comprehensive and quantitative evaluation system which has not existed before for protective clothing design, as well as for the verification of the systems application through the process of protective clothing development. The quantitative evaluation system and its development process described in this study may be referenced and widely deployed due to its use of a Likert scale, which is commonly used as a subjective sensory evaluation tool.This work was supported by the Defense Agency for Technology and Quality (DTaQ) grant funded by the Ministry of National Defense (Civil and Military Technology Cooperation Project No. 18-force support-01)

The Age Old Question, Which Comes First? a Simultaneous Test of Children\u27s Savings and Children\u27s College-Bound Identity

The Age Old Question, Which Comes First? a Simultaneous Test of Children\u27s Savings and Children\u27s College-Bound Identit

17β-Estradiol strongly inhibits azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium-induced colorectal cancer development in Nrf2 knockout male mice

© 2020 The Author(s)Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) has dual effects on inflammation and cancer progression depending on the microenvironment. Estrogens have a protective effect on colorectal cancer (CRC) development. The aim of this study was to investigate CRC development in Nrf2 knockout (KO) mice. Azoxymethane (AOM) and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-treated wild-type (WT) and Nrf2 KO male mice were sacrificed at weeks 2 and 16 after AOM injection with/without 17β-estradiol (E2) treatment during week 1. Disease activity index and colon tissue damage at week 2 showed strong attenuation following E2 administration in WT mice but to a lesser extent in Nrf2 KO male mice. At week 16, E2 significantly diminished AOM/DSS-induced adenoma/cancer incidence at distal colon in the Nrf2 KO group, but not in the WT. Furthermore, mRNA or protein levels of NF-κB-related mediators (i.e., iNOS, TNF-α, and IL-1β) and Nrf2-related antioxidants (i.e., NQO1 and HO-1) were significantly lower in the Nrf2 KO group regardless of E2 treatment compared to the WT. The expression of estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) was higher in the Nrf2 KO group than in the WT. In conclusion, estrogen further inhibits CRC by upregulating ERβ-related alternate pathways in the absence of Nrf2.

Home Base Care Approach to Reduce Disparity in Diabetes Care in Zuni Indians

Purpose/Background: We conducted a randomized clinical intervention trial of a home-based kidney care program to examine its efficacy in adult Zuni Indians with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). We evaluated the results of the study in the subset of participants with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) to determine the degree to which this intervention influenced the engagement of those with T2DM in the management of their own health circumstances. Materials & Methods: We randomized participants by household to receive usual care or home-based care. After initial lifestyle coaching, the intervention group received frequent additional reinforcement by community health representatives (CHRs) about adherence to medicines, diet and exercise, self-monitoring, and coping strategies for living with stress. We identified a sizable subset of study participants with T2DM, and performed analyses comparing outcomes between study groups using linear models with generalized estimating equations and adjusting for baseline values of the measurements. The primary outcome was the change in patient activation measure (PAM), which assesses a participant’s knowledge, skill, and confidence in managing his/her own health and health care. Results: Of 125 randomized individuals (63 intervention and 62 usual care), 72 had been diagnosed with T2DM (57.6%). In the subgroup with T2DM, 56 (78%, 24 intervention, 32 usual care) completed the 12-month study. The average PAM score after 12 months was 16.0 (95% confidence interval, 8.8 to 23.1) points higher in the intervention group than in the usual care group (Figure 1). Body mass index declined by 1.2 kg/m2 (P=0.02) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein declined by 2.7-fold (P\u3c0.001) in the intervention group compared to usual care. Hemoglobin A1c declined by 0.8 % (P=0.14) in the intervention group relative to usual care (NS). Discussion/Conclusion: A home-based intervention designed for kidney care improves the activation in their own health care of participants with diabetes, and does so at least as well as it does for all participants with CKD. It appears that it may also reduce risk factors for poor diabetic outcomes in a rural disadvantaged population

Sorokdo: From the Island of Stigma to the Island of Historical Reflection

This article focuses on Sorokdo Island (Jeollanam-do, South Korea) as a remnant of the stigmatized landscape reflecting Hansen’s Disease and the Japanese colonial power. Sorokdo began to be stigmatized due to the Japanese colonial rule in the early 20th century when patients with Hansen\u27s Disease were forced to relocate there, suffering from human rights violations and labor exploitation. Isolation and the management of the patients by suppression and control were justified with the logic of modern values of sanitization supported by the colonial rule. Stigma has remained even after the liberation from the colonial power. Continuously recognized by people as an isolated, remote island with a significant concentration of patients with Hansen’s Disease, Sorokdo still is being poorly preserved and overlooked by the public and the government. Based on a literature review and field research, this article illustrates how stigmatized landscapes remain in the hospital, detention/testing rooms, the Japanese Shinto shrine, and Central Park, among others. This article points out the necessity to preserve the landscape so that Sorokdo can be used as a space to educate and reflect on history. The suppression of the patients and workers on this island also should be illuminated. This article further emphasizes that social consensus is required regarding how Sorokdo can be carefully managed as a place that reflects its traumatized colonial history