In vitro suppression of the MMP-3 gene in normal and cytokine-treated human chondrosarcoma using small interfering RNA

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) synthesized and secreted from connective tissue cells have been thought to participate in degradation of the extracellular matrix. Increased MMPs activities that degrade proteoglycans have been measured in osteoarthritis cartilage. This study aims to suppress the expression of the <it>MMP-3 </it>gene in <it>in vitro </it>human chondrosarcoma using siRNA.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Cells were categorized into four groups: control (G.1); transfection solution treated (G.2); negative control siRNA treated (G.3); and <it>MMP-3 </it>siRNA treated (G.4). All four groups were further subdivided into two groups - treated and non-treated with IL-1β- following culture for 48 and 72 h. We observed the effects of gene suppression according to cell morphology, glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and hyaluronan (HA) production, and gene expression by using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In IL-1β treated cells the apoptosis rate in G.4 was found to be lower than in all other groups, while viability and mitotic rate were higher than in all other groups (<it>p </it>< 0.05). The production of GAG and HA in G.4 was significantly higher than the control group (<it>p </it>< 0.05). <it>MMP-3 </it>gene expression was downregulated significantly (<it>p </it>< 0.05).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p><it>MMP-3 </it>specific siRNA can inhibit the expression of <it>MMP-3 </it>in chondrosarcoma. This suggests that <it>MMP-3 </it>siRNA has the potential to be a useful preventive and therapeutic agent for osteoarthritis.</p

Improving PBL in Empowering Meta cognitive Skill of Students

Abstract Objective: Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is a potential constructivist learning strategy that empowers students’ Meta cognitive skill. PBL focuses on problem, involves thinking activity to solve problems, and correlates to cognitive function of students. Methods: The implementation of PBL reveals various benefits, but there are also some weaknesses in this learning strategy. Thus, it is necessary to implement a certain learning strategy that can cover the PBL weaknesses, such as Reading, Questioning, and Answering (RQA) learning strategy. RQA is a new learning strategy developed based on a fact that almost all students do not read the next lecture materials, causing failure of learning strategy planned and finally the students’ comprehension becomes low. RQA is also potential to empower students’ Meta cognitive skill. Findings: The integration of RQA and PBL learning strategy is called PBL-RQA learning strategy. This study was a quasi-experimental study designed to compare the effect of PBL, RQA, and PBL-RQA learning strategies on the students’ Meta cognitive skill of Faculty of Mathematics and Science, State University of Makassar. Application: The results of the study showed that the potency of PBL learning strategy in empowering the students’ Meta cognitive skill has been increased by integrating it to RQA learning strategy. The meta cognitive skill mean score of the students taught by PBL-RQA learning strategy was 21% higher than that of the students taught by PBL and 26.9% higher than that of the students taught by RQA learning strategy. Keywords: Answering, Meta Cognitive Skill, Problem-Based Learning, Questioning, Reading, PBL-RQ

Adesão ao tratamento por cuidadores de crianças e adolescentes soropositivos para o HIV

Objetivou-se investigar o padrão de adesão ao tratamento por cuidadores de crianças e adolescentes HIV positivos e identificar as estratégias de enfrentamento adotadas diante de estressores da soropositividade. Participaram 30 cuidadores e utilizou-se entrevista semiestruturada, Escala Modos de Enfrentamento de Problemas e prontuário clínico, este como fonte de dados secundários. Os cuidadores foram classificados em Grupo Adesão e Grupo Não-Adesão com base em seus relatos sobre condutas de uso dos medicamentos antirretrovirais e outros critérios. Vinte e cinco cuidadores foram incluídos no Grupo Adesão. Não se observaram diferenças significativas quanto ao enfrentamento entre os grupos, excetuando a busca de práticas religiosas/pensamento fantasioso. Os resultados dão subsídios para intervenções visando reduzir impactos psicossociais da soropositividade a cuidadores, crianças e adolescentes