Aloe emodin induces apoptosis in ER+-breast cancer cells; MCF-7 through IGF-1R signalling pathway

Two-third of breast cancer patients expressed estrogen receptors (ER)s and received endocrine treatment with established anti-estrogens such as tamoxifen. But the action and acquired resistance during treatment are largely unknown. In contrary, phytochemicals are more selective and less cytotoxic to normal cells. Accordingly, we found aloe emodin, an anthraquinone to inhibit the proliferation of ER+-breast cancer cells, MCF-7 with IC50 of 80 μM, but not affecting control breast cells, MCF-10A. Tamoxifen was non-selective to both cells with IC50 of 27 and 38 μM, respectively. Thus, we aimed to investigate the anti-proliferative mechanism of aloe emodin on MCF-7 and its underlying signalling compared to tamoxifen. Cells were treated separately with aloe emodin and tamoxifen at respective IC50 for 72 h. Apoptosis was determined using Annexin V-FITC/PI staining. The expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R), insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP)-2 and B-raf gene was investigated using QuantiGene 2.0 Plex assay. Paired-student t-test and ANOVA test were used to compare between untreated and treated cells on the measured parameters. Each treatment was conducted in triplicate and repeated three times. Significance was set at p<0.05. The presences of early and late apoptosis in MCF-7 were seen in both treatments. All target genes were down regulated. The anti-proliferation effect of aloe emodin on MCF-7 is similar with tamoxifen which mediates inhibition of IGF-1R signalling pathway. This suggests aloe emodin as a potential anti-cancer agent to be used in combined anti-estrogen therapy to enhance its efficacy in ER+-breast cancer treatment

Anti-Cancer Effect of Aloe Emodin on Breast Cancer Cells, MCF

Abstract-Phytochemicals of some plants are believed to have natural anti-proliferative properties to various cancer cells. Thus, they might have the potential as alternative choice for contemporary treatment as the latter are usually associated with many unpleasant side effects. The aim of this study is to investigate the possible anti-cancer effect of aloe emodin (AE; 1,8-Dihydroxy-3-hydro-xymethyl-anthraquinone) on estrogenpositive breast cancer cells, MCF-7. We were able to demonstrate the efficiency of AE, an antraquinone derivatives which are present in Aloe Vera leaves, in limiting the proliferation effect of MCF-7 cells in a dose and time dependent manner using WST-1 assay. Our preliminary result suggests that AE could be a promising natural candidate for future pharmacological study, targeting in breast cancer prevention strategies

Adoption of a Digital Patient Health Passport as Part of a Primary Healthcare Service Delivery: Systematic Review

The utilization of digital personal health records is considered to be appropriate for present-time usage; it is expected to further enhance primary care&rsquo;s quality-of-service delivery. Despite numerous studies conducted on digital personal health records, efforts in a systematic evaluation of the topic have failed to establish the specific benefits gained by patients, health providers, and healthcare systems. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review regarding the impact of digital personal health records in relation to the delivery of primary care. The review methods included five methodological elements that were directed by the review protocol 2020 (PRISMA). Over a time period of 10 years (2011&ndash;2021), 2492 articles were retrieved from various established databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, EBSCO&mdash;Medline, and Google Scholar, and based on reference mining. The Mixed Method Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used for quality appraisal. A thematic analysis was performed to develop the themes in this study. The thematic analysis performed on 13 articles resulted in seven main themes, which were empowering the patient, helping with communication, improving relationships, improving the quality of care, maintaining health records, sharing records, and saving time. We concluded the study by expanding the seven themes into 26 sub-themes, of which each served as answers to our main research question that prompted this systematic review

Perceptions of Online Learning Implementation in Dental Education during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study of Dental School Faculty Members in Southeast Asia

Objective: To assess the perceptions of faculty members from dental schools in Southeast Asian countries regarding the implementation of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A previously implemented questionnaire comprising 43 questions was utilized in this study. Lecturers from four universities in Southeast Asia were invited to participate in the study. Statistical analysis: The data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0 through several types of comparative and correlation analyses. Results: There were 183 lecturers who participated in the study. The overall responses suggest that the perceived effectiveness of online learning in dentistry was centered on a neutral value. The participants faced challenges when implementing online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the lack of interaction being the most challenging factor. They agreed that online learning had many advantages, specifically in time flexibility and communication. The participants had stronger perceptions relating the advantages and opportunities of online teaching, and recognized that the effectiveness of offline teaching alone was limited. Conclusion: The perceptions of Southeast Asian dental school faculty members were inclined toward a positive outlook on blended learning for implementation in dentistry, as a means of providing opportunities to use online learning beyond COVID-19 in the future

Exploring the need for an oral health passport

Aim or Purpose: To establish the need for an oral health passport and explore the features that feed the local need in a time where the utilization of digital personal health records is considered appropriate and is expected to further enhance primary care's quality-of-service delivery Materials and Methods: In-depth semi-structured online interview were conducted with twenty-three potential users representing patients, oral health care providers, dental students and clinical and non-clinical support staff from UiTM dental Centre, Malaysia. The participants were asked regarding awareness of oral health, the need for oral health records accessibility via mobile application, the features required in an oral health based on user perception. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analyzed using the software NVivo. Results: All respondents were aware that sharing of oral health records is beneficial while 69.57% of respondents expressed positive perception regarding sharing of oral health records via mobile apps. Seven main themes emerged regarding the need for an oral health app; empowerment, improve quality of care, accessibility, ease communication, anxiety reduction, efficiency, technology. Features of a mobile oral health application that were identified as relevant were information on demographic, medical condition, oral health condition, oral health education, support management. Conclusions: This qualitative research with a diverse pool of participants indicates a need for oral health apps with a variety of features ranging from personal oral health information to prevention and healthcare delivery management. The findings provide researchers, app designers, and oral health care providers insights on how to develop oral health apps from the users’ perspective