Ca²⁺ Movement Induced by Deltamethrin in PC3 Human Prostate Cancer Cells.

This study explored the effect of deltamethrin, a pesticide, on intracellular free Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]i) in PC3 human prostate cancer cells. Deltamethrin at concentrations between 5 μM and 20 μM evoked [Ca²⁺]i rises in a concentration-dependent manner. This Ca²⁺ signal was inhibited by 22% by removal of extracellular Ca²⁺.

The effect of the phenol compound ellagic acid on Ca(2+) homeostasis and cytotoxicity in liver cells.

Ellagic acid, a natural phenol compound found in numerous fruits and vegetables, causes various physiological effects in different cell models. However, the effect of this compound on Ca(2+) homeostasis in liver cells is unknown. This study examined the effect of ellagic acid on intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) and established the relationship between Ca(2+) signaling and cytotoxicity in liver cells.

Effect of music care on depression and behavioral problems in elderly people with dementia in Taiwan: a quasi-experimental, longitudinal study.

Objectives: The purpose was to examine the effectiveness of music care on cognitive function, depression, and behavioral problems among elderly people with dementia in long-term care facilities in Taiwan.

Methods: The study had a quasi-experimental, longitudinal research design and used two groups of subjects. Subjects were not randomly assigned to experimental group (n = 90) or comparison group (n = 56).

Apigenin, a dietary flavonoid, inhibits proliferation of human bladder cancer T-24 cells via blocking cell cycle progression and inducing apoptosis.

Background: Apigenin is a nontoxic dietary flavonoid, and it may have chemopreventive and therapeutic potential as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-cancer agent. However, its role in bladder cancer remains poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-proliferative activity of apigenin in human bladder cancer T-24 cells.

Galangin, a novel dietary flavonoid, attenuates metastatic feature via PKC/ERK signaling pathway in TPA-treated liver cancer HepG2 cells.

Background: Galangin (3,5,7-trihydroxyflavone) is a flavonoid compound found in high concentration in lesser galangal. The objective of this study was to investigate the ability of galangin to inhibit 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced the invasion and metastasis of HepG2 liver cancer cells.

Results: First, using a cell-matrix adhesion assay, immunofluorescence assay, transwell-chamber invasion/migration assay, and wound healing assay, we observed that galangin exerted an inhibitory effect on TPA-induced cell adhesion, morphology/actin cytoskeleton arrangement, invasion and migration.

The mechanism of bifonazole-induced [Ca(2+)]i rises and non-Ca(2+)-triggered cell death in PC3 human prostate cancer cells.

Bifonazole is an antifungal drug widely used for treating skin diseases. The effect of bifonazole on physiology of cancer cells is unclear. The effect of bifonazole on cytosolic free Ca(2+) concentrations ([Ca(2+)]i) and viability in PC3 human prostate cancer cells was explored.

CXCL12-G801A polymorphism modulates risk of colorectal cancer in Taiwan.

Introduction: The chemokine CXCL12, designated stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), plays a significant role in many cancer metastases. Previous studies have shown that CXCL12-G801A, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the 3' untranslated region, correlates with breast and lung cancer in Iran. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of the gene variant CXCL12-G801A with colorectal cancer (CRC) in a Taiwanese cohort.

Pinocembrin suppresses TGF-β1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition and metastasis of human Y-79 retinoblastoma cells through inactivating αvβ3 integrin/FAK/p38α signaling pathway.

Background: Pinocembrin is the most abundant flavonoid in propolis. In this study, we investigated the antimetastatic effect of pinocembrin on TGF-β1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis of human Y-79 retinoblastoma cells.

Results: Firstly, the results showed that pinocembrin significantly suppresses the TGF-β1-induced abilities of the invasion and migration of Y-79 cells under non-cytotoxic concentration.

Factors associated with sex hormones and erectile dysfunction in male Taiwanese participants with obesity.

Introduction: Obesity has been receiving an increasing amount of attention recently, but investigations regarding the potential impact of obesity, sexual behaviors, and sex hormones on erectile dysfunction (ED) in men have not completely clarified the association.

Aim: To identify the relationship between ED, sexual behavior, sexual satisfaction, sex hormones, and obesity in older adult males in Taiwan.

Methods: Data were obtained from a baseline survey of 476 older adult males (≧40 years old).

Association of body image and health beliefs with health behaviors in patients with diabetes: a cross-sectional study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate relationships between body image, health beliefs, and health behavior in patients with diabetes classified according to body mass index (BMI).

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a community hospital between January and April 2010. One-hundred-sixty-eight patients with diabetes were enrolled.