Celecoxib-induced increase in cytosolic Ca(2+) levels and apoptosis in HA59T human hepatoma cells.

Celecoxib has been shown to have antitumor effect in previous studies but the mechanisms are unclear. The effect of celecoxib on cytosolic Ca(2+) concentrations ([Ca(2+)]i) and viability in HA59T human hepatoma cells was explored. The Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorescent dye fura-2 was applied to measure [Ca(2+)]i.

Factors associated with misdiagnosis of smear-negative tuberculosis: an experience in Taiwan.

Background: A negative sputum smear from a patient with history, physical examination, and chest x-ray findings suggestive of tuberculosis (TB) presents a diagnostic dilemma. We investigated the possible factors associated with a misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment of TB among such patients.

Methods: We reviewed the records of 193 patients whose diagnoses with TB included conflicting test results and were reported to the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control in 2004.

Metabolic outcome for diabetes shared care program outpatients in a veterans hospital of southern Taiwan.

Background: To evaluate the metabolic outcomes of the Diabetes Shared Care Program (DSCP) for Type 2 diabetes after completion of 1 year and 3 years of intervention.

Methods: Total 162 Type 2 diabetes (average age 67.14 years with 62.

Effect of diindolylmethane on Ca(2+) movement and viability in HA59T human hepatoma cells.

The effect of diindolylmethane, a natural compound derived from indole-3-carbinol in cruciferous vegetables, on cytosolic Ca(2+) concentrations ([Ca(2+)](i)) and viability in HA59T human hepatoma cells is unclear. This study explored whether diindolylmethane changed [Ca(2+)](i) in HA59T cells. The Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorescent dye fura-2 was applied to measure [Ca(2+)](i).

alpha-Mangostin, a novel dietary xanthone, suppresses TPA-mediated MMP-2 and MMP-9 expressions through the ERK signaling pathway in MCF-7 human breast adenocarcinoma cells.

This study first investigates the anti-metastatic effect of alpha-mangostin on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expressions in human breast adenocarcinoma cells, MCF-7. First, the result demonstrated alpha-mangostin could inhibit TPA-induced abilities of the adhesion, invasion, and migration by cell-matrix adhesion assay and Boyden chamber assay. Data also showed alpha-mangostin could inhibit the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) involved in the downregulation the enzyme activities, protein, and messenger RNA levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 induced by TPA.

Andrographolide could inhibit human colorectal carcinoma Lovo cells migration and invasion via down-regulation of MMP-7 expression.

Andrographolide (Andro), a diterpenoid lactone isolated from a traditional herbal medicine Andrographis paniculata, is known to possess multiple pharmacological activities. In our previous study, Andro had been shown to have potent anti-cancer activity against human colorectal carcinoma Lovo cells by inhibiting cell-cycle progression. To further investigate the mechanism for the anti-cancer properties of Andro, it was used to examine the effect on migration and invasion of Lovo cells.

Trust but verify: the interactive effects of trust and autonomy preferences on health outcomes.

Patients' trust in their physicians improves their health outcomes because of better compliance, more disclosure, stronger placebo effect, and more physicians' trustworthy behaviors. Patients' autonomy may also impact on health outcomes and is increasingly being emphasized in health care. However, despite the critical role of trust and autonomy, patients that naïvely trust their physicians may become overly dependent and lack the motivation to participate in medical care.

Inhibition of cell-cycle progression in human colorectal carcinoma Lovo cells by andrographolide.

In recent years, attention has been focused on the anti-cancer properties of pure components, an important role in the prevention of disease. Andrographolide (Andro), the major constituent of Andrographis paniculata (Burm. F.

Linking patients' trust in physicians to health outcomes.

Trust in the patient-physician relationship has been widely discussed, but in-depth and systematic analyses are scarce. A model is proposed to explore the trust-outcomes relationship by identifying the mediating effects of compliance, patient disclosure, placebo effect and physician's caring behaviour. The consequences of patients' trust in physicians and the practical implications of trust to quality patient care are presented.

Mechanisms of carvedilol-induced [Ca2+] i rises and death in human hepatoma cells.

The effect of the cardiovascular drug carvedilol on cytosolic free Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) and viability has not been explored in human hepatoma cells. This study examined whether carvedilol altered [Ca2+]i and caused cell death in HA59T cells. [Ca2+]i and cell viability were measured using the fluorescent dyes fura-2 and WST-1, respectively.

[Reducing expenditure on infectious waste handling in the hemodialysis room].

Developing awareness of environmental protection issues and rising costs of medical treatment are causing all medical treatment centers to reduce expenditure on the processing of infectious hazardous wastes. This has become a major matter of policy in most hospitals. This project was undertaken because, in one unit, expenditure on infectious hazardous waste processing began to cost 50% of the hospital's entire monthly spending on such processing.