ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the life experiences of patients with a severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). METHODS: The data were collected through in-depth interviews of six patients suffering from severe COPD. The interviewed data were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim and checked for accuracy. The Giorgi method of phenomenology was used for analyzing data. RESULTS: Eight themes forming the, units of meaning, were: Repeated and Unpredictable Suffering of Dyspnea, Confidence Loss/Exhaustion Life due to non-efficient breathing, Gradually Deprived Liberty, Absolute Being to Sustaining my life, Source of Burden but Significant Person I am in the Family, Endless Tug-of-War-Capability/Endeavor to Breath, Longing for my Life, and Dead-end of breathing. CONCLUSION: The study results provide an in-depth understanding of life experiences of patients suffering from severe COPD. The findings will be useful to nurses caring for this population.
Subject(s)
Humans , Dyspnea , Freedom , Ice , Life Change Events , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive , Respiration , Stress, PsychologicalABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To analyze the home care services provided to the elderly aged 65 and older by a hospital-based home care agencies and to investigate the effects of long-term care insurance for the elderly. METHOD: The subjects were the home care service recipients aged 65 and older in 172 hospital-based, home care agencies registered in Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service in January, 2007. The data were collected using a questionnaire from March 16 to April 15, 2007. The questionnaire return rate was 43.8%. RESULT: The hospital-based home care agencies were able to visit 66.5% of the national administrative districts. Of the home care service recipients, over 50% were 65 years old and older. About 43% of the agencies reported that over 50% of their patients would be subject to the long-term care insurance. They expressed concern that home care services would be withdrawn once the insurance system is initiated. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that hospital-based home care agencies need to manage home care services with long-term care insurance. It also recommends developing guidelines for the use of services and referrals.
Subject(s)
Aged , Humans , Home Care Agencies , Home Care Services , Home Care Services, Hospital-Based , Insurance , Insurance, Health , Insurance, Long-Term Care , Long-Term Care , Referral and Consultation , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) can enhance the inhibitory effect of genistein on a human uterine leiomyoma cells. METHODS: Five uterine leiomyoma tissues were obtained from hysterectomies conducted on the benign diseases and cultured primarily. MTS reduction assay was carried out to determine the viability of human uterine leiomyoma cells. Cell cycle analysis for I3C and genistein treated human uterine leiomyoma cells was done by Fluorescent activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis. To detect the presence and expression of cell cycle related proteins was done by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: I3C and genistein induced growth inhibition in a dose dependent manner, treatment with 100 micro mol/L I3C and 100 micro mol/L genisten blocked 60% cell growth. FACS results showed that treatment with the I3C and genistein increased the percentage of cells in G2/M phase and decreased S phase. From Western blot analysis it revealed I3C and genistein induced the expression of p53, p21, and p27 increasing. Reduced expression of cyclin B1 and cyclin E were detected in treatment with I3C and genistein. The expression levels of these proteins correlate with G2/M cell cycle arrest. Activation of caspase pathway and fragmentation of PARP did not take place. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that I3C enhances genistein-mediated uterine leiomyoma cell growth inhibition through the cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase by decreasing the production of cyclin B1. Because of the synergistic effect of I3C and genistein, the potential exists for the therapeutic efficacy of each phytochemical when used in combination.
Subject(s)
Humans , Blotting, Western , Cell Cycle , Cell Cycle Checkpoints , Cyclin B1 , Cyclin E , Cyclins , Genistein , Hysterectomy , Leiomyoma , S PhaseABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Isoliquritizenin (ISL) is a chalcone flavonoid, present in licorice, shallot and bean sprouts, has cancer preventing properties and often used in chinese medicine. In this study, ISL to determine its effect on cell proliferation and cell cycle progression in human cervical cancer cells were evaluated. METHODS: Cell viability assay was carried out to determine the viability of human cervical cancer cells. We tested the several experimental methods for verification and functional identification, including MTT assay, FACS analysis, DNA fragmentation assay, and Western blot analysis for ISL treated human cervical cancer cells (HeLa). RESULTS: ISL, induced growth inhibition in a dose dependent manner, treatment with 50 microM/L ISL blocked 50% cell growth. FACS results showed that there was no change in the S phase, but on the other hand ISL increased the percentage of cells in G1 phase. DNA fragmentation assay by ELISA was done to find the rate of apoptosis. Apoptosis took place but in a reduced manner. From Western blot analysis, it revealed ISL induced the expression of p21(Cip1/Waf1) and p27(kip1) but not mediated by p53. Caspase pathway was revealed and cleavage of PARP took place. CONCLUSION: ISL, a chalcone flavonoid, inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell cycle arrest at sub G1 by enhancing the production of p21(Cip1/Waf1) and p27(kip1). These results indicate that ISL will be a promising agent for use in chemopreventive or therapeutic against human cervical cancer cells.