Capsaicin-Induced Apoptosis of FaDu Human Pharyngeal Squamous Carcinoma Cells

Thanh-Do Le,유훈,진동춘,노세라,김명수,유리나 연세대학교의과대학 2012 Yonsei medical journal Vol.53 No.4

Purpose: To investigate the anti-tumor effect of capsaicin on human pharyngeal squamous carcinoma cells (FaDu). Materials and Methods: The expression of apoptosis/cell cycle-related proteins (or genes) was examined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, western blotting and ELISA methods, while the apoptotic cell population, cell morphology and DNA fragmentation levels were assessed using flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy and agarose gel electrophoresis. Results: Capsaicin was found to inhibit the growth and proliferation of FaDu cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Apoptotic cell death was confirmed by observing increases in nuclear condensation, nuclear DNA fragmentation and sub-G1 DNA content. The observed increase in cytosolic cytochrome c, activation of caspase 3 and PARP (p85) levels following capsaicin treatment indicated that the apoptotic response was mitochondrial pathway-dependent. Gene/protein expression analysis of Bcl-2, Bad and Bax further revealed decreased anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein and increased pro-apoptotic Bad/Bax expression. Furthermore, capsaicin suppressed the cell cycle progression at the G1/S phase in FaDu cells by decreasing the expression of the regulators of cyclin B1 and D1, as well as cyclin-dependent protein kinases cdk-1, cdk-2 and cdk-4. Conclusion: Our current data show that capsaicin induces apoptosis in FaDu cells and this response is associated with mitochondrial pathways, possibly by mediating cell cycle arrest at G1/S.

Violation of Bans on Tobacco Advertising and Promotion at Points of Sale in Viet Nam: Trend from 2009 - 2015

Le, Thi Thanh Huong,Tran, Khanh Long,Phung, Xuan Son,Do, Phuc Huyen,Phan, Thuy Linh,Nguyen, Ngoc Bich,Nguyen, Xuan Lam,Le, Vu Anh,Tran, Thi Tuyet-Hanh Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.no.sup1

Comprehensive bans on tobacco advertising and promotion were introduced through tobacco control legislation in Viet Nam, but it has been established that violations of the bans are very common. This study was conducted to explore the trend in violations of bans on tobacco advertising and promotion at points of sale in Viet Nam in the past six years and to explore any differences in the violation situations before and after the Law on Tobacco Control came into effect on 1st May 2013. Quantitative data were collected through observation of violations of the bans on tobacco advertising and promotion at points of sale in 10 provinces throughout Viet Nam in four survey rounds (2009, 2010, 2011, and 2015). Variation in violation prevalence over time was examined by chi-square test using a Bonferini method. Binary logistic regression was employed to identify the factors that may have influences on different types of violation. A level of significance of p<0.05 was used for all tests in this article. The most common form of violation was the display of more than one pack/one carton of a cigarette brand. Violation of bans on tobacco advertising increased while violations on promotion ban and on displaying tobacco decreased through time. Some factors associated with the tobacco advertising and promotion bans included surveyed years, types of points of sale, regions and areas where the points of sale were located. The enforcement of the bans did not improve even after the issuance and the enactment of the Law on Tobacco Control. This suggests that the monitoring and enforcement of bans on tobacco advertising and promotion at points of sale should be strengthened. Penalties should be strictly applied for violators as indicated in the current tobacco control legislation.

Ethanol Elicits Inhibitory Effect on the Growth and Proliferation of Tongue Carcinoma Cells by Inducing Cell Cycle Arrest

Thanh-Do Le,Thi Anh Thu Do,유리나,유훈 대한약리학회 2012 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.16 No.3

Cellular effects of ethanol in YD-15 tongue carcinoma cells were assessed by MTT assay, caspase activity assay, Western blotting and flow cytometry. Ethanol inhibited the growth and proliferation of YD-15 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner in an MTT assay. The effects of ethanol on cell cycle control at low percent range of ethanol concentration (0 to 1.5%), the condition not inducing YD-15 cell death, was investigated after exposing cells to alcohol for a certain period of time. Western blotting on the expression of cell cycle inhibitors showed that p21 and p27 was up-regulated as ethanol concentration increases from 0 to 1.5% whilst the cell cycle regulators, cdk1, cdk2, and cdk4 as well as Cyclin A, Cyclin B1 and Cyclin E1, were gradually down-regulated. Flow cytometric analysis of cell cycle distribution revealed that YD-15 cells exposed to 1.5% ethanol for 24 h was mainly arrested at G2/M phase. However, ethanol induced apoptosis in YD-15 cells exposed to 2.5% or higher percent of ethanol. The cleaved PARP, a marker of caspase-3 mediated apoptosis, and the activation of caspase-3 and -7 were detected by caspase activity assay or Western blotting. Our results suggest that ethanol elicits inhibitory effect on the growth and proliferation of YD-15 tongue carcinoma cells by mediating cell cycle arrest at G2/M at low concentration range and ultimately induces apoptosis under the condition of high concentration.

Spatial Interpolation and Assimilation Methods for Satellite and Ground Meteorological Data in Vietnam

Do, Khac Phong,Nguyen, Ba Tung,Nguyen, Xuan Thanh,Bui, Quang Hung,Tran, Nguyen Le,Nguyen, Thi Nhat Thanh,Vuong, Van Quynh,Nguyen, Huy Lai,Le, Thanh Ha Korea Information Processing Society 2015 Journal of information processing systems Vol.11 No.4

This paper presents the applications of spatial interpolation and assimilation methods for satellite and ground meteorological data, including temperature, relative humidity, and precipitation in regions of Vietnam. In this work, Universal Kriging is used for spatially interpolating ground data and its interpolated results are assimilated with corresponding satellite data to anticipate better gridded data. The input meteorological data was collected from 98 ground weather stations located all over Vietnam; whereas, the satellite data consists of the MODIS Atmospheric Profiles product (MOD07), the ASTER Global Digital Elevation Map (ASTER DEM), and the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) in six years. The outputs are gridded fields of temperature, relative humidity, and precipitation. The empirical results were evaluated by using the Root mean square error (RMSE) and the mean percent error (MPE), which illustrate that Universal Kriging interpolation obtains higher accuracy than other forms of Kriging; whereas, the assimilation for precipitation gradually reduces RMSE and significantly MPE. It also reveals that the accuracy of temperature and humidity when employing assimilation that is not significantly improved because of low MODIS retrieval due to cloud contamination.

Capsaicin-Induced Apoptosis of FaDu Human Pharyngeal Squamous Carcinoma Cells

Thanh-Do Le,진동천,로세라,김명수,유리나,유훈 연세대학교의과대학 2012 Yonsei medical journal Vol.53 No.6

Purpose To investigate the anti-tumor effect of capsaicin on human pharyngeal squamous carcinoma cells (FaDu). Materials and Methods The expression of apoptosis/cell cycle-related proteins (or genes) was examined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, western blotting and ELISA methods, while the apoptotic cell population, cell morphology and DNA fragmentation levels were assessed using flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy and agarose gel electrophoresis. Results Capsaicin was found to inhibit the growth and proliferation of FaDu cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Apoptotic cell death was confirmed by observing increases in nuclear condensation, nuclear DNA fragmentation and sub-G1 DNA content. The observed increase in cytosolic cytochrome c, activation of caspase 3 and PARP (p85) levels following capsaicin treatment indicated that the apoptotic response was mitochondrial pathway-dependent. Gene/protein expression analysis of Bcl-2, Bad and Bax further revealed decreased anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein and increased pro-apoptotic Bad/Bax expression. Furthermore, capsaicin suppressed the cell cycle progression at the G1/S phase in FaDu cells by decreasing the expression of the regulators of cyclin B1 and D1, as well as cyclin-dependent protein kinases cdk-1, cdk-2 and cdk-4. Conclusion Our current data show that capsaicin induces apoptosis in FaDu cells and this response is associated with mitochondrial pathways, possibly by mediating cell cycle arrest at G1/S.

Ethanol Elicits Inhibitory Effect on the Growth and Proliferation of Tongue Carcinoma Cells by Inducing Cell Cycle Arrest

Le, Thanh-Do,Do, Thi Anh Thu,Yu, Ri-Na,Yoo, Hoon The Korean Society of Pharmacology 2012 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.16 No.3

Cellular effects of ethanol in YD-15 tongue carcinoma cells were assessed by MTT assay, caspase activity assay, Western blotting and flow cytometry. Ethanol inhibited the growth and proliferation of YD-15 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner in an MTT assay. The effects of ethanol on cell cycle control at low percent range of ethanol concentration (0 to 1.5%), the condition not inducing YD-15 cell death, was investigated after exposing cells to alcohol for a certain period of time. Western blotting on the expression of cell cycle inhibitors showed that p21 and p27 was up-regulated as ethanol concentration increases from 0 to 1.5% whilst the cell cycle regulators, cdk1, cdk2, and cdk4 as well as Cyclin A, Cyclin B1 and Cyclin E1, were gradually down-regulated. Flow cytometric analysis of cell cycle distribution revealed that YD-15 cells exposed to 1.5% ethanol for 24 h was mainly arrested at G2/M phase. However, ethanol induced apoptosis in YD-15 cells exposed to 2.5% or higher percent of ethanol. The cleaved PARP, a marker of caspase-3 mediated apoptosis, and the activation of caspase-3 and -7 were detected by caspase activity assay or Western blotting. Our results suggest that ethanol elicits inhibitory effect on the growth and proliferation of YD-15 tongue carcinoma cells by mediating cell cycle arrest at G2/M at low concentration range and ultimately induces apoptosis under the condition of high concentration.

Preparation and evaluation of histone H1.4 C-terminal peptide for cellular delivery of oligonucleotides

Le Thanh-Do,Yoo Hoon 조선대학교 의학연구원 2023 Medical Bilogical Science and Engineering Vol.6 No.2

Human histone H1.4 C-terminal peptide (HC peptide) was prepared for the cellular delivery of oligonucleotide by using a recombinant expression vector (pGEX-6p-1). Initially, GST-fusion protein was prepared and following protease treatment produced HC peptide of 38 amino acids. The HC peptide formed stable complexes with oligonucleotides with no cytotoxicity on A375B3 melanoma carcinoma cells. Luciferase correction assay with A375B3-Luc cells which was designed to correct the aberrant splicing of luciferase gene by the splice switching oligonucleotide (SSO) demonstrated that HC peptide delivered SSO into the nucleus of cell and corrected aberrant splicing to normal by enhancing the luciferase activity. In addition, intracellular fluorescence images, captured after transfection of TAMRA-oligonucleotide/Alexa-HC peptide complexes, showed the distribution of TAMRA-oligonucleotides near reticuloendothelial system and perinuclear membrane space with minor location at nucleus. Overall, we confirmed that the HC peptide possessed the delivery capability of oligonucleotide into cells, which may be suited for the cellular delivery of oligonucleotide-based drugs.

SVM on Top of Deep Networks for Covid-19 Detection from Chest X-ray Images

Thanh-Nghi Do,Van-Thanh Le,Thi-Huong Doan 한국정보통신학회 2022 Journal of information and communication convergen Vol.20 No.3

In this study, we propose training a support vector machine (SVM) model on top of deep networks for detecting Covid-19 from chest X-ray images. We started by gathering a real chest X-ray image dataset, including positive Covid-19, normal cases, and other lung diseases not caused by Covid-19. Instead of training deep networks from scratch, we fine-tuned recent pre-trained deep network models, such as DenseNet121, MobileNet v2, Inception v3, Xception, ResNet50, VGG16, and VGG19, to classify chest X-ray images into one of three classes (Covid-19, normal, and other lung). We propose training an SVM model on top of deep networks to perform a nonlinear combination of deep network outputs, improving classification over any single deep network. The empirical test results on the real chest X-ray image dataset show that deep network models, with an exception of ResNet50 with 82.44%, provide an accuracy of at least 92% on the test set. The proposed SVM on top of the deep network achieved the highest accuracy of 96.16%.

Determinants of Operational Self-Sustainability of Microfinance Institutions in Vietnam

LE, Thanh Tam,DAO, Lan Phuong,DO, Ngoc Mai,TRUONG, Thi Hoai Linh,NGUYEN, Thi Thuy Duong,TRAN, Chung Thuy Korea Distribution Science Association 2020 The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Busine Vol.7 No.10

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the determinants of the Operational Self-Sustainability (OSS) of Vietnamese microfinance institutions (MFIs). This research uses both qualitative and quantitative research methods: (i) qualitative research was via in-depth interviews with ten microfinance practitioners, policymakers and researchers; (ii) quantitative research was conducted by using panel data of 34 MFIs in the period 2011-2015 with binary logistics and OLS regressions. Results are as follows: (i) MFIs' OSS in Vietnam are mainly determined by five key factors: portfolio at risk (PAR>30), capital structure, gross loan portfolio, scope of activities and legal form; (ii) OSS are most affected by legal status (social organizations have better OSS than formal MFIs or programs/projects), location (MFIs focus in one province have higher OSS than working nationwide or just in one district), capital structure (MFIs with more equity proportion have higher OSS); (iii) surprisingly, average loan size per borrower and age of MFIs do not have statistically significant correlation with OSS. The key recommendations are: (i) MFIs should focus on its professionality and increase its equity; (ii) related stakeholders such as State Bank of Vietnam should promote the enabling ecosystem for microfinance development to enhance poverty reduction and economic development.

Banking Sector Depth and Economic Growth: Empirical Evidence from Vietnam

LE, Thi Thuy Hang,LE, Trung Dao,TRAN, Thi Dien,DUONG, Quynh Nga,DAO, Le Kieu Oanh,DO, Thi Thanh Nhan Korea Distribution Science Association 2021 The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Busine Vol.8 No.3

The Vietnamese economy is a developing country that has brought many opportunities and challenges for the banking system. Commercial banks have developed strongly from quality to quantity, which plays a vital role in developing the economy. They play an important role in capital formation, which is essential for the economic development of a country. They provide financial services to the general public and businesses, ensuring economic and social stability and sustainable growth of the economy. Therefore, the relationship between bank depth and economic growth is of importance in research. This paper used a VAR (Vector Autoregressive Models) estimator for time series data models. The data is collected quarterly from the first quarter of the year 2000 to 2020. The study uses the VAR model to examine the causal relationships of economic growth, growth in money supply expansion, private sector capital requirement, and banks' domestic credit. The results indicate a general short-run relationship between banking sector depth and economic growth with a positive connection, but in the long term, the relationship between these variables can be reversed because of other macro factors. The findings show the two-way causal relationship between GDP growth and banking depth factors. This research contributes to policy-making by underlining the banking sector depth determinants when setting regulations and policies to develop the banking sector.