Fisetin (3,3',4',7-tetrahydroxyflavone), a naturally occurring flavonoid, has been reported to possess some anti-cancer and anti-inflammation capabilities. In this study, fisetin has exhibited inhibitory effects on the adhesion, migration, and invasion ability of a highly metastatic PC-3 cells under non-cytotoxic concentrations. Gelatin zymography assay showed that fisetin inhibited the matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activities. Our result also showed that fisetin could inhibit the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1 and 2 (JNK1/2) and Akt. Moreover, fisetin significantly decreased the nuclear levels of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB), c-Fos, and c-Jun, and the binding abilities of NF-kappaB and activator protein-1 (AP-1). Also, the results showed that the protein and mRNA levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were significantly reduced by Western blot and semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Further, treating specific inhibitors for PI3K (Wortmannin) or JNK (SP600125) to PC-3 cells could reduce the protein expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9. These results showed fisetin could inhibit the metastatic ability of PC-3 by reducing MMP-2 and MMP-9 expressions through suppressing phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt (PI3K/Akt) and JNK signaling pathways. This suggested fisetin can serve as a potential candidate for treating cancer metastasis.

Purpose -This study seeks to fill a gap by investigating the moderating effects of LOC on each model path across internals and externals. Design/methodology/approach -The sample comprised 242 professional staff across a wide range of departments of a large organization in metropolitan Taipei, Taiwan. Following data collection, structural equation modeling is applied to conduct data analysis for confirmatory factor analysis. Findings -Test results indicate that global job satisfaction influences turnover intentions and organizational commitment is more for internals than externals. Organizational commitment influences turnover intentions similarly for both internals and externals. Furthermore, the influence of perceived job stress on job satisfaction and organizational commitment is stronger for externals than internals. Finally, leadership support influences job satisfaction more for internals than externals. Practical implications -Support for the proposed model provides encouragement for health care leaders interested in creating stable and low turnover environments that benefit both employees and organizations. Creating enhanced work environments that strengthen leadership support for employees acting on their own expert judgment and relieving job stress are essential for fostering job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Moreover, boosting job satisfaction and organizational commitment will ultimately lead to reduced turnover intentions. Originality/value -This study suggests that employees differ in terms of their locus of control, and that the differences are manifested in perceptions of job stress and leadership support.

The goal of this study was to assess the incorporation of exudates of human platelet-rich fibrin (hPRF) that is abundant in platelet cytokines and growth factors into biodegradable fibrin (FB) scaffolds as a regeneration matrix for promoting chondrocyte proliferation and re-differentiation. hPRF was obtained from human blood by centrifugation without an anticoagulant, and the exudate of hPRF was collected and mixed with bovine fibrinogen, and then thrombin was added to form the FB scaffold. Proliferation and differentiation of human primary chondrocytes and a human chondrosarcoma cell line, the SW-1353, embedded in the three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds and on the two-dimensional (2D) surface of the FB scaffolds so produced were evaluated in comparison with an agarose (AG) scaffold serving as the control. Results demonstrated that the amounts of these cytokines and growth factors in hPRF exudates were higher than those in the blood-derived products except for TGF-β1. Chondrocytes and SW1353 cells on the 2D and 3D FB scaffolds with the addition of the exudates of PRF exhibited more-available proliferation and differentiation than cells on 2D and 3D FB and AG scaffolds. It was concluded that FB scaffolds can provide an appropriate environment for chondrocyte proliferation and re-differentiation, and it could be improved by adding exudates of hPRF. These 3D scaffolds have great promise for cartilage tissue engineering.

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Hydroxyapatite (HA) is one of the most commonly used materials for the coating of bioceramic titanium (Ti) alloys. However, HA has poor mechanical properties and a low bonding strength. Accordingly, the present study replaces HA with a composite coating material consisting of fluorapatite (FA) and 20 wt % yttria (3 mol %) stabilized zirconia (ZrO2, 3Y-TZP). The FA/ZrO2 coatings are deposited on Ti6Al4V substrates using a Nd:YAG laser cladding system with laser powers and travel speeds of 400 W/200 mm/min, 800 W/400 mm/min, and 1200 W/600 mm/min, respectively. The experimental results show that a significant inter-diffusion of the alloying elements occurs between the coating layer (CL) and the transition layer (TL). Consequently, a strong metallurgical bond is formed between them. During the cladding process, the ZrO2 is completely decomposed, while the FA is partially decomposed. As a result, the CLs of all the specimens consist mainly of FA, Ca4(PO4)2O (TTCP), CaF2, CaZrO3, CaTiO3 and monoclinic phase ZrO2 (m-ZrO2), together with a small amount of θ-Al2O3. As the laser power is increased, CaO, CaCO3 and trace amounts of tetragonal phase ZrO2 (t-ZrO2) also appear. As the laser power increases from 400 to 800 W, the CL hardness also increases as a result of microstructural refinement and densification. However, at the highest laser power of 1200 W, the CL hardness reduces significantly due to the formation of large amounts of relatively soft CaO and CaCO3 phase.

Two methods have been used to produce a maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the superficial quadriceps femoris muscles for normalization of electromyographic (EMG) data. The purposes of this study were to compare the myoelectic activity of MVIC of manual muscle testing (MMT) versus Cybex maximal isometric testing. Eighteen normal subjects were recruited. MMT and Cybex testing for MVIC of the dominant leg were performed. EMG activities of the vastus medialis, vastus lateralis and rectus femoris were recorded during MMT and Cybex trials. EMG amplitude and median frequency obtained from the two methods (MMT and Cybex testing) were used for statistical analysis of these three muscles. Statistically, the difference in the mean of the EMG signal amplitude and median frequency between MMT and Cybex testing were not significant. Considering cost and time, MMT for MVIC technique appears to be reliable and highly valuable.

Translation of the instrument into Chinese extends its utility to the traumatic injury population. Awareness of patients' illness representations can help clinicians provide appropriate interventions to patients.