Our previous findings have demonstrated that bee venom (BV) has anti-cancer activity in several cancer cells. However, the effects of BV on lung cancer cell growth have not been reported. Cell viability was determined with trypan blue uptake, soft agar formation as well as DAPI and TUNEL assay. Cell death related protein expression was determined with Western blotting. An EMSA was used for nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) activity assay. BV (1–5 μg/mL) inhibited growth of lung cancer cells by induction of apoptosis in a dose dependent manner in lung cancer cell lines A549 and NCI-H460. Consistent with apoptotic cell death, expression of DR3 and DR6 was significantly increased. However, deletion of DRs by small interfering RNA significantly reversed BV induced cell growth inhibitory effects. Expression of pro-apoptotic proteins (caspase-3 and Bax) was concomitantly increased, but the NF-κB activity and expression of Bcl-2 were inhibited. A combination treatment of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-like weak inducer of apoptosis, TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand, docetaxel and cisplatin, with BV synergistically inhibited both A549 and NCI-H460 lung cancer cell growth with further down regulation of NF-κB activity. These results show that BV induces apoptotic cell death in lung cancer cells through the enhancement of DR3 expression and inhibition of NF-κB pathway.

No abstract

A solid freeform fabrication (SFF) system using selective laser sintering (SLS) is currently recognized as a leading process and SLS extends the applications to machinery and automobiles due to the various materials employed. In order to develop a more elaborate and rapid system for fabricating large objects compared to existing SLS, this study employs a new selective dual-laser sintering (SDLS) process. It contains a 3-axis, dynamic focusing scanner system for scanning large areas instead of the existing fθ lens used in commercial SLS. Therefore, the unique scanning path generation is necessary to eliminate the factors of quality deterioration in case of fabricating larger objects. Also, this paper will address development of an SFF system which employs the dual laser system and the unique scanning device. Experiments were performed to evaluate the effect of a scanning path and fabrication parameters on sintering process and to fabricate the various 3D objects using polymer powder.

No abstract

In order to develop more elaborate and speedy system for large objects than existing selective laser sintering (SLS), this study applies a new selective dual-laser sintering process. It contains a 3-axis dynamic focusing scanner system for scanning large area instead of the existing fθ lens. As sintering parameters, the sintering temperature, the laser beam power and the layer thickness have a great influence on sintering of the polymer and metal powder. This paper will address the development of a solid freeform fabrication (SFF) system employing the dual laser system. Experiments were performed to evaluate the effect of a scanning path and to fabricate the large-sized object.