Rapamycin Prevents Surgery-Induced Immune Dysfunction in Patients with Bladder Cancer.

The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) integrates environmental inputs to regulate cellular growth and metabolism in tumors. However, mTOR also regulates T-cell differentiation and activation, rendering applications of mTOR inhibitors toward treating cancer complex. Preclinical data support distinct biphasic effects of rapamycin, with higher doses directly suppressing tumor cell growth and lower doses enhancing T-cell immunity.

Modifiable risk factors to reduce renal cell carcinoma incidence: Insight from the PLCO trial.

Introduction: Identify modifiable factors contributing to renal cell carcinoma in the PCLO to target disease prevention and reduce health care costs.

Methods: The prostate, lung, colorectal, and ovarian database were queried for the primary outcome of kidney cancer. Demographics were investigated, specifically focusing on modifiable risk factors.

Hormonal manipulation with finasteride or oral contraception does not influence incidence of renal cell carcinoma.

Androgens have been suspected to be involved in the initiation of renal cell carcinoma because of a two-fold increased risk in men compared with women. To investigate the role of self-reported finasteride or oral contraceptive use in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PCLO) to determine whether the androgen receptor reduces renal cancer development. We query the PCLO trial for predictor variables from the baseline questionnaire and follow-up questionnaires enquiring medication use, specifically the use of 5-α reductase inhibitors (dutasteride or finasteride) and oral contraceptive therapy.

Validation of 3D volumetric-based renal function prediction calculator for nephron sparing surgery.

Objective: To evaluate a recently published volume-based renal function prediction calculator intended to be used in small renal mass surgical counseling.

Methods: Retrospective data collection included three-dimensional calculation of renal mass and parenchyma of patients who have undergone extirpative therapy. The predicted glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was calculated using the online calculator.

Screening for depression and anxiety in childhood neurogenic bladder dysfunction.

Introduction: Patients with chronic illnesses are known to have anxiety disorders and are likely to be depressed. Anxiety and depression (A/D) has been studied in adults with spina bifida (SB), however, no study has directly screened for A/D in pediatric patients with neurogenic bladder (NB) and their caregivers.

Objective: The aims of our study were to determine the prevalence of A/D in caregivers of all children with SB and other NB dysfunction and in adolescents with validated screening measures.

Distinct functions for the catalytic and hemopexin domains of a Drosophila matrix metalloproteinase.

Human matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are believed to contribute to tumor progression. Therapies based on inhibiting the catalytic domain of MMPs have been unsuccessful, but these studies raise the question of whether other MMP domains might be appropriate targets. The genetic dissection of domain function has been stymied in mouse because there are 24 related and partially redundant MMP genes in the mouse genome.