Influence of hypoxia on TRAIL-induced apoptosis in tumor cells.

Purpose: Tumor hypoxia reduces the efficacy of radiotherapy, many types of chemotherapy, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). TRAIL (TNF-alpha-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) is a ligand for death receptors of the TNF superfamily shown to be selectively toxic for tumor cells and thereby a promising antineoplastic tool. The impact of hypoxia on TRAIL-induced apoptosis was examined in this study.

All-trans and 9-cis retinoid acids inhibit proliferation, migration, and synthesis of extracellular matrix of human vascular smooth muscle cells by inducing differentiation in vitro.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of 9-cis retinoid acid (9-cis RA) and all-trans RA (ATRA) on proliferation, migratory ability, synthesis of extracellular matrix, intracellular signal transduction, and differentiation of human aortic smooth muscle cells (haSMCs) in vitro. Changes of cell proliferation following incubation with RAs in different doses (10-6 M, 10-7 M, and 10-8 M) were determined directly by proliferation kinetics and indirectly by bromodeoxyuridine enzyme-linked immuno sorbant assays and colony-formation assays. The migratory ability of haSMCs was examined with the help of migration assays.

[Death inducing ligands in combination with ionizing radiation: objective and current knowledge].

Background: Apart from optimization of the radiation technology, future new strategies in radiation oncology will focus on the biological optimisation leading to improved adaptation of the tumor therapy on each tumor entity. In this regard, different areas of biological research may be distinguished: prediction, development of new cytotoxic agents, improvement of the tolerance of normal tissue and the optimisation of radiochemotherapy.

Material And Method: For the development of new strategies the knowledge of molecular mechanisms of radiation induced cell death is essential.

CT-guided percutaneous drainage of intra-abdominal abscesses: APACHE III score stratification of 1-year results. Acute Physiology, Age, Chronic Health Evaluation.

Our objective was to evaluate the clinical success rates of percutaneously drained intra-abdominal abscesses using a risk stratification score for severely ill patients (APACHE III; Acute Physiology, Age, Chronic Health Evaluation). In 75 patients CT-guided percutaneous abscess drainage was performed to treat intra-abdominal abscesses. The clinical success rate based on a 1-year follow-up was correlated with abscess etiology, size, and structure, as well as with the initial APACHE III score.

Antiproliferative effects of the antiallergic agent azelastine on human aortic smooth-muscle cells: an in vitro study.

Rationale And Objectives: The aim of the study was to examine the effects of azelastine on proliferation, clonogenic activity, cell-cycle, and migration of human aortic smooth-muscle cells (haSMCs) in vitro.

Methods: HaSMCs were treated for 4 days with azelastine (1 micromol/L, 25 micromol/L, 50 micromol/L). Half of the treated groups were incubated again with azelastine, the other half received azelastine-free medium every 4 days until day 20.

Flufenamic acid: growth modulating effects on human aortic smooth muscle cells in vitro.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to examine the effects of flufenamic acid on proliferation, clonogenic activity, migratory ability, cell-cycle distribution, and p44/42-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) expression on serum-stimulated human aortic smooth muscle cells (haSMCs) in vitro.

Materials And Methods: HaSMCs were treated with flufenamic acid in three different doses (40 micromol/L, 200 micromol/L, 400 micromol/L) for 4 days, and then flufenamic-acid-free culture medium was supplemented every 4 days until day 20 after initial treatment. The growth kinetics were assessed.