Bmi1 promotes prostate tumorigenesis via inhibiting p16(INK4A) and p14(ARF) expression.

We report here that the polycomb group protein Bmi1 promotes prostate tumorigenesis. Bmi1 is detected at higher levels in androgen-independent PC3 and DU145 than in androgen-dependent LNCaP prostate cancer (CaP) cells. Ectopic Bmi1 enhanced the expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and suppressed the exression of p16(INK4A) and p14(ARF) in CaP cells.

Lower plasma adiponectin levels are associated with larger tumor size and metastasis in clear-cell carcinoma of the kidney.

Objectives: To examine a possible relationship between plasma adiponectin levels and renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Adiponectin, a cytokine secreted by adipocytes, is a potent antiangiogenic factor. Plasma levels of adiponectin in patients with RCC and tumor adiponectin receptors R1 and R2 (AdipoR1&2) expression levels were measured and correlated with disease characteristics.

Co-existence of high levels of the PTEN protein with enhanced Akt activation in renal cell carcinoma.

Recruiting Akt to the membrane-bound phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5) trisphosphate (PIP3) is required for Akt activation. While PI3 kinase (PI3K) produces PIP3, PTEN dephosphorylates the 3-position phosphate from PIP3, thereby directly inhibiting Akt activation. PTEN is the dominant PIP3 phosphatase, as knockdown of PTEN results in increases in Akt activation in mice.

ATM activation is accompanied with earlier stages of prostate tumorigenesis.

The ATM (ataxia telangiectasia mutated) kinase plays an essential role in maintaining genome integrity by coordinating cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and DNA damage repair. Phosphorylation of ATM at serine 1981 (ATMpSer1981) by DNA damage activates ATM, which subsequently phosphorylates H2AX Ser139 (gammaH2AX), Chk2 Thr68 (Chk2pThr68), and p53 Ser15 (p53pSer15). To determine the role of the ATM pathway in prostate cancer tumorigenesis, we have analyzed 35 primary prostate cancer specimens for ATMpSer1981 (ATM activation), Chk2pThr68, gammaH2AX, and p53pSer15 by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in normal glands, prostatic intraepithelial neoplasias (PINs), and carcinomas.

Nutrient inadequacy in obese and non-obese youth.

Purpose: In this study, the Dietary Reference Intake standards were used to evaluate the prevalence of inadequate intakes of micronutrients in obese and non-obese youth.

Methods: Dietary intake was analyzed with a dietary history taken by a registered dietitian. The obese group (n=156) had a body mass index (BMI) above the 95th percentile for age and sex.

Comparison of laparoscopic radical renal surgery in morbidly obese and non-obese patients.

Background And Purpose: Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy is rapidly becoming accepted as the preferred management of low-stage renal masses not amenable to partial nephrectomy. Minimally invasive surgery is advantageous to decrease perioperative and postoperative morbidity and allows patients to return to normal activities faster. Obesity has been a relative contraindication to this technique, and these patients have traditionally undergone open surgery.

Growth potential, but not body weight or moderate limitation of lysine intake, affects inevitable lysine catabolism in growing pigs.

Inevitable catabolism contributes to the inefficiency of using dietary lysine intake for body protein deposition (PD). This study was conducted to determine the effects of true ileal digestible (TID) lysine intake, body weight (BW), and growth potential on lysine catabolism in growing pigs. Starting at 15 kg BW, 16 female Yorkshire pigs were offered a purified diet providing all nutrients in excess of requirements for maximum protein deposition (PDmax).