Concurrent EAF2 and ELL2 loss phenocopies individual EAF2 or ELL2 loss in prostate cancer cells and murine prostate.

Elongation factor for RNA polymerase II 2 (ELL2) and ELL-associated factor 2 (EAF2) are two functionally related androgen responsive gene-encoded proteins with prostate tumor suppressor characteristics. EAF2 and ELL2 have both been shown to be down-regulated in advanced prostate cancer, and mice with either or deficiency developed murine prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (mPIN), increased cellular proliferation and increased vascularity. Functional studies have revealed that EAF2 and ELL2 can bind to each other and have similar roles in regulating cell proliferation, angiogenesis and prostate homeostasis.

Salvage Surgery After Renal Mass Ablation.

Thermal ablative techniques represent treatment options for patients with small renal masses who are not candidates for surgery. The oncologic efficacy of ablation has not been compared in a randomized fashion with nephron-sparing surgery, and the urologist must be knowledgeable regarding the workup and treatment of patients with suspected residual or recurrent tumor following these therapies. Surveillance of patients with tumor recurrence after ablation may be indicated in select circumstances.

Minimally Invasive Versus Open Approach for Cystectomy: Trends in the Utilization and Demographic or Clinical Predictors Using the National Cancer Database.

Objective: To examine temporal national trends of operative approach for cystectomy and identify demographic or clinical predictive factors that influence choice of approach.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent cystectomy for bladder cancer between 2010 and 2013 using the National Cancer Database. Approach was stratified by open vs minimally invasive (robotic or laparoscopic).

Preoperative Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate Independently Predicts Overall Survival in Localized Renal Cell Carcinoma following Radical Nephrectomy.

Objectives. To determine the relationship between preoperative erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and overall survival in localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC) following nephrectomy. Methods.

S-adenosyl-L-methionine inhibits collagen secretion in hepatic stellate cells via increased ubiquitination.

Background: Liver fibrosis is the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components that disrupt normal liver microcirculation and lead to organ injury. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), following transdifferentiation, are the central mediators of hepatic fibrosis through increased secretion of ECM components, including type I collagen.

Aims: The mechanism(s) by which the antioxidant S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) acts to modulate type I collagen secretion in activated HSCs was examined.