Synergistic Interactions between GW8510 and Gemcitabine in an In Vitro Model of Pancreatic Cancer.

Background: One of the main reasons for the poor survival rates of pancreatic cancer patients is the development of gemcitabine resistance, indicating that novel treatment strategies that have the ability to improve gemcitabine sensitivity are in need to combat this devastating disease.

Methods: TCGA PAAD data was used to determine the clinicopathological significance of high RRM2 (Ribonucleotide reductase subunit M2) expression for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The effects of GW8510 and gemcitabine on PANC-1 cell viability were determined using WST-8 assay.

Evaluation of complement system proteins C3a, C5a and C6 in patients of endometriosis.

Background: Endometriosis is a disease that shows auto-immune and chronic characteristics, suggesting a role for proteins mediating immune interactions in its pathophysiology. The aim was to evaluate C3a and C5a for their role in inflammatory responses and C6 as the down-stream interactor following our previous findings on C5 mRNA expression changes in endometriosis [1].

Methods: Sera from 71 endometriosis patients and 77 women without endometriosis were taken.

Is overactive bladder microvasculature disease a component of systemic atheroscleorosis?

Aims: To evaluate the relationship between overactive bladder (OAB) and systemic atherosclerosis in a cohort of women.

Methods: In this case-control study, we assessed atherosclerosis indicators, such as Framingham risk scores and carotid and femoral artery intima-media thickness, and evaluated possible bladder wall responses to atherosclerosis using endovaginal color Doppler ultrasound and the detection of urinary cytokines in women with OAB and in controls. Quantitative assessment of blood perfusion at the bladder neck was performed using a method that allows for the dynamic monitoring of flow in a predefined region of interest at every point of the cardiac cycle.

R132H Mutation in IDH1 Gene is Associated with Increased Tumor HIF1-Alpha and Serum VEGF Levels in Primary Glioblastoma Multiforme.

Goals: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common form of primary brain tumors. Although mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 have been identified in a number of cancers, their role in tumor development has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between IDH1 mutations, tumor tissue HIF-1 alpha, and serum VEGF levels in patients with primary GBM for the first time.

High concentration calcitriol induces endoplasmic reticulum stress related gene profile in breast cancer cells.

Calcitriol, the active form of vitamin D, is known for its anticancer properties including induction of apoptosis as well as the inhibition of angiogenesis and metastasis. Understanding the mechanisms of action for calcitriol will help with the development of novel treatment strategies. Since vitamin D exerts its cellular actions via binding to its receptor and by altering expressions of a set of genes, we aimed to evaluate the effect of calcitriol on transcriptomic profile of breast cancer cells.

Microarray gene expression analysis of uterosacral ligaments in uterine prolapse.

Objectives: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a major health problem that impairs the quality of life with a wide clinical spectrum. Since the uterosacral ligaments provide primary support for the uterus and the upper vagina, we hypothesize that the disruption of these ligaments may lead to a loss of support and eventually contribute to POP.

Design And Methods: In this study, we therefore investigated whether there are any differences in the transcription profile of uterosacral ligaments in patients with POP when compared to those of the control samples.

Genome-Wide Association Study of Copy Number Variations in Patients with Familial Neurocardiogenic Syncope.

Neurocardiogenic syncope (NCS) is the most frequent type of syncope characterized by a self-limited episode of systemic hypotension. In this study, we conducted the first genome-wide association study testing copy number variations for association with NCS. Study population consisted of 107 consecutive patients with recurrent syncope and positive head-up tilt table testing.

The Relationship Between Trimethylamine-N-Oxide and Prevalent Cardiovascular Disease in a Multiethnic Population Living in Canada.

Background: Microflora-dependent trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) formation, which results from intake of choline and L-carnitine-rich food, shows promise as a predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, but these associations have not been examined in ethnically diverse populations. In a multiethnic population-based study of adults in Canada, we assessed the stability of TMAO and L-carnitine in stored serum samples and their association with intimal medial thickness, prevalent risk factors, and clinical events.

Methods: In a randomly sampled cross-sectional study of 1286 Canadians, fasting serum samples were collected and stored.

Effects of Ganoderma lucidum (Higher Basidiomycetes) Extracts on the miRNA Profile and Telomerase Activity of the MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cell Line.

Ganoderma lucidum is a medicinal higher Basidiomycetes mushroom that exerts anticancer effects through several different mechanisms. This study investigated the effects of G. lucidum on the telomerase activity and microRNA (miRNA) profiles of MCF-7 cells.

The effect of calcitriol on endoplasmic reticulum stress response.

Calcitriol, the active form of vitamin D, is known for its anticancer properties including induction of apoptosis, inhibition of angiogenesis, and metastasis. Calcitriol also increases intracellular calcium triggering apoptosis in a calpain-dependent manner. Since the main storage unit for cellular calcium is endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and a decrease in ER calcium levels might induce ER stress associated cell death, we hypothesized that the cellular actions of calcitriol occur via ER stress.

Targeting mitochondrial citrate transport in breast cancer cell lines.

Lipogenesis is considered to be a very important aspect of cancer metabolism and targeting de novo lipid synthesis or related pathways are among novel approaches to treat cancer. Many targets of the pathway including ATP-citrate lyase (ACLY), acetyl-CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthase have been evaluated for their potential in cancer treatment. However the role of citrate transport protein (CTP), another important component of lipogenesis pathway, is not well known for cancer metabolism and cell survival.

Increased expression of electron transport chain genes in uterine leiomyoma.

The etiology and pathophysiology of uterine leiomyomas, benign smooth muscle tumors of the uterus, are not well understood. To evaluate the role of mitochondria in uterine leiomyoma, we compared electron transport gene expressions of uterine leiomyoma tissue with myometrium tissue in six uterine leiomyoma patients by RT-PCR array. Our results showed an average of 1.

Mitochondrial DNA polymorphisms associated with longevity in the Turkish population.

The accumulation of mutations in mitochondrial DNA is a widely recognized mechanism for aging and age related diseases. However, studies indicate that some mutations could be beneficial to longevity by slowing down the function of the electron transport chain, reducing free radical production. In this study, we re-sequenced the entire mitochondrial DNA from 50 individuals and examined aging-related variations in the Turkish population.