Photosensitized co-generation of nitric oxide and singlet oxygen Enhanced toxicity against ovarian cancer cells.

Near micromolar concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) induce tumor cells death. However, an appropriate NO load has to be delivered selectively to the tumor site in order to avoid NO loss and secondary NO-induced effects. The encapsulation of millimolar concentrations of a NO source and an appropriate trigger of NO release within phospatidylcholine-based liposomes should provide an efficient tool for the selective release of the needed NO payload.

An International Research Collaborative to Examine Global Health Resilience Using the MyStrengths+MyHealth Application.

International organizations have called for the development of programs to strengthen global health resilience. This poster describes the development of an international research collaborative to examine whole-person health and resilience using the web-based application MyStrengths+MyHealth (MSMH). MSMH enables individuals to self-report strengths (resilience), challenges, and needs using simplified terms that have been community validated and at the fourth grade US reading level.

Simplified biplanar (0-90°) fluoroscopic puncture technique for percutaneous nephrolithotomy: the learning curve.

Purpose: To evaluate the learning curve of the simplified fluoroscopic biplanar (0-90º) puncture technique for percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

Methods: We prospectively evaluated patients with renal stones treated with percutaneous nephrolithotomy by a single institution's fellows employing the simplified bi-planar (0-90º) fluoroscopic puncture technique for renal access. The learning curve was assessed with the fluoroscopic screening time and the percutaneous renal puncture time.

A Novel Visual Grading for Ureteral Encrusted Stent Classification to Help Decide the Endourologic Treatment.

The aim of the study is to propose a visual classification for encrusted stents (ESs) to help choose the appropriate endourologic treatment. A multicenter, retrospective, and descriptive study was performed. A total of 140 patients with encrusted Double-J stents were enrolled from 5 different institutions.

Simalikalactone D, a Potential Anticancer Compound from , an Endemic Plant of Puerto Rico.

Species of the genus have been studied because of their antimalarial and antileukemic activities. A group of oxygenated terpenes called quassinoids have been isolated from species of the genus, and are responsible for its therapeutic properties. We hypothesized that , an endemic plant from Puerto Rico, is a natural source rich in quassinoid compounds with anticancer activity.

Mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy versus retrograde intrarenal surgery for the treatment of 10-20 mm lower pole renal stones: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: To compare the efficacy and safety of mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mini-PCNL) versus retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) for treatment of 10-20 mm lower pole renal stones.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science was conducted to identify all studies comparing mini-PCNL and RIRS for 10-20 mm lower pole renal stones before March 2019. Article selection proceeded according to the search strategy based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

Radiation-free flexible ureteroscopy for kidney stone treatment.

: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of flexible ureterorenoscopy (fURS) with holmium laser lithotripsy for treating kidney stones without fluoroscopy as method of best practice for patients and endourologists. : All patients treated for kidney stones by fURS with holmium laser lithotripsy from February 2016 to February 2017 were retrospectively evaluated. The patients' demographic characteristics, stone features (size, number, and location), surgical variables (use of fluoroscopy, operative and fluoroscopy time), complications, and success rate (employing stone-free rate [SFR]), were included in the analysis.

Differences in the percutaneous nephrolithotomy practice patterns among Latin American urologists with and without endourology training.

Purpose: Although the worldwide percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) practice patterns determined via a survey sent to members of the Endourological Society have been published, differences in PCNL practice patterns among Latin American urologists based on endourological or lithiasis training have not been published. To determine the PCNL practice patterns among Latin American urologists with and without training in endourology.

Materials And Methods: The SurveyMonkey® web platform was used to develop a 27- item survey on PCNL for the treatment of renal stones, and the survey was sent via e-mail and other electronic media to 2000 urologists from 15 Latin American countries.

Acetylation and deacetylation of Cdc25A constitutes a novel mechanism for modulating Cdc25A functions with implications for cancer.

The dual specificity phosphatase Cdc25A is a key regulator of the cell cycle that promotes cell cycle progression by dephosphorylating and activating cyclin-dependent kinases. In response to genotoxicants, Cdc25A undergoes posttranslational modifications which contribute to its proteasome-mediated degradation and consequent cell cycle checkpoint arrest. The most thoroughly studied Cdc25A modification is phosphorylation.

Current practice in Latin America of flexible ureterorenoscopy with laser for treating kidney stones.

Introduction: The use of flexible ureterorenoscopy for treating kidney stones has increased in recent years, with considerable worldwide variation in the surgical technique and indications.

Objectives: To determine the current practice, technique variations, use and indications of flexible ureterorenoscopy for treating kidney stones in Latin American.

Methods: We sent (by email and web link) an anonymous questionnaire with 30 questions on flexible ureterorenoscopy for treating kidney stones to Latin American urologists from January 2015 to July 2015.

Acetylation of Werner syndrome protein (WRN): relationships with DNA damage, DNA replication and DNA metabolic activities.

Loss of Werner syndrome protein function causes Werner syndrome, characterized by increased genomic instability, elevated cancer susceptibility and premature aging. Although WRN is subject to acetylation, phosphorylation and sumoylation, the impact of these modifications on WRN's DNA metabolic function remains unclear. Here, we examined in further depth the relationship between WRN acetylation and its role in DNA metabolism, particularly in response to induced DNA damage.

The spin state of a molecular adsorbate driven by the ferroelectric substrate polarization.

The spin state of [Fe(H2B(pz)2)2(bipy)] thin films is mediated by changes in the electric field at the interface of organic ferroelectric polyvinylidene fluoride with trifluoroethylene (PVDF-TrFE). Signatures of the molecular crossover transition are evident in changes in the unoccupied states and the related shift from diamagnetic to paramagnetic characteristics. This may point the way to the molecular magneto-electric effect on devices.

Molecular cooperation between the Werner syndrome protein and replication protein A in relation to replication fork blockage.

The premature aging and cancer-prone disease Werner syndrome is caused by loss of function of the RecQ helicase family member Werner syndrome protein (WRN). At the cellular level, loss of WRN results in replication abnormalities and chromosomal aberrations, indicating that WRN plays a role in maintenance of genome stability. Consistent with this notion, WRN possesses annealing, exonuclease, and ATPase-dependent helicase activity on DNA substrates, with particularly high affinity for and activity on replication and recombination structures.

Acetylation of WRN protein regulates its stability by inhibiting ubiquitination.

Background: WRN is a multi-functional protein involving DNA replication, recombination and repair. WRN acetylation has been demonstrated playing an important role in response to DNA damage. We previously found that WRN acetylation can regulate its enzymatic activities and nuclear distribution.

Regulation of WRN protein cellular localization and enzymatic activities by SIRT1-mediated deacetylation.

Werner syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder associated with premature aging and cancer predisposition caused by mutations of the WRN gene. WRN is a member of the RecQ DNA helicase family with functions in maintaining genome stability. Sir2, an NAD-dependent histone deacetylase, has been proven to extend life span in yeast and Caenorhabditis elegans.

Left ventricular mass and heart sympathetic activity after renal transplantation in children and young adults.

Recent studies considered that an increase in sympathetic activity (SA) may be responsible for left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Before and after renal transplantation (RT), we evaluated changes on left ventricular mass (LVM) and SA in 40 end-stage renal disease patients between 8 and 35 years old. Hypertension (95.

Competition between the DNA unwinding and strand pairing activities of the Werner and Bloom syndrome proteins.

Background: The premature aging and cancer-prone Werner and Bloom syndromes are caused by defects in the RecQ helicase enzymes WRN and BLM, respectively. Recently, both WRN and BLM (as well as several other RecQ members) have been shown to possess a strand annealing activity in addition to the requisite DNA unwinding activity. Since an annealing function would appear to directly oppose the action of a helicase, we have examined in this study the dynamic equilibrium between unwinding and annealing mediated by either WRN or BLM.