Direct estradiol and diethylstilbestrol actions on early- versus late-stage prostate cancer cells.

Background: Diethylstilbestrol (DES) and other pharmaceutical estrogens have been used at ≥ µM concentrations to treat advanced prostate tumors, with successes primarily attributed to indirect hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis control mechanisms. However, estrogens also directly affect tumor cells, though the mechanisms involved are not well understood.

Methods: LAPC-4 (androgen-dependent) and PC-3 (androgen-independent) cell viability was measured after estradiol (E2) or DES treatment across wide concentration ranges.

Multi-well plate immunoassays for measuring signaling protein activations/deactivations and membrane vs. intracellular receptor levels.

We developed fixed-cell multi-well plate immunoassays that increase the throughput and ease of quantification for questions formerly assessed by immunoblot scanning. The assays make use of the now abundant antibodies designed to recognize receptor subtypes and posttranslationally modified signaling proteins. By optimizing permeabilization and fixation conditions, mainly based on specific cell types, the assay can be adapted to the study of many different antigens of importance to hormonal and neurotransmitter signaling scenarios.

An examination of selected drug availability at online pharmacies.

According to the literature, prescription cost and convenience are generally regarded as the most important reasons for buying online. This study examines the availability of selected prescription drugs at some of the online pharmacies in the USA. Specifically, the drugs examined are among the ten most often prescribed by physicians.