Urine osmolality assessment through the integration of urea hydrolysis and impedance measurement.

We present the development and validation of an impedance-based urine osmometer for accurate and portable measurement of urine osmolality. The urine osmolality of a urine sample can be estimated by determining the concentrations of the conductive solutes and urea, which make up approximately 94% of the urine composition. Our method utilizes impedance measurements to determine the conductive solutes and urea after hydrolysis with urease enzyme.

Feasibility and utility of facemask sampling in the detection of SARS-CoV-2 during an ongoing pandemic.

Easy access to screening for timely identification and isolation of infectious COVID-19 patients remains crucial in sustaining the international efforts to control COVID-19 spread. A major barrier limiting broad-based screening is the lack of a simple, rapid, and cost-effective COVID-19 testing method. We evaluated the feasibility and utility of facemask sampling in a cohort of 42 COVID-19-positive and 36 COVID-19-negative patients.

Anti-survivin effect of the small molecule inhibitor YM155 in RCC cells is mediated by time-dependent inhibition of the NF-κB pathway.

Constitutive activation of the NF-κB signaling cascade is associated with tumourigenesis and poor prognosis in many human cancers including RCC. YM155, a small molecule inhibitor of survivin, was previously shown to potently inhibit the viability of immortalized and patient derived renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cell lines. Here we investigated the role of NF-κB signaling to the anti-cancer properties of YM155 in RCC786.

The mechanistic effects of the dioxonaphthoimidazolium analog YM155 in renal cell carcinoma cell cycling and apoptosis.

Aim: To investigate the effect of dioxonaphthoimidazolium analog YM155 on cell cycle progression of the clear-cell variant of renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).

Main Methods: Cell cycle analysis was performed using bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and PI, apoptosis initiation was monitored using Annexin V and proteins expression was determined using western immunoblotting.

Key Findings: Here, we showed that YM155 activated stress-related molecules (histone H2AX, checkpoint kinases Chk1 and Chk2, p53) that mediate DNA damage checkpoint responses.

Action of YM155 on clear cell renal cell carcinoma does not depend on survivin expression levels.

The dioxonapthoimidazolium YM155 is a survivin suppressant which has been investigated as an anticancer agent in clinical trials. Here, we investigated its growth inhibitory properties on a panel of immortalized and patient derived renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cell lines which were either deficient in the tumour suppressor von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) protein or possessed a functional copy. Neither the VHL status nor the survivin expression levels of these cell lines influenced their susceptibility to growth inhibition by YM155.

Antiproliferative, DNA intercalation and redox cycling activities of dioxonaphtho[2,3-d]imidazolium analogs of YM155: A structure-activity relationship study.

The anticancer agent YM155 is widely investigated as a specific survivin suppressant. More recently, YM155 was found to induce DNA damage and this has raised doubts as to whether survivin is its primary target. In an effort to assess the contribution of DNA damage to the anticancer activity of YM155, several analogs were prepared and evaluated for antiproliferative activity on malignant cells, participation in DNA intercalation and free radical generation by redox cycling.

CD1d expression in renal cell carcinoma is associated with higher relapse rates, poorer cancer-specific and overall survival.

Aims: We hypothesised that CD1d expression in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) may play a role in modifying the host immune response. Our aims were to investigate the expression of CD1d and to correlate this with histopathology and clinical outcomes in a cohort study of patients with RCC.

Methods: Gene expression and tissue microarray studies on a panel of RCC tissue were performed.

Combination of the ERK inhibitor AZD6244 and low-dose sorafenib in a xenograft model of human renal cell carcinoma.

Sorafenib, a multikinase inhibitor, is currently used as monotherapy for advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, adverse effects associated with its use have been experienced by some patients. In this study, we examined the antitumor and antiangiogenic activities of low-dose sorafenib in combination with the MEK inhibitor AZD6244 (sorafenib/AZD6244) in a preclinical model of RCC.