The sphingolipid composition and multidrug resistance status of three human neuroblastoma cell lines were established. SK-N-FI cells displayed high expression and functional (efflux) activity of P-glycoprotein, while multidrug resistance-related protein 1 was relatively abundant and most active in SK-N-AS cells. These two cell lines exhibited higher sphingolipid levels, compared to SK-N-DZ, which had the lowest activity of either ATP-binding cassette transporter protein. SK-N-DZ cells also differed in ganglioside composition with predominant expression of b-series gangliosides. In conclusion, these three neuroblastoma cell lines offer a good model system to study sphingolipid metabolism in relation to ATP-binding cassette transporter protein function.

Abstract Exposure to methoxyacetic acid (MAA), a major byproduct of the paint industry, causes testicular atrophy in multiple species. This study demonstrates DNA breakdown in rat germ cells after exposure to MAA in vivo within 12 h, leading to 40% germ cell death by 24 h. Within 4 h of treatment, cytochrome c is released from the mitochondria into the cytosol without the involvement of mitochondrial potential loss, reactive oxygen species generation or lipid peroxidation events. Peak activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3 is detectable post treatment at 4 and 8 h respectively. There is a decrease in germ cell glutathione levels within 2 h of MAA treatment. Replenishment of glutathione by pretreatment of the animals with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine prior to MAA treatment could prevent the release of cytochrome c, DNA fragmentation and cell death.

Abstract Critical changes occurring in Rac-1 molecule, a cytoskeleton organizing small GTPase associated with cell ruffling, have been analyzed in dendritic cells (DCs) derived from monocytes cultured with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and IFN-α or IL-4. Although with different kinetics, both agents induced activation of Rac-1 molecule and, more importantly, an upregulation of both protein expression and mRNA transcription. These findings strengthen the role of Rac-1 molecule in the induction of DC differentiation and suggest that, besides its activation, the upregulation of Rac-1 molecule might also play a role in the acquisition of DC mature phenotype.

The renal cell cancer incidence is relatively low in younger patients, encompassing 3% to 7% of all renal cell cancers. While young patients may have renal tumors due to hereditary syndromes, in some of them sporadic renal cancers develop without any family history or known genetic mutations. Our recent observations from clinical practice have led us to hypothesize that there is a difference in histological distribution in younger patients compared to the older cohort.

Purpose Observational data suggest that androgen deprivation therapy increases the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Using data from the population based PCOS we evaluated whether age at diagnosis and comorbidity impact the association of androgen deprivation therapy with incident diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Materials and Methods We identified men with nonmetastatic prostate cancer diagnosed from 1994 to 1995 who were followed through 2009 to 2010. We used multivariable logistic regression models to assess the relationship of androgen deprivation therapy exposure (2 or fewer years, greater than 2 years or none) with incident diabetes and cardiovascular disease, adjusting for age at diagnosis, race, stage and comorbidity. Results Of 3,526 eligible study participants 2,985 without diabetes and 3,112 without cardiovascular disease comprised the cohorts at risk. Androgen deprivation therapy was not associated with an increased risk of diabetes or cardiovascular disease in men diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 70 years. Prolonged androgen deprivation therapy and increasing age at diagnosis in older men was associated with an increased risk of diabetes (at age 76 years OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.0–4.4) and cardiovascular disease (at age 74 years OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.0–3.5). Men with comorbidities were at greater risk for diabetes (OR 4.3, 95% CI 2.3–7.9) and cardiovascular disease (OR 8.1, 95% CI 4.3–15.5) than men without comorbidities. Conclusions Prolonged androgen deprivation therapy exposure increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes in men diagnosed with prostate cancer who are older than approximately 75 years, especially those with other comorbidities. Older men who receive prolonged androgen deprivation therapy should be closely monitored for diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Abstract The α1,2-fucosyltransferase activity in pancreatic tumors is much lower compared to normal pancreatic tissue. Here we show that hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) 1α is constitutively expressed in the pancreatic cancer cell lines Pa-Tu-8988S and Pa-Tu-8988T and suppresses the expression of the α1,2-fucosyltransferase genes FUT1 and FUT2. Down regulation of HIF-1α expression resulted in elevated FUT1 and FUT2 transcript levels and an increased expression of α1,2-fucosylated glycan structures on the surface of these cells. In conclusion, our data are the first to identify HIF-1α as a suppressor of FUT1/2 expression, thereby regulating α1,2-fucosylation of cell-surface glycans.

Abstract Background About half of patients with cancer use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). So far, data on melanoma patients are missing. Objective The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence and predictors for the use of CAM in this patient group. Methods All patients with melanoma being attended at one of 7 skin cancer centres in Germany between March 2012 and March 2013 were invited to take part in a survey using a structured questionnaire on CAM. The physicians filled in a second part on the diagnosis, state and former and current therapy. Results Nearly half of the 1089 participants (41.0%) used CAM and half of those using CAM (56.8%) marked that this made them feel better. Biological-based CAMs which consists of substances taken were used by 25.9% of all patients (63.1% of those using CAM). Predictors of CAM use were education, psychological support, interest in CAM and previous CAM use. CAM users show higher physical activity, more often use psychosocial help and have contact with a self-help group. Family and friends (41.0%) as well as print media (41.7%) are the main sources of information. Most important reasons to use CAM are to strengthen one's own forces (57.7%) or the immune system (63.4%) and to be able to do something for oneself (53.7%). Conclusion Communication on CAM should become a regular topic in counselling melanoma patients. To increase safety, patients and physicians must have access to evidence-based information on these methods and their interactions with modern cancer treatments.

The presence of mechanical linkages between synergistic muscles and their common tendons may distribute forces among the involved structures. We review studies, using humans and other animals, examining muscle and tendon interactions and discuss the hypothesis that connections between muscle bellies and within tendons may serve as a mechanism to distribute forces and mitigate peak stresses.

Abstract There is increasing evidence that microRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in cell proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation that accompany inflammatory responses. However, whether microRNAs are associated with DC immuno-inflammatory responses with oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) stimulation is not yet known. Our study aims to explore the link of miRNAs with lipid-overload and immuno-inflammatory mechanism for atherosclerosis. In DCs transfected with microRNA-29a mimics or inhibitors, we showed that microRNA-29a plays an important role in proinflammatory cytokine secretion and scavenger receptor expression upon oxLDL-treatment. Furthermore, we suggest an additional explanation for the mechanism of microRNA-29a regulation of its functional target, lipoprotein lipase. We conclude that microRNA-29a could regulate pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion and scavenger receptor expression by targeting lipoprotein lipase in oxLDL-stimulated dendritic cells.

Abstract Transcription factor Ets-1 expressed in endothelial cells promotes angiogenesis. Here, we transiently overexpressed Ets-1 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and comprehensively searched for potential downstream targets of Ets-1 by cDNA microarray analysis. The expression of several angiogenesis-related genes including neuropilin-1 was augmented by the overexpression of Ets-1. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting confirmed the increase in the levels of neuropilin-1 mRNA and protein. In contrast, dominant negative ets-1 decreased the levels of neuropilin-1 mRNA and protein. These results indicate that neuropilin-1 is a downstream target of Ets-1 in HUVECs.