Our studies demonstrated that human colon cancer cells (COLO 205), with higher expression level of check point kinase 1 (Chk1), were more sensitive to microtubule damage agent Tubulozole (TUBU) induced G2/M phase arrest than normal human colon epithelial (CRL) cells. TUBU (10 microM, for 3h) treatment resulted in rapid and sustained phosphorylation of Cdc25C (Ser-216) leading to increased 14-3-...

BACKGROUND With the increasing interest with botulinum toxin--A (BTX-A) application in the lower urinary tract, we investigated the BTX-A effects on the canine prostate and also in men with bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS Transperineal injection into the prostate using transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) was performed throughout the study. Saline ...

OBJECTIVES We sought to evaluate the cardiac and renal effects of an N-acetylcysteine (NAC)-enhanced intracoronary radiographic contrast agent. BACKGROUND Recent studies suggest that high-dose NAC provides better protection from contrast-induced nephropathy, and the antioxidant properties of NAC may also provide cardiac protection. The use of angiographic contrast agents as a drug delivery ve...

During mandibular movement, condyle is subjected to repetitive compression and the mandibular condylar chondrocytes (MCCs) can detect and respond to this biomechanical environment by altering their metabolism. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of pressure to the ultrastructure, aggrecan synthesis, nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin F(1)alpha(PGF(1)alpha) secretion in ...

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) remains a life-limiting condition with a major impact on the ability to lead a normal life. Although existing therapies may improve the outlook in some patients there remains a major unmet need to develop more effective therapies in this condition. There have been significant advances in our understanding of the genetic, cell and molecular basis of PAH over...

Oncostatin M (OSM) is a multifunctional cellular regulator acting on a wide variety of cells, which has potential roles in the regulation of gene activation, cell survival, proliferation and differentiation. Previous studies have shown that OSM can induce morphological and/or functional differentiation and maturation of many tumor cells. However, the action of OSM on the induction of differenti...

BACKGROUND/AIMS Osteomyelitis is a debilitating infectious disease of the bone which is predominantly caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of the S. aureus virulence factors, i.e. protein A (SpA), Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) and coagulase (Coa) on osteomyelitis. METHODS The effect of SpA, PVL and Coa on osteoblasts was studie...

Development of drugs from natural products has been undergoing a gradual evoluation. Many plant derived compounds have excellent therapeutic potential against various human ailments. They are important sources especially for anticancer agents. A number of promising new agents are in clinical development based on their selective molecular targets in the field of oncology. D-pinitol is a naturall...

AIMS Some environmental insults, such as fine particulate matter (PM) exposure, significantly impair the function of stem cells. However, it is unknown if PM exposure could affect the population of bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs). The present study was to investigate the effects of PM on BMSCs population and related mechanism(s). MAIN METHEODS PM was intranasally distilled into male C57BL/6 mi...

BACKGROUND Curcumin is known to possess many anti-tumor properties such as inhibition of tumor growth and induction of apotosis. However, limited bioavailability of curcumin prevents its clinical application. A synthesized curcumin analog, 1,5-diaryl-3-oxo-1,4-pentadiene such as GO-Y030, has the improved anti-tumor potential in vitro as well as in mouse model of colorectal carcinogenesis. RES...