Androgenic and estrogenic 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/17-ketosteroid reductase in human ovarian epithelial tumors: evidence for the type 1, 2 and 5 isoforms.

17beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/17-ketosteroid reductases (17HSD/KSR) play a key role in regulating steroid receptor occupancy in normal tissues and tumors. Although 17HSD/KSR activity has been detected in ovarian epithelial tumors, our understanding of which isoforms are present and their potential for steroid metabolism is limited. In this investigation, 17HSD/KSR activity from a series of ovarian epithelial tumors was assayed in cytosol and microsomes under conditions which differentiate between isoforms.

Reduced expression of early growth response-1 gene in leiomyoma as identified by mRNA differential display.

Objectives: Despite being the most common pelvic tumor in women, little is known about the molecular basis of uterine leiomyoma growth. The purpose of this study was to (1) identify genes important for leiomyogenesis by comparing gene expression in leiomyoma and normal myometrium and (2) examine the expression level of selected genes on a larger panel of leiomyomas.

Methods: The technique of mRNA differential display (DD) was used to perform a larger survey of gene expression in leiomyoma by comparing it to matched normal myometrium.

Circannual variation of cell proliferation in lymphoid organs and bone marrow of BDF1 male mice on three lighting regimens.

BDF1 male mice, which had been raised for several generations on a lighting regimen of LD 12:12, were studied. Experiments were conducted over 24 h spans during winter, spring, summer, and fall. For 3-4 weeks prior to each study, one-third of the animals were kept on a lighting regimen of 8 h of light alternating with 16 h of darkness (LD 8:16), one-third was kept on a regimen of LD 12:12, and one-third was kept on a regimen of LD 16:8.

Cancer marker assessment: case report on salivary and urinary CEA.

A circadian rhythm is demonstrated for salivary CEA in a clinically healthy man who collected unstimulated saliva samples around the clock for 4 days. Its acrophase occurs around 07:00, slightly later than for patients with colon cancer. A circadian rhythm of borderline statistical significance is found for the urinary excretion rate of CEA determined during the same span by this patient.