Heterogeneous expression of the lipocalin NGAL in primary breast cancers.

We have previously shown that neu oncogene-initiated rat mammary carcinomas uniquely over-express neu-related lipocalin (NRL), a member of the calycin protein superfamily. Here, we characterize the putative human homolog of NRL, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL). ngal gene expression was found at moderate levels in only 2 of 17 human tissues examined, breast and lung.

Active membrane properties and signal encoding in graded potential neurons.

We investigated the influence of active membrane properties on the precision by which the stimulus velocity is encoded in the membrane potential of a motion-sensitive interneuron in the blowfly. The so-called HS-cells respond to visual motion stimuli with a graded shift in membrane potential. Superimposed on this graded response are small spike-like events.

On the statistical analysis of allelic-loss data.

This paper concerns the statistical analysis of certain binary data arising in molecular studies of cancer. In allelic-loss experiments, tumour cell genomes are analysed at informative molecular marker loci to identify deleted chromosomal regions. The resulting binary data are used to infer properties of putative suppressor genes, genes involved in normal cell cycling.

Mapping of 55 new rat microsatellite markers from chromosome-specific libraries.

Fifty-five novel rat microsatellite markers were isolated from libraries specific for rat chromosomes (Chrs) 1, 2, and 7. The markers were mapped in three backcross rat populations. Thirty of these markers mapped to Chrs 1, 2, or 7, while the other 25 mapped to other chromosomes.

Cultivation of bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma carassii, a common parasite of freshwater fish.

Trypanosoma carassii (syn. T. danilewskyi) is a widespread parasite of carp and other cyprinid as well as some noncyprinid freshwater fish.

Genetic identification of multiple loci that control breast cancer susceptibility in the rat.

We have used a rat model of induced mammary carcinomas in an effort to identify breast cancer susceptibility genes. Using genetic crosses between the carcinoma-resistant Copenhagen (COP) and carcinoma-sensitive Wistar-Furth rats, we have confirmed the identification of the Mcs1 locus that modulates tumor number. We have now also identified two additional loci, Mcs2 and Mcs3.

The molecular phylogeny of trypanosomes: evidence for an early divergence of the Salivaria.

Chronic infections with trypanosomes dwelling extracellularly in the blood and tissues of their hosts are observed in all vertebrate classes. We present here a molecular phylogenetic reconstruction of trypanosome evolution based on nucleotide sequences of small subunit rRNA genes. The evolutionary tree suggests an ancient split into one branch containing all Salivarian trypanosomes and a branch containing all non-Salivarian lineages.

The intrinsic electrophysiological characteristics of fly lobula plate tangential cells: II. Active membrane properties.

The voltage-gated currents in the fly lobula plate tangential cells were examined using the switched electrode voltage clamp technique. In CH cells, two currents were identified (Figs. 1, 2): a slow calcium inward current and a delayed rectifying, noninactivating potassium outward current.

Dendritic computation of direction selectivity and gain control in visual interneurons.

The extraction of motion information from time varying retinal images is a fundamental task of visual systems. Accordingly, neurons that selectively respond to visual motion are found in almost all species investigated so far. Despite its general importance, the cellular mechanisms underlying direction selectivity are not yet understood in most systems.

Encoding of visual motion information and reliability in spiking and graded potential neurons.

We investigated the information about stimulus velocity inherent in the membrane signals of two types of directionally selective, motion-sensitive interneurons in the fly visual system. One of the cells, the H1-cell, is a spiking neuron, whereas the other, the HS-cell, encodes sensory information mainly by a graded shift of its membrane potential. Using a pseudo-random velocity waveform by which a visual grating is moving along the horizontal axis of the eye, both cell types follow the stimulus velocity at higher precision than in response to a step-like velocity function.

Genetic linkage mapping of 11 novel DNA markers and the ceruloplasmin (Cp) gene on rat chromosome 2.

We have mapped 11 novel, anonymous genetic markers to rat chromosome 2. The rat ceruloplasmin gene (Cp) had been previously mapped to chromosomes 2 and 7q11-->q13 by two different methods. To resolve the assignment and to localize the Cp gene on the rat genetic linkage map, we used linkage analysis to confirm that rat Cp lies on chromosome 2.

The intrinsic electrophysiological characteristics of fly lobula plate tangential cells: I. Passive membrane properties.

The passive membrane properties of the tangential cells in the fly lobula plate (CH, HS, and VS cells, Fig. 1) were determined by combining compartmental modeling and current injection experiments. As a prerequisite, we built a digital base of the cells by 3D-reconstructing individual tangential cells from cobalt-stained material including both CH cells (VCH and DCH cells), all three HS cells (HSN, HSE, and HSS cells) and most members of the VS cell family (Figs.

Allelic imbalance in mammary carcinomas induced by either 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene or ionizing radiation in rats carrying genes conferring differential susceptibilities to mammary carcinogenesis.

To identify and compare the genetic lesions associated with tumorigenesis in rats carrying the mammary carcinoma suppressor (MCS) 1 gene, we induced mammary carcinomas in (Wistar Furth (WF) x Copenhagen (Cop))F1 rats by using either 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) or radiation. The tumors were screened for allelic imbalances by using polymerase chain reaction and 65 polymorphic microsatellite markers spanning the genome. No allelic imbalance was detected at the mapped location of MCS-1 on chromosome 2; however, a scan of the genome revealed random allelic imbalances in the radiation-induced tumors.

Cloning, genetic mapping and expression studies of the rat Brca1 gene.

The breast cancer gene BRCA1 has previously been cloned from both human and mouse. We cloned a fragment of the rat Brca1 homologue in order to map it and explore its biological function. Partial cDNA fragments of the rat Brca1 homologue were isolated by RT-PCR.

Inherited susceptibility and acquired allelic imbalance in rat mammary carcinogenesis.

Individual genetically determined susceptibility to cancer as well as acquired epigenetic and genetic organ specific alterations are important considerations in choosing target populations for chemopreventive trials. These individual epigenetic and genetic alterations can also serve as potential biomarkers for chemoprevention clinical trials. In order to model these potential markers for chemoprevention investigations, we are examining a series of interrelated rat models.

Mechanisms of dendritic integration underlying gain control in fly motion-sensitive interneurons.

In the compensatory optomotor response of the fly the interesting phenomenon of gain control has been observed by Reichardt and colleagues (Reichardt et al., 1983): The amplitude of the response tends to saturate with increasing stimulus size, but different saturation plateaus are assumed with different velocities at which the stimulus is moving. This characteristic can already be found in the motion-sensitive large field neurons of the fly optic lobes that play a role in mediating this behavioral response (Hausen, 1982; Reichardt et al.

Processing of synaptic information depends on the structure of the dendritic tree.

The consequences of dendritic geometry for the processing of synaptic information was analysed in two types of motion-sensitive neurones in the visual system of the fly. These neurones differ conspicuously in the morphology of their dendrites but receive their input from the same type of local motion-sensitive elements. Intracellular recording and activating selected regions of the dendrite by visual motion showed that, in accordance with cable theory of nerve cells, the way in which postsynaptic signals interact is essentially determined by the structure of the dendritic tree.

Limonene chemoprevention of mammary carcinoma induction following direct in situ transfer of v-Ha-ras.

Monoterpenes, including limonene and its in vivo rat plasma metabolites, have been shown to be inhibitors of protein isoprenylation of small G proteins, including p21 ras. In addition, dietary limonene has been shown to be capable of preventing the development and causing the regression of chemically induced mammary carcinomas, many of which contain activated ras oncogenes. On the basis of these observations, it was hypothesized that a possible mechanism by which limonene exerts its effects on the chemoprevention and regression of mammary tumors involves the inhibition of protein isoprenylation of the small G protein p21.

Human metabolism of the experimental cancer therapeutic agent d-limonene.

d-Limonene has efficacy in preclinical models of breast cancer, causing > 80% of carcinomas to regress with little host toxicity. We performed a pilot study on healthy human volunteers to identify plasma metabolites of limonene and to assess the toxicity of supradietary quantities of d-limonene. Seven subjects ingested 100 mg/kg limonene in a custard.

Mammary carcinoma regression induced by perillyl alcohol, a hydroxylated analog of limonene.

The monoterpene perillyl alcohol has been shown to induce the regression of 81% of small mammary carcinomas and up to 75% of advanced mammary carcinomas initiated by 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) in the Wistar-Furth rat. Dietary perillyl alcohol was greater than 5 times more potent than the monoterpene limonene at inducing tumor regression. Perillyl alcohol is rapidly metabolized in the rat, as is limonene.

ApcMin, a mutation in the murine Apc gene, predisposes to mammary carcinomas and focal alveolar hyperplasias.

ApcMin (Min, multiple intestinal neoplasia) is a point mutation in the murine homolog of the APC gene. Min/+ mice develop multiple intestinal adenomas, as do humans carrying germ-line mutations in APC. Female mice carrying Min are also prone to develop mammary tumors.

Increased mannose 6-phosphate/insulin-like growth factor II receptor and transforming growth factor beta 1 levels during monoterpene-induced regression of mammary tumors.

The monoterpenes represent a potentially new class of breast cancer therapeutic agents. We have shown that d-limonene induces the regression of advanced rat mammary adenocarcinomas. These regressing tumors have an increased cellular concentration of both the mannose-6-phosphate/insulin-like growth factor II receptors and transforming growth factor beta 1.

Comparison of ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone as single-dose therapy for uncomplicated gonorrhea in women.

Although women bear the brunt of gonococcal infection-related morbidity, few large studies of gonorrhea treatment in women have been conducted. In a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 181 evaluable women with uncomplicated gonorrhea were treated with ciprofloxacin (250 mg orally; 94 women) or ceftriaxone (250 mg intramuscularly; 87 women). Twenty-four percent of the participants were infected with antibiotic-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Mammary carcinoma suppressor and susceptibility genes in the Wistar-Kyoto rat.

The Copenhagen (Cop) rat carries a homozygous mammary carcinoma suppressor (MCS) gene that prevents both spontaneous and induced mammary cancer. Here we identify an additional rat strain, the Wistar-Kyoto (WKy), that is resistant to the development of mammary carcinomas. This rat strain is similar to Cop in having one homozygous copy of a mammary suppressor gene.

Limonene-induced regression of mammary carcinomas.

Dietary administration of the monocyclic monoterpenoid d-limonene causes complete regression of both dimethylbenz[alpha]anthracene- and N-nitroso-N-methylurea-induced rat mammary carcinomas. Carcinomas regress when limonene is added to the diet either when the tumor is small and still capable of spontaneously regressing or when it is large and progressed beyond the stage when it is susceptible to spontaneous regression. The limonene dose-tumor regression response relationship is steep.