Reduction in new metastases in breast cancer with adjuvant clodronate treatment

We report an unusual case of peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor (pPNET) in an infant presenting with congenital cutaneous nodules and a t(7;22)(p21;q11.2). The biologic behavior of the tumor diverged over time from a slowly growing tumor with multiple cutaneous nodules to a more aggressive neoplasm characterized by pulmonary metastases and a soft tissue mass showing additional cytogenetic alterations.     

Sol-gel derived SrBi2Ta2O9 thin films and electrical properties

Ferroelectric SrBi₂Ta₂O₉ thin films were prepared from Sr metals, Ta-ethoxide and Bi, 2-ethylhexanoate. The films were prepared from both stoichiometric and 10 mol% Bi rich solutions. The stoichiometric film crystallized at 800°C had a spontaneous polarization value of 5 μC/cm2. The Bi rich film had lower crystallinity, finer grains and a smaller polarization. It was found to be necessary to anneal the films at high temperatures or for long time to achieve ferroelectricity. The non-crystalline states of sol-gel derived films differ from that observed in films deposited by physical vapor deposition. Crack free films were produced with the film thicknesses of 0.4 μm.     

Combined effects of nicotine and mecamylamine in attenuating smoking satisfaction.

Separate and combined effects of nicotine (NIC) and the nicotinic antagonist mecamylamine (MEC) were studied. 12 smokers rated test cigarettes after administration of MEC vs placebo capsules and NIC vs non-NIC preload. Smoking withdrawal symptoms, task performance, and cardiovascular activity were also measured. MEC attenuated smoking satisfaction, liking, and airway sensations. The NIC preload similarly reduced the enjoyable aspects of subsequent test cigarettes, and this action of the preload was not prevented by MEC. In contrast, MEC blocked NIC-related increases in heart rate and systolic blood pressure. Conversely, NIC counteracted MEC's effects on tapping speed and orthostatic blood pressure response. Although each drug offset potential side effects of the other, they acted in unison to attenuate smoking satisfaction and should be evaluated in combination for smoking cessation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Estradiol induction of retinoic acid receptors in human breast cancer cells

Retinoic acid inhibits proliferation and steroid receptor gene expression in human breast cancer cell lines. Retinoic acid receptors (RAR)alpha, -beta, and -gamma are expressed in these cells and the expression of RAR alpha is significantly greater in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive cells. This study was undertaken to determine whether the same relationship between RAR alpha and ER gene expression was present in human breast cancers and to explore the possibility that the higher level of RAR alpha in ER-positive cells was due to estrogen regulation of RAR alpha gene expression. RAR alpha and ER mRNA expression were determined by Northern blot analysis in 116 primary breast tumors; 94 (81%) tumors were ER-positive and of these 87 (93%) were also RAR alpha-positive. The coexpression of ER and RAR alpha was statistically significant (P = 0.0052 by chi 2 contingency analysis). There was also a positive correlation (by linear regression analysis) between the levels of expression of ER and RAR alpha mRNA (r2 = 0.251, P = 0.0001), which confirmed the relationship previously documented in breast cancer cell lines and suggested that RAR alpha expression may be modulated in breast cancer in vivo by estrogens acting via the ER. The ability of estradiol to regulate RAR alpha gene expression was examined in vitro using T-47D cells which had been rendered sensitive to estrogen by repeated passage in steroid-depleted medium. Estradiol increased RAR alpha gene expression, but not that of RAR beta or RAR gamma, in a concentration-dependent manner, with the effect being maximal at 10(-10) M and less marked at higher concentrations. The effect was rapid, being detectable 1 h after and maximal 6 h after treatment with 10(-10) M estradiol. Co-treatment of cells with estradiol and antiestrogens (tamoxifen or ICI 164384, 4 x 10(-7) M for 6 h) inhibited the estradiol induction of RAR alpha gene expression, demonstrating that the effect was ER mediated. The estradiol sensitivity of the effect was underscored by the demonstration that addition of untreated serum to cells growing under steroid-depleted conditions was sufficient to induce maximal RAR alpha gene expression. This effect was totally abolished by addition of ICI 164384. In summary, the demonstration that estradiol increased RAR alpha mRNA levels in breast cancer cells supports the hypothesis that the correlation between RAR alpha and ER gene expression in breast tumors and breast cancer cell lines is due to estradiol augmentation of RAR alpha gene expression.     

Should we stop studying sex differences altogether?

Discusses whether the study of sex differences in psychological literature is politically valuable, and its long-range contribution to scientific progress. It is concluded that the study of sex differences should continue, but that they should not be reported in every article as claimed by A. Eagly (see record 1988-00051-001). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The use of various buffers in the preparation of human lymphocytes for SEM observation

A study is presented of various buffers utilized in the preparation of human lymphocytes for scanning electron microscopy. Of nineteen different buffers tested, Hanks' balanced salt solution +0·04 mol sucrose appeared most adequate for satisfactory preservation of lymphocyte surface architecture.     

Inhaled and oral bronchodilator therapy in exercise induced asthma

Measurements of peak expiratory flow rate during serial exercise tests were used to assess the efficacy of the beta adrenergic stimulants oral terbutaline (5 mg) and fenoterol aerosol (400 micrograms), in preventing post-exercise bronchoconstriction in 18 asthmatic subjects. While both compounds significantly elevated resting levels of peak expiratory flow rate for at least four hours, there were qualitative and quantitative differences in the effects of the two drugs on exercise induced bronchoconstriction. Oral terbulation did not significantly alter the pattern of response to exercise. However, the peak expiratory flow rates before during and after exercise were significantly higher compared with placebo at two, four and six hours after the drug. The importance of examination of actual values for peak expiratory flow rates as well as percentage changes when testing oral bronchodilators is emphasised. Aerosol fenoterol completely blocked post-exercise bronchoconstriction immediately after inhalation and for up to four hours in most subjects. Bronchodilatation occurred in all subjects during exercise in the presence of both the active and placebo drugs. It is postulated that the superiority of the aerosol in blocking exercise induced bronchoconstriction may be function of its activity at the surface of the bronchial mucosa.