Single cell behavior in metastatic primary mammary tumors correlated with gene expression patterns revealed by molecular profiling

We have developed animal models of breast cancer that allow the direct examination of the behavior of individual green fluorescent protein-expressing carcinoma cells in live nonmetastatic and metastatic primary tumors in situ. We have combined this model with multiphoton microscopy to image differences in cell behavior within the primary tumor. Differences in cell behavior between nonmetastatic and metastatic cells in culture and within live primary tumors were correlated with results from cDNA microarray analyses to identify potentially important genetic determinants for breast cancer invasion and metastasis. Using multiphoton microscopy, we found five major differences in carcinoma cell behavior between the nonmetastatic and metastatic primary breast tumors involving extracellular matrix, cell motility, and chemotaxis. Behavioral differences were correlated with seven categories of molecules that were differentially expressed and related to these behaviors. We have found that extracellular matrix composition, actin nucleation factors, molecules involved in mechanical stability and survival, and cell polarity and chemotaxis showed large and consistent differences in gene expression. We conclude that aligning cell behavior in vivo with patterns of gene expression can lead to new insights into the microenvironment of carcinoma cells in the primary tumor and the molecular mechanisms behind cell behavior.     

The new atherogenic plasma index reflects the triglyceride and HDL-cholesterol ratio, the lipoprotein particle size and the cholesterol esterification rate: changes during lipanor therapy

The new atherogenic plasma index (AIP) is a logarithmic transformation of the ratio of the molar triglyceride (TG) concentration and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). AIP correlates closely with the size of LDL particles (r = 0.8) and esterification rate of plasma cholesterol devoid of apo B lipoproteins (FERHDL), r = 0.9 which are considered at present the most sensitive indicators of the atherogenic plasma profile. AIP was recommended by the authors, based on analysis of results of 11 previous studies (1156 subjects) where FERHDL and plasma lipid parameters were investigated in different groups of people who differed as to the atherogenic risk. The AIP index was moreover used for evaluation of a clinical study comprising 609 patients with hyperlipidaemia, who were treated for three months with ciprofibrate (Lipanor). The mean AIP values of non-risk groups (plasma from umbilical blood, children, healthy women etc.) equalled zero or were lower, while with an increasing atherogenic risk (men, women after the menopause) AIP reached positive values, incl. high positive values in risk groups (plasma of diabetic subjects, patients with HLP, patients with positive angiography, myocardial infarction etc.). In all groups women had lower AIP values as compared with males. In patients after Lipanor therapy the AIP declined (from 0.58 +/- 0.17 to 0.33_0.18 in men, from 0.50 +/- 0.18 to 0.21 +/- 0.19 in women). If we consider AIP values from negative ones to 0.15 as "safe" from the aspect of atherogenicity, before Lipanor treatment these "safe" levels were recorded in 1.5% men and in 5.2% women and after treatment in 32% men and 48% women. The results indicate, that AIP which reflects the plasma lipoprotein profile quantifies the relations between TG and HDL-C and thus can be an objective indicator of the atherogenic risk and effectiveness of treatment and it is useful because it can be assessed in any surgery.     

Use of E mu-PIM-1 transgenic mice short-term in vivo carcinogenicity testing: lymphoma induction by benzo[a]pyrene, but not by TPA

E mu-pim-1 transgenic mice are predisposed to develop lymphomas. Due to their low spontaneous tumour incidence and their increased sensitivity towards the lymphomagen ethylnitrosourea these mice may present an interesting model for short-term carcinogenicity testing. Here, we report on the further exploration of this transgenic mouse model with two additional carcinogens known to have, among others, the lymphohaematopoietic system as target, i.e. benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). B[a]P, given three times a week (by gavage) for 13 weeks at 4.3, 13 or 39 mg/kg body weight, resulted in a dose-related increase in lymphomas up to a 90% incidence in E(mu)-pim-1 mice during the observation period of 40 weeks. B[a]P also induced tumours of the forestomach within this observation period, though at a lower incidence and apparently equally effective in wildtype and transgenic mice. TPA, on the other hand, was unable to induce lymphomas (or tumours in any other organ) in either transgenic or wildtype animals within the observation period of 44 weeks, when applied dermally at the maximum tolerated dose of 3 microg/mouse, twice a week for 35 weeks. Molecular analysis showed that B[a]P-induced lymphomas in transgenic mice were of T-cell origin, 80% of which had elevated levels of c-myc expression. None of the lymphomas had increased N-myc expression and mutation analysis of the ras-gene family revealed a K-ras mutation in only one out of eight tumours investigated. Also, none of the lymphomas showed aberrant expression of p53 as determined by immunohistochemistry. It is concluded that the E mu-pim-1 mouse model will not be very suitable for short-term carcinogenicity testing in general: only genotoxic chemicals that have the lymphohaematopoietic system as target for carcinogenesis in wild- type mice, appear to be efficiently identified.      

Thoracic empyema: a study of 56 patients

Fifty seven children with thoracic empyema (37 boys and 20 girls) aged less than 12 years were seen at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital between January 1989 and December 1991. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common organism isolated from the pus of these patients (36 (63%) patients). Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the next most common organism, was isolated in 10 (18%) patients. The most common symptoms at presentation were acute illness with fever and cough (51 (89%) patients). All the patients were treated with closed intercostal tube drainage and appropriate antibiotics. Decortication was resorted to in only one patient. There were two deaths and the overall survival rate was 97%.     

Familial high-density-lipoprotein deficiency causing corneal opacities (fish eye disease) in a family of Dutch descent.

Fish eye disease (FED) is an extremely rare familial disorder characterized by severe HDL deficiency and extensive corneal opacities. This disorder appears to be a variant of familial lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) deficiency in which the enzyme remains partly active yet the ability of the enzyme to esterify cholesterol in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) has been lost. The rarity of this disorder has limited advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of the HDL deficiency. However, we here describe the clinical and biochemical presentation of a family with FED who are of Dutch descent. The proposition presented with HDL deficiency and corneal opacity. Subsequently, they were diagnosed as having FED by the absence of LCAT activity against a small proteoliposome substrate despite the presence of half-normal LCAT mass and a near-normal ratio of unesterified to total cholesterol in plasma. Heterozygotes presented with half-normal LCAT activity, but not with decreased HDL. With the identification of this three-generation family, renewed investigation of this intriguing disorder of HDL is now possible.     

Tactile Sensitivity in Women with Sexual Arousal Disorder

Evidence suggests that tactile sensitivity may differ between women with sexual arousal difficulties and women with normal sexual functioning. Tactile sensitivity was examined on the distal portion of the dominant hand index finger and on the lower lip in women with female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD) (n = 17) and in normally functioning women (n = 17). The two groups did not differ significantly in age, length of current relationship or on measures of sexual experience and sexual desire. Hierarchical binary logistic regression indicated that finger threshold was significantly associated with FSAD women versus control women, and hierarchical linear regression indicated that finger threshold was associated with severity of arousal dysfunction. Logistic regression showed that 76.5% of participants were correctly classified and 23.5% were incorrectly classified using tactile sensation as a predictor variable. Possible underlying mechanisms and clinical implications are discussed.