Breast Cancer Genes

Abstract: The identification of familial breast cancer genes heralds an era of directed breast cancer treatment. Currently, two hereditary breast cancer genes have been identified, BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 . Although accounting for only approximately 5% of all breast cancers, they are being used to identify women with germ-line alterations that are at high risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer. With the identification of such genes comes a need for consideration of the ethical issues associated with testing. These genes are also being examined from a biochemical standpoint encompassing both their biological roles and biochemical pathways in which they reside. Such studies are likely to lead to novel breast cancer therapies.     

Effects of Clodronate on Cortical and Trabecular Bone in Ovariectomized Rats on a Low Calcium Diet

The aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution of a low calcium diet to the cortical and trabecular osteoporosis seen in ovariectomized rats after 7 weeks on a low calcium diet and to investigate the effects of the bisphosphonate clodronate on this development of osteoporosis. Thirty-six mature, female Wistar rats were randomized into four groups: Ovx−B (bisphosphonate) and Ovx−C (control) were ovariectomized, and Sham−Ca (low calcium) and Sham+Ca (normal calcium) were sham operated. The first three groups were fed a low calcium diet (0.01%) and Sham+Ca normal rat chow (Ca 1.1%). The Ovx−B received 10 mg/kg s.c. clodronate daily for nine weeks, and Ovx−C, Sham−Ca, and Sham+Ca received the same volumes of saline. Bone mineral turnover measured as ⁸⁵Sr-uptake was increased in all low calcium groups compared to Sham+Ca. The Sham+Ca femora had higher dry weight and ash weight than the other groups, and Ovx−C had higher dry weight compared with Ovx−B and Sham−Ca. Calcium content was lower in both Ovx groups compared to both Sham groups. Magnesium was lower in all groups compared to Sham+Ca and higher in Ovx−B compared with Ovx−C. In the femoral shaft, Sham+Ca had significantly higher ultimate bending moment, energy absorption, and deflection compared to the other three groups. Ultimate bending moment was higher in Sham−Ca than in Ovx−C. Stiffness was increased in both Sham+Ca and Ovx−B compared to Ovx−C. The maximum stress in the femoral midshaft was higher in Sham+Ca than in the other groups, and higher in Ovx−B than in Ovx−C. Histomorphometry showed increased medullary area in all low calcium groups compared to Sham+Ca and larger cortical area in Sham+Ca and Ovx−B compared to Ovx−C. Compared to Sham+Ca the trabecular bone volume was decreased to 30% in Sham−Ca and to 9% in Ovx−C, but was unchanged in Ovx−B. The low calcium diet generally increased bone mineral turnover and reduced the tibial bone volume. Femoral changes led to a reduction of cortical fracture strength and maximal stress. Ovariectomy in addition to a low calcium diet reduced femoral strength even more. Daily injections of clodronate to ovariectomized rats on a low calcium diet increased femoral shaft stiffness and maximum stress, and clodronate preserved both trabecular and cortical tibial bone volume completely. Received: 11 June 1996 / Accepted: 5 March 1997     

In vivo comparison of two through-plane MR velocity mapping methods: Fast fourier encoding and phase mapping

Magnetic resonance imaging maps of velocity were acquired with a 1.5-T system in 10 subjects in a plane perpendicular to the main pulmonary artery. Velocity images were successively acquired with a method developed from Fourier-encoding velocity imaging (FEVI) principles with eight gradient steps and one excitation, and with two-point phase-subtraction mapping. Reconstruction in FEVI was implemented by zero-filling interpolation around the eight gradient steps and then around the four central steps. The methods were compared by using estimates of noise in velocity measurements based on the difference between the experimental map and a smooth fitted map. For the same acquisition time, FEVI with four encoding steps was more precise in velocity measurements than phase mapping. Precision was further increased by the use of eight encoding steps, but acquisition time was doubled.     

The effects of menstrual phase and nicotine abstinence on nicotine intake and on biochemical and subjective measures in women smokers: a A preliminary report

Nicotine intake, menstrual and smoking withdrawal symptomatology, and baseline cortisol and MHPG were assessed in nine women smokers under conditions of ad lib smoking and overnight abstinence in three menstrual phases (early follicular, mid-to-late follicular, and late luteal). A trend towards higher nicotine intake p <0.100 was observed in the mid-to-late follicular phase. Although me menstrual symptomatology was not significantly elevated during the smoking abstinence condition overall, abstinence appeared to prevent the normal reduction in symptomatology during the mid-to-late follicular phase that occurred under conditions of ad lib smoking. Menstrual and withdrawal symptoms were highly correlated, and both were most pronounced during the late luteal/abstinence condition. The smoking-specific item “craving” reflected this pattern, though in attenuated form, suggesting that the observed exacerbation of withdrawal symptomatology was not simply due to generalized dysphoria, as queried in both instruments. MHPG was significantly elevated in the late luteal phase, whereas cortisol was significantly higher during ad lib smoking than during abstinence and tended to be highest in the mid-to-late follicular phase. Further investigation will be needed to determine the functional significance of these findings for understanding and treating smoking in women.     

Prediction of Posttreatment Drinking Outcome in a 2-Year Out-Patient Alcoholic Treatment Program. A Follow-up Study

Fifty alcoholics who attended a 2-year out-patient treatment program with standardized evaluations every third month were followed-up 2 years after completion of the program. One patient refused to be followed-up and four were dead. Corroboration was available in 78% of the cases. The number of abuse days from the second half-year of therapy and forward was strongly related to the number of abuse days during the follow-up period as were ratings both of drinking goal fulfillment and fulfillment of other treatment goals at termination of the treatment period. On the contrary initial characteristics and background data as well as the number of abuse days during the first half-year were not related to number of abuse days during the follow-up period. Our findings indicate that improvement during long term out-patient treatment for alcoholism is stable during the following 2 years with a socially stable sample.