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Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / A subpopulation of tumor cells known as ovarian cancer initiating cells (OCICs) have been shown to be the cells that propagate the tumor phenotype in ovarian cancer. Studies have showed that a very small population (100) of these cells is sufficient to induce a tumor phenotype; while a large quantity of tumor cells (5 X 105) are required to induce such a phenotype. In this study we studied the functional changes in genes expressed in the OCIC phenotype which were important for such efficient propagation of cancers. To enable this analysis, we generated mRNA expression and DNA methylation profiles of OCICs and compared them with those of tumor and normal ovarian surface epithelial cells. We identified four pathways which regulated most of the observed changes and were predicted to be important factors in distinguishing the OCICs from tumors and normal cells. The gene signatures for these pathways were analyzed by unsupervised clustering in order to determine the similarities of OCICs with respect to tumor and normal samples. We further believed that the OCICs can be used as indicators towards the genesis and progression of early events in the ovarian cancers. In light of this, we considered two hypotheses which are currently addressing the genesis of ovarian cancer. The first hypothesis proposed ovarian surface epithelial cells to be cells of origin of the ovarian cancer while the other proposed the fallopian tube cells to be contributing the cell of origin for these cancers. It is also believed that these two cells can be reciprocal cells of origin for the cancer phenotype. In order to test these hypotheses, we integrated the in-house dataset with a public domain fallopian tube gene expression data. The integration of the results obtained from these analyses provided better understanding of the early events in ovarian carcinogenesis.

The Best PhD Thesis in the Faculties of Dentistry, Engineering, Medicine and Science (University of Hong Kong), Li Ka Shing Prize,2005-2006 / published_or_final_version / abstract / Medicine / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

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Class of 2012 Abstract / Specific Aims: To perform a pilot survey assessing the user benefit perceived by University of Arizona students regarding topical photoprotectants and their ability to prevent solar skin damage, including sunburn and carcinogenesis. In addition, to analyze the data obtained from the survey to identify incongruence between the FDA defined indication for the OTC sun protectants and the anticipated benefit expressed by University of Arizona students. Methods: An anonymous, paper based questionnaire consisting of four demographic questions and ten questions pertaining to sunscreen knowledge and use was distributed to students at the beginning of a full class. Questionnaires that were not at least ninety percent complete were excluded. All available students in the college of pharmacy in years one, two, and three were invited to participate. Main Results: Based on the survey analysis, 75% of pharmacy students have insufficient knowledge of FDA-approved use and guidelines for this class of OTC drugs. Conclusions: A need for training/instructional measures that aim at increasing adequate drug competency and consumer counseling skills has been identified in the area of FDA-regulated sunscreen products. An opportunity for an increased involvement of professional pharmacists in optimizing consumers' sunscreen selection and use has been identified.

Aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) was induced 15-fold in Ambystoma tigrinum by intraperitoneal injection of 3-methylcholanthrene in corn oil, or 10-fold by addition of aromatic polycyclic hydrocarbons to the aqueous environment of the neotene animal. The cytochrome P-450-associated microsomal enzyme is similar to the inducible, one-gene, autosomal-dominant system typical in the laboratory mouse and man. Differences in optimal temperature for enzyme induction and activity were noted in organ culture of human and Ambystoma tissues, and ratios of benzpyrene metabolites differed between Ambystoma and Mus. The half life of enzyme activity induced in vivo was related to the excretion of hydrocarbon metabolites.