Topoisomerase inhibitory activity of ethanolic extracts from botanicals and .

DNA topoisomerases are essential enzymes that allow cells to effectively manage the topological states of DNA. Due to the ubiquitous nature of their functions, topoisomerases have become promising treatment targets for various conditions, ranging from microbial infections to cancer. The botanicals, (Chinese goldthread) and (common sage), are herbs that boast a long history of traditional use for their effectiveness in treating a myriad of health concerns, including microbial infections and cancer, which could be associated with topoisomerase inhibitory activity.

Gene expression profiling identifies inflammation and angiogenesis as distinguishing features of canine hemangiosarcoma.

Background: The etiology of hemangiosarcoma remains incompletely understood. Its common occurrence in dogs suggests predisposing factors favor its development in this species. These factors could represent a constellation of heritable characteristics that promote transformation events and/or facilitate the establishment of a microenvironment that is conducive for survival of malignant blood vessel-forming cells.

Molecular signatures of neoadjuvant endocrine therapy for breast cancer: characteristics of response or intrinsic resistance.

Approximately 30% of patients with estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancers exhibit de novo or intrinsic resistance to endocrine therapies. The purpose of this study was to define genes that distinguish ER+ resistant from ER+ responsive tumors, prior to the start of hormone therapies. Previously untreated post-menopausal patients with ER+ breast cancers were treated for 4 months in a neoadjuvant setting with the aromatase inhibitor exemestane alone, or in combination with the antiestrogen tamoxifen.

DEFENSIVE RESIN BIOSYNTHESIS IN CONIFERS.

Tree killing bark beetles and their vectored fungal pathogens are the most destructive agents of conifer forests worldwide. Conifers defend against attack by the constitutive and inducible production of oleoresin, a complex mixture of mono-, sesqui-, and diterpenoids that accumulates at the wound site to kill invaders and both flush and seal the injury. Although toxic to the bark beetle and fungal pathogen, oleoresin also plays a central role in the chemical ecology of these boring insects, from host selection to pheromone signaling and tritrophic level interactions.