Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 (basic) is a potent angiogenic molecule involved in tumor progression, and is one of several growth factors with a central role in ovarian carcinogenesis. We hypothesized that common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the FGF2 gene may alter angiogenic potential and thereby susceptibility to ovarian cancer. We analyzed 25 FGF2 tgSNPs using five independent study populations from the United States and Australia. Analysis was restricted to non-Hispanic White women with serous ovarian carcinoma (1269 cases and 2829 controls). There were no statistically significant associations between any FGF2 SNPs and ovarian cancer risk. There were two nominally statistically significant associations between heterozygosity for two FGF2 SNPs (rs308379 and rs308447; p < .05) and serous ovarian cancer risk in the combined dataset, but rare homozygous estimates did not achieve statistical significance, nor were they consistent with the log additive model of inheritance. Overall genetic variation in FGF2 does not appear to play a role in susceptibility to ovarian cancer.

We use diblock copolymers as nanotemplates to produce various catalyst nanoclusters or catalyst-containing inorganic nanostructures with controlled size and spacing for carbon nanotube growth. We are able to generate periodically ordered catalytic nanostructures by spin coating polymer-based catalyst systems. As a result, uniformly distributed, low defect density single walled nanotubes(CNTs) have been obtained. CNTs with diameters of 1nm or less have been produced from iron-containing inorganic nanostructures using conventional chemical vapor deposition. The superior film forming ability of polymer-based catalyst systems enables selective growth of carbon nanotubes on lithographically predefined catalyst islands over a large surface area. The ability to control the density and location of CNTs offers great potential for practical applications. The initial MALDI-MS (Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Mass Spectrometry) results indicate that we can positively identify bovine serum albumin (BSA) at 500 attomoles using CNT surfaces produced by this method.

Many changes occur in the aging immune system, which culminate in its functional decline, but the underlying mechanisms have proved difficult to define. Wick and Grubeck-Loebenstein have recently classified the changes in function as either primary ‘those that occur in perfectly healthy older individuals’ as the result of ‘an age dependent intrinsic decline of immune responsiveness’ or secondary ‘those that are due to underlying disease or various environmental factors including diet, drug intake, physical activity, etc’. Both types of alteration are important when considering immune dysfunction in older people which seems to be centred on the loss of cell-mediated immunity, in particular the activity of CD4 helper T lymphocytes.