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Michael Crone,1,2 Kelly Hallman,1,2 Victoria Lloyd,1,2 Monica Szmyd,1,2 Briana Badamo,1,2 Mia Morse,1,2 Sumi Dinda1,2 1Department of Biomedical Diagnostic and Therapeutic Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Oakland University, Rochester, MI 48309-4476, USA; 2Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Center of Biomedical Sciences, Oakland University, Rochester, MI 48309-4476, USA Background: Black cohosh (BC) is an herbal remedy often used by women to treat symptoms associated with menopause. Research has shown that the molecular activity of BC is associated with estrogen receptor alpha (ER-α) regulation. Progesterone receptor (PR) expression is found to be consistent with ER expression and mutations in the BRCA1 gene, a tumor-suppressor gene, are known to be responsible for about 40%–45% of hereditary breast cancers. Purpose: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of BC alone, as well as in combination with hormones and antihormones, on cell viability and expression of ER-α, PR, and BRCA1 in both T-47D and MCF-7 cell lines. Methods: Cells were cultured in charcoal-stripped serum prior to their treatment and subsequent protein extraction. Western blot analyses were performed following a Bio-Rad Bradford protein assay and SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis, with ECL luminescence and Image Studio Lite software. Cellular viability assays were performed using propidium iodine (PI) staining, and the distribution of fluorescent structures was evaluated through confocal microscopy. RT-qPCR analysis was performed on extracted cellular RNA. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software, and data was subjected to Kruskal-Wallis testing, followed by post-hoc analysis using the Mann-Whitney U-test to determine the statistical significance of all findings. Results: Western blot analysis displayed significant alterations of ER-α, PR, and BRCA1 protein levels after 24-hour treatment with 80–500 μM BC. BC displayed a concentration-dependent decrease on ER-α and BRCA1 expression, with an 87% reduction of ER-α expression and a 43% of BRCA1 expression in T-47D cells compared to control. After six days of treatment with 400 μM BC, a 50% decrease in cell proliferation was observed. Following 24 hours of co-treatment with 400 μM BC and 10 nM E2, ER-α was downregulated by 90% and BRCA1 expression was reduced by 70% compared to control. The expression of PR, following the same treatment, exhibited similar effects. The proliferative effect of E2 was reduced in the presence of BC. Conclusion: Black Cohosh demonstrates substantial anti-cancer properties, and this study may significantly aid in the understanding of the molecular effects of BC on ER-α, PR, and BRCA1 in breast cancer cells. Keywords: tumor suppressor, MCF-7, T-47D, antitumor agent, natural anticancer, cancer treatment

Monica Szmyd,1–3 Victoria Lloyd,1–3 Kelly Hallman,1–3 Katie Aleck,1–3 Viktoria Mladenovik,1–3 Christina McKee,1–3 Mia Morse,1–3 Tyler Bedgood,1–3 Sumi Dinda1–3 1Biomedical and Therapeutic Sciences, School of Health Sciences, 2Prevention Research Center, 3Center of Biomedical Sciences, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA Abstract: The North American plant Cimicifuga racemosa, also known as black cohosh (BC), is a herb that recently has gained attention for its hormonal effects. As the usage of hormone replacement therapy is declining due to its adverse effects in women with cancer, many are turning to herbal remedies like BC to treat menopausal symptoms. It is crucial to determine whether the effects of BC involve estrogen receptor-alpha (ERα). Previous studies from our laboratory have shown ERα to be a possible molecular target for BC. In this study, we examined the effects of BC (8% triterpene glycosides) alone and in combination with hormones and antihormones on the cellular viability, expression of ERα and progesterone receptor (PR)-A/B, and cytolocalization of ERα in ER (+) and PR-A/B (+) T-47D breast cancer cells. Cells were cultured and proteins were extracted and quantified. Western blot analysis revealed alterations in the expression of ERα and PR after treatment with BC (5–100 µM). BC induced a concentration-dependent decrease in ERα and PR protein levels when compared to the control. Image cytometric analysis with propidium iodide staining was used to enumerate changes in T-47D cell number and viability. A decrease in T-47D cell viability was observed upon treatment with 5–100 µM BC. The ideal concentration of BC (100 μM) was used in combination with hormones and antihormones in an effort to further understand the possible similarities between this compound and other known effectors of ERα and PR. After a 24-hour concomitant treatment with and/or in combination of BC, estradiol, ICI 182, 780, and Tamoxifen, downregulation of ERα and PR protein levels was observed. Delineating the role of BC in the regulation of ERα, PR, as well as its mechanisms of action, may be important in understanding the influence of BC on hormone receptors in breast cancer. Keywords: black cohosh, breast cancer, ERα, progesterone receptor, hormone replacement therapy

This article concerns the use of an historical event to teach interdisciplinary design and reading strategies to content area preservice teachers at a Connecticut state university. The course, a requirement for state certification, seeks to give secondary content area teachers strategies to help struggling readers. Teachers from all subject areas can build cross-curricular lessons and activities around one historical event. The Hartford circus fire of 1944 was chosen for its local interest. The class was divided into groups of teachers from different content areas and each group produced interdisciplinary units using books, documentaries, news articles, and a song about the fire. (Contains 7 figures.)

This article explores two issues in conducting qualitative research: (1) the essentials of data collection, and (2) the unique role of the researcher in the data collection process. The author's own research study on use of health and medical information by various members of a classroom team for special education students is used to illustrate principles. (Author/DB)

This article describes addition of a "learn a routine" procedure to functional visual assessments of children with severe neurological and physical disabilities. The procedure capitalizes on the child's interest of the moment and provides information on the child's patterns of responses, ability to accommodate to variations of a stimulus, and strategies for interaction. (Author/DB)

The paper discusses terminology and probable causes of cortical visual impairment, normal visual development, and visual dysfunctioning. Also considered are educational implications for this population such as the importance of clarifying activity goals and utilizing persons, objects, and events that are intrinsically important and rewarding to the child. (Author/DB)