Roberts, Gurisik, Biden, Sutherland, and Butt (2007) and Butt et al. (2006) previously found that persin, a compound isolated from avocado leaves, can induce apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in mammary epithelial cells of lactating mice in vivo and in certain human breast cancer cell lines in vitro. It has also been found that at higher doses, persin is cardiotoxic in mice and causes necrosis in mammary glands of lactating mammals (Oelrichs, 1995). Therefore, compounds with reduced mammary gland necrosis and cardiotoxicity but with the apoptotic effects of persin on breast cancer cells could be potential chemotherapeutic agents. Six novel analogues of persin have been synthesized to test their effects on MCF-7 breast cancer cells and MCF-10A normal breast epithelial cells. Cells cultured from each cell line were treated with each analogue at varying concentrations to determine potential cytotoxic doses. Cytotoxicity of the compounds was determined by a commercially available Cell Proliferation Assay. Compounds that were significantly cytotoxic were tested for apoptotic activity using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Three compounds were found to be cytotoxic to both cell lines, whereas the others had little to no impact on cell viability.

The story of Frankenstein is typically seen as a battle between Victor Frankenstein and the “monster” of the story. However I argue that that the real “monster” of the story is in fact Victor Frankenstein who is suffering from paranoid schizophrenia and that the “monster” is really just a delusions that Victor uses to cope with the idea that he in fact is the killer of the story. This concept is evident in the fact that no one in the story has ever seen both Victor Frankenstein and the “monster” alive in the same place. The characteristics of the “monster’ also point towards the idea that the “monster” could not possibly exist. Even the way that Victor acts throughout the book point to the idea that he does not really care for the safety of his loved ones. Overall the actions that play out in the story point towards the idea that Victor Frankenstein is the real “monster” of the story.

Directed by Billy Wilder and Edward Dmytryk respectively, the films noir Double Indemnity (1944) and Murder, My Sweet (1944) each have a storyline that unfolds from a first person perspective as told by a narrator. The techniques used in the films establish this first person perspective through which the films are understood. Both films include voice over as a technique, which determines who the narrator is and the amount of information withheld or disclosed to the audience. Establishing the visual perspective of the narrator is portrayed through differently for each film. While, Double Indemnity utilizes camera angle, Murder, My Sweet uses camera filters and special effects. Lastly, to achieve the first person narration, the character narrating in each film must be present in every scene or give explanation of events that occur in his absence. The various techniques used in each film function cohesively to establish the narrator and achieve his perspective through which the plot is understood by the audience.