Biomaterial Database

Predicting carcinogenicity with short-term tests: biological models and operational approaches. 1988

R Benigni, and A Giuliani

Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.

This paper illustrates the basic biological models that have had an influence on the development and deployment of short-term assays for carcinogens. A tentative description of such a conceptual framework is provided with the use of methods for the quantitative analysis of information. This picture is contrasted with the results of a series of statistical mathematical analyses carried out on real genotoxicity data bases. The resulting evidence indicates that the biological models derived from basic laboratory research are not adequate or sufficient to interpret the operational performances of short-term assays. Obviously these models are of great importance, but, this observed discrepancy suggests the need for articulated approaches, with particular emphasis on analytical tools able to interpret the complexity of these systems. In particular, the multivariate data analysis methods are indicated as suitable for the description of large and complex bodies of data, and the identification of typologies and regularities. A number of applications of such methods are also presented. The conclusion is that biological models and operational approaches have to interact on the same level. The operational approach should indicate whether the conceptual framework of the experimenter is adequate to describe the experimental situation and possibly point to new relationships and trends, as well as to practical solutions.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007256	Information Systems	Integrated set of files, procedures, and equipment for the storage, manipulation, and retrieval of information.	Ancillary Information Systems,Emergency Care Information Systems,Information Retrieval Systems,Perinatal Information System,Ancillary Information System,Information Retrieval System,Information System,Information System, Ancillary,Information System, Perinatal,Perinatal Information Systems,Systems, Information Retrieval
D008954	Models, Biological	Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.	Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D009152	Mutagenicity Tests	Tests of chemical substances and physical agents for mutagenic potential. They include microbial, insect, mammalian cell, and whole animal tests.	Genetic Toxicity Tests,Genotoxicity Tests,Mutagen Screening,Tests, Genetic Toxicity,Toxicity Tests, Genetic,Genetic Toxicity Test,Genotoxicity Test,Mutagen Screenings,Mutagenicity Test,Screening, Mutagen,Screenings, Mutagen,Test, Genotoxicity,Tests, Genotoxicity,Toxicity Test, Genetic
D002273	Carcinogens	Substances that increase the risk of NEOPLASMS in humans or animals. Both genotoxic chemicals, which affect DNA directly, and nongenotoxic chemicals, which induce neoplasms by other mechanism, are included.	Carcinogen,Oncogen,Oncogens,Tumor Initiator,Tumor Initiators,Tumor Promoter,Tumor Promoters,Initiator, Tumor,Initiators, Tumor,Promoter, Tumor,Promoters, Tumor
D002875	Chromosomes	In a prokaryotic cell or in the nucleus of a eukaryotic cell, a structure consisting of or containing DNA which carries the genetic information essential to the cell. (From Singleton & Sainsbury, Dictionary of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, 2d ed)	Chromosome
D004249	DNA Damage	Injuries to DNA that introduce deviations from its normal, intact structure and which may, if left unrepaired, result in a MUTATION or a block of DNA REPLICATION. These deviations may be caused by physical or chemical agents and occur by natural or unnatural, introduced circumstances. They include the introduction of illegitimate bases during replication or by deamination or other modification of bases; the loss of a base from the DNA backbone leaving an abasic site; single-strand breaks; double strand breaks; and intrastrand (PYRIMIDINE DIMERS) or interstrand crosslinking. Damage can often be repaired (DNA REPAIR). If the damage is extensive, it can induce APOPTOSIS.	DNA Injury,DNA Lesion,DNA Lesions,Genotoxic Stress,Stress, Genotoxic,Injury, DNA,DNA Injuries
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013997	Time Factors	Elements of limited time intervals, contributing to particular results or situations.	Time Series,Factor, Time,Time Factor
D066298	In Vitro Techniques	Methods to study reactions or processes taking place in an artificial environment outside the living organism.	In Vitro Test,In Vitro Testing,In Vitro Tests,In Vitro as Topic,In Vitro,In Vitro Technique,In Vitro Testings,Technique, In Vitro,Techniques, In Vitro,Test, In Vitro,Testing, In Vitro,Testings, In Vitro,Tests, In Vitro,Vitro Testing, In