Inductive intrinsic localized modes in a one-dimensional nonlinear electric transmission line.

The experimental properties of intrinsic localized modes (ILMs) have long been compared with theoretical dynamical lattice models that make use of nonlinear onsite and/or nearest-neighbor intersite potentials. Here it is shown for a one-dimensional lumped electrical transmission line that a nonlinear inductive component in an otherwise linear parallel capacitor lattice makes possible a new kind of ILM outside the plane wave spectrum. To simplify the analysis, the nonlinear inductive current equations are transformed to flux transmission line equations with analog onsite hard potential nonlinearities. Approximate analytic results compare favorably with those obtained from a driven damped lattice model and with eigenvalue simulations. For this mono-element lattice, ILMs above the top of the plane wave spectrum are the result. We find that the current ILM is spatially compressed relative to the corresponding flux ILM. Finally, this study makes the connection between the dynamics of mass and force constant defects in the harmonic lattice and ILMs in a strongly anharmonic lattice.

Supertransmission channel for an intrinsic localized mode in a one-dimensional nonlinear physical lattice.

It is well known that a moving intrinsic localized mode (ILM) in a nonlinear physical lattice looses energy because of the resonance between it and the underlying small amplitude plane wave spectrum. By exploring the Fourier transform (FT) properties of the nonlinear force of a running ILM in a driven and damped 1D nonlinear lattice, as described by a 2D wavenumber and frequency map, we quantify the magnitude of the resonance where the small amplitude normal mode dispersion curve and the FT amplitude components of the ILM intersect. We show that for a traveling ILM characterized by a specific frequency and wavenumber, either inside or outside the plane wave spectrum, and for situations where both onsite and intersite nonlinearity occur, either of the hard or soft type, the strength of this resonance depends on the specific mix of the two nonlinearities. Examples are presented demonstrating that by engineering this mix the resonance can be greatly reduced. The end result is a supertransmission channel for either a driven or undriven ILM in a nonintegrable, nonlinear yet physical lattice.

Neurogenic adaptation contributes to the afferent response to mechanical stimulation.

This study aimed to characterize the effect of mechanical stimuli on mesenteric afferent nerve signaling in the isolated rat jejunum in vitro. This was done to determine the effect of mechanical stresses and strains relative to nonmechanical parameters (neurogenic adaptation). Mechanical stimulations were applied to a segment of jejunum from 15 rats using ramp distension with water at three rates of distension, a relaxation test (volume maintained constant from initial pressure of 20 or 40 mmHg), and a creep test (pressure maintained constant). Circumferential stress and strain and the spike rate increase ratio were calculated for evaluation of afferent nerve activity during the mechanical stimulations. Ramp distension evoked two distinct phases of afferent nerve signaling as a function of circumferential stress or strain. Changing the volume distension rate did not change the stress-strain relationship, but faster distension rate increased the afferent firing rate (P < 0.05). In the stress relaxation test, the spike rate declined faster and to a greater extent than the stress. In the creep test, the spike rate declined, despite a small increase in the strain. Three classes of mechanosensitive single-afferent units (low, wide dynamic range, and high threshold units) showed different response profiles against stress and strain. Low-threshold units exhibited a near linear relationship against the strain (R(2) = 0.8095), whereas high-threshold units exhibited a linear profile against the stress (R(2) = 0.9642). The afferent response is sensitive to the distension speed and to the stress and strain level during distension. However, the afferent nerve response is not a simple function of either stress or strain. Nonmechanical time-dependent adaptive responses other than those related to viscoelasticity also play a role.

Establishment and characterization of human choriocarcinoma cell line derived from a metastatic focus of a testicular mixed germ cell tumor.

A human testicular choriocarcinoma cell line HKRT-II was established by the single-cell cloning method from a mixed cell culture system derived from a retroperitoneal metastatic germ cell tumor composed of a yolk-sac tumor, a choriocarcinoma, and an immature teratoma. Its primary tumor rose from the testis and was comprised of a seminoma, a yolk-sac tumor, a choriocarcinoma and an immature teratoma. The HKRT-II cells were spindle or polygonal in shape and contained multi-nucleated giant cells showing neoplasticity and pleomorphism. The cells proliferated in a stable manner, and the population doubling time was 42 hours. The chromosome numbers showed a wide distribution of aneuploidy, while the mode was in the hypertetraploid range. Double minute chromosomes and homogeneously staining regions were recognized in about 5% to 10% of the metaphase plates, respectively. Heterotransplantation was not difficult. Subcutaneous transplantation of 1 x 10(7) cells into nude mice formed a tumor composed of only a choriocarcinoma. The most noteworthy characteristics of the cell line were that it produced human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in an in vitro culture system and in in vivo grafted cells, and that the N-myc gene was amplified about 10 times.

Computed tomography analysis of causes of local failure in radiotherapy for cervical carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The authors analyzed the radiation dose to the periphery of the cervix and area of the cervix in relation to local failure of radiotherapy for carcinoma of the cervix using computed tomography (CT) images. METHODS: Between 1981-1990, 127 consecutive patients were treated with definitive radiotherapy. Ninety-nine of these patients had CT images taken at the time of intracavitary therapy. Of these 99 patients, 80 were eligible for this analysis. After CT scanning, isodose curves relative to the point A dose were superimposed on the CT images. The minimum percent dose and minimum dose at the periphery of the cervix were estimated. The area of the cervix also was measured. These factors were examined in relation to the local tumor control rate. RESULTS: Histograms of both the minimum percent dose and the cervical area showed significant differences between the local control and local failure groups (P <0.001). The local control rates were related to both the minimum percent dose and the cervical area, and differed significantly over and below the values of 60% and 18 cm2 (P <0.001 each), respectively. The local control patients, over and below the line: Y = -0.220X + 21.2, in which X (gray [Gy]) and Y (Gy) are the whole pelvis dose and the minimum dose, respectively, could be well differentiated with significance (91.7% vs. 25.0%; P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Computed tomography analysis indicated that the local tumor control rate was related strongly to the minimum percent dose, the cervical area, and the pair of whole pelvis and minimum dose values. These factors were found to be more useful than the point A dose in predicting local tumor control.

Structural characterization of an alpha-amylase inhibitor from a wild common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris): insight into the common structural features of leguminous alpha-amylase inhibitors.

The primary structures of two subunits of an alpha-amylase inhibitor (alpha AI-2) from a wild common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) were revealed by a comparison of the amino acid sequence previously deduced from the nucleotide sequence with the amino- and carboxyl-terminal amino acid sequences determined by conventional methods. The polypeptide molecular weight of alpha AI-2 obtained by the light-scattering technique, considered together with the sequence molecular weights revealed for the subunits, indicated that alpha AI-2 has the subunit stoichiometry of an alpha 2 beta 2 complex. These structural features were closely similar to those recently elucidated for a white kidney bean (P. vulgaris) alpha-amylase inhibitor, which is quite different in the inhibitory specificity from alpha AI-2. The post-translational processing of the precursor glycoproteins to form the tetrameric structure appeared to require an Arg residue close to the processing site. Further, the proper associations of the subunits into the tetrameric structures seemed to be strictly controlled by a few amino acids on the subunit interfaces.

Tissue reconstruction of gynecologic tumor cells in the rotation culture system.

Tissue reconstruction of various kinds of gynecologic malignant tumor cell lines was studied using the rotation-culture system. The reconstructed cell aggregates were examined histologically using both light and electron microscopy. Our established cell lines used in this study were uterine cervical epidermoid carcinoma, endometrial adenocarcinoma, ovarian malignant tumor and uterine sarcoma. All of the reconstructed aggregates from each cell line were very similar to the original tumor tissue. In the case of a well differentiated type of adenocarcinoma derived from the ovarian cancers or the endometrial cancers, papillary cell aggregates (grape-like structures) and/or hollow cell ball (gland alveolus-like) structures were observed. The individual cells were adjoined with by desmosomes and well developed microvilli protruded from the free surface of the cells. On the other hand large cell non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma cells formed spherical-shaped aggregates that showed a stratified structure similar to pearl formation. Sarcoma cells formed solid clusters while desmosomes or desmosome-like junctions were not detected. Rotation culture is an excellent method to reveal diagnosis of the original tumor and tumorigenesis by investigating a reconstructed tissue from peritoneal effusions because the reconstructed tissue is similar to the original tumor.

Histogenesis of hollow cell ball structure of ovarian and endometrial adenocarcinoma cells in vivo and in vitro.

Hollow cell ball structure is often found in the ascites of adenocarcinoma patients. How to form a hollow cell ball structure was studied in vivo and in vitro, using the human cell lines derived from ovarian and endometrial adenocarcinomas. The hollow cell ball structure was formed by horizontal rotation culture of 1 x 10(7) single-suspended cells for 24 hours or by transplanting 1 x 10(6) single-suspended cells into the peritoneal cavity of nude mouse for 24 hours. At one month after transplantation hemi-cyst and hollow cell ball structure were formed in the outermost layer of the grafted tumor on the intraperitoneal serous membrane in the nude mouse. And also great number of floating hollow cell ball structure in the ascites were observed. These results suggest that mechanisms of formation of hollow cell ball structure found in the ascites; one by cell aggregate of single cells, sometimes inner cells of cell aggregate fall into necrosis or secretes mucus inside and make a hollow cell ball structure and another by the removed as the hollow cell ball structure grown from hemi-cyst on the surface of intraperitoneal grafted tumor.

[Assessment of left ventricular count increase with ECG-gated 99mTc-MIBI SPECT using a single-head rotating gamma-camera].

ECG-gated 99mTc-MIBI SPECT was performed in 33 patients, including 17 normal subjects and 16 patients with old myocardial infarction. To compare the findings by echocardiography (UCG), regional wall motion was qualitatively assessed by cine-mode display and quantitatively measured as an increase in regional count from end-diastole to end-systole. The percent count increase and relative count increase was measured to display on the Bull's eye polar map. In the study of normal subjects, the count increase was greater in apical regions and smaller in septal regions. Regional wall motion by this method correlated well with UCG findings (agreement: 97%, complete agreement: 60%). A mild but significant correlation was observed between the count increase by this method and the percent wall thickening by UCG. We conclude that regional wall motion can be accurately evaluated with ECG-gated 99mTc-MIBI SPECT, which thus permits simultaneous assessment of regional wall motion and myocardial perfusion.

Presence of human papillomavirus genome in human tumor cell lines and cultured cells.

A series of 47 human carcinoma cell lines and their cultured cells were examined for human papillomavirus (HPV) genomes with the use of an HPV detection kit (DNA-RNA hybridization, mixed HPV DNA probe of types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33 and 35). Four of 8 cases of mild dysplasia, 3 of 9 cases of severe dysplasia, 3 of 7 cases of carcinoma in situ, 3 of 15 cases of uterine carcinoma and 5 of 6 cases of condyloma acuminatum were shown to contain the HPV DNA genome in primary cultured cells, while HPV was not detected in the third-passage cells except for the three cases of large cell, nonkeratinizing squamous cell carcinoma. HPV was also not detected in such normal tissues as uterine cervical squamous epithelium, uterine cervical columnar epithelium and endometrium. The presence of HPV DNA genomes was detected consistently in the passages of three lines (SKG-II, HKMUS and HKTUS; large cell nonkeratinizing squamous cell carcinomas of the uterine cervix) with the use of the Southern Blot method (DNA-DNA hybridization, mixed HPV probe of types 6, 11, 16 and 18). HPV type 16 DNA was detected in HKTUS, and HPV type 18 DNA was found in SKG-II and HKMUS. The other 44 cell lines, including ovarian carcinoma, endometrial carcinoma, sarcoma, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer and rectal cancer, were negative for the HPV-6, HPV-11, HPV-16, HPV-18, HPV-31, HPV-33 and HPV-35 genomes under stringent hybridization conditions.

Carcinoembryonic proteins produced by Wilms' tumor cells in vitro and in vivo.

A Wilms' tumor cell line (HFWT) was established after tissue culture of the Wilms' tumor which had developed in the left kidney of a five-month-old boy. The HFWT line has the following cyto-biological characteristics: 1. The cells have a spindle, round or polygonal shape with neoplastic and pleomorphic features that grew in multilayers without contact inhibition. 2. The cells show a stable proliferation, giving 95 passages within 4 years. 3. The chromosomes show a wide aneuploidy distribution, and the modal number was found in diploid range. The stem cells have a normal karyotyping, 46, XY. 4. Heterotransplantation into nude mice can be easily made, and anaplastic Wilms' tumor resembling the original tumor forms. 5. The principal tumor markers produced by the cells in large amounts in the conditioned culture media were carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA 125) and tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA). 6. A good correlation was found between enlargement of the tumor formed by heterotransplantation into nude mice and the levels of CA 125 and TPA in the serum of the nude mouse. No report on the study of tumor markers widely used in clinical treatment of Wilms' tumor has been available to us, but CA 125 and TPA are considered to be useful in the diagnosis and treatment of Wilms' tumor.

N-myc gene amplification and neuron specific enolase production in immature teratomas.

The primary tumour tissues from 13 teratomas were investigated, 3 cases of immature teratoma (1 of pure type and 2 of mixed type), 5 cases of dermoid cyst, and 5 cases of mature solid teratoma, with special reference to N-myc gene amplification, productivity of neuron specific enolase (NSE), and the presence of double minutes (DMs). The possible relationship between these variables and malignancy of the tumours was also examined. N-myc gene amplification and NSE production were recognized in the primary tumour tissues and the first and the third passage cultured cells of all of the 3 cases of immature teratoma containing immature neural tissues. In 2 cases DMs were recognized. In dermoid cysts and mature teratoma, neither N-myc gene amplification nor NSE production were recognized in either the primary tumour tissues or cultured cells. The chromosomes were normal. Malignancy of teratoma is generally decided by the clinical stage and histological grade, but a more securely based decision is necessary where an immature teratoma contains immature neural tissues. The presence of N-myc gene amplification, NSE productivity and the presence of DMs may be valuable.

Differences between cell lines of uterine cervical glassy cell carcinoma and large cell nonkeratinizing squamous cell carcinoma.

Cell lines were established from two uterine cervical cancers, a glassy cell carcinoma (GCC) and a large cell nonkeratinizing squamous cell carcinoma (LCSC), and studied by a variety of techniques, including histology, chromosome analysis, heterotransplantation and tumor marker analyses. There were radical differences in the morphology, heterotransplantability, production of tumor markers, etc., between the cultures of these morphologically similar cancers. The LCSC line (HKMUS) consisted of polygonal and round cells containing tonofilaments; these cells discharged tumor antigen-4 (TA-4) into the conditioned media. HKMUS was heterotransplantable into the subcutis of nude mice to form LCSC. On the other hand, the GCC line (HOKUG) consisted of round or spindle-shaped cells. HOKUG was easily transplanted into the subcutis or intraabdominal cavity of nude mice and metastasized easily. It discharged TA-4, carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) into the conditioned media. The histologic picture of GCC revealed numerous blood vessels and a rapid proliferation of the cells. GCC, which is considered to be a mixed carcinoma having the characteristics of both squamous carcinoma and adenocarcinoma, seems to be a cancer of unpredictable prognosis as compared to LCSC, possibly due to its rapid proliferation and easy metastasis, leading to peritonitis carcinomatosa.

Characterization of Krukenberg tumor cell line, especially the biological relationship between cancer and stromal cells.

The signet-ring cell adenocarcinoma cell line (HSKT-C) and the fibroblast cell strain (HSKT-F) were established from a Krukenberg tumor. The HSKT-C cells are small, roundish or spindle-like in shape and form monolayer sheets of epithelial pavement cells and produce carcinoembryonic proteins such as carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA), etc. They show a stable proliferation after successful passages of 45 times within 13 months. The chromosome number varied widely and showed aneuploidy. The HSKT-C cells were transplanted to hamster cheek pouches and produced a tumor (signet-ring cell adenocarcinoma). On the other hand, HSKT-F cells are fibroblast-like. Their chromosome number is 46, and no karyological abnormality was observed. They could not be transplanted in the nude mouse or the hamster and did not produce carcinoembryonic proteins. It should be noted that they produce estrogens (estrone and 17 beta-estradiol). Sarcomatous morphological change of the stromal cells in Krukenberg tumor is considered to be a reactive change against invasion of the signet-ring cell adenocarcinoma into stromal tissues.

[Establishment and characterization of human neuroblastoma cell line (HSNB)].

We cultured an aspiration fluid of the sternal bone marrow of the patient having adrenal neuroblastoma and established a neuroblastoma cell line (HSNB). The HSNB line has the following biological properties. 1. They are small round in shape and proliferate in flotation while forming cell aggregate, and often they attach the bottom of plastic dish and process the nerve-like fibers. A rough-endoplasmic reticulum are poorly developed, however, a lot of free ribosomes are scattered in the cytoplasm. In the peripheral area of the cells, small spherical secretory granules (60-140 nm in diameter) are existed. One characteristic of this cell is existence of microtubules in the cell-projections. 2. They show a stable growth and the doubling time is about 50 hours. 3. Their chromosome number varied widely and the mode is 46. The double minute chromosomes were present in 50% of cells. 4. When they are transplanted in the cheek pouch of hamster, they produced the neuroblastoma. 5. They produce neuron specific enolase. 6. N-myc gene was amplified ca 250 folds.

[Establishment and characterization of a human malignant schwannoma cell line (HKMS)].

The malignant schwannoma cell line (HKMS) was established from the subcutaneous tumor of Axilla region of a 48-year-old Japanese woman. The HKMS line has the following biological properties. 1. The HKMS cells were spindle in shape and showed neoplastic and pleomorphic features. The monolayer sheet of HKMS cells showed the resemble cell-arrangement with that of the original tumor tissue. 2. The cells showed a stable growth and the serial passages were successively carried out 150 times within 3 years. Their population doubling time is about 40 hours. 3. The chromosome number varied widely, and the modal number was stable at the 78-80. The marker chromosomes were present. 4. The cells were transplanted into the subcutis of nude mice and produced the malignant schwannoma.

[Establishment and characterization of a human malignant fibrous histiocytoma line serially transplanted in nude mice].

Serial heterotransplantation of human malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) derived from tibia was attempted in BALB/c nu/nu mice, and HKMFH-nu transplantable tumor line was established. This line had the following biological properties. (1) Eighteen serial passages were carried out in 41 months. (2) Morphological changes of the grafts occurred in nude mice with serial passages: During the first 6 passages, histiological picture was consistent with the common type of MFH similar to that of the original tumor, then after the 7th passage, the myxoid type coexisted with the common type, and finally the myxoid type occupied the entire grafts to form large cysts. (3) The common type grafts grew more rapidly than the myxoid type grafts. (4) Granulocytosis (neutrophilia) was observed in mice bearing the common type tumor, but not in mice bearing the myxoid type tumor.

N-myc amplification and neuron-specific enolase production of a neuroblastoma cell line and germ cell tumor cell lines.

N-myc gene amplification of the gynecological malignant tumor cell lines and a neuroblastoma cell line was studied by the Southern hybridization method along with the production of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) by these cell lines. N-myc amplification and NSE production were observed side by side in three cell lines: neuroblastoma cell line HSNB, endodermal sinus tumor cell line HAEST, and malignant teratoma cell line HUOT. However, N-myc amplification and NSE production disappeared gradually following successive passages of the HAEST and HUOT lines. With respect to the HUOT line, these parameters disappeared along with the cells of nervous origin. N-myc amplification and NSE production were not observed in nine other cell lines.

[Heterotransplantability of human anaplastic thyroid carcinoma line (HOTHC) in nude mice, and biological properties of the heterograft].

The heterotransplantability of HOTHC line (human anaplastic thyroid carcinoma) into the subcutis of BALB/c nude mice and the biological properties of grafts were discussed. (1) The HOTHC line showed high transplantability, and 1 x 10(4) cells produced anaplastic carcinoma (giant cell type) containing the colloid-like substance. (2) The grafted tumors grew rapidly and the mice were dead within 2 months after transplantation. (3) The number of leukocytes (neutrophils) of mouse peripheral blood increased as the tumor size increased, and the leukocyte count returned to a normal value after removal of the tumor. (4) The conditioned media of HOTHC line formed colonies of granulocytes (neutrophils) on soft agar. These phenomena revealed that HOTHC is a granulocyte-colony stimulating factor-producing line. (5) The conditioned media of HOTHC line showed promoting-effect on neovascularization on the chorioallantoic membrane.