Can the Artificial Heart Make the Circulation Become Fractal?

In order to analyze the hemodynamic parameters in prosthetic circulation as an entity and not as decomposed parts, non linear mathematical analyzing techniques, including the fractal dimension analyzing theory, were utilized. Two pneumatically actuated ventricular assist devices were implanted, as biventricular bypasses (BVB), in chronic animal experiments, using four healthy adult goats. For the comparison between the natural and prosthetic circulation in the same animals, the BVB type complete prosthetic circulation model with ventricular fibrillation, was adopted. All hemodynamic parameters with natural and prosthetic circulation were recorded under awake conditions, and calculated with a personal computer system. Using the non-linear mathematical technique, the arterial blood pressure waveform was embedded into the return map as the beat-to-beat time series data and fractal dimension analysis were performed to analyze the reconstructed attractor. By the use of the Box counting method, fractal dimension analysis of the hemodynamics was performed. Return map of the hemodynamics during natural and artificial circulation showed fractal characteristics, and fractal dimension analysis of the arterial blood pressure revealed the fact that lower dimensional fractal dynamics were evident during prosthetic circulation. Fractal time series data is suggested to have robustness and error resistance, thus our results suggest that the circulatory regulatory system with an artificial heart may have these desired characteristics.

Glucocorticoid-induced G1 arrest and the release effect of epidermal growth factor on the human salivary gland adenocarcinoma cell

Dexamethasone (1 microM) decreased the distribution of cells in S phase (about 75%) and increased that of G1 cells (1.1-fold) in the DNA histogram of human submandibular salivary gland adenocarcinoma cells (HSG) reversibly. In synchronized cells at G1 phase, glucocorticoid delayed the initiation of DNA synthesis by about 3-4 h. The conditioned medium (50%) or exogenous human epidermal growth factor (EGF, 10 ng/ml) significantly nullified these effects by glucocorticoids. These results suggested that glucocorticoids arrested the cells at G1 phase, which implied the inhibition of production of some progressive factor, probably EGF, in the cell cycle of HSG.

[Cell kinetic effects of cis-platinum on cancer cells in a culture system and in cases of cervical cancer using monoclonal antibody of BrdU]

Flow cytometric analyses were done in cervical squamous cell carcinoma cell line (SKG-IIIa) and in cancer cells of cervical cancer cases treated with CDDP using monoclonal antibody of BrdU. 1) In fundamental studies using culture system, accumulation of late S phase cells and of mid S phase cells was observed after 48 hours at the dose of 0.2 micrograms/ml and 0.5 micrograms/ml of CDDP, respectively. 2) Accumulation of early S phase cells was observed at the condition of 1 microgram/ml and 3 micrograms/ml of CDDP. All S phase cells decreased gradually thereafter 3) In clinical studies, accumulation of early S phase cells was observed in cancer cells of cervical cancer cases after intra-arterial infusion of CDDP. However, cell cycle recycling was observed in tumor cells which retained their low sensitivity to CDDP after 21-day treatment with intra-arterial infusion of CDDP.

[Drug resistant mechanisms of platinum derivatives in a human cisplatin resistant ovarian cancer cell line]

We investigated cisplatin resistant mechanisms in a cisplatin resistant ovarian cancer cell line (KFr) by means of flow cytometric analysis for damage of cisplatin to DNA base and DNA synthetic cells. Cisplatin showed cycle delay at 0.5 microgram/ml and then cycle arrest at 1 microgram/ml in G2 + M phase. KFr cells showed relatively rapid inhibition of DNA synthesis based with G-C base damage by cisplatin however, KFr cells had a capacity to repair DNA damage by cisplatin as showing cycle progression from G2 + M phase to G1-early S phase. Of the cisplatin derivatives tested which are of current clinical interest, Carboplatin and DWA 2114 R showed cross resistance to cisplatin in KFr cells.

[Scanning electron microscopic studies on the cell surface and cell synchronized culture of human endometrial adenocarcinoma (HEC-1) cells]

The cell cycle of cultured human endometrial adenocarcinoma cells were observed with a SEM using the synchronous culture method and the following results were obtained. In the M phase, the cells changed morphologically to become a minimum size and rounded in shape. Filopodia became thin and straight and reached their maximum length. Moreover, blebs reaches their greatest number. In the G0+1 phase, the cells developed from a round shape to an oval shape, and finally became polymorphic. The ends of the filopodia degenerated and became shortened. The number of blebs was decreased only in this stage. During the S phase, the cells became slender and reached maximum size. Short filopodia reappeared. No blebs but the largest microvilli were found. When we compared the late G1 with the early G2 phase, we found polymorphism of the cells and coexistence of microvilli and blebs common to both phases. However, ruffles were observed only in the former phase, while in the latter phase renewal of short filopodia together with thick and bent filopodia was evident. When we compared the late G2 with the early G1 phase, we found that the cells were small in size and round shape, and that the existence of blebs was common to both phases. However, the tips of the filopodia were destroyed in the latter phase, while in the former phase thick and bent filopodia were observed.

[Inhibition of growth of human endometrial adenocarcinoma cells in vitro treated with prostaglandin F2 alpha, E2, D2 and J2]

Effects of prostaglandin F2 alpha, E2, D2 and J2 on the DNA and RNA contents of a human endometrial cancer cell lines (SNG and Ishikawa) were studied using flow cytometry. Cytotoxic effects of various prostaglandins on SNG and Ishikawa cell lines were examined and PG J2 and PG D2 were found most active. Among other prostaglandins PG E2 showed a comparable inhibitory activity to cellular growth but PG F2 alpha didn't. In SNG and Ishikawa cell lines after RNase treatment, PG J2, PG D2 and PG E2 caused a decrease of the S-phase and G2 + M-phase cell population in cell cycle. On the other hand, PG F2 alpha caused a increase of the S-phase cell population in cell cycle PG J2, PG D2 and PG E2 after DNase treatment caused a decrease of the relative RNA content in both of cell lines. On the other hand, PG F2 alpha caused a increase of the relative RNA content. It is a noteworthy that PG J2 and PG D2 were remarkably recognized delay of doubling time and decrease of survival fraction under the time and dose dependence. These effects occur not only by direct lethal influence of the prostaglandins, but also by substantially inhibit RNA and DNA synthesis with a delay of the cell cycle. These results might be suggested a role for prostaglandin J2 and D2 in the regulation of growth of endometrial adenocarcinoma cells.

[Flow cytometric study on the action of progestogen in patients with adenocarcinoma and precancerous lesions of the endometrium]

Synthetic progestogens have been used in 21 patients with endometrial adenocarcinoma and 6 patients with precancerous lesions. During a program of management with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) in an attempt to identify the mechanism by which a remission rate in 30-40% occurred, adenocarcinoma cells were analysed. Histopathologic reactions of endometrial adenocarcinoma treated with MPA 400mg/day through 7 days have been found similar those of normal secretory endometrium such as subnuclear vacuolation, loss of mitotic figure, diminished nuclear size and stromal decidual reaction and regressive changes are highly dose dependent. In detailed analysis of the cell cycle, computerized flow cytometry was employed to quantitate total DNA content following propidium iodide fluorescent staining after RNase treatment. Possible modes of action of MPA on endometrial adenocarcinoma are an increase in the G0+1 fraction corresponding to ploidy reduction. Adenomatous hyperplastic lesions were able to be reversed completely in all patients compared with adenocarcinoma in sixty-six percent.

[The effects of site-directed chemotherapy due to E2 as a drug carrier to the human endometrial adenocarcinoma cells in vitro]

The effects of Estracyt, a Nitrogen mustard (HN2) derivative of estradiol-17 beta versus the free HN2 on cell kinetics of the estrogen receptor positive human endometrial cancer cell line HEC-1 were investigated using flow cytometry. The results were as follows. The cell killing effects of Estracyt existed in a dependency on dose and time, whereas those of HN2 were dependent on dose alone. HN2 at 1 microgram/ml showed a marked increase in S phase and decrease in G0+1 phase. However, with equivalent doses of Estracyt at 10 micrograms/ml, even more remarkable was the accumulation in the G2+M phase. Synchronization at S phase with MTX showed no increase in sensitivity to these drugs on cells in S phase. Based on the above results, it was suggested that the free HN2 had an affect regardless of the cell cycle phase, whereas the effects of Estracyt corresponded to the cell cycle phase and Estracyt might have a fixed population of non-target cells existing in the G0+1 and S phase. Synchronization in the G1 phase with Sodium n-butylate could increase the target effects of Estracyt in S phase.

[The effects of progestogens on a human endometrial cancer cell line Ishikawa and a human breast cancer cell line MCF-7]

The effects of Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) and progesterone (P) on DNA and RNA contents of a human endometrial cancer cell line (Ishikawa) and a human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) were studied using Flow cytometry. The results were as follows. MPA and P at a high dose of 10(-5) M inhibited their cell cycle progression through the G1 phase or G1-S phase boundary and showed a decrease in the number of cells which underwent DNA synthesis and mitosis. P at a low dose of 10(-7) M showed the lengthening of cell cycle time in the S phase. MPA at 10(-7) M had an inhibitory effect on the cell cycle progression of Ishikawa cells similar to that of a high dose of MPA whereas, in the case of MCF-7 cells, it showed a lengthening of duration in the S phase. Therefore, the dose-responsibility of these cells to MPA were shown to be different. A high dose of MPA and P showed a decrease in the cytoplasmic and nuclear RNA contents. A low dose of MPA and P had no marked effect on the RNA contents. From these results, it was clarified that MPA, especially at a high dose, could substantially inhibit RNA synthesis and DNA synthesis with a delay of the cell cycle progression in hormone responsive cancer cells.

[Changes in immunoglobulin-positive cell populations in the vaginal smear during radiotherapy of cervical cancer and their relation to 5-year survival rate]

To study the immunological response of irradiated cervical cancer, vaginal smears were taken from patients with this neoplasm during radiotherapy and stained with fluorescent anti-Igs sera by a direct method. Then, the relationship between the immune response during radiotherapy and a five year cure were discussed. The results obtained were as follows: 1. The mean percentage of the surface IgM-positive cells was 1.9% in normal vaginal smears and 5.8% in cervical cancer. 2. On the changes in the surface IgM-positive cells during radiotherapy, the patients were classified into three groups. Group A: The number of surface IgM-positive cells increased temporarily during radiotherapy. Group B: The number of surface IgM-positive cells decreased gradually during radiotherapy. Group C: The changes in the surface IgM-positive cells were irregular and/or showed little deviation. The five year survival rate for Group A was 81.8% and for Group B was 50.0%. There was significant difference between Group A and Group B in survival rates, and Group A was considered to be an immunoreactive group.