Vacuum Rabi splitting in a semiconductor circuit QED system

Vacuum Rabi splitting is demonstrated in a GaAs double quantum dot system coupled with a coplanar waveguide resonator. The coupling strength g, the decoherence rate of the quantum dot γ, and the decay rate of the resonator κ are derived, assuring distinct vacuum Rabi oscillation in a strong coupling regime [(g,γ,κ)≈(30,25,8.0) MHz]. The magnitude of decoherence is consistently interpreted in terms of the coupling of electrons to piezoelectric acoustic phonons in GaAs.

Biological significance of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 expression in ovarian clear cell adenocarcinoma

PURPOSE

Ovarian clear cell adenocarcinoma (OCCA) has been reported to display different characteristics from other histological types of epithelial ovarian cancer, and especially differs from serous adenocarcinoma. We investigated plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) expression in patients with OCCA and attempted to assess its biological significance.

METHODS

Fifty-seven patients with OCCA were enrolled. We used formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections of the primary tumor obtained at the first operation to investigate the immunohistochemical expression of PAI-1 and the association of PAI-1 expression with various clinicopathologic factors.

RESULTS

The 57 patients were classified into a high PAI-1 expression group and a low expression group. Comparison between the two groups revealed that the percentage of patients with concomitant endometriosis was significantly larger in the high expression group, while the percentage of Stage I patients with positive peritoneal cytology was significantly larger in the low expression group. Comparison of cumulative 5-year survival rates showed that the high expression group had a better prognosis than the low expression group.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest an association between concomitant endometriosis and increased expression of PAI-1 in OCCA. The data also suggest that PAI-1 expression influences both peritoneal dissemination of early OCCA and the prognosis.

Malignant mixed mullerian tumor of primary mesenteric origin

Malignant mixed müllerian tumor (MMMT) is a rare tumor. A literature search revealed very few reports on MMMT, especially those arising in the peritoneum. We recently encountered an MMMT of primary mesenteric origin associated with left fallopian tube cancer. There have been no previous reports about its occurrence in the mesentery. When cases of peritoneal MMMT were reviewed, the disease was found to be associated with synchronous or metachronous gynecologic tumors of müllerian duct origin (ie, ovarian tumors, primary serous carcinoma of the peritoneum, fallopian tube cancer, endometrial cancer, and adenocarcinoma of the cervix) in 12 out of 32 patients (37.5%). Peritoneal MMMT are frequently associated with gynecologic tumors.

A pilot study of weekly docetaxel therapy for recurrent ovarian cancer, tubal cancer, and primary peritoneal cancer

We investigated the efficacy and toxicity of salvage chemotherapy with weekly docetaxel for recurrent ovarian cancer, tubal cancer, and primary peritoneal cancer after treatment with regimens containing platinum or paclitaxel. The 15 subjects were managed as outpatients and received at least two courses of docetaxel therapy (35 mg/m2 on days 1, 8 and 15). Antitumour activity was assessed radiologically and from the CA-125 level. Among five patients with measurable lesions, one showed partial remission and three showed stable disease. Based on CA-125 levels, there were three partial remissions and five patients with stable disease (progression-free survival was 7.5 months and 7.6 months, respectively). During 61 courses, the severe toxicities were grade 3 leukopaenia/neutropaenia (6.7%) or grade 2 oedema and pleural effusion (13.3%). Weekly docetaxel may be useful salvage chemotherapy for recurrent ovarian cancer, tubal cancer, and peritoneal cancer, especially as tumour dormancy therapy.

Imaging of cyclotron emission from edge channels in quantum Hall conductors

A local probing technique of cyclotron emission is applied to image nonequilibrium electrons generated along edge channels in quantum Hall conductors. In a lower-magnetic field region of a quantum Hall state plateau (filling factor 2<nu), cyclotron emission is found to occur along the boundary of a conductor on the side of lower potential (with positive Hall voltage). The emission indicates that electrons are accumulated in the first-excited Landau level, while they are depleted in the lowest Landau level along the boundary as a consequence of adiabatic-transport.

Preoperative diagnosis of fallopian tube cancer by imaging

Primary cancer of the fallopian tube (FTC) is among the most unusual gynecologic malignancies and rarely is diagnosed correctly before surgery. The imaging results of eight patients with FTC and four with benign tubal disease were analyzed. FTCs were small cystic or solid masses that typically were shaped like a sausage, a snail, or a gourd, regardless of clinical stage.

Effective weekly docetaxel for recurrent ovarian cancer: A case report

We experienced a case of recurrent ovarian cancer that responded to weekly docetaxel. The patient had stage IIIC ovarian cancer (poorly differentiated serous adenocarcinoma). After initial remission was achieved by chemotherapy with paclitaxel and carboplatin plus cytoreductive surgery, the disease recurred and irinotecan therapy achieved temporary remission. During maintenance therapy with oral etoposide, the disease recurred again. We then tried five courses of weekly docetaxel therapy and it successfully controlled the disease. The progression-free survival time on weekly docetaxel treatment is now 7 months and the toxicity was extremely low. This patient demonstrates the effectiveness of weekly docetaxel as salvage chemotherapy for recurrent ovarian cancer.

Effective weekly docetaxel for recurrent ovarian cancer: A case report

We experienced a case of recurrent ovarian cancer that responded to weekly docetaxel. The patient had stage IIIC ovarian cancer (poorly differentiated serous adenocarcinoma). After initial remission was achieved by chemotherapy with paclitaxel and carboplatin plus cytoreductive surgery, the disease recurred and irinotecan therapy achieved temporary remission. During maintenance therapy with oral etoposide, the disease recurred again. We then tried five courses of weekly docetaxel therapy and it successfully controlled the disease. The progression-free survival time on weekly docetaxel treatment is now 7 months and the toxicity was extremely low. This patient demonstrates the effectiveness of weekly docetaxel as salvage chemotherapy for recurrent ovarian cancer.

Pharyngoesophageal pressure in patients with swallowing disorders

We developed and tested a pressure transducer to correctly determine swallowing pressure at different sites in the pharynx. In normal individuals three pressure peaks were obtained in the mesopharynx, hypopharynx and cervical esophagus, respectively. A patient with central dysphagia demonstrated markedly low mesopharyngeal and hypopharyngeal swallowing pressure. One tongue cancer patient who had undergone right hemiglossectomy, including partial resection of the root of the tongue and bilateral superior neck dissection, had markedly low swallowing pressure in the mesopharynx and vallecula area. Another supraglottic cancer patient treated by supraglottic horizontal partial laryngectomy showed extremely low swallowing pressure in the supraglottic area. Based on our findings, we suggest that measurements using a pressure transducer such as the one described here should be used in combination with radiographic study to diagnose swallowing anomalies correctly. Data obtained with the pressure transducer will allow the clinician to identify the site responsible for postoperative dysphagia as well as its severity, and facilitate planning of reconstructive surgery when required.

Carotid body tumor associated with differentiated thyroid carcinoma

We report a case of a carotid body tumor associated with a primary differentiated thyroid carcinoma. A 44-year-old woman presented with a 10-year history of an asymptomatic mass in her neck. Physical examination revealed a pulsatile submandibular mass in her right neck as well as multiple nodules in the thyroid. Magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography and, in particular, angiography were diagnostic of the carotid body tumor. Slight changes in serum thyroglobulin levels and thyroid scintigraphy led us to suspect thyroid carcinoma. Embolization of the arteries feeding the carotid body tumor was performed, and was followed by tumor resection 24 h later. At surgery, histopathology confirmed the presence of follicular and papillary carcinomas of the thyroid, resulting in concurrent resection of the gland. There were no residual cranial nerve deficits. The patient subsequently received radiotherapy. Diagnosis and surgical management are discussed, together with pathogenetic factors.

Factors that affect swallowing-related apnea times in humans

The dynamics of deglutition were studied in relation to potential changes due to aging. Swallowing-related apnea time (SAT) was measured during "dry" and "wet" swallowing in 84 adults without dysphagia to examine if age-related variation of SAT corresponded to changes in deglutition dynamics due to aging and to determine possible significance. Swallowing movements were recorded using a transducer for measuring swallowing pressures. Respiratory flow rates during deglutition were measured with a heat-wave flowmeter as part of phonatory function testing system. Respiratory movements were recorded with a respiration pick-up band set at the diaphragm. Findings demonstrated that SAT did not change with aging but was prolonged in subjects over age 50 years. When topical anesthesia was omitted during study, SAT tended to be shorter during wet swallowing than during dry swallowing in all age groups. Statistically significant differences were observed between wet and dry swallowing SAT in subjects under the age of 39 years. When a topical anesthetic was applied to pharyngeal mucous membranes, SAT was prolonged. Finally, SAT results during wet swallowing determined in a anesthetized dog before and after topical anesthesia of the pharyngeal mucous membranes showed significant prolongation after topical anesthesia. These findings suggest that the sensation of the pharyngeal mucous membrane may be important in producing swallowing-related apnea and controlling its duration.

Laminin gamma 1 chain peptide, C-16 (KAFDITYVRLKF), promotes migration, MMP-9 secretion, and pulmonary metastasis of B16-F10 mouse melanoma cells

Laminin-1, a heterotrimer of alpha 1, beta 1, and gamma 1 chains specific to basement membrane, promotes cell adhesion and migration, proteinase secretion and metastases of tumour cells. Several active sites on the alpha 1 chain have been found to promote B16-F10 melanoma lung colonisation and here we have determined whether additional tumour promoting sites exist on the beta 1 and gamma 1 chains. Recently, we have identified novel cell adhesive peptides derived from laminin beta 1 and gamma 1 chains by systematic screening of synthetic peptides. Nine beta 1 peptides and seven gamma 1 peptides active for cell adhesion were tested for their effects on experimental pulmonary metastases of B16-F10 mouse melanoma cells in vivo. The most active adhesive peptide derived from the gamma 1 chain globular domain, C-16 (KAFDITYVRLKF), significantly enhanced pulmonary metastases of B16-F10 cells, whereas no other peptides showed enhancement. C-16 also stimulated migration of B16-F10 cells in the Boyden chamber assay in vitro. Furthermore, C-16 significantly induced the production of MMP-9 from B16-F10 cells. These results suggest that this specific laminin gamma 1 chain peptide has a metastasis-promoting activity and might be a new molecular target of anti-cancer treatment.

Thrombectomy and SVC reconstruction due to infective thrombus

We report a case of thrombectomy and reconstruction of superior vena cava (SVC) in a patient presenting sepsis and SVC syndrome by infective thrombus. A 58-year-old woman presented sepsis and edema of the neck and left upper extremity during treatment of multiple organ failure. Sepsis by Serratia persisted in spite of appropriate antibiotic treatment. Computed tomography of the chest revealed thrombi that narrowed the SVC with obstruction of the left brachiocephalic vein. Removal of the infective thrombi followed by SVC reconstruction with autologous pericardial patch was performed. Postoperative period remained uneventful.

Tumor imprint cytology of ovarian ependymoma. A case report

BACKGROUND

Ependymoma is a tumor that usually develops in the central nervous system and is extremely rare in the ovary. The first case of ovarian ependymoma was reported by Kleinman et al. (Kleinman GM, Young RH, Scully RE. Ependymoma of the ovary: report of three cases. Hum Pathol 1984;15:632-8.) in 1984, and only eight cases have been reported since then. Criteria for the histopathologic diagnosis of ependymoma are already established, but there has been no investigation of the cytologic diagnosis of ovarian ependymoma.

METHODS

An imprint cytologic specimen was obtained from a recurrent ovarian ependymoma. The imprint cytologic features were compared with the findings of histologic examination, immunostaining, and electron microscopy.

RESULTS

Imprint cytology revealed clusters of small cells with tapering cytoplasmic processes and a round nucleus. On the basis of these features, a neurogenic tumor could be included in the differential diagnosis. Furthermore, many rosette-like collections of cells that were suggestive of ependymal rosettes or perivascular pseudorosettes, characteristic of ependymoma, were found. The presence of ependymal rosettes and perivascular pseudorosettes also were confirmed by the histopathologic examination. Together with positive immunostaining for glial fibrillary acidic protein, this led to the diagnosis of ependymoma, which also was supported by the electron microscopic findings.

CONCLUSIONS

Careful observation of the imprint cytologic specimen of an ovarian ependymoma should reveal numerous rosette-like collections of cells that were suggestive of ependymal rosettes or perivascular pseudorosettes. In addition, if we remember that ependymoma can develop in the ovary and find cells with tapering processes that suggest a neurogenic tumor, it may be possible to detect histologic features characteristic of ependymoma by the imprint cytology. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the imprint cytologic diagnosis of ependymoma originating in the ovary.

Maspin expression in stage I and II oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

A relatively high failure rate in the therapy of patients with early oral tongue squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) is evidenced by untreated clinically negative neck lymph node metastasis. It is important to predict the malignant potential of oral tongue SCC in stage I and II patients, because the development of lymph node metastasis directly affects the prognosis of the patients.

METHODS

We evaluated maspin expression immunohistochemically in patients with stage I and II oral tongue SCCs and determined whether the expression level may be a useful factor in predicting metastatic potential and prognosis of these SCCs.

RESULTS

Clinical follow-up data showed a longer disease-free interval and overall survival periods for tumors immunohistochemically positive for maspin than for tumors negative for maspin, with the difference in disease-free interval being statistically significant (p =.01). The absence of maspin expression was found more frequently in cases of subsequent cervical lymph node metastasis than in cases without metastasis (p =.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Decreased maspin expression may be a significant factor associated with the metastatic potential of stage I and II oral tongue SCCs.

Primary ependymoma of the ovary, in which long-term oral etoposide (VP-16) was effective in prolonging disease-free survival

BACKGROUND

Ovarian ependymoma is an extremely unusual teratoma of the ovary with only eight cases previously reported in the literature worldwide.

CASE

A 26-year-old woman presented in 1992 with a sensation of abdominal fullness. The laparotomy revealed ovarian cancer (stage III), which proved to be an ependymoma pathologically. Three courses of the PVP regimen (cisplatin, vinblastine, peplomycin) and pelvic irradiation were administered postoperatively. Oral administration of etoposide (VP-16) was initiated after the residual tumor began to proliferate, and the tumor decreased in size and never regrew during etoposide administration for a total of 5 years and 8 months. The recurrent tumor was observed soon after the drug was discontinued.

CONCLUSION

Oral administration of etoposide was effective in prolonging disease-free survival.

Case report of serous ovarian tumor of borderline malignancy (Stage Ic) in a pregnant woman

We encountered a case of Stage Ic ovarian serous borderline malignancy in the first trimester of pregnancy. At laparotomy, spontaneous rupture of the capsule and a small amount of serous ascites was observed. Because of the laparotomy during pregnancy, correct staging of the tumor might not be performed. This case presented a major problem in deciding the treatment strategy, which are reported here together with some discussion of the literature on the preservation of fertility in borderline ovarian malignancy.

All-trans-retinoic acid enhances the effect of adenovirus-mediated wild-type p53 gene transfer in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

Adenovirus-mediated p53 (AdCMVp53) gene therapy for cancer is currently undergoing phase III clinical trials. One problematic aspect of this therapy is that the current protocols result in low transduction of the therapeutic virus in vivo. To search new modalities that can enhance the effect of AdCMVp53 gene therapy, we focused on retinoids.

METHODS

To study the effect of ATRA in combination with AdCMVp53 gene therapy, we pretreated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells for 72 hours with a low-dose All-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) (10-7 M-10-8 M) which will not affect the in vitro cell growth, and then infected the cells with low MOI (30MOI) AdCMVp53. In vitro cell proliferation assays, cell cycle assays were performed. Expression of p53 and p53-related gene products, BAX and p21, were examined.

RESULTS

The combined treatment with ATRA and Ad-p53 suppressed cell growth and induced apoptosis significantly more than AdCMVp53 treatment alone (P <.05). p53 expression significantly increased more after the combined treatment than after either treatment alone, at both the transcription and protein levels. In addition, increased expression of p21 and BAX, which are downstream gene products of p53, was observed in the combination. ATRA also enhanced the expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) transduced by an adenovirus-cytomegalovirus (CMV)-GFP vector suggesting ATRA enhances adenovirus-CMV-promoted vectors through transcription.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that ATRA enhances AdCMVp53 expression through transcriptional mechanisms and can synergistically induce apoptosis in HNSCC cells. ATRA has a potential to enhance the effect of adenovirus-mediated p53 gene therapy for HNSCC.

SCCA1 expression in T-lymphocytes peripheral to cancer cells is associated with the elevation of serum SCC antigen in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) antigen has been used for the management of SCC arising in various cites including head and neck region. However, the true mechanism of the elevation of this protein in the serum of patients with SCC is still unknown. SCC antigen belongs to the superfamily of serine protease inhibitors. Recently, molecular studies show that serum SCC antigen is transcribed by two nearly identical genes (SCCA1 and SCCA2), and is mainly produced by SCCA1. The objective of this study is to clarify the mechanism of the elevation of SCC antigen in oral tongue SCC patients and to identify cells histologically, which are responsible for serum SCC antigen production. In this study, we examined SCCA1 expression in a series of four head and neck SCC (HNSCC) cell lines, and found that all expressed equal to low SCCA1 protein as compared with the normal human oral keratinocyte. Using the double immunohistochemical technique to examine the expression pattern of SCCA1 in 86 cases of oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma, SCCA1 immunostaining was observed in the cytoplasm of cancer cells and T-lymphocytes peripheral to cancer cells. We also compared the clinicopathological features including serum SCC antigen level of the oral tongue SCC cases with the immunohistochemical SCCA1 expression pattern, and found that elevated serum SCC antigen level was significantly correlated with SCCA1 expression not in cancer cells, but in T-lymphocytes peripheral to cancer cells. These results suggest that T-lymphocytes peripheral to cancer cells may be responsible for serum SCC antigen production in HNSCC patients.

Immunohistochemical observation of actin filaments in epithelial cells encircling the taste pore cavity of rat fungiform papillae

Epithelial cells are connected to each other around taste pores in rat fungiform papillae. Cytoskeletal components are responsible for the maintenance of intracellular adhesion, and we investigated the identification and localization of actin filaments around taste pores. On the basis of observations made by immunohistochemical transmission electron microscopy comparing with confocal laser scanning microscopy using actin-lectin double staining, actin filaments were found to be localized, encircling the squeezed taste pore cavity, in epithelial cells a few micrometers below the papilla surface. In addition, these observations suggest that the organization of actin filaments around taste pores might be involved in the constriction of taste pores.

Cytokeratin subunits of inclusion bodies in rhabdoid cells: immunohistochemical and clinicopathological study of malignant rhabdoid tumor and epithelioid sarcoma

Extrarenal malignant rhabdoid tumor (MRT), which is recognized as being histologically similar to renal MRT, is characterized by the presence of "rhabdoid cell" (RC) and a highly aggressive biological behavior. Recently it has been proposed that "proximal variant" of epithelioid sarcoma (ES), whose morphology is similar to that of MRT, actually has a more aggressive clinical course than classical type ES. Detailed immunohistochemical analysis of cytokeratin (CK) subunits was performed in 3 cases of extrarenal MRT, 3 cases of renal MRT, and 11 cases of ES comprising 2 "proximal variants" and 9 classical types. Renal and extrarenal MRTs showed positive immunoreactivity for both CK8 and CK18. Classical type ESs were diffusely positive, not only for CK8 and CK18, but also for other cytokeratin subunits including CK4, 6, 10, 13, 16, 17, and "high-molecular-weight" CKs (CK1, 5, 10, and 14). On the other hand, proximal ES revealed limited immunohistochemical reactivity for cytokeratins, compared with classical ES. In conclusion, the inclusion bodies of RCs show immunoreactivity confined to CK8, CK18, and vimentin. Furthermore, ES has additional CK expressions, while proximal ES possesses characteristics intermediate between those of classical ES and those of external MRT.