Conflict detection during plan integration for multi-agent systems

This paper describes techniques developed for conflict detection during plan integration. Agents' intensions are represented with intended goal structure (IGS) and the E-PERT diagrams. Conflicts are classified as goal, plan, and belief conflicts. Before integrating individual plans and detecting plan conflicts, agents first detect and eliminate their goal conflicts by exchanging their IGS. Plan integration is done through merging individual E-PERT diagrams. Project estimation and review technique (PERT) diagrams have been used extensively in the systems analysis area since the 1980s to provide a global consistent view of parallel activities within a project. We extended the PERT diagrams for use in the plan integration activity within multi-agent systems (MAS). The E-PERT diagram contributes to maintain traceable temporal relations among agents' local scheduled actions. Combined with pattern matching, plan conflicts due to resource sharing, or conflicting conditions (i.e., postconditions of one action disabling preconditions of another action) can be detected. The conflict detection techniques are implemented in a sensible agent testbed to promote deployment and performance analysis.

[Postoperative abdominal endogenic field hyperthermia combined with FOLFOX regimen in the treatment of 68 cases of advanced gastric cancer]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the therapeutic efficacy and adverse effects of endogenetic field hyperthermia (EFH) in combination with L-OHP /LV / 5-FU in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer.

METHODS

This study included 147 surgical patients with stage II-IV gastric cancer, who received postoperative chemotherapy with FOLFOX (L-OHP 85 mg /m square, 3 h intravenous infusion, followed by infusion of LV at 200 mg /m square in 2 h, intravenous injection of 5-Fu at 400 mg /m square, and intravenous infusion of 5-FU at 3000 mg /m square in 48 h). Eight treatment cycles (each lasting for 14 days) were administered. In 68 cases randomly selected from the cohort, EFH was performed on the first and third days (treatment group), but not in the other 79 cases (control group).

RESULTS

The response rate was 68.4% in the treatment group and 36.4% in the control group, showing significant difference between them (P<0.05). The 1-year survival rate was 88.2% in the treatment group, similar to the rate of 81.0% in the control group (P< 0.05), but the 3, 5-year survival rates in treatment group (67.6% and 30.9%) was significantly higher than those in the control group (47.6% and 15.4%, P<0.05). The adverse effects were similar between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

EFH combined with the chemotherapeutic regimen FOLFOX might improve the therapeutic effect of stage II-IV gastric cancer without obviously increasing the adverse effects.

Diagnosis and treatment of caecal volvulus

Caecal volvulus is an infrequently encountered clinical condition and an uncommon cause of intestinal obstruction. Patients with this condition may present with highly variable clinical presentations ranging from intermittent, self limiting abdominal pain to acute abdominal pain associated with intestinal strangulation and sepsis. Lack of familiarity with this condition is a factor contributing to diagnostic and treatment delays. The objective of this review is to promote clinicians' awareness of this disease through patient case illustration, discussion of disease pathogenesis, clinical features, and management strategies.

Application of three-dimensional body scanner: observation of prevalence of metabolic syndrome

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

This retrospective cross-sectional study correlates blood pressure, blood glucose, lipid and uric acid levels with anthropometric measurements.

METHODS

A total of 3975 visitors to the Department of Health Management were randomly selected to participate in this cross-sectional study. Whole body three-dimensional (3-D) laser scans were used to obtain anthropometric measurements. A health index (HI) was also designed based on anthropometric parameters. Subjects were defined as having metabolic syndrome when three of the following criteria were met: obesity (BMI of at least 30 kg/m(2); or a WHR of over 0.9 for males and 0.85 for females); triglyceride of at least 150 mg/dl; high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol below 35 mg/dl for males and 39 mg/dl for females; fasting sugar levels of at least 110 mg/dl and hypertension.

RESULTS

Of 3975 subjects, 341 (8.6%) met the criteria for diabetes mellitus (DM); of these, 32.8% were diagnosed with hypertension. This proportion exceeded 18% of the subjects had normal glucose levels. Of the 3975 subjects, 658 (16.6%) met the criteria for metabolic syndrome. Proportionally, more male subjects than female subjects were diagnosed with metabolic syndrome (18.5% vs 14.7%). Of these, central obesity, elevated triglyceride and low HDL-cholesterol were the main factors in men, while fasting glucose, hypertension and central obesity were the main factors in women. This investigation found that larger proportions of subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (41.1%) and DM (64.2%) than of subjects with normal glucose subjects, suffered from metabolic syndrome (9.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

3-D body scanning is useful in correlating pertinent factors with metabolic syndrome, these factors include central obesity, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, hyperuricemia and hypertension.

[Clinical study of comparison of CAF regimen and TP regimen in treatment of advanced breast cancer]

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

CAF regimen [Cytoxan+ Adriamycin+5-fluorouracil (5-FU)] and TP regimen (paclitaxel+cisplatin) were effective to advanced breast cancer (ABC). But TP regimen was expensive and the administration was complicated. So the authors evaluated the clinical results of CAF and TP regimens.

METHODS

A total of 117 ABC patients proved pathologically were divided into CAF and TP groups. Patients in both groups were well matched with baseline disease characteristics (P >0.05). CAF group (66 cases):received Cytoxan 600 mg/m(2), i.v. drip d(1), Adriamycin 60 mg/m(2) i.v. drip d(1) and 5-FU 600 mg/m(2), i.v. drip d(1,8); TP group (51 cases): received paclitaxel 135 mg/m(2) by i.v. drip for 3 hours and cisplatin 60 mg/m(2), i.v. drip d(2-3) The treatments were repeated every 3 weeks. All patients received two cycles of the treatment at least.

RESULTS

In CAF group, the response rates (RR) of the initial treatment cases, the retreatment cases, and the whole cases were 54.8% (17/31), 31.4% (11/35), and 42.4% (28/66), respectively. The median time to progression (TTP) was 7.8 months (95%CI:5.3-10.8 months) and the median survival was 17.8 months (95%CI:13.3-22.5%). Whereas in TP group, the RR of the initial treatment cases, the retreatment cases, and the whole cases were 62.5%(15/24), 59.3%(16/27), and 60.8%(31/51), respectively. The median TTP and the median survival were 8.6 months (95%CI:6.5-12 months) and 19 months (95%CI:15-25.5 months), respectively. There were significant differences between two groups in the RR of retreatment cases and the whole cases (P< 0.05, Chi-square test). However, there was no significant difference in the RR of the initial treatment cases, the median TTP and median survival (for RR, P >0.05, Chi-square test; for median TTP and median survival, P >0.05, Log-rank test). Diarrhea was more serious in CAF group than in TP group; however, myodynia, peripheral neuropathy,and skin exanthem were more serious in TP group than in CAF group(P< 0.05,Wilcoxon rank sum test). There was no significant difference in the other side effects between the two groups. All side effects were tolerable.

CONCLUSION

CAF regimen was still a firstly selected regimen for the patients with ABC.

Implementation of whole body scanner for determining somatotype index at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital

BACKGROUND

Body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratio (WHR) using 1-dimensional circumference data have been proven to be highly related to blood pressure and total cholesterol; these 2 indices have been widely used as health indicators in preventive diagnosis and health examination. Sophisticated software, which allows calculation of the triangular mesh related to the body surface in 3D space, is capable of computing the circumference, width, sectional surface, volume, and surface area of the body.

METHODS

Chang Gung Whole Body Scanner (CGWBS) was used to capture 3D whole body surface images. In this study, the human body was divided into 10 segments consisting of the head, breast, wrist, hip, upper arm, forearm, hand, thigh, calf, and foot. Five independent assessments were made on a total of 32 anthropometric sites, including 12 circumferences, 3 widths, 3 profile areas, 7 surface areas, and 7 volumes. In this study, the somatotype index (SI) was computed through anthropometric data after 1,323 subjects were investigated. Correlation analysis was used to describe the relationship between BMI, WHR, SI, and anthropometric data. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Duncan's multiple range tests were used to examine differences between examination variables across sex and SI groups.

RESULTS

This study found 4 somatotypes from anthropometric data. SI determined by CGWBS has better correlation with anthropometry than WHR or BMI. Of the 644 male subjects, 155 were in the ectomorph group, 232 in the semi-mesomorph group, 136 in the full-mesomorph group, and 121 in the endomorph group. Of the 679 female subjects, 160 were in the ectomorph group, 235 in the semi-mesomorph group, 168 in the full-mesomorph group, and 116 in the endomorph group.

CONCLUSION

The results show that SI has great potential to perform precise somatotype classification.

Patient evaluation and management with selective use of magnetic resonance cholangiography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography before laparoscopic cholecystectomy

OBJECTIVE

To assess the utility of triage guidelines for patients with cholelithiasis and suspected choledocholithiasis, incorporating selective use of magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) before laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

ERCP is the most frequently used modality for the diagnosis and resolution of choledocholithiasis before LC. MRC has recently emerged as an accurate, noninvasive modality for the detection of choledocholithiasis. However, useful strategies for implementing this diagnostic modality for patient evaluation before LC have not been investigated.

METHODS

During a 16-month period, the authors prospectively evaluated all patients before LC using triage guidelines incorporating patient information obtained from clinical evaluation, serum chemistry analysis, and abdominal ultrasonography. Patients were then assigned to one of four groups based on the level of suspicion for choledocholithiasis (group I, extremely high; group 2, high; group 3, moderate; group 4, low). Group 1 patients underwent ERCP and clearance of common bile duct stones; group 2 patients underwent MRC; group 3 patients underwent LC with intraoperative cholangiography; and group 4 patients underwent LC without intraoperative cholangiography.

RESULTS

Choledocholithiasis was detected in 43 of 440 patients (9.8%). The occurrence of choledocholithiasis among patients in the four groups were 92.6% (25/27), 32.4% (12/37), 3.8% (2/52), and 0.9% (3/324) for groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively (P <.001). MRC was used for 8.4% (37/440) of patients. Patient triage resulted in the identification of common bile duct stones during preoperative ERCP in 92.3% (36/39) of the patients. Unsuspected common bile duct stones occurred in six patients (1.4%).

CONCLUSIONS

The probability of choledocholithiasis can be accurately assessed based on information obtained during the initial noninvasive evaluation. Stratification of risks for choledocholithiasis facilitates patient management with the most appropriate diagnostic studies and interventions, thereby improving patient care and resource utilization.

[Research on the transformation of ginsenoside Rg1 by intestinal flora]

OBJECTIVE

The decomposition of Ginsenoside Rg1(Rg1) by intestinal bacteria in rats or human was investigated both in vitro and in vivo.

METHOD

The decompositions were investigated by means of thin-layer chromatography and Electron spurt ion mass.

RESULT

It was found that Rg1 was converted into two metabolites [Rh1 and 20(S)-protopanaxatriol(20S-Ppt)] by human intestinal bacteria in vitro, while three compounds [Rh1, F1, and 20(S)-Ppt] were detected in rat intestinal bacteria metabolism in vitro and in vivo.

CONCLUSION

The decomposition and/or metabolism of Rg1 in rat and human digestive tract was confirmed. The mode of metabolism in rat is Rg1-->Rh1(F1)-->Ppt, while in human it is Rg1-->Rh1-->Ppt.

Pathogenesis and presentation of common bile duct stones

Common bile duct stones are generally classified as primary or secondary stones based on the locations of origin. The vast majority of the stones found in the biliary tree are secondary stones. The current review discusses the pathogenesis and presentations of primary and secondary biliary stones. Based on discussion of disease pathogenesis and presentation, recommendations for the evaluation and management of common and uncommon disease processes associated with choledocholithiasis are proposed.

Inflammatory pseudotumor presenting as a cystic tumor of the pancreas

Inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) of the pancreas occurs rarely. Eighteen cases have been described in the English literature. In all previous patients IPT of the pancreas presented as solid pancreatic mass. We are reporting a case of IPT presenting as a cystic mass of the pancreas, which has not been described previously. A review of IPT of the pancreas and a discussion regarding the management of pancreatic cystic neoplasm is provided.

Metabolism of ginsenoside Rg1 by intestinal bacteria. II. Immunological activity of ginsenoside Rg1 and Rh1

AIM

To compare the effect of ginsenoside Rg1 and its metabolite Rh1 on proinflammatory cytokines and their mRNA expression by THP-1 cells.

METHODS

Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were incubated with Rg1 and Rh1 at concentrations of 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 mg/L, and the cell proliferation was measured 24 h after incubation. Radioimmunoassay (RIA) was used to detect the production of proinflammatory cytokines, TNF alpha, IL-1 alpha, and IL-8. TNF alpha mRNA level was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) after administration of Rg1 and Rh1.

RESULTS

Rg1 and Rh1 (at concentration of 0.1, 1, 10, 100 mg/L) had no effect on PBMC proliferation. Rh1 1 mg/L could upregulate the productions of TNF (and IL-8 induced by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) 10 mg/L plus phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) 200 nmol/L, however, Rg1 showed an inhibitory effect on TNF alpha production induced by LPS 100 mg/L. Rg1 1 mg/L and Rh1 100 mg/L enhanced the production of IL-1 alpha level in THP-1 cells in the presence of LPS 10 mg/L. RT-PCR revealed that Rh1 stimulated TNF alpha mRNA expression in suitable stimulatory conditions.

CONCLUSION

Rg1 and Rh1 have different effects on the production of cytokines produced THP-1 cells stimulated by LPS and PMA.

The pan-neural bHLH proteins DEADPAN and ASENSE regulate mitotic activity and cdk inhibitor dacapo expression in the Drosophila larval optic lobes

Developmental regulators and cell cycle regulators have to interface in order to ensure appropriate cell proliferation during organogenesis. Our analysis of the roles of the pan-neural genes deadpan and asense defines critical roles for these genes in regulation of mitotic activities in the larval optic lobes. Loss of deadpan results in reduced cell proliferation, while ectopic deadpan expression causes over-proliferation. In contrast, loss of asense results in increased proliferation, while ectopic asense expression causes reduced proliferation. Consistent with these observations endogenous Deadpan is expressed in mitotic areas of the optic lobes, and endogenous Asense is expressed in cells that will become quiescent. Altered Deadpan or Asense expression results in altered expression of the cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor gene dacapo. Thus, regulation of mitotic activity during optic lobe development may, at least in part, involve deadpan and asense mediated regulation of the cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor gene dacapo. genesis 26:77-85, 2000.

The efficacy of magnetic resonance cholangiography for the evaluation of patients with suspected choledocholithiasis before laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography is the most commonly utilized tool for the identification of common bile duct stones (CBDS) before laparoscopic cholecystectomy, whereas the role of magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) for patient evaluation before laparoscopic cholecystectomy is currently undefined.

METHODS

We prospectively evaluated the efficacy of MRC for the identification of CBDS among patients with high risk for choledocholithiasis. Patient selection was based on clinical, sonographic, and laboratory criteria. Standard cholangiograms were obtained when possible for verification of MRC results.

RESULTS

Ninety-nine patients underwent evaluation with preoperative MRC. CBDS was visualized in 30% of patients. MRC sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were 85%, 90%, 77%, 94%, and 89%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

MRC is useful for the evaluation of patients with suspected choledocholithiasis. Advantages of MRC include its noninvasive nature, ease of application, and accuracy in identifying and estimating the size of CBDS. Application of MRC in this setting reduces the need for diagnostic endoscopic retrograde cholangiography. Future investigations should be directed at the development of cost-effective utilization strategies for MRC application.

Association of Chk1 with 14-3-3 proteins is stimulated by DNA damage

The protein kinase Chk1 is required for cell cycle arrest in response to DNA damage. We have found that the 14-3-3 proteins Rad24 and Rad25 physically interact with Chk1 in fission yeast. Association of Chk1 with 14-3-3 proteins is stimulated in response to DNA damage. DNA damage results in phosphorylation of Chk1 and the 14-3-3 proteins bind preferentially to the phosphorylated form. Genetic analysis has independently implicated both Rad24 and Rad25 in the DNA-damage checkpoint pathway. We suggest that DNA damage-dependent association of phosphorylated Chk1 with 14-3-3 proteins mediates an important step along the DNA-damage checkpoint pathway, perhaps by directing Chk1 to a particular substrate or to a particular location within the cell. An additional role for 14-3-3 proteins in the DNA-damage checkpoint has been suggested based on the observation that human Chk1 can phosphorylate Cdc25C in vitro creating a 14-3-3 binding site. Our results suggest that in fission yeast the interaction between the 14-3-3 proteins and Cdc25 does not require Chk1 function and is unaffected by DNA damage, in sharp contrast to the interaction between the 14-3-3 proteins and Chk1.

Induction of glutathione depletion, p53 protein accumulation and cellular transformation by tetrachlorohydroquinone, a toxic metabolite of pentachlorophenol

Glutathione (GSH) conjugate formation with tetrachlorohydroquione (TCHQ) and the GSH content in vivo were measured by capillary zone electrophoresis. A more than 60% depletion of GSH content was found in liver tissue of mice treated with TCHQ. In addition, p53 protein accumulation and DNA fragmentation was induced by TCHQ. A two-stage model of chemical transformation of mouse embryonic fibroblasts was used to elucidate the transformation activity of TCHQ in vitro, and a 33% foci formation efficiency was found at the concentration of 5 microM. GSH depletion caused by TCHQ could abolish the protective ability of the cell against reactive oxygen species provided by GSH. When DNA was damaged, p53 protein accumulated in the nucleus and, in the case of severe damage, initiated apoptosis. TCHQ's ability to cause GSH depletion and DNA damage may play a role in the cytotoxic and genotoxic properties of its metabolic precursor, PCP.

Neonatal jaundice and molecular mutations in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficient newborn infants

Molecular mutations of the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) gene and clinical manifestations of neonatal jaundice in 112 male and 50 female Chinese neonates with G6PD deficiency were studied. In the 112 males, the nucleotide (nt) 1376 (G-->T) mutation was the dominant type (50.0%), followed by nt 1388 (G-->A) (16.1%), nt 493 (A-->G) (8.0%), nt 1024 (C-->T) (6.2%), nt 95 (A-->G) (5.4%), nt 392 (G-->T) (1.8%), nt 487 (G-->A) (1.8%), nt 871 (G-->A) (0.9%), and nt 1360 (C-->T) (0.9%). The nt 871 variant has not been reported in Taiwan before. The occurrence rates for nt 1376, nt 1388, nt 493, nt 95, and nt 1024 mutations in the 50 females were 44.0%, 18.0%, 12.0%, 6.0%, and 6.0%, respectively. The type of G6PD mutation in 10 male and 7 female neonates has not been identified yet. Although G6PD deficient neonates had higher frequency of phototherapy than G6PD normal neonates in both sexes, a significant difference in the prevalence of hyperbilirubinemia (peak bilirubin > or = 15.0 mg/dl) between G6PD deficient and normal neonates was found only in males. Further analysis showed that duration of phototherapy was longer in G6PD deficient male neonates than in the control group, while the outcome of phototherapy was better in subjects with non-nt 1376 mutations than subjects with the nt 1376 mutation. Most (78.3%) of the 23 G6PD deficient neonates who subsequently suffered from neonatal hyperbilirubinemia carried the nt 1376 mutation. The results of this study indicate that the nucleotide substitution at 1376 is the most common and important mutation for G6PD deficiency in Chinese neonates in Taiwan.

Transformation of Solanum brevidens using Agrobacterium tumefaciens

Leaf pieces of in vitro-cultured plantlets of the wild potato species Solanum brevidens Phil. were cocultivated with Agrobacterium tumefaciens that contained nptII and uidA genes on the disarmed plasmid pBI121. Independent transgenic shoots were regenerated from solidified and liquid medium that contained 50 mg l(-1) kanamycin. Two Agrobacterium strains were investigated for transformation efficiency. GV2260, which contained p35SGUSINT, resulted in a 11% transformation frequency, compared with 1% using LBA4404. Transformation rates were 7% in liquid culture and 3% on solidified medium. All kanamycinresistant, putatively transformed plantlets were confirmed positive by histochemical GUS assays. GUS activity in 22 independently transformed plants was quantified by fluorometric assay. Southern analysis of randomly selected transgenic plants showed that each transgenic plant contained at least one copy of the uidA gene.

[Pathological study on thoracic carcinoids accompanied with Cushing's syndrome]

Eight patients with carcinoid tumors (5 from the lungs and 3 from the thymus) associated with Cushing's syndrome were studied. Among them, 5 were male and 3 female with a mean age of 32.5 years. Histologically, all were typical carcinoids. Immunohistochemically, tumor cells were strongly positive of NSE, chromogranin A and ACTH in all 8 cases. Some tumors also positive for S-100, calcitonin, HCG alpha and HCG beta. Various amounts of neurosecretory granules were found in the tumors by electron microscopy and ACTH positive dots were also noticed in some of the neurosecretory granules in the tumor cells by immunoelectron microscopical colloidal gold labelling technique. By in situ hybridization technique, overexpression of chromogranin A mRNA was detected in all of the tumors reported.

Giant intracranial aneurysms with skull base erosion and extracranial masses: CT and MR findings

OBJECTIVE

To present the CT and MR findings of three patients with giant intracranial aneurysms (GIAs), each of which eroded the skull base and had an extracranial mass component. A literature review of GIAs was also performed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the past year the imaging studies of three patients with these unusual GIAs were collected at our institutions. All three patients had had CT, and one patient had had MR on a 1.5 T GE unit.

RESULTS

One patient had a 5 cm GIA in the left petrocavernous region, filling the middle cranial fossa and extending into the left sphenoid sinus and the left posterior ethmoid complex. The aneurysm had heterogeneous high attenuation and extensive rim calcification. The second patient had a 5 cm GIA that filled most of the left middle cranial fossa, eroding the floor and lateral wall and extending into the infratemporal fossa and parapharyngeal space. The aneurysm was partially thrombosed and had minimal rim calcification. The third patient had a 4 cm left cavernous GIA that eroded the floor of the middle cranial fossa and extended into the subjacent parapharyngeal space. The lesion was partially thrombosed and had an enhancing lumen. The rim had low signal intensity on MR. None of these patients had a history of trauma.

CONCLUSION

Giant intracranial aneurysms can cause significant skull base erosion and extend into the paranasal sinuses, parapharyngeal space, and infratemporal fossa. The CT and MR findings can lead to an accurate diagnosis.

[Gene diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma]

Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique was used to analyze c-Ki-ras codon 12 mutation in 27 fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) specimens of the pancreas and its adjacent organs for the diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. C-Ki-ras codon 12 mutation was present in 14 out of 15 cases of pancreatic adenocarcinoma, the positive rate was 93.33% (14/15); whereas no mutation was detected in those obtained from 12 patients with chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cyst, gallbladder carcinoma, carcinoma of ampulla of Vater and gastric lymphoma. The results of this study verifies the PCR-RFLP technique as a practical, sensitive, rapid and reliable method for the detection of c-Ki-ras codon 12 mutation in the diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Expression of EGF, TGF-alpha, EGFR and c-erbB2 genes and their gene products in human pancreatic carcinoma cell lines

The expression of mRNA for epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha), EGF receptor (EGFR) and c-erbB-2 genes and the immunoreactivity to these gene products were examined in 3 newly established human pancreatic carcinoma cell lines and their corresponding in vivo tumor lines using the Northern blot technique and the immunohistochemical method. All 3 cell lines expressed TGF-alpha, EGFR and 2 of the 3 lines expressed EGF and c-erbB-2 mRNAs. The immunohistochemical study showed immunoreactivity to EGF, TGF-alpha and EGFR in all these 3 cell lines and their corresponding in vivo tumor lines. These results indicate that the autocrine loop of EGF and/or TGF-alpha/EGFR in pancreatic carcinoma cells may be one of the important reasons for the uncontrolled growth of the pancreatic carcinoma. The c-erbB-2 overexpression in some of the cell lines may also contribute to the carcinogenesis or progression of this cancer.