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Fragment-based ligand discovery was successfully applied to histone deacetylase HDAC2. In addition to the anticipated hydroxamic acid- and benzamide-based fragment screening hits, a low affinity (∼1 mM) α-amino-amide zinc binding fragment was identified, as well as fragments binding to other regions of the catalytic site. This alternative zinc-binding fragment was further optimized, guided by the structural information from protein-ligand complex X-ray structures, into a sub-μM, brain penetrant, HDAC2 inhibitor (

Epignathus is an extremely rare teratoma found in the oral cavity or oropharyngeal region of newborns, whose pathogenesis is poorly understood. We describe a giant epignathus arising from the oropharynx in a newborn. The giant tumor completely obstructed the airway of the newborn resulting in death. Histological and radiological examination of the tumor reveals the presence of a remarkably well-developed skeleton of the head and neck. A row of teeth, the axis and atlas, thyroid and salivary glands, trachea, and cerebral tissue are all detected within the tumor. These findings suggest that the epignathus is fetus-in-fetu which is considered a type 0 germ cell tumor in accordance with current literature.

In this paper, we overview, evaluate, and demonstrate the sparse processing particle image velocimetry (SPPIV) as a real-time flow field estimation method using the particle image velocimetry (PIV), whereas SPPIV was previously proposed with its feasibility study and its real-time demonstration is conducted for the first time in this study. In the wind tunnel test, the PIV measurement and real-time measurement using SPPIV were conducted for the flow velocity field around the NACA0015 airfoil model. The off-line analysis results of the test show that the flow velocity field can be estimated from a small number of processing points by applying SPPIV, and also illustrates the following characteristics of SPPIV. The estimation accuracy improves as the number of processing points increases, whereas the processing time per step increases in proportion to the number of processing points. Therefore, it is necessary to set an optimal number of processing points. In addition, the application of the Kalman filter significantly improves the estimation accuracy with a small number of processing points while suppressing the processing time. When the flow velocity fields with different angles of attack are used as the training data with that of test data, the estimation using SPPIV is found to be reasonable if the difference in angle of attack between the training and test data is equal to or less than 2 deg and the flow phenomena of the training data are similar to that of the test data. For this reason, training data should be prepared at least every 4 deg. Finally, the demonstration of SPPIV as a real-time flow observation was conducted for the first time. In this demonstration, the real-time measurement is found to be possible at a sampling rate of 2000 Hz at 20 or less processing points in the top 10 modes estimation as expected by the off-line analyses., Accepted manuscript for publication in Experiments in Fluids

A 50-year-old woman presented to our hospital with shortness of breath on exertion and nocturnal dyspnea. She had undergone total aortic arch replacement for Stanford type A aortic dissection 17 years previously and was taking prednisolone for systemic lupus erythematosus. Computed tomography showed that the 63-mm ascending aorta near the proximal anastomosis site compressed the superior vena cava and right atrium. Cardiac catheterization showed occlusion of the left anterior descending branch. The patient underwent urgent surgery for ascending aortic aneurysm and coronary artery occlusion. Microscopic examination revealed that the aneurysm was true. This report highlights that in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, aortic aneurysms can reoccur even after total arch replacement.

Background Evolutionary cancer has a supply mechanism to satisfy higher energy demands even in poor-nutrient conditions. Metabolic reprogramming is essential to supply sufficient energy. The relationship between metabolic reprogramming and the clinical course of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains unclear. We aimed to clarify the differences in metabolic status among PDAC patients. Methods We collected clinical data from 128 cases of resectable PDAC patients undergoing surgery. Sixty-three resected tissues, 15 tissues from the low carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), 38–100 U/mL, and high CA19-9, > 500 U/mL groups, and 33 non-tumor control parts, were subjected to tandem mass spectrometry workflow to systematically explore metabolic status. Clinical and proteomic data were compared on the most used PDAC biomarker, preoperative CA19-9 value. Results Higher CA19-9 levels were clearly associated with higher early recurrence (p p p = 0.025). From proteomic analysis, we discovered that cancer evolution-related as well as various metabolism-related pathways were more notable in the high group. Using resected tissue immunohistochemical staining, we learned that high CA19-9 PDAC demonstrated aerobic glycolysis enhancement, yet no decrease in protein synthesis. We found a heterogeneity of various metabolic processes, including carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, lipids, and nucleic acids, between the low and the high groups, suggesting differences in metabolic adaptive capacity. Conclusions Our study found metabolic adaptation differences among PDAC cases, pertaining to both cancer evolution and the prognosis. CA19-9 can help estimate the metabolic adaptive capacity of energy supply for PDAC evolution.

The development of a secondary aortoenteric fistula is a well-described complication after open or endovascular repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. However, evidence regarding aortocolonic fistulas (ACFs) and their pathogenesis is currently limited. We present a case of ACF that developed 18 years after open repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm with atypical symptoms. The patient was successfully treated with total resection of the involved aorta, prosthetic graft, and sigmoid colon, with extra-anatomic bypass and primary anastomosis of the residual colon. Pathologic examination revealed that the pathogenesis of ACF was attributed to sigmoid diverticulitis. This case report highlights the uncommon pathogenesis of ACF and the importance of considering revascularization and intestinal reconstruction in the surgical strategy for each individual case. Keywords: Aortoenteric fistula, Aortocolonic fistula, Abdominal aortic aneurysm

Background Intra-ampullary papillary-tubular neoplasm (IAPN) has been classified as a Vater papillary tumor. The prognosis of IAPN is generally relatively good. Here, we describe a patient with a mucinous adenocarcinoma cluster in the Vater papilla of IAPN origin. Clinical presentation The patient was a 66-year-old man who was admitted to our hospital after a diagnosis of pancreatic head carcinoma based on a pancreatic duct dilatation found on abdominal ultrasound. CT showed a 40 mm lesion in the pancreatic head and expansion of the main pancreatic duct to a maximum diameter of 9 mm on the caudal side of the lesion. The extrahepatic bile duct had also expanded to a maximum diameter of 8 mm. PET/CT showed fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) accumulation of SUVmax 6.02 that corresponded to the tumor in the pancreatic head, though it did not suggest distant metastasis. The patient was diagnosed with pancreatic head carcinoma T3 N0 M0 Stage IIA and underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy. Pathology indicated that the tumor in the pancreatic head was a benign inflammatory lesion. On the other hand, the papillotubular tumor pervading the lumen in the duodenal papillary common channel met the criteria for IAPN, and a mucinous adenocarcinoma cluster found in the surrounding stroma suggested malignant transformation of IAPN. No metastasis to lymph nodes was demonstrated. With regard to the mucus phenotype of each lesion, the IAPN was MUC2 and MUC5AC positive, while the mucinous adenocarcinoma was MUC2-positive and MUC5AC-negative. In addition, CD10 was negative in both lesions, suggesting that mucus transformation from the gastric type to the intestinal type was a key element. A blood test 10 months after surgery showed increased CA19-9 (105 U/mL) and CEA (7.1 ng/mL). Abdominal CT showed multiple cystoid nodes in the liver, which were diagnosed as multiple liver metastases of mucinous adenocarcinoma transformed from the IAPN. Conclusions We reported a case with IAPN that developed in the Vater papilla, which took an extremely malignant course. IAPN generally has a good prognosis, but it is important to understand that a malignant course may occur.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by an infiltrative growth pattern with intense desmoplastic stroma comprised of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Additionally, the histological characteristics are considered to play a vital role in the poor prognosis of PDAC. However, the density of cancer cells, degree of desmoplasia and vascular proliferation varies in individual cases. We hypothesized that preoperative radiological images would reflect histological characteristics, such as cancer cell density, CAF density and microvessel density. To clarify the association between the histological characteristics and radiological images of PDAC, the cancer cell density, CAF density and microvessel density from surgical specimens were measured with immunostaining, and the time density curve of dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) was analyzed. Overall, the initial slope between non-enhanced and arterial phases was correlated with microvessel density, and the second slope between arterial and portal phases was correlated with CAF and cancer cell densities. In conclusion, the present study suggested the possibility of estimating cancer cell, CAF and microvessel densities using the TDC of dynamic CECT.

In patients with rectal cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), differences are often observed between high and low radiological image reduction effects. It may be suggested that high radiological image reduction indicates a beneficial response to chemotherapy. However, the pathological investigation of the differences between high and low radiological cancer volume reduction cases remains limited. In the current study, a total of 50 patients with rectal cancer, treated with NAC, were examined. The approximate pathological primary cancer area and the radiological cancer volume reduction ratio were measured using CT and/or MRI imaging and the donut-shaped measurement method. Immunostaining of cytokeratin AE1/AE3 was performed to quantitatively measure the cancer cell mass in the largest section of rectal cancer. Cytokeratin AE1/AE3-stained area (P=0.04), mitosis (P=0.0027) and radiological donut-shaped images after NAC (P=0.010) were lower in the high radiological cancer volume reduction ratio group compared with the low radiological cancer volume reduction ratio group. These findings indicate that the radiological images had some ability to determine the treatment effect and clinicopathological characteristics of patients with rectal cancer treated with NAC.

We developed a plastic-scale-model assembly of an ultrathin film piezoresistive microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) strain sensor with a conventional vacuum-suction chip mounter for the application to flexible and wearable strain sensors. A plastic-scale-model MEMS chip consists of 5-μm ultrathin piezoresistive strain sensor film, ultrathin disconnection parts, and a thick outer frame. The chip mounter applies pressure to the ultrathin piezoresistive strain sensor film and cuts the disconnection parts to separate the sensor film from the outer frame. The sensor film is then picked up and placed on the desired area of a flexible substrate. To cut off and pick up the sensor film in the same manner as with a plastic scale model, the design of the sensor film and disconnection parts of MEMS chips were optimized through numerical simulation and chip-mounting experiments. The success rate of the 5-μm ultrathin sensor film mounting increased by decreasing the number and width of the disconnection parts. For a 5-μm-thick 1 × 5 mm2 sensor film, 4 disconnection parts of 20 μm in width achieved 100% success rate. The fabricated ultrathin MEMS piezoresistive strain sensor exhibited a gauge factor of 100 and high flexibility to withstand 0.37 [1/mm] bending curvature. Our plastic-scale-model assembly with a conventional vacuum-suction chip mounter will contribute to more practical manufacturing of ultrathin MEMS sensors.

The impact of kinking of the nonstented part of a frozen elephant trunk on the development of adverse effects is unclear. We report a case of an infected thrombus within the kinked nonstented portion of the frozen elephant trunk that resulted in multiorgan embolization. A 45-year-old man presented with a 1-month history of high-grade fever and fatigue. He had undergone emergent total arch replacement and frozen elephant trunk implantation for type A acute aortic dissection 7 years previously. Computed tomography showed an intraluminal thrombus within the kinked nonstented portion of the frozen elephant trunk. An autopsy also showed an intraluminal thrombus within the graft and diffuse microembolization in the abdominal organs. Therefore, in this case, kinking of the nonstented part of the frozen elephant trunk had resulted in an infected intraluminal thrombus, which subsequently caused multiorgan embolization.

Objectives Mucin phenotype is a tool to classify gastric cancer, but the relationship between mucin phenotype and its malignancy is still controversial. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between mucin phenotype and the malignant potential of gastric cancer. Methods A total of 82 cases of early-stage differentiated adenocarcinoma (submucosal invasion cases) obtained from surgeries were studied by immunohistochemistry. Gastric mucin phenotype and E-cadherin expression were analyzed in the mucosal and submucosal layer. E-cadherin expression was analyzed by using imaging software (ImageJ) for objective data analysis. Furthermore, the mucin phenotypic shift was analyzed from mucosa to submucosa. Results We found that: (1) tumors with intestinal mucin phenotype had statistically more venous invasion in the submucosal lesion; (2) tumors with an intestinal phenotype that showed venous invasion in the submucosal lesion had a higher percentage of tumors that showed loss of phenotype; (3) no dominant change in E-cadherin expression was observed from the mucosa to submucosa. Conclusion Tumors with loss of phenotype and submucosal intestinal phenotype showed predominantly more venous invasion, so examining the identification of phenotypes and phenotype shifts can be expected to be a factor that influences treatment strategies after endoscopic treatment or after surgical resection.

A new method for measuring forest's 3D-structure and detecting managing status by using airborne LIDAR data was proposed in this paper. Firstly, histogram graph of pulse data along the altitude direction was adopted for describing characteristics of LIDAR data's stratum structure. And it was found that there exists good correlation between LIDAR data's histogram graph and DHDV (Degree of Human Disturbance of Vegetation) index, which indicates status of second-growth forest and usually is used in field-survey.Secondly, method of generating Histogram Index (HI) map from LIDAR data was proposed and discussed in details. Just like multi-band satellite image data, HI map contains multi-band data structure, with each band standing for HI value within corresponding altitude range. And, with field-survey data of DHDV as reference data, classification was performed upon HI map in order to generate DHDV map of second-growth forest.Verification on DHDV classification map shows that, there exists good possibility to generate DHDV map over large area of second-growth forest by using airborne LIDAR data, which shows fine prospects of airborne LIDAR's applications to forest managements.

日本国内で水害, 土砂災害, 火山災害, および震災等の災害危険度を想定したハザードマップの整備は, 現在, 急速に進められている. しかし, 油流出事故を想定した情報図の活用方法に関する検討は, 著しく不十分である. すでに海外では, 米国 (NOAA OR&R米国商務省大気海洋保全局修復対策部) で沿岸の脆弱性を評価したESI (Environmental Sensitivity Index) マップが作成されている.本研究では, ナホトカ号油流出事故の教訓から油流出事故を想定した沿岸域におけるステークホルダー間のコンフリクトの現状を整理し, その解決策としてESIマップを用いることを提案し, 北海道網走沿岸において実証的にESIマップを検証した.

Summary Two peptides, midgut differentiation factors 1 and 2 (MDF-l and 2), were previously isolated from conditioned medium in which Manduca sexta midgut cells were grown. They are identical to two portions of the terminal sequence of the protein, fetuin, a prenatal vertebrate liver product. In cultures of Lepidopteran midgut, the MDFs act as cytokines or growth factors by inducing midgut stem cells to differentiate to mature columnar, goblet, endocrine, or nerve-like cells. A polyclonal rabbit antiserum to one of these peptides, MDF-l, was used in this study to stain cultured cells from midguts of 4th instar larvae of the Lepidopteran, Heliothis virescens. Paraffin sections of midgut taken from newly molted, mid- 4th instars, and pre-molting 4th instar larvae were also stained with the antibody. Intense positive immunostain was observed in basal areas of the cultured columnar cells and in basal lateral areas of columnar cells in the sections of mid-instar and premolt 4th instar midgut. Other cell types ...

Differentiated cells in the insect midgut depend on stem cells for renewal. We have immunologically identified Integrin beta1, a promotor of cell-cell adhesion that also induces signals mediating proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis on the surfaces of cultured Heliothis virescens midgut cells; clusters of immunostained integrin beta1-like material, indicative of activated integrin, were detected on aggregating midgut columnar cells. Growth factor-like peptides (midgut differentiation factors 1 and 2 [MDF1 and MDF2]), isolated from conditioned medium containing Manduca sexta midgut cells, may be representative of endogenous midgut signaling molecules. Exposing the cultured midgut cells to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxin caused large numbers of mature differentiated cells to die, but the massive cell death simultaneously induced a 150-200% increase in the numbers of midgut stem and differentiating cells. However, after the toxin was washed out, the proportions of cell types returned to near-control levels within 2 d, indicating endogenous control of cell-population dynamics. MDF1 was detected immunologically in larger numbers of Bt-treated columnar cells than controls, confirming its role in inducing the differentiation of rapidly produced stem cells. However, other insect midgut factors regulating increased proliferation, differentiation, as well as inhibition of proliferation and adjustment of the ratio of cell types, remain to be discovered.

From the lessons after the Nakhodka oil spill in January 1997, oil slick detection by using remote-sensing data and assimilating the data to the simulation program is important for monitoring the oil drift pattern. For this object, the authors are going to construct the oil spill warning system for estimating the oil drift pattern using a remote-sensing/numerical simulation model. Additionally, they plan to use this system for restoring oil spill damage domestically, such as estimating the ecological damage and making the priority for restoring the oil spilled shoreline. This report is intended to summarize the role of geo-informatics in the oil spill accident by not only paying attention to the effect of information provision/information management via the map, but also reporting the interim result in part based on the details discussed in the processes of recovery support and environmental impact assessment during the Nakhodka accident.

We exposed midgut cells from primary cultures of Heliothis virescens larvae to cell-free previously used medium, the Vaughn X and HyQ SFtrade mark media used for serum-free culture of insect cell lines which do not support H. virescens midgut cells, and to toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis. A statistically significant increase in the percent of dying cells was counted in cell populations in Vaughn X medium. Use of the TUNEL method to detect apoptosis indicated a low rate (7.2%) of apoptosis in control cultures grown in Heliothis medium, an increase to approximately 20% in previously used and HyQ SFtrade mark media, and to approximately 45% of cells remaining after exposure to and initial destruction by B. thuringiensis toxin. Apoptotic nuclei were predominant (approximately 6%) in mature columnar cells in control cultures. Approximately 1% of goblet, stem, and differentiating cells were apoptotic. However, apoptosis rose to 12% in stem and differentiating cells exposed to used and unsuitable medium. B. thuringiensis exposure to toxin for 2-3 days resulted in visible membrane damage and necrosis, causing the death of 84% of the cells as measured by both the TUNEL and Annexin methods. Some of the columnar cells and stem and differentiating cells that remained also contained apoptotic nuclei. Stem and differentiating cells normally replace dying mature cells in the midgut. Thus, exposure of cultures of H. virescens midgut cells to adverse environments such as unsuitable or poisonous media appeared to induce down-regulation of the cell populations by apoptosis.

This research deals with a Web-GIS application to prevent nearshore damage from environmental disaster such as the Nakhodka oil spill, which occurred on January 2, 1997, in the Sea of Japan. In the Nakhodka oil-spill disaster, information was provided from various places to the Internet, as the oil moved north in the Sea of Japan. However, the character-based information was updated hour by hour during the event, so it was difficult to unify the data. Moreover, considering that information was needed by a total of 770,000 volunteers gathered for oil-spill restoration, it was important to transfer the information on the incident in a timely manner. In such a situation, software, which could offer information on management of the nearshore environment, was needed. The authors constructed the Web-GIS to offer information linked to a map on the World Wide Web using CGI (Common Gateway Interface). In a situation such as the nearshore region in Japan, which is controlled by two or more organizations, this system was effective in unifying information about the disaster. Moreover, because there is the possibility that many people in various fields would take part in damage prevention from an environmental disaster like the Nakhodka oil spill, Web-GIS can offer and standardize the information for various organizations. and integral use of GIS in the client server and Web-GIS can offer many domestic information to the decision maker in the oil-spill incident including the political judgement.

In this paper, we have made a polarization analysis of the airborne POLDER image data over lands, by introducing the combined model with the atmosphere and ground surface. Then we assume that the surface reflection matrix consists of the diffuse and specular components for a natural surface, using the mixing ratio (α) of specular to diffuse component. We find a simplified Rondeaux-Herman model for “Forest 1” and “Rice field 1”, and a modified Breon model for “River 1”, are able to explain observed polarization variations against zenith viewing angles in the principal plane. Our conclusions are as follows; 1) the isotropic assumption of LIDF seems to be valid at both 550 nm and 650 nm, 2) and the values of α for “Forest 1” are estimated to be α-0.5 and 0.2

The Observation of two dimensional (2-D) wave parameter distribution is important for the estimation of the wave force to marine constructions, such as jetty. The in situ data routinely observed now are point data and the cost is expensive, so the number of observation point is a few. There is no routine method for monitoring 2-D wave parameter distribution.Marine radar can offer the image of 2-D wave field by monitoring the sea clutter from the sea surface. The data from marine radar is, however, analog data, so it is difficult to analyze 2-D wave parameter from the image.We are developing the data acquisition system from marine data now. Before the marine radar is calibrated by comparing in situ data, we proposed the method for monitoring 2-D wave parameter, especially wave length and wave direction, by using simulated image of marine radar in this study.Image of marine radar was simulated by FFT, when wave direction was 0, 30, 45, 60 and 90 deg. and wave length is 1/8, 1/4 and 3/8 of perimeter size of the target area. It is concluded that the accuracy of the proposed method in this study is concluded over 90% and it is accurate enough for operational use.

Expressions of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R) mRNA and its protein were confirmed in rat fetal spinal cord tissues by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. In vitro, over 3 nM ghrelin and des-acyl ghrelin induced significant proliferation of primary cultured cells from the fetal spinal cord. The proliferating cells were then double-stained using antibodies against the neuronal precursor marker, nestin, and the cell proliferation marker, 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU), and the nestin-positive cells were also found to be co-stained with antibody against GHS-R. Furthermore, binding studies using [125I]des-acyl ghrelin indicated the presence of a specific binding site for des-acyl ghrelin, and confirmed that the binding was displaced with unlabeled des-acyl ghrelin or ghrelin. These results indicate that ghrelin and des-acyl ghrelin induce proliferation of neuronal precursor cells that is both dependent and independent of GHS-R, suggesting that both ghrelin and des-acyl ghrelin are involved in neurogenesis of the fetal spinal cord.

The study deals with the calibration of arable land and wood and forests from a global vegetation map based on the seasonal change of NDVI from NOAA AVHRR data, using the Agricultural Atlas in Asia. For this purpose, first the World Atlas of Agriculture is digitized, second the arable land and wood and forest areas are selected from the vegetation map from the viewpoint of NDVI seasonal change. Finally the accuracy of two kinds of land utilization is inspected. From the result, the distribution of arable land and wood and forest areas based on the NDVI seasonal change are accurate enough practically. >

The authors have already conducted an analysis of landslide areas with remote sensing data and thematic map data respectively. Estimation of landslide areas, however, has been considered very difficult because the principal factor of landslide complexly relates to some phenomena. The objective of this study is to find areas where landslides may occur in the near future by using satellite remote sensing data and thematic-map data related to landslide areas with GIS (geographic information system) techniques. The authors' research focused on the actual vegetation in landslide areas. The relationship between vegetation and landslide areas were extracted with the thematic maps including an actual vegetation map.

The objective of this study is to find areas where landslides may occur in the near future by using satellite remote sensing and thematic-map data, also using GIS (Geographic Information System) techniques. The authors considered how the combination of GIS with remote sensing data and thematic map data may facilitate greatly the assessment and estimation of regional landslide hazards. They extracted inclination angles, inclination aspects, and ridge and valley lines from DTM data originally made for landslide areas. The watersheds in the study areas were extracted by GIS techniques. Criteria to predict landslide areas are proposed.

Toxin from two strains of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), AA 1-9 and HD-73, caused dose-dependent destruction of cultured midgut cells from Heliothis virescens larvae. HD-73 toxin was more effective although, at the doses used, not all cells were killed. After 2 days of exposure to 0.8 pg/µl AA 1-9 or 0.06 pg/µl HD-73, columnar and goblet cell numbers declined to ca 20% of controls. In contrast, stem and differentiating cells increased to 140-200% of controls. The dynamic of depletion and replacement depended on toxin type and concentration. Two days after toxin was washed out, ratios of cell types returned to approximate control levels, suggesting rapid population corrections in vitro. Regulation of the ratio of cell types in each population, and the rate of proliferation and differentiation of stem cells was induced by the cultured midgut cells themselves. Controls and cells treated with toxin from Bt strain AA 1-9 were stained using a polyclonal antibody to Lepidopteran midgut differentiation factor 1 (MDF1). With Bt toxin, 1.5 times more cells stained for MDF1, suggesting increased synthesis of this differentiation factor during increased stem cell differentiation. The response of cultured midgut cells to Bt toxin injury is similar to injured vertebrate tissues dependent on stem cells for replacement and healing.

Bombyxin stimulated proliferation of cultured midgut stem cells that were derived from two noctuiid moth larvae, Heliothis virescens and Mamestra brassicae. Bombyxin exhibited the highest activity at 10(-12) M. The number of cells increased for 3 d after the addition of bombyxin. Although a single addition of bombyxin did not maintain proliferation, a second addition, made 3 d after the first treatment, retained the effect. Results suggest that the decline of effect after the first addition was not due to the loss of sensitivity of the cultured cells but to the loss of effect of the growth factor added. Addition of bombyxin at more than 10(-10) M was less effective. Bombyxin did not affect the number of cultured midgut cells without pupal fat body extract (FBX). The data suggest that FBX contains the factors that maintain sensitivity of midgut cells to proliferate in the presence of bombyxin. Bombyxin must be a unique growth factor that stimulates proliferation of midgut stem cells in vitro from lepidopteran larvae.

This paper describes a mechanism of breaking waves over sloping bottoms in terms of changes in integral quantities of the waves. Systematic computations are made of wave profiles of shoaling waves up to the numerical unstable points by using the K-dV equation with variable coefficients and internal properties such as horizontal and vertical water particle velocities by a stream function method satisfying the conservation laws of mass and energy. Applicability of the numerical results is examined and a relation between numerical unstable points and actual breaker points is found. Characteristics of the integral quantities of shoaling waves are investigated in relation to the existence of the extremum of the energy of the shoaling waves and their breaking inception.