Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)-guided radiotherapy has been widely used in radiotherapy, but it still has many limitations.Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) instead of CBCT for imaging-guided radiotherapy can not only make use of the advantages of MRI, but it also allows for online and real-time tracking of tumor motion and biological changes.This technique truly realizes the real-time MRI-guided adaptive radiotherapy (ART) in anatomy and biology, and sets another milestone in the advancement of radiotherapy.This review summarizes the technical advantages of MRI-guided radiotherapy, the basic structure and type of MR-Linac, and the technical difficulties and solutions of MRIgART.

Objective To evaluate the treatment efficacy and treatment-related toxicity of late course accelerated hyperfractionated radiotherapy (LCAHRT) combined with cisplatin-based chemotherapy (CHT) for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).Methods A total of 46 patients with histologically confirmed ESCC,11 in the stage Ⅱa,3 in the stage Ⅱb,and 32 in the stage Ⅲ,underwent conventional fractioned radiation of 40 Gy in 20 fractions on the primary and metastatic lymph nodes,and high-risk lymph node drainage regions,and then the primary and metastatic lymph nodes were irradiated as boost with an additional dose of 19.6 Gy in 14 fractions (1.4 Gy twice a day),and the total prescribed dose was 59.6 Gy in 34 fractions.Two cycles of CHT were administered concurrently during the radiotherapy.The 1-,3-,and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates and local control rates (LCRs) were evaluated by Kaplan-Meier method,and treatment-related toxicity was analyzed based on the RTOG and CTCAE criteria 3.0.Results All patients received the whole course of treatment.The median followup time was 34.4 months (6-67 months).The overall response rate was 91.3％ (42/46).The median OS was 38.5 months (95％ CI 29.6-47.4 months).The 1-,3-,and 5-year OS rates and LCRs were 78.6％,49.4％,and 39.9％,and 84.3％,68.2％,and 61.4％ respectively.The incidence of ≥ G3 radiationinduced esophagitis was 23.9％.Three kinds of serious (≥G3) hematologic toxicities were recorded,including leucopenia (26.1％),thrombocytopenia (13.0％),and anemia (10.9％).Esophagotracheal fistula was recorded in 2 patients (4.3％).Conclusion LCAHRT plus CTH can be favorable for the patients with locally advanced ESCC,however,the treatment-related toxicities may be serious.

Objective To compare the severity of sensorineural hearing impairment resulted from radiotherapy (RT) and radiochemotberapy (CRT) in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods Between March 2002 and May 2007, 100 initially diagnosed NPC patients in Shandong Tumor Hospital and Qi Lu Hospital were randomized to RT group and CRT group. All patients underwent intensity modulated radiation therapy. In CRT group, concurrent and adjuvant CDDP were administered (CDDP 25 mg/m2/d for 3 days to 4 cycles). Pure tone auditory threshold examination was performed 1 week ,6 months, 1 year and 2 years after the completion of radiotherapy. Statistical analyses were performed using Mann-Whit-ney U test,chi-square test and Fisber's exact probability test. Results The high-frequency threshold was significantly increased in CRT group comparing with RT group at 1- and 2-year after the treatment. In RT group, the hearing threshold was impaired immediately after the treatment, partially recovered within the first year but impaired again after 2 years. In CRT group, hearing threshold was impaired at the same time and kept getting worse until 1 year after radiotherapy, which could not be recovered. Conclusions Patients with NPC treated with radiotherapy and concurrent/adjuvant chemotherapy have more severe sensorineural hearing impairment comparing with those with radiotherapy alone, especially to the high frequency sound in the speech range. Inner ear tissue tolerance should be redefined for patients receiving radiochemotherapy.

Objective To approach the changes of advanced glycosylated end products (AGEs),surfactant proteins A (SP-A) in the lung of experimental diabetic rats and their relationship. Methods 48 male SD rats were divided into diabetes mellitus (DM) group and control group, each group with 24 rats.The DM rat model was made by injecting streptozocin (60mg/kg) into caudal vein. The rats were killed and the lung was individually taken out at the end of 4, 12 and 20 weeks after the models were established. The changes of AGEs, SP-A in rats lung were observed with immunohistochemical assay and the images were analyzed( black is minimum of gray, white is maximum of gray ). Results We observed a great quantity of AGEs positive cells in the alveolar epithelial cells, bronchial mucosal epithelium, angio-endothelial cell and smooth muscle cells of the DM rats. The average gray (AG) was inferior to that of the controls(4weeks 93.92 ± 7.92 vs 104. 75 ± 8. 20; 12 weeks 76. 25 ± 6. 76 vs 93.50 ± 7.56; 20 weeks 47.63 ± 7.96 vs 142. 38 ± 19. 76; P ＜0. 05) and decreased with the DM course. In the 4 weeks DM rats, there were a few SP-A positive cells in the type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cells, Clara cells and alveolar macrophage cells. In the 12 and 20 weeks DM rats, there were a great many CTGF and TGF-β1 positive cells. The AG was inferior to that of the controls( 12 weeks 75.63 ± 6. 70 vs 110. 50 ± 13.20;20 weeks 47.38 ± 4. 84 vs 97. 25 ± 9. 87; P ＜ 0. 01 ). Conclusion With the progress of diabetes, DM rats' pulmonary alveolar type Ⅱ cells injury appeared, that might be related with the deposition of AGEs.

Grounding impedance measurement is a traditional proficiency testing programs, 2014 proficiency testing program on the basis of original ability to verify, combined with actual detection need, innovation introduced two verification point of the power input socket and metal plane testing. This paper analyzes and discusses the results of the ability verification in 2014, and puts forward the points of attention and the recommended method of metal plane test.
Laboratories ; standards ; Laboratory Proficiency Testing

Objective To evaluate the role of thoracic three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) in patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC).Methods A total of 171 patients with ES-SCLC admitted from 2004 to 2009 were included in the study.Eighty-six patients received thoracic 3DCRT and systemic chemotherapy (CT),while 85 patients received systemic CT alone.3DCRT was delivered at 1.5 Gy/fraction twice daily or 2.0 Gy/fraction once daily,with a total dose ranging from 40 to 62 Gy.The CT regimen consisted of carboplatin/cisplatin and etoposide.The survival time and survival rate were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method,and the log-rank test was used for univariate prognostic analysis;the Cox model was used for multivariate prognostic analysis.Results The follow-up rate was 100％.The median overall survival (OS) time and the 2-and 5-year OS rates were 15 months,31.5％,and 2.4％,respectively,for all patients;they were 18 months,35.3％,and 2.4％,respectively,for the CT/3DCRT group,versus 12 months,14.5％,and 2.4％ for the CT group (P =0.023).The median progression-free survival (PFS) time and the 1-and 2-year PFS rates were 8 months,27.5％,and 2.4％,respectively,for all patients;they were 9 months,35.4％,and 6.0％,respectively,for the CT/3DCRT group,versus 6 months,20.5％,and 6.0％ for the CT group (P =0.004).In the CT/3DCRT group,the 22 patients who received 45 Gy at 1.5 Gy/fraction twice daily had a median PFS time of 11 months,versus 9 months for the 26 patients who received 60 Gy at 2.0 Gy/fraction once daily (P =0.037).Multivariate analysis revealed that receiving ≥ 4 cycles of CT (P =0.001) and 3DCRT (P =0.008) were favorable prognostic factors for OS.Conclusions Thoracic 3DCRT can improve the OS and PFS in patients with EDSCLC,and it has good efficacy when delivered with a total dose of 45 Gy at 1.5 Gy/fraction twice daily.Thoracic 3DCRT and receiving ≥4 cycles of CT are independent favorable prognostic factors for OS.

Objective To report the clinical effect of repair of significant tongue defect after tongue cancer radical resection using anterolateral thigh perforator free flap with CTA three-dimensional reconstruction technique assistance.Methods From January,2012 to November,2015,13 cases were performed using anterolateral thigh perforator free flap in the repair of significant tongue defect after tongue cancer radical resection.Preoperation CT scan of the free flap donor site was done to obtain the three-dimensional images of arterial blood area by Digital Three-dimensional Reconstruction CT Technique to determine the origin of the anterolateral thigh flaps,direction,classification,length,diameter and the position of pedicle perforator.According to the condition of the defect of the tongue,flap of area from10 cm×9 cm to 8 cm×6 cm was design,the flap arteries and veins were anastomosed with the external maxillary artery or the superior thyroid artery,anterior vein,internal jugular vein or external jugular vein respectively.The shape and recovery of function of the reconstructed tongue were observed regularly after operation.Results All the flaps in the 13 cases survived,in the postoperative 4 to 18 months followed up,the appearance of the reconstructed tongue was close to the normal one,the patients were satisfied with the mastication and feeding function.Conclusion CTA three-dimensional reconstruction technique assisted anterolateral thigh perforator free flap technique is useful in obtaining good clinical effect,and it is one of the most best methods for repairing significant tongue defect after tongue cancer radical resection.

Objective To investigate the value of 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)-computed tomography (CT) in predicting the progression-free survival (PFS)and overall survival (OS) of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after threedimensional (3D) radiotherapy.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 98 ESCC patients,who underwent FDG PET-CT before 3D radiotherapy from 2004 to 2010,to investigate their 1-,3-,and 5-year PFS and OS rates.The relationship of maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax),mean SUV (SUVmean),metabolic target volume (MTV),length of primary tumor on PET-CT before radiotherapy,and number of tumors on PET with PFS and OS were analyzed.The SUVs and clinical data were analysed by independent samples t-test or Hotelling T2 test; the Kaplan-Meier method was used for calculating PFS and OS rates,and the Logrank test was used for survival difference analysis;the prognostic factors were analysed using the Cox proportional hazard model.Results The follow-up rate was 100％ ;56 patients were followed up for at least 3 years,and 27 for at 5 years.The SUVmax SUVmean and MTV of primary tumor,length of primary tumor on PET-CT before radiotherapy,and number of tumors on PET were correlated with PFS and OS (x2 =8.99-41.82,all P ＜ 0.01).The Cox regression analysis showed that PFS could be well predicted based on SUVmean (x2 =4.41,P =0.036,RR =1.398) and number of tumors on PET (x2 =6.79,P =0.009,RR =3.650) and that OS could be well predicted based on number of tumors on PET (x2 =5.03,P =0.025,RR =3.740).Conclusions When estimating the long-term response to precise radiotherapy in patients with ESCC,SUV mean and number of tumors on PET may be used to predict PFS,and number of tumors on PET may be used to predict OS.

Objective To compare 18 F-FDG PET/CT and electronic endoscopy for measuring the length of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and to evaluate the optimal SUV threshold for contour determination of the size of the lesion.Methods Twenty-four patients (19 males and 5 females,median age:59 years) with histologically confirmed ESCC were enrolled.Three patients had stage Ⅱ,14 had stage Ⅲ and 7 had stage Ⅳ diseases.PET studies were performed before treatment.The length of ESCC was measured on FDG PET imaging using different SUV thresholds of 2.0 (L2.0),2.5 (L2.5),3.0 (L3.0),3.5 (L3.5),and 35％(L35),40％(L40),45％(L45),50％(L50),55％(L55) of SUVmax.The length of ESCC on PET imaging was compared with the length of gross tumor in vivo measured by electronic endoscopy (Lst) to determine the optimal threshold of SUV using paired t test.Pearson correlation analysis was used to assess the correlation.Results The SUVmax of primary tumor was 14.51±5.72 and the Lst was (5.27± 2.45) cm.The length was in a descending order of L2.0,L2.5,Lst,L3.0,L3.5,L35,L40,L45,L50 and L55 when using different criteria.There were significant differences between the Lst and the lengths measured on PET except those by L2.5 and L3.0((5.65±2.69) cm,(5.11±2.51) cm; t=-1.74 and 0.76,both P＞0.05).The lengths measured on PET by all criteria were significandy correlated with the Lst,respectively,with the better r values by L3.5(0.935),L2.5(0.920) and L3.0(0.919) (all P＜0.01).When SUVm~＜15,there were no significant differences between the Lst ((4.82±2.14) cm) and L2.5((4.95±2.76) cm),L3.0((4.45±2.50) cm) and L35((4.42±1.85) cm),respectively (t=-0.439,1.299,2.011,all P＞0.05).The best correlation (r=0.953,P＜0.05) was between Lst and Lz5.When SUVmax ≥ 15,there was no significant difference between Lst ((5.67±2.64) cm) and L3.0((6.11±2.61) cm; t=-0.897,P＞0.05; r=0.791,P＜ 0.05).Conclusions For better correlation of ESCC lesion size,it is suggested that the optimal threshold of SUV for contouring is 2.5 for tumor SUVmax＜15,and 3.0 for tumor SUVmax ≥ 15.A larger sampling size is needed for further confirmation or modification.

Objective To evaluate atrial septal defect (ASD) occlusion employing a small right anterior thoracotomy approach. Methods A total of 21 patients with ASD underwent general anesthesia and 2 -3 cm incision was made in the fourth right intercostal space. Utilizing transesophageal or transthoracic echocardiography, the occluder was released using a monotube unit. Results All patients were occluded successfully. No patient required open surgery utilizing extracorporeal circulation. There were no major complications and no evidence of residual atrial shunt. Conclusion ASD occlusion via a minimal surgical incision is safe, less invasive, and has excellent outcomes.