To realize temperature real-time control in microwave heat treatment, this paper presents a new type of thermal dosimeter on hyperthermia. The sign of temperature is extracted by mini-thermal-electronic-couple transducer, amplification circuit and main magnifier. The bond of temperature controlling and thermal therapy is achieved, the experimental prototype of thermal dosimeter equipment is developed and clinical experiment scheme is designed. The whole system is simple in structure, high in efficiency and reliability.

The model establishment and numerical simulation of specific absorption rate (SAR) and the unsteady-state temperature distribution for radio frequency (RF) thermotherapy with double-frequencies and double-plates are presented in this paper. The model can correctly reflect the attenuation of electromagnetic wave in the biotissue. The variation of perfusion with temperature and the lower perfusion in tumor tissue are fully considered in the simulation of unsteady-state temperature profiles. Also presented are detailed analyses and discussions on the characteristics of SAR and temperature profiles, and the effects of the plates location and power as well as of the perfusion on the depth of effective treatment.
Computer Simulation ; Electromagnetic Fields ; Humans ; Hyperthermia, Induced ; Models, Theoretical ; Neoplasms ; therapy ; Temperature ; Thermal Conductivity

A new microwave applicator for intracavitary hyperthermia treatment of uterocervical cancer has been designed and tested. Compared with the traditional microwave applicators, the exposed inner conductor of this applicator is replaced by a cone-helical antenna with the reflect shade. We confirm that the heat pattern of the applicator is shifted towards the tip in muscle tissue equivalent phantom material. The result indicates that this new applicator may play an important role in clinical use for treatment.
Equipment Design ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperthermia, Induced ; instrumentation ; Microwaves ; therapeutic use ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; therapy

Objective To evaluate the long-term clinical efficacy and toxicities of combined intracavitary hyperthermia and radiotherapy fur locally advanced uterine cervical cancer. Methods 310 patients with locally advanced uterine cervical cancer were assigned into intracavitary hyperthermia + radiotherapy group(TRT, 181 patients) and external-beam radiotherapy + traditional intracavitary radiation group (RT,129 patients). The external-beam radiotherapy were given with 60Co γ-my or 6-8 MV X-ray in traditional fractionation. In TRT group,radiotherapy was 40 Gy using the anterior-posterior pelvic fields and additional 20-25 Gy using the lateral fields. Hyperthermia was delivered by the 915 MHz microwave hyperthermia device within 15-60 min after external radiotherapy for 10-12 times(40 min each time,1-2 times per week). The temperature of tumor surface was 46-47℃. In the RT group, the external-beam radiotherapy of 40 Gy was delivered using the anterior-posterior pelvic fields. The intracavity radiotherapy of radium was delivered before 1989 ,with 50 mg radium in the vagina and 30 mg in uterine cavity for 24 hours ,weekly for 3 times to a total dose of 7200 mg·h. After 1989,intraeavity radiotherapy of 192Ir was delivered to a total dose of 30-36 Gy to point A in 5-6 Gy fractions,2 fractions per week. Results The 5-year survival of patients in TRT group and RT group was 67.4% versus 52.1% for stage Ⅱ disease (χ2=7.55,P=0.006), and 60.0% vemus32.3% forstage Ⅲ (χ2=7.06,P=0.007) . The 10-year survival was46.5% versus42.6% for stage Ⅱ (χ2=3.90,P=0.058), and 43.7% versus 20.6% for stage Ⅲ(χ2=17.28,P=0.000). Cox regression analysis showed that the tumor stage(P=0.023) and intracavitary hyperthermia( P=0.019) were prognostic factors. According to the RTOG criteria, the rate of mild to moderate late side effects of rectum and bladder in TRT and RT group was 17.7% and 33.1%, respectively (χ2=9.18, P=0.002). Rectovaginal fistula was developed in5 patients(3.9% ) in RT group and I patient (0.6%) in TRT group(χ2= 4.38,P=0.036). Conclusions The long-term survival of patients with stage Ⅲ uterine cervical cancer is better of TRT group than RT group. The TRT is well tolerated and the late toxicity rate is obviously low. It is necessary to carry out large randomized clinical trials to confirm these outcomes.

The Coronaviridae family is characterized by a nucleocapsid that is composed of the genome RNA molecule in combination with the nucleoprotein (N protein) within a virion. The most striking physiochemical feature of the N protein of SARS-CoV is that it is a typical basic protein with a high predicted pI and high hydrophilicity, which is consistent with its function of binding to the ribophosphate backbone of the RNA molecule. The predicted high extent of phosphorylation of the N protein on multiple candidate phosphorylation sites demonstrates that it would be related to important functions, such as RNA-binding and localization to the nucleolus of host cells. Subsequent study shows that there is an SR-rich region in the N protein and this region might be involved in the protein-protein interaction. The abundant antigenic sites predicted in the N protein, as well as experimental evidence with synthesized polypeptides, indicate that the N protein is one of the major antigens of the SARS-CoV. Compared with other viral structural proteins, the low variation rate of the N protein with regards to its size suggests its importance to the survival of the virus.
Amino Acid Motifs ; genetics ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Antigens, Viral ; immunology ; Base Composition ; Base Sequence ; Cluster Analysis ; Computational Biology ; DNA Primers ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Genetic Variation ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Nucleocapsid Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; SARS Virus ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA