Objective To evaluate the prognostic value of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) standardized uptake value (SUV) of positron emission tomography (PET) before radiotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT). Methods Seventy-three patients with stage Ⅲ NSCLC underwent PET to calculate SUV within 2 weeks before 3DCRT. The a-nalysis was carried out after the irradiation of 60 -66 Gy. The possible prognostic factors were assessed by Cox proportional hazards model. Results The mean SUV for squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and others were 16.94, 14.40 and 6.33, respectively (F = 0. 51, P = 0. 604). The mean SUV for tumor volume less than and more than 50 cm~3 was 13.81 and 20.18 (F = 7.54, P = 0. 008). In the univariate analysis, a cutoff SUV of 17 and chemotherapy were correlated with the prognosis. In the multivariate analysis, SUV was the only independent prognostic factor (relative risk = 2.61). Conclusions SUV is a prognostic factor in patients with NSCLC treated by 3DCRT, which deserves further studies.

Objective To investigate the epidemiology of idiopathic scoliosis in China based on a representative sample of primary school children from Beitang district, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China. Methods All 11,024 primary school pupils from 11 schools aged 6-13 years were enrolled. A scoliometer was applied to initially screen for idiopathic scoliosis. Those angle of trunk rotation above 4° was invited to a clinical visit. Definite diagnosis was made based on a Cobb angle of 10° or above by X-ray. Inverse probability weights were used to adjust for non-attendance of the physical examination. Results 282 children (2.6%) were screened positive and 128 of them accepted clinical program. 11 children were diagnosed as idiopathic scoliosis, suggesting a prevalence rate of around 0.22% in primary school children in Wuxi. Adjusted for non-response estimated prevalence was slightly lower at 0.21%. Prevalence was higher in girls than in boys. The highest prevalence was found in girls aged 12-13 years. None confirmed case was found in children younger than 10 years old. Conclusion A relatively low overall prevalence of idiopathic scoliosis was found in primary school children of Beitang district, Wuxi. It is suggested to focus on children aged 10-13 years, while the screening for the 6-9 years olds could be slightly postponed.