Objective To investigate the possibility and accuracy of predicting malignant middle cerebral artery infarction (mMCAI) with bedside electroencephalography (EEG). Methods Thirty-five patients with massive hemispheric infarction (MHI) underwent bedside EEG monitoring within 48 h of onset. The EEG indicators were interpreted blindly, and the clinical, laboratory and imaging parameters were analyzed. The patients were divided into mMCAI group and non-mMCAI group according to whether they had occurred mMCAI or not within 7 days of onset. The differences of EEG indicators, clinical, laboratory and imaging parameters between the 2 groups were compared. When the parameters of significant difference and statistical significance appeared the odds ratio (OR) of occurring mMCAI were analyzed, and their accuracy of predicting mMCAI was calculated. Results Of the 35 patients with MHI, 20 were in the mMCAI group and 15 were in the non-mMCAI group. There were significant differences in the EEG indicators (infarction on the contralateral side, including disintegration of occipital α rhythm, generalized slow-wave, dominant frequency wave low amplitude, regional attenuation without delta [RAWOD]pattern, and absence of EEG reactivity), clinical parameters (nausea accompanied with vomiting), and imaging parameters (the infracted area more than the entire MCA territory, and midline shifting 3 to 5 mm at the level of septum pellucidum) between the 2 groups (P < 0. 05). Of those, the risk of mMCAI was the highest in patients with disintegration of occipital a rhythm on the contralateral side of infarction (P = 22. 67, 95% CI 3. 89-132. 10). The sensitivity of predicting mMCAI was 85. 0%, the specificity was 80.0%, the positive predictive value was 85.0%, and the negative predictive value was 80. 0%, which were superior to other EEG indicators and clinical or imaging parameters. Conclusions Bedside EEG indicators can early predict mMCAI, moreover, the predictive accuracy is superior to the clinical and imaging parameters.

in order to maintain a normal temperature range.

Objective To investigate the effects of inhibition of MDC1 protein expression on xenografted tumors in nude mice,and to observe the histopathological and cellular changes in nude mice.Methods Three pairs of effective and control short hairpin RNA targeting MDC1 mRNA were designed and cloned into the pSIH1-H1-copGFP vector.Real-time PCR and Western blot were used to determine the mRNA and protein expression of MDC1.After selection by copGFP reporter gene,cells were divided into negative transfection group (ECA109-N) and MDC1 transfection group (ECA109-M).The transfected cells were injected into nude mice.The mice were divided into ECA109 group,ECA109-N group,and ECA109-M group.Each group was divided into irradiation subgroup and non-irradiation subgroup.The changes in tumor size after irradiation were evaluated in each group.Western blot was used to measure the expression of CHK1,CHK2,and CHK2T68 in xenografted tumors.Flow cytometry was used to analyze the cell cycle distribution and apoptosis of tumor cells in nude mice.The variance analysis was used to compare the mean of multiple groups,and the SNK-q test was used in the two two groups.Results The pMDC1-shRNA plasmid was successfully constructed and used to transfect ECA109 cells.ECA109-M cells were obtained by stable transfection with the recombinant plasmid.All inoculated nude mice survived with visible xenografted tumors at the underside of the paw in about one week.There was no swelling and wound in inoculation sites.There was no significant difference in tumor size between different groups (P＞0.05).The tumor growth in the ECA109 group and the ECA109-N group significantly slowed down after irradiation with a dose of 15 Gy (P＜0.05).Compared with the other two groups,the ECA109-M group had a significant smaller tumor size,significantly slower relative tumor growth,and significantly higher growth inhibition (all P＜0.05).The q value of the ECA109-M group was 1.36.In the ECA109-M group,there were no significant changes in the protein expression of CHK1 and CHK2 after irradiation (P＞ 0.05);however,the phosphorylation of CHK2T68 protein was significantly reduced after irradiation (P＜0.05).There were no significant differences in cell cycle distribution or the proportion of apoptotic cells in tumor tissue between the three groups (P＞0.05).Conclusions Inhibition of MDC1 protein expression by RNA interference can effectively inhibit the growth of xenografted tumors after irradiation in the nude mice by increasing their radiosensitivity.

Objective To apply RNA interference technique for reducing the expression of MDC1 gene in esophageal carcinoma cell line ECA109, observe the changes in cell cycle and radiosensitivity after radiation, and discuss related mechanisms. Methods Three pairs of effective interference sequences and negative control sequences were synthesized for MDC1 mRNA sequence, and a recombinant plasmid was constructed with the vector pSIH1?H1?copGFP. RT?PCR and Western blot were used to determine the expression levels of MDC1 mRNA and protein. Colony?forming assay was applied to measure radiosensitivity, flow cytometry to determine cell cycle, Western blot to determine the expression of CHK1 and CHK2 proteins, and laser scanning confocal microscope to observe the number of MDC1 blotches inside the nucleus. One?way analysis of variance was used to analyze the differences between groups. Results The pSIH1?H1?copGFP plasmid was constructed successfully and ECA109 cells were infected to obtain ECA109M cells with stable transfection. The expression levels of MDC1 mRNA and protein in ECA109M cells were lower than those in ECA109N and ECA109 cells ( P= 0. 032 and 0. 041, respectively ) . After 5?Gy radiation, ECA109M cells had a lower proportion of G2+M cells than ECA109N and ECA109 cells ( P=0. 026) . After 5?Gy radiation, ECA109, ECA109N, and ECA109M cells had similar expression levels of CHK1 and CHK2 proteins ( P= 0. 345 and 0. 451, respectively ) , and ECA109M cells had a lower expression level of CHK2 T68 protein than ECA109 and ECA109N cells ( P=0. 012) . ECA109 cells had a D0 value of 3. 06 Gy and an SF2 value of 0. 91;the D0 values for ECA109N and ECA109M cells were 2. 90 Gy and 1. 88 Gy, respectively, and the SF2 values for them were 0. 89 and 0. 84, respectively ( P=0. 021 and 0. 037, respectively ) . Conclusions RNA interference can reduce the expression levels of MDC1 protein and cell cycle?related proteins, release cell cycle arrest, and enhance radiosensitivity in esophageal carcinoma ECA109 cells.

Objective To investigate the value of prophylactic irradiation to the lymphatic drainage area in radical three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) and to evaluate the efficacy and adverse effects of 3DCRT with different clinical target volumes.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on the records of 219 esophageal cancer patients without distant metastasis who received 3DCRT from January 2005 to December 2010.One hundred and five patients received involved-field irradiation (IFI) with a total dose of 54-66 Gy;114 patients received elective nodal irradiation (ENI) with a total dose of 46-52 Gy; the prescribed dose to the primary lesion was 56-70 Gy.The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate local control (LC) and overall survival (OS) rates,and the log-rank test was used for univariate prognostic analysis.Results The 1-,3-,and 5-year sample sizes were 219,172 and 67,respectively.The 1-,3-,and 5-year LC rates for IFI group were 63.0％,39.1％,and 27.2％,respectively,versus 70.5％,53.3％,and 51.7％ for ENI group (x2 =6.22,P =0.013) ;the 1-,3-,and 5-year OS rates for IFI group were 67.6％,24.9％,and 15.0％,respectively,versus 73.7％,45.1％,and 26.0％ for ENI group (x2=5.04,P =0.025).The univariate stratified analysis showed that the LC and OS rates were significantly higher in the ENI group than in the IFI group for patients with middle-or lower-thoracic primary lesion or N0 disease (P=0.007,0.015;P=0.054,0.013).Conclusions For esophageal cancer patients with middle-or lower-thoracic primary lesion or without lymph node metastasis,prophylactic irradiation to the lymphatic drainage area can increase LC and OS rates.

Objective: To identify the relationship between the expression of protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 12 (PTPN12) and radiotherapy effect in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues and to determine whether PTPN12 deficiency can sensi-tize lung cancer cells to irradiation. Methods: From September 2013 to October 2014, 92 NSCLC patients undergoing radiotherapy with or without platinum-based combination chemotherapy were analyzed retrospectively. Before the treatment, PTPN12 expression was detected through immunohistochemistry. After the completion of radiotherapy, the patients' responses were assessed and radio-therapeutic efficacy analyzed. The human NSCLC cell line H1299 was infected with shPTPN12 knockdown, and colony survival assay was analyzed after irradiation. Chi-square test was used to examine the correlation between PTPN12 expression and clinicopathologi-cal characteristics. Univariate analyses and Logistic regression test were used to analyze the relationship between clinicopathological characteristics and radiotherapeutic response. Results: Patients with low PTPN12 expression were more sensitive to radiotherapy than those with high PTPN12 expression (80.0%vs. 57.1%, P=0.018). Multivariate analysis showed that PTPN12 expression was the on-ly independent predictor of radiotherapeutic response in NSCLC. The H1299-shPTPN12-knockdown cells were sensitive to irradiation. Conclusions:The results of the study indicated that downregulation of PTPN12 improved the radiosensitivity of NSCLC cells.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility, therapeutic effects and normal tissue complications of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) for loco-regionally recurrent esophageal cancer after initial radiotherapy. Methods Between March 2001 and May 2007, 42 patients with loco-reigonal recurrent esophageal cancer after initial radiotherapy were treated with 3DCRT, including 27 male and 15 female with a median age of 67.5 years. Radiotherapy was delivered at 1.8 -2.0 Gy per fraction, 5 fractions per week, with a median total dose of 54 Gy. Treatment outcomes and normal tissue complications were assessed with WHO and RTOG/EORTC criteria. Results By December 31,2008, the follow-up rate was 100%. Twenty patients had follow-up time of 1 year and the remaining 22 had 2 years. The clinical symptom relief rate was 60%, and the response rate was 90.5% with a complete remission rate of 17% and partial remission rate of 74%. The overall 1- and 2-year survival (OS) rates were 60% and 24%. Grade 2 and grade 3 acute radiation esophagitis developed in 31% and 5% of the patients, respectively. Grade 2 and grade 3 acute radiation pneumonitis developed in 19% and 2% , respectively. Grade 2 and grade 3 acute radiation hematology toxicities developed in 5% and 2%, respectively. Conclusions For patients with loco-regional recurrences of esophageal cancer after initial radiotherapy, 3DCRT is feasible, with a good clinical symptom relief rate and immediate tumor response. However,the complication rate was high and the clinical indications should be strictly controlled.

Objective To analyze the related factors with radiation-induced esophagitis after threedimensional conformal radiotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) ,in order to explore the predictors for optimizing the treatment planning of NSCLC.Methods From Aug 2000 to Dec 2004,104 NSCLC patients received radiotherapy and were eligible for this study,45 cases squamous cell carcinoma,20 cases adenocarcinoma,33 cases carrying with cancer cells by test and 6 case with no definitive pathologic feature.46 patients were treated with three dimensional conformal radiotherapy(3DCRT) ,the other 58 patients conventional radiotherapy (CRT) before later-course 3DCRT.All the patients received the prescribed dose between 60-78 Gy and the median dose 66 Gy.The correlation of the variables were evaluated by Spearman relationship analysis.The morbidity of radiation-induced esophagitis was analyzed by X~2 test.The multivariate effect on radiation-induced esophagitis was statistically processed by Logistic regression model.Results In 104 patients,the morbidity of radiation- induced esophagitis was 46.2% ,including 32 cases at grade 1,15 cases at grade 2,1 case at grade 3.Univariate analysis showed the maximal and mean dose of esophagus,the volume of esophagus irradiated,the values of V_(40) ,V_(45),V_(50) ,V_(55),V_(60) ,LETT_(45),LETT_(50) ,LETT_(55),LETT_(60) for the esophagus were correlated with radiation-induced esophagitis.Logistic regression model showed that the maximum dose received by the esophagus was the independent factor of ≥2 grade radiation-induced esophagitis.Conclusions The maxmal dose of esophagus received might be the important factor of radiation-induced esophagitis.

Objective To explore the prognosis and its related factors of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) for elderly patients with esophageal carcinoma. Methods From January 2001 to August 2007, 89 elderly patients aged 65 years or more with esophageal carcinoma were treated with 3D-CRT. And the local control rates, survival rates and its related prognostic factors were evaluated retrospectively, using SSPS11.5 software. Results The 1-, 2-, 3-and 4-year local recurrence-free survival rates were 65.2%, 43.0%, 27.3% and 22.3%, respectively. The 1-,2-, 3-and 4-year overall survival rates were 68.5%, 48.8%, 36.8% and 25.2%, respectively. And the median survival time was 21.5 months. With univariate analysis, the significant prognostic factors included the different diet before radiotherapy (χ~2=6.26, P=0. 012), T stage (χ~2=8. 80, P=0. 003), N stage (χ~2=4.33, P=0. 038), clinical stage (χ~2=7.88, P=0. 005), the largest diameter of tumor in CT scanning image (χ~2=10.88, P=0.004), recent efficacy (χ~2=5.28, P=0. 022) and chemotherapy (χ~2=5.49, P=0.019). And the factors which were not related with prognosis included gender (χ~2=0.74, P=0. 390), age (χ~2=1.89, P=0. 170), lesion length showed by esophageal angiography (χ~2=2. 38, P=0.123), lesion length showed by CT (χ~2=2.69, P=0.101),primary tumor site (χ~2=2.12, P=0. 146), coexistent disease (χ~2=0. 03, P=0. 874), exposure mode (χ~2=0.04, P=0.847) and radiation dose (χ~2=0. 24, P=0. 627). Multivariate analysis revealed that the different diet before treatment (P=0. 002), the clinical stage (P=0. 007) and chemotherapy (P=0. 011) were independent prognostic factors. Radiation induced esophagitis was observed in 20 cases in grade 0, 30 cases in grade 1, 32 cases in grade 2, 7 cases in grade 3. And acute radiation pneumonitis was observed in 89 patients, with 57 in grade 0, 20 in grade 1, 8 in grade 2, 2 in grade 3 and 2 in grade 5. Until the end date of follow-up, 60 patients had died: 29 cases died of local recurrence or uncontrolled disease, 11 cases died of metastasis, 5 cases died of local recurrence with metastasis, and 15 cases died of other reasons. Conclusions 3D-CRT can be considered as an effective and feasible approach for elderly patients with esophageal cancer. The 3D-CRT provides them with less obstruction of diet, early clinical stage and longer survival time. 3D-CRT combined with chemotherapy may improve survival rate.

Objective To explore the the prognostic significance of MMP-9,uPA and uPAR protein expression and its relationship with clinical-pathologic factors in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma treated by radiotherapy.Methods MMP-9,uPA and uPAR protein expression was measured in 59 esophageal car cinomas and 41 peri-carcinoma tissues with immunohistochemistry.The relationship between the protein expression and the clinical-pathological parameters was analyzed,and the prognostic factors in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma treated by radiotherapy alone was evaluated.Results The rates of positive expression of MMP-9.uPA and uPAR were 85%,76%and 78%in esophageal carcinoma and 39%,49%and 44%in peri-carcinoma tissues(x2=22.54,8.04 and 12.18;P=0.000,0.005 and 0.000).The rates of positive expression of MMP-9 was 79%and 100%when the depth of tumor invasion was≤2 am and＞2 cm(P=0.048),respectively.The expression of uPA was significantly correlated with the status of fat interspace between the esophageal lesion and the vertebra in CT seaning image.When the fat interspace existed and disappeared,the rates of strong positive expression was 44%and 70%,respectively(χ2=4.21,P=0.040).The positive expression rate of uPA was significantly correlated with distant metastasis.which was 100%in patients with distant metastasis and 68.89%in those without distant metastasis(χ2=4.12,P=0.042).r11}lepositive expression rate of MMP-9.uPA and uPAR did not affect the prognosis and the short-term result of esoph.ageal carcinoma treated by radiotherapy alone.Conclusions The protein expression of MMP-9,uPA and uPAR may correlate with local infiltration and distant metastasis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.Protein expression may not influence the prognosis of esophageal carcinoma treated by radio therapy,though long time followed-up is stil needed.