One hundred seventy of patients with cervical esophageal carcinoma (30 cases were treated by pre-operative radiation and surgery (combined group), 27 cases by surgery alone, 113 cases by radical radiation). The doses of the preoperative radiation and the radiacal radiation were D T40 Gy/4w and above D T 50 Gy/5w, respectively. The 5 year survival rates were 40% in the combined group, 15.3% in surgry alone, and 28% in radical radiation groups. The difference of survival rates in the combined group and surgery alone was significantly different statistically. Factors affecting the survivals were lymphnode metastasis in radical radiation and recurrent larygeal nerve paralysis in the combined group. The main causes of failure were local residual and recurrence (71%) in radical radiation and lymphnode metastasis (81%) in the combined group. The authors believe that pre-operative radiation combined with surgery could improve the survival of cervical esophageal carcinoma. Radical radiation is also one of effective treatment methods for cercical esophageal carcinoma.

Objective To observe differential expressions of microRNA-127-5p (miR-127-5p) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of patients with severe pneumonia and the value of miR-127-5p in the diagnosis of severe pneumonia. Methods Thirty severe pneumonia patients and 10 non-respiratory infection patients who needed mechanical ventilation after surgery admitted to Department of Critical Care Medicine of General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from January to December in 2015 were enrolled, whose specimens of BALF were collected. The differential expressions of miRNA in BALF of patients in both groups were screened by miRNA chip technique to preliminarily establish miRNA differential expression profiles in BALF of severe pneumonia, and the miRNAs which were up-regulated and down-regulated were screened out. The expression levels of miR-127-5p were determined using a real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The value of miR-127-5p expression in the diagnosis of severe pneumonia was evaluated with receiver-operating characteristic curve (ROC). Results All of the 40 patients were enrolled in the final analysis. Differential expression spectrum of miRNA in severe pneumonia patients was initially built, in which 40 miRNAs were up-regulated and 113 miRNAs were down-regulated. Compared with non-respiratory infection patients, the expressions of miR-127-5p were significantly lowered in severe pneumonia patients (2-ΔΔCT: 0.578±0.226 vs. 1.004±0.337) with statistical difference (t = 4.552, P = 0.000). ROC curve analysis showed that the area under ROC curve (AUC) of miR-127-5p for diagnosis of severe pneumonia was 0.855 [95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 0.721-0.989, P = 0.001], with the optimal sensitivity and specificity of 86.7%and 70.0% respectively with 0.840 as the critical value, and the positive likelihood ratio was 2.89, the negative likelihood ratio was 0.19. Conclusion miR-127-5p in BALF could be used as a new biomarker for the diagnosis of severe pneumonia.

Objective To evaluate the relation between lung dosimetric parameters and the risk of symptomatic radiation pneumonitis (RP) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who had re-ceived postoperative radiotherapy. Methods From November 2002 to March 2006, 90 patients with NSCLC who had received postoperative 3-dimentinal conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) were retrospectively analyzed, including 53 with stage ⅢA disease, 25 with stafe ⅢB disease and 12 with stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ disease but positive margins. Seventy (78%) patients underwent lobectomy, 20 ( 22% ) underwent pneumonectomy, and 38 ( 46% ) received adjuvant chemotherapy. The median radiation dose was 60 Gy given in 30 fractions of 2 Gy using 6 MV X-ray. The percentage of the whole lung volume ( Vx ) and the ipsilateral absolute lung volume ( Vipsi-dosewhich received more than a certain dose were calculated. The endpoint was grade 2 and above RP based on CTC AE 3.0. The relation between the dosimetric factors and RP was also analyzed with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results Nine patients ( 10% ) developed symptomatic RP ( grade 2 in 7 and grade 3 in 2), and all of them were in the lobectomy group. No RP was observed in patients who received pneumonectomy. Both V30 and V35 were higher in patients with RP than those without ( 19% vs 14% ,U= -2.16,P=0.030, and 15% vs 11%,U= -2.65,P =0.007, respectively). The area under curve in receiver operating characteristic curves based on the relation between incidence of RP and the value of Vipsi-dose was 0. 757. Using Vipsi-30 of 340 cm3 as a cut-off to predict RP, the sensitivity and specificity were 88% and 70%, respectively. The incidence of RP was 3% in patients with Vipsi-30< 340 cm3 compared with 29% in those with Vipsi-30>340cm3 ( X2 = 9.75 , P = 0.003 ) . Conclusions More than340 cm3 of the ipsilateral lung receiving 30 Gy is significantly related to the risk of RP in patients undergoing lobectomy. It is safe for patients who undergo pneumonectomy to receive postoperative 3DCRT if lung V20 is less than 10%.

Objective To assess the prognostic benefits of intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) with electron beam among patients with unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer.Methods Between January 2009 and December 2014,167 patients with unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer received IORT with electron beam (10-20 Gy) in our hospital.After surgery,12 patients were treated with external beam radiotherapy,56 patients with chemoradiotherapy (CRT),and 17 patients with chemotherapy.Overall survival (OS),local recurrence,and toxicities were retrospectively analyzed.The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival rates,the log-rank test was used for survival difference analysis and univariate prognostic analysis,and the Cox model was used for multivariate prognostic analysis.Results The follow-up rate was 100％.The median OS time was 10.3 months,and the 2-year OS rate was 22％.The median progression-fiee survival (PFS) time was 6.3 months,and the 2-year PFS rate was 9.9％.The cancer-specific survival (CSS) time was 11.2 months,and the 2-year CSS rate was 23.6％.In the patients treated with IORT alone at doses of＜15 Gy,15 Gy and＞15 Gy,the median OS times were 6.2 months vs.9.1 months vs.22.2 months,and the 1-year OS rates were 10.0％ vs.39.6％ vs.74.4％ (P=0.000).Among the patients receiving postoperative adjuvant therapy,those treated with IORT+CRT had the best survival,with a median OS time of 11.6 months (P=0.033).The univariate analysis showed that IORT dose (P =0.000),tumor size (P =0.006),and IORT applicator diameter (P =0.007) were prognostic factors.The multivariate analysis showed that IORT dose (P=0.000) and IORT combined with CRT (P=0.006) were independent prognostic factors.Conclusions IORT with electron beam is an effective and safe treatment strategy for unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer.After protecting surrounding organs,increasing the IORT dose can improve the survival.IORT combined with CRT should be recommended because it improves survival for unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer without increasing toxicities.

Objective To investigate independent prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) in extensive disease small cell lung cancer (EDSCLC). Methods Between January 2003 and December 2006, 154 patients diagnosed with extensive stage small cell lung cancer were enrolled in this study.Prognostic factors such as gender, age, performance status, smoking history, weight loss, distant metastasis, the number of matastasis, brain metastasis, the cycle of chemotherapy and thoracic radiation therapy (TRT) for EDSCLC patients were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis. Results The median following-up time was 40. 5 months. The rate of follow-up was 92. 2%. The MST and overall survival rates at 3-year in smoking group and no-smoking group were 13 months, 11.8% and 17 months,22. 8%,respectively (χ2=3.40,P =0. 064);in ChT/TRT group and ChT group, they were 17. 2 months, 17.9%and 9.3 months,13.9%, respectively(χ2=10.47,P=0.001);and in the cycle of chemotherapy ≥4 group and ＜ 4 group, they were 16 months, 20. 1% and 9.3 months, 2. 9%, respectively (χ2=17.79,P=0. 000). By multivariate analysis, smoking history was a statistically significant unfavorable factor for OS in EDSCLC patients (versus no-smoking, hazard ratio (HR)=1.462, χ2=4.40, P=0.036). In addition, ≥4 cycles of chemotherapy and TRT were favorable prognostic factors ( ≥4 cycles vs ＜4 cycles, HR =0. 420,χ2 = 17. 17, P = 0. 000; ChT/TRT vs ChT, HR = 0. 634, χ2 = 6. 20, P = 0. 013). Conclusions Smoking is a independent unfavorable prognostic factor and ≥ 4 cycles of chemotherapy And TRT are independent favorable prognostic factors for OS in EDSCLC.

Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) refers to a state of neuropsychological or neurophysiological abnormality and normal cognitive function in patients with liver cirrhosis, which is commonly seen in patients with liver cirrhosis. Early diagnosis and treatment of MHE can improve the quality of life of patients and reduce accidental deaths. At present, Psychometric Hepatic Encephalopathy Score is mainly used for the diagnosis of MHE, but its operation is complicated and time-consuming and is affected by age and educational level, with unsatisfactory reliability in clinical diagnosis. Serum biomarkers are objective reference indicators with simple and convenient measurement and can easily be promoted in clinical practice. Potential serum biomarkers such as S100β, 3-nitrotyrosine, and arterial blood ammonia have their own advantages and disadvantages in specificity, sensitivity, and diagnostic value. This article reviews the above-mentioned serum biomarkers.

Objective To evaluate the treatment effects of chemotherapy comparing with chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the limited-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Methods 234 patients were cyto-pathologically diagnosed and staged as limited small cell lung cancer. The patients were treated with combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy,in which 22 cases were treated by alone chemotherapy (C),39 patients by chemotherapy plus radiotherapy(C+R),and 173 cases by combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy + chemotherapy (C+R+C). The chemotherapy regimen included CE (or PE),CAP or CAV for 4~6 cycles. Irradiation treatment covering the primary tumor,the ipsilateral hilar nodes and mediastinum was delivered once daily with 6 megavoltage X-ray beam to a median irradiation does of 56 Gy being given in 5~6 weeks. Results The 1-,2-,3-,and 5-year overall survival rates were 76.5%,38.2%,25.3%,15.6% respectively,and the median survival time (MST) was 19 months. There was a significantly difference on the survival rate between C+R+C group and C+R group or C group (P

Objective To analyze the influencing factors of cone-beam CT (CBCT) imagine registration in lung cancer. Methods From Mar. 2007 to Dec. 2007, 20 patients with lung cancer were treated with IGRT. The imagines of CBCT were collected from 6 to 19 fractions during the patients' radiotherapy. To compare the difference of set-up errors between the two groups according to the distance from the lesion in lung to the centrum. At the same time, CBCT imagines from the first, middle and the last fraction of these patients' radiotherapy were registrated in bone and grey methods by four doctors. The difference of set-up errors between different doctors and registrated methods were compared. Results The mean values of set-up errors were ＜2 mm in the two groups without significant difference (x:-1.31mm vs 0. 10 mm (t=0. 07,P=0.554);y:1.24 mm vs 1.37 mm (t=0. 05,P=0. 652);z: - 1.88mm vs -1.26mm (t= -0. 12,P=0.321)). The mean values of set-up errors were ＜ 1.3 mm in four doctors and registrated methods without significant difference, for bone registration,x: -0. 05 mm, -0. 01 mm,0. 05 mm, -0.12 mm and -1.31 mm ( F=-0.01,P=0.887) ;y:0.56 mm,0.35 mm,0.51 mm and 0.43 mm (F= -0.01,P=0.880);z: -1.16 mm, -1.20 mm, -0.88 mm and -1.03 mm (F= -0.04,P=0. 555 ), for grey registration ,x: -0.32 mm, -0.341 mm, -0.395 mm and - 0.37 mm(F=-0.01, P=0.874);y:0.34 mm,0.54 mm, -0.04 mm and 0.27 mm (F= -0.03,P=0.622);x:-1.12 mm,- 1.15 mm, - 1.13 mm and - 1.04 mm (F=0. 00,P=0. 812). Conclusions With the same registrated box and imagine quality, the location of the lesions in lung, registred methods and different doctors are not the influencing factors for CBCT imagine registration.

Objective To investigate radiation risk perception and nuclear acceptance after the 60Co stuck source incident in June 2009 in Qixian County,Henan Province.Methods From March to April 2010,23 hamlets and 2 schools from 5 towns in Qixian County were selected,while 3 hamlets and 2 schools from 3 towns were used as control in Huixian County,1 35 km away where no any impact of the incident was found.Face-to-face questionnaire survey was conducted among three groups including mass public,elite public(representatives of public opinion,such as physicians,teachers,govemmental officials,administrative personnel,private entrepreneurs),and middie school students(the third grade students in junior middle schools and the first grade students in senior middle schools).Results A total of 1 340 valid questionnaires were collected.The public knowledge levels about radiation and nuclear power were low among all groups in two areas and public knowledge levels in Qixian County were higher than those in Huixian County.In both areas.the knowledge levels of the students were higher tIIan those among the elite public,and that among the general public were the lowest.The knowledge levels of males and those with higher educational levels were higher than those of females and those with lower educational levels.More than 40.0% of the respondents supported the idea to build nuclear power plants in China.but only a small part of them supported to build nuclear power plants in their own areas.The percentages of opponents against local nuclear power plant construction were especially higher among the students and those with higher educational levels.More than 60% of the mass public and elite public believed the explanation of the government.More than 80% of the respondents held negative attitudes towards the performance of the Qixian County Government in dealing with this incident.The student gave the lowest evaluation of the credibility and the specific performance of the local government,whereas the elite public placed themselves between the students and the mass public.The reasons why the local people left their homes to evade risk included rumors(67.2%),lack of radiation knowledge(61.9%),group psychology(59.2%),and failure of the government to inform the truth to the public in time(42.3%).Conclusions The public still fails to know enough about radiation and nuclear power.Although they trust the government,they are dissatisfied with the performance of the local government in dealing with the incident.The negative evaluation of the students is worth concerning.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the value of the international union against cancer (UICC)stage,pathologic complete response (pCR),and the estimated treatment response as various means for prognostic stratifying patients after surgery in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus who received preoperative radiotherapy (RT).MethodsA retrospective review was performed on 311 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who received RT before the esophagectomy. Data collected included the demographics,the RT details,the pathologic findings,and the survival.Prognostic survival was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method and Logrank test.ResultsThe follow-up rate was 96.5％,89 and 43 patients,respectively were followed up more than 5 and 10 years.In univariate analysis,residual disease and the number of positive lymph node were predictors of the overall survival ( T-pCR,x2 =11.53,P =0.001 ;0,1 -3,≥4,x2=42.13,P=0.000,respectively).Further study found the 7th stage system of UICC cannot (can or cannot) entirely predict the prognosis of this group of patients.If categorizing the stages of their lymph nodes into three groups:N0(0),N1 (1-3) and N2(≥4)),and the modified UICC system can accurately distinguish ypStage Ⅰ with ypStage Ⅱ ( T0.3 N 1 M0 + T3 N0 M0 ) ( x2 =11.15,P =0.001 ) and ypStage Ⅱ with ypStage Ⅲ ( T4 N0-1 M0 and T0-3 N2 M0 ) ( x2 =23.39,P =0.000 ).ConclusionsThe pathologic post-radiotherapy T stage and the number of positive lymph node are predictors for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma receiving preoperative radiotherapy.The modified UICC stage system can be a better survival predictor than the 7th UICC stage system.