80% of low density area in tumor), 10 PR(50%-80%) and 3 NC(0.05). Conclusion For tumor treated with hyperthermia plus radiotherapy, the response evaluation should be based on both the change in the mass size and the percentage of low density area in the tumor.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and side effects of whole body γ/-knife in patients with limited pancreatic carcinoma. Methods 111 patients with limited pancreatic carcinoma treated with the Stereotactie Gamma Ray Whole-Body Therapeutic System (Whole Body T-knife) were retrospectively an-alyzed. Patients were supine, fixed with a stereotactic body frame and vacuum bag, and then simulated by low-speed computed tomography. GTV, CTV and PTV were defined on the contrast-enhanced CT scans. It was required that 50% isedose line covered 100% of PTV and 70% isedose line covered more than 80% of GTV. The prescription dose was defined as 50% isodose. All patients were treated 5 fractions per week. The fractionated dose was 3-4 Gy for pancreatic head carcinoma, and 4-5 Gy for pancreatic body/tail carcino-ma. Irradiation of 40-51 Gy and 60-70 Gy were delivered to PTV and GTV margins, respectively. Re-suits The complete response rate, partial response rate and overall response rate of the primary tumors were 29.7%, 42.3% and 72.1%, respectively. The follow-up rate was 95.5%. The number of patients fol-lowed-up at 1-,2- and 3-year was 105,89 and 60. The 1-, 2- and 3-year overall survival rates were 49.3%,24.5% and 18.1%. For patients with stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ disease,the number of patients followed-up at 1-,2-,3-,4-and 5-year was 55,44,29,16 and 11 ;The 1-, 2-, 3-,4- and 5-year overall survival rates were 68%,34%, 30%, 21% and 17%, respectively. For patients with stage Ⅲ disease,the number of patients fol-lowed-up at 1-,2- and 3-year was 50,45 and 31 ;The 1-, 2- and 3-year overall survival rates were 28%,14% and 4%, respectively (χ~2=16.67, P=0.000). The acute side effects including nausea, vomiting and diarrhea were 71.2% of RTOG grade 1 -2 and 3.6% of RTOG grade 3. No treatment delay occurred.Conclusions With fractionated dose of 3-5 Gy,5 fractions per week and 40-51 Gy as total dose to PTV,whole body γ-knife is safe and effective to treat limited pancreatic carcinoma. The local control and overall survival could be improved.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the association between very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) and cholesterol absorption and synthesis markers in patients with moderate and high risk of coronary heart disease.

METHODSA total 363 statin-naïve patients with moderate and high risk of coronary heart disease were consecutively recruited from two hospitals in Shanxi and Henan provinces between October 2008 and June 2009. A standard questionnaire and physical examination were performed at baseline. Atorvastatin (20 mg/day) was administered to patients for 4 weeks. Venous blood samples after an overnight fast were collected before and after treatment for measuring VLDL-C and cholesterol absorption and synthesis markers. In qualitative analyses, the baseline level of cholesterol absorption and synthesis markers and their reduction after atorvastatin treatment were categorized into 3 tertile groups.

RESULTS(1) Of 363 patients, 283 patients with mean age of (55.43±9.01)years old with complete data were finally analyzed. The median level of baseline VLDL-C was 1.06 (0.65, 1.86) mmol/L. The median level of baseline cholesterol absorption marker (Campesterol) and cholesterol synthesis marker (Lathosterol) was 6.01 (3.78, 9.45) mg/L and 13.46 (8.30, 21.07) mg/L, respectively. (2) Partial correlation analysis and multiple regression showed the baseline level of VLDL-C was positively correlated with Campesterol (r=0.153, P<0.05) but not with Lathosterol(r=0.182, P=0.173). Furthermore, baseline VLDL-C level significantly increased with tertile of the baseline level of Campesterol in the qualitative analyses(P for trend=0.035). (3) Mean reduction in VLDL-C levels was 38.0% after 4 weeks atorvastatin treatment. VLDL-C reduction was positively correlated with Campesterol reduction (r=0.331, P<0.001). VLDL-C reduction significantly increased with the tertile of Campesterol reduction (P for trend=0.032). But this trend was not observed between VLDL-C level and Lathosterol (P for trend=0.798).

CONCLUSIONThe level of VLDL-C was closely related to cholesterol absorption marker, and further studies are needed to validate if inhibitor of cholesterol absorption (for example by Ezetimibe) could bring about more effective VLDL-C lowering effect in this patient cohort.

Atorvastatin Calcium ; Biomarkers ; Cholesterol ; analogs & derivatives ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Cholesterol, VLDL ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Ezetimibe ; Humans ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors ; Phytosterols ; Risk Factors