Objective To evaluate the uncertainty of the small bowel dose?volume and the normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) during intensity?modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for rectal cancer, and to provide a reference for the dose limit and protection of the small bowel during IMRT for rectal cancer. Methods A total of 20 patients with rectal cancer who received postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy from March 2014 to August 2015 were enrolled in this study, including 10 patients receiving CT scan in the supine position and 10 patients in the prone position. All patients received computed tomography ( CT) scan before the treatment and at weeks 1, 2, 3, and 4 of treatment, and they were defined as Plan, 1W, 2W, 3W, and 4W CT groups, respectively. The small bowel loop ( BL ) and peritoneal space ( PS ) were delineated on the images. The IMRT plan based on the Plan CT was copied to the 1W, 2W, 3W, and 4W CT groups, and then the small bowel dose?volume and NTCP were assessed for all CT groups. The paired t?test was used for comparison between groups. The Pearson method was used to analyze the correlation between NTCPC(chronic NTCP) and dose?volume. Results A total of 89 CT images of 20 patients were obtained. In all the patients, the volumes of BL and PS were 25121 cm3 and 132416 cm3 , respectively, and the shift% was 2315% and 1134%, respectively. The V15 of BL and PS was 18486 cm3 and 79245 cm3 , respectively, and the shift% was 3169% and 370%, respectively. The V30 of BL and PS was 8801 cm3 and 64573 cm3 , respectively, and the shift% was 3766% and 1049%, respectively. The V15 of BL in 35% of patients and V15 of PS in 20% of patients, the Dmax of BL in 50% of patients, and the NTCP of 15% of patients in the course of treatment exceeded the safety limits. The 1?4W CT groups had a significantly higher NTCPC than the Plan CT group (402% vs. 320%, P=0104), and their SD% was 4168%. There was a significant correlation between NTCPC and V30?V50 of BL (R>0400, P=0000). The NTCPA ( acute NTCP ) and NTCP C in the supine position were significantly higher than those in the prone position ( 6230% vs. 5674%, P=0061;488% vs. 322%, P=0145 ) . Conclusions Small bowel motility leads to an uncertainty of the adverse event assessment during IMRT for rectal cancer. The change in BL is significantly larger than that in PS and the change in BL and PS in the supine position is significantly larger than that in the prone position. Using the prone position and minimizing V15 and V30 when designing the treatment plan can reduce the NTCP A and NTCP C in the small bowel.

Objective To investigate the difference in normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) of lower cranial nerves (LCNs) between target volumes recommended by Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) and China in intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for T1-2 nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC),and to provide the evidence of dose-volume effect for the protection of LCNs in IMRT for NPC.Methods A total of 20 patients with T1-2 NPC who were treated from 2013 to 2015 were enrolled,and LCNs were delineated on CT images.Target volume delineation and treatment plan designing were performed according to the method recommended by RTOG0225 (RTOG target volume delineation method) or the Chinese Working Committee for Clinical Staging of NPC in 2010 (Chinese target volume delineation method),and the differences in the dose to LCNs and NTCP were calculated.Results In the RTOG and Chinese methods for target volume delineation,Dmax to the left and right LCNs was 7 450±273 cGy/7294±309 cGy and 7 361± 160 cGy/7 190±395 cGy,respectively (P=0.018 and 0.042),Dmean was 6735±285 cGy/6 660±333 cGy and 6 446±429 cGy/6 299±467 cGy,respectively (both P=0.000),and the NTCP was 60％±10％/57％±13％ and 51％±15％/45％±17％,respectively (both P=0.000).Conclusions It is feasible to precisely delineate target volume with the LCNs as a routine OAR and predict NTCP in IMRT for T1-2 NPC.The NTCP of the LCNs is closely associated with target volume dose and irradiated volume.The dose to the LCNs and NTCP determined by the Chinese target volume delineation method are significantly lower than those determined by the RTOG method.

Objective To compare the dose volume and normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) of small intestine between intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with dose constraints to the peritoneal space (PS) and the bowel loop (BL) in the treatment of rectal cancer,and to investigate the feasibility of placing a dose constraint to the PS instead of the BL in protection of the small intestine.Methods A total of 24 patients with rectal cancer undergoing postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy were enrolled as subjects.In the 24 patients,12 were treated in supine position an.d 12 in prone position.The weekly computed tomography (CT) scans from pre-treatment to weeks 1-4 of treatment were defined as Plan,1 W,2 W,3 W,and 4 W.Contours of PS and BL were delineated on all CT images.Based on the Plan CT images,two IMRT plans,PPS and PBL,were designed with dose constraints to the PS and BL,respectively.The method was applied to 1-4 W CT images.For each CT scan,the dose volume and NTCP of the small intestine were evaluated in PPs and PBL.Results A total of 109 sets of CT images were acquired from 24 patients,and 218 plans were designed and copied.The median volume of the PS and BL was 1339.28 and 250.27 cm3,respectively.For the Plan CT scans,V15 values of the PS in PPs plan and the BL in PBL plan were 918.96 and 199.57 em3,respectively.For all CT scans,the dose volume of the small intestine in PPs,in most cases,was lower than that in PBL,while V15 values in Ps and PBL were 170.07 and 178.58 cm3 (P=0.000).The dose volume of the small intestine was correlated with V15 (P=0.000).PPs had significantly lower NTCP of chronic and acute adverse reactions than PBL(2.80％ vs.3.00％,P=0.018;57.32％ vs.58.64％,P=0.000).In patients with prone and supine treatment positions,most of the dose volume and NTCP of the small intestine in Ps were significantly lower than those in PBL(P＜0.05 for V10,V15,V30,and NTCP of acute adverse reactions).Conclusions It is feasible to place a dose constraint to the PS instead of the BL for protection of the small intestine during IMRT for rectal cancer.V15＜830 cm3 can be referred to as the objective function of dose restraint.

Objective To study three contouring approaches of the bowel and evaluate the bowel dose volume with cervical cancer patient.Methods Twelve patients were selected,prescribed dose 45 Gy/ 25f.For each patient we contoured the bowel according to three different definitions:bowel loops,bowel bag and peritoneal space.Then we generated three rival plans each considering a different bowel definition and to evaluate dose differences of the HI,CI of PTV and D D V5-V45 of bowel loops with paired t-test.Results Comparison between BL and BB plan,Dmax,HI and CI of PTV,V5-V45 of bowel loops were not significantly different (P =0.171,0.076,0.192,P =0.315-0.855),D of PTV and Dmax of bowel loops had difference (P=0.017,0.038).Comparison between BL and PS plan,Dmax,D HI and CI of PTV and Dmax of bowel loops had differences (P=0.033,0.044,0.046,0.041,0.013),V5-V45 of bowel loops were not significantly different (P=0.416-0.977).If the bowel loops V40 ≤ 15％,and bowel bag and peritoneal space V40≤20％.Conclusions All definitions provided a very similar dose volume of bowel loops.Taking into account HI and CI of PTV and max dose of bowel loops,BB seems better than PS.

Objective To optimize the extraction technology of perilla seeds oil from the oil cake of perilla seeds (OCPS) by using the contents of active fatty acids as evaluation standard. Methods The fatty acids were extracted from OCPS,the residue of perilla seeds after cold-press, by smashing tissue extraction (STE), the new technology selected through comparing with classical leaching extraction (LE), Soxhlet extraction (SE), ultrasonic extraction (UE), and supercritical-CO2 fluid extraction (SFE). For optimized condition of STE, orthogonal test was designed and completed. The contents of five fatty acids in extracted oil and OCPS were determined by GC. Results The optimized extraction parameters were smashing for 1.5 min under extraction power of 150 W and 1:6 of the material/solvent ratio. The contents of five fatty acids in the oils extracted by five techniques from OCPS and determined by GC were as follows:a-linolenic acid (41.12%-51.81%), linoleic acid (15.38%-16.43%), oleic acid (18.93%-27.28010), stearic acid (2.56%-4.01%), and palmitic acid (7.38%-10.77%). Conclusion The results show that STE is the most efficient technology with the highest yield (LE:0.57%; SE:1.03%; UE:0.61%; SFE:0.8(r; STE:1.17%) and shortest time (LE:720 min; SE:360 min; UE:30 min; SFE:120 min; STE:1.5 min) among five tested extraction technologies. It is fast reported using STE to extract herbal oil enriched with active fatty acids.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the involvement of ephrinB2 in periodontal tissue remodeling in compression areas during orthodontic tooth movement and the effects of compressive force on EphB4 and ephrinB2 expression in osteoblasts and osteoclasts. METHODS: A rat model of experimental tooth movement was established to examine the histological changes and the localization of ephrinB2 in compressed periodontal tissues during experimental tooth movement. RAW264.7 cells and ST2 cells, used as precursor cells of osteoclasts and osteoblasts, respectively, were subjected to compressive force in vitro. The gene expression of EphB4 and ephrinB2, as well as bone-associated factors including Runx2, Sp7, NFATc1, and calcitonin receptor, were examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Histological examination of the compression areas of alveolar bone from experimental rats showed that osteoclastogenic activities were promoted while osteogenic activities were inhibited. Immunohistochemistry revealed that ephrinB2 was strongly expressed in osteoclasts in these areas. Quantitative real-time PCR showed that mRNA levels of NFATc1, calcitonin receptor, and ephrinB2 were increased significantly in compressed RAW264.7 cells, and the expression of ephrinB2, EphB4, Sp7, and Runx2 was decreased significantly in compressed ST2 cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that compressive force can regulate EphB4 and ephrinB2 expression in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which might contribute to alveolar bone resorption in compression areas during orthodontic tooth movement.
Animals ; Bone Resorption* ; Gene Expression ; Immunohistochemistry ; Models, Animal ; Osteoblasts* ; Osteoclasts* ; Rats ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptors, Calcitonin ; RNA, Messenger ; Tooth Movement*

Objective To assess the protective effect of low melting point lead and field margin on the opposite testicular in testicular seminoma patients during postoperative radiation.Methods A patient with stage Ⅰ seminoma was selected and his phantom measurement was carried out.The PTW 0.6 cm3 type ionization chamber was used to measure the absorbed dose under the conditions of no lead and low melting point lead with thickness of 3,5,7,10 and 15 mm at different distances from the field edge,respectively.Results Under different lead thickness conditions,the measurement result and the distance between the measured points and the boundary of the field were exponentially attenuated.The relative target dose dropped from 8.41％ at 1 cm to 0.61％ at 25 cm without lead blocking,and dropped from 4.55％,3.98％ and 3.47％ at 1 cm to0.27％,0.21％ and0.17％ at 25 cm with 3,5,7 cmlead,respectively.With 10 mm lead,it dropped from 2.55％ at 1.5 cm to0.15％ at25 cm,and 1.86％ at2 cm to0.13％ at 25 cm with 15 mm lead.The lead shield of 3,7 and 15 mm thickness can be used to reduce the scatter dose of testis to below 0.5 Gy during radiotherapy for seminoma.Conclusions An appropriate thickness of low melting point lead might reduce the dose of testis conveniently and effectively,which would be beneficial to protect the fertility of the patients with testicular seminoma.

Objective: To evaluate and predict the pelvic dose by analyzing two pelvic contour definitions and identify the influencing factors of the pelvic dose in postoperative IMRT for cervical cancer, aiming to provide reference for postoperative pelvis-sparing IMRT for cervical cancer. Methods: Sixty cervical cancer patients receiving postoperative IMRT with unrestricted pelvic dose were selected. Two sets of pelvic contours (pelvic anatomy and pelvic Mell) were delineated as per the anatomical and Mell methods. The dose relationship between two methods was analyzed after redesigning the treatment plan by limiting dose of pelvic anatomy. The correlation analysis was performed by Pearson’s correlation method. The factors affecting the pelvic anatomy dose were identified by Logistic multivariate regression analysis and a dose prediction model was subsequently established. Results: The volumes of pelvic anatomy and pelvic Mell were 925.82 cm³ and 1141.20 cm³(P=0.000). There was a significant correlation between them (r>0.622, P=0.000). The dose of pelvic anatomy was significantly higher than that of pelvic Mell. The relationship of V₁₀, V₂₀ and V₃₀ between them was y=-8+ 1.01x, y=-13+ 1.05x and y=-4+ 0.9x, respectively. The dose limits of pelvic Mell recommended by literatures(V₁₀<90%, V₂₀<75%, V₃₀<60%) were translated into V₁₀<97%, V₂₀<83% and V₃₀<70%, respectively. The pelvic anatomy dose was significantly reduced after dose limiting. The V₁₀, V₂₀, V₃₀ and D_mean were significantly decreased by 3.64%, 12.69%, 12.02% and 6.93%(P=0.000, 0.000, 0.000), respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that the overlapping volume of pelvic anatomy within PTV was an independent influencing factor of pelvic anatomy dose (P<0.05). Patients with a relative overlapping volume of less than 18% could easily meet the dose limiting requirement. Conclusions Both two pelvic contour definitions can be applied in postoperative pelvis-sparing IMRT for cervical cancer. Use of pelvic dose limiting can significantly reduce the IMRT dose. The overlapping volume of the pelvis within PTV is an independent influencing factor of pelvic dose. Patients whose overlapping volume within the PTV relative to pelvis is less than 18% can easily meet the dose limiting requirement.

Objective To investigate the impact of actual gantry angle on the accuracy of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods A total of 27 patients with NPC were enrolled in this study. IMRT plans were designed with Pinnacle treatment planning system (TPS),and 8 beams with an interval of 30°(within 0°-360°) were selected for each plan. These plans were divided into plan A and plan B according to the beam parameters. In plan A,the minimum sub-field area was 5 cm2 ,the minimum number of sub-field monitor unit ( MU) was 5,and the maximum sub-field number was 80;in plan B,the minimum sub-field area was 8 cm2 ,the minimum number of sub-field MUs was 8,and the maximum sub-field number was 60.The gamma passing rate using the criteria of 3%/3 mm and 2%/2 mm at actual and zero degree gantry angles were calculated using Mapcheck 2 device for dose verification,and were compared with the paired t-test. The relationship between the above differences (Δ value) and the beam angle or the beam parameters was also analyzed. Results In plan A with the criteria of 3%/3 mm, the beams were significantly different (P=0000-0007) except for at angles of 270°,300°,and 300°,and the mean Δ value was 090%;under the criteria of 2%/2 mm,all beams were significantly different ( P=0000-0019) except for at an angle of 300°,and the meanΔvalue was 272%.In plan B with the criteria of 3%/3 mm,the beams showed no significant difference ( P=0052-0639) except for at an angle of 300 ° ,and the mean Δ value was 040%;under the criteria of 2%/2 mm,all beams showed no significant difference ( P>005) except for at angles of 210°,240°,270°,and 300°,and the meanΔvalue was 152%.When the plan B parameters were used, the Δ value was reduced;the results of two verification methods were more consistent,so the accuracy was also improved. Conclusions Compared with the validation method at zero degree gantry angle,the validation method at an actual gantry angle is associated with reduced gamma passing rate because of some factors such as gravity,which is not significantly related to the beam angle,but the beam parameters. In the design of IMRT plans for NPC,the total number of sub-fields should be decreased as far as possible,and the minimum sub-field area and the minimum number of MU should be increased, so as to improve the accuracy of treatment plans.

Objective To reduce the risk of radiation-induced cardiac injury in patients with left breast cancer after breast-conserving surgery by multileaf collimator (MLC) shielding technique.Methods A total of 18 patients with left breast cancer after breast conserving surgery were selected to obtain 3DCT and 4DCT images at free breathing state.The target area was identified on the 3DCT image by registration with 4DCT images and to develop a hybrid intensity-modulated treatment plan (H_IMRT) and a heart sparing hybrid intensity-modulated treatment plan (HSH_IMRT) to introduce MLC shielding technology to reduce the cardiac exposure dose,and to perform dosimetry verification of the treatment plan by using the Compass verification system.The prescription dose was 50 Gy in 25 fractions.The dosimetry parameters of the target area and the organs at risk were compared between the two treatment plans and the dose verification result.Results The result of the treatment plan showed that compared with H_IMRT,the dose uniformity of the target area of HSH_IMRT was better,and the difference of conformability was not statistically significant (P＞0.05).The mean dose of the whole heart decreased by 23.67％ (t =13.693,P＜0.05) compared with the former.Dmax and D of other substructures of the heart were lower than the former.The result of dose verification showed that there was no statistically significant difference in uniformity and conformity between the two planned target doses (P＞ 0.05).The mean dose of the whole heart of HSH_IMRT was 24.88％ (t =13.782,P＜0.05) lower than that of H_IMRT,and except for the left ventricle and right ventricle,the Dmax of other heart substructures and D of all heart substructures decreased.Both the planned and the dose verification result showed that the V20 and the D of the affected lung were lower in HSH_IMRT.Conclusions Reasonable introduction of MLC shielding technology in H_IMRT can reduce the exposure dose of cardiac and further reduce the risk of radiation damage in heart.