Objective:To compare the dosimetric difference between knowledge-based planning (KBP) volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) models for predicting the dose distribution during IMRT, aiming to investigate the feasibility of VMAT model to predict the IMRT plans.Methods:Fifty prostate cancer patients who had completed radiotherapy were selected. Manual planning was performed on each selected patient to generate the corresponding IMRT and VMAT plans. The IMRT and VMAT manual plans of the 40 randomly-selected patients were adopted to generate the KBP VMAT and IMRT models. The remaining 10 patients were utilized to predict IMRT plans. VMAT library-derived IMRT model (V-IMRT) and IMRT library-derived IMRT model (I-IMRT) were generated. Dosimetric parameters related to organ-at-risks (OARs) and planning target volume (PTV) were statistically compared among the manual IMRT (mIMRT), V-IMRT and I-IMRT plans.Results:Compared with the mIMRT plan, I-IMRT could significantly better control D max of the PTV ( P=0.039), whereas V-IMRT and I-IMRT plans could better protect the bladder and bilateral femoral heads (both P<0.05). V-IMRT plan could better protect the D max of bilateral femoral heads and the D 15% of the right femoral head (both P<0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed in other OARs and PTV (all P>0.05). Conclusions:Compared with the manual plans, KBP IMRT plan has significant advantages in protecting the OARs. KBP VMAT and IMRT models are both feasible in clinical practice, which yield equivalent accuracy for predicting IMRT plan.

Volatility can influence the lifetime of particles in the atmosphere, and provide useful information on the formation of secondary aerosol. The previous studies generally utilized thermodenuder ( TD ) to investigate the volatility behavior of particles. Using TD, semivolatile species are vaporized at different temperature, and the vaporized gas is adsorpted by activated charcoal. However, carbon might be emitted from activated charcoal under high temperature or activated charcoal ageing. In this study, a new method was developed for the measurement of particle volatility by coupling a thermodiluter system to an online single particle aerosol mass spectrometer ( SPAMS) . Aerosol particles were passed into two different channels, and then analyzed by SPAMS. Through Channel 1, aerosol particles were heated to different temperature by heating tube, then non-volatile particles and volatile gas entered into the diluter. After diluting and cooling by diluent air, the non-volatile particles were analyzed by SPAMS. Through Channel 2, aerosol particles were analyzed directly by SPAMS without the heating process. Particle volatility was obtained by comparing the information ( particle size, particle number and mass spectrum ) of particles through Channels 1 and 2. Laboratory tests showed that the diluter could avoid the re-condensation of volatiles to the particles. This developed method was applied in the real time measurement of individual particle volatility in the spring of Guangzhou. The results showed that these particles were primarily comprised of highly volatile and moderate volatile species.

Objective To study the clinical characteristics of bulbar myasthenia gravis (MG). Methods Retrospective review was performed on 166 patients with bulbar type of myasthenia gravis, diagnosed at Tongji Hospital in the period of May 1983 through October 2005.Results Bulbar MG was a relatively rare type of MG,accounting for 5.7% (166/2888) of MG classifications.Females were more often affected than males (the ratio of male:female was 1:1.35).The peak of onset age was at 20—40 years.The incidence of myasthenia crisis in the group was 26.5% (44/166).Myasthenic crisis occurred in 10.8% (18/166) of the bulbar MG patients within 6 months after onset,resulting in a mortality rate of 6.0% (10/166) in the group.Out of the group,30 cases experienced puhnonary infections (18.1%). Thirty cases were initially misdiagnosed as other diseases such as nasopharyngeal disorders (33/166, 19.9%).The routine therapy was not very satisfactory.Median dose cyclophosphamide therapy appeared to be effective for ameliorating refractory MG.Thymectomy was performed in 25 patients,with optimistic efficacy rate up to 80.0% (20/25) in a 3-year follow-up.Conclusions The clinical analysis in the current study suggested that the bulbar MG had its own characteristics in such aspects as progression of the disease, complications,treatment and prognosis.The information of the clinical manifestations presented in this study may be useful in diagnosing and treating bulbar MG.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of mesothelin (MESO) mRNA and protein and its significance in ovarian carcinomas.

METHODSSemi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression level of MESO mRNA and protein, respectively, in 124 samples of ovarian tumor and normal tissues, including 84 epithelial ovarian carcinomas, 12 borderline ovarian tumors, 16 benign ovarian tumors and 12 normal ovarian tissues.

RESULTSThe expression of MESO mRNA and protein in epithelial ovarian carcinomas (1.4005 +/- 0.4646, 2.7857 +/- 2.2712) and borderline ovarian tumors (1.0650 +/- 0.3100, 2.9167 +/- 2.391) were significantly higher than that in benign ovarian tumors (0.6463 +/- 0.2419, 1.2500 +/- 1.6125) and normal ovarian tissues (0.6439 +/- 0.2729, 0.9167 +/- 1.2401) (P < 0.05), and also significantly higher in serous cystadenocarcinoma (1.5255 +/- 0.4151, 3.3036 +/- 2.6141) and endometrioid carcinoma (1.5250 +/- 0.5419, 3.0000 +/- 2.3094) than that in mucinous cystadenocarcinoma (1.0675 +/- 0.3149, 1.0556 +/- 1.9242) (P < 0.05). The expression of MESO mRNA and protein in stages II and IV carcinomas (1.5100 +/- 0.4142, 3.6087 +/- 3.3959) was significantly higher than that in stages I and II carcinomas (1.1190 +/- 0.4909, 1.7895 +/- 2.6320; P < 0.05), and also significantly higher in grade 3 carcinomas than that in grade 1 and 2 ones (P < 0.05), but was not correlate with age or serum CA125 of the patients (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe results of this study demonstrated that the expression of MESO mRNA and protein is increased in ovarian carcinomas and borderline ovarian tumors, and MESO may play a role in the adhesion and dissemination of ovarian carcinomas.

Carcinoma, Endometrioid ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Case-Control Studies ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; GPI-Linked Proteins ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Staging ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Ovary ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

0bjective To observe effects and safety of exercise in elderly patients with diabetes mellitus in order to offer the guideline for the diabetic education about exercise.Methods We designed the five sport prescriptions about the different intensity and evaluated the effect of exercise training on plasma glucose, heart rate.blood pressure and a consumption of the difie,rent exercises.Twentv patients with diabetes mellitus in elderly individuals were evaluated before and after zero hour,4 hours,and 12 hours while exercises were over. And we followed up the effects after 12 weeks.Results The level of glucose in different sport time and in different exercise prescriptions showed significant(P<0.05).The change about the blood pressure in different sport time and in different exercise prescriptions has no statistical significance(P>0.05).After the 1 2 weeks following,the level of plasma glucose,ltbAlc,albumin in urine,triglyeeride,cholesterol,low density lipoprotein and blood pressure decreased(P<0.05).But the change about the weight and high density lipoprotein did not have statistical significance(P>0.05).Conclusions It is effecfive and safe to carry out individual exercise prescriptions among elderly patients with diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: There is little information available in the mechanism of radiation-induced salivary gland injury, and its treatment and prevention are still at the exploratory stage.OBJECTIVE: To establish a rat model of radiation-induced xerostomia with 18 Gy electron beam and to observe the pathological changes of the submandibular gland and changes in saliva ingredients.METHODS: Totally 115 Wistar rats were randomly divided into exposure and control groups: the rats in the exposure group were subjected to anesthesia, and the submandibular gland received 18 Gy electron beam radiation to establish the model of radiation-induced xerostomia. The rats in the control group were only anesthetized but not exposed to radiation. The water intake was recorded at 21 dys after modeling. The saliva was collected and the submandibular gland was removed at 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days to detect the saliva volume and submandibular gland index,and the morphological changes of the submandibular gland were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: At 1-21 days after modeling, the average daily water intake was (6.42±1.91) mL in the exposure group and (4.82±1.20) mL in the control group, respectively (P < 0.05). During 42 days after modeling, the saliva secretion volume in the exposure group was lower than that in the control group, which was the lowest on day 7,and the difference was significant at 7, 21, 28 and 42 days after modeling between two groups (P < 0.05). The submandibular gland index in the exposure group was significantly lower than that in the control group at 1 and 21-42 days after modeling (P < 0.05). Hematoxylin-eosin staining results showed that in the exposure group, the rat submandibular gland appeared with inflammatory infiltration, glandular atrophy and karyopyknosis that were aggravated with time until day 42. To conclude, the rat model of radiation-induced xerostomia is established successfully with 18 Gy beam, characterized as increased water intake, decreased saliva volume and progressive aggravation of pathological injury of the submandibular gland.

OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility of surgical design for mandibular retrusion using three-dimensional software.

METHODSThree-dimensional reconstruction was performed by Mimics software based on the preoperative CT data. The model of the maxillofacial region was imported into Rapidform software for measuring the associated parameters and Geomagic software for simulation of osteotomy. The reliability of the virtual operation was validated during the surgery.

RESULTSThe model of mandibular retrusion was reconstructed and successfully used to simulate the surgery. The simulation result was applied in subsequent actual surgery and good surgical outcomes were achieved.

CONCLUSIONThe three-dimensional software can be used to simulate the surgery for mandibular retrusion and improve the predictability and accuracy of the surgery.

Computer Simulation ; Feasibility Studies ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Male ; Malocclusion, Angle Class II ; surgery ; therapy ; Mandible ; abnormalities ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Maxilla ; diagnostic imaging ; Models, Anatomic ; Retrognathia ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Software ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate the effect of the prevention and control technique training of human important parasitic diseases for basic professional and technical personnel in Jiangsu Province in 2017. Methods A workshop including theory courses and practical operations was carried out for the basic professional and technical personnel. At the end of the workshop , the effects were evaluated through the theoretical and microscopic examinations. Results There were 132 trainees from 13 cit-ies,and all of them took part in the final examinations. The average score of total was 118.36. There were significant differences among different regions(χ2 =13.38,P<0.01). The pass rate of the theory test was 92.4%with the average score of 79.05. There were significant differences of theory scores among different regions(χ2=14.51,P<0.01). The theory score of Northern Jiangsu Province was significantly higher than the scores of Southern and Central Jiangsu Province(P<0.001,P=0.009). The pass rate of microscopic examinations was 89.4%with the average score of 39.32. There was no significant difference of micro-scopic examination scores among different regions(F=2.37,P=0.09). Among the total 7 species,the detection rate of Para-gonimus westermani was the highest(75%)and the rates of Schistosoma japonicum and Fasciolopsis buski were only 51.5%and 54.5%respectively. The detection rates of eggs of Trichuris trichiura,unfertilized Ascaris lumbricoides,Clonorchis sinensis and Taenia solium were 71.2%,65.9%,72.7%and 72.0%respectively. Conclusions The training course has promoted the capa-bility of prevention and control of parasitic diseases for basic technical personnel. Also it provides the technical supports for para-sitic disease monitoring,control and risk assessment in the next step.

Objective To understand the current status of chronic filariasis patients in Jiangsu Province so as to provide basic data for following-up care for them. Methods The patients were followed up one by one according to history archives between June and July, 2018, and the clue investigation was also conducted. The base data of the patients was collected through a face-to-face questionnaire survey and analyzed. Results There were still 3 160 chronic filariasis patients in Jiangsu Province. Among them, the male accounted for 40.0%, and 91.8% of the patients were older adults aged 60 years or above. From the aspect of regional distribution, Suqian (24.2%), Huai’an (19.5%), Suzhou (17.3%), Xuzhou (11.2%), and Yancheng (9.8%) were the five top high prefectures. The patients with simple lymphatic inflammation or lymphadenitis, simple lymphedema or elephantiasis, simple chyluria, simple hydrocele of tunica vaginalis, and two symptoms or more accounted for 2.7%, 37.1%, 11.2%, 0.9%, and 48.1%, respectively. For the patients with lymphedema or elephantiasis, 97.8% of edema was seen in the lower limbs, and more than 90% of the edema stages were I-III. The number of current caring sites was 220, covering 2 091 patients. The average number of times of caring activities in this year was 3.2. The average cumulative time of caring activities among all the sites was 11.3 years. Conclusions The number of chronic filariasis patients has been dramatically decreased, most of the patients are old and have long disease durations. The caring sites have not covered all the patients. In order to release the symptoms and improve the life quality of the patients, all the patients should be taken care of in Jiangsu Province.

Soil-transmitted nematodiasis was once widely prevalent in Jiangsu Province, which seriously threatened human health and hindered socioeconomic development. The control efforts over decades resulted in a remarkable decline in the prevalence of soil-transmitted nematode human infections in Jiangsu Province, with a reduction from 59.32% in 1989 to 0.12% in 2019, and the human prevalence remains at < 0.5% since 2013. Since 1987, an integrated strategy has been adopted for the control of soil-transmitted nematodiasis in Jiangsu Province; however, the core interventions varies at different stages, which mainly include deworming, water and sanitation service improvement, health education, and monitoring and assessment. The criteria of effective soil-transmitted nematodiasis control had been achieved in all epidemic counties (districts) of Jiangsu Province by 2019. Further actions to strengthen health education and monitoring and implement precision control measures are required to consolidate the achievements of soil-transmitted nematodiasis control and eliminate the harm of soil-transmitted nematodiasis to humans. This review summarizes the epidemiology, control progress and evolution of control strategy of soil-transmitted nematodiasis in Jiangsu Province.