In this paper, a three-dimensional precise conformal radiotherapy treatment planning system based on a cobalt-60 teletherapy unit is introduced. With the help of additional precise target localization and conformal field-shaping devices, the TPS can greatly improve the performance of conventional cobalt-60 teletherapy units in precise target localization, radiotherapy planning and dose delivery. The clinical practices show that the TPS has advantages of reliable precision and an affordable price , and it is urgently needed in our country.
Cobalt Radioisotopes ; Equipment Design ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Radiotherapy, Conformal ; instrumentation ; methods ; Research Design

OBJECTIVETo study the sensitivity of Jatropha curcas seeds from three different locations to (60)Co-gamma radiation and to determine the medial lethal doses (LD50) of (60)Co-gamma radiation for these seeds.

METHODSSix different radiation doses (0, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 Gy) were used. Based on the germination rate 50%, LD50 doses of (60)Co-gamma radiation for the seeds were calculated using linear regression equation.

RESULTSLD50 doses of (60)Co-gamma radiation for these seeds were 178 Gy (seeds from Guangdong), 132 Gy (seeds from Hainan) and 198 Gy (seeds from India) respectively. Increasing radiation doses caused more significant changes in leaf shape of the M1 seedlings.

CONCLUSIONThe results provides an important experimental basis for the radiation breeding of the important herbal and energy plant J. curcas.

Cobalt Radioisotopes ; toxicity ; Gamma Rays ; Germination ; radiation effects ; Jatropha ; radiation effects ; Lethal Dose 50 ; Seeds ; radiation effects

OBJECTIVETo study the efficacy of treatment in 40 patients with primary tracheal carcinoma.

METHODSFrom 1970 to 2001, 40 patients with primary tracheal carcinoma treated in our hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Twenty-eight were male and 12 were female with median age of 47 years. The median interval from onset of symptoms to diagnosis was 10 months (1 - 60 months). Fifteen patients had adenoid cystic carcinoma, 14 squamous cell carcinoma, 8 adenocarcinoma, 2 small-cell carcinoma and 1 mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Thirty-two patients received operation plus adjuvant radiotherapy, 6 received radiotherapy alone and 2 received operation alone.

RESULTSThe median survival time for all patients was 40 months. The 1-, 5-, and 10-year survival rate was 86%, 59% and 29%, respectively. The 1-, 5-, and 10-year local control rate was 84%, 60% and 50%, respectively. Distant metastasis rate in 1, 5, and 10 years was 17%, 51% and 84%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSurgical resection plus adjuvant radiotherapy is a reasonable mode of treatment. Despite late local recurrence after initial treatment, its intrinsic feature, excellent long-term palliation can be achieved after treatment.

Adult ; Aged ; Cobalt Radioisotopes ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Particle Accelerators ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Survival Rate ; Tracheal Neoplasms ; mortality ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Tracheotomy ; methods

OBJECTIVETo study the preserve techniques of squeezed juice of Chinese medicinal materials.

METHODThe techniques of refrigeration, rapid freezing, 60Cogamma-ray sterilization, freeze-drying and spray-drying were used for preservation of squeezed juice of Ginger and Glutinous Rehannia. Different results were compared.

RESULTThe period of preservation was half or one year.

CONCLUSIONThe rapid freezing, freeze-drying and spray-drying are suitable for preservation of squeezed juice of Chinese medicinal materials.

Cobalt Radioisotopes ; Cryopreservation ; Drug Storage ; methods ; Freeze Drying ; methods ; Freezing ; Ginger ; chemistry ; Oils, Volatile ; analysis ; Polysaccharides ; analysis ; Refrigeration ; Rehmannia ; chemistry ; Sterilization

OBJECTIVEWe identify ionizing radiation-induced mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletions in human lymphocytes and their distribution in normal populations.

METHODSLong-range polymerase chain reactions (PCR) using two pairs of primers specific for the human mitochondrial genome were used to analyze the lymphoblastoid cell line following exposure to 10 Gy (60)Co γ-rays. Limited-condition PCR, cloning and sequencing techniques were applied to verify the mtDNA deletions detected with long-range PCR. Human peripheral blood samples were irradiated with 0, 2 and 6 Gy (60)Co γ-rays, and real-time PCR analysis was performed to validate the mtDNA deletions. In order to know the distribution of mtDNA deletions in normal population, 222 healthy Chinese adults were also investigated.

RESULTSTwo mtDNA deletions, a 7455-bp deletion (nt475-nt7929 in heavy strand) and a 9225-bp deletion (nt7714 -nt369 in heavy strand), occurring between two 8-bp direct repeats, were identified in lymphoblastoid cells using long-range PCR, limited-condition PCR and sequencing. These results were also observed for (60)Co γ-rays irradiated human peripheral blood cells.

CONCLUSIONTwo novel mtDNA deletions, a 7455-bp deletion and a 9225-bp deletion, were induced by ionizing radiation. The rate of the mtDNA deletions within a normal population was related to the donors' age, but was independent of gender.

Cell Line ; Cloning, Molecular ; Cobalt Radioisotopes ; DNA Damage ; genetics ; radiation effects ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; radiation effects ; Gene Deletion ; Genetic Markers ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; radiation effects ; Radiation, Ionizing ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo explore the increasing effect of blocking Chk1 and /or Chk2 gene by Chk1 or Chk2-specific antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (AsODN) on apoptosis in HeLa cell line after irradiation and its mechanism of action.

METHODSAsynchronized HeLa cells were exposed to (60)Co-irradiation at different dosage to activate G(2)/M checkpoint arrest. The cell cycle profiles were observed in HeLa cells after irradiation at a range of various doses and different time points by flow cytometry. In the experimental groups, Chk1/2 sODN and AsODN alone or in combination were transfected into HeLa cells, and the cells were exposed to (60)Co-irradiation at 24 h after transfection. The changes of Chk1/2 protein expression were assayed by Western blot and confocal laser scanning microscopy (Confocal), and the cell cycles, apoptosis rates and cell cycle specific apoptosis were detected by annexin V-PI labeling and flow cytometry.

RESULTSApoptotic response was significantly increased in the Hela cells after G(2)/M arrest and was inversed to activation of G(2)/M checkpoint. Either Chk1 or Chk2-specific AsODN consistently enhanced DNA damage-induced apoptosis by 90% approximately 120%, compared to corresponding sODN control (P < 0.05). Unexpectedly, combined use of Chk1- and Chk2-specific AsODN did not produce synergistic effect as compared to treatment with Chk1- or Chk2-specific AsODN alone (P > 0.05). While irradiated HeLa cells underwent apoptosis preferentially in G(1)-phase, apoptosis occurred in either of G(1)-, S- or G(2)/M -phase in the presence of Chk1 and/or Chk2 AsODN.

CONCLUSIONThe radioresistance is mainly induced by activating the cell cycle checkpoint signal transduction pathway after irradiation, and abrogating of the key effector Chk1 and Chk2 may increase the apoptotic sensitivity to irradiation due to changes of the pattern of cell cycle specific apoptosis.

Apoptosis ; radiation effects ; Cell Cycle ; radiation effects ; Checkpoint Kinase 1 ; Checkpoint Kinase 2 ; Cobalt Radioisotopes ; Down-Regulation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Antisense ; genetics ; Protein Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVEThe mRNA levels of 59 genes, detected by cDNA microarray, were up-regulated in the radioresistant human esophageal cacinoma cell line TE13R120 as compared with its parental cell line TE13 before and after radiation, and the expression of NRAGE gene showed a gradually up-regulating tendency. This study aimed to further detect the differences of NRAGE gene and protein expression and apoptosis between TE13R120 and TE13 cells, and to investigate the relationship between the NRAGE and the radioresistance of TE13R120 cells and its mechanism.

METHODSThe two cell lines were irradiated by ⁶⁰Co γ-ray at different conditions. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot, and immunocytochemistry were used to detect the expression of NRAGE. Flow cytometry (FCM) was used to detect the cell apoptosis before and after irradiation.

RESULTSThe mRNA level of NRAGE was higher in TE13R120 cells than in TE13 cells before and after irradiation (before radiation: 0.25 ± 0.03 vs. 0.49 ± 0.03; 4 Gy 4 h: 0.31 ± 0.03 vs. 0.53 ± 0.02; 4 Gy 16 h: 0.32 ± 0.04 vs. 0.59 ± 0.04; 4 Gy 24 h: 0.36 ± 0.05 vs. 0.72 ± 0.04; 2 Gy 12 h: 0.32 ± 0.02 vs. 0.64 ± 0.04; 6 Gy 12 h: 0.36 ± 0.02 vs. 0.79 ± 0.05; 10 Gy 12 h: 0.46 ± 0.04 vs. 0.85 ± 0.01; P < 0.01), and the mRNA level of NRAGE was increased gradually with the increase of radiation dose and time in the two cell lines (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01). Western blot results showed no difference of NRAGE protein level in cytoplasm between TE13R120 cells and TE13 cells before and after irradiation, but its level in nuclei was higher in TE13R120 cells than in TE13 cells at different radiation time and dosages. Immunocytochemistry showed similar results as Western blot. FCM showed no significant difference in apoptosis rate between TE13R120 and TE13 cells before and after radiation.

CONCLUSIONNRAGE may play an important role in the radiation responses of the two cell lines, and may participate in the formation of radioresistance of TE13R120 cells by changing its subcellular localization, but its relationship with cell apoptosis has not been confirmed.

Antigens, Neoplasm ; genetics ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Apoptosis ; radiation effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; radiation effects ; Cobalt Radioisotopes ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Radiation Tolerance ; Radiotherapy Dosage ; Time Factors ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVE: To explore the anti-radiation protective effect of resveratrol (RES). METHODS: (60)Co-γ irradiated injury model was established. A total of 200 Kunming mice were randomly divided into 4 groups (50 in each group): Group I, II, III, and IV. Each group was sub-divided into 5 groups: a normal control (n=10), an irradiated model control group (n=10) and 3 treatment groups of RES (50, 100, and 300 mg/kg RES treatment groups, 10 in each group). RES was orally administered daily for 30 d in the RES treatment groups and 1% sodium carboxymethylcellulose was orally administered in the normal control and irradiated model group. Thereafter, except the normal control group, the mice in other groups were exposed to different dosages of (60)Co-γ once, and the gavage was continued until the end of different experimental periods. Peripheral leucocytes, nucleated bone marrow cells were counted; superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and hemolysin in the serum were determined at different time. RESULTS: Under the different dosages of (60)Co-γ irradiation and the provisions of the experimental conditions, the leucocyte count was (1.69±0.82)× 10(9) and (1.61±0.51)× 10(9)/L in the 100 and 300 mg/kg RES treatment groups, which was significantly increased, when compared with the irradiated model control group [(0.73±0.69)× 10(9)/L] ( P<0.05, P<0.01 respectively). The number of nucleated bone marrow cells was (17.5±4.8) and (17.1±4.7)× 10(5)/mL in the 100 and 300 mg/kg RES treatment groups respectively, which significantly increased when compared with the irradiated model control group [(7.3±2.2)× 10(5)/mL ] ( P<0.01 ). The SOD activity was (110.41±17.04) U/ mL in the 100 mg/kg RES treatment group, which was significantly increased when compared with the irradiated model control group [(95.80±10.42) U/mL ] ( P<0.05 ). There was no significant difference in the serum hemolysin in all RES treatment groups (all P>0.05). CONCLUSION At 100 and 300 mg/kg, RES has good anti-radiation effect.
Animals ; Cobalt Radioisotopes ; Gamma Rays ; Mice ; Plant Extracts ; therapeutic use ; Radiation Injuries, Experimental ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Radiation-Protective Agents ; therapeutic use ; Resveratrol ; Stilbenes ; therapeutic use ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy, side effects and influence of two chemotherapy regimens, paclitaxel liposome combined with platinum and paclitaxel combined with platinum, on the survival rate in patients with cervical carcinoma receiving concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

METHODSOne hundred and sixty two cases with primary cervical carcinoma diagnosed and treated in the Jiangxi Maternal and Children Hospital between January 2008 and November 2009 were enrolled in this randomized controlled trial. Seventy one cases were included in the paclitaxel group and 91 in the paclitaxel liposome group. The chemotherapy doses were as followings: paclitaxel liposome and paclitaxel 135 mg/m(2); cisplatin 80 mg/m(2) or carboplatin AUC 4 - 6, repeated every 21 days for two or three times. Radical radiotherapy was given to both groups at the same time. The efficacy was evaluated by the tumor regression and the patients were followed-up for six months.

RESULTSThe overall response rates of paclitaxel group and paclitaxel liposome group were 90.1% and 89.0%, respectively (P > 0.05). The 1-year cumulative survival rate was 91.4% for the paclitaxel group and 89.2% for the paclitaxel liposom group (P > 0.05). The incidence rate of adverse effects such as rash, gastrointestinal toxicity, bone marrow suppression and muscle/joint pain in the paclitaxel liposome group was significantly lower than that in the paclitaxel group (P < 0.05), while there was no significant difference regarding the hair loss, liver damage, and peripheral neuritis (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPaclitaxel liposome plus platinum is a safe and effective therapeutic regimen for stage IIa-IV cervical carcinoma. However, the long-term efficacy of this regimen should be further observed.

Adenocarcinoma ; pathology ; therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Brachytherapy ; Carboplatin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; therapy ; Chemoradiotherapy ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Cobalt Radioisotopes ; therapeutic use ; Exanthema ; chemically induced ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; chemically induced ; Humans ; Iridium Radioisotopes ; therapeutic use ; Liposomes ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Paclitaxel ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Remission Induction ; Survival Rate ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy

Ataxia telangiectasis is caused by the mutation of AT gene (ATM) and it is characterized by hypersensitivity to the radiation. In order to investigate the relationship between ATM mRNA expression of K562 and SiHA two kinds of tumor cell lines and their cell cycle restardation after gamma-irradiation, their ATM mRNA expressions were measured by semi-quantitive RT-PCR and the cells were irradiated at the dose of 6, 10 and 15 Gy of (60)Co gamma ray and the change of the apoptosis and cell cycle arrest phenomenon were observed at the time of 6, 12, 24, 48 and 60 hours after irradiation. The results showed that the ATM mRNA relative expression level of K562 cell line was 0.04, that of SiHA cell line was 0.80, the ATM transcript levels in SiHA cells were 20 times as much as that in K562. In conclusion, the G(2)/M phase restardation after irradiation was observed in both cell lines, whereas SiHA exhibited a much stronger cell cycle restardation, a self-protection function, than that of K562.
Apoptosis ; radiation effects ; Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins ; Cell Cycle ; radiation effects ; Cell Cycle Proteins ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cobalt Radioisotopes ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation ; Female ; Gamma Rays ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; radiation effects ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; genetics