Objective To study the effects of using jaw tracking technique with Smart LMC algorithm on the absorbing dose of planning target volume (PTV) and organs at risk (OARs) in dynamic intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).Methods Field fluencies of 10 cases of NPC patients were optimized using DVO algorithm on Eclipse TPS (11.0),and according to the same optimal fluence,MLC operation files were calculated using jaw tracking technique and jaw fixing technique respectively,dose distribution was calculated with AAA algorithm and jaw tracking IMRT plan (JT-IMRT) and jaw fixing IMRT plan (JF-IMRT) were generated respectively.Collimators' position at the plan implementation was observed,and the total number of plans' monitor units (MU),the dose of PTV,the absorb dose of OARs,and the actual fluence verification pass rate were compared.Results The collimators' opening gap distances in 166 control points of the JT-IMRT reduced in both X and Y directions in the field,compared to that of the JF-IMRT.Total number of the JT-IMRT's MU increased by 3.59％-11.63％.There was no statistical significant difference between the doses of the PTV.Statistical significance was found in the differences between maximum dose (Dmax) of brainstem,spinal cord,crystal,optic nerve,the mean dose (Dmean) and D50％ of parotid and their decreased values after therapy (t=5.70-8.66,P＜0.05).The actual fluence verification pass rate of the JT-IMRT was higher than that of the JF-IMRT.There was a significant difference between the results (t=5.18,P＜0.05).Conclusions The JT-IMRT plan of the smart LMC algorithm is more tolerant to the radiation leakage between inter-and intra-leaf.The dose of OARs is lower,while the dose calculation precision and the verification pass rate are higher,the actual radiation dose is more accurate and reliable.Therefore it is more suitable for clinical applications.

Objective To evaluate the setup errors for lower neck with cone beam CT (CBCT) in breast cancer patients immobilized by breast bracket,and to probe the margins from supraclavicular clinical target volume (CTV) in 3 directions.Methods A total of 14 breast cancer patients with supraclavicular lymph node radiation were enrolled.All patients were immobilized by breast bracket,and each patient would undergo CBCT at the first,tenth and twentieth treatment after positioning,respectively.Then these CBCT images were registered to the planning CT to determine setup errors in translational and rotational direction,and evaluated correlation between them.At last,CTV margins were calculated from the systenatic and random errors.Results The setup errors on x (left-ring),y (superior-inferior),z (anterior-posterior) translational directions were (2.89 ±.2.52),(3.96 ±2.97),(4.21 ±2.24) mm and on θ (pitch degree),φ (roll degree),Ψ (yaw degree) rotational direction were (2.38 ± 1.97)°,(1.60±1.63) °,(1.91 ±1.54)°,respectively.The margins from CTV were 8.08,8.13,6.30mminx,y and z direction.On y and z directions translational errors were correlated significantly with φ and Ψ degree rotational errors(Pearson =-0.515,-0.509,P ＜ 0.05).In inter-fraction only on z direction the setup changes were considered as correlative with Ψ degree (Pearson =-0.583,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions For supraclavicular region irradiation breast cancer patients immobilized with breast bracket,the margins from CTV were recommended as not less than 8.08,8.13,6.30 mm in x,y,z directions,respectively.The position immobilized method and the positioning workflow should be further improved in order to reduce the influence of the neck rotational on setup errors.

Liver cancer is one of the most common neoplastic diseases with high mortality in China. Currently, antimicrotubule drugs such as paclitaxel (PTX) and vincristine (VCR), are used as the common agents in the clinical chemotherapy for liver cancer. However, the responses of patients to these drugs vary markedly. Successful identification of intracellular factors influencing liver cancer's sensitivity to antimicrotubule drugs would be of great clinical importance. In this study, by engineering human hepatoma cell HepG2 to overexpress synuclein-gamma (SNCG), we investigated if SNCG is a molecular factor associated with the sensitivity to antimicrotubule drug treatment. Real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting assays showed SNCG was successfully overexpressed in HepG2/ SNCG cells compared with HepG2/Neo cells. The overexpressed SNCG altered the proliferation activity in HepG2 cells, which was 66% higher than that of HepG2/Neo cells through MTT method. The overexpressed SNCG also reduced sensitivity of HepG2 cells to antimicrotubule drugs: after PTX or VCR treatment, the proportion of HepG2/SNCG cells in G2/M arrest was significantly lower than that in HepG2/Neo cells. Correspondingly, HepG2/SNCG cells showed significantly lower mitotic index than HepG2/Neo cells. Meanwhile, HepG2/SNCG cells showed higher resistance to PTX and VCR than HepG2/Neo cells, with resistance index 21 and 15 respectively. Our studies suggested that the overexpression of SNCG could confer resistance to antimicrotubule drugs in hepatoma cells; and it indicated that SNCG may be as a potential response marker for antimicrotubule drugs in liver cancer chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVETo identify potential mutation of the colony stimulating factor 1 receptor gene (CSF1R) in a large Chinese family affected with hereditary diffuse leukoencephalopathy with spheroids (HDLS) and analyze the genotype-phenotype correlation.

METHODSThe proband was evaluated physically and radiologically to ascertain the HDLS phenotype. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples from family members. The coding region of the CSF1R gene was amplified with PCR and subjected to direct DNA sequencing.

RESULTSThere were 9 affected members (5 alive) in this five-generation family (1 member had died during the follow-up). A missense mutation c.2563C>A (p.P855T) of the CSF1R gene has been identified in the proband. The same mutation was identified in 3 affected and 1 unaffected members of the family.

CONCLUSIONThe family was consistent with autosomal dominant inheritance. CSF1R gene mutation is also a disease-causing mutation in Chinese patients.

Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Child ; Female ; Genes, Dominant ; Humans ; Leukoencephalopathies ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation, Missense ; Pedigree ; Receptor, Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; genetics

Objective To explore the effects of improvements on setup error ( SE ) and clinical target ( CTV ) margin of supraclavicular field ( SCF ) by using moisture-cured resin cushion and breast bracket for lower neck fixation in breast cancer patients who underwent post-mastectomy radiotherapy. Methods Totally 13 patients with breast cancer who underwent post-mastectomy radiotherapy were enrolled. All patients were immobilized by breast bracket and moisture-cured resin cushion. Firstly, each patient′s lower neck and head was fixed well by moisture-cured resin cushion, filling the gap between the neck and breast bracket. Secondly,each patient underwent the cone-beam CT ( CBCT) at the first, tenth and twentieth treatment after positioning. Then these CBCT images were registered to the planning CT to determine setup errors in translational and rotational directions, and SCF CTV margins by the systematic and random errors were evaluated. Results The setup errors in x (left-right), y (superior-inferior), z (anterior-posterior) translational directions were (2. 16 ± 1. 25), (1. 50 ± 1. 28), (1. 94 ± 1. 12) mm and (1. 76 ±1. 87)°, (1. 82 ±1. 12)°, (0. 99 ±0. 58)°, respectively in θ (pitch degree),Ф(roll degree),ψ( yaw degree) rotational directions. Non-parametric rank test ( Mann-Whitney U test) was performed with previous data, the differences of the setup error in y, z,θ directions were statistically significant ( Z =4. 152, 3. 415, 2. 053, P<0. 05). The margins from CTV were 4. 07, 4. 03 and 3. 73 mm in x, y and z directions, respectively. Compared with the previous study on SCF, CTV margin required 8, 8 and 6 mm in x, y and z axis directions, the volume of CTV to PTV were decreased by 32. 73% on average. Conclusions Compared with plastic circular pillow alone, moisture-cured resin cushion with breast bracket locating method could reduce setup errors in SCF target region. The margins from CTV to PTV weredecreased to 4. 07, 4. 03 and 3. 73 mm in x, y and z axis directions at least.

Objective:To explore the morphological characteristics of the pectoralis major muscle and the anatomical relationship of adjacent structures .Methods:A total of 156 patients undergoing thyroid surgery at the First Hospital of Anhui University of Science & Technology and the First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China from Dec 2020 to Sep 2022 were includeed. Those adopting routine endoscopic thyroidectomy by gasless unilateral axillary approach were assigned to group A,and searching for the sternocleidomastoid muscle through the pectoralis major muscle gap on this basis to group B.Results:Among the 78 patients in group B, a total of 71 (91%) cases were found to have a typical sternocleidomastoid muscle gap, and in 7 (9%) cases were not found. The morphology phenotypes of the gap between the clavicular part and thoracic ribs part of the pectoralis major muscle was found in 3 types: obvious separation type (typeⅠ), inconspicuous separation-partially overlapped type (typeⅡa), and inconspicuous separation-completely anastomosed type (type Ⅱb). The mean duration of surgery in group B was less (105±15) min than that in group A (156±27) min ( t=14.523, P<0.01); postoperative one day drainage in group B was less (49±6) ml than that in group A (51±6) ml ( t=2.273, P=0.024). There was no statistically significant difference in intraoperative bleeding, postoperative hospital stay and complication rate between the two groups ( t=0.557, P=0.578; t=0.134, P=0.894; χ2=1.844, P=0.174). Conclusion:The search for the sternocleidomastoid muscle through the pectoralis major muscle gap in the endoscopic thyroidectomy by gasless unilateral axillary approach can shorten the duration of surgery and improve the efficiency of surgery.

Objective To explore the feasibility of using the optimization parameters modification and optimization processes modification to reduce the total monitor units ( MUs ) in the Eclipse radiotherapy treatment planning system (TPS). Methods Based on the radiotherapy plan of 10 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, a total of 90 plans were designed for 9 groups using different optimization parameters and processes. The total MUs and the exposure dose of the organs among the different plans were compared. Results There was no significant difference in the doses of the organs at risk (class I) under the premise of target dose requirements (all P>0.05). The increase of the weight of the target area and the organs at risk will increase the total MUs. The increase of the preset limit value of the minimum MUs in the subfield will reduce the total MUs. The increase of the fluence smoothness in the X and Y directions will increase the total MUs. An unreasonable minimum MU value will increase the total MUs. Under the condition that the organ exposure is not changed significantly, the influencing factors of MU are ranked as weight>fluence smoothness>minimum MUs. Conclusions Parameter setting and process planning can reduce the total MUs to a certain extent. However, due to the complexity of the influence of optimization parameters on the plan, the optimization process should be preferred. Especially in the Eclipse TPS, the method of gradual optimization to achieve the final dose distribution requirement and then remove the fluence re-optimization is more convenient and effective for reducing the total MUs.

Objective:To investigate the application of post-mortem tissue sampling under ultrasonography guidance in the autopsy of COVID-19 cases.Methods:Ultrasound-guided post-mortem tissue sampling of heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, and spleen were performed in 24 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from Feb 20 to Mar 28, 2020. Seventeen males and seven females aged 39-91(66.6±10.6) years old were enrolled. The total time required for each post-mortem sampling was recorded, and the size of the samples collected from each organ was measured. The success rate of ultrasound-guided post-mortem tissue sampling for each organ was calculated.Results:Ultrasound images could clearly show the needle path and enabled accurate placement of the needle within the target organs, including heart, lung, liver, kidney, and spleen. The total time required for sampling was about 32-54 (39.8±5.7)min. The lengths of heart, lung, liver, kidney, and spleen tissues collected by ultrasound-guided sampling were 10(8, 14)mm, 13(12, 15)mm, 14(13, 15)mm, 13(11, 15)mm, 14(13, 15)mm, respectively. The success rates of heart, lung, liver, kidney, and spleen tissue sampling under ultrasound guidance were 87.5% (21/24), 91.7%(44/48), 100%(24/24), 89.6%(43/48) and 83.3%(20/24), respectively.Conclusions:Post-mortem sampling under ultrasonography guidance may be a rapid and reliable method for collecting of heart, lung, liver, kidney, and spleen tissues in the autopsy of COVID-19 cases.

Taking 12-N-p-chlorobenzyl sophoridinol 2 as a lead, a series of novel sophoridinic derivatives with various 3'-substituents at the 11-side chain were synthesized and evaluated for their anticancer activity from sophoridine (1), a natural antitumor medicine. Among them, the sophoridinic ketones 5a-b, alkenes 7a-b and sophoridinic amines 14a-b displayed reasonable antiproliferative activity with IC50 values ranging from 3.8 to 5.4 μmol/L. Especially, compounds 5a and 7b exhibited an equipotency in both adriamycin (AMD)-susceptible and resistant MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells, indicating a different mechanism from AMD. The primary mechanism of action of 5a was to arrest the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase, consistent with that of parent compound 1. Thus, we consider 12-chlorobenzyl sophoridinic derivatives with a tricyclic scaffold to be a new class of promising antitumor agents with an advantage of inhibiting drug-resistant cancer cells.