Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic ; surgery ; Catheter Ablation ; Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Infant ; Myocardium

Musashi1 (Msi1) is an evolutionary conservative RNA-binding protein (RBP),and it is a stem marker in a variety of organizations,including intestinal,neural system.Msi1 maintains the balance between self-renewal and differentiation.Recently,many researchers report that Msi1 is overexpressed in many types of tumors,especially in colorectal neoplasms,participating in the regulation of cell cycle,proliferation,apoptosis and so on.Msi1 becomes a key regulator of many cancers,which is expected to turn into a new target for cancer therapy.

Objective To study the relationship between parameter settings in the intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) planning in order to explore the effect of parameters on absolute dose verification.Methods Forty-three esophageal carcinoma cases were optimized with Pinnacle 7.6c by experienced physicist using appropriate optimization parameters and dose constraints with a number of iterations to meet the clinical acceptance criteria.The plans were copied to water-phantem,0.13 cc ion Farmer chamber and DOSE1 dosimeter was used to measure the absolute dose.The statistical data of the parameters of beams for the 43 cases were collected,and the relationships among them were analyzed.The statistical data of the dosimetry error were collected,and comparative analysis was made for the relation between the parameters of beams and ion chamber absolute dose verification results.Results The parameters of beams were correlated among each other.Obvious affiliation existed between the dose accuracy and parameter settings.When the beam segment number of IMRT plan was more than 80,the dose deviation would be greater than 3％ ; however,if the beam segment number was less than 80,the dose deviation was smaller than 3％.When the beam segment number was more than 100,part of the dose deviation of this plan was greater than 4％.On the contrary,if the beam segment number was less than 100,the dose deviation was smaller than 4％ definitely.Conclusions In order to decrease the absolute dose verification error,less beam angles and less beam segments are needed and the beam segment number should be controlled within the range of 80.

Objective To observe the incidence of RP in NSCLC and esophageal carcinoma treated with 3DCRT and investigate the relationship between acute RP and lung function and dosimetric parameters.Methods From October 2006 to August 2008, 3DCRT plus concurrent chemotherapy of NP or LFP were applied to 64 patients with locally advanced NSCLC or esophageal carcinoma. twenty-three patients suffered form NSCLC and 41 patients from esophageal carcinoma, the prescription doses were 60 Gy/30fx and 58 -64 Gy/29 -32fx, respectively. Results For patients with esophageal carcinoma, 34% developed RP(9 grade 1,3 grade 2 and 2 grade 3). For patients with NSCLC, 96% developed RP(9 grade 1, 8 grade 2 and 5 grade 3). There was significant difference between the two groups(t =5. 55,P=0. 000). The FEV1.0/FVC and DLCO of patients with NSCLC were significantly lower than those of esophageal carcinoma, the ratio were 75.6%:82.7%(t=2.75,P=0.008)and 71.7%:81.0%(t=2.50, P=0.015),respectively. For patients whose FEV1.0, FEV1.0/FVC%, DLCO ＜80% and ≥80% before irradiation,the incidence of ≥2grade ARP were 35% vs 25% ,31% vs 26% and 35% vs 19%, respectively(x2 = 1.81,0.15,2. 13,P =0.179,0.697,0.144). While for patients whose FEV1.0 ＜ 70% and ≥70%, the incidence of severe ARP were 67% and 22% ,respectively(x2 =5.64, P =0.018). Spearman correlated analysis indicated that all the dosimetric parameters had relation with ≥ 2 grade ARP . The V20 of lung and MLD were found independently associated with RP according to multivariate analysis(x2 = 4.61,6.97, P = 0.032,0.008).Conclusions Parameters of basic lung function can predict the incidence of ≥2 grade RP to some extent,especially when the value of FEV1.0, FEV1.0/FVC%, and DLCO was lower. However, the V20 of lung and MLD may be the most valuable predictors.

Objective: To explore the pattem of lymphatic metastasis and influencing factors of thoracic esophageal carcinoma. Methods: We reviewed the pathological specimens from 229 esophageal carcinoma patients who underwent radical esophagectomy with two-field lymphadenectomy. A total of 2,458 lymph nodes were dissected. We analyzed the lymph node metastasis pattern of the primary tumor in different loca-tions and the corresponding influencing factors such as pathological T stage, tumor length, pathological mor-phology and tumor differentiation. Results: Lymph node metastasis rates were 44.5% (102/229) and 10.5% (258/2458), respectively. For patients with upper thoracic esophageal carcinomas, lymphatic metastasis rates in the superior mediastinum, the middle mediastinum, the inferior mediastinum and the abdominal cavity were 19.0%, 6.7%, 9.8% and 12.2%, respectively. For patients with middle thoracic esophageal carcinomas, the rates were 26.1%, 7.4%, 11.8% and 11.9%, respectively. For patietns with lower thoracic esophageal carcino-mas, the rates were 0, 1.6%, 5.3%, and 10.0%, respectively. Lymphatic metastasis rate in T_1, T_2, T_3, T_4, stage cancer were 28.6%, 43.8%, 47.6%, and 31.3%, respectively; the rate of positive lymph nodes were 7.9%, 10.8%, 10.7%, and 10.8%, respectively, with no significant differences among the four stages (x~2=2.733, P=0.435 and x~2=0.686, P=0.876). Lymphatic metastasis rate and rate of positive lymph nodes in patients with tu-mor ≤3cm, 3 to 5cm, and >5cm were 45.2% and 43.4%, 46.2% and 9.1%, and 11.6% and 11.7%, respective-ly, with no significant differences (x~2=0.094, P=0.954 and x~2=3.933, P=0.140). Lymphatic metastasis ratios of the pathological morphology in medullary, ulcerative, mushroom and stenotic types were 14.0%, 9.6%, 4.3% and 18.3%, respectively (x~2=19.292, P=0.000). Lymphatic metastasis rate and rate of positive lymph nodes of squamous cell carcinoma of moderately and poorly differentiation were 42.5%, 75.0% and 9.5%, 18.6%, re-spectively (x~2=4.852, P=0.028 and x~2=11.323, P=0.001). Patients with squamous cell carcinoma of poorly dif-ferentiation had a higher rate of lymph node metastasis. Conclusion: Lymphatic metastasis of esophageal car-cinoma metastasize widely even if in early T stage. Pathological morphology and tumor differentiation are re-lating facors of lymph node metastasis of thoracic esophageal carcinoma.

ObjectiveTo measure the setup errors with infrared marker-based positioning system (IM-BPS) and electronic portal imaging device (EPID) for patients with esophageal carcinoma and lung cancer and investigate the accuracy and practicality of IM-BPS. MethodsFrom January 2007 to January 2008, 40 patients with esophageal carcinoma and 27 patients with lung cancer received three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy or intensity-modulated radiotherapy, setup errors during the treatment were measured with IM-BPS and EPID, and the data of setup errors were compared with paired t-test and agreement with x2-test. ResultsIt takes 10 - 12 mins to complete the validating for each patient by EPID) system, while IMBPS system only needs 2 -5 mins. The mean setup errors along x, y and z-axis for patients with esophageal carcinoma measured by IM-BPS and EPID were 3.49 mm, 3. 19 mm, 3.31 mm and 4. 03 mm, 3.41 mm, 3.43 mm, respectively. For the patients with lung cancer, the setup errors were 4. 23 mm, 3.51 mm, 3. 39mm and 4. 85 mm, 3. 53 mm, 3.74 mm, respectively. The difference of setup errors meanured by the two systems was within 1 mm for 65％ esophageal carcinoma patients ( x2 =51.09, P =0. 000), and 55％ lung cancer patients ( x2 =53. 35, P =0. 000).Conclusions The measurement results of setup errors for patients with esophageal carcinoma and lung cancer show that IM-BPS is mostly better than EPID. Though validating for patients can be measured accurately and be well quality controlled, IM-BPS is used easily because of macroscopic, homely,spare time and real-time monitoring.

Objective To investigate the result and side effect of late course accelerated three-di-mensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) for esophageal carcinoma. Methods From July 2003 to March 2006, 55 patients with esophageal carcinoma receiving 3DCRT were randomly divided into late course accel-erated radiation group (group A, 27 patients) and conventional fractionation group (group B, 28 patients). The prescribed dose in group B was 64 -66 Gy, 2 Gy per fraction, 1 fraction per day, 5 fractions per week for about 6.5 weeks. Patients in group A received conventional fractionation irradiation for the first 4 weeks. Then the dose was increased to 3 Gy per fraction to a total dose of 67 -70 Gy. The treatment course in group A was about 6 weeks. The treatment response, acute site effects, 1-, 3-and 5-year local control rates and o-verall survival rates of the two groups were observed. Results In group A, 23 patients (85%) achievedcomplete response (CR) and 4(15%) achieved partial response (PR). While in group B, 16 patients (57%) achieved CR and 12(43%) achieved PR. The CR rate was significant higher in group A (χ~2 = 5.24,P=0.022). The 1-, 3-, 5-year local control rates were 85%, 54%, 54% in group A, and 70%, 56%, 33 % in group B (χ~2 = 0.68, P = 0.409), respectively. The 1 -,3-,5-year overall survival rates of the two groups were 81%, 37%, 29% and 61%, 39%, 23% (χ~2 = 0.06, P = O. 804), respectively. Both lo-cal control and overall survival were similar between the two groups. The incidences of acute radiation esoph-agitis in the two groups were similar (85% vs. 89% ;χ~2 =0. 00,P=0. 959), and the incidence of radiation pneumonitis was slightly higher in group A than in group B (67% vs 43% ;χ~2 =3.14,P =0.076). By the last follow up, 19 patients in group A and 21 in group B died. Among them, 10 in group A and 15 in group B died of local failure, while 7 in group A and 5 in group B died of metastasis. Conclusions When com-pared with conventional fractionation 3DCRT, late course accelerated 3DCRT for esophageal carcinoma can achieve better results in clinical response, though not in long-term local control or survival. The incidence of acute radiation esophagitis and pneumonitis is clinically acceptable.

Objective To obtain the fusion genes of several human orphan G protein coupled receptors (oGPCRs) with Gi1α subtype of G protein and their expression system. Methods The whole open reading frames of GPR45, GPR85, GPR174 and Gilα were cloned by RT-PCR from HepG2 cDNA separately,and the corresponding fusion genes were amplified by overlap extension PCR. Then, the fusion genes-containing pBacmids were successfully constructed with the Bac-to-Bac baculovirus expression system indicated by specific transposition and virus recombination. The insect Sf9 cells were transfected with pBacmid-oGPCRs-Gi1α, and the supernatant containing recombinant virus was harvested. With the supernatant, insect Sf9 cells were infected under an optimized condition (MOI=5, infection time=72 h) and the fusion proteins were prepared and detected by Western blotting.Results The three fusion genes of GPCR45, GPR85 or GPR174 with Gi1α were obtained. The corresponding fusion proteins could be properly prepared in Sf9 cells.Conclusion Human oGPCRs could be fused with Gilα, and the fusion genes could be expressed using the Bac-to-Bac baculovirus expression system in insect Sf9 cells.

Objective To investigate the feasibility of new criteria for evaluating the radiotherapeutic effect on esophageal cancer by barium meal (BM) combined with CT scans.Methods A total of 189 patients who were diagnosed with esophageal cancer (confirmed by biopsy) from January 2004 to December 2010 were enrolled as subjects.All patients underwent BM and CT scans before and after radiotherapy.The maximal esophageal wall thickness (EWT) and changes in the volumes of regional lymph nodes measured by CT scans were analyzed.New criteria for evaluating the short-term radiotherapeutic effect on esophageal cancer was studied considering the analysis results as well as the BM-based criteria for evaluating short-term radiotherapeutic effect and follow-up results.Results The BM-based evaluation criteria were still useful,but had certain limitations.There were 115 patients who had regional lymph node metastasis as detected by CT scans before radiotherapy,and they were divided into complete remission (CR) group and partial remission (PR) group according to BM results after radiotherapy; the local control rate (LCR) of CR group was significantly higher than that of PR group,but there was no significant difference in survival rate (SR) between the two groups.There were 65 patients who had no regional lymph node metastasis,and they were also divided into CR group and PR group according to BM results after radiotherapy;the LCR and SR of CR group were significantly higher than those of PR group.In summary,the patients who had a CR as evaluated by BM and had the maximal EWT of ≤ 1.20 cm and the volumes of residual lymph nodes of ≤ 1.00 cm3 on CT were defined as CR ; the patients who had a PR as evaluated by BM or had the maximal EWT of ＞ 1.20 cm or those who had a CR evaluated by BM and had the maximal EWT of ≤ 1.20 cm and the volumes of residual lymph nodes of ＞ 1.00 cm3 on CT were defined as PR.The cases evaluated by BM as no remission (NR) or showing metastasis were defined as NR or progressive disease.There were significant differences in LCR and SR between the CR group and PR group determined by the new criteria.Conclusions Simply using BM to evaluate the short-term radiotherapeutic effect on esophageal cancer has certain limitations; instead,the evaluation based on both BM and CT scans is more accurate.

Objective To evaluate the clinical significance of serum levels of ProGRP, TPS and NSE in diagnosis and therapy monitoring in small cell lung cancer patients. Methods The levels of serum ProGRP, TPS and NSE in 51 SCLC patients (SCLC group), 60 benign pulmonary disease patients (benign disease group ) and 60 healthy people (healthy group ) were determined using chemiluminescent immunoassay, ELISA and electrochemiluminescent immunoassay respectively. Blood samples were collected and detected prior to therapy, before the second course of chemotherapy and the third course of chemotherapy consecutively in all the 51 SCLC patients. Results The serum ProGRP, TPS and NSE concentrations prior to chemotherapy in limited stage SCLC (LSCLC) were 136. 9(22.8-631.7)ng/L, 78. 2(56.4-114.6) U/L and 28.1(20.9-46.1)μg/L, respectively; And in extensive stage SCLC patients (ESCLC) were 1 106.6(41.2-2161.1) ng/L, 230. 9( 143.5-259.0) U/L and 81.1 (34.3-140.0)μg/L, respectively. The serum concentrations of the 3 markers in benign disease group were 19. 7 ( 9. 5-29. 1 )ng/L, 48. 7 ( 17.9-95.4) U/L and 12. 1(1.2-13.9) μg/L; and in healthy group were 20.3(10.7-30.6) ng/L, 50.3(19.5-70.7) U/L and 11.7 (1.1-13.4)μg/L, respectively. The Kruskal-Wallis test showed significantly statistical difference in different groups of the 3 tumor markers, Chi-Square were 51. 368,36. 532 and 81. 645( P ＜0. 01 ). Significant statistically differences showed when the concentrations of the 3 marks of the 2 control group were compared with that of the LSCLC group ( U =491, 827, 609 and 476, 831, 585,respectively, P ＜ 0. 05 ). Differences were also statistically significant when the 2 control group compared with that of the ESCLC group ( U = 314,532,456 and 302,553,430, respectively, P ＜ 0. 01 ). The AUC of ProGRP was 0.832 +0.029(95% CI:0.774-0.890). When cutoff value of ProGRP set as 37.7 ng/L, the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and Youden's index were 71% (36/51), 97% (116/120), 90% (36/40), 89% ( 116/131 ) and 67%, respectively; show good detection performance. The sensitivity increased to 92%, 86%, 92% and 88%, when combination detection of ProGRP + TPS + NSE, ProGRP + TPS, ProGRP + NSE and TPS + NSE were used, and the specificities were 77%, 77% , 92% and 77% accordingly. The Fridman test showed significantly statistical difference in the 3 tumor markers at different stages of treatment, x2 were 49. 120, 10. 614 and 44. 392, P ＜0. 01. After the first chemotherapy course, all the tumor marker levels except TPS decreased significantly in comparison with the pretreatment concentrations. However, only ProGRP levels showed a progressive drop during the two consecutive courses of therapy, and the median concentrations were 68.0 ( 18. 6-158.4 ) and 21.0( 14. 9-63.5) ng/L (compared to the level before therapy,Z=-4. 889 and -5. 594, P ＜0. 01 ). The median of serum TPS increased slightly to 105.2 (54. 1-181.2 ) U/L after the first chemotherapy course (Z=-1.248, P＞0.05), and decreased significantly to 79.0(48.7-155.3) U/L after the second chemotherapy course (Z=-2.484, P＜0. 05 ). As to the NSE, the median concentration decreased to 11.8(8.0-16.0)μg/L after the first chemotherapy course ( Z= - 5. 568, P ＜ 0. 01 ). However, the median was 10. 6(9.0-12.7)μg/L, which showed no significant decrease after the second chemotherapy course (Z=-1.851, P＞0.05).Forty-six SCLC patients evaluated as clinical remission ( 3 CR and 43 PR) after the second chemotherapy course, among them there were 38 patients (83%) with normal serum ProGRP, TPS and NSE level ( 19 patients) or with only 1 abnormal tumor level ( 19 patients). There were only 2 patients with all abnormal serum ProGRP, TPS and NSE level, and both patients were evaluated as clinical PD. Two patients with 2 abnormal tumors results were classified as SD, the only 1 patient without therapy evaluation also had 2 abnormal tumor marker results. Conclusions The serum ProGRP, TPS and NSE are valuable tumor markers for diagnosis and treat monitoring of SCLC, particularly the ProGRP + NSE shows the highest clinical value. Combing detection of the 3 tumor markers are valuable for therapy monitoring and prognosis in SCLC patients.