Objective: To apply level set motion-based elastic registration method to radiotherapy CT image, then to provide technical support for the accurate evaluation of tumor and changing process of patients with endanger organ and its accumulative dose. Methods: Based on Vemuri’s level set motion method, we wrote the algorithm program using Matlab software and applied on two sets of 3D CT images from patients with cervical cancer and NPC for fully automatic elastic registration. Results: Comparing CT images before and after registration, for the cervical cancer patient, the minimum mean square error (MSE) decreased by 55.1%and correlation coefficient (CC) increased by 5.3%. For the NPC patient, MSE decreased by 32.1%and CC increased by 4.6%. Conclusion: From the image difference and evaluation parameters, the efficacy of level set motion-based elastic registration method was preliminarily demonstrated. In order to apply this method to clinical radiotherapy, dit needs to find a more accurate mathematical algorithm further in order to compute human anatomy deformation through image motion.

Objective:To evaluate the risk factors of hypoalbuminemia (serum albumin <35 g/L) in the maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients.Methods:From January 2011 to December 2018, 915 patients (≥18 years) who underwent MHD programs from 12 hospitals in south China were enrolled in a retrospective analysis. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis was applied to evaluate the risk factors of hypoalbuminemia in the MHD patients.Results:The MHD patients had poor albumin level in general, with hypoalbuminemia accounting for about 20.55% (188/915). Compared with the patients with normal albumin level, the patients with hypoalbuminemia had older age (61.46 years vs. 55.85 years, P<0.01), the greater incidence of diabetes [29.79%(56/188) vs. 19.39%(141/727), P = 0.002] and the lower application in high flux dialysis [42.55%(80/188) vs. 57.36%(417/727), P<0.01], while the gender, duration of dialysis, dialysis frequencies and the incidence of hepatitis showed no significant difference between 2 groups. In linear correlation analysis, albumin and hemoglobin level were positively correlated ( r = 0.213, P<0.01). In Spearmen correlation analysis, albumin was negatively correlated with age, hypersensitive C reactive protein (hsCRP), alkaline phosphatase, and diabetes ( r = -0.232, -0.176, -0.153 and -0.132; P<0.01); and it was positively correlated with the Kt/V and the application in high flux dialysis ( r = 0.151 and 0.124, P<0.01). The multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age, diabetes, alkaline phosphatase and hsCRP were the independent risk factors of hypoalbuminemia, while the application of high flux dialysis and hemoglobin were the independent protection factors. Conclusions:The patients undergoing a MHD program have poor albumin level. Diabetes is the independent risk factor of hypoalbuminemia of MHD patients, and the practice of high flux dialysis may reduce the hypoalbuminemia.

A novel method for the detection of moroxydine ( ABOB) residue in tomatoes was developed based on the enhancement of the fluorescence intensity of CdTe quantum dots( QDs) in the presence of ABOB. The factors influencing the performance of the QDs fluorescent probes were investigated, and the optimum conditions were determined:the concentration of mercaptoacidic acid ( TGA) capped-CdTe quantum dot was 1×10-4 mol/L, and the reaction time was 20 min at pH=5. 6. Under the optimum conditions, the relative fluorescence intensity increases linearly proportional to the ABOB concentration in the range of 1. 0×10-12-5. 0×10-10 mol/L with a limit of detection of 5. 2×10-13 mol/L, R=0. 9981, the recovery was 97%-106%, without obvious interference on the determinations of moroxydine from the common coexisting ions, antibiotics, and vitamins. The proposed method has been successfully applied in the detection of trace moroxydine hydrochloride residue in tomatoes.

Objective To explore the relationship between the overlap volume of organ at risk (OAR) and target (Voverlap) and the mean dose to OAR (DmOAR) in intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).Methods Fifty randomly selected patients undergoing IMRT for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and an equal number of patients undergoing radical IMRT for cervical cancer in our hospital were enrolled as subjects.The relationship between Voverlap and DmoAR in IMRT was analyzed.The Matlab software was used to generate function to fit the relationship between Voverlap and DmOAR for different OARs.Results The Voverlap varied among patients with NPC or cervical cancer.The ratio of Voverlap to the volume of OAR (VOAR) was positively correlated with the ratio of DmOAR to the prescribed dose (Dp) (all P=0.01).A function was generated to fit the correlation between Voverlap/VOAR ratio and DmOAR/Dp ratio.Conclusions In IMRT,patients have different Voverlap/VoAR ratios due to varicd target volume,disease stages,OAR filling status,and OAR volume.As criteria for plan verification,a specific DmOAR value for each OAR should be calculated before radiotherapy planning based on the corresponding correlation function and the Voverlap/VoAR ratio with a fixed dose prescription.It can be used to reduce the subjective influence on the optimization of radiotherapy planning.

Objective: To preliminarily evaluate the safety of the coplanar template-assisted ¹⁹²Ir hypofractionated stereotactic ablative brachytherapy (SABT) in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC), and assess the effect of template-assisted technology upon the accuracy of SABT by comparing the consistency of dosimetric parameters between preoperative and operative plans. Methods: Fifteen patients histologically confirmed with LA-NSCLC (stage Ⅱ_B-Ⅲ_A) were recruited and received the template-assisted SABT delivered in a risk-adapted fractionation (30 Gy/1F). Preoperative planning, template-assisted needle implantation, operative planning and implementation were performed in all patients. Dosimetric results of preoperative and operative plans were statistically compared by assessing the dosimetric parameters of gross tumor volume (HI, CI, D₉₀, V₁₀₀ and V₁₅₀) and organ at risk(V₅, V₂₀ and mean dose of bilateral lung, D_2cc of spinal cord. The incidence of perioperative complications of SABT was recorded. The safety and feasibility of SABT were evaluated. Results: Slight changes were noted in terms of target dose and irradiated dose to the lung between preoperative and operative plans without statistical significance (both P>0.05). No severe adverse events, such as severe pneumothorax, hemothorax and hemoptysis were observed. Conclusions Application of the template-assisted SABT can enhance the accuracy of implantation, maintain the consistency of the dosimetric parameters between the preoperative and operative plans and guarantee the clinical efficacy.

Objective To analyze the effect of needle arrangement on the lung dose in interstitial brachytherapy for lung cancer. Methods For 15 patients undergoing interstitial brachytherapy for lung cancer, a virtual radiotherapy plan in which needle arrangement was not restricted by the ribs was designed and compared with the original plan. For the two plans, V5, V20, V30, and mean lung dose(MLD)of the whole lung were determined when the prescribed doses were 10,30, 60, and 120 Gy, respectively. The data were analyzed by Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results The lung V5,V20, V30, and MLD were significantly smaller in the virtual plan than in the actual plan(all P<0.05). Conclusions Irregular needle arrangement prevents a further reduction in the lung dose in interstitial brachytherapy for lung cancer. In the implantation surgery, therefore, the needles should be arranged as regularly as possible.

Objective:To study the safety and efficacy of a treatment protocol using immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and antiangiogenic targeted drugs (AATDs) in converting 41 patients with initially unresectable to resectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:The data of 41 patients with initially unresectable HCC treated with immunotherapy combined with targeted therapy from December 2018 to April 2021 in Chinese PLA General Hospital were analysed. There were 34 males and 7 females, aged (51.8±10.7) years. The clinical characteristics, conversion to resectable HCC, adverse drug reactions, surgical data and postoperative complications were analysed. Patients were followed-up by outpatients clinics or telephone calls.Results:There were 5 patients with Chinese Liver Cancer Staging (CNLC)-Ⅰb, 4 with CNLC-Ⅱ, 28 with CNLC-Ⅲa and 4 with CNLC-Ⅲb before the treatment protocol. Among them, 28 patients had portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) and 4 had retroperitoneal lymph node metastases. All patients had a mean tumor diameter of (9.16±4.43) cm before and (6.49±4.69) cm after the treatment protocol. The latter was based on the last assessment before hepatectomy. The efficacy of the treatment protocol in converting unresectable to resectable HCC was assessed by the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors after 3-15 cycles (median dose cycles, 5) of protocal therapy: 15 patients achieved a complete response; 15 patients achieved a partial response; 6 patients had a stable disease, and 5 patients had a progressive disease. 21 patients (51.2%) experienced adverse reactions associated with drug treatment, which resolved with symptomatic treatment or brief discontinuation of the therapy. All patients underwent successful hepatectomy. Postoperative complications of grade Ⅱ or higher occurred in 9 patients (22.0%). The cumulative overall survival rates at 6 months, 1 year and 2 years from diagnosis were 100.0%, 92.6% and 64.7% respectively. The cumulative overall survival rates at 6 months, 1 year and 2 years after surgery were 95.1%, 74.7% and 60.8%, and the recurrence-free survival rates at 6 months, 1 year and 2 years after surgery were 87.8%, 56.7% and 48.6%, respectively.Conclusions:This study provided preliminary evidences that surgical resection after immunotherapy combined with targeted therapy in patients with initially unresectable HCC was safe and efficacious.

Globally, the incidence of pancreatic cancer is on a rise. Pancreatic cancer is characterized by difficulty in early diagnosis, frequent distant metastasis, low surgical resection rate, and high risk of postoperative recurrence. Better treatments need to be developed to prolong the prognosis. Studies have confirmed that inflammation is closely correlated with tumorigenesis, and inflammatory mediators play important roles on tumor microenvironment of pancreatic cancer and lead to poor prognosis. This article reviewed the progress on the correlation between peripheral blood inflammatory index and the prognosis of pancreatic cancer.

Objective:To assess the clinical efficacy of sequential radical surgery after immune and targeted therapy in downstaging patients with initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods:Data were prospectively collected from December 2018 to July 2022 on patients with initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma which were downstaged to undergo sequential surgery after treatment with immune and targeted therapy at the Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital. There were 79 patients, with 69 men and 10 women, aged (53.0±10.9) years, being enrolled into this study. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the survival rate, and the log-rank test was used for survival rate comparison. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression were used to analyze factors influencing patient prognosis.Results:There were 7 patients (8.9%) with China Liver Cancer Staging (CNLC) Ⅰb, Ⅱa, Ⅱb who had insufficient residual liver volume or tumor rupture before the downstaging therapy, and 38 patients (48.1%) with CNLC Ⅲa and 34 patients (43.0%) with CNLC Ⅲb. These 79 patients underwent R 0 resection after 3-20 cycles (median 5 cycles) of immune and targeted therapy. Based on the modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumor, the results of preoperative imaging assessment were: complete remission in 12 patients (15.2%), partial remission in 50 patients (63.3%), stable disease in 15 patients (19.0%), and disease progression in 2 patients (2.5%). The overall survival rates of patients at 1, 2, and 3 years after diagnosis were 96.1%, 83.5%, and 76.6%; and the recurrence-free survival rates at 1, 2, and 3 years after surgery were 62.1%, 52.9%, and 34.7%, respectively. On multivariate Cox regression analysis, patients with a preoperative alpha-fetoprotein >20 μg/L ( HR=2.816, 95% CI: 1.232-6.432, P=0.014) and a high proportion of pathological residual tumors ( HR=1.015, 95% CI: 1.004-1.026, P=0.006) had a higher risk of postoperative recurrence; and patients with a high proportion of pathological residual tumors ( HR=1.028, 95% CI: 1.007-1.049, P=0.007) and preoperative alpha-fetoprotein >400 μg/L ( HR=4.099, 95% CI: 1.193-14.076, P=0.025) had a higher risk of death. Conclusion:Immunotherapy combined with targeted therapy and sequential surgery for patients with initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma provided long-term survival benefits. Elevated preoperative alpha-fetoprotein and a high proportion of pathological residual tumor were independent risk factors for recurrence-free survival and overall survival in this group of patients.