Objective To analyze the normal lung dose-volume histogram(DVH) varieties in the former and later period(P1 and P2)of three dimensional conformal radiation therapy(3DCRT) plans and the compound (Pc) plan in non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC),and to access the feasibility to modify the target volume during the treatment course.Methods Twenty-one NSCLC patients who had received accelerated hyper-frationation 3DCRT in P2 were included in the study.Both of the P1 and P2 plans were redesigned to a total dose of 70 Gy with V20 smaller than 35%.When the target volume was modified and P2 plan was rede signed using accelerated hyper-frationation 3DCRT of 30 Gy after P1 plan of 40 Gy,the Pc plan was compoun ded by transmitting the parameters(such as target volume,irradiation field and dose) of P1 plan into P2 plan. Total lung volume and target volumes(GTV,PTV) of P1 and P2 were evaluated.MLD,V5,V10,V20 and V30 of P1,P2 and Pc were calculated.Results The total lung volume in P1 and P2 plans was not significantly dif ferent(t = 0.19,P = 0.850).The volumes of GTV,PTV in P2 were obviously smaller than P1 (t = 2.88,P = 0.009 ; t = 4.01 ,P = 0.001) .When comparing P2 with P1 ,MLD were 16.5 Gy Vs 17.8 Gy (t = 2.60, DOI:10.3760/cma.j.issn.1004-4221.2009.01.057 P = 0.017),V30 was significantly decreased (t = 2.19,P = 0.041),but V5,V10 and V20 had no significant difference.Similar differences were found in MLD,V5 ,V10 ,V20 and V30 when comparing Po to P1.P2 plans had significantly smaller MLD,Vs,V10,V20 and V30 than Pc plans.Fourteen patients with decreased PTV were further analyzed.The V30 and MLD decreased significantly (t = 3.00,P = 0.0 I 0;t = 2.38,P = 0.033), but V5 ,V10,V20 had no difference when comparing P1 and P2 plans.Among these 14 patients,the V10 and V30 decreased significantly(t = 2.76,P = 0.033 ; t = 3.60,P = 0.011) when P2 plans were generated using the same field number and beam angles in P1 plans in 7 patients.The parameters were similar in P1and Pc plans,but increased significantly when comparing to P2.Various parameters were the same among P1,P2 and Pc plans when P2 plans were designed using 1-2 different fields and angles in the other 7 patients.The differ ences were not significant between P1 and P2 plans in 7 patients with the same or increased PTV.Expansion or contraction of PTV significantly influenced MLD and V2o (r =-0.62,P = 0.03 ; r = O.48,P = 0.029). Conclusions When the tumor regresses,the high dose volume of the lung decreases with modifying the tar get volume and replanning in the later period using accelerated hyper-frationation 3DCRT.The low dose vol ume of the lung may decrease if the field orientations are same throughout the treatment.It is rational to eval uate the normal lung DVH of the whole plan when the physical parameters of the later period plan are the same as the former one.

Objective To investigate the dosimetric influence of pure carbon fiber treatment tabletop of Elekta Precise new linear accelerator in radiotherapy.Methods Surface-axis distance (SAD) technology was employed for the measurement.Two groups of fields were set and both of them were SAD opposed portals ( one of them went through the tabletop,while the other did not).A PTW electrometer and a 0.6 cm3 Farmer ionization chamber were utilized for comparison measurement.Then dose attenuation of the main table board,extended body board,the extended board for head,neck and shoulders,and the joints of these boards were calculated.Results Under the energy of 6 MV,the dose attenuations of the following locations were:1.4％ - 7.2％ at the main treatment table board; 2.8％ - 38.7％,1.4％ -30.1％,1.5％ -20.8％ and 1.4％ - 11.2％,respectively at distances of 1,4,7 and 8 cm from the joint of the main table board ;0.5％ - 5.0％ at the extended body board; 4.7％ - 15.4％ at distance of 1cm from the joint of the extended body board; 0.5％ -3.3％ at the neck position of the extended board for head,neck and shoulders; 5.3％ - 16.7％ at the shoulder positions; and 6.8％ -30.4％ at the joint between the extended boards and the main table board.Conclusions The dose attenuations of the new linear accelerator pure carbon fiber treatment tabletop vary at different locations. Considerable higher attenuations are observed at the table board joints than other locations.

ObjectiveThis study evaluates the feasibility of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) to treat patients with 1 -5 brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Methods 30 IMRT patients with brain metastases for NSCLC studied retrospectively.Whole brain radiotherapy plus three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (WBRT + 3DCRT) and WBRT plus stereotactic radiotherapy ( WBRT + SRT) plans were generated.Planning target volume ( PTV ) and organs at risk dose were measured and compared by dose volume histogram.Differences were analyzed in the three techniques by Wilcoxon Z -test.Results D99％ of the shoulder ( D99％-D90％ ) from IMRT were higher than from WBRT +3DCRT and WBRT+SRT in all cases.From D15％ of slope (D90％-D10％) to D5％ of tail (D10％ -D1％ ),IMRT were lower than WBRT + 3DCRT and WBRT + SRT ( Z =- 4.72,P =0.000 and Z =- 4.72,P =0.000).D10％ and D5％ of IMRT were (35.1 ±1.42) Gy and (37.7 ±2.91) Gy,WBRT +3DCRT were (36.5±2.86) Gy and ( 39.1 ± 3.56) Gy ;WBRT + SRT were (36.2 ± 2.57) Gy and ( 38.7 ± 3.67) Gy.IMRT vs WBRT+ 3DCRT and WBRT + SRT were significant ( Z=-3.18,-3.18,P=0.001,0.001 and Z=- 4.11,- 3.02,P =0.000,0.002) in 13 patients with 3 - 5 brain metastases.The total mean monitor units were 14756.3,9614.8 and 9043.2 for IMRT,WBRT +3DCRT and WBRT + SRT plans,respectively,with a 38.7％ reduction from IMRT to WBRT + SRT (Z =-4.78,-4.78,P =0.000,0.000).The brain doses around metastases were similar in the three techniques with 1 -2 metastases,but IMRT was the best with 3 -5 metastases.ConclusionsIMRT can advance brain metastases dose and improve the planning target minimum dose and spare the dose around brain metastases.Only IMRT is the best choice for just sparing the dose around brain metastases among 3 -5 brain metastases.

Objective To identify the best technique of postmastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT).Methods Twenty-eight patients with stage Ⅱ or Ⅲ invasive breast cancer were treated with modified radical mastectomy and radiotherapy sequaciously involving the supraclavicular region and the chest wall.Three different techniques were developed for each patient:two tangential conformal fields ( half field) in the chest wall plus supraclavicular intensity modulated radiotherapy (3D-CRT + IMRT),integrated chest wall and supraclavicular IMRT(IMRT),and two tangential conformal fields (half field) in the chest wall plus single field electron beam radiotherapy in the supraclavicular region( 3D-CRT + E).The dose distributions of the target areas and the irradiated volumes of the ipsilateral lung ( V5,V10,V20,and V45)were estimated with the dosage volume histogram (DVH).The dosage prescription was 50.4 Gy (1.8 Gy × 28 f).Results The conformity index (CI) of the 3D-CRT + IMRT group was (0.61 ± 0.03),not different from that of the IMRT [ (0.62 ±0.03),q =2.16,P ＞0.05],and the CI levels of these 2 groups were both higher than that of the 3D-CRT + E group [ (0.44 ± 0.02 ),q =20.50,22.66,P ＜0.01 ].The heterogeneity index (HI) of the 3D-CRT + IMRT group was ( 1.17 ±0.02),not different from that of the IMRT [ (1.15 ±0.02),q =1.66,P ＞0.05],and the HI levels of these 2 groups were both lower than that of the 3D-CRT + E group[ ( 1.24 ±0.04),q =3.91,5.58,P ＜0.01 ].The levels of V5 and V10 of the ipsilateral lungs of the 3D-CRT + E group(48.70％ ±3.24％,38％.56％ ±3.70％ ) and 3D-CRT + IMRT group (49.12％ ±3.03％,38.38％ ± 3.56％ ) were all significantly lower than those of the IMRTgroup [(77.18％ ±8.01％,53.07％ ±6.85％),V5,q =20.35,20.05,P＜0.01; V10,q=12.10,12.24,P ＜0.01 ] and there were not significant differences in the V5 and V10 levels between the 3D-CRT + E and 3D-CRT + IMRT groups ( q =0.30,0.14,P ＞ 0.05 ).The levels of V20 of the ipsilateral lungs of the 3D-CRT + IMRT group (26.57％ ±2.51％ )and IMRT group (25.22％ ±2.77％) were all significantly lower that those of the 3D-CRT + E group [ (31.79％ ± 3.00％ ),q =5.27,8.21,P ＜ 0.01 ]and there were not significant differences in the V20 level between the 3D-CRT + IMRT and IMRT groups (q=2.76,P ＞ 0.05 ).There were not significant differences in the V45 levels among these 3 groups (F =0.69,P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions The 3D-CRT + IMRT technique in PMRT effectively reduces the radiated dose on the ipsilateral lung.

Objective: Vascular dilation dysfunction has been linked with risk of cardiovascular disease. This study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between physical activity and vascular dilation function in healthy middle-aged adults to help explaining the effect of physical activity on preventing cardiovascular disease. Method: We recruited 91 healthy middle-aged adults to complete a serf-report 7-day physical activity recall questionnaire and an exam of brachial artery flow-mediated dilation(FMD) and Nitroglycerin-mediated dilation (NMD) detected by ultrasound. The relationship between physical activity level (PAL) and FMD and NMD were explored. Result: Physical activity showed a significant and positive relationship with the brachial artery FMD, even after adjustment for possible confounding factors (r=0.363, P<0.01). The group of high physical activity level had the highest FMD. The means of FMD (%) in low, moderate and high PAL groups were respectively 8.70%±3.93%,9.01%±3.22% and 12.38±5.67% with significant difference between individuals of low and high PAL and between moderate and high PAL group(P<0.01). The means of NMD (%) is 25.13%±6.52%,24.38%±5.44% and 29.50%±7.25% respectively (P> 0.05) and there was no significant difference among three groups. There was no positive relation between PAL and FMD in premenopausal females but in men and postmenopausal females. Although individuals of high PAL have the best FMD, the moderate PAL can also retard FMD decrease with ageing. Conclusion: Maintaining high physical activity level can enhance endothelial-dependent vascular dilation, and moderate or high physical activity level can prevent endothelial-dependent vaseular dilation declining with aging, which may contribute to decrease risk of cardiovascular disease in healthy middle-aged adults.

OBJECTIVENasal operation and/or H-uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) was performed for obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) patients with both oral pharynx and nasal obstruction, results analyzed.

METHODSPatients were divided into group A (46 cases) and group B (42 case) randomly. Nasal procedures were: septoplasty, radiofrequency reduction of inferior turbinate, adenoidectomy and functional endoscopic operation. Cases in group A had nasal operation first, while cases in group B first had UPPP. All patients had sleep study with polysomnography (PSG) 2 and 12 months after each operation. Those who failed to reach the criteria of being effective after first surgery (defined as a 25% reduction in baseline apnea hypopnea index (AHI) received second phase operation (nasal operation for group B and UPPP for group A). The response rates were compared between the two groups after each phase of operation.

RESULTSIn group A, the phase one operation were effective in 44.0% (11/25) for the mild degree OSAHS patients (defined as AHI < 20/h), according to the sleep study performed 2 months after surgery, and no recurrence after one-year. All moderate ones (defined as 20/h < AHI < 40/h) responded poorly to nasal operation. The overall response rate was 23.9% (11/46). Non-responses (35 cases) in group A underwent UPPP and the response rate to it was 85.7% (30/35) in one year. In group B, UPPP operation was effective in 63.6% (14/22) mild cases and 30.0% (6/20) moderate cases in 2 months but 4 cases had recurrence in one year. Twenty-two cases underwent the second phase operation of nose and the response rate was 86.4% (19/22) in one year. There was no statistical significance on the overall response rate between group A and B (89.1% vs 83.3%, P > 0.05). While there was statistical significance of response rate between those patients who had only one operation and those who had both surgeries (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe combination of nasal procedures and UPPP is effective a for OSAHS patient with nasal diseases especially in mild and moderate cases.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nose ; surgery ; Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Palate, Soft ; surgery ; Pharynx ; surgery ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Uvula ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo study the pathogenesis of the pain of discography and the discogenic low back pain.

METHODS19 specimens of lumbar intervertebral discs from 17 patients with discogenic low back pain during posterior lumbar interbody fusion, and 12 physiologically aging discs and 10 normal control discs were collected to investigate the morphologic features and innervation containing neuropeptides substance P (SP), neural filament (NF), and vasoactive-intestinal peptide (VIP).

RESULTSThe distinct morphologic characteristic of the disc from the patient with discogenic low back pain was the formation of the strip zone of vascularized granulation tissue from the nucleus pulposus to the outer part of the annulus fibrosus in which there was one or several fissures. The structure of annulus fibrosus beyond the strip zone of granulation tissue was basically normal. The structures of the aging discs and the control discs showed the age-related changes. The innervation of SP, NF and VIP immunoreactive nerve fibers in the painful discs was more extensive compared with the aging discs and the control discs. The nerve in growth deep into annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus was observed mainly along the strip zone of granulation tissue in the painful discs.

CONCLUSIONSFindings indicate that the strip zone of granulation tissue with extensive innervation in the posterior part of the painful disc is the original site of the pain of discography and the discogenic low back pain. The strip zone of granulation tissue might originate from the injury and subsequent reparation of the margin of annulus fibrosus. The difference of the aging disc and painful disc which can not be differed each other on MRI is the formation of the strip zone of granulation tissue along tear histologically in posterior part of the painful disc.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; chemistry ; innervation ; pathology ; Low Back Pain ; etiology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neurofilament Proteins ; analysis ; Substance P ; analysis ; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide ; analysis

AIMTo study the biliary excretion of genistein and its metabolite at different doses in rats.

METHODSSuspended in 0.5% CMC-Na solution, genistein was orally administered to rats at the dose of 6.25, 12.5 and 50 mg x kg(-1), separately. At various time intervals, the bile was collected. The bile was treated with beta-glucuronidase. The genistein in bile was extracted twice by vortexing with 2.0 mL mixture of methyl tert-tubtyl ether and pentane (8:2). The organic phase was removed into the tubes and then evaporated in ventilation cabinet. The residue was dissolved in 50 microL of methanol. Twenty microL solution was drawn and detected by high-performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTSThe accumulative biliary excretion of genistein was (42.56 +/- 6.54) , (75.17 +/- 18.87) and (126.60 +/- 34.78) microg at the dose of 6.25, 12.5 and 50 mg x kg(-1), respectively. The total drug (genistein plus glucuronidated genistein) excreted from bile was (108.46 +/- 35.23), (423.46 +/- 158.31) and ( 853.74 +/- 320. 84) microg, and the ratio of glucuronidated genistein was 60.76% , 82.25% and 85.17% at the dose of 6.25, 12.5 and 50 mg x kg(-1), respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe genistein was excreted mainly in the form of glucuronidated genistein in rat bile. The genistein and glucuronidated genistein were excreted in a nonlinear dose-dependent manner.

Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Bile ; metabolism ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Genistein ; chemistry ; metabolism ; pharmacokinetics ; Male ; Molecular Structure ; Phytoestrogens ; administration & dosage ; metabolism ; pharmacokinetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo observe the anti-renal fibrosis effect of Paidu Baoshen Pill (PBP) on 5/6 nephrectomized rats and to explore its mechanism.

METHODSTotally 50 SD male healthy rats were randomly divided into the normal control group (n = 10), the sham-operation group (n = 10), and the nephrectomy model group (n = 30) according to the proportion of 1:1:3. Rats in the sham-operation group had their renal capsule isolated without nephrectomy. Rats in the nephrectomy model group had their kidneys 5/6 nephrectomized. Then 24 h urine was collected and 24 h urinary protein (24 h UP) detected. Serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatitine (SCr) were also tested. According to the SCr level 30 rats of the model group were further randomly divided into the model group, the PBP group, and the Niaoduqing Granule (NG) group, 10 in each group. Rats in the PBP group and the NG group were respectively administered with PBP (at the daily dose of 1.0 g/kg) and NG (at the daily dose of 3.33 g/kg) by gastrogavage (they were dissolved in distilled water). At the same time, 2 mL distilled water was administered by gastrogavage to rats in the normal control group, the sham-operation group, and the nephrectomy model group, once daily for 4 successive weeks. Mental conditions, activities, hair color, shape of stool, and the body weight were observed during administration. After 4 weeks, urine was collected to detect 24 h UP. Blood was sampled to detect SCr, BUN, transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), type III procollagen (PC III), collagen type IV (Col IV), laminin (LN), and fibronectin (FN). After rats were killed, their left remnant renal tissues were collected for pathological examinations. The protein expression quantity of TGF-β1 and FN was detected by immunohistochemical method. mRNA expression levels of TGF-β1 and FN were detected using real time fluorescent quantitative PCR.

RESULTSThere was no statistical difference in the above indices between the normal control group and the sham-operation group (P > 0.05). Compared with the sham-operation group, rats' general condition was poorer in the model group, their body weight grew slower, and 24 h UP increased; serum levels of BUN, SCr, TGF-β1, PC III, Col IV, LN, and FN increased; the residual renal pathological lesion was serious; expression levels of TGF-β1, TGF-β1, mRNA, FN, and FN mRNA increased in the renal tissue (all P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, rats' general condition was better, their body weight grew faster, 24 h UP reduced (P < 0.05), blood levels of BUN and SCr decreased significantly (P < 0.01), serum levels of TGF-β1, PC III, CoL IV, LN, and FN decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); the residual renal pathological lesion was attenuated in the PBP group and the NG group; expression levels of TGF-β1, TGF-β1, mRNA, FN, and FN mRNA decreased (P < 0.01). Compared with the NG group, blood levels of SCr and FN, and expression levels of FN and FN mRNA decreased more in the PBP group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPBP had the effect of anti-renal fibro- sis in 5/6 nephrectomized rats. Down-regulating expression levels of TGF-β1, and FN from gene transcription and protein translation levels might be one of its mechanisms.

Animals ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Collagen Type IV ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Fibronectins ; Kidney ; Kidney Diseases ; drug therapy ; Laminin ; Male ; Nephrectomy ; Rats ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1

Objective:To evaluate effects of Bushen Jianpi Recipe ( BSJP) on restoring of T cell exhaustion induced by persistent tuberculosis antigens in mice.Methods:The C57BL/6 mice were primed with BCG(5×106 CFU)and boosted with 20μg of Mycobacterium bovis BCG Purified Protein Derivative ( PPD ) once a week and lasted for 16 times to induce T cell exhaustion that happened in late stage of tuberculosis .BSJP was used to treat the mice with immune exhaustion for 3 weeks.Flow Cytometry was used to detect the numbers of CD 4+and CD8+T cells and PD-1 expression.ELISA was used to detect IL-2 and IFN-γsecretion.Bacteria load in lung tissue following BCG challeng was used to detect the protective capability of mice models .Results: Compared with the transient antigen stimulation group,the persistent antigen stimulation group had lower level of IFN-γand IL-2 secretions(P<0.01).The numbers of CD4+and CD8+T cells decreased and the level of inhibitory receptor PD-1 got higher(P<0.01).The protective efficacy against BCG challenging decreased ( P<0.01 ) .After treatment with BSJP , the production of cytokines IFN-γand IL-2 increased ( P<0.01 );the numbers of CD4+and CD8+T cells increased and PD-1 expression level on CD4+T cells decreased(P<0.01);the protective efficacy against BCG challenge increased (P<0.01).The results showed that BSJP can reduce the PD-1 expression,improve the IL-2 and IFN-γsecretion,and increase the protection against BCG challenge .Conclusion:Bushen Jianpi Recipe can restore T cell exhaustion induced by persistent tuberculosis antigen stimulation in mice , which gives a hope to overcome T cell exhaustion in tuberculosis with Chinese herbal in clinic.