Objective Thymic epithelial tumors(TET) consist of thymoma and thymic carcinoma. The purpose of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value of 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) coinci-dence SPECT imaging in TET. Methods 18 F-FDG coincidence SPECT images of 37 TET patients ( male 16, female 21, age range 24-82 years; mean age 55 years) were retrospectively analyzed according to the simplified WHO histological classification: high survival thymoma (types A, AB and B1 ), median survival thymoma (types B2 and B3 ), and low survival thymoma (thymic carcinoma). Qualitative visual interpreta-tion was based on foci of18F-FDG uptake'higher than that of normal mediastinum. Turnour/lung radioactivity ratio (TLR) was calculated from the counts of region of interest (ROI) drawn around the mass and over a comparable area of normal lung tissue in TET patients. The distribution of18F-FDG uptake was compared with the enhanced CT findings. TLR was also correlated with the Ki67-1abeling index. Statistical comparison for TLR in different groups were performed with variance analysis. Results Thirty-four TET were positive and 3 negative ( A, A, AB) by 18 F-FDG coincidence SPECT images. The differences among the 3 sub-groups were statistically significant (F=9.99,P<0.05). The TLR of these 3 subgroups was variable: 1.42±0.27, 2.13±0.74, 3.00±1.19, respectively. A close correlation (r=0.613, P=0.002) of the TLR with the Ki67 labeling index (n= 22) was found. In addition, 18 F-FDG coincidence SPECT detected two metastases ( anterior chest wall and right supraclavicular fossa lymph node) that were not identified on enhanced CT. Conclusions 18 F-FDG coincidence SPECT is useful in differentiating subgroups of thymic epithelial tumors and in identifying more invasive thymic lesions.18 F-FDG may be a novel tracer that ena-bles in vivo evaluation of cellular proliferation in human TET.

AIM　To analyze the effects of endomorphins (EMs) and their analogs (［D-Pro2］EM-1, ［D-Ala2］EM-1, ［D-Pro2］EM-2 and ［D-Ala2］EM-2) on the cardiovascular system of anesthetized rats and to study its mechanism. METHODS　Responses to EMs and their analogs were investigated in the systemic vascular bed of rats and the mesenteric microarteria of Bufo gargarizans. Responses to EMs were investigated on the hindquarters of the rat vascular bed under constant-flow conditions and on the isolated rabbit thoracic aorta strips. RESULTS　The EMs and their analogs showed dose-related (10-9-10-6 mol*L-1, iv) and naloxone-sensitive (2 mg*kg-1, iv) hypotension in mean arterial pressure of rats with similar duration and vasodilatation in mesenteric microarteria of Bufo gargarizans. The sequence of potencies was EMs > ［D-Pro2］EM-2 > ［D-Ala2］EM-2 > ［D-Ala2］EM-1 > ［D-Pro2］EM-1. EMs were shown not to relax the isolated rabbit thoracic aorta strips without endothelium. EMs, however, relaxed them with endothelium significantly. This action was blocked by Nx (10-5 mol*L-1) and L-NNA (10-4 mol*L-1). CONCLUSION　The significant hypotensive activity of EMs and their analogs is mainly associated with their vasodilatation, which is related to the release of NO from vascular endothelium, and their potency is not completely related to their affinity for μ-opiate receptor.

Objective To investigate the role of AGE-RAGE system on intimal hyperplasia in autogenous vein graft of diabetic rats.Methods The experiments were performed on 40 male Sprague-Dawley rats which divided into two groups:diabetes group and control group.Autogenous vein graft model was established in all rats.Specimens were harvested 7 days and 14 days after surgery for histological examination,and RAGE,NF-?B p65 and VCAM-1mRNA were measured by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-PCR.Western Blotting and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the protein expression of RAGE,NF-?B p65 and VCAM-1.At the same time,the levels of serum AGE were tested.Results Compared with non-diabetic rats of control group,the intimal hyperplasia of vein graft in diabetic rats obviously increased(P

BACKGROUND:Biological dressing A (porcine Xenoderm) and Physiotule Ag (Coloplast) show good effects on the absorption of exudates, adhesion and anti-bacteria in treatment of degree Ⅱ facial burns. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effectiveness of biological dressing Aversus Physiotule Ag after early debridement of degree Ⅱ facial burns. METHODS:A total of 15 patients with superficial degree Ⅱ facial burn and 10 patients with deep degree Ⅱ facial burns were included. Symmetric facial area of the same patient with the same depth of burn was divided into two parts of same size for treatments. One side was randomly selected as the experimental side, and treated with biological dressing A. The other was selected as the control side and treated with Physiotule Ag. We compared wound healing time, infection, times of changing dressings, skin after healing, drug change comfort and dressing comfort between the two sides. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In patients with superficial grade Ⅱ facial burn, times of changing dressings and drug change comfort were better in the experimental side than in the control side (P < 0.05), but the dressing comfort was better in the control side than the experimental side (P< 0.05). No significant difference in wound healing time, infection and skin after healing was detected between the two sides. In patients with deep degree Ⅱ facial burns, wound healing time, times of changing dressings, skin after healing and drug change comfort were better in the experimental side than in the control side (P < 0.05), but the dressing comfort was better in the control side than the experimental side (P< 0.05). No significant difference in infection was detectable between the two sides. Above findings suggested that the therapeutic effects of biological dressing A and Physiotule Ag were similar in treatment of degree Ⅱ facial burns. Biological dressing A in repair of deep degree Ⅱ facial burns promotes the wound healing andelevates the quality of healing.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and side effects of radioactive seed implantation in the treatment of non-surgical early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) based on CT guidance combined with template.Methods Twenty-one patients with inoperable T1 2N0M0 NSCLC who underwent CT-guided radioactive seed implantation therapy were retrospectively analyzed from December 2010 to October 2016 in the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University.All patients were diagnosed by histopathology.All seeds,with the activity of 18.5-29.6 MBq and prescription dose of 120-160 Gy,were completed in an operation of the radioactive seed implantation.The preoperative and postoperative TPS treatment plans and quality verification were corducted.In addition,the local control rate of tumors,overall survival (OS),progression free survival time (PFS),satisfaction rate of dose validation and adverse reactions were evaluated.Results The median follow-up was 25.1 months (range 4.4-72.7months).The local control rate of primary tumor in 1-,2-and 3-year was 100％,95.2％ and 95.2％,respectively.Of all patients,the median OS was 48 months with the median PFS 43.4 months.In particular,the 1-,2-and 3-year survival rate was 100％,91.7％ and 72.9％,respectively.Moreover,the rate of 3-year PFS was 70.2％ and the satisfactory rate of postoperative quahty verification was 100％.The treatment-related adverse events included pneumothorax,bronchial hemorrhage,pleural effusion,cough,pulmonary fibrosis and seed shifts.In all,7 (33.3％) patients had grade 1 adverse events and 4 (19％) patients with grade 2,but no grade 3 adverse event.Conclusions CT and template-guided radioactive seed implantation in NSCLC with T1 2 N0 M0 has a high tumor local control rate and low treatment-related adverse reactions,suggesting that it might provide an alternative way for the treatment of inoperable early stage NSCLC.

Objective To investigate thc clinical effect of midazolam in CT-guided 125I seed implantation.Methods Totally 86 patients who underwent CT-guided radioactive 125I seed implantation were collected from December 2015 to February 2017 in the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University and randomly divided into two groups:the test group and the control group.The test group was given intravenous infusion of midazolam and local anesthesia of lidocaine while the control group were given the same amount of saline and lidocaine.The changes of heart rate (HR),mean arterial pressure (MAP),respiration (RR) and oxygen saturation (SpO2) were observed and compared between the two groups at 15 min before the midazolam(T0),15 min after the midazolam (T1),15 min after lidocaine local anesthesia (T2),the moments the lesion was punctured (T3),and after implantation of the seeds (T4) and the end of the operation (T5),respectively.In addition,the body reaction,operation time,the amount of lidocaine,the effect of analgesic and adverse reactions were also observed.Results The levels of HR,MAP,RR and SpO2 in test group were significantly lower than those in control group (t =38.9,31.0,14.1,2.4,P ＜0.05),but there was no significant difference at T1,T2,T3,T4 and T5(P ＞0.05).In control group,HR,MAP and RR were significantly higher than those before operation (t =-23.6,-18.0,-9.5,P＜0.05).The difference ofHR,MAP,RR and SpO2 among T1,T2,T3,T4 and T5 was statistically significant (F =997.3,833.7,120.1,77.5,P ＜ 0.05).In addition,the incidence of adverse reactions was both less in the two groups,and the incidence of response of patients,operation time,the amount of lidocaine and other indicators and analgesic effect in the test group were superior to the control group (-15.4,9.2,-56.3,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Midazolam in CT-guided 125I particle implantation can improve the patient's tolerance and shorten the operation time,guarantec security.

Objective To explore the safety,effectivity and dosimetric continence of 3D-printing coplanar template(3D-PCT)combined with CT-guided 125I seed implantation in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).Methods From May 2014 to November 2016,a total of 20 NSCLC patients who were suitable for 125I seed implantation were recruited in this study.Of all the patients,10 received 125I seed implantation treatment by CT-guided combined with 3D-PCT (3D group),and the rest,by freehand puncture combined with CT-guided 125I seed implantation (free-hand group).During two days before the surgery,the patients received the CT scan.Then the digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) was collected to input to the Brachytherapy Treatment Planning System (BTPS).The dose parameters including D90,D100,V100,V150,conformal index(CI),external index(EI),and homogneneity index(HI) were compared between pre-operation and post-operation.Pair t-test and single sample t-test were performed.Results V150 in 3D group between preoperation and postoperation showed statistically significant difference (t =-2.916,P ＜ 0.05),and there was no significant difference in the rest parameters(P ＞ 0.05).However,the number of seeds,V100,EI,HI in free-hand group between preoperation and postoperation showed statistically significant difference (t =-2.516,2.492,4.725,7.258,P ＜0.05),and there was no significant difference in the rest parameters(P ＞0.05).Comparison of indicuted that there was significant difference in V100,V150,CI,EI,HI and dose error rate between the 3D group and the free-hand group with single sample t test,the result showed V100,CI,EI,HI between two groups(t =2.598,2.278,4.637,4.616,-4.785,P ＜0.05),and there was no significant difference in V150 (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions CT-guided 125I seed implantation brachytherapy combined with 3D-PCT for treatment of NSCLC safe is feasible,and dose controllable,and there is a certain advantage in the spatial distribution of seed compared with free-hand puncture.

Objective:To explore the value of digital information line mark coplanar template (also referred to as the line mark template) in 125I radioactive seed implantation for the treatment of lung cancers. Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted for 58 cases of lung cancers who were treated with template-assisted seed implantation in Oncology Department of the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University from Aug 2017 to May 2019.Line mark templates were adopted for 30 cases (the line mark template group) and general standard coplanar templates (also referred to as the general template) were used for 28 cases (the general template group). Pre-plan and post-implant parameters were compared, including the minimum prescription dose delivered to 90% of target volume ( D90), minimum peripheral dose (MPD), mean percentages of volume receiving 100%, 150% and 200% of the prescription doses ( V100, V150 and V200), external index (EI), conformity index (CI), and homogeneity index (HI) of target volume.The operation duration was also compared between the two groups. Results:There was no statistical difference between pre-plan and post-implant D90, MPD, V100, V150 and V200 in the line mark template group ( P>0.05). There was also no statistical difference between pre-plan and post-implant D90, MPD, V100, V150 and V200 of the general template group ( P>0.05). The operation duration of the line mark template group and the general template group was (44.3±12.4) and (60.0±12.8) min, respectively ( t=-3.03, P<0.05). Conclusions:The use of template-assisted seed implantation can accurately achieve preoperative planning, while the line mark template shortens the operation duration and thus improves the tolerance of patients.

Objective:To evaluate the pre- and post-implantation dosimetric consistency and efficacy of CT-guided 125I radioactive seed implantation for the treatment of the local recurrence of lung cancers under the assistance of a universal coplanar template (also referred to as the universal template). Methods:This study involved 38 patients with a local recurrence of non-small cell lung cancers who received universal template-assisted 125I radioactive seed implantation in the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University from Jan 2009 to Dec 2015.Preoperative planning was carried out before implantation, and the prescription dose was 110 Gy.The paired T-test was adopted for cooperation between intraoperative verification result and pre-plan values of the dosimetric parameters including minimum peripheral dose (MPD), the minimum prescription doses delivered to 90% and 100% of the target volume ( D90 and D100), conformity index (CI), external index (EI), and homogeneity index (HI). The efficacy was evaluated at the 6th month after implantation according to the RECIST 1.1 (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors). Results:All patients successively received the seed implantation.The pre-plan and post-implant dosimetric parameters were as follows: MPD (222.7±26.2), (227.74±29.8) Gy; D90(130.8±13.6), (134.8±12.8) Gy; D100 (106.4±10.6), (110.7±11.8) Gy, CI ( 0.75±0.06), (0.74±0.04), EI(22.7±5.8)%, (24.3±4.8)%; HI(36.8±4.7)%, (37.2±5.3)%, the mean irradiation dose of hearts (19.3±7.2), (21.3±6.8) Gy( P> 0.05). The median follow-up period was 22.5 months (8-98 months). The median survival was 21 months (95% CI, 7.4-34.6), and the 2-year overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and local control (LC) rate were 47.4%, 39.5%, and 83.5%, respectively. Conclusions:The universal template-assisted and CT-guided 125I radioactive seed implantation in the treatment of postoperative local recurrence of non-small cell lung cancers can achieve the goal of the preoperative TPS planning during the operation and achieve good efficacy.It is a minimally invasive, accurate, safe and effective therapy.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of CT- and bronchoscopy-guided 125I seed implantation in the treatment of central lung cancer complicated with atelectasis. Methods:Retrospective analysis was conducted on twenty-nine patients who were treated from May 2016 to Oct 2019 in the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University for central non-small-cell lung carcinoma complicated with pulmonary atelectasis that was inoperable due to medical reasons. 125I seeds were implanted into the trachea under the guidance of bronchoscopy first.The 125I seeds were then implanted into the hilum of the lungs by percutaneous puncture under the guidance of the CT and template.The seed activity was 18.5-29.6 MBq, and the prescription dose was 120 Gy.TPS planning and quality verification were performed before and after the operations.The rate of atelectasis recanalization, the satisfactory rate of dose verification, the improvement of dyspnea index, the survival time, and the adverse events during and after operation were observed. Results:All 29 patients with lung cancer complicated with atelectasis successfully completed the seed implantation, and the satisfactory rate of quality verification was 93.1%.The rate of atelectasis recanalization at 2, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months was 93.1%, 89.7%, 78.6%, 76.2%, and 60%, respectively.Their dyspnea and anoxia symptoms were significantly relieved in 5-28 months after treatment.The results showed that the patients′ dyspnea index was 2.8-0.8 before treatment and 1.4-0.9 after treatment.The median follow-up period was 20 months and median survival was 21 months.Adverse events associated with the radiation therapy included pneumothorax, hemoptysis, cough, fever, and particle displacement.No level-3 or more serious adverse events occurred.Conclusions:The CT- and bronchoscopy-guided 125I seed implantation is a safe and effective therapy option for the treatment of central non-small-cell lung carcinoma associated with atelectasis.It contributes to a high rate of local recanalization, and can rapidly improve clinical conditions and quality of life of the patients with few adverse reactions.