Objective To explore six-degree-of-freedom (6-DF) registration methods between planning and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) during image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) in esophageal cancer.Methods Thirty pairs of CBCT images acquired before radiation and the corresponding planning computed tomography (CT) images of esophageal cancer were selected for further investigation.Registration markers for 6-DF image registration were determined and contoured in those images.The results of registration as well as time cost were compared among different registration methods of bone match, gray value match, manual match, and bone plus manual match.Results Contouring bone and spinal canal posterior to the target volume of esophageal carcinoma as registration marker could make 6-DF registration quick and precise.Compared with manual match, set-up errors of v rotation in bone plus manual match (-0.55° vs.-0.88°, t=2.55, P=0.020), of x-axis and v rotation in bone match (0.12 mm vs.-2.33 mm, t=5.75, P=0.000; -0.35° vs.-0.88°, t=3.00, P=0.007), and of x-axis and w rotation in gray value match (7.20 mm vs.-2.33 mm, t=3.10, P=0.006; -0.10° vs.-0.59°, t=2.81, P =0.011) were significantly different.Compared with manual match, the coincidence rate of bone plus manual match was the highest (85.55%), followed by bone match and gray value match (74.45% and 74.45%).The time cost of each registration method from longest to shortest was:6.00 -10.00 minutes for manual match, 1.00 - 5.00 minutes for bone plus manual match, 0.75 - 1.50 minutes for gray value match, and 0.50 - 0.83 minutes for bone match.Conclusions Registration marker is useful for image registration of CBCT and planning CT in patients with esophageal cancer.Bone plus manual match may be the best registration method considering both registration time and accuracy.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of immediate quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) analysis in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods The parameters of QCA and conventional methods before and after PCI were compared and statistics was performed by using t test or ANOVA methods. Results One hundred and two patients were enrolled in our study. Significant differences between QCA and conventional methods were found in evaluation of lesion length [ ( 22.9 ± 8.9 ) mm vs (24. 8 ± 10. 6) mm,t = 9. 63, P < 0. 05 ], stenosis diameter [ (3.0 ± 0.4 ) mm vs (2. 9 ± 0. 7) mm, t = 6. 31, P < 0. 05 ] and stenosis area [ ( 87. 8 ± 10. 7 ) mm2 vs ( 85.0 ± 12.9 ) mm2, t = 2. 54, P < 0.05 ], and also in different vessels. Stenosis diameter and stenosis area after stenting in target lesion were lower than the international standards. Conclusion Immediate QCA analysis can be effective in directing stent implantation.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of actovegin against acute oral mucositis through a randomized controlled multicenter trial for nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC) patients treated by chemo-radiotherapy. Methods From February 2006 to May 2007,a total of 161 patients with newly diagnosed stage Ⅱ-ⅣA(1992 Fuzhou Stage) NPC were randomly assigned to the prevention group,the treatment group and the control group. All patients received current chemo-radiotherapy ± neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Radiation technique and dose were similar among the three groups. Intravenous infusion of aeovegin was started when radiation started in the prevention group and when grade 2 mueositis occurred in the treatment group,which was given 30 ml daily ,5 times per week until the end of radiotherapy. Criteria of NCI CTC 2.0 and VRS were used to evaluate acute oral mueositis and pain degree,respectively. Results 154 patients were eligible for the efficacy analysis,including 49 in the prevention group,53 in the treatment group and 52 in the control group. In the prevention group and the control group, the incidence was 31% and 56% (P=0.011) for grade 3-4 mucositis,59% and 83% (P=0.009) for grade 2-3 pain. In the treatment group and the control group,the corresponding number was 38% and 60% (P=0.023) ,70% and 90%, (P=0.014). The prevention group had a lower incidence(P=0.021) and longer average interval(P=0.009) of grade 2 mucositis when comparing with the control group. No drug-related adverse event was observed. Conclusions Prophylactic or therapeutic use of actovegin by intravenous infusion can significantly reduce the severity of ehemo-radiotherapy induced oral mucositis and pain. The prophylactic use may also postpone and decrease the incidence of grade 2 mucositis,which deserves clinic application.

Objective To evaluate the safety of cetuximab combined with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) plus concurrent cisplatin chemotherapy in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in a Chinese multicenter clinical study.MethodsFrom July 2008 to April 2009,100Patients with primary stage Ⅲ- Ⅳb non-keratinizing NPC were enrolled.The planned dose of IMRT to gross tumor volume and positive cervical lymph nodes was 66.0-75.9 Gy and 60-70 Gy in 30-33 fractions.Cisplatin (80 mg/m2,q3 week (w)) and cetuximab (400 mg/m2 one w before radiation,and then 250mg/m2 per w) were given concurrently.The adverse events (AEs) were graded according to common terminology criteria for adverse events v3.0.ResultsThe compliance of the entire group of patient was satisfactory.Actual median dose to gross tumor volume was 69.96 Gy,and the median dose to positive cervical lymph nodes was 68 Gy.Median dose of cisplatin was 133 mg,median first-dose of cetuximab was 690 mg,and median weekly dose was 410 mg.AEs were well tolerated and manageable,mainly consisting of acneiform skin eruptions,dermatitis and mucositis.Grade 4 mucositis was observed in 2％ of the patients and no other grade 4 AEs were observed.ConclusionsThe combined treatment modality of IMRT +concurrent chemotherapy + cetuximab in loco-regionally advanced NPC is well tolerated.

Objective:To explore the relationship between the Spike and the Gamma rhythm of the local field potential (LFP) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) transgenic mice during fear memory activity.Methods:Six-month-old APP/PS1/tau three transgenic (3xTg) mice and wild-type (WT) mice were divided into 3xTg group and WT group, with 10 mice in each group. The electrodes were embedded into the hippocampus of mice under sterile conditions, and the behavioral experiment of conditioned fear box test was carried out two weeks later. The changes of Gamma rhythm, Spike and Burst firing were recorded and analyzed by the wireless telemetry device which embedded in the mouse head. Finally, the correlation between Gamma rhythm and Spike was calculated by entropy value.Results:(1) In behavioral experiments, the freezing ratio caused by conditioned stimulation (CS) in 3xTg mice was ((54.07±2.32)%), which was significantly lower than that of WT mice ((76.21±2.88)%) ( t=4.796, P<0.01). (2) Simultaneously recorded the average power of the Gamma oscillation in the Pre-CS period of the WT mice was ((11.574±1.147) dB), which increased to ((18.108±1.177) dB) after CS ( t=3.386, P<0.01). After CS administration, the average power of Gamma in 3xTg group((12.346±1.345) dB) was significantly lower than that of WT group ( t=3.423, P<0.01). (3) The frequency of Spike release in WT mice during the Pre-CS period was ((5.667±1.475)times/s), significantly increased to ((11.008±1.335) times/s) after CS ( t=3.542, P<0.01). The frequency of Spike release of 3xTg mice after CS ((5.249±1.033) times/s) was significantly lower than that of WT group ( t=4.788, P<0.01). (4) The Burst duration of WT group in pre-CS and CS period were ((0.550±0.043)s) and ((1.075±0.034)s), respectively. It suggested that the Burst firing frequency of WT group increased significantly after conditional stimulation ( t=5.188, P<0.01). However, the release interval of 3xTg group after CS ((0.619±0.033)s) was significantly lower than that of WT group ( t=3.352, P<0.01). (5) After CS, the Spike-Gamma entropy curve of WT mice was always higher than that of 3xTg mice. The maximum correlation of WT group and 3xTG group were (0.403±0.031) and (0.314±0.028), respectively. The Spike-Gamma correlation of the 3xTg group was significantly lower than WT mice ( t=3.372, P<0.01). Conclusion:The defect of fear memory in Alzheimer's disease may be caused by the disharmony of Spike-LFP (Gamma) distribution.