Objective To investigate the role of self-made auxiliary device in pelvic tumor radiotherapy with phantom immobilization using Varian cone-beam CT (CBCT).Methods A total of 50 patients with pelvic tumor were enrolled and randomly divided into study group and control group according to the order of enrollment.The patients in the study group were immobilized with thermoplastic phantom and self-made auxiliary device,and those in the control group were immobilized with thermoplastic phantom.CBCT scan and online matching were regularly performed before radiotherapy to obtain the setup errors of the left-right (x),cranial-caudal (y),and anterior-posterior (z) directions.The independent-samples t-test was used for comparison between groups.Results The set-up errors in the x-,y-,and z-directions in the study group were 1.56± 1.00 mm,1.60± 1.29 mm,and 1.36± 1.00 mm,respectively,and those in the control group were 1.76±1.33 mm,2.76±1.69 mm,and 1.92±0.91 mm,respectively (P=0.551,0.009,and 0.043).Conclusions Self-made auxiliary device helps to eliminate the errors in the cranial-caudal direction and solve the problem of involuntary activities of the lower limbs.

Objective To analyze the key factors influencing the number of diseases or conditions in which clinical pathways ( CPs) were implemented at public hospitals of China. Methods Based on the questionnaire survey of 51 public hospitals that had implemented CPs in Shanghai, Hubei province, and Gansu province, a multivariate logistic model was used to analyze the factors that influenced the number of CPs implemented in hospitals. Results In terms of the 14 issues and difficulties found in CPs′implementation, the overall acceptance rate was 38. 8% on average among surveyed hospitals, yet with a great variation(from 7. 1% to 100. 0%). A multivariate logistic model showed that the recognition of public hospitals on the issues and difficulties in CPs′implementation did not affect the number of implemented CPs, and tertiary public hospitals had significantly higher number of CPs implemented than secondary hospitals. Conclusions The resources and management capabilities of public hospitals in China are the determinants of CPs′promotion.

Objective To investigate the clinicopathological features,diagnosis,treatment,prognosis and causative agent of a case of eumycetoma on the submaxilla.Methods A case of eumycetoma diagnosed in our department was assessed for its clinical and pathological features as well as mycologic and molecular identification.Related literature was reviewed.Results The patient was primarily characterized by swelling of the submaxilla,with multiple sinuses draining many black granules.Pathologic examination revealed a pyogenic granulomatous inflammation,and a number of lotus rhizome node-like hypha were observed in tissue samples through PAS staining.Sequence analysis of multiple loci of the isolates,including ITS 1,ITS2 and D1/D2,showed that it was mostly similar to Madurella mycetomatis with a homology of 97%.Conclusion This is a case ofeumycetoma on the submaxilla induced by a novel species of Madurella.

Objective To investigate the role of forehead dot marking in immobilization during radiotherapy for brain tumors.Methods A total of 84 patients with brain tumors were immobilized using the full-head mask from 2013 to 2014;among these patients, 36 received dot marking at the center of the forehead ( group A) , 27 received routine immobilization ( group B) , and 21 received dot marking at one side of the forehead ( group C) .Kilovoltage cone-beam computed tomography ( CBCT) was used to compare the deviation in spatial position.The t-test was used to compare the deviation of the first CBCT in group A with the errors of subsequent CBCT.Results The passing rates of 212 times of CBCT in group A and 158 times of CBCT in group B were 95.2%and 93.8%.The errors in x, y, and z directions in groups A and B were 0.868±0.618 mm vs.1.319±0.935 mm (P=0.005), 1.118±0.692 mm vs.1.149±0.807 mm (P=0.824) , and 0.868±0.790 mm vs.0.936±0.919 mm ( P=0.665) .In group C, the error in the x direction was 1.162±0.866 mm, similar to those in groups A and B ( P=0.070 and 0.430) .In group A, the error in the x direction showed a difference between the first time and the sixth time (0.790±0.656 mm vs.1.280± 0.724 mm, P=0.030) .Conclusions Compared with the routine technique, dot marking at the center of the forehead can improve the accuracy of positioning in the x direction and reduce rotation error, and provides a new method for immobilization in radiotherapy for brain tumors.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) play a crucial role in T cell dysfunction, which is related to poor outcome in patients with severe trauma. Cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) contributes to immune disorder in trauma and infection via production of prostaglandin E2. However, the role of Cox-2 in the accumulation and function of MDSCs after traumatic stress has not been fully elucidated. In the present study, we treated murine trauma model with NS398, a selective Cox-2 inhibitor. Then the percentages of CD11b+/Gr-1+ cells, proliferation and apoptosis of CD4+ T cells were determined. Arginase activity and arginase-1 (Arg-1) protein expression of splenic CD11b+/Gr-1+ cells, and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response were analyzed. The results showed that Cox-2 blockade significantly decreased the percentages of CD11b+/Gr-1+ cells in the spleen and bone marrow 48 and 72 h after traumatic stress. NS398 inhibited arginase activity and down-regulated the Arg-1 expression of splenic CD11b+/Gr-1+ cells. Moreover, NS398 could promote proliferation and inhibit apoptosis of CD4+ T cells. It also restored DTH response of traumatic mice. Taken together, our data revealed that Cox-2 might play a pivotal role in the accumulation and function of MDSC after traumatic stress.

0.05).At the late stage (8-48 h) of incubation,the presence time of E7_(49-57)/K~b was significantly pro- longed on the surface of Tat-E7_(49-57)-incubated cells than that on the surface of other peptides-incubated cells (all P

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study is to explore the reproducibility of volume-based quantitative measurement of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) perfusion at 64-slice CT.

METHODSFourteen patients with proved advanced NSCLC were enrolled in this dynamic first pass volume-based CT perfusion (CTP) study (8x5 mm collimation), and they underwent the second scan within 24 h. According to the longest diameters, those patients were classified to <3 cm and >3 cm groups, and each group had 7 patients. Intradclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman statistics were used to evaluate the reproducibility of CTP imaging.

RESULTSIn both groups of advanced NSCLC, the reproducibility with BF, BV, and PS values were good (ICC > 0.75 for all), but mean transit time (MTT) values. For advanced NSCLC (<3 cm), repeatability coefficient (RC) values with blood flow (BF), blood volume (BV), MT and permeability surface area product (PS) values were 56%, 45%, 114%, and 78%, respectively, and the 95% change intervals of RC were -39%-53%, -29%-62%, -83%-145%, and -57%-98%, respectively. For advanced NSCLC (>3 cm), those values were 46%, 30%, 59%, and 33%, respectively, and the 95% change intervals of RC were -48%-45%, -33%-26%, -54%-64%, and -18%-48%.

CONCLUSIONThere is greater reproducibility of tumor size >3 cm than that of < or =3 cm. BF and BV could be addressed for reliable clinical application in antiangiogenesis therapeutic monitoring with advanced NSCLC patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reproducibility of Results ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

The peeled stem of Syringa pinnatifolia is a Mongolia folk medicine, mainly distributed in Helan mountain, inner Mongolia and Ningxia provinces of China. It has been used for the treatment of cardiopalmus, angina pectoris, and cardiopulmonary diseases for a long history. Contemporary research revealed the presence of major lignans, sesquitepenes, and essential oils, and showed myocardial ischemia related diseases. This review summarizes the plant origins, taxonomic disputes, phytochemical and pharmacological research progress, hopefully to provide reference for full medicinal utilization, clarification of biological effective substance, and drug development.
Animals ; Drug Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Medicine, Mongolian Traditional ; Molecular Structure ; Syringa ; chemistry

Objective To explore the possible relationship between environmental contamination by Aspergillus and invasive aspergillosis.Methods From November 2005 to October 2006,samples were collected from the environment (air in corridors,air in wards,surfaces and tap water) twice a month,and from patients (nose,pharynx and sputum) at a liver transplantation department (LTD),neurologic surgery intensive care unit (NSICU) and central intensive care unit (CICU) in our hospital,and subjected to fungal culture.The Aspergillus density was determined in these environments.The isolates of Aspergillus flavus were genotyped by random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) assay to investigate the origin of infection.Results The mean aspergillus density was 12,10.75,0 and 20 cfu/m~3 at LTD,NSICU,CICU and corridors respectively.The five most prevalent species of aspergillus in these environments in decreasing order were Aspergillus flavus,Aspergillus fumigatus,Aspergillus niger,Aspergillus versicolor and Aspergillus clavatus.RAPD demonstrated that the genotypes ofA.flavus isolated from two patients were identical to those of the environmental strains in NSICU.The A.flavus genotypes from 3 patients in CICU were all different from those of the environment strains in CICU,but the genotypes were identical from two of the three patients.Conclusions Aspergillus contamination of different degree does exist at LTD,NSICU and CICU. The genotypes of A.flavus are identical from patients and environment in NSICU,suggesting that the clinical infection may originate from hospital environment.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the inhibitory effect of lycium pigment on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced uveitis in rats and its mechanism.

METHODThe rat uveitis model was established by 30-day oral administration of lycium pigment (50, 100, 200 mg x kg(-1)) and footpad injection of LPS. Ocular tissues were collected for a histopathological inspection. The protein, nitric oxide and ADMA in aqueous humor, level of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in retina, activities of serum total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), and content of malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined by using Western blot, ELISA and biochemical methods.

RESULTAccording to the pathological study, lycium pigment (50, 100, 200 mg x kg(-1)) could notably reduce the inflammatory cell infiltration around corpus ciliare matrix of uveitis rats, and the concentration of protein and nitric oxide, and increased ADMA in aqueous humor. Lycium pigment (100, 200 mg x kg(-1)) could significantly inhibit the expression of iNOS in ocular tissues. In addition, lycium pigment (100, 200 mg x kg(-1)) also decrease the activities of serum T-AOC, SOD, GSH-PX, and the content of lipid peroxide MDA.

CONCLUSIONLycium pigment has the inhibitory effect on LPS-induced uveitis in rats. Its mechanism is related to the regulation of nitric oxide/ADMA pathway and the improvement of oxidation resistance.

Animals ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lipopolysaccharides ; adverse effects ; Lycium ; chemistry ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; genetics ; metabolism ; Pigments, Biological ; administration & dosage ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Uveitis ; chemically induced ; genetics ; metabolism ; prevention & control