Objective The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of drug,electric cardiovertion,radiofrepuency ablation and implantable anti-atrial-fibrillation pacemaker on patients with persistent idiopathic atrial fibrillation.Methods 58 patients with persistent idiopathic atrial fibrillation were treated with drug or electric cardjovertion,radiofrequence ablation and anti-atrial-fibrillation pacemaker.Results There were 30 patients successfully converted to sinus rhythm by drug.The mean conversion time of drug was 8?5 days.22 patients were converted by electric cardioversion.10% of cases(6 of 58)failed to convert by both methods.In follow-up period,12 cases of patients were healed,19 cases got significant improvement,14 cases got moderate improvement,8 cases had no improvement.The total efficiency rate was 76%.18 cases in successful cardioversion patients were healed,5 cases got significant improvement,5 cases got moderate improvement,4 cases had no improvement.The total efficiency rate was 75%(14 of 18).2 cases got improvement by anti-atrial-fibrillation pacemaker.Conclusion Combined treatment of drug,electric cardioversion,radiofreqency ablation and anti-atrial-fibrillation pacemaker can imrove cure rate of persistent idiopathic atrial fibrillation.

Telomere is one of the basic functional elements for maintaining genome stability. Telomeres can become shorter due to cell divisions and environmental factors. Critically shortened telomeres eventually lead to cellular replicative senescence. Telomere length is an important parameter of telomere function, which determines the stability of chromosomes and the ability of cell proliferation. Currently multiple methods have been developed for the analysis of telomere length, including terminal restriction fragment (TRF) analysis, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), single telomere length analysis (STE-LA), telomere shortest length assay (TeSLA) and telomere length combing assay (TCA) based on DNA, as well as quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization (Q-FISH) based on cellular levels. Different analysis methods are applied to obtain different telomere relevant variables. In the review, we discuss the principle and application advantages of each telomere length analysis, which may help researchers select an optimal assessment approach to better address specific research questions about telomere in either model organisms or humans.

Objective To evaluate the outcome of Stage Ⅱ nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC) trea-ted by conventional fractionation radiotherapy. Methods From January 1990 to May 1999,216 patients with untreated stage Ⅱ NPC were irradiated by 6 MV photons and 9-12 MeV electrons with linear accelera-tor. Of 26 patients with residual lesions after 70 Gy irradiation, 18 received intracavitary brachytherapy and 8 received stereotactic irradiation boost. Results The 10-year overall survival (OS) of patients with T2 N0 M0, T1N1M0 and T2N1M0 disease were 90%, 80% and 75.2% (χ2 = 3.26, P =0. 200), respectively. The corresponding disease-free survival(DFS) and distant metastasis-free survival(DMFS) were 79% ,60% and 62.6% (χ2 = 5.87, P = 0.053) ;90% ,74% and 68.0% (χ2 = 7.09, P = 0. 030), respectively. In uni-variate analysis, T stage had no impact on OS, DFS or DMFS (χ2 = 0.44, P = 0. 500 ; χ2 = 0.44, P = 0.500 ; χ2 = 0.25, P = 0. 610), while N stage significantly influenced DFS and DM FS (χ2 = 5.86, P = 0. 015 ; χ2 = 5.31 ,P = 0. 021). Multivariate analysis showed that N stage was an independent prognostic factor for DFS and DMFS(χ2=5.03,P=0.025;χ2=6.47,P=0.01). Conclusions Stage Ⅱ NPCwithposifivelymph node treated by radiotherapy alone is inadequate. In order to improve DFS and DMS, combined chemo-radio-therapy should be considered.

Objective To investigate the clinical features,treatment outcome and prognosis of pa tients with nasopharyngeal adenoid cystic carcinoma(ACC).Methods From March 1963 to August 2002, 33 patients with ACC were retrospectively reviewed.Among them,13 received multimedality therapy(S + R in 9 and R +S in 4) and the remaining 20 received radiotherapy alone.The interval between the first visit and clinical diagnosis was 12 months(1.0-36.4 months).The misdiagnosis rate was 55% (18/33),with the most common error of otitis media.The clinical symptoms of ACC were similar to those of squamous carcino ma in nasopharynx,though the cervical lymph node metastasis was rare(12%) and cranial nerve invasion was common (58%). ResultsAfter a median follow-up of 60.8 months (5.0-245.2 months),the 5-and 10-year overall survival rates,free-disease survival rates,local regional control rates and metastasis-free sur vival rates were 66% and 29% ,41% and 27% ,61% and 40% ,62% and 62% ,respectively.Among the 20 patients(61%) with recurrence,15 had local regional failure(13 in situ and 2 in cervical lymph node) ,and 9 had distant metastasis(5 in the lung,2 in the lung and bone,1 in the liver and I in the bone).Univariate analysis showed that clinical stage was a prognostic factor(Ⅰ + II vs Ⅲ + Ⅳ,P = 0.009),while treatment modality(radiotherapy alone vs multimodality therapy) was not. ConclusionsNasopharyngeal ACC is a locally aggressive disease with a long course.Either radiotherapy alone or muhimodality therapy(S + R/R + S) is effective in the treatment.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of intensity-madulated radiotherapy(IMRT) as the primary treatment in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods Between November 2001 and March 2006,147 newly diagnosed NPC patients were treated with IMRT. The disease was Stage I in 3 patients, Stage Ⅱ in 35,Stage Ⅲ in 67 and Stage Ⅳ in 42. For T1-2 disease,the prescription dose was 70 Gy to the gross tumor volume( GTVnx) and positive neck nodes ,60 Gy to the planning target volume I, and 50-56 Gy to the clinically negative neck. For T3-4 disease,the prescription dose was 74-78 Gy to GTVnx. The local control rate(LC),overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) were estimated by Kaplan-Meier method. Results The 3-year LC, OS, DFS and DMFS of the whole group were 93.2% ,93.5% ,72.6% and 74.4% ,respectively. T stage was a significant predictor of LC and OS. For patients with T1-2 and T3-4 disease,the LC was 100% and 86.9% (P=0.007) and OS was 95.5% and 91.3% (P=0.030), respectively. N stage was a significant predictor of OS, DFS and DMFS(P=0.03,0.004 and 0.0004,respectively). The grade Ⅰ+ Ⅱ and Ⅲ acute toxieities of parotid were 96.6% and 1.4%. The rate of grade Ⅱ xerostomia at 3-month, 6-month, 1-year and 2-year after radiotherapy were 43.0%, 12.0% ,4.9% and 3.2%. Conclusions The treatment results are promising according to our target definition and dose prescription protocol for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Objective To study the dynamic change of anatomy and dosimetry distribution and its influence during intensity modulated radiation therapy(IMRT) for nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC). Methods From June 2006 to August 2007,12 patients with stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ NPC receiving initial IMRT concurrently combined with chemotherapy were included in the study. The target volumes and,involving organs were contoured on the first set of spiral CT images. When IMRT planning was finished,a second CT scans was acquired to rectify the treatment center. Weekly spiral CT images acquired during the treatment period according to the same treatment center were fused with the first CT images. In order to determine the best time of replanning, modified plan target volume( PTV1 ) and normal organs( parotids and outline) were contoured on the fusion interface by a single physician. Changes of each structure throughout treatment period were measured by a system software. Then the dose distributions were computed and evaluated for replanning CT using the same beams arrangement in the original plan. Cumulative dose was estimated compared with the original plan. Results The volume of outlines and parotids decreased gradually, and the change came to peak in the fifth week. So the fifth and first week CT scans were selected as research objectives. No significant changes in maximal and mean dose was observed in the brainstem, spinal cord or mandible. Despite volume changes,D99 and D95 of the PTV1 did not change siguificantly(P＞0.05). D95 of the bilateral parotids increased significantly ( PL = 0.03,PR = 0.01 ). Conclusions During IMRT for NPC, the volume of PTV1, the outlines and parotids decrease,and the change come to peak in the fifth week. Comparing to the first treatment plan, the dose parameters of the parotids increase significantly in the second plan based on the fifth week CT,but those of the brainstem,cord,mandible and PTV1 change slightly.

Objectives To study the performance of different microbial automated inoculation systems and to evaluate the performance of the Probact microbial automated inoculation and incubation system ( Probact system) and its applications in clinical microbiology laboratory.Methods A total of 160 clinical specimens, including respiratory secretions ( n=61 ) , urine ( n=49 ) , and feces ( n=50 ) , that were submitted to the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory in Peking Union Medical College Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from February 2015 to April 2015 were evaluated.These specimens were processed with conventional manual method, the Probact automated inoculation system, and PREVI Isola Inoculator.The quantity of bacterial species recovery, number of effectively isolated colonies, total number of colonies recovery per plate, and time of processing the 160 specimens by the three methods were evaluated. Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test were used for statistical analysis.Results The Probact system had significantly higher quantity of bacterial species recovery (respiratory specimens 3.41 ±1.40, urine 1.92 ±0.86, and feces 1.16 ±0.79) than those by the Isola Inoculator (respiratory specimens 3.75 ±1.29, urine 2.24 ±0.97, and feces 1.92 ±0.72), (P=0.006, 0.011, <0.001).Compared to the manual method, Probact performed less quantity of bacterial species recovery for respiratory specimens(3.85 ±1.38), but higher in feces(0.80 ±0.81)( P<0.001).There is no significant differences for urine ( 1.84 ±1.23 ) ( P=0.266 ) .As for number of isolated colony, the Probact system ( respiratory specimens 12.16 ±7.72, urine 2.71 ±4.24, and feces 5.40 ±5.04 ) had significant smaller numbers than that of Isola Inoculator (respiratory specimens 16.56 ±5.76, urine 4.35 ± 4.89, and feces 8.40 ±3.70) (P<0.001,0.007,0.003).However, both system had larger numbers of isolated colonies than those by the manual method (respiratory specimens 11.30 ±8.42, urine 2.67 ±4.34, and feces 1.90 ±3.90) and the difference was significant for fecal specimens(P<0.001).Regarding the total number of colonies recovery, larger number was found by Isola Inoculator than that by the Probact system for fecal specimens, however, there were no significant differences for respiratory or urine specimens (P=0.524,0.738).Compared with manual method, the Probact system had significantly more numbers of colonies recovery for respiratory and fecal specimens ( P<0.001 ) . The total time for processing 160 specimens was shortest for manual method (281 min), followed by Probact system (419 min) and Isola Inoculator (495 min) .Conclusions The performance of the Probact system is better than the manual method but no superior to the Isola Inoculator.The Probact system can meet the clinical need in terms of full automation and standardization of specimen inoculation and prevention of bias of processing by laboratory staffs using manual method.

ObjectiveTo assess the impact of set-up correction on dosimetry using non-daily kilovolt cone-beam computed tomography (KVCBCT) for nasopharyngeal cancer patients treated with intensitymodulated radiotherapy (IMRT). MethodsThe mean shift values from 14 nasopharyngeal cancer patients received KVCBCT scans during the first 5 treatment fractions were calculated as prediction of systemic set-up errors and used for off-line correction at 1.5 mm threshold level. Presumed that the systemic errors can be corrected by moving couch without residual errors, the pre-correction set-up errors in the remaining fractions were the sum of actual set-up errors and predicted errors. The dosimetric effects of non-daily protocol were simulated in the planning system and analyzed with physical dose parameters in 14 IMRT plans. ResultsIn 10 patients with predicted systemic errors ＞ 1.5 mm, target dose was reduced significantly. The mean reduction of GTV-D98 ( dose received by 98％ of the volume of GTV ), CTVnx-D95 ( dose received by 95％ of the volume of CTVnx ), CTV1 -D98 ( dose received by 98％ of the volume CTV1 ) were 3. 8 Gy ( Z =- 2. 81,P =0. 005 ) ,4. 8 Gy ( Z =- 1.96, P =0. 050 ), 1.0 Gy ( Z =- 2. 82, P =0. 005 ), respectively. The effect on dose to CTV2 was much less. After correction, mean 3D vector positioning errors was reduced from 3. 6mm to 2. 3 mm (t =2.00,P =0. 000). After correction, the dose led to increase in GTV-D98, CTVns-D95,CTV1-D95 was 3.8 Gy (t=-2. 70,P=0.007),5.0 Gy (t =-2. 15,P=0.030),0.9 Gy (Z=-2.80,P=0. 005 ) respectively, and reduced the dose deviation greater than 3％ or 5％ for organs at risk.Conclusion Non-daily KVCBCT correction reduced dosimetric effect of set-up errors in IMRT for nasopharyngeal cancer patients.

Objective To evaluate the dose distribution of the target volume and the cranial base in nasopharyngeal carcinoma ( NPC ) treated with facial-cervical fields, and to analyze the differences of dose distribution using different isoeenters with the CT-simulator and treatment planning system (TPS). Methods Eleven patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma were treated by conventional radiotherapy as their primary treatment. All patients were simulated by the conventional simulator and the field borders were marked with thin lead wires on the mask. Then the patients were scanned by the CT-sim with the same immobilization. The planning CT images were transferred to the TPS and the field borders were copied on the DRR, and then GTV and the cranial base were contoured on the coronal CT slices. Two isoeenters were chosen, including one in front of the 1 st cervical vertebra to measeure the depth of the nasopharynx and the other in front of the 3rd cervical vertebra to measure the depth of the upper neck. The prescription dose of 36 Gy was given in 18 fractions. Dose distributions of GTV and the cranial base were calculated with TPS. Results The actual dose of 95% volume of GTV was 33.31 -35.54 Gy (median 34.83 Gy) and 31.43 -33.36 Gy (median 32.44 Gy) when the isoeenters were set in the nasopharynx and the superior neck, respectively. The corre-sponding actual dose of 95% volume of the cranial base was 17.76 - 34.60 Gy ( median 30.28 Gy ) and 16.52 -32.60 Gy (median 28.52 Gy), respectively. Conclusions For NPC patients treated with conven-tional radiotherapy using facial-cervical fields, the actual dose of GTV and the cranial base is lower than the prescribed dose whenever the isocenter is set in the nasopharynx or the upper neck,which is more significant in the latter. The isocenter should be set in the nasopharynx when the conventional radiotherapy is applied and a boost of 4- 8 Gy should be given when the cranial base is involved.

Objective To analyze the treatment outcomes of patients with primary sphenoid sinus malignancies. Methods Sixteen patients with primary sphenoid sinus malignancies admitted to our hospital from 2000 to 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. No patients were newly diagnosed with cervical lymph node metastasis. One patient had stageⅣA disease, while fifteen had stageⅣB disease. Eleven patients received surgery followed by radiotherapy, one surgery alone, three radiotherapy alone, and one chemotherapy alone. All surgeries were cytoreductive . The median dose of radiotherapy was 69. 96 Gy ( 56.00?80. 56 Gy ) . Results The 3?year local control ( LC) , distant metastasis?free survival ( DMFS) , disease?free survival ( DFS) , and disease?specific survival ( DSS) rates were 67%, 69%, 44%, and 58%, respectively, in all patients, and 67%, 55%, 30%, and 41%, respectively, in patients treated with cytoreductive surgery followed by radiotherapy. All orbital contents and skull base were preserved. In all patients, the local recurrence, distant metastasis, and lymph node recurrence rates were 25%, 37%, and 6%, respectively. There were no independent predictors for the LC and DSS rates based on the prognostic analysis. Conclusions With the orbital contents and skull base preserved, the cytoreductive surgery followed by radiotherapy yields satisfactory outcomes and a low lymph node recurrence rate in the treatment of sphenoid sinus malignancies. The prophylactic irradiation of cervical lymph nodes is not recommended in clinical practice.