Objective To conduct a computer simulation to evaluate the discrepancy between the cumulative doses calculated by four-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT) images and 4DCT scans (for real-time respiratory motions) due to the patient's irregular breathing.Methods A series of digital phantoms were generated from a patient's 4DCT images to simulate 4DCT images and 4DCT scans (for real-time respiratory motions) resulting from various irregular breathing curves.A six-field intensity-modulated radiotherapy plan was generated.Two cumulative doses in the target were calculated.The first one, named Dall, was calculated by tracking the point displacements in the target manifested on the 4DCT images;the second one, named D4D, was calculated based on the point displacements along the whole breathing motion during 4DCT scanning.Dose discrepancy between D4D and Dall was calculated to evaluate the correlation between breathing pattern and dose discrepancy in the target.Results The dose discrepancy in the target was correlated with mean motion excursion and the standard deviation of motion excursion.ΔDmin(ΔD99) in the target increased from 2.39%(2.04%) to 11.91%(5.24%) as the mean motion excursion increased from 5 mm to 15 mm, and increased from 5.93%(2.15%) to 14.65%(5.01%) as the standard deviation of motion excursion increased from 15% to 45% of the mean motion excursion.When the mean period increased from 3 s to 5 s or the standard deviation of period increased from 10% to 40% of the mean period,ΔDmin(ΔD99) in the target was greater than 6.0%(2.0%), but less than 9.0%(3.0%).When the target diameter was 2 cm, 3 cm, and 4 cm,ΔDminΔD99) in the target was 11.88%(5.50%), 6.91%(2.42%), and 7.53%(3.62%), respectively.Conclusions There is a large discrepancy between the cumulative doses calculated using 4DCT images and 4DCT scans (for real-time respiratory motions) when the patient has irregular breathing.This dose discrepancy depends on mean motion excursion and the standard deviation of motion excursion, but has little relationship with mean period, the standard deviation of period, and tumor volume.

Biosimilars are biological medicinal products that are highly similar to an already licensed reference product in terms of quality, safety, and efficacy. BAT1706 is being developed by Bio-Thera Solutions, Ltd. as a proposed biosimilar candidate to bevacizumab reference product (Avastin^®). Bevacizumab acts by specifically binding to vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), and preventing the interaction of VEGF-A with its receptors on the surface of endothelial cells, then blocking the downstream signaling pathway mediated by ligand-receptor, and inhibiting endothelial angiogenesis, thus inhibiting tumor growth. Comprehensive analytical characterization studies incorporating orthogonal analytical techniques were performed to compare the in vitro functional activities of BAT1706 and Avastin^®. BAT1706 and Avastin^® showed highly similar binding activity to multiple VEGF-A isoforms and equivalent VEGF-A neutralizing activity, as well as inhibitory activity of VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-2 tyrosine kinase autophosphorylation. Both products exhibited similar binding of the Fcγ receptors and a lack of Fc-related effector functions such as antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC). Overall, the results demonstrate that BAT1706 and Avastin^® are highly similar in terms of in vitro functional activities.

Objective: To investigate the incidence and survival of esophageal cancer with different histological types and to understand the incidence trend and burden of esophageal cancer in Linzhou during 2003-2012. Methods: All incidence records of esophageal cancer and population reported were collected from Linzhou Cancer Registry during 2003-2012. Incidence rate was calculated using gender and histological types. Age standardized incidence rate was calculated according to world Segi's population and Chinese census data in 2000. Age standardized incidence rate by world population between 2003 and 2012 was analyzed with JoinPoint regression model and estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) was calculated. 5-year survival rate was calculated with Kaplan-Meier model. Results: There were 8 229 esophageal cancer cases in Linzhou during 2003-2012. The average annual incidence rate was 80.08/100 000 (8 229/10 276 481). Among all esophageal cancer cases, 7 019 (85.3%) were diagnosed as esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). In Linzhou, the age standardized incidence rate by Chinese standard population and by world standard population was 80.92/100 000 and 81.85/100 000 in 2003, 67.97/100 000 and 68.63/100 000 in 2012. JoinPoint regression model showed that EAPC was-12.9% (95%CI:-16.4%--9.1%) for other and unspecified histological type between 2003 and 2012. The EAPC was-5.5% (95%CI:-9.2%--1.6%) for esophageal cancer between 2007 and 2012,-5.4% (95%CI:-7.0%--3.9%) for esophageal cancer in female between 2006 and 2012,-4.9% (95%CI:-9.5%--0.1%) for ESCC between 2007 and 2012. The 5-year prevalence of esophageal cancer was 215.49 per 100 000 (2 337/1 084 493), and 5 489 died within 5 years after incidence. 5-year survival rate of esophageal cancer was 34.6% (95%CI: 33.5%-35.6%). Conclusion Esophageal cancer had a decreasing trend in Linzhou. The survival rate was increasing. But, esophageal cancer was still a major burden in Linzhou. The major histological type was ESCC. ESCC had a similar decreasing trend with esophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND:Icariin can promote bone formation and inhibit bone resorption,but it is difficult to dissolve in water,and its bioavailability is very low in vivo.Therefore,a suitable carrier is essential to fully utilize the biological activity of icariin.OBJECTIVE:To prepare an icariin/β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) composite scaffold and to characterize its biological characteristics.METHODS:Three-dimensional printing technology was utilized to prepare porous β-TCP scaffolds carrying nano zinc oxide,and the compressive strength of porous β-TCP scaffolds was detected before and after addition of nano zinc oxide.Water absorption and porosity of the porous β-TCP scaffolds were also measured.Ultrasonic emulsification solvent dialysis was performed to prepare icariin/poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres,followed by the detection of water absorption and porosity.The porous β-TCP scaffolds and icariin/PLGA microsphere suspension were mixed to prepare icariin/β-TCP composite scaffolds.Microstructure observation of the composite scaffolds was done by scanning electron microscope,and meanwhile,water absorption and porosity were detected.The composite scaffold was then immersed into PBS,and icariin concentration in the supematant was measured at corresponding time points,based on which Icariin cumulative release curve was drawn.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) The porous microstructure of the porous β-TCP scaffold was regular,well distributed,and the connectivity was good.The pore spacing was about 600 μm.After addition of nano zinc oxide particles,the surface structure of the scaffold was more compact and the crystallinity was higher.(2) PLGA microspheres were spherical with a diameter of 1-4 μm,and the microspheres were uniform in size.(3) The maximum compressive strength of the porous beta tricalcium phosphate scaffold was (2.98±0.78) MPa,and increased to (8.95±0.29) MPa after addition of nano zinc oxide.(4) The water absorption rate and porosity were (25.09±0.96)％ and (66.93±2.84)％ for the porous β-TCP scaffold,(28.46±1.85)％ and (32.65±3.32)％ for the icariin/β-TCP composite scaffold,respectively.(5)The average encapsulation efficiency of the PLGA microspheres was (78.87±2.31)％,and the drug loading was (6.04±1)％.(6) The release amount of icariin could reach 52％ of the total amount at 16 days and 60％ of the total amount at 32 days.These findings indicate that the icariin/β-TCP composite scaffold has good mechanical properties and sustained-release performance.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the value of using protective new intracolonic drainage in decreasing low colorectal anastomotic leakage.

METHODSOne hundred and nineteen cases of rectal cancer accepted low anterior resection were randomly assigned to study group (n=55) and control group (n=64). The study group was added with a new intracolonic drainage composed of biofragmentable anastomosis ring and condom during operation. The control group was added with protective ileostomy during operation. The results of surgery were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSAll the cases were followed up over three months and there were no perioperative death. There were no significant differences in physiopathological factors such as age, sex, body type, site of tumor, size of tumor, differentiation of tumor, site of anastomosis, condition of nutrition, concomitant disease between the two groups. In the study group, anastomotic leakage occurred in 4 cases (7.3%), the drainage devices were ablated 18.3 days after operations and there were no drainage-related complications; light anastomotic stenosis occurred in 3 cases (5.5%) three months after operations. Among the cases with leakage, no severe abdominal infection was found, the time of abdominal drainage was 4.8 days, and the amount of abdominal drainage was 12.8 ml/d in primary three days after leakage. In the control group, anastomotic leakage occurred in 7 cases (10.9%), ostomy-related complications occurred in 29 cases (45.3%), anastomotic stenosis occurred in 18 cases (28.1%) and severe anastomotic stenosis occurred in 4 cases (6.3%) after three months. Among the cases with leakage, severe infection occurred in two cases, anastomotic spoiled occurred in one case, the amount of abdominal drainage was 35.4 ml/d in primary three days after leakage, and the time of abdominal drainage was 17.1 days. There was no significant difference in the rate of anastomotic leakage between the two groups (P>0.05). But there were significant differences in the amount of abdominal drainage, the time of abdominal drainage and abdominal infection in the cases of anastomotic leakage (P<0.01). There was significant difference in anastomotic stenosis after three months between the two groups (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe intracolonic drainage is a simple, safe and effective method in protecting low colorectal anastomotic leakage, and avoiding harmful results caused by anastomotic leakage. Compared with protective ileostomy, intracolonic drainage can avoid stomy-related physical mental suffering and complications, the rate of later anastomotic stenosis is less, and the time of abdominal drainage is shorter in the cases with leakage.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; adverse effects ; Drainage ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Rectal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Rectum ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo determine the expression status of survivin gene in pancreatic carcinoma.

METHODSExpression of survivin gene was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, Western Blot and RT-PCR in 59 cases of pancreatic carcinoma along with their corresponding adjacent benign tissues, 11 cases of chronic pancreatitis, and 7 pancreatic carcinoma cell lines.

RESULTSThe positive expression rate of survivin in pancreatic carcinoma was 72.8% (43/59). There was no relationship between the expression of survivin and tumor stage and differentiation. No expression of survivin was detected in benign tissue adjacent to the tumors as well as in samples of chronic pancreatitis. All 7 pancreatic carcinoma cell lines showed a positive expression of survivin mRNA and protein.

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of survivin appears to be tumor specific to some extent in our pancreatic carcinoma samples. Survivin may be an ideal target for therapy against pancreatic carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; Male ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Neoplasm Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Neoplasm Staging ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics

The industry of germ-free animals has been a hot spot in research along with the rapid development of studies on the relationship between microbiota and host diseases. Because it is pathogen?free, and the high degree of simi?larity in anatomy, physiology, pathogenesis to humans, germ?free pig is considered a clinical relevant model to be widely used in life science research. Based on the current state of research of germ?free pig cultivation at home and abroad and the experimental studies carried out in our laboratory as well, this article gives a simple discussion on germ?free technique of domestic pigs.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the safety and efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy with 'Dermatophagoides Farinae Drops' in D. farinae allergic asthma and/or rhinitis patients.

METHODSA 25-week double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-centered trail was conducted in 278 children (aged 4 - 18 yr) with mite-induced asthma and/or rhinitis. Patients were randomly assigned to receive sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with 'Dermatophagoides Farinae Drops' (n = 139) or placebo (n = 139) for 25 weeks and the dosage and administration strictly followed the manufacturer's instructions. At the beginning of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 10th, 14th, 18th, 22nd week of the treatment, the patients were asked to accept follow-up visit, during the clinical trial all patients and parents were asked to keep a daily record of their asthma symptom scores, rescue medicine use, rhinitis symptom scores, morning and evening peak expiratory flow. Asthma symptom scores, reduction in use of rescue medicine, rhinitis symptom scores, lung function tests, skin sensitivity to mite, mite-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) E and IgG4, and quality of life and adverse effect were assessed during the study.

RESULT(1) Of the 278 children, 27 dropped out before the study completion. (2) After 25 weeks of treatment, the median variability of PEFR was -1.38 for SLIT group and -0.90 for the placebo (P < 0.05). (3) Besides, the mean variability of medicine score of asthma was -0.08 for SLIT group and 0.52 for the plcebo (P < 0.05). (4) The median variability of rhinitis symptom score was -1.96 for SLIT group and -1.03 for the placebo (P < 0.01). (5) The rescue medicine usage of SLIT reduced but did not show significant differences between SLIT and placebo. (6) After 25 weeks treatment, the increase of D. farinae specific IgE antibody of two groups were similar, while specific IgG4 increased significantly in SLIT compared to the patients in control one (P < 0.01); (7) No severe adverse events happened in the trial and the most-likely adverse events were mild asthma and local rash.

CONCLUSIONDermatophagoides Farinae Drops is safe and effective in treating allergic asthma and atopic rhinitis.

Adolescent ; Animals ; Asthma ; therapy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Dermatophagoides farinae ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Mites ; chemistry ; Rhinitis ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the rule of lymph node metastasis in colorectal cancer and its affecting factors, and to provide clues for clinical diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer patients.

METHODSThe clinical data of 1166 cases of colorectal cancer receiving surgical resection were analyzed retrospectively.The relationships between clinicopathologic variables and lymph node metastases were evaluated by crosstabs and logistic regression in SPSS 10.0 for windows.

RESULTSThe rate of lymph node metastasis in colorectal cancer was 49.7%. After entering crosstabs estimation, gender and tumor site were not significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis in colorectal cancer(chi2=1.46, r=0.035, P>0.05 and chi2=3.86, r=0.012, P>0.05). Age, tumor size, the massive type of the tumor, the differentiating degree of the tumor, histology type and the depth of tumor invasion were proved to be independent factors influencing the lymph node metastasis in colorectal cancer (chi2 =13.1, r=0.064, P<0.05 and chi2=77.161, r=0.245, P<0.01 and chi2=144.831, r=0.341, P<0.01 and chi2=128.310, r=0.318, P<0.01 and chi2=120.418, r=0.319, P<0.01 and chi2=227.287, r=0.434, P<0.01). After entering logistic regression estimation, the correlativity of risk factor of lymph node metastasis in colorectal cancer: the depth of tumor invasion > the massive type of the tumor>the differentiating degree of the tumor > tumor size. Preoperative blood serum CEA level was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis (chi2=509.599, r=0.661, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe depth of tumor invasion is the most risk factor of lymph node metastasis in colorectal cancer. Preoperative high level of blood serum CEA indicates the occurrence of lymph node metastasis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; blood ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Staging ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of prophylactic intra-iliac and hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy on pelvic recurrence and liver metastasis after radical resection for rectal cancer.

METHODSEighty-four rectal cancer patients,undergone radical resection on Dukes stage B or C,were randomly assigned to postoperative intra-iliac and hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy group(group I) and routine vein chemotherapy group(group II). Five-year survival and recurrence rates were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSAmong the 84 rectal cancer patients with radical resection, the 5-year liver metastasis and pelvic recurrence rates were 30.2% (13/43) and 18.6% (8/43) respectively in group II, 17.1% (7/41) and 9.8% (4/41) in group I, the difference was significant between 2 groups (chi(2)=4.31, P<0.05). The mean tumor-free survival time was 26.2 months in group I and 15.8 months in group II (t=5.05, P<0.01), the difference was significant (t=5.05, P<0.01). The five-year survival rate in group I (65.9%) was significantly higher than that in group II (56.5%) (u=8.86, P<0.01). Cox multivariate analysis showed that, compared with those in group II, the relative risks of pelvic recurrence and liver metastasis in group I decreased 20% (coefficient of relative risk: 0.7959), and the five-year mortality also decreased 20% (coefficient of relative risk: 0.8034).

CONCLUSIONProphylactic intra-iliac and hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy can reduce the rates of pelvic recurrence and liver metastasis after radical resection of rectal cancer.

Adult ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Chemotherapy, Cancer, Regional Perfusion ; Female ; Hepatic Artery ; Humans ; Iliac Artery ; Liver Neoplasms ; prevention & control ; secondary ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; prevention & control ; Pelvic Neoplasms ; prevention & control ; secondary ; Pelvis ; pathology ; Rectal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Survival Rate