OBJECTIVETo propose a new computer software-based medical image processing technique with high resolution digital scanner for radiotherapy verification.

METHODSUnder the platform of Windows 2000, the software, programmed with Visual C++.NET, was developed according to modular design. All data of the films and the treatment planning system could be processed as images or dose curves for a robust result.

RESULTSMany functions such as data acquisition, automatic analysis and computation and image processing were integrated in the system. Both geometric and dosimetric errors could be calculated at the same time to verify the radiotherapy accuracy.

CONCLUSIONThis system has good accuracy and stability for cost-effective radiotherapy verification.

Film Dosimetry ; instrumentation ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Radiotherapy Dosage ; standards ; Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Reproducibility of Results ; Software

Geobiontic type medicinal plants subjected to Orchidaceae family are used as important traditional Chinese medicine. Scientists are paying more attentions to their chemical components and pharmacology recently. This paper reviewed their chemical components involved in phenanthrene, bibenzene, flavone, sterol, terpenes, alkoloids and pharmacology such as antibacterium, cytotoxic activity, antihyperliposis effects. All these information are beneficial to reveal the relative among these medicinal plants in Orchidaceae family and are helpful to develop new drugs.
Alkaloids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Flavones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Hypolipidemic Agents ; pharmacology ; Molecular Structure ; Orchidaceae ; chemistry ; classification ; Phenanthrenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plants, Medicinal

Objective To explore the approach and early effects of endovascular stent-graft deployment in the treatment of portal stenosis of cancerous thrombus.Methods Six cases with portal vein stenosis of cancerous thrombus,which caused by primary hepatic carcinoma(5 cases)and eholangiocarcinoma(1 case)and the severity of stenosis showed on contrast enhanced CT were more than 75% or occluded,were performed percutaneous transhepatie or transsplenic portography.FLUENCY~(TM) endovascular stent-graft(10 mm diameter)was placed at the position of stenosis after gastroesophageal varices embolization.Portal pressure was measured pre-and post-deployment.Results Stents were successfully placed in all patients.The average portal pressure decreased from 50.7 cm H_2O(1 cm H_2O = 0.098 kPa)to 41.3 cm H_2O after endovascular stent-graft deployment.The restenosis were found in 2 cases after one month.Haematemesis and refractory aseites appeared in one case respectively,the other 4 cases showed no significant symptoms above caused by portal hypertension.Conclusion It is safe and feasible for endovaseular stent-graft deployment in the treatment of portal stenosis of cancerous thrombus.Selecting the suitable indications,the symptoms of portal hypertension can be controlled effectively.

Objective: To investigate the relation between nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit (nAChR) genes and schizophrenia, and the relation between tag single nucleotide polymorphism (rs1317286, rs1044396, rs6494212, rs16969968, and rs684513) and schizophrenia in Han Chinese people. Methods: The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network among nAChR protein and 350 proteins encoded by schizophrenia-related susceptibility genes was constructed through the String database to explore whether nAChR genes were associated with schizophrenia in these known databases. Then, five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of CHRNA3 (rs1317286), CHRNA4 (rs1044396), CHRNA7 (rs6494212), and CHRNA5 (rs16969968, rs684513) were analyzed in a sample of 1,035 schizophrenic patients and 816 healthy controls. The interaction between the markers was analyzed using multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) software. Power analysis was performed using the Quanto program. Results: There are no significant differences in genotype or allele distribution were identified between the patients and controls (p>0.05). The haplotypes constructed by four markers rs1317286, rs6494212, rs16969968, and rs684513 were not associated with schizophrenia either. However, a significant association between models made of rs1317286, rs1044396, rs6494212, and rs684513 and schizophrenia was revealed in interaction analysis (p<0.05). Conclusion The nAChR protein may have effects on the development of schizophrenia through the interaction with proteins encoded by schizophrenia-related susceptibility genes, but no relation was found between selected polymorphisms and schizophrenia in the collected Han Chinese people. However, interaction analysis suggested four-SNP model has an important effect on schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism of multidrug resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma induced by hypoxia and the potential role of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha) and multidrug resistance related genes.

METHODSHuman hepatocarcinoma cell lines HepG2 cells were exposed to hypoxia and were transfected by plasmid HIF-1 alpha/PCDNA3, respectively. The expressions of multidrug resistance gene (mdr1), multidrug resistance protein (MRP1), and lung resistance protein (LRP) gene at the mRNA and the protein levels in the above two groups were respectively analyzed by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR and Western-blot technique.

RESULTSIn the hypoxia group, the expressions of mdr1, MRP1 and LRP were stepped up correlating to the degree of hypoxia, especially the prominent increase in the expression of MRP1. Furthermore, they were synchronous with the changes of the expression of HIF-1 alpha. Also the increased expression of mdr1, MRP1, and LRP gene was observed in transfected HepG2 cells by plasmid HIF-1 alpha/PCDNA3.

CONCLUSIONSResistance of hepatocellular carcinoma to chemotherapeutics could be induced by hypoxia. HIF-1 alpha may be critical to the upregulation of the expression of the related multidrug resistance genes induced by hypoxia. HIF-1 alpha and these related multidrug resistance genes could be potential molecular targets for reversing multidrug resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Blotting, Western ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; Cell Hypoxia ; physiology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; physiology ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; physiology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Genes, MDR ; genetics ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transfection ; Vault Ribonucleoprotein Particles ; biosynthesis ; genetics

Objective To observe the value of three-dimensional arterial spin labeling (3D-ASL) PWI in evaluating postoperative cerebral perfusion changes in patients with Moyamoya disease.Methods Totally 19 patients of Moyamoya disease confirmed with DSA were enrolled.All the patients received revascularization.Before and after operation,3D-ASL PWI and dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion weighted imaging (DSC-PWI) were performed.ROI was located in the region with obvious perfusion changes supplied by middle cerebral artery on the operating side.Then the cerebral blood flow (CBF) was measured on 3D-ASL images,and time to peak (TTP) was measured on DSC-PWI images before and after operation.The differences of CBF and TTP before and after operation were compared,as well as the improvement rate of CBF,TTP and clinical symptoms.Results Before and after operation,CBF was (41.40±11.36) ml/(100 g · min) and (54.10±16.69) ml/(100 g · min),respectively,and the difference was statistically significant (t=-4.273,P＜0.01).TTP was (28.66 ± 3.21) s and (26.44 ± 3.93) s,respectively,and the difference was also statistically significant (t =-2.936,P＜0.01).The improvement rate of clinical symptoms was 84.21％ (16/19),of CBF was 78.95％ (15/19) and of TTP was 68.42％ (13/19),the differences of improvement rate had no statistically significant (P=0.625).Conclusion 3D-ASL PWI is noninvasive,no contrast agent need to be used,and can be used to evaluate perfusion changes after operation of revascularization in patients with Moyamoya disease.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of trastuzumab in combination with chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone in the first-line treatment of HER-2-positive advanced gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction cancer.

METHODSFifteen Chinese research centers are involved in the BO18255 (ToGA) study. Patients with gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction cancer were eligible for inclusion if their tumor showed overexpression of HER-2 protein by immunohistochemistry +++ or FISH-positive. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive a chemotherapy regimen consisting of capecitabine or 5-FU plus cisplatin or chemotherapy in combination with intravenous trastuzumab. The primary endpoint was overall survival.

RESULTSEighty-five Chinese patients were enrolled in this study, of whom 84 were included in the primary analysis: trastuzumab plus chemotherapy (FP/H) (n = 36) and chemotherapy alone (FP)(n = 48). The median follow-up was 15.2 months in the FP/H group and 14.2 months in the FP group. The median survival time was 12.6 months in the FP/H group compared with 9.7 months in the FP group [hazard ratio 0.72, 95%CI (0.40; 1.29)]. Grade 3/4 adverse events were higher in the FP/H(63.9%)than FP (47.9%) groups, including neutropenia, vomiting and nausea. Two mild cardiac adverse events occurred in the FP/H group. Severe adverse events occurred in 3 cases of both two groups, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSAddition of trastuzumab to chemotherapy is well tolerated and shows improved survival in Chinese patients with advanced gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction cancer. These results are consistent with the results of ToGA whole population trial. Trastuzumab in combination with chemotherapy can be considered as a new option for patients with HER-2-positive advanced gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction cancer.

Aged ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Capecitabine ; China ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Deoxycytidine ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Esophagogastric Junction ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nausea ; chemically induced ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neutropenia ; chemically induced ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; metabolism ; Remission Induction ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Survival Rate ; Trastuzumab ; Vomiting ; chemically induced

Animals ; Cellular Reprogramming ; Dentate Gyrus ; cytology ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; Mice ; Neural Stem Cells ; cytology ; transplantation ; Swine

Objective Oxidative stress (OS) plays a crucial role in ischemic stroke. Grape seed procyanidin extract (GSPE) was reported to be a critical regulator of OS. We hypothesized that GSPE might also be protective in ischemia-reperfusion brain injury. This study aimed to explore whether GSPE administration can protect mice from ischemia-reperfusion brain injury.Methods Transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was conducted followed by reperfusion for 24 hours to make ischemia-reperfusion brain injury in mice that received GSPE (MCAOG, n=60) or normal saline (MCAONS, n=60). Sham-operated mice (GSPE group and normal saline group) were set as controls. The neurological severity score (NSS) was used to evaluate neural function impairment 1 hour, 24 hour, 3 days and 7 days after MCAO. Mice underwent brain T2WI imaging with a 3T animal MRI scanner 24 hours after reperfusion, and the stroke volume of brains were calculated according to abnormal signal intensity. Immunohistopathological analysis of brain tissues at 24 h after reperfusion was performed for neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN), CD34, Bcl-2, and Bax. Glutathione peroxidation (GSH-Px) activity and the level of malonaldehyde (MDA) of brain tissue were also examined. The above indexes were compared among the groups statistically.Results Significant functional improvement was observed 24 hours after MCAO in MCAOG group compared to MCAONS group (P<0.05). MCAOG group had smaller cerebral stroke volume (22.46 ± 11.45 mmvs. 47.84±9.06 mm, P<0.05) than MCAONS group 24 hours after MCAO. More mature NeuN-immunoreactive neurons and more CD34-positive cells in peri-infarct zones were observed in brain tissue of MCAOG mice 24 h after MCAO than that of MCAONS mice (both P<0.05). MCAONS mice had significantly higher number of Bax-positive cells in brain tissue than MCAOG (P<0.05). The mean MDA level was significantly lower (P<0.05) and the GSH-Px activity was significantly higher (P<0.05) in brains of MCAOG mice compared to those of MCAONS mice.Conclusion GSPE administration protects mice from ischemia-reperfusion brain injury through attenuating oxidative stress and apoptosis, promoting angiogenesis, and activating antioxidant enzyme GSH-Px. GSPE may represent a new therapeutical direction for the treatment of ischemia-reperfusion brain injury.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Brain ; blood supply ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Grape Seed Extract ; pharmacology ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Oxidative Stress ; Proanthocyanidins ; pharmacology ; Reperfusion Injury ; drug therapy ; metabolism

The impact of sexual dysfunction (SD) is distressing to many male patients with pituitary adenomas which affect both physical and psychological health. The research explored to identify risk factors affecting sexual function and the prognosis of male patients with pituitary adenomas. Two hundred and fifty-four male patients, who aged between 18 and 60 (mean ± s.d.: 44.16 ± 10.14) years and diagnosed with pituitary adenomas, were retrospectively analyzed. One hundred and fifty-nine patients (62.6%) complained of SD prior to surgery. The mean International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) in patients with giant adenomas was 16.13 ± 2.51, much smaller than those with microadenomas or macroadenomas (P < 0.05). All the patients showed significant improvement in terms of erectile dysfunction (ED) following surgery (P < 0.05). In addition, complete resection achieved a higher degree of SD relief than partial resection. The incidence of SD in functioning pituitary adenomas (FPAs) was much higher than that in nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) (P < 0.05). In addition, compared with NFPAs, males with prolactinomas (82.8%) had the higher prevalence of SD and significantly improvement following surgical intervention (P < 0.05). An inverse relationship was identified between decreasing testosterone levels and increasing incidence of SD before surgery (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between 6 months and 12 months after surgery in serum testosterone level (P > 0.05). Our results indicated that surgical therapy could be optimized for improvements in SD and that testosterone levels can be used as a sensitive indicator to predict the recovery rate of sexual function in patients with pituitary adenomas following surgery and the serum testosterone level will stay stable in 6 months after surgery.
Adenoma/surgery* ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Cohort Studies ; Erectile Dysfunction/etiology* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Pituitary Neoplasms/surgery* ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prognosis ; Prolactinoma/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological/etiology* ; Testosterone/blood* ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult