Objective To compare the efficacy between californium?252 ( 252 Cf ) neutron intraluminal brachytherapy combined with external?beam radiotherapy with lead?shielding pelvic parallel opposing field technique and non?lead?shielding four?field box technique for cervical cancer. Methods A total of 52 patients with stage Ⅱa?Ⅲb cervical squamous cell carcinoma who were admitted to our hospital from 2004 to 2007 were enrolled as subjects and paired by clinical stage, age, tumor size, and degree of anemia. The 26 pairs of patients were divided into lead?shielding pelvic parallel opposing field group (lead?shielding group) and non?lead?shielding four?field box group (non?lead?shielding group). For all patients in both groups, 252 Cf neutron brachytherapy was added in external?beam radiotherapy. The local control (LC), overall survival (OS), and disease?free survival (DFS) rates were calculated using the Kaplan?Meier method and analyzed using the log?rank test. The difference in the incidence of late complications was analyzed using the McNemar method. Results There were significant differences in 5?year LC, OS, and DFS rates between the lead?shielding group and the non?lead?shielding group (85% vs. 81%, P= 0?? 014;89% vs. 73%, P=0?? 013; 89% vs. 73%, P= 0?? 013 ). There was also significant difference in the incidence of late complications between the lead?shielding group and the non?lead?shielding group ( 12% vs. 23%, P=0?? 008). Conclusions When intraluminal brachytherapy combined with external?beam radiotherapy is used to treat cervical cancer, the centers of the front and back fields should be shielded by lead, regardless of whether the parallel opposing field technique or the four?field box technique is used.

BACKGROUND: Root canal files fracture is a kind of common oral clinical complications. Therefore, it is of clinical importance to study the cyclic fatigue of different types of stainless steel root canal files.OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of the bending angle and cross-sectional area of root canal instruments on cyclic fatigue of stainless steel files.METHODS: Thirty 25# stainless steel K files (25 mm in length) were selected, the same to 30# and 35#. And these three kinds of files were respectively randomized into three groups (n=10 per subgroup). In the nine subgroups, the files were placed into self-made root canals at the bending angle of 45°, 60°, 90°, and driven by a 16:1 reducer (350 r/min).Fracture time in each subgroup was recorded and converted into the number of rotations. The microstructure of the fracture end of the files was observed under scanning electron microscope. Fractured files were collected and the crack tip length was measured by an electronic caliper.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: At the same bending angle, the number of rotations resulting in file fracture was significantly reduced with the increasing of the cross-sectional area of the files (P < 0.05). When the type and cross-sectional area were same, the number of rotations resulting in file fracture was significantly reduced with the increasing of the bending angle of the root canals (P < 0.05), indicating a reduction in the cyclic fatigue performance of the files. Toughness fracture occurred in all the files, and circular or oval roughness nests with different sizes and microcavities formed on the fracture surface. In addition, brittle surfaces could be detective between the roughness nests. The diameter of roughness nests was gradually increased with the increasing of the bending angle of the root canals. For 30# and 35# files, the number of brittle surfaces was gradually increased with the increasing of the bending angle of the root canals. For 25# files, the crack tip length was gradually decreased with the increasing of the bending angle of the root canals, but there was no significant difference (P > 0.05). For 30# and 35# files, the crack tip length was significantly shortened with the increasing of the bending angle of the root canals (P < 0.05). But there were no significant changes in the 35#-60° and 35#-90° groups (P=0.095). At the same bending angle, there were no regular changes in the crack tip length in the different types of files. In conclusion, with the increasing of the cross-sectional area, the cyclic fatigue performance of the files with the same length and taper is reduced and the files become easy to be fractured; with the increasing of the bending angle of the root canals, the files with the same types are apt to be fractured near the root tip, indicating the shorter length of the crack tip indicates the more difficulty in the removal of the broken files.

Objective: To explore the consumption of sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) and its association with behavioral problems in Chinese preschool children, and to provide a scientific basis for the prevention of behavioral problems of children. Methods: A total of 7 634 children aged 3-6 years were chosen from kindergartens in 3 cities (Yangzhou, Xuzhou, Zhenjiang) in the lower reaches of Yangtze River using method of cluster sampling during October to November in 2017. Parental or guardian questionnaires were used to obtain information regarding child consumption of SSBs. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used to assess children s emotional and behavioral problems. Multivariate Logistic regression model was used to explore the association between different SSBs intake frequency and children s behavioral problems. Results: A total of 5 509(72.2%) consumed SSBs less than once a day, 830(10.9%) reported SSBs consumption once a day, and 1 295(16.9%) had 2 times or more intake of sugar sweetened beverages per day. After adjusting for confounding factors including age, sex, BMI, family financial status, parental education, screen time, sleep duration, and physical activities duration, multiple Logistic regression model revealed that intake of SSBs once a day was associated with an increased risk of hyperactivity disorder ( OR =1.26, 95% CI =1.01-1.57) and SDQ total difficulties ( OR =1.44, 95% CI =1.14-1.82) in boys and with an increased risk of emotional symptoms ( OR=1.34, 95%CI =1.02-1.76), conduct problems ( OR=1.53, 95%CI =1.18-2.00), hyperactivity disorder ( OR=1.79, 95%CI =1.42-2.27) and prosocial behavior ( OR=1.48, 95%CI =1.14-1.91) in girls. Intake of SSBs≥2 times per day was associated with an increased risk of emotional symptoms ( OR=1.28, 95%CI =1.02-1.59) and SDQ difficulties ( OR=1.30, 95%CI =1.07-1.58) in boys and not with behavioral problems in girls. Conclusion Sex differences are observed with respect to the association between SSBs intake and behavioral problems in preschoolers, but no significant dose response relationship was observed. More longitudinal studies are needed to further explore the association between SSBs intake and behavioral problems in preschool children as well as the underlying physiological mechanisms in future.

Objective To probe the influence of electron beam radiotherapy in different manners using different tissue equivalent boluses on skin and lung.Methods Adult female cavia cobayas were randomly divided into four groups as control group,fuU-time with bolus group,half-time with bolus group and without bolus group.Acute-irradiation animal models were established using electron beam in different manners with or without 0.5 cm tissue equivalent bolus.Pathological changes in lung,hair vesicle and fibroblast cell count were analyzed 40 clays after irradiation.Results The radiation dermatitis in the group with bolus was slighter than that of the group without bolus,but the radiation pneumonia was reverse.With bolus,the radiation dermatitis of haft-time group was slighter than that of full-time group.The injury repair of half-time group was more active than full-time group.Conclusions The treatment of haft-time bolus could protect lung without serious skin complications.

Objective To investigate the influence of pertussis toxin(PTX)on G protein-coupled estrogen receptor(GPER)-mediated activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)signaling activated by 17 β-estradiol(17β-E2)in endometrial carcinoma cells.Methods Expressions of GPER protein were detected by immunohistochemical SP method in Ishikawa and HEC-1A cells.Changes of levels of GPER,ERα and ERβ protein and the activation of Akt protein were observed by western blot in the two cells after they were treated by PTX for 30 minutes at different concentrations(0,0.1,0.5,1.0 μg/ml),and then co-stimulated with with 1 × 10-6 mol/L 17β-E2 respectively at different time (Ishikawa 30 minutes,HEC-1A 15 minutes).Results(1)Immunohistochemical SP method showed that GPER was positive stained in cell cytoplasm of Ishikawa and HEC-1A cell.(2)After co-treated with PTX at different concentrations(0,O.1,0.5,1.0 μg/ml)and 10-6 mol/L 17β-E2,in Ishikawa cell,the ratio of pAkt/Akt was 0.74 ±0.54,0.34 ±0.06,0.18 ±0.03,0.07 ±0.15,the gray values of GPER was 0.872 ± 0.490,0.395 ± 0.054,0.145 ± 0.014,0.034 ± 0.008,and with increasing concentration of PTX,the ratio of p-Akt/Akt and the expression of GPER decreased gradually(P ＜ 0.05),which was most obviously when the concentration was 1.0 μg/ml(F =63.729,P =0.0001;F =160.284,P =0.0001);ERα and ERβ protein had no significant change among different groups(P ＞0.05).In HEC-1A cell,the ratio of pAkt/Akt was 0.73 ±0.09,0.26 ±0.14,0.11 ±0.03,0,the Gray values of GPER is 0.927 ±0.134,0.485 ± 0.022,0.194 ± 0.004,0,and with increasing concentration of PTX,the ratio of p-Akt/Akt and the expression of GPER decreased gradually(P ＜ 0.05),which were also completely inhibited when the concentration was 1 μg/ml(F =1039.321,P =0.0001;F =109.646,P =0.0001),ERα protein had no significant differences(P ＞ 0.05)among different groups.ERβ was negatively expressed.Conclusion The results proposed that the activation of PI3K/Akt signaling in Ishikawa and HEC-1A cells could be inhibited after blocking the role of GPER by PTX.

Objective To reverse P-glycoprotein-mediated muhiple drug resistance using RNA interference(RNAi)in cultured rat astrocytes.Methods Astroeytes overexpressing P-glyeoprotein induced by coriaria lactone were transfected with the short-hairpin RNA expression vector-p-SIREN shuttle designed to target Mdrl mRNA.The mRNA level of Mdrl gene was evaluated by real-time PCR;the P-glycoprotein was examined by immunocytochemistry and image analysis,meanwhile the rhodamine efflux was assessed by flow cytometry.Results The astrocyte model overexpressing P-glycoprotein were established and successfully transfected with the short-hairpin RNA expression vector-p-SIREN shuttle.The mRNA level of Mdrl gene was knocked down by 67.70%(P

AIM: To explore the effect of L-carnitine on nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 3 (NFATc3) in cardiomyocytes under H2O2 stimulation.METHODS: Primary cultured neonatal rat myocardial cells were stimulated by H2 O2 at concentration of 200μmol/L for 12 h to induce oxidative stress injury.In treatment group, L-carni-tine and cyclosporin A ( CsA) , a specific inhibitor of calcineurin ( CaN) , were administered 30 min prior to H2 O2 stimula-tion.After treatment, total, cytoplasmic and nuclear NFATc3 protein levels were determined by Western blotting.The method of immunofluoresence was used to evaluate the distribution of NFATc3.RESULTS: H2 O2 treatment produced no effect on the expression of total NFATc3, but caused its translocation from the cytosolic to nuclear compartment, which was greatly blunted by L-carnitine pretreatment.CONCLUSION:L-carnitine antagonized oxidative stress injury via alleviating NFATc3 nuclear translocation.

Objective:To analyze the mean levels of skeletal muscle mass and strength in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM), and to investigate the effects of chronic inflammatory factors and oxidative stress on them.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted on 120 patients with T2DM aged over 60 years and 126 elderly patients without diabetes(the control group). Skeletal muscle mass, strength and serum levels of chronic inflammatory factors interleukin-6(IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine(8-OHdG)were determined, and their effects on skeletal muscle mass and strength in elderly patients with T2DM were analyzed.Results:Compared with the control group, grip strength decreased in elderly patients with T2DM(25.03±7.85)kg vs.(29.52±7.73)kg( P<0.01), and skeletal muscle mass decreased(21.36±5.46)kg vs.(22.01±5.22)kg with no significant difference( P>0.05). Serum levels of 8-OHdG were higher in elderly patients with T2DM than in the control group(3.08±0.26)ng/L vs.(2.59±0.16)ng/L( P<0.01). Correlation and regression analysis results showed that 8-OHdG was an influencing factor for muscle strength in elderly patients with T2DM( R2=0.457)and that height and weight could be influencing factors for skeletal muscle mass in elderly patients with T2DM( R2=0.822). Conclusions:Skeletal muscle mass and strength decline in elderly T2DM patients, probably as a result of increased levels of oxidative stress.These findings may serve as evidence for sarcopenia intervention in elderly T2DM patients.

OBJECTIVETo generate a comprehensive clinical profile of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) by systematically reviewing ICP cases managed in our hospital.

METHODSThe recorded clinical data, including diagnosis, complications, management, and maternal and infant outcomes, of nine ICP cases were collected retrospectively and reviewed systematically.

RESULTSSeven of the nine total ICP patients presented with pruritus. All nine of the ICP patients showed bile acid level beyond the normal range. ICP complications included gestational hypertension (n = 3), diabetes mellitus (DM, n = 1) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT, n = 1), and pre-eclampsia (n = 1). The infant of one patient with severe ICP showed meconium-stained liquor. All nine of the ICP patients underwent surgical delivery, of which three were delivered preterm (between the 35th and 36th week of gestation). All mothers' total bile acids declined to normal levels after delivery, and all infants survived without complication.

CONCLUSIONICP does not increase the puerpera mortality rate and does not represent a poor prognosis for infants. Bile acid levels in the ICP patients, however, may be related to the extent of premature delivery time. While the standard drug treatment of ursodeoxycholic acid is suitable for most ICP cases, those with insufficient gestational age may benefit from adjuvant corticosteroid therapy to promote fetal lung maturation prior to preterm delivery. Severe ICP cases should be managed by inducing artificial labor or performing Caesarean section.

Objective The purpose of this study was to assess the value of serial sectioning and immunohistoehemistry(IHC)for the diagnosis of senfinel lymph node(SLNs)metastases in patients with breast cancer,and to evaluate the significance of mierometastases and isolated tunlor cells(ITCs)in the SLNs. Methods Eighty pailents with clinically node-negative breast cancer underwent SLN biopsy with both99mTc-labeled sulfur colloid and iBosulfan blue dye for SLN identification.All SLNS and non-SLNs were evalnated with standard H&E stain and IHC analysis. Results SLNs were successfully identified in 78 of 80 patients(97.5%),the isotope/blue dye concordanee rate was 76.5%for all SLNs.Thirty two patients (41%)had histologically positive SLNs,and 13(40.6%)of these patients hod SLNS with micrometastatic disease.In 14(43.8%)of these patients,the SLNs were the only nodes involved.The sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of SLN biopsy in predicting axillary node stams were 96.9%,100%and 98.7%,reslaeetively.Patients with positive SLNs metastasis had a markedly higher proportion of non-SLNs metastases compared with those with only micrometastasis in the SLNS(78.9% vs 23.1%). Conclusions Serial sectioning and IHC ale sensitive methods for detecting breast cancer metastases in SLNS.The incidence of non-SLNs metastases is rather low in patients with SLNs that contain only micrometsstatic foci and ITCs.The prognostic significance and effect on surgical management of these occult disease have yet to be determined.