BACKGROUNDThe lung functional status could be displayed on lung perfusion images. With the images, the radiotherapy plans of lung cancer could be guided to more optimized. This study aimed to assess quantitatively the impact of incorporating functional lung imaging into 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) planning for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSTen patients with NSCLC who had undergone radiotherapy were included in this study. Before radiotherapy, each patient underwent CT simulation and lung perfusion imaging with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The SPECT images were registered with simulation planning CT and used to contour functional lung (lung-F) and non-functional lung (lung-NF). Two 3DCRT plans and two IMRT plans were designed and compared in each patient: two anatomic plans using simulation CT alone and two functional plans using SPECT-CT in addition to the simulation CT. Dosimetric parameters of the four types of plans were compared in terms of tumor coverage and avoidance of normal tissues. Total radiation dose was set at 66 Gy (2 Gy x 33 fractions).

RESULTSIn incorporating perfusion information in 3DCRT and IMRT planning, the reductions on average in the mean doses to the functional lung in the functional plan were 168 cGy and 89 cGy, respectively, compared with those in the anatomic plans. The median reductions in the percentage of volume irradiated with > 5 Gy, > 10 Gy, > 20 Gy, > 30 Gy and > 40 Gy for functional lung in the functional plans were 6.50%, 10.21%, 14.02%, 22.30% and 23.46% in 3DCRT planning, respectively, and 3.05%, 15.52%, 14.16%, 4.87%, and 3.33% in IMRT planning, respectively. No greater degree of sparing of the functional lung was achieved in functional IMRT than in 3DCRT.

CONCLUSIONFunction-guided 3DCRT and IMRT plannings both appear to be effective in preserving functional lung in NSCLC patients.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Humans ; Radiography ; Radiotherapy, Conformal ; methods ; Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated ; methods ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon ; methods

In order to explore the dormancy physiological and biochemical mechanism of Paris seeds, the seed embryo growth courses, and the dynamic change of 5 enzymes, include SOD, POD, CAT, MDH, G-6-PDH were measured during variable temperature stratification. The results indicated that Paris seeds embryo grew quickly after 40 d in warm-stratification (18 ± 1) °C, at the meantime the metabolic activity was significantly strengthened. These facts showed that Paris seeds turned into physiological after-ripening process. After 60-80 d, the morphological embryo after-ripping process basically completed, and the following cold-stratification (4 ± 1) °C furthered Paris seed to finish physiological after-ripening. After 40 d, the activity of MDH decreased while G-6-PDH increased significantly. This showed that the main respiratory pathway of seed changed from TCA to PPP, which benifited breaking seed dormancy. In the whole period of stratification process, the activity variation of SOD and CAT was insignificantly and the activity of POD was enhanced significantly after shifting the seed in cold stratification process. This showed that SOD, CAT had no direct effects on breaking Paris seed dormancy but keeping the seed vigor, while the POD might involve in the process of Paris seed dormancy breaking.
Germination ; Liliaceae ; chemistry ; embryology ; enzymology ; Plant Proteins ; metabolism ; Seeds ; chemistry ; enzymology ; growth & development ; Temperature

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of nitric oxide (NO) on the gene expression of hepatic TNF-α and IL-1β by crush injury of rat's soft tissues. METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into sham group, crush group, crush+aminoguanidine (AG) group, and crush+L-arginine (L-Arg) group. Activities of ALT and AST as well as NO level in serum were measured. Gene expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β were detected with RT-PCR. RESULTS: Obvious increase in TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA expression was detected in the crush group compared with the sham group (P<0.05). After pretreated L-Arg, expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA were markedly increased (P<0.05). After pretreated AG, those indices obviously decreased (P<0.05). Activities of ALT and AST enhanced and NO level increased in the crush group compared with the sham group (P<0.05). Pretreatment with L-Arg or AG led to substantial increased or reduced activities of ALT and AST as well as NO levels, respectively. CONCLUSION Endogenous NO mediated TNF-α, IL-1β mRNA up expression in liver induced by increased production of NO after crush injury of rat's soft tissues.
Animals ; Gene Expression ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism* ; Liver ; Nitric Oxide/physiology* ; RNA, Messenger ; Rats ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Wounds and Injuries

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between the -344T/C polymorphism of aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) gene and essential hypertension in Chinese Mongolian population.

METHODSBy cluster-sampling method, a total of 1575 Mongolian people in Tongliao city of Inner Mongolia were included in this study. And 417 subjects were normotension, 596 subjects were prehypertension and 562 subjects were essential hypertension. A survey was conducted to collect data by personal interview using a standard questionnaire, meanwhile fasting blood samples were drawn. Height, weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, blood-fat indexes and fasting plasma glucose were measured. The variant genotypes of CYP11B2 were identified by PCR assays. The relationship between the -344T/C polymorphism of CYP11B2 gene and essential hypertension were analyzed by multinomial logistic regression model.

RESULTSCrude prevalence of prehypertension among Mongolian people was 37.84% (596/1575) and hypertension was 35.68% (562/1575). The age-standardized prevalence of prehypertension was 38.57% and hypertension was 31.53%. The frequency of the T and C allele was 0.66 (481/728) and 0.34 (247/728) for normotension group, 0.69 (696/1042) and 0.33 (346/1042) for prehypertension group, 0.71 (706/998) and 0.29 (292/998) for hypertension group. The multiple logistic models showed CYP11B2 variant genotypes were associated with prehypertension (TT/CC, OR = 1.33, 95%CI: 0.87 - 2.01; TC/CC, OR = 1.74, 95%CI: 1.13 - 2.67; TC + TT/CC, OR = 1.49, 95%CI: 1.01 - 2.22); CYP11B2 variant genotypes were associated with hypertension (TT/CC, OR = 1.70, 95%CI: 1.07 - 2.70; TC/CC, OR = 1.59, 95%CI: 0.98 - 2.50; TC + TT/CC, OR = 1.66, 95%CI: 1.06 - 2.58).

CONCLUSIONCYP11B2 gene -344T/C polymorphism were associated with essential hypertension in Chinese Mongolian population.

Adult ; Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Blood Pressure ; genetics ; China ; epidemiology ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP11B2 ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hypertension ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Young Adult

This study was purposed to evaluate the clinical significance of FLT3-ITD of free DNA in plasma from patients with AML. Free DNA in plasma of 235 patients with AML were extracted and identified by globin gene. FLT3 was amplified by PCR and compared with detected results of leukemic cellular DNA (BM or PB). The results indicated that out of total 235 patients, globin gene in plasma free DNA was successfully amplified from 190 cases. In 188 newly diagnosed, replaced and refractory cases, 35 cases showed ITD mutation (19%). And they also showed ITD mutation in leukemic cellular DNA. But in 47 patients in remission, 2 patients with FLT3-ITD mutation of free DNA in plasma had no mutation in cellular DNA, but got relapse early. Compared with patients of FLT3-wt, patients with FLT3-ITD mutation had increased WBC count and expression rate of CD7, CD56 and decreased CR rate. It is concluded that leukemic-specific DNA in plasma can be detected in AML patients and consistent with detected results of leukemic cellular DNA. Furthermore, the free DNA in plasma is more sensitive for MRD monitoring in remitted patients. FLT3-ITD detection plays an important role in evaluation of prognosis and molecular target therapy for AML patients.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; DNA ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; blood ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult ; fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3 ; genetics

The mechanisms of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMMSCs)-mediated immunomodulation are still not be completely clarified. In order to investigate the expression of B7-H1 on hBMMSCs and to explore whether B7-H1 mediated signaling pathway (B7-H1/PD-1) involves in the mechanisms of hBMMSCs-mediated immunomodulation, the hBMMSCs were isolated, cultured and identified, the B7-H1 expression on hBMMSCs was detected by flow cytometry, RT-PCR, and Western blot. The inhibitory effect of hBMMSCs on proliferation of T lymphocytes was observed in mixed lymphocyte culture, and then the functional anti-B7-H1 monoclonal antibody (mcAb) was used to block B7-H1, the proliferation of T lymphocytes was detected by using CCK-8. The results indicated that hBMMSCs highly expressed B7-H1 molecule, hBMMSCs effectively inhibited the proliferation of T lymphocytes with a dose-dependent manner, and the inhibitory proliferation of T lymphocytes by hBMMSCs could be partially restored when the anti-B7-H1 mAb was used to block the B7-H1, the inhibitory rate of T lymphocyte proliferation decreased from 64.1% to 38.75%. It is concluded that B7-H1 highly expresses on hBMMSCs, the B7-H1 mediated signaling pathway (B7-H1/PD-1) involves in the mechanisms for hBMMSCs-mediated immunomodulation.
Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; B7-H1 Antigen ; Bone Marrow Cells ; metabolism ; Cell Proliferation ; Humans ; Lymphocyte Activation ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; metabolism ; T-Lymphocytes ; cytology

To investigate the immune regulatory effects of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on alloantigen T lymphocyte in vitro, human MSCs were isolated and expanded from bone marrow cells, and identified with cell morphology, and the phenotypes were assessed by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. As the stimulation factor of T lymphocytes proliferation, either PHA or dendritic cells isolated from cord blood were cocultured with CD2(+) T lymphocytes from peripheral blood mononuclear cells by magnetic beads with or without MSC in 96-well plats for seven days. T cell proliferation was assessed by [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation using a liquid scintillation counter. T cell subsets, Th1, Th2, Tc1 and Tc2 were analyzed by flow cytometry after co-culture of CD2(+) T cells with MSCs for 10 days. The results showed that a significant decrease of CD2(+) T cell proliferation was evident when MSC were added back to T cells stimulated by DC or PHA, and an increase of Th2 and Tc2 subsets were observed after co-culture of MSC with T lymphocytes. It is suggested that allogeneic MSC can suppress T cell proliferation in vitro and the cause of that was partly depend on interaction of cells and the alteration of T cell subsets.
Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; CD2 Antigens ; immunology ; Cell Communication ; immunology ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Coculture Techniques ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; cytology ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo compare the effect of the combined therapy of medication with local hyperthermia with that of the simple local hyperthermia therapy in the treatment of pain symptoms of chronic prostatitis (CP).

METHODSSeventy-six CP patients aged 18-48 (mean 29.2 +/- 3.8) years, with the disease course of 3.5-180 (mean 8.0 +/- 1.2) months and NIH-CPSI pain score > or = 14, were equally randomized into a treatment group and a control. The former was treated by applying the CRS-2280E extraorgan short-wave capacitance field hyperthermia system to the prostate once an hour every other day for 7 times, combined with anal administration of 1 Qianliean suppository and oral doxazosin 4 mg before bedtime every night for 2 weeks, while the latter underwent simple local hyperthermia. All the patients were scored on NIH-CPSI and the therapeutic results were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe pre- and post-treatment NIH-CPSI scores were (23.9 +/- 3.8) and (5.2 +/- 3.1) (P < 0.01) in the treatment goup and (24.5 +/- 4.3) and (11.6 +/- 3.4) (P < 0.01) in the control; the pre- and post-treatment scores on NIH-CPSI pain symptoms were (16.5 +/- 1.9) and (3.1 +/- 2.2) (P < 0.01) in the former and (15.9 +/- 1.7) and (8.2 +/- 2.0) (P < 0.01) in the latter. The total score on NIH-CPSI and that on NIH-CPSI pain symptoms were both significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control (P < 0.01). Within the treatment group, the score on NIH-CPSI pain symptoms was even more significantly improved in patients with the first attacks than in those already treated by other means (P < 0.01). No adverse effects were observed in either of the groups.

CONCLUSIONBoth the combined therapy of medication with local hyperthermia and simple local hyperthermia are effective, safe and tolerable in the treatment of CP pain symptoms, and the former is even more desirable, particularly for those with the first attacks of the symptoms.

Administration, Oral ; Adolescent ; Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Adult ; Chronic Disease ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Doxazosin ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Hyperthermia, Induced ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain ; etiology ; Pain Management ; Pain Measurement ; Prostatitis ; complications ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of t (14; 18) chromosomal translocation and bcl-2 amplification in classification, clinical staging and prognostic evaluation of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

METHODSSixty cases of DLBCL were included in this investigation. Microdissection of the lymphoma tissue was performed. Tissue microarray and in-situ fluorescence hybridization technique were used to detect t (14; 18) and bcl-2 amplification. The phenotypes of either germinal center B-cell-like (GCB) or non-germinal center B-cell-like (non-GCB) were determined by immunohistochemistry including CD20, CD10, bcl-6 and MUM1 (S-P method) using the tissue microarray format. Clinical staging and therapeutic response were obtained by medical record review. The relationships among different parameters were analyzed by appropriate statistical methods.

RESULTSAmong 60 cases of DLBCL, bcl-2/IgH was positive in 10 cases and bcl-2 gene amplification was detected in 18 cases. Overall, 29 (48.3%) cases were GCB and 31 (51.7%) cases were non-GCB. The t (14; 18) was seen in 8 (80.0%) cases of GCB and 2 (20.0%) of non-GCB. The difference was statistical significance (P = 0.031). Over-expression of bcl-2 was seen in all cases having both t (14; 18) and bcl-2 gene amplification. Of thirty-six patients who underwent routine CHOP treatment, bcl-2 gene amplification was seen in 13 cases. In these cases, the rates of complete remission, partial remission and no change were 3 (23.1%), 4 (30.8%) and 6 (46.2%) respectively, and the clinical stages were stage I - II (1 case, 7.7%) and stage III - IV (12 cases, 92.3%). The clinical stages and therapeutic response were significantly different between the bcl-2 amplification cases and those without (P = 0.046 and P = 0.019, respectively).

CONCLUSIONST (14; 18) and/or bcl-2 gene amplification can lead to an over-expression of bcl-2 protein. The bcl-2 gene amplification correlates with worse therapeutic efficacies and advanced clinical stages. The reason for the correlation between bcl-2 over-expression and the prognosis is unclear, although it may be explained by different mechanisms that lead to bcl-2 over-expression. Detection of t (14; 18) chromosome translocation by FISH can be helpful in the classification of DLBCL.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 14 ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 18 ; Female ; Gene Amplification ; Genes, bcl-2 ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; classification ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Tissue Array Analysis ; Translocation, Genetic ; Young Adult

Adult ; Cause of Death ; China ; epidemiology ; Embolism, Amniotic Fluid ; mortality ; Female ; Humans ; Maternal Mortality ; Postpartum Hemorrhage ; mortality ; Pre-Eclampsia ; mortality ; Pregnancy