Objective To evaluate the limitation of image-based classification and delineation of cervical nodes proposed in 1999. Methods 259 consecutive nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients received contrast-enhanced transverse CT scan from July to November in 2003, the scanning range extended from the skull base to the inferior border of the clavicle, with thickness set at 5?mm per slice from the skull base to the oropharynx, and 1?cm per slice from the oropharynx to the clavicle. Interpretation of the images and assessment of the involved nodes distribution were performed by both radiation oncologists together with diagnostic radiologists according to 1999 image-based classification and delineation of the neck. Then we evaluated whether this classification could fully cover all the lymphatic drainage areas of the neck. Results 218 cases had nodal involvements. Nodal distributions were 0 in levelⅠA, 6 in levelⅠB, 136 in level ⅡA, 171 in level ⅡB, 78 in level Ⅲ, 20 in level Ⅳ, 33 in level VA, 27 in level VB,0 in level Ⅵ and Ⅶ, 5 in supraclavicle and 102 in retropharyngeal space, respectively. Among another 57 cases who belonged to none of the above levels, 2 cases had lesions in the preauricular area, the rest 55 medial to the border of internal carotid artery, 2?cm from inferior to the skull base to the hyoid bone. Conclusions The 1999 image-based classification of the neck nodes,being essentially rational, did not fully cover the retropharyngeal space. It would be better to shift the inferior boundary of the retropharyngeal space to the level of the hyoid bone.

OBJECTIVE To acknowledge the current administrative situation in gastrointestinal endoscopies in Xi′an health settings.METHODS Using standard questionnaire to investigate endoscope disinfection related knowledge of the staff,facilities and layout in endoscopy room,washing and decontamination process and operating records.Samples were collected from gastrointestinal endoscope channels,biopsy forceps,disinfectants and the water in bottles.Then laboratory analysis was employed to check bacteria count,pathogen and efficient components of disinfectants.RESULTS Among 35 hospitals monitored,manual cleaning the endoscope was used by 29 hospitals,from which 75% samples were up to standard of guideline.The qualification rate of using automatic washing devices and acidic electrolytic water to disinfect endoscope was 15% and 78%,respectively.All biopsy forceps were up to standard.78% Efficient components of glutaraldehydes were up to 2%.CONCLUSIONS The rate of using automatic washing devices to clean gastrointestinal endoscopy is still low.It is important to strengthen supervision of hospital gastrointestinal endoscope disinfection to control nosocomial infection.

Objective Nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients with stage N3 disease are prone to develop distant metastasis even treated with standard concurrent chemoradiotherapy(CRT).The aim of this study is to compare the ettlcacy of difierent chemotherapy sequences in these patients.Methotis All patients with histologically proven,carcinoma of the nasopharynx treated between July 1999 and November 2003 were restaged according to the AJCC 2002 stage classification system.A total of 114 patients had AJCC N3 diseases were analyzed retrospectively.Patients were treated by conventional RT technique using 6 MV photons or 60 Coγ-ray with 1.8-2.0 Gy per fraction,5 fractions a week,to a planned dose of 70 Gy.The prophylactic irradiation dose of the neck wss 54-60 Gy.Any positive lymph node was boosted to a total dose of 60-68 Gy.All patients received cisplatin-based chemotherapy of difierent sequences but 9 patients RT alone.CRT regimen was delivered in 37 patients,neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NACT)+CRT regimen in 53 patients and CRT+adjuvant chemotherapy(AC)regimen in 15 patients.Results The prophylactic irradiation dose of the neck wss 54-60 Gy.Any positive lymph node was boosted to a total dose of 60-68 Gy.All patients received cisplatin-based chemotherapy of difierent sequences but 9 patients received RT alone.CRT regimen was delivered in 37 patients,neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NACT)+CRT regimen in 53 patients and CRT+adjuvant chemotherapy(AC)regimen in 15 patients.Results The median follow up time was 54 months(3-117months).The 5-year overall survival rate was 59.1%in whole groups,and with 17%,51%,68%and 71%in RT,CRT,NACT+CRT and CRT+AC group,respectively(X2=15.44,P=0.001).The 5-year relapse-free survival rates were 83%,77%,88%and 93%in RT,CRT,NACT+CRT and CRT+AC group,respectively(X2=2.34,P=0.505).The 5-year metastasis-free survival rates were 17%,54%,72%and 80%in RT,CRT,NACT+CRT and CRT+AC group,respectively(X2=19.28,P=0.000).Conclusions The NACT+CRT and CRT+AC regimens were more effective than CRT alone for N3 disease in the current study.Large prospective,randomized clinieal studies are warranted.

Objective To evaluate set-up errors by megavoltage cone-beam CT in head and neck cancers treated with precision radiotherapy. Methods From April 2007 to March 2008, 22 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (15 patients) ,parotid carcinoma (4 patients) and brain glioma (3 patients) were enrolled, among whom 7 patients underwent three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) and 15 received intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). The radiation dose was 56. 0 -70.4 Gy in 28 -32 fractions within 6 -7 weeks. Megavoltage cone-beam scan was performed weekly before treatment. The isocenter displacement was calculated by comparing megavoltage cone-beam CT and planning CT in left-right (LR), cranio-caudal (CC), and anterior-posterior (AP) directions. Results Totally 129 sets of megavoltage cone-beam CT images were obtained for 22 patients. The frequency of isocenter shift more than 0. 3 cm,0. 4 cm and 0. 5 cm were 28,15 and 9, respectively. The maximum mean set-up error was found in CC, which was about 0. 1 cm more than that in LR and AP. The frequency of isocenter shift direction was almost identical in LR and CC, which was more frequent (about 75%) in the posterior direction. Conclusions During the course of radiation of brain tumor and head and neck cancer, the enlarging tendency of set-up errors has been found in all the three directions. The isocenter shift in AP was more frequent to the posterior direction.

Objective:To evaluate the diagnostic value of rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) performed by endoscopists for solid pancreatic lesions requiring tissue for immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining with different approach of endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition (EUS-TA).Methods:After screening 1 573 cases who underwent EUS-TA operation at the Endoscopy Center of Peking Union Medical College Hospital between August 2018 and October 2022, a total of 65 cases of solid pancreatic lesions whose diagnosis rely on IHC staining was collected and summarized with clinical data of each case. Among 65 cases, there were 46 cases of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs), 13 cases of pancreatic solid pseudo-papillary tumors (SPTs), and 6 cases of lymphomas and mesenchymal. Patients were categorized into ROSE group (36 cases) and non-ROSE group (29 cases) according to the presence or absence of endoscopists performed ROSE during EUS-TA operation. They were further divided into subgroups of FNA-ROSE (26 cases), FNB-ROSE (10 cases), FNA-non-ROSE (24 cases) and FNB-non-ROSE (5 cases) according to the type of EUS-TA. Diagnostic accuracy and IHC success rate were compared between different groups and subgroups. Binomial logistic multifactorial regression analysis was used to evaluate the influence of ROSE and EUS-TA type on diagnostic accuracy and IHC success rate.Results:There were no statistically significant differences between ROSE group and non-ROSE group in terms of age, gender, bilirubin level, CA19-9 level, lesion site, lesion size, composition ratio of diagnosis, and surgical rate. The differences in mean size of lesions, needle gauge, location of puncturation, and number of needle pass between subgroups were not statistically significant. The diagnostic accuracy was 88.9% in ROSE group and 79.3% in non-ROSE group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( P=0.023). The diagnostic accuracy of FNA-ROSE group was higher than that of FNA-non-ROSE group (88.5% vs 75.0%), but the difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.100). The differences in diagnostic accuracy and success rate of IHC between FNB-ROSE group and FNB-non-ROSE group were not statistically significant. Binomial logistic multifactorial regression analysis did not reveal any independent influences on diagnostic accuracy. Conclusions:ROSE performed by endoscopists improved diagnostic accuracy of EUS-TA in solid pancreatic lesions requiring IHC staining, and therefore is potentially valuable for improving the diagnostic efficiency of EUS-TA for such diseases.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect and explore the underlying mechanisms of Longxue Tongluo Capsule (LTC) on ischemic stroke rats. METHODS: Twenty-six rats were randomly divided into four groups, including sham group, sham + LTC group, MCAO group, and MCAO + LTC group. Ischemic stroke rats were simulated by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), and LTC treatment group were orally administrated with 300 mg/kg of LTC once daily for seven consecutive days. LTC therapy was validated in terms of neurobehavioral abnormality evaluation, cerebral infarct area, and histological assessments. The plasma metabolome comparisons amongst different groups were conducted by UHPLC-Q Exactive MS in combination with subsequent multivariate statistical analysis, aiming to finding the molecules in respond to the surgery or LTC treatment. RESULTS: Intragastric administration of LTC significantly decreased not only the neurobehavioral abnormality scores but also the cerebral infarct area of MCAO rats. The interstitial edema, atrophy, and pyknosis of glial and neuronal cells occurred in the infarcted area, core area, and marginal area of cerebral cortex were improved after LTC treatment. A total of 13 potential biomarkers were observed, and Youden index of 11 biomarkers such as LysoPC, SM, and PE were more than 0.7, which were involved in neuroprotective process. The correlation and pathway analysis showed that LTC was beneficial to ischemic stroke rats via regulating glycerophospholipid and sphingolipid metabolism, together with nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism. Heatmap and ternary analysis indicated the synergistic effect of carbohydrates and lipids may be induced by flavonoid intake from LTC. CONCLUSION The present study could provide evidence that metabolomics, as systematic approach, revealed its capacity to evaluate the holistic efficacy of TCM, and investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the clinical treatment of LTC on ischemic stroke.