Objective To study the efficacy of late course accelerated fractionation(LCAF) radio- therapy in the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC).The end-po s were local control,radiation-in- duced complications,factors influencing survival.Methods From December 1995 to April 1998,178 NPC patients were admitted for radiation treatment.The radiation beam used was ~(60)Co?or 6 MV X-ray.For the first two-thirds of the treatment,two daily fractions of 1.2 Gy were given to the primary lesion ,with an interval of≥6 hours,5 days per week to a total dose of 48 Gy/40 fractions,over a period of 4 weeks.For the last one third of the treatment,i.e.beginning from the 5th week,an accelerated hyperfractionation schedule was carried out.The dose per fraction was increased to 1.5 Gy,2 fractions per day with an interval of≥6 hours,the total dose for this part of the protocol was 30 Gy/20 fractions over 2 weeks.Thus the total dose was 78 Gy in 60 fractions in 6 weeks.Results All patients completed the treatment.Acute mucosi- tis:none in 2 patients,Grade 1 in 43,Grade 2 in 78,Grade 3 in 52,and Grade 4 in 3 patients.Local control rate:the 5-year nasopharyngeal local control rate was 87.7%,and the cervical lymph node local control rate was 85.7%.The 5-year distant metastasis rate was 26.1%,and 5-year survivals was 67.9%. Sixteen patients had radiation-induced cranial nerve palsy.Conclusions With this treatment schedule, patient's tolerance is good,local control and 5 year survivals are better than control groups of conventional fractionation and hyperfractionation radiotherapy.Radiation-related late complication does not increase.Ran- domized clinical trials are being carried out to further confirm the efficacy of LCAF for nasopharyngeal carci- noma.

OBJECTIVETo develop a new method of PET and CT cross-modality medical image fusion based on out-location frame.

METHODSPET/CT cross-modality medical images were obtained based on the out-location frame and the external fiducial marker on the frame was used for rigid medical image registration. A variation model based on the wavelet transform was used for image fusion.

RESULTSThe CT images were displayed by grey scale and overlaid with the PET images displayed by chromatic scale to obtain the image after registration and fusion.

CONCLUSIONThe method of external markers registration can be effective and accurate in achieving PET and CT image fusion.

Humans ; Image Enhancement ; instrumentation ; methods ; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; instrumentation ; methods ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; instrumentation ; methods ; Radiotherapy Dosage ; Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted ; instrumentation ; methods ; Radiotherapy, Computer-Assisted ; instrumentation ; methods ; Radiotherapy, Conformal ; methods ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

OBJECTIVETo assess the effect of oxidative stress in development of acute high altitude response (AHAR) during the process of strong physical work at high altitude and its change after return to lower altitude.

METHODSNinety-six officers and soldiers of rapid entering into high altitude (3 700 m) with strong physical work were analyzed, all subjects were male, aged 18-35 years. According to the symptomatic scores of AHAR were divided into 3 groups: severe AHAR (group A, n = 24), mild AHAR (group B, n = 47) and without AHAR (group C, n = 25). Levels in serum 8-iso prostaglandinF2alpha(8-iso-PGF2alpha), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malonaldehyde (MDA) were measured at higher altitude stayed 50 d and after return to lower altitude (1 500 m) 12 h and 15 d, and 50 healthy volunteers (group D) at 1 500 m altitude served as controll.

RESULTSLevels of serum 8-iso-PGF2alpha and MDA [(9.53 +/- 0.47) microg/L, (8.91 +/- 0.39) micromol/L] were significantly higher in group A than those in group B [(8.34 +/- 0.42) microg/L, (7.31 +/- 0.32) micromol/L] , group C [(7.02 +/- 0.48) microg/L, (6.41 +/- 0.23) micromol/L] and group D [(5.13 +/- 0.56) microg/L, (5.48 +/- 0.33) micromol/L], (all P < 0.01), and serum SOD [(52.08 +/- 3.44) micro/ml] was significantly lower in group A than that in group B [62.27 +/- 2.54) micro/ml], group C [(71.99 +/- 3.35) micro/ml] and group D [(80.78 +/- 3.44) micro/ ml] (all P < 0.01), there were significant differences between group B and C, C and D (all P < 0.01). At altitude 3 700 m 50 d, AHAR scores was positively correlated with serum 8-iso-PGF2alpha and MDA (all P < 0.01), negatively correlated with SOD (P < 0.01). Serum 8-iso-PGF2alpha and MDA were negatively correlated with SOD (all P < 0.01). Levels of serum 8-iso-PGF2alpha and MDA were significantly higher at altitude of 3 700 m 50 d than those at altitude of 1 500 m 12 h,15 d in group D (all P < 0.01), and serum SOD was significantly lower than that at 1 500 m 12 h,15 d in group D (all P < 0.01), there were significantly difference between at 1 500 m 12 h and 15 d (all P < 0.01), there were no difference between at 15 d in group D (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe more serious of oxidative stress and oxidative/antioxidative imbalance, the more serious of AHAR, oxidative stress and oxidative/antioxidative imbalance may be involved in the development of AHAR. The changes were obviously improved after return to lower altitude 12 h, and recovered to normal after 15 d.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Altitude ; Altitude Sickness ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; physiology ; Physical Exertion ; physiology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the changes in serum cortisol levels in adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and elevated depressive symptoms.

METHODSTwenty-eight adolescents with T1DM and 31 healthy peers were assessed for depressive symptoms using a depression self-rating scale developed by the Epidemiological Survey Center. Selected subjects were classified into four groups: T1DM with elevated depressive symptoms group (n=15), T1DM without elevated depressive symptoms group (n=13), elevated depressive symptoms without T1DM group (n=15), and normal control group (n=16). Fasting blood samples were collected in the morning, and the levels of serum cortisol were compared among the four groups. The correlations of serum levels of cortisol and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) with the score of depression self-rating scale were evaluated by Pearson correlation analysis.

RESULTSThe fasting serum cortisol levels in the 28 T1DM patients were significantly higher than in the 31 healthy peers (P<0.01). The fasting cortisol levels in the T1DM with elevated depressive symptoms group were significantly higher compared with those in the elevated depressive symptoms without T1DM group and normal control group (P<0.01). In adolescents with T1DM, serum HbA1c level was positively correlated with the score of depression self-rating scale (r=0.481, P=0.010).

CONCLUSIONSThe fasting serum cortisol levels in adolescents with T1DM and elevated depressive symptoms are significantly increased, suggesting that the patients with comorbidity of T1DM and depression develop dysfunction of the corticotropin-releasing hormone-adrenocorticotropic hormone-cortisol axis. The elevated depressive symptoms may be associated with a poor control of glucose metabolism.

Adolescent ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; physiology ; Child ; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone ; physiology ; Depression ; blood ; etiology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ; blood ; Female ; Glucose ; metabolism ; Glycated Hemoglobin A ; analysis ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; blood ; Male

OBJECTIVETo explore possible correlations between renal Th1/Th2 ratio and renal microvascular injury in children with Henoch-Sch-nlein purpura nephritis (HSPN).

METHODSThirty-two children with HSPN were enrolled. They were classified into four groups by renal pathology: HSPN class II (n=8), HSPN class IIIa (n=7), HSPN class IIIb (n=10) and HSPN class IV/V (n=7). Five patients undergoing nephrectomy due to trauma were used as the controls. INFγ, IL-4 and CD34 in the renal tissues were measured by immunohistochemical analysis. INFγ was used as a marker of Th1, IL-4 was used as a marker of Th2 and CD34 was used as a marker of microvessel. The renal microvessel density was evaluated according to the Weidner standard. The relationships among the local Th1/Th2 ratio, renal pathological grade, microvessel score and microvessel density were studied.

RESULTSImmunohistochemical analysis showed a lower expression of INFγ and a higher expression of IL-4 in the HSPN groups than in the control group. The local Th1/Th2 ratio in the HSPN groups decreased and correlated significantly with the renal pathological grade. There were significant differences among four HSPN subgroups (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the renal microvessel density in the HSPN class II and class IIIa groups increased significantly (P<0.05), but it decreased in the HSPN class IV/V group (P<0.05). The renal microvessel scores in the HSPN class IIIa, class IIIb and class IV/V groups increased significantly compared with those in the control and the HSPN classⅡ. The increased renal microvessel scores were associated with more severe renal pathological changes. A negative correlation was found between the local Th1/Th2 ratio and the microvessel density in kidneys (r=-0.921, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe decrease of Th1/Th2 ratio in kidneys might be responsible for renal microvascular injury in children with HSPN.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; blood supply ; pathology ; Male ; Microvessels ; pathology ; Nephritis ; immunology ; pathology ; Purpura, Schoenlein-Henoch ; immunology ; pathology ; Th1 Cells ; immunology ; Th2 Cells ; immunology

Objective Constructing physiological-psycho-social three dimensional aging index system, and scale to provide a basis for evaluating the effects of human aging and anti-aging measures. Methods Evaluation, modification and determination of the second and third level indexed by Delphi and principal component analysis and other methods. The weight of each index was weighted by the analytic hierarchy process, and the reliability and validity were calculated on the basis of the preliminary scale. A large sample of empirical studied to determine the aging of different age groups standardized score distribution table. The best model for judging functional age was sought, based on a variety of biostatistical models. Results The aging scale was constructed by three levels, the first level included 3 indicators, the second level had 10 indicators, the third level included 51 indicators, and adopted by expert certification the national society. 3 184 valid questionnaires were obtained through epidemiological investigation, the average total score of aging was (46.93±11.07) points, and the scores of aging were positively correlated with age(r=0.785, P<0.001). The average scores of aging in each dimension were different and the difference was statistically significant (all P<0.001), and each dimension had significant difference with age. The growth model (R2=0.635) was selected, the curve of the relationship between the score of aging and age was fitted. Conclusions The three-dimensional human aging scale was scientific, feasible, and has good reliability and validity. The empirical results show that the comprehensive score of aging increase with age, and show certain characteristics and laws on the curve.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of implantation brachytherapy with delayed-release particles of 32P-chromic phosphate-poly (L-lactide) (32P-CP-PLLA) on prostate cancer (PCa) in nude mice.

METHODSWe established a subcutaneous transplantable PCa model in nude mice, and randomly divided them into six groups, Groups A, B and C implanted intratumorally with 32P-CP-PLLA delayed-release particles at 3.7, 7.4 and 14.8 MBq, Groups D, E and F with 125I particles at the same doses as the former three, and another six nude mice were included in Group G as the blank control. Then we killed the mice at 21 days after the treatment, observed the effects of the particles on the morphology of the tumor and their inhibition of tumor growth, counted WBCs and platelets (PLTs) in the peripheral blood, and detected the toxic reaction of the blood.

RESULTSAt 21 days after the treatment, the solid tumor tissues exhibited bleeding and necrotic changes, and the rates of tumor inhibition were positively correlated with the doses of administration. Groups A, B and C showed statistically significant differences from Groups D, E, F and G in the rate of tumor inhibition ([ 65.72 +/- 6.95]%, [77.58 +/- 4.32]% and [82.64 +/- 4.03]% versus [35.61 +/- 5.61]%, [43.30 +/- 6.94]% and [69.01 +/- 4.98]%), WBC count ([1.72 +/- 0.37] x 10(9)/L, [1.23 +/- 0.27] x 10(9)/L and [0.86 +/- 0.25] x 10(9)/L versus [1.45 +/- 0.40] x 10(9)/L, [0.51 +/- 0.24] x 10(9)/L, [0.37 +/- 0.26] x 10(9)/L and [3.96 +/- 0.26] x 10(9)/L), PLT count ([1.18 +/- 0.11] x 10(11)/L, [0.97 +/- 0.10] x 10(11)/L and [0.72 +/- 0.11] x 10(11)/L versus [0.97 +/- 0.15] x 10(11)/L, [0.76 +/- 0.16] x 10(11)/L, [0.64 +/- 0.12] x 10(11)/L and [2.89 +/- 0.21] x 10(11)/L) and body weight ([18.60 +/- 0.66] g, [17.60 +/- 0.39] g and [16.90 +/- 0.68] g versus [17.86 +/- 0.60] g, [15.56 +/- 0.39] g, [14.61 +/- 0.65] g and [19.95 +/- 0.73] g) (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONIntratumoral implantation of 32P-CP-PL-LA is a safe, simple and effective radionuclide interventional therapy for prostate cancer.

Animals ; Brachytherapy ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Phosphorus Radioisotopes ; therapeutic use ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; radiotherapy

BACKGROUNDRecent studies have demonstrated that the Lenke system is relatively efficient and consistent in classifying scoliosis curves. Basically, fusion should include the main curve and the structural minor curve. The criteria for defining the structural minor curve were established to help guide these decision-making process. The present study was designed to investigate predictors of the structural curve, and see whether it was possible to prevent the formation of the structural curve by interfering with influencing factors to decrease the fusion level.

METHODSAge, gender, Cobb angle, Perdriolle rotation, Risser sign and the number of vertebrae included in the curve, brace treatment, and curve location were recorded in 145 idiopathic scoliosis patients from July 2001 to January 2007. The patients were divided into two groups: structural and non-structural groups. Demographics and baseline characteristics were compared between the two groups as an initial screen. Logistic regression was used to analyze factors affecting the minor curve to become the structural curve.

RESULTSCompared with the non-structural group, the structural group had a higher Cobb angle ((51.34 ± 13.61)° vs. (34.20 ± 7.21)°, P < 0.001), bending angle ((33.94 ± 9.92)° vs. (8.46 ± 5.56)°, P < 0.001) and curve rotation ((23.25 ± 12.86)° vs. (14.21 ± 8.55)°, P < 0.001), and lower flexibility ((33.48 ± 12.53)% vs. (75.50 ± 15.52)%, P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in other parameters between the two groups. The results of the Logistic regression analysis showed that the Cobb angle (OR: 9.921, P < 0.001) and curve location (OR: 4.119, P = 0.016) were significant predictors of structural curve in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Every 10° change of Cobb angle increased the possibility of turning the minor curve into the structural curve by 10-fold. And thoracic curve showed, on the average, the possibility of becoming the structural curve about 4-fold more often than did the thoracolumbar/lumbar curve.

CONCLUSIONSCurve severity and curve location affect the minor curve's structural features in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Adolescent ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; pathology ; Male ; Scoliosis ; pathology ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated silencing of PC4 and SFRS1 interacting protein 1 (PSIP1) on invasion and migration of human glioma U87 cells.

METHODSChemically synthesized siRNA targeting PSIP1 gene was transfected into U87 cells via lipofectamine, and the gene silencing effect was determined using real-time PCR. The changes in the invasion and migration abilities of the transfected cells were assessed with Transwell assay and wound healing assay, respectively. Western blotting was used to analyze the expression of N-cadherin, β-catenin and the transcription factor Slug.

RESULTSThe mRNA and protein level of PSIP1 was significantly reduced in U87 cells after transfection with PSIP1 siRNA (P<0.0001). PSIP1 knockdown in U87 cells resulted in significant suppression of cell invasion and migration abilities (P<0.01) and also reduced N-cadherin, β-catenin and Slug expressions.

CONCLUSIONs Silencing of PSIP1 impairs the invasion and migration abilities of glioma cells and lowers the expressions of N-cadherin, β-catenin and Slug, suggesting that PSIP1 may regulate Slug by classical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to modulate epithelial-mesenchymal transition and promote the invasion and migration of glioma cells.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; genetics ; metabolism ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Cadherins ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Glioma ; pathology ; Humans ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Snail Family Transcription Factors ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo compare the protective activity of liver injury induced by D-galactosamine (GalN) between Huangqin-Tang and their metabolites by human intestinal bacteria(HIB).

METHODThe liver injuries in conventional and pseudo-germfree mice were induced by GalN. After oral administration of Huangqin-Tang and their metabolites mixtures by HIB, the serum transaminase (ALT and AST) activities were detected.

RESULTIn conventional mice, large and medium doses (20 and 10 g.kg-1) of Huangqin-Tang decoction significantly reduced the increase of serum ALT activity after 18 h GalN treatment. In pseudo-germfree mice, metabolites significantly reduced the ALT levels. However, Huangqing-Tang didn't affect the ALT levels in this kind of mice. To all of the animals, AST levels remained the same after oral Huangqin-tang or their metabolites.

CONCLUSIONThe metabolism by intestinal bacteria plays a role in pharmacological effects of constituents of Chinese herbal medicine. The metabolites of the constituents by intestinal bacteria were the real active components in vivo.

Administration, Oral ; Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Bacteria ; metabolism ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Galactosamine ; Intestines ; microbiology ; Liver Diseases ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Protective Agents ; metabolism ; pharmacology