Objective:To compare the influence of definition methods of different isocenter on postoperative volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans for patients with high-grade glioma (HGG),and to explore the feasibility of determining the treatment isocenter at location stage of computed tomography (CT) simulation system (CT-Sim). Methods:A total of 30 HGG patients who received radiotherapy after surgery in Peking University International Hospital from September 1,2021 to December 31,2022 were selected. 4 kinds of methods,which included center of mass (CT-COM) of target region of tumor bed was delineated by CT-Sim location stage,geometric center of target region of treatment plan system (TPS-Geo),whole brain geometric center of treatment plan system (TPS-Head) and center of mass of target region of TPS (TPS-COM),were respectively adopted to definite treatment isocenter for each patient,and they were respectively set as CT-COM group,TPS-Geo group,TPS-Head group and TPS-COM group to design 4 groups of VMAT treatment. The parameters included dose,conformity index (CI),uniformity index (HI) and machine unite (MU) among 4 groups of target region and organ at risk (OAR) were compared. Results:The doses of target region and OAR of four groups were similar,and all of them can meet the requirements of clinical dosimetry and clinical OAR dose limitation,without statistically significant differences (P>0.05). The covered volumes that brain tissues received 10,20,30,40 and 50 Gy doses in CT-COM group,TPS-Geo group and TPS-COM group closed to the maximum dose,the maximum dose of 2％ volume and mean dose (Dmax,D2％,Dmean) of brainstem,bilateral lens,optic chiasm,bilateral optic nerve and pituitary gland. The V10,V20,V30 of brain tissue,and Dmax,D2％,and Dmean of brainstem in TPS-Head group were slightly higher than those in other three groups,and the Dmean of lens,and Dmax,D2％ and Dmean of optic nerve at health side of TPS-Head group were slightly lower than those of other three groups,without statistically significant differences (P>0.05). Conclusion:The four VMAT plans of defining the treatment isocenter can meet the clinical dosimetric requirements,and can determine the isocenter at CT-Sim location stage,which can effectively avoid the occurrence of errors in the reduction of radiotherapy,and increase precision of delivery of radiotherapy dose,and enhance effective utilization rate of equipment.

Objective:To compare the influence of definition methods of different isocenter on postoperative volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans for patients with high-grade glioma (HGG),and to explore the feasibility of determining the treatment isocenter at location stage of computed tomography (CT) simulation system (CT-Sim). Methods:A total of 30 HGG patients who received radiotherapy after surgery in Peking University International Hospital from September 1,2021 to December 31,2022 were selected. 4 kinds of methods,which included center of mass (CT-COM) of target region of tumor bed was delineated by CT-Sim location stage,geometric center of target region of treatment plan system (TPS-Geo),whole brain geometric center of treatment plan system (TPS-Head) and center of mass of target region of TPS (TPS-COM),were respectively adopted to definite treatment isocenter for each patient,and they were respectively set as CT-COM group,TPS-Geo group,TPS-Head group and TPS-COM group to design 4 groups of VMAT treatment. The parameters included dose,conformity index (CI),uniformity index (HI) and machine unite (MU) among 4 groups of target region and organ at risk (OAR) were compared. Results:The doses of target region and OAR of four groups were similar,and all of them can meet the requirements of clinical dosimetry and clinical OAR dose limitation,without statistically significant differences (P>0.05). The covered volumes that brain tissues received 10,20,30,40 and 50 Gy doses in CT-COM group,TPS-Geo group and TPS-COM group closed to the maximum dose,the maximum dose of 2％ volume and mean dose (Dmax,D2％,Dmean) of brainstem,bilateral lens,optic chiasm,bilateral optic nerve and pituitary gland. The V10,V20,V30 of brain tissue,and Dmax,D2％,and Dmean of brainstem in TPS-Head group were slightly higher than those in other three groups,and the Dmean of lens,and Dmax,D2％ and Dmean of optic nerve at health side of TPS-Head group were slightly lower than those of other three groups,without statistically significant differences (P>0.05). Conclusion:The four VMAT plans of defining the treatment isocenter can meet the clinical dosimetric requirements,and can determine the isocenter at CT-Sim location stage,which can effectively avoid the occurrence of errors in the reduction of radiotherapy,and increase precision of delivery of radiotherapy dose,and enhance effective utilization rate of equipment.

Purpose To explore the diagnostic value of beak sign in fetal annular pancreas by analyzing the ultrasonographic features of fetal annular pancreas.Materials and Methods The ultrasound images and clinical data of 13 cases of fetal annular pancreas diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound in Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital from September 2019 to December 2021 and confirmed by surgery after birth were retrospectively analyzed.The degree of duodenal stenosis at the obstruction site was observed,especially whether the angle formed by the intestinal wall could identify the fetal annular pancreas,and the ultrasonic characteristics were summarized and analyzed.Results A total of 13 fetuses with annular pancreas showed double bubble sign,3 cases showed clamp sign,and 7 cases showed beak sign at the end of duodenal dilatation.All the 13 cases underwent surgical treatment after birth,including 2 cases with duodenal atresia and 1 case with atypical intestinal malrotation.All the children had good prognosis after operation.Conclusion By observing the dilated end of duodenum and the relationship with pancreatic head,prenatal ultrasound combined with beak sign and double bubble sign could improve the diagnostic accuracy of fetal annular pancreas,which has significant value in prenatal diagnosis of fetal annular pancreas.

Objective:To discuss the synergistic inhibitory effect of apatinib mesylate(apatinib)combined with radiotherapy(RT)on the hepatocellular carcinoma(HepG2)cells in vitro,and to clarify its related antitumor mechanism.Methods:The HepG2 cells were cultured in vitro and treated with different concentrations of apatinib and/or varying doses of X-rays.MTT method was used to detect the survival rates of the cells in various groups;the inhibitory rates of cell proliferation and the 20％inhibitory concentration(IC20)of apatinib were calculated;the X-ray irradiation dose for subsequent experiments was detected.The HepG2 cells were divided into apatinib group,RT group,and apatinib+RT group(combined group).Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptotic rates of the cells in various groups;wound healing assay was used to detect the migration rates of the cells in various groups;ELISA method was used to detect the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in the cell culture supernatant in various groups.Results:The MTT results showed that the IC20 of apatinib was 1.32 μmol·L-1,and this concentration was used for subsequent experiments,and the X-ray irradiation dose for the follow-up experiments was 2 Gy.Compared with control group,the apoptotic rates of the cells in apatinib group and RT group had no significant differences(P＞0.05),while the apoptotic rate of the cells in combined group was increased(P＜0.05).Compared with control group,the migration rates of the cells in apatinib group,RT group,and combined group were decreased(P＜0.05);compared with apatinib group and RT group,the migration rate of the cells in combined group was decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with control group,the levels of VEGF in the cell culture supernatant in apatinib group and combined group were decreased(P＜0.05);compared with apatinib and RT group,the level of VEGF in the cell culture supernatant in combined group was decreased(P＜0.05).Conclusion:Apatinib combined with radiotherapy significantly inhibits the proliferation and migration of the HepG2 cells in vitro and induces the apoptosis;its effect may be related to the inhibition of VEGF secretion by cells.

Objective To investigate the influencing factors of Mismatch ratio in computed tomography perfusion(CTP)and dif-fusion weighted imaging(DWI)to assess the lesion outcome after treatment in patients with acute ischemic stroke(AIS).Methods Whether there were any differences in clinical and imaging data of AIS patients were analyzed retrospectively between the Mismatch ratio＞1.2 group and the Mismatch ratio≤1.2 group,and between the hemorrhagic transformation group and the non-hemorrhagic transformation group.Results The age of onset and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)score of AIS patients in the group with Mismatch ratio＞1.2 were greater than those in the group with Mismatch ratio≤1.2.The Mismatch ratio＞1.2 group had lower incidence of hyperlipidemia,new infarct foci,and higher hypercoagulability,cerebral hemorrhage,as well as large cerebral infarction.The NIHSS score was higher in the hemorrhagic transformation group than the non-hemorrhagic transformation group,and the incidence of large cerebral infarction and digital subtraction angiography(DSA)thrombectomy was higher in the former than in the latter.Multifactorial logistic analysis showed that age,NIHSS score,and hyperlipidemia were independent risk factors for AIS patients with Mismatch ratio＞1.2 and large cerebral infarction was an independent risk factor for hemorrhagic transformation.Conclusion The Mismatch ratio in CTP is correlated with age,NIHSS score,and hyperlipidemia in patients with AIS and large cerebral infarction is correlated with hemorrhagic transformation.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of microevolution on phenotypes and drug resistance of the Trichosporon asahii biofilm. Methods:The standard strain of Trichosporon asahii was obtained from the Fungal Biodiversity Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, the fluconazole-sensitive primary strain (TO) of Trichosporon asahii was isolated from a case of trichosporonosis diagnosed in the Department of Dermatology, the Seventh Medical Center of Chinese People′s Liberation Army General Hospital in 2000, and the fluconazole-resistant evolved strain (TEVO) of Trichosporon asahii was isolated from the above patient in 2014. Biofilms of the above-mentioned strains were formed in vitro, and tetrazolium salt XTT reduction assay was performed to evaluate growth kinetics of the Trichosporon asahii biofilm, and laser scanning confocal microscopy to determine the thickness of the biofilm; the sessile minimum inhibitory concentrations (SMICs) of fluconazole, itraconazole and voriconazole against the biofilms at different growth stages were determined in vitro for the evaluation of the resistance of the biofilms. One-way analysis of variance was used for comparisons among multiple groups, and Hartley test for testing homogeneity of variance. If the variance was homogeneous, least significant difference test was used for multiple comparisons; if the variance was heterogeneous, Tamhane′ T2 test was used for multiple comparisons. Results:In the adhesion (0 h) and formation stages (4- 24 hours) of the Trichosporon asahii biofilm, the metabolic activity of the evolved strain TEVO was the weakest (adhesion stage: F = 35.705, P < 0.001; formation stage: F = 15.042, P < 0.001) . At 48 hours after adhesion, the biofilms matured, and the TO strain showed the weakest metabolic activity ( F = 10.985, P < 0.001) . In the maturation stage, the biofilm thickness of the TEVO strain (26.1 ± 1.18 μm) was significantly higher than that of the TO strain (22.8 ± 1.73 μm, P = 0.001) , but significantly lower than that of the standard strain (29.5 ± 1.28 μm, P = 0.001) . As drug susceptibility testing showed, the SMICs of azole antifungal agents against the TEVO strain were higher than those against the TO strain in the adhesion and formation stages of the Trichosporon asahii biofilm, and the SMICs of azole antifungal agents against the biofilms of the 3 strains of Trichosporon asahii were all over 1 024 mg/L in the maturation stage of the biofilm. Conclusion:Under the dual pressure of host environment and antifungal drugs, adaptive changes took place in the phenotypes of the Trichosporon asahii biofilm with an increase in the resistance to azole antifungal drugs.

Objective:To investigate the incidence and clinical characteristics of Kawasaki disease complicated with arthritis, and explore the relationship with coronary artery disease.Methods:Patients diagnosed with Kawasaki disease at Xiamen Children′s Hospital from January 2015 to June 2020 were included in this study.They were divided into the arthritis group( n=53) and the non-arthritis group( n=401), depending on whether complicated with arthritis.Demographic, clinical symptoms, and laboratory results were retrospectively analyzed. Results:A total of 454 children were included in this study with 53 cases acomplicated with arthritis.There were 32 male cases and 21 female cases.The average age of arthritis group was(5.89±1.35) y, which was older than non-arthritis group[(4.28±1.25) y, P=0.026]. Among the 53 cases of arthritis group, 36 cases (67.92%)of small jiont arthritis, 14 cases(26.41%)of coxitis, ten cases(18.87%)of carpitis, eight cases(15.09%)of gonitis, four cases(7.55%)of anconitis, and three cases(5.66%) of ankle arthritis were involved.There was a statistic difference in the prevalence of intravenous immunogloblin(IVIG)resistant between arthritis group and non-arthritis group(14 cases, 26.14% vs.43 cases, 10.72%, P=0.002). The inflammatory markers(CRP, TNF-α, IL-6) of the arthritis group were significantly higher than those in the non-arthritis group, and the differences were statistically significant( P<0.05, respectively). The incidence of coronary artery disease in the arthritis group(60.38%, 32/53) was higher than that in the non-arthritis group(52.37%, 210/401), but the difference was not statistically significant( P>0.05). Conclusion:Kawasaki disease with arthritis in children is self-limited, with no sequelae.Patients in the arthritis group have a higher rate of IVIG resistance and higher levels of inflammatory markers, but no significant difference in the incidence of coronary artery disease compared with those without arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate curative effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients by the transfusion of other convalescent plasma. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 18 patients with severe and critical COVID-19, who were hospitalized in the ICU of Xianghu Branch of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from February 1 to March 15, 2020. Patients were subdivided into an experimental group (=6, who had transfused the plasma) and an observation group (=12, who had no plasma transfusion). Basic clinical data and prognosis indexes of these two groups were compared. Moreover, for the experimental group, the dynamic changes of blood oxygen saturation before and after the transfusion, the changes of lymphocyte absolute value 48 hours after the transfusion, and the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) nucleic acid were analyzed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in age, gender, blood type and other basic clinical data between the two groups (all >0.05).There were no significant differences in ventilator machine weaning time, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) weaning time, body temperature recovery to normal time, and hospitalization days between these two groups (all >0.05). For the experimental group, before, during and after the convalescent plasma transfusion, the blood oxygen saturation of all 6 patients at all time (1, 6, 8, 12, 24, 36, and 48 h) was more than 90%, and there was no significant fluctuation. There were 3 patients whose absolute value of lymphocyte was increased 48 hours after the transfusion, and the remaining was decreased. There were 5 patients whose SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid detection turned negative 48 hours after the transfusion, accounting for 83.3%. CONCLUSIONS Transfusion of convalescent plasma will not affect outcomesof COVID-19 patients, which can neutralize SARS-CoV-2 in patients and reduce the loading capacity of SARS-CoV-2.
Betacoronavirus ; Blood Component Transfusion ; China ; Coronavirus Infections ; therapy ; Humans ; Immunization, Passive ; Pandemics ; Plasma ; Pneumonia, Viral ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies

Objective: To investigate the abnormalities of the blood system in landfill workers. Methods: A cohort study was conducted for 224 landfill workers who were followed up for 6 consecutive years with abnormal routine blood test results and a low platelet count as the outcome events. The life-table method was used to analyze the incidence rates of these two outcome events, and the incidence rates were compared between first-and second-line workers. Results: A total of 71 workers had abnormal routine blood test results, among whom 29 had abnormal leukocyte count, 14 had abnormal erythrocyte count, 40 had abnormal platelet count, 17 had abnormal hemoglobin, and 29 had a reduction in platelet count. For these landfill workers, the 6-year abnormal rate of routine blood test results was 43.2%, and the incidence rate of low platelet count within 6 years was 13.5%. The first-line workers had a significantly lower abnormal rate of routine blood test results than the second-line workers (P=0.020) , and the relative risk of abnormal routine blood test results in the first-and second-line workers was 0.592. There was no significant difference in the incidence rate of low platelet count between the two groups of workers (P≥0.05) . Conclusion The landfill has an adverse effect on the blood system of landfill workers, and the second-line workers have greater impairment than the first-line workers.

Objective: To investigate the community promotion feasibility of superficial needling plus club swing for post-stroke motion impairment of the shoulder joint. Methods:A total of 180 cases (duration <1.5 years) with post-stroke motion impairment of the shoulder joint were recruited from three community health centers in Changning District, 60 from each community. They were randomly allocated into an observation group (n=90) and a control group (n=90). Patients in both groups received standard internal and rehabilitation care. Patients in the observation group received additional superficial needling plus club swing. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was conducted before and 60 d after the treatment to evaluate the severity of shoulder pain. The active movement of the shoulder joint and activities of daily living (ADL) were also observed. Results:There were no between-group statistical differences before the treatment (allP>0.05). After a 60-day treatment, the shoulder pain severity, active range of motion of the shoulder joint and ADL in the observation group were significantly improved than those in the control group (allP<0.01). In addition, no adverse events were reported by participants in the observation group. Conclusion:Superficial needling plus club swing plays a positive role in improving post-stroke motion impairment of the shoulder joint. This safe, reliable and economical therapy has good patient compliance and is suitable for community promotion.