Objective To investigate the effects of low, mid, and high flux smoothness modes on plan quality, treatment efficiency, equipment loss, and clinical economic benefits in fixed-field intensity-modulated radiotherapy for cervical cancer, and establish a decision-making model for parameter optimization and economic benefits. Methods Fifteen patients with cervical cancer undergoing radiotherapy were selected. Using the Monaco system and adjusting only the flux smoothness parameter, low, mid, and high plans were designed for each patient. Dosimetric differences were compared for the target volume (D₂, D₉₈, D_mean, homogeneity index, conformity index) and organs at risk (small intestine, rectum, colon, bladder, femoral head). The number of segments, monitor units, and their correlations with treatment efficiency and equipment loss were analyzed, as well as the potential impact on clinical costs. Results There were statistically significant differences in the three groups' planned target areas D₂, D₉₈, D_mean, CI, HI, and the dose parameters of organs at risk (P<0.001), but the absolute differences were all lower than the clinical tolerance limits in the ICRU 83 report (±3% – ±5%), with an effect size d<0.5 (except for the small intestine with d = 0.51). There was no clinical significance. Compared with the mid mode, the high mode had a 13.3% reduction in the number of subfields (effect size d = 0.85), a 11.6% reduction in machine jumps (d = 1.0), and a 13.0% reduction in treatment time. Based on the mid mode, the relative loss rate of the accelerating tube in the high mode was 11.6%, the theoretical risk change rate of equipment failure was 12.7%, and the accelerating tube lifespan was extended by approximately 1.2 years. Comprehensive economic benefits: Calculated based on 1,200 treatments per year, the annual cost savings are approximately 920,000 yuan. Conclusion Adoption of the high flux smoothness mode in fixed-field intensity-modulated radiotherapy for cervical cancer using the Monaco system can significantly enhance treatment efficiency and reduce operating costs while ensuring dosimetric quality. It is recommended for routine clinical use.

A total of 118 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were divided into acarbose treatment group ( A group,n =58 ) and no acarbose treatment group ( B group,n =60),and 57 healthy subjects were used as control group (C group).The quantification of fecal bifidobacteria and enterococcus faecalis in these subjects was made by realtime PCR.The results showed that fecal bifidobacteria contents in A and B groups were lower and enterococcus faecalis contents were higher compared with C group.After four weeks of intervention,fecal bifidobacteria contents in A and B groups increased ( P＜0.01 ),especially in A group,while enterococcus faecalis contents decreased ( P＜0.05 )compared with the baseline.Univariate correlation analysis showed that bifidobacteria content was negatively associated with lipopolysaccharides(LPS),advanced glycation index,high sensitive C reactive protein ( hs-CRP),and body mass index ( BMI ) at baseline ( P＜0.05 or P＜0.01 ).The enterococcus faecalis content was positively associated with levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1,LPS,tumor necrosis factor-α,hs-CRP,plasminogen activator inhibitor-1,BMI,and HbA1c (P ＜0.01 ).After four weeks of intervention,the above associations disappeared.Stepwise multivariate regression showed that basal BMI,HbA1c,and age contributed to the increase in the number of enterococcus faecalis,and BMI negatively contributed to the decrease in number of bifidobacteria.