Objective To investigate the dosimetric difference between manual and inverse optimization in 3-dimensional (3D) brachytherapy for gynecologic tumors. Methods This retrospective study was conducted among a total of 110 patients with gynecologic tumors undergoing intracavitary combined with interstitial brachytherapy or interstitial brachytherapy. Based on the original images, the brachytherapy plans were optimized for each patient using Gro, IPSA1, IPSA2 (with increased volumetric dose limits on the basis of IPSA1) and HIPO algorithms. The dose-volume histogram (DVH) parameters of the clinical target volume (CTV) including V200, V150, V100, D90, D98 and CI, and the dosimetric parameters D2cc, D1cc, and D0.1cc for the bladder, rectum, and sigmoid colon were compared among the 4 plans. Results Among the 4 plans, Gro optimization took the longest time, followed by HIPO, IPSA2 and IPSA1 optimization. The mean D90, D98, and V100 of HIPO plans were significantly higher than those of Gro and IPSA plans, and D90 and V100 of IPSA1, IPSA2 and HIPO plans were higher than those of Gro plans (P<0.05), but the CI of the 4 plans were similar (P>0.05). For the organs at risk (OARs), the HIPO plan had the lowest D2cc of the bladder and rectum;the bladder absorbed dose of Gro plans were significantly greater than those of IPSA1 and HIPO (P<0.05). The D2cc and D1cc of the rectum in IPSA1, IPSA2 and HIPO plans were better than Gro (P<0.05). The D2cc and D1cc of the sigmoid colon did not differ significantly among the 4 plans. Conclusion Among the 4 algorithms, the HIPO algorithm can better improve dose coverage of the target and lower the radiation dose of the OARs, and is thus recommended for the initial plan optimization. Clinically, the combination of manual optimization can achieve more individualized dose distribution of the plan.

Objective:To design and evaluate the application value of intracavitary-interstitial brachytherapy (IC-ISBT) applicator template for locally advanced cervical cancer.Methods:MRI data of 100 patients with ⅡB-ⅣA stage cervical cancer (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2018 staging system) before and after external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) admitted to Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from March 2019 to September 2020 were collected. The range of primary cervical lesions was retrospectively analyzed and compared. Based on the residual mass of patients, the corresponding high-risk clinical target volume (HR-CTV) was delineated, and the IC-ISBT applicator template was designed and initially applied to cervical cancer patients. Dosimetry analysis and efficacy evaluation were compared between the applicator template-guided ( n=37) and free-hand implantation groups ( n=63). Chi-square test or Fisher exact test was performed for categorical variables, and t-test or U-test for continuous variables. Results:The median distance between the residual tumor margin (clockwise 3, 6, 9, 12 o'clock) and the center of 100 patients with ⅡB-ⅣA stage cervical cancer after EBRT was 16.5, 14.0, 17.0 and 13.0 mm, respectively. The corresponding HR-CTV was superimposed to reconstruct the three-dimensional diagram, and the cylindrical IC-ISBT applicator template with mushroom-like head was designed and manufactured: the longest and shortest diameter of the head was 35 and 20 mm, respectively; the central channel was adapted to the uterine tube, the C1-C12 channels was arranged in inner circle, and the peripheral B1-B5 and A1-A4 pin channels were expanded bilaterally. In terms of dose coverage, there was no significant difference between the HR-CTV D 90% [(635.12±22.65) vs. (635.80±25.84) cGy], bladder D 2 cm3 [(473.79±44.78) vs. (463.55±66.43) cGy)], rectum D 2 cm3 [(396.99±73.54) vs. (408.00±73.94) cGy] and sigmoid colon D 2 cm3 [(293.07±152.72) vs. (311.31±135.77) cGy] between the template-guided and free-hand implantation groups (all P>0.05), but the HR-CTV D 98% was significantly higher [(544.78±32.07) vs. (536.78±32.04) cGy, P=0.007] and the rectum D 1 cm3 and D 0.1 cm3 were significantly lower [(438.62±69.65) vs. (453.97±67.89) cGy, P=0.016; (519.46±70.67) vs. (543.82±81.24) cGy, P=0.001] in the template-guided implantation group. In addition, there was no significant difference in the complete response rate between two groups (86% vs. 83%, P>0.05). Conclusions:This IC-ISBT applicator template is reasonably designed, and the therapeutic efficacy of the template-guided implantation is equivalent to that of free-hand implantation. The dose coverage of the target area meets the clinical demand with a better protection of the organs at risk. The applicator template has the potential to be widely used as a conventional template in clinical practice as the applicator-guided implantation is convenient to operate and repeat.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of hypomethylating agents (HMA) in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) .Methods:A total of 409 MDS patients from 45 hospitals in Zhejiang province who received at least four consecutive cycles of HMA monotherapy as initial therapy were enrolled to evaluate the efficacy and safety of HMA. Mann-Whitney U or Chi-square tests were used to compare the differences in the clinical data. Logistic regression and Cox regression were used to analyze the factors affecting efficacy and survival. Kaplan-Meier was used for survival analysis. Results:Patients received HMA treatment for a median of 6 cycles (range, 4-25 cycles) . The complete remission (CR) rate was 33.98% and the overall response rate (ORR) was 77.02%. Multivariate analysis revealed that complex karyotype ( P=0.02, OR=0.39, 95% CI 0.18-0.84) was an independent favorable factor for CR rate. TP53 mutation ( P=0.02, OR=0.22, 95% CI 0.06-0.77) was a predictive factor for a higher ORR. The median OS for the HMA-treated patients was 25.67 (95% CI 21.14-30.19) months. HMA response ( P=0.036, HR=0.47, 95% CI 0.23-0.95) was an independent favorable prognostic factor, whereas complex karyotype ( P=0.024, HR=2.14, 95% CI 1.10-4.15) , leukemia transformation ( P<0.001, HR=2.839, 95% CI 1.64-4.92) , and TP53 mutation ( P=0.012, HR=2.19, 95% CI 1.19-4.07) were independent adverse prognostic factors. There was no significant difference in efficacy and survival between the reduced and standard doses of HMA. The CR rate and ORR of MDS patients treated with decitabine and azacitidine were not significantly different. The median OS of patients treated with decitabine was longer compared with that of patients treated with azacitidine (29.53 months vs 20.17 months, P=0.007) . The incidence of bone marrow suppression and pneumonia in the decitabine group was higher compared with that in the azacitidine group. Conclusion:Continuous and regular use of appropriate doses of hypomethylating agents may benefit MDS patients to the greatest extent if it is tolerated.

Objective To investigate the dosimetric difference between manual and inverse optimization in 3-dimensional (3D) brachytherapy for gynecologic tumors. Methods This retrospective study was conducted among a total of 110 patients with gynecologic tumors undergoing intracavitary combined with interstitial brachytherapy or interstitial brachytherapy. Based on the original images, the brachytherapy plans were optimized for each patient using Gro, IPSA1, IPSA2 (with increased volumetric dose limits on the basis of IPSA1) and HIPO algorithms. The dose-volume histogram (DVH) parameters of the clinical target volume (CTV) including V200, V150, V100, D90, D98 and CI, and the dosimetric parameters D2cc, D1cc, and D0.1cc for the bladder, rectum, and sigmoid colon were compared among the 4 plans. Results Among the 4 plans, Gro optimization took the longest time, followed by HIPO, IPSA2 and IPSA1 optimization. The mean D90, D98, and V100 of HIPO plans were significantly higher than those of Gro and IPSA plans, and D90 and V100 of IPSA1, IPSA2 and HIPO plans were higher than those of Gro plans (P<0.05), but the CI of the 4 plans were similar (P>0.05). For the organs at risk (OARs), the HIPO plan had the lowest D2cc of the bladder and rectum;the bladder absorbed dose of Gro plans were significantly greater than those of IPSA1 and HIPO (P<0.05). The D2cc and D1cc of the rectum in IPSA1, IPSA2 and HIPO plans were better than Gro (P<0.05). The D2cc and D1cc of the sigmoid colon did not differ significantly among the 4 plans. Conclusion Among the 4 algorithms, the HIPO algorithm can better improve dose coverage of the target and lower the radiation dose of the OARs, and is thus recommended for the initial plan optimization. Clinically, the combination of manual optimization can achieve more individualized dose distribution of the plan.

Objective:Investigate the safety and feasibility of using the new self-designed implanting applicator in vaginal three-dimensional intracavitary brachytherapy after hysterectomy for gynecological cancer, and to explore the clinical value of the self-designed implanting applicator.Methods:Sixty-two gynecological cancer patients who underwent brachytherapy in Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center were selected in this study. Each patient received three-dimensional intracavitary brachytherapy because of the indication of postoperative radiotherapy. Each patient was treated with different types of self-designed implanting applicators according the condition of postoperative vagina,and the vaginal tube and implant needle were placed in the template according to the preset channnel. Based on the actual CT images, the high-risk clinical target volume (HR-CTV), and organs at risk were defined according to unified target area delineation criteria and then the brachytherapy plan was conducted. The prescription dose of high-risk clinical target volume (HR-CTV) was 5.5 Gy/time. The parameters such as target area, organs at risk volume and irradiated dose were evaluated by DVH diagram.Results:Sixty-two patients successfully completed brachytherapy under the guidance of self-designed implanting applicator. A total of 140 implantation treatments were performed. The total average dose of HR-CTV D90% was (575.48±22.30) cGy, the mean dose D 2cm3 of bladder, rectum and sigmoid colon were (328.69±102.71), (369.14±46.59) and (27.28±71.27) cGy, the small intestine did not drop the target area, so there was no statistics. There was statistical significance between target volume and organs at risk dose ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The new self-designed implanting applicator has obvious clinical advantages in vaginal three-dimensional intracavitary brachytherapy after hysterectomy for gynecological cancer, meets the requirements of the preset planning dose,and it is sample to operate and highly safe,which indicated a bright future of the clinical application.

Objective:To analyze the dosimetric differences between CT-guided free-hand intracavity/interstitial brachytherapy[image-guided adaptive brachytherapy (IGABT)] and conventional point-A plan (CP) in the treatment of cervical cancer.Methods:Twenty-six cervical cancer patients who received four cycles of IGABT in Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center were enrolled in this study. Two sets of CT images were obtained before and after applicator adjustment to aid in the design of CP and IGABT plans. The high-risk clinical target volume (HRCTV), point A, and organs at risk (bladder, rectum, and sigmoid colon) were defined on CT images. CP and IGABT plans were designed on CT images. Parameter differences between CP and IGABT plans were analyzed with paired t-test and Wilcoxon test. Results:According to the coverage index (CI) of CP, plans were divided into two groups: in group A (CI≥0.90), 20 CP and corresponding IGABT plans were included, and 84 CP and corresponding IGABT plans in group B (CI<0.90). The mean volume of HRCTV and mean tumor diameter in group A were significantly smaller than those in group B (46.7 cm 3vs. 62.1 cm 3, P<0.001 and 3.1 cm vs. 4.4 cm, P<0.001). Compared with CP, IGABT significantly improved the value of D 90% in all plans and group B, whereas lowered the bladder dose. IGABT also reduced the dose of sigmoid colon in group A. IGABT significantly improved conformal index and dose homogeneity index. Conclusions:IGABT can significantly improve the target coverage, conformal index and dose homogeneity index, protect organs at risk. Compared with CP, IGABT has advantages in the treatment of patients with bulky tumor.

Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of death in women with malignancies worldwide.Brachytherapy plays an essential role in the radiation therapy for cervical cancer, and its combination with external beam radiation is indicated for previously untreated or recurrent cervical cancer at various stages without distant metastasis.Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has superior resolution of soft tissue, which allows for accurate delineation of target volume, protects organs at risk (OARs), and thus improves treatment outcomes.In recent years, many studies have demonstrated the feasibility and superiority of three-dimensional MRI-guided brachytherapy for cervical cancer.This article aims to elaborate on relevant MRI techniques, selection of applicators, delineation of target volume and OARs, evaluation of treatment plans, and the clinical effect of three-dimensional MRI-guided brachytherapy.

Objective To observe the protective effect of Apelin-13 on the cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI), and to explore the possible mechanism in rat model. Methods Fifty male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups:sham group, CIRI model group and Apelin-13 (0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 μg/kg) treatment groups. The model of CIRI was established by filament. After 2 h ischemia, the focal middle cerebral artery was followed by 72 h reperfusion. Apelin-13 was administrated by intracerebroventricular injection 30 minutes before reperfusion. The score of neural function was estimated in different time points. The 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) dye was used to calculate the volume and percentage of cerebral infarction. The endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) protein markers including glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein homologous protein (CHOP) in cerebral cortex were measured by Western blot assay. Results Compared with the sham group, the score of neural function was significantly increased, the infarct rate was reached(47.63 ± 5.81)%and the protein expressions of GRP78 and CHOP were significantly up-regulated in CIRI model group (P＜0.05). There were no significant differences in these data between the CIRI model group and 0.1 μg/kg Apelin-13 treatment group (P＞0.05). Compared with the CIRI group, the neural function defect was significantly improved, the muscle strength was significantly enhanced and the infarct rate was significantly decreased, and the protein expressions of GRP78 and CHOP were significantly down-regulated in the 1.0 and 10.0 μg/kg Apelin-13 treatment groups (P＜0.05). Conclusion Apelin-13 protects the cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat model, which may be related with the inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Objective To analyze the effect of dexmedetomidine hydrochloride injection on patients with craniocerebral disease who has no artificial airway in the process of bronchoalveolar lavage treatment.Methods Forty-six patients (age 17-28,average age 56.6±9.2,26 men and 20 women) with craniocerebral disease who has no artificial airway were selected,and were treated by bronchoalveolar lavage for lung infection.The patients were randomly divided into two groups,control and test group.The control group (n=23) received midazolam for sedative and the test group (n=23) received dexmedetomidine hydrochloride for sedative while they were in the process of bronchoalveolar lavage treatment.Heart rate,mean arterial pressure and blood oxygen saturation of fingers collected from patients before and during the process of bronchoalveolar lavage were compared.Results In the process of bronchoalveolar lavage treatment,the minimum blood oxygen saturation of finger artery from the control group was lower than that from the test group,the fastest heart rate from the control group was greater than that from the test group,and the lowest mean arterial pressure from the control group was lower than that from the test group (P＜0.05).In two groups,heart rate in the process of bronchoalveolar lavage treatment was faster than that from before the treatment,while both mean arterial pressure and blood oxygen saturation of finger artery were decreased (P＜0.05).Conclusions Continuous intravenous pumping of dexmedetomidine hydrochloride on patients with craniocerebral disease who has no artificial airway during the process of bronchoalveolar lavage treatment is effective and safe,and it has less inhibitory effect on respiratory function and blood pressure.

Objective Ouabain is a cardiotonic steroid that can induce the apoptosis of many tumorous cells .This study was to investigate the anti-tumor mechanisms of ouabain by observing its effects on the apoptosis of T lymphoblastic leukemia Jurkat cells and the expressions of hTERT and c-myc mRNA and protein . Methods Jurkat cells were treated with ouabain at the concentrations of 50 and 100 nmol/L for 24 and 48 hours, and those treated with 1 ×PBS served as the control .Then the apoptosis rate of the cells was detected by flow cytometry after Annexin V/PI staining, the expressions of hTERT and c-myc mRNA determined by RT-PCR, and those of hTERT and c-myc protein by Western blot . Results The apoptosis rates of the Jurkat cells in the 50 and 100 nmol/L oua-bain groups were (5.67 ±3.71)%and (9.63 ±4.83)%respectively at 24 hours, and (19.67 ±4.55)%and (37.60 ±11.89)%at 48 hours, significantly higher than (4.23 ±1.01)%in the PBS control group at 48 hours (P<0.05).Compared with the control, the expressions of hTERT and c-myc mRNA were decreased by 200%and those of hTERT and c-myc protein by 224%and 400%, re-spectively, at 48 hours (P<0.05).There was a positive correlation between the reduction of the mRNA levels and that of the protein levels of hTERT and c-myc (P<0.05). Conclusion Ouabain can down-regulate the mRNA and protein expressions of hTERT and c-myc, which may be one of the mechanisms of its induction of the apoptosis of Jurkat T lymphocyte leukemia cells .