Objective To propose a deep learning neural network approach for transforming megavoltage computed tomography(MVCT)images of cervical cancer into pseudo kilovoltage computed tomography(kVCT)images with high signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio,thus providing three-dimensional anatomical images and localization information required for adaptive radiotherapy of cervical cancer,and guiding the accelerator to achieve precise treatment.Methods The MVCT and kVCT images of 54 patients treated with cervical cancer radiotherapy were collected,with 44 cases randomly selected as the training set,and the remaining 10 cases as the test set.A cyclic generative adversarial network with gating mechanism and multi-channel data input was used to synthesize pseudo-kVCT images from MVCT images.The network training results were evaluated with imaging quality evaluation parameters,such as mean absolute error(MAE),peak signal-to-noise ratio(PSNR),and structural similarity index(SSIM).Results The MAE,PSNR,and SSIM of MVCT imagesvspseudo-kVCT(5:5)images were(24.9±0.7)HUvs(17.8±0.3)HU,(29.8±0.2)dBvs(30.7±0.2)dB,and 0.841±0.007 vs 0.898±0.003,respectively.Conclusion The generated pseudo-kVCT images have advantages in noise reduction and contrast enhancement,and can reduce the need for additional MV-kVCT electron density calibration in dose calculations.The dose calculation ability of pseudo-kVCT is comparable to that of MVCT,providing a possibility for the application of pseudo-kVCT images in image-guided adaptive radiotherapy.

IL-34 can promote osteoclast differentiation and activation, which may contribute to steroidinduced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). Animal model was constructed in both BALB/c and IL-34 deficient mice to detect the relative expression of inflammation cytokines. Micro-CT was utilized to reveal the internal structure. In vitro differentiated osteoclast was induced by culturing bone marrow-derived macrophages with IL-34 conditioned medium or M-CSF. The relative expression of pro-inflammation cytokines, osteoclast marker genes, and relevant pathways molecules was detected with quantitative real-time RT-PCR, ELISA, and Western blot. Up-regulated IL-34 expression could be detected in the serum of ONFH patients and femoral heads of ONFH mice. IL-34 deficient mice showed the resistance to ONFH induction with the up-regulated trabecular number, trabecular thickness, bone value fraction, and down-regulated trabecular separation. On the other hand, inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-12, IL-2, and IL-17A, showed diminished expression in IL-34 deficient ONFH induced mice. IL-34 alone or works in coordination with M-CSF to promote osteoclastogenesis and activate ERK, STAT3, and non-canonical NF-κB pathways. These data demonstrate that IL-34 can promote the differentiation of osteoclast through ERK, STAT3, and non-canonical NF-κB pathways to aggravate steroid-induced ONFH, and IL-34 can be considered as a treatment target.

Objective: The etiology of schizophrenia is unknown and is associated with abnormal spontaneous brain activity. There are no consistent results regarding the change in spontaneous brain activity of people with schizophrenia. In this study, we determined the specific changes in the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation/fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF/fALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo) in patients with drug-naïve first-episode schizophrenia (Dn-FES). Methods: A comprehensive search of databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase was conducted to find articles on resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging using ALFF/fALFF and ReHo in schizophrenia patients compared to healthy controls (HCs) and then, anatomical/activation likelihood estimation was performed. Results: Eighteen eligible studies were included in this meta-analysis. Compared to the spontaneous brain activity of HCs, we found changes in spontaneous brain activity in Dn-FES based on these two methods, mainly including the frontal lobe, putamen, lateral globus pallidus, insula, cerebellum, and posterior cingulate cortex. Conclusion We found that widespread abnormalities of spontaneous brain activity occur in the early stages of the onset of schizophrenia and may provide a reference for the early intervention of schizophrenia.

Objective:To compare the safety of adrenal central vein treated at different times in laparoscopic adrenal pheochromocytoma resection through abdominal approach.Methods:A study was conducted on 43 patients with adrenal pheochromocytoma admitted to Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University from June 2012 to June 2019. The included patients were divided into two groups according to the surgical method: observation group ( n=22) and control group ( n=21). The patients of observation group were ligated the central advenal vein before the tumor was completely isolated, and the patients of control group were ligated the central advenal vein after the tumor was isolated. The changes of blood catecholamine levels before anesthesia, before central adrenal vein ligation, and after tumor resection were compared between the two groups, as well as the differences in operative time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, number of cases with intraoperative blood pressure fluctuations and frequency. Measurement data were expressed as mean±standard deviation ( Mean± SD), comparison between groups was by t-test; comparison of count data between groups was by Chi-square. Results:There was no significant difference in the mean operation time, the mean hospital stay, intraoperative blood loss, number of cases with dramatic blood pressure fluctuations between two groups ( P>0.05). The frequency of severe fluctuation of intraoperative blood pressure in observation group and control group was 19 times and 47 times, respectively, the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the blood epinephrine and norepinephrine levels between the two groups before anesthesia and after tumor resection ( P>0.05). However, before ligation of the central vein, the epinephrine concentrations in the observation group and the control group were (572.1±282.1) pg/mL and (935.6±417.5) pg/mL, respectively, the noradrenaline concentrations were (8 347.9±4 103.6) pg/mL and (13 695.7 ±3 205.3) pg/mL, respectively, the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Early ligation of the adrenal central vein can improve the safety of the laparoscopic approach to adrenal pheochromocytoma.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of radical image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) on the target dose in cervical cancer and investigate the appropriate application mode.Methods:Twenty patients with cervical cancer treated with helical tomotherapy (HT) in Seventh Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from 2012 to 2016 were selected. A megavoltage CT (MVCT) scan was performed before each treatment. The obtained MVCT images were used for dose parameter in the adaptive module of HT to obtain the actual dose (Plan 1) and the non-image-guided dose parameter was simulated (Plan 2). Each single dose distribution and the corresponding fused CT images were transferred to the software Mimvista 6.5 to obtain the total radiation dose parameter by dose superposition.Results:The motion of CTV, uterus and GTV in Plan 2 was significantly larger than that of Plan 1(all P<0.05), and the largest changes were seen in the ventrodorsal and uterine direction. The V 45Gy, V 50Gy, D 98% and D mean of CTV and uterus and V 50Gy of GTV in Plan 2 were significantly decreased compared with those in Plan 1(all P<0.05). The left-right motion of Plan 1 was negatively correlated with D 2% and D 98% of CTV and uterus (both P<0.05). The head-foot motion was negatively associated with V 45Gy and V 50Gy of GTV (both P<0.05). The ventrodorsal motion was negatively correlated with D 98% of uterus ( P<0.05). The left-right motion of Plan 2 was negatively correlated with D 2% of CTV and V 50Gy of uterus (both P<0.05). The head-foot motion was negatively associated with D 98% of CTV, and D 98%, D mean, V 45Gy and V 50Gy of uterus (all P<0.05). The ventrodorsal motion was negatively correlated with D 98% of CTV, D 98%, D mean, V 45Gy and V 50Gy of uterus, and D mean and V 45Gy of GTV (all P<0.05). Conclusions:In intensity-modulated radiotherapy for cervical cancer, the uterine body displacement is large and the low CTV area is mainly located in the uterine body. IGRT can significantly reduce the dosimetric deviation induced by organ movement.

Objective:To investigate the normal range of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) in 6-18-year-old children in China, so as to provide a data base for the establishment of FeNO standards for Chinese children.Methods:A multi-center study was conducted on 5 949 children aged 6-18 (3 101 males and 2 848 females) in 16 pro-vinces of 7 administrative districts in China.According to the technical standard recommended by American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Association, FeNO was measured, and the relationship of FeNO with the sex, age, height, weight, body mass index and region was discussed.Results:The geometric mean FeNO value of Chinese children aged 6-18 was 14.1 ppb, and its 95% confidence interval (skewness distribution) was 1.0-38.2 ppb.The geometric mean FeNO values of children aged 6-11 and 12-18 were 13.1 ppb and 15.7 ppb, respectively, and their 95% confidence intervals (skewness distribution) were 1.0-38.1 ppb and 2.0-38.2 ppb.For children at and under 11 years old, FeNO decreased with age, with a mean decline of 1 ppb per year.The multiple linear regression results suggested that there was a significant correlation between FeNO and age for children aged 6-11, and FeNO of children aged 12-18 was significantly correlated with the gender, height, and region(all P<0.01). Conclusions:FeNO values of Chinese children and adolescents in this study are higher than those obtained by the previous study conducted from 2010 to 2012.For children aged 12-18, 16 ppb is recommended as the clinical cut-off point.For children at or under 11 years old, the influence of age on FeNO should be considered, and the cut-off point of FeNO decreases by 1 ppb as the age is reduced by one year.

Objective To discuss the dosimetric differences in the planning methods between physical and biological optimization during thehypofractionated radiotherapy for lung cancer.MethodsTen cases of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving radiotherapy were selected in this retrospective study.The VMAT plans for all patients were re-designed by physical functions (DV group),biological combined with physical functions (DV+EUD group and EUD+DV group) and biological functions (EUD group).The constrained functions were different,whereas the constrained conditions and optimized parameters were identical among four groups.The dosimetric differences among four optimization methods during thehypofractionated radiotherapy for lung cancer were evaluated through calculating and analyzing each dosimetry parameter.Results For the target area,the equivalent uniform dose was approximate between the EUD and EUD+DV groups.The EUD in these two groups was approximately 2.8％-3.6％ and 3.2％-3.7％ higher than those in the DV and DV+EUD groups.The average tumor control probability (TCP) in the EUD and EUD +DV groupswas considerably higher than those in the other two groups (both P＜0.05).The homogeneity index (HI) significantly differed (all P＜0.05),whereas the conformity index (CI) did not differ (all P＞0.05).For the organ at risk (OAR) area,the differences of EUD,V5,V1o,V20,V30 of normal lung tissues and the difference of dosimetry parameters in heart and spinal cord were not statistically significant (all P＞0.05).The mean dose of all lungs in the EUD and EUD+DV groupswas slightly lower than those in the other two groups.ConclusionsBiological optimization method has certain advantages in increasing EUD and TCP in the target area and decreasing the irradiation dose of normal lung tissues,which provides references for selecting the optimization method with biological functions in clinical practice.

Objective To analyze the changes in volume and the planning volume of the bladder and rectum during helical tomotherapy (HT) treatment for cervical cancer,and to evaluate the impacts of bladder and rectum filling on their dosimetric parameters.Methods Twenty patients with cervical cancer who received HT in our hospital from 2012 to 2016 were enrolled as subjects.Before treatment,megavolt computed tomography (MVCT) and registration of planning CT images were preformed to recalculate the dose distribution,delineate the target volume,and measure the volume and position of the bladder and the rectum.Each MVCT image and the corresponding single dose were obtained by dose reconstruction using the Planned Adaptive module in HT planning workstation.The fused MVCT images and the corresponding single dose for each MVCT were loaded to MIM Maestro software 6.0 for dose stacking.The obtained total radiation dose was compared with that obtained by kilovolt CT.Between-group comparison was made by paired t-test or analysis of variance.Results If the volume change in the bladder was more than 400 ml or the rate of volume change was higher than 60％,the displacements of the bladder centroid toward the foot and dorsal sides were significantly increased;the Dmean and V50 were significantly increased (P＜0.05).If the volume change in the rectum was more than 30 ml or the rate of volume change was higher than 30％,the displacements of the rectum centroid toward the head and ventral sides were significantly increased;the V45 and V50 for the rectum were significantly increased (P＜0.05).Conclusions Although the bladder filling status has little effect on the radiation dose to the bladder,the volume change or the rate of volume change should be no more than 400 ml or 60％,respectively.Moderately filled bladder is recommended for positioning and treatment,which achieves satisfactory repeatability of the treatment.A volume change of more than 30 ml or a rate of volume change of higher than 30％ can result in an increase in the dose to the rectum.Empty rectum can effectively reduce the dose to the rectum.

Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of compound glutamine in the adjuvant treatment after radical surgery of gastric cancer.Methods A total of 63 cases with gastric cancer after radical resection were randomly divided into treatment group and control group, according to random number table.32 patients in treatment group received simultaneous three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy with capecitabine monotherapy regimen, while oral administration of compound glutamine enteric-coated capsules.31 cases in control group only received chemoradiotherapy.Results In treatment group, the quality of life score for the excellent and good accounted for 40.6％ and 34.4％, significantly higher than 16.1％ and 12.9％ in control group respectively (x2 =4.63, P =0.03;x2 =4.00, P =0.04).The incidence of nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea in treatment group respectively were 31.3％ and 37.5％ , significantly less than 61.3％ and 64.5％ in control group with statistical significance (x2 =5.72, P =0.02;x2 =4.60, P =0.03).The incidence of gastrointestinal reactions in treatment group were mainly Ⅰ and Ⅱ degrees, and Ⅲ-Ⅳ degree of gastrointestinal reactions were not appear.While the antidiarrheal drugs (21.9％ vs.48.4％) and analgesics drugs (15.6％ vs.38.7％) in the treatment group were significantly reduced compared with the control group (x2 =4.87, P =0.03;x2 =4.26, P =0.04).Conclusion By administration of compound glutamine in the course of adjuvant chemotherapy after radical surgery of gastric cancer can improve the quality of life, reduce chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal side effects, improve treatment compliance, and successfully complete the treatment.

Objective:To assess the feasibility ,safety and short‐term outcome of simultaneous integrated boost‐intensity modulated radiation therapy(SIB‐IMRT) with concurrent capecitabine chemotherpay for anal cancer .Methods:A total of 10 hospitalized patients with anal cancer during Sep .2009 and Feb .2014 were treated with SIB‐IMRT .A total dosage of 57 .6 Gy was given to the primary lesion and macroscopical lymph nodes in 32 fractions ,with 1 .8 Gy in each fraction .And a total dosage of 48 Gy was given to the bilateral iliac vessels and inguinal lymphatic drainage region in 32 fractions ,with 1 .5 Gy in each fraction .And capecitabine was concurrently administered at the oral dose of 625 mg/m2 ,twice daily ,5 days per week . Two patients received a sequential radiation boost dose of 2 × 1 .8 Gy due to macroscopic residual lesion at week 5 of treatment . Acute and late adverse reaction was assessed according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4 .0 . Results:All patients completed radio‐chemotherapy without any treatment break .The incidence rate of grade 3 skin adverse reaction was 50% (5/10) .No grade 4 adverse reaction was observed .Mean follow‐up was 20 months(range 6‐60 months) .The 2‐year‐local control ,colostomy‐free survival ,distant metastases‐free survival and overall survival rates were 100% (10/10) ,90%(9/10) ,90% (9/10) ,and 90% (9/10) ,respectively .Conclusions:SIB‐IMRT with concurrent capecitabine chemotherapy :an acceptable safe regimen ,however ,more samples and a longer follow‐up are required to assess its potential superiority .