Objective To investigate the correlation between carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and left atrial and left ventricular enlargement in patients with acute cerebral infarction. Methods A total of 224 patients with acute cerebral infarction were included. Based on the thickness of CIMT, it was divided into three groups which were normal CIMT group, thickening CIMT group, and carotid plaque (CP) group, with 57, 97, and 70 patients included respectively. Clinical data were collected, and carotid artery color Doppler ultrasound, cardiac color Doppler ultrasound and other examinations were determined to carry out relevant statistical analysis.Results The left anterior-posterior diameter (LAD) , left atrial diameter index (LADI) , left ventricular end-diastolic septal thickness (IVSD) , and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) in the CP group were all higher than those in the normal CIMT group and thickening CIMT group (P < 0.05). The percentage of the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) took in the thickening CIMT group were both higher than those in the CP group (P < 0.05). Multi-factor logistic regression analysis indicated that there were statistically significant differences in age, homocysteine and left LVMI (P < 0.05). In the Pearson correlation analysis, CIMT and LADI were positively correlated (r= 0.184, P < 0.01) , and there was a positive correlation between CIMT and LVMI (r = 0.236, P < 0.01). Conclusions Left ventricular enlargement is one of the highrisk factors for CIMT abnormalities in patients with acute cerebral infarction. Left atrial and left ventricular enlargement are closely correlated to the severity of CIMT in patients with acute cerebral infarction, indicating that abnormal CIMT in patients with acute cerebral infarction has a certain predictive effect on left atrial and left ventricular enlargement.

Objective To evaluate and compare the analytical performances and application values of three nucleic acid extraction methods for quantification of plasma Epstein-Barr Virus ( EBV ) DNA. Methods It used silica membrane spin column , boiling and automated magnetic bead method to extract viral nucleic acid in parallel , and combined real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR assays for quantitative EBV-DNA quantification.The performances of three methods were determined and compared by using the third-party reference materials , and the clinical values were analyzed by pairing detecting 100 NPC patients and 100 healthy subjects in pair .Results The accuracy and imprecision of three methods were all in line with requirements , and the results of clinical samples were linearly correlated . But actually the reproducibility and intermediate imprecision of the magnetic bead method were smaller and stable than those of the spin column method and the boiling method ( all <3％);the limit of detection for the magnetic bead method was 3.334 ×101 IU/ml, better than that of spin column method (4.159 ×101 IU/ml) and boiling method (8.511 ×101 IU/ml);the linear range of the magnetic bead method was 5.4 ×101 -5.4 ×105 IU/ml, slightly wider than that of the boiling method (5.4 ×102 -5.4 ×105 IU/ml); the ability of anti -Hb interference ability of magnetic bead method is better than that of boiling method ;and the positive rate and the mean viral load of the NPC samples measured with the magnetic bead method were significantly higher (95％, 8.342 ×103 IU/ml) than those measured with the spin column method (84％, 4.707 ×103 IU/ml) and the boiling method (78％, 2.571 ×103 IU/ml) ( P all<0.05).Conclusion The automated magnetic bead nucleic acid extraction method offered better analytical performance and higher clinical value for EBV DNA quantification in plasma .

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients who developed bone-only metastasis after primary treatment and the stratification of these patients into different risk groups based on independent prognostic factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty NPC patients who developed bone-only metastasis after definitive radiotherapy from October 2005 to December 2010 were enrolled. All these patients received palliative treatment for bone metastasis, including chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Clinical features, treatment modality, and laboratory parameters were examined with univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 15.5 months (range, 2-67 months) for the whole cohort. The median overall metastatic survival (OMS) time and the 2-year estimate OMS rate were 26.5 months and 52%, respectively. Multivariate analysis indicated that patients with short metastases-free interval, multiple bone metastases sites, high serum lactic dehydrogenase levels, and treated with radiotherapy or chemotherapy alone had significantly worse outcomes. Patients were stratified into three different risk groups based on the number of adverse factors present. The OMS curves of the three groups were all significantly different (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Severl prognostic factors were found to be associated with worse outcomes. According to the number of adverse factors present, bone-only metastasis patients can be stratified into three risk groups with significantly different prognoses. Such grouping may help in improving the design of clinical trials and in guiding individualized treatment for NPC patients with bone-only metastasis.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Neoplasms/mortality/*secondary/therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/mortality/*pathology/therapy ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Young Adult

Aim Toanalyzethekeyqualityandestablishmeth-ods for essential quality control of human recombinant ASPP2 adenovirus.Methods TheviralstructuralgeneofE2Bandtar-get gene of ASPP2 were identified by PCR;The number of virus particles was measured by UV-SDS methods;Infectious titer was determined by TCID50 assay;Target protein of ASPP2 was ob-served by Western blot assay;The biological effects of recombi-nant adenovirus on liver cancer cells were evaluated by MTT as-say;A549 cells were used to check replication of the competent adenovirus(RCA)by the observation of the cytopathic effect. Results PCRanalysisofE2BandASPP2wasinconsistent with theoretical values;Particle numbers of virus were 5. 6 × 1012 VP/mL,infectious titer was 2 ×1011 IU/mL and specific activity was 3. 5%;ASPP2 protein expression could be detected when cells were infected with virus for 24 h;Growth inhibition of liver cancer cells could be found by adding recombinant ASPP 2 adenovirus;The level of RCA was less than 1 RCA/3. 0 ×1010 VP,in line with the standards of China Food and Drug Adminis-tration(SFDA).Conclusion Thequalitycontrolmethodswere established aiming at key characters of human recombinant AS-PP2 adenovirus,which may provide foundations for its quality standard and future applications.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) on peribiliary vascular plexus (PVP) in rat bile duct ischemia/reperfusion injury.

METHODSTotal 128 male SD rats were randomly divided into saline group (Saline), empty virus group (Adv), induced group (Adv-HO-1) and suppressed group (HO-1 siRNA), and there were 32 rats in each group. Rats were injected using 0.5 ml of saline, empty adenovirus, HO-1 adenovirus and siRNA adenovirus (2×10(9) TU/rat) via the dorsal penile vein 24 hours before surgery. Liver function was analyzed at 1 hour and 1, 7, 14 days after reperfusion. HO-1, hypoxiainducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), stromal cell derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein content was analyzed by Western blot. The endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) ratio in the liver and peripheral blood was detected by flow cytometry. Small vascular around the bile duct was observed by α-smooth muscle actin and von Willebrand factor double immunofluorescence staining.

RESULTSReduced liver injury and higher expression of HIF-1α, SDF-1α and VEGF in the induced group after surgery (q = 5.68-7.52, P < 0.01). EPCs ratio in the liver and peripheral blood was significantly higher in the induced group than saline group (q = 12.14 and 15.26, P < 0.01), and the suppressed group at 7 days after surgery were less than saline group significantly (q = 4.83 and 5.07, P < 0.01). In comparison to the suppressed group, higher density of small vascular around the bile duct was seen in the liver tissue of induced group.

CONCLUSIONSHO-1 can induce the expression of HIF-1α, SDF-1α and VEGF, and mobilize the release of EPCs to the peripheral from the bone marrow. EPCs migrate to the liver and promote damaged PVP repair and regeneration.

Animals ; Bile Ducts ; blood supply ; Chemokine CXCL12 ; metabolism ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing) ; physiology ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; metabolism ; Male ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; physiopathology ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

Objective To retrospectively analyze the outcomes,adverse events,and prognostic factors in elderly patients initially diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) who receive radiotherapy and chemotherapy.Methods From January 2004 to April 2007,202 patients (over 60 years of age) initially diagnosed with NPC received radical radiotherapy or chemotherapy.These patients included 165 males (81.7％) and 37 females (18.3％),with a median age of 65 years (range 60-86 years).Of all patients,1 had stage Ⅰ NPC,25 had stage Ⅱ NPC,120 had stage Ⅲ NPC,and 56 had stage Ⅳa/Ⅳb NPC,according to the AJCC staging system (6th edition).All patients received a radiation dose of ≥66 Gy,and 146 patients (72.3％) with locally advanced NPC also received chemotherapy.The Cox model was used for multivariate analysis.Results The follow-up rate was 100％.The 5-year local control rate,regional lymph node control rate,distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) rate,disease-free survival rate,and overall survival (OS) rate were 93％,94％,82％,74％,and 67％,respectively.The multivariate analysis revealed that T stage,N stage,and age were prognostic factors for OS and DMFS (P =0.006,0.002,and 0.008 ;P =0.020,0.002,and 0.022).The severe acute toxicities included grade 4 radiation dermatitis (1 patient,0.5％),grade 4 radiation mucositis (2 patients,1.0％),and grade 4 bone marrow suppression (5 patients,2.5％).Conclusions The elderly NPC patients can tolerate radiotherapy and chemotherapy well.Multimodality therapy should be adopted for the patients aged 60-74 years who have advanced-stage NPC and good general conditions.

Objective To investigate the clinical typing of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in patients treated by intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 333 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma who were initially treated in our hospital from 2003 to 2006 ;they had no distant metastasis and received IMRT.These patients were divided into 4 clinical types according to their prognosis:type Ⅰ (without local-regional recurrence and without distant metastasis),type Ⅱ (with local-regional recurrence and without distant metastasis),type Ⅲ (without local-regional recurrence and with distant metastasis),and type Ⅳ (with local-regional recurrence and with distant metastasis).Results Of all the patients,70.0％ (233) were of type Ⅰ,12.9％ (43) of type Ⅱ,16.5％ (55) of type Ⅲ,and 0.6％ (2) of type Ⅳ.Of 57 patients with stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ nasophayngeal carcinoma,86％ (49) were of type Ⅰ,11％ (6) of type Ⅱ,4％ (2) of type Ⅲ,and 0％ (0) of type Ⅳ,and of 276 patients with stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ nasopharyngeal carcinoma,66.7％ (184) were of type Ⅰ,13.4％ (37) of type Ⅱ,19.2％ (53) of type Ⅲ,and 0.7％ (2) of type Ⅳ,with significant differences between the two patient groups (P =0.007).Of the 69 patients who received IMRT alone,80％ (55) were of type Ⅰ,12％ (8) of type Ⅱ,9％(6) of type Ⅲ,and 0％ (0) of type Ⅳ; of the 218 patients who received IMRT combined with neoadjuvant plus concurrent chemotherapy,68.8％ (150) were of type Ⅰ,13.8％ (30) of type Ⅱ,16.5％(36) of type Ⅲ,and 0.9％ (2) of type Ⅳ; of the 46 patients who received IMRT combined with neoadjuvant plus adjuvant chemotherapy,61％ (28) were of type Ⅰ,11％ (5) of type Ⅱ,28％ (13) of type Ⅲ,and 0％ (0) of type Ⅳ.Conclusions In patients with early and advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma,type Ⅰ is the most common,and type Ⅳ is the least common;type Ⅱ is more frequent than type Ⅲ in early patients,while type Ⅲ is more frequent than type Ⅱ in advanced patients.The percentage of type Ⅰ patients increases,while that of type Ⅱ-Ⅳ patients decreases,as compared with the data of those treated by conventional radiotherapy.

Background and purpose:Nasopharyngeal carcinoma usually occurs in people of states of the Southern China. Chemoradiotherapy plays an important role in the therapy of advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. However, chemoradiotherapy causes more toxic side effects than radiation therapy alone, which affects the therapy. Now symptomatic treatment and nutrition supports are common ways in the clinic in order to improve the tolerance of patients for the therapy, but with little effect. To evaluate the clinical significance of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods: From Oct. 2010 to Jun. 2012, a total of 71 patients with advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma who received PEG before chemoradiotherapy were enrolled. During chemoradiotherapy, gastrostomy diet and nursing were supplied, adverse events, tolerance and nutrition indicators including weight and alcohol of human albumin were detected as well. Results:PEG were performed successfully on 68 patients, but failed in the other 3 patients. Of the 68 patients, 4 have not received concurrent chemotherapy because of liver metastases and liver function damage, 51 of the remaining 64 patients could completely ifnished 3 cycles of concurrent chemotherapy, with the completion rate of concurrent chemotherapy at 79.69%. The weight change ranged from-11.86%to 0.83%, with a mean value of-5.32%±2.99%. Paired-sample t test of human albumin before and after the treatment showed no significant difference (P=0.742). Grade Ⅱ radioactive oral cavity mucositis appeared in 60.29%patients (41/68), and 22.06%patients (15/68) suffered gradeⅢradioactive oral cavity mucositis.Conclusion:For patients with advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma, preventative PEG improved the tolerance of chemoradiotherapy, reduce the incidence of adverse events. The period of therapy interruption caused by sever adverse event were shortened as well, PEG also increased the completion rate of concurrent chemotherapy. Nutritional status and living quality of patients are improved. In addition, PEG is a safe, economic and simple method.

Objective To evaluate the dosimetric characteristics of hippocampal formation (HF) in the intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).Methods Fifty-nine NPC patients underwent IMRT.Simultaneous integrated boost technology was used to determine the doses for the target areas.The dose ranges of the HF were collected by dose-volume histogram.The influence of T stage on the exposure doses ( Dmax,Dmean,D20,V10,V20,V30,and V40 ) were compared.Results The maximum dose for the HF (Dmax) ranged from 11.1 to 78.2 Gy(F =24.2,P ＜0.05) and the Dmean ranged from 3.2 to 44.6 Gy ( F =16.3,P ＜ 0.05 ).The Dmax and Dmean of the T1-2 stage patients were (40.8 ±9.4) Gy and ( 12.5 ±5.1 ) Gy,respectively,both significantly lower than those of the T3-4 stage patients [ (58.6± 14.8) Gy,(20.9± 9.3 ) Gy].The mean exposed volume of the T4 stage patients was significantly larger than that of the T1 and T2 stages patients.Conclusions In the IMRT of NPC,the HF receives rather high irradiation dose.T stage is the main factor influencing the dose,especially T3 and T4 stages deserve serious attention.

Objective To measure the set-up errors of patients with head and neck (H&N) cancer during the image guided intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) treatment and analyze the impact of setup errors on dose distribution ; then to further investigate the necessity of adjustment online for H&N cancer during IMRT treatment.Methods Cone-beam CT (CBCT) scanning of thirty patients with H&N cancer were acquired by once weekly with a total of 6 times during IMRT treatment.The CBCT images and the original planning CT images were matched by the bony structure and worked out the translational errors of the x,y,z axis,as well as rotational errors.The dose distributions were recalculated based on the data of each setup error.The dose of planning target volume (PTV) and organs at risk were calculated in the replanning,and than compared with the original plan by paired t-test.Results The mean value of x,y,z axis translational set-up errors were ( 1.06 ± 0.95 ) mm,( 0.95 ± 0.77 ) mm and ( 1.31 ± 1.07 ) mm,respectively.The rotational error of x,y,z axis were ( 1.04 ±0.791 ),( 1.06 ±0.89) and (0.81 ±0.61 ),respectively.PTV 95％ volume dose ( D95 ) and PTV minimal dose of replanning for 6 times set-up were lower than original plan (6526.6 cGy:6630.3 cGy,t =3.98,P =0.000 and 5632.6 cGy:5792.5 cGy,t =- 2.89,P =0.007).Brain stem received 45 Gydose volume ( V45 ) and 1％ brain stem volume dose ( D01 )were higher than original plan ( 3.54％:2.75％,t =3.84,P =0.001 and 5129.7 cGy:4919.3 cGy,t =4.36,P =0.000).Conclusions The set-up errors led to the dose of PTV D95 obviously insufficient and significantly increased V45,D01 of the brainstem.So,adjustment online is necessary for H&N cancer during IMRT treatment.