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Objective:To compare the leaf open time (LOT) parameters and γ passing rates between the 4.0.4 and 4.2.3 helix Tomotherapy planning systems and evaluate the improvement.Methods:Retrospective comparison of the treatment plans of 345 cases selected by 4.0.4 and 4.2.3 versions was performed. The Machine Specific Sinogram of each plan was extracted from the archived plan file to calculate the LOT. The evaluated LOT parameters included the projection time, the maximum LOT, the mean non-zeros time, the time difference between the projection time and the maximum LOT, the relative count of leaves with LOT greater than maximum LOT minus 5 ms, the relative count of leaves with LOT lower than 100 ms and the beam on time. The γ passing rate (criteria: 3 mm/3%, 10% threshold and global error) and the LOT parameters between two version systems were evaluated with the independent t-test. The relationship between the LOT parameters and γ passing rate was analyzed by the multiple linear regression method. Results:The γ passing rate of the Ver 4.0.4 system was 97.86%, significantly lower than 98.6% of the Ver 4.2.3 system ( P<0.001). The time gap between the projection time and the maximum LOT of the Ver 4.2.3 system was significantly less than that of the Ver 4.0.4 system (1 ms vs. 11 ms, P<0.001). For the Ver 4.0.4 system, the multiple linear regression method showed that the maximum LOT ratio and the beam on time were negatively correlated with the γ passing rate (both P<0.001). However, for the Ver 4.2.3 system, only the beam on time showed a negative correlation with the γ passing rate ( P<0.001). Conclusion:The γ passing rate of the Ver 4.2.3 system is significantly higher than that of the Ver 4.0.4 system. The decrease of γ passing rate caused by the leaves near the maximum LOT is properly resolved in the new version system.
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Objective:To evaluate the sensitivity of the ArcCheck dosimetry system in detecting the leaf open time errors during the center and off-center helical tomotheray delivery quality assurance (DQA).Methods:Nine nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients were selected in this study. Two DQA plans were created for each patient: the" center" plan was created by moving the image of the ArcCheck phantom to place the high dose region on the phantom center and the " off-center" plan was created by offsetting the phantom and putting several diodes through a higher does region. Leaf open time errors of 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 ms were introduced to the Sinogram which was modified using Matlab. Each intentional error plan and original (no error) plan for each patient were measured using both " center" and " off-center" DQA methods, the γ analysis was performed to evaluate the DQA results. The different dose and distance error criteria of 3%/3 mm, 3%/2 mm and 2%/2 mm were selected, and different thresholds of 5%, 10% and 15% were selected for γ analysis. The gradient and the minimum detectable error approach were taken to quantitatively analyze the sensitivity. The correlation between different dose distance error criteria and different thresholds was also evaluated by Pearson correlation analysis. Results:The absolute value of γ gradient of the " center" DQA plans were larger than those of the " off-center" plans in all different γ criteria (all P<0.05). The stricter the γ criteria were adopted, the more sensitive DQA results of leaf open time error were obtained. The minimum detectable error was 2 ms in all different γ criteria for the " center" DQA plan. The minimum error detectability of the " off-center" DQA plan was weaker than that of the " center" DQA plan. The γ passing rates of three different dose distance error criteria were significantly strongly correlated for the " center" DQA plan ( R2>0.9). For the " off-center " DQA plan, only the 3%/3 mm and 3%/2 mm criteria were significantly strongly correlated ( R2>0.9). Significant strong correlation was observed in the γ passing rate at different thresholds between the " off-center" and " center" DQA plans. Conclusions:The " center" DQA plan method is more sensitive than the " off-center" DQA plan method in all γ criteria, and the γ passing rates in different γ criteria are strongly correlated for the " center" DQA plan. The " center" DQA plan method is recommended.
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Objective:To evaluate the in vitro and in vivo immunostimulatory activity and the safety of ethanol extract of wild Artemisia rupestris L. (EEWAR). Methods:Bone marrow dendritic cells (BMDCs) from C57BL/6 mice were treated with different concentrations of EEWAR in vitro and the expression of CD40 and CD80 on BMDCs was detected by flow cytometry. ICR mice were subcutaneously immunized with different concentrations of EEWAR in combination with ovalbumin (OVA) or OVA alone. Aluminum adjuvant was used as the positive control. OVA-specific IgG antibodies in mouse serum samples were measured by ELISA following immunization. T cell proliferation in spleen tissues was detected by MTT method. Acute toxicity test was conducted in ICR mice to analyze the safety of EEWAR. Results:In vitro experiment showed that EEWAR at the concentrations of 10-20 μg/ml increased the expression of CD40 and CD80 on BMDCs ( P<0.05), and had no significant effect on the morphology of BMDCs; EEWAR at the concentrations of 100-200 μg/ml significantly promoted the expression of CD40 and CD80 on BMDCs ( P<0.01), but had a certain influence on the morphology of BMDCs. In vivo experiment showed that EEWAR enhanced the production of IgG, IgG 1 and IgG 2a antibodies against OVA and the proliferation of splenocytes ( P<0.05). In the acute toxicity test, EEWAR at the concentrations of 50-5 000 μg/ml had no side effects on mouse body weight and was relatively safe. Conclusions:EEWAR could promote the maturation of DCs and enhance the humoral and cellular immune responses when used as an adjuvant to OVA. It was safe in a certain dose range. This study provided reference for further research on EEWAR as a new-generation adjuvant.
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Objective:To explore the immunomodulatory activity of ethanol extract of cultivated Cistanche deserticola (EECCD) in Xinjiang. Methods:Ovalbumin (OVA) was used antigen, ICR mice were divided into 9 g/L NaCl group (blank control group), EECCD group (1 200 μg EECCD), OVA group (10 μg OVA), low-dose EECCD/OVA group (400 μg EECCD+10 μg OVA), medium-dose EECCD/OVA group (800 μg EECCD+10 μg OVA), high-dose EECCD/OVA group (1 200 μg EECCD+10 μg OVA) and aluminum adjuvant (Alum)/OVA group (200 μg Alum+10 μg OVA). Mice were immunized subcutaneously, and the immunization was strengthened once 14 days after the initial immunization. The level of splenocyte proliferation was determined by thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) method, and interferon γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in CD4 + T cell, dendritic cells (DCs) surface markers and CD4 +CD25 +Foxp3 + Treg were evaluated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Results:Three dose of EECCD can enhance OVA-specific IgG titers in serum. The antibody titer in medium-dose EECCD/OVA group was 250 000, which was the same as that in the Alum/OVA group. The medium-dose EECCD/OVA significantly improve IgG1 and IgG2a (both P<0.01). Therefore, the medium dose EECCD was selected as the best dose. MTT results displayed that splenocyte proliferation were significantly stimulated by medium-dose EECCD/OVA ( P<0.05), and the levels of IL-4 and IFN-γ in CD4 + T cells were promoted in groups administered with medium-dose EECCD/OVA (both P<0.01). Furthermore, medium-dose EECCD/OVA significantly up-regulated the levels of CD40, CD80, CD86 and major histocompatibility complex class Ⅱ (MHCⅡ) on DCs and down-regulated the frequency of CD4 +CD25 +Foxp3 + Treg (all P<0.05). Conclusions:EECCD has good immunomodulatory activity, can promote Th1-biased response, and has the therapeutic potential for the prevention of diseases.
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Objective@#To investigate the effects of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)-centered regional neonatal transport network (NTN) on the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).@*Methods@#A retrospective analysis was conducted to analyze the transfer, treatment and outcomes of 406 preterm infants with ROP who were transferred to the Bayi Children's Hospital Affiliated to the Seventh Medical Center of PLA General Hospital via the NTN from July 2008 to December 2014. Independent sample t-test, Chi-square test and Mann-Whitney nonparametric test were used for statistical analysis.@*Results@#Among the 406 premature infants who were transferred to our hospital because of ROP, there were 257 males and 149 females with the gestational age of (29.5±1.9) weeks (24+5-36 weeks) and the birth weight of (1 234.8± 268.9) g (580-2 400 g). The age at transfer was (48.9±18.5) d (15-78 d) and the transport distance was (216.5±78.6) km (10-625 km). No death was reported during the transportation. Very preterm births and very low birth weight infants (VLBWI) accounted for 88.7% (360 cases) and 82.5% (335 cases), respectively. Lesions occurred in 1, 2 and 3 zones were detected in 98 (24.1%), 286 (70.4%) and 22 (5.4%) cases, respectively. Lesions of stage 1-5 were observed in 51 (12.6%), 156 (38.4%), 183 (45.1%), 12 (3.0%) and 4 (1.0%) cases. There were 186 cases (45.8%) with Plus lesions. A total of 252 cases (62.1%) underwent surgery which were achieving treatment standards, including 165 (65.5%) undergoing laser therapy, 93 (36.9%) receiving anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy, 16 (6.4%) having vitrectomy and two (0.8%) having scleral buckling. Eighteen infants were diagnosed with retinal structural abnormalities, among which 16 had retinal detachment before admission (12 in phase 4 and four in phase 5). Two without retinal detachment on admission developed to phase 4 after surgery. The incidence of retinal structural dysplasia was 0.9% (2/236) in infants receiving laser and/or anti-VEGF therapy in our hospital. Compared with the cured patients (n=234), those with retinal structural dysplasia (n=18) had a late transfer time [80 (38-270) vs 50 (19-150) d, Z=3.387, P<0.001].@*Conclusions@#The NICU-centered and regional transfer-based ROP treatment network provides timely and effective treatment for infants with ROP.
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Objective To observe the effects of different doses of tranexamic acid (TXA) on bleeding volume and safety for patients undergoing simple scoliosis corrective operation. Methods A retrospective study was conducted, 58 patients who had undergone simple scoliosis orthopaedic operation admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University from January 2016 to December 2017 were enrolled, and they were divided into a high TXA dose group (100 mg/kg load dose and then maintaining dose 10 mg·kg-1·h-1, 32 cases) and a low TXA dose group (10 mg/kg load dose and then maintaining dose 1 mg·kg-1·h-1, 26 cases) according to the different TXA dosages used in the operation. The clinical data of intra-operative blood loss volume, intra-operative bleeding ratio, intra-operative volume of blood transfusion, wound drainage volume on the postoperative first day, blood transfusion percentage, postoperative continual use of TXA situation, the levels of creatinine (SCr), D-dimer, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, etc. on the day before operation and on the first day after operation were collected, and the postoperative and 28-day post-discharge complications in the two groups were analyzed. Results There were no statistical significant differences in intra-operative blood loss volume (mL: 467.2±362.0 vs. 445.0±255.9), bleeding ratio [(16.9±11.7)% vs. (19.0±10.6) %], intra-operative blood transfusion (mL: 421.90±94.80 vs. 561.90±111.06), wound drainage volume on the postoperative first day (mL: 287.3±163.0 vs. 325.2±155.5), blood transfusion percentage [9.4% (3/32) vs. 3.8% (1/26)] and proportion of continual use of TXA [37.5% (12/32) vs. 57.7% (15/26)] between high dose TXA group and small dose TXA group (all P > 0.05). After operation, the SOFA scores of the two groups were significantly higher than those before operation (high dose TXA group: 2.22±1.31 vs. 0.47±0.11, low dose TXA group: 2.85±1.49 vs. 0.35±0.09), but there was no statistical significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). No statistical significant difference in the level of SCr before and after operation in high dose TXA group was seen (μmol/L: 52.0±15.7 vs. 50.6±13.5, P > 0.05); the postoperative SCr level was significantly higher than that before operation in low dose TXA group (μmol/L: 51.3±13.5 vs. 46.2±15.0, P < 0.05), but there was no statistical significant difference in SCr level between the two groups after treatment (P > 0.05). The proportions of patients with D-dimer =0 mg/L and < 0.19 mg/L in high dose TXA group were higher than those in low dose TXA group [21.9% (7/32) vs. 15.4% (4/26) and 12.5% (4/32) vs. 0 (0/26), respectively], but there was no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). No complications such as kidney injury, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, epilepsy, etc were found in either group. Conclusions There were no significant differences between the use of high-dose and low-dose TXA in the reduction of intra-operative and postoperative bleeding volume and transfusion volume in patients undergoing simple scoliosis corrective operation. Therefore, the low dose TXA is recommended to be used in such procedure.
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Objective To evaluate the dosimetric characteristics of the TomoDose diode and its application in detecting the couch velocity and assessing the beam Profile stability for convenient and efficient quality control of Tomotherapy.Methods Fundamental properties of the TomoDose detector,such as dose linearity,dose per pulse dependence,directional dependence and field size dependence were tested by the water-equivalent phantom and the results were statistically compared with those measured by the ion-chamber (0.057 cm3,A 1SL).Five different couch velocities with a time interval of 0.0005 s were designed to test the sensitivity of TomoDose for detecting the couch velocity,and then the clinical data of 7 patients with different couch velocities were selected to verify the test accuracy.The beam profile of three different jaws of 1.0,2.5 and 5.0 cm were measured using TomoDose with water-equivalent phantom in the x and y directions under the same conditions as water tank with an underwater depth of 15,50,100,150 and 200 mm,respectively.The Profile data obtained by water tank and TomoDose were evaluated using the Gamma (γ) evaluation method with the 2％/1 mm criterion.Results The dose linearity of the TomoDose and ion chamber was in a linear pattern within the beam-on-time ≤ 30 s.The difference between the TomoDose and ion chamber was less than 2％ for the dose per pulse dependence,and the response trends of them were consistent.TomoDose showed angular response dependence with a maximum difference of 2.53％ for the gantry angle of ±60°.For the field size dependence,the response difference between the TomoDose and ion chamber was increased with the decreasing field size when the Jaw was 5.0 cm,and the maximum deviation was 0.78％ when the field size was 5.0 cm×2.5 cm.TomoDose could detect the couch distance error of 0.5 mm,and determine the couch velocity deviation of＜ 0.6％.For the Profile stability testing:In the x direction,there was always γ＜1 at the underwater depth of 15 mm for all values of Jaw;when the underwater depth was not 15 mm,there was always γ＜ 1 in the main beam region (off-axis distance＜ 200 mm),whereas in the penumbra region (off-axis distance＞ 200 mm),the value of γ was larger and even with γ＞ l.In the y direction,all comparison results of Profile under three field width demonstrated that γ index was larger on the edge of beam,whereas γ＜1 was found in all cases.Conclusions TomoDose is suitable f or the quality control of Tomotherapy,which can accurately measure the couch velocity,precisely monitor the stability of beam Profile of Tomotherapy and complete the quality control process in a convenient and efficient manner.
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Objective To investigate the effects of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)-centered regional neonatal transport network (NTN) on the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted to analyze the transfer, treatment and outcomes of 406 preterm infants with ROP who were transferred to the Bayi Children's Hospital Affiliated to the Seventh Medical Center of PLA General Hospital via the NTN from July 2008 to December 2014. Independent sample t-test, Chi-square test and Mann-Whitney nonparametric test were used for statistical analysis. Results Among the 406 premature infants who were transferred to our hospital because of ROP, there were 257 males and 149 females with the gestational age of (29.5±1.9) weeks (24+5-36 weeks) and the birth weight of (1 234.8± 268.9) g (580-2 400 g). The age at transfer was (48.9±18.5) d (15-78 d) and the transport distance was (216.5±78.6) km (10-625 km). No death was reported during the transportation. Very preterm births and very low birth weight infants (VLBWI) accounted for 88.7% (360 cases) and 82.5% (335 cases), respectively. Lesions occurred in 1, 2 and 3 zones were detected in 98 (24.1%), 286 (70.4%) and 22 (5.4%) cases, respectively. Lesions of stage 1-5 were observed in 51 (12.6%), 156 (38.4%), 183 (45.1%), 12 (3.0%) and 4 (1.0%) cases. There were 186 cases (45.8%) with Plus lesions. A total of 252 cases (62.1%) underwent surgery which were achieving treatment standards, including 165 (65.5%) undergoing laser therapy, 93 (36.9%) receiving anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy, 16 (6.4%) having vitrectomy and two (0.8%) having scleral buckling. Eighteen infants were diagnosed with retinal structural abnormalities, among which 16 had retinal detachment before admission (12 in phase 4 and four in phase 5). Two without retinal detachment on admission developed to phase 4 after surgery. The incidence of retinal structural dysplasia was 0.9% (2/236) in infants receiving laser and/or anti-VEGF therapy in our hospital. Compared with the cured patients (n=234), those with retinal structural dysplasia (n=18) had a late transfer time [80 (38-270) vs 50 (19-150) d, Z=3.387, P<0.001]. Conclusions The NICU-centered and regional transfer-based ROP treatment network provides timely and effective treatment for infants with ROP.
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Objective To understand the ultrasonographic changes of brucellosis and to provide reliable basis for early diagnosis and treatment of brucellosis,and to reduce the incidence of complications caused by brucellosis,especially the incidence of infertility.Methods A retrospective analysis of 447 male patients with brucellosis confirmed by clinical serology was carried out.All of them were examined by ultrasonography.The testicular changes and ultrasonic manifestations associated with other organs were analyzed.Results Among 447 patients,175(39.15％) had abnormal testicular images,264(59.06％) had abnormal splenic changes,36(32.14％,36/112) had cardiac changes,36 (8.05％) had liver changes,and 3(0.67％) had other changes.Conclusions Ultrasound imaging is not only an important means of screening brucellosis,but also can detect early organ and tissue damage before clinical symptoms,especially testicular damage.Thus providing an effective basis for clinical early diagnosis,early treatment,misdiagnosis and treatment judgment.
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Objective To compare the immunopotentiating effects of polysaccharides extracted from wild/cultivate Cistanehe deserticola (WCDPS/CCDPS) in Xinjiang. Methods ICR mice were subcu-taneously injected twice with different doses(low,medium and high) of WCDPS and CCDPS in combination with ovalbumin (OVA). OVA-specific antibody IgG,as well as IgG1 and IgG2a subtypes, was determined by ELISA. OVA-specific lymphocyte proliferation was measured by MTT. Expression of CD4+T and CD8+T cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. Results Both WCDPS and CCDPS could significantly improve the production of OVA-specific IgG,IgG1 and IgG2a,promote the proliferation of OVA-specific lymphocytes and increase the expression of CD4+T and CD8+T cells(all P<0.05) with no significant difference between them at the same dosages (P>0.05). WCDPS and CCDPS had no influence on the body weight of mice after im-munization. Conclusion WCDSP and CCDPS could significantly enhance the OVA-specific humoral and cellular immune responses with no statistical difference and are characterized by high safety.
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Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of intravitreal injection of ranibizumab in the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).Methods Data from 49 consecutive ROP patients (95 eyes) including type Ⅰ pre-threshold,threshold and aggressive posterior ROP who had received anti-VEGF treatment for the first time in our hospital from June 2014 to August 2015 were collected.60 eyes from the 95 eyes were confined as the zone Ⅰ disease group,while the remaining 35 eyes as zone Ⅱ disease group.The difference of birth weight,gestational age,corrected gestational age,treatment effects,recurrence and re-treatment time between two groups were compared.0.025 mL ranibizumab (10 mg · mL-1) was injected through 1.5 mm puncture after corneal limbus by using 30G 1 mL injection syringe.At the end of the injection,tobramycin and dexamethasone ophthalmic ointment eye bag was used.After the injection of 3 days,the portable slit lamp and tonometer were used to observe the intraocular pressure,intraocular hemorrhage and endophthalmitis.The indirect ophthalmoscope was used to observe the retinal vascular tortuosity and ridge regression of lesion expansion at 1 week after treatment.At the same time,the systemic adverse reactions related to treatment were observed.Results After receiving ranibizumab treatment for the first time,93 eyes (95.9％) exhibited ROP regression after single injection,including 58 eyes in zone Ⅰ disease group,35 eyes in zone Ⅱ disease group.There was no statistical difference between two groups (P ＞ 0.05).22 eyes required additional anti-VEGF injection or laser treatment for ROP recurrence,including 17 eyes in zone Ⅰ disease group,5 eyes in zone Ⅱ disease group.There was statistical difference between two groups (P ＜0.05).The time from recurrence to re-treatment was (6.50 ±2.54) weeks,which in zone Ⅰ disease group was (6.44 ± 2.74) weeks and in zone Ⅱ disease group was (6.67 ± 2.31)weeks,there was no statistical difference between two groups (P ＞ 0.05).No local or systemic adverse events associated with the treatment or drug was observed within the following period.Conclusion Intravitreal injection of ranibizumab is an effective and well tolerated method for zone Ⅰ and zone Ⅱ ROP,but the recurrence rate is high.There Is no local or systemic adverse events associated with the treatment or drug.
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Objective To investigate the impact of injection current (IC), injection voltage (IV), and pulse forming network (PFN) on energy (depth ratio D20/D10) and profiles of helical tomotherapy, and to improve the quality control for the stability of beam characteristics.Methods The energy and profiles were measured by ion chamber and TomoDose at different values of IC, IV, and PFN, the relationship between the energy and various parameters was evaluated by Pearson correlation analysis, and the changes in profiles were evaluated by comparative analysis.Results The energy had no correlation with IV and PFN values (P>0.05), but had a strong correlation with IC value (P=0.007), which showed a downward trend with the increase in IC.For the profiles in the x direction:(1) in the main beam region (-200 to 200 mm), the shoulder area of the profiles increased regularly with the increase in IC.There were no significant changes for the profiles when the IV values ranged from 6.42 V to 6.54 V, and the shoulder area of the profiles reached the highest point with IV=6.60 V, then decreased with further increase in IV.The shoulder area of the profiles decreased regularly with the increase in PFN.(2) In the penumbral region (±200 mm outside), all the three parameters had no effect on the profiles.For the profiles in the y direction:(1) in the main beam region (-20 to 20 mm), the profiles showed an upward trend in the area with an off-axis distance less than 16 mm when IC values were 5.40 V and 5.46 V, and showed an upward trend in the area with an off-axis distance less than 16 mm.But on the whole, the shoulder area of the profiles increased with the increase in IC, and was not affected by IV and PFN.(2) In the penumbral region (±20 mm outside), the profiles decreased regularly with the increase in IV, and was not affected by IC and PFN.IC had the highest influence on the profiles in the main beam region, followed by PFN and IV.Only IV had impact on the profiles in the penumbral region.Conclusions When the energy needs to be adjusted, the IC value should be given a priority, and PFN should be taken as a supplementary factor.When the profile needs to be adjusted, the IC value should be given a priority, and IV should be used as an auxiliary factor in the main beam region.But in the penumbral region, adjustment of parameters is only related to the profiles in y direction, so the IV value should be adjusted.This study has a guiding role in the quality control of energy and profiles, which can reduce the blindness of quality control, thus saving the time.
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Objective To quantitatively investigate the image quality and dose calculation accuracy of megavoltage computed tomography (CT) in helical tomotherapy.Methods The megavoltage CT was used to scan the Cheese phantom,and the geometric accuracy of images,noise,image uniformity,spatial resolution,density-CT value conversion,and dose calculation accuracy were analyzed and compared with conventional kilovoltage CT.Results The geometric accuracy of megavoltage CT images was within 2 mm in three directions.The megavoltage CT was inferior to kilovoltage CT in terms of image noise,uniformity,and spatial resolution.The dose-volume histogram (DVH) in dose reconstruction based on CT images was well consistent with DVH in the kilovohage CT plan.Conclusions The megavoltage CT can obtain images with accurate geometric dimensions and has a low imaging dose and accurate dose calculation,which meets clinical requirements.
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Background It is estimated that discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR2) and matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) play an important role in the development of tumor angiogenesis.However,their effects on choroidal neovascularizaiton (CNV) have not been clarified yet.Objective This study was to observe the expression pattern of DDR2 and MMP-13 in CNV and to further investigate the regulation role of MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways to the expression of DDR2 and MMP-13 in CNV.Methods CNV models were established in 78 Brown Norway (BN) rats by retinal photocoagulation with 532 nm laser.Then the animals were randomly divided into the normal control group (n =7),the model control group (n =39),PD98059 (MEK1 inhibitor) group (n =16) and LY294002 (PI3K inhibitor) group (n =16),and 5 mmol/L PD98059 or 5 mmol/L LY294002 3 μl was intravitreally injected 1 day and 7 days after photocoagulation in the PD98059 group or LY294002 group.The expression of DDR2 and MMP-13 mRNA and proteins in the CNV area were detected by using reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR),and the expression levels of p-ERK/ERK and p-Akt/Akt protein were detected by Western blot assay.CNV thickness was measured by pathological examination 14 days after photocoagulation,and the changes of CNV thickness,the expression levels of DDR2 and MMP-13 in CNV were compared among the model control group,PD98059 group and LY294002 group.Results Three days after photocoagulation,the cells within the lasered lesions proliferated,then CNV formed 7 days after photocoagulation and became stable 14 days after photocoagulation.Immunohistochemistry staining indicated that DDR2 was weakly expressed in the cells of ganglion cell layer,inner nuclear layer and vascular endothelial cells;while MMP-13 was strongly expressed in the cells of the inner limiting membrane layer,photoreceptor layer and sclera layer.Both DDR2 and MMP-13 were strongly expressed in CNV area.Double immunofluorescence staining revealed that MMP-13 and DDR2 co-expression in CNV area.RT-PCR revealed that the relative DDR2 mRNA levels at 1 day,3 days,7 days and 14 days after photocoagulation were 55.22±4.03,47.74±2.23,14.82±4.56 and 5.59±2.47 respectively,while the relative MMP-13 mRNA levels were 25.54±3.83,43.51±4.36,10.90±4.00 and 5.23±3.23 respectively.Compared with the normal control group,the expression of DDR2 and MMP-13 were significantly increased (all at P＜0.05).Immunofluorescence staining showed that the relative fluorescence unit (RFU) values at 1 day,3 days,7 days and 14 days after photocoagulation were 2.73±0.53,5.21±0.31 and 3.22±0.33 for DDR2 and 1.66±0.17,3.57±0.44,2.67±0.21 for MMP-13,respectively.The RFU values in the PD98059 group and LY294002 group 14 days after photocoagulation were 1.14±0.19,1.03±0.14 for DDR2 and 1.37±0.25,1.24±0.20 for MMP-13,respectively.Compared with the model control group,the differences were statistically significant (both at P＜0.05).Western blot results showed that,compared to the normal control group,the expression levels of p-ERK and p-Akt pretein increased at day 7 after photocoagulation (both at P＜0.05),and returned back to the baseline at day 14 after photocoagulation (both at P＞0.05).Both PD98059 and LY294002 treatment were able to attenuate the thickness of CNV to 57.21％ and 50.34％ at day 14 after photocoagulation and further decrease the expression levels of DDR2 and MMP-13 in CNV (all at P＜0.05).Conclusions The expressions of DDR2 and MMP-13 up-regulate in laser-induced CNV.MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways suppress the development of CNV by regulating the expression of DDR2 and MMP-13.
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Objective To study the CT number and noise of HT MVCT on different dose rate and scanning thickness.Methods The CT number of different relative electron density were measured in the MVCT image of Cheesephantom with tissue substitute plugs scanned with different dose rate and slice thickness.The physical density corresponding to the CT number was plotted as the image value to density table (IVDT).The noise was measured in the MVCT image of Cheesephantom with solid water plugs scanned with different dose rate and slice thickness.Results There was a significant different of the CT number of the plugs with different dose rates (P =0.000),it shows a positive correlation between the varied CT number and density (R2 =0.846),there is larger impact on the high density number.There was still a significant effect on the noise with different dose rate (P =0.000 density),the noise increase as the dose rate decrease.There was no significant effect on IVDT (P =1.000) and noise (P =0.667) with different slice thickness.Conclusions The CT number and the noise vary with the dose rate,the QA of MVCT should be performed regularly to assure the quality of image and the accuracy of dose calculating on MVCT in adaptive.
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Objective To analyze geometrical uncertainties of the target and provide the margin enlarging from clinic target volume (CTV) to planning target volume (PTV) with HT.Methods Analysis set-up data of 220 cases include 97 cases of head and neck,45 cases of chest and 78 cases of abdomen and pelvic,calculating the systematic error (Σ) and the random error (σ) in the three-dimension and check whether the set-up data accord with the normal distribution or not,then acquire the values expand in the three directions based on formula 2.0Σ + 0.7σandμ ± 2.58σ.Results The systematic error (Σ) and random error (σ) of head and neck,the chest and abdomen and pelvic were (0.7-1.9 mm,1.1-1.4 mm),(0.8-4.2 mm,1.5-3.2 mm),(1.1-4.1 mm,1.8-4.1 mm),respectively,and the margin that expand in the direction of x,y,z were (5.2,6.5,7.7 mum),(7.5,16.2,10.3 mm),(7.6,17.1,15.7 mm),respectively.Conclusions The curative effect of this task need prove with a large sample during HT,but other should establish data of margin by yourself.
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Objective To investigate the factors of effecting with yindex analysis of delivery for helical tomotherapy (HT).Methods Measuring γindex with the ArcCheck device for introduced errors in HT.The errors include setup errors in three-dimensional,the gantry angle error,calculating the dose in the phantom,low dose rate.All the results were compared with the 3％/3 mm and 2％/2 mm criteria.The effect of the accuracy in the application of kilovoltage computed tomography (KVCT) and mega-voltage computed tomography (MVCT) images in HT was also analyzed.Paired-t test method was used for difference compared.Results When the errors were introduced to the HT,theγpassing rate of left-right,superior-inferior,anterior-posterior direction dropped 2.7％,7.2％,3.6％ under the 3％/3 mm criteria (P =0.002,0.022,0.007),with 4.6％,15.7 ％,7.6％ under the 2％/2 mm criteria (P =0.001,0.003,0.002) respectively.There was no statistical significance for theγpassing between scanning the ArcCheek phantom with the KVCT and MVCT under the 3％/3 mm and 2％/2 mm criteria (98.6％ vs 98.7％,P =0.859 and 92.7％ vs 92.8％,P =0.984).Conclusions The errors of the setup position and machine paraments can lead to the dose delivery errors in HT,the quality accurance of machine and plan should be enhanced to minimize the dose errors.The results also showed that there is no difference of KVCT and MVCT image on the delivery of HT.
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Echinacea purpurea L. is a medicinal plant originally from North America. It has become a commonly used herbal medicine worldwide because it contains various biologically active compounds. This study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of essential oils from E. purpurea in both mice and rats. The extract was obtained from flower of E. purpurea by steam distillation. The anti-inflammatory potential was evaluated in vivo by using different animal models such as xylene-induced mouse ear edema, egg-white-induced rat paw edema, and cottoninduced granuloma tissue proliferating inflammation in mice. The serial dosages were used in vivo: the low dosage, the medium dosage and the high dosage. The low, medium and high dosages of extracts produced inhibitions of 39.24%, 47.22% and 44.79% respectively in the ear edema induced by xylene when compare with the control group. Only the high dosage group showed statistically significant inhibition [48.51%] of paw edema formation induced three hours by egg white compared with the control group [P<0.01]. Moreover, the granulation formation was also significantly reduced the most by 28.52% in the high dose groups compared with the control group [P <0.05]. The pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-2, IL-6 and TNF-alpha in the blood were reduced in the treated groups. The essential oils from extracts of E. purpurea have anti-inflammatory effects
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Independent component analysis (ICA) is a novel method developed in recent years for Blind Source Separation. In this paper, the phonocardiogram (PCG) was separated into three components by applying ICA. The basic principle of ICA was introduced in this paper. A fast and robust fixed-point algorithm for ICA was used to analyze PCG signals in this study. The experiments showed that ICA could separate the components of heart sounds from PCG signals successfully.