A Survey of the Security Analysis of Embedded Devices.

Embedded devices are pervasive nowadays with the rapid development of the Internet of Things (IoT). This brings significant security issues that make the security analysis of embedded devices important. This paper presents a survey on the security analysis research of embedded devices. First, we analyze the embedded device types and their operating systems. Then, we describe a major dynamic security analysis method for an embedded device, i.e., simulating the firmware of the embedded device and performing fuzzing on the web interface provided by the firmware. Third, we discuss some other issues in embedded security analysis, such as analyzing the attack surface, applying static analysis, and performing large-scale analysis. Based on these analyses, we finally conclude three challenges in the current research and present our insights for future research directions.

T-lymphocytes from focused ultrasound ablation subsequently mediate cellular antitumor immunity after adoptive cell transfer immunotherapy.

Background: Our previous studies found that high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) stimulated tumor-specific T cells in a mouse H22 tumor model, and adoptive transfer of the T cells from HIFU-treated mice could subsequently elicit stronger inhibition on the growth and progression of the implanted tumors. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of T cells from focused ultrasound ablation in HIFU-mediated immunomodulation. Methods: Sixty H22 tumor-bearing mice were treated by either HIFU or sham-HIFU, and 30 naïve syngeneic mice served as controls. All mice were euthanized on day 14 after HIFU and splenic T cell suspensions were obtained in each group. Using an adoptive cell transfer model, a total of 1 × 106 T cells from HIFU treated-mice were intravenously injected into each syngeneic H22 tumor-bearing mouse twice on day 3 and 4, followed by the sacrifice for immunological assessments at 14 days after the adoptive transfer. Results: T cells from HIFU-treated mice could significantly enhance the cytotoxicity of CTLs (p < 0.001), with a significant increase of TNF-α (p < 0.001) and IFN-γ secretion (p < 0.001). Compared to control and sham-HIFU groups, the number of Fas ligand+ and perforin+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and apoptotic H22 tumor cells were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in the HIFU group. There were linear correlations between apoptotic tumor cells and Fas ligand+ TILs (r = 0.9145, p < 0.001) and perforin+ TILs (r = 0.9619, p < 0.001). Conclusion: T cells from HIFU-treated mice can subsequently mediate cellular antitumor immunity, which may play an important role in the HIFU-based immunomodulation.

Do B Vitamins Enhance the Effect of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Cardiovascular Diseases? A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials.

Studies have suggested that B vitamins or omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may deter the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This systematic review aims to examine whether the combined supplementation of both B vitamins and omega-3 PUFAs could provide additional beneficial effects to prevent CVD beyond the effect of each supplement based on clinical trials published up to December 2021. The overall findings are inconsistent and inconclusive, yet the combined supplementation of these two nutrients may be more effective at reducing plasma homocysteine, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol than the individual components. The underlying mechanisms mainly include alleviating endothelial dysfunction, inhibiting atherosclerosis and lesion initiation, reducing oxidative stress, suppressing activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, regulating endothelial nitric oxide synthase, and interfering with methylation of genes that promote atherogenesis. Although biologically plausible, the existing literature is insufficient to draw any firm conclusion regarding whether B vitamins can further enhance the potential beneficial effects of omega-3 PUFA intake on either primary or secondary prevention of CVD. The inconsistent findings may be largely explained by the methodological challenges. Therefore, well-designed high-quality trials that will use the combined supplementation of B vitamins and omega-3 PUFAs or dietary patterns rich in these two types of nutrients are warranted.

Effect of Zuogui Jiangtang Tongmai Prescription on Astrocyte Injury by AGEs Combined with Oxygen-glucose Deprivation Based on AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 Pathway Related to Autophagy / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the effect and mechanism of Zuogui Jiangtang Tongmai prescription （ZGJTTMP） on astrocytes （ASs） injured by advanced glycation end products（AGEs） combined with oxygen-glucose deprivation （OGD）. MethodCell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） was used to determine the optimal concentration of AGEs and the action time of OGD， and the optimal blood concentration of ZGJTTMP was selected for follow-up experiments. ASs were divided into normal group， model group （AGEs + OGD）， ZGJTTMP group， an adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase （AMPK） inhibitor （Compound C） group， AMPK activator （AICAR） group， and combination group （ZGJTTMP + AICAR）. The morphological changes in ASs in each group were observed under an inverted microscope. The cell survival rate in each group was detected by CCK-8. The content of interleukin-1β（IL-1β）， interleukin-6（IL-6）， and tumor necrosis factor-α（TNF-α） was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The number of autophagosomes in each group was counted under an electron microscope. The expression of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 （LC3） was observed by immunofluorescence. The protein expression of LC3， p62， p-AMPK， AMPK， p-mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR）， mTOR， p-UNC-51 like kinase 1 （ULK1）， and ULK1 was detected by Western blot. ResultAccording to the results of cell survival rate， 200 mg·L-1 AGEs and OGD for 6 h were selected as the optimal modeling conditions for the model group， and 5% was selected as the optimal blood concentration of ZGJTTMP. Under the inverted microscope， the cells were severely damaged after modeling， but the cell injury in the ZGJTTMP group and the Compound C group was significantly improved. As revealed by ELISA results， the content of IL-1β， IL-6， and TNF-α in the model group increased （P<0.01）， and the content of inflammatory factors in the ZGJTTMP group and the Compound C group decreased （P<0.01）. Under the electron microscope， the number of autophagosomes in the model group increased significantly. The immunofluorescence results showed that the expression area of LC3 increased in the model group （P<0.01）， and the ZGJTTMP group and the Compound C group showed decreased number of autophagosomes and reduced expression area of LC3 （P<0.01）. As demonstrated by the results of Western blot， compared with the normal group， the model group showed increased expression of LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ and p-AMPK/AMPK （P<0.01） and decreased p62， p-mTOR/mTOR， and p-ULK1/ULK1 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the ZGJTTMP group and the Compound C group showed decreased expression of LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ and p-AMPK/AMPK （P<0.01） and increased p62， p-mTOR/mTOR， and p-ULK1/ULK1 （P<0.01）. ConclusionZGJTTMP possesses a protective effect on ASs with inflammatory injury by AGEs combined with OGD， which may be achieved by inhibiting the activation of the AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 pathway related to autophagy， thus inhibiting the overexpression of autophagy.

Social Collective Attack Model and Procedures for Large-Scale Cyber-Physical Systems.

A large-scale Cyber-Physical System (CPS) such as a smart grid usually provides service to a vast number of users as a public utility. Security is one of the most vital aspects in such critical infrastructures. The existing CPS security usually considers the attack from the information domain to the physical domain, such as injecting false data to damage sensing. Social Collective Attack on CPS (SCAC) is proposed as a new kind of attack that intrudes into the social domain and manipulates the collective behavior of social users to disrupt the physical subsystem. To provide a systematic description framework for such threats, we extend MITRE ATT&CK, the most used cyber adversary behavior modeling framework, to cover social, cyber, and physical domains. We discuss how the disinformation may be constructed and eventually leads to physical system malfunction through the social-cyber-physical interfaces, and we analyze how the adversaries launch disinformation attacks to better manipulate collective behavior. Finally, simulation analysis of SCAC in a smart grid is provided to demonstrate the possibility of such an attack.

Effect and molecular mechanism of mitochondrial solute carrier protein SLC25A26 inducing hepatoma cell senescence / 中国药理学通报

Aim To explore the regulatory effect of mitochondrial solute carrier protein SLC25A26 on senescence of hepatoma cells induced by methionine cycle metabolism. Methods HepG2 cell line was cultured in vitro. After hepatoma cell senescence was induced by toposide (2 [xmol • Ľ'), a positive drug for inducing cell senescence, methionine circulating metabolite SAM (0. 1 mmol • L " ') was treated. Western blot and Real-time PGR were used to detect the senescence indexes including pl6, p21, and HMGAl, and flow cytometry was used to detect cell cycle. Transfecting SLC25A26 overexpression plasmid, the effect of overexpressing SLC25A26 on the senescence indexes of hepatoma cells was detected by Western blot and immunofluorescence detection, and the level of SAM after overexpressing SLC25A26 was detected by the kit. The effect of overexpressing SLG25A26 on the senescence of hepatoma cells after SAM treatment was detected by Real-time PGR. Results Western blot and Real-time PGR showed that methionine cycle metabolism could weaken the senescence level of HepG2 cells induced by Etoposide, and flow cytometry showed that cell cycle was arrested in Gl phase; overexpression of SLG25A26 decreased the levels of SAM and SAH in cytoplasm of HepG2 cells, and exogenous SAM partially offset the aging effect of HepG2 cells induced by SLG25A26. Conclusions Promoting methionine cycle metabolism can inhibit hepatoma cells senescence; overexpression of SLG25A26 can induce hepatoma cells senescence; SLG25A26 can induce hepatoma cells senescence by regulating methionine cycle metabolism.

Investigation and research of physics technique and quality assurance for radiotherapy in east guangdong province / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective To investigate the physics technique and quality assurance (QA) during radiotherapy in the institutions from the East Guangdong province,aiming to provide reference for the construction of radiotherapy discipline and rational allocation of resources in the primary hospitals from the eastern Guangdong province.Methods From March 15 to May 20,2016,the general conditions,radiotherapy equipment,available technique and quality assurance (QA) in the medical institutions from eastern Guangdong were investigated and analyzed by online combined with on-spot surgery.Results There were 8 institutions which provided radiotherapy with 966 ward beds,a daily capacity of 632 patients and 222 radiotherapy practitioners.Radiotherapy equipment included 12 linear accelerators,5 after-loading devices,1γ-knife,8 CT simulators and 9 radiotherapy planning systems.Five institutions performed IMRT/VMAT,IGRT and ART.Dose verification was performed before precision radiotherapy delivery in all institutions except for 1 center.QA procedures were missing for the linear accelerators,CT simulators and after-loading devices.Short-term advanced studies and hand-by-hand teaching were the main approaches for staff professional training.Conclusions The resource allocation for radiotherapy in the medical centers from the eastern Guangdong province is scarce.The technique and QC levels greatly differ among different institutions.Standard QA protocols are urgently to be established and implemented.Extensive attentions should be paid to the the professional training for technicians.

Experimental study of lentiviral vector-mediated bFGF gene transfection on rabbit BMSCs / 天津医药

Objective To observe the effect of lentiviral vector-mediated basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) gene transfection on the biological characteristics of rabbit bone marrow stromal cells(BMSCs)under in vitro culture conditions. Methods BMSCs were obtained by density gradient centrifugation and adherence screening. The bFGF gene was transfected into BMSCs by lentiviral vector and divided into bFGF transfection group,empty virus group and untransfected group according to the transfection conditions.After transfection,the morphology,expressions of bFGF mRNA and protein, cell proliferation,cell cycle and alkaline phosphatase(ALP)activity were observed in three groups of cells. Results High density BMSCs were successfully obtained by density gradient centrifugation and adherence screening.After transfection of BMSCs with bFGF gene, the cell morphology showed no significant changes, while the expressions of bFGF mRNA and protein were significantly increased, the cell proliferation curve shifted upward, the proportion of proliferating cells increased,and the activity of ALP was significantly enhanced.There were significant differences between three groups(P<0.05).Conclusion The rabbit bFGF gene is successfully introduced into the BMSCs cultured in vitro by lentiviral vector, and the target gene is stably expressed.The expression of bFGF can promote the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs.

Command Disaggregation Attack and Mitigation in Industrial Internet of Things.

A cyber-physical attack in the industrial Internet of Things can cause severe damage to physical system. In this paper, we focus on the command disaggregation attack, wherein attackers modify disaggregated commands by intruding command aggregators like programmable logic controllers, and then maliciously manipulate the physical process. It is necessary to investigate these attacks, analyze their impact on the physical process, and seek effective detection mechanisms. We depict two different types of command disaggregation attack modes: (1) the command sequence is disordered and (2) disaggregated sub-commands are allocated to wrong actuators. We describe three attack models to implement these modes with going undetected by existing detection methods. A novel and effective framework is provided to detect command disaggregation attacks. The framework utilizes the correlations among two-tier command sequences, including commands from the output of central controller and sub-commands from the input of actuators, to detect attacks before disruptions occur. We have designed components of the framework and explain how to mine and use these correlations to detect attacks. We present two case studies to validate different levels of impact from various attack models and the effectiveness of the detection framework. Finally, we discuss how to enhance the detection framework.

Serum bile acid level and fatty acid composition in Chinese children with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

OBJECTIVE: To determine serum bile acid (BA) and fatty acid (FA) profiles in Chinese children with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS: A total 76 children aged 4-17 years were categorized into three groups according to the presence and absence of as well as the severity of NAFLD, that is, non-NAFLD (control), mild and moderate to severe NAFLD groups, respectively, based on their liver ultrasonography findings. Serum BA and FA profiles were quantified separately by mass spectrometry and gas chromatography. General linear models were performed to assess the differences among the groups. RESULTS: After adjusted for potential confounders, children with NAFLD had higher levels of chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), unconjugated primary BAs (CDCA + cholic acid) but lower levels of deoxycholic acid (DCA), taurodeoxycholic acid (TDCA), glycodeoxycholic acid (GDCA), total DCA (DCA + TDCA + GDCA), glycolithocholic acid (GLCA) and total lithocholic acid (GLCA + taurolithocholic acid) than children without NAFLD. As for FAs, children with mild and moderate to severe NAFLD had higher levels of n-7 monounsaturated FA. CONCLUSIONS: Circulating BA and FA profiles may change in children with NAFLD. Further studies are needed to determine their associations and to understand the underlying mechanism of action.

Adjuvant steroid treatment following Kasai portoenterostomy and clinical outcomes of biliary atresia patients: an updated meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: It is controversial whether adjuvant steroid treatment should be given to biliary atresia (BA) patients following a Kasai portoenterostomy (KPE). This study aimed to quantitatively and systematically evaluate the effect of adjuvant steroid therapy post-KPE in relation to major clinical outcomes of BA patients. METHODS: We systematically reviewed the literature in PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database, Wanfang Database, Scholarly and Academic Information Navigator and manually searched for relevant papers published before August, 2015. We extracted data on the effects of steroid treatment following KPE on clinical outcome, including jaundice free rate and native liver survival rate at 6 months, 1 or 2 years after KPE. The weighted overall relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by using a random-effects model. RESULTS: Eight cohort studies and two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified (n=998). Of them, 6 cohort studies and 2 trials investigated the effect of steroid treatment as compared to non-users or placebo (n=566), and 2 cohort studies compared the effects of high-dose to low-dose steroid treatment (n=432). Steroid usage increased the clearance rates of jaundice at 6 months (pooled RR: 1.32; 95% CI: 0.995-1.76; I 2=72.6%) and 1 year (pooled RR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.12-1.61; I 2=0.0%), but not 2 years (pooled RR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.55-1.22; I 2=0.0%) after KPE. There was no solid evidence supporting that steroid treatment would improve native liver survival rate at 6 months (pooled RR: 1.02; 95% CI: 0.90-1.15; I 2=0.0%), 1 year (pooled RR: 1.10; 95% CI: 0.91-1.34; I 2=35.2%) or 2 years (pooled RR: 1.00; 95% CI: 0.73-1.35; I 2=57.4%) after KPE. CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant steroid treatment following KPE may improve short-term (≤1 year) clearance rate of jaundice, but no significant effects on long-term (≥2 years) clearance rate of jaundice and native liver survival rate. Studies on doses and duration of steroids, and long-term follow-up studies are warranted.

Synthesis and evaluation of 2-cyano-3, 12-dioxooleana-1, 9(11)-en-28-oate-13β, 28-olide as a potent anti-inflammatory agent for intervention of LPS-induced acute lung injury / 中国天然药物

The present study was designed to synthesize 2-Cyano-3, 12-dioxooleana-1, 9(11)-en-28-oate-13β, 28-olide (1), a lactone derivative of oleanolic acid (OA) and evaluate its anti-inflammatory activity. Compound 1 significantly diminished nitric oxide (NO) production and down-regulated the mRNA expression of iNOS, COX-2, IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Further in vivo studies in murine model of LPS-induced acute lung injury (ALI) showed that 1 possessed more potent protective effects than the well-known anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone by inhibiting myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, reducing total cells and neutrophils, and suppressing inflammatory cytokines expression, and thus ameliorating the histopathological conditions of the injured lung tissue. In conclusion, compound 1 could be developed as a promising anti-inflammatory agent for intervention of LPS-induced ALI.

miR-625 suppresses cell proliferation and migration by targeting HMGA1 in breast cancer.

Dysregulation of microRNA contributes to the high incidence and mortality of breast cancer. Here, we show that miR-625 was frequently down-regulated in breast cancer. Decrease of miR-625 was closely associated with estrogen receptor (P = 0.004), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (P = 0.003) and clinical stage (P = 0.001). Kaplan-Meier and multivariate analyses indicated miR-625 as an independent factor for unfavorable prognosis (hazard ratio = 2.654, 95% confident interval: 1.300-5.382, P = 0.007). Re-expression of miR-625 impeded, whereas knockdown of miR-625 enhanced cell viabilities and migration abilities in breast cancer cells. HMGA1 was confirmed as a direct target of miR-625. The expressions of HMGA1 mRNA and protein were induced by miR-625 mimics, but reduced by miR-625 inhibitor. Re-introduction of HMGA1 in cells expressing miR-625 distinctly abrogated miR-625-mediated inhibition of cell growth. Taken together, our data demonstrate that miR-625 suppresses cell proliferation and migration by targeting HMGA1 and suggest miR-625 as a promising prognostic biomarker and a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer.

Specific antitumour immunity of HIFU-activated cytotoxic T lymphocytes after adoptive transfusion in tumour-bearing mice.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the specific anti-tumour immunity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) activated by high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) after adoptive transfer in a murine tumour model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: H22 tumour-bearing mice were treated by either HIFU or sham-HIFU, while naïve syngeneic mice were used as controls. They were sacrificed and the spleens were harvested 14 days after HIFU. T lymphocytes were obtained from the spleens, and then adoptively transferred into 40 mice each bearing a 3-day implanted H22 tumour. On day 14 after adoptive transfer, 10 mice were sacrificed in each group for assessment of the number of tumour-infiltrating T lymphocytes and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) secreting cells. The remaining 30 mice were continuously observed for 60 days, and tumour growth, progression and survival were recorded. RESULTS: HIFU significantly increased peripheral blood CD3(+), CD4(+) levels and CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio (P < 0.05), CTL cytotoxicity (P < 0.01) and IFN-γ and TNF-α secretion (P < 0.01) in H22 tumour-bearing mice. Adoptive transfer of HIFU-activated T lymphocytes into the autologous tumour-bearing mice induced a significant increase of tumour-infiltrating T lymphocytes and IFN-γ-secreting cells (P < 0.001). Compared to the control and sham-HIFU groups, HIFU-activated lymphocytes elicited significant inhibition of in vivo tumour growth (P < 0.01) and progression (P < 0.0001), and longer survival time in the tumour-bearing mice (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: HIFU could enhance CTL's specific antitumour immunity. Adoptive transfer of HIFU-activated T lymphocytes could increase local antitumour immunity, and elicit stronger inhibition on tumour growth and progression, with more survival benefit in the autologous tumour-bearing mice.

Inaccuracy of Self-reported Low Sodium Diet among Chinese: Findings from Baseline Survey for Shandong & Ministry of Health Action on Salt and Hypertension (SMASH) Project.

This study was aimed to evaluate the agreement between the self-reported sodium intake level and 24-h urine sodium excretion level in Chinese. The 24-h urine collection was conducted among 2112 adults aged 18-69 years randomly selected in Shandong Province, China. The subjects were asked whether their sodium intake was low, moderate, or high. The weighted kappa statistics was calculated to assess the agreement between 24-h urine sodium excretion level and self-reported sodium intake level. One third of the subjects reported low sodium intake level. About 70% of the subjects had mean 24-h sodium excretion>9 g/d, but reported low or moderate sodium intake. The agreement between self-reported sodium intake level and 24-h urine sodium excretion level was low in both normotensive subjects and hypertensive subjects. These findings suggested that many subjects who reported low sodium intake had actual urine sodium excretion>9 g/d. Sodium intake is often underestimated in both hypertensive and normotensive participants in China.

Assessment of the feasibility of TACE combined with intratumoral injection of cisplatin in hepatocellular carcinoma.

The feasibility of transcatheter arterial chemo-embolization (TACE) combined with intratumoral injection of cisplatin as treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma. 30 cases receiving TACE were denoted the TACE group, another 30 cases receiving TACE combined with an intratumoral multi-point injection of cisplatin were denoted the TACE/cisplatin group. Cases with partial remission/complete remission (PR/CR) were analyzed using 2 tests; alpha fetoprotein (AFP), aspartate amino transferase (AST), total bilirubin (TBIL), erythrocyte, and platelet levels were detected and the differences between two groups were analyzed using the Student's t-test; cases with complications, including intrahepatic metastasis (IM), upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGB), and liver failure were also counted. The correlation of clinical parameters with PR/CR was analyzed using multifactorial correlation analysis. Cases with PR/CR in the TACE/cisplatin group were significantly more than in TACE group, accompanied by significant declination in FAP. There were no significant differences of AST, ALT, TBIL, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), and platelets (PLT) between two groups; 3 cases with IM, one case with UGB and one case with LF were found in the TACE group, but only 1 case with IM was found in the TACE/cisplatin group. In addition, tumor stage was correlated with PR/CR. We concluded that TACE combined with intratumoral injection of cisplatin was more effective than TACE, and with fewer complications and side effects.

Quality Assurance for Truebeam Imaging System Based on MIMI Phantom / 中国医学影像学杂志

PurposeTo perform a quality assurance program for Truebeam imaging system using MIMI phantom, and to evaluate the accuracy of the imaging system center with the radiation isocenter and the accuracy of couch shift.Materials and Methods The reference images of MIMI phantom were acquired using CT scanner. The reference images were imported into the treatment planning system and a simple plan was created. The MIMI phantom was placed on the treatment couch. The images were acquired using the MV/KV imaging system, and a match registration was performed with the reference images from the TPS.Results Measured over six months, the precision of the imager and linac's isocenter was <1 mm, and the couch shift accuracy was <1 mm. The measurements over six months demonstrate that isocenters of the MV/KV imaging systems on Truebeam system are stable.Conclusion The accuracy of the Truebeam imaging system center and couch shift is safe and reliable. The error of Truebeam imaging system center and couch shift can be tested on a monthly base.

The evaluation of popliteal fossa fixed method to reduce setup errors for postoperative cervical cancer via CBCT / 肿瘤研究与临床

Objective To evaluate the effect of popliteal fossa fixed method to reduce the setup errors in patients with postoperative cervical carcinoma by CBCT of TrueBeam Linear accelerator.Methods 30 cases of postoperative cervical cancer patients were randomly divided into two groups,group A with popliteal fossa fixed method by trapezoidal fixation,group B with traditional vacuum pad fixation.CBCT was used to record both setup errors and rotational errors,Stroom extension formula was used to calculate the PTV expansion value coming from the two different fixation methods.Results There was significant difference in setup errors between group A and group B.The setup errors in the left-right direction (X),cranial-caudal direction (Y) and anterior-posterior direction (Z) were (0.19±0.14) cm,(0.17±0.12) cm and (0.13±0.11) cm in group A,respectively.On the contrary,the setup errors in X,Y and Z were (0.24±0.19) cm,(0.25±0.21) cm and (0.22±0.18) cm in group B,respectively.The rotational errors were 0.05°±0.02° in group A,comparing with 0.5°±0.21° in group B (P =0.00).The PTV expanded margin in group A was 0.56 cm in X direction,0.51 cm in Y direction,0.40 cm in Z direction,in comparing with 0.73 cm,0.78 cm and 0.67 cm in group B,respectively.Group A remarkably reduced the PTV,pelvis,small intestine,bladder and rectum irradiated volumes [(1 167±271) mm3 vs (1 379±297) mm3,(84±12) mm3 vs (130±17) mm3,(81±51) mm3 vs (117±64)mm3,(62±40) mm3 vs (75±47) mm3,(21±16) mm3 vs (31±21) mm3].Conclusion Popliteal fossa fixed method can reduce setup errors and improve the stability of positioning,more suitable in precise radiotherapy for postoperative cervical cancer patients,which has the value of further validation.

Volumetric modulation arc radiotherapy with flattening filter-free beams compared with conventional beams for nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a feasibility study / 癌症

There is increasing interest in the clinical use of flattening filter-free (FFF) beams. In this study, we aimed to investigate the dosimetric characteristics of volumetric modulated arc radiotherapy (VMAT) with FFF beams for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Ten NPC patients were randomly selected to undergo a RapidArc plan with either FFF beams (RA-FFF) or conventional beams (RA-C). The doses to the planning target volumes (PTVs), organs at risk (OARs), and normal tissues were compared. The technical delivery parameters for RapidArc plans were also assessed to compare the characteristics of FFF and conventional beams. Both techniques delivered adequate doses to PTVs. For PTVs, RA-C delivered lower maximum and mean doses and improved conformity and homogeneity compared with RA-FFF. Both techniques provided similar maximum doses to the optic nerves and lenses. For the brain stem, spinal cord, larynx, parotid glands, oral cavity, and skin, RA-FFF showed significant dose increases compared to RA-C. The dose to normal tissue was lower in RA-FFF. The monitor units (MUs) were (536 ± 46) MU for RA-FFF and (501 ±25) MU for RA-C. The treatment duration did not significantly differ between plans. Although both treatment plans could meet clinical needs, RA-C is dosimetrically superior to RA-FFF for NPC radiotherapy.

High-intensity focused ultrasound tumor ablation activates autologous tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

Previous studies have shown that high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation can enhance host antitumor immune response, though the mechanism is still unknown. In the present study, we investigated whether HIFU ablation could activate tumor-specific T lymphocytes and then induce antitumor cellular immunity. We studied 70 C57BL/6J mice bearing the H(22) tumor; they were randomly divided into a HIFU group and a sham-HIFU group. Of the mice, 35 in the HIFU group underwent HIFU ablation of the H(22) hepatic tumor, and the remaining 35 received a sham-HIFU procedure. In addition, 35 female, naïve syngeneic C57BL/6J mice were used as controls. All mice were sacrificed 14 days after HIFU, and the spleens were harvested. The function of T lymphocytes was determined. As a valuable tool for detecting and characterizing peptide-specific cells, the frequency of MHC class I tetramer/CD8-positive cells was quantified, which could help to determine the response and number of T lymphocytes. The therapeutic effect of the HIFU-activated lymphocytes on tumor-bearing mice was investigated after adoptive transfer of the lymphocytes. The results showed that compared to sham-HIFU and control groups, HIFU ablation significantly increased the cytotoxicity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (p < 0.05), with a significant increase of IFN-γ and TNF-α secretion (p < 0.001). The frequency of the MHC class I tetramer/CD8-positive cells was significantly higher in the HIFU group (p < 0.05). A stronger inhibition of tumor progression and higher survival rates were observed to be significant after adoptive immunotherapy in the HIFU group as compared to the sham-HIFU and control groups (p < 0.01). It is concluded that HIFU ablation could activate tumor-specific T lymphocytes, thus inducing antitumor cellular immune responses in tumor-bearing mice.