Application of Linear Accelerator on Boarding Kilovolt Fan Beam CT and Megavolt Cone Beam CT System on Set-up Errors During Radiation Treatment / 肿瘤防治研究

Objective To quantify the setup errors for the different anatomical sites of patients who received intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with linear accelerator on-board kilovolt fan beam CT(kV-FBCT) as non-isocenter IGRT and megavolt cone beam CT (MV-CBCT) as isocenter IGRT. Methods A retrospective analysis was performedon 70 patients who underwent radiotherapy, kV-FBCT, and/or MV-CBCT scans after each routine setup prior to IMRT. The average displacement (M), systematic error (Σ), and random error (б) at different treatment sites in the left-right, anterior-posterior, and cranial-caudal directions were calculated according to the individual displacements. The formula 2.5Σ+0.7б was used to estimate the PTV margin in respective direction. For each single patient, the root mean square in three directions was used as 3D displacement. Results A total of 1130 displacements were recorded in the 70 patients. The PTV margin was estimated to be 1.9-3.1 mm in head and neck cancer, 2.8-5.1 mm in thoracic cancer, 4.6-5.1 mm in breast cancer, 3.0-5.5 mm in upper abdominal cancer, and 3.5-6.8 mm in pelvic tumor. For the 3D mean displacements, the head and neck, thoracic, breast, upper abdominal, and pelvic cancer were 2.4±1.0, 4.0±1.6, 4.1±2.0, 4.6±2.1, and 4.6±2.1 mm, respectively. The average 3D displacement obtained by kV-FBCT and MV-CBCT were 4.1 and 3.4 mm, respectively (P=0.212). Conclusion The quantitative setup-error data can be obtained using linear accelerator on-board FBCT, and the non-isocenter IGRT induced set-up error cannot be negligible.

Heterologous CoronaVac plus Ad5-nCOV versus homologous CoronaVac vaccination among elderly: a phase 4, non-inferiority, randomized study

ImportancePeople over 60 developed less protection after two doses of inactivated COVID-19 vaccine than younger people. Heterologous vaccination might provide greater immunity and protection against variants of concern. ObjectiveTo assess the safety and immunogenicity of a heterologous immunization with an adenovirus type 5-vectored vaccine (Convidecia) among elderly who were primed with an inactivated vaccine (CoronaVac) previously. DesignAn observer-blind, randomized (1:1) trial, conducted from August 26 to November 13, 2021. SettingA single center in Jiangsu Province, China. Participants299 participants aged 60 years and older, of them 199 primed with two doses of CoronaVac in the past 3-6 months and 100 primed with one dose of CoronaVac in the past 1-2 months. InterventionConvidecia or CoronaVac as boosting dose Main Outcomes and MeasuresGeometric mean titers (GMTs) of neutralizing antibodies against wild-type SARS-CoV-2, and Delta and Omicron variants 14 days post boosting, and adverse reactions within 28 days. ResultsIn the three-dose regimen cohort (n=199; mean (SD) age, 66.7 (4.2) years; 74 (37.2%) female), 99 and 100 received a third dose of Convidecia (group A) and CoronaVac (group B), respectively. In the two-dose regimen cohort (n=100; mean (SD) age, 70.5 (6.0) years; 49 (49%) female), 50 and 50 received a second dose of Convidecia (group C) and CoronaVac (group D), respectively. GMTs of neutralizing antibodies against wild-type SARS-CoV-2 at day 14 were 286.4 (95% CI: 244.6, 335.2) in group A and 48.2 (95% CI: 39.5, 58.7) in group B, with GMT ratio of 6.2 (95% CI: 4.7, 8.1), and 70.9 (95% CI: 49.5, 101.7) in group C and 9.3 (95% CI: 6.2, 13.9) in group D, with GMT ratio of 7.6 (95% CI: 4.1, 14.1). There was a 6.3-fold (GMTs, 45.9 vs 7.3) and 7.5-fold (32.9 vs 4.4) increase in neutralizing antibodies against Delta and Omicron variants in group A, respectively, compared with group B. However, there was no significant difference between group C and group D. Both heterologous and homologous booster immunizations were safe and well tolerated. Conclusions and RelevanceHeterologous prime-boost regimens with CoronaVac and Convidecia induced strong neutralizing antibodies in elderly, which was superior to that induced by the homologous boost, without increasing safety concerns. Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT04952727 Key Points QuestionDoes a heterologous immunization with recombinant adenovirus type 5-vectored vaccine (Convidecia) produced a non-inferior or superior response of neutralizing antibodies among elderly primed with two doses of inactivated COVID-19 vaccine (CoronaVac), compared to the homologous boosting FindingsIn this randomized clinical trial, a heterologous third dose of Convidecia resulted in a 6.2-fold (geometric mean titers: 286.4 vs 48.2), 6.3-fold (45.9 vs 7.3) and 7.5-fold (32.9 vs 4.4) increase in neutralizing antibodies against wild-type strain, Delta and Omicron variants 14 days post boosting, respectively, compared to the homologous boost with CoronaVac MeaningHeterologous prime-boost regimens with CoronaVac and Convidecia induced strong neutralizing antibodies in elderly, which was superior to that induced by the homologous boosting.

Safety and immunogenicity of heterologous boost immunization with an adenovirus type-5-vectored and protein-subunit-based COVID-19 vaccine (Convidecia/ZF2001): a randomized, observer-blinded, placebo-controlled trial

BackgroundHeterologous boost vaccination has been proposed as an option to elicit stronger and broader, or longer-lasting immunity. We assessed the safety and immunogenicity of heterologous immunization with a recombinant adenovirus type-5-vectored COVID-19 vaccine (Convidecia) and a protein-subunit-based COVID-19 vaccine (ZF2001). Methods and FindingsWe did a randomized, observer-blinded, placebo-controlled trial in healthy adults previously received one dose of Convidecia. Participants were randomly assigned (2:1) to receive either ZF2001 (vaccine group) or a trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV) (placebo group) at either 28-day or 56-day intervals. For both regimens, all participants received the 2nd injection with ZF2001 at 4 months after a dose of ZF2001 or TIV, with three-dose schedules of Convidecia/Convidecia/ZF2001 at day 0, day 28 and month 5 (referred to as CV/ZF/ZF (D0-D28-M5)) and CV/ZF/ZF (D0-D56-M6), and two-dose schedules of CV/ZF (D0-M5) and CV/ZF (D0-M6). The primary outcome was the geometric mean titer (GMT) of the neutralizing antibodies against live SARS-CoV-2 virus 14 days after each boost vaccination. The safety outcome was 7-day reactogenicity, measured as solicited local or systemic adverse reactions after each vaccination. Between April 7, 2021, and May 6, 2021, 120 participants were enrolled, among whom 60 were randomly assigned to receive ZF2001 (n=40) or TIV (n=20) at a 28-day interval, and 60 were randomly assigned to receive ZF2001 (n=40) or TIV (n=20) at a 56-day interval. 113 (94.2%) participants received the 2nd injection with ZF2001 4 months after a dose of ZF2001 or TIV. A total of 26 participants (21.7%) reported solicited adverse events within 7 days post boost vaccinations, and all the reported adverse reactions were mild. Among participants receiving ZF001 as second dose, the GMTs of neutralizing antibodies increased to 58.4 IU/ml (42.8-79.8) in 0-28 regimen, and to 80.8 IU/ml (53.1-122.9) in 0-56 regimen at 14 days post first boost dose. The GMTs of neutralizing antibodies increased to 334.9 IU/ml (95% CI 230.4, 486.9) in C/Z/Z (D0-D28-M5) regimen, and 441.2 IU/ml (260.8, 746.4) in C/Z/Z (D0-D56-M6) regimen at 14 days after the third dose. Two-dose schedules of CV/ZF (D0-M5) and CV/ZF (D0-M6) induced comparable antibody level comparable with that elicited by three-dose schedules, with the GMTs of 282.9 IU/ml (142.5, 561.8) and 293.9 IU/ml (137.6, 627.9), respectively. Study limitations include the absence of vaccine effectiveness in real-world, and current lack of immune persistence data and the neutralizing antibodies to Omicron. ConclusionsHeterologous boosting with ZF001 following primary vaccination of Convidecia is safe and more immunogenic than a single dose of Convidecia. These results support flexibility in cooperating viral vectored vaccines and recombinant protein vaccine. Trial RegistrationClinicalTrial.gov NCT04833101

Heterologous prime-boost immunization with CoronaVac and Convidecia

BackgroundThe safety and immunogenicity of heterologous prime-boost COVID-19 vaccine regimens with one shot of a recombinant adenovirus type-5-vectored COVID-19 vaccine Convidecia has not been reported. MethodsWe conducted a randomized, controlled, observer-blinded trial of heterologous prime-boost immunization with CoronaVac and Convidecia in healthy adults 18-59 years of age. Eligible participants who were primed with one or two doses of CoronaVac were randomly assigned at a 1:1 ratio to receive a booster dose of Convidecia or CoronaVac. Participants were masked to the vaccine received but not to the three-dose or two-dose regimen. The occurrences of adverse reactions within 28 days after the vaccination were documented. The geometric mean titers of neutralizing antibodies against live SARS-CoV-2 virus were measured at 14 and 28 days after the booster vaccination. ResultsBetween May 25 and 26, 2021, a total of 300 participants were enrolled. Participants who received a booster shot with a heterologous dose of Convidecia reported increased frequencies of solicited injection-site reactions than did those received a homogeneous dose of CoronaVac, but frequencies of systemic reactions. The adverse reactions were generally mild to moderate. The heterologous immunization with Convidecia induced higher live viral neutralizing antibodies than did the homogeneous immunization with CoronaVac (197.4[167.7, 232.4] vs. 33.6[28.3, 39.8] and 54.4[37. 9, 78.0] vs. 12.8[9.3, 17.5]) at day 14 in the three- and two-dose regimen cohort, respectively. ConclusionsThe heterologous prime-boost regimen with Convidecia after the priming with CoronaVac was safe and significantly immunogenic than a homogeneous boost with CoronaVac (ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT04892459).

Filtration Performance Degradation of In-Use Masks by Vapors from Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers and the Mitigation Solutions

How often does one perform hand disinfection while wearing a mask? In the current COVID-19 pandemic, wearing masks and hand disinfection are widely adopted hygiene practices. However, our study indicated that exposure to the vapors from alcohol-based sanitizers during hand disinfection might degrade the filtration performance of the in-use masks, and the degradation worsened with the increasing number of hand disinfection. After five times of hand disinfection, the filtration efficiencies of surgical masks decreased by >8% for 400 and 500nm particles and by 3.68{+/-}1.83 % for 1m particles. This was attributed to the dissipation of electrostatic charges on the masks when exposed to the alcohol vapor generated during hand disinfection. Simple practice of vapor-avoiding hand disinfection could mitigate the effects of alcohol vapor, which was demonstrated on two brands of surgical masks. The vapor-avoiding hand disinfection is recommended to be included in the hygiene guide to maintain the mask performance. Graphic abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=142 SRC="FIGDIR/small/20223982v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (21K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@16dc3a2org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@146d3e0org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1003cb5org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@91b484_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

Antibiotic resistance profile and clinical characteristics of the Klebsiella pneumoniae strains isolated from blood cultures / 中国感染与化疗杂志

Objective To analyze the changing antibiotic resistance profile of the Klebsiella pneumoniae strains isolated from blood cultures during the last 9 years in our hospital for rational use of antibiotics. Methods Antibiotic resistance of the K. pneumoniae strains isolated from blood cultures from 2009 to 2017 was retrospectively analyzed. Medical records of the corresponding inpatients were reviewed and analyzed. Results A total of 6 917 bacterial strains were isolated from blood cultures between 2009 and 2017, of which 311 strains (4.5％) were Klebsiella pneumoniae. Complete antimicrobial susceptibility data were available for 298 of the 311 strains. The K. pneumoniae strains isolated from blood cultures showed increasing resistance rate to the antimicrobial agents in the nine-year period. The resistance rates to piperacillin-tazobactam, cefotetan, amikacin, carbapenem antibiotics increased from 0 to 48.6％. The prevalence of CRKP increased from 0 in 2009 to 48.7％ in 2017. The inpatients with K. pneumoniae isolate from blood cultures were mainly found in general surgery, cardio-thoracic surgery department, emergency room, and pediatrics surgery department. Significant difference was found between CRKP-associated inpatients and non-CRKPassociated inpatients in the time to detection of K. pneumoniae, exposure to antimicrobial agents, invasive procedure, length of hospital stay, and prognosis (P＜0.001). Conclusions The antibiotic resistance profile of the K. pneumoniae strains isolated from blood cultures showed a rising tendency during the period from 2009 to 2017. Clinical microbiology laboratory should pay more attention to strengthening antibiotic resistance surveillance. Clinicians should reduce the use of invasive procedures and use appropriate antimicrobial agents to prevent the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains.

IL-1β promotes glial scar formation after spinal cord injury in rats by JAK2-STAT3 / 基础医学与临床

Objective To investigate the mechanism of IL-1β in promoting glial scar formation after spinal cord injury.Methods The experimental model of SCI was created by extradural compression of the spinal cord using an aneurysm clip.Rats were randomly divided into model group, sham operation group, IL-1β inhibitor IL-1RA group, IL-1β group and IL-1β+JAK2-STAT3 inhibitor AG490 group, according to different interventions, then were given normal saline, IL-1RA, IL-1β and IL-1β+AG490 every 10 μL respectively, sham group received only laminectomy.The motion function of the hindlimbs of rats was measured by Basso Beattie Bresnahan(BBB) scores and the expression of GFAP, vimentin and p-STAT3 were detected by Western blot technique, immunofluorescence assay and immunohistochemistry technique at corresponding time points(at the 8th, 12th hour, 1st, 3rd, 7th and 14th day after SCI).Results The expression trend of p-STAT3(at the 8th and 12th hour after SCI),GFAP and vimentin(at the 7th and 14th day after SCI)was: the expressions of p-STAT3, GFAP and vimentin in the model group were significantly higher compared with the sham group(P<0.01), the expression of p-STAT3,GFAP andvimentin in the IL-1RA group were significantly lower compared with the model group(P<0.05) whereas significantly higher compared with the sham group(P<0.05);the expressions of p-STAT3, GFAP and vimentin in the IL-1β+AG490 group were significantly lower compared with the model group(P<0.05)whereas significantly higher compared with the sham group(P<0.05), the expressions of p-STAT3, GFAP and vimentin in the IL-1β group were significantly higher compared with the model group(P<0.05).Conclusions IL-1β can improve glial scar formation via JAK2-STAT3 signal.Inhibition of IL-1β or JAK2-STAT3 can reduce glial scar formation and promote functional recovery of spinal nerve.

Comparison of yeast identification ability between Bruker Microflex MALDI-TOF MS and Vitek 2 Compact automatic microbial analysis system / 中华检验医学杂志

Objective To evaluate and compare yeast identification ability between Bruker Microflex matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry( MALDI-TOF MS) and Vitek 2 Compact automatic microbial analysis system.Methods Retrospective study.Totally 742 strains of yeast isolated from clinical specimens during March 2013 to March 2014 in Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine were identified by Bruker Microflex MALDI-TOF MS and Vitek 2 Compact automatic microbial analysis system simultaneously.The strains with discordant results were validated by gene sequencing.Results The coincidence rate of 699 Candida identified by Bruker Microflex MALDI-TOF MS or Vitek 2 Compact system was 100.0%(699/699) and 99.6%(696/699) to the species level, respectively and the coincidence rate of 43 yeast-like fungi strains identified was 90.7%(39/43) and 79.1%(34/43) to the species level, respectively.Penicillium marneffei could not be identified by both two instruments, but protein profile of Penicillium marneffei by MALDI-TOF MS was established.Conclusions The coincidence rate of yeast identified by Bruker Microflex MALDI-TOF MS is higher than that of Vitek 2 Compact system.Using Bruker Microflex MALDI-TOF MS to identify yeast especially Candida and yeast-like fungus is fast, simple, low-cost, accurate, and it can be used in routine work of ordinary yeast identification in clinical microbiology laboratory.

Preliminary study on prevalence and transmission route of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemases-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae / 中华临床感染病杂志

Objective To investigate the prevalence and transmission route of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemases ( KPC)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghaijiao Tong University School of Medicine .Methods Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from clinical samples were collected from Xinhua Hospital during January 2010 and December 2013.Vitek 2 Compact and disc diffusion method ( Kirby-Bauer method ) were used for identification of the strains and antibiotic susceptibility test . Modified Hodge test was performed for drug-resistant phenotype screening . Carbapenemase gene blaKPC was amplified by PCR, and the positive products were sequenced and analyzed . Enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus ( ERIC )-PCR was used to analyze molecular epidemiology of the KPC-producing strains .And clinical information of these isolates was analyzed .Results There were 77 carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates in total , and 71 of them were positive in modified Hodge test.Sixty-nine isolates were identified carrying blaKPC-2 gene.All of the KPC-2-producing isolates were classified as the same genotype by ERIC-PCR. Among 12 patients with KPC-2-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae infection who were first identified in each departments , 7 were transferred from other departments, and 4 were treated in surgery intensive care unit (SICU).Conclusions Most of carbpenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strains isolated from Xinhua Hospital are KPC-2-producing .The outbreak of carbpenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae infection in the hospital may be associated with the interdepartmental transfer of patients .

Study of carbapenem-resistant genes in a strain of Myroides odoratimimus and clinical therapy for its infection / 中华临床感染病杂志

Objective To study carbapenem-resistant genes in a Myroides odoratimimus strain and clinical therapy.Methods A strain of Myroides odoratimimus was isolated from nephrostomy drainage fluid of a patient with urinary tract infection in Xinhua Hospital in May 2013.MicroflexTM MALDI-TOF MS and 16S rDNA sequencing were performed for strain identification.Vitek-2 Compact combined with E-test method was used for antibiotic susceptibility test.Modified Hodge test and imipenem/imipenem-inhibitor (IP/IPI)E-test were performed for drug-resistant phenotype screening.Carbapenemase genes blaMUS-1,blaVIM-1,blaVIM-2,blaIMP-1,blaIMP-2,blaNDM-1,blaOXA-48 and blaGESwere amplified by PCR,and the positive products were sequenced and analyzed.Results The isolated strain was identified as Myroides odoratimimus.The strain was resistant to 17 antibacterial agents,and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of imipenem was ≥ 16 μg/mL,while it was sensitive to minocycline (MIC =0.38 μg/mL) and intermediate to meropenem (MIC =6 μg/mL).It was negative in modified Hodge test but positive in IP/IPI E-test (IP/IPI≥ 8).blaMUS-1 gene was detected by PCR,and further confirmed by sequencing.Meropenem combined with minocycline was effective for the patient.Conclusion Carbapenem-resistance in this Myroides odoratimimus strain may be related to blaMUS-1 gene,and appropriate therapy for its infection should be based on the result of antibiotic susceptibility test.

Effect of tubular stomach reconstruction on respiratory function and serum VEGF level in patients with esophageal cancer / 中国基层医药

Objective To study the effect of tubular stomach reconstruction on respiratory function and serum vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) level in patients with esophageal cancer.Methods 84 patients with esophagealcancer were randomIy divided into two groups.42 patients in the observation group were operated through tubular stomach reconstruction,while 42 patients in the control group were operated through full stomach and esophagus reconstruction of digestive tract.The respiratory function and serum VEGF were detected in all patients.Results The respiratory function was significantly declined after operation compared with before operation (P ＜ 0.05).The respiratory function was significantly improved postoperative two months compared with before operation (P ＜ 0.05,P ＜0.01),there was a significant difference between the two groups (P ＜ 0.05).Serum VEGF level was significantly decreased after operation in both two groups (P ＜ 0.0 1).Serum VEGF level of the observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Tubular stomach reconstruction can improve respiratory function and prognosis of patients with esophageal cancer.

Effects of radiofrequency ablation on 0X62,0X6 and CD86 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of the rat liver / 中国组织工程研究

BACKROUND:Previous studies have confirmed that radiofrequency ablation(RFA)has not only efficiently killed tumor cells,but also improved immune suppression of organism.Antigen presenting cells play an important role during anti-tumor immune reaction.Dendritic cells are most powerful antigen presenting cells.OBJECTIVE:To study the influence of RFA on OX-62,OX-6 and CD86 expression of rat peripheral blood mononuclear cells.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING:The randomized controlled animal observation was performed at the School of Oncology of Peking University from June 2005 to March 2006.MATERIALS:A total of 12 Sprague Dawley rats were equally and randomly assigned into control and 1 -week radiofrequency groups.METHODS:2 mL peripheral blood was extracted from rats of the control group following rats were sacrificed.The left lobe of rat liver was exposed,inserted with acicular electrodes at tilted position.The acicular electrodes were spread out.The action time was 4 minutes.After RFA,the rats were given anti-infective therapy.2 mL peripheral blood was taken out after they were put to death 1 week after RFA.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:The following parameters were measured:pathomorphological observation on the liver of normal rats after RFA;OX-62,OX-6 and CD86 expression of peripheral blood mononuclear cells before and after RFA.RESULTS:Pathologyical examination after RFA showed the characteristic that coagulation necrosis and cellular degeneration and granulation tissue forming appeared from target center to peripheral of the target.Positive expression rate of OX-62 in rat peripheral blood in the 1-week radiofrequency group[(0.70±0.16)%]was significantly higher than in the control group [(0.34±0.08)%,P ＜0.05].No significant difference in positive expression rate of OX-6 and CD86 in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells between both groups(P＞0.05).CONCLUSION:RFA can promote the increased number of precursor Dendritic cells in rat peripheral blood,which may be contributed to improve the ability to angtigen presentation during immune response.Dai Wei-de,Doctor,Associate chief physician,Department of Ultrasound,Beijing Hospital of Ministry of Public Health,Beijing 100730,China dai.weide@126.com