Incorporating an improved dose-calculation algorithm in conformal radiotherapy of lung cancer: re-evaluation of dose in normal lung tissue.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The low density of lung tissue causes a reduced attenuation of photons and an increased range of secondary electrons, which is inaccurately predicted by the algorithms incorporated in some commonly available treatment planning systems (TPSs). This study evaluates the differences in dose in normal lung tissue computed using a simple and a more correct algorithm. We also studied the consequences of these differences on the dose-effect relations for radiation-induced lung injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The treatment plans of 68 lung cancer patients initially produced in a TPS using a calculation model that incorporates the equivalent-path length (EPL) inhomogeneity-correction algorithm, were recalculated in a TPS with the convolution-superposition (CS) algorithm. The higher accuracy of the CS algorithm is well-established. Dose distributions in lung were compared using isodoses, dose-volume histograms (DVHs), the mean lung dose (MLD) and the percentage of lung receiving >20 Gy (V20). Published dose-effect relations for local perfusion changes and radiation pneumonitis were re-evaluated. RESULTS: Evaluation of isodoses showed a consistent overestimation of the dose at the lung/tumor boundary by the EPL algorithm of about 10%. This overprediction of dose was also reflected in a consistent shift of the EPL DVHs for the lungs towards higher doses. The MLD, as determined by the EPL and CS algorithm, differed on average by 17+/-4.5% (+/-1SD). For V20, the average difference was 12+/-5.7% (+/-1SD). For both parameters, a strong correlation was found between the EPL and CS algorithms yielding a straightforward conversion procedure. Re-evaluation of the dose-effect relations showed that lung complications occur at a 12-14% lower dose. The values of the TD(50) parameter for local perfusion reduction and radiation pneumonitis changed from 60.5 and 34.1 Gy to 51.1 and 29.2 Gy, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A simple tissue inhomogeneity-correction algorithm like the EPL overestimates the dose to normal lung tissue. Dosimetric parameters for lung injury (e.g. MLD, V20) computed using both algorithms are strongly correlated making an easy conversion feasible. Dose-effect relations should be refitted when more accurate dose data is available.     

First results of a phase I/II dose escalation trial in non-small cell lung cancer using three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of dose escalation in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The main eligibility criteria of the trial were: pathologically proven inoperable NSCLC, ECOG performance status or=grade 3 (SWOG), grade 3 early and grade 2 late esophageal toxicity or any other (RTOG) grade 3 or 4 complications). RESULTS: Fifty-five patients were included. Tumor stage was I/II in 47%, IIIA in 33% and IIIB in 20%. The majority of the patients received a dose of 74.3 Gy (n=17) or 81.0 Gy (n=23). Radiation pneumonitis occurred in seven patients: four patients developed a grade 2, two patients grade 3 and one patient a grade 4. Esophageal toxicity was mild. In 50 patients tumor response at 3 months follow-up was evaluable. In six patients a complete response was recorded, in 38 a partial response, five patients had stable disease and one patient experienced progressive disease. Only one patient developed an isolated failure in an uninvolved nodal area. So far the radiation dose was safely escalated to 87.8 Gy in group 1 (lowest rMLD), 81.0 Gy in groups 2 and 3 and 74.3 Gy in group 4. CONCLUSION: Three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy enables significant dose escalation in NSCLC. The maximum tolerable dose has not yet been reached in any risk group.     

3-苯基乳酸的研究进展

介绍了3-苯基乳酸的结构、制备、手性拆分等的研究现状，并阐述了其抑菌、药理作用及在医药、化工等领域的应用。     

HPLC法测定复方阿替洛尔片中阿替洛尔与硝苯地平的含量

目的:采用高效液相色谱法考察并建立测定复方阿替洛尔片中阿替洛尔与硝苯地平含量的方法。方法:色谱柱为Phe-nomenex—ODS 3柱(250 mm×4.60 mm,5 μm),甲醇-水-磷酸盐缓冲溶液(取磷酸二氢钾6.8 g,加水1000 mL溶解后,用磷酸调pH至3.0)-庚烷磺酸钠适量摇匀(65:35:3:0.13 g=V:V:V:W)为流动相,流速为1.0 mL·min～1,检测波长为240 nm,进样量为10μL。结果:阿替洛尔的线性范围为10-250μg·mL-1(r=0.9999),硝苯地平的线性范围为4—100 μg·mL-1(r=1.0000),平均回收率分别为99.45％和99.51％。结论:本法精密度好,结果准确可靠,适用于该复方制剂的质量检验分析。     

Renal antioxidant enzymes and fibrosis-related markers in the rat adriamycin model

Excessive generation of reactive oxygen intermediates can induce changes in the cellular antioxidant defence system. In this study we examine the antioxidant enzyme status and the expression of fibrosis-related marker proteins in the Adriamycin model of chronic renal failure in the rat. Twenty weeks after Adriamycin treatment, rats have overt nephrotic syndrome and renal failure with development of tubulo-interstitial fibrosis and glomerulosclerosis. Lipids accumulate in blood and in both glomeruli and tubulo-interstitial tissue. Desmin and alpha-smooth muscle actin expression increases in glomeruli and in the tubulo-interstitial area. Renal cortex antioxidant enzyme activities are decreased 20 weeks after Adriamycin injection (to 41% for catalase, to 56% for total superoxide dismutase and to 69% for glutathione peroxidase). The mRNA levels of catalase, Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase-1 evaluated by Northern blot are decreased by more than 50% for catalase, Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase-1. We conclude that in the rat Adriamycin-induced model of chronic renal failure with fibrosis, the combination of decreased antioxidant enzyme status in renal cortex with high concentrations of lipids in blood and renal tissue facilitates oxidative damage. Development of fibrosis is paralleled by increased expression of desmin and alpha-smooth muscle actin.     

Correlation between Epstein Barr virus antibodies, serum IgE and atopic disease

It is currently accepted that vinil infections may influence the development of atopy. In the present study we evaluated serum IgE levels as well as the prevalence of symptom-, indicative of utopic disease and EBV antibodies in 353 children aged from I month to 19 years. Antibodies against EBV were detected by immunofluorescence. IgE levels in serum were measured by en/. yme imimmoassay. Dividing ihe study population according to EBV seropositivity and age, we noted that the prevalence of high IgE levels (> 2 s. d.) was, in total, more frequent in the EBV negative (32. 9%) than in the positive subjects (27. 6%). Interestingly, this higher prevalence was found only in the groups aged under six, especially in the 7 to 29 month group, where it was statistically significant (p=0.037), whereas in the 6-19 year group the situation was reversed. Furthermore, selecting only the atopic children younger than 3 years of age with high IgE levels and clinical symptoms of atopy (wheezing and/or dermatitis) it was possible to demonstrate lower EBV seropositivity compared with the normal IgE controls for each group, even though these differences were not statistically significant. In conclusion, the results of our study suggest that, in our selected population, EBV infection in the first years of life is associated with a lower prevalence of high IgE levels.     

Soluble CD30 serum antigen in Kawasaki disease

⁴Very high levels of sCD30, a glycoprotein surface antigen expressed by T lymphocytes and other mononuclear cells of the immune system, were found in serum samples from 10 children with typical Kawasaki disease (KD), but not in blood specimens from a vast cohort of paediatric control subjects. These data strongly support an involvement of CD30+T cells in the immune processes which take place at the level of lymphoid organs during the acute phase of KD.     

Vaginoplasty by inverted perineal and labia minora flaps-a retrospective study.

Absence of the vagina occurs most frequently in the Rokitansky-Küster-Mayer (RKM) syndrome. Since Küster has reviewed the literature in 1910 many techniques have been described to create a neovagina. We describe a technique in which both a part of the labia minora and of the perineal skin are used as flaps to cover the neovagina and report on the long-term outcome in a series of 16 patients with RKM syndrome treated with this technique. No intra-operative or immediate postoperative complications were recorded. The average depth of the neovagina was 8 cm, at the end of the operation and 1 year later. After 3 months the neovagina was completely lined with vaginal epithelium. In six out of 16 patients scar formation and polypoid formation was observed at the apex of the neovagina. This could be successfully handled by excision and coagulation in all six cases. Ten patients reported a satisfactory sexual life. The technique is simple and easy to perform. The anatomical result and sexual gratification was outstanding in two-thirds of the patients. We conclude that flaps derived from the genital region offer the most physiological tissue for construction of a neovagina.