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Optical frequency metrology in atoms and ions can probe hypothetical fifth forces between electrons and neutrons by sensing minute perturbations of the electronic wave function induced by them. A generalized King plot has been proposed to distinguish them from possible standard model effects arising from, e.g., finite nuclear size and electronic correlations. Additional isotopes and transitions are required for this approach. Xenon is an excellent candidate, with seven stable isotopes with zero nuclear spin, however it has no known visible ground-state transitions for high resolution spectroscopy. To address this, we have found and measured twelve magnetic-dipole lines in its highly charged ions and theoretically studied their sensitivity to fifth forces as well as the suppression of spurious higher-order standard model effects. Moreover, we identified at 764.8753(16) nm a E2-type ground-state transition with 500 s excited state lifetime as a potential clock candidate further enhancing our proposed scheme.

One of the most enduring and intensively studied problems of x-ray astronomy is the disagreement of state-of-the art theory and observations for the intensity ratio of two Fe XVII transitions of crucial value for plasma diagnostics, dubbed 3C and 3D. We unravel this conundrum at the PETRA III synchrotron facility by increasing the resolving power 2.5 times and the signal-to-noise ratio thousandfold compared with our previous work. The Lorentzian wings had hitherto been indistinguishable from the background and were thus not modeled, resulting in a biased line-strength estimation. The present experimental oscillator-strength ratio R_{exp}=f_{3C}/f_{3D}=3.51(2)_{stat}(7)_{sys} agrees with our state-of-the-art calculation of R_{th}=3.55(2), as well as with some previous theoretical predictions. To further rule out any uncertainties associated with the measured ratio, we also determined the individual natural linewidths and oscillator strengths of 3C and 3D transitions, which also agree well with the theory. This finally resolves the decades-old mystery of Fe XVII oscillator strengths.

Efficient excitation of nuclei via exchange of a real or virtual photon has a fundamental importance for nuclear science and technology development. Here, we present a mechanism of nuclear excitation based on the capture of a free muon into the atomic orbits (NEμC). The cross section of such a proposed process is evaluated using the Feshbach projection operator formalism and compared to other known excitation phenomena, i.e., photoexcitation and nuclear excitation by electron capture (NEEC), showing up to 10 orders of magnitude increase in cross section. NEμC is particularly interesting for MeV excitations that become accessible thanks to the stronger binding of muons to the nucleus. The binding energies of muonic atoms have been calculated introducing a state of the art modification to the Flexible Atomic Code. An analysis of experimental scenarios in the context of modern muon production facilities shows that the effect can be detectable for selected isotopes. The total probability of NEμC is predicted to be P≈1×10^{-6} per incident muon in a beam-based scenario. Given the high transition energy provided by muons, NEμC can have important consequences for isomer feeding and particle-induced fission.

Schwann cells (SCs) have important roles in supporting and repairing peripheral neurons, and thus have great potential for nerve injury treatment. Adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) can be reliably induced to differentiate into SCs. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are unclear. We explored the roles of MEG3/let-7a-5p/RBPJ axis in the differentiation into SCs from ADSCs. Primary ADSCs were induced to differentiate into SCs by appropriate reagents. ELISA, immunostaining, Western blotting, and qRT-PCR were employed to examine levels of SC-markers such as S100, GFAP, SOX10, p75NTR, GAP43, MPZ, β-NGF, BDNF, and NCAM and let-7 family, MEG3, RBPJ, and Notch signaling related proteins. Dual luciferase assay and RNA immunoprecipitation were performed to validate interactions of let-7a-5p/RBPJ mRNA and MEG3/let-7a-5p. Cultured ADSCs could be induced to differentiate into functional SCs. Let-7a-5p and let-7d-5p were elevated during the differentiation while MEG3 and RBPJ/Notch-signaling were suppressed. Let-7a-5p mimics promoted ADSC differentiation into SCs and up-regulated the levels of SC-related markers including S100, GFAP, SOX10, p75NTR, GAP43, MPZ, β-NGF, and NCAM, while RBPJ or MEG3 overexpression retarded the differentiation and reduced those levels. Let-7a-5p directly targeted RBPJ and MEG3 disinhibited Notch-RBPJ signaling via sponging let-7a-5p. RBPJ overexpression reversed the acceleration of let-7a-5p mimics on SC differentiation while let-7a-5p mimics blocked MEG3-mediated suppression on SC differentiation. Let-7a-5p sponged by MEG3 promotes differentiation of ADSCs into SCs via suppressing Notch signaling by targeting RBPJ. These findings shed light on mechanisms underlying the differentiation of ADSCs to SCs and provide avenues to accelerate the process., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: BTBD7_hsa_circ_0000563, which is located on chromosome 14, contains conserved binding sites with miR-155/130a and RNA-binding proteins according to bioinformatic prediction. We investigated the association of BTBD7_hsa_circ_0000563 expression in coronary artery segments with atherosclerotic stenosis and identified the proteome-wide BTBD7_hsa_circ_0000563-regulated proteins in human coronary artery., Methods: The atherosclerotic grade and extent in coronary artery segments were determined by hematoxylin and eosin staining. BTBD7_hsa_circ_0000563 expression in eight coronary artery segments from one patient was quantified by RT-qPCR assay. A proteomic approach was adopted to reveal significant differences in protein expression between among four groups differing in their BTBD7_hsa_circ_0000563 expression levels., Results: The RT-qPCR assay revealed that coronary artery segments with severe atherosclerotic stenosis had significantly low BTBD7_hsa_circ_0000563 levels. The proteomic analysis identified 49 differentially expressed proteins among the segment groups with different BTBD7_hsa_circ_0000563 expression levels, of which 10 were downregulated and 39 were upregulated with increases in the BTBD7_hsa_circ_0000563 level. The 10 downregulated proteins were P61626 (LYSC_HUMAN), P02760 (AMBP_HUMAN), Q02985 (FHR3_HUMAN), P01701 (LV151_HUMAN), P06312(KV401_HUMAN), P01624 (KV315_HUMAN), P13671 (CO6_HUMAN), P01700(LV147_HUMAN), Q9Y287(ITM2B_HUMAN), and A0A075B6I0 (LV861_HUMAN). The top 10 upregulated proteins were Q92552 (RT27_HUMAN), Q9UJY1(HSPB8_HUMAN), Q9Y235(ABEC2_HUMAN), P19022 (CADH2_HUMAN), O43837(IDH3B_HUMAN), Q9H479(FN3K_HUMAN), Q9UM22(EPDR1_HUMAN), P48681(NEST_HUMAN), Q9NRP0(OSTC_HUMAN), and Q15628(TRADD_HUMAN)., Conclusion: BTBD7_hsa_circ_0000563 is involved in the atherosclerotic changes in human coronary artery segments. Verification, mechanistic, and function studies are needed to confirm whether patients with coronary artery disease would benefit from such personalized medicine in the future., (© 2020 The Authors. Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Cynanchum auriculatum is a traditional herbal medicine in China and can grow in saline soils. However, little is known in relation to the underlying molecular mechanisms. In the present study, C. auriculatum seedlings were exposed to 3.75‰ and 7.5‰ salinity. Next, transcriptome profiles of leaves were compared. Transcriptome sequencing showed 35,593 and 58,046 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in treatments with 3.75‰ and 7.5‰, compared with the control, respectively. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses of these DEGs enriched various defense-related biological pathways, including ROS scavenging, ion transportation, lipid metabolism and plant hormone signaling. Further analyses suggested that C. auriculatum up-regulated Na + /H + exchanger and V-type proton ATPase to avoid accumulation of Na + . The flavonoid and phenylpropanoids biosynthesis pathways were activated, which might increase antioxidant capacity in response to saline stress. The auxin and ethylene signaling pathways were upregulated in response to saline treatments, both of which are important plant hormones. Overall, these results raised new insights to further investigate molecular mechanisms underlying resistance of C. auriculatum to saline stress.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets of coronary artery disease due to their high stability, covalently closed structure. And implied roles in gene regulation. The aim of this study was to identify and characterize circRNAs from human coronary arteries. Epicardial coronary arteries were removed during the autopsy of an 81-year-old man who died from heart attack. The natural history and histological classification of atherosclerotic lesions in coronary artery segments were analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin staining, and their circRNA expression profiles were characterized by RNA sequencing. RNA sequencing identified 1259 annotated and 381 novel circRNAs. Combined with the results of histologic examination, intersection analysis identified 54 upregulated and 12 downregulated circRNAs, representing 4.0% of the total number. Coronary artery segments with or without severe atherosclerosis showed distinctly different circRNA profiles on the basis of hierarchical clustering. Our results suggest that these 66 circRNAs contribute to the pathology underlying coronary artery atherosclerosis and may serve as diagnostic or therapeutic targets in coronary artery disease., Competing Interests: None., (AJTR Copyright © 2019.)

In east Asia, "Baishouwu" has been used as an herbal drug and functional dietary supplement for hundreds of years. Actually, "Baishouwu" is the common name of the roots of Cynanchum auriculatum , Cynanchum bungei , and Cynanchum wilfordii . In the present study, roots of these three specie were extracted and then fractionated using petroleum ether (PE), dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate (EA), and water. DPPH scavenging experiments revealed high antioxidant activity of DCM and EA fractions of C. bungei and the EA fraction of C. wilfordii . Treatments with these three fractions significantly reduced malondialdehyde content in heat-stressed Daphnia magna , validating in vivo antioxidant activity. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) analyses demonstrated that the chemical components of fractions extracted from C. bungei , C. bungei , and C. wilfordii were different. Further determination of total phenol and total flavonoids contents showed that DCM and EA fractions of C. bungei and EA fraction of C. wilfordii had much higher contents of total phenol and total flavonoids, which might be the reason to explain their strong antioxidant activity. Overall, the present study suggested that these three plants have different chemical components and biological activities. They could not be used as the same drug., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they do not have any conflict of interest.

In this study, we investigated the efficacy of sequential cytokine-induced killer cell (CIK) immunotherapy with gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GC) regimen chemotherapy in metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. Between September 2006 and April 2010, 222 NPC patients with distant metastasis after radiotherapy completion were retrospectively analyzed: 112 patients received 4-6 cycles of GC chemotherapy at 4-week intervals, followed by at least 4 cycles of CIK immunotherapy at 2-week intervals (GC+CIK group); the remaining 110 patients received 4-6 cycles of GC chemotherapy alone (GC group). The evaluation of long-term efficacy showed that the progression-free survival (PFS) rate was significantly higher in the GC+CIK group (log-rank test; p = 0.009), as was the overall survival (OS) rate (p = 0.006). In conclusion, sequential CIK treatment may be effective in enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of GC chemotherapy for metastatic NPC patients. This study provides a basis for alternative therapeutic strategies for metastatic NPC.

Poly-l-lactide (PLLA) is one of the most promising biological materials used for tissue engineering scaffolds (TES) because of their excellent biodegradability and tenability. Here, microcellular PLLA foams were fabricated by pressure-controllable green foaming technology. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide angle X-ray diffraction measurement (WAXRD), thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, reflection-Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis, enzymatic degradation study and MTT assay were used to analyze the scaffolds' morphologies, structures and crystallinities, mechanical and biodegradation properties, as well as their cytotoxicity. The results showed that PLLA foams with pore sizes from 8 to 103μm diameters were produced when the saturation pressure decreased from 7.0 to 4.0MPa. Through a combination of StepScan DSC (SSDSC) and WAXRD approaches, it was observed in PLLA foams that the crystallinity, highly-oriented metastable state and rigid amorphous phase increased with the increasing foaming pressure. It was also found that both the glass transition temperature and apparent enthalpy of PLLA significantly increased after the foaming process, which suggested that the changes of microcellular structure could provide PLLA scaffolds better thermal stability and elasticity. Moreover, MTT assessments suggested that the smaller pore size should benefit cell attachment and growth in the scaffold. The results of current work will give us better understanding of the mechanisms involved in structure and property changes of PLLA at the molecular level, which enables more possibilities for the design of PLLA scaffold to satisfy various requirements in biomedical and green chemical applications., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This study aimed to investigate the association between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related biomarkers and TNM classification according to the seventh edition of AJCC/UICC staging system for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Serum VCA-IgA and EA-IgA titers and plasma EBV-DNA load were quantified at baseline in 779 patients; the rates of positivity and titers/load were compared by TNM classification. The VCA-IgA-positive rate was significantly associated with advanced N classification and stage; the EA-IgA-positive rate with advanced T and N classifications and stage; the EBV-DNA-positive rate with advanced T, N and M classifications and stage. The percentage of triple-positive patients was higher in patients with advanced TNM classification. The VCA-IgA titer and EA-IgA titer correlated positively with T classification, N classification and disease stage (1:117 in Stage I, 1:188.4 in Stage II, 1:231.12 in Stage III, 1:265.91 in Stage IV, and 1:18.34 in Stage I, 1:32.11 in Stage II, 1:34.77 in Stage III, 1:37.65 in Stage IV, respectively). EBV DNA load correlated positively with T, N and M classification and stage [median lg (EBV DNA): 0 (IQ range 0-1.85) in Stage I, 1.32 (0-3.51) in Stage II, 3.33 (0-4.30) in Stage III, 3.83 (2.85-4.71) in Stage IV]. Serum VCA-IgA/EA-IgA titers and plasma EBV DNA correlated strongly with TNM classification according to the seventh edition of the AJCC/UICC; however, plasma EBV DNA load could accurately predict metastatic disease. EBV serological biomarkers may enhance the accuracy of TNM staging and help to avoid excessive imaging examinations in routine evaluation.

Aim: To identify the locoregional extension of hypopharyngeal carcinoma (HPC), particularly the invasion of the nasopharynx and skull base, and metastasis of level VI and retropharyngeal lymph node (RPLN) by investigating computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) images; together with the radiotherapy target of HPC., Methods: CT and MR images of 186 patients with pathologically confirmed HPC between Aug 2000 and Dec 2010 were analyzed retrospectively. We used the χ(2) test and logistic regression to analyze local invasion and regional spread and to determine their relationships., Results: Of the 186 patients, there was only one case of invasion of the nasopharynx without skull base involvement. The rate of regional node metastasis was 79%. There was no significant relationship between T stage and lymph node metastasis (P = 0.1). Level IV metastasis (P = 0.001), RPLN metastasis (P = 0.041) and esophageal invasion (P = 0.003) were significantly correlated with level VI metastasis. Primary tumor subsite (P = 0.024), bilateral cervical node metastasis (P < 0.001) and size of cervical nodes (P = 0.01) significantly contributed to the occurrence of RPLN metastasis., Conclusion: The locoregional spread of HPC occurs via certain routes. It is potentially unnecessary to routinely and prophylactically irradiate the nasopharynx and skull base. Patients with early stage HPC should receive bilateral cervical prophylactic irradiation. The decision regarding the administration of prophylactic irradiation to the level VI and RPLN areas should be according to the relative risk factors., (© 2012 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.)

Background: To translate and validate the Chinese version of the Quality Of Life Radiation Therapy Instrument and the Head & Neck Module (QOL-RTI/H&N), a disease-specific scale to measure quality of life (QOL) for patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) who received radiotherapy., Methods: The QOL-RTI/H&N was translated and validated according to the standard process: a translation and back-translation procedure, pilot testing and a validation study. HNC patients were enrolled from the Cancer Center of Sun Yat-sen University and assessed using the QOL-RTI/H&N, QLQ-C30 and QLQ-H&N35. Reliability (internal consistency reliability, split-half reliability and test-retest reliability), validity (content validity, construct validity, criterion validity and discriminant validity), and responsiveness analysis were performed to evaluate the psychometric characteristics of the QOL-RTI/H&N., Results: A total of 238 patients (99.2%) completed the questionnaire. Item RTI23 had 16.0% missing data. Other items had low percentages of missing data (0.4% or 0.8%) or no missing data. The average time to finish the scale was 9.8 minutes. Cronbach's alpha of the domains ranged from 0.41 to 0.77. The split-half reliability coefficients ranged from 0.43 to 0.77. All of the intra-class correlation coefficients were equal to or greater than 0.8. All of the item-own domain correlation coefficients were greater than those of the item-other domain. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that Comparative Fit Index, Normed Fit Index and Non-Normed Fit Index were equal to 1.00. Root Mean Square Error of Approximation was 0.01, with 90% CI (0.00, 0.10). The domain scores of the QOL-RTI/H&N were significantly correlated with those of the QLQ-C30 or QLQ-H&N3. All domain scores of patients in different radiotherapy stages were statistically significant (P < 0.05), apart from the speech domain., Conclusions: The Chinese version of the QOL-RTI/H&N is a valid, reliable and responsive scale to measure QOL in HNC patients and can be used to assess the effects of radiotherapy treatment on these patients.

Purpose: To propose a novel clinical typing classification focusing on the distinct progression patterns of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), to supplement our knowledge of the clinical-biological behavior, to provide useful knowledge for treatment planning, and to contribute to basic research in NPC., Methods: 632 consecutive patients were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed according to the novel typing system. We considered that NPC can be divided into 5 types as follows: limited (L), ascending (A), descending (D) ascending- descending (mixed) (AD), and distant metastasis types (M). The distribution of these clinical types, their association with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) serology and prognostic value were explored., Results: 55 (8.70%), 59 (9.34%), 177 (28.01%), 321 (50.79%) and 20 (3.16%) patients were classified as Type L, A, D, AD and M, respectively. EBV (VCA)-IgA titers, EBV early antigen (EA)-IgA serum titers, and capsid antigen lg(EBV DNA) were positively associated with the clinical typing (p<0.05). The 3-year overall survival (OS) rates for Types L, A, D, AD and M were 100, 100, 95.10, 88.20 and 59.30%, respectively (p<0.001). A prognostic model was constructed based on pretreatment lg (EBV DNA) and clinical type, which were independent predictors of OS (multivariate Cox proportional model). The prognostic model stratified patients into 4 risk subgroups. The 3-year OS rates of the low, intermediate, high and extremely high risk groups were 99.5, 90.0, 85.5 and 53.2%, respectively (p<0.001). Compared with the low-risk group, the risk of death was 4.96, 8.75 and 35.9 in the intermediate, high and extremely high risk groups, respectively (p<0.001). The model also predicted OS independently of TNM classification., Conclusion: This novel clinical typing system and prognostic model can supplement TNM classification, and may help design novel treatment strategies, evaluate risk stratification and investigate the varied biological characteristics of NPC.

Purpose: We aimed to analyze prognostic factors in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treated with concurrent chemotherapy and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT); in addition, we aimed to elucidate the value of primary gross tumor volume (GTVp) in predicting prognosis of patients., Methods: Between February 2001 and December 2008, 321 patients with NPC treated with concurrent chemotherapy and IMRT were analyzed retrospectively. GTVp was calculated from treatment planning computed tomography scans. A receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was used to determine the best cutoff point of GTVp., Results: The 5-year local failure-free survival (LFFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) for NPC patients were 93.8, 80.1, 73.0, and 83.7 %, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that GTVp had exhibited a statistically significant correlation with LFFS, DMFS, DFS, and OS (P < 0.05, all), whereas T classification was not an independent prognostic factor. According to ROC curve analysis, 49 and 19 mL were determined as the cutoff points of GTVp for local control and distant metastasis, respectively. Based on this, 321 patients were divided into three volume subgroups. LFFS, DMFS, DFS, and OS demonstrated significant differences among patients in different volume subgroups (P < 0.001, all) and were superior to T classification for predicting prognosis of NPC patients., Conclusions: Primary gross tumor volume is an independent prognostic factor in local control, distant metastasis, disease-free survival, and overall survival in NPC. An adjusted TNM staging system that includes GTVp as a quantitative indicator to evaluate prognosis is warranted.

Objective: To analyze the spreading patterns nasopharyngeal carcinoma and nasopharyngeal adenoid cystic carcinoma., Methods: Eighteen pathologically confirmed consecutive cases of adenoid cystic carcinomas (ACC) and 182 cases of untreated nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPC) were reviewed., Results: Compared with NPC, ACC had higher rates of T4 disease (14.3% vs 38.9%,χ(2) = 7.197, P = 0.007) and paralyzed cranial nerve (6.0% vs 38.9%,χ(2) = 37.936, P < 0.001) . There was no significant difference in skull base invasion rates between 2 groups (53.3% vs 66.7%,χ(2) = 1.181, P = 0.277) . ACC had higher rates of MRI-detected cranial nerve canal invasion (32.4% vs 55.6%,χ(2) = 3.881, P = 0.049) and cavernous sinus invasion (13.7% vs 33.3%,χ(2) = 7.710, P = 0.028) than NPC. Lymph node metastasis occurred in 64.8% of ACC, and 11.1% of NPC (χ(2) = 19.699, P < 0.001) ., Conclusion: ACC has a higher rate of cranial nerve invasion and NPC has a higher rate of lymphatic metastasis.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of retropharyngeal lymph node (RPLN) metastasis and to explore the associated risk factors using CT and MRI, to direct clinical radiotherapy in hypopharyngeal carcinoma (HPC)., Methods: The CT and MRI images of 218 patients with pathologically confirmed HPC were analyzed retrospectively. The chi-square test and logistic regression were used for statistical analysis., Results: The incidence of RPLN metastasis in HPC was 17.0%, and the highest rate of 36.4% was found in pharyngeal wall carcinoma. None of the patients with N0 classification exhibited RPLN metastasis. Univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated that primary tumor subsites, bilateral cervical lymph node metastasis, the number and size of cervical lymph nodes, and level V metastasis were significantly associated with RPLN metastasis., Conclusions: Our findings demonstrated that primary carcinoma subsites and multiple metastatic cervical lymph nodes are the principal risk factors for RPLN metastasis., (Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is the optimum method for investigation of early esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, it is difficult to substage early ESCC as T1a or T1b. The aim of this study was to improve the staging accuracy of early ESCC by using EUS combined with submucosal saline injection (SSI). The study enrolled 15 patients with suspected early ESCC who were examined by EUS and subsequently by SSI combined with EUS. The patients then underwent endoscopic or surgical resection within 10 days. The accuracy of EUS staging (alone or following SSI) was evaluated and compared with the pathological results postoperatively. No severe complications of the SSI arose. EUS plus SSI easily distinguished the mucosa from the lesion and the submucosa because of the low-echoic saline-filled cushion in the submucosa. The accuracy of SSI combined with EUS for staging T1a or T1b was 86.7 %, which was better than that using EUS alone (60.0 %)., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Background: This study was undertaken to analyze the correlation between primary gross tumor volume (GTVp) and prognosis in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) undergoing intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)., Methods: Between February 2001 and December 2006, 305 patients with NPC treated with IMRT were analyzed retrospectively. GTVp was calculated from treatment planning CT scans., Results: Univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that GTVp had a statistically significant correlation to local control, distant metastasis, and overall survival in patients with NPC, whereas T classification was not an independent prognostic factor. Among patients classified with N0-1 and N2-3, there were significant differences in the rates of distant metastasis between those with GTVp smaller and larger than 25 mL (p < .001 and p = .002, respectively)., Conclusions: GTVp is highly significant in evaluating local control, distant metastasis, and overall survival of patients with NPC treated with IMRT. Therefore, it is recommended that GTVp be included in the new TNM classification system., (Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: The correlation between primary tumor volume and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) UICC 2002 T classification, N classification and distant metastasis after radiation therapy was discussed to provide further evidence for the inclusion of tumor volume into the TNM classification staging system., Methods: Between February 2001 and December 2008, 666 patients with NPC treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) were analyzed retrospectively. Primary gross tumor volume was calculated from treatment planning computed tomography scans. The Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used for comparison of continuous variables and the chi-square test was used for categorical variables. A logistic regression model was used for multivariate analysis., Results: Median primary tumor volume of the 666 patients was 20.35 ml (range, 0.44 - 192.63 ml), and it gradually increased with T classification. Statistically significant differences in tumor volume were observed between patients with different T classifications (p < 0.001). The cervical lymph node metastasis rate was 64.7% (430/666); the differences in primary tumor volume between patients with or without lymph node metastasis were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Posttreatment distant metastasis occurred in 100 NPC patients, and the five-year distant metastasis-free survival was 84.2%. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that N classification (p < 0.001) and tumor volume (p = 0.007) were the main factors influencing distant metastasis., Conclusion: Tumor volume was correlated with T classification, cervical lymph node mestastasis and distant metastasis after radiation therapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma, suggesting that tumor volume should be included into the TNM staging system.

Serum levels of soluble MHC class I-related chain A (sMICA) are related with the prognosis of various types of cancer; however, few studies on the prognostic value of sMICA in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been reported. In this study, we retrospectively investigated the relationship between sMICA levels and clinical features of advanced HCC, and we assessed the prognostic value of sMICA in advanced HCC. Furthermore, the relationship of serum sMICA levels and natural killer group 2, member D (NKG2D) expression on natural killer (NK) cells was also evaluated. We detected sMICA levels in the serum of 60 advanced HCC patients using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and measured expression levels of NKG2D on NK cells using flow cytometry. We found that serum sMICA levels in HCC patients were in the range of 0.10-6.21 ng/mL. Chi-square analyses showed that sMICA level was significantly related with only tumor size. Survival analysis showed that a high sMICA level was significantly related with poor prognosis among HCC patients. Multivariate analyses indicated that sMICA was an independent prognostic factor. In addition, the levels of CD56+NKG2D+ NK cells were within the range of 11.2%-55.4%, and correlation analyses indicated that sMICA level was negatively correlated with the level of NKG2D+ NK cells. Our results suggest that serum sMICA levels may be an independent prognostic factor for advanced HCC.

We investigated a new chemoradiotherapy (CRT) regimen for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). A total of 240 patients were randomly assigned to three different CRT regimens: sequential CRT [1 cycle chemotherapy + Phase I radiotherapy (RT) + 1 cycle chemotherapy + Phase II RT + 2 cycles chemotherapy] with a cisplatin-gemcitabine (GC) regimen (800 mg/m(2) gemcitabine on Days 1 and 8 and 20 mg/m(2) cisplatin on Days 1-5, every 4 weeks) (sGC-RT); sequential chemoradiotherapy with a cisplatin-fluorouracil (PF) regimen (20 mg/m(2) DDP and 500 mg/m(2) 5-FU on Days 1-5, every 4 weeks) (sPF-RT) and cisplatin-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy plus adjuvant PF chemotherapy (Con-RT + PF). The complete response rate was higher in the sGC + RT group than in the other two groups (98.75% vs. 92.50%, p < 0.01). The 3-year overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) rates in the sGC-RT group were significantly higher than those observed in the Con-RT group (OS, 95.0% vs. 76.3%, p < 0.001; DFS, 89.9% vs. 67.5%, p < 0.001; DMFS, 92.5% vs. 76.0%, p = 0.004) and in the sPF + RT group (OS, 95.0% vs. 73.6%, p < 0.001; DFS, 89.9% vs. 63.3%, p < 0.001; DMFS, 92.5% vs. 74.7%, p = 0.002). There were no significant differences in 3-year OS, DFS and MFS rates between the Con-RT and the sPF-RT groups. The GC-RT group experienced more hematologic toxicity, constipation and rash; however, there were no differences in late RT toxicity between the groups. These results demonstrate that a sGC-RT regimen is effective and well tolerated in patients with locoregionally advanced NPC., (Copyright © 2012 UICC.)

Primary nasopharyngeal adenocarcinoma (NAC) accounts for approximately 0.5% of all nasopharyngeal cancer. The diagnosis, staging and treatment of NAC has not been well described. This article presents a literature review on NAC and identifies its characteristics and management. The NAC group of diseases contains various pathological types and has a series of specific clinical characteristics, including slow progression, a low incidence of neck masses and frequent cranial neuropathy. The Epstein-Barr virus may not play an important role in NAC carcinogenesis. The rarity of the disease makes the staging classification and treatment strategies of NAC parallel to those recommended for nasopharyngeal squamous carcinoma. Some patients might benefit from surgery, and radiotherapy using precise techniques might achieve good control for treating NAC, but the roles of chemotherapy and target therapy are not clear. The proper staging system and optimal treatment strategies need to be established in NAC., (© 2012 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.)

In this study, we evaluate the efficacy of autologous cytokine-induced killer cells (CIK) transfusion used in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin (GC) chemotherapy to treat nasopharyngeal carcinoma in patients with distant metastasis after radiotherapy. From September 2007 to August 2008, 60 patients with distant metastasis after radiotherapy were followed up and were randomly divided into 2 groups. The 30 patients in the GC+CIK group were treated with adoptive autologous CIK cell transfusion in combination with GC chemotherapy; the 30 patients in the GC group were treated with chemotherapy alone. Short-term efficacy evaluation revealed that in the GC+CIK group, there were 3 cases of complete remission, 18 cases of partial remission, 2 cases of stabilization of disease, and 7 cases of progression of disease and the total effective rate was 70% (21/30). In the GC group, there were 0 cases of complete remission, 14 cases of partial remission, 3 case of stable disease, and 13 cases of progressive disease and the total effective rate was 46.7% (14/21). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the overall survival of the GC+CIK group was higher than that of the GC group, but the difference was not significant (P=0.1374, log-rank test). However, the progression-free survival of the GC+CIK group was significantly higher than that of the GC group (P=0.0234, log-rank test). Thus, our study indicated that CIK cell transfusion therapy used in combination with GC chemotherapy may be a more effective treatment for postradiotherapy distant metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients.

The present study investigated whether there is an interaction between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) during chemical hypoxia-induced injury in PC12 cells. The results of the present study showed that cobalt chloride (CoCl₂), a chemical hypoxia agent, markedly induced ROS generation and phosphorylation of p38MAPK, as well as neuronal injuries. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a ROS scavenger, blocked CoCl₂-induced phosphorylation of p38MAPK. In addition, SB203580, an inhibitor of p38MAPK attenuated not only CoCl₂-induced activation of p38MAPK, but also ROS production. These results suggest that ROS and p38MAPK are capable of interacting positively during chemical hypoxia. Furthermore, NAC and SB203580 markedly prevented CoCl₂-induced cytotoxicity, apoptosis and a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. Taken together, our findings suggest that the positive interaction between CoCl₂ induction of ROS and p38MAPK activation may play a significant role in CoCl₂-induced neuronal injuries. We provide new insights into the mechanisms responsible for CoCl₂-induced injuries in PC12 cells.

Purpose: the study aimed to compare the quality of life (QOL) and radiotherapy complications among Chinese nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients at different 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) stages adjusting for other variables., Methods: 511 NPC patients at different 3DCRT stages were enrolled. They were interviewed regarding SF-36, complications and socio-demographic variables and cancer- or treatment- related variables. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) based on SF-36, complications scores as dependent variables, 3DCRT stages as independent variables, and other variables as covariate were established., Results: The influencing factors of PCS included 3DCRT stages and age group. The influencing factors of MCS included 3DCRT stages and income. Most QOL scores of NPC patients were significantly associated with 3DCRT stage, after accounting for other variables. QOL scores of the patients receiving 3DCRT were the lowest, QOL scores of people after 3DCRT gradually increased. PCS scores of people greater than 5 years after 3DCRT was improved to or even better than the level before 3DCRT. The complications with significantly different scores of patients at different 3DCRT status included xerostomia, throat ache, hypogeusia, caries, hearing loss, snuffles., Conclusions: Clinicians should pay more attention to older NPC patients and patients with lower income. When patients receive 3DCRT, measures should be taken to reduce radiation injury to improve the patients' QOL.

We compared the outcomes and rates of survival provided by surgery alone and surgery combined with postoperative radiotherapy for patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the palate (ACP), a rare, low-grade malignant tumor arising within the salivary glands. Fifty-eight patients with ACP were included in this retrospective study. ACP at stages T(1), T(2), T(3,) and T(4) was found in 11, 32, 5, and 10 patients, respectively. The patients were treated with surgery alone or underwent surgery combined with postoperative radiotherapy. The 5, 10, and 15year survival rates were 75%, 37.5%, and 25%, respectively, among the 24 patients who underwent surgery alone. These were not significantly different from the rates of 70.6%, 35.3%, and 20.8%, respectively, among the 34 patients who underwent surgery plus postoperative radiotherapy (P=0.21). The 5 and 10year survival rates were significantly greater among patients receiving ⩾60Gy of radiotherapy than those among patients receiving <60Gy of radiotherapy (83.3% and 45.8% vs. 40.0% and 10.0%, respectively) (P=0.04). ACP exhibited good long-term survival rates when treated with surgery alone. Addition of postoperative radiotherapy at doses of ⩾60Gy had no effect on survival, but postoperative radiotherapy at doses of <60Gy reduced survival. Recurrence within the palate was the main cause of treatment failure., (Crown Copyright © 2010. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This study was conducted to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and tolerability of induction chemotherapy plus surgery and postoperative radiotherapy in patients with stage IV hypopharyngeal cancer. The patients received two to three cycles of induction chemotherapy before surgery, with cisplatin (100 mg/m(2)) by rapid intravenous (i.v.) infusion over 15-20 min on day 1, bleomycin (10 mg/m(2)) on days 1 and 5, and 5-fluorouracil (800 mg/m(2)/day) by continuous i.v. infusion on days 1 through 5, repeated every 21 days. Adjuvant radiotherapy was begun 4-6 weeks after surgery. From July 1999 to December 2004, a total of 52 patients were enrolled. After completion of two to three courses of induction chemotherapy, 22 cases of CR (complete response) and 16 cases of PR (partial response) in the primary site were confirmed, giving an overall response rate (ORR) of 73.1% [95% confidence interval (CI), 61.1-85.2%]. There were 17 CRs and 19 PRs in neck lymph nodes, giving an ORR of 69.2%. The combined primary tumor site and lymph node response was 17 CRs and 16 PRs, giving an ORR of 63.5% (95% CI, 50.4-76.6%). The median time to progression and overall survival for all the patients were 32 months (95% CI, 7.6-56.4 months) and 36 months (95% CI, 22.3-49.7 months), respectively. The estimate of time to progression and overall survival at 5 years was 24.5% (95% CI, 12.5-36.5%) and 35.9% (95% CI, 23.2-48.6%), respectively. In conclusion, induction chemotherapy plus surgery and postoperative radiotherapy is a treatment modality that is tolerated with encouraging activity and survival outcome in patients with stage IV hypopharyngeal cancer.

Background and Objective: Hypopharyngeal carcinoma has a high risk for early regional lymphatic dissemination. However, reports about regional lymph node metastases, especially retropharyngeal lymph node metastases, are rare. This research explored the spread of hypopharyngeal carcinoma, especially metastases of the retropharyngeal lymph nodes by studying computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images., Methods: The CT/MRI images of 88 patients with pathologically confirmed hypopharyngeal carcinomas that were performed at our hospital between August 2000 and March 2009 were analyzed retrospectively. The interrelations among local stage and lymph nodes in various regions were analyzed by Chi2 test and multivariate logistical regression., Results: The rate of regional lymph node metastasis for all patients was 73.9%, and the highest rates of positive lymph nodes were at levels IIa (61.4%), IIb (44.3%), and III (37.5%). Metastases to levels I, IV, V, and VI were rare, as were retropharyngeal lymph-node metastases, which were always combined with metastases at levels II and III. Univariate analysis showed that level-IV metastases correlated to metastases at levels Ib and III; retropharyngeal lymph node metastases were correlated to level IIb and bilateral cervical lymph node metastases. Multivariate analysis showed that level-VI metastases correlated to level IV and that retropharyngeal lymph-node metastases correlated to bilateral cervical lymph node metastases., Conclusions: Regional lymph node metastases in patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma follow some regulations, and skip metastasis is rare. The highest rates of positive lymph nodes are at levels II and III. Bilateral lymph node metastases may be a risk factor for retropharyngeal lymph node metastases.

We present a measurement of the K-shell spectrum from highly charged xenon ions recorded with a high-energy x-ray calorimeter spectrometer array that can distinguish between various theories for the atomic structure of the two electron system. The array was designed to provide high resolution with high quantum efficiency in the 10-60 keV x-ray range which allows us to resolve blends that afflicted previous measurements. A precision of better than 2 eV was achieved in the measurement of the Xe52+ and Xe53+ K-shell transitions located near 31 keV, which is an order of magnitude better than previously reported.

Unlabelled: High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a noninvasive treatment modality that induces complete coagulative necrosis of a deep tumor through the intact skin. This study was conducted to analyze and evaluate the complications of HIFU for the treatments of hepatocellular carcinoma. A total of 59 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, with a total of 72 lessions were enrolled in this study. Tumor size ranged from 2.5 to 14.0 cm in diameter, with a mean diameter of 7.6 cm. All patients had accepted HIFU treatment, and the median number of HIFU sessions was 1.32 per patient., Results: The common complications from HIFU therapy were skin burns of various grades (eight cases of grade 1 skin burns, 48 of grade 2, three cases of 3), and pain in the treatment regions (15 cases of mild pain, 37 cases of moderate pain, 7 cased of severe pain). Other systemic complications were relatively rare and included fever (5 cases), hypertension (8 cases), supraventricular tachycardia (3 cases), mild impairment of hepatic function (48 cases), and mild mpairment of renal function (2 cases). Local damage consisted of acute cholecystitis (2 cases), hematuria (6 cases ), cholangiectasis (5 cases), light pericardial effusion (2 cases), impairment of peripheral nerves (10 cases), pleural effusion in the right thorax (3 cases), and impairment of vertebral column (1 case). No gastric or intestinal tract perforation, big vessel rupture, or hepatic rupture occurred., Conclusions: HIFU is a minimally invasive treatment for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma; however, there are some systemic and local complications that should be taken into consideration in evaluating HIFU for therapeutic use.

Background and Objective: There is controversy in whether the nasopharynx should be included in target volume for radiotherapy of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. This study was to analyze the necessity of radiotherapy including the nasopharynx for patients with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma., Methods: Clinical data of 196 patients with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma treated in Cancer Center of Sun Yat-sen University from May 1994 to August 2006 were analyzed. Of the 196 cases of hypopharyngeal carcinoma, three were at stage I, 26 at stage II, 38 at stage III, and 129 at stage IV. Ninety-four patients received radiotherapy, 49 received surgery and 53 received surgery combined with radiotherapy. The nasopharynx was included in target volume in 78 patients, but excluded in 69 patients. The prognosis of the two groups were compared., Results: The 3-year and 5-year overall survival rates were 38.57% and 21.69%. The 5-year survival rates were 100% in stage I patients, 43.08% in stage II patients, 27.57% in stage III patients, and 13.99% in stage IV patients, and were 13.90% in surgery group, 10.60% in radiotherapy group, and 44.08% in combined therapy group. Between nasopharynx-included and nasopharynx-excluded groups, there was no significant difference in 5-year overall survival rate (24.44 % vs. 20.68%, kappa2=0.10,P=0.76),5-year progression-free survival rate (15.99% vs. 10.91%, kappa2=0.65, P=0.42), relapse rate and metastasis rate (kappa2=1.56, P=0.21). Relapse in cervical lymph nodes occurred in 39 patients; no relapse in the nasopharynx was observed., Conclusions: Combined therapy is recommended for advanced hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. The target volume including the nasopharynx is not recommended. Controlling cervical lymph node metastasis may be helpful for prolonging survival.

Background and Objective: At present, the quality of life (QOL) of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients is assessed with the QOL scales for cancer patients or head and neck cancer patients (QLQ-C30, QLQ-H&N35, and so on), and SF-36 scale, but they are not specific scales for NPC patients. The specific scale for NPC patients (Scale of Quality of Life for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, SQOL-NPC) has not been updated. This study was to develop a QOL scale (Quality of Life for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, QOL-NPC) for NPC patients in China., Methods: The pilot scale was formed according to the definition of QOL from WHO and based on interviews with some experts and patients. The data were collected from 433 NPC patients treated in Cancer Center of Sun Yat-sen University from January to February, 2007. The items were preliminarily screened, evaluated, and modified, then selected by the methods of coefficient of variation, correlation analysis, factor analysis, and reliability analysis (the internal consistency Cronbach's coefficients)., Results: QOL-NPC was developed and evaluated. The scale included 30 items in four domains: physical function (PH), psychological function (PS), social function (SF), and side effect (SE)., Conclusion: The QOL-NPC scale might be an effective scale for NPC patients because it is consistent with the WHO definition and connotation of QOL, and contains common issues of NPC patients as well.

The use of high resolution x-ray crystal spectrometers to diagnose fusion plasmas has been limited by the poor spatial localization associated with chord integrated measurements. Taking advantage of a new x-ray imaging spectrometer concept [M. Bitter et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 75, 3660 (2004)], and improvements in x-ray detector technology [Ch. Broennimann et al., J. Synchrotron Radiat. 13, 120 (2006)], a spatially resolving high resolution x-ray spectrometer has been built and installed on the Alcator C-Mod tokamak. This instrument utilizes a spherically bent quartz crystal and a set of two dimensional x-ray detectors arranged in the Johann configuration [H. H. Johann, Z. Phys. 69, 185 (1931)] to image the entire plasma cross section with a spatial resolution of about 1 cm. The spectrometer was designed to measure line emission from H-like and He-like argon in the wavelength range 3.7 and 4.0 A with a resolving power of approximately 10,000 at frame rates up to 200 Hz. Using spectral tomographic techniques [I. Condrea, Phys. Plasmas 11, 2427 (2004)] the line integrated spectra can be inverted to infer profiles of impurity emissivity, velocity, and temperature. From these quantities it is then possible to calculate impurity density and electron temperature profiles. An overview of the instrument, analysis techniques, and example profiles are presented.

Quantum microcalorimeters show promise in being able to fully resolve x-ray spectra from heavy highly charged ions, such as would be found in hot plasmas with temperatures in excess of 50 keV. Quantum microcalorimeter arrays are able to achieve this as they have a high-resolving power and good effective quantum efficiency for hard x-ray photons up to 60 keV. To demonstrate this, we present a measurement using an array of thin HgTe quantum microcalorimeters to measure the K-shell spectrum of hydrogenlike through carbonlike praseodymium (Z=57). With this device we are able to attain a resolving power, E/DeltaE, of 1000 at a photon energy of 37 keV.

A large radius, R=44.3 m, high resolution grating spectrometer (HRGS) with 2400 lines/mm variable line spacing has been designed for laser-produced plasma experiments conducted at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Jupiter Laser Facility. The instrument has been run with a low-noise, charge-coupled device detector to record high signal-to-noise spectra in the 10-50 A wavelength range. The instrument can be run with a 10-20 microm wide slit to achieve the best spectral resolving power, approaching 1000 and similar to crystal spectrometers at 12-20 A, or in slitless operation with a small symmetrical emission source. We describe preliminary spectra emitted from various H-like and He-like low Z ion plasmas heated by 100-500 ps (full width at half maximum), 527 nm wavelength laser pulses. This instrument can be developed as a useful spectroscopy platform relevant to laboratory-based astrophysics as well as high energy density plasma studies.

A new spatially resolving x-ray crystal spectrometer capable of measuring continuous spatial profiles of high resolution spectra (lambda/d lambda>6000) of He-like and H-like Ar K alpha lines with good spatial (approximately 1 cm) and temporal (approximately 10 ms) resolutions has been installed on the Alcator C-Mod tokamak. Two spherically bent crystals image the spectra onto four two-dimensional Pilatus II pixel detectors. Tomographic inversion enables inference of local line emissivity, ion temperature (T(i)), and toroidal plasma rotation velocity (upsilon(phi)) from the line Doppler widths and shifts. The data analysis techniques, T(i) and upsilon(phi) profiles, analysis of fusion-neutron background, and predictions of performance on other tokamaks, including ITER, will be presented.

The Electron Beam Ion Trap (EBIT) facility at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is being used to absolutely calibrate the transmission efficiency of x-ray filters employed by diodes and spectrometers used to diagnose laser-produced plasmas. EBIT emits strong, discrete monoenergetic lines at appropriately chosen x-ray energies. X rays are detected using the high resolution EBIT Calorimeter Spectrometer (ECS), developed for LLNL at the NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center. X-ray filter transmission efficiency is determined by dividing the x-ray counts detected when the filter is in the line of sight by those detected when out of the line of sight. Verification of filter thickness can be completed in only a few hours, and absolute efficiencies can be calibrated in a single day over a broad range from about 0.1 to 15 keV. The EBIT calibration lab has been used to field diagnostics (e.g., the OZSPEC instrument) with fully calibrated x-ray filters at the OMEGA laser. Extensions to use the capability for calibrating filter transmission for the DANTE instrument on the National Ignition Facility are discussed.

Measurements of the L -shell emission of highly charged gold ions were made under controlled laboratory conditions using the SuperEBIT electron beam ion trap, allowing detailed spectral observations of lines from Fe-like Au53+ through Ne-like Au69+ . Using atomic data from the Flexible Atomic Code, we have identified strong 3d&#95;{52}-->2p&#95;{32} emission features that can be used to diagnose the charge state distribution in high energy density plasmas, such as those found in the laser entrance hole of hot hohlraum radiation sources. We provide collisional-radiative calculations of the average ion charge Z as a function of temperature and density, which can be used to relate charge state distributions inferred from 3d&#95;{52}-->2p&#95;{32} emission features to plasma conditions, and investigate the effects of plasma density on calculated L -shell Au emission spectra.

Aim: To analyze the local and systemic complications of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for patients with recurrent and metastatic abdominal tumors., Methods: From Aug 2001 to Aug 2004, 17 patients with recurrent and metastatic abdominal tumors were enrolled in this study. Real-time sonography was taken, and vital signs, liver and kidney function, skin burns, local reactions, and systemic effects were observed and recorded before, during, and after HIFU. CT and MRI were also taken before and after HIFU., Results: All 17 patients had skin burns and pain in the treatment region; the next common complication was neurapraxia of the stomach and intestines to variable degrees. The other local and systemic complications were relatively rare. Severe complications were present in two patients; one developed a superior mesenteric artery infarction resulting in necrosis of the entire small intestines, and the other one suffered from a perforation in terminal ileum due to HIFU treatment., Conclusion: Although HIFU is a one of noninvasive treatments for the recurrent and metastatic abdominal tumors, there are still some common and severe complications which need serious consideration.

By implementing a large-area, gain-stabilized microcalorimeter array on an electron beam ion trap, the electron-impact excitation cross sections for the dominant x-ray lines in the Fe XVII spectrum have been measured as a function of electron energy establishing a benchmark for atomic calculations. The results show that the calculations consistently predict the cross section of the resonance line to be significantly larger than measured. The lower cross section accounts for several problems found when modeling solar and astrophysical Fe XVII spectra.

Background & Objective: Although concurrent radiochemotherapy is recommended as the standard treatment for advanced esophageal carcinoma, the local failure still reaches up to 44%-54%. This study aimed to explore maximum tolerance dose (MTD) of sodium glycididazole(CM-Na) in the combined planning as the recommended dose for phase II study., Methods: Twenty-two patients with pathologically confirmed esophageal squamous carcinoma of stage III-IV were recruited according to the inclusion criteria. All patients were divided into 4 groups (at least 3 patients in a group) by turn as the dose of CM-Na escalated from 400 to 600, 700, and 800 mg x (m(2) x d)(-1) by Fibonacci's method, and treated according to the plan. All patients underwent the same concurrent radiochemotherapy. Conventional radiotherapy was performed with total dose of 60 Gy within 6 weeks. CM-Na was given 1 h before radiotherapy at Monday, Wednesday, and Friday every week, combined with 2 circles of continuous 5-day chemotherapy of 500 mg x (m(2) x d)(-1) of 5-fluoruracil (5-FU) and 20 mg x (m(2) x d)(-1) of cisplatin (DDP) at the first and the fifth week., Results: Low-grade gastrointestinal adverse reactions were observed in the 4 groups during the period of chemotherapy, but no adverse reactions of nervous system, kidney, or heart were observed. Severe adverse reactions occurred in 800 mg x (m(2) x d) (-1) group, included 3 cases of grade III radioactive esophagitis, 2 cases of grade IV aminopherase risen, and 1 case of grade III thrombocytopenia. All the 19 patients in the rest 3 groups suffered grade I-II thrombocytopenia. The rates of complete remission and partial remission were 27% (6/22) and 68% (15/22) at the end of treating, and 46% (10/22) and 54% (12/22) 1 month after treating., Conclusion: Liver disfunction is the main dose-limited toxicity of the treatment schemeu 700 mg x (m(2) x d) (-1) of CM-Na is recommended to phase II clinical study.

Background & Objective: Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the routine treatment for unresectable primary liver cancer, but 3-year survival rate of patients received TACE alone is only about 20%. This research was to evaluate efficacy of external radiotherapy (RT) combined with TACE on unresectable primary live cancer., Methods: From Jun. 1994 to Apr. 2002, 114 patients with unresectable primary liver cancer were non-randomized to receive TACE plus RT (54 patients), or TACE alone (60 patients) as control. For TACE, after skiagram confirmed catheterization, suspension of 300 mg of carboplatin, 50-60 mg of epirubicin, 14-20 mg of mitomycin, and 10-30 ml of iodized oil was perfused into hepatic arteries, 1-2 mm of Gelfoam particles was given to embolize hepatic arteries according to blood supply conditions of tumors, this process was repeated every 4-8 weeks. Either group was treated with 1-4 sessions of TACE. In TACE+RT group, patients received radiation on tumor and generous margin 21-28 days after TACE. The radiation dose was 46-60 Gy in daily 2 Gy fractions., Results: In TACE+RT group, response rate (AFP titer decrease of >50%) was 61.1%, and 1-, 2-, 3-year survival rates of TACE+RT group were significantly higher than those of TACE group (66.5% vs. 53.9%, 48.4% vs. 37.2%, and 37.4% vs. 17.8%, P<0.05). Three-year survival rate correlated with tumor size, liver function grade, and portal vein embolus., Conclusion: TACE combined with RT may prolong survival time of patients with unresectable primary live cancer.

Dielectronic satellite spectra of heliumlike argon, recorded with a high-resolution x-ray crystal spectrometer at the National Spherical Torus Experiment, were found to be inconsistent with existing predictions resulting in unacceptable values for the power balance and suggesting the unlikely existence of non-Maxwellian electron energy distributions. These problems were resolved with calculations from a new atomic code. It is now possible to perform reliable electron-temperature measurements and to eliminate the uncertainties associated with determinations of non-Maxwellian distributions.

Purpose: To evaluate the impairment of optic path caused by radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC)., Methods: Visual evoked potential was used to evaluate the functional impairment of optic path by an 8 MV linear accelerator or 60Co gamma-ray radiotherapy in 63 (23 women and 40 men) patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma before radiotherapy, at the end of radiotherapy, 6 months and 1, 2 and 3 years after their radiotherapy respectively., Results: In the female group, the latency of VEP elicited by the three types of elements significantly delayed 2 and 3 years after radiotherapy than that before radiotherapy, at the end of radiotherapy, 6 months and 1 year after radiotherapy; there were no significant difference among VEP amplitudes elicited by the three types of elements before and after radiotherapy. In the male group, the latency of VEP elicited by the medium and the small elements significantly delayed 1 year after radiotherapy than that before radiotherapy and at the end of radiotherapy, the VEP latency elicited by the small elements was significantly prolonged 3 years after radiotherapy compared to that just after radiotherapy, while the VEP amplitude elicited by the large elements was significantly attenuated 1 year after radiotherapy compared to those before and just after radiotherapy., Conclusions: In the female group, the significant prolongation of VEP latency happened at the end of radiotherapy and lasted for 3 years, while the VEP amplitude did not change significantly during the 3 years after radiotherapy. It indicates that the sustained impairment by radiation within the female visual nerve system starts at the end of radiotherapy, but the impairment was mild. In the male group, the significant prolongation of VEP latency mostly happened 1 or 2 years after radiotherapy. It was shown that the radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma certainly injured the optic path, and there was difference in the impairment between the two sexes.

The ability of lower vertebrates to regenerate an injured optic nerve has been widely studied as a model for understanding neural development and plasticity. We have recently shown that, in goldfish, the optic nerve contains two molecules that stimulate retinal ganglion cells to regenerate their axons in culture: a low-molecular-weight factor that is active even at low concentrations (axogenesis factor-1) and a somewhat less active polypeptide of molecular weight 10,000-15,000 (axogenesis factor-2). Both are distinct from other molecules described previously in this system. The present study pursues the biological source and functional significance of axogenesis factor-1. Earlier studies have shown that cultured goldfish glia provide a highly favorable environment for fish or rat retinal ganglion cells to extend axons. We report that the glia in these cultures secrete high levels of a factor that is identical to axogenesis factor-1 in its chromatographic properties and biological activity, along with a larger molecule that may coincide with axogenesis factor-2. Axogenesis factor-1 derived from either goldfish glial cultures or optic nerve fragments is a hydrophilic molecule with an estimated molecular weight of 700-800. Prior studies have reported that goldfish retinal fragments, when explanted in organ culture, only extend axons if the ganglion cells had been "primed" to begin regenerating in vivo for one to two weeks. However, axogenesis factor-1 caused the same degree of outgrowth irrespective of whether ganglion cells had been induced to regenerate new axons in vivo. Moreover, ganglion cells primed to begin regenerating in vivo continued to extend axons in culture only when axogenesis factor-1 was present. In summary, this study shows that glial cells of the goldfish optic nerve secrete a low-molecular-weight factor that initiates axonal regeneration from retinal ganglion cells.