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This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of brachytherapy in post-operative cervical cancer patients with risk factors other than positive stump, and to identify the candidates most likely to benefit.Newly diagnosed, non-metastatic cervical cancer patients treated in our hospital between January 2012 and November 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Early stage patients receiving radical surgery and needing adjuvant external radiotherapy were included, but those with positive stump were excluded. All patients received external radiotherapy. They were divided into two groups: one group received vaginal brachytherapy and the other did not. The 5-year local-regional recurrence free survival (LRRFS) and overall survival (OS) rates in the two groups were compared.Two hundred and twenty-five patients were included in this study; while 99 received brachytherapy, 126 did not. The brachytherapy group had significantly superior 5-year LRRFS (87.7% vs. 72.5%, p = 0.004), but did not show a significant overall survival benefit (78.4% vs. 75.3%, p = 0.055). In multivariate analysis, brachytherapy, pathological type, high-risk factors, duration of radiotherapy, and transfusion were independent prognostic factors for 5-year LRRFS. In stratified analysis, the brachytherapy group showed superior LRRFS in those meeting Sedlis criteria (p = 0.017).The combination of external beam radiation therapy and brachytherapy can improve LRRFS in post-operative cervical cancer patients with risk factors other than positive stump. Therefore, brachytherapy should be considered for these patients.

Peanut scorch spot caused by Leptosphaerulina arachidicola is one of the most severe leaf diseases of peanut that causes significant yield loss. Here, we report the first high-quality genome sequence of L. arachidicola JB313 isolated from an infected peanut leaf in China. The genome size is 47.66 Mb, consisting of 65 scaffolds (N50 length = 1.58 Mb) with a G+C content of 49.05%. The information in this report will provide a reference genome for future studies on the peanut scorch spot pathogen in peanut.

Microbial DNA extraction is a critical step in metagenomic research. High contents of chemical substances in wood tissues always cause low microbial DNA yield and quality. Up to date, almost no specialized methods involved in microbial DNA extraction from living wood were reported. In this study, an improved protocol (M1) concerning microbial DNA extraction from living poplar wood was developed. We compared microbial DNA yield and quality by M1 with those by other seven methods, including PowerSoil DNA isolation kit (M2), two soil microbial DNA extraction methods (M3 and M4), poplar genomic DNA extraction method from wood (M5), and microbial DNA extraction method from herb stems (M6), isolating bacteria (M7) and isolating fungus (M8). Results showed that M1 yielded much better quality and concentration of microbial DNA than the other methods (M2-M8) from both poplar wetwood and sapwood tissues. Following M1 protocol, 1 g of wetwood sample could yield 272.27 ng/ul (vol=50 ul) pure microbial DNA with the absorption ratios of 1.87 (A260/A230) and 1.66 (A260/A280). For 1 g of sapwood sample, these values were 361.83 ng/ul, 1.85 and 2.24, respectively. These DNA could be stably visualized by agarose gel electrophoresis and amplified by primer sets of bacteria (16S V3-V4, 16S-V4, 16S V4-V5) and fungus (ITS1, ITS2). While, the other seven methods only obtained less or contaminated microbial DNA, which could not be amplified stably by aforementioned primer sets. Our protocol provided an approach for microbial community study in living poplar wood in a more accurate way by molecular biology techniques.

Peanut scorch spot caused by

Xiao-Li Yu,1,2,* Miao-Fang Wu,1,3,* Lin Ding,1,2 Jin Yang,1,2 Shou-Min Bai1,2 1Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Radiation Oncology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Gynecological Oncology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Shou-Min BaiDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, People’s Republic of ChinaTel/Fax +86-20-34070680Email baishm@mail.sysu.edu.cnPurpose: We aimed to determine the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy consisting of albumin-bound paclitaxel (“nab-paclitaxel”) and platinum (NACT-nPP) in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC).Methods: Consecutive patients with newly diagnosed, non-metastatic LACC were recruited retrospectively between October 2016 and June 2020 in our hospital. All patients received concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) alone or neoadjuvant chemotherapy. We compared the complete response (CR) rate and 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) between patients receiving NACT-nPP and not receiving regimens or other regimens of neoadjuvant chemotherapy.Results: A total of 195 patients were enrolled (78 in the NACT-nPP group and 117 in the control group). Upon chemoradiotherapy completion, 72 (92.3%) patients in the NACT-nPP group and 96 (82.1%) patients in the other group achieved CR (P = 0.042). For patients with squamous cell carcinoma, the NACT-nPP group had superior 2-year PFS than that of the control group (89.7% vs 74.1%, P = 0.027, HR = 2.486, 95% CI = 1.077– 5.739) whereas for adenocarcinoma, 2-year PFS was 37.5% and 36.5%, respectively (P = 0.863). In multivariate analysis, NACT-nPP and stage were independent prognostic factors (P = 0.046 and 0.012, HR = 2.357 and 2.499, 95% CI = 1.016– 5.465 and 1.216– 4.930, respectively). The acute hematological adverse events above grade 3 were manageable in the NACT-nPP group (46.2%, 36/78), and the rate was lower than that in the control group (55.6%, 65/117).Conclusion: Compared with CCRT alone, NACT-nPP followed by CCRT could improve the CR rate and 2-year PFS of patients with locally advanced cervical squamous cell carcinoma, and the toxicity was tolerable. NACT-nPP was an independent prognostic factor for 2-year PFS. However, further prospective studies are needed to confirm our results.Keywords: neoadjuvant chemotherapy, cervical cancer, complete response, nab-paclitaxel, progression-free survival

Background: This study was aimed to determine the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy consisting of nab-paclitaxel and cisplatin (NACT-nPC) in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer.Materials and Methods: The consecutive, newly diagnosed, non-metastatic and locally advanced cervical cancer patients were retrospectively recruited between October 2016 and June 2020 in our hospital. All patients received concurrent chemoradiotherapy alone or following neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Patients were divided into two groups: one receiving NACT-nPC, and the control group receiving no or other regimes of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. We compared the complete remission rate of primary tumor at the end of external radiotherapy and chemoradiotherapy between the two groups. Results: A total of 198 patients were enrolled in this study, including 60 in NACT-nPC group and 138 in control group. At the end of external radiotherapy, 27 patients in NACT-nPC group and 32 patients in control group achieved complete remission (P = 0.002). At the end of chemoradiotherapy, 56 patients in NACT-nPC group and 114 patients in control group achieved complete remission (P = 0.033). The acute side effects above grade 3 in NACT-nPC group was 41.7% (25/60) and manageable, lower than control group which was 77/138 (55.8%).Conclusions: NACT-nPC can improve the complete response rate of patients with locally advanced cervical cancer followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy, and the toxicity is tolerable. Furthermore, we suspect the NACT-nPC can improve the survival of the patients. However, further prospective studies are needed to confirm this result.

Accurate delineation and precise dosage of organs at risk (OARs) is crucial for improving efficacy and reducing toxicity of radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Here, guidelines for planning OARs were presented. We suggested using specific window width and window level for recognition of organ boundary. According to clinical practice and relevant literatures, controversial contouring methods of temporal lobes, middle ear, inner ear, spinal cord, and parotid gland were described. Based on structural and functional anatomy, the different constituents of OARs were defined, and their corresponding radiation-induced injuries were demonstrated. By comparing contouring methods and analyzing pros and cons, we proposed this reasonable and favorable atlas of OARs (including 24 organs) referring to CT–MRI fusion. Organs are suggested to be outlined covering component overlapped in clinical target volume but not in gross tumor volume. Dose volume histograms should be generated for critical OARs, planning organs at risk, and unspecified tissues. Dose constraint to normal tissue and planning priority were also recommended.

BackgroundHuman umbilical cord-derived MSCs (hUC-MSCs) have been identified as promising seeding cells in tissue engineering and clinical applications of regenerative medicine due to their advantages of simple acquisition procedure and the capability to come from a young tissue donor over the other MSCs sources. In clinical applications, large scale production is required and optimal cryopreservation and culture conditions are essential to autologous and allogeneic transplantation in the future. However, the influence of cryopreserved post-thaw and long-term culture on hUC-MSCs remains unknown, especially in terms of specific protein expression. Therefore, biological characteristics and proteomic profiles of hUC-MSCs after cryopreserving and long-term culturing were investigated.MethodsFirstly, hUC-MSCs were isolated from human umbilical cord tissues and identified through morphology, surface markers and tri-lineage differentiation potential at passage 3, and then the biological characteristics and proteomic profiles were detected and compared after cryopreserving and long-term culturing at passage 4 and continuously cultured to passage 10 with detection occurring here as well. The proteomic profiles were tested by using the isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) labeling technique and differential protein were confirmed by mass spectrometry.ResultsThe results showed no significant differences in phenotypes including morphology, surface marker and tri-lineage differentiation potential but have obvious changes in translation level, which is involved in metabolism, cell cycle and other pathways.ConclusionThis suggests that protein expression may be used as an indicator of hUC-MSCs security testing before applying in clinical settings, and it is also expected to provide the foundation or standardization guide of hUC-MSCs applications in regenerative medicine.

The purpose of this study was to explore the value of brachytherapy (BT) in metastatic cervical cancer, as it has not been well evaluated before.We analyzed 2391 patients with Stage IVB cervical cancer from 2004 to 2015 by using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry. The parameters were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards regression models to evaluate cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival.In general, both univariate and multivariate analysis showed that age, histologic type, tumor size, and chemotherapy were associated with CSS and overall survival (p0.05). Further subgroup analysis showed BT alone or BT combined with external beam radiotherapy improved CSS despite the tumor size. In addition, chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy prolonged CSS compared with external beam radiotherapy alone or no chemotherapy or radiotherapy independently of tumor size (p0.05).For newly diagnosed metastatic cervical cancers, BT with or without external beam radiotherapy is associated with improved survival. As an aggressive option, chemoradiotherapy is also a potential treatment strategy.

Although female fertility maintenance technology (FFMT) provides an effective option for preserving fertility in patients with cancer suffering from fertility loss due to cancer treatment, previous studies have shown that the technique has certain potential risks and requires an assessment of the health status of the offspring since FFMT may lead to glucose metabolism disorder in offspring mice. The present animal study examined the glucose metabolism of adult mice offspring born from ovarian tissue cryopreservation and orthotopic allotransplantation. The mice were divided into three groups: normal, fresh ovary transplantation, and cryopreserved ovary transplantation. We recorded fasting blood glucose, glucose tolerance, and fasting serum insulin level for six months. Liver DNA, RNA, and proteins were extracted to detect the interaction between DNA methylation and Grb10 expression and insulin signaling pathway factors such as P-IGF1R, P-IRS2, P-AKT, and Grb10. Female recipient mice that received FFMT could successfully give birth after mating. The average litter size and total litter size of the cryopreserved and fresh groups showed marked differences compared with the normal group. Compared with the normal group, the fasting blood glucose and fasting serum insulin levels were higher in the cryopreserved and fresh groups. The mRNA and protein expressions of Grb10 were higher in the fresh and cryopreserved groups. Compared with the normal group, the DNA methylation status of four of the 11 sites of the Grb10 promoter was lower in the cryopreserved group. Grb10 overexpression inhibited the downstream phosphorylation protein factor expression (p-IGF-1R, p-IRS2, and p-Akt) of the IGF-1R signaling pathway. Female fertility maintenance technology (FFMT), including ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC), and orthotopic allotransplantation techniques might lead to glucose metabolism disorders in offspring mice.

The transient fluid exciting force induced by unsteady flow in the centrifugal pump is the only exciting force that cannot be effectively eliminated. In order to explore the vibration problem caused by unsteady flow in the centrifugal pump, the steady and unsteady numerical calculations of the internal flow in a centrifugal pump with low specific speed were carried out under different flow rate conditions. With volute circumferential pressure pulsation test, the accuracy of numerical calculations was verified. At the same time, the vibration acceleration sensors were arranged in different positions of the pump body to complete the vibration characteristics experiment under different working conditions. Based on the numerical results, the amount and location of the internal flow loss of the centrifugal pump were predicted by the entropy generation rate method. According to the results of the vibration test, the vibration energy distribution of the centrifugal pump under different working conditions was obtained. In combination with the entropy generation rate and vibration energy distribution, the change rules of flow loss and the vibration energy with the flow condition of the pump were analyzed. By using the frequency-domain analysis method, the pressure pulsation, the unsteady radial fluid exciting force fluctuation and the vibration acceleration were compared and analyzed to study the change rules of the pressure pulsation, the unsteady fluid exciting force and the vibration characteristics with the flow rate. The results show that the internal flow loss is mainly concentrated in the impeller runner near the volute tongue under low flow condition and the internal flow loss under large flow rate condition is mainly concentrated in the volute channel near the pump outlet. The vibration induced by the unsteady flow in the centrifugal pump is mainly low-frequency vibration, which is very sensitive to the change of the flow rate. The vibration energy in the middle- and high-frequency ranges is almost not affected by the working condition. The internal flow loss and the low-frequency vibration energy change with the flow condition, showing similar change rules.

This paper investigates the circular formation control problem of networked dynamic unicycles. Each unicycle uses its local coordinate frame and the topology of the networked unicycles is modeled by a directed graph containing a spanning tree. A distributed dynamic control law is proposed for each unicycle based on the measurement via local sensing and the information of its neighbors via intermittent communication. It is shown that all unicycles can globally converge to the circular motion around a given center which is only known to one unicycle, and can globally converge to a desired spaced formation along the circle. Finally, simulation results of an example verify the effectiveness of the proposed control law.

To study the pressure distribution of the volute casing, front casing and back casing in a prototype centrifugal pump, the pressure experiments and numerical simulations are carried out at six working conditions in this paper. The experimental results shows that the asymmetry of static pressure distribution on volute casing and front cavity is caused by the tongue of the volute and it may result in high radial and axial resultant force which can cause vibration and noise in the centrifugal pump. With the increasing of flow rate, the asymmetry of static pressure distribution and the magnitude of static pressure values reduce. The numerical results indicate that the pressure fluctuation near the tongue is strongest and it becomes slighter at point away from the tongue. With the increasing of flow rate, the local high-pressure region in impeller passage reduces and the flow becomes smoother accordingly, whereas the fluid speed becomes much higher which may cause further flow losses. The results predicted by numerical simulation are in coincident with the experimental ones. It shows that the turbulence model for simulating the flow field in centrifugal pumps is feasible.

The molecular physiological mechanism of alternative wetting and drying (AWD) promoting iron plaque (IP) formation is unknown. Here, we report that a glycolate oxidase (GLO) gene, OsGLO4 contributes to AWD-induced IP formation. Rice plants were grown in sand to explore the relationship among IP content, GLO activity, H2O2 concentration and OsGLO4 expression under AWD treatment. AWD significantly promoted GLO activity, OsGLO4 expression,and IP content in rice roots. Overexpressing OsGLO4 (OX) showed more 46.2% IP content than wild type (WT). Results with X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that OX also had a higher proportion of FeIII compound in IP in comparison to WT. The activity of GLO and H2O2 concentration in OX roots were 170.3% and 126.7% higher than those of WT. Interestingly, H2O2 distribution in epidermal cells was consistent with the spatial distribution of IP. Treatment with glycolic acid raised GLO activity by 88.9% and IP content by 33.3%; while α-hydroxy-2-pyridinemethanesulfonic acid inhibited GLO activity and reduced IP content. Exogenous H2O2 or treatment with aminotriazole increased the quantities of IP significantly, while dimethylthiourea reduced it. OsGLO4 is involved in the formation of IP by mediating GLO activity and H2O2 production under AWD condition.

Objective To study serologic and gene characteristics of the B(A) blood group of blood donation volunteers in Jilin Province, China. Methods ABO subgroups were identified by standard serologic techniques in ABO typing discrepancy samples from all donors at the Jilin Blood Center (410,354 non-repeat donors). DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) was collected from each sample and PCR (polymerase chain reaction) was used to sequence exons 6 and 7 and intron 6, part 5 from the ABO subgroup samples. PCR products were sequenced to identify ABO subgroups and the B(A) allele. Results Four cases of B(A) blood type were found after sequencing, including two different alleles: B(A)02 and B(A)04. Three of the four alleles were B(A)04. Conclusion Among blood donation volunteers in Jilin Province, China, B(A)04 is the most common B(A) blood group allele, followed by B(A)02. The B(A) blood group is associated with a complicated serologic phenotype and DNA detection is necessary for this atypical phenotype sample.

Background: To identify predictors for development of mastoiditis after intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods: Data for 146 NPC patients treated with IMRT was retrospectively reviewed under institutional ethics committee approval. Clinical factors associated with mastoiditis were analyzed. Dose-volume histogram analysis was performed for the Eustachian tube, tympanic cavity, mastoid air cells, cochlea, internal auditory canal and vestibular apparatus to relate doses to radiographic changes in the mastoid. Mastoiditis was assessed using magnetic resonance imaging and was classified as Grade 0 (none), 1 (mild), 2 (moderate) or 3 (severe); Grade 3 mastoiditis was the study end-point. Results: Eighty-eight ears (36%) had radiation-induced mastoiditis: 38/244 (15.6%) mastoid complexes had Grade 1-2 mastoiditis and 50/244 (20.5%) mastoid complexes had Grade 3 mastoiditis. Multivariate analysis revealed a mastoid mean dose > 35.93 Gy (odds ratio [OR]=4.22, P=.003), Eustachian tube mean dose > 53.43 Gy (OR=2.16, P=.034) and advanced T category (T3 and T4; OR=10.33, P=.032) were negative prognostic factors for Grade 3 mastoiditis. Conclusions: Radiation-induced mastoiditis remains a common late toxicity in NPC after radiotherapy. The mean dose to the mastoid air cells and Eustachian tube should be limited to reduce the risk of radiation-induced mastoiditis.

Neural stem cells (NSCs) exhibit preferential homing toward some types of brain lesion, but their migratory property during radiation brain injury (RBI) remains unexplored. Here, we use the superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-labeled magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology to determine the migration of transplanted NSCs in two partial RBI models in real time, created by administering 30-55 Gy of radiation to the right or posterior half of the adult rat brain. SPIO-labeled NSCs were stereotactically grafted into the uninjured side one week after RBI. The migration of SPIO-labeled NSCs in live radiation-injured brains was traced by MRI for up to 28 days after engraftment and quantified for their moving distances and speeds. A high labeling efficiency (>90%) was achieved by incubating NSCs with 100μg/ml of SPIO for 12-24 hours. Upon stereotactic transplantation into the healthy side of the brain, SPIO-labeled NSCs were distinctively detected as hypointense signals on T2-weighted images (T2WI), showed sustained survival for up to 4 weeks, and exhibited directional migration to the radiation-injured side of the brain with a speed of 86-127 μm/day. The moving kinetics of grafted NSCs displayed no difference in brains receiving a high (55 Gy) vs. moderate (45 Gy) dose of radiation, but was slower in the right RBI model than in the posterior RBI model. This study shows that NSCs can be effectively labeled by SPIO and traced in vivo by MRI, and that grafted NSCs exhibit directional migration toward RBI sites in a route-dependent but radiation dose-independent manner.

Background. The prognostic values of weight loss and body mass index (BMI) in esophageal carcinoma remain controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the impacts of weight loss on the survival of patients undergoing radical surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. Methods. The medical records of 189 consecutive patients with nonmetastatic esophageal carcinoma treated in our hospital between January 2012 and December 2013 were reviewed, and 121 patients were included for analysis. Results. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the 3-year overall survival rate was significantly higher in the low pretreatment weight loss (pre-LWL) group than in the high pretreatment weight loss (pre-HWL) group (P<0.001). In addition, the 3-year overall survival rate of normal weight group was higher than that of overweight and underweight groups (P=0.007). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis showed that pre-LWL group had a significantly better 3-year overall survival than pre-HWL group (P=0.027, HR = 1.89, and 95% CI = 1.07–3.32). pN stage and age were also the survival prognostic factors. Conclusions. Our study showed that low pretreatment weight loss predicted a better survival outcome in the esophageal carcinoma patients with radical surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. However, BMI and weight loss during treatment had no impact on the survival outcome.

Background This study investigated lymph node distribution in patients with lateralized cancer of the nasopharynx to identify areas suitable for clinical target volume (CTV) reduction. Methods A total of 1680 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) whose tumor involvement was assessed by MRI were reviewed retrospectively. Results One hundred and twelve patients (7%) had a lateralized primary lesion. Of these, 9 patients (8%) had contralateral lymph nodes including 4 (4%) who had contralateral cervical lymph nodes (CLNs). The rates of contralateral level III/Va metastasis were

The transcription factors, including OCT4, NANOG, and SOX2, played crucial roles in the maintenance of self-renewal and pluripotency in embryonic stem cells (ESCs). They expressed in preimplantation mammalian development with spatio-temporal pattern and took part in regulation of development. However, their expression and roles in goat had not been reported. In the present study, the expression of OCT4, NANOG, and SOX2 in goat preimplantation embryos both in vivo and in vitro were detected by real-time RCR and immunofluorescence. For in vivo fertilized embryos, the transcripts of OCT4, NANOG, and SOX2 could be detected from oocytes to blastocyst stage, their expression in morula and blastocyst stages was much higher than other stage. OCT4 protein was detected from oocyte to blastocyst, but the fluorescence was more located-intensive with nuclei from 8-cell stage, its expression present in both inner cell mass (ICM) and trophoblast cells (TE) at blastocyse stage. NANOG protein was similar to OCT4, the signaling of fluorescence completely focused on cell nuclei, while the SOX2 firstly showed nuclei location in morula. Comparing to in vivo fertilized embryo, the mRNA of these three transcription factors could be detected at 8-cell stage in parthenogenetic embryos (in vitro). Thereafter, the expressional level rose gradually along with embryo development. The locations of OCT4 and NANOG proteins were similar to in vivo fertilized embryos, and they located in cell nuclei from morula to blastocyst stage, while SOX2 protein firstly could be detected in cell nuclei at 8-cell stage. These differences suggested that OCT4, NANOG, and SOX2 played different function in regulating development of goat preimplantation embryos. These results may provide a novel insight to goat embryo development and be useful for goat ESCs isolation.

Background In the era of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in treating ascending-type nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is under-evaluated. This study was to compare the efficacy of NACT followed by IMRT (NACT + RT) with the efficacy of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) on ascending-type NPC. Methods Clinical data of 214 patients with ascending-type NPC treated with NACT + RT or CCRT between December 2009 and July 2011 were analyzed. Of the 214 patients, 98 were treated with NACT followed by IMRT, and 116 were treated with CCRT. The survival rates were assessed using Kaplan–Meier analysis, and the survival curves were compared using a log-rank test. Results The 4-year overall survival, locoregional failure-free survival, distant failure-free survival, and failure-free survival rates were not significantly different between the two groups (all P > 0.05). However, patients in the CCRT group exhibited more severe acute adverse events than did patients in the NACT + RT group during radiotherapy, including leukopenia (30.2% vs. 15.3%, P = 0.016), neutropenia (25.9% vs. 11.2%, P = 0.011), and mucositis (57.8% vs. 40.8%, P = 0.028). After radiotherapy, patients in the CCRT group exhibited significantly higher rates of xerostomia (21.6% vs. 10.2%, P = 0.041) and hearing loss (17.2% vs. 6.1%, P = 0.023). Conclusions The treatment outcomes of the NACT + RT and CCRT groups were similar; however, CCRT led to higher rates of acute and late toxicities. NACT + RT may therefore be a better treatment strategy for ascending-type NPC.

According to the main problems of nonlinear driving control and driving force calibration of pure electric vehicle, based on the research of permanent magnet synchronous motor control method, on the vehicle's driving force calibration techniques were studied, from the high efficiency and energy saving analysis of necessary driving force calibration, designed a new driving force calibration method, and drew the control curve of the accelerator pedal opening and the speed and the motor torque relationship between the three, and finally to pure electric self-developed to test platform for automotive related experiments. The experimental results show that, in the vehicle driving process, the driving force calibration technique compared with the previous calibration has better performance, while no obvious change of acceleration performance, the current value of the initial acceleration phase have been greatly decreased, could make the vehicle run more energy efficient, extended battery life and vehicle driving mileage.

The prognostic value of T category for locoregional control in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has decreased with the extensive use of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). We aimed to develop a prognostic scoring system (PSS) that incorporated tumor extension and clinical characteristics for locoregional control in NPC patients treated with IMRT. The magnetic resonance imaging scans and medical records of 717 patients with nonmetastatic NPC treated with IMRT at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between January 2003 and January 2008 were reviewed. Age, pathologic classification, primary tumor extension, primary gross tumor volume (GTV-p), T and N categories, and baseline lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level were analyzed. Hierarchical cluster analysis as well as univariate and multivariate analyses were used to develop the PSS. Independent prognostic factors for locoregional relapse included N2–3 stage, GTV-p ≥26.8 mL, and involvement of one or more structures within cluster 3. We calculated a risk score derived from the regression coefficient of each factor and classified patients into four groups: low risk (score 0), intermediate risk (score >0 and ≤1), high risk (score >1 and ≤2), and extremely high risk (score >2). The 5-year locoregional control rates for these groups were 97.4%, 93.6%, 85.2%, and 78.6%, respectively (P < 0.001). We have developed a PSS that can help identify NPC patients who are at high risk for locoregional relapse and can guide individualized treatments for NPC patients.

The excellent thermal hydraulic performances of coolers are the foundations of vehicular safety and stability. Structure, material, fin type and arrangement all have important effects on the thermal hydraulic performances. Numerical simulation method was adopted in this paper to investigate the effect of fin arrangement. The fluid flow and heat transfer performances were contrasted and analyzed under two different fin arrangements. It was found that fin arrangement effected thermal hydraulic performances severely and during the design process of a cooler, the performance requirements could be met through adjusting fin arrangements.

This paper presents analysis and experiments for Generalized Predictive Control (GPC) algorithm based on software simulation. First, we illustrate the time invariant GPC algorithm in detail. Then, we describe the principle for the control parameter selection of GPC based on empirical results. The Recursive Least Square (RLS) algorithm will be used to identify model parameters in the self-tuning GPC. The performance of GPC algorithm is validated by simulation results, which show that the algorithm has rapid and accurate dynamic responses for input signals, such as step signal and square wave. When the model parameters are unknown, with the assistance of RLS, the self-tuning GPC algorithm also presents good performance and robustness capability, even when white Gaussian noise exists.

Objective To identify the precise ABO blood type subgroups with genotyping. Method We screened ABO blood type from voluntary blood donors in our blood collection center. Samples were first examined with a routine serological method. Samples with ambiguous results were further examined with genotyping to identify ABO subgroups. Results Two samples identified as A weak B by serology were considered to be A/B and B/B by PCR-SSP. However, the gene sequencing results revealed the precise subgroup to be CisAB 01 /B 101 and CisAB 05 /B 101 , respectively. Conclusion It may be difficult to identify non-typical AB patients with a routine serological method. Genotyping is a more precise method to identify blood subgroups.

To study the effect of carboxyamidotriazole (CAI) on adjuvant arthritis (AA) in rats.The rats were randomly divided into normal group,two vehicle groups (polyethylene glycol 400 control and normal sodium control group), CAI-treated groups (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg) and positive control dexamethasone group. Freund's completed adjuvant was used to induce AA in rats. The arthritis index (AI) was scored, and X-ray check of the hind limbs and histopathological examination were performed. The levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 in the inflamed paw tissues were measured.The administration of CAI significantly decreased the AI, restored the body weights, and ameliorated the radiological and histopathological features of joint destruction in AA rats (P0.05, P0.01). In addition, CAI reduced the TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels in the inflamed paw tissues (P0.05, P0.01).CAI has therapeutic effect on AA rats, which may be achieved by decreasing the pro-inflammatory cytokines at the site of inflammation.

The reduction of Chromium (VI) by ZVI filings in the presence of HA was carried out during our investigation. The factors such as reaction temperature, initial pH, Fe0 dosage which influencing the reaction were also researched. The results indicated that: 1. High reaction temperature was beneficial to the reaction. At the temperature of 25 oC, the Cr(VI) concentration decreased from 10 mg L-1 to 0.88 mg L-1 after 120 minutes, but at the temperature of 40 oC, the Cr(VI) concentration was reduce to 0.44 mg L-1; 2. Low initial pH was beneficial to the reaction, and the acid condition was beneficial to the reduction of Cr(VI); 3. the change of Fe0 dosage affect the reaction.