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Macrophage as a crucial component of innate immunity, plays an important role in inflammation and infection immunity. Notch signal pathway is a highly conserved pathway, which regulates cellular fate and participates in numerous pathological processes. At present, a lot of literature has confirmed the role of Notch signaling in regulating the differentiation, activation and metabolism of macrophage during inflammation and infection. This review focuses on how Notch signaling promotes macrophage pro-inflammatory and anti-infective immune function in different inflammatory and infectious diseases. In this regulation, Notch signaling interact with TLR signaling in macrophages or inflammatory-related cytokines including IL-6, IL-12, and TNF-α. Additionally, the potential application and challenges of Notch signaling as a therapeutic target against inflammation and infectious diseases are also discussed.
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Humans , Signal Transduction , Macrophages , Cytokines/metabolism , Inflammation/metabolism , Communicable Diseases , Receptors, Notch/metabolismABSTRACT
Objective@#To investigate the effect of lipiodol as embolization agents in liver, after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization, on dose calculation under the carbon ion treatment plan.@*Methods@#The actual relative linear stopping powers(RLSP)in pure lipiodol, pure gel and lipiodol-gel mixture, together with the correctd RLSPs from their CT images, were compared.In seven typical cases with lipiodol deposition area, carbon ion treatment plan was performed for the original lipiodol images.Successively on the basis of analysis that has made, the RLSP in lipiodol deposition area was corrected to be as in normal liver tissue, for which the carbon ion treatment plan was again performed.A comparison was made of differences in water equivalent depth (WED) and dose distribution on different CT images.@*Results@#The RLSP value corrected according to CT image HU value, lipiodol, and lipiodol-gel mixture may increase by 4.6%-139.0% compared with the measured value. In seven typical cases, deposited lipiodol can cause WED to increase by (0.89±0.41) cm along the field track and RBE by(3.83±1.71)Gy within the 1 cm of distal area of target.@*Conclusions@#In order to improve the accuracy of dose distribution calculation, the HU value and/or RLSP in deposited lipiodol area in liver after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization should being corrected to be as in the normal liver tissue.
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Objective To establish an accurate simulation model for proton scanning beam using Monte Carlo (MC) code.Methods The MC model of proton scanning beam treatment nozzle was established by using MC code FLUKA combined with the geometric structure of the treatment nozzle in Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center (SPHIC).The MC beam model was established through the simulation of the integrated depth dose distribution (IDD) in water and the lateral profile in air at the isocenter points.The model was used to simulate the depth and lateral dose profile of Spread Out Bragg Peak (SOBP) of proton beam.The calucated result were compared with TPS calculation values.Results For the distal R90,the deviations of simulation and measurement at all energies were less than 0.5 mm.For distal fall off (R80-20),the deviations between simulation and measurement at each energy were within 0.1 mm.The biggest difference between measurement and simulation of the proton beam spot size was within 0.45 mm.The result of simulation and TPS calculation of proton SOBP matched well,with the γ index pass rate being higher than 90％ (Criteria:2 mm,2％).Conclusions The MC code FLUKA can be used to model the nozzle of scanning proton beam,which can meet the clinical requirements and accurately simulate the proton beam transport in material.After construction and verification on the basis of measurement,this model can be used as a dose verification tool to evaluate clinical proton treatment plans,in order to reduce the beam time for dose verification and thus increase the number of patient treatment in proton therapy.
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Objective To investigate a system for the detection of the acoustic signal created by clinical proton and carbon ion Bragg-peaks (BPs).Methods An acoustic detector was attached to water phantoms downstream of the beam.The water-equivalent depth of this phantom was measured by a peakfinder (PTW,Siemens,Germany) using high energy proton beams.By maintaining the same particle number,either the BP to detector distance (BTD) or beam intensity was changed to investigate their relationships with the magnitude of acoustic signal.By moving the beam spot in lateral directions,the full width at half maximums (FWHMs) of BPs was measured and compared.Results The detected acoustic signal created by beam on or beam off could represent the magnitude of signal,which was proven by a statistical analysis.The magnitude of acoustic signals created by proton BPs were inversely proportional to BTD,but proportional to intensities.The measured FWHM of 125.43 MeV proton BP was 11.7％ larger than data from the treatment planning system (TPS).Carbon ion showed similar result whereas the measured FWHM of 178.89 MeV/u carbon ion BP was 45.6％ larger than the data from TPS.The BTDs could be more than 67.7 mm while maintaining enough magnitude of acoustic signal.Conclusions This acoustic detection system can detect the acoustic waves from clinical proton and carbon ion BPs.However,further investigation is ongoing to decrease the noise.
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Objective To investigate medication adherence and its influencing factors in community-based hypertensive patients in the Pearl River Delta of Guangdong Province, and lay the foundation for the development of targeted compliance interventions. Methods Between July 2015 and October 2016, a multi-stage cluster sampling method was used to conduct a community-based diagnostic survey in the Pearl River Delta region.A total of 1 829 community-based hypertension patients in this survey population were used to investigate medication adherence, the factors of which were derived through a multi-factor logistics regression analysis.Results The average medication-adherence score of hypertensive patients surveyed in this study was (4.6 ± 1.8), and patients with good medication adherence accounted for 62.82%(1 149/1 829).There were significant differences in medication adherence among patients according to their age, household registration types, marital status, level of education, employment status, medical payment methods,per capita monthly household income,drinking status,and family history of hypertension (P<0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis found that medication adherence was affected substantially by the type of household registration:local household types (OR= 0.537, 95% CI: 0.415-0.695); education level: college,bachelor and above (OR=2.139,95% CI:1.100-4.160); employment status: self-paying (OR=0.591, 95% CI: 0.376-0.930); and a family history of hypertension (OR= 1.279, 95% CI: 1.012-1.617).Conclusions It is necessary to pay more attention to medication adherence in patients with hypertension in communities.Given the influencing factors and characteristics illuminated by this study,it is suggested that various measures be taken to prevent and intervene in poor medication adherence, to improve the curative effect of hypertensive patients in communities.
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Objective To investigate EBT3 and EDR2 film responses to different linear energy transfers ( LETs) and doses from carbon ion beams. Methods EBT3 and EDR2 films were calibrated by two methods. In the first method, films were placed at the same depth within a phantom and irradiated by beams with different parameters such as beam energy. In the second method, films were separately placed at different depths in a phantom and irradiated by the same beams. These methods were used to irradiate films with ions of different LETs. Results For EBT3 film, the dose calibration curves correlated with different LETs appeared to be typical hyperbolic curves with a maximum difference between the curves of ± 17％ (1σ). Meanwhile, the shape of the dose calibration curves for EDR2 film appeared to be linear. The values along all these curves were within ± 27.4％ (1σ) of the value for the average curve. The dose responses of both films were inversely proportional to LETs. The sensitivity of EBT3 film was inversely proportional to the dose, while the sensitivity of EDR2 film showed no relationship with the dose. Conclusions Influenced by the dual factor of LET and dose, the application of EBT3 film was limited in carbon ion. However, without no dose dependence, EDR2 film could be used to measure dose distributions created by single LET carbon ion beam.
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Objective To evaluate the procedures for patient-specific quality assurance ( QA ) measurements using modulated spot scanning beam for proton and carbon ion treatment. Methods Records of 1734 beam measurements were analyzed by using a passing criteria, namely, dose difference between the measured and calculated doses≤3% or distance-to-agreement ( DTA) between them≤3 mm, and meanwhile mean dose deviation in all chambers ≤3% and at least 22 of 24 chamber array having passed this criteria. The results of measurement were categoried by water phantom, treatment room, measurement depth in chamber array, etc. Results Stratification of result showed some correlation between measurement parameters and passing rates. The total passing rates were 97. 7% and 91. 9% for proton and carbon ion beams, respectively. The passing rates were high at all measurement depths for proton beam, but decreased for carbon ion beam with increased depth. Chambers were mostly stable, leading to no significant difference in passing rate between different water phantoms and between different treatment rooms. Conclusions A good agreement was shown between the doses measured by water phantoms with those by the treatment planning system ( TPS) . When the chamber position was deeper than 150 mm in carbon ion measurements, a lower passing rate was observed. This could be caused by uncertainty of ion chamber array setup ( lateral and in depth) in highly modulated beams or by incorrect modelling of scattering by the TPS. These deviations need the further investigation.
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Objective To measure the CT Hounsfield Unit ( HU) and relative stopping power ( RSP) conversion curve. Methods In this study, the RSPs of 12 different tissue equivalent rods were measured with proton and carbon beam in the Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center ( SPHIC) . The same tissue equivalent materials were scanned with CT scanner to acquire the HU. Results Conversion curve for the transformation of HU into RSP was generated for both proton and carbon ion beam. Differences between RSPs measured using proton and carbon beam were ≤0. 64%except lung material. Conclusions A RSP versus HU conversion curve was generated for both protons and carbon ions.
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Objective To evaluate the procedures for patient-specific quality assurance ( QA ) measurements using modulated spot scanning beam for proton and carbon ion treatment. Methods Records of 1734 beam measurements were analyzed by using a passing criteria, namely, dose difference between the measured and calculated doses≤3% or distance-to-agreement ( DTA) between them≤3 mm, and meanwhile mean dose deviation in all chambers ≤3% and at least 22 of 24 chamber array having passed this criteria. The results of measurement were categoried by water phantom, treatment room, measurement depth in chamber array, etc. Results Stratification of result showed some correlation between measurement parameters and passing rates. The total passing rates were 97. 7% and 91. 9% for proton and carbon ion beams, respectively. The passing rates were high at all measurement depths for proton beam, but decreased for carbon ion beam with increased depth. Chambers were mostly stable, leading to no significant difference in passing rate between different water phantoms and between different treatment rooms. Conclusions A good agreement was shown between the doses measured by water phantoms with those by the treatment planning system ( TPS) . When the chamber position was deeper than 150 mm in carbon ion measurements, a lower passing rate was observed. This could be caused by uncertainty of ion chamber array setup ( lateral and in depth) in highly modulated beams or by incorrect modelling of scattering by the TPS. These deviations need the further investigation.
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Objective To measure the CT Hounsfield Unit ( HU) and relative stopping power ( RSP) conversion curve. Methods In this study, the RSPs of 12 different tissue equivalent rods were measured with proton and carbon beam in the Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center ( SPHIC) . The same tissue equivalent materials were scanned with CT scanner to acquire the HU. Results Conversion curve for the transformation of HU into RSP was generated for both proton and carbon ion beam. Differences between RSPs measured using proton and carbon beam were ≤0. 64%except lung material. Conclusions A RSP versus HU conversion curve was generated for both protons and carbon ions.
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Objective To discuss the variance of working expectation values and actual satisfaction degree in nursing college graduates from various aspects and evaluate their actual career mentality.Methods We investigated the working expectation values and actual satisfaction degree in nursing college graduates who graduated from Chengde medical college in 2004 and 2005.Results The working expectation values and actual satisfaction degree had statistical difference in 5 aspects(P<0.05).We subsequently compared the expectation values between each two groups and drew out the conclusion that these nursing graduates had great requirement of being understood and respected.Conclusion The nursing graduates had higher working expectation values and lower satisfaction degree.They paid more attention to be understood and respected and were in great need of emotional support and mental satisfaction.Hospital administrators should help them accurately orient theirselves,establish career development plan,attach importanee to their mental requirement and adopt effective measures to improve their satisfaction degree and promote the healthy growth of nursing college graduates.
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Spleen cells of BALB/C mice immunized with medical urokinase were fused with FO and NS-1 myeloma cells three times, and six hybridoma cell lines(I-UB5, I-UD2, 3-UA2, 3-UD12,3-UG2 and 3-UH7)secreting monoclonal antibodies against urokinase were obtained after screening.Of them, I-UB5 and I-UD2 v/ere cloned, frozen, stored, resuscitated and analysed chromosomally.It was found that I-UB5 and I-UD2 were clones obtained by fussing spleen cells of BALB/C mice with FO myeloma cells.Their subclasses are IgG1 and IgG2a respectively determined by immunodifussion and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The titers dctc-termined by ELISA were in the range of 10-2-10-3 in culture supernatants, and 10-6-10-7 in ascitic fluid.The I-UB5 and I-UD2 were proved to be monoclonal antibodies against high molecular weight subunit of urokinase, since they did not react with the purified low molecular weight subunit of, but reacted with mixed subunit of urokinase