Expert consensus on computed tomography-assisted three-dimensional-printed coplanar template guidance for interstitial permanent radioactive 125I seed implantation therapy

Interstitial permanent radioactive seed implantation delivers a high local dose to tumors and sharply drops off at surrounding normal tissues. Radioactive seeds implanted via ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) guidance are minimally invasive and facilitate quick recovery. Transrectal ultrasound-guided 125I seed implantation assisted by a transperineal plane template is standard for early-stage prostate carcinoma, with a highly consistent target volume dose distribution. The postplan dose evaluation is consistent with the preplan evaluation. Until now, there was no workflow for seed implantation elsewhere in the body, and it was difficult to effectively preplan for seed implantation because of patients' position changes, organ movement, and bone structure interference. Along with three-dimensional (3D) printing techniques and seed implantation planning systems for brachytherapy, coplanar and X Y axis coordinate templates were created, referred to as 3D-printed coplanar templates (3D-PCT). 125I seed implantation under CT guidance with 3D-PCT assistance has been very successful in some carcinomas. Preplanning was very consistent with postplanning of the gross tumor volume. All needles are kept parallel for 3D-PCT, with no coplanar needle rearrangement. No standard workflow for 3D-PCT-assisted seed implantation exists at present. The consensus topics for CT-assisted guidance compared to 3D-PCT-assisted guidance for seed implantation are as follows: Indications for seed implantation, preplanning, definition of radiation doses and dosimetry evaluation, 3D-PCT workflow, radiation protection, and quality of staff. Despite current data supporting 125I seed implantation for some solid carcinomas, there is a need for prospectively-randomized multicenter clinical trials to gather strong evidence for using 125I seed implantation in other solid carcinomas

Mechanisms of miR-503 inhibiting radio-resistance of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells by targeting ERCC1 / 中国肿瘤生物治疗杂志

@# Objective: To investigate the mechanism of miR-503 modulates radio-resistance of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) by targeting excision-repair cross-complementing 1 (ERCC1). Methods: The expression level of miR-503 in radio-resistant ESCC tumor tissues and KYSE140 and KYSE140R cells was detected by qPCR. The miR-503 mimic, miR-503 inhibitor or si-ERCC1 was transfected into KYSE140 and KYSE140R cells.After radiation treatment, the colony formation assay and CCK-8 assay were used to detect the proliferation of KYSE140R cells. Flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis of KYSE140R cells. WB was used to detect changes in protein expression of ERCC1. Dual luciferase reporter gene assay was used to validate the targeting relationship between miR-503 and ERCC1. Results: The expression level of miR-503 was down-regulated in radio-resistant tissues and ESCC cell lines (all P<0.01). Over-expression of miR-503 significantly inhibited cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis of KYSE140R cells (all P<0.01). Dual-luciferase reporter assay validated that ERCC1 was a target gene of miR-503, and miR-503 negatively regulated the expression of ERCC1. Over-expression of miR-503 significantly down-regulated the expression of ERCC1 in KYSE140 and KYSE140R cells (both P<0.01), inhibited cell proliferation (both P<0.01), but significantly increased apoptosis rate (all P<0.01); knockdown of ERCC1 exhibited a similar effect, while knockdown of both ERCC1 and miR-503 reversed the above effects. Conclusion: Over-expression of miR-503 up-regulated the radio-sensitivity of KYSE140R cells by targeting ERCC1.

Long-term outcomes of surgical closure of atrial septal defects and concomitant surgical radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To evaluate long-term outcomes of surgical closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) and combined surgical radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods    A total of consecutive 15 patients with ASD undergoing surgical closure of ASD and combined surgical radiofrequency ablation in our department between March 2003 and April 2015. There were 7 males and 8 females at an average age of 47.1±10.8 years ranging from 16 to 62 years. Retrospective analysis and follow-up were performed to evaluate long-term success rate freedom from AF after surgery. Results    All patients recovered and discharged, and no patient suffered death or stroke. The duration of follow-up was from 3 to 136 months for all patients. Success rate freedom from AF at 1, 3, 5 and 10 years was 81.3%, 75.0%, 68.8% and 61.1%, respectively. During follow-up, there was no death or stroke. One patient required permanent pacemaker implantation. Conclusion    Concomitant surgical closure of ASD and biatrial radiofrequency ablation is safe and effetive with better long-term outcomes. It is necessary to perform the two procedures together for ASD patients.

A morphometric study on the skull of donkey (Equus asinus) / Estudio morfométrico del cráneo del burro (Equus asinus)

The present study was carried out on a number of 16 skulls of adult male domestic donkeys. Craniometric measurements for 40 different parts of the skulls were made. All investigated features were expressed as Mean±SD. Cephalic indices and ratios were calculated by using the investigated features. The craniometric measurements and cephalic indices had been compared with those of local horses and ponies. A skull length of 443.07±53.57 mm and a maximum zygomatic width of 169.09±17.64 mm were obtained. The size of donkey skull was between those of local horses and ponies. A skull index of 38.23±0.85, a cranial index of 45.01±2.83 and a facial index of 67.80±3.79 were obtained. Cranial index and skull index were found to be close in value to that of local horses and ponies. The results of this study revealed that donkey had a longer nose than local horse and pony, and the difference of skull length in the three species accounted for the facial length difference.

Se realizó un estudio sobre una serie de 16 cráneos pertenecientes a burros domésticos adultos, de sexo masculino. Se hicieron mediciones craneométricas en 40 partes diferentes de las muestras. Todas las características investigadas se expresaron como media ± desviación estándar, calculándose índices y proporciones cefálicas. Se compararon las mediciones craneométricas e índices cefálicos con los de caballos y ponis de la zona. La longitud del cráneo obtenida fue de 443,07±53,57 mm, con una anchura máxima del hueso cigomático de 169,09±17,64 mm. El tamaño del cráneo del burro se ubicó entre el de los caballos y los ponis locales. Se obtuvo un índice de cráneo de 38,23±0,85, un índice craneal de 45,01±2,83 y un índice facial de 67,80±3,79. Los índices craneal y de cráneo encontrados fueron cercanos a los valores correspondientes a los caballos y ponis locales. Los resultados de este estudio revelaron que el burro tenía una nariz más larga que el caballo y el poni. Además, la diferencia en longitud del cráneo en las tres especies representa la diferencia de longitud facial.