Fewer beams and segments result in a shorter delivery time and a better quality intensity-modulated radiotherapy plan in gastric cancer

Background: This study evaluated whether IMRT using fewer beams and segments could reduce delivery time without compromising plan quality in gastric cancer adjuvant radiotherapy

Materials and Methods: Fifteen patients with advanced gastric cancer who underwent D2, R0 surgery were included in this study. IMRT plans for each patient were designed as 7 equal beams with 40 segments, 5 beams with 25 segments and 4 beams with 20 segments. The dosimetric parameters were compared for the planned target volume [PTV]. The dose of normal organs at risk [OARs] was also assessed. The monitor units and treatment times of the different IMRT plans were calculated

Results: The 20-segment IMRT plan significantly reduced the PTV maximum dose compared to the 40-segment IMRT plan. The 20-segment IMRT plan improved left kidney and liver dose sparing in V20 and V30 as well as the 40-segment IMRT plan did and provided be4er protection for the V20 [13.86+/-7.78] of the right kidney, the V30 [9.25+/-4.04] of the le kidney, the D mean [19.68+/-2.47] of liver and D max [38.79+/-3.57] of the spinal cord. Irradiation times in the 20-segment and 25-segment plans decreased by 2.5 and 1.9 min, respectively, compared to the 40-segment IMRT plan

Conclusion: IMRT using fewer beams and segments reduced delivery time without compromising plan quality in gastric cancer adjuvant radiotherapy. Fewer segments IMRT plans lowered the monitor units and the treatment time

Ultrasonography of immature teratomas: 11 case reports

Ovarian immature teratoma is a very rare type of tumor associated with a high relapse rate and mortality. Correspondingly, early diagnosis is important for effective treatment. The goal of this study was to retrospectively analyze the ultrasound characteristics of 11 cases of immature teratomas. Between January 2002 and December 2010, 11 patients were diagnosed with pathologically confirmed immature teratomas. Patients enrolled in this study underwent a transabdominal ultrasound examination prior to surgery. Tumor size, shape, internal echo, calcification, cystic degeneration, and blood flow for each immature teratoma were analyzed. Levels of alpha fetal protein [alphaFP] were also evaluated. The average tumor size was 8 cm [range, 4-13]. Echo patterns obtained included mixed echo [n = 7], solid echo [n = 2], and cystic echo [n = 2]. Coarse calcifications were detected in five cases, while blood flow signal was detected in one case, and ascites were detected in three cases. Only one case had elevated levels of alphaFP. Ultrasound imaging of immature teratomas detected large tumors that were predominantly involved mixed-echo masses, cystic degeneration, and coarse calcification on the cavity wall. In some cases, blood flow signal was detected in the mass and ascites were present in the abdominal cavity

Lack of efficacy of a herbal preparation (RCM-102) for seasonal allergic rhinitis: a double blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND: A herbal preparation, known as RMIT Chinese Medicine 102 (RCM-102) consisting of eight herbs which demonstrates inhibition of the release of key inflammatory mediators associated with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) was used. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of RCM-102 for SAR. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of RCM-102 for SAR. METHODS: This randomised placebo-controlled trial involved subjects aged between 18 and 65 who were randomly assigned to either RCM-102 or a placebo group. After a two-week baseline period, all subjects took either RCM-102 or placebo capsules (two capsules each time, three times daily with a four hour interval) for a period of eight weeks. The primary end-points were the Five-Point Scale symptom scores. Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire, relief medication usage, adverse events, kidney and liver function tests and full blood examination were secondary end-points. Intention-to-treat analysis was applied. RESULTS: One hundred and four subjects were randomised with 52 in each group. Ninety-five subjects (47 and 48 subjects in RCM-102 and placebo groups) completed the trial. Nine subjects withdrew from the study prior to the end of the second treatment week. At the end of the trial, there were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to all outcome measures. There were no liver or kidney function abnormalities reported. CONCLUSION: This mechanism-based RCM-102 was safe but not more beneficial than placebo for patients with SAR.

Key uncertainty sources analysis of water quality model using the first order error method

In this study, key uncertainty sources analysis was undertaken for a dynamic water model using a First order error analysis method. First, a dynamic water quality model for the Three Gorges Reservoir Regions was established using data after impoundment by the environmental fluid dynamics code model package. Model calibration and verification were then conducted using measured data collected during 2004 and 2006. Four statistical indices were employed to assess the modeling efficiency. The results indicated that the model simulated the variables well, with most relative error being less than 25%. Next, input and parameter uncertainty analysis were conducted for ammonia nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, total nitrogen, and dissolved oxygen at 3 grid cells located in the upper, middle and downstream portions of the research area. For the nitrogen related variables, input from Zhutuo Station, the Jialingjiang River, and the Wujiang River were the main sources of uncertainty. Point and nonpoint sources also accounted for a large ratio of uncertainty. Moreover, nitrification contributed some uncertainty to the estimated ammonia nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen. However, reaeration was found to be a key source of uncertainty for dissolved oxygen, especially at the middle and downstream reaches. The analysis conducted in this study gives a quantitative assessment for uncertainty sources of each variable, and provides guidance for further pollutant loading reduction in the Three Gorge Reservoir Region