Calcium Peroxide-Based Hydrogel Patch with Sustainable Oxygenation for Diabetic Wound Healing.

Nonhealing diabetic wounds are predominantly attributed to the inhibition of angiogenesis, re-epithelialization, and extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis caused by hypoxia. Although oxygen therapy has demonstrated efficacy in promoting healing, its therapeutic impact remains suboptimal due to unsustainable oxygenation. Here, this work proposes an oxygen-releasing hydrogel patch embedded with polyethylene glycol-modified calcium peroxide microparticles, which sustainably releases oxygen for 7 days without requiring any supplementary conditions. The released oxygen effectively promotes cell migration and angiogenesis under hypoxic conditions as validated in vitro. The in vivo tests in diabetic mice models show that the sustainably released oxygen significantly facilitates the synthesis of ECM, induces angiogenesis, and decreases the expression of inflammatory cytokines, achieving a diabetic wound healing rate of 84.2% on day 7, outperforming the existing oxygen-releasing approaches. Moreover, the proposed hydrogel patch is designed with porous, soft, antibacterial, biodegradable, and storage stability for 15 days. The proposed hydrogel patch is expected to be promising in clinics treating diabetic wounds.

A Carbon Nanocomposite Material Used in the Physical Modelling of the Overburden Subsidence Process.

Carbon nanomaterial is widely used in structural health monitoring due to the advantage of sensitivity and good mechanical properties. This study presents a novel approach employing carbon nanocomposite materials (CNMs) to characterize deformation and damage evolution in physical modelling. As the primary measurement method, the CNM is used to investigate the deformation characteristics of a 200-400 m thick sandstone bed at a 1 km deep longwall mine. The sandstone unit is identified as an ultra-thick key stratum (UTKS), with its thicknesses varying across different mining panels of the UTKS. The results of CNM monitoring show that the UTKS remains stable even after a consecutive excavation of 900 m in width. This stability impedes the upward propagation of overlying strata failure, leading to minimal surface subsidence. The study demonstrates the huge potential of CNM in the mining area, which can be useful for investigating material damage in physical modelling studies. The findings suggest that the cumulative extraction width in individual mining areas of the mine should be controlled to avoid a sudden collapse of the UTKS, and that special attention should be paid to where the UTKS's thickness changes substantially. The substantial variation in UTKS thickness significantly impacts the pattern of overburden subsidence.

Variation in flavonoid and antioxidant activities of Pyrrosia petiolosa (Christ) Ching from different geographic origins.

Pyrrosia petiolosa (Christ) Ching has both medicinal and health benefits in China. The potential antioxidant activities of P. petiolosa, which are mainly attributed to its flavonoids, have attracted much attention in recent years. The present study aimed to determine the concentration of flavonoid components and evaluate the relative antioxidant activities of P. petiolosa from different geographic origins using a UPLC-MRM-MS-based metabolomics approach. In total, 97 flavonoid components were identified, and their concentrations in the samples from different geographic locations showed significant variation. Thirteen flavonoid components were identified as potential biomarkers for distinguishing between the two major regions, Guizhou (GZ) and Guangxi (GX). The GZ group showed higher total flavonoid content, free radical scavenging activities, and ferric reducing antioxidant power. The well positive correlations were found between the antioxidant capacities and some flavonoid markers. The ecogeographic factors, namely altitude and longitude, play a crucial role in the difference of antioxidant activities and flavonoids concentration. These results indicate that P. petiolosa is rich in flavonoid compounds and is a promising source of natural antioxidants, providing a basis for the quality control of P. petiolosa.

Robust Neural Interfaces with Photopatternable, Bioadhesive, and Highly Conductive Hydrogels for Stable Chronic Neuromodulation.

A robust neural interface with intimate electrical coupling between neural electrodes and neural tissues is critical for stable chronic neuromodulation. The development of bioadhesive hydrogel neural electrodes is a potential approach for tightly fixing the neural electrodes on the epineurium surface to construct a robust neural interface. Herein, we construct a photopatternable, antifouling, conductive (∼6 S cm-1), bioadhesive (interfacial toughness ∼100 J m-2), soft, and elastic (∼290% strain, Young's modulus of 7.25 kPa) hydrogel to establish a robust neural interface for bioelectronics. The UV-sensitive zwitterionic monomer can facilitate the formation of an electrostatic-assembled conductive polymer PEDOT:PSS network, and it can be further photo-cross-linked into elastic polymer network. Such a semi-interpenetrating network endows the hydrogel electrodes with good conductivity. Especially, the photopatternable feature enables the facile microfabrication processes of multifunctional hydrogel (MH) interface with a characteristic size of 50 µm. The MH neural electrodes, which show improved performance of impedance, charge storage capacity, and charge injection capability, can produce effective electrical stimulation with high current density (1 mA cm-2) at ultralow voltages (±25 mV). The MH interface could realize high-efficient electrical communication at the chronic neural interface for stable recording and stimulation of a sciatic nerve in the rat model.

Magnetic soft robotic bladder for assisted urination.

The poor contractility of the detrusor muscle in underactive bladders (UABs) fails to increase the pressure inside the UAB, leading to strenuous and incomplete urination. However, existing therapeutic strategies by modulating/repairing detrusor muscles, e.g., neurostimulation and regenerative medicine, still have low efficacy and/or adverse effects. Here, we present an implantable magnetic soft robotic bladder (MRB) that can directly apply mechanical compression to the UAB to assist urination. Composed of a biocompatible elastomer composite with optimized magnetic domains, the MRB enables on-demand contraction of the UAB when actuated by magnetic fields. A representative MRB for a UAB in a porcine model is demonstrated, and MRB-assisted urination is validated by in situ computed tomography imaging after 14-day implantation. The urodynamic tests show a series of successful urination with a high pressure increase and fast urine flow. Our work paves the way for developing MRB to assist urination for humans with UABs.

Influence of stress distribution in coal seams of non-uniform extremely thick key stratum and disaster-causing mechanisms.

This paper analyzes the influence of the overlying extremely thick primary key stratum on the strong mine pressure hazard at the large mining face in Gaojiapu coal mine. The analysis of the distribution characteristics of the primary key stratum in the Gaojiapu coal mine reveals the bow-shaped structural characteristics of the overlying thick primary key stratum. An elastodynamic model was developed using the variational method to calculate and analyze the influence of the movement of the primary key stratum on the stress and energy of the underlying weak rock. The results show that the arch structure of the overlying extremely thick primary key stratum can significantly affect the distribution pattern of stress and strain energy in the coal body, and the stress and strain energy in the coal body are transferred to the middle of the coal column, and the middle region of the coal column enters a high stress state. These results suggest that the change in thickness of the overlying primary key stratum at Gaojiapu in the coal column area is a major factor in the frequent occurrence of impact ground pressure events at the mine. This study explains the causes of frequent impact ground pressure in the lower coal rock mass of the extremely thick primary key stratum, and provides a reference for the prevention and control of impact hazards in the extremely thick primary key stratum.

Research Progress on Artemisinin and Its Derivatives against Hematological Malignancies / 中国结合医学杂志

Although current therapeutic methods against hematological malignancies are effective in the early stage, they usually lose their effectiveness because of the development of drug resistances. Seeking new drugs with significant therapeutic effects is one of the current research hotspots. Artemisinin, an extract from the plant Artemisia annua Linne, and its derivatives have excellent antimalarial effects in clinical applications as well as excellent safety. Recent studies have documented that artemisinin and its derivatives (ARTs) also have significant effects against multiple types of tumours, including hematological malignancies. This review focuses on the latest research achievements of ARTs in the treatment of hematological malignancies as well as its mechanisms and future applications. The mechanisms of ARTs against different types of hematological malignancies mainly include cell cycle arrest, induction autophagy and apoptosis, inhibition of angiogenesis, production of reactive oxygen species, and induction of differentiation. Additionally, the review also summarizes the anticancer effects of ARTs in many drug-resistant hematological malignancies and its synergistic effects with other drugs.

Application value of chromosomal microarray analysis in prenatal diagnosis of lateral ventriculomegaly fetuses / 解放军医学杂志

Objective To analyze the genetic etiology of lateral ventriculomegaly fetal on the genome-wide level with chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA),and investigate the relationship between copy number variations (CNVs) and lateral ventriculomegaly and the application value of CMA in prenatal diagnosis of fetuses with lateral ventriculomegaly.Methods Seventy fetuses with lateral ventriculomegaly but normal or uncertain karyotype were selected and invasive prenatal diagnosis was performed in Xi Jing Hospital of the Fourth Military Medical University from Jan.2015 to Nov.2016.Microarray testing was performed using Affymetrix CytoScanTM 750k arrays and the results were analyzed according to biological information science database.The fetal development was regularly inspected,and follow up was conducted to find out the pregnancy outcome and fetal postnatal conditions.Results In 70 cases of lateral ventriculomegaly fetuses,there were 9 fetuses with pathogenic copy number variations (CNVs),3 fetuses with likely pathogenic CNVs and 1 fetus with likely pathogenic 1 oss of heterozygosity (LOH).During the 70 fetuses with lateral ventriculomegaly,2 pathogenic CNVs were detected in 6 fetuses with severe and non isolated lateral ventriculomegaly (33.3％).Pathogenic CNVs was not detected but 1 likely pathogenic CNV was detected in 3 fetuses with severe and isolated lateral ventriculomegaly (33.3％).Six pathogenic CNVs were detected in 31 mild and non isolated lateral ventriculomegaly (19.4％),and 2 likely pathogenic CNVs were also detected in these group (6.5％).One pathogenic CNV and 1 likely pathogenic CNV were detected in 30 fetuses with mild and isolated fetal lateral ventriculomegaly.Conclusions CMA can identify chromosome abnormality microdeletion/microduplication which was unrecognizable by conventional karyotyping analysis.The application of CMA may increase the detection rate of pathogenic CNVs in fetuses with lateral ventriculomegaly,and benefit evaluation of fetal prognosis in prenatal genetic counselling.

Discovery of novel aromatase inhibitors using a homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence assay.

AIM: Aromatase is an important target for drugs to treat hormone-dependent diseases, including breast cancer. The aim of this study was to develop a homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence (HTRF) aromatase assay suitable for high-throughput screening (HTS). METHODS: A 384-well aromatase HTRF assay was established, and used to screen about 7000 compounds from a compound library. Anti-proliferation activity of the hit was evaluated using alamarBlue(R) assay in a hormone-dependent breast cancer cell line T47D. Molecular docking was conducted to elucidate the binding mode of the hit using the Discovery Studio program. RESULTS: The Z' value and signal to background (S/B) ratio were 0.74 and 5.4, respectively. Among the 7000 compounds, 4 hits (XHN22, XHN26, XHN27 and triptoquinone A) were found to inhibit aromatase with IC50 values of 1.60±0.07, 2.76±0.24, 0.81±0.08 and 45.8±11.3 µmol /L, respectively. The hits XHN22, XHN26 and XHN27 shared the same chemical scaffold of 4-imidazolyl quinoline. Moreover, the most potent hit XHN27 at 10 and 50 µmol/L inhibited the proliferation of T47D cells by 45.3% and 35.2%, respectively. The docking study revealed that XHN27 docked within the active site of aromatase and might form a hydrogen bond and had a π-cation interaction with amino acid residues of the protein. CONCLUSION: XHN27, an imidazolyl quinoline derivative of flavonoid, is a potent aromatase inhibitor with anti-proliferation activity against breast cancer in vitro. The established assay can be used in HTS for discovering novel aromatase inhibitor.

JAK2V617F mutation and TNF-α expression in myeloproliferative neoplasms and their correlation / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was aimed to explore the JAK2V617F mutation and TNF-α expression in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN), and the relation between them so as to provide theoretical basis for clinical practice and target therapy. Sixty-two confirmed BCR-ABL-negative MPN patients and 15 healthy adults were enrolled in this study. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells of the patients and healthy controls were divided into two parts, one part was used to extract DNA, the other one was used to extract mRNA and reverse-transcribe into cDNA. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to detect JAK2V617F mutation proportion and the expression level of TNF-α. The results showed that the positive rate of JAK2V617F mutation in MPN patients was 64.52% (40/62) , including 54.28% in essential thrombocythemia (ET) patients (19/35), 94.74% in polycythemia vera (PV) patients (18/19) and 37.50% in myelofibrosis (MF) (3/8) patients. Mutation proportions of JAK2V617F in ET, PV and MF patients were 0.838 ± 0.419, 4.417 ± 0.658, 2.746 ± 2.009 respectively. The expression of TNF-α in ET, PV and MF patients were higher than that in healthy controls: 1.7, 7.0, 8.2-fold (P < 0.05) respectively. In addition, TNF-α expression was correlated with JAK2V617F allele burden (Pearson r = 0.610,R(2) = 0.372,P = 0.005). It is concluded that TNF-α plays an important role in the pathogenesis of MPN, the TNF-α expression increases and is different in ET,PV and MF patients,which correlates with JAK2V617F allele burden.

A comparison of the performances of an artificial neural network and a regression model for GFR estimation.

BACKGROUND: Accurate estimation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is important in clinical practice. Current models derived from regression are limited by the imprecision of GFR estimates. We hypothesized that an artificial neural network (ANN) might improve the precision of GFR estimates. STUDY DESIGN: A study of diagnostic test accuracy. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: 1,230 patients with chronic kidney disease were enrolled, including the development cohort (n=581), internal validation cohort (n=278), and external validation cohort (n=371). INDEX TESTS: Estimated GFR (eGFR) using a new ANN model and a new regression model using age, sex, and standardized serum creatinine level derived in the development and internal validation cohort, and the CKD-EPI (Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration) 2009 creatinine equation. REFERENCE TEST: Measured GFR (mGFR). OTHER MEASUREMENTS: GFR was measured using a diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid renal dynamic imaging method. Serum creatinine was measured with an enzymatic method traceable to isotope-dilution mass spectrometry. RESULTS: In the external validation cohort, mean mGFR was 49±27 (SD) mL/min/1.73 m2 and biases (median difference between mGFR and eGFR) for the CKD-EPI, new regression, and new ANN models were 0.4, 1.5, and -0.5 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively (P<0.001 and P=0.02 compared to CKD-EPI and P<0.001 comparing the new regression and ANN models). Precisions (IQRs for the difference) were 22.6, 14.9, and 15.6 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively (P<0.001 for both compared to CKD-EPI and P<0.001 comparing the new ANN and new regression models). Accuracies (proportions of eGFRs not deviating >30% from mGFR) were 50.9%, 77.4%, and 78.7%, respectively (P<0.001 for both compared to CKD-EPI and P=0.5 comparing the new ANN and new regression models). LIMITATIONS: Different methods for measuring GFR were a source of systematic bias in comparisons of new models to CKD-EPI, and both the derivation and validation cohorts consisted of a group of patients who were referred to the same institution. CONCLUSIONS: An ANN model using 3 variables did not perform better than a new regression model. Whether ANN can improve GFR estimation using more variables requires further investigation.

Estimation of glomerular filtration rate by a radial basis function neural network in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Accurate and precise estimates of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) are essential for clinical assessments, and many methods of estimation are available. We developed a radial basis function (RBF) network and assessed the performance of this method in the estimation of the GFRs of 207 patients with type-2 diabetes and CKD. METHODS: Standard GFR (sGFR) was determined by (99m)Tc-DTPA renal dynamic imaging and GFR was also estimated by the 6-variable MDRD equation and the 4-variable MDRD equation. RESULTS: Bland-Altman analysis indicated that estimates from the RBF network were more precise than those from the other two methods for some groups of patients. However, the median difference of RBF network estimates from sGFR was greater than those from the other two estimates, indicating greater bias. For patients with stage I/II CKD, the median absolute difference of the RBF network estimate from sGFR was significantly lower, and the P50 of the RBF network estimate (n = 56, 87.5%) was significantly higher than that of the MDRD-4 estimate (n = 49, 76.6%) (p < 0.0167), indicating that the RBF network estimate provided greater accuracy for these patients. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus, estimation of GFR by our RBF network provided better precision and accuracy for some groups of patients than the estimation by the traditional MDRD equations. However, the RBF network estimates of GFR tended to have greater bias and higher than those indicated by sGFR determined by (99m)Tc-DTPA renal dynamic imaging.

Expression of TIM-1 and TIM-3 in spleen mononuclear cells and their role in Th1 polarization in primary immune thrombocytopenia patients / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the expression and clinical significance of T cell immunoglobulin mucin (TIM)-1, TIM-3 and T cell-specific transcription factors T-bet and GATA-3 in spleen mononuclear cells in patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The spleen samples were obtained from 17 active ITP patients and 10 controls with spleen traumatic rupture. By using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, the mRNA expressions of TIM-3, TIM1, T-bet and GATA-3 were studied in all subjects.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>TIM-3 mRNA levels of active ITP patients were significantly decreased to (29 ± 16)% of that of control, TIM-1 mRNA levels of active ITP patients increased to (3.20 ± 2.18) folds of that of control, but the difference was not significant. The ratio of TIM-1/ TIM-3 was elevated in active ITP patients. T-bet mRNA levels were up-regulated in ITP patients by (2.82 ± 1.57) folds (P<0.05) and the expression of GATA3 was decreased by 14% folds (P<0.05) compared to controls. The ratio of T-bet/GATA3 were significantly elevated in ITP patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The imbalance between TIM-3 and TIM-1 expression might play an important role in pathogenesis of ITP.</p>

JAK2V617F mutation and p-STAT5 protein expression in peripheral blood cells of patients with myeloproliferative neoplasm and their relations with clinical features / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was aimed to explore the JAK2V617F mutation and p-STAT5 expression in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN), and investigate their relations with clinical characteristics so as to provide theoretical basis for clinical practice and target therapy. Forty-five confirmed BCR-ABL-negative MPN patients and 15 healthy adults were enrolled in this study. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR and Western blot were respectively used to detect JAK2V617F mutation proportion and p-STAT5 expression level. In addition, their relations with clinical characteristics of MPN were analyzed. The results showed that the positive rate of JAK2V617F mutation in MPN patients was 73.3% (33/45), including 83.3% in polycythemia vera (PV) patients (20/24), 68.8% in essential thrombocythemia (ET) patients (11/16) and 40.0% in idiopathic myelofibrosis (IMF) patients (2/5). Mutation proportions of JAK2V617F in PV, ET and IMF patients were 0.472 ± 0.245, 0.216 ± 0.162, 0.435 ± 0.239 respectively; gray values of p-STAT5 protein in PV, ET and IMF patients were 1.396 ± 0.758, 0.760 ± 0.623, 0.792 ± 0.612 respectively. JAK2V617F mutation proportion and p-STAT5 protein expression level showed a linear correlation (P < 0.05). PV patients with higher JAK2V617F mutation proportion had higher white blood cell count, hemoglobin level and hematocrit, but lower platelet count; ET patients with higher mutation proportion showed older and higher white blood cell count, hemoglobin level and hematocrit, there was no significant difference between platelet count; IMF patients with higher JAK2V617F mutation proportion showed lower white blood cell count, platelet count, hemoglobin level and hematocrit. Patients with JAK2V617F positive mutation were more likely complicated by splenomegaly, bleeding and thrombotic events. It is concluded that the incidence rate of JAK2V617F mutation is high in patients with MPN. Higher mutation proportion always connected with higher expression of p-STAT5, and easily complicates by splenomegaly and thrombotic events.

Secretion of IL-18 and IL-18 binding protein from splenocytes of ITP patients in vitro / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was aimed to investigate the expression and clinical significance of IL-18, IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP), IFN-γ and IL-4 secreted from splenocytes of patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in vitro. Spleen mononuclear cells (MNC) were prepared by using routine sterile method, and were cultured in RPMI 1640 complete medium containing 10 µg/ml PHA, 10% fetal calf serum at 37°C and 5% CO2. The levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-18 and IL-18BP secreted from MNC of ITP patients and normal controls were determined after culture for 48 hours. The results showed that after culture of spleen MNC for 48 hours, the levels of IL-18 and IFN-γ were significantly higher in patients with ITP than that in controls, but the levels of IL-18BP was not significantly elevated in ITP patients. The level of IL-4 was below the detectable limit of the assay used. It is concluded that imbalance between IL-18 and IL-18BP may play an important role in pathogenesis of ITP, and regulation of balance between IL-18 and IL-18BP may be a therapeutic approach against ITP.

The study of IL-18 and IL-18BP balance in aplastic anemia / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the role of IL-18 and IL-18BP balance in aplastic anemia (AA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 29 AA patients and 22 controls were recruited in present research. The expressions of IL-18 and IL-18BP were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA expressions of IL-18 and IL-18BP were measured in all subjects using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The levels of the IL-18 in plasma of AA and normals were (365.5 ± 160.6) pg/ml and (175.9 ± 92.8) pg/ml (P < 0.01); and the expression of IL-18 in severe AA patients (441.3 ± 116.9) pg/ml were higher than that in non-severe AA patients (326.4 ± 167.0) pg/ml (P < 0.05). The level of IL-18BP was increased in plasma of AA (1788.6 ± 523.8) pg/ml than in normals (1083.6 ± 489.6) pg/ml (P < 0.05). But the ratio of IL-18/IL-18BP in AA patients was much higher than that in controls (P < 0.05). RT-PCR revealed the levels of IL-18 and IL-18BP mRNA were up-regulated in AA patients when compared to controls, but the ratio of IL-18/IL-18BP was significantly elevated in AA patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>IL-18/IL-18BP imbalance may play an important role in pathogenesis of AA and regulating the balance of IL-18 and IL-18BP may be a therapeutic approach to AA.</p>

Colonization of a medical center in Southern Taiwan by epidemic strains of carbapenem- and multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and the genetic organization of their integrons.

A total of 46 carbapenem- and multidrug-resistant (CR- and MDR-)Acinetobacter baumannii bacteremic isolates from a Taiwanese medical center were investigated over the period 2000 to 2006 using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) profiling and by analysing the genetic organization of their integrons. The results of RAPD patterns revealed that before 2003 each CR- and MDR-A. baumannii bacteremic isolate was independent, but after 2003 the isolates appeared to belong in four epidemic strains and persisted in the hospital. All the CR- and MDR-A. baumannii strains harbored class I integron (intI1) genes. PCR amplification and nucleotide sequencing showed that the cassette genes of intI1 were found to form four different antibiotic-resistant gene alignments in those strains. The bla(IMP-1) gene in the cassette genes of intI1 was identified in a clone, which raised great concern that clonal spread of this strain or of an integron-mediated horizontal gene may have occurred.

The role of interleukin-18 and interleukin-18 receptor in predominant Th1 immune response of patients with immune thrombocytopenia / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the role of interleukin (IL)-18 and IL-18 receptor (IL-18R) in the predominant Th1 type cytokine response in patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifteen patients with active phase ITP, eighteen in remission and thirteen healthy controls were enrolled in this study. T-bet and GATA-3 mRNA levels in peripheral blood mononucleated cells (PBMNC) were measured by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR); the plasma IL-18 level by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the expression of IL-18R on CD3(+) lymphocytes and total lymphocytes by flow cytometry(FCM).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The T-bet mRNA levels in patients with active phase ITP was 3.572 fold as much as that in the controls (P < 0.05), while the GATA-3 mRNA levels were 0.378 fold of that in controls (P < 0.05). The levels of plasma IL-18 and IL-18R on CD3(+) lymphocytes were significantly increased in active phase ITP than in remission phase and controls. There was no difference in ratio of T-bet/GATA-3 between remitted ITP and controls and so was for T-bet mRNA, GATA-3 mRNA, plasma IL-18 and IL-18R on CD3(+) lymphocytes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ITP as a disease of Th1-dominant response there is an unbalance between T-bet and GATA-3 in its active phase; IL-18 and IL-18R being upregulated.</p>

Dosimetric verification of a commercial three-dimension treatment planning system / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective Objective To verify the accuracy of dose calculation and the precision of beam modeling in a Pinnacle three-dimension treatment planning system(TPS).Methods Based on the photon beam model data of a Varian 600C Linac,output factor verification and 12 tests were carried out ac- cording to the recommendation of Netherlands Commission on Radiation Dosimetry(NCS).The results of ion chamber measurement and TPS calculation at selected points were compared.Deviation and confidence limit were used to evaluate dose calculation accuracy.Results The Pinnacle TPS had a high precision of dose calculation when compared with the measurement data.Deviation of calculated output factors was＜1% on all opening patrols,and was＜3% on wedged portal except one with the size of 15 cm?40 cm and angled 60?.The results of 12 tests were in accordance with the criteria of NCS recommendation,with maximum av- erage deviation＜1%.The overall accuracy is better than those of other TPS reported in the literature. Conclusions Dose verification is a prerequisite before a three-dimension treatment planning system is used in the clinical practice.Pinnacle treatment planning system installed in our institute is reasonably acceptable and satisfactory.