Biofilm formation dominated by sophisticated social behaviors in Myxococcus xanthus / 生物工程学报

Myxococcus xanthus is a Gram-negative soil bacterium capable of performing sophisticated cellular behaviors and growing one of the most intricate bacterial single-species biofilms in nature. During the process of biofilm formation, social behaviors of M. xanthus cells dominate key steps of the biofilm establishment, e.g., cellular motility on solid surface, predatory behavior by the grouped cells, kin recognition in the community, fruiting body development, myxospore differentiation, and programmed cell death. This review introduces the recent research progress about the M. xanthus biofilms.

Chimaphilin inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in multidrug resistant osteosarcoma cell lines through insulin-like growth factor-I receptor (IGF-IR) signaling.

Chimaphilin, an active compound separated from pyrola, possesses the highly efficient antitumor activities. Insulin-like growth factor-I receptor (IGF-IR) plays an important role in tumor cell survival. To look for effective strategies for interrupting IGF-IR signaling pathway, we found that chimaphilin can inhibit the receptor tyrosine kinase activity of IGF-IR. Chimaphilin inhibited the growth of both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant osteosarcoma cell lines in a time and dose-dependent manner; however, it showed relatively little toxicity in normal osteoblast cell lines. Chimaphilin can increase the sensitivity of doxorubicin in doxorubicin-resistant osteosarcoma cell lines. Additionally, small interfering RNA downregulation of IGF-IR expression in drug-resistant cell lines also caused resensitization to doxorubicin. Above all, we conclude that chimaphilin represents a valuable natural source and may potentially be applicable for reversing the drug-resistant phenotype in osteosarcoma therapy.

Dosimetric comparison of two intensity modulated radiotherapy modes for breast cancer after radical mastectomy / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Objective To evaluate the dose distribution of target volume and normal tissues in forward intensity modulated radiotherapy (fIMRT) and inverse intensity modulated radiotherapy (iIMRT) modes for breast cancer after radical mastectomy.Methods Both fIMRT and iIMRT plans were developed for 10 patients with breast cancer after radical mastectomy.On each patient's CT images the supraclavicular area, chest wall, and internal mammary area were delineated.The prescription dose was 50 Gyin 25fractions.In the fIMRT plan X-ray irradiation at the dose of 6 MV was adopted for the supraclavicular and the chest wall areas and electron irradiation at the dose of 9 - 12 MeV was adopted for the internal mammary area, and the doses of cold and hot spots were adjusted according to the fitting doses of these 3 regions.In the iIMRT plan the supraclavicular area, chest wall, and internal mammary area were taken asa whole target, 6 MV X-rays was used, and inverse optimal design was performed.The dose distribution oftarget volume and normal tissues, conformal index (CI) , and heterogeneous index (HI) , and acceleratormonitor unit (MU) were analyzed using dose-volume histogram (DVH)for the two intensity modulated modes.Results The maximum dose of PTV of the iIMRT plan was significantly lower than that of the fIMRT plan(t = -3.23,P ＜0.05), the minimum dose and V95% of PTV of the iIMRT were significantly higher than those of the fIMRT plan(t = 4.08, -2.69, both P ＜0.05).The CI level of the iIMRT plan was significantly higher than that of the fIMRT plan and the HI level of the iIMRT plan was significantly lower than that of the fIMRT plan (t = -3.13, 2.74, both P ＜0.05).There were not significant differences in V10, V20, V25, V30, and Dmean of the ipsilateral lung between these 2 groups.However, the V15 of ipsilateral lung of the iIMRT group was significantly lower by 4.2% than that of the fIMRT group (t= 3.2, P ＜ 0.05).There were not significant differences in the mean dose (Dmean) and V30 of heart, and Dmean of contralateral lung and contralateral breast between these 2 groups.Conclusions Compared with fIMRT, the iIMRT plan results in more PTV coverage, higher conformity index, and more homogeneous dose distribution, with lower dose upon the lung at the affected side, and better protection of the contralateral lung, heart, and breast.

Dosimetric comparison of fixed field intensity modulated radiation therapy and RapidArc volumetric modulated arc therapy in treatment of multiple intracranial metastases / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Objective To evaluate the performace of fixed field Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and RapidArc in the radiotherapy for multiple intracranial metastases.Methods The clinical data of 10 patients with multiple intracranial metastases,8 male and 2 female,aged 65-73,were used to design 3 plans:fixed field IMRT,RapidArc with single Arc (RA1),and RapidArc with double Arc (Arc 2).Dose-volume-histogram analysis was used to compare dose results,monitor unit,and delivery time.Results All 3 plans met the clinical requirements.The best target conformity and homogeneity were observed in the RA2 plan (Z = -2.803,- 2.904,P ＜ 0.05) and there were no statistical differences between the IMRT plan and RA1 plan.The maximum doses to the lens,eyes,and brainstem of the two RapidArc plans were all significantly lower than those of the IMRT plan(Z = -2.803--2.191 ,P ＜0.05),and the maximum dose to the optic nerves of the RA2 plan was significantly lower than that of the IMRT plan (Z = -2.293,-2.701 ,P ＜0.05).Compared with the IMRT plan,the average monitor units of the RA1 and RA2 plans were reduced by 29% and 24%,respectively,and the delivery time of these plans were significantly shorter by 84% and 69%,respectively.Conclusions Compared to the IMRT plan,RapidArc plans with single or double Arcs show similar or better effects in the target dose distribution,reduction of irradiation doses on organs at risk and,moreover,significant decrease of the monitor units and delivery time.