Comprehensive Treatment Uncertainty Analysis and PTV Margin Estimation for Fiducial Tracking in Robotic Liver Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy.

Objective: This study aims to quantify the uncertainties of CyberKnife Synchrony fiducial tracking for liver stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) cases, and evaluate the required planning target volume (PTV) margins.

Methods: A total of 11 liver tumor patients with a total of 57 fractions, who underwent SBRT with synchronous fiducial tracking, were enrolled for the present study. The correlation/prediction model error, geometric error, and beam targeting error were quantified to determine the patient-level and fraction-level individual composite treatment uncertainties.

[Chromosome polymorphisms and their influence on semen quality and sperm DNA integrity in males undergoing IVF/ICSI].

Objective: To investigate the incidence of chromosome polymorphisms and their influence on semen quality and sperm DNA integrity in male patients receiving in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the chromosomal karyotypes and the types and incidence rate of chromosome polymorphisms in 2 370 male patients undergoing IVF/ICSI between June 2016 and June 2018. We classified the patients into groups A (with variation in the secondary constriction region in the autosomal long arm), B (with variation in the short arm of the D/G group chromosomes), C (with interbrachial inversion of chromosome 9) and D (with Y chromosome polymorphisms), and compared the semen parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation indexes (DFI) between the patients with chromosome polymorphisms and those with normal chromosomes.

LW-AFC, a new formula derived from Liuwei Dihuang decoction, ameliorates behavioral and pathological deterioration via modulating the neuroendocrine-immune system in PrP-hAβPPswe/PS1 transgenic mice.

Background: Accumulating evidence implicates the neuroendocrine immunomodulation (NIM) network in the physiopathological mechanism of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Notably, we previously revealed that the NIM network is dysregulated in the PrP-hAβPPswe/PS1 (APP/PS1) transgenic mouse model of AD.

Methods: After treatment with a novel Liuwei Dihuang formula (LW-AFC), mice were cognitively evaluated in behavioral experiments.

Neuroendocrine immunomodulation network dysfunction in SAMP8 mice and PrP-hAβPPswe/PS1ΔE9 mice: potential mechanism underlying cognitive impairment.

Senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 strain (SAMP8) and PrP-hAβPPswe/PS1ΔE9 (APP/PS1) mice are classic animal models of sporadic Alzheimer's disease and familial AD respectively. Our study showed that object recognition memory, spatial learning and memory, active and passive avoidance were deteriorated and neuroendocrine immunomodulation (NIM) network was imbalance in SAMP8 and APP/PS1 mice. SAMP8 and APP/PS1 mice had their own specific phenotype of cognition, neuroendocrine, immune and NIM molecular network.

[Normal sperm morphology and the outcomes of routine in vitro fertilization].

Objective: To explore the application value of morphology assessment of sperm from fresh semen in routine in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Methods: We analyzed the morphology of the sperm from fresh or optimized semen samples and, based on the sperm morphology of the raw semen, allocated 908 IVF cycles due to the pure tubal factor to different groups: morphologically normal sperm (MNS) ≤ 4%, > 4% - ≤ 15%, and > 15% in Trial 1 and MNS ≤ 1%, > 1% - ≤ 2%, > 2% - ≤ 3%, and > 3%-- ≤ 4% in Trial 2. We compared the rates of fertilization, cleavage, high-quality embryo, -blastocyst formation, and pregnancy among different groups.

Effect of sperm DNA fragmentation on clinical outcomes for Chinese couples undergoing in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Objective To investigate the effect of sperm DNA fragmentation on the fertilization rate, embryo development and pregnancy outcome of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in a cohort of Chinese couples. Methods Infertile couples that had undergone assisted reproductive technology at our centre between January 2011 and December 2013 were included in this retrospective study. Fractions of prepared sperm samples were evaluated for sperm DNA fragmentation on the day of oocyte recovery.

The injury progression of T lymphocytes in a mouse model with subcutaneous injection of a high dose of sulfur mustard.

Background: In clinical studies, the findings on sulfur mustard (SM) toxicity for CD3(+)CD4(+) and CD3(+)CD8(+) T lymphocyte subsets are contradictory. In animal experiments, the effect of SM on the T cell number and proliferation is incompatible and is even the opposite of the results in human studies. In this study, we observed the dynamic changes of T lymphocytes in the first week in a high-dose SM-induced model.

Lycium barbarum polysaccharide LBPF4-OL may be a new Toll-like receptor 4/MD2-MAPK signaling pathway activator and inducer.

Recognition of the utility of the traditional Chinese medicine Lycium barbarum L. has been gradually increasing in Europe and the Americas. Many immunoregulation and antitumor effects of L.

Cytosine arabinoside promotes cytotoxic effect of T cells on leukemia cells mediated by bispecific antibody.

Chemotherapeutic drugs can enhance an immune response of the host against the tumor in addition to killing cancer cells by direct cytotoxicity. Therefore, the combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy is a promising approach for eliminating tumors, particularly in advanced stages. A strategic medication is to use a bispecific antibody format that is capable of recruiting polyclonal T cells around antibody-target-expressing tumor cells.

Y27, a novel derivative of 4-hydroxyquinoline-3-formamide, prevents the development of murine systemic lupus erythematosus-like diseases in MRL/lpr autoimmune mice and BDF1 hybrid mice.

Introduction: Naturally occurring CD4+CD25+ regulatory T (Treg) cells are central to the maintenance of peripheral tolerance. Impaired activity and/or a lower frequency of these cells lead to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Manipulating the number or activity of Treg cells is to be a promising strategy in treating it and other autoimmune diseases.

The green tea polyphenol (2)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is not a β-secretase inhibitor.

(2)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is a major polyphenolic component of green tea. A number of studies have demonstrated EGCG has the possibility for delaying the onset or retarding the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and indicated EGCG possess inhibition of β-secretase activity. We utilized homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence assay with a substrate Eu-CEVNLDAEFK-Qsy7 to screen β-secretase inhibitor in a cell-free system and AlphaLISA assay in cell system.

The activity and mRNA expression of β-secretase, cathepsin D, and cathepsin B in the brain of senescence-accelerated mouse.

The senescence accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8), an animal model of Alzheimer's disease, has amyloid-β deposition in the brain. This study showed that β-secretase activity increased age-dependently in cerebral cortex of SAMP8 and SAMP8's control, SAM resistant/1 (SAMR1), and was higher in the hippocampus of SAMP8 than that of age-matched SAMR1. Cathepsin D activity also increased age-dependently in the cerebral cortex of SAMP8.

[Anti-sense miRNA-21 oligonucleotide inhibits Tb 3.1 human tongue squamous cell carcinoma growth in vitro].

Objective: To investigate the effect of micro RNA-21 (miRNA-21) knocking on the Tb3.1 human tongue squamous cell carcinoma growth.

Methods: Anti-sense miRNA-21 oligonucleotide was delivered with oligofectamine to suppress Tb 3.

Reconstruction of defects following surgery for hypopharyngeal carcinoma using artificial biological material.

Conclusions: Use of artificial biological material – acellular dermal matrix (Alloderm, ADM) – combined with pectoralis major myocutaneous flaps (PMMFs) or other cervical tissue is a feasible technique with which to reconstruct a large circumferential defect involving the oral cavity and hypopharynx.

Objective: This paper presents a review of seven patients with advanced hypopharyngeal carcinoma treated at Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, China, over a 4-year period.

Methods: ADM was used in the form of tissue patches for reconstruction.

Clinical and pathological analysis of malignant carotid body tumour: a report of nine cases.

Conclusions: Malignant carotid body tumour (MCBT) is a clinically rare disease that often invades the carotid artery and cranial nerves. Diagnosis of malignant tumour should be based on extensive invasion of neighbouring organs and distant metastasis. Extensive resection should be undertaken early.

Fingerprint of Hedyotis diffusa Willd. by HPLC-MS.

A HPLC-MS fingerprint method has been developed based on the consistent chromatographic features of the major chemical constituents among 10 batches of Hedyotis diffusa Willd. Chromatographic separation was conducted on a Hypersil-Keystone Hypurity C(18) column using methanol:water:acetic acid as the mobile phase. Major compounds, including oleanolic acid, ursolic acid and ferulic acid, were analysed by HPLC-MS.

Inhibitory effect of linomide on lipopolysaccharide-induced proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha production in RAW264.7 macrophages through suppression of NF-kappaB, p38, and JNK activation.

Linomide is an immunomodulator that can effectively inhibit the development of several autoimmune diseases in animal models. Previously, linomide was shown to influence macrophage function, although the mechanism was elusive. In this study, we investigated the effect of linomide on the macrophage inflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), production induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vitro on the murine macrophage cell line, RAW264.

Observation of the 71Pig state of Na2 by optical-optical double resonance spectroscopy.

The 71Pig Rydberg state of Na2 correlating with the separated atom limit Na(3s) + Na(5p) has been observed using high-resolution cw optical-optical double resonance spectroscopy. A total of 104 identified rovibrational levels in the range v = 0-12 and 11 View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Influence of carrier proteins on the immunologic response to haptenic antitetrodotoxin vaccine.

Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a haptenic, highly toxic neurotoxin with no specific antidote available yet. Anti-TTX vaccine is being studied for antitoxin development. The effectiveness of the carrier protein in eliciting TTX-specific antibody response was comparatively studied.

Subchronic toxicity studies of Radix Astragali extract in rats and dogs.

Radix Astragali extract (RAE) is obtained from Astragalus membranaceus. It consists of Astragalus polysaccharide and Astragalus membranaceus saponins. In the study, we observed the subchronic toxicity of RAE in Sprague-Dawley rats and beagle dogs to evaluate the safety dosage range in clinical application.

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel 4-hydro-quinoline-3-carboxamide derivatives as an immunomodulator.

A series of novel quinoline-3-carboxamide derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their immunomodulatory activity. The compounds were tested in vitro for effects on spleen lymphocyte proliferation and TNF-alpha production by macrophage. Three compounds showed immunomodulatory profiles similar to and more potent than those of linomide and FR137316 and were selected for further pharmacological studies in vivo.

Age-related changes in the oestrous cycle and reproductive hormones in senescence-accelerated mouse.

To investigate age-related changes in the oestrous cycle and reproductive hormone levels in senescence-accelerated mouse (SAM), we examined these parameters in 3-, 5-, 7-, 9- and 11-month-old female SAM-prone/8 (SAMP8) and SAM-resistant/1 (SAMR1) strains. Levels of beta-endorphin (beta-EP) and substance P (SP) in the hypothalamus were also measured. The oestrous cycle and dioestrus of 9-month-old SAMP8 mice were significantly prolonged compared with age-matched SAMR1 mice.

[Study on effect and mechanism of liuwei dihuang decoction in modulating hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary axis in senescence accelerated mice model].

Objective: To study the changes of hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary (HPO) axis of senescence accelerated mice (SAM) model in their aging process and the modulatory effect of Liuwei Dihuang decoction (LW) on the changes.

Methods: Using vaginal smear to test the estrous cycle of animal; using radioimmunoassay to determine serum levels of estradiol (E2), and beta-endorphin (beta-EP) and substance P (SP) in hypothalamus; and the western bloting technique was adopted to quantify the level of luteinizing hormone (LH) in pituitary and estradiol receptor alpha (ER alpha) in pituitary and ovary.

Results: The estrous cycle and diestrus were significantly prolonged as SAMP8 aged, the concentration of serum E2 was lower, pituitary LH was higher in the SAMP8 than those in SAMR1.