A predator-prey model with genetic differentiation both in the predator and prey.

In this paper, we propose a predator-prey model with genetic differentiation both in the predator and prey. First, we analyze two special cases: a model without the predators and a model with one genotype in both the predator and prey, and for each model show that the positive equilibria are always globally stable when they exist, while the boundary equilibria are always unstable. Then, for the newly proposed model, we give the results that the positive equilibrium is always local stable when it exists, the boundary equilibrium at the origin is always unstable, and the stability of another boundary equilibrium is determined by the existence of the positive equilibrium.

Clinical and molecular characterization of POU3F4 mutations in multiple DFNX2 Chinese families.

Background: Many X-linked non-syndromic hearing loss (HL) cases are caused by various mutations in the POU domain class 3 transcription factor 4 (POU3F4) gene. This study aimed to identify allelic variants of this gene in two Chinese families displaying X-linked inheritance deafness-2 (DFNX2) and one sporadic case with indefinite inheritance pattern.

Methods: Direct DNA sequencing of the POU3F4 gene was performed in these families and in 100 Chinese individuals with normal hearing.

Radiosensitization of metformin in pancreatic cancer cells via abrogating the G2 checkpoint and inhibiting DNA damage repair.

Recent evidences have demonstrated the potential of metformin as a novel agent for cancer prevention and treatment. Here, we investigated its ability of radiosensitization and the underlying mechanisms in human pancreatic cancer cells. In this study, we found that metformin at 5 mM concentration enhanced the radiosensitivity of MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1 cells, with sensitization enhancement ratios of 1.

Intensity modulated radiotherapy for locally advanced and metastatic pancreatic cancer: a mono-institutional retrospective analysis.

Background: To evaluate the role of intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) and metastatic pancreatic cancer (MPC), and the prognostic factors in the setting of multidisciplinary approach strategies.

Methods: 63 patients with LAPC and MPC receiving IMRT in our institution were retrospectively identified. Information on patient baseline, treatment characteristics and overall survival (OS) time were collected.

Metformin is associated with reduced risk of pancreatic cancer in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aims: Recent epidemiological studies indicated that use of metformin might decrease the risk of various cancers among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, its influence on pancreatic cancer was controversial. Therefore, we did a meta-analysis of currently available observational studies on the issue.

A novel mutation in the TECTA gene in a Chinese family with autosomal dominant nonsyndromic hearing loss.

TECTA-related deafness can be inherited as autosomal-dominant nonsyndromic deafness (designated DFNA) or as the autosomal-recessive version. The α-tectorin protein, which is encoded by the TECTA gene, is one of the major components of the tectorial membrane in the inner ear. Using targeted DNA capture and massively parallel sequencing (MPS), we screened 42 genes known to be responsible for human deafness in a Chinese family (Family 3187) in which common deafness mutations had been ruled out as the cause, and identified a novel mutation, c.

[Surgical treatment of carotid body tumor: a report of 36 cases].

Objective: To study surgical methods and techniques to reduce complications in carotid body tumors (CBT).

Methods: A total of 36 patients with CBT treated by the same surgeon between 2004 and 2012 was reviewed. Clinical presentation, imaging, surgery techniques, postoperative complications and outcomes as well as follow-up evaluations were analyzed.

Expressions of nuclear factor-kappa B p50 and p65 and their significance in the up-regulation of intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 mRNA in the nasal mucosa of allergic rhinitis patients.

The purpose of the study was to investigate expressions of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 mRNA (ICAM-1 mRNA) in the nasal mucosa of allergic rhinitis (AR) patients. Expressions of NF-κB and ICAM-1 mRNA were studied using immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) in AR tissues and corresponding normal nasal mucosa. The correlation between NF-κB and ICAM-1 mRNA was studied using linear correlation analysis.

[Diagnosis and treatment of the primary parapharyngeal space tumors].

Objective: To study the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and surgical managements of the parapharyngeal space tumors.

Methods: A retrospective study of 40 patients with primary parapharyngeal space tumors treated from January 2006 to December 2008 in Chinese PLA General Hospital was performed. Among the 40 patients, there were male 22 patients, female 18 (45%), age ranged from 1 - 77, median 42 years old.

Use of combined maximum and minimum intensity projections to determine internal target volume in 4-dimensional CT scans for hepatic malignancies.

Background: To evaluate the accuracy of the combined maximum and minimum intensity projection-based internal target volume (ITV) delineation in 4-dimensional (4D) CT scans for liver malignancies.

Methods: 4D CT with synchronized IV contrast data were acquired from 15 liver cancer patients (4 hepatocellular carcinomas; 11 hepatic metastases). We used five approaches to determine ITVs: (1).

Is involved-field radiotherapy based on CT safe for patients with limited-stage small-cell lung cancer?

Purpose: To examine the pattern of failures in patients with limited-stage small-cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC) treated with involved-field radiotherapy (IFRT) and chemotherapy, with the aim of investigating the safety of IFRT.

Methods And Materials: Two consecutive clinical phase II trials in patients with LS-SCLC conducted in our center from 1997 to 2010 were reviewed retrospectively. Both trials had the same inclusion criteria.

Hepatic regeneration after sublethal partial liver irradiation in cirrhotic rats.

Our previous animal study had demonstrated that partial liver irradiation (IR) could stimulate regeneration in the protected liver, which supported the measurements adopted in radiotherapy planning for hepatocellular carcinoma. The purpose of this present study is to investigate whether cirrhotic liver repopulation could be triggered by partial liver IR. The cirrhosis was induced by thioacetamide (TAA) in rats.

Hepatic proliferation after partial liver irradiation in Sprague-Dawley rats.

The liver has powerful capability to proliferate in response to various injuries, but little is known as to liver proliferation after irradiation (IR) injury. This study investigated whether liver proliferation could be stimulated in low-dose irradiated liver by partial liver IR injury with high dose radiation. Sprague-Dawley rats were irradiated by 6-MV X-ray with single dose of 25 Gy to the right-half liver, while the left-half liver was shielded (0.

The effect of bioequivalent radiation dose on survival of patients with limited-stage small-cell lung cancer.

Background: To investigate the biological radiation dose-response for patients of limited-stage small-cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC) treated with high radiation dose.

Methods: Two hundred and five patients of LS-SCLC treated with sequential chemotherapy and thoracic radiotherapy with involved-field between 1997 and 2006 were reviewed retrospectively. Biologically effective dose (BED) was calculated for dose homogenization and was corrected with the factor of overall radiation time.

A natural process of cirrhosis resolution and deceleration of liver regeneration after thioacetamide withdrawal in a rat model.

Characteristics of thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver cirrhosis in rat was observed for 120 days after TAA withdrawal as part of the radiobiological study of partial liver irradiation on TAA-induced cirrhotic rats. The natural process focused on cirrhosis and regeneration was recorded as a baseline condition for the interpretation of the outcome of the partial liver irradiation study. Cirrhosis in rats was successfully induced by drinking 0.

Three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy and intensity-modulated radiation therapy combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: an irradiation dose escalation study.

Purpose: To determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT)/intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Methods And Materials: Patients were assigned to two subgroups based on tumor diameter: Group 1 had tumors <10 cm; Group II had tumors ≥10 cm. Escalation was achieved by increments of 4.

Maintenance of Sorafenib following combined therapy of three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy/intensity-modulated radiation therapy and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in patients with locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: a phase I/II study.

Background: Three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT)/intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) combined with or without transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has shown favorable outcomes in local control and survival of locally advanced HCC. However, intra-hepatic spreading and metastasis are still the predominant treatment failure patterns. Sorafenib is a multikinase inhibitor with effects against tumor proliferation and angiogenesis.

Hepatocyte regeneration after partial liver irradiation in rats.

Liver has a strong potential for regeneration after physical, biological or chemical injury, but no data have been reported so far on liver regeneration in response to irradiation injury. The present experiment in rats was designed to clarify whether partial liver irradiation could induce and stimulate the unirradiated part of liver to regenerate. The left-half of rat liver was irradiated with a single dose of 25Gy.

Application of active breathing control in 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: the feasibility and benefit.

Background And Purpose: To investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of utilizing active breathing coordinator (ABC) in 3DCRT for HCC.

Materials And Methods: A dosimetric comparison between the free-breathing (FB) plan and ABC plan in HCC 3DCRT was performed. Set-up errors and reproducibility of diaphragm position using ABC were measured, and patients' acceptance was also recorded.

Prediction of radiation induced liver disease using artificial neural networks.

Objective: To evaluate the efficiency of predicting radiation induced liver disease (RILD) with an artificial neural network (ANN) model.

Methods And Materials: From August 2000 to November 2004, a total of 93 primary liver carcinoma (PLC) patients with single lesion and associated with hepatic cirrhosis of Child-Pugh grade A, were treated with hypofractionated three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT). Eight out of 93 patients were diagnosed RILD.

Radiation-induced liver disease in three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy for primary liver carcinoma: the risk factors and hepatic radiation tolerance.

Purpose: To identify risk factors relevant to radiation-induced liver disease (RILD) and to determine the hepatic tolerance to radiation.

Methods And Materials: The data of 109 primary liver carcinomas (PLC) treated with hypofractionated three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) were analyzed. Seventeen patients were diagnosed with RILD and 13 of 17 died of it.

Prediction of radiation-induced liver disease by Lyman normal-tissue complication probability model in three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy for primary liver carcinoma.

Purpose: To describe the probability of RILD by application of the Lyman-Kutcher-Burman normal-tissue complication (NTCP) model for primary liver carcinoma (PLC) treated with hypofractionated three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT).

Methods And Materials: A total of 109 PLC patients treated by 3D-CRT were followed for RILD. Of these patients, 93 were in liver cirrhosis of Child-Pugh Grade A, and 16 were in Child-Pugh Grade B.