Key resonances in the 30P(p,γ)31S gateway reaction for the production of heavy elements in ONe novae

Material emitted as ejecta from ONe novae outbursts is observed to be rich in elements as heavy as Ca. The bottleneck for the synthesis of elements beyond sulphur is the (30)P(p,γ)(31)S reaction. Its reaction rate is, however, not well determined due to uncertainties in the properties of key resonances in the burning regime. In the present study, gamma-ray transitions are reported for the first time from all key states in (31)S relevant for the (30)P(p,γ)(31)S reaction. The spins and parity of these resonances have been deduced, and energies have been measured with the highest precision to date. The uncertainty in the estimated (30)P(p,γ)(31)S reaction rate has been drastically reduced. The rate using this new information is typically higher than previous estimates based on earlier experimental data, implying a higher flux of material processed to high-Z elements in novae, but it is in good agreement with predictions using the Hauser-Feshbach approach at higher burning temperatures.

SU-E-T-251: Analysis of Irradiated Induced Lung Injury in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Treated by Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy(3DCRT)

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to analyze the affect factors with radiation induced lung injury of NSCLC treated by 3DCRT, in order to supply reference criteria for optimize the treatment planning, further to improve the local control rate and the quality of life of NSCLC patients.

METHODS

From August 2000 to December 2004, 107 NSCLC patients received 3DCRT were retrospectively enrolled in this study. All of patients received the prescription doses ranged from 60-68Gy with a median dose of 66Gy. Dosimetric parameters of dose-volume histograms from 3DCRT plans was recorded. The lung injury were assessed for each patient during the treatment and follow-up within 3 months after treatment completion. Acute radiation induced pneumonitis were graded by one radiation oncologist according to the RTOG/EORTC criteria. The correlation between dosimetric parameters with lung injury was evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis using Logistic Regression Model of SPSS11.0 software.

RESULTS

In the 107 patients of NSCLC, the rate of irradiated induced lung injury was 62.6% and the rate of =2 grade radiation induced pneumonitis was 38.3%. Twenty-three cases were classified in grade 2, fourteen cases in grade 3, four cases in grade 4. Univariate analysis showed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD), number of beams field, lung mean dose, lung V5-V40 were important parameters on radiation induced lung injury. The rate of =2 grade lung injury was 56.3%(18/32) in patients accompany COPD, compared with 30.7%(23/75) of those without COPD. In the same way,the rate of =2 grade lung injury was 61.9%(26/42) in patients of lung mean dose=20Gy, which higher than 19.4%(12/62) of lung mean dose<20Gy. Further more, lung mean dose, lung V20 and COPD were likely to be the independent factors of radiation induced lung injury by Logistic Regression Model.

CONCLUSIONS

lung mean dose, lung V20 and COPD were the independent affect factors on irradiated induced lung injury. Our funding support received from National Natural Science Foundation of China (30870743).

SU-E-T-247: Dose-Volummetrics in the Prediction of Pulmonary Function Changes after Radiotherapy in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

PURPOSE

This aim was to explore the relationship between dose-volummetrics and changes of pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and provide criteria of dose-volummetrics to predict these changes of PFTs after radiotherapy with NSCLC.

METHODS

Between March 2008 to November 2009,39 patients (male 30,female 9, median age 66 years) with inoperable NSCLC received definitive 3DCRT or IMRT treatment were included in this study. The GTV included primary tumor and metastasis lymph node in hilar or mediastinum, and delineated the PTV from GTV 1.5 to 2.0 centimeter outside. The prescription doses ranged from 60-68Gy with a median dose of 66Gy. The forced vital capacity(FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1.0) and diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide(DLCO) were checked for each patient two times, one week pretreatment and 2 to 4 months after radiotherapy. dose-volummetrics of lungV10,V15,V20,V25,V30,V35,V40, lung mean dose and GTV100,GTV95, GTV90,GTV80 were analyzed. Statistical methods of Pearson and Line regression were used to determine whether correlation existed between these metrics and the changes in PFTs.

RESULTS

This investigation showed that FVC went down 2.4±1.6 from 77.2±18.7 to 74.1±18.5, FEV1.0 went down 5.9±3.2 from 74.1±20.5 to 70.9±20.2 P=0.065and DLCO went down 17.9±6.3 from 70.4±20.5 to 59.8±16.0 P=0.000 after radiotherapy. No correlation was found between dose-volummterics and the changes in PFTs. Excluding patients(n=15)with pretreatment atelectasis, significant correlation was retained between dose-volummetrics (lungV20,V25,V30,V35,V40, Lung mean dose and Veff) and the PFTs changes (P=0.05).Multivariate analysis showed that lung V30 was risk factor for the changes of FEV1.0 and DLCO(P=0.046 and 0.041).Furthermore analysis by stratifies, compared lung V30=18% and <18%, the dropped values of FVC, FEV1.0, DLCO were 6.9±2.5 and 4.5±1.8 P=0.061, 15.2±4.0 and 6.1±2.3 P=0.033, 22.8±2.0 and 11.6±1.4 P=0.000 respectively, showed PFTs became more worse with lungV30=18%.

CONCLUSIONS

lungV30 is risk factor to affect PFTs changes in patients with NSCLC excluding those who have had pretreatment atelectasis. Our funding support received from National Natural Science Foundation of China (30870743).

SU-E-J-181: Explore the Value of 18F-FDG, PET and CT Scan for the Clinical Stage of Esophageal Carcinoma

PURPOSE

To evaluate the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 18F-FDG, PET and CT were used for T and N stage for esophageal carcinoma, and explore the SUV value evaluating prognosis of esophageal carcinoma.

METHODS

PET and CT scan as well as T and N stage were carried out for 29 cases of preoperative esophageal carcinoma patients, those results were analyzed and compared with postoperative pathological TNM stage.

RESULTS

CT scan diagnosis the T stage was obviously higher than PET in term of determining T staging, while PET scan diagnosis the N stage was higher than CT, but there was no significantly difference. It was clear that only the Kappa value of preoperative PET scan in T stage was poor (Kappa value, 0.4), the Kappa values for PET scan in N stage, as well as preoperative CT scan in T and N stage were good (Kappa value.0.4). The SUV values were increasing with the lesion volume and length of PETsuv2.5 becoming bigger. The survival was better when patients with SUV value, 9.0 than those with SUV value=9.0.

CONCLUSIONS

CT was better than PET in term of determining clinical T stage of esophageal carcinoma, while PET diagnosis the N stage was good the same as CT. SUV 9.0 may be regarded as a practical indexes to determine prognosis in esophageal carcinoma.

Targeting microRNA-30a-mediated autophagy enhances imatinib activity against human chronic myeloid leukemia cells

A major advancement in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) has been the development of imatinib and other BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNA molecules that influence gene expression by post-transcriptional regulation of messenger RNA. It is not yet clear how miRNAs are able to regulate the effectiveness of imatinib in CML. Here, we show that imatinib markedly inhibits expression of miR-30a in human CML cells. miR-30a is a potent inhibitor of autophagy by downregulating Beclin 1 and ATG5 expression. miR-30a mimic or knockdown of autophagy genes (ATGs) such as Beclin 1 and ATG5 by short hairpin RNA enhances imatinib-induced cytotoxicity and promotes mitochondria-dependent intrinsic apoptosis. In contrast, knockdown of miR-30a by antagomir-30a increases the expression of Beclin 1 and ATG5, and inhibits imatinib-induced cytotoxicity. These findings indicate that dysregulation of miR-30a may interfere with the effectiveness of imatinib-mediated apoptosis by an autophagy-dependent pathway, thus representing a novel potential therapeutic target in CML.

Association among serum uric acid, cardiovascular risk, and arterial stiffness: a cross-sectional study in She ethnic minority group of Fujian Province in China

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the association between serum uric acid levels, cardiovascular risk, and arterial stiffness in She ethnic minority in South China's Fujian Province.

METHODS

5109 participants aged 20-79 yr were enrolled in analysis. Tpeak-Tend interval (Tp-e), QT interval, and height of the R wave in lead aVL (aVLR) were measured on 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), and Minnesota code-indicated major abnormal ECG MA-ECG was used as a risk indicator of cardiovascular disease. Arterial stiffness was assessed by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV).

RESULTS

Longer Tp-e interval, greater Tp-e/QT ratio, and higher aVLR were observed in the highest quartile of uric acid level. The incidence of MA-ECG was gradually increased from lowest to highest quartile of serum uric acid in males (p for trend <0.01). After adjusting traditional cardiovascular risk factors, multivariate analysis revealed that the fourth quartile of serum uric acid level was independently associated with MA-ECG in males [odds ratios (OR) (95% confidence interval): 2.129 (1.376-3.295)] but not in females. Serum uric acid was also associated with abnormal baPWV, when adjusted for atherogenic confounders. Compared with the lowest serum uric acid quartile, the OR (95% confidence interval) of the second, third, and fourth quartile were 1.920 (1.246-2.957), 1.650 (1.064-2.558), and 2.501 (1.600-3.908) in males.

CONCLUSION

Among China's She ethnic minority, uric acid level was independently related to arterial stiffness assessed by baPWV in both genders. The evaluation of uric acid level was related to higher cardiovascular risk in males but not in females.

Gamma-ray emission probabilities in the decay of (177m)Lu

γ-Ray emission probabilities from the decay of the long-lived (T(1/2)=160.44d) isomeric state in (177m)Lu were measured with planar (LEPS) and coaxial Ge detectors. The isomer γ-ray and β(-)-decay branching intensities were also determined. Measurements were carried out at low absolute efficiencies in order to minimize coincidence summing losses. The results are compared with the previous measurements.

Angiotensin-I converting enzyme inhibitors suppress angiogenesis and growth of esophageal carcinoma xenografts

It has recently been suggested that angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors decrease the risk of cancer. However, studies to date have not investigated esophageal carcinoma. Therefore, we investigated the inhibitory effect of ACE inhibitors on growth of esophageal carcinoma xenografts. We used the EC9706 cell line, which expresses the highest vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA level, to establish xenografts in 21 BALB/c nude mice. The mice were then randomly allocated to receive normal saline, perindopril (4 mg/kg), or benazepril (6 mg/kg). Five weeks later, the nude mice were sacrificed and all tumors were dissected and weighed. The number of microvessels was counted by immunostaining endothelial cells for CD31 and the microvessel density was assessed. The EC9706 cell line showed the highest expression of VEGF mRNA of four esophageal squamous cell carcinoma lines. After treatment, the average tumor inhibitory rate in the benazepril group was 45.4%, which was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). Similar findings were observed when we used tumor weight as an index for tumor growth inhibition (P < 0.05). By contrast, there was no significant difference between the perindopril group and the control group (P > 0.05). The benazepril group appeared to show less vascularization than the control group (P < 0.05), but we did not find a significant difference between the perindopril group and the control group (P > 0.05). The EC9706 cell line showed the highest expression of VEGF mRNA level of the four esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell lines examined. Benazepril inhibited the growth of esophageal carcinoma in vivo. The potential mechanism of benazepril seems to involve suppression of new vessel formation. Therefore, benazepril could be used as an effective agent for the treatment of esophageal carcinoma.

The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of different surveillance mammography regimens after the treatment for primary breast cancer: systematic reviews registry database analyses and economic evaluation

BACKGROUND

Following primary breast cancer treatment, the early detection of ipsilateral breast tumour recurrence (IBTR) or ipsilateral secondary cancer in the treated breast and detection of new primary cancers in the contralateral breast is beneficial for survival. Surveillance mammography is used to detect these cancers, but the optimal frequency of surveillance and the length of follow-up are unclear.

OBJECTIVES

To identify feasible management strategies for surveillance and follow-up of women after treatment for primary breast cancer in a UK setting, and to determine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of differing regimens.

METHODS

A survey of UK breast surgeons and radiologists to identify current surveillance mammography regimens and inform feasible alternatives; two discrete systematic reviews of evidence published from 1990 to mid 2009 to determine (i) the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of differing surveillance mammography regimens for patient health outcomes and (ii) the test performance of surveillance mammography in the detection of IBTR and metachronous contralateral breast cancer (MCBC); statistical analysis of individual patient data (West Midlands Cancer Intelligence Unit Breast Cancer Registry and Edinburgh data sets); and economic modelling using the systematic reviews results, existing data sets, and focused searches for specific data analysis to determine the effectiveness and cost-utility of differing surveillance regimens.

RESULTS

The majority of survey respondents initiate surveillance mammography 12 months after breast-conserving surgery (BCS) (87%) or mastectomy (79%). Annual surveillance mammography was most commonly reported for women after BCS or after mastectomy (72% and 53%, respectively). Most (74%) discharge women from surveillance mammography, most frequently 10 years after surgery. The majority (82%) discharge from clinical follow-up, most frequently at 5 years. Combining initiation, frequency and duration of surveillance mammography resulted in 54 differing surveillance regimens for women after BCS and 56 for women following mastectomy. The eight studies included in the clinical effectiveness systematic review suggest surveillance mammography offers a survival benefit compared with a surveillance regimen that does not include surveillance mammography. Nine studies were included in the test performance systematic review. For routine IBTR detection, surveillance mammography sensitivity ranged from 64% to 67% and specificity ranged from 85% to 97%. For magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), sensitivity ranged from 86% to 100% and specificity was 93%. For non-routine IBTR detection, sensitivity and specificity for surveillance mammography ranged from 50% to 83% and from 57% to 75%, respectively, and for MRI from 93% to 100% and from 88% to 96%, respectively. For routine MCBC detection, one study reported sensitivity of 67% and specificity of 50% for both surveillance mammography and MRI, although this was a highly select population. Data set analysis showed that IBTR has an adverse effect on survival. Furthermore, women experiencing a second tumour measuring >20 mm in diameter were at a significantly greater risk of death than those with no recurrence or those whose tumour was <10 mm in diameter. In the base-case analysis, the strategy with the highest net benefit, and most likely to be considered cost-effective, was surveillance mammography alone, provided every 12 months at a societal willingness to pay for a quality-adjusted life-year of either £20,000 or £30,000. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for surveillance mammography alone every 12 months compared with no surveillance was £4727.

LIMITATIONS

Few studies met the review inclusion criteria and none of the studies was a randomised controlled trial. The limited and variable nature of the data available precluded any quantitative analysis. There was no useable evidence contained in the Breast Cancer Registry database to assess the effectiveness of surveillance mammography directly. The results of the economic model should be considered exploratory and interpreted with caution given the paucity of data available to inform the economic model.

CONCLUSIONS

Surveillance is likely to improve survival and patients should gain maximum benefit through optimal use of resources, with those women with a greater likelihood of developing IBTR or MCBC being offered more comprehensive and more frequent surveillance. Further evidence is required to make a robust and informed judgement on the effectiveness of surveillance mammography and follow-up. The utility of national data sets could be improved and there is a need for high-quality, direct head-to-head studies comparing the diagnostic accuracy of tests used in the surveillance population.

FUNDING

The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.

Relationships of percent body fat and percent trunk fat with bone mineral density among Chinese, black, and white subjects

We examined ethnic difference in the association of body fat and trunk fat with bone mineral density (BMD) among Chinese, white, and black subjects. We found that, with greater body and trunk fat, both white and black subjects were more likely to have a low BMD than Chinese subjects.

INTRODUCTION

Ethnic differences in body fat, abdominal fat distribution, and BMD have been found in previous studies between Chinese and white subjects. However, the associations of body fat and abdominal fat distribution with BMD have not been studied, and whether the ethnic differences have an effect on these associations is unclear.

METHODS

We evaluated 1,147 subjects aged ≥ 18 years (805 Chinese, 193 whites, and 149 blacks). Percent body fat (%BF), percent trunk fat (%TF), and total and regional BMD including that of head, arm, leg, trunk, rib, spine, and pelvis were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Linear regression models were developed to test the association of ethnicity, %BF, and interaction between ethnicity and %BF with BMD. The models were repeated again, replacing %BF with %TF.

RESULTS

Chinese subjects showed lower BMD in total and most regions compared with black and white subjects; however, these differences were eliminated between Chinese and whites within both sexes and between Chinese and black men when age, weight, height, and %BF were added. %BF and %TF were negatively associated with most regional body BMD. The interactions between %BF, %TF, and ethnicity were found in most regional body BMD among Chinese, white, and black subjects for both men and women.

CONCLUSION

Both %BF and %TF have negative associations with BMD. With greater accumulation of %BF and %TF, both white and black subjects may experience a higher risk of low BMD than Chinese subjects.

Isoform-specific palmitoylation of JNK regulates axonal development

The c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) proteins are encoded by three genes (Jnk1-3), giving rise to 10 isoforms in the mammalian brain. The differential roles of JNK isoforms in neuronal cell death and development have been noticed in several pathological and physiological contexts. However, the mechanisms underlying the regulation of different JNK isoforms to fulfill their specific roles are poorly understood. Here, we report an isoform-specific regulation of JNK3 by palmitoylation, a posttranslational modification, and the involvement of JNK3 palmitoylation in axonal development and morphogenesis. Two cysteine residues at the COOH-terminus of JNK3 are required for dynamic palmitoylation, which regulates JNK3's distribution on the actin cytoskeleton. Expression of palmitoylation-deficient JNK3 increases axonal branching and the motility of axonal filopodia in cultured hippocampal neurons. The Wnt family member Wnt7a, a known modulator of axonal branching and remodelling, regulates the palmitoylation and distribution of JNK3. Palmitoylation-deficient JNK3 mimics the effect of Wnt7a application on axonal branching, whereas constitutively palmitoylated JNK3 results in reduced axonal branches and blocked Wnt7a induction. Our results demonstrate that protein palmitoylation is a novel mechanism for isoform-specific regulation of JNK3 and suggests a potential role of JNK3 palmitoylation in modulating axonal branching.