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Ashton LA, Nakamura A, Burwell CJ, Tang Y, Cao M, Whitaker T, Sun Z, Huang H, Kitching RL. Elevational sensitivity in an Asian 'hotspot': moth diversity across elevational gradients in tropical, sub-tropical and sub-alpine China. Sci Rep 2016; 6:26513. [PMID: 27211989 PMCID: PMC4876391 DOI: 10.1038/srep26513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2016] [Accepted: 05/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
South-western China is widely acknowledged as a biodiversity ‘hotspot’: there are high levels of diversity and endemism, and many environments are under significant anthropogenic threats not least climate warming. Here, we explore diversity and compare response patterns of moth assemblages among three elevational gradients established within different climatic bioregions - tropical rain forest, sub-tropical evergreen broad-leaved forest and sub-alpine coniferous forest in Yunnan Province, China. We hypothesised that tropical assemblages would be more elevationally stratified than temperate assemblages, and tropical species would be more elevationally restricted than those in the temperate zone. Contrary to our hypothesis, the moth fauna was more sensitive to elevational differences within the temperate transect, followed by sub-tropical and tropical transects. Moths in the cooler and more seasonal temperate sub-alpine gradient showed stronger elevation-decay beta diversity patterns, and more species were restricted to particular elevational ranges. Our study suggests that moth assemblages are under threat from future climate change and sub-alpine rather than tropical faunas may be the most sensitive to climate change. These results improve our understanding of China’s biodiversity and can be used to monitor future changes to herbivore assemblages in a ‘hotspot’ of biodiversity.
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Frasch MG, Szynkaruk M, Prout AP, Nygard K, Cao M, Veldhuizen R, Hammond R, Richardson BS. Decreased neuroinflammation correlates to higher vagus nerve activity fluctuations in near-term ovine fetuses: a case for the afferent cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway? J Neuroinflammation 2016; 13:103. [PMID: 27165310 PMCID: PMC4894374 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-016-0567-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Neuroinflammation in utero may contribute to brain injury resulting in life-long neurological disabilities. The pivotal role of the efferent cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP) in controlling inflammation, e.g., by inhibiting the HMGB1 release, via the macrophages’ α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) has been described in adults, but its importance in the fetus is unknown. Moreover, it is unknown whether CAP may also exert anti-inflammatory effects on the brain via the anatomically predominant afferent component of the vagus nerve. Methods We measured microglial activation in the ovine fetal brain near term 24 h after the umbilical cord occlusions mimicking human labor versus controls (no occlusions) by quantifying HMGB1 nucleus-to-cytosol translocation in the Iba1+ and α7nAChR+ microglia. Based on multiple clinical studies in adults and our own work in fetal autonomic nervous system, we gauged the degree of CAP activity in vivo using heart rate variability measure RMSSD that reflects fluctuations in vagus nerve activity. Results RMSSD correlated to corresponding plasma IL-1β levels at R = 0.57 (p = 0.02, n = 17) and to white matter microglia cell counts at R = −0.89 (p = 0.03). The insult increased the HMGB1 translocation in α7nAChR+ microglia in a brain region-dependent manner (p < 0.001). In parallel, RMSSD at 1 h post insult correlated with cytosolic HMGB1 of thalamic microglia (R = −0.94, p = 0.005), and RMSSD at pH nadir correlated with microglial α7nAChR in the white matter (R = 0.83, p = 0.04). Overall, higher RMSSD values correlated with lower HMGB1 translocation and higher α7nAChR intensity per area in a brain region-specific manner. Conclusions Afferent fetal CAP may translate increased vagal cholinergic signaling into suppression of cerebral inflammation in response to near-term hypoxic acidemia as might occur during labor. Our findings suggest a new control mechanism of fetal neuroinflammation via the vagus nerve, providing novel possibilities for its non-invasive monitoring in utero and for targeted treatment. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12974-016-0567-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Merola E, Cao M, La Starza S, Delle Fave MM, Tavanti F, Sergi D, Marignani M. Portosystemic encephalopathy in an 86-year-old patient : a clinical challenge. Acta Gastroenterol Belg 2016; 79:58-59. [PMID: 26852766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Abernethy malformations are rare vascular abnormalities, classified into two types : type 1 if the portal vein is absent, type 2 when the portal blood is diverted into vena cava through a hypoplastic portal vein. These conditions present symptoms related to portosystemic shunting, and usually become clinically evident in children or young adults. Here we report the first case of Abernethy malformation diagnosed in an 86-year-old female patient affected by portosystemicencephalopaty.
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Rwigema J, Thomas D, Cao M, Yoshizaki T, Chen A. Intrafraction Organ Motion Tracking With Real-Time MRI-Guided Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2015.12.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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105
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Raghavan G, Kishan A, Cao M, Yang Y, Chen A. Anatomic and Dosimetric Changes in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer Treated With a Tri-60Co Teletherapy/Magnetic Resonance Imaging Device. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2015.12.178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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106
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Zhang L, Yan L, Cao M, Zhang H, Li C, Bai Y, Yu P, Li M, Zhao X. SPAG9 promotes endometrial carcinoma cell invasion through regulation of genes related to the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. EUR J GYNAECOL ONCOL 2016; 37:312-319. [PMID: 27352556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the impact of sperm-associated antigen 9 (SPAG9) on proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in endometrial cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS The present authors' previous study demonstrated that SPAG9 is highly expressed in endometrial cancer tissues. They analyzed correlation between the levels of SPAG9 and mRNA of EMT-related genes in endometrial carcinoma tissue by using quantitative real-time PCR. They induced EMT process in ECC endometrial cancer cell lines by TGF-beta1 treatment and spheroids formation assay, and analyzed SPAG9 expression as well as correlation with EMT-related genes. In addition, they performed SPAG9 gene silencing in KLE and ECC endometrial cancer cells and evaluated the expression of genes involved in EMT, using real time PCR and Western blot analysis. Cell proliferation, colony formation, and transwell assays were employed to evaluate the functional role of SPAG9 in endometrial cancer. RESULTS The results showed that SPAG9 expression was positively correlated with Slug and N-cadherin (NcaD) in human endometrial cancer tissues. The expression of SPAG9 in ECC cells with TGF-β1 treatment and spheroids formation was increased, which was correlated with EMT-related genes. SPAG9 knockdown significantly inhibited cell growth and proliferation and reduced the motility and invasion of endometrial cancer cells. These phenotypes may partly be explained by decreased expression of EMT-related genes, including Twist, Slug, and Vimentin, after SPAG9 depletion. CONCLUSIONS SPAG9 may be required for cellular invasion and migration in endometrial cancer through regulation of EMT-related genes.
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Garzoni L, Liu H, Durosier L, Cao M, Burns P, Fecteau G, Desrochers A, Patey N, Faure C, Frasch M. ISDN2014_0345: Effects of vagotomy on systemic and regional inflammation in ovine fetus near term. Int J Dev Neurosci 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2015.04.285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
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108
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O'Connell D, Thomas D, Kishan A, Dou T, Lamb J, Cao M, Lee P, Low D. Generation of Lung Tumor Internal Target Volumes (ITV) Using A Novel Breathing Gated Imaging and Analysis Technique. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2015.07.2104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Tran A, Woods K, Nguyen D, Yu V, Cao M, Lee P, Kupelian P, Low D, Sheng K. Practical 4π Liver SBRT Using Eclipse Planning. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2015.07.2047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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110
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Tran A, Woods K, Nguyen D, Yu V, Cao M, Lee P, Low D, Sheng K. Predicting Liver SBRT Eligibility and Plan Quality Using Geometrical Parameters. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2015.07.2053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Cao M, Zhang JB, Dong DD, Mou Y, Li K, Fang J, Wang ZY, Chen C, Zhao J, Yie SM. Alleviation of streptozotocin-induced diabetes in nude mice by stem cells derived from human first trimester umbilical cord. GENETICS AND MOLECULAR RESEARCH 2015; 14:12505-19. [PMID: 26505401 DOI: 10.4238/2015.october.16.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Cells isolated from human first trimester umbilical cord perivascular layer (hFTM-PV) tissues display the pluripotent characteristics of stem cells. In this study, we examined whether hFTM-PV cells can differentiate into islet-like clusters (ILCs) in vitro, and whether transplantation of the hFTM-PV cells with and without differentiation in vitro can alleviate diabetes in nude mice. The hFTM-PV cells were differentiated into ILCs in vitro through a simple stepwise culture protocol. To examine the in vivo effects of the cells, the hFTM-PV cells with and without differentiation in vitro were transplanted into the abdominal cavity of nude mice with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. Blood glucose levels, body weight, and the survival probability of the diabetic nude mice were then statistically analyzed. The hFTM-PV cells were successfully induced into ILCs that could release insulin in response to elevated concentrations of glucose in vitro. In transplantation experiments, we observed that mice transplanted with the undifferentiated hFTM-PV cells, embryonic body-like cell aggregations, or ILCs all demonstrated normalized hyperglycemia and showed improved survival rate compared with those without cell transplantation. The hFTM-PV cells have the ability to differentiate into ILCs in vitro and transplantations of undifferentiated and differentiated cells can alleviate STZ-induced diabetes in nude mice. This may offer a potential cell source for stem cell-based therapy for treating diabetes in the future.
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Wang JY, Cao M, Guo MR, Li S, Yang XF, Wang M, Fang J, Zhao J. Expression and antibody generation of the cancer-testis antigen, BIOT2-S. GENETICS AND MOLECULAR RESEARCH 2015; 14:8685-93. [PMID: 26345800 DOI: 10.4238/2015.july.31.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Biot2-S is a mouse cancer-testis antigen gene that was identified using the cross-reactive serological analysis of recombinant cDNA expression libraries (SEREX) technique in the State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University. To express BIOT2-S and generate its antibody for further investigation, the Biot2-S prokaryotic recombinant expression vector Biot2-S/pGEX6P-1 was constructed with Escherichia coli DH5α as a cloning vector, and BIOT2-S was expressed in E. coli Rosetta (DE3). The recombinant BIOT2-S was expressed in the form of an inclusion body and the targeted recombinant BIOT2-S was produced at the level of approximately 25% total bacterial proteins after being induced with optimum conditions (0.2 mM isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactopyranoside for 6 h at 37°C). The target protein was purified by glutathione S-transferase (GST)-trap FF affinity chromatography and detected by western blot. The purified recombinant protein was further confirmed by electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry after removal of the GST-tags. Then the purified BIOT2-S was used to immunize adult rabbits to generate its antibody. The antibody was purified and its specificity determined. The titer of the antibody was shown to reach 10(4) and the antibody was demonstrated to be able recognize the corresponding protein in the testes of mouse and chicken; the tumor cell lines CT-26 and S180 also reacted with the antibody. This study provides a valuable foundation for further research on the cancer-testis antigen BIOT2-S.
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Cao M, Theus SA, Straub KD, Figueroa JA, Mirandola L, Chiriva-Internati M, Hermonat PL. AAV2/8-humanFOXP3 gene therapy shows robust anti-atherosclerosis efficacy in LDLR-KO mice on high cholesterol diet. J Transl Med 2015; 13:235. [PMID: 26187646 PMCID: PMC4506442 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-015-0597-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2015] [Accepted: 07/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammation is a key etiologic component in atherogenesis. Previously we demonstrated that adeno-associated virus (AAV) 2/8 gene delivery of Netrin1 inhibited atherosclerosis in the low density lipoprotein receptor knockout mice on high-cholesterol diet (LDLR-KO/HCD). One important finding from this study was that FOXP3 was strongly up-regulated in these Netrin1-treated animals, as FOXP3 is an anti-inflammatory gene, being the master transcription factor of regulatory T cells. These results suggested that the FOXP3 gene might potentially be used, itself, as an agent to limit atherosclerosis. To test this hypothesis AAV2/8 (AAV)/hFOXP3 or AAV/Neo (control) gene therapy virus were tail vein injected into the LDLR-KO/HCD animal model. It was found that hFOXP3 gene delivery was associated with significantly lower HCD-induced atherogenesis, as measured by larger aortic lumen cross sectional area, thinner aortic wall thickness, and lower aortic systolic blood velocity compared with Neo gene-HCD-treated controls. Moreover these measurements taken from the hFOXP3/HCD-treated animals very closely matched those measurements taken from the normal diet (ND) control animals. These data strongly suggest that AAV/hFOXP3 delivery gave a robust anti-atherosclerosis therapeutic effect and further suggest that FOXP3 be examined more stringently as a therapeutic gene for clinical use.
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Lamb J, Agazaryan N, Cao M, Low D, Thomas D, Yang Y. SU-E-J-198: Out-Of-Field Dose and Surface Dose Measurements of MRI-Guided Cobalt-60 Radiotherapy. Med Phys 2015. [DOI: 10.1118/1.4924284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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115
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Thomas D, O'Connell D, Lamb J, Cao M, Yang Y, Agazaryan N, Lee P, Low D. SU-F-303-17: Real Time Dose Calculation of MRI Guided Co-60 Radiotherapy Treatments On Free Breathing Patients, Using a Motion Model and Fast Monte Carlo Dose Calculation. Med Phys 2015. [DOI: 10.1118/1.4925244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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116
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Lamb J, Kamrava M, Agazaryan N, Cao M, Low D, Thomas D, Yang Y. SU-E-J-206: Adaptive Radiotherapy for Gynecological Malignancies with MRIGuided Cobolt-60 Radiotherapy. Med Phys 2015. [DOI: 10.1118/1.4924292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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Yang Y, Low D, Cao M, Sheng K, Lamb J, Thomas D, Kamrava M, Hu P. TH-CD-204-06: Diffusion MRI for Treatment Response Assessment of MRI-Guided Tri-Cobalt 60 Radiotherapy. Med Phys 2015. [DOI: 10.1118/1.4926253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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118
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Nguyen D, O'Connor D, Yu V, Ruan D, Cao M, Low D, Sheng K. TH-EF-BRD-05: A New Intensity Modulation Radiation Therapy (IMRT) Optimizer Solution with Robust Fluence Maps for MLC Segmentation. Med Phys 2015. [DOI: 10.1118/1.4926292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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119
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Yu V, Nguyen D, Tran A, Ruan D, Cao M, Kaprealian T, Kupelian P, Low D, Sheng K. TU-CD-304-05: 4Ï€ Non-Coplanar Radiotherapy: From Mathematical Modeling to Clinical Implementation. Med Phys 2015. [DOI: 10.1118/1.4925574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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120
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Woods K, Nguyen D, Tran A, Yu V, Cao M, Sheng K. SU-F-BRB-04: Comparison of Coplanar VMAT, Non-Coplanar VMAT, and 4π Treatment Plans. Med Phys 2015. [DOI: 10.1118/1.4925199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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121
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Kishan A, Cao M, Low D, Kupelian P, Steinberg M, Kamrava M. Feasibility of MRI-Guided Tri-Cobalt-60 IMRT for Preoperative Radiation therapy of Soft-Tissue Sarcomas. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2014.05.2189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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122
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Gyurdzhyan S, Lamb J, Kaprealian T, Selch M, Cao M, Tenn S, Agazaryan N. Dosimetric Impact of Positioning Errors for Spinal Radiosurgery Patients: A Planning Tool Proposition. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2014.05.2375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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123
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Kishan A, Cao M, Tenn S, Sheng K, Low D, Kupelian P, Steinberg M, Lee P. Dosimetric Comparison Between an MRI-Guided Tri-Cobalt-60 Teletherapy System and VMAT for Liver SBRT. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2014.05.1191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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124
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Ruan D, Yang Y, Cao M, Hu P, Low D. SU-E-J-212: Identifying Bones From MRI: A Dictionary Learnign and Sparse Regression Approach. Med Phys 2014. [DOI: 10.1118/1.4888265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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125
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Cao M, Tenn S, Lee C, Yang Y, Lamb J, Agazaryan N, Lee P, Low D. SU-E-T-481: Dosimetric Comparison of Acuros XB and Anisotropic Analytic Algorithm with Commercial Monte Carlo Based Dose Calculation Algorithm for Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy of Lung Cancer. Med Phys 2014. [DOI: 10.1118/1.4888814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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