In situ study of Fermi-level pinning on n- and p-type GaAs (001) grown by molecular-beam epitaxy using photoreflectance.
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Journal Article↗
Biomedical subjects
D Yan
Publications and source records attributed to D Yan.
A multileaf collimator field prescription preparation system for conventional radiotherapy.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this work is to develop a prescription preparation system for efficient field shaping using a multileaf collimator that can be used in community settings as well as research institutions. The efficiency advantage of the computer-controlled multileaf collimator, over cerrobend blocks, to shape radiation fields has been shown in conformal treatments, which typically require complete volumetric computerized tomographic data for three-dimensional radiation treatment planning--a utility not readily available to the general community. As a result, most patients today are treated with conventional radiation therapy. Therefore, we believe that it is very important to fully use the same efficiency advantage of multileaf collimator as a block replacement in conventional practice. METHODS AND MATERIAL: The multileaf collimator prescription preparation system developed by us acquires prescription images from different sources, including film scanner and radiation treatment planning systems. The multileaf collimator angle and leaf positions are set from the desired field contour defined on the prescription image, by minimizing the area discrepancies. Interactive graphical tools include manual adjustment of collimator angle and leaf positions, and definition of portions of the field edges that require maximal conformation. Data files of the final leaf positions are transferred to the multileaf collimator controller via a dedicated communication link. RESULTS: We have implemented the field prescription preparation system and a network model for integrating the multileaf collimator and other radiotherapy modalities for routine treatments. For routine plan evaluation, isodose contours measured with film in solid water phantom at prescription depth are overlaid on the prescription image. Preliminary study indicates that the efficiency advantage of the MLC over cerrobend blocks in conformal therapy also holds true for conventional treatments. CONCLUSION: Our model of computer-controlled prescription, evaluation, and treatment using multileaf collimators can be effectively implemented in both community settings and research institutions. The resultant increase in treatment efficiency and accuracy is now available for conventional radiotherapy.
Equipment Design↗
Electronic structure and transport properties of fullerene nanotubules.
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Journal Article↗
A new model for "accept or reject" strategies in off-line and on-line megavoltage treatment evaluation.
PURPOSE: With megavoltage on-line imaging, a temporal record of the treatment setup variation is made available during the course of radiotherapy. This work describes the theoretical framework where the imaging data is incorporated as feedback for deriving off-line and on-line "accept or reject" decisions to improve the quality of radiotherapy on an individual patient basis. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A dynamic model of treatment setup variation is developed to describe: (a) the variations of multifraction treatment position and (b) the variation of measurement. Based on this model, a confidence region of subsequent treatment position is estimated from measurements of previous treatment position. The confidence region is compared with an allowance region of the treatment position, representing the acceptable margin of setup variation. The difference of the two regions are then evaluated to derive off-line and on-line "accept or reject" treatment decisions. RESULTS: The model was simulated retrospectively using sequential daily images from different treatment sites. "Accept or reject" decisions were produced for on-line and off-line applications. The results also demonstrate the ability of the model to include the effects of setup variation that drifted during the course of treatment. CONCLUSION: The preliminary result demonstrates that "accept or reject" treatment decisions can be derived quantitatively from on-line imaging data. The model shows potential to guide the physician and therapist in implementing efficient and accurate treatment adjustments. Further work is required to test the model in the clinical setting.
Humans↗
Optimization of leaf positions when shaping a radiation field with a multileaf collimator.
Computer-controlled multileaf collimators are receiving increasing acceptance for clinical use in radiation therapy due to their efficiency in shaping radiation fields. Because of the physical leaf width of the multileaf collimator, a smooth field contour prescribed by a physician is approximated by a staircase-shaped field boundary. The point of intersection with the prescribed field contour determines the error of the approximation and may affect the outcome of the treatment. This article provides analytically optimized solutions for leaf positioning based on two different geometric object functions.
Humans↗
[Cloning and sequencing of ntrBC genes from Azospirillum brasilense].
A gene library of Azospirillum brasilense Yu62 was constructed in EMBL3. The library was screened with PCR amplified fragment as a special probe. Ten positive plaques (EA1-EA10) were selected. Detection results showed they contained two different types of clones, representing as EA4 and EA9 respectively. Southern hybridization of EA4 displayed that target gene was located in a 2.9kb EcoRI fragment. Sequence of this fragment had allowed the position and identification of ntrC gene, which encoding a protein of 53469, consisted of 480 amino acids. In the upstream of ntrC, a complete ntrB coding region was also found, which encoding a protein of 43487, consisted of 400 amino acids. Homologous analysis of the deduced amino acid sequences of ntrC and ntrB from different bacteria demonstrated that A. brasilense was closer to Rhizobia than to other free-living diazotrophs.
Azospirillum brasilense↗
[A study on the factors influencing bFGF to improve wound healing in severe burn].
The factors influencing basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) to improve wound healing in severe burn were studied. Rats were subjected to 15% III degrees burn. The results showed that high activity of bFGF was maintained after escharectomy in early period. In treated group 84.0% of rats wound healing was observed on the 40th day, while it was 9.0% in control group. Heparin could enhance activity of bFGF to stimulate formation of granulation tissue, regeneration of capillary, proliferation of fibroblast and DNA synthesis. Control of infection was beneficial to preserve activity of bFGF. The authors believe that the proper time to use bFGF is one week after injury.
Animals↗
Integrated software tools for the evaluation of radiotherapy treatment plans.
PURPOSE: This article announces the availability of a convenient and useful software environment for the evaluation of three-dimensional (3D) radiotherapy treatment plans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using standards such as American National Standards for Information Systems C and the X Window System allowed us to bring the computation and display of dose-volume histograms, dose statistics, tumor control probabilities, normal tissue complication probabilities, and a figure of merit together under one user interface. These plan evaluation tools are not stand alone, but must interact with a 3D radiation therapy planning system to obtain the required dose matrices and patient anatomical contours. Installation of the software involves a programmer who writes a software bridge between the radiation therapy planning system and the tools, thereby providing access to local data files. This design strategy confines portability issues to one area of the software. RESULTS: Access to the other tools is through the Graphical Plan Evaluation Tool (GPET). GPET coordinates the use of each of the tools and provides graphical facilities for display of their results. Importantly, GPET assures that the displayed results of each tool have been computed with the same input specifications for all treatment plans being compared. For added convenience, the user can rearrange the resultant data to be reviewed in various ways on the video screen. The software design also allows incorporation of customized algorithms and input data for computing tumor control probability and normal tissue complication probabilities, since those currently available are controversial. CONCLUSION: The Graphical Plan Evaluation Tool unifies the simultaneous computation for several analytical tools and graphical display of their results. Within the constraints of the X Window System environment, this assemblage of software tools provides a portable, flexible, and convenient method for the quantitative evaluation of several radiotherapy treatment plans.
Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation↗
A multileaf collimator field prescription preparation system for conventional radiotherapy.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this work is to develop a prescription preparation system for efficient field shaping using a multileaf collimator that can be used in community settings as well as research institutions. The efficiency advantage of the computer-controlled multileaf collimator, over cerrobend blocks, to shape radiation fields has been shown in conformal treatments, which typically require complete volumetric computerized tomographic data for three-dimensional radiation treatment planning--a utility not readily available to the general community. As a result, most patients today are treated with conventional radiation therapy. Therefore, we believe that it is very important to fully use the same efficiency advantage of multileaf collimator as a block replacement in conventional practice. METHODS AND MATERIAL: The multileaf collimator prescription preparation systems developed by us acquires prescription images from different sources, including film scanner, and radiation treatment planning systems. The multileaf collimator angle and leaf positions are set from the desired field contour defined on the prescription image, by minimizing the area discrepancies. Interactive graphical tools include manual adjustment of collimator angle and leaf positions, and definition of portions of the field edges that require maximal conformation. Data files of the final leaf positions are transferred to the multileaf collimator controller via a dedicated communication link. RESULTS: We have implemented the field prescription preparation system and a network model for integrating the multileaf collimator and other radiotherapy modalities for routine treatments. For routine plan evaluation, isodose contours measured with film in solid water phantom at prescription depth are overlaid on the prescription image. Preliminary study indicates that the efficiency advantage of the MLC over cerrobend blocks in conformal therapy also holds true for conventional treatments. CONCLUSION: Our model of computer-controlled prescription, evaluation, and treatment using multileaf collimators can be effectively implemented in both community settings and research institutions. The resultant increase in treatment efficiency and accuracy is now available for conventional radiotherapy.
Humans↗
Flow cytometric analysis of the effects of in vitro exposure to vomitoxin (deoxynivalenol) on apoptosis in murine T, B and IgA+ cells.
The immunotoxic effects of the trichothecene vomitoxin (VT or deoxynivalenol) and other trichothecenes may be mediated by direct interaction with lymphocytes. In this study, flow cytometric cell cycle analysis was used in conjunction with phenotypic staining by specific fluorescein isothiocyanate antibody conjugates to assess the in vitro effects of VT and another protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide (CHX), on apoptosis in specific T- and B-cell subsets within thymus, spleen and Peyer's patch (PP) cultures. Both VT and CHX markedly inhibited T-cell apoptosis in dexamethasone (9 alpha-fluoro-16 alpha-methylprednisolone)-induced (DEX+) cells isolated from thymus, spleen and PP. Apoptosis-associated internucleosomal DNA fragmentation in whole thymus cell lysates as measured by gel electrophoresis was qualitatively consistent with flow cytometry among the various treatment groups. VT and CHX induced apoptosis in untreated (DEX-) T, B. and IgA+ cells from spleen and PP, whereas the effects of VT and CHX on DEX-induced apoptosis in B and IgA+ cells from these sources were negligible. These findings indicate that VT could either inhibit or enhance programmed cell death in a concentration-dependent manner and that this was dependent on lymphocyte subset, tissue source and glucocorticoid induction.
Animals↗
Dinucleotide repeat polymorphism at the DXS977 locus.
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Base Sequence↗
Foot shock-induced changes in blood and brain serotonin and related substances in rats.
The effects of electric foot shock on peripheral and central serotonergic systems in rats have been studied. We have focused on the time course alterations with particular attention being paid to changes in 5-HT, 5-HIAA, tryptophan concentrations and 5-HIAA/5-HT ratios in blood and various parts of the brain, observed within 1 h following stress application. Blood and brain (7 regions) samples were taken immediately after electric foot shock, 30 min, 1 and 24 h later. In the blood stress induced a rise in tryptophan level as well as rises in 5-HT, 5-HIAA levels and 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio within 1 h following stressful treatment. Tryptophan concentration was found to be increased in every part of the brain within 1 h after electric foot shock application. In striatum it remained higher even after 24 h. 5-HT level showed a significant rise only in medulla, while hypothalamus was the sole region where a fall in 5-HT was found. In other parts of the brain 5-HT level remained unaffected by stress. 5-HIAA content increased in almost every brain area studied except cerebellum and striatum. 5-HIAA/5-HT ratios shared the same pattern of changes. Briefly, foot shock altered 5-HT turnover in various brain regions, in particular within the first hour following stress application, whereas delayed response to stress was rarely observed. Increased brain tryptophan level seems to be necessary to cope with the enhanced 5-HT metabolism caused by stress, reflecting as a rise in 5-HIAA concentration and 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio.
Animals↗
[The effect of medical treatment on hypertension community control--a follow-up study of more than one thousand hypertensives in East City Proper, Beijing].
Hypertension exerts a great threat on human health. Although most of countries promote the management of hypertension in communities, the role of treatment of hypertension is still controversial, it directly influences the strategy of hypertension community control. This study was based on the survey of essential and borderline hypertension in Gu-lou District of East City Proper, Beijing in 1981, and the management of 1339 hypertensives in the follow-up from 1982 to 1985, and the mortality registration in the district by Disease Surveillance System. By observing the prognosis within one year among different treatment groups (nonusers, less than 9 months and more than 9 months within one year), 1289 patients were followed up for a total of 4283 person-years. Crude analyses, stratified and logistic analyses with multi-variables adjustment of age, sex, blood pressure, with or without end-organ damage, etc. could not find that treatments had obvious effects on the reduction of incidence and mortality of stroke, mortality of CVD and all-cause in hypertensives except severe cases. The stratified analyses dy smoking also showed that smoking had a disadvantageous effects for treated hypertensives. Based on our results, we suggest that health education should be a major part of hypertension management program in community; treatments of hypertension should consider the flexible situation of patients and may not be a priority in hypertension community control program.
Aged↗
Many-body effects in the electromodulation spectra of modulation-doped quantum wells: Theory and experiment.
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Journal Article↗
An evaluation of two methods of anatomical alignment of radiotherapy portal images.
PURPOSE: Two techniques have been developed at our institution to allow anatomical registration of digitized portal images to a simulation film. Accuracy of the portal image alignment methods is tested and single intrauser and multiple interuser variation is examined using each technique. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Method one requires the identification of anatomical fiducial points on a simulation image and its corresponding portal image. The parameters required to align the corresponding points are calculated by a least squares fit algorithm. Method two uses an anatomical template generated from the simulation image and superimposing it upon a portal image. The template is then adjusted by a computer mouse to obtain the best subjective anatomical fit on the portal image. Megavoltage portal images of a skull phantom with various known shifts and eight clinical image files were aligned by each method. Each data set was aligned several times by both a single user and multiple users. RESULTS: Alignment of the anatomical phantom portal images demonstrates an accuracy of less than 0.8 +/- 0.9 mm and 0.7 +/- 1.0 degrees with either method. As out of plane rotation increased from 0 to 5 degrees, simulating out of plane malpositioning, alignment orthogonal to the plane of rotation worsened to 1.5 +/- 1.1 mm with the point method and 2.4 +/- 1.6 mm with the template method. Alignment parallel to the axis of the gantry rotation was insensitive to this change and remained constant as did the rotational alignment parameters. For the clinical image files the magnitude of variation for a single user is typically less than +/- 1 mm or +/- 1 degree. The magnitude of variation of alignment increased when multiple users aligned the same image files. The variation was dependent upon anatomical site and to a lesser degree the method of alignment used. The root mean square deviation of translational shifts range from +/- 0.68 mm when using the template method in the pelvis to as high as +/- 2.94 mm with the template method to align abdominal portal images. In the thorax and pelvis translational alignments along the horizontal axis were more precise than along the vertical axis. Multiple user variability was in part due to poor image quality, user experience, non rigidity of the anatomical features, and the difficulty in locating an exact point on a continuous anatomical structure. CONCLUSION: In well controlled phantom studies both the fiducial point and template method provide similar and adequate results. The phantom studies show that alignment error and variance increase with distortion in anatomical features secondary to out of plane rotations. In clinical situations intrauser variation is small, however, multiple interuser variation is larger. The magnitude of variation is dependent upon the anatomical site aligned.
Computer Simulation↗
The use of on-line image verification to estimate the variation in radiation therapy dose delivery.
PURPOSE: On-line radiotherapy imaging systems provide data that allow us to study the geometric nature of treatment variation. It is more clinically relevant to examine the resultant dosimetric variation. In this work, daily beam position as recorded by the on-line images is used to recalculate the treatment plan to show the effect geometric variation has on dose. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Daily 6 MV or 18 MV x-ray portal images were acquired using a fiberoptic on-line imaging system for 12 patients with cancers in the head and neck, thoracic, and pelvic regions. Each daily on-line portal image was aligned with the prescription simulation image using a template of anatomical structures defined on the latter. The outline of the actual block position was then superimposed on the prescription image. Daily block positions were cumulated to give a summary image represented by the block overlap isofrequency distribution. The summary data were used to analyze the amount of genometric variation relative to the prescription boundary on a histogram distribution plot. Treatment plans were recalculated by considering each aligned portal image as an individual beam. RESULTS: On-Line Image Verification (OLIV) data can differentiate between systematic and random errors in a course of daily radiation therapy. The data emphasize that the type and magnitude of patient set-up errors are unique for individual patients and different clinical situations. Head and neck sites had the least random variation (average 0-100% block overlap isofrequency distribution width = 7 mm) compared to thoracic (average 0-100% block overlap isofrequency distribution width = 12 mm) or pelvic sites (average 0-100% block overlap isofrequency distribution width = 14 mm). When treatment delivery is analyzed case by case, systematic as well as random errors are represented. When the data are pooled by anatomical site, individuality of variations is lost and variation appears random. Recalculated plans demonstrated dosimetric deviations from the original plans. The differences between the two dosimetric distributions were emphasized using a technique of plan subtraction. This allowed quick identification of relative "hot and cold spots" in the recalculated plans. The magnitude and clinical significance of dosimetric variation was unique for each patient. CONCLUSIONS: OLIV data are used to study geometric uncertainties because of the unique nature for individual patients. Dose recalculation is helpful to illustrate the dosimetric consequences of set-up errors.
Humans↗
Dissociation of alpha 2-plasmin-inhibitor-plasmin complex and regeneration of plasmin activity by SDS treatment.
In order to understand the mechanism for the complex between alpha 2-plasmin-inhibitor (alpha 2-PI) and plasmin to express its specific activity on fibrin autography after SDS-PAGE, we analyzed the effects of SDS on alpha 2-PI molecule and alpha 2-PI-plasmin complex. Treatment of alpha 2-PI by SDS at the concentrations of 0.01% and 0.1% abolished the activity of alpha 2-PI to form a stoichiometric complex with plasmin, whereas it did not interfere with plasmin's activity. More interestingly, in the case of 0.01% SDS, alpha 2-PI was further cleaved to a smaller molecule. Treatment of previously formed alpha 2-PI-plasmin complex by SDS at the concentrations of both 0.01% and 0.1% dissociated the complex and expressed specific amidolytic activity against tripeptide substrate (S-2251), which activity was totally quenched by aprotinin. When alpha 2-PI-plasmin complex was treated by higher concentration of SDS for 12 hours, dissociated free plasmin's band could be observed on SDS-PAGE analysis. It is likely, therefore, that the exposure of alpha 2-PI-plasmin complex to SDS during the procedure of SDS-PAGE dissociates the complex and expresses its specific proteolytic activity in fibrin autography. These features of alpha 2-PI and its complex with plasmin are similar to those of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) and its complex with plasminogen activators (PAs), thus they may represent some common features of the SERPINS.
Antifibrinolytic Agents↗
Correlation between serotonergic measures in cerebrospinal fluid and blood of subhuman primate.
The relationship between the concentration of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT), its precursor; tryptophan (Trp) and the main metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood of monkey have been studied. 5-HT, Trp and 5-HIAA underwent circadian changes in both CSF and blood. Significant correlations were found between 5-HT, 5-HIAA and Trp in CSF and blood. The significance of these findings and their relationship to the use of peripheral serotonergic system as a functional model of the central nervous system are discussed.
Animals↗