Boron neutron capture therapy for malignant melanoma： first clinical case report in China

A phase Ⅰ/Ⅱ clinical trial for treating malignant melanoma by boron neutron capture therapy（BNCT） was designed to evaluate whether the world＇s first in-hospital neutron irradiator（IHNI） was qualified for BNCT. In this clinical trial planning to enroll 30 patients, the first case was treated on August 19, 2014. We present the protocol of this clinical trial, the treating procedure, and the clinical outcome of this first case. Only grade 2 acute radiation injury was observed during the first four weeks after BNCT and the injury healed after treatment. No late radiation injury was found during the 24-month follow-up. Based on positron emission tomography-computed tomography（PET/CT） scan, pathological analysis and gross examination, the patient showed a complete response to BNCT,indicating that BNCT is a potent therapy against malignant melanoma and IHNI has the potential to enable the delivery of BNCT in hospitals.

Improving Ultrasonic Testing by Using Machine Learning Framework Based on Model Interpretation Strategy

Ultrasonic testing(UT)is increasingly combined with machine learning(ML)techniques for intelligently identifying damage.Extracting signifcant features from UT data is essential for efcient defect characterization.Moreover,the hidden physics behind ML is unexplained,reducing the generalization capability and versatility of ML methods in UT.In this paper,a generally applicable ML framework based on the model interpretation strategy is proposed to improve the detection accuracy and computational efciency of UT.Firstly,multi-domain features are extracted from the UT signals with signal processing techniques to construct an initial feature space.Subsequently,a feature selection method based on model interpretable strategy(FS-MIS)is innovatively developed by integrating Shapley additive explanation(SHAP),flter method,embedded method and wrapper method.The most efective ML model and the optimal feature subset with better correlation to the target defects are determined self-adaptively.The proposed framework is validated by identifying and locating side-drilled holes(SDHs)with 0.5λcentral distance and different depths.An ultrasonic array probe is adopted to acquire FMC datasets from several aluminum alloy specimens containing two SDHs by experiments.The optimal feature subset selected by FS-MIS is set as the input of the chosen ML model to train and predict the times of arrival(ToAs)of the scattered waves emitted by adjacent SDHs.The experimental results demonstrate that the relative errors of the predicted ToAs are all below 3.67%with an average error of 0.25%,signifcantly improving the time resolution of UT signals.On this basis,the predicted ToAs are assigned to the corresponding original signals for decoupling overlapped pulse-echoes and reconstructing high-resolution FMC datasets.The imaging resolution is enhanced to 0.5λby implementing the total focusing method(TFM).The relative errors of hole depths and central distance are no more than 0.51%and 3.57%,respectively.Finally,the superior performance of the proposed FS-MIS is validated by comparing it with initial feature space and conventional dimensionality reduction techniques.

MANAGING CONSTRUCTION RISKS OF AP1000 NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS IN CHINA

Large and complex construction projects lace risk trom various sources and the successlul completion of such projects depends on effective risk management. This study investigates the risk faced by Chinese firms participating in constructing AP 1000 nuclear power plants in China. AP 1000 nuclear reactors are new, Generation III＋ reactors designed by Westinghouse and to be built first in China. The semi-structured interview approach is used to elicit information from experts involved in the AP1000 projects in China. Based on the interviews, various sources of risk are identified. In addition to general risks that megaprojects normally face, there are unique risks that arise from various sources such as technological, political, organizational, and individual personnel risks. Risk management strategies are proposed to manage general and unique risks identified in the study. The findings of this study would be helpful for Chinese companies involved in the construction of AP 1000 nuclear power plants to mitigate the risks associated with the projects.

Effect of arotinolol on right ventricular function in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy

Objective Dilated cardiomyopathy(DCM) is generally considered to be accompanied by both left and right ventricular dysfunction,but most studies only analyze the left ventricular function. In this study,we evaluated the effect of arotinolol on right ventricular function in patients with DCM. Methods Right ventricular ejection fraction(RVEF) and right ventricular diameter(RVD) were measured by two-dimensional echocardiography(2-DE) in 33 DCM patients;RVEF measured by first-pass radionuclide angiography(FPRA) was compared with that by 2-DE. Results The treatment with arotinolol for one year resulted in a reduction in the right ventricular diameter(baseline,23.0 ± 8.3 mm vs after one-year treatment,20.7 ± 5.4 mm;P=0.004 ) and an associated increase in ejection fraction(baseline,36.9 ± 10.3% vs after one-year treatment,45.8 ± 9.6%;P < 0.001 ) ;there is a high correlation between the 2-DE method and radionuclide ventriculographic method. The correlation coefficient is 0.933(P<0.001) . Conclusion Arotinolol therapy could not only improve left ventricular function,but also improve right ventricular function in DCM patients.

Bounding surface model for ballast with additional attention on the evolution of particle size distribution

Particle size distribution significantly influences the mechanical response of the ballast under low confining pressure.However,particle breakage usually occurs and unfavorably degrades the particle size distribution of the ballast when sufficient load is applied.To model the triaxial stress-strain behavior and its associated evolution of particle size distribution of the ballast,a specific bounding surface model is proposed.The proposed model is based on the traditional bounding surface plasticity and a modified particle breakage index,which correlates the initial gradation and the ultimate gradation together with the current gradation.Simulation of the experimental results from the triaxial compression tests shows that the proposed model can predict the strain softening and volumetric expansion of the ballast under relatively lower confining pressure.It is also able to simulate the strain hardening and volumetric compression of the ballast under relatively higher confining pressure.Most importantly,the proposed approach was observed to have a great potential in predicting the evolution of the particle size distribution of the ballast.

Folate receptor-mediated boron-10 containing carbon nanoparticles as potential delivery vehicles for boron neutron capture therapy of nonfunctional pituitary adenomas

Invasive nonfunctional pituitary adenomas(NFPAs) are difficult to completely resect and often develop tumor recurrence after initial surgery.Currently,no medications are clinically effective in the control of NFPA.Although radiation therapy and radiosurgery are useful to prevent tumor regrowth,they are frequently withheld because of severe complications.Boron neutron capture therapy(BNCT) is a binary radiotherapy that selectively and maximally damages tumor cells without harming the surrounding normal tissue.Folate receptor(FR)-targeted boron-10 containing carbon nanoparticles is a novel boron delivery agent that can be selectively taken up by FR-expressing cells via FR-mediated endocytosis.In this study,FR-targeted boron-10 containing carbon nanoparticles were selectively taken up by NFPAs cells expressing FR but not other types of non-FR expressing pituitary adenomas.After incubation with boron-10 containing carbon nanoparticles and following irradiation with thermal neutrons,the cell viability of NFPAs was significantly decreased,while apoptotic cells were simultaneously increased.However,cells administered the same dose of FR-targeted boron-10 containing carbon nanoparticles without neutron irradiation or received the same neutron irradiation alone did not show significant decrease in cell viability or increase in apoptotic cells.The expression of Bcl-2 was down-regulated and the expression of Bax was up-regulated in NFPAs after treatment with FR-mediated BNCT.In conclusion,FR-targeted boron-10 containing carbon nanoparticles may be an ideal delivery system of boron to NFPAs cells for BNCT.Furthermore,our study also provides a novel insight into therapeutic strategies for invasive NFPA refractory to conventional therapy,while exploring these new applications of BNCT for tumors,especially benign tumors.

Therapeutic Effect of Acupuncture plus Tuina on Cervical Spondylosis

目的:观察针刺配合推拿治疗颈椎病的临床疗效。方法:将146例颈椎病患者随机分为针刺配合推拿组(观察组)70例,针刺组(对照Ⅰ组)38例,推拿组(对照Ⅱ组)38例。结果:观察组痊愈率为92.1%,对照Ⅰ组为68.4 %,对照Ⅱ组为65.8%;观察组与对照Ⅰ组、对照Ⅱ组相比,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);对照Ⅰ组与对照Ⅱ组间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:针刺配合推拿治疗颈椎病能够较快较好地缓解患者病情。

Clinical Observation on Vertebroarterial Pattern of Cervical Spondylopathy Treated by Combination of Adjacent and Distal Points

目的:探讨远近相伍取穴治疗椎动脉型颈椎病的疗效。方法:将140例椎动脉型颈椎病患者随机分为针刺组、药物组,每组各70例。针刺组采用中医辨证取穴结合西医解剖特定点,药物组采用口服龙骨颈椎胶囊、西比灵胶囊,并观察治疗前后临床症状体征积分和椎-基动脉血流改善情况。结果与结论:总有效率针剌组(100%)明显高于药物组(61.4%,P<0.01),临床症状体征积分和椎—基动脉血流改善情况两组治疗前后比较有显著性差异(P<0.05),而针刺组改善程度较药物组更著(P<0.05),远期疗效针刺组优于对照组,但差异无显著性(P>0.2)。