USE OF PORTAL RADIOGRAPHY TO INCREASE ACCURACY OF DOSE DELIVERY IN RADIATION THERAPY

Port films were acquired for all radiation therapy patients (n = 132) treated over a thirteen month period to 1] assist in initial treatment field set-up on Day 1, 2] for quality assurance with a second port film taken on Day 7 of radiation therapy, and 3] as a means to document the radiation treatment field as a part of the patients permanent medical record. Port films were used for both patients treated with a definitive course of radiation (n = 97 patients), and those treated palliatively (n = 35 patients). The portal radiographs were valuable in terms of the initial set-up, and to correct for any positioning or other errors at the time of the one week recheck. Changes were made, based on the initial port film on Day 1, in 53% and 57% of treatment fields for palliative and definitive radiation patients, respectively. The changes made in both definitively and palliatively irradiated patients were usually in field position, an increase in field size to include all of the tumor, or a decrease in field size to spare normal tissue. Fewer changes were necessary based on the Day 7 recheck port films, but these day-7 rechecks are recommended for quality control. Based on the high frequency of changes introduced because of the initial port film findings, it is recommended that port films be incorporated on a routine basis in veterinary radiation therapy.     

低剂量快中子对角倍秋迁蚜（干雌Ⅲ世代）辐射处理效应的研究初报

本文报道了中子辐射处理角倍秋迁蚜对其越冬寄生率的影响，试验结果表明，与对照组相比，在10^4、10^5、10^6、＋10^6、10^75个辐射剂量组中，以10^7剂量组效应量佳，寄生率提高了1.724个百分点，增益幅度达89.4%。     

黄淮海棉区棉麦两熟光能流与物质流研究Ⅰ．共生期棉行光分布与日总量

１９９２～１９９４年针对黄淮海棉区棉麦两熟套种棉花迟发晚熟进行不同配置方式的田间试验研究。结果表明，不同配置方式棉行光分布型不同，宽窄行配置方式棉行光分布呈宽的“凸”字型，等行配置方式棉行光分布呈偏而窄的“凸”字型。共生期间棉茬小麦正处在生长发育旺盛期，丰产小麦株高从５５ｃｍ增加到８５ｃｍ，旗叶和旗下２叶披出宽度达到２０ｃｍ，单位面积株数、单株叶面积和叶面积系数均达到最大并随后逐渐消减，４种配置方式全共生期棉行日总受光量仅为４６．６％±１３．２％，棉花受光量仅为５３．９％±７．６％，光合有效辐射预留棉行为４０８．２８±１１５．５３μｍｏｌｍ－２ｄ－１，棉花为４７３．５９±６６．８５μｍｏｌｍ－２ｄ－１，分别比一熟棉田减弱５３．４％±１３．２％和４６．１％±７．６％。这些结果说明，套种棉花共生期光热资源严重不足是客观存在的，但处理间存在明显的差异。棉茬小麦选择东西行向，推广垄作和选用矮秆小麦品种，采用标准３─２式或４─２式配置方式有利于共生期预留棉行获得较多的光热资源，促进棉花早发。     

RESPONSE OF SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA OF THE NOSE OF THE CAT TO TREATMENT WITH X RAYS

Results of radiotherapy of 88 cats with squamous cell carcinomas of the nose were recorded. Two treatment regimens were used: 2000 rad per treatment at monthly intervals and 1000 rad at two-day intervals, with a total dose of 3000 rad. Results indicated that three treatments of 1000 rad each was superior to monthly treatments of 2000 rad. Small lesions had the highest cure rate. Response of large lesions to radiotherapy was poor.     

TREATMENT OF DIFFERENTIATED THYROID CARCINOMA IN 7 DOGS UTILIZING 131I

Seven dogs with thyroid gland carcinoma were treated with ¹³¹I and hormone suppressive therapy either alone (3 dogs) or in combination with surgery (3 dogs) or ¹³⁷Cs teletherapy and chemotherapy (1 dog). Empirically chosen doses of 75 to 137 mCi of ¹³¹I were given orally (2 dogs) and intravenously (5 dogs). Adverse effects were limited to acute, transient bone marrow hypoplasia and pancytopenia. Nominal objective reduction in tumor volume or size and number of pulmonary metastases was observed in 4 dogs treated with ¹³¹I and thyroxine. Of these 4 dogs, 2 had stable disease for periods of 4 and 12 months while a third dog had stable disease for 27 months following two ¹³¹I treatments at 3 month intervals. The fourth dog had progressive disease. Two dogs with mediastinal metastases showed reduction in localization of ^99mTc pertechnetate and radioiodine following 2 and 3 treatments using ¹³¹I. It appears that relatively high doses of ¹³¹I can be used safely for the treatment of canine thyroid tumors and that further investigation can be justified to define its efficacy.     

POSTOPERATIVE IRRADIATION OF SPINAL CORD TUMORS IN 9 DOGS

Between 1985 and 1993, nine dogs with spinal cord tumors were treated postoperatively with cobaltradiation at North Carolina State University-Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Total doses ranged between 33.3–48.0 Gy given in 10–12 fractions of 3–4 Gy over a four week period. Five dogs were euthanized due to recurrence of the tumor or neurologic signs and two dogs were euthanized due tounrelated problems. Two dogs were alive but lost to follow-up at 12 and 25 months. Survival time ranged from 6.5–70.0 months. Median survival time (95% confidence interval) was 17 (12–70) months. Results of this study suggest decompressive surgery followed by irradiation can be an effective treatment for dogs with spinal cord tumors.     

RADIOTHERAPY OF CANINE NON-TONSILLAR SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA

The records of 14 dogs treated with megavoltage radiation for non-tonsillar oral squamous cell carcinoma were reviewed to determine the efficacy of this treatment modality. Total radiation dose was either 48 or 57 Gray (Gy), while dose per fraction was either 3.0 or 4.0 Gy. Median disease free interval and survival were 365 and 450 days, respectively. Median disease free interval was shorter in dogs older than nine years (210 days) as compared with dogs less than or equal to nine years old (470 days), (p < .005). Median survival was shorter in dogs older than nine years (315 days) as compared with dogs less than or equal to nine years old (1080 days), (p < 0.02). Weight, stage, anatomic subsite, intraoral location, duration of disease, prior surgery, and number of radiation fractions did not appear to influence disease free interval or survival. Data presented herein suggest that survival in dogs with non-tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma receiving megavoltage radiation may be longer than that achieved with orthovoltage radiation or surgery. Megavoltage radiation appears to be an effective treatment for non-tonsillar oral squamous cell carcinoma in dogs. Further study is needed to determine the optimal time-dose sched-ule.     

吉林长白山人参与其它地域人参比较分析研究

为促进人参产业发展,提高全民人参保健意思,弘扬中华人参文化,重点阐述了地理标志产品吉林长白山人参的独特生态环境优势、质量对比及其功效。方法以现代人参研究成果比较分析了该品与其它地域人参产品之间质量的异同点,并以中医理论和现代医药学学术观点分析论述了吉林长白山人参及其制品抗疲劳、抗辐射的作用机理及其应用。吉林长白山人参内在质量的诸多方面均优于高丽人参、日本人参和北朝鲜人参。吉林长白山人参及其制品抗疲劳、抗辐射作用的保健应用为工作繁忙疲劳人群和受辐射污染人群提供有效的保健方法,同时也为人参保健品开发与应用和提高我国人参国际竞争力提供科学依据。     

Effects of greenhouse cooling method on growth,fruit yield and quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in a tropical climate

A tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) crop was grown in four greenhouses during the dry season 2005/06 in Central Thailand. Sidewalls and roof vents of two greenhouses were covered with nets and these greenhouses were mechanically ventilated when air temperature exceeded 30 °C (NET). The other two greenhouses were covered with polyethylene film and equipped with a fan and pad cooling system (EVAP). Overall mean air temperature was significantly reduced by 2.6 and 3.2 °C (day) and 1.2 and 2.3 °C (night) in EVAP as compared to NET and outside air, respectively. Temperature maxima in EVAP averaged about 4 °C lower than in NET and outside. The relative humidity was around 20 and 30% (day) and 10 and 15% (night) higher in EVAP than in NET or outside, respectively. Vapour pressure deficit averaged 0.25 kPa in EVAP, 1.03 kPa in NET and 1.48 kPa outside. The crop water-consumption was significantly lower in EVAP (1.2) than in NET (1.8 L plant⁻¹ day⁻¹), which is ascribed to reduced transpiration in EVAP. Total fruit yield was similar in NET (6.4 kg plant⁻¹) and EVAP (6.3 kg plant⁻¹). The quantity of undersized (mostly parthenocarpic) and blossom-end rot (BER)-affected fruits was reduced in EVAP. However, the proportion of marketable yield was significantly higher in NET (4.5 kg plant⁻¹) than in EVAP (3.8 kg plant⁻¹), owing largely to an increased incidence of fruit cracking (FC) in EVAP. Higher FC but lower BER incidence coincided with higher fresh weight and Ca concentration in the fruits in EVAP. It is concluded that in regions with high atmospheric relative humidity evaporative cooling without technical modifications allowing dehumidification will not improve protected tomato production.     

In vitro micropropagation from plumular apices of Turkish cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) cultivar Akkiz

Multiple shoot formation from the plumular apices excised from mature embryos of cowpea cv. Akkiz was obtained after pulse treatment with 10 mg/l BAP for 5 days followed by culture on MS medium containing 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00, 1.25 mg/l BAP – with or without 0.10 mg/l NAA. Callus induction and shoot regeneration was recorded on all cultures containing BAP with or without NAA. However, inclusion of 0.1 mg/l NAA had positive effect on callus diameter and shoot length. Maximum mean number of 7.11 shoots per explant were obtained on MS medium containing 1.00 mg/l BAP. Longer shoots were recorded on MS medium containing various concentration of BAP+ 0.1 mg/l NAA compared to those containing various concentrations of BAP singly. All shoots cultured on MS medium containing 1 mg/l BAP were rooted on MS medium containing 0.50 mg/l IBA. Rooted plants were acclimatized at room temprature in soil contained in pots. All plants flowered and set seeds in the greenhouse after 3 months.