Quantitative and Qualitative Aspects of Dissolved Organic Carbon Leached from Senescent Plants in an Oligotrophic Wetland

We conducted a series of experiments whereby dissolved organic matter (DOM) was leached from various wetland and estuarine plants, namely sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense), spikerush (Eleocharis cellulosa), red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), cattail (Typha domingensis), periphyton (dry and wet mat), and a seagrass (turtle grass; Thalassia testudinum). All are abundant in the Florida Coastal Everglades (FCE) except for cattail, but this species has a potential to proliferate in this environment. Senescent plant samples were immersed into ultrapure water with and without addition of 0.1% NaN3 (w/ and w/o NaN3, respectively) for 36 days. We replaced the water every 3 days. The amount of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), sugars, and phenols in the leachates were analyzed. The contribution of plant leachates to the ultrafiltered high molecular weight fraction of DOM (>1 kDa; UDOM) in natural waters in the FCE was also investigated. UDOM in plant leachates was obtained by tangential flow ultrafiltration and its carbon and phenolic compound compositions were analyzed using solid state 13C cross-polarization magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (13C CPMAS NMR) spectroscopy and thermochemolysis in the presence of tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH thermochemolysis), respectively. The maximum yield of DOC leached from plants over the 36-day incubations ranged from 13.0 to 55.2 g C kg−1 dry weight. This amount was lower in w/o NaN3 treatments (more DOC was consumed by microbes than produced) except for periphyton. During the first 2 weeks of the 5 week incubation period, 60–85% of the total amount of DOC was leached, and exponential decay models fit the leaching rates except for periphyton w/o NaN3. Leached DOC (w/ NaN3) contained different concentrations of sugars and phenols depending on the plant types (1.09–7.22 and 0.38–12.4 g C kg−1 dry weight, respectively), and those biomolecules comprised 8–34% and 4–28% of the total DOC, respectively. This result shows that polyphenols that readily leach from senescent plants can be an important source of chromophoric DOM (CDOM) in wetland environments. The O-alkyl C was found to be the major C form (55±9%) of UDOM in plant leachates as determined by 13C CPMAS NMR. The relative abundance of alkyl C and carbonyl C was consistently lower in plant-leached UDOM than that in natural water UDOM in the FCE, which suggests that these constituents increase in relative abundance during diagenetic processing. TMAH thermochemolysis analysis revealed that the phenolic composition was different among the UDOM leached from different plants, and was expected to serve as a source indicator of UDOM in natural water. Polyphenols are, however, very reactive and photosensitive in aquatic environments, and thus may loose their plant-specific molecular characteristics shortly. Our study suggests that variations in vegetative cover across a wetland landscape will affect the quantity and quality of DOM leached into the water, and such differences in DOM characteristics may affect other biogeochemical processes.

Do selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors and traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs increase the risk of atherothrombosis? Meta-analysis of randomised trials

Objective: To assess the effects of selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX 2) inhibitors and traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on the risk of vascular events. Design: Meta-analysis of published and unpublished tabular data from randomised trials, with indirect estimation of the effects of traditional NSAIDs. Data sources: Medline and Embase (January 1966 to April 2005); Food and Drug Administration records; and data on file from Novartis, Pfizer, and Merck. Review methods: Eligible studies were randomised trials that included a comparison of a selective COX 2 inhibitor versus placebo or a selective COX 2 inhibitor versus a traditional NSAID, of at least four weeks' duration, with information on serious vascular events (defined as myocardial infarction, stroke, or vascular death). Individual investigators and manufacturers provided information on the number of patients randomised, numbers of vascular events, and the person time of follow-up for each randomised group. Results: In placebo comparisons, allocation to a selective COX 2 inhibitor was associated with a 42% relative increase in the incidence of serious vascular events (1.2%/year v 0.9%/year; rate ratio 1.42, 95% confidence interval 1.13 to 1.78; P = 0.003), with no significant heterogeneity among the different selective COX 2 inhibitors. This was chiefly attributable to an increased risk of myocardial infarction (0.6%/year v 0.3%/year; 1.86, 1.33 to 2.59; P = 0.0003), with little apparent difference in other vascular outcomes. Among trials of at least one year's duration (mean 2.7 years), the rate ratio for vascular events was 1.45 (1.12 to 1.89; P = 0.005). Overall, the incidence of serious vascular events was similar between a selective COX 2 inhibitor and any traditional NSAID (1.0%/year v 0.9/%year; 1.16, 0.97 to 1.38; P = 0.1). However, statistical heterogeneity (P = 0.001) was found between trials of a selective COX 2 inhibitor versus naproxen (1.57, 1.21 to 2.03) and of a selective COX 2 inhibitor versus non-naproxen NSAIDs (0.88, 0.69 to 1.12). The summary rate ratio for vascular events, compared with placebo, was 0.92 (0.67 to 1.26) for naproxen, 1.51 (0.96 to 2.37) for ibuprofen, and 1.63 (1.12 to 2.37) for diclofenac. Conclusions: Selective COX 2 inhibitors are associated with a moderate increase in the risk of vascular events, as are high dose regimens of ibuprofen and diclofenac, but high dose naproxen is not associated with such an excess.

Receptive Vocabulary of CLIL and Non-CLIL Primary and Secondary School Learners

CLIL instruction has been reported to be beneficial for foreign language vocabulary learning since CLIL students show higher vocabulary profiles than students of their same age in traditional EFL contexts. However, to our knowledge, the receptive vocabulary knowledge of CLIL and non-CLIL learners at the end of primary and secondary education has not been examined yet. Hence, this study aims at comparing the receptive vocabulary size 79 CLIL primary learners with the receptive vocabulary knowledge of 331 non-CLIL learners at the end of primary and secondary school. Sex-based differences were also analysed. The 2k Vocabulary Levels Test (VLT) was used for the purposes of the study. Results revealed that learners’ receptive vocabulary sizes lie within the most frequent 1000 words, non-CLIL secondary school students throw better results than primary students but the differences between the secondary group and the CLIL group are not statistically significant. As for sex-based differences, we found no significant differences among the groups. These findings led us to believe that the CLIL approach offers a benefit for vocabulary acquisition since CLIL learners have been exposed to the foreign language for a shorter period of time and the results are quite similar to their non-CLIL secondary school partners.

La metrica di Agmon ed il decadimento esponenziale delle soluzioni di equazioni alle derivate parziali

The aim of this master thesis is to study the exponential decay of solutions of elliptic partial equations. This work is based on the results obtained by Agmon. To this purpose, first, we define the Agmon metric, that plays an important role in the study of exponential decay, because it is related to the rate of decay. Under some assumptions on the growth of the function and on the positivity of the quadratic form associated to the operator, a first result of exponential decay is presented. This result is then applied to show the exponential decay of eigenfunctions with eigenvalues whose real part lies below the bottom of the essential spectrum. Finally, three examples are given: the harmonic oscillator, the hydrogen atom and a Schrödinger operator with purely discrete spectrum.

Dissipation of triadimefon on the solid/gas interface

The dissipation or triadimefon, as pure solid and in the Bayleton 5 commercial formulation, was studied under controlled and natural conditions. Volatilization and photodegradation were shown to be the main dissipation processes. The volatilization results can be described by an empirical model assuming exponential decay of the volatilization rate. The filler of the commercial formulation is determinant for the volatilization but has little effect on the photodegradation rates. The main photoproducts were identified and a reaction mechanism proposed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Comparative study of the dissipation of triadimefon in greenhouse and field conditions

The dissipation of triadimefon, {1-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3,3-dimethyl-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butanone}, was studied after its application to melon leaves, glass and paper, both in greenhouse and field conditions. The dissipation rate of triadimefon in its commercial formulation Bayleton 5 was found to be lower in greenhouse than field. The results for different samples in the same conditions show that the dissipation of triadimefon was found to be biphasic. This result can be accounted by a semi-empirical model which assumes an initial fast decline of the dissipation rate, attributed to an exponential decay of the volatilization rates, followed by a second phase where the dissipation is due to a first order degradation processes.The dissipation of triadimefon, {1-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3,3-dimethyl-1-(1H- 1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-one}, was studied after its application to melon leaves, glass and paper, both in greenhouse and field conditions. The dissipation rate of triadimefon in its commercial formulation Bayleton 5 was found to be lower in greenhouse than field. The results for different samples in the same conditions show that the dissipation of triadimefon was found to be biphasic. This result can be accounted by a semi-empirical model which assumes an initial fast decline of the dissipation rate, attributed to an exponential decay of the volatilization rates, followed by a second phase where the dissipation is due to a first order degradation processes.

Comparison of multispectral wide-field optical imaging modalities to maximize image contrast for objective discrimination of oral neoplasia

Multispectral widefield optical imaging has the potential to improve early detection of oral cancer. The appropriate selection of illumination and collection conditions is required to maximize diagnostic ability. The goals of this study were to (i) evaluate image contrast between oral cancer/precancer and non-neoplastic mucosa for a variety of imaging modalities and illumination/collection conditions, and (ii) use classification algorithms to evaluate and compare the diagnostic utility of these modalities to discriminate cancers and precancers from normal tissue. Narrowband reflectance, autofluorescence, and polarized reflectance images were obtained from 61 patients and 11 normal volunteers. Image contrast was compared to identify modalities and conditions yielding greatest contrast. Image features were extracted and used to train and evaluate classification algorithms to discriminate tissue as non-neoplastic, dysplastic, or cancer; results were compared to histologic diagnosis. Autofluorescence imaging at 405-nm excitation provided the greatest image contrast, and the ratio of red-to-green fluorescence intensity computed from these images provided the best classification of dysplasia/cancer versus non-neoplastic tissue. A sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 85% were achieved in the validation set. Multispectral widefield images can accurately distinguish neoplastic and non-neoplastic tissue; however, the ability to separate precancerous lesions from cancers with this technique was limited. (C) 2010 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. [DOI: 10.1117/1.3516593]

No association between the deficit syndrome in psychosis and summer birth in the Southern Hemisphere

Recent studies have shown that individuals with schizophrenia who are born in summer have an increased odds of have deficit syndrome versus nondeficit syndrome. This study extends this work to examiningthis issue in patients from the Southern Hemisphere. Data which included OPCRITrSCAN items and demographic information was obtained for Australian-born cases from the Australian National Mental Health Survey. Followingpreviously published methods, cases were assigned to the deficit group Žns153.or non-deficit groupŽns228.. A logistic regression analysis was used to ascertain whether beingborn in summer ŽDecember, January, February.in the Southern Hemisphere altered the odds of havingdeficit syndrome. There was no association between summer birth and odds of havingdeficit versus non-deficit schizophrenia ŽOdds Ratios0.75, 95% CI 0.49–1.16.. Based on our previous work showingthat the size of the winterrspringbirth excess in schizophrenia is reduced in the Southern Hemisphere, we speculate that factors that influence the association between summer birth and non-deficit syndrome may also vary across geography andror latitude. The Stanley Foundation supported this project.

Influence of patient age and implantation technique on the probability of re-replacement of the homograft aortic valve

Background and aim of the study: Results of valve re-replacement (reoperation) in 898 patients undergoing aortic valve replacement with cryopreserved homograft valves between 1975 and 1998 are reported. The study aim was to provide estimates of unconditional probability of valve reoperation and cumulative incidence function (actual risk) of reoperation. Methods: Valves were implanted by subcoronary insertion (n = 500), inclusion cylinder (n = 46), and aortic root replacement (n = 352). Probability of reoperation was estimated by adopting a mixture model framework within which estimates were adjusted for two risk factors: patient age at initial replacement, and implantation technique. Results: For a patient aged 50 years, the probability of reoperation in his/her lifetime was estimated as 44% and 56% for non-root and root replacement techniques, respectively. For a patient aged 70 years, estimated probability of reoperation was 16% and 25%, respectively. Given that a reoperation is required, patients with non-root replacement have a higher hazard rate than those with root replacement (hazards ratio = 1.4), indicating that non-root replacement patients tend to undergo reoperation earlier before death than root replacement patients. Conclusion: Younger patient age and root versus non-root replacement are risk factors for reoperation. Valve durability is much less in younger patients, while root replacement patients appear more likely to live longer and hence are more likely to require reoperation.

beta-Blocker Therapy and Mortality of Patients With Chagas Cardiomyopathy A Subanalysis of the REMADHE Prospective Trial

Background-Peculiar aspects of Chagas cardiomyopathy raise concerns about efficacy and safety of sympathetic blockade. We studied the influence of beta-blockers in patients with Chagas cardiomyopathy. Methods and Results-We examined REMADHE trial and grouped patients according to etiology (Chagas versus non-Chagas) and beta-blocker therapy. Primary end point was all-cause mortality or heart transplantation. Altogether 456 patients were studied; 27 (5.9%) were submitted to heart transplantation and 202 (44.3%) died. Chagas etiology was present in 68 (14.9%) patients; they had lower body mass index (24.1+/-4.1 versus 26.3+/-5.1, P=0.001), smaller end-diastolic left ventricle diameter (6.7+/-1.0 mm versus 7.0+/-0.9 mm, P=0.001), smaller proportion of beta-blocker therapy (35.8% versus 68%, P<0.001), and higher proportion of spironolactone therapy (74.6% versus 57.8%, P=0.003). Twenty-four (35.8%) patients with Chagas disease were under beta-blocker therapy and had lower serum sodium (136.6+/-3.1 versus 138.4+/-3.1 mEqs, P=0.05) and lower body mass index (22.5+/-3.3 versus 24.9+/-4.3, P=0.03) compared with those who received beta-blockers. Survival was lower in patients with Chagas heart disease as compared with other etiologies. When only patients under beta-blockers were considered, the survival of patients with Chagas disease was similar to that of other etiologies. The survival of patients with beta-blockers was higher than that of patients without beta-blockers. In Cox regression model, left ventricle end-diastolic diameter (hazard ratio, 1.78; CI, 1.15 to 2.76; P=0.009) and beta-blockers (hazard ratio, 0.37; CI, 0.14 to 0.97; P=0.044) were associated with better survival. Conclusions-Our study suggests that beta-blockers may have beneficial effects on survival of patients with heart failure and Chagas heart disease and warrants further investigation in a prospective, randomized trial.

Gastroduodenal opportunistic infections and dyspepsia in HIV-infected patients in the era of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy

Background and Aim: Dyspeptic symptoms are frequently reported by human immuno-defficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients under highly active antiretroviral therapy. Whether opportunistic infections are a cause of dyspepsia is still unknown. In this study we prospectively compare the prevalence of gastrointestinal opportunistic infections in dyspeptic versus non-dyspeptic HIV-infected patients with advanced immunodeficiency. Patients and Methods: Six hundred and ninety HIV-infected patients under highly active antiretroviral therapy underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy with mucosal biopsies from the stomach and duodenum. Group 1: 500 patients (161 women, 339 men; mean age 38.8 years; mean CD4 count 154.3 cells/mm(3) with dyspeptic symptoms such as epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting and fullness. Group 2: 190 patients (169 men, 21 women; mean age 40.7 years; mean CD4 count 171.6 cell/mm(3)) with no dyspeptic symptoms. Results: Group 1: Gastrointestinal opportunistic infections were observed in eight (1.6%), and non-opportunistic parasites in two (0.4%), patients. They were: Cytomegalovirus (four patients), Cryptosporidium sp. (two patients), Schistosoma mansoni sp. (one patient), Strongyloides stercoralis (one patient) and Giardia sp. (two patients). In five patients esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed no mucosal lesions. Group 2: Giardia sp. was detected in two patients (1.1%: P = 0.07947). Conclusion: Gastrointestinal opportunistic infections were shown in a small number of HIV-infected patients under highly active antiretroviral therapy with advanced immunodeficiency. Although gastrointestinal opportunistic infections were detected exclusively in the dyspeptic patient group, they could not be related to these symptoms, since the number of infected patients was not statistically significant. To correctly diagnose opportunistic infections, multiple biopsy specimens may be necessary even from normal-appearing mucosa.

Tailored resections for intractable rolandic cortex epilepsy in children: a single-center experience with 48 consecutive cases

A single-center experience with pediatric patients who underwent surgery for intractable rolandic epilepsy was reviewed with the aim of identifying putative factors that could influence postoperative seizure outcome in this population. Clinical data of 48 patients under 18 years of age with diagnosis of intractable rolandic epilepsy who underwent surgery from January 1996 to September 2009 were reviewed. Patients` mean age at surgery was 9.9 +/- 5.3 years; mean age at epilepsy onset was 3.9 years; mean seizure duration prior to surgery was 6 years; and mean follow-up was 5.1 years. The most frequent etiologies were cortical dysplasia, astrogliosis, tumors, tuberous sclerosis complex, and Sturge-Weber syndrome, which were observed in 20/48 (41.6%), 10/48 (20.8%), 10/48 (20.8%), 5/48 (10.4%), and 3/48 (6.2%) of the patients, respectively. After surgery, 20 patients (41.6%) showed neurological deficits, which in turn recovered within no longer than 6 months after surgery. Seizure outcome was classified as Engel class I in 29 (60.4%), Engel class II in 10 (20.8%), and Engel class III in 9 (18.8%) of the patients. The factors significantly related with seizure outcome were histological features (tumor versus non-tumor cases, p = 0.04) and lesion site (focal lesions versus non-focal lesions, p = 0.04). Tailored resection of rolandic cortex for intractable epilepsy can be safely performed in children. Accurate mapping of both functional cortex and epileptogenic areas may lead to improved seizure outcome. Tumor as well as focal lesions in hand and face motor areas are associated with good seizure outcome.

Braquiterapia prostática: morbilidade urinária e sexual

RESUMO: Objectivos 1. Avaliar a morbilidade urinária e sexual secundária à braquiterapia prostática com implante de I125. 2. Avaliar a influência da hormonoterapia neoadjuvante e adjuvante na morbilidade urinária e sexual secundária à braquiterapia(I125). 3. Avaliar a influência da associação da radioterapia externa na morbilidade urinária e sexual secundária à braquiterapia(I125). 4. Avaliar a morbilidade urinária dos doentes com contra-indicação relativa (próstatas volumosas, IPSS elevado).Material e métodos De Setembro de 2000 a Dezembro de 2004 foram recrutados 204 doentes com o diagnóstico de carcinoma da próstata localizado (T1 e T2) ou localmente avançado (T3) e expectativa de vida superior a 10 anos. Foram submetidos a braquiterapia, com implante transperineal de Iodo 125 (I125) em monoterapia ou combinada com hormonoterapia e/ou radioterapia externa (tratamento trimodal). Definiram-se diversos sub-grupos de pacientes, consoante algumas características habitualmente referidas como factores de risco para a morbilidade do tratamento de braquiterapia prostática, com o objectivo de analisar a sua influência sobre a morbilidade urinária e sexual: Grupo 1: Braquiterapia em monoterapia (MONO) versus braquiterapia associada a radioterapia externa (BCOMB) Grupo 2: Próstatas volumosas (>50ml) versus próstatas não volumosas (<50ml)Grupo 3: Braquiterapia associada a hormonoterapia (HORM) versus braquiterapia sem hormonoterapia (NHORM)Grupo 4: IPSS elevado versus IPSS baixo Avaliou-se a evolução do IPSS, QoL, taxa de RTU-P e retenção urinária pós implante, e evolução do BSFI durante todo o período de seguimento. Resultados Grupo 1: Para o grupo MONO o IPSS iniciou-se com 7.1, sofreu agravamento para 16.1 e 15.9 ao primeiro e terceiro meses. Aos 12 meses, o IPSS desceu para 10.1 enquanto que, aos 18 e 24 meses, o IPSS foi de 7.3 e 5.8. O grupo BCOMB iniciou com IPSS de 9.4. Sofreu agravamento ligeiro e pouco acentuado até aos 6 meses (IPSS de 14). A evolução do IPSS foi, então, flutuante com IPSS de 5.9 aos 12 meses e 9.5 aos 18 meses. Aos 24 meses apresentava IPSS de 6.7. A taxa de retenção urinária (6.4% e 0%) e de RTU-P (2.0% e 0%) foram semelhantes nos grupos MONO e BCOMB, respectivamente (p=0.375 e p=1). A evolução da qualidade das erecções foi semelhante nos dois grupos excepto aos 6 meses em que MONO apresentou o valor 6 e BCOMB 3.7 (p=0.029). A percentagem de doentes potentes foi significativamente inferior nos primeiros 6 meses após a braquiterapia para o grupo BCOMB relativamente ao grupo MONO: 36%–74%; 33%–73%; 33%–75%. Após os 6 meses os grupos foram homogéneos. Grupo 2: O IPSS evoluiu nas próstatas <50ml e >50ml de 7–9 para 15-19 ao primeiro mês e 15-18 ao 3.º mês. Apenas ao primeiro mês é que as diferenças no IPSS foram significativas (p=0.061). Após o 3.º mês os dois grupos foram semelhantes: IPSS de 8 e 12 ao 12.º mês e 5.7 e 6 ao 24.º mês. As taxas de retenção urinária e de RTU-P foram semelhantes (p=0.054 e p=0.286) Grupo 3: A evolução do IPSS, taxas de retenção urinária e de RTU-P foram sobreponíveis em ambos os grupos. A evolução da líbido, erecções, percentagem de doentes potentes, ejaculação, incómodo e satisfação foi significativamente inferior no grupo HORM relativamente ao grupo N HORM apenas ao primeiro mês (valores de p<0.0001; <0.0001; < 0.0001; 0.009 e 0.002 respectivamente) Grupo 4: A evolução do IPSS nos doentes com IPSS elevado foi a seguinte: 22.17(0M); 19.5(1M); 20.5(3M); 15.3(6M); 15.7(12M); 11(18M); 8(24M) A evolução do IPSS nos doentes com IPSS baixo foi a seguinte: 5.9(0M); 15.3(1M); 14.9(3M); 12.2(6M); 8.9(12M); 7.2(18M), 5.5(24M) As taxas de RTU-P (2.8% e 0%) e retenção urinária (5.1% e 5.9%) foram semelhantes em ambos os grupos de doentes (p=1). Conclusões 1. A radioterapia intersticial da próstata com implante transperineal e ecoguiado de Iodo 125 é frequentemente acompanhada de morbilidade urinária transitória e de intensidade moderada. A Morbilidade consiste em sintomatologia do aparelho urinário baixo (“LUTS – lower urinary tract symptoms”) que, na maioria dos doentes, sofre um agravamento máximo do primeiro ao 3.º mês. Segue-se uma melhoria ligeira até ao 6.º mês que é mais acentuada daí em diante. Por volta do 12.º e 18.º mês, a maior parte dos doentes apresenta sintomatologia urinária muito semelhante à que apresentava antes do tratamento. Após o 18.º mês, os doentes mantêm uma melhoria da sintomatologia urinária para além da que apresentavam previamente ao implante. As taxas de retenção urinária e de ressecção transuretral prostática após o implante de braquiterapia são muito baixas, inferiores a 10%. 2. A associação da braquiterapia prostática com radioterapia externa adjuvante influencia a evolução da sintomatologia urinária: o aparecimento da sintomatologia urinária é mais lento, demorando 6 meses a atingir o seu valor máximo que, por sua vez, é de intensidade menos acentuada do que quando a braquiterapia é utilizada em monoterapia. 3. O volume prostático superior a 50 ml não influencia a morbilidade urinária. 4. A terapêutica hormonal, neoadjuvante e adjuvante, não influencia a sintomatologia urinária. 5. Os doentes com sintomatologia urinária prévia muito acentuada não sofrem agravamento da referida sintomatologia. Pelo contrário, apresentam uma melhoria de sintomas urinários desde o primeiro mês, e que se mantém ao longo dos 24 meses de seguimento, apresentando, no final deste período, sintomatologia urinária ligeira e muito inferior à que apresentavam antes do implante. As taxas de retenção urinária e RTU-P após a braquiterapia são semelhantes às que ocorrem nos doentes assintomáticos previamente ao implante. 6. A vida sexual está preservada, em mais de 70% dos casos, ao fim dos 24 meses de seguimento. No entanto, imediatamente após o primeiro mês de seguimento, ocorre uma diminuição ligeira da qualidade das erecções que se mantém, sem melhoria ou agravamento, durante todo o período de seguimento. A hormonoterapia afecta todos os parâmetros da vida sexual, embora de forma apenas temporária. Após a suspensão da terapêutica hormonal este grupo de doentes recupera a actividade sexual e apresenta-se idêntico ao grupo de doentes que não foram sujeitos a essa terapêutica.----------------ABSTRACT: Objectives 1. To assess urinary and sexual morbility after prostatic brachytherapy with the implant of I125 seeds. 2. To assess the influence of neoadjuvant and adjuvant hormone therapy in urinary and sexual morbility after prostatic brachytherapy with the implant of I125 seeds. 3. To assess the effects, on urinary and sexual morbility, of associating external radiotherapy after prostatic brachytherapy with the implant of I125 seeds. 4. To assess the urinary morbility in patients with relative contraindications (voluminous prostates, high IPSS). Material and Methods From September, 2000 to December, 2004 a total of 204 patients were recruited with a diagnosis of localized (T1 and T2) or locally advanced (T3) carcinoma of the prostate and a life expectancy in excess of 10 years. The patients underwent brachytherapy with transperineal seed implant of iodine (I125) as a monotherapy or in combination with hormone therapy and/or external radiotherapy (trimodal treatment). With the aim of evaluating the treatment’s influence on urinary and sexual morbility, a number of patient sub-groups were defined in accordance with certain characteristics normally mentioned as morbility risk factors for prostatic brachytherapy treatment: Group 1: Brachytherapy as monotherapy (MONO) versus brachytherapy in combination with external radiotherapy (BCOMB) Group 2: Voluminous prostates (>50ml) versus non- voluminous prostates (<50ml) Group 3: Brachytherapy in combination with hormone therapy (HORM) versus brachytherapy without hormone therapy (NHORM)Group 4: High IPSS versus a low IPSS. The evolution of the IPSS, QoL, TURP rate and post-implant urinary retention as well as the BSFI were assessed throughout the entire follow-up period. Results Group 1: For the MONO group the IPSS began at 7.1, and then rose to 16.1 and 15.9 in the first and third months, respectively. At month 12, the IPSS had dropped to 10.1 and at month 18 and 24 the IPSS was registered at 7.3 and 5.8, respectively. The BCOMB group started out with an IPSS of 9.4. It underwent a slight and little-significant rise until month 6 (IPSS at 14). The evolution of the IPSS then began to fluctuate from an IPSS of 5.9 at month 12 and 9.5 at month 18. At month 24 we registered an IPSS of 6.7. The urinary retention rate (6.4% and 0%) and TURP rate (2.0% e 0%) were similar to those of the MONO and BCOMB groups, respectively (p=0.375 and p=1). The evolution regarding the quality of erections was similar for the two groups except at 6 months when the MONO group displayed a value of 6 and the BCOMB group 3.7 (p=0.029). The percentage of sexually potent patients was significantly lower in the first six months after brachytherapy for the BCOMB group when compared with the MONO group: 36%–74%; 33%–73%; 33%–75%. After six months, the results became more consistent. Group 2: IPSS results evolved in <50ml and >50ml prostates from 7–9 to 15-19 in the first month and from 15-18 after the third month. It was only in the first month that the differences in the IPSS were significant (p=0.061). After the third month, the two groups displayed similar outcomes: IPSS 8 and 12 at month 12 and 5.7 and 6 at month 24. Urinary retention and TURP rates were similar (p=0.054 e p=0.286). Group 3: IPSS evolution and rates of urinary retention and TURP were identical in both groups. Figures regarding libido, erections, percentage of sexually potent patients, ejaculation, discomfort and sexual satisfaction were always significantly lower for the HORM group, when compared to the NHORM group in the first month only (values of p<0.0001; <0.0001; <0.0001; 0.009 e 0.002, respectively). Group 4: IPSS evolution in patients with a high IPSS was as follows: 22.17(0M); 19.5(1M); 20.5(3M); 15.3(6M); 15.7(12M); 11(18M); 8(24M) IPSS evolution in patients with a low IPSS was as follows: 5.9(0M); 15.3(1M); 14.9(3M); 12.2(6M); 8.9(12M); 7.2(18M), 5.5(24M)TURP rates (2.8% e 0%) and those for urinary retention (5.1% e 5.9%) were similar in both patient groups (p=1). Conclusions 1. Interstitial radiotherapy of the prostate with transperineal, ultrasound-guided implant of Iodine-125 seeds is often followed by transitory urinary morbility of moderate intensity. The morbility involves symptoms of the lower urinary tract which, in most cases are at their worst from the first to the third months. There is a slight improvement up to the sixth month, at which point improvement becomes more accentuated. Around months 12 or 18, most patients display urinary symptoms that are very similar to those noted before treatment. After month 18, patients’ urinary symptoms continue to improve past the point they displayed prior to the implant. Urinary retention rates and those for transurethral resection of the prostate are very low (below 10%), after brachytherapy seed implant. 2. The combination of prostatic brachytherapy and adjuvant external radiotherapy affects the evolution of urinary symptoms: the appearance of urinary symptoms is much slower, taking six months to peak, and is less intense than when brachytherapy is employed as the only means of treatment. 3. The fact that the prostate displays a volume greater than 50 ml does not influence urinary morbility. 4. Neoadjuvant and adjuvant hormone therapy do not influence urinary symptomology. 5. Patients with severe, preexisting symptoms of the urinary tract do not experience a worsening of those symptoms. On the contrary, they exhibit an improvement in urinary symptoms as of the first month. This improvement continues for the 24 months, after which patients display symptoms of the urinary tract that are slight and a noticeable improvement over the urinary complaints registered before the implant. Urinary retention and TURP rates subsequent to brachytherapy are similar to those registered for asymptomatic patients. 6. The patient’s sexual performance is maintained in more than 70% of the cases, as noted after 24 months of follow-up. However, immediately after the first follow-up month there is a lessening in the quality of erections that continues, without improving or worsening, for the whole follow-up period. Hormone therapy affects all the parameters of sexual performance, albeit temporarily. After suspending hormone therapy, this group recovered with regard to sexual performance, and showed itself to be identical to the group of patients that had not undergone hormone therapy.-------------------RESUMÉ:Objectives 1. Évaluer la morbilité urinaire et sexuelle après la realisation la curiethérapie de la prostate avec implant de I125. 2. Évaluer l’ influence de la thérapie hormonale néoadjuvante et adjuvante en ce qui concerne la morbilité urinaire et sexuelle après la réalisation de la curiethérapie (I125). 3. Évaluer l’influence de l’association de la radiothérapie externe dans la morbilité urinaire et sexuelle après la réalisation de la curiethérapie (I125). 4. Évaluer la morbilité urinaire des malades avec des contre indications relatives (prostates volumineuses, IPSS élevé). Matériel et méthodologie De Septembre 2000 à Décembre 2004, on a recruté 204 patients ayant pour diagnostique un carcinome de la prostate localisé (T1 et T2) ou localement avancé (T3) et dont l’expectative de vie était de plus de 10 ans. Ils ont été soumis au traitement de la curiethérapie avec l’implantation transpérinéal de l’iode 125 (I125) en monothérapie ou en traitement combiné avec une thérapie hormonale et/ou radiothérapie externe (traitement trimodale). Il y a eu plusieurs sous-catégories de patients, et cela dépend de quelques caractéristiques normalement considérées comme des facteurs à risque en ce qui concerne la morbilité du traitement de la curiethérapie de la prostate, et l’objective étant d’analyser son influence sur la morbilité urinaire et sexuelle. Groupe 1: Curiethérapie en traitement unique (MONO) par rapport à la curiethérapie associée au traitement externe (BCOMB). Groupe 2: Prostates volumineuses (>50ml) par rapport au prostates qui ne sont pas volumineuses (<50ml). Groupe 3: Curiethérapie associée au traitement hormonale (HORM) par rapport à la curiethérapie sans traitement hormonale (NHORM). Groupe 4: IPSS élevé par rapport au IPSS diminué. Nous avons évalué l’evolution du IPSS, Qualité de vie, le taux de RTU-P et la retention de l’urine après l’implant, BSFI pendant toute la période du traitement. Résultats Groupe 1: Pour le groupe MONO l’IPSS a commençé avec un taux de 7.1, et les patients ont souffert d’un empirement allant jusqu’à 16.1 et 15.9 pendant le premier et le troisième mois. 12 mois après l’IPSS diminua jusqu’à 10.1 À 18 mois le taux fût de 7.3 et à 24 mois il diminua encore jusqu’à atteindre 5.8. Le groupe BCOMB commença avec un taux d’IPSS de 9.4. Ils souffrirent un empirement légér et peu accentué jusqu’aux 6 premiers mois (IPSS de 14). L’évolution de l’IPSS était fluctuante allant de 5.9 à 12 mois et 9.5 à 18 mois. À 24 mois, l’IPSS était de 6.7. Le taux de retention de l’urine (6.4% et 0%) et de la RTU-P (2.0% et 0%) étaient simmilaires dans les groupes MONO et BCOMB respectivement (p=0.375 et p=1). L’ évolution de la qualité des érections fût semblable dans les 2 groupes excepté le groupe MONO qui présenta une valeure de 6 à 6 mois et le groupe BCOMB qui présenta une valeure de 3.7 (p=0.029). Le pourcentage des malades sexuellement puissants a été significativement inférieur pendant les 6 premiers mois depuis la curiethérapie pour le groupe BCOMB si on le compare au groupe MONO: 36%–74%; 33%–73%; 33%–75%. Après cette période, les groupes eûrent des résultats homogénes. Groupe 2: L’ IPSS a évolué dans les prostates <50ml et >50ml de 7–9 jusqu’à 15-19 pendant le premier mois et jusqu’à 15-18 au 3ème mois. C’est seulement pendant le premier mois que les différences de l’IPSS ont été significatives (p=0.061). Après le 3ème mois les deux groupes ont eu des résultats semblables: IPSS 8 et 12 à 12.º mois et 5.7 et 6 à 24.º mois. Le taux de retention de l’urine et de la RTU-P ont été simmilaires (p=0.054 e p=0.286). Groupe 3: L’evolution de l’ IPSS, les taux de retention de l’urine et de la RTU-P pourraient se surposer pour les deux groupes. L’évolution de la libido, des érections, le pourcentage des malades sexuellements puissants, l’incommodité et la satisfaction ont été toujours significativement infériures dans le groupe HORM par rapport au groupe NHORM dès le premier mois (valeurs de p <0.0001; <0.0001; < 0.0001; 0.009 et 0.002 respectivement) Groupe 4: L’évolution de l’ IPSS pour les malades ayant un IPSS élevé fût ainsi: 22.17(0M); 19.5(1M); 20.5(3M); 15.3(6M); 15.7(12M); 11(18M); 8(24M)L’évolution de l’ IPSS pour les malades ayant un IPSS diminué fût ainsi:5.9(0M); 15.3(1M); 14.9(3M); 12.2(6M); 8.9(12M); 7.2(18M), 5.5(24M) Le taux de RTU-P (2.8% e 0%) et de retention de l’urine (5.1% et 5.9%) ont été semblables dans les 2 groupes de malades (p=1). Conclusions 1. La radiothérapie interstitielle de la prostate avec implant transpérinéal de l’iode 125 est fréquamment acompagnée d’une morbilité urinaire transitoire et d’intensité modérée. La morbilité consiste d’une symptomatologie de l’apparéil urinaire inférieure qui, dans la plupart des malades, empire gravement du premier au troisième mois. La situation s’améliore légèrement jusqu’au 6ème mois, l’amélioration étant plus accentuée à partir de là. Autour du 12ème jusqu’au 18ème mois, la majorité des malades présente une symptomatologie urinaire qui se ressemble beaucoup à celle qu’ils avaient avant le traitement. Après le 18ème mois l’amélioration de la symptomatologie urinaire est constante par rapport à celle qu’ils présentaient avant l’implant. Le taux de retention de l’urine et de RTU-P après l’implant de la curiethérapie sont très basses, au dessus de 10%. 2. L’association de la curiethérapie de la prostate avec la radiothérapie externe adjuvante a une influence sur l’évolution de la symptomatologie urinaire: l’apparition des symptômes est plus lente, prenant jusqu’à 6 mois pour atteindre son niveau maximum, qui à son tour, a une intensité moins accentuée que lorsque la curiethérapie est utilisée en monothérapie. 3. Le volume de la prostate supérieure à 50 ml n’a pas d’influence sur la morbilité urinaire. 4. La thérapie hormonale, néoadjuvante et adjuvante, n’a pas d’influence sur la symptomatologie urinaire. 5. Les malades ayant une symptomatologie urinaire préalable et très accentuée ne souffrent pas d’empirement de leur situation. Au contraire, ils présentent une amélioration des symptômes urinaires à partir du premier mois et ceci se maintient tout au long des 24 mois que dure le traitement, ayant à la fin de cette période une symptomatologie urinaire légère et beaucoup plus basse que celle qu’ils présentaient avant l’implant. Le taux de retention de l’urine et de la RTU-P après la curiethérapie est simmilaire à celui que les malades qui n’ont pas de symptômes présentent avant l’implant. 6. La vie sexuelle est préservée dans plus du 70% des cas à la fin de la période de traitement (24 mois). Entretemps, immédiatement après le premier mois d’étude, on note une légère diminution de la qualité des érections qui se maintient sans amélioration ou empirement tout au long du traitement. Le traitement à base d’hormones affecte tous les paramètres de la vie sexuelle, mais de façon temporaire. Après la suspension de la thérapie hormonale ce groupe de malades récupère l’activité sexuelle et se présente de façon égale au groupe de malades qui n’ont pas été soumis à ce traitement.

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We show how an ultrafast pump-pump excitation induces strong fluorescence depletion in biological samples, such as bacteria-containing droplets, in contrast with fluorescent interferents, such as polycyclic aromatic compounds, despite similar spectroscopic properties. Application to the optical remote discrimination of biotic versus non-biotic particles is proposed. Further improvement is required to allow the discrimination of one pathogenic among other non-pathogenic micro-organisms. This improved selectivity may be reached with optimal coherent control experiments, as discussed in the paper.