Infusional ECarboF in patients with advanced breast cancer: A very active and well-tolerated out-patient regimen

We performed a trial using the combination of epirubicin 50 mg/m2/day 1, carboplatinum AUC 5/day 1 and continuous 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 200 mg/m2/day (every 4 weeks for 6 months) to confirm the efficacy and low toxicity profile of this regimen in breast cancer. In 51 patients with metastatic (n = 33) or locally advanced (n=18) breast cancer the overall response rate was 86% (95% confidence interval (95% CI): 73%-94%): 94% in locally advanced and 81% metastatic disease. Grade 3-4 toxicity was low: 4% of patients presented with febrile neutropenia, 16% with severe palmar-plantar syndrome, 10% with Port-a-cath thrombosis. This study confirms the high efficacy of infusional 5-FU-based regimens and justifies further research into novel promising oral 5-FU derivative

Enhancement of tissue lesion depth by dual wavelength irradiation with the Nd-YAG/KTP laser: Perspectives for laser prostatectomy

The Nd-YAG/KTP laser coagulates and vaporizes prostate tissue. The objective of this study was to investigate the combined effects of both wavelengths and to determine the irradiation parameters allowing the largest lesion volume. Chicken breast tissue was irradiated ex vivo. Consecutive 1064 and 532 nm Nd-YAG/KTP laser irradiations were performed for different combinations (30 W/10 W, 20 W/20 W, 10 W/30 W) with variable total fluence (1200 J, 2400 J, 3600 J) and compared to isofluent single wavelengths at 40 W irradiation. The depths, diameters and volumes of the total lesion as well as the vaporization effects of the 532 nm wavelength on normal and on priorly coagulated tissue were analysed. Maximum total lesion depths (p< 0.001) were found under combined Nd-YAG/KTP (20 W/20 W) irradiation conditions. Ablation efficacy of the 532 nm wavelength was reduced after prior 1064 nm irradiation, but crater depths were increased. Dual wavelength irradiation with the Nd-YAG/KTP laser induces a specific denaturation process. This may represent a new approach to increase the depth of coagulation necrosis, and thus the treated volume, thereby improving long-term result

Impact of phonons on dephasing of individual excitons in deterministic quantum dot microlenses

Optimized light-matter coupling in semiconductor nanostructures is a key to understand their optical properties and can be enabled by advanced fabrication techniques. Using in-situ electron beam lithography combined with a low-temperature cathodoluminescence imaging, we deterministically fabricate microlenses above selected InAs quantum dots (QDs) achieving their efficient coupling to the external light field. This enables to perform four-wave mixing micro-spectroscopy of single QD excitons, revealing the exciton population and coherence dynamics. We infer the temperature dependence of the dephasing in order to address the impact of phonons on the decoherence of confined excitons. The loss of the coherence over the first picoseconds is associated with the emission of a phonon wave packet, also governing the phonon background in photoluminescence (PL) spectra. Using theory based on the independent boson model, we consistently explain the initial coherence decay, the zero-phonon line fraction, and the lineshape of the phonon-assisted PL using realistic quantum dot geometries

Neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy for locally advanced gastric cancer: a phase I-II study

Background: To study in a phase I-II trial the maximum tolerated dose, the toxicity, and the tolerance of adding radiotherapy to systemic chemotherapy administered preoperatively in patients with locoregionally advanced gastric adenocarcinoma. Patients and methods: Patients with adenocarcinoma of the stomach (T3-4Nany or TanyN+), performance status ≤1, normal hematological, hepatic and renal functions received two cycles of cisplatin 100 mg/m2 on day 1, 5-FU 800 mg/m2 on days 1 to 4 and leucovorin 60 mg b.i.d. on days 1 to 4 q3w, concomitantly with radiation therapy escalated in three dose tiers (31.2, 38.4 and 45.6 Gy). Results: Nineteen patients were accrued and 18 completed neoadjuvant therapy. Major toxicity consisted of grade 3/4 leucopenia and mucositis in 89% and 36% of the patients, respectively. Only one episode of febrile neutropenia was recorded. Dose level number 2 (38.4 Gy) with the chemotherapy given q4w is the recommended dose level. All patients were subsequently operated and no fatalities occurred. Pathological assessment showed one complete and eight partial responses. Two- and 3-year relapse-free survival rates were 57% and 50%, respectively. Only one patient relapsed locally. The peritoneum was the most frequent site of relapse. Conclusions: This neoadjuvant therapeutic program is relatively well tolerated, does not seem to increase the operative risk, and might increase the locoregional control of the disease. The frequency of peritoneal involvement in relapsing patients underscores the need for a more effective systemic treatmen

A cost-effective method to quantify biological surface sediment reworking

We propose a simple and inexpensive method to determine the rate and pattern of surface sediment reworking by benthic organisms. Unlike many existing methods commonly used in bioturbation studies, which usually require sediment sampling, our approach is fully non-destructive and is well suited for investigating non-cohesive fine sediments in streams and rivers. Optical tracer (e.g., luminophores or coloured sand) disappearance or appearance is assessed through time based on optical quantification of surfaces occupied by tracers. Data are used to calculate surface sediment reworking (SSR) coefficients depicting bioturbation intensities. Using this method, we evaluated reworking activity of stream organisms (three benthic invertebrates and a fish) in laboratory microcosms mimicking pool habitats or directly in the field within arenas set in depositional zones. Our method was sensitive enough to measure SSR as low as 0.2 cm2.d-1, such as triggered by intermediate density (774 m-2) of Gammarus fossarum (Amphipoda) in microcosms. In contrast, complex invertebrate community in the field and a fish (Barbatula barabatula) in laboratory microcosms were found to yield to excessively high SSR (>60 cm2.d-1). Lastly, we suggest that images acquired during experiments can be used for qualitative evaluation of species-specific effects on sediment distribution

Imaging Oxygen Distribution in Marine Sediments. The Importance of Bioturbation and Sediment Heterogeneity

The influence of sediment oxygen heterogeneity, due to bioturbation, on diffusive oxygen flux was investigated. Laboratory experiments were carried out with 3 macrobenthic species presenting different bioturbation behaviour patterns:the polychaetes Nereis diversicolor and Nereis virens, both constructing ventilated galleries in the sediment column, and the gastropod Cyclope neritea, a burrowing species which does not build any structure. Oxygen two-dimensional distribution in sediments was quantified by means of the optical planar optode technique. Diffusive oxygen fluxes (mean and integrated) and a variability index were calculated on the captured oxygen images. All species increased sediment oxygen heterogeneity compared to the controls without animals. This was particularly noticeable with the polychaetes because of the construction of more or less complex burrows. Integrated diffusive oxygen flux increased with oxygen heterogeneity due to the production of interface available for solute exchanges between overlying water and sediments. This work shows that sediment heterogeneity is an important feature of the control of oxygen exchanges at the sediment–water interface

Fine sediment reduces vertical migrations of Gammarus pulex (Crustacea: Amphipoda) in response to surface water loss

Surface and subsurface sediments in river ecosystems are recognized as refuges that may promote invertebrate survival during disturbances such as floods and streambed drying. Refuge use is spatiotemporally variable, with environmental factors including substrate composition, in particular the proportion of fine sediment (FS), affecting the ability of organisms to move through interstitial spaces. We conducted a laboratory experiment to examine the effects of FS on the movement of Gammarus pulex Linnaeus (Crustacea: Amphipoda) into subsurface sediments in response to surface water loss. We hypothesized that increasing volumes of FS would impede and ultimately prevent individuals from migrating into the sediments. To test this hypothesis, the proportion of FS (1–2 mm diameter) present within an open gravel matrix (4–16 mm diameter) was varied from 10 to 20% by volume in 2.5% increments. Under control conditions (0% FS), 93% of individuals moved into subsurface sediments as the water level was reduced. The proportion of individuals moving into the subsurface decreased to 74% at 10% FS, and at 20% FS no individuals entered the sediments, supporting our hypothesis. These results demonstrate the importance of reducing FS inputs into river ecosystems and restoring FS-clogged riverbeds, to promote refuge use during increasingly common instream disturbances

Characterizations of how species mediate ecosystem properties require more comprehensive functional effect descriptors

The importance of individual species in mediating ecosystem process and functioning is generally accepted, but categorical descriptors that summarize species-specific contributions to ecosystems tend to reference a limited number of biological traits and underestimate the importance of how organisms interact with their environment. Here, we show how three functionally contrasting sediment-dwelling marine invertebrates affect fluid and particle transport - important processes in mediating nutrient cycling - and use high-resolution reconstructions of burrow geometry to determine the extent and nature of biogenic modification. We find that individual functional effect descriptors fall short of being able to adequately characterize how species mediate the stocks and flows of important ecosystem properties and that, in contrary to common practice and understanding, they are not substitutable with one another because they emphasize different aspects of species activity and behavior. When information derived from these metrics is combined with knowledge of how species behave and modify their environment, however, detailed mechanistic information emerges that increases the likelihood that a species functional standing will be appropriately summarized. Our study provides evidence that more comprehensive functional effect descriptors are required if they are to be of value to those tasked with projecting how altered biodiversity will influence future ecosystems

The role of organisms in hyporheic processes : gaps in current knowledge, needs for future research and applications

Fifty years after the hyporheic zone was first defined (Orghidan, 1959), there are still gaps in the knowledge regarding the role of biodiversity in hyporheic processes. First, some methodological questions remained unanswered regarding the interactions between biodiversity and physical processes, both for the study of habitat characteristics and interactions at different scales. Furthermore, many questions remain to be addressed to help inform our understanding of invertebrate community dynamics, especially regarding the trophic niches of organisms, the functional groups present within sediment, and their temporal changes. Understanding microbial community dynamics would require investigations about their relationship with the physical characteristics of the sediment, their diversity, their relationship with metabolic pathways, their inter- actions with invertebrates, and their response to environmental stress. Another fundamental research question is that of the importance of the hyporheic zone in the global metabolism of the river, which must be explored in relation to organic matter recycling, the effects of disturbances, and the degradation of contaminants. Finally, the application of this knowledge requires the development of methods for the estimation of hydro- logical exchanges, especially for the management of sediment clogging, the optimization of self-purification, and the integration of climate change in environmental policies. The development of descriptors of hyporheic zone health and of new metrology is also crucial to include specific targets in water policies for the long-term management of the system and a clear evaluation of restoration strategies