Experimental and theoretical study of light scattering by individual mature red blood cells by use of scanning flow cytometry and discrete dipole approximation

Elastic light scattering by mature red blood cells (RBCs) was theoretically and experimentally analyzed with the discrete dipole approximation (DDA) and the scanning flow cytometry (SFC), respectively. SFC permits measurement of angular dependence of light-scattering intensity (indicatrix) of single particles. A mature RBC is modeled as a biconcave disk in DDA simulations of light scattering. We have studied the effect of RBC orientation related to the direction of the incident light upon the indicatrix. Numerical calculations of indicatrices for several aspect ratios and volumes of RBC have been carried out. Comparison of the simulated indicatrices and indicatrices measured by SFC showed good agreement, validating the biconcave disk model for a mature RBC. We simulated the light-scattering output signals from the SFC with the DDA for RBCs modeled as a disk-sphere and as an oblate spheroid. The biconcave disk, the disk-sphere, and the oblate spheroid models have been compared for two orientations, i.e. face-on and rim-on incidence. Only the oblate spheroid model for rim-on incidence gives results similar to the rigorous biconcave disk model.Comment: 13 pages, 9 figure

Diversité des méthodes utilisées par les laboratoires français pour la surveillance des infections à cytomégalovirus humain

Monitoring cytomegalovirus circulating viral load is an important parameter of the follow-up in immunocompromised patients. It can be measured either by DNAemia or by pp65 antigenemia. The French national reference center for cytomegaloviruses organized an investigation of practice in 37 teacher hospital virology laboratories to assess the situation in France in 2010. Methods A questionnaire was sent to collect following information: method used in routine for monitoring of circulating viral load of CMV, assay used, sample matrix and extraction method. Results Thirty-six over thirty-seven laboratories filled the questionnaire. Among these, 67% used the quantitative PCR in routine, 11% antigenemia and 22% antigenemia or quantitative PCR; 87% of the laboratories use whole blood for quantitative PCR, whereas 10% and 3% use plasma and leukocytes respectively. Among the laboratories using DNAemia, 100% used real-time PCR assays, 91% use an automated extraction and 9% a manual extraction. Conclusion Thus in France, measurement of DNAemia by real-time PCR is a tool, which gradually replaces the antigenemia for the monitoring of cytomegalovirus infection among immunocompromised patients. The very great diversity of the methods used justifies the installation of a national quality control on total blood, matrix used by 87% of the laboratories

Plasmon oscillations in ellipsoid nanoparticles: beyond dipole approximation

The plasmon oscillations of a metallic triaxial ellipsoid nanoparticle have been studied within the framework of the quasistatic approximation. A general method has been proposed for finding the analytical expressions describing the potential and frequencies of the plasmon oscillations of an arbitrary multipolarity order. The analytical expressions have been derived for an electric potential and plasmon oscillation frequencies of the first 24 modes. Other higher orders plasmon modes are investigated numerically.Comment: 33 pages, 12 figure

Relation dose-volume effets dans les cancers du col utérin traités par curiethérapie adaptative guidée par l'imagerie 3D.

Objectives: To establish dose-volume effects correlations between volumetric dosimetric parameters proposed by the GEC-ESTRO and the probability of occurrence of events such as tumor control or radiation-induced toxicity.Methods: Clinical and dosimetric data of patients treated at Gustave Roussy and in different centers have been reviewed. At first step, dosimetric parameters of image-guided brachytherapy were compared with those of conventional brachytherapy. Secondly, the topography of the most exposed areas of the organs at risk, and the impact of the movements of the bladder, rectum, and sigmoid colon on the assessment of the delivered dose, were studied. Finally, analyzes dose-volume effects were performed.Results: The values of volumetric dosimetric parameters (D2cm3) of the bladder and rectum appeared weakly correlated and significantly higher than the doses evaluated at ICRU points of bladder and rectum , an even in an alternative bladder point. The most exposed areas of the bladder and rectum appeared located above the points of the ICRU. The movements of the organs around the implant during the delivery of the treatment appeared marginal for the bladder and sigmoid, apart from individual variations. However, the mean delivered dose to the rectum was higher than the planned dose. Dose-volume effects correlations showed significant correlations between D0.1cm3 and D2cm3 and the probability of occurrence of urinary or rectal late morbidity. Similarly, significant correlations have been established between the D90 of the high risk, intermediate risk-CTV and the probability of achieving local control. Various tumor characteristics (width, HR-CTV volume, FIGO stage) impact these relationships, as well as the treatment time.Conclusion: Dose-volume effects correlations have been established between modern dosimetric parameters and the probability of achieving local control or cause late morbidity. Regarding tumor control, prescription aims must be customized according to oncologic criteria. For organs at risk, new dose constraints based on 3D brachytherapy experience can be established but should be refined in future studies based on cofactors such as comorbidities. The points retain an interest in clinical research for the study of bladder or vaginal morbidity.Objectifs : Etablir des corrélations dose-volume effet entre les paramètres dosimétriques proposés par le GEC-ESTRO et la probabilité de survenue d’événements tels que le contrôle tumoral ou une toxicité radio-induite.Matériel et méthodes : Les données cliniques et dosimétriques de cohortes de patientes traitées à Gustave Roussy et dans différents centres ont été confrontées. Dans un premier temps les paramètres dosimétriques de la curiethérapie 3D ont été comparés à ceux de la curiethérapie classique. Dans un second temps, la topographie des zones les plus exposées des organes à risque, ainsi que l’impact des mouvements de la vessie, du rectum, et du colon sigmoïde sur l’évaluation de la dose délivrée, ont été étudiés. Enfin, des analyses dose-volume effets ont été réalisées.Résultats : Les valeurs des paramètres dosimétriques volumétriques (D2cm3) de la vessie et du rectum se sont révélées faiblement corrélées et significativement supérieures aux doses évaluées aux points de l’ICRU ou à un point vésical alternatif. Les zones les plus exposées de la vessie et du rectum sont apparues situées au-dessus des points de l’ICRU. Les mouvements des organes autour de l’implant pendant la délivrance du traitement sont apparus marginaux pour la vessie et sigmoïde, en dehors de variations individuelles. En revanche, la dose délivrée au rectum étaient en moyenne plus élevée que le dose planifiée. Les analyses dose-volume effets ont montré des corrélations significatives entre D0.1cm3 et D2cm3 et la probabilité de survenue d’une morbidité tardive urinaire ou rectale. De la même manière, des corrélations significatives ont été établies entre la D90 des CTV à haut risque et à risque intermédiaire et la probabilité d’obtention du contrôle local. Divers caractéristiques tumorales (largeur au diagnostic, volume du CTV-HR, stade FIGO), impactent ces relations, de même que l’étalement total du traitement.Conclusion : Des corrélations dose-volume effets ont été établies entre les paramètres dosimétriques modernes et la probabilité d’obtenir le contrôle local ou d’entraîner une morbidité tardive. En ce qui concerne le contrôle tumoral, les objectifs de prescription doivent être personnalisés en fonction de critères carcinologiques. Pour les organes à risque, de contraintes de dose basées sur l’expérience de la curiethérapie 3D peuvent être établies, mais doivent être affinées dans de futures études en fonction de cofacteurs tels que les comorbidités. Les points gardent un intérêt en recherche clinique, pour l’étude de la morbidité vésicale ou vaginale.Ce travail a l'objet de 6 publications dans des revues internationales à comité de lecture. La septième est présentée sous forme de manuscrit

Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer:chemotherapy

<b>Background:</b> Oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers are frequently described as part of a group of oral cancers or head and neck cancer. Treatment of oral cavity cancer is generally surgery followed by radiotherapy, whereas oropharyngeal cancers, which are more likely to be advanced at the time of diagnosis, are managed with radiotherapy or chemoradiation. Surgery for oral cancers can be disfiguring and both surgery and radiotherapy have significant functional side effects, notably impaired ability to eat, drink and talk. The development of new chemotherapy agents, new combinations of agents and changes in the relative timing of surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy treatments may potentially bring about increases in both survival and quality of life for this group of patients.<p></p> <b>Objectives:</b> To determine whether chemotherapy, in addition to radiotherapy and/or surgery for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer results in improved survival, disease free survival, progression free survival, locoregional control and reduced recurrence of disease. To determine which regimen and time of administration (induction, concomitant or adjuvant) is associated with better outcomes.<p></p> <b>Search strategy:</b> Electronic searches of the Cochrane Oral Health Group's Trials Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED were undertaken on 28th July 2010. Reference lists of recent reviews and included studies were also searched to identify further trials.<p></p> <b>Selection criteria:</b> Randomised controlled trials where more than 50% of participants had primary tumours in the oral cavity or oropharynx, and which compared the addition of chemotherapy to other treatments such as radiotherapy and/or surgery, or compared two or more chemotherapy regimens or modes of administration, were included.<p></p> <b>Data collection and analysis:</b> Trials which met the inclusion criteria were assessed for risk of bias using six domains: sequence generation, allocation concealment, blinding, completeness of outcome data, selective reporting and other possible sources of bias. Data were extracted using a specially designed form and entered into the characteristics of included studies table and the analysis sections of the review. The proportion of participants in each trial with oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers are recorded in Additional Table 1.<p></p> <b>Main results:</b> There was no statistically significant improvement in overall survival associated with induction chemotherapy compared to locoregional treatment alone in 25 trials (hazard ratio (HR) of mortality 0.92, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.84 to 1.00). Post-surgery adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with improved overall survival compared to surgery +/- radiotherapy alone in 10 trials (HR of mortality 0.88, 95% CI 0.79 to 0.99), and there was an additional benefit of adjuvant concomitant chemoradiotherapy compared to radiotherapy in 4 of these trials (HR of mortality 0.84, 95% CI 0.72 to 0.98). Concomitant chemoradiotherapy resulted in improved survival compared to radiotherapy alone in patients whose tumours were considered unresectable in 25 trials (HR of mortality 0.79, 95% CI 0.74 to 0.84). However, the additional toxicity attributable to chemotherapy in the combined regimens remains unquantified.<p></p> <b>Authors' conclusions:</b> Chemotherapy, in addition to radiotherapy and surgery, is associated with improved overall survival in patients with oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers. Induction chemotherapy is associated with a 9% increase in survival and adjuvant concomitant chemoradiotherapy is associated with a 16% increase in overall survival following surgery. In patients with unresectable tumours, concomitant chemoradiotherapy showed a 22% benefit in overall survival compared with radiotherapy alone.<p></p&gt

A violência na escola e os dilemas do controle social: uma proposta dialógica

Violence at school is one of the new global social issues. We will discuss this social phenomenon based on research conducted in Brazil, particularly in Rio Grande do Sul; We will also feature materials from France, the United States, Canada, South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, and Hong Kong. This will be explained in three parts: Violence at School: the search for an explanation; The Brazilian Society and Violence at School; The World Phenomenon of Violence at School observed in at least 50 countries. We work with the sociological notion of "torn citizenship": this notion evokes increasing physical violence in society through various processes of laceration of the body - domestic violence, sexual violence, criminal violence and political violence - which compromises the very possibilities of building citizenship. To analyse the social process of violence among young people, and their uncertain and labyrinthine lives, there are three dimensions: the use of violence, that is, young people live in a "culture of violence"; the existence of a social code that reflects a violent society; and third, the individualism of the young. The conclusion proposes a dialogical approach about school violence and the struggles and social strategies for the mediation and pacification of the school space.A violência na escola constitui-se como uma das novas questões sociais mundiais. Discutiremos este fenômeno social com base em pesquisas realizadas no Brasil, em particular no Rio Grande do Sul; também, apresentaremos materiais da França, dos Estados Unidos, do Canadá, da África do Sul, do México, do Uruguai e de Hong Kong. Isto será exposto em três partes: Violência na Escola: a busca de uma explicação; A Sociedade Brasileira e a Violência na Escola; O Fenômeno Mundial da Violência na Escola, observado em pelo menos 50 países. Trabalhamos com a noção sociológica de "cidadania dilacerada": esta noção evoca a crescente violência física na sociedade, mediante vários processos de laceração do corpo – a violência doméstica, a violência sexual, a violência criminal e a violência política - o que compromete as próprias possibilidades de construção da cidadania. Para analisar o processo social de violência entre os jovens, e suas vidas incertas e labirínticas, há três dimensões: o uso da violência, ou seja, os jovens vivem em uma "cultura de violência"; a existência de um código social que reflete uma sociedade violenta; e terceiro, o individualismo dos jovens. A conclusão propõe uma abordagem dialógica sobre a violência na escola e as lutas e estratégias sociais pela mediação e pacificação do espaço escolar

Gynecologic bleeding revealing vaginal metastasis of renal cell carcinoma

Vaginal metastases of renal cell carcinoma have been rarely described. We report a case of a 75-year old woman, who underwent radical right nephrectomy for a renal cell carcinoma. Tumour was classified pT3bN0M0 and grade III of Furhmann grading. One year later, scanner discovered mediastinal and lombo-aortic lymph nodes. She received 2 months of immunotherapy associated with bevacizumab, but stopped because of intolerance. She was readmitted in our institute for vaginal bleeding. Clinical investigations showed a vaginal mass and biopsy revealed a renal cell carcinoma metastasis. This case suggests that retrograde venous dissemination may be at the origin of vaginal metastasis of renal cell carcinoma and emphasized the preventive value of early ligature of renal vein.Pan African Medical Journal 2013; 14: 6

Salvage for cervical recurrences of head and neck cancer with dissection and interstitial high dose rate brachytherapy

Salvage therapy in head and neck cancer (HNC) is a controversy issue and the literature is scarce regarding the use of interstitial high-dose rate brachytherapy (I-HDR) in HNC. We evaluated the long-term results of a treatment policy combining salvage surgery and I-HDR for cervical recurrences of HNC. Charts of 21 patients treated from 1994 to 2004 were reviewed. The crude local control rate for all patients was 52.4%. The 5- and 8-years overall (OS) and local relapse-free survival (LRFS) rates were 50%, 42.9%, 42.5% and 28.6%, respectively. The only predictive factor associated to LFRS and OS was negative margin status (p = 0.0007 and p = 0.0002). We conclude that complete surgery is mandatory for long term control and the doses given by brachytherapy are not high enough to compensate for microscopic residual disease after surgery