Gonadal function in males after chemotherapy for early-stage Hodgkin's lymphoma treated in four subsequent trials by the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer: EORTC Lymphoma Group and the Groupe d'Etude des Lymphomes de l'Adulte.

Contains fulltext : 51705.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)PURPOSE: To analyze fertility in male patients treated with various combinations of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, with or without alkylating agents, or with radiotherapy alone for Hodgkin's lymphoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were measured in patients with early-stage upper-diaphragmatic disease enrolled in four European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) trials (H6-H9). Median follow-up after therapy was 32 months. Patients with FSH measurement at least 12 months after end of treatment (n = 355) were selected to assess post-treatment fertility. Patients with FSH measurement 0 to 9 months after therapy (n = 349) were selected to analyze fertility recovery; of these, patients with elevated FSH (> 10 U/L; n = 101) were followed until recovery. Factors predictive for therapy-related infertility were assessed by logistic regression. RESULTS: The proportion of elevated FSH was 3% and 8% in patients treated with radiotherapy only or with nonalkylating chemotherapy (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine [ABVD], epirubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, prednisone [EBVP]); it was 60% (P < .001) after chemotherapy containing alkylating agents (mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, prednisone [MOPP], MOPP/doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine [ABV], bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, prednisone [BEACOPP]). After a median time of 19 months, recovery of fertility occurred in 82% of patients treated without alkylating chemotherapy. This proportion was 30%, statistically (P < .001) lower in those treated with alkylating chemotherapy, and median time to recovery was 27 months. The post-treatment proportion of elevated FSH increased significantly (P < .001) with the dose of alkylating chemotherapy administered, and recovery was less frequent and slower after higher doses. Age more than 50 years and stage II disease also contributed to poor outcome. CONCLUSION: Fertility can be secured after nonalkylating chemotherapy for Hodgkin's lymphoma. In contrast, alkylating chemotherapy has a dismal effect, even after a limited number of cycles

The impact of treatment, socio-demographic and clinical characteristics on health-related quality of life among Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivors: a systematic review

Cancer survivors are at risk of experiencing adverse physical and psychosocial effects of their cancer and its treatment. Both Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) survivors face problems that can affect their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The authors systematically reviewed the literature on HRQoL among HL and NHL survivors. A PubMed and PsychINFO literature search for original articles published until May 2011 was performed. Twenty-four articles, which met the predefined inclusion criteria, were subjected to a quality checklist. HL survivors showed the most problems in (role) physical, social and cognitive functioning, general health, fatigue and financial problems. In addition, HL survivors treated with a combination of therapies, with older age and female sex reported worse HRQoL. NHL survivors showed the most problems in physical functioning, appetite loss, vitality and financial problems. Having had chemotherapy was negatively associated with HRQoL, but no differences in chemotherapy regimens were found. Furthermore, in NHL survivors not meeting public exercise guidelines, HRQoL is low but can be improved with more exercise. More research on the longitudinal comparison between HL and NHL survivors and healthy controls should be performed in order to better understand the long-term (side) effects of treatment on HRQoL and possibilities to alleviate these

On the conceptualization and measurement of flow

This chapter introduces in chronological order the three main measurement methods – the Flow Questionnaire, the Experience Sampling Method, and the standardized scales of the componential approach – that researchers developed and used in conducting research on the flow state. Each measurement method and underlying conceptualization is explained, and its strengths and limitations are then discussed in relation to the other measurement methods and associated conceptualizations. The analysis reveals that, although the concept of flow remained stable since its inception, the models of flow that researchers developed in conjunction with the measurement methods changed substantially over time. Moreover, the findings obtained by applying the various measurement methods led to corroborations and disconfirmations of the underlying models, and hence provided indications on how to interpret and possibly modify flow theory. The chapter then analyzes the emerging process approach, which conceptualizes and measures flow as a dynamic path rather than an object, and highlights its potential for integrating flow and creativity within the same conceptual framework. The final section outlines new directions for developing more valid and useful measurement methods that can help to advance the understanding of flow, its antecedents, and its consequences

Evaluation of fungal contamination and mycotoxin production in maize silage

Agricultural activities involve daily use Of maize silage as feed for livestock, which can be contaminated by mycotoxigenic molds. To evaluate fungal contamination. and the production of mycotoxins in maize silage we propose a multi-disciplinary approach utilizing PCR methods with genes of the aflatoxin (ver-1, omt-1 and apa-2), fumonisin (FUMI) and trichothecene (TR16) biosynthesis pathways. To detect Aspergillus fumigatus, it 26S/intergenic spacer region of the rDNA complex was amplified. These specific PCR assays allowed. three major groups of toxigenic fungi-like aflatoxin-producing Aspergilli, fumonisin and trichothecene-producing Fusaria, and the ubiquitous mold A. fumigatus, to be targeted. A multimycotoxin method is also proposed to simultaneously quantify seven mycotoxins (i.e., aflatoxin B-1, citrinin, deoxynivalenol, fumonisin B-1, gliotoxin, ochratoxin A, zearalenone) in maize silage by high-perforrnance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). These microbiological and analytical tools revealed three potentially toxigenic groups of fungi and A. fumigatus grown from mature maize silage (I I month old) that was collected in Normandy (France) and the, mycotoxins aflatoxin 13, (7.0-51.3 mu g/kg), citrinin (10.1-14.2 mu g/kg), deoxynivalenol (128.0-181.0 mu g/kg) and gliotoxin (6.6-11.9 mu g/kg). Results indicate that the combination of PCR and HPLC-MS can be used to assess fungal quality of maize silages. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

A novel qPCR based-method for detection and quantification of three recurrent species of Penicillium isolated from bioaerosols in mold-damaged homes

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Toxigenic fungi and mycotoxins in mature corn silage

International audienceTo investigate the exposure of livestock and farm workers to mycotoxins during the last months of silage use, the mycoflora and the mycotoxins in a mature silage (11-months-old) were studied. A multimycotoxin method was developed to evaluate the toxigenic in vitro ability of fungal strains. The screening of potentially toxigenic fungi isolated from the mature silage showed that six Fusaria (Fusarium culmorum, Fusarium equiseti, Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani and Fusarium verticillioides) and one Aspergillus (Aspergillus fumigatus) were able to produce mycotoxins on nutrient agar. Seven major mycotoxins (aflatoxin B-1, citrinin, deoxynivalenol, fumonisin B-1, gliotoxin, ochratoxin A and zearalenone) were also searched in the corn silage by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). Among the three mycotoxins (citrinin, gliotoxin and deoxynivalenol) detected in the silage, gliotoxin, a strongly immunosuppressive mycotoxin, occured in the mature silage at level up to 877 ppb, which was associated with the presence of A. fumigatus in the silage. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Questionnements éthiques en ORL pendant la pandémie COVID-19 : étude qualitative de témoignages

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