Erectile function preservation after radiotherapy using a dose-optimization approach on sexual structures for localized prostate cancer.

Purpose: Erectile function preservation is an important quality of life factor in patients treated for prostate cancer. A dose-optimization approach on sexual structures was developed and evaluated to limit erectile dysfunction after radiotherapy.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-three men with localized prostate cancer and no erectile dysfunction were enrolled in the study.

From Proton to Boron: The Lewis Analogs of Protonated Brønsted Super Acids.

Isolation and characterization of highly reactive intermediates are crucial to understand the nature of chemical reactivity. Accordingly, the reactivity of weakly coordinating anions (WCA), usually used to stabilized cationic super electrophiles are of fundamental interest. When a variety of WCA are known to form stable σ-complexes with a proton, inducing Brønsted super acidity, bis-coordinated weak-coordinated anions are much more elusive and considered as long-sought reactive species.

Taming the Lewis Superacidity of Non-Planar Boranes: C-H Bond Activation and Non-Classical Binding Modes at Boron.

The rational design of a geometrically constrained boron Lewis superacid featuring exceptional structure and reactivity is disclosed. It enabled the formation of non-classical electron deficient B-H-B type of bonding, which was supported by spectroscopic and structural parameters as well as computational studies. Taming the pyramidal Lewis acid electrophilicity through weak coordinating anion dissociation enabled a series of highly challenging chemical transformations, such as Csp -H and Csp -H activation under a frustrated Lewis pair regime and the cleavage of Csp -Si bonds.

Rational Development of a Metal-Free Bifunctional System for the C-H Activation of Methane: A Density Functional Theory Investigation.

The activation or heterolytic splitting of methane, a challenging substrate usually restricted to transition metals, has so far proven elusive in experimental frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) chemistry. In this article, we demonstrate, using density functional theory (DFT), that 1-aza-9-boratriptycene is a conceptually simple intramolecular FLP for the activation of methane. Systematic comparison with other FLP systems allows to gain insight into their reactivity with methane.

Methylene Bridging Effect on the Structures, Lewis Acidities and Optical Properties of Semi-planar Triarylboranes.

Three synthetic methods towards semi-planar triarylboranes with two aryl rings connected by a methylene bridge have been developed. The fine-tuning of their stereoelectronic properties and Lewis acidities was achieved by introducing fluorine, methyl, methoxy, n-butyl and phenyl groups either at their exocyclic or bridged aryl rings. X-ray diffraction analysis and quantum-chemical calculations provided quantitative information on the structural distortion experienced by the near planar hydro-boraanthracene skeleton during the association with Lewis bases such as NH and F .

Controlled Generation of 9-Boratriptycene by Lewis Adduct Dissociation: Accessing a Non-Planar Triarylborane.

A highly bent triarylborane, 9-boratriptycene, was generated in solution by selective protodeboronation of the corresponding tetra-aryl boron ate complex with the strong Brønsted acid HNTf . The iptycene core confers enhanced Lewis acidity to 9-boratriptycene, making it unique in terms of structure and reactivity. We studied the stereoelectronic properties of 9-boratriptycene by quantifying its association with small N- and O-centered Lewis bases, as well as with sterically hindered phosphines.

Pushing the Lewis Acidity Boundaries of Boron Compounds With Non-Planar Triarylboranes Derived from Triptycenes.

Bending the planar trigonal boron center of triphenylborane by connecting its aryl rings with carbon or phosphorus linkers gave access to a series of 9-boratriptycene derivatives with unprecedented structures and reactivities. NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction of the Lewis adducts of these non-planar boron Lewis acids with weak Lewis base revealed particularly strong covalent bond formation. The first Lewis adduct of a trivalent boron compounds with the Tf N anion illustrates the unrivaled Lewis acidity of these species.

Borinic Acid Catalysed Reduction of Tertiary Amides with Hydrosilanes: A Mild and Chemoselective Synthesis of Amines.

A reduction of various aryl, alkyl, and α,β-unsaturated amides with phenylsilane, catalysed by a borinic acid, is reported. The unprecedented reaction was carried out under very mild conditions and led to useful amines. Furthermore, the reaction tolerates a variety of functional groups.

Access to Fluoropyrrolidines by Intramolecular Aza-Michael Addition Reaction.

Study of the intramolecular aza-Michael addition reaction from an aminofluorovinylsulfone opens a new route for the synthesis of pyrrolidine derivatives. An unexpected diastereoselective cyclization reaction was observed, leading preferentially to the anti-N-benzylpyrrolidine sulfone. The resulting sulfone was reacted with aldehydes to access β-substituted α-fluoroalkenyl pyrrolidines in one step.

Daily FOUR score assessment provides accurate prognosis of long-term outcome in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Background: The accurate prediction of outcome after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is of major importance. The recently described Full Outline of UnResponsiveness (FOUR) is well adapted to mechanically ventilated patients and does not depend on verbal response.

Objective: To evaluate the ability of FOUR assessed by intensivists to accurately predict outcome in OHCA.

Synthesis of DNA oligonucleotides containing C5-ethynylbenzenesulfonamide-modified nucleotides (EBNA) by polymerases towards the construction of base functionalized nucleic acids.

C5-Ethynylbenzenesulfonamide-modified nucleotide (EBNA) was investigated as substrate of various DNA polymerases. The experiments revealed that KOD, Phusion and Klenow DNA polymerases successfully accepted EBNA-T nucleotide as a substrate and yielded the fully extended DNA. KOD DNA polymerase was found to be the most efficient enzyme to furnish EBNA-T containing DNA in good yields.

Synthesis of selenomethylene-locked nucleic acid (SeLNA)-modified oligonucleotides by polymerases.

Enzymatic recognition of SeLNA nucleotides was investigated. KOD XL DNA polymerase was found to be an efficient enzyme in primer extension reactions. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of SeLNA-modified DNA templates was also efficiently achieved by Phusion and KOD XL DNA polymerases.

Compact diode-pumped passively Q-switched tunable Er-Yb double-clad fiber laser.

Efficient repetitive passive Q switching of a cladding-pumped Er-Yb fiber laser has been demonstrated by use of an external-cavity configuration containing a Co(2+): ZnS crystal as a saturable absorber. Energies of as much as 60muJ in pulses of durations as short as 3.5 ns (FWHM), corresponding to a peak power of >10kW, have been generated, and the maximum slope efficiency with respect to the absorbed pump power was 13%.

Standard ultraviolet daylight for nonextreme exposure conditions.

The skin is exposed to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from natural or artificial sources on a daily basis. The effects of chronic low dose exposure merit investigation, even when these effects are neither conspicuous nor clinically assessable. The purpose of the present study was to define a relative spectral UV irradiance that is representative of frequent nonextreme sun exposure conditions and therefore more appropriate for studies of the long-term and daily effects of solar UV on the skin.

In vivo measurement of the photostability of sunscreen products using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy.

Background/aim: The issue of the photostability of sunscreens has been frequently raised because of the possible loss of photoprotection, mainly in the UVA range, during sun exposure. Up to now, in vitro techniques have been mainly proposed to evaluate photostability. These techniques have generated controversial debates concerning the predictive value of these in vitro observations in relation to the in vivo reality during sun exposure.

UVA protection efficacy of sunscreens can be determined by the persistent pigment darkening (PPD) method. (Part 2).

Background: The UVA-induced Persistent Pigment Darkening (PPD) in vivo has been proposed as an end point for the evaluation of UVA protection.

Aims: This study was designed to determine whether PPD can be used to correctly evaluate the in vivo effectiveness of UVA filters such as oxybenzone, avobenzone, ecamsule and zinc oxide concentrated and together with UVB filters.

Methods: The UVA protection effectiveness of a number of commercial sunscreen products with either SPF 15 or SPF 30 was determined.

Determination of UVA protection factors using the persistent pigment darkening (PPD) as the end point. (Part 1). Calibration of the method.

Background/aims: The accuracy and reliability of any method to assess the UVA protection effectiveness of sunscreens needs to be demonstrated. The aim of the present study was to calibrate the effectiveness of a biological end point (Persistent Pigment Darkening, PPD) to assess UVA photoprotection,

Methods: Persistent Pigment Darkening was selected as the end point because its action spectrum extends across the UVA. A broad UVA source was chosen to challenge all UVA wavelengths.

Collaborative development of a sun protection factor test method: a proposed European Standard. COLIPA Task Force 'Sun Protection Measurement', Europe.

Synopsis Standardization of the method to determine sun protection factors (SPF) is fundamental to uniform labelling of SPF values on sun products. The COLIPA Task Force 'Sun Protection Measurement'(SPM), including representatives of major European sun-product manufacturers and contract testing laboratories, was established in 1990 to define methods for sun products testing. The process involved in developing the COLlPA SPF Test Method started with a critical appraisal of previously existing methods, and identification of areas for improvement.

[Ambulance transportation time of obstetrical patients].

Objective: To examine the time the ambulance needs to transfer women in labour, or immediately after delivery, from home to hospital.

Design: Descriptive.

Setting: Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

A non-invasive technique for the control of intestinal parasites in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta).

Control of intestinal parasites is a major concern in maintaining the health and well-being of captive primates. This study established that percutaneous application of ivermectin was as effective as subcutaneous administration for the control of nematodes in captive rhesus macaques. The method is less intrusive than the standard subcutaneous or oral delivery routes and did not adversely affect the health of any of the study subjects.

Skin colour typology and suntanning pathways.

Synopsis The evaluation of sun-product efficacy, with laboratory solar simulators or in actual sun, implicates clinical and subjective assessment of the various skin responses in terms of wavelengths constitutive of solar light. These photobiological responses vary according to skin types and particularly to basic skin melanic content, i.e.

High-protection sunscreen formulation prevents UVB-induced sunburn cell formation.

A human sunburn cell (SBC) count is used to evaluate the reduction in UV-induced skin damage achieved by a highly protective sunscreen formulation containing 3 filters and reflective pigments (sun protection factor 34). Results indicate that, for the same minimal erythema level, SBC counts do not significantly differ between protected and unprotected skin, showing that the very high efficacy demonstrated against actinic erythema also extends to UV-induced skin damage.

Coma as a complication of total parenteral nutrition. Clinical case.

We report a case of coma occurring during the onset of anabolism and which was concomitant of the perfusion of an aminoacids solution. The neurological problem vanished when we stopped aminoacids perfusion. It is stressed that the perfusion of a non-physiological aminoacids spectrum distribution might lead to metabolic abnormalities resembling hepatic comas.