Do Dominant Native Ants Outcompete the Invasive Argentine Ant in Mediterranean Citrus Ecosystems? A Laboratory Test.

The invasive Argentine ant () poses a significant threat to ecosystem stability worldwide. In Mediterranean citrus ecosystems, its spread may be limited by interactions with dominant native ant species. We conducted laboratory experiments to investigate the competitive dynamics between Argentine ants and two major native species, and .

Prognostic factors and clinical outcomes after stereotactic radiotherapy for primary lung tumors.

Aim: To characterize the population treated with SBRT for early-stage primary lung tumors in our institution, determine their outcomes, and identify potential prognosis factors.

Background: Stereotactic radiotherapy (SBRT) is an alternative treatment for inoperable patients with early-stage lung cancer. It confers a local control rate around 90% at 3 years, and 2-3 year overall survival rates of 43-60% in this population.

Neoadjuvant oral vs. infusional chemoradiotherapy on locally advanced rectal cancer: Prognostic factors.

Aim: To evaluate the prognostic factors and impact on survival of neoadjuvant oral and infusional chemoradiotherapy in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.

Background: There is still no definitive consensus about the prognostic factors and the impact of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy on survival. Some studies have pointed to an improvement in overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with tumor downstaging (TD) and nodal downstaging (ND).

Comparison of neoadjuvant oral chemotherapy with UFT plus Folinic acid or Capecitabine concomitant with radiotherapy on locally advanced rectal cancer.

Aim: To evaluate the differences in treatment response and the impact on survival with both oral agents (UFT and Capecitabine) as neoadjuvant chemotherapy administered concomitantly with radiotherapy.

Background: There are still no studies comparing the use of neoadjuvant oral chemotherapy either with UFT plus Folinic acid or Capecitabine concomitant with radiotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC).

Materials And Methods: A set of 112 patients with LARC were treated preoperatively.

Impact of pelvic radiotherapy on female sexuality.

Purpose: To assess physical and psychological morbidity, sexual functioning and social and relationship satisfaction among women treated with pelvic radiotherapy.

Methods: Observational (case-control) study of 199 women: 98 submitted to pelvic radiotherapy for the treatment of uterine, rectal or anal cancers and 101 without a personal history of cancer and similar socio-demographic variables. These completed a socio-demographic and clinical questionnaire, and validated measures of psychological health (DASS: Lovibond and Lovibond in Behav Res Ther 33:353-343, 1995), sexual function (FSFI: Rosen et al.

Impact of neoadjuvant chemoradiation on pathologic response and survival of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.

Background: The impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (CT) and radiotherapy (RT) on overall survival (OS) has been controversial. Some studies have pointed to an improvement in OS and disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with pathologic complete response (pCR).

Aim: To evaluate the therapeutic response and impact on survival of preoperative RT, alone or combined with CT, in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC).