Search

• We investigated the fine-scale spatial genetic structure (at a metre scale) in three cohorts in a natural population of Populus nigra and assessed the links with the intra-specific interactions in early-life stages. • We found a significant fine-scale spatial genetic structure in patches of young P. nigra but not in older cohorts. This indicates a shift in intra-specific interactions from positive to negative with time. • Facilitation processes are enhanced by the presence of significantly more clones of P.nigra in the edges of recruitment bands and in more disturbed portions of the alluvial bars. Competition occurs later through self-thinning. • Studying FSGS for different age cohorts is thus a valuable tool to study the intra-specific interactions and how they change through different life stages. Spatial genetic structure (SGS) studies contribute to our understanding of gene flow and species dispersal. Only a few studies have linked the spatio-temporal pattern of SGS and intra-specific interactions. Black poplar (Populus nigra L.) is a threatened pioneer riparian tree species along many rivers across Europe. We studied its SGS in cohorts of varying ages at a fine-scale (i.e. at distances including the zone of influence between individuals) to better understand local patterns of dispersal and intra-specific interactions during early life-stages. We genotyped 349 P. nigra individuals in three gravel bars along a 1.6 km reach of the Allier River in the Réserve Naturelle du Val d'Allier, central France. We found high genetic diversity values (H e = 0.860) thus identifying this site as important for the conservation of P. nigra genetic diversity. We also found significantly more clones in locations exposed to the river flow compared with less exposed locations. These clones offer mechanical protection and habitat improvement (through facilitation) to individuals in close proximity. A significant fine-scale SGS was observed in the youngest cohort at the gravel bar scale while none was observed in the older cohorts or at the river reach scale. This pattern was confirmed by a reanalysis of published data on the Garonne River. A shift in intra-specific interactions, from facilitation to competition through self-thinning, could explain the loss of SGS in older cohorts. This highlights the importance of shifts in intraspecific interactions through life and their consequence on population genetic structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the planning, treatment, and follow-up strategies worldwide in dedicated proton therapy ocular programs.Methods and Materials: Ten centers from 7 countries completed a questionnaire survey with 109 queries on the eye treatment planning system (TPS), hardware/software equipment, image acquisition/registration, patient positioning, eye surveillance, beam delivery, quality assurance (QA), clinical management, and workflow.Results: Worldwide, 28,891 eye patients were treated with protons at the 10 centers as of the end of 2014. Most centers treated a vast number of ocular patients (1729 to 6369). Three centers treated fewer than 200 ocular patients. Most commonly, the centers treated uveal melanoma (UM) and other primary ocular malignancies, benign ocular tumors, conjunctival lesions, choroidal metastases, and retinoblastomas. The UM dose fractionation was generally within a standard range, whereas dosing for other ocular conditions was not standardized. The majority (80%) of centers used in common a specific ocular TPS. Variability existed in imaging registration, with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) rarely being used in routine planning (20%). Increased patient to full-time equivalent ratios were observed by higher accruing centers (P=.0161). Generally, ophthalmologists followed up the post-radiation therapy patients, though in 40% of centers radiation oncologists also followed up the patients. Seven centers had a prospective outcomes database. All centers used a cyclotron to accelerate protons with dedicated horizontal beam lines only. QA checks (range, modulation) varied substantially across centers.Conclusions: The first worldwide multi-institutional ophthalmic proton therapy survey of the clinical and technical approach shows areas of substantial overlap and areas of progress needed to achieve sustainable and systematic management. Future international efforts include research and development for imaging and planning software upgrades, increased use of MRI, development of clinical protocols, systematic patient-centered data acquisition, and publishing guidelines on QA, staffing, treatment, and follow-up parameters by dedicated ocular programs to ensure the highest level of care for ocular patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The methodology and choice of criteria and indexes used for a common evaluation of helical tomotherapy by 3 French centres are described. After a selection of clinical indications and definition of the general purpose are successively described the criteria and index selected for: 1) description of volumes and adaptation for on board imaging; 2) dose prescription and constraints related to IMRT; 3) intercomparaison of volumes and doses and potential dosimetric gain with this new equipment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

After a request for proposal initiated by National Institute against cancer (INCa) in 2005, three French centers in France started tomotherapy in the first semester of 2007. A national policy of evaluation was performed to study the feasibility of this innovative technique and to compare the interest of helicoidal tomotherapy with other modalities of conformal therapy. Common protocols have been designed to facilitate this evaluation. Description of dose, IMRT levels and constraints are achieved according to each selected indication as: sarcoma, head and neck tumors, lung cancer, mesothelioma, bone metastases, anal carcinoma and craniospinal irradiation.

Purpose: Retrospective analysis of the treatment of choroidal melanoma with protontherapy at the Centre de protonthérapie d'Orsay, France., Patients and Methods: Between September 1991 and September 1995, 612 patients presenting with choroidal melanoma were treated by protontherapy in Orsay. Following initial management of the first 464 patients, results were analyzed, as were results after a 1-year follow-up for 305 patients, a 2-year follow-up for 169 patients, and a 3-year follow-up for 59 patients., Results: Univariate analysis showed that the actuarial local recurrence rate was 5%, the 3-year survival rate 88%, and the overall metastasic rate 5%. The initial tumor volume was the most significant predictive factor for visual results and metastases. Multivariate analysis revealed that visual results were significantly related to the initial tumor volume, initial retinal detachment, and total dose delivered to the optic nerve and macula., Conclusion: Protontherapy of choroidal melanoma allows in most cases conservation of the eye without modification of survival. Visual results mainly depend on the site and size of the tumor.