Determinação das características físico-químicas e das miopatias do músculo Pectoralis major em frangos de corte criados em piso de plástico perfurado / Determination of the physical-chemical characteristics and myopathy of the Pectoralis major muscle in broiler chickens raised on perforated plastic floor

Esse estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a influência da criação de frangos de corte em pisos plásticos perfurados sobre a qualidade físico-química da carne e a incidência de miopatias peitorais. Para isso, os animais foram alojados em 14 box, em dois tratamentos, cama e piso, 25 animais por box. Para a capacidade de retenção de água as aves do tratamento piso apresentaram melhores resultados; no entanto, apresentaram maior perda de água por cocção. O músculo Pectoralis major dos animais criados no piso de plástico, apresentou menor valor de força de cisalhamento, entretanto, maior força de deformação. Para as miopatias, o peito dos frangos criados no piso de plástico apresentaram maior incidência de white striping, enquanto os que permaneceram na cama de casca de arroz apresentaram maior incidência de wooden breast. A criação de frangos de corte em pisos de plástico perfurados não influenciou as características físico-químicas da carne, bem como a incidência de miopatias peitorais.

Radioactive seed migration after prostate brachytherapy with Iodine-125 using loose seeds versus stranded seeds

Objectives: To assess the incidence and clinical parameters that could influence migration of seeds in localized prostate cancer patients treated by stranded versus loose sources by Iodine-125 brachytherapy. Material and Methods: 100 patients were treated from January/1998 until December/2006. Age, PSA, clinical stage, Gleason, prostate volume, number of seeds, activity of radioactive seeds, and dosimetric parameters, such as V100, V150 and D90 were evaluated. Results: Mean follow-up was 79 months (18 - 120. CI 95 percent: 72 - 85). Overall, 6 of 100 patients experienced seed migration. Seed migration was found in 4/50 (8 percent) patients using loose seeds and in 2/50 (4 percent) treated by stranded seeds. Mean value dosimetric parameters for stranded seeds were greater than those for loose seeds (V100( percent): 88.7/82, D90(Gy): 149.2/140.3, D90( percent): 104.2/93.8, V150 ( percent): 53.8/47, respectively). No significant difference in migration of seeds was detected between loose and stranded seeds considering age (p = 0.33), PSA (p = 0.391), prostate volume (p = 0.397), activity of radioactive seeds (p = 0.109), number of seeds (p = 0.338), V100 (p = 0.332), although significant differences were measured in the values of D90( percent and Gy) (p = 0.022 and 0.011) and V150 (p = 0.023). Conclusions: Seed migration after brachytherapy might occur and it does affect post-implant dosimetry.

The seven-year preliminary results of brachytherapy with Iodine-125 seeds for localized prostate cancer treated at a Brazilian single-center

OBJECTIVE: To report the seven-year preliminary results of a single-center on brachytherapy with Iodine-125 seeds, used in combination with external beam radiotherapy in selected patients with localized prostate cancer (T1-T2). MATERIALS AND METHODS: All 105 patients treated by brachytherapy with Iodine-125 seeds, from January/1998 to December/2004, were retrospectively analyzed. The prescribed dose was 144 Gy at the periphery of the prostate for isolated brachytherapy, and 110 Gy for the combination with external beam radiotherapy. The external beam radiotherapy dose was 45 Gy, at the prostatic bed. Neoadjuvant hormone therapy was indicated for selected patients, who received luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) and/or antiandrogens. For definition of biochemical relapse, it was adopted the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology consensus. RESULTS: Of the 105 patients treated, 90 were followed for a mean period of 70 months. Biochemical disease control was achieved in 62 (69 percent) and biochemical recurrence was manifested in 28 (31 percent). The analysis of each risk group showed biochemical disease control rates of 79 percent, 71 percent and 52 percent in the low, intermediate and high risk groups, respectively. The mean time for biochemical recurrence was 22 months. Genitourinary acute toxicity was classified as grade 0-2 (RTOG) in 88.5 percent and in 94.2 percent for the late toxicity (RTOG/EORTC). Gastrointestinal acute toxicity was graded as 0-2 (RTOG) in 100 percent and in 97.7 percent for the late morbidity. No grade 5 was detected. CONCLUSIONS: Brachytherapy with Iodine-125 seeds is an effective alternative treatment for early stage prostatic cancer, with good biochemical disease control rates and low to moderate toxicity. The best results were obtained in low and intermediate risk patients.