Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common cancer in men and affecting hundreds of thousands of men worldwide. The early detection of PCa have been proven to be advantageous for more efficient treatment against PCa. However, the conventional screening methods towards PCa are lack of selectivity and sensitivity, which leading to high false positive rate and overdiagnosis of PCa. The objective of this study is to (1) identify more sensitive and accurate diagnostic biomarkers towards PCa; (2) followed by developing new chemosensor towards the newly found biomarkers. In the first part of this study, based on the previously findings on urinary spermine as useful biomarker for PCa, a more comprehensive study on urinary polyamine levels was carried out and the important role of urinary spermine as biomarker for PCa detection was consolidated. In the second part of this work, molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) towards the target analyte of urinary spermine was prepared for the capturing and extraction of spermine. The specific adsorption and selectivity towards spermine of the MIP were discussed and reported. In the third part of this study, a rapid detection method of spermine was developed via the use of aggregation-induced emission (AIE) active molecules. The presence of spermine would cause aggregation of this chemosensor for a "turn-on" detection of spermine under ultra-violet (UV) excitation, which would be useful in PCa diagnosis in the future.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 71-100). Also available in print.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Also available in print.

No description available.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Delaware, 2009. / Principal faculty advisor: Mary C. Farach-Carson, Dept. of Biological Sciences. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Rutgers University, 2007. / "Graduate Program in Food Science." Includes bibliographical references (p. 55-60).

Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of St Andrews, February 2009. / Restricted until 23rd February 2012.

O acometimento por uma doença crônica como o câncer se constitui em uma ameaça à vida e tem repercussões físicas, psicológicas e sociais no decorrer da existência. No caso do câncer de próstata, sabe-se que seus tratamentos podem interferir na sexualidade masculina, causando perda do desejo sexual e disfunção erétil. Considerando esta realidade, o objetivo deste trabalho foi compreender o modo como homens com câncer de próstata vivenciam e atribuem significados à sua sexualidade. Optou-se pela metodologia da pesquisa qualitativa, na perspectiva da Fenomenologia Ontológico-Hermenêutica de Heidegger. E utilizou-se a história oral de vida como estratégia de acesso aos relatos dos colaboradores. Foram entrevistados 10 homens com câncer de próstata que foram submetidos a tratamentos, com idades entre 51 e 82 anos, pertencentes às classes econômicas D a B2. Os resultados dos relatos possibilitaram a construção de cinco categorias: 1) A temporalidade da infância e da adolescência; 2) A temporalidade da vida adulta: o casamento, a família e os relacionamentos afetivo-sexuais; 3) O adoecimento: as relações afetivo-sexuais após a vivência do câncer; 4) O horizonte do silêncio: o que vela e desvela o ser; e 5) Projeto de vida. A análise interpretativa desvelou a dor e o sofrimento desses homens ao apresentarem disfunção erétil e seqüelas no seu desempenho sexual, atributo do ideal de masculinidade advindo do sistema patriarcal. As vivências de dor remetem-se aos modos de existir autêntico e inautêntico. A inautenticidade foi observada na recusa em aceitar a facticidade da existência, ou seja, a concretude de um corpo que envelhece, adoece e deixa de responder ao desejo sexual. O acometimento pelo câncer de próstata potencializa o contato com a própria finitude, e alguns colaboradores fogem à angústia que surge quando se constata a possibilidade última e mais própria do existir: a morte. Esses homens buscam, então, os tratamentos disponíveis para a disfunção erétil e projetam seu porvir na possibilidade de voltarem a ter ereções satisfatórias, o que expressa o sonho do desempenho sexual vivido na juventude. Todavia, nessa trajetória, alguns colaboradores apresentaram um modo de existir autêntico, evidenciado pela compreensão da temporalidade de sua existência. Seus relatos desvelaram a consciência de que, por não poderem escapar à finitude, lhes resta aceitar as modificações na sexualidade e buscar vivenciá-la de acordo com seus limites e possibilidades. O modo de existir autêntico, que constitui a abertura do homem para o poder-ser-si-mesmo, foi desvelado na afetividade e no diálogo dos colaboradores com suas parceiras. Nesse momento em que os homens perdem a capacidade de ter ereções e sentem-se frágeis em sua masculinidade, se permitem expressar um aspecto fundamental da existência: a afetividade. A abertura para falar sobre si mesmo e ouvir sua parceira evidencia a dimensão do cuidado e da solicitude na relação afetivo-sexual. Os resultados deste estudo apontam para a compreensão ontológica do ser do homem com câncer de próstata na Pós-Modernidade e podem contribuir na construção de práticas de atenção à saúde mais humanizadas. / The effect for a chronic illness as cancer constitutes in a threat the life and has physical, psychological and social repercussions in elapsing of the existence. In the case of cancer of prostate, it is known that its treatment can intervene with the masculinity sexuality, causing loss of the sexual desire and erect dysfunction. Considering this reality, the objective of this work was to understand the way as men with cancer of prostate live deeply and attribute meanings to their sexuality. It was opted to the methodology of the qualitative research, in the perspective of the Martin Heidegger?s Ontological ? Hermeneutical Phenomenology. It was used verbal story of life as strategy of access to the stories of the collaborators. Ten men with cancer of prostate had been interviewed who had been submitted the treatments, with ages between 51 and 82 years, pertaining to economic classes D to B2. The results of the stories make possible the construction of five categories: 1) the temporality of infancy and the adolescence; 2) the temporality of the adult life: the affective marriage, family and sexual relationships; 3) the sickness: sexual affective relations after the experience of cancer; 4) the horizon of silence: what close and disclose the being; 5) life project. The interpretative analyzes exposed the pain and the suffering of these men when presenting erect dysfunction and aftermaths in their sexual performance, attribute of the ideal of masculinity happened of the patriarchal system. The pain experiences send the ways to it to exist authentic and fake. The fake way was observed in the refusal in accepting the fact of the existence, or either the acceptance of a body that ages, sickens and leaves to answer to the sexual desire. The effect for cancer of prostate elevates the contact with the proper end and some collaborators runs away to distresses that it appears when the last possibility is evidenced and more proper to exist: the death. These men search then, the available treatments for the erect dysfunction and project their future in the possibility to come back to have satisfactory erections, what express the dream of the lived sexual performance in youth. However, in this trajectory, some collaborators presents a way to exist authentic, evidenced for the understanding of the temporality of their existence. Their relates disclosed the conscience of that, for not being able to escape to the end, it remains to accept the modifications to them in the sexuality and in accordance with to live deeply their limits and possibilities. The way to exist authentic, that it constitutes the opening of the man to be able to be same itself, was disclosed in the affectivity and the dialogue of the collaborators with their partners. At this moment when the men lose the capacity to have erections and feel themselves fragile in their masculinity, if they allow expressing a basic aspect of the existence: the affectivity. The opening to speak about himself exactly and to hear his partner evidences the dimension of the care and the attention in the affective-sexual relation. The results of this study point with respect to the ontological understanding of the being of the man with cancer of prostate in Post-modernity and can contribute in the construction of practical of attention to health more humanized.

Introduction : Rapporter le développement et les expérimentations d'un nouveau système robotisé destiné à la curiethérapie prostatique possédant un système de suivi de la prostate et une possibilité de fusion écho-IRM. Matériel et méthodes : Un robot d'implantation d'aiguilles transpérinéales guidé par échographie transrectale avec suivi peropératoire des mouvements et de la déformation de la prostate a été crée. Les expériences ont été conduites sur 90 cibles réalisées dans 9 fantômes conçus pour être mobiles et déformables. Les expériences ont été ensuite conduites chez 2 cadavres. Le robot a cherché à déposer des billes de verre simulant des grains de curiethérapie aussi près que possible des cibles dans des fantômes évaluables par différentes modalités d'imagerie dont le scanner et dans des prostates de cadavre. Les résultats étaient mesurés en segmentant les cibles et les billes de verre sur des volumes tomodensitométriques des fantômes et des cadavres. Résultats : Le robot était capable d'atteindre les cibles choisies dans les fantômes avec une précision médiane de 2.73 mm, avec un déplacement médian de la prostate de 5.46 mm. La précision était meilleure à la base qu'à l'apex (2.28 mm vs 3.83 mm, p<0.01) et n'était pas significativement différente pour les implantations horizontales et obliques (2.7 vs 2.82 mm, p=0.18). Les tests sur cadavre ont montré la faisabilité et l'ergonomie du robot en salle d'opération mais des expérimentations plus poussées sont nécessaires. Conclusion : Ce robot destiné à la curiethérapie prostatique est le premier système utilisant le suivi de la prostate intra-opératoire pour guider des aiguilles dans la prostate. Les expériences préliminaires montrent sa capacité à atteindre des cibles malgré les mouvements de la prostate. Les applications pourraient être élargies à la thérapie focale et aux biopsies guidées compte-tenu de sa possibilité à fusionner l'imagerie IRM et l'échographie. / Purpose: To report on the development and the initial experience with a new 3D ultrasound robotic system for prostate brachytherapy assistance and focal therapy. MRI-TRUS fusion as well as its ability to track prostate motion intra-operatively allows it to manage motions and guide needles to MRI enhanced tumor foci. Materials and methods: A robotic system for TRUS-guided needle implantation combined with intraoperative prostate tracking was created. Experiments were conducted on 90 targets embedded in 9 mobile and deformable synthetic prostate phantoms. A preliminary feasibility study on 2 cadavers was also carried out. The experiments involved trying to insert glass beads as close as possible to targets in multimodal imaging phantoms and in cadaver prostates. The results were measured by segmenting the inserted beads in CT scan volumes of the phantoms and of the cadaver's radical prostatectomy specimens. Results: The robot was able to reach the chosen targets in phantoms with a median accuracy of 2.73 mm, with a median prostate motion of 5.46 mm. Accuracy was better in apex than in base (2.28 vs 3.83 mm, p<0.001) and was similar for horizontal and angled needle inclinations (2.7 vs 2.82 mm, p=0.18). Cadaver tests showed the feasibility of the robot's ergonomics in the operating room but further in vivo assessments are needed. Conclusion: This robot for prostate focal therapy and brachytherapy is the first system using intraoperative prostate motion tracking to guide needles into the prostate. The preliminary experiments described show its ability to reach targets in spite of the motion of the prostate.

O acometimento por uma doença crônica como o câncer se constitui em uma ameaça à vida e tem repercussões físicas, psicológicas e sociais no decorrer da existência. No caso do câncer de próstata, sabe-se que seus tratamentos podem interferir na sexualidade masculina, causando perda do desejo sexual e disfunção erétil. Considerando esta realidade, o objetivo deste trabalho foi compreender o modo como homens com câncer de próstata vivenciam e atribuem significados à sua sexualidade. Optou-se pela metodologia da pesquisa qualitativa, na perspectiva da Fenomenologia Ontológico-Hermenêutica de Heidegger. E utilizou-se a história oral de vida como estratégia de acesso aos relatos dos colaboradores. Foram entrevistados 10 homens com câncer de próstata que foram submetidos a tratamentos, com idades entre 51 e 82 anos, pertencentes às classes econômicas D a B2. Os resultados dos relatos possibilitaram a construção de cinco categorias: 1) A temporalidade da infância e da adolescência; 2) A temporalidade da vida adulta: o casamento, a família e os relacionamentos afetivo-sexuais; 3) O adoecimento: as relações afetivo-sexuais após a vivência do câncer; 4) O horizonte do silêncio: o que vela e desvela o ser; e 5) Projeto de vida. A análise interpretativa desvelou a dor e o sofrimento desses homens ao apresentarem disfunção erétil e seqüelas no seu desempenho sexual, atributo do ideal de masculinidade advindo do sistema patriarcal. As vivências de dor remetem-se aos modos de existir autêntico e inautêntico. A inautenticidade foi observada na recusa em aceitar a facticidade da existência, ou seja, a concretude de um corpo que envelhece, adoece e deixa de responder ao desejo sexual. O acometimento pelo câncer de próstata potencializa o contato com a própria finitude, e alguns colaboradores fogem à angústia que surge quando se constata a possibilidade última e mais própria do existir: a morte. Esses homens buscam, então, os tratamentos disponíveis para a disfunção erétil e projetam seu porvir na possibilidade de voltarem a ter ereções satisfatórias, o que expressa o sonho do desempenho sexual vivido na juventude. Todavia, nessa trajetória, alguns colaboradores apresentaram um modo de existir autêntico, evidenciado pela compreensão da temporalidade de sua existência. Seus relatos desvelaram a consciência de que, por não poderem escapar à finitude, lhes resta aceitar as modificações na sexualidade e buscar vivenciá-la de acordo com seus limites e possibilidades. O modo de existir autêntico, que constitui a abertura do homem para o poder-ser-si-mesmo, foi desvelado na afetividade e no diálogo dos colaboradores com suas parceiras. Nesse momento em que os homens perdem a capacidade de ter ereções e sentem-se frágeis em sua masculinidade, se permitem expressar um aspecto fundamental da existência: a afetividade. A abertura para falar sobre si mesmo e ouvir sua parceira evidencia a dimensão do cuidado e da solicitude na relação afetivo-sexual. Os resultados deste estudo apontam para a compreensão ontológica do ser do homem com câncer de próstata na Pós-Modernidade e podem contribuir na construção de práticas de atenção à saúde mais humanizadas. / The effect for a chronic illness as cancer constitutes in a threat the life and has physical, psychological and social repercussions in elapsing of the existence. In the case of cancer of prostate, it is known that its treatment can intervene with the masculinity sexuality, causing loss of the sexual desire and erect dysfunction. Considering this reality, the objective of this work was to understand the way as men with cancer of prostate live deeply and attribute meanings to their sexuality. It was opted to the methodology of the qualitative research, in the perspective of the Martin Heidegger?s Ontological ? Hermeneutical Phenomenology. It was used verbal story of life as strategy of access to the stories of the collaborators. Ten men with cancer of prostate had been interviewed who had been submitted the treatments, with ages between 51 and 82 years, pertaining to economic classes D to B2. The results of the stories make possible the construction of five categories: 1) the temporality of infancy and the adolescence; 2) the temporality of the adult life: the affective marriage, family and sexual relationships; 3) the sickness: sexual affective relations after the experience of cancer; 4) the horizon of silence: what close and disclose the being; 5) life project. The interpretative analyzes exposed the pain and the suffering of these men when presenting erect dysfunction and aftermaths in their sexual performance, attribute of the ideal of masculinity happened of the patriarchal system. The pain experiences send the ways to it to exist authentic and fake. The fake way was observed in the refusal in accepting the fact of the existence, or either the acceptance of a body that ages, sickens and leaves to answer to the sexual desire. The effect for cancer of prostate elevates the contact with the proper end and some collaborators runs away to distresses that it appears when the last possibility is evidenced and more proper to exist: the death. These men search then, the available treatments for the erect dysfunction and project their future in the possibility to come back to have satisfactory erections, what express the dream of the lived sexual performance in youth. However, in this trajectory, some collaborators presents a way to exist authentic, evidenced for the understanding of the temporality of their existence. Their relates disclosed the conscience of that, for not being able to escape to the end, it remains to accept the modifications to them in the sexuality and in accordance with to live deeply their limits and possibilities. The way to exist authentic, that it constitutes the opening of the man to be able to be same itself, was disclosed in the affectivity and the dialogue of the collaborators with their partners. At this moment when the men lose the capacity to have erections and feel themselves fragile in their masculinity, if they allow expressing a basic aspect of the existence: the affectivity. The opening to speak about himself exactly and to hear his partner evidences the dimension of the care and the attention in the affective-sexual relation. The results of this study point with respect to the ontological understanding of the being of the man with cancer of prostate in Post-modernity and can contribute in the construction of practical of attention to health more humanized.