Validated French translation of the ESIT-SQ standardized tinnitus screening questionnaire.

OBJECTIVES: The heterogeneity of tinnitus in terms of etiology, presentation and sometimes severe impact on quality of life hinders treatment and clinical research. The European School for Interdisciplinary Tinnitus Research Screening Questionnaire (ESIT-SQ) collects standardized tinnitus characteristics for patient subtyping. A validated French translation of the ESIT-SQ is presented here. METHOD: On the initiative of the French Interdisciplinary Tinnitus Association (AFREPA), 3 translators (1 professional translator, 1 clinician and 1 researcher) were missioned to translate the English version of the ESIT-SQ into French, adhering to good practice guidelines. Nine patients were recruited with the help of the France-Acouphènes patient association, to test and validate the translation. Lastly, an exploratory survey of responses to the French questionnaire was conducted online via the Siopi mobile phone application. RESULTS: The French translation of the ESIT-SQ was successfully validated. 105 patients responded to the exploratory survey, and their characteristics are presented here. CONCLUSION: This new validated French translation of the ESIT-SQ will enable epidemiological and clinical data to be collected in French-speaking populations, and thus compiled and compared with data collected with other versions of this questionnaire already published in other languages.

INTU-related oral-facial-digital syndrome type VI: A confirmatory report.

Oral-facial-digital (OFD) syndromes are a subgroup of ciliopathies distinguished by the co-occurrence of hamartomas and/or multiple frenula of the oral region and digital anomalies. Several clinical forms of OFD syndromes are distinguished by their associated anomalies and/or inheritance patterns, and at least 20 genetic types of OFD syndromes have been delineated. We describe here a child with preaxial and postaxial polydactyly, lingual hamartoma, a congenital heart defect, delayed development and cerebellar peduncles displaying the molar tooth sign. Whole-exome sequencing and SNP array identified compound heterozygous variants in the INTU gene, which encodes a protein involved in the positioning of the ciliary basal body. INTU is a subunit of the CPLANE multiprotein complex essential for the assembly of IFT-A particles and intraflagellar transport. This report of a second patient with INTU-related OFD syndrome and the further delineation of its neuroimaging and skeletal phenotype now allow INTU-related OFD syndromes to be classified within the OFD syndrome type VI group. Patients display a phenotype similar to that of mice with a hypomorphic mutation of Intu, but with the addition of a heart defect.

Evolutionary radiations in the species-rich mountain genus Saxifraga L.

BACKGROUND: A large number of taxa have undergone evolutionary radiations in mountainous areas, rendering alpine systems particularly suitable to study the extrinsic and intrinsic factors that have shaped diversification patterns in plants. The species-rich genus Saxifraga L. is widely distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere, with high species numbers in the regions adjacent to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) in particular the Hengduan Mountains and the Himalayas. Using a dataset of 297 taxa (representing at least 60% of extant Saxifraga species), we explored the variation of infrageneric diversification rates. In addition, we used state-dependent speciation and extinction models to test the effects of geographic distribution in the Hengduan Mountains and the entire QTP region as well as of two morphological traits (cushion habit and specialized lime-secreting glands, so-called hydathodes) on the diversification of this genus. RESULTS: We detected two to three rate shifts across the Saxifraga phylogeny and two of these shifts led to radiations within two large subclades of Saxifraga, sect. Ciliatae Haworth subsect. Hirculoideae Engl. & Irmsch. and sect. Porphyrion Tausch subsect. Kabschia Engl. GEOSSE analyses showed that presence in the Hengduan Mountains had a positive effect on diversification across Saxifraga. Influence of these mountains was strongest in Saxifraga sect. Ciliatae subsect. Hirculoideae given its pronounced distribution there, and thus the radiation in this group can be classified at least partially as geographic. In contrast, the evolution of the cushion life form and lime-secreting hydathodes had positive effects on diversification only in selected Saxifraga sections, including sect. Porphyrion subsect. Kabschia. We therefore argue that radiation in this group was likely adaptive. CONCLUSIONS: Our study underlines the complexity of processes and factors underpinning plant radiations: Even in closely related lineages occupying the same life zone, shifts in diversification are not necessarily governed by similar factors. In conclusion, alpine plant radiations result from a complex interaction among geographical settings and/or climatic modifications providing key opportunities for diversification as well as the evolution of key innovations.

[Sleep and academic performance in young elite athletes]. / Sommeil et résultats scolaires chez les jeunes sportifs de haut niveau.

RATIONALE: In French law (Code du Sport), the status of elite athlete is allowed for young athletes beginning at the age of 12 years. For these young athletes, the aim is to reach the highest level of performance in their sport without compromising academic performance. Training time is therefore often substantial and sleep patterns appear to play a key role in performance recovery. The aim of this study was to assess sleep patterns and their effects on academic performance in young elite athletes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sleep patterns were assessed using questionnaires completed during a specific information-based intervention on sports medicine topics. The academic performance of young elite athletes was assessed by collecting their grades (transmitted by their teachers). RESULTS: Sleep patterns were assessed for 137 young elite athletes (64 females, 73 males; mean age, 15.7 years) and academic performance for 109 of them. Daily sleep duration during school periods (8h22 ± 38 min) were shorter compared to holidays and week-ends (10h02 ± 1h16, P<0.0001). Fifty-six athletes (41 %) subjectively estimated their sleep quality as poor or just sufficient. Poor sleep quality was correlated with poor academic performance in this specific athlete population. DISCUSSION: Sleep is the most important period for recovery from daily activity, but little information is available regarding the specific population of young elite athletes. The results reported herein suggest insufficiency (quantitatively and qualitatively) of sleep patterns in some of the young athletes, possibly leading to detrimental effects on athletic performance. Moreover, disturbed sleep patterns may also impact academic performance in young elite athletes. CONCLUSION: Teachers, athletic trainers, physicians, and any other professionals working with young elite athletes should pay particular attention to this specific population regarding the possible negative repercussions of poor sleep patterns on academic and athletic performance.

[Treatments for cardiovascular risk factors and screening for coronary artery disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus]. / Traitements des facteurs de risque cardiovasculaire et dépistage de la maladie coronarienne dans le diabète de type 2.

The recent ACCORD and DIAD studies revealed results which could modify treatments and the screening of diabetes vascular complications. Indeed, ACCORD shows no benefit on the prevention of diabetes vascular complications by aggressive treatment of hypertension or the combined treatment of the dyslipidemia. The intensive treatment of the blood glucose, if associated with severe hypoglycemias, increases mortality. DIAD revealed 20% of silent myocardial ischaemia in diabetic patients but no beneficial effect on the cardiovascular mortality. A careful reading of these studies in the light of long term studies such as UKPDS and STENO reveals that these negative results are generated by a too short follow-up and too aggressive objectives. The long term studies reveal that more realistic objectives remain beneficial.

[Risk perception and communication: from diabetes to cardiovascular diseases]. / Perception et communication du risque: du diabète à la maladie cardiovasculaire.

Evidence-based medicine has enabled to approach disease in a more rational and scientific way. Clinical research has identified behaviours and risk factors that could cause disease often "silent" at the beginning, such as diabetes. Despite the clear impact of these evidences on public health, it seems that the individual risk perception level remains weak. To mention as well, the health professionals very often have a different views, which makes it difficult to communicate the risk with patients. In this article we describe the principles of risk perception, the diabetes related risk perception concerning cardiovascular complications, and suggest some practical strategies and tools which could improve risk communication in the everyday practice.

[The application of informed consent in medicine as social construction]. / La quête du consentement éclairé en médecine comme construction sociale.

The aim of this article is to propose an anthropological point of view about informed consent in medicine. This quest for legitimacy should be read as a relational and social construction. In the heart of clinical complexity we find on one side various techniques employed by the medical community to validate research and to obtain the consent of patients. On the other side patients offer plural and subjective answers due to the doctor patient hierarchical and long relationship. Between constraints and freedoms, informed consent brings to light social relation.

[Primary breast angiosarcoma: two case reports]. / Angiosarcome mammaire primitif: à propos de deux cas.

Primary angiosarcoma is a rare type of breast cancer, the diagnosis is difficult to establish and it has the worst prognostic of all breast malignancies. Two cases of primary breast angiosarcoma have been observed at the centre Henry Kaplan of Tours and at the hospital La Source of Orleans since 2001. Based on a literature review, we analyse the epidemiological, pathological, clinical, diagnostic and treatment aspect of this type of cancer. Mastectomy is the reference treatment and the benefit of radiotherapy and chemotherapy remains to be demonstrated.

Small-scale spatial variability of atrazine and dinoseb adsorption parameters in an alluvial soil.

Soil sorption processes largely control the environmental fate of herbicides. Therefore, accuracy of sorption parameters is crucial for accurate prediction of herbicide mobility in agricultural soils. A combined experimental and statistical study was performed to investigate the small-scale spatial variability of sorption parameters for atrazine and dinoseb in soils and to establish the number of samples needed to provide a value of the distribution coefficient (K(d)) next to the mean, with a given precision. The study explored sorption properties of the two herbicides in subsurface samples collected from four pits distributed along a transect of an alluvial soil; two to four samples were taken at about 30 cm apart at each sampling location. When considering all the data, the distribution coefficients were found to be normally and log-normally distributed for atrazine and dinoseb, respectively; the CVs were relatively high (close to 50% for dinoseb and 40% for atrazine). When analyzed horizon by horizon, the data revealed distribution coefficients normally distributed for both herbicides, whatever the soil layer, with lower CVs. The K(d) values were shown to vary considerably between samples collected at very short distance (a few centimeters), suggesting that taking a single soil sample to determine sorption properties through batch experiments can lead to highly unrepresentative results and to poor sorption/mobility predictions.

[The environment of tRNA 3'-terminus in 80S ribosome A and P sites].

The environment of tRNA 3'-terminus in the 80S ribosomal A and P sites was studied with a tRNA(Asp) analogue that bears a 4-thiouridine residue (s4U) attached to the 3'-terminal adenosine. The tRNA(Asp) analogue was obtained by in vitro T7 transcription followed by crosslinking with [32P]ps4Up and removal of the 3'-terminal phosphate. It was shown that the presence of the additional nucleotide at the 3'-end does not to hinder the codon-dependent binding of the tRNA to the A and P sites of 80S ribosome. Mild UV-irradiation of the ribosomal complexes containing a short appropriately designed mRNA and the tRNA analogue resulted in crosslinking of the analogue exclusively to 28S rRNA. The crosslinking was completely dependent on the presence of s4U in the tRNA analogue. Using hydrolysis of the crosslinked 28S rRNA with RNase H in the presence of deoxyoligomers complementary to various rRNA sequences, we determined that the crosslinking occurred in fragment 4302-4540 of the 28S rRNA. This fragment is evolutionarily conservative and belongs to domain V that is involved in the formation of the peptidyl transferase site in prokaryotic ribosomes. The use of reverse transcription allowed the determination of the tRNA analogue crosslinking in the P site to nucleotides U4461 and U4502, and the analogue in the A site, to nucleotides U4469 and C4507. In addition, nucleotide C4462 was crosslinked to both P site and A site-bound tRNA analogue. An analysis of the results demonstrates that environments of the tRNA 3'-termini are closely similar in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic ribosomes.

Neural crest neuroblasts can colonise aganglionic and ganglionic gut in vivo.

INTRODUCTION: Neural crest (NC) cells differentiate IN VITRO into neuroblasts, precursors of the enteric nervous system (ENS), when stimulated by specific agents. We developed a study aimed at establishing whether NC-derived neuroblasts can survive and colonise IN VIVO when injected into a recipient mouse gut. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The neuroblast precursors of the ENS were obtained from the vagal portion of the neural tubes of 296 CD-1 and GTROSA26 mouse embryos. The embryonic cells of GTROSA26 mice are identifiable through beta-galactosidase activity which allows recognition by blue staining. The host used in this study was the DOM/+ mouse, an animal model for Hirschsprung's disease (aganglionic megacolon). DOM/+ mouse pups (n = 43) received NC-derived cells inoculated into the seromuscular layer of the gut (33/43) or directly into the peritoneal abdominal cavity (10/43). RESULTS: All DOM/+ mice survived the procedure and were sacrificed after 7 or 14 days. Histochemical staining detected implanted cells in all mice. These showed specific myenteric colonisation into the aganglionic and ganglionic gut. CONCLUSION: The striking result of this study was the specific tropism of the injected NC-derived cells to target sites under the action of unknown chemotactic agents. This experimental procedure might represent a possible treatment option for specific forms of human ENS anomaly such as total intestinal aganglionosis.

[Concurrent administration of adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy after breast-conservative surgery enhances late toxicities]. / La chimiothérapie concomitante de la radiothérapie augmente la toxicité tardive après chirurgie conservatrice du cancer du sein.

PURPOSE: In 1996, a multicenter randomized study comparing after breast-conservative surgery, sequential vs concurrent adjuvant chemotherapy (CT) with radiation therapy (RT) was initiated (ARCOSEIN study). Seven hundred sixteen patients were included in this trial. After a median follow-up of 6.7 (4.3-9) years, we decided to prospectively evaluate the late effects of these two strategies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 297 patients were asked to follow-up from the five larger including institutions. Seventy-two percent (214 patients) were eligible for late toxicity. After breast-conserving surgery with axillary dissection, patients were treated either with sequential treatment with CT first followed by RT (arm A) or CT administered concurrently with RT (arm B). In all patients, CT regimen combined mitoxantrone (12 mg/m(2)), 5-FU (500 mg/m(2)), and cyclophosphamide (500 mg/m(2)), 6 cycles (day 1-day 21). In arm B, patients received concurrently the first 3 cycles of CT with RT. In arm A, RT started 3 to 5 weeks after the 6th cycle of CT. Conventional RT was delivered to the whole breast using a 2 Gy-fraction protocol to a total dose of 50 Gy (+/-boost to the primary tumour bed). The assessment of toxicity was blinded to treatment and was graded by the radiation oncologist according to the LENT-SOMA scale. Skin pigmentation was also evaluated using a personal 5-points scoring system (excellent, good, moderate, poor, very poor). RESULTS: Among the 214 evaluated patients, 107 were treated in each arm. The two populations were homogeneous for patients', tumors' and treatment characteristics. Subcutaneous fibrosis (SF), telengectasia (T), skin pigmentation (SP), and breast atrophy (BA) were significantly increased in arm B. Twenty patients experienced grade superior or equal to 2 (SF) in arm B vs five in arm A (P=0.003). Twenty-five and seven patients showed grade superior or equal to 2 (T) in arm B and A, respectively (P=0.001). Forty-four and twenty patients showed grade superior or equal to 2 (BA) in arm B and A, respectively (P=0.0006). Thirty patients experienced grade superior or equal to 3 (SP) in arm B vs fifteen in arm A (P=0.02). No statistical difference was observed between the two arms concerning grade superior or equal to 2 pain, breast oedema, and lymphoedema. No deaths were caused by late toxicity. CONCLUSION: Following breast conserving surgery, the concurrent use of CT with RT is significantly associated with an increase incidence of grade 2 or greater late side effects.

Role of low-molecular-weight substrates in functional binding of the tRNAPhe acceptor end by phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase.

The functional roles of phenylalanine and ATP in productive binding of the tRNA(Phe) acceptor end have been studied by photoaffinity labeling (cross-linking) of T. thermophilus phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase (PheRS) with tRNA(Phe) analogs containing the s(4)U residue in different positions of the 3'-terminal single-stranded sequence. Human and E. coli tRNA(Phe)s used as basic structures differ by efficiency of the binding and aminoacylation with the enzyme under study. Destabilization of the complex with human tRNA(Phe) caused by replacement of three recognition elements decreases selectivity of labeling of the alpha- and beta-subunits responsible for the binding of adjacent nucleotides of the CCA-end. Phenylalanine affects the positioning of the base and ribose moieties of the 76th nucleotide, and the recorded effects do not depend on structural differences between bacterial and eukaryotic tRNA(Phe)s. Both in the absence and presence of phenylalanine, ATP more effectively inhibits the PheRS labeling with the s(4)U76-substituted analog of human tRNA(Phe) (tRNA(Phe)-s(4)U76) than with E. coli tRNA(Phe)-s(4)U76: in the first case the labeling of the alpha-subunits is inhibited more effectively; the labeling of the beta-subunits is inhibited in the first case and increased in the second case. The findings analyzed with respect to available structural data on the enzyme complexes with individual substrates suggest that the binding of phenylalanine induces a local rearrangement in the active site and directly controls positioning of the tRNA(Phe) 3'-terminal nucleotide. The effect of ATP on the acceptor end positioning is caused by global structural changes in the complex, which modulate the conformation of the acceptor arm. The rearrangement of the acceptor end induced by small substrates results in reorientation of the 3'-OH-group of the terminal ribose from the catalytic subunit onto the noncatalytic one, and this may explain the unusual stereospecificity of aminoacylation in this system.

Effect of nucleotide replacements in tRNAPhe on positioning of the acceptor end in the complex with phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase.

The effect of replacement of tRNA(Phe) recognition elements on positioning of the 3'-terminal nucleotide in the complex with phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase (PheRS) from T. thermophilus in the absence or presence of phenylalanine and/or ATP has been studied by photoaffinity labeling with s(4)U76-substituted analogs of wild type and mutant tRNA(Phe). The double mutation G34C/A35U shows the strongest disorientation in the absence of low-molecular-weight substrates and sharply decreases the protein labeling, which suggests an initiating role of the anticodon in generation of contacts responsible for the acceptor end positioning. Efficiency of photo-crosslinking with the alpha- and beta-subunits in the presence of individual substrates is more sensitive to nucleotide replacements in the anticodon (G34 by A or A36 by C) than to changes in the general structure of tRNA(Phe) (as a result of replacement of the tertiary pair G19-C56 by U19-G56 or of U20 by A). The degree of disorders in the 3'-terminal nucleotide positioning in the presence of both substrates correlates with decrease in the turnover number of aminoacylation due to corresponding mutations. The findings suggest that specific interactions of the enzyme with the anticodon mainly promote the establishment (controlled by phenylalanine) of contacts responsible for binding of the CCA-end and terminal nucleotide in the productive complex, and the general conformation of tRNA(Phe) determines, first of all, the acceptor stem positioning (controlled by ATP). The main recognition elements of tRNA(Phe), which optimize its initial binding with PheRS, are also involved in generation of the catalytically active complex providing functional conformation of the acceptor arm.

Patch urethroplasty using a fascia lata autograft in male rabbits.

INTRODUCTION: Urethral reconstruction is difficult when the genital skin is not available for surgery. We evaluate the feasibility of using the autologous fascia lata as a graft for urethral repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 10 male rabbits underwent urethroplasty after creation of a ventral urethral defect. The defect was repaired using a graft harvested from the fascia lata. The animals were divided into three groups and sacrificed at 2, 4 and 12 weeks postoperatively. Radiologic control was performed after 10-12 days and before sacrifice. RESULTS: In the 10 rabbits subjected to surgery, no case of death or wound infection was observed. During urethrography, a fistula was observed in 2 animals. In the remainder (n = 8), histological analysis showed the preservation of the original laminar structure without graft shrinkage or fibrosis. On the luminal side of the patch, a new line of urothelium appeared in the 2nd week after surgery. After 3 months, the new epithelium was multilayered and the graft edges were not detectable. No voiding dysfunction was detectable in 8 rabbits. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests the feasibility of using the autologous fascia lata for urethral patch repair.

[Outcome at 2 years of very premature infants cared at the hospital of Cayenne in 1998]. / Devenir médicosocial à l'âge de 2 ans des grands prématurés pris en charge au centre hospitalier de Cayenne en 1998.

UNLABELLED: Perinatal mortality in French Guyana is twice as high as the national rates. Within a global project rallying all the people working around the birth, a catching up program benefited the neonatal unit of the Cayenne hospital in order to make up for the important lack of modern structures and means. OBJECTIVES: To establish some quality care for the less than 33 weeks preterm infants born in 1998, and to estimate the medical and familial future for these infants after they have reached 2 years of age. METHODS: All less than 33 weeks old infants born alive and admitted at the neonatology unit of the CHC were included in the study. The obstetrical and neonatal data were recorded from the medical files. A survey was conducted through a questionnaire including the familial and medical outcome and was led from december 1999 to july 2001. Results were analysed with Epi-info 6.0 software (CDC, Atlanta, USA). RESULTS: Eighty-eight infants issue from 78 pregnancies were included. Among them, 29 were transferred in utero and 12 were transferred after birth. The mothers' situations were mainly characterized by precariousness, a poor follow-up of the pregnancy (27% non-declared), a higher morbidity of their newborns. Neonatal results did not differ from national results from Epipage cohort in terms of gestational age (29.9 weeks), weight at birth (1411 g), mortality (90.9 alive when released from the hospital), morbidity, growth at 2. However, 26% were hypotrophic (15% in Epipage cohort) in relation with the 29% pregnancies complicated with hypertension. Four infants were suffering from acquisition retardation due to motor handicaps; 2 infants had severe socio-educative difficulties. The postnatal follow-up was mainly performed by the Mother and Children Health Centers. A third of medical exams were not recorded in the health book, sensory screening exams were not performed. The opening of a medicosocial actions center in 2001, will allow a prospective follow-up of this population. CONCLUSION: Early neonatal mortality decreased from 10.3 for 1000 births to 4.4 in 1998. This reflects the improvement of the new-born caring possibilities. However, an improvement of mortality rates will not be possible without a better pregnancy follow-up.

A new binary system for photosensitized labeling of DNA polymerases in nuclear extract.

A binary system of reagents was used for photosensitized labeling of proteins of bovine testis nuclear extract. A dUTP analog containing 4-azido-2,5-difluoro-3-chloropyridyl group (FAP-dUTP) was used for the first time as a component of the binary system, and a dUTP analog containing the pyrenyl group (Pyr-dUTP) was used as a photosensitizer. Photoaffinity labeling of proteins of nuclear extract was performed using the radioactively labeled DNA duplex with the photoreactive FAP group at the 3;-end of elongating DNA strand and analog of the deoxyribose phosphate residue (3-hydroxy-2-hydroxymethyltetrahydrofuran (F) 5;-phosphate) at the 5;-end of the nick. Such structure is formed by the action of nuclear extract enzymes from the initial DNA duplex containing a synthetic apurine/apyrimidine site and is a photoreactive analog of a long-patch base excision repair intermediate. UV-irradiation modified a limited number of proteins of the nuclear extract. As shown using specific antibodies, the new binary system of photoreagents increases the efficiency of DNA polymerase beta labeling.

Three-dimensional cultures of normal human osteoblasts: proliferation and differentiation potential in vitro and upon ectopic implantation in nude mice.

We report the establishment in vitro of three-dimensional (3D) cultures of human osteoblasts (hOB) derived from normal adults and supported uniquely by the extracellular matrix (ECM) they deposit. Osteoblasts were cultured in 3D cultures in vitro for up to 120 days. The 3D cultures, examined at 25, 31, and 48 days, expressed protein markers of osteoblastic cells, namely osteonectin, collagen type I, fibronectin, osteopontin, bone sialoprotein, biglycan, and decorin. Sequentially, alkaline phosphatase (AP) and then Ca incorporation, mineralization of matrix (monitored by histochemistry and transmission electron microscopy), and finally osteocalcin expression, were detected in the 3D cultures. Ultrastructurally, morphology progressed from early to mature osteoblast and to osteocyte-like. Cells were embedded in a matrix with organized collagen type I fibers containing, increasingly with time of culture, needle-shaped crystals, often associated with matrix vesicles, characteristic of those in bone. During the culture (up to 120 days) there was an outgrowth of proliferating osteogenic cells from the 3D structure. Subcutaneous implantation in nude mice for 20 days of osteoblasts cultured in 3D culture for different lengths of time in vitro, showed progression of mineralization from the inner region of the implant outward, with peripheral cells being embedded in nonmineralized, collagen-rich matrix. The 3D implants were invaded by vessels derived from the host.

Stochastic generation and disaggregation of hourly rainfall series for continuous hydrological modelling and flood control reservoir design.

In the urban environment, stormwater detention basins are a powerful means to limit the frequency of sewer system failures and consecutive urban flooding. To design such waterworks or to check their efficiency, it is possible to carry out continuous rainfall-runoff modelling. A long-term discharge series obtained from a long-term rainfall series is used as input for a storage model describing the detention basin behaviour: the basin behaviour may be consequently studied over a long period. The provided statistical information on the working state frequency, failure frequency, ... of the detention basin is of high interest for the basin diagnostic or for its design. This paper presents the whole methodology which leads to production of such statistical information and especially: the models used to generate long term rainfall series with a short time step, the rainfall-runoff model used to transform the later series into a long term discharge series, and the model used to describe the behaviour of the detention basin. This methodology was applied to evaluate the efficiency of 4 detention basins built for stormwater control and flood mitigation. They are situated on a Swiss urban catchment (Chamberonne catchment--40 km2) collecting water from the Mèbre and Sorge rivers.