Metabolome-associated psychological comorbidities improvement in irritable bowel syndrome patients receiving a probiotic.

Our recent randomized, placebo-controlled study in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) patients with diarrhea or alternating bowel habits showed that the probiotic Bifidobacterium longum (BL) NCC3001 improves depression scores and decreases brain emotional reactivity. However, the involved metabolic pathways remain unclear. This analysis aimed to investigate the biochemical pathways underlying the beneficial effects of BL NCC3001 using metabolomic profiling. Patients received probiotic (1x 1010CFU, n=16) or placebo (n=19) daily for 6 weeks. Anxiety and depression were measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Brain activity in response to negative emotional stimuli was assessed by functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Probiotic fecal abundance was quantified by qPCR. Quantitative measurement of specific panels of plasma host-microbial metabolites was performed by mass spectrometry-based metabolomics. Probiotic abundance in feces was associated with improvements in anxiety and depression scores, and a decrease in amygdala activation. The probiotic treatment increased the levels of butyric acid, tryptophan, N-acetyl tryptophan, glycine-conjugated bile acids, and free fatty acids. Butyric acid concentration correlated with lower anxiety and depression scores, and decreased amygdala activation. Furthermore, butyric acid concentration correlated with the probiotic abundance in feces. In patients with non-constipation IBS, improvements in psychological comorbidities and brain emotional reactivity were associated with an increased abundance of BL NCC3001 in feces and specific plasma metabolites, mainly butyric acid. These findings suggest the importance of a probiotic to thrive in the gut and highlight butyric acid as a potential biochemical marker linking microbial metabolism with beneficial effects on the gut-brain axis.

Female-to-Male Chest Surgery in Transgender Patients: A Comparison Between 2 Different Techniques and a Satisfaction Study in a Single Center.

Background: Gender dysphoria is a distress caused by a mismatch between gender identity and the sex assigned at birth. About 0.5% of the population suffer from gender dysphoria, which represents 25 million people worldwide. Gender-affirming mastectomy is the most common procedure for female-to-male patients. Objectives: The aim of this single-center retrospective study is to present the outcomes after mastectomy and to evaluate patient satisfaction using the BODY-Q questionnaire. Methods: Several data regarding patient characteristics and surgery have been collected. A satisfaction survey has been sent to patients. Two groups, "NAC grafts" and "semicircular," have been compared for complications and satisfaction. Results: A total of 103 patients have had a transgender mastectomy performed by 3 surgeons, representing 206 mastectomies. There were 5 wound infections (4.8%), 8 seromas (6.8%), 10 hematomas (6.8%), and 23 partial/total nipple areolar complex (NAC) necrosis (20.4%). The complication rates in this study are similar to others in the literature. Few studies express interest in patient satisfaction after this type of surgery and even fewer use a suitable questionnaire. Conclusions: Transgender mastectomy is a safe and often necessary procedure to improve the quality of life of patients suffering from gender dysphoria. Nevertheless, there is currently no validated tool to assess postoperative satisfaction within this specific population group.

Determination of energy requirements after minor burns using indirect calorimetry: A descriptive cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Minor burns could be associated with moderate hypermetabolism. In this study, the primary outcome was measured energy expenditure (mEE) determined by indirect calorimetry in patients with minor burns. We also compared mEE with predictive values and actual energy intakes. METHODS: Adults with minor burns exclusively treated on an outpatient basis were included. During the week following injury, a dietitian performed indirect calorimetry (Q-NRG in canopy mode), calculated the estimated energy expenditure (eEE) based on the Harris-Benedict (HB) and Henry formulas, and evaluated daily energy intakes using a food anamnesis. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients (59.2% male; median age: 35 [interquartile range: 29-46.5] years; body mass index [BMI]: 26.2 [22.3-29.6] kg/m2; burn surface area [BSA]: 1.5% [1%-2%]) were included 4 (2-6) days after injury. The mEE was 1863 (1568-2199) kcal or 25 (22.4-28.5) kcal/kg and 1838 (1686-2026) kcal or 26.1 (23.7-27.7) kcal/kg in patients who were respectively fasting for >10 h or not (P = 0.991 or P = 0.805). The total mEE was 104% (95%-116%) and 108% (99%-122%) of the total eEE using the HB and Henry formulas, respectively, with diet-induced thermogenesis and physical activity level. Hypermetabolism (ie, oxygen consumption at rest ≥3.5 ml/kg/min) was observed in 21/49 (42.9%) patients. Energy intakes corresponded to 71% (60%-86%) of the total mEE. CONCLUSION: Performing indirect calorimetry in adults with minor burns revealed that ≥40% of the tested adults presented a hypermetabolism and that their mEE was not covered by their energy intakes.

[Skin substitutes : a step forward in skin regeneration using tissue engineering]. / Les substituts cutanés :un progrès dans la régénération de la peau à l'aide de l'ingénierie tissulaire.

The use of skin substitutes in burn surgery and in the treatment of acute or chronic wounds is constantly evolving. For years, scientists have been researching skin substitutes that can be used in place of autologous skin. New products are regularly developed and approved for clinical use. In this article, we take a look at the skin substitutes most commonly used in Europe and briefly summarize the current clinical experience of our centre.

L'utilisation des substituts cutanés dans la chirurgie des grands brûlés et dans le traitement des plaies aiguës ou chroniques est en constante évolution. Depuis des années, les scientifiques recherchent des substituts cutanés qui peuvent être utilisés à la place de la peau autologue. De nouveaux produits sont régulièrement développés et approuvés pour l'utilisation clinique. Dans cet article, nous examinons les substituts cutanés les plus utilisés en Europe et résumons brièvement l'expérience pratique de notre centre.

Impact of retrograde flexible ureteroscopy and intracorporeal lithotripsy on kidney functional outcomes

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate renal function and to identify factors associated with renal function deterioration after retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) for kidney stones. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients with renal stones treated by RIRS between January 2010 and June 2013 at a single institute. We used the National Kidney Foundation classification of chronic kidney disease (CKD) to classify Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) in 5 groups. The baseline creatinine level was systematically pre-operatively and post-operatively evaluated. All patients had a creatinine blood measurement in June 2013. A change toward a less or a more favorable GFR group following RIRS was considered significant. Results: We included 163 patients. There were 86 males (52.8%) and 77 females (47.3%) with a mean age of 52.8±17 years. After a mean follow-up of 15.5±11.5 months, median GFR was not significantly changed from 84.3±26.2 to 84.9±24.5 mL/min (p=0.675). Significant renal function deterioration occurred in 8 cases (4.9%) and significant renal function amelioration occurred in 23 cases (14.1%). In univariate analysis, multiple procedures (p=0.023; HR: 5.4) and preoperative CKD (p=0.011; HR: 6.8) were associated with decreased renal function. In multivariate analysis these factors did not remain as predictive factors. Conclusion: Stone management with RIRS seems to have favorable outcomes on kidney function; however, special attention should be given to patients with multiple procedures and preoperative chronic kidney disease.