Broad-range 16 s rDNA PCR in synovial fluid does not improve the diagnostic performance of septic arthritis in native joints in adults: cross-sectional single-center study in 95 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of bacterial identification by broad-range polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) 16 s (16S rDNA PCR) for the diagnosis of septic arthritis on native joints. METHODS: Patients with acute mono or oligoarthritis who underwent synovial fluid puncture and prospective follow-up allowing definitive diagnosis (septic arthritis, crystal related disease, chronic inflammatory arthritis, undifferentiated arthritis) were recruited in this single-center study. Systematic analysis of synovial fluid included leukocytes count, search for urate and pyrophosphate crystals with polarized light microscopy, direct bacteriological examination (gram staining), bacteriological culture, and 16S rDNA PCR. RESULTS: Ninety-five patients were included, 34 of which (35.8%) had septic arthritis. Nineteen (20.0%) patients had received probabilistic antibiotic therapy prior to joint puncture. Gram + cocci infection accounted for 79.4% of septic arthritis, of which nearly half (47.1%) was caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Eight (23.5%) septic arthritis patients had a 16S rDNA PCR positive in the synovial fluid with an AUC of 0.618 (95% CI, 0.493-0.742), a sensitivity of 0.24 (95% CI, 0.12-0.40), and a specificity of 1.00 (95% CI 0.94-1.00). The diagnostic performance of 16S rDNA PCR was lower than that of direct examination (AUC at 0.691, CI 95%, 0.570-0.812), blood cultures (AUC at 0.727, CI 95%, 0.610-0.844), and culture (0.925, CI 95%, 0.856-0.994) for the diagnosis of septic arthritis. There was no difference in the positivity of 16S rDNA PCR according to previous exposure to antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: 16 s rDNA PCR in the synovial fluid does not improve the diagnostic performance of septic arthritis on native adult joints, particularly for Gram-positive cocci infections.

Lorentz-Symmetry Test at Planck-Scale Suppression With a Spin-Polarized 133Cs Cold Atom Clock.

We present the results of a local Lorentz invariance (LLI) test performed with the 133Cs cold atom clock FO2, hosted at SYRTE. Such a test, relating the frequency shift between 133Cs hyperfine Zeeman substates with the Lorentz violating coefficients of the standard model extension (SME), has already been realized by Wolf et al. and led to state-of-the-art constraints on several SME proton coefficients. In this second analysis, we used an improved model, based on a second-order Lorentz transformation and a self-consistent relativistic mean field nuclear model, which enables us to extend the scope of the analysis from purely proton to both proton and neutron coefficients. We have also become sensitive to the isotropic coefficient , another SME coefficient that was not constrained by Wolf et al. The resulting limits on SME coefficients improve by up to 13 orders of magnitude the present maximal sensitivities for laboratory tests and reach the generally expected suppression scales at which signatures of Lorentz violation could appear.

[Microbiological evaluation of cystoscope reprocessing at Brest university hospital from January 2007 through December 2014]. / Évaluation microbiologique de la désinfection des cystoscopes souples au CHRU de Brest de janvier 2007 à décembre 2014.

PURPOSE: Flexible cystoscopes are high temperature sensitive devices that must undergo high-level disinfection according to Spaulding classification. The objective of this study is to provide epidemiological data on the monitoring of microbiological quality of cystoscopes used in a teaching hospital, in order to determine the compliance rate of disinfection and to describe the main identified microorganisms. MATERIAL: Prospective study of all the results of microbiological samples taken for 8 years at the Brest teaching hospital. The analysis results were interpreted according to the ministerial recommendations. RESULTS: During the study, 87 microbiological tests were performed. The rate of non-compliant samples was 19.5% (17/87). This rate reached 24.5% (12/49) of the programmed controls. The microorganisms identified were present in small amounts, corresponding mainly to bacteria from the environment. CONCLUSION: The rate of non-compliance of the microbiological tests performed on cystoscopes is relatively high (19.5%), but the infectious risk seems limited. Hidden microorganisms are present in small quantities and identified germs are not known to be responsible for urinary tract infections. Educating professionals responsible for cystoscopes reprocessing and conducting regular audits may help to ensure a good level of cystoscope disinfection.

[Haemophilus meningitis in properly vaccinated children: report of three cases]. / Méningites à Haemophilus chez des enfants vaccinés : à propos de 3 cas.

The 1993 introduction in France of the vaccine against the serotype b of Haemophilus influenzae (Hib) resulted in a fast reduction of invasive infections caused by this species. However, despite the introduction of a booster dose, cases of Hib meningitis can still be observed, even if they are exceptional. We report here on 3 cases of Hib meningitis observed at Rennes University Hospital, which occurred during the winter seasons between 2007 and 2010, in properly vaccinated infants and children aged 9, 14, and 29 months. Progression after treatment was satisfactory in all 3 cases, and no immune deficiency was detected. After 18 years of the vaccination policy in France, these observations demonstrate that a risk, although much lower, of Hib meningitis persists in infants and children, including in vaccinated patients, and that strains still are circulating within the general population.

CASA chromogenic medium for enteric Campylobacter species.

We prospectively assessed stool samples from 370 patients for Campylobacter species by comparing three selective agar media incubated at two temperatures: 42°C and 37°C. Twenty patients (5.4%) were found positive. The chromogenic medium CASA (AES Chemunex, France) proved highly efficient for C. jejuni and C. coli recovery, while lessening the workload in the lab.

Personal and contextual determinants of elite young athletes' persistence or dropping out over time.

Two studies were conducted among elite young judokas to examine (a) whether those who persisted in national training centers (n=52) were different from dropouts (n=52) in their perceptions of coach-, parent-, and peer-induced motivational climates, goal orientations, self-perceptions, perceived competence, and intention of dropping out, and (b) whether these variables varied during the persisting athletes' (n=82) first 2 years in these centers. Compared with persisting athletes, dropouts perceived the roles of coaches, parents, and peers as less task-involving, were less task-oriented, and intended more to drop. The association of peer-, coach-, and parent-induced task-involving climates predicted athletes' persistence. During the 2 years, persisting athletes' perceptions of coach-, parent-, and peer-induced task-involving climates decreased, while perceptions of a coach-induced ego-involving climate and the intention of dropping out increased in spite of more positive self-perceptions. Gender differences favoring males were observed for self-perceptions only. These results stress the importance for all the agents of the athletes' social environment to promote task-involving climates, because such climates appear to be naturally prone to degradation in the context of elite competition. The results also shed light on some high-level athletes' characteristics regarding motivational dispositions and self-concept.

Stimulated esophageal groove closure in adult goats.

In healthy adult goats, closure of the esophageal groove was induced by thirst, IV administered vasopressin, and intracarotid administration of hypertonic NaCl solutions. The efficiency of stimulation was tested directly by visual inspection of the course taken by orally administered solutions through a ruminal or abomasal fistula, palpation of the lips of the esophageal groove through a ruminal fistula, and indirectly by following the glucose dynamics in the blood after oral administration of glucose solution. Esophageal groove closure was observed during drinking after a 48-hour period of water deprivation. Intracarotid administration of 1.5 ml of a saturated solution or 10.5 ml of a 1.5% solution of NaCl also stimulated groove closure; however, groove closure stimulated by administration of vasopressin is the most satisfactory procedure for passing compounds of therapeutic importance directly from the cardiac orifice to the abomasum.

[Effects of exposure of spontaneously leukemic mice (AKR mice) to an electric field]. / Effects de l'exposition à un champ électrique de souris spontanément leucémiques (souris AKR).

Spontaneously leukemic AKR mice were exposed from 6 weeks age to a 50 kV/m electric field 12 hrs./day. In this study, carrying on 50 exposed and 50 sham-exposed mice, like in the two preceding experiments, the exposed group mortality is lightly retarded, and reaches 100% only 10 weeks after the sham-exposed group. These differences are not however statistically significative.

[Diminution of carbon tetrachloride toxicity by the simultaneous administration of NN' diphenyl-p-phenylene diamine]. / Diminution de la toxicité du tétrachlorure de carbone par administration simultanée de NN' diphényl-p-phénylène diamine

Oral toxicity of an oily preparation of carbon tetrachloride is considerably lowered by association with NN' diphenyl-p-phenylene diamine according to a given ponderal ratio with CCl4. The results are discussed with regard to the other authors' reports.