Suprapubic versus transurethral catheterization for bladder drainage in male rectal cancer surgery (GRECCAR10), a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Bladder drainage is systematically used in rectal cancer surgery; however, the optimal type of drainage, transurethral catheterization (TUC) or suprapubic catheterization (SPC), is still controversial. The aim was to compare the rates of urinary tract infection on the fourth postoperative day (POD4) between TUC and SPC, after rectal cancer surgery regardless of the day of removal of the urinary drain. METHODS: This randomized clinical trial in 19 expert colorectal surgery centers in France and Belgium was performed between October 2016 and October 2019 and included 240 men (with normal or subnormal voiding function) undergoing mesorectal excision with low anastomosis for rectal cancer. Patients were followed at postoperative days 4, 30, and 180. RESULTS: In 208 patients (median age 66 years [IQR 58-71]) randomized to TUC (n = 99) or SPC (n = 109), the rate of urinary infection at POD4 was not significantly different whatever the type of drainage (11/99 (11.1%) vs. 8/109 (7.3%), 95% CI, - 4.2% to 11.7%; p = 0.35). There was significantly more pyuria in the TUC group (79/99 (79.0%) vs. (60/109 (60.9%), 95% CI, 5.7-30.0%; p = 0.004). No difference in bacteriuria was observed between the groups. Patients in the TUC group had a shorter duration of catheterization (median 4 [2-5] vs. 4 [3-5] days; p = 0.002). Drainage complications were more frequent in the SPC group at all followup visits. CONCLUSIONS: TUC should be preferred over SPC in male patients undergoing surgery for mid and/or lower rectal cancers, owing to the lower rate of complications and shorter duration of catheterization. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02922647.

Risk factors for severe morbidity and definitive stoma after elective surgery for sigmoid diverticulitis: a multicenter national cohort study.

BACKGROUND: In the decision to perform elective surgery, it is of great interest to have data about the outcomes of surgery to individualize patients who could safely undergo sigmoid resection. The aim of this study was to provide information on the outcomes of elective sigmoid resection for sigmoid diverticular disease (SDD) at a national level. METHODS: All consecutive patients who had elective surgery for SDD (2010-2021) were included in this retrospective, multicenter, cohort study. Patients were identified from institutional review board-approved databases in French member centers of the French Surgical Association. The endpoints of the study were the early and the long-term postoperative outcomes and an evaluation of the risk factors for 90-day severe postoperative morbidity and a definitive stoma after an elective sigmoidectomy for SDD. RESULTS: In total, 4617 patients were included. The median [IQR] age was 61 [18.0;100] years, the mean ± SD body mass index (BMI) was 26.8 ± 4 kg/m2, and 2310 (50%) were men. The indications for surgery were complicated diverticulitis in 50% and smoldering diverticulitis in 47.4%. The procedures were performed laparoscopically for 88% and with an anastomosis for 83.8%. The severe complication rate on postoperative day 90 was 11.7%, with a risk of anastomotic leakage of 4.7%. The independent risk factors in multivariate analysis were an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score ≥ 3, an open approach, and perioperative blood transfusion. Age, perioperative blood transfusion, and Hartmann's procedure were the three independent risk factors for a permanent stoma. CONCLUSIONS: This series provides a real-life picture of elective sigmoidectomy for SDD at a national level. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Comité National Information et Liberté (CNIL) (n°920361).

Study of surfactant cross-linking by click chemistry on a model water/oil interface.

In this study, we explored how chemical reactions of amphiphile compounds can be characterized and followed-up on model interfaces. A custom-made surfactant containing three alkyne sites was first adsorbed and characterized at a water/oil interface. These amphiphiles then underwent interfacial crosslinking by click chemistry upon the addition of a second reactive agent. The monolayer properties and dilatational elasticity, were compared before and after the polymerization. Using bulk phase exchange, the composition of the aqueous bulk phase was finely controlled and washed to specifically measure the interfacial effects of the entities adsorbed and trapped at the interface. In this study, we aim to emphasize an original experimental approach to follow complex phenomena occurring on model interfaces, and also show the potential of this method to characterize multifactorial processes.

The pH-Induced Specific Area Changes of Unsaturated Lipids Deposited onto a Bubble Interface.

In this work, we used an original experimental setup to examine the behavior of insoluble monolayers made with pH-sensitive lipids. Two kinds of unsaturated lipids were chosen: a cationic one (lipid 1) bearing an ammonium headgroup and an anionic one (lipid 2) terminated with an acidic phenol group. The lipids were deposited onto an air bubble interface maintained in an aqueous phase and, after stabilization, were subjected to a series of compressions performed at different pH values. These experiments disclosed a gradual increase in the specific area per molecule when lipids were neutralized. Imposing a pH variation at constant bubble volume also provided surface pressure profiles that confirmed this molecular behavior. As complementary characterization, dilatational rheology disclosed a phase transition from a purely elastic monophasic system to a viscoelastic two-phase system. We hypothesized that this unexpected increase in the specific area with lipid neutralization is related to the presence of unsaturations in each of the two branches of the hydrophobic tails that induce disorder, thereby increasing the molecular area at the interface. Application of the two-dimensional Volmer equation of state allowed the generation of quantitative values for the specific areas that showed variations with pH. It also allowed the determination of apparent pKa values, which are affected by both the electrostatic potential within the monolayer and the affinity of the lipid polar head for the aqueous phase.

Characterizing off-target corticospinal responses to double-cone transcranial magnetic stimulation.

INTRODUCTION: The double-cone coil (D-CONE) is frequently used in transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) experiments that target the motor cortex (M1) lower-limb representation. Anecdotal evidence and modeling studies have shed light on the off-target effects of D-CONE TMS but the physiological extent remains undetermined. PURPOSE: To characterize the off-target effects of D-CONE TMS based on bilateral corticospinal responses in the legs and hands. METHODS: Thirty (N = 30) participants (9 women, age: 26 ± 5yrs) completed a stimulus-response curve procedure with D-CONE TMS applied to the dominant vastus lateralis (cVL) and motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) recorded in each active VL and resting first dorsal interosseous (FDI). As a positive control (CON), the dominant FDI was directly targeted with a figure-of-eight coil and MEPs were similarly recorded in each active FDI and resting VL. MEPMAX, V50 and MEP latencies were compared with repeated-measures ANOVAs or mixed-effects analysis and Bonferroni-corrected pairwise comparisons. RESULTS: Off-target responses were evident in all muscles, with similar MEPMAX in the target (cVL) and off-target (iVL) leg (p = 0.99) and cFDI compared with CON (p = 0.99). cFDI and CON MEPMAX were greater than iFDI (p < 0.01). A main effect of target (p < 0.001) indicated that latencies were shorter with CON but similar in all muscles with D-CONE. DISCUSSION: Concurrent MEP recordings in bilateral upper- and lower-extremity muscles confirm that lower-limb D-CONE TMS produces substantial distance-dependent off-target effects. In addition to monitoring corticospinal responses in off-target muscles to improve targeting accuracy in real-time, future studies may incorporate off-target information into statistical models post-hoc.

Effects of pretreatment with reducing sugars or an enzymatic cocktail before extrusion of fava bean on nitrogen metabolism and performance of dairy cows.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of pretreatment with reducing sugars or with an enzymatic cocktail before extrusion of fava bean on intake, milk yield and composition, N partitioning, and plasma and ruminal parameters. The main hypothesis was that these pretreatment conditions would allow better N protection in the rumen compared with classic pretreatment before extrusion, thanks to an increase of sugar proportion, either exogenous or endogenous with enzymatic actions. Sixteen Holstein cows were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design experiment. Cow were fed a diet with a 56:44 forage to concentrate ratio and containing 16.2% of crude protein (CP; dry matter basis). Concentrate consisted of fava bean:linseed blends (90:10%, raw basis) distributed either raw, extruded after pretreatment without additive, extruded after pretreatment with reducing sugars, or extruded after pretreatment with an enzymatic cocktail. The experimental blends provided 53% of total CP in the diet. Intake, milk yield and composition, ruminal pH, volatile fatty acids and ammonia kinetics, apparent total-tract nutrient digestibilities and N partitioning, Maillard compounds in feed and feces, plasma AA, and 15N natural enrichment were measured. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance according to the MIXED procedure of SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). Extrusion without additive during pretreatment led to higher contents of Maillard compounds in the blend, a lower enzymatic CP degradability, a numerically lower ammonia content in ruminal fluid, and a trend of higher plasma EAA concentration, all suggesting a decrease in degradability of proteins in the rumen, and a subsequent increase in metabolizable protein supply. Compared with pretreatment without additive, adding reducing sugars or an enzymatic cocktail during pretreatment led to an increase in Maillard compound contents in the extruded blends, and to an increase (+50 mg/L) in rumen ammonia content. With reducing sugars, digestibility of Nɛ-carboxymethyl-lysine was numerically lower, and plasma EAA concentration tended to decrease, suggesting an overprotection of proteins in the intestine. With the enzymatic cocktail, plasma EAA concentration was similar than without additive during pretreatment, suggesting a similar metabolizable protein supply with both treatments. Finally, no change in N partitioning between milk, urine, and feces was observed whatever the diet.

Effects of replacing soybean meal with raw or extruded blends containing faba bean or lupin seeds on nitrogen metabolism and performance of dairy cows.

The objective was to test the effects of replacing soybean meal in dairy cow diets with either raw or extruded faba bean:linseed or lupin:linseed blends on intake, milk yield and composition, N partitioning, and ruminal and plasma parameters. Our main hypotheses were that N from extruded blends was less degradable in the rumen than N from raw seeds, and that a higher extrusion temperature favored ruminal protection of proteins and milk protein yield, and lowered urinary N excretion. Eight Holstein cows fitted with ruminal cannulas were used in two 4 × 4 Latin square design experiments conducted in parallel. In both experiments, cows were fed diets with a crude protein content of 14.6%, containing 60% of forage (dry matter basis). Treatments differed by the composition of the concentrates: control in both experiments was based on soybean meal, and experimental treatments were based on proteaginous:linseed (90:10%) blends consisting of faba bean blends (first experiment) or lupin blends (second experiment) presented either raw, extruded at 140°C, or extruded at 160°C. Intake, milk yield and composition, ruminal pH, volatile fatty acids and ammonia kinetics, digestibility, N partitioning, Maillard compounds in feed and feces, plasma AA, and 15N natural enrichment were measured. Data were analyzed using ANOVA according to the MIXED procedure of SAS (version 9.4, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). Ammonia content in ruminal fluid did not significantly change when soybean meal was replaced by either raw or extruded faba bean, but tended to be higher with lupin. Milk yield was increased by 2.6 kg with faba bean blend extruded at 140°C compared with faba bean blend extruded at 160°C. Milk fat and milk protein concentrations were decreased by 3.1 and 2.3 g/kg, respectively, with lupin blends compared with soybean meal. Nitrogen partitioning between milk, feces, and urine did not change. Nitrogen apparent digestibility decreased by 3 g/100 g of N between faba bean blend extruded at low and at high temperatures. The content of Maillard compounds in feces was higher with blends extruded at 160°C than with raw or extruded at 140°C blends within both experiments. Total plasma AA tended to be higher with extruded blends than with raw in the faba bean experiment. Both extrusion temperatures appeared to protect dietary proteins from ruminal degradability, but proteins seemed to be overprotected at 160°C.

Outcome of restorative proctocolectomy with an ileo-anal pouch for ulcerative colitis: effect of changes in clinical practice.

AIM: Surgery for ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) has evolved over time, especially since the introduction of laparoscopy. The aim of this retrospective study was to report the impact of surgical evolution on outcome over a period of 25 years. METHOD: All patients who had IPAA surgery for ulcerative colitis from 1990 to 2015 at the University Hospitals of Leuven were included. Patients were divided into three period arms (period A 1990-1999; period B 2000-2009; period C 2010-2015). The main outcome measure was anastomotic leakage. RESULTS: A total of 335 patients (58.8% male) with a median age of 39 years (interquartile range 32-49 years) at surgery were included. Median follow-up was 5 years (interquartile range 2-10 years). Overall anastomotic leakage (grades A-C) was 14.9%. A significant decrease in leakage rate was observed over time (from 21.4% in period A to 12.1% in period B to 10.0% in period C; P = 0.04). The defunctioning ileostomy rate at the time of pouch construction decreased from 91.7% (period A) to 40.3% (period B) to 11.1% (period C) (P < 0.001). We observed an increase in the use of laparoscopy (23.9% in period A vs 72.6% in period B, vs 84.4% in period C; P = 0.001) and a shift to a modified two-stage procedure (4.1% in period A, vs 66.7% in period C; P < 0.0001). In a monocentric study with some of the data retrieved retrospectively it was not possible to account for the impact of preoperative nutritional status (weight loss, serum albumin level) or disease burden. Other outcome factors were not measured, for example sexual function and fecundity. CONCLUSION: A higher rate of laparoscopic IPAA surgery, together with a shift towards modified two-stage procedures, was associated with a lower leakage rate despite a reduction in the use of defunctioning ileostomy.

Mid term functional results following surgical treatment of recto-urinary fistulas postprostate cancer treatment.

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the mid term functional results of patients treated for RUF and to determine an optimal treatment strategy to improve their quality of life. Recto-urinary Fistula (RUF) is a rare complication following prostate cancer treatment, and can have a major impact on patients' quality of life. There is a lack of consensus concerning the best approach and different techniques have been proposed: endoscopic, transrectal, perineal and transperitoneal (open, laparoscopic or robotic). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of patients who underwent RUF repair from January 2001 to December 2010 at our Institute. 16 patients who developed RUF following prostate cancer treatment were included in the study. The fistula had to be confirmed both clinically and by imaging. All patients had follow up consultation every 3 month for the first year and then annually. They were asked to fill questionnaires evaluating functional outcomes. The International Continence Society (ICS) score was used to assess the postoperative urinary continence. Fecal continence was evaluated with the Wexner score and sexual function was assessed with the International Index for erectile function (IIEF-5) score. RESULTS: Eighty-seven percent patients (14/16) in our series developed RUF as a consequence of prostate cancer surgery and 13% (2/16) postbrachytherapy (BT). All patients initially had a diversion colostomy and a supra pubic catheter. 69% (11/16) underwent primary YM repair and 73% (8/11) were successful. 2/3 primary failures were successfully retreated with graciloplasty. Primary gracilis flap interposition (GFI), on 3 non-irradiated patients were successful (100%). Primary GFI postbrachytherapy, no patient had recover urinary and digestive continuity. In total primary GIF was successful in 60% (3/5). Over all long term, success rate with a urinary and digestive continuity and without recurrence of the fistula was 81% (13/16). Mid term functional results were evaluated at mean follow up of 40 months (14-92). 13% (2/16) achieved complete urinary continence, 48% (7/16) required single pad, 25% (4/16) developed major incontinence, 7% (1/16) required urinary diversion and 13% (2/16) developed complete urethral closure post BT requiring permanent suprapubic catheterization. Colostomy was reversed in 93% (15/16) cases. 75% (12/16) achieved complete faecal continence, minor incontinence (wexner score 3-4) was seen in 13% (2/16) and major incontinence (wexner score 14) in 7% (1/16) and 7% (1/16) required a long term colostomy. 19% (3/16) developed colostomy related complications. Only 13% (2/16) achieved adequate erections with the use of intra cavernosal prostaglandin injections. CONCLUSIONS: RUF following prostate cancer treatment is a serious complication with severe repercussion on patients' quality of life. Surgical repair with the York Mason technique or Gracilis Flap interposition is associated with good success rates. If available pediculed gracilis muscle should be used as it offers better success rates. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Can contrast-enhanced MRI with gadoxetic acid predict liver failure and other complications after major hepatic resection?

AIM: To determine whether a combination of clinical factors, the future liver remnant (FLR) ratio, and hepatic uptake of gadoxetic acid can be used to predict post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) and other major complications (OMC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-five consecutive patients who underwent pre-hepatectomy gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) between October 2010 and December 2013 were included. The relative liver enhancement (RLE) of gadoxetic acid was calculated from regions of interest on MRI, and FLR ratios were obtained from computed tomography (CT). PHLF and OMC were defined by the International Study Group of Liver Surgery criteria and Clavien-Dindo grade of ≥3, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression modelling was performed to identify predictors of PHLF and OMC, including RLE, FLR ratio, age, sex, chemotherapy history, intra-operative blood loss, and intra-operative transfusion. RESULTS: Nine patients experienced PHLF and another nine patients experienced OMC. RLE was comparable to the FLR ratio in predicting PHLF (areas under the receiver operating characteristic [AUROC] curves, 0.665 and 0.705), but performed poorly in predicting OMCs (AUROCs, 0.556 and 0.702). Combining all clinical and imaging parameters as predictors yielded the best performing predictive models (AUROCs, 0.875 and 0.742 for PHLF and OMC, respectively). CONCLUSION: A model based on clinical parameters, the FLR ratio, and RLE of gadoxetic acid may improve pre-hepatectomy risk assessment.

Effect of flumazenil on diaphragm electrical activation during weaning from mechanical ventilation after acute respiratory distress syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Diaphragm electrical activation (EAdi) and the ratio of tidal volume to EAdi (VT/EAdi) may provide clinical information on neuroventilatory efficiency (NVE) in patients being weaned from mechanical ventilation. We tested the hypothesis that residual sedation could interfere with respiratory recovery, by assessing the effects of flumazenil on EAdi and VT/EAdi ratio. METHODS: This observational study included 13 patients breathing with pressure-support ventilation (PSV) after a long period of controlled mechanical ventilation (i.e. >4 days) plus midazolam-based sedation for acute respiratory distress syndrome. EAdi and respiratory patterns were compared before and after a bolus of flumazenil, which was given because neurological status needed to be evaluated. RESULTS: Flumazenil induced a significant increase in EAdi [+71 (41-123)%, P=0.0002] and VT [+17 (8-32)%, P=0.0005], resulting in significantly decreased NVE [-34 (15-43)%]. The increased VT was significantly correlated with the increased EAdi (ρ=0.70, P=0.009). CONCLUSIONS: During weaning from mechanical ventilation, the diaphragmatic contribution to the breathing process may be reduced by residual midazolam-induced ventilatory depression. The increased EAdi with reversal of residual sedation was associated with a proportional increase in VT. These findings should be considered by the attending physician when interpreting daily EAdi and VT changes during weaning from mechanical ventilation.

Long-term outcome of robotic-assisted laparoscopic rectopexy for full-thickness rectal prolapse in elderly patients.

AIM: Full-thickness rectal prolapse is common in the elderly, but there are no particular practice guidelines for its surgical management. We evaluated retrospectively the perioperative and long-term clinical results and function in elderly and younger patients with complete rectal prolapse after robotic-assisted laparoscopic rectopexy (RALR). METHOD: Seventy-seven patients who underwent RALR between 2002 and 2010 were divided into Group A (age < 75 years, n = 59) and Group B (age > 75 years, n = 18). Operative time, intra- and postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, short-term and long-term outcomes, recurrence rate and degree of satisfaction were evaluated. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the groups regarding operation time, conversion, morbidity or length of hospital stay. At a median follow-up of 51.8 (5-115) months, there was no difference in the improvement of faecal incontinence, recurrence and the degree of satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Robotic-assisted laparoscopic rectopexy is safe in patients aged over 75 years and gives similar results to those in patients aged < 75 years.

The effect of immune therapy on surgical site infection following Crohn's Disease resection.

BACKGROUND: Patients with Crohn's disease are increasingly receiving antitumour necrosis factor α (anti-TNF-α) therapy. Whether anti-TNF-α therapy increases the risk of postoperative infectious complications in Crohn's disease is a matter of debate. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of three referral centres. The charts of patients who underwent ileocaecal or ileocolonic resection for Crohn's disease between 2000 and 2011 were reviewed. The impact of baseline characteristics and Crohn's disease-related medications on the risk of postoperative intra-abdominal infectious complications was investigated by univariable and multivariable analysis. RESULTS: A total of 217 patients were included in the study. Median age at the time of surgery was 36·8 (range 15-78) years. A postoperative intra-abdominal infection occurred in 24 (11·1 per cent) of 217 patients. No deaths were reported. On univariable analysis, age less than 25 years (P = 0·023), steroid use (P = 0·017), anti-TNF-α therapy (P = 0·043) and anti-TNF-α treatment in combination with steroids (P = 0·004) were associated with an increased risk of postoperative intra-abdominal infectious complications. On multivariable analysis, only anti-TNF-α therapy in combination with steroids significantly increased this risk (odds ratio 8·03, 95 per cent confidence interval 1·93 to 33·43; P = 0·035). CONCLUSION: Combined use of steroids and anti-TNF-α therapy was associated with an increased risk of postoperative intra-abdominal infectious complications.

Childhood and adult trauma both correlate with dorsal anterior cingulate activation to threat in combat veterans.

BACKGROUND: Prior studies of adult post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) suggest abnormal functioning of prefrontal and limbic regions. Cumulative childhood and adult trauma exposures are major risk factors for developing adult PTSD, yet their contribution to neural dysfunction in PTSD remains poorly understood. This study aimed to examine the neural correlates of childhood and adult trauma exposure and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) within a single model. Method Medication-free male combat veterans (n = 28, average age 26.6 years) with a wide range of PTSS were recruited from the community between 2010 and 2011. Subjects completed an emotional face-morphing task while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Clinical ratings included the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and Combat Exposure Scale (CES). A priori regions were examined through multivariate voxelwise regression in SPM8, using depressive symptoms and IQ as covariates. RESULTS: In the angry condition, CAPS scores correlated positively with activation in the medial prefrontal cortex [mPFC; Brodmann area (BA) 10, z = 3.51], hippocampus (z = 3.47), insula (z = 3.62) and, in earlier blocks, the amygdala. CES and CTQ correlated positively with activation in adjacent areas of the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC; BA 32, z = 3.70 and BA 24, z = 3.88 respectively). In the happy condition, CAPS, CTQ and CES were not correlated significantly with activation patterns. CONCLUSIONS: dACC activation observed in prior studies of PTSD may be attributable to the cumulative effects of childhood and adult trauma exposure. By contrast, insula, hippocampus and amygdala activation may be specific to PTSS. The specificity of these results to threat stimuli, but not to positive stimuli, is consistent with abnormalities in threat processing associated with PTSS.

Neuro-ventilatory efficiency during weaning from mechanical ventilation using neurally adjusted ventilatory assist.

BACKGROUND: Neuro-ventilatory efficiency (NVE), defined as the tidal volume to electrical diaphragm-activity ratio (VT/EAdi) at the beginning and end of the weaning process after acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure, may provide valuable information about patient recovery. METHODS: This observational study included 12 patients breathing with neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA). When a spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) with pressure support of 7 cm H2O and PEEP was unsuccessful, NAVA was used and the level was adjusted to obtain an EAdi of ∼60% of maximal EAdi during SBT. VT and EAdi were recorded continuously. We compared changes in NVE between NAVA and SBT at the first failed and first successful SBT. RESULTS: When patients were switched from NAVA to SBT, NVE was significantly reduced during both unsuccessful and successful SBT (-56 and -38%, respectively); however, this reduction was significantly lower when SBT was successful (P=0.01). Between the first and last day of weaning, we observed that NVE decreased with NAVA [40.6 (27.7-89.5) vs 28.8 (18.6-46.7); P=0.002] with a significant decrease in NAVA level, whereas it remained unchanged during SBT [15.4 (10.7-39.1) vs 19.5 (11.6-29.6); P=0.50] with significant increases in both EAdi and VT and no difference in respiratory rhythm. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that in patients after respiratory failure and prolonged mechanical ventilation, changes in VT and NVE, between SBTs are indicative of patient recovery. Larger clinical trials are needed to clarify whether changes in NVE reliably predict weaning in patients ventilated with NAVA.

Long-term outcomes after totally robotic sacrocolpopexy for treatment of pelvic organ prolapse.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the feasibility, safety, effectiveness, and long-term results of pelvic organ prolapse surgery using the Da Vinci robotic system. METHODS: During a 7-year period, 52 consecutive patients with pelvic organ prolapse underwent robotic-assisted abdominal sacrocolpopexy. Clinical data were retrospectively collected and analyzed. RESULTS: All but two of the procedures were successfully completed robotically (96 %). Median operative time was 190 (range, 75-340) mins. There was no mortality and no specific morbidity due to the robotic approach. Mean hospital stay was 5 days. The median follow-up was 42 months. Five recurrent prolapses (9.6 %) were diagnosed. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience indicates that using the Da-Vinci robotic system is feasible, safe, and effective for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse with good long-term results.

Use-dependent corticospinal excitability is associated with resilience and physical performance during simulated military operational stress.

Simulated military operational stress (SMOS) provides a useful model to better understand resilience in humans as the stress associated with caloric restriction, sleep deficits, and fatiguing exertion degrades physical and cognitive performance. Habitual physical activity may confer resilience against these stressors by promoting favorable use-dependent neuroplasticity, but it is unclear how physical activity, resilience, and corticospinal excitability (CSE) relate during SMOS. To examine associations between corticospinal excitability, physical activity, and physical performance during SMOS. Fifty-three service members (age: 26 ± 5 yr, 13 women) completed a 5-day and -night intervention composed of familiarization, baseline, SMOS (2 nights/days), and recovery days. During SMOS, participants performed rigorous physical and cognitive activities while receiving half of normal sleep (two 2-h blocks) and caloric requirements. Lower and upper limb CSE were determined with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) stimulus-response curves. Self-reported resilience, physical activity, military-specific physical performance (TMT), and endocrine factors were compared in individuals with high (HIGH) and low CSE based on a median split of lower limb CSE at baseline. HIGH had greater physical activity and better TMT performance throughout SMOS. Both groups maintained physical performance despite substantial psychophysiological stress. Physical activity, resilience, and TMT performance were directly associated with lower limb CSE. Individual differences in physical activity coincide with lower (but not upper) limb CSE. Such use-dependent corticospinal excitability directly relates to resilience and physical performance during SMOS. Future studies may use noninvasive neuromodulation to clarify the interplay among CSE, physical activity, and resilience and improve physical and cognitive performance.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We demonstrate that individual differences in physical activity levels coincide with lower limb corticospinal excitability. Such use-dependent corticospinal excitability directly relates to resilience and physical performance during a 5-day simulation of military operational stress with caloric restriction, sleep restriction and disruption, and heavy physical and cognitive exertion.

Reliability of corticospinal excitability estimates for the vastus lateralis: Practical considerations for lower limb TMS task selection.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is increasingly used to examine lower extremity corticospinal excitability (CSE) in clinical and sports research. Because CSE is task-specific, there is growing emphasis on the use of ecological tasks. Nevertheless, the comparative reliability of CSE measurements during established (e.g. knee extensions; KE) and more recent ecological (e.g. squats; SQT) lower extremity tasks has received less attention. The aim of this study was to compare the test-retest reliability of CSE, force, and muscle activity (EMG) during isometric SQT and KE. 19 right-footed men (age: 25 ± 5 yrs) with similar fitness and body composition performed SQT (N = 7) or KE (N = 12) on two consecutive days. Force and EMG were recorded during maximum voluntary isometric contractions (MVC). Corticospinal excitability was determined in the dominant leg during light (15% MVC) contractions based on motor evoked potential (MEP) stimulus-response-curves (SRC). Test-retest reliability, absolute agreement, and consistency were determined for force, EMG, and SRC MEP maximum (MEPMAX) and rising phase midpoint (V50). As a secondary analysis, all outcomes were compared between groups with mixed-methods ANCOVAs (Task × Time, covariate: body-fat-percentage). Compared with SQT, KE displayed better test-retest reliability and agreement for MEPMAX whereas V50, force, and EMG were similarly reliable. Force (p = 0.01) and MEPMAX (p = 0.02) were also greater during KE despite a similar V50 (p = 0.11). Differences in test-retest reliability, absolute agreement, and between-group comparisons highlight the need to carefully select lower limb TMS assessment tasks and encourage future efforts to balance ecological validity with statistical sensitivity.

A Reappraisal of Outcome of Elective Surgery After Successful Non-Operative Management of an Intra-Abdominal Abscess Complicating Ileocolonic Crohn's Disease: A Subgroup Analysis of a Nationwide Prospective Cohort.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Few prospective data exist on outcomes of surgery in Crohn's disease [CD] complicated by an intra-abdominal abscess after resolution of this abscess by antibiotics optionally combined with drainage. METHODS: From 2013 to 2015, all patients undergoing elective surgery for CD after successful non-operative management of an intra-abdominal abscess [Abscess-CD group] were selected from a nationwide multicentre prospective cohort. Resolution of the abscess had to be computed tomography/magnetic resonance-proven prior to surgery. Abscess-CD group patients were 1:1 matched to uncomplicated CD [Non-Penetrating-CD group] using a propensity score. Postoperative results and long-term outcomes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Among 592 patients included in the registry, 63 [11%] fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The abscess measured 37 ±â€…20 mm and was primarily managed with antibiotics combined with drainage in 14 patients and nutritional support in 45 patients. At surgery, a residual fluid collection was found in 16 patients [25%]. Systemic steroids within 3 months before surgery [p = 0.013] and the absence of preoperative enteral support [p = 0.001] were identified as the two significant risk factors for the persistence of a fluid collection. After propensity score matching, there was no significant difference between the Abscess-CD and Non-Penetrating-CD groups in the rates of primary anastomosis [84% vs 90% respectively, p = 0.283], overall [28% vs 15% respectively, p = 0.077] and severe postoperative morbidity [7% vs 7% respectively, p = 1.000]. One-year recurrence rates for endoscopic recurrence were 41% in the Abscess-CD and 51% in the Non-Penetrating-CD group [p = 0.159]. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery after successful non-operative management of intra-abdominal abscess complicating CD provides good early and long-term outcomes.

[Dengue virus infection in neotropical forest mammals: incidental hosts or potential reservoirs?]. / Infection par le virus de la dengue de mammifères sauvages en région néotropicale: hôtes accidentels ou réservoirs potentiels?

The arboviral disease with the highest human incidence in South America is dengue fever. In French Guiana, where all four dengue serotypes, i.e., DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4, are present, the disease is endemic with epidemic outbreaks. Though previous serological studies have suggested a sylvatic cycle, involvement of wild mammals in the dengue cycle in the neotropics has never been confirmed. The purpose of this study was to search for the presence of DENV in wild animals captured at two different sites between 2001 and 2007. About 10,000 trap/nights were performed leading to the capture of 464 non-flying mammals (rodents and marsupials). In addition, mistnests placed in the same zone yielded 152 bats. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction amplification to detect infection by any of the four dengue serotypes demonstrated viral RNA in the livers and/or sera of 92 captured animals. Sequence analysis of amplification products revealed that the DENV-1, DENV-3 and DENV-4 serotypes were distinct from those circulating in humans at the same periods. Analysis for DENV-2 showed that some strains were divergent from concurrent human strains but that others were identical. The latter finding suggests that wild neotropical mammals living in periurban area can be infected by dengue virus strains circulating in humans. However, further investigation will be needed to determine if neotropical mammals are incidental hosts or potential reservoirs of dengue virus.