Does the Social Functioning Scale reflect real-life social functioning? An experience sampling study in patients with a non-affective psychotic disorder and healthy control individuals.

BACKGROUND: The ecological validity of retrospective measures of social functioning is currently unknown in patients with schizophrenia. In the present study, patients with a diagnosis of non-affective psychosis were compared with controls on two measures of social functioning: the Social Functioning Scale (SFS) and daily-life measures collected with the Experience Sampling Methodology (ESM). The associations between both measures were examined in each group of participants to test for the ecological validity of the SFS. METHODS: A total of 126 participants with a non-affective psychotic disorder and 109 controls completed the SFS and a 6-day momentary ESM protocol assessing various aspects of social functioning. Multiple linear and multilevel regression analyses were performed to test for group differences in social functioning level and examine associations between the two assessment techniques. RESULTS: Lower social functioning was observed in patients compared with controls on retrospective and momentary measures. The SFS interpersonal domain (social engagement/withdrawal and interpersonal behaviour dimensions) was associated with the percentage of time spent alone and negative appraisal of social interactions. The SFS activity domain (pro-social and recreational activities dimensions) was negatively associated with time spent in leisure activities. CONCLUSIONS: The SFS showed some degree of ecological validity at assessing broad aspects of social functioning. Low scores on the SFS social engagement/withdrawal and interpersonal behaviour dimensions captured social isolation and social avoidance in daily life, but not lack of interest in socializing. Ecological validity of the SFS activity domain was low. ESM offers a rich alternative to classical assessment techniques of social functioning.

Measles outbreak in a refugee settlement in Calais, France: January to February 2016.

We report a measles outbreak in a refugee settlement in Calais, France, between 5 January and 11 February 2016. In total, 13 confirmed measles cases were identified among migrants, healthcare workers in hospital and volunteers working on site. A large scale vaccination campaign was carried out in the settlement within two weeks of outbreak notification. In total, 60% of the estimated target population of 3,500 refugees was vaccinated during the week-long campaign.

[Not Available]. / Ictère nucléaire dans un contexte de naissance à domicile.

This is the clinical history of a term baby born at home who presents a severe hyperbilirubinémia. The medical monitoring was assessed by a private midwife according to parental choice. On the third day of life, the newborn presented an icterus and was exposed to natural daylight in the familial greenhouse under the midwife recommandations. On that day, no laboratory test precised the bilirubin level. On the fifth day, a blood sampling revealed a very high blood bilirubinémia (31 mg/dl or 527 mmol/L), the baby is refered to our NICU and underwent an exchange transfusion. The radiological assessment report structural abnomalies in basal ganglia seen on both MRI and transfontannellar echography. These lesions are known to be responsible of cerebral palsy and hearing loos. The neurophysiologic investigations showed background abnormaly and depression. The extensive blood sampling excluded haemolysis. The clinical examination brought out neurologic impairement and weight loos in this exclusively breastfed baby. This clinical case point out the increasing risk of home Kernicterius as hospital stays diminish and homebirth enthousiasm rise up. The present clinical situation vouches for an adaptation of care giving to both mother and child at home in order to avoid this severe illness.

The important role of stratum corneum lipids for the cutaneous barrier function.

The skin protects the body from unwanted influences from the environment as well as excessive water loss. The barrier function of the skin is located in the stratum corneum (SC). The SC consists of corneocytes embedded in a lipid matrix. This lipid matrix is crucial for the lipid skin barrier function. This paper provides an overview of the reported SC lipid composition and organization mainly focusing on healthy and diseased human skin. In addition, an overview is provided on the data describing the relation between lipid modulations and the impaired skin barrier function. Finally, the use of in vitro lipid models for a better understanding of the relation between the lipid composition, lipid organization and skin lipid barrier is discussed. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled The Important Role of Lipids in the Epidermis and their Role in the Formation and Maintenance of the Cutaneous Barrier. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled The Important Role of Lipids in the Epidermis and their Role in the Formation and Maintenance of the Cutaneous Barrier. Guest Editors: Kenneth R. Feingold and Peter Elias.

Electron diffraction study of lipids in non-lesional stratum corneum of atopic eczema patients.

Skin barrier impairment is thought to be an important factor in the pathogenesis of atopic eczema (AE). The skin barrier is located in the stratum corneum (SC), consisting of corneocytes embedded in lipids. Ceramides, cholesterol and free fatty acids are the major lipid classes and are crucial for the skin barrier function, but their role in relation to AE is indistinct. Filaggrin is an epidermal barrier protein and common mutations in the filaggrin gene strongly predispose for AE. However, there is no strong evidence that filaggrin mutations are related to the reduced skin barrier in AE. In this study, electron diffraction is used in order to study the lipid organization of control SC and non-lesional SC of AE patients in vivo. An increased presence of the hexagonal lipid organization was observed in non-lesional SC of AE patients, indicating a less dense lipid organization. These changes correlate with a reduced skin barrier function as measured with transepidermal water loss but do not correlate with the presence of filaggrin mutations. These results are indicative for the importance of the lipid organization for a proper skin barrier function.

Lipid to protein ratio plays an important role in the skin barrier function in patients with atopic eczema.

BACKGROUND: The barrier function of the skin is primarily provided by the stratum corneum (SC), the outermost layer of the skin. Skin barrier impairment is thought to be a primary factor in the pathogenesis of atopic eczema (AE). Filaggrin is an epidermal barrier protein and common mutations in the filaggrin gene strongly predispose for AE. However, the role of filaggrin mutations in the decreased skin barrier in AE is not fully understood. It was recently shown that changes in SC lipid composition and organization play a role in the reduced skin barrier in AE. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the lipid/protein ratio and the total dry SC mass per surface area are related to the skin barrier function of controls and patients with AE. METHODS: A case-control study was performed to compare nonlesional and lesional skin of AE with skin of controls. The dry SC mass was determined by tape-stripping and Squamescan(™) . The ratio between lipid and protein bands in the Raman spectrum was used to determine the lipid/protein ratio. Skin barrier function was assessed by transepidermal water loss. RESULTS: The results show that the dry SC mass per skin area is altered only in lesional SC of patients with AE compared with control subjects. The observed reduction in the lipid/protein ratio in SC of patients with AE was more pronounced, both in lesional and nonlesional SC and correlated strongly with the skin barrier function and disease severity. CONCLUSIONS: The lipid/protein ratio plays a role in the reduced skin barrier function in AE.

The use of nucleosides and arginine as alternative energy sources by coagulase-negative staphylococci in view of meat fermentation.

The ability of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) to use alternative energy sources in meat may partially explain their occurrence in fermented meats. Of 61 CNS strains tested, all metabolized adenosine and inosine in a meat simulation medium (MSM). The ability to catabolize arginine via the arginine deiminase (ADI) pathway varied between strains. All tested strains of Staphylococcus carnosus and Staphylococcus epidermidis possessed an arcA gene and showed ADI activity, whereas other species, such as Staphylococcus equorum and Staphylococcus succinus, did not. Arginine catabolic mobile elements (ACME), as in the positive control S. epidermidis ATCC 12228, were uncommon and only found in Staphylococcus xylosus 3PA6 (sausage isolate) and Staphylococcus chromogenes G222 (teat apex isolate). Monoculture experiments were performed in MSM with S. carnosus 833 and SS3-4, S. xylosus G211, and S. epidermidis ATCC 12228 and 2S7-4. At all pH values tested (5.3, 5.8, and 6.5), the strains of S. carnosus catabolized arginine faster than the strains of S. xylosus and S. epidermidis. Only at pH 6.5 could a low ADI activity be found for S. xylosus G211. Increased ADI activity occurred in the case of the ACME-positive S. epidermidis ATCC 12228, when compared to the ACME-negative S. epidermidis 2S7-4.

Species diversity and metabolic impact of the microbiota are low in spontaneously acidified Belgian sausages with an added starter culture of Staphylococcus carnosus.

Quality of fermented sausages is affected by acidifying lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and colour- and flavour-promoting coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS), whether or not used as starter culture. Artisan fermented sausages are often perceived as superior to industrial variants, partially because of the specific microbiota due to spontaneous acidification, which may be considered as an artisan characteristic. Therefore, two kinds of spontaneously acidified Belgian sausages were prepared (Belgian-type salami and Boulogne sausage), but with addition of a Staphylococcus carnosus culture. The Belgian-type salami was made from pork and beef, whereas the Boulogne sausage contained pork and horse meat. In all cases, Lactobacillus sakei was the dominant LAB species present on the raw materials and during fermentation, whereas enterococci remained present in the background. Enterobacteriaceae vanished after fermentation. The CNS species diversity on the raw materials was large and differed between the pork, beef, and horse meat. Nevertheless, this species diversity was annihilated during fermentation by the added S. carnosus culture. The volatiles fraction was mainly composed of aldehydes that originated from lipid oxidation and spices-derived compounds. Aromatic compounds that are typically associated to CNS activity, such as end-products from the metabolism of branched-chain amino acids, were not present in the Belgian-type salami and only marginally present in the Boulogne sausage. In conclusion, spontaneous acidification of Belgian-type fermented sausages leads to dominance of L. sakei and is no guarantee for bacterial contribution to the aroma profile when S. carnosus is added as a starter culture.

Ethical review of COVID-19 research in the Netherlands; a mixed-method evaluation among medical research ethics committees and investigators.

BACKGROUND: During the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic there was an urgent need for accelerated review of COVID-19 research by Medical Research Ethics Committees (MRECs). In the Netherlands this led to the implementation of so-called 'fast-track-review-procedures' (FTRPs) to enable a swift start of urgent and relevant research. The objective of this study is to evaluate FTRPs of MRECs in the Netherlands during the COVID-19 pandemic and to compare them with the regular review procedures (RRPs). METHODS AND FINDINGS: An explanatory sequential mixed method study was conducted. Online questionnaires and four group interviews were conducted among MREC representatives and investigators of COVID-19 research. In addition, data from a national research registration system was requested. Main outcome measures are differences in timelines, quality of the review and satisfaction between FTRPs and RRPs. The total number of review days was shorter in FTRP (median 10.5) compared to RRPs (median 98.0). Review days attributable to the MRECs also declined in FTRPs (median 8.0 versus 50.0). This shortening can be explained by installing ad hoc (sub)committees, full priority given to COVID-19 research, regular research put on hold, online review meetings and administrative leniency. The shorter timelines did not affect the perceived quality of the review and ethical and legal aspects were not weighted differently. Both MREC representatives and investigators were generally satisfied with the review of COVID-19 research. Weaknesses identified were the lack of overview of COVID-19 research and central collaboration and coordination, the delay of review of regular research, and limited reachability of secretariats. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that accelerated review is feasible during emergency situations. We did not find evidence that review quality was compromised and both investigators and MRECs were content with the FTRP. To improve future medical ethical review during pandemic situations and beyond, distinguishing main and side issues, working digitally, and (inter)national collaboration and coordination are important.

Infrared spectroscopy studies of mixtures prepared with synthetic ceramides varying in head group architecture: coexistence of liquid and crystalline phases.

The barrier function of the skin is provided by the stratum corneum (SC), the outermost layer of the skin.Ceramides (CERs), cholesterol (CHOL) and free fatty acids (FFAs) are present in SC and form highly ordered crystalline lipid lamellae. These lamellae are crucial for a proper skin barrier function. In the present study,Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to examine the lipid organization of mixtures prepared from synthetic CERs with CHOL and FFAs. The conformational ordering and lateral packing of these mixtures showed great similarities to the lipid organization in SC and lipid mixtures prepared with native CERs.Therefore, mixtures with synthetic CERs serve as an excellent tool for studying the effect of molecular architecture of CER subclasses on the lipid phase behavior. In SC the number of OH-groups in the head groups of CER subclasses varies. Furthermore, acylCERs with a linoleic acid chemically bound to a long acyl chain are also identified. The present study revealed that CER head group architecture affects the lateral packing and conformational ordering of the CER:CHOL:FFA mixtures. Furthermore, while the majority of the lipids form a crystalline packing, the linoleate moiety of the acylCERs participates in a "pseudo fluid" phase.

Evaluation of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry for identification of nocardia species.

The identification of Nocardia species, usually based on biochemical tests together with phenotypic in vitro susceptibility and resistance patterns, is a difficult and lengthy process owing to the slow growth and limited reactivity of these bacteria. In this study, a panel of 153 clinical and reference strains of Nocardia spp., altogether representing 19 different species, were characterized by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). As reference methods for species identification, full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phenotypical biochemical and enzymatic tests were used. In a first step, a complementary homemade reference database was established by the analysis of 110 Nocardia isolates (pretreated with 30 min of boiling and extraction) in the MALDI BioTyper software according to the manufacturer's recommendations for microflex measurement (Bruker Daltonik GmbH, Leipzig, Germany), generating a dendrogram with species-specific cluster patterns. In a second step, the MALDI BioTyper database and the generated database were challenged with 43 blind-coded clinical isolates of Nocardia spp. Following addition of the homemade database in the BioTyper software, MALDI-TOF MS provided reliable identification to the species level for five species of which more than a single isolate was analyzed. Correct identification was achieved for 38 of the 43 isolates (88%), including 34 strains identified to the species level and 4 strains identified to the genus level according to the manufacturer's log score specifications. These data suggest that MALDI-TOF MS has potential for use as a rapid (<1 h) and reliable method for the identification of Nocardia species without any substantial costs for consumables.

Lung cancer mortality and iron oxide exposure in a French steel-producing factory.

OBJECTIVE: To study the possible association between iron oxide exposures and lung cancer risk among workers in a French carbon steel-producing factory. METHODS: 16 742 males and 959 females ever employed for at least 1 year between 1959 and 1997 were followed up for mortality from January 1968 to December 1998. Causes of death were ascertained from death certificates. Job histories and smoking habits were available for 99.7% and 72.3% of subjects, respectively. Occupational exposures were assessed by a factory-specific job-exposure matrix (JEM) validated with atmospheric measurements. Standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) were computed using local death rates (external references). Poisson regressions were used to estimate the relative risks (RRs) for occupational exposures (internal references), adjusted on potential confounding factors. RESULTS: Among males, observed mortality was lower than expected for lung cancer compared to the local population (233 deaths, SMR 0.89, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.01) and higher than expected compared to the French population (SMR 1.30, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.48) No lung cancer excess was observed for exposure to iron oxides (RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.55 to 1.17) and no dose-response relationship with intensity, duration of exposure or cumulative index was found. A significant bladder cancer excess was observed among workers exposed to oil mist (RR 2.44, 95% CI 1.06 to 5.60), increasing significantly with intensity, duration of exposure and cumulative index. CONCLUSION: This study did not detect any relationship between exposure to iron oxides and lung cancer mortality. An excess of mortality from bladder cancer was found among workers exposed to oil mist.

KRAS wild-type state predicts survival and is associated to early radiological response in metastatic colorectal cancer treated with cetuximab.

BACKGROUND: KRAS mutation status is a candidate marker for predicting survival in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treated with cetuximab (CTX). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied the KRAS mutation status of 113 patients with irinotecan refractory mCRC treated with CTX in clinical trials. A predictive model for objective response (OR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) was constructed using logistic and Cox regression. RESULTS: OR was seen in 27 of 66 KRAS wild-type (WT) patients versus 0 of 42 in KRAS mutants. Median OS was significantly better in KRAS WT versus mutants (43.0 versus 27.3 weeks; P = 0.020). Decrease in tumor sizes was significantly larger at all time points in WT patients. KRAS WT patients with an initial relative decrease of tumor size >9.66% at week 6 had a significantly better median OS compared with all other patients (74.9 versus 30.6 weeks; P = 0.0000025). Within KRAS WT patients OS was significantly better in patients with an initial decrease compared with those without [median OS: 74.9 versus 30.6 weeks (P = 0.00000012)]. CONCLUSIONS: KRAS WT status is associated to survival benefit in CTX treated mCRC. This benefit is even more pronounced in those patients with early radiological response. These characteristics may be exploited for response prediction.

Running economy in early and late maturing youth soccer players does not differ.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of maturity on running economy in a population of young soccer players. METHODS: 13 boys (mean age 14.3 years) active in soccer were divided into two groups: 6 early and 7 late maturers. Anthropometrical characteristics, respiratory exchange ratio, heart rate and maximal oxygen uptake were measured. Running economy was assessed at three submaximal running speeds (8, 9.5 and 11 km/h). Allometric coefficients were calculated and used to diminish the effect of body mass. In addition, running style was analysed biomechanically (stride length and meaningful kinematic values). RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the running economy of early and late maturing soccer players, nor any significant differences in mass adjusted physiological values. Therefore physiological differences cannot explain why late maturers succeed in keeping up with early maturers. Late maturing boys take longer relative strides, and have more anteversion of the thigh at heel contact, a smaller knee-angle during swing-phase and a lower mass moment of inertia. CONCLUSION: Running style seems to be an important determinant in running economy of children.

Jaw claudication as a result of carotid artery disease.

INTRODUCTION: Jaw claudication is mostly described as a symptom of giant cell arteritis. However it can also occur in presence of severe bilateral external carotid artery stenosis. REPORT: An 87-year-old man with extensive cardiovascular history presented with disabling bilateral jaw claudication. Duplex Scan and MR-Angiography showed severe bilateral ostial external carotid artery stenosis. After unilateral carotid endarterectomy, the symptoms disappeared. DISCUSSION: Bilateral jaw claudication as a symptom of carotid atherosclerosis is a rare condition. It can be treated by unilateral carotid endarterectomy.

Extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL) polymerase chain reaction assay on rectal swabs and enrichment broth for detection of ESBL carriage.

BACKGROUND: Extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL) screening and contact precautions on patients at high risk for ESBL carriage are considered important infection control measures. Since contact precautions are costly and may negatively impact patient care, rapid exclusion of ESBL carriage and therefore earlier discontinuation of contact precautions are desired. AIM: In the present study, the performance of an ESBL polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting blaCTX-M genes was evaluated as a screening assay for ESBL carriage. METHODS: Two methods were assessed: PCR performed directly on rectal swabs and PCR on enrichment broth after incubation overnight. The reference standard was culture of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae on selective agar after overnight enrichment and confirmation by the combination disc diffusion method. Microarray was used for discrepancy analysis. A secondary analysis was performed to evaluate the added value of including a blaSHV target in the PCR. FINDINGS: A total of 551 rectal swabs from 385 patients were included, of which 28 (5%) were ESBL positive in culture. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were 86%, 98%, 67%, and 99%, respectively, for PCR directly on swabs, and 96%, 98%, 75%, and 100%, respectively, for PCR on enrichment broth. Adding a blaSHV target to the assay resulted in a lower PPV without increasing the sensitivity and NPV. CONCLUSION: Screening for ESBL by PCR directly on rectal swabs has a high negative predictive value, is up to 48h faster than traditional culture and therefore facilitates earlier discontinuation of contact precautions, thereby improving patient care and saving valuable resources in the hospital.

[New developments in anesthesia-reanimation for ambulatory procedures]. / Actualités thérapeutiques en anesthésie-réanimation: cap sur l'hôpital de jour.

The one day clinic possesses its own structure and organisation; patient management is also specific. Preoperative visit and assessment are programmed at least 48 hours before anesthesia. Preoperative examinations and choice of anesthetic technique (sedation associated with local anesthesia or not, general anesthesia, locoregional anesthesia, or hypnosedation) are discussed and determined depending upon medical history, clinical examination, and type of procedure. General recommandations, instructions about fasting, interruption of some therapies, and introduction of new medication(s) are explained orally and also provided in a written document. New anesthetics and analgesics allow quick awakening and recovery of vital functions, and subsequently rapid hospital discharge. Prevention and aggressive treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting are also a major concern in our anesthesic management of ambulatory patient.

Determination of antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Nocardia spp. from clinical specimens by Etest.

Susceptibilities to 11 antimicrobial agents were determined by Etest for 93 Nocardia isolates from clinical specimens and 15 type strains belonging to different Nocardia spp. All isolates were susceptible to trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole, amikacin and linezolid, but susceptibilities of the various Nocardia spp. to beta-lactams, aminoglycosides, ciprofloxacin and clarithromycin varied markedly. Overall, there was a good correlation between the drug resistance patterns and the species identification established by conventional phenotypic tests and 16S rDNA sequencing. Among the different species encountered, Nocardia farcinica and Nocardia brasiliensis displayed the most multiresistant profiles, with resistance to imipenem occurring mainly among isolates of N. brasiliensis and Nocardia abscessus. The species variability in susceptibility profiles and the numerous recent taxonomic changes means that in-vitro susceptibility tests may be a complementary tool for the identification of Nocardia isolates from human clinical specimens. Further studies on a larger number of species from more diverse geographical sources, including species that are found less commonly among clinical isolates, are required to validate and extend the results.