Pure rotational R(0) and R(1) lines of CO in Ar baths: experimental broadening, shifting and mixing parameters in a wide pressure range versus ab initio calculations.

The results of a rigorous study of the two first pure rotational transitions of CO perturbed by Ar are presented. The experimental part is based on the use of three different spectrometers covering together the pressure range from 0.02 up to 1500 torr. The measurement results of collisional line shape parameters are supported by fully ab initio calculations, which are in remarkable agreement with retrieved data. A sub-percent uncertainty of line intensity measurements is achieved and the first firm evidence that the resonance spectrum of CO is observed on the continual pedestal is given. We analyze the results of our ab initio calculations on the basis of early analytical theories and demonstrate a good general applicability of the latter to the CO-Ar collisional system.

High-precision cavity-enhanced spectroscopy for studying the H2-Ar collisions and interactions.

Information about molecular collisions is encoded in the shapes of collision-perturbed molecular resonances. This connection between molecular interactions and line shapes is most clearly seen in simple systems, such as the molecular hydrogen perturbed by a noble gas atom. We study the H2-Ar system by means of highly accurate absorption spectroscopy and ab initio calculations. On the one hand, we use the cavity-ring-down-spectroscopy technique to record the shapes of the S(1) 3-0 line of molecular hydrogen perturbed by argon. On the other hand, we simulate the shapes of this line using ab initio quantum-scattering calculations performed on our accurate H2-Ar potential energy surface (PES). In order to validate the PES and the methodology of quantum-scattering calculations separately from the model of velocity-changing collisions, we measured the spectra in experimental conditions in which the influence of the latter is relatively minor. In these conditions, our theoretical collision-perturbed line shapes reproduce the raw experimental spectra at the percent level. However, the collisional shift, δ0, differs from the experimental value by 20%. Compared to other line-shape parameters, collisional shift displays much higher sensitivity to various technical aspects of the computational methodology. We identify the contributors to this large error and find the inaccuracies of the PES to be the dominant factor. With regard to the quantum scattering methodology, we demonstrate that treating the centrifugal distortion in a simple, approximate manner is sufficient to obtain the percent-level accuracy of collisional spectra.

Rotational excitation of CO2 induced by He: New potential energy surface and scattering calculations.

The CO2 molecule is of great interest for astrophysical studies since it can be found in a large variety of astrophysical media where it interacts with the dominant neutral species, such as He, H2, or H2O. The CO2-He collisional system was intensively studied over the last two decades. However, collisional data appear to be very sensitive to the potential energy surface (PES) quality. Thus, we provide, in this study, a new PES of the CO2-He van der Waals complex calculated with the coupled-cluster method and a complete basis set extrapolation in order to provide rotational rate coefficients that are as accurate as possible. The PES accuracy was tested through the calculations of bound state transition frequencies and pressure broadening coefficients that were compared to experimental data. An excellent agreement was globally found. Then, revised collisional data were provided for the 10-300 K temperature range. Rate coefficients were compared to previously computed ones and are found to be up to 50% greater than previously provided ones. These differences can induce non-negligible consequences for the modeling of CO2 abundance in astrophysical media.

Tracer-free laser-induced grating spectroscopy using a pulse burst laser at 100 kHz.

This work shows the first application of a burst laser for laser-induced grating spectroscopy (LIGS) diagnostics. High repetition rate (100 kHz) LIGS is performed in non reacting and reacting flows using the fundamental harmonic of a Nd:YAG pulse-burst laser as pump. In the first part of the paper, we demonstrate the first time-resolved, high repetition rate electrostrictive LIGS measurements in a sinusoidally-modulated helium jet, allowed by the highly energetic pulses delivered by the burst laser (around 130 mJ per pulse). In the second part of the paper, we perform thermal LIGS measurements in a premixed laminar methane/air flame. Thermal gratings are generated in the flame products from the water vapour, which weakly absorbs 1064 nm light. Thus, this work demonstrates the potential of seeding-free high repetition rate LIGS as a technique to detect and time-resolve the instantaneous speed of sound, temperature, and composition in unsteady flow processes.

Histological grade concordance between diagnostic core biopsy and corresponding surgical specimen in HR-positive/HER2-negative breast carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The identification and validation of suitable predictive and prognostic factors are a challenge to improve the treatment scheme selection. Discordances in histological grade can be established between core biopsy and surgical specimens. This is important in HR-positive/HER2-negative subgroup where histological grade identifies patients at high risk and is a strong determinant for treatment scheme. METHODS: A total of 350 consecutive invasive breast carcinoma biopsies were assessed and compared with surgical specimens in Institut Curie, Paris, France. Clinical, radiological and pathological data were recorded. RESULTS: Histological grade concordance rate in the HR+/HER2- group was 75%. A grade underestimation was mainly due to mitotic index misgrading (23%). Large tumours (P<0.05), premenopausal patients (P=0.005) and non-ultrasound-guided biopsies (P=0.04) were risk factors for misgrading. The highest discordance was found in tumours that required chemotherapy (39%, P<0.05), and it was related to an underestimation of histological grade on core biopsies (94%). CONCLUSIONS: Histological grade in HR+/HER2- group is important to identify patients with poor prognosis and start a systemic therapy. Histological grade discordance was correlated with an underestimation of mitotic index and factors probably associated with intratumor heterogeneity (premenopausal status, tumour size and the type of core biopsy performed). But such discordance did not appear to modify the therapeutic decision, because systemic treatment decision-making also integrates other variables. Determining histological grade in core biopsy can be especially important in HR-positive/HER2-negative subgroup where it identifies patients at high risk and is a strong determinant of the treatment scheme.

Velocity-changing collisions in pure H2 and H2-Ar mixture.

We show how to effectively introduce a proper description of the velocity-changing collisions into the model of isolated molecular transition for the case of self- and Ar-perturbed H2. We demonstrate that the billiard-ball (BB) approximation of the H2-H2 and H2-Ar potentials gives an accurate description of the velocity-changing collisions. The BB model results are compared with ab initio classical molecular dynamics simulations. It is shown that the BB model correctly reproduces not only the principal properties such as frequencies of velocity-changing collisions or collision kernels, but also other characteristics of H2-H2 and H2-Ar gas kinetics like rate of speed-changing collisions. Finally, we present line-shape measurement of the Q(1) line of the first overtone band of self-perturbed H2. We quantify the systematic errors of line-shape analysis caused by the use of oversimplified description of velocity-changing collisions. These conclusions will have significant impact on recent rapidly developing ultra-accurate metrology based on Doppler-limited spectroscopic measurements such as Doppler-width thermometry, atmosphere monitoring, Boltzmann constant determination, or transition position and intensity determination for fundamental studies.

[Current state of compensation of on-duty and on-call urologists in France: a study from AFUF]. / État des lieux des rémunérations des gardes et astreintes d'urologie en France: une étude de l'AFUF.

INTRODUCTION: The French Association of Urologists-in-training (AFUF) aimed to assess the current state of remunerations of on-call and on-duty residents, assistants and lecturers in urology in France. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data were collected from February to May 2013 through a questionnaire sent to all members of the AFUF (327 members). Remunerations were given in gross values. RESULTS: Forty-three residents took part in the study, 16 assistants and 16 lecturers, representing 62 % of the whole centers (54 hospitals out of the 92 centers practicing urology in France). Most of responders were on security or operational on-call. Twenty hospitals were practicing multi-organ removal. Median remunerations of residents were about 59.51€ per on-call when moving at hospital for work and about 119.02€ per onsite duty. Assistants and lecturers were paid a flat fee rate for 37.5 % of them (140€ for assistants [with variability from 40 to 195€] and 130€ for lecturers [42.5-180]) or an hourly rate depending on the hours spent at hospital for the others (62.5 %): first, second move or move<3h were paid 100€ for assistants and 65€ for lecturers, 233.5€ and 236€ respectively for the third one or above 3h, 365€ and 473€ respectively above 8h. Multi-organ removals were paid a flat fee rate (60 %) or an hourly rate (40 %) as well. Beyond a threshold of 2-3hours, the hourly rate was more interesting than the flat fee rate. CONCLUSION: There were disparities in remuneration of on-call and on-duty urologists. Greater variability affected on-call flat fee rate remuneration beyond a certain threshold of hours and remuneration of multi-organ removal. These disparities should be considered in order to get a national harmonization.

[Research fellowship in the curriculum of French urologists-in-training: a study by the French Association of Urologists-in-training (AFUF)]. / Place du Master 2 recherche dans la formation des jeunes urologues français : une étude de l'AFUF.

OBJECTIVES: To assess motivations, the practical organization and the funding of a research fellowship in the training curriculum of French urologists-in-training. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An online questionnaire was sent to members of the AFUF and to participants of a research training seminar "Graines et Sol" organised by the AFU, between July and September 2013. Results are presented as the median (interquartile range). RESULTS: Sixty answers out of 115 research fellows (response rate 52%) were computed. Median age was 29 years (28-30) during the research year and male proportion 75%. The AFU grant was obtained by 57.4% of applicants, 56.4% for various grants and 47.6% for the research fellowship university grant. The annual gross amount was 29,870€ (22,710-30,195), without any significant difference between residency subdivisions. Financial supplements were obtained by being on-duty (26.2%), on-call (28.6%) and replacements (25%). The research fellowship year was done between 4th and 5th years of residency (53%), for a one-year length (96.7%) and in France (86.6%). Urologic cancerology was the thematic the most studied (60%). The research fellowship was done in view of an academic career (31.7%) or was done to wait for a post-residency position (20.8%). About a quarter was being proposed a chief-residency position before the beginning of the research year. During this year, 76.7% published. About 63% were interested in pursuing with a PhD. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed the interest for a research fellowship by French urologists-in-training. Financial support thanks to grants facilitated the conduct of a research fellowship in the aim of an academic career for most of them.

[The role of simulation in the curriculum of French urologists-in-training: a study by the French Association of Urologists-in-Training (AFUF)]. / Évaluation de l'utilisation de la simulation dans la formation des jeunes urologues français : une enquête de l'association française des urologues en formation (AFUF).

OBJECTIVES: To study the place of simulation in the training curriculum of French urologists-in-training. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An online questionnaire was sent to all residents and fellows members of the AFUF between February and May, 2013. Results are presented as the median (interquartile range). RESULTS: The answers of 125 urologists-in-training were computed (response rate 38%). They were residents in 90 cases (72%), and fellows in 35 cases (28%). Median age was 29 (27-30), male proportion 77%. All French academic urology departments were represented. Ninety of them (72%) had access to a pelvi-trainer and 66 (53%) to animal or cadaveric models, although they never used them or less than once a month in 83 and 97% of cases, respectively. Seventy-two (58%) had used a virtual-reality based simulator at least once and 38 (30%) had regular access to one, but without supervision in 64% of cases. Factors limiting simulation-based training were the lack of available simulators (70%), the lack of time (58%), the absence of incitement (34%) and supervision (20%). If these conditions were met, 86% of urologists-in-training would be ready to spend more than one hour a-week training on a simulator. CONCLUSION: This study revealed among the sample of respondents a limited use of simulation tools for skills aquisition. This was explained by a limited availability of these tools but also by an insufficient use of the tools when available.

[Predictable access to the fellowship of urology in France till 2016: an update of the AFUF]. / Accessibilité prévisible au post-internat d'urologie en France jusqu'en 2016: une mise à jour de l'AFUF.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the predictable accessibility to the fellowship of urology for residents expecting to accomplish their residentship from November 2013 to November 2016. MATERIAL: Between September and November 2013, the representants of the residents ongoing for the residentship of urology in each region of France were reached to participate to the study. A questionnaire was given in aim at reporting all the local residents expecting to accomplish their residentship between November 2013 and 2016, and the number and the expected availability of fellow and specialist assistant posts in the region during the same period. RESULTS: In November 2013, our study listed 334 junior urologists (197 residents, 81 fellows, 56 assistants). Fifty-five residents were ending their internship by November 2013, whereas 67, 50, 77 residents were expecting to accomplish their residentship from November 2014 to 2016 respectively. The predictable accessibility to the fellowship of urology was 96.4%, 82.1%, 90.0%, 74.0% respectively for the residents accomplishing their residentship from November 2013 to November 2016. The predictable deficit of fellow and assistant posts were -2, -12, -5, -20 posts from November 2013 to November 2016 respectively. CONCLUSION: The predictable number of fellow and assistant post in Urology remains insufficiently available for the 2013-2016 period. By reason of the unstable number of residents accomplishing their residentship from 2014 to 2016, the fellowship accessibility was measured at 82.1%, 90.0%, 74.0% from 2014 to 2016 respectively.

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.

Assessment of the bio-preparedness and of the training of the French hospital laboratories in the event of biological threat.

A national laboratory network 'Biotox-Piratox' was created in 2003 in France with the purpose of detecting, confirming and reporting potential biological and chemical threat agents. This network is divided into three levels: Level 1 is dedicated to the evaluation of risks (biological, chemical, radiological), to sampling and packing. Level 2 consists of university and military hospitals, who deal with biological specimens, and of environmental and veterinary laboratories, who deal with environmental and animal samples. Level 3 comprises national reference laboratories and the Jean Mérieux biosafety level (BSL)-4 laboratory in Lyon. This report presents the results of four bio-preparedness exercises to check critical points in the processing of samples. These exercises took place in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011. Each of them consisted of two parts. The first part was the identification of an unknown bacterial strain and its susceptibility to antibiotics used as a default in case of a bioterrorist event. The second part was the detection of Class III microorganisms, mainly by molecular techniques. The main lesson learnt in these exercises was that the key to successful detection of biological agents in case of a biological threat was standardisation and validation of the methods implemented by all the laboratories belonging to the network.

[Sexual function before surgery for pelvic organ prolapse]. / Prolapsus uro-génital : analyse de la sexualité préopératoire.

AIM: The aim of our study was to assess the link between pelvic organ prolapse (POP) characteristics and sexual well-being using validated tools. MATERIAL: A prospective analysis was carried out in 148 women with a POP. The degree of prolapse was measured by using the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POPQ). Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20) questionnaire score was used to estimate the severity of symptoms. Pelvic Organ Prolapse Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire short form (PISQ-12) scores determined sexual function level. RESULTS: No correlation was found concerning the global sexual function score and the POP stage (P=0.24). Pelvic and urinary symptoms were associated with a decrease in sexual function score (P=0.04 and P=0.002). Defecation symptoms were correlated with decreased sexual satisfaction (P ≤ 0.05) and were associated with premature ejaculation (P ≤ 0.05). Urinary symptoms were associated with dyspareunia (P ≤ 0.01), avoidance of sexual activities (P ≤ 0.05), negative emotions during intercourse (P ≤ 0.01) and decreased sexual excitement (P ≤ 0.05). Pelvic symptoms were significantly tied to avoidance of sexual activities (P ≤ 0.01), dyspareunia (P ≤ 0.05) and a poorer orgasm quality (P ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION: The degree of pelvic organ prolapse was not statistically associated with sexual function. However, urinary, pelvic and defecatory (ano-rectal) symptoms were associated with a decrease in the couple's sexual well-being.

Vacuum-assisted biopsies under MR guidance: results of 72 procedures.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging-guided breast vacuum-assisted biopsy (MR-VAB). METHODS: Of 97 scheduled MR-VAB for single MRI lesions (negative second-look sonography) categorised as BI-RADS 4 or 5, 4 were cancelled (undetected lesion = 2, technical problems = 2). Twenty-one patients lost to follow-up were excluded. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients (median age 51 years) were at high risk (BRCA1 = 11, BRCA2 = 7, familial risk = 5), 23 had a suspected local recurrence of breast cancer. Seventy-two imaged lesions (focus = 1, mass enhancement = 32, non-mass-like enhancement = 39) were targeted with a 10-gauge VAB probe using MRI guidance, with a median of 18 specimens per lesion (median procedural time 72 min, range 50-131 min) followed by clip placement. In the case of benignity, MRI follow-up was performed (19 patients, median 389 days, range 33-1,592) or mammography (3 patients, median 420 days, range 372-1,354). According to histopathology results, 29 lesions were benign, 10 were high-risk (papillary = 2, radial scar = 1, atypical epithelial hyperplasia = 7) and 33 malignant (ductal carcinoma in situ = 8, invasive cancers = 25). Three false negative results and 3 complications occurred (1 malaise, 1 skin defect, 1 infection). CONCLUSION: MRI-guided VAB represents an accurate tool for the histological diagnosis of lesions visible only at MRI.

[Renal cell carcinoma: which criteria to define antiangiogenic treatment failure? A case report]. / Cancer du rein: quels sont les critères pour juger de l'échec d'un traitement anti-angiogénique? A propos d'un cas.

Failure criteria of antiangiogenic treatment that must make envisage a change of molecule are still difficult to define. Concerning the evaluation of the response, if the RECIST criteria seem to be limited, several other tools of evaluation (clinical, radiological or biological tools) can be interesting. It is the case of contrast-enhanced ultra-sonography, but a precise definition of functional parameters should be defined and a standardization of the technique is necessary. Side effects do not translate necessarily a treatment failure. They must be estimated by taking into account the frequency of some of symptoms. Asthenia is noticed in more than 50% of the patients ; it is however necessary to exclude another aetiology, in particular iatrogenic hypothyroidism.

[Anastomotic stricture after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer]. / Sclérose de l'anastomose urétrovésicale après prostatectomie totale pour cancer.

The present paper intends to review diagnosis and treatment issues of bladder neck anastomosis stricture after radical prostatectomy for localised prostate cancer. Even though cancer control is not necessarily a concern, quality of life may be greatly altered. Patients may suffer from dysuria, urgency and the feeling of incomplete bladder emptying. Flowmetry, cystoscopy and cystography contribute to its diagnosis. Treatment should be graded according to the severity of the disease and the quality of life of the patient. Cold-Knife incisions and pneumatic dilatation are the first line treatments. Holmium laser shows good results on the stricture in a second line treatment. A two-stage strategy with an endoluminal stent followed by artificial urinary sphincter implant is the ultimate option to manage severe strictures, while maintaining acceptable quality of life. Continence sparing is the challenge of the treatment of this type of stricture.

Description of two new plasmids isolated from Francisella philomiragia strains and construction of shuttle vectors for the study of Francisella tularensis.

Francisella tularensis is the causative agent of tularemia, a zoonotic disease often transmitted to humans by infected animals. The lack of useful specific genetic tools has long hampered the study of F. tularensis subspecies. We identified and characterized two new plasmids, pF242 and pF243, isolated from Francisella philomiragia strains ATCC 25016 and ATCC 25017, respectively. Sequence analysis revealed that pF242 and pF243 are closely related to pC194 and pFNL10 plasmids, respectively. Two generations of pF242- and pF243-based shuttle vectors, harboring several antibiotic resistance markers, were developed. We used the first generation to compare transformation efficiencies in two virulent F. tularensis subspecies. We found that electroporation was more efficient than cryotransformation: almost all vectors tested were successfully introduced by electroporation into Francisella strains with a high level of efficiency. The second generation of shuttle vectors, containing a multiple cloning site and/or gfp gene downstream of Francisella groES promotor, was used for GFP production in F. tularensis. The development of new shuttle vectors offers new perspectives in the genetic manipulation of F. tularensis, helping to elucidate the mechanisms underlying its virulence.

A bond-bond description of the intermolecular interaction energy: the case of the weakly bound acetylene-hydrogen complex.

A new semiempirical potential energy surface (PES) for the acetylene-hydrogen system has been derived by using the recently introduced bond-bond methodology. The proposed PES, expressed in an analytic form suitable for molecular dynamics simulations, involves a limited number of parameters, each one having a physical meaning and allowing the accurate description of the system also in the less stable configurations. The analysis of novel integral cross sections data, measured with nearly effusive molecular beams, combined with that of available pressure broadening coefficients of isotropic Raman lines at 143 K and IR lines at 173 and 295 K of C(2)H(2) in H(2), provides a test of the reliability of the proposed PES and suggests also some refinements. An extensive comparison with a recent ab initio potential is also exploited.

[Melioidosis: an emerging tropical disease]. / La mélioïdose: une maladie tropicale en quête de reconnaissance.

Melioidosis is an infection affecting both human and animal health. The causative agent is Burkholderia pseudomallei, a Gram-negative soil bacterium. Melioidosis is endemic in tropical areas of Southeast Asia and Northern Australia, and sporadic in many other countries. Clinical presentation is variable ranging from acute septicemia, isolated pulmonary infection, or chronic granulomatous lesions to asymptomatic forms with positive serology. There is no vaccine and treatment is difficult because B. pseudomallei is resistant to a wide range of antibiotics. Relapses are common. B. pseudomallei is listed as a biological risk class 3 and considered as a potential bioterrorism agent due to its high virulence by inhalation, to the difficulty of treatment, and to the lack of vaccine.

[Primary carcinoma of the head of the epididymis]. / Tumeur épithéliale primitive de la tête de l'épididyme.

The authors report the case of a 44-year-old man in whom a poorly differentiated primary carcinoma of the head of the epididymis was discovered incidentally. Due to the rarity of this diagnosis, a comprehensive assessment was performed looking for a primary tumour, but without success. Despite early surgical resection, the patient developed lymph-node metastases. This exceptional tumour showed low sensitivity to chemotherapy. Malignant tumours of the epididymis are exceptional and require investigations to detect a primary tumour. Treatment is based on surgical resection, ideally via an inguinal incision, combined with chemotherapy adapted to the histological type.