Impact of therapeutic education on the evolution of social representations of medication in patients with Parkinson's disease: A quantitative and qualitative study (ETPARK REMED).

BACKGROUND: Among the workshops of our therapeutic patient education (TPE) program, the medication workshop (TPEM workshop) is very frequently proposed to patients in view of the difficulties they encounter related to the complexity of managing antiparkinsonian treatment. Patients' appropriation of their medications could depend on their social representations. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of our TPEM workshop on the social representations PD patients have of their medications and to compare it with that of another therapeutic intervention such as a talking group defined as the control group. METHODS: This single-center, prospective, randomized, parallel-group study investigated the social representations of medication through a questionnaire on knowledge about antiparkinsonian medications, a questionnaire on beliefs about medication (BMQ), and a word association task. RESULTS: In the TPEM group (n=16), the workshop induced significant effects over time on the knowledge questionnaire (P=0.01), BMQ specific necessity and concerns scores (P=0.04 and 0.01, respectively), necessity-concerns differential (P=0.04), and BMQ general harm (P=0.04). No significant difference was found in the talking group (n=6). Comparison of the two groups showed a significant difference of the BMQ general harm with a decrease in belief in the harmfulness of the medications in the workshop group (P=0.03). The results of the verbal association task showed a modification in the content and structure of the social representations of medication in the TPEM group. DISCUSSION: The TPEM workshop helped reduce initial negative aspects of medication representations. Improved knowledge of their medication allowed patients to feel more competent and legitimate in communicating with caregivers, modifying their beliefs about medications. Indeed, the medication was perceived as less restrictive, care becoming central as shown by the emergence of the medical team in the social representations of the medication. CONCLUSION: All the results show a specific beneficial effect of the TPEM workshop through an evolution of the social representations of medications, which became more positive in our PD patients.

Cleft palate lateral synechia syndrome in two patients and literature review.

Cleft palate lateral synechia (CPLS) syndrome is an extremely rare congenital malformation syndrome of unknown origin, characterized by the association of cleft palate and one or more intraoral lateral synechiae (OMIM # 119550). Fewer than 20 cases have been described to date. The clinical and histological findings and results of genetic investigations for two additional cases of CPLS are presented herein, in order to better delineate this syndrome, within the context of the relevant literature. The first case presented with a U-shaped cleft palate, bilateral synechiae, and Pierre Robin sequence, requiring early sectioning of the synechiae because of severe feeding problems. The second case presented with a V-shaped cleft palate and a single synechia, running from the left border of the cleft to the floor of the mouth, and was without feeding difficulties. In both cases, histopathological examination of the synechiae revealed an aspect of mucous membranes macroscopically, while staining of sections indicated lymphocyte infiltrates and parakeratosis with stratified squamous epithelium, associated with vessel and connective tissue abnormalities. Sequencing of candidate genes did not identify a genetic cause. Accurate clinical descriptions, histopathological diagnosis, and genetic investigations of patients with synechiae are lacking in the literature. Better characterization of future cases of CPLS will give new insights into its developmental causes.

Determinants of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in French hospitals.

OBJECTIVES: COVID-19 vaccines have become the new hope for stemming the pandemic. We aimed to assess pre-launch vaccine acceptance among hospital workers in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Administrative Region of France. METHODS: We performed a cross sectional study involving all hospital workers in 11 Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes hospitals in December 2020. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with vaccine hesitancy. RESULTS: We analyzed completed questionnaires from 1,964 respondents (78% women, mean age 42 years, 21.5% physicians, 41% private care centers). A total of 1,048 (53%) hospital workers were in favor of COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccine hesitancy was associated with: female gender; young age; paramedical, technical, and administrative professions (i.e., all non-medical professions); no prior flu vaccination; and employment in the private medical care sector (p<0.05). Distrust of health authorities and pharmaceutical lobbying were the main obstacles to vaccination. Inversely, creating herd immunity and protecting patients and household members were the most frequently cited reasons in favor of vaccination. More than two-thirds of participants feared that the clinical and biological research was too rapid and worried about serious adverse effects. Most participants were interested in written information on the available vaccines, but the most vaccine-hesitant categories preferred oral information. Only 35% supported mandatory vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: Targeted written and oral information campaigns will be necessary to improve vaccination coverage among hospital workers who show a surprisingly high hesitancy rate. Imposing mandatory vaccination could be counterproductive.

SARS-CoV-2 immunochromatographic IgM/IgG rapid test in pregnancy: A false friend?

BACKGROUND: An increasing body of evidence has revealed that SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women could increase the risk of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Careful monitoring of pregnancies with COVID-19 and measures to prevent neonatal infection are warranted. Therefore, rapid antibody tests have been suggested as an efficient screening tool during pregnancy. CASES: We analysed the clinical performance during pregnancy of a rapid, lateral-flow immunochromatographic assay for qualitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 IgG/IgM antibodies. We performed a universal screening including 169 patients during their last trimester of pregnancy. We present a series of 14 patients with positive SARS-CoV-2 immunochromatographic assay rapid test result. Immunochromatographic assay results were always confirmed by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassays for quantitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM+IgA antibodies as the gold standard. We observed a positive predictive value of 50% and a false positive rate of 50% in pregnant women, involving a significantly lower diagnostic performance than reported in non-pregnant patients. DISCUSSION: Our data suggest that although immunochromatographic assay rapid tests may be a fast and profitable screening tool for SARS-CoV-2 infection, they may have a high false positive rate and low positive predictive value in pregnant women. Therefore, immunochromatographic assay for qualitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 IgG/IgM antibodies must be verified by other test in pregnant patients.

Codon Usage Heterogeneity in the Multipartite Prokaryote Genome: Selection-Based Coding Bias Associated with Gene Location, Expression Level, and Ancestry.

Prokaryotes represent an ancestral lineage in the tree of life and constitute optimal resources for investigating the evolution of genomes in unicellular organisms. Many bacterial species possess multipartite genomes offering opportunities to study functional variations among replicons, how and where new genes integrate into a genome, and how genetic information within a lineage becomes encoded and evolves. To analyze these issues, we focused on the model soil bacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti, which harbors a chromosome, a chromid (pSymB), a megaplasmid (pSymA), and, in many strains, one or more accessory plasmids. The analysis of several genomes, together with 1.4 Mb of accessory plasmid DNA that we purified and sequenced, revealed clearly different functional profiles associated with each genomic entity. pSymA, in particular, exhibited remarkable interstrain variation and a high density of singletons (unique, exclusive genes) featuring functionalities and modal codon usages that were very similar to those of the plasmidome. All this evidence reinforces the idea of a close relationship between pSymA and the plasmidome. Correspondence analyses revealed that adaptation of codon usages to the translational machinery increased from plasmidome to pSymA to pSymB to chromosome, corresponding as such to the ancestry of each replicon in the lineage. We demonstrated that chromosomal core genes gradually adapted to the translational machinery, reminiscent of observations in several bacterial taxa for genes with high expression levels. Such findings indicate a previously undiscovered codon usage adaptation associated with the chromosomal core information that likely operates to improve bacterial fitness. We present a comprehensive model illustrating the central findings described here, discussed in the context of the changes occurring during the evolution of a multipartite prokaryote genome.IMPORTANCE Bacterial genomes usually include many thousands of genes which are expressed with diverse spatial-temporal patterns and intensities. A well-known evidence is that highly expressed genes, such as the ribosomal and other translation-related proteins (RTRPs), have accommodated their codon usage to optimize translation efficiency and accuracy. Using a bioinformatic approach, we identify core-genes sets with different ancestries, and demonstrate that selection processes that optimize codon usage are not restricted to RTRPs but extended at a genome-wide scale. Such findings highlight, for the first time, a previously undiscovered adaptation strategy associated with the chromosomal-core information. Contrasted with the translationally more adapted genes, singletons (i.e., exclusive genes, including those of the plasmidome) appear as the gene pool with the less-ameliorated codon usage in the lineage. A comprehensive summary describing the inter- and intra-replicon heterogeneity of codon usages in a complex prokaryote genome is presented.

Detection of Short-Waved Spin Waves in Individual Microscopic Spin-Wave Waveguides Using the Inverse Spin Hall Effect.

The miniaturization of complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) devices becomes increasingly difficult due to fundamental limitations and the increase of leakage currents. Large research efforts are devoted to find alternative concepts that allow for a larger data-density and lower power consumption than conventional semiconductor approaches. Spin waves have been identified as a potential technology that can complement and outperform CMOS in complex logic applications, profiting from the fact that these waves enable wave computing on the nanoscale. The practical application of spin waves, however, requires the demonstration of scalable, CMOS compatible spin-wave detection schemes in material systems compatible with standard spintronics as well as semiconductor circuitry. Here, we report on the wave-vector independent detection of short-waved spin waves with wavelengths down to 150 nm by the inverse spin Hall effect in spin-wave waveguides made from ultrathin Ta/Co8Fe72B20/MgO. These findings open up the path for miniaturized scalable interconnects between spin waves and CMOS and the use of ultrathin films made from standard spintronic materials in magnonics.

[Neurodevelopmental outcome at 3 years of age of infants born at less than 26 weeks]. / Devenir à l'âge de 3ans d'une cohorte d'enfants nés à moins de 26 semaines d'aménorrhée.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the neurodevelopmental outcome and perinatal factors associated with favorable outcome among extremely preterm children at 3 years of age. METHODS: All infants born before 26 weeks of gestation between 2007 and 2011, admitted to intensive care units participating in a French regional network (western PACA-southern Corsica) were included. Perinatal data were collected to assess the main neonatal morbidities. At 3 years of age, the children's neurodevelopment was assessed by trained physicians participating in the follow-up network. Children were classified according to their disability: none, moderate, or severe. Using logistic regression, we determined the perinatal factors associated with the absence of disability at 3 years of age. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-two very preterm newborns were admitted to neonatal intensive care units. At discharge the survival rate was 62% (101). Rates of survival increased with gestational age (33% at 23 weeks, 57% at 24 weeks and 68% at 25 weeks). Among the 101 surviving extremely preterm children, 66 were evaluated at 3 years. The perinatal characteristics were not significantly different from those of the children lost to follow-up. Overall, 56% of extremely preterm children had no disability and 6% had severe disability. Cerebral palsy was diagnosed in 13% of children. At 3 years of age, the main perinatal factors associated with no disability were short duration of mechanical ventilation (OR=0.96 [0.93-0.99]; P=0.03) and complete course of prenatal corticosteroids (OR=4.7 [1.2-17.7]; P=0.02). CONCLUSION: As mortality rates continue to decrease for very preterm infants, concerns are rising about their long-term outcome. In this high-risk population, improving perinatal care remains a challenge to improve long-term outcome.

Systems Pharmacology Modeling of Prostate-Specific Antigen in Patients With Prostate Cancer Treated With an Androgen Receptor Antagonist and Down-Regulator.

First-in-human (FIH) studies with AZD3514, a selective androgen receptor (AR) down-regulator, showed decreases of >30% in the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in some patients. A modeling approach was adopted to understand these observations and define the optimum clinical use hypothesis for AZD3514 for clinical testing. Initial empirical modeling showed that only baseline PSA correlated significantly with this biological response, whereas drug concentration did not. To identify the mechanistic cause of this observation, a mechanism-based model was first developed, which described the effects of AZD3514 on AR protein and PSA mRNA levels in LNCaP cells with and without dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Second, the mechanism-based model was linked to a population pharmacokinetic (PK) model; PSA effects of clinical doses were subsequently simulated under different clinical conditions. This model was used to adjust the design of the ongoing clinical FIH study and direct the backup program.

Guidelines for May-Grünwald-Giemsa staining in haematology and non-gynaecological cytopathology: recommendations of the French Society of Clinical Cytology (SFCC) and of the French Association for Quality Assurance in Anatomic and Cytologic Pathology (AFAQAP).

OBJECTIVE: Since the guidelines of the International Committee for Standardisation in Haematology (ICSH) in 1984 and those of the European Committee for External Quality Assessment Programmes in Laboratory Medicine (EQALM) in 2004, no leading organisation has published technical recommendations for the preparation of air-dried cytological specimens using May-Grünwald-Giemsa (MGG) staining. DATA SOURCES: Literature data were retrieved using reference books, baseline-published studies, articles extracted from PubMed/Medline and Google Scholar, and online-available industry datasheets. RATIONALE: The present review addresses all pre-analytical issues concerning the use of Romanowsky's stains (including MGG) in haematology and non-gynaecological cytopathology. It aims at serving as actualised, best practice recommendations for the proper handling of air-dried cytological specimens. It, therefore, appears complementary to the staining criteria of the non-gynaecological diagnostic cytology handbook edited by the United Kingdom National External Quality Assessment Service (UK-NEQAS) in February 2015.

[Mycobacterium simiae pneumonia: a case report]. / Pneumopathie à Mycobacterium simiae: à propos d'un cas.

We report a case of Mycobacterium simiae pneumonia in an immunocompetent women aged 55 years, after a stay in Thailand. The diagnosis was based on culture isolation of non-tuberculous mycobacteria from bronchoalveolar lavage. The culture isolate was identified as M. simiae by biochemical and molecular methods. The patient was treated. Her condition remained stable for 5 years. During the sixth years, a relapse occurred, and a new treatment was prescribed. This is a rare case in view of the absence of any predisposing factor. M. simiae should be considered a possible causative agent of pulmonary disease, even in immunocompetent patients.

Training and practice of cytotechnologists: a discussion forum focused on Europe.

OBJECTIVES: To discuss the role and training of cytotechnologists (CTs) in Europe, to identify areas of good practice and to provide an informed opinion to those providing guidelines for training and practice in Europe. METHODS: All members of the Editorial Advisory Board of Cytopathology were invited to take part in a 'discussion forum' for which six topics were circulated in advance concerning the roles of CTs with regard to: (1) pre-screening slides; (2) 'signing out' reports; (3) carrying out ancillary techniques; (4) supervising laboratory staff; (5) taking part in rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) of fine needle aspirates (FNAs); and (6) whether CTs were trained specifically in cytopathology or in general histopathology. Notes of the meeting were circulated by email and a final report was agreed by 22 participants from 17 predominantly European countries. RESULTS: Training for CTs throughout Europe was variable, especially for non-gynaecological cytology, which was inconsistent with the range of activities required. The participants recommended graduate entry, preliminary training in general laboratory technology, and subsequent training to take account of the probability and, in some centres, the reality of primary cervical cancer screening changing from cytology to human papillomavirus (HPV) testing. They further recommended that CTs should perform HPV tests and take part in ROSE for FNAs, and they supported the European Federation of Cytology Societies developing guidelines for training and practice. CONCLUSION: With CT training added to a university-based education in laboratory or biomedical science, a career in cytotechnology should be an attractive option involving a diverse range of laboratory and clinically based activities.

[A therapeutic educational program in Parkinson's disease: ETPARK]. / Éducation thérapeutique chez le patient parkinsonien: le programme ETPARK.

We developed a therapeutic educational program in Parkinson's disease (PD). The needs analysis for this program was performed through a survey involving 41 PD patients. This survey questionnaire was elaborated through the analysis of 395 patients' semi-directive interviews, performed in our specialized hospitalisation unit during explanation workshops between 2005 and 2007. We managed to design an educational program tailored to specificities of PD and according to the recommendations of the High Authority of Health in France (HAS). This program was based on individual sessions conducted by a nurse experienced in PD and trained in education. Collective workshops concerning specific themes such as physical therapy, communication, social supports, sleep disorders, stress management, therapies in PD could be proposed to volunteer patients and were performed by the nurse, a physiotherapist and a specialized practitioner. This program focused on skills structured in knowledge, expertise, and learning. It was intended for patients without any motor or cognitive severe impairment. We educated 231 patients between 2008 and 2012 individually and 113 in collective workshops. Patients had an interesting improvement in their self-esteem (6.2±1.4 before and 7.3±1.1 after one year of this educational program). This program has been validated by our regional medical agency and we performed a medico-economic study demonstrating a significant improvement in quality-of-life of educated patients without extra costs.

Fibrolamellar variant of hepatocellular carcinoma does not have a better survival than conventional hepatocellular carcinoma--results and treatment recommendations from the Childhood Liver Tumour Strategy Group (SIOPEL) experience.

PURPOSE: Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FL-HCC) and conventional hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases in two consecutive paediatric HCC trials were analysed to compare outcome and derive treatment implications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data of 24 FL-HCC (24% PRETEXT IV) and 38 HCC (42% PRETEXT IV) cases from SIOPEL-2 and -3 (1995-1998, 1998-2006) were analysed. Patients were treated according to SIOPEL-2 and -3 high-risk protocol (carboplatin+doxorubicin alternating with cisplatin; seven preoperative, three postoperative cycles) or with primary surgery followed by chemotherapy as indicated. RESULTS: Thirteen of 24 FL-HCC (54%) and 32/38 HCC (84%) were initially treated with chemotherapy. Eight FL-HCC (33%) and five HCC patients (13%) had primary surgery. Partial response was observed in 31% of FL-HCC versus 53% of HCC patients (p=0.17). Complete resection was achieved in ten FL-HCC and seven HCC patients (p=0.08). Three-year event free survival (EFS) was 22% for FL-HCC versus 28% for HCC. Overall survival (OS) was not significantly different at 3 years follow up (42% for FL-HCC versus 33% for HCC, p=0.24). EFS/OS Kaplan-Meier curves did not differ significantly, with median follow up of 43 (FL-HCC) and 60 (HCC) months. No significant correlation was found between potential prognostic factors and OS. In the entire cohort nine out of 23 (39%) patients with complete resection or orthotopic liver transplantation versus 34/39 (87%) without successful surgical treatment, died. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term OS in FL-HCC and HCC is similar. With low response rates, complete resection remains the treatment of choice.

Intestinal infection with Trichinella spiralis induces distinct, regional immune responses.

The aim of this study was to evaluate differences between the small and large intestines (SI and LI) with regard to colonization and immunity during infection with Trichinella spiralis. In orally infected C57BL/6 mice, the gender ratios of worms differed among the SI, cecum, and LI. Mucosal mastocytosis developed in the SI but not in the LI, consistent with reduced IL-9 and IL-13 production by explants from the LI. Despite these differences, worms were cleared at the same rate from both sites. Furthermore, IL-10 production was reduced in the LI, yet it was instrumental in limiting local inflammation. Finally, passive immunization of rat pups with tyvelose-specific antibodies effectively cleared fist-stage larvae from all intestinal regions. We conclude that despite regional differences in immune responsiveness and colonization, immune mechanisms that clear T. spiralis operate effectively throughout the intestinal tract.

[Multi-resistant tuberculosis at the hôpital d'instruction des armées de Libreville (Gabon) about 16 cases]. / Tuberculose multirésistante à l'hôpital d'instruction des armées de Libreville (Gabon) à propos de 16 cas.

According to WHO estimates, between 1 and 20% of tuberculosis cases in the world are multiresistant. In Gabon, this prevalence is estimated at 1.9%. In this forward-looking study from March 2006 to August 2010, we report 16 cases of multi-resistant tuberculosis out of 24 suspected resistant samples (persistence of the clinical and radiological signs after three months of well conducted treatment with first-line anti-tuberculous drugs). This study is realized in association with the laboratory of mycobacterium of the Percy military teaching hospital, Clamart, France.

Pancreatic resections for solid or cystic pancreatic masses in children.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess the diagnosis and management of solid pancreatic neoplasm in children and the type of surgical treatment, focusing on short- and long-term outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of all children who had undergone pancreatic resection for suspicion of pancreatic tumor in Kremlin Bicêtre Hospital, Paris, between 1986 and 2008. We studied the symptoms at diagnosis, the type of surgery, and the short- and long-term morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: Of 18 patients identified, there were 7 pseudopapillary tumors, 3 neuroblastomas, 2 rhabdomyosarcomas, 1 acinar cell carcinoma, 1 endocrine cell carcinoma, 1 renal angiomyolipoma, and 3 pancreatic cysts. Symptoms at diagnosis were abdominal trauma, abdominal mass, and jaundice. Operative procedures were duodenopancreatectomy (11), mid-pancreatic resections (2), splenopancreatectomy (2), distal pancreatectomy (1), and tumorectomy (2). There were no deaths related to surgery. The postoperative morbidity rate was 45%, including 2 cases of fistula (11%) occurring after a mid-pancreatic resection and a pancreaticoduodenectomy. The median follow-up was 4.2 years (range 2-11). There was no diabetes mellitus, but there was 1 case of fat diet intolerance requiring pancreatic enzyme substitution. All of the children had a growth curve within normal limits. CONCLUSIONS: In this experience, pancreatic resections have proven to be a safe and efficient procedure, with low long-term morbidity, for the treatment of tumoral and selected nontumoral pancreatic masses.

Primary Mycobacterium bovis infection revealed by erythema nodosum.

Mycobacterium bovis is responsible for a zoonosis originating in cattle. This disease has rarely affected man in industrialised countries since the establishment of veterinary surveillance in cattle. We report the case of a young female patient who developed a Mycobacterium bovis primary infection revealed by erythema nodosum. Infection was probably due to the consumption of non-pasteurised milk in Morocco. This clinical manifestation is rare and physicians ought to be aware of this imported pathology.

[Performances of the Amplified Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Direct Test in non respiratory specimens (study about 1538 samples)]. / Performances du test "Amplified Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Direct Test" sur les échantillons extrarespiratoires (étude sur 1538 échantillons).

From March 1998 to August 2009, 1538 non-respiratory samples collected from 1182 patients, were tested using the Gen-Probe Amplified Mycobacterium Direct Test™ (AMTD). After decontamination procedure, every sample was tested by AMTD and by culture on solid and liquid media. The "Gold-standard" was considered by the combination of culture results and clinical diagnosis. Tuberculosis was present in 17,59 % (208 patients). For theses 1538 non-respiratory samples (225 culture positive samples, 248 AMTD positive), 279 corresponded to tuberculosis. After resolving the discordant results, the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative values were 89, 99, 99,6 and 97,3 %.

[Evaluation of the SD BIOLINE TB Ag MPT64 Rapid® for the diagnosis of tuberculosis]. / Évaluation du kit SD BIOLINE TB Ag MPT64 Rapid® dans le cadre du diagnostic de la tuberculose.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the SD Bioline Ag MPT64 Rapid(®) for identification of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. The method uses an immunochromatographic assay and needs 100 µl of sample taken from liquid culture or colonies suspended. The sensitivity was determined using 99 strains of M. tuberculosis complex and the specificity using 10 nontuberculous mycobacteria and 85 strains other than mycobacteria genus. The test showed excellent sensitivity (99%) and specificity (100%). This technique displays several advantages and is destined to spread in all laboratories and particularly in endemic areas.