Feasibility of changing for a rechargeable constant current neurostimulator in Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about outcome and settings adaptations after replacement of constant-voltage non-rechargeable implantable pulse generator (CV-nrIPG) by constant-current rechargeable IPG (CC-rIPG). OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility and safety of replacing a CV-nrIPG by a CC-rIPG in Parkinson's disease (PD) and the subsequent outcome. METHODS: A prospective cohort of thirty PD patients, whose CV-nrIPG was replaced by a CC-rIPG in University Hospital of Lyon between January 2017 and December 2018 (rIPG group) and 39 PD patients, who underwent the replacement of a CV-nrIPG by the same device in 2016 (nrIPG group), were enrolled in this study. Three surgeons performed the operations. Duration of hospitalization for the replacement as well as the number of in or outpatient visits during the first 3 months after the surgery were recorded. In the rIPG group, we compared preoperative DBS settings and the theoretical amplitude estimated using Ohm's law to the amplitude used at the end of follow-up. We assessed patients' and clinicians' opinion on the patient global functioning after the replacement using Clinical Global Impression score. RESULTS: Duration of hospitalization (P=0.47) and need for additional hospitalizations (P=0.73) or consultations (P=0.71) to adapt DBS parameters did not differ between the two groups. Neurological condition (CGI score) was considered as unchanged by both patients and neurologists. Final amplitude of stimulation using CC-rIPG was not predicted by Ohm's law in most cases. CONCLUSIONS: Replacing CV-nrIPG by CC-rIPG is safe and well tolerated but require neurological expertise to set the new parameters of stimulation.

Self-expanding plastic stent removed after radiochemotherapy for advanced esophageal cancer.

Endoscopic evaluation after chemoradiotherapy (CR) is impossible with an esophageal stent in place. The main study objective was to evaluate self-expanding plastic stent (SEPS) removal post-CR. Secondary end-points were the improvement of dysphagia and patients' quality of life. From October 2008 to March 2011, 20 dysphagic patients who suffered from advanced esophageal cancer were enrolled in a multicenter, prospective study. SEPS was inserted prior to CR and then removed endoscopically. SEPS efficiency (dysphagia score) and tolerance, as well as the patients' quality of life (European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire validated for the esophagus), were monitored. Continuous variables were compared using a paired t-test analysis for matched data. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Twenty patients (15 men and 5 women), aged 61.5 years (±9.88) (range 43-82 years), with adenocarcinoma (n = 12) and squamous cell carcinoma (n = 8), were enrolled. SEPS were successfully inserted in all patients (100%). There was one perforation and three episodes of migration. All of these complications were medically treated. The mean dysphagia score at the time of stent placement was 2.79 (0.6). Mean dysphagia scores obtained on day 1 and day 30 post-SEPS placement were 0.7 (0.9) (P < 0.0001) and 0.45 (0.8) (P < 0.0001), respectively. Quality of Life Questionnaire validated for the esophagus score showed an improvement in dysphagia (P = 0.01) and quality of oral feeding (P = 0.003). All SEPS were removed endoscopically without complications. In two patients, the stent was left in place due to metastatic disease. SEPS are extractable after CR of esophageal cancer. Early stenting by SEPS prior to and during CR may reduce dysphagia and improve quality of oral alimentation.

Validation of an internal method for the diagnosis of infections with Chlamydophila abortus and Coxiella burnetii by real-time multiplex PCR.

Chlamydophila abortus and Coxiella burnetii are one of the major pathogens implicated in abortion in cattle. Their characteristic of obligate intracellular bacteria, and of zoonotic agents, makes their culture difficult in diagnostic laboratories, and the traditional tools of diagnosis (detection of sera antibodies by ELISA, Stamp's coloration) encounter specificity, sensitivity and interpretability limits. Individual PCR have recently been developed. Nevertheless, their income/cost is a limiting factor for breeders. As the symptoms are not specific, the request for analysis often concerns the two valences. Consequently, the development and the validation of an internal multiplex PCR appears to be a suitable solution.

[Predictive value of vitamin D plasma levels on pregnancy rates in a cohort of IVF patients]. / Valeur prédictive du dosage de vitamine D sur les taux de grossesse dans une cohorte de patientes suivies en FIV.

OBJECTIVE: To determine a possible correlation between plasma levels of vitamin D and pregnancy rates obtained by in vitro fertilization (IVF). PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and ninety-eight womens participated in an IVF cycle from January to May 2012 in a prospective study. During the follicular phase locking, serum fluid was collected for vitamin D, calcium, FSH and estradiol analysis. The serum bhCG was checked 16 days after oocyte collect. Clinical pregnancy was confirmed by transvaginal sonography with at least one gestational sac in the uterine cavity. RESULTS: The mean levels of vitamin D was 31.7 nmol/L. A total of 169 patients (85.3%) had a vitamin D insufficiency (< 50 nmol/L). Only 29 patients (14.7%) had a sufficient vitamin D status (vitamin D 50 nmol/L). Pregnancy rate was 29.8% (59/198). There was no significant correlation between the levels of vitamin D and mean age (P = 0.92), BMI (P = 0.16) and etiology of infertility (P = 0.78). In contrast, the levels of vitamin D mean were significantly lower in patients from North Africa (P < 0.0001) and Black African (P = 0.0003) compared to Caucasian patients. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: No correlation was found between serum vitamin D level and the pregnancy rate in IVF cycle.