Intestinal Conventional Ultrasonography, Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography and Magnetic Resonance Enterography in Assessment of Crohn's Disease Activity: A Comparison with Surgical Histopathology Analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) is a potential interesting method for assessing accurately Crohn's disease (CD) activity. We compared the value of intestinal ultrasonography (US) coupled with contrast agent injection with that of magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) in the assessment of small bowel CD activity using surgical histopathology analysis as reference. METHODS: Seventeen clinically active CD patients (14 women, mean age 33 years) requiring an ileal or ileocolonic resection were prospectively enrolled. All performed a MRE and a US coupled with contrast agent injection (CEUS) less than 8 weeks prior to surgery. Various imaging qualitative and quantitative parameters were recorded and their respective performance to detect disease activity, disease extension and presence of complications was compared to surgical histopathological analysis. RESULTS: The median wall thickness measured by US differed significantly between patients with non-severely active CD (n = 5) and those with severely active CD (n = 12) [7.0 mm, IQR (6.5-9.5) vs 10.0 mm, IQR (8.0-12.0), respectively; p = 0.03]. A non-significant trend was found with MRE with a median wall thickness in severe active CD of 10.0 mm, IQR (8.0-13.7) compared with 8.0 mm, IQR (7.5-10.5) in non-severely active CD (p = 0.07). The area under the ROC curve (AUROC) of the wall thickness assessed by US and MRE to identify patients with or without severely active CD on surgical specimens were 0.85, 95% CI (0.64-1.04), p = 0.03 and 0.80, 95% CI (0.56-1.01), p = 0.07, respectively. Among the parameters derived from the time-intensity curve during CEUS, time to peak and rise time were the two most accurate markers [AUROC = 0.88, 95% CI (0.70-1.04), p = 0.02 and 0.86, 95% CI (0.68-1.04), p = 0.03] to detect patients with severely active CD assessed on surgical specimens. CONCLUSION: The accuracy of intestinal CEUS is close to that of conventional US to detect disease activity. A thickened bowel and shortened time to peak and rise time were the most accurate to identify CD patients with severe histological disease activity.

Migrating Epithelial Monolayer Flows Like a Maxwell Viscoelastic Liquid.

We perform a bidimensional Stokes experiment in an active cellular material: an autonomously migrating monolayer of Madin-Darby canine kidney epithelial cells flows around a circular obstacle within a long and narrow channel, involving an interplay between cell shape changes and neighbor rearrangements. Based on image analysis of tissue flow and coarse-grained cell anisotropy, we determine the tissue strain rate, cell deformation, and rearrangement rate fields, which are spatially heterogeneous. We find that the cell deformation and rearrangement rate fields correlate strongly, which is compatible with a Maxwell viscoelastic liquid behavior (and not with a Kelvin-Voigt viscoelastic solid behavior). The value of the associated relaxation time is measured as τ=70±15 min, is observed to be independent of obstacle size and division rate, and is increased by inhibiting myosin activity. In this experiment, the monolayer behaves as a flowing material with a Weissenberg number close to one which shows that both elastic and viscous effects can have comparable contributions in the process of collective cell migration.

Using genomics to identify novel antimicrobials.

There is a critical need in animal agriculture to develop novel antimicrobials and alternative strategies that will help to reduce the use of antibiotics and address the challenges of antimicrobial resistance. High-throughput gene expression analysis is providing new tools that are enabling the discovery of host-derived antimicrobial peptides. Examples of gene-encoded natural antibiotics that have gained attention include antimicrobial peptides such as human granulysin and its multi-species homolog, namely NK-lysin, which provide a protective response against a broad range of microbes and are a principal component of innate immunity in vertebrates. Both granulysin and NK-lysin are localised in cytolytic granules in natural killer and cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Host-derived NK-lysins that were first described in mammals are also found in avian species, and they have been shown to have antimicrobial activities that could potentially be used to control important poultry pathogens. Morphological alterations observed following chicken NK-lysin binding to Eimeria sporozoites and Escherichia coli membranes indicate damage and disruption of cell membranes, suggesting that NK-lysin kills pathogenic protozoans and bacteria by direct interaction. Genotype analysis revealed that chicken NK-lysin peptides derived from certain alleles were more effective at killing pathogens than those derived from others, which could potentially affect susceptibility to diseases. Although the host-derived antimicrobial peptides described in this paper may not, by themselves, be able to replace the antibiotics currently used in animal production, their use as specific treatments based on their known mechanisms of action is showing promising results.

Il est devenu impératif de développer de nouveaux agents antimicrobiens utilisables en production animale et de mettre au point des stratégies alternatives permettant de réduire l'utilisation des antibiotiques et de faire face aux enjeux de la résistance aux agents antimicrobiens. Les nouveaux outils rendus possibles par l'analyse à haut débit de l'expression génique permettent de découvrir les peptides antimicrobiens synthétisés par l'hôte. Parmi les antibiotiques naturels codés par des gènes qui suscitent actuellement le plus d'intérêt figurent les peptides antimicrobiens tels que la granulysine humaine et son homologue pluriespèces, la NK-lysine, qui déclenchent une réponse protectrice contre un large éventail d'agents microbiens et constituent l'une des principales composantes de l'immunité innée chez les vertébrés. La granulysine et la NK-lysine sont toutes deux localisées dans les granules cytolytiques des lymphocytes cytotoxiques T et des cellules NK (natural killer). Décrites dans un premier temps chez des mammifères, les NK-lysines synthétisées par l'hôte sont également présentes chez les oiseaux et il a été démontré qu'elles présentent des propriétés antimicrobiennes qui pourraient être utilisées pour contrôler d'importants agents pathogènes affectant les volailles. Les modifications morphologiques observées suite à la fixation de la NK-lysine du poulet aux sporozoïtes d'Eimeria et aux membranes d'Escherichia coli sont le signe d'un endommagement et d'une rupture des membranes cellulaires qui semblent indiquer que la NK-lysine tue les protozoaires et bactéries pathogènes par interaction directe. L'analyse génotypique a révélé que les peptides des NK-lysines de poulet encodés par certains allèles sont plus efficaces pour tuer les agents pathogènes que ceux encodés par d'autres allèles, ce qui pourrait avoir une influence sur la sensibilité aux maladies. Bien que les peptides antimicrobiens synthétisés par l'hôte décrits dans cet article ne puissent remplacer à eux seuls les antibiotiques utilisés actuellement en production animale, leur utilisation en tant que traitements spécifiques basés sur leurs propres mécanismes d'action connus, donne déjà des résultats prometteurs.

En el ámbito de la producción animal es ahora imperativo no solo dar con nuevos antimicrobianos, sino también concebir estrategias alternativas que ayuden a reducir el uso de antibióticos y a afrontar los problemas derivados de la resistencia a los antimicrobianos. El análisis de alto rendimiento de la expresión génica proporciona nuevas herramientas que están propiciando el descubrimiento de péptidos antimicrobianos sintetizados por los organismos anfitriones. Entre los ejemplos de antibióticos naturales codificados por genes que vienen suscitando interés están péptidos antimicrobianos como la granulisina humana y su homólogo multiespecífico, la NK-lisina, que inducen una respuesta protectora contra muy diversos microbios y son un componente básico de la inmunidad innata de los vertebrados. Tanto la granulisina como la NK-lisina están localizadas en el interior de los gránulos citolíticos de las células NK (natural killer) y los linfocitos T citotóxicos. Las NK-lisinas sintetizadas por el anfitrión, descritas en un principio en mamíferos, también se encuentran en especies aviares, y se ha demostrado que presentan propiedades antimicrobianas que podrían ser útiles para luchar contra importantes patógenos de las aves de corral. Las alteraciones morfológicas observadas después de que la NK-lisina de pollo se uniera a esporozoítos de Eimeria y a membranas de Escherichia coli son indicativas de deterioro y desorganización de la membrana celular, de donde se infiere que la NK-lisina mata a los patógenos protozoarios y bacterianos por interacción directa. El análisis genotípico en pollos reveló que ciertos alelos codificaban NK-lisinas que mataban a los patógenos con más eficacia que los péptidos codificados por otros alelos, lo que podría tener influencia en la sensibilidad a las enfermedades. Aunque tal vez los péptidos antimicrobianos sintetizados por el anfitrión que los autores describen en estas líneas no puedan, por sí solos, sustituir a los antibióticos actualmente utilizados en producción animal, su utilización en tratamientos específicos basados en sus mecanismos de acción conocidos está deparando resultados prometedores.

West Nile virus.

This review covers the basic biology of the West Nile virus and the host-vector-pathogen interactions that result in significant disease in wild birds, horses and humans. The review describes the basic properties of the virus, cellular infection and the pathogenesis of the disease, and the ecology of virus maintenance, amplification and transmission. Disease epidemiology and risk estimation strategies that are currently in use are also examined, and host immune responses and vaccination practices described. The principles of vector control, exposure control and long-term risks caused by climatic and habitat factors are also included.

[Infantile scurvy: Two cases]. / Scorbut chez l'enfant: deux cas.

BACKGROUND: Scurvy is the classic and most severe form of vitamin C deficiency. This condition has become extremely rare among children in the industrialized countries. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We report the case of two boys presenting bone pain associated with haemorrhagic gingivitis, with perifollicular purpura of the lower limbs in one boy. The children had an unbalanced diet. Scurvy was associated with vitamin D and iron deficiency. The dermatological and radiological abnormalities seen were characteristic and a favourable outcome was rapidly obtained following supplementation. DISCUSSION: The possibility of this forgotten historical illness should not be overlooked in the presence of these dermatological and rheumatologic signs, since this can help avoid unnecessary or excessively aggressive investigations.

Magnetically shaped cell aggregates: from granular to contractile materials.

In recent decades, significant advances have been made in the description and modelling of tissue morphogenesis. By contrast, the initial steps leading to the formation of a tissue structure, through cell-cell adhesion, have so far been described only for small numbers of interacting cells. Here, through the use of remote magnetic forces, we succeeded at creating cell aggregates of half million cells, instantaneously and for several cell types, not only those known to form spheroids. This magnetic compaction gives access to the cell elasticity, found in the range of 800 Pa. The magnetic force can be removed at any time, allowing the cell mass to evolve spontaneously thereafter. The dynamics of contraction of these cell aggregates just after their formation (or, in contrast, their spreading for non-interacting monocyte cells) provides direct information on cell-cell interactions and allows retrieving the adhesion energy, in between 0.05 and 2 mJ m(-2), depending on the cell type tested, and in the case of cohesive aggregates. Thus, we show, by probing a large number of cell types, that cell aggregates behave like complex materials, undergoing a transition from a wet granular to contractile network, and that this transition is controlled by cell-cell interactions.

DAS181 treatment of hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients with parainfluenza virus lung disease requiring mechanical ventilation.

Parainfluenza infection is a cause of significant morbidity and mortality in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients. DAS181 is a novel antiviral agent with activity against influenza and parainfluenza. We report the first 2 cases, to our knowledge, of successful DAS181 use in ventilated HSCT patients with severe parainfluenza lung disease.

Agricultural Research Service: biodefense research.

The National Animal Health Program at the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), includes research programs dedicated to the defense of animal agriculture against the treat of biological agents with the potential of significant economic harm and/or public health consequences. This article provides a summary of the program and identifies its relevance to national initiatives to protect livestock and poultry as well as global food security. An introduction to setting research priorities and a selection of research accomplishments that define the scope of the biodefense research program is provided.

Efficacy of self-management program associated with a spa therapy for knee osteoarthritis patients (GETT 2): a research protocol for a randomized trial.

INTRODUCTION: Osteoarthritis is a chronic pathology that involves multidisciplinary management. Self-management for patients is an essential element, present in all international guidelines. During the time of the spa therapy, the patient is receptive to take the advantage of self-management workshops. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of 18 days spa therapy associated with a self-management intervention in patients with knee osteoarthritis in comparison with spa therapy alone on a priority objective, personalized and determined with the patient, chosen in the list of 5 objectives determined during the self-management initial assessment. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Two hundred fifty participants with knee osteoarthritis will participate to this multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled study. All patients will benefit 18 days of spa therapy and patients randomized in the intervention group will participate to 6 self-management workshops. Randomization will be centralized. The allocation ratio will be 1:1. Data analysts and assessor will be blinded. The primary outcome is the effectiveness of the educational workshops associated with spa therapy in comparison with spa therapy alone on a priority objective, measured by Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS). The secondary outcomes are disability, health-related quality of life, and pain intensity. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics were approved by the CPP Sud-Méditerranée II. The results will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal and disseminated at PRM, rheumatology, and orthopedics conferences. The results will also be disseminated to patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial registration number NCT03550547. Registered 8 June 2018. Date and version identifier of the protocol. Version N°6 of March 12, 2018.

Hyperimmune egg yolk antibodies developed against Clostridium perfringens antigens protect against necrotic enteritis.

Necrotic enteritis (NE) is a widespread infectious disease caused by Clostridium perfringens that inflicts major economic losses on the global poultry industry. Due to regulations on antibiotic use in poultry production, there is an urgent need for alternative strategies to mitigate the negative effects of NE. This paper presents a passive immunization technology that utilizes hyperimmune egg yolk immunoglobulin Y (IgY) specific to the major immunodominant antigens of C. perfringens. Egg yolk IgYs were generated by immunizing hens with 4 different recombinant C. perfringens antigens, and their protective effects against NE were evaluated in commercial broilers. Six different spray-dried egg powders were produced using recombinant C. perfringens antigens: α-toxin, NE B-like toxin (NetB; EB), elongation factor-Tu (ET), pyruvate:ferredoxin oxidoreductase, a mixture of 4 antigens (EM-1), and a nonimmunized control (EC). The challenged groups were either provided with different egg powders at a 1% level or no egg powders (EN). The NE challenge model based on Eimeria maxima and C. perfringens dual infection was used. In Experiments 1 and 2, the EB and ET groups exhibited increased body weight gain (BWG; P < 0.01), decreased NE lesion scores (P < 0.001), and reduced serum NetB levels (P < 0.01) compared to the EN and EC groups. IgY against NetB significantly reduced Leghorn male hepatocellular cytotoxicity in an in vitro test (P < 0.01). In Experiment 3, the protective effect of the IgYs mixture (EM-2) against C. perfringens antigens (NetB and EFTu) and Eimeria antigens (elongation factor-1-alpha: EF1α and Eimeria profilin: 3-1E) was tested. The EM-2 group showed similar body weight, BWG, and feed intake from d 7 to 22 compared to the NC group (P < 0.05). On d 20, the EM-2 group showed comparable intestinal permeability, NE lesion scores, and jejunal NetB and collagen adhesion protein levels to the NC group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary mixture containing antibodies to NetB and EFTu provides protection against experimental NE in chickens through passive immunization.

External validation of Cardiac disease, Hypertension, and Logarithmic Left anterior descending coronary artery radiation dose (CHyLL) for predicting major adverse cardiac events after lung cancer radiotherapy.

Background and purpose: Major adverse cardiac events(MACE) are prevalent in patients with locally advanced-non-small cell lung cancer(LA-NSCLC) following radiotherapy(RT). The CHyLL model, incorporating coronary heart disease(CHD),Hypertension(HTN),Logarithmic LADV15 was developed and internally-validated to predict MACE among LA-NSCLC patients. We sought to externally validate CHyLL to predict MACE in an independent LA-NSCLC cohort. Patients and methods: Patients with LA-NSCLC treated with RT were included. CHyLL score was calculated:5.51CHD + 1.28HTN + 1.48ln(LADV15 + 1)-1.36CHD*ln(LADV15 + 1). CHyLL performance in predicting MACE was assessed and compared to mean heart dose(MHD) using Cox-proportional hazard(PH) analyses and Harrel's concordance(C)-indices. MACE and overall survival(OS) among low-vs high-risk groups(CHyLL < 5 vs ≥ 5) were compared. Results: In the external validation cohort(N = 102), the median age was 71 years and 55% were females. Most(n = 74,73%), had clinical Stage III disease and 35(34%) underwent surgery. CHyLL demonstrated good MACE prediction with C-index of 0.73(95% Confidence Interval(CI):0.58-0.89), while MHD did not (C-index = 0.46 (95% CI:0.30-0.62)). Per CHyLL, 32(31%) and 70(69%) patients were considered low-and high-risk for MACE, respectively. CHyLL consistently identified lower MACE rates in the low-vs high-risk group(log-rank p = 0.108):0 vs 8%(12 months),5 vs 16%(24 months),5 vs 16%(36 months),and 5 vs 19%(48 months) post-RT. In the pooled internal and external validation cohort(N = 303), MACE rates in low-vs high-risk groups were statistically significantly different(log-rank p = 0.01):1 vs 6%(12 months),3 vs 12%(24 months),6 vs 19%(36 months),and 6 vs 21%(48 months). Conclusions: CHyLL was externally validated and superior to MHD in predicting MACE. CHyLL has the potential to identify high-risk patients who may benefit from cardio-oncology optimization and to estimate personalized LADV15 constraints based on cardiac risk factors and acceptable MACE thresholds.

Non-linear oscillatory rheological properties of a generic continuum foam model: comparison with experiments and shear-banding predictions.

The occurrence of shear bands in a complex fluid is generally understood as resulting from a structural evolution of the material under shear, which leads (from a theoretical perspective) to a non-monotonic stationary flow curve related to the coexistence of different states of the material under shear. In this paper we present a scenario for shear-banding in a particular class of complex fluids, namely foams and concentrated emulsions, which differs from other scenarios in two important ways. First, the appearance of shear bands is shown to be possible both without any intrinsic physical evolution of the material (e.g. via a parameter coupled to the flow such as concentration or entanglements) and without any finite critical shear rate below which the flow does not remain stationary and homogeneous. Secondly, the appearance of shear bands depends on the initial conditions, i.e. the preparation of the material. In other words, it is history dependent. This behaviour relies on the tensorial character of the underlying model (2D or 3D) and is triggered by an initially inhomogeneous strain distribution in the material. The shear rate displays a discontinuity at the band boundary whose amplitude is history dependent and thus depends on the sample preparation.

Septoplasty: early (first year) and late (fourth year) post-operative results in 604 patients.

OBJECTIVE: As prospective outcomes of septoplasty with or without turbinoplasty beyond the first year are few and have diverging results, this study evaluated later septoplasty results three to four years post-operatively. METHODS: Patients undergoing septoplasty completed the Nasal Surgical Questionnaire pre-operatively, and at 6-12 months (early post-operative assessment) and 36-48 months (late post-operative assessment) after surgery. Primary outcome was visual analogue scale ratings for nasal obstruction (with a scale ranging from 0 to 100). RESULTS: In 604 patients with high response rates, the largest improvements in nasal obstruction were from pre-operative to early post-operative assessments (daytime score reduction = 33.9, night-time reduction 40.5). Nasal obstruction ratings worsened slightly between early and late post-operative assessments (daytime score increase = 5.3, night-time score increase = 9.7). Improvements were better in patients aged over 35 years and in those with pre-operative nasal obstruction scores of more than 62. There were no differences based on surgery type, septal deviation, allergy or smoking. CONCLUSION: Septoplasty improves nasal obstruction in both the first and the fourth year after surgery. Post-operative improvements decline slightly over time but remain significant.

[Demelin's maneuver for arm entrapment during vaginal breech delivery]. / Manœuvre de Demelin pour le relèvement des bras lors d'un accouchement voie basse d'une présentation du siège.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate Demelin's maneuver for arm entrapment's dystocia during vaginal breech deliveries after failure of the usual Lovset maneuver. METHODS: We led a retrospective cohort study in two French maternities. Between January 2013 and June 2020, we included all vaginal breech deliveries of live newborns after 32 weeks of gestation requiring Demelin's maneuver for persistent arm entrapment despite the Lovset maneuver. The primary endpoint was the Demelin's maneuver success without the existence of a neonatal trauma related to the maneuver. RESULTS: Among 1611 vaginal breech deliveries, 29 with Demelin's maneuver for an arm entrapment were enrolled (prevalence 0,02%). No failure of this maneuver was found. There was 10 nulliparous (34.5%). Mean gestational age was 38±2.4 weeks of gestation. The success of Demelin's maneuver without trauma related to it was estimated at 82.8%. No serious neonatal trauma was noticed. Five fractures (17.2%), one humeral and four clavicular, without sequelae were diagnosed. Mean weight of newborns was 2945.5 grams and the median arterial pH was 7.17. The median 5-minutes-Apgar score was 10. Maternal morbidity was low: one case (3.4%) of obstetric anal sphincter injuries (type III). CONCLUSION: Demelin's maneuver seems to be an effective and safe method to treat an arm entrapment's dystocia during vaginal breech delivery after failure of the Lovset's maneuver.

Rapid Plateau border size variations expected in three simple experiments on 2D liquid foams.

Up to a global scaling, the geometry of foams squeezed between two solid plates (2D GG foams) essentially depends on two independent parameters: the liquid volume fraction and the degree of squeezing (bubble thickness to diameter ratio). We describe it in two main asymptotic regimes: fully dry floor tiles, where the Plateau border radius is smaller than the distance between the solid plates, and dry pancakes, where it is larger. We predict a rapid variation of the Plateau border radius in one part of the pancake regime, namely when the Plateau border radius is larger than the inter-plate distance but smaller than the geometric mean of that distance and the bubble perimeter. This rapid variation is not related to any topological change in the foam: in all the regimes we consider, the bubbles remain in mutual lateral contact through films located at mid-height between both plates. We provide asymptotic predictions in different types of experiments on such 2D GG foams: when foam is being progressively dried or wetted, when it is being squeezed further or stretched, when it coarsens through film breakage or through inter-bubble gas diffusion. Our analysis is restricted to configurations close to equilibrium, as we do not include stresses resulting from bulk viscous flow or from non-homogeneous surfactant concentrations. We also assume that the inter-plate distance is sufficiently small for gravity to be negligible. The present work does not provide a method for measuring small Plateau border radii experimentally, but it indicates that large (and easily observable) Plateau borders should appear or disappear rather suddenly in some types of experiments with small inter-plate gaps. It also gives expected orders of magnitude that should be helpful for designing experiments on 2D GG foams.

[Connected bras for breast cancer detection in 2021: Analysis and perspectives]. / Détection du cancer du sein à l'aide de soutiens-gorge connectés en 2021 : analyses et perspectives.

OBJECTIVES: Breast cancer is the leading cancer in women worldwide with about 2 million new cases and 685,000 deaths each year. Mammography is the most widely used screening and diagnostic method. Currently, digital technologies advances facilitate the development of connected and portable devices. To overcome some of the disadvantages of mammography (breast compression, difficulty in analyzing dense breasts, radiation, limited accessibility in some countries, etc.), portable devices, conventionally known as connected bras (CB), have been created to offer an alternative method to mammography. The objective of our review was to list all the published CBs in order to know their main characteristics, their potential indications and their possible limitations. METHOD: A bibliographical search in the PUBMED database selecting only articles written in French or English, between 2011 and 2020, found 7 CBs under development. RESULTS: These CBs use thermal, ultrasonic and impedance sensors. Their advantages are an absence of irradiation, an absence of breast compression and a flexibility of use (outside an X-ray cabinet). Mammary gland analysis times vary, depending on the device, between 30min and 24h. They are all connected to data transmission systems and models that analyze the results. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: These CBs are mostly still undergoing clinical validation (only [iTBra] has been evaluated in a clinical trial) and require evaluation steps that will eventually allow their future use for breast cancer detection in high-risk women, particularly in women with dense breasts and in women between screening waves.

Accumulating candidate genes for broad-spectrum resistance to rice blast in a drought-tolerant rice cultivar.

Biotic stresses, including diseases, severely affect rice production, compromising producers' ability to meet increasing global consumption. Understanding quantitative responses for resistance to diverse pathogens can guide development of reliable molecular markers, which, combined with advanced backcross populations, can accelerate the production of more resistant varieties. A candidate gene (CG) approach was used to accumulate different disease QTL from Moroberekan, a blast-resistant rice variety, into Vandana, a drought-tolerant variety. The advanced backcross progeny were evaluated for resistance to blast and tolerance to drought at five sites in India and the Philippines. Gene-based markers were designed to determine introgression of Moroberekan alleles for 11 CGs into the progeny. Six CGs, coding for chitinase, HSP90, oxalate oxidase, germin-like proteins, peroxidase and thaumatin-like protein, and 21 SSR markers were significantly associated with resistance to blast across screening sites. Multiple lines with different combinations, classes and numbers of CGs were associated with significant levels of race non-specific resistance to rice blast and sheath blight. Overall, the level of resistance effective in multiple locations was proportional to the number of CG alleles accumulated in advanced breeding lines. These disease resistant lines maintained tolerance to drought stress at the reproductive stage under blast disease pressure.

Perceived barriers to and facilitators of physical activity in people with knee osteoarthritis: Development of the Evaluation of the Perception of Physical Activity questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: The physical activity (PA) level of individuals with knee osteoarthritis is lower than in the general population. International recommendations recommend a non-pharmacological intervention including a self-management education program, weight loss and an adapted exercise program. However, we have no scale assessing the perceived barriers to and facilitators of PA in this population. OBJECTIVE: We constructed and validated a self-administered questionnaire assessing perceived barriers to and facilitators of regular practice of PA in people with knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews identified 24 barriers and facilitators. We developed a 24-item questionnaire, Evaluation of the Perception of Physical Activity (EPPA) that was completed by 548 individuals with knee osteoarthritis, to assess acceptability, construct validity, internal consistency and convergent validity. Participants also completed the Knee Osteoarthritis Fears and Beliefs Questionnaire (KOFBeQ), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Reliability and sensitivity to change were evaluated in a second group of 168 people with knee osteoarthritis at a 3-week spa therapy resort. RESULTS: Factorial analysis identified 17 items grouped into 4 subscales (Barriers, Facilitators, Motivation and Beliefs). The internal consistency was good for Barriers, Facilitators and Motivation subscales (Cronbach α>0.70) and intermediate for the Beliefs subscale (Cronbach α=0.64). The EPPA subscale scores were significantly correlated with KOFBeQ and WOMAC scores but not associated with IPAQ physical activity level. Reliability was good for all subscales, with intraclass correlation coefficients>0.60. A sensitivity to change was found for only the Beliefs subscale, with a moderate effect size. CONCLUSIONS: The EPPA questionnaire has good psychometric properties and can help guide the management of knee osteoarthritis. It can be used in research for evaluating the perception of physical activity.

Ibuprofen as risk-factor for complications of acute anterior sinusitis in children.

IMPORTANCE: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are known to inhibit chemotaxis, oxidative burst and phagocytosis, bacterial killing in granulocytes as well as inhibiting neutrophil aggregation or degranulation, thereby interfering with the function of lymphocytes. On the other hand, ibuprofen is widely prescribed in pediatrics for its powerful analgesic and antipyretic effects. To our knowledge, no previous publication outlines the relationship between Ibuprofen therapy and an increased risk of intracranial and/or orbital complications of acute fronto-ethmoidal sinusitis in childhood. OBJECTIVE: To look for a relationship between ibuprofen and occurrence of intra-cranial and/or orbital complications of acute fronto-ethmoidal sinusitis in pediatrics. SETTING AND METHODS: The medical charts of patients younger than 18 years admitted into the E.N.T. departments of 4 academic care centers during 2 consecutive years for fronto ethmoidal sinusitis were reviewed retrospectively. The history of ibuprofen intake, the occurrence of complication (orbital or intracranial) as well as the usual demographic data were noted. A statistical analysis was performed in order to ascertain whether a relationship between taking NSAIDs and the onset of an intracranial and/or orbital complication exists. RESULTS: Intake of ibuprofen appeared to be a risk-factor of intracranial complications or associated orbital and intracranial complications of acute fronto-ethmoidal sinusitis in children. Neither gender nor age nor initial pain intensity were statistically related to the onset of complications. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: This retrospective multicenter cohort study appears to suggest that ibuprofen increases the risk of orbital and/or intracranial complications of acute fronto-ethmoidal sinusitis in childhood. Therefore, we recommend not prescribing ibuprofen if one suspects an acute sinusitis in a child or adolescent.