A COVID-19 superspreading event involving two variants during sociotherapy activities in a French mental health centre.

Background/purpose: Investigation of a COVID-19 super-spreading event involving both beta and delta variants of SARS-CoV-2, following a choir in a mental health centre.

Methods: An epidemiological and biological (RT-PCR, mutations screening and sequencing) investigation was carried out to identify the chains of transmission. A morbidity and mortality review was performed using ALARM root causes analysis to understand how this superspreading event could have taken place.

GMP-grade neural progenitor derivation and differentiation from clinical-grade human embryonic stem cells.

Background: A major challenge for the clinical use of human pluripotent stem cells is the development of safe, robust and controlled differentiation protocols. Adaptation of research protocols using reagents designated as research-only to those which are suitable for clinical use, often referred to as good manufacturing practice (GMP) reagents, is a crucial and laborious step in the translational pipeline. However, published protocols to assist this process remain very limited.

Extracellular HMGB1 promotes differentiation of nurse-like cells in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a disease of an accumulation of mature B cells that are highly dependent on the microenvironment for maintenance and expansion. However, little is known regarding the mechanisms whereby CLL cells create their favorable microenvironment for survival. High-mobility group protein B-1 (HMGB1) is a highly conserved nuclear protein that can be actively secreted by innate immune cells and passively released by injured or dying cells.

Risk factors of anxiety and depression in inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Little is known in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) regarding risk factors for psychological distress. The aim of this work was to study the disease characteristics and socioeconomic factors associated with anxiety and depression in IBD.

Methods: From December 2008 to June 2009, 1663 patients with IBD (1450 were members of the Association Francois Aupetit, French association of IBD patients) answered a questionnaire about psychological and socioeconomic factors and adherence to treatment.

Socioeconomic and psychological factors associated with nonadherence to treatment in inflammatory bowel disease patients: results of the ISSEO survey.

Background: Adherence to treatment is a key condition in preventing relapses in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aims of this study were specifically to study socioeconomic and psychological factors and adherence to treatment in a large cohort of patients.

Methods: A questionnaire concerning demographic, clinical, and psychosocial characteristics was mailed to 6000 IBD patients belonging to the French association of IBD patients (AFA).