Hi-plex deep amplicon sequencing for identification, high-resolution genotyping and multidrug resistance prediction of Mycobacterium leprae directly from patient biopsies by using Deeplex Myc-Lep.

Background: Expansion of antimicrobial resistance monitoring and epidemiological surveillance are key components of the WHO strategy towards zero leprosy. The inability to grow Mycobacterium leprae in vitro precludes routine phenotypic drug susceptibility testing, and only limited molecular tests are available. We evaluated a culture-free targeted deep sequencing assay, for mycobacterial identification, genotyping based on 18 canonical SNPs and 11 core variable-number tandem-repeat (VNTR) markers, and detection of rifampicin, dapsone and fluoroquinolone resistance-associated mutations in rpoB/ctpC/ctpI, folP1, gyrA/gyrB, respectively, and hypermutation-associated mutations in nth.

Targeting TGF-β1/miR-21 Pathway in Keratinocytes Reveals Protective Effects of Silymarin on Imiquimod-Induced Psoriasis Mouse Model.

Epidermal cells integrate multiple signals that activate the signaling pathways involved in skin homeostasis. TGF-β1 signaling pathway upregulates microRNA (miR)-21-5p in keratinocytes and is often deregulated in skin diseases. To identify the bioactive compounds that enable to modulate the TGF-β1/miR-21-5p signaling pathway, we screened a library of medicinal plant extracts using our miR-ON RILES luciferase reporter system placed under the control of the miR-21-5p in keratinocytes treated with TGF-β1.

Prophylactic ECMO Support during Elective Coronary Percutaneous Interventions in High-Risk Patients: A Single-Center Experience.

Introduction: Evidence regarding the impact of prophylactic implantation of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) for elective high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is limited. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the outcome during index hospitalization and 3 years after interventions.

Methods: This is an observational retrospective study including all patients undergoing elective, high-risk PCI and receiving VA-ECMO for cardiopulmonary support.

The Relation between Migratory Activity of Bats at Sea and Weather Conditions Offers Possibilities to Reduce Offshore Wind Farm Effects.

Bats undertaking seasonal migration between summer roosts and wintering areas can cross large areas of open sea. Given the known impact of onshore wind turbines on bats, concerns were raised on whether offshore wind farms pose risks to bats. Better comprehension of the phenology and weather conditions of offshore bat migration are considered as research priorities for bat conservation and provide a scientific basis for mitigating the impact of offshore wind turbines on bats.

LentiRILES, a miRNA-ON sensor system for monitoring the functionality of miRNA in cancer biology and therapy.

A major unresolved challenge in miRNA biology is the capacity to monitor the spatiotemporal activity of miRNAs expressed in animal disease models. We recently reported that the miRNA-ON monitoring system called RILES (RNAi-inducible expression Luciferase system) implanted in lentivirus expression system (LentiRILES) offers unique opportunity to decipher the kinetics of miRNA activity , in relation with their intracellular trafficking in glioblastoma cells. In this study, we describe in detail the method for the production of LentiRILES stable cell lines and employed it in several applications in the field of miRNA biology and therapy.

Six-Month Pulmonary Function After Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients.

Objectives: Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation has been largely used in patients with refractory acute respiratory distress syndrome due to coronavirus disease 2019. Few data on long-term pulmonary function among venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation survivors are available.

Design: Retrospective, observational cohort.

Deep amplicon sequencing for culture-free prediction of susceptibility or resistance to 13 anti-tuberculous drugs.

Conventional molecular tests for detecting complex (MTBC) drug resistance on clinical samples cover a limited set of mutations. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) typically requires culture.Here, we evaluated the Deeplex Myc-TB targeted deep-sequencing assay for prediction of resistance to 13 anti-tuberculous drugs/drug classes, directly applicable on sputum.

Cardiovascular prevention and at-risk behaviours in a large population of amateur rugby players.

Background And Aim: We aimed to investigate cardiovascular risk factors and health behaviours prospectively in a large population of French amateur rugby players.

Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was displayed to rugby players aged over 12 years enrolled in the 2014-2015 French amateur rugby championship from the Burgundy region ( = 5140). Questions addressed awareness on: (a) cardiovascular prevention; (b) tobacco, alcohol and highly caffeinated beverages consumption; and (c) adherence to prevention guidelines (ECG checks, training in basic life support, avoidance of sports practice during fever/infectious episodes).

Illicit Drug Users in the Tanzanian Hinterland: Population Size Estimation Through Key Informant-Driven Hot Spot Mapping.

We mapped hot spots and estimated the numbers of people who use drugs (PWUD) and who inject drugs (PWID) in 12 regions of Tanzania. Primary (ie, current and past PWUD) and secondary (eg, police, service providers) key informants identified potential hot spots, which we visited to verify and count the number of PWUD and PWID present. Adjustments to counts and extrapolation to regional estimates were done by local experts through iterative rounds of discussion.

Context and characteristics of illicit drug use in coastal and interior Tanzania.

Background: An increase in heroin seizures in East Africa may signal wider local consumption of illicit drugs. Most information about drug use in Tanzania is from the economic capital, Dar es Salaam, and well-travelled Zanzibar. More data are needed on the extent, trends, and characteristics of illicit drug use in the vast coast and interior of the country.

The Log book for the secondary prevention of coronary artery disease: A pilot study.

Introduction: In secondary prevention (SP) of coronary artery disease (CAD), in particular after an acute myocardial infarction (MI), a better knowledge and self-management by the patient may have various supports. The Log book (LB) for CAD patients in Côte d'Or, was created in 2010 by a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals of Côte d'Or, from a regional care network. This pilot study evaluated LB as novel support for SP after acute MI.

Effects of an eccentric training personalized by a low rate of perceived exertion on the maximal capacities in chronic heart failure: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: The eccentric (ECC) training, in spite of its potential interest (slightest request of the cardiorespiratory system) compared with the concentric (CON) training, is not applied during the rehabilitation of the chronic heart failure (CHF). The main reasons are the difficulty personalizing the ECC exercises by avoiding the muscle complications and the lack of information concerning the specific effects on the maximal capacities in CHF patients.

Aim: To compare - following a prior study on the feasibility and on the functional impacts - the effects on maximal capacities and tolerance in CHF of ECC training tailored by a low rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and those of conventionally tailored CON training.

A study of the 200-metre fast walk test as a possible new assessment tool to predict maximal heart rate and define target heart rate for exercise training of coronary heart disease patients.

Objective: To develop a new predictive model of maximal heart rate based on two walking tests at different speeds (comfortable and brisk walking) as an alternative to a cardiopulmonary exercise test during cardiac rehabilitation.

Design: Evaluation of a clinical assessment tool.

Setting: A Cardiac Rehabilitation Department in France.

Walking tests during the exercise training: specific use for the cardiac rehabilitation.

Walk tests, principally the six-minute walk test (6mWT), constitute a safe, useful submaximal tool for exercise tolerance testing in cardiac rehabilitation (CR). The 6mWT result reflects functional status, walking autonomy and efficacy of CR on walking endurance, which is more pronounced in patients with low functional capacity (heart failure - cardiac surgery). The 6mWT result is a strong predictor of mortality.

Prevention of preterm delivery by 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate in asymptomatic twin pregnancies with a short cervix: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the use of 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17P) to reduce preterm delivery in women with a twin pregnancy and short cervix.

Study Design: This open-label, multicenter, randomized controlled trial included women with a twin pregnancy between 24(+0) and 31(+6) weeks of gestation who were asymptomatic and had a cervical length of 25 mm or less measured by routine transvaginal ultrasound. Women were randomized to receive (or not) 500 mg of intramuscular 17P, repeated twice weekly until 36 weeks or preterm delivery.

Eccentric training in chronic heart failure: feasibility and functional effects. Results of a comparative study.

Objectives: To evaluate, in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients, feasibility, safety, compliance and functional improvements of an eccentric (ECC) cycle training protocol personalized by the rate of perceived exertion (RPE; 9-11 Borg Scale), compared to concentric (CON) training at workload corresponding to the first ventilatory threshold.

Methods: Thirty patients were randomly allocated to ECC or CON training (20 sessions). Compliance was evaluated with RPE, visual analog scale for muscle soreness and monitoring of heart rate (HR).

Nurse-led educative consultation setting personalized tertiary prevention goals after cardiovascular rehabilitation: evaluation of patient satisfaction and long-term effects.

This study aimed to evaluate the perception and long-term effects of an educative consultation performed before cardiac rehabilitation discharge. The patient and the referring nurse summed up the educative interventions, and filled a personalized form summarizing tertiary prevention goals. Fifty patients were contacted by mail at 11 ± 1 months, and called at 4.

[Cushing syndrome and pregnancy: a propos of a malignant adrenocortical carcinoma].

Cushing's syndrome is a rare condition in the general population (1/1000000) and is even less common during pregnancy. We report the case of a patient cared at 27 weeks of gestation (wg) for hypertension and electolyte disturbances. Cushing's syndrome was confirmed by salivary cortisol and ACTH assessment.

Periodontal disease: a new factor associated with the presence of multiple complex coronary lesions.

Background And Aim: Periodontal disease, including bone loss, is thought to be involved in coronary artery disease. Multiple complex coronary lesions relate to multifocal destabilization of coronary plaques. We investigated whether bone loss could be associated with the presence of multiple complex coronary lesions.

Rehabilitation in patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Rehabilitation is a recommended first-line therapy for patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and consists of supervised exercise training and therapeutic education. Proved benefits are significant: improve pain-free walking distance, functional status and quality of life; reduce cardiovascular risk factors and mortality. At least three sessions weekly are recommended during 3 months.

Usefulness of the 6-minute walk test and the 200-metre fast walk test to individualize high intensity interval and continuous exercise training in coronary artery disease patients after acute coronary syndrome: a pilot controlled clinical study.

Objective: To study the effects of three individualized exercise training prescriptions using either a percentage of maximal heart rate (HR), maximal 6-minute walk test (6MWT) HR, or maximal 200-metre fast walk test (200-mFWT) HR, on walking performance and exercise capacity in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients.

Design: Controlled clinical study.

Participants: Twenty-seven outpatients enrolled in a rehabilitation programme after an acute coronary syndrome.

Evaluating periodontal risk for patients at risk of or suffering from atherosclerosis: recent biological hypotheses and therapeutic consequences.

Cardiovascular disease, such as atherosclerosis, is the main cause of mortality in developed countries. Most atherosclerosis risk factors have been identified and are treated, improving patient cardiovascular status and reducing mortality, but some remain unknown. Periodontal disease is generally defined as inflammatory disease initiated by accumulation of dental bacterial plaque, leading to the destruction of tissues that support the teeth.

Determining the minimal clinically important difference for the six-minute walk test and the 200-meter fast-walk test during cardiac rehabilitation program in coronary artery disease patients after acute coronary syndrome.

Objective: To estimate the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and the 200-m fast-walk test (FWT) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) during a cardiac rehabilitation program.

Design: Prospective study using distribution- and anchor-based methods.

Setting: Outpatients from a cardiac rehabilitation unit.