A new decision tree for diagnosis of osteoarthritis in primary care: international consensus of experts.

Background And Aims: Although osteoarthritis (OA) is managed mainly in primary care, general practitioners (GPs) are not always trained in its diagnosis, which leads to diagnostic delays, unnecessary resource utilization, and suboptimal patient outcomes.

Methods: To address this situation, an International Rheumatologic Board (IRB) of 8 experts from 3 continents developed guidelines for the diagnosis of OA in primary care. The focus was three major topologies: hip, knee, and hand/finger OA.

The accuracy of renal tumor biopsy: analysis from a national prospective study.

Objective: To assess preoperative renal tumor biopsy (RTB) accuracy.

Materials And Methods: As part of the prospective NEPHRON study, data from 1,237 renal tumors were collected, including the use and results of RTB and final histology following nephrectomy. During the 6 months period of inclusion, 130 preoperative biopsies were performed.

Size-dependent nonlinear weak-field magnetic behavior of maghemite nanoparticles.

The magnetic behavior at room temperature of maghemite nanoparticles of variable sizes (from 7 to 20 nm) is compared using a conventional super quantum interference device (SQUID) and a recently patented technology, called MIAplex. The SQUID usually measures the magnetic response versus an applied magnetic field in a quasi-static mode until high field values (from -4000 to 4000 kA m(-1)) to determine the field-dependence and saturation magnetization of the sample. The MIAplex is a handheld portable device that measures a signal corresponding to the second derivative of the magnetization around zero field (between -15 and 15 kA m(-1)).

Non-linear magnetic behavior around zero field of an assembly of superparamagnetic nanoparticles.

The MIAplex® device is a miniaturized detector, devoted to the high sensitive detection of superparamagnetic nanoprobes for multiparametric immunoassays. It measures a signal corresponding to the second derivative of the magnetization around zero field. Like any new technology, the real success of the MIAplex® detector can only be exploited through a deep understanding of the magnetic signature.

[Are there any factors predicting failure or complications rates of trans-obturator surgery for stress urinary incontinence?].

Objective: Since 2001 and the publication by Delorme of the trans-obturator route in the stress urinary incontinence (SUI), this technique has known an increasing development in France. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of different predicting factors on results and complications of trans-obturator surgery.

Patients And Methods: It is a retrospective, multicentric study, including 4 centers, 14 surgeons and 196 patients operated between February 2003 and August 2005.

Intrinsic low temperature paramagnetism in B-DNA.

We present an experimental study of magnetization in lambda-DNA in conjunction with structural measurements. The results show the surprising interplay between the molecular structures and their magnetic property. In the B-DNA state, lambda-DNA exhibits paramagnetic behavior below 20 K that is nonlinear in an applied magnetic field whereas, in the A-DNA state, it remains diamagnetic down to 2 K.

[Attitudes and opinions of private practitioners towards alcoholism. A survey in the Languedoc-Roussillon region].

Objective: Information on the position of private practitioners faced with the problem of alcoholism mainly concerns the role of the general practitioner in the follow-up of these patients and there is little information from private specialists, hence the need for new data

Method: All the general practitioners and specialists in the Languedoc-Roussillon area were interviewed through a mailed questionnaire regarding their opinion on alcohol consumption and public health; their definition of the risks; moderate consumption and health; how they approached the question of drinking during consultations and their involvement in training and prevention.

Results: Six hundred sixty-five practitioners (12.4% of those interviewed) returned the questionnaire.

Two-gap state density in MgB(2): a true bulk property or a proximity effect?

We report on the temperature dependence of the quasiparticle density of states in the simple binary compound MgB(2) directly measured using scanning tunneling microscope (STM). To achieve high quality tunneling conditions, a small crystal of MgB(2) is used as a tip in the STM experiment. The "sample" is chosen to be a 2H- NbSe(2) single crystal presenting an atomically flat surface.

[Reconstruction of the penile skin in Fourier's gangrene: the use of a helical skin graft].

The emergency treatment of Fournier's and perineal gangrene is now well defined and is based on excision of the necrotic tissues and broad spectrum antibiotics combined with hyperbarid oxygen therapy and symptomatic resuscitation measures. However, several procedures have been described for the reconstruction of the excised zones. In the light of one case of Fournier's gangrene, the authors evaluate reconstruction of the penile skin by means of a helical split-skin graft.

[Surgical treatment for ureteropelvic junction syndrome in infants and children (report of 73 cases)].

between 1982 and 1990, 73 children were operated for pyeloureteric junction syndrome (76 pyeloplasties). The authors distinguish between a group of 45 infants operated before the age of 2 years and a group of 35 children operated after the age of 2 years. 40% of these cases had been detected antenatally, which modified the management and treatment of these infants, operated at about the age of 6 months (mean: 6.

[Histologic identification of the afferent fibers of the pelvic plexus].

The inferior hypogastric (pelvic) plexus conveys two types of fibres: sympathetic fibres originating in the thoracolumbar sympathetic chain and parasympathetic fibers originating in the sacral anterior rami. By using a histofluorescent stain (glyoxalic acid) and a histochemical stain (thiocholine) in 17 fresh cadavres, we have demonstrated that the sympathetic fibres arise from sacral sympathetic ganglia. These fibres participate in the constitution of the pelvic splanchnic nerves.

[Multiorgan procurement (MPO). Who? How? What results?].

Between 1985 and 1988, 156 organs were harvested using a multiorgan procurement technique (MPO) in the Urology Dept of Grenoble University Hospital (50 MOP). All the organs transplanted either in Grenoble or in other centers have been followed up after transplantation to try to appreciate their value and function. The surgical procedure is described, and results, organ by organ, are given.

[Treatment of calculi to the terminal ureter by extracorporeal piezoelectric lithotripsy. First experiment in Grenoble].

Piezo-electric shock wave lithotripsy was successfully performed in 20 patients out of 25 presenting with distal ureteral stones. Echographic adjustment of the stone remains the very most important point of the technique. The treatment is non invasive, doesn't require any in-hospital stay and displays good tolerance.

[Prostatic utricle in adults. Report of 4 cases].

We present here four cases of adult prostatic utricules, and discuss the endoscopic or surgical treatment. A brief embryological and clinical summary allows a better understanding of this malformation. Therapeutic indications are reviewed and transtrigonal approach is described.

[The enthesopathic shoulder].

61 shoulders of rheumatoid diseases, 23 of ankylosing spondylo-arthritis, 22 of psoriatic rheumatism and 30 of hyperostoses (Forestier's disease) were analysed and compared. There is a very significant difference between rheumatoid disease, on the one hand, and the other diseases, on the other hand. In ankylosing spondylo-arthritis, psoriatic rheumatism and hyperostosis, enthesophytes are observed; it is not the case in rheumatoid disease (unless associated with hyperostosis).