Orally Inhaled Flecainide for Conversion of Atrial Fibrillation to Sinus Rhythm: INSTANT Phase 2 Trial.

Background: INSTANT (INhalation of flecainide to convert recent-onset SympTomatic Atrial fibrillatioN to sinus rhyThm) was a multicenter, open-label, single-arm study of flecainide acetate oral inhalation solution (FlecIH) for acute conversion of recent-onset (≤48 hours) symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) to sinus rhythm.

Objectives: This study investigated the efficacy and safety in 98 patients receiving a single dose of FlecIH delivered via oral inhalation.

Methods: Patients self-administered FlecIH over 8 minutes in a supervised medical setting using a breath-actuated nebulizer and were continuously monitored for 90 minutes using a 12-lead Holter.

Dramatic Increase in Incidence of Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease (1988-2011): A Population-Based Study of French Adolescents.

Objectives: Few data are available to describe the changes in incidence of pediatric-onset inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of this study was to describe changes in incidence and phenotypic presentation of pediatric-onset IBD in northern France during a 24-year period.

Methods: Pediatric-onset IBD (<17 years) was issued from a population-based IBD study in France between 1988 and 2011.

Validation of a new quantitative coronary angiography analysis system used to evaluate densitometric lumen remodelling.

Arterial lumen volume, determined by sequential coronary angiography, could have advantages over more commonly used variables (such as percent stenosis or minimal lumen diameter) as a primary endpoint in clinical trials evaluating post-angioplasty restenosis or atherosclerotic plaque progression. We validated a quantitative coronary angiography analysis (QCA) system aimed at measuring lumen volume from coronary angiography films by a densitometric method. Using images of polyacrylate models filled with different concentrations of contrast medium, accuracy (mean of the differences between known and measured values of a measurement) and precision (standard deviation of the difference) were lower than or equal to 0.

[Information system for prescriptors and consumers].

The efficient dissemination of current research data requires a suitable information system and an ideal intermediary as the liaison between the data source and the targeted users, i.e. prescribers and consumers.

Streptococcal bacteremia in neutropenic adult patients.

In order to define the circumstances of occurrence, clinical presentation and prognostic factors of streptococcal bacteremia in neutropenic patients, we retrospectively reviewed 60 cases of streptococcal bacteremia following intensive chemotherapy for acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Causative streptococcal species included streptococcus viridans (42 cases), streptococcus faecalis (12), streptococcus pneumoniae (4) and other streptococci (2). All patients were febrile and 32% presented diffuse pneumopathy with frequent isolation of streptococci from bronchoalveolar washing fluids.

[Surgical treatment of rotator cuff rupture. Prognostic factors].

A retrospective study of 67 total ruptures of the rotator cuff operated on was carried on, with an average follow-up of 25 months. The lesions were characterised by their size (19 tears of less than 2 cm, 30 between 2 and 4 cm, 18 over 4 cm) and location (27 tears of the supraspinatus, 15 tears of the supraspinatus extending to the front (coraco-humeral, long biceps, subscapular), 20 supra and infra-spinatus, 5 "massive" tears). The tendon of the long biceps was pathological in half of the cases.

Pefloxacin and vancomycin vs. gentamicin, colistin sulphate and vancomycin for prevention of infections in granulocytopenic patients: a randomised double-blind study.

To test the value of pefloxacin for the prevention of infections in patients with chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, oral pefloxacin plus vancomycin (PV) (n = 76) or gentamicin, colistin sulphate and vancomycin (GCV) (n = 74) were administered in a randomised double-blind study. Infections were significantly less severe in the PV than in the GCV group. Patients receiving PV had significantly fewer episodes of bacteraemia and central venous line infections than patients treated with GCV.

Surface marker expression in adult acute myeloid leukaemia: correlations with initial characteristics, morphology and response to therapy.

The clinical significance of surface markers was investigated in 145 cases of acute myeloid (AML) or undifferentiated leukaemia (AUL), using a panel of six monoclonal antibodies directed to NHL-30.5 antigen (expressed on poorly differentiated myeloid cells), CD13, CD14, CD15, CD33 and CD34 antigens. Expression of CD14 was correlated with higher leucocyte count, higher serum lactate dehydrogenase level and presentation with extramedullary disease.

Influence of cigarette smoking on the presentation and course of chronic myelogenous leukemia.

It is known that cigarette smoking induces leukocytosis and increased genetic instability in normal individuals. Therefore, a retrospective review was conducted of 173 patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia to detect a possible influence of cigarette smoking on initial characteristics at the time of presentation and on the course of this disease. Thirty-nine patients (23%) were smoking 5 cigarettes/d or more at time of diagnosis.

Evaluation of a Candida antigen detection test (Cand-Tec) in the diagnosis of deep candidiasis in neutropenic patients.

The diagnostic efficiency of a serum Candida antigen detection test Cand-Tec test) was prospectively investigated in 104 leukemic patients treated by intensive chemotherapy or allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Candida antigen titers were determined on admission and then weekly as long as patients remained neutropenic. Nine patients had a proven disseminated yeast infection (diagnosed only at autopsy in five cases).

Rectal peptic ulceration--a rare cause of rectal bleeding. Report of a case.

Analysis of the 27 cases of heterotopic gastric mucosa reported in the literature and a new case described here elucidates the main features of this disease: 1) all but one asymptomatic case were diagnosed in infants or in adults under 26 years old; 2) although rectal bleeding occurred in 24 patients, rectal peptic ulceration was found in only 13; 3) six of the patients also had rectal duplication; and 4) 19 times the limited extension of the heterotopic gastric mucosa was compatible with a complete excision by a transanal approach.

Treatment of acute myeloid leukemia in elderly patients. A retrospective study.

In an attempt to rationalize the use of therapy in acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) in elderly patients, 69 cases of primary AML in patients older than 60 years of age were reviewed retrospectively. Therapy was empirical and 12 patients received supportive care (SC) only, 35 received aggressive chemotherapy (AC), and 22 received low-dose cytosine arabinoside (LD-araC). Patients receiving SC only often had a poor Karnofski index and their median survival was 17 days.

Incidence and prognosis of cytomegalovirus infections following allogenic bone marrow transplantation.

The incidence and the outcome of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections were evaluated in 83 adult recipients of allogenic bone marrow transplantation. Virological and serological surveillance was performed weekly for 3 months posttransplant, and then every other week or every month until 1 year. CMV infection occurred in 45 patients, with a cumulative risk of 62% at 1 year and 66% at 2 years.