An IDH1-vitamin C crosstalk drives human erythroid development by inhibiting pro-oxidant mitochondrial metabolism.

The metabolic changes controlling the stepwise differentiation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) to mature erythrocytes are poorly understood. Here, we show that HSPC development to an erythroid-committed proerythroblast results in augmented glutaminolysis, generating alpha-ketoglutarate (αKG) and driving mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). However, sequential late-stage erythropoiesis is dependent on decreasing αKG-driven OXPHOS, and we find that isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) plays a central role in this process.

Tumor markers in pancreatic cystic fluids for diagnosis of malignant cysts.

Background And Aim: Early diagnosis of premalignant or malignant pancreatic cysts is essential to improve prognosis. Sampling of pancreatic cyst fluid by fine-needle aspiration during endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) enables cytopathological examination combined with biochemical analysis. This study aimed to provide an aid based on biological markers for the preoperative management of patients with pancreatic cysts.

TMPRSS2-ERG fusion transcripts expression in patients referred for prostate biopsy: combining detection in urine and needle rinse material.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to combine urine and prostate biopsy rinse material (BRM) assays to increase sensitivity for fusion gene detection.

Patients And Methods: A total of 194 patients with suspicion of prostate cancer were prospectively included. Urine samples were collected before or after prostate biopsy, as well as BRM.

Interleukin-10 promoter (-1082) polymorphism in association with repeated hospital-acquired infections in elderly patients.

Background: Infections are frequent complications of hospitalization, particularly in the elderly. Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines are essential components of the host response to pathogens and polymorphisms in their genes may contribute to inter-individual variations of the inflammatory response. The aim of this study was to investigate whether cytokine polymorphisms, separately or in combination, could be determining factors in the development of repeated nosocomial infections in elderly hospitalized patients.

Automated two-site immunofluorescent assay for the measurement of serum chromogranin A.

Objectives: Chromogranin A (CgA) is the best-characterized biological marker common to neuroendocrine tumours and is therefore recommended for their diagnosis. The measurement of serum CgA is of great importance for reaching an early diagnosis and thus reducing the delay before treatment is instigated. The Kryptor CgA assay is the first fully automated assay available.

TMPRSS2-ERG fusion transcripts in matched urine and needle rinse material after biopsy for the detection of prostate cancer.

Background: Current methods for detecting TMPRSS2-ERG fusion transcript in the urine of patients with suspected prostate cancer lack diagnostic sensitivity. We combined urine and prostate biopsy rinse material (BRM) assays to improve the fusion gene detection rate.

Methods: Eighty patients with clinical and/or prostate-specific antigen suspicion of prostate cancer were prospectively included in the study.

Impact of comorbidities on hospital-acquired infections in a geriatric rehabilitation unit: prospective study of 252 patients.

Objectives: Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) remain a major source of morbidity and mortality in long-term care units, despite advances in antimicrobial therapy and preventive measures. Our aim was to investigate risk factors for HAIs, especially in the elderly, and to describe the relationship between comorbidities (number, severity, and specific diseases) and HAIs using a comprehensive inventory of comorbidities.

Design: Prospective cohort study

Setting: Geriatric rehabilitation unit in a university hospital in the Paris metropolitan area.

Porous metal-organic-framework nanoscale carriers as a potential platform for drug delivery and imaging.

In the domain of health, one important challenge is the efficient delivery of drugs in the body using non-toxic nanocarriers. Most of the existing carrier materials show poor drug loading (usually less than 5 wt% of the transported drug versus the carrier material) and/or rapid release of the proportion of the drug that is simply adsorbed (or anchored) at the external surface of the nanocarrier. In this context, porous hybrid solids, with the ability to tune their structures and porosities for better drug interactions and high loadings, are well suited to serve as nanocarriers for delivery and imaging applications.

Validation of body mass index for the diagnosis of malnutrition in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Objectives: Simple clinical tools are needed to detect malnutrition in cirrhotic patients. We have validated optimal body mass index (BMI) cut-offs for the diagnosis of malnutrition in accordance with the importance of ascites.

Methods: BMI, mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC) and triceps skinfold thickness (TST) were measured before paracentesis in study (SP) and validation (VP) populations of 875 and 294 cirrhotic patients, respectively with no ascite (NA), mild (MA), tense ascites (TA) (NA/MA/TA: SP: 327, 270, 278; VP: 111, 69, 114).

Combined polymorphisms of tumour necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-10 genes in patients with alcoholic hepatitis.

Objectives: The development and progression of alcoholic hepatitis are controlled by an extensive cytokine network which involves pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Genetic variations determining production of these cytokines have been described and the susceptibility to the disease may be determined by an imbalance in the expression of several candidate genes.

Methods: We have studied biallelic single nucleotide polymorphisms at positions (-308) and (-238) in the promoter region of the pro-inflammatory tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and at positions (-1,082) and (-592) in the promoter of anti-inflammatory interleukin-10 (IL-10) in 134 patients with severe biopsy-proven alcoholic hepatitis and 145 healthy subjects.

Relations between undernutrition and nosocomial infections in elderly patients.

Background: Hospital-acquired infections and malnutrition are of major concern in public health in elderly patients. However, the interactions between these two entities are not well established.

Objectives: To determine the incidence of nosocomial infections (NI) and its association with malnutrition.

Enteral nutrition in severely malnourished and anorectic cirrhotic patients in clinical practice.

Objectives: To determine among severely malnourished cirrhotic patients remaining anorectic during hospital stay which patients may benefit from enteral nutrition in clinical practice.

Methods: A prospective study including malnourished cirrhotic patients fed by enteral nutrition because of inadequate dietary intake after one-month hospitalization was carried out in a department receiving patients from other hospitals. Patients who died during hospital stay (N=35, group I) were compared to surviving patients (N=28, group II).

Oral candidiasis and nutritional deficiencies in elderly hospitalised patients.

The prevalence of oral candidiasis and its association with malnutrition in terms of protein-energy malnutrition and mineral and vitamin depletion were evaluated in ninety-seven hospitalised older adults aged 82.1 (SD 8.6) years.

Evaluation of nutritional practice in hospitalized cirrhotic patients: results of a prospective study.

Objective: We evaluated the impact of malnutrition and nutrition practice in 396 hospitalized cirrhotic patients (Child stages A, B, and C: 60, 169, and 167 patients) in a readaptative unit for liver diseases.

Methods: Triceps skinfold thickness and mid-arm muscle circumference were measured at admission, and spontaneous dietary intake was evaluated at admission and during hospital stay.

Results: Ascites was associated with impairment of nutrition status: 49% and 30.

[Prognosis factors of short and long-term survival in elderly hospitalized patients after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy].

Objective: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is the procedure of choice to achieve long-term enteral nutrition. The risks and benefits of PEG in elderly hospitalized patients have been poorly documented. The objective of this study was to describe the outcome of elderly patients one-year after insertion of a PEG tube.