Success to reach 3cm of dilation with a Dinoprostone Vaginal Insert in primiparous women with a previous cesarean section versus nulliparous: A retrospective case-control study.

Background The best methods of labour induction have still been controversial because of an increased risk of uterine rupture, especially in exposed women of labour induction with prostaglandins. We here attempted to determine, after Dinoprostone Vaginal Insert, previous cesarean women (exposed women), compared with nulliparous women (non-exposed women), are more likely 1) to have the dilated cervix (up to 3 cm or more), and 2) to require cesarean after cervix being dilated 3 cm or more. Methods This retrospective observational study included 43 exposed women and 188 non exposed women .

Activation state of circulating eosinophils in nasal polyposis.

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a common disease with an uncertain pathophysiology. It is characterized by polyps rich in eosinophils, with an activation status already investigated at the tissue level. In a group of CRSwNP patients, we assessed the activation status of circulating eosinophils in the blood before migration into tissues.

Diagnostic accuracy of copeptin sensitivity and specificity in patients with suspected non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction with troponin I below the 99th centile at presentation.

Objective: To determine whether copeptin-us can rule out diagnosis of non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) without prolonged monitoring and serial blood sampling in patients with high-sensitive cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) below the 99th centile at presentation to the emergency department (ED) [corrected].

Design: Prospective, non-randomised, individual blinded diagnostic accuracy study.

Setting: Two EDs of a rural region of France.

The long-term effects of occupational exposure to vinyl chloride monomer on microcirculation: a cross-sectional study 15 years after retirement.

Objectives: To assess residual long-term microcirculation abnormalities by capillaroscopy, 15 years after retiring from occupational exposure to vinyl chloride monomer (VCM).

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Allier, one of the major areas of polyvinyl chloride production in France.

CSF N-glycan profiles to investigate biomarkers in brain developmental disorders: application to leukodystrophies related to eIF2B mutations.

Background: Primary or secondary abnormalities of glycosylation have been reported in various brain diseases. Decreased asialotransferrin to sialotransferrin ratio in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a diagnostic marker of leukodystrophies related to mutations of genes encoding translation initiation factor, EIF2B. We investigated the CSF glycome of eIF2B-mutated patients and age-matched normal individuals in order to further characterize the glycosylation defect for possible use as a biomarker.

Serum S100B determination in the management of pediatric mild traumatic brain injury.

Background: The place of serum S100B measurement in mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) management is still controversial. Our prospective study aimed to evaluate its utility in the largest child cohort described to date.

Methods: Children younger than 16 years presenting at a pediatric emergency department within 3 h after TBI were enrolled prospectively for blood sampling to determine serum S100B concentrations.

Reference ranges for serum S100B protein during the first three years of life.

Objective: Clinical and diagnostic management of traumatic brain injuries is problematic in young children. To facilitate this management, we describe blood reference ranges for the well established biomarker S100B in children younger than 3 years.

Design And Methods: Serum S100B concentrations were determined by electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay in a population of 186 healthy children aged 0-3 years.

[Coupling proteinemia and serum protein electrophoresis: evaluation of the capillary technique (Capillarys 2, Sebia), experience from Clermont-Ferrand].

Serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) is a routine analysis that requires to quantify the total serum proteins in order to calculate the concentration in g/L of each electrophoretic protein fraction. Aim of this study was to evaluate the performances of the « Capillarys Total protein » kit (Sebia®), coupled to the Capillarys 2 system (Sebia®), allowing the proteinemia quantification by capillary electrophoresis (EC) simultaneously to the electrophoretic separation. We compared the proteinemia analyzed in EC with the spectrophotometric reference technique for 904 serums.

[Allergenic environment in asthmatic children in Annaba (Algeria)].

We determined blood levels of total and specific immunoglobulins E in a cohort of 75 asthmatic children at Annaba (mean age: 9 years, sex ratio M/F: 1,64). Analysis clinical investigation and biological results allowed us to estimate the clinico-biological relations in this population. We showed that: atopy based on family criteria was very frequent (74%); the symptoms of atopy associated with asthma were frequent for atopic children (96%) whose majority (46%) had severe asthma (grade 3) that required treatment.

Effect of lingual nerve block on burning mouth syndrome (stomatodynia): a randomized crossover trial.

Burning mouth syndrome (stomatodynia) is associated with changes of a neuropathic nature the main location of which, peripheral or central, remains unknown. A randomised, double-blind crossover design was used to investigate the effects of lingual nerve block on spontaneous burning pain and a possible correlation with the effects of topical clonazepam, the patient's response to a psychological questionnaire, and the taste and heat thresholds. The spontaneous burning was measured with a visual analogue scale (VAS) just before and 15 min after injection.

Is pregnancy the time to change alcohol consumption habits in France?

Background: Although it is well known that France has a cultural history of alcohol use, no recent French data on alcohol consumption during pregnancy in a large sample are available.

Methods: To determine the alcohol consumption patterns among pregnant women in France, we analyzed data from a 1-year multicenter self-survey. Sociodemographic profile, obstetrical history, neonatal data, and a self-report for assessing drinking patterns during pregnancy including AUDIT were recorded from women who delivered recently.

GC-MS determined cotinine in an epidemiological study on smoking status at delivery.

The objective of this study was to measure the plasma cotinine levels in pregnant women and their newborns using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method in an epidemiological-delivered population with a wide range of tobacco intakes. Nearly 1000 pregnant women from regional maternity wards (n=1007) were selected for the study. Each patient kept a tobacco diary and underwent a blood test to assess cotinine levels and at the same time that the newborns' cordonal plasma was taken.

Limits of usual biochemical alcohol markers in cord blood at term: a fetal/maternal population-based study.

Background: After maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy, many neonates affected by less apparent forms of fetal alcohol syndrome disorder (FASD) do not receive proper diagnosis or treatment. There is thus a need for laboratory markers for early detection of alcohol-exposed neonates. The aim of our study was to assess the efficiency of the usual alcohol biomarkers measured in cord blood to identify alcohol-exposed neonates immediately after birth.

Osteoarthritis of the thumb carpometacarpal joint in women and occupational risk factors: a case-control study.

Purpose: Among other etiologic factors involved in first carpometacarpal (CMC) osteoarthritis (OA), occupational factors have been postulated as influencing the occurrence of this condition. Very few epidemiologic studies, however, have evaluated this topic. Determining the occupational risk factors is important in proposing preventive measures at the workplace.

Occult maternal exposure to environmental tobacco smoke exposure.

Background: Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is a recognised air pollutant. Its harmful effects have been found to be implicated in health disorders, including unfavourable pregnancy outcomes. The discrepancy between self-reported environmental tobacco smoke exposure and cotinine levels in pregnant non-smokers in France was examined.

Glutathione S-transferase M1 and GST T1 genetic polymorphisms and Raynaud's phenomenon in French vinyl chloride monomer-exposed workers.

Occupational vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) exposure can induce Raynaud's phenomenon (RP). However, not all VCM workers developed RP, which suggests an underlying genetic susceptibility. Genetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), involved in VCM metabolism, have been shown to influence certain VCM-related health effects.

Antenatal detection and impact on outcome of congenital diaphragmatic hernia: a 12-year experience in Auvergne, France.

Objective: To evaluate the detection rate of prenatal diagnosis and its impact on outcome in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

Study Design: We retrospectively studied 51 cases of CDH registered in the Auvergne area from January 1992 to December 2003 (Birth Defect Registry of Auvergne, Institut Européen des Génomutations). Our main outcome measurements were the detection rate of prenatal diagnosis, the incidence and types of associated anomalies and outcome (termination of pregnancy, in utero fetal demise, neonatal death, survival at the time of registration).

Histological response in patients treated by interferon plus ribavirin for hepatitis C virus-related severe fibrosis.

Background: Studies of viral hepatitis C have suggested that fibrosis can regress, at least in patients with sustained virological response. A recent study suggested that cirrhosis was reversible in sustained and non-virological responders.

Aim: To study fibrosis progression rate and cirrhosis reversion in patients treated for severe fibrosis with interferon or interferon + ribavirin.

Ectopic pregnancy is again on the increase. Recent trends in the incidence of ectopic pregnancies in France (1992-2002).

Background: We aimed to assess the recent incidence trends of ectopic pregnancies (EP) in France (1992-2002).

Methods: A population-based register of all women aged 15-44 years with EP was set up in Auvergne (central France). We calculated rates of EP as a 'reproductive failure' or as a 'contraceptive failure', frequencies of exposure to the two main risk factors for EP (cigarette smoking and chlamydial infection) and contraceptive methods between 1992 and 2002.

[Medical practices and expectations of general practitioners in relation to hepatitis C virus infection in the Auvergne region].

Aims: To determine the medical practices and expectations of general practitioners concerning screening and management of hepatitis C in the Auvergne region.

Methods: A survey was sent by mail to 250 general practitioners. They were then contacted by telephone interviews.

Frequency, risk factors, and outcome of hyperlactatemia in HIV-positive persons: implications for the management of treated patients.

Background: The nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors used for the treatment of HIV-positive persons are now clearly associated with metabolic disorders. We determined the prevalence of and risk factors for hyperlactatemia in HIV-positive persons to assess the relevance of lactate venous blood concentrations during antiretroviral therapy.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study of venous lactate determinations with 282 consecutive HIV-positive persons who, in addition to a physical examination, had blood samples taken every 3-4 months for routine biochemical, immunologic, and viral assessment.

[Radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with cirrhosis].

Unlabelled: Radiofrequency is an effective therapeutic modality for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. However few data are available with regard to the complication rate, the feasibility and long term survival.

Aims: To assess the response rate and complications of radiofrequency in cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.