Efficacy and safety of targeted therapies in VEXAS syndrome: retrospective study from the FRENVEX.

Objectives: Vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory and somatic (VEXAS) syndrome is an adult-onset autoinflammatory disease associated with somatic ubiquitin-like modifier-activating enzyme 1 (UBA1) mutations. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of targeted therapies.

Methods: Multicentre retrospective study including patients with genetically proven VEXAS syndrome who had received at least one targeted therapy.

Real-World Comparison of the Effectiveness between Ustekinumab and Vedolizumab in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis Exposed to at least One Anti-TNF Agent.

Background: Both vedolizumab and ustekinumab can be considered for the treatment of ulcerative colitis [UC], but head-to-head trials are lacking.

Aim: We aimed to compare the effectiveness of vedolizumab and ustekinumab after anti-tumour necrosis factor [anti-TNF] failure in UC patients.

Patients And Methods: In this multicentre study, we included consecutive adult patients with UC, with partial Mayo score >2 and prior anti-TNF exposure, treated with vedolizumab or ustekinumab between January 2019 and August 2022.

Long-term Outcome of Risankizumab in Crohn's Disease: a Real-world GETAID Study.

Background & Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the long-term effectiveness and safety of risankizumab maintenance treatment in a large real-world cohort of patients with Crohn's Disease (CD).

Methods: From May 2021 to August 2023, all consecutive patients with CD treated with risankizumab in 25 GETAID centers have been retrospectively included. The primary endpoint was steroid-free clinical remission (Harvey Bradshaw Index [HBI] <5) at 52 weeks.

Efficacy of ferric carboxymaltose on haemoglobin response among older patients with gastrointestinal bleeding: a randomised clinical trial.

Background: Acute gastrointestinal bleeding (AGIB) is common in older patients but the use of iron in this context remains understudied.

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate prospectively the efficacy of ferric carboxymaltose to treat anaemia in older patients after AGIB.

Methods: This randomised double-blinded placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in 10 French centres.

Screening for Cognitive Impairment in Bilinguals: What Is the Influence of the Language of Assessment?

Background: Bilingualism's impact on cognitive assessment remains underexplored. This study analyzes the efficacy of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) as a screening tool for bilinguals, specifically examining the influence of language choice on balanced and unbalanced Lebanese bilinguals (Arabic-French) and its implications for diagnosing cognitive impairment.

Methods: Ninety-three bilingual healthy controls (mean age = 67.

Evaluation of the early use of norepinephrine in major abdominal surgery on medical and surgical postoperative complications: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial (EPON STUDY).

Background: Post-induction anaesthesia often promotes intraoperative hypotension (IOH) that can worsen postoperative outcomes. This study aims to assess the benefit of norepinephrine versus ephedrine at the induction of anaesthesia to prevent postoperative complications following major abdominal surgery by preventing IOH.

Methods And Analysis: The EPON STUDY is a prospective single-centre randomised controlled trial with the planned inclusion of 500 patients scheduled for major abdominal surgery at the Amiens University Hospital.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Head and Neck Cancer Management: The Experience of the Maxillo-Facial Surgery Department of a French Regional Referral Center in a High-Incidence Area.

Cancer patients are at a high risk of complications in cases of infection, and head and neck cancers (HNC) are no exception. Since late 2019, SARS-CoV-2 has caused a global health crisis, with high rates and severe forms of the disease in cancer patients. Hospitalization, surgery and radiotherapy were rapidly described as increasing the risk of infection.

Epidemiology and Dynamics of BK Polyomavirus Replication after Kidney Transplantation.

Background/objectives: In the absence of an effective antiviral treatment for BK polyomavirus (BKPyV), a better understanding of the epidemiology and time course of BKPyV replication after kidney transplantation is needed to limit the virus's impact on the graft outcome.

Methods: In a 7-year study, we screened more than 430 kidney transplant recipients and analyzed the time course and virological characteristics of BKPyV replication.

Results: Urinary viral replication was observed in 116 (27%) of the 430 patients, and 90 of the 116 (78%) had viral DNAemia.

Polypharmacy in Patients with CKD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Key Points: The prevalence of polypharmacy in patients with CKD was over 80%. Polypharmacy was highest in patients with a kidney transplant and those receiving dialysis. Polypharmacy is associated with worse clinical outcomes, lower quality of life, and medication-related problems in patients with CKD.

Pediatric refractory chronic immune thrombocytopenia: Identification, patients' characteristics, and outcome.

Refractory chronic immune thrombocytopenia (r-cITP) is one of the most challenging situations in chronic immune thrombocytopenia (cITP). Pediatric r-cITP is inconsistently defined in literature, contributing to the scarcity of data. Moreover, no evidence is available to guide the choice of treatment.

Corticospinal tract hyperintensity in patients with LGI1-antibody encephalitis and other central nervous system disorders with neuroglial antibodies.

The frequency of corticospinal tract (CST) T2/FLAIR hyperintensity in disorders with neuroglial antibodies is unclear. Herein, we retrospectively reviewed brain MRIs of 101 LGI1-antibody encephalitis patients, and observed CST hyperintensity in 30/101 (30%). It was mostly bilateral (93%), not associated with upper motor neuron signs/symptoms (7%), and frequently decreased over time (39%).

Characterisation of the novel HLA-B*58:02:04 allele by next-generation sequencing.

HLA-B*58:02:04 differs from HLA-B*58:02:01 by one synonymous nucleotide in codon 215 in exon 4.

Risk factors for emergency surgery for diverticulitis: A retrospective multicentric French study at 41 hospitals.

Background: The observed increase in the incidence of complicated diverticulitis may lead to the performance of more emergency surgeries. This study aimed to assess the rate and risk factors of emergency surgery for sigmoid diverticulitis.

Method: The primary outcomes were the rate of emergency surgery for sigmoid diverticulitis and its associated risk factors.

Farming Activities and Risk of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A French Nationwide Population-based Cohort Study.

Background And Aims: Epidemiological data regarding inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] are lacking, in particular for occupationally exposed populations. We investigated whether, among the entire French farm manager [FM] workforce, certain agricultural activities are more strongly associated with IBD than others.

Methods: Nationwide, population-based, insurance claims and electronic health records from all FMs who worked at least once over the period 2002-2016 were used [n = 1 088 561, 69% males].

Evaluation of HIV-1 DNA levels among adolescents living with perinatally acquired HIV-1 in Yaounde, Cameroon: A contribution to paediatric HIV cure research in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: With the advent of antiretroviral therapy (ART), most children living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are growing toward adolescence, with scarcity of evidence on the size of viral reservoirs to enhance paediatric cure research strategies. This study aims to compare HIV-1 proviral DNA levels according to virological response among adolescents living with perinatally acquired HIV-1 (ALPHIV) and identify associated-factors in the Cameroonian context.

Methods: In this observational cohort study, HIV-1 RNA viremia and CD4 T-cell count were assessed through RT-PCR and flow cytometry respectively at three time-points over 18 months of observation.

Prognostic impact of positive microscopic margins (R1 resection) in patients with GIST (gastrointestinal stromal tumours): Results of a multicenter European study.

Background: Although several prognostic factors in GIST have been well studied such as tumour size, mitotic rate, or localization, the influence of microscopic margins or R1 resection remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of R1 resection on the prognosis of GIST in a large multicentre retrospective series of patients.

Methods: From 2001 to 2013, 1413 patients who underwent surgery for any site of GIST were identified from 61 European centers.

Oxygenation management during veno-arterial ECMO support for cardiogenic shock: a multicentric retrospective cohort study.

Backgound: Hyperoxemia is common and associated with poor outcome during veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) support for cardiogenic shock. However, little is known about practical daily management of oxygenation. Then, we aim to describe sweep gas oxygen fraction (FO), postoxygenator oxygen partial pressure (PO), inspired oxygen fraction (FO), and right radial arterial oxygen partial pressure (PO) between day 1 and day 7 of peripheral VA ECMO support.

Efficacy and safety of mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors in systemic mastocytosis: A nationwide French pilot study.

Systemic mastocytosis (SM) corresponds to a rare and heterogeneous spectrum of diseases characterized by the accumulation of atypical mast cells (MCs). Advanced mastocytosis (Adv-SM) is associated with poor survival; in contrast, patients with non-advanced SM (non-Adv-SM) usually have a normal life expectancy but may experience poor quality of life. Despite recent therapeutic progress including tyrosine kinase inhibitors, new treatment options are needed for refractory and/or intolerant patients with both severely symptomatic and Adv-SM.

European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging survey on cardiovascular multimodality imaging in acute myocarditis.

Aims: To assess the current role of cardiac imaging in the diagnosis, management, and follow-up of patients with acute myocarditis (AM) through a European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging survey.

Methods And Results: A total of 412 volunteers from 74 countries responded to the survey. Most participants worked in tertiary centres (56%).

Cyclophosphamide vs rituximab for eradicating inhibitors in acquired hemophilia A: A randomized trial in 108 patients.

Background: Acquired hemophilia A (AHA) is a rare autoimmune disorder due to autoantibodies against Factor VIII, with a high mortality risk. Treatments aim to control bleeding and eradicate antibodies by immunosuppression. International recommendations rely on registers and international expert panels.