Host-microbe interactions in distal airways: relevance to chronic airway diseases.

This article is the summary of a workshop, which took place in November 2013, on the roles of microorganisms in chronic respiratory diseases. Until recently, it was assumed that lower airways were sterile in healthy individuals. However, it has long been acknowledged that microorganisms could be identified in distal airway secretions from patients with various respiratory diseases, including cystic fibrosis (CF) and non-CF bronchiectasis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and other chronic airway diseases (e.

Psoriasis and obesity in French children: a case-control, multicentre study.

Background: Obesity is more common in adults with psoriasis than in the general population, but there is a lack of data available regarding this association in children.

Objectives: To evaluate whether obesity was more common in French children with psoriasis of any clinical type or severity.

Methods: A multicentre case-control study was performed in 23 French dermatology centres.

Valvular heart disease associated with long-term treatment by methysergide: a case report.

This case report concerns a woman treated continuously since at least 10 years by methysergide for cluster headache. The echocardiographic and histological features of the severe valve fibrosis presented by this patient are very similar to those described with 5 HT(2B) receptors agonistic drugs.

Identification of SLAMF3 (CD229) as an inhibitor of hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation and tumour progression.

Although hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies and constitutes the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. In the present study, we demonstrate for the first time that hepatocytes express signalling lymphocytic activation molecule family member 3 (SLAMF3/CD229) but not other SLAMF members. We provide evidence to show that SLAMF3 is involved in the control of hepatocyte proliferation and in hepatocellular carcinogenesis.

Does using pressure-controlled ventilation to rest respiratory muscles improve sleep in ICU patients?

Purpose: Sleep is commonly altered in critically ill patients. Ventilatory mode may impact on quality of sleep. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect on sleep of pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV) to spontaneous ventilation with 6 cm H2O inspiratory pressure (low-PSV).

Impact of azacitidine before allogeneic stem-cell transplantation for myelodysplastic syndromes: a study by the Société Française de Greffe de Moelle et de Thérapie-Cellulaire and the Groupe-Francophone des Myélodysplasies.

Purpose: To investigate the impact of prior-to-transplantation azacitidine (AZA) on patient outcome after allogeneic stem-cell transplantation (alloSCT) for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

Patients And Methods: Of the 265 consecutive patients who underwent alloSCT for MDS between October 2005 and December 2009, 163 had received cytoreductive treatment prior to transplantation, including induction chemotherapy (ICT) alone (ICT group; n = 98), AZA alone (AZA group; n = 48), or AZA preceded or followed by ICT (AZA-ICT group; n = 17). At diagnosis, 126 patients (77%) had an excess of marrow blasts, and 95 patients (58%) had intermediate-2 or high-risk MDS according to the International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS).

[Schwannoma of the vagus nerve: diagnostic strategy and therapeutic approach].

Introduction: Scwhannomas are uncommon neurogenic tumors of the mediastinum. Most of them are located in the posterior mediastinum usually in the paralateral gutters. We report the case of an uncommon localisation of such a tumour appended to the right vagus nerve in the middle mediastinum.

Noninvasive ventilation using a mouthpiece in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and acute respiratory failure.

Background: Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) delivered via a mouthpiece (mNPPV) has been successfully used in stable chronic restrictive respiratory insufficiency, but not in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and acute respiratory failure (ARF).

Objectives: The purpose of this matched case-control study was to compare the usefulness of mNPPV to noninvasive ventilation using a nasal or oronasal mask (nNPPV) or standard medical treatment (SMT) in COPD patients with ARF.

Methods: Twenty-nine patients receiving mNPPV were matched with 29 patients receiving nNPPV and 29 patients receiving SMT regarding age, SAPSII, admission PaCO(2) and pH.

[Iatrogenic angioedema: the role of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin II receptor blockers].

Nephrologists should be aware the fact that the angioedema is a common side effect not only under angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors treatment but also under sartans therapy. The frequency of angioedema under ACE inhibitors is estimated at 1 to 7 per thousand. The physiopathology of ACE angioedema implicates the lack of degradation of kinines due to the inhibition of multiple enzymes activity including ACE.

Assist-control ventilation vs. low levels of pressure support ventilation on sleep quality in intubated ICU patients.

Objective: To compare the impact of assist-control ventilation (ACV) and pressure support ventilation with 6 cmH2O inspiratory pressure (low PSV) on sleep quality.

Design: Prospective randomized cross-over study.

Patients: Twenty intubated and mechanically ventilated patients for acute on chronic respiratory failure.

Comparison of 2 maintenance doses (100 microg vs 200 microg) in Hymenoptera venom immunotherapy: influence of the maintenance dose on the immunologic response.

Background: In Hymenoptera venom immunotherapy, the maintenance dose is usually 100 microg. However, persistent systemic reactions to sting challenges could be treated by an increase in the maintenance dose to 200 microg with success, suggesting greater efficiency.

Objective: To compare the effects of 2 monthly maintenance doses (100 microg vs 200 microg) on skin test sensitivity and venom specific IgE antibody levels.

[Home mechanical ventilation: indications and pathophysiological limitations].

Introduction: Domiciliary assisted ventilation (DAV) may be undertaken invasively or non-invasively. Non-invasive DAV is used for patients suffering from alveolar hypoventilation due to restrictive pathology. Invasive DAV is reserved for "indications of necessity" that is when non-invasive ventilation is contraindicated due to the absence of adequate cough and for alveolar hypoventilation leading to hypercapnoea during spontaneous ventilation.

[Relevance of cytological and immunophenotypical analysis for the diagnosis of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia].

The objective of this study was to describe the cytological and immunophenotypical parameters evocative of B-cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (B-CLL) and their ability to participate to the differential diagnosis of other B-chronic lymphoproliferatives disorders with blood dissemination (B-CLD). Two groups of pathology included 92 patients, 79 patients had a B-CLL and the 13 other had a B-CLD (1 Prolymphocytic Leukaemia, 12 non- Hodgkin's Lymphoma in which 4 Splenic Lymphoma with Villous Lymphocytes or SLVL). The lymphoid morphology was studied on blood smear stained with May Gr nwald Giemsa and the immunophenotypical analysis was performed by flow cytometry.

Effects of intermittent negative pressure ventilation on effective ventilation in normal awake subjects.

Rationale: Previous studies have shown that an increase in inspiratory pressure during nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) does not result in increased effective minute ventilation (E) due to glottic interference.

Study Objectives: To test the consequences of increases in negative pressure ventilation (NPV) on V(E).

Material And Methods: Eight healthy awake subjects underwent NPV delivered by an iron lung.

[Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia associated with dermatomyositis and antiphospholipid syndrome].

Dermatomyositis and antiphospholipid syndrome are rare diseases that can be associated pulmonary damage. We report a case of anti-phospholipid syndrome that presented with bilateral pulmonary embolism and subsequently developed pulmonary infiltrates in association with the characteristic muscular and cutaneous features of dermatomyositis. Histological examination of trans-bronchial biopsies revealed bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia.

[Spontaneous rupture of the esophagus or Boerhaave syndrome. Report of 3 cases and review of the literature].

A triad of signs constitutes Boerhaave syndrome: forceful vomiting, chest pain and subcutaneous emphysema. The syndrome results from spontaneous rupture of the oesophageal wall leading to an oeso-pleural or oeso-mediastinal fistula. Positive diagnosis is established with a water-soluble swallow, sometimes coupled with computed tomography of the thorax.

[Effects of a pressure support ventilation of 6 cm H2O on oxygen consumption of the respiratory muscles during weaning of mechanical ventilation].

Objective: To determine the effects of a pressure support ventilation (PSV) of 6 cm H(2)O during spontaneous breathing on oxygen consumption of the respiratory muscles (VO(2) resp), gas exchange, respiratory rate, tidal volume and to determine if these low levels of PSV can reduce or cancel the increase in work of breathing induced by the resistances of the endotracheal tube and the circuit of the respirator.

Patients And Methods: Prospective study. Twenty intubated patients were studied.

[Lipid pneumonia and pleural-pulmonary atypical mycobacteriosis].

We report a case of fat deposit pneumonia extending to the parietal pleura with a granulomatous reaction centered on the fat vaculoles. This case was complicated by an atypical and fatal mycobacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium chelonae. The severity of Mycobacterium chelonae infection in fat deposit pneumonia warrants early empirical antibiotic therapy.

[Traumatic pulmonary pseudocysts. Mechanisms of formation].

Pulmonary pseudocysts (PPC) classically relate to chest trauma. It is a rare entity in adults, with multiple differential diagnosis. PPC most often evolve favorably.