Efficacy and Safety of Induction Therapy With Calcineurin Inhibitors in Combination With Vedolizumab in Patients With Refractory Ulcerative Colitis.

Background & Aims: Vedolizumab is used to treat patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), although there is a delay before it is effective. Induction therapy with a calcineurin inhibitor (cyclosporine or tacrolimus) in combination with vedolizumab as maintenance therapy could be an option for patients with an active steroid-refractory UC. We assessed the efficacy and safety of this combination.

Cognitive assessment in patients with multiple sclerosis: From neuropsychological batteries to ecological tools.

Background: Cognitive impairment (CI) is frequent in patients with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) and could negatively affect family social and vocational activities. Detecting CI is clinically relevant, so the emerging question is the strategy for assessing cognition in MS.

Objective: An update on cognitive assessment in PwMS with use of standard neuropsychological (NP) tests and ecological tools.

[Integrating clinical research into epidemic response: the field perspective in the Ebola experience].

During the 2013-2016 west African Ebola outbreak that affected West Africa, accelerated clinical trials, testing unproven but promising and potentially lifesaving experimental interventions emerged as a key component of the global outbreak. In 2017, no Ebola medical countermeasures had proven antiviral efficacy in patients. However, in September 2014, the World Health Organization inventoried a list of potential drug candidates developed or repurposed with demonstrated antiviral efficacy in vitro or in animal models.

Rituximab-based first-line treatment of cGVHD after allogeneic SCT: results of a phase 2 study.

Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) is the main cause of late nonrelapse mortality and morbidity after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT). To improve such patients' outcomes, we conducted a phase 2, prospective, multicenter trial to test the efficacy of the addition of rituximab to corticosteroids (CSs) and cyclosporine A (CsA) as first-line therapy for newly diagnosed cGVHD after allo-SCT. Twenty-four patients (median age, 47 years) with mild (n = 2), moderate (n = 7), or severe (n = 15) cGVHD were included.

Controlled Attenuation Parameter (CAP) with the XL Probe of the Fibroscan: A Comparative Study with the M Probe and Liver Biopsy.

Introduction: Controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) is a new method for the diagnosis of steatosis. Until now, CAP was available only with the M probe of the Fibroscan. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of CAP with the XL probe versus CAP with the M probe, using liver biopsy (LB) as gold standard.

[Cabozantinib: Mechanism of action, efficacy and indications].

Cabozantinib is an oral multiple tyrosine kinase receptor inhibitor (ITK): VEGFR2, c-MET and RET. Inhibition of VEGFR and c-MET decrease resistance of VEGFR inhibitor via c-MET axis. Cabozantinib improve progression-free survival (PFS) in progressive metastatic medullary thyroid cancer (MTC): 4 months in the placebo group and 11.

Circulating cell-free BRAF as a biomarker in children with Langerhans cell histiocytosis.

The BRAF mutation is reported in half of patients with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH). This study investigated the detection of the BRAF allele in circulating cell-free (ccf) DNA in a paediatric LCH cohort. Children with BRAF -mutated LCH were investigated to detect ccf BRAF at diagnosis (n = 48) and during follow-up (n = 17) using a picolitre-droplet digital PCR assay.

Performance of 18F-FDG PET/CT in the Characterization of Adrenal Masses in Noncancer Patients: A Prospective Study.

Context: Few prospective studies have evaluated the role of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) in the characterization of adrenal masses.

Objective: To assess the performance of 18F-FDG PET/CT in the malignancy diagnosis of adrenal masses in noncancer patients.

Design: Prospective multicenter study.

Individual patient data meta-analysis of controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) technology for assessing steatosis.

Background & Aims: The prevalence of fatty liver underscores the need for non-invasive characterization of steatosis, such as the ultrasound based controlled attenuation parameter (CAP). Despite good diagnostic accuracy, clinical use of CAP is limited due to uncertainty regarding optimal cut-offs and the influence of covariates. We therefore conducted an individual patient data meta-analysis.

Spondylodiscitis and bacteremia due to Staphylococcus hyicus in an immunocompetent man.

Introduction: Staphylococcus hyicus is a coagulase-variable Staphylococcus spp. well-known by veterinarians since it is the major agent of a severe cutaneous infection in piglets called exudative epidermitis. In other species the symptoms of infection are quite different.

Molecular characterization and follow-up of five CML patients with new BCR-ABL1 fusion transcripts.

We report five chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) patients in whom we identified and characterized undescribed BCR-ABL1 fusion transcripts. We investigated the precise features of the molecular rearrangements and the minimal residual disease follow-up for these five patients. Three resulted from new rearrangements between the BCR and ABL1 sequences (the breakpoints being located within BCR exon 13 in two cases and within BCR exon 18 in one case).

[Orthognathic mandibular osteotomy and condyle positioning: update and innovation].

The temporomandibular joints function in synergy with the dental occlusion within the manducatory system. Orthodontists and surgeons must take into account the condylar position since any problem related to positioning of the condyle could result in occlusal disorders including relapse and the risk of occurrence, decompensation or worsening of temporomandibular dysfunction. We wanted to answer three questions: What is the position of the condyle following orthognathic surgery? What benefit is there in repositioning the condyle? What means are available to check condylar position? Finally, in the light of the answers, we describe an innovative occlusal and condylar positioning device for mandibular osteotomies based on computer-assisted surgical planning techniques.

Three-dimensional imaging of past skeletal TB: From lesion to process.

3D imaging has become an essential tool in the field of biological anthropology, notably for human evolution purposes. High resolution virtual 3D reconstructions of original specimens contribute to their preservation and broaden the ability for research, teaching and exchanges. Paleopathology can get substantial benefit from these methods, among others for reconstructing infectious pathological processes on ancient bones.

[Seasonal influenza vaccination coverage of general practitioners and their patients. Practice survey of French general practitioners after vaccination campaign 2011-2012].

Background: In France, vaccination coverage against seasonal influenza for risk groups was inadequate: 55.2% of people aged 65 and older, and 33% of the 16-64 year group with chronic targeted disorders were vaccinated in March 2012. Three quarters of general practitioners were vaccinated.

Dermatological spectrum of hand, foot and mouth disease from classical to generalized exanthema.

Background: Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is classically defined as a childhood fever accompanied by a rash with vesicles or erosions of the oral mucosa, hands, feet and sometimes the buttocks. Severe neurological complications are associated with enterovirus 71 outbreaks in Asia. Recently, it has been suggested that HFMD is related to coxsackie virus A6 (CV-A6) when there is an atypical rash.

Controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) for the diagnosis of steatosis: a prospective study of 5323 examinations.

Background & Aims: Controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) evaluated with transient elastography (FibroScan®) is a recent method for non-invasive assessment of steatosis. Its usefulness in clinical practice is unknown. We prospectively investigated the determinants of CAP failure and the relationships between CAP and clinical or biological parameters in a large cohort of consecutive patients.

Chemical stability of azacitidine suspensions for injection after cold-chain reconstitution of powder and storage.

Purpose: The 72-hour chemical stability of refrigerated syringes of azacitidine suspension prepared via a cold-chain method is investigated.

Methods: Three 25-mg/mL azacitidine suspensions were prepared from different lots of powdered drug. The suspensions were stored in 2-mL polypropylene syringes at 2-8 °C and protected from light.

Vertebral split fractures: technical feasibility of percutaneous vertebroplasty.

Objective: The treatment of vertebral split fractures remains controversial, consisting of either corset or internal fixation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the technical feasibility of CT- and fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous vertebroplasty in the treatment of vertebral split fractures.

Materials And Methods: Institutional review board approval and informed consent were obtained for this study.

[Giant-cell arteritis and Takayasu arteritis: epidemiological, diagnostic and treatment aspects].

Giant-cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu arteritis (TAK) are primary systemic granulomatous large-vessel vasculitides. Whether both entities represent distinct phenotypic expressions of a shared etiopathogenic process remains hypothetical. GCA more commonly affects subjects of northern European background while the clinical observation that TAK might be more common in populations of Asian or African ancestry needs to be confirmed by epidemiological studies.

Pitfalls of liver stiffness measurement: a 5-year prospective study of 13,369 examinations.

Unlabelled: Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) based on transient elastography (TE, FibroScan) is gaining in popularity for noninvasive assessment of liver fibrosis. However, LSM has limitations, which have not yet been thoroughly evaluated. We prospectively investigated the frequency and determinants of LSM failure and unreliable results over a 5-year period, based on 13,369 examinations (134,239 shots).

Preoperative opioid consumption increases morphine requirement after leg amputation.

Purpose: The aim of this observational study was to assess the influence of preoperative opioid consumption on postoperative morphine consumption after leg amputation performed under combined regional and general anesthesia.

Methods: After Institutional Review Board approval, patients scheduled for leg amputation were included in a prospective observational study. A popliteal sciatic nerve catheter was placed preoperatively and 0.

A comparison of stroke volume variation measured by Vigileo/FloTrac system and aortic Doppler echocardiography.

Background: The goal of this study was to compare stroke volume variation (SVV) assessed from a peripheral artery with the Vigileo/FloTrac system (SVV-FloTrac) with SVV derived close to the heart by aortic Doppler (SVV-Doppler).

Methods: Thirty patients undergoing liver transplantation underwent simultaneous SVV-FloTrac and SVV-Doppler measurements before and after intravascular volume expansion.

Results: SVV-FloTrac and SVV-Doppler comparison before intravascular volume expansion showed a mean bias of 0.