Effects of cardiologic magnetic and optical stimulation on quality of life in patients receiving systemic treatment for cancer: a pilot study.

Background: Oncological systemic treatments such as cytotoxic chemotherapy, radiation therapy or treatment with biological response modifiers can alter the quality of life (QoL) of cancer patients.The aim of this study is to assess the effects of cardiologic magnetic and optical stimulation (CMOS) on QoL in patients with advanced cancer receiving systemic treatment. For this purpose, we designed a non-invasive device that can reproduce and dynamically modulate stimulations of the same nature as the biological electromagnetic emissions specific to the body (cardiac).

An evaluation of treatment response and remission definitions in adult obsessive-compulsive disorder: A systematic review and individual-patient data meta-analysis.

Introduction: Expert consensus operationalized treatment response and remission in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) as a Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) reduction ≥35% and score ≤12 with ≤2 on Clinical Global Impressions Improvement (CGI-I) and Severity (CGI-S) scales, respectively. However, there has been scant empirical evidence supporting these definitions.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and an individual participant data meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) in adults with OCD to determine optimal Y-BOCS thresholds for response and remission.

Hidden Markov Model for Parkinson's Disease Patients Using Balance Control Data.

Understanding the behavior of the human postural system has become a very attractive topic for many researchers. This system plays a crucial role in maintaining balance during both stationary and moving states. Parkinson's disease (PD) is a prevalent degenerative movement disorder that significantly impacts human stability, leading to falls and injuries.

Genetic reversal of the globin switch concurrently modulates both fetal and sickle hemoglobin and reduces red cell sickling.

We previously reported initial clinical results of post-transcriptional gene silencing of BCL11A expression (NCT03282656) reversing the fetal to adult hemoglobin switch. A goal of this approach is to increase fetal hemoglobin (HbF) expression while coordinately reducing sickle hemoglobin (HbS) expression. The resulting combinatorial effect should prove effective in inhibiting HbS polymerization at lower physiologic oxygen values thereby mitigating disease complications.

Psoas muscle index is not representative of skeletal muscle index for evaluating cancer sarcopenia.

Background: A common method for diagnosing sarcopenia involves estimating the muscle mass by computed tomography (CT) via measurements of the cross-sectional muscle area (CSMA) of all muscles at the third lumbar vertebra (L3) level. Recently, single-muscle measurements of the psoas major muscle at L3 have emerged as a surrogate for sarcopenia detection, but its reliability and accuracy remain to be demonstrated.

Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study involved 29 healthcare establishments and recruited patients with metastatic cancers.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Respiratory Failure Related to COVID-19: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

Background: Despite expanding use, knowledge on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support during the COVID-19 pandemic remains limited. The objective was to report characteristics, management, and outcomes of patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation with a diagnosis of COVID-19 in France and to identify pre-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation factors associated with in-hospital mortality. A hypothesis of similar mortality rates and risk factors for COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients on venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was made.

Efficacy and tolerance of corticosteroids and methotrexate in patients with juvenile dermatomyositis: a retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: To assess the efficacy and tolerance of the conventional first-line treatment by MTX and CS in patients with JDM regardless of severity.

Methods: We conducted a monocentric retrospective study of patients with newly diagnosed JDM treated with MTX and CS from 2012 to 2020. The proportion of clinically inactive disease (CID) within 6 months of MTX initiation was evaluated using both Paediatric Rheumatology International Trials Organisation (PRINTO) criteria (evaluating muscle inactive disease) and DAS (evaluating skin inactive disease).

Is sarcopenia a missed factor in the management of patients with metastatic breast cancer?

Background: Sarcopenia has emerged as an important parameter to predict outcomes and treatment toxicity. However, limited data are available to assess sarcopenia prevalence in metastatic breast cancer and to evaluate its management.

Methods: The SCAN study was a cross-sectional multicenter French study that aimed to estimate sarcopenia prevalence in a real-life sample of metastatic cancer patients.

The prevalence of CT-defined low skeletal muscle mass in patients with metastatic cancer: a cross-sectional multicenter French study (the SCAN study).

Background: Cachexia, characterized by involuntary muscle mass loss, negatively impacts survival outcomes, treatment tolerability, and functionality in cancer patients. However, there is a limited appreciation of the true prevalence of low muscle mass due to inconsistent diagnostic methods and limited oncologist awareness.

Methods: Twenty-nine French healthcare establishments participated in this cross-sectional study, recruiting patients with those metastatic cancers most frequently encountered in routine practice (colon, breast, kidney, lung, prostate).

Current Role of Functional Imaging in the Management of Lymphoma.

Purpose Of Review: Functional imaging with 18FDG-PET-CT has transformed the staging and response assessment of patients with Hodgkin (HL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Herein, we review the current role and future directions for functional imaging in the management of patients with lymphoma.

Recent Findings: Because of its increased sensitivity, PET-CT is the preferred modality for staging of FDG-avid lymphomas.

Cone beam CT optimisation for detection of vertical root fracture with metal in the field of view or the exomass.

Dose optimisation has been revisited in the literature due to the frequent use of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Although the reduction of the field-of-view (FOV) size has shown to be an effective strategy, this indirectly increases the negative effect from the exomass. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of an optimised CBCT protocol in the detection of simulated vertical root fracture (VRF) in the presence of metal in the exomass and/or inside the FOV.

JAK inhibitors are effective in a subset of patients with juvenile dermatomyositis: a monocentric retrospective study.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKis) in JDM.

Methods: We conducted a single-centre retrospective study of patients with JDM treated by JAKi with a follow-up of at least 6 months. Proportion of clinically inactive disease (CID) within 6 months of JAKi initiation was evaluated using PRINTO criteria and skin Disease Activity Score.

Influence of the exomass on the detection of simulated root fracture in cone-beam CT - an study.

Objectives: To evaluate the influence of exomass-related metal artefacts on the detection of simulated vertical root fracture (VRF) in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Methods: 20 teeth were endodontically instrumented and VRF was induced in half of them. All teeth were individually placed in an empty socket of a human mandible.

Clinical impact of dual-tracer FDOPA and FDG PET/CT for the evaluation of patients with parkinsonian syndromes.

Parkinsonian syndromes include typical cases of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) and atypical parkinsonian syndromes (APS) associated with cognitive and vegetative disorders, which are more challenging to diagnose. The aim of this study was to assess -the value of dual-tracer imaging 6-fluoro-(18F)-L-DOPA (FDOPA) and fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), performed in routine patients demonstrating extrapyramidal signs and cognitive complains, for the diagnosis and management of parkinsonian syndromes.We retrospectively included 143 consecutive patients who underwent both FDOPA PET/CT (for the evaluation of parkinsonism) and FDG PET/CT (for the evaluation of cognitive complaints) in the same institution.

Stability of nivolumab in its original vials after opening and handing in normal saline bag for intravenous infusion.

Objectives: Nivolumab is an anti-programmed cell death-1 monoclonal antibody, approved for numerous indications in oncohaematological cancers. It is available as solution for infusion at 10 mg/ml. In accordance with the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPCs), the product is stable for 24 h at 2-8 °C after dilution.

Deep-Learning F-FDG Uptake Classification Enables Total Metabolic Tumor Volume Estimation in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma.

Total metabolic tumor volume (TMTV), calculated from F-FDG PET/CT baseline studies, is a prognostic factor in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) whose measurement requires the segmentation of all malignant foci throughout the body. No consensus currently exists regarding the most accurate approach for such segmentation. Further, all methods still require extensive manual input from an experienced reader.

COVID-19 and rhinology, from the consultation room to the operating theatre.

The purpose of this article is to give rhinologists advice on how to adapt their standard practice during the COVID-19 pandemic. The main goal of these recommendations is to protect healthcare workers against COVID-19 while continuing to provide emergency care so as to prevent loss of chance for patients. We reviewed our recommendations concerning consultations, medical prescriptions and surgical activity in rhinology.

COVID-19 and ENT Surgery.

In Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, clinical examination and invasive procedures on the respiratory tract and on airway-connected cavities, such as paranasal sinuses and the middle ear, expose people to direct transmission of SARS-CoV-2 by inhalation or ocular projection of contaminated droplets, and to indirect transmission by contact with contaminated hands, objects or surfaces. Estimating an R of COVID-19 at around 3 justified postponing non-urgent face-to-face consultations and expanding the use of teleconsultation in order to limit the risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection of patients or health workers and comply with the lockdown. The health authority recommends cancellation of all medical or surgical activities, which are not urgent as long as this does not involve a loss of chance for the patient.

Current Evidence on PET Response Assessment to Immunotherapy in Lymphomas.

Response assessment in malignant lymphoma has progressively evolved in the last 20 years, leading to continuous adaptations to clinical requirements and technology improvements. The latest challenge in treatment evaluation is represented by immunomodulatory drugs, capable of stimulating response to cancer by unleashing the immune system of the host. Despite the consolidated consensus on the use of Deauville score and Lugano criteria for the assessment of first-line therapeutic regimens, during other lines of treatment and, particularly, during the course of immunotherapy, response parameters and clinical evidence appear less clear.