Three Rounds of External Quality Assessment in France to Evaluate the Performance of 28 Platforms for Multiparametric Molecular Testing in Metastatic Colorectal and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Personalized medicine has gained increasing importance in clinical oncology, and several clinically important biomarkers are implemented in routine practice. In an effort to guarantee high quality of molecular testing in France, three subsequent external quality assessment rounds were organized at the initiative of the National Cancer Institute between 2012 and 2014. The schemes included clinically relevant biomarkers for metastatic colorectal (KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA, microsatellite instability) and non-small cell lung cancer (EGFR, KRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA, ERBB2), and they represent the first multigene/multicancer studies throughout Europe.

Genome-Wide Association Study of Event-Free Survival in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Treated With Immunochemotherapy.

Purpose: We performed a multistage genome-wide association study to identify inherited genetic variants that predict outcome in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients treated with immunochemotherapy.

Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis of two genome-wide association study data sets, one from the LNH2003B trial (N = 540), a prospective clinical trial from the Lymphoma Study Association, and the other from the Molecular Epidemiology Resource study (N = 312), a prospective observational study from the University of Iowa-Mayo Clinic Lymphoma Specialized Program of Research Excellence. Top single nucleotide polymorphisms were then genotyped in independent cohorts of patients from the Specialized Program of Research Excellence (N = 391) and the Groupe Ouest-Est des Leucémies Aiguës et Maladies du Sang (GOELAMS) -075 randomized trial (N = 294).

Baseline Characteristics and Prognostic Implications of Pre-Existing and New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: Results From the FRANCE-2 Registry.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients with pre-existing atrial fibrillation (AF) and of patients who presented with new-onset AF after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Background: Little is known regarding the impact of AF after TAVI.

Methods: The FRANCE-2 registry included all patients undergoing TAVI (N = 3,933) in France in 2010 and 2011.

Clinical outcomes of right-lobe split-liver versus orthotopic liver transplants from donors more than 70 years old.

Context-The imbalance between the organ supply and the number of potential transplant recipients led to consideration of expanded-criteria liver donors. Objective-To compare right-lobe split-liver transplants (RL-SLTs) with orthotopic liver transplants (OLTs) from donors more than 70 years old (OLT-O) and OLTs from donors less than 55 years old (OLT-Y). Methods-Seventy-one patients who received an RL-SLT were matched for age, sex, and Model for End-stage Liver Disease score with 71 patients who underwent OLT-O and 142 patients who underwent OLT-Y.

Treatment of HIV-Infected Subjects with Buttock Lipoatrophy Using Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid Gel.

This prospective study explored effectiveness and safety of Macrolane VRF30 for treatment of buttock lipoatrophy in HIV-infected subjects. Ten subjects who were unable to sit for more than 30 minutes because of pain were injected with a mean of 276 mL and followed for 18 months. The pain score was reduced, and the time that subjects could sit was increased at least up to 9 months post treatment.

Distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility of bacteria from adults with community-acquired pneumonia or complicated skin and soft tissue infections in France: the nationwide French PREMIUM study.

The empirical therapy of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and complicated skin and soft tissue infections (cSSTIs) must be based on updated bacterial distribution and susceptibility data. A nationwide study consecutively collected 1288 isolates from CAP (n=467) and cSSTIs (n=821) from 18 French hospitals between 2012 and 2013. The MIC values of commonly used antimicrobial agents, including ceftaroline, were determined.

STRATEGIC-1: A multiple-lines, randomized, open-label GERCOR phase III study in patients with unresectable wild-type RAS metastatic colorectal cancer.

Background: The management of unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is a comprehensive treatment strategy involving several lines of therapy, maintenance, salvage surgery, and treatment-free intervals. Besides chemotherapy (fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, irinotecan), molecular-targeted agents such as anti-angiogenic agents (bevacizumab, aflibercept, regorafenib) and anti-epidermal growth factor receptor agents (cetuximab, panitumumab) have become available. Ultimately, given the increasing cost of new active compounds, new strategy trials are needed to define the optimal use and the best sequencing of these agents.

Individual-patient meta-analysis of three randomized trials comparing endovascular versus open repair for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Background: The benefits of endovascular repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm remain controversial, without any strong evidence about advantages in specific subgroups.

Methods: An individual-patient data meta-analysis of three recent randomized trials of endovascular versus open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm was conducted according to a prespecified analysis plan, reporting on results to 90 days after the index event.

Results: The trials included a total of 836 patients.

Ceramic-on-ceramic THA associated with fewer dislocations and less muscle degeneration by preserving muscle progenitors.

Background: Dislocation is a common complication after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Although the etiology of dislocation is multifactorial, longer-term changes in muscle such as atrophy may influence the risk of prosthetic dislocation. Biological differences in wear products generated by different bearing surfaces may influence differences in the appearance of periarticular muscle after THA; however, such bearing-associated differences to our knowledge have not been studied in vivo, and few studies have evaluated bearing-associated differences in dislocation risk.

Ruptured Aneurysm Trials: The Importance of Longer-term Outcomes and Meta-analysis for 1-year Mortality.

Objective: To assess current knowledge for the management of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), based on the 1-year outcomes of 3 recent randomised trials.

Methods: An individual patient data meta-analysis of three recent randomised trials of endovascular versus open repair, including 817 patients, was conducted according to a pre-specified analysis plan, report all-cause mortality and re-interventions at 1 year after the index event.

Results: Mortality across the 3 trials at 1-year was 38.

Comparison of outcomes after one-versus-two transcatheter aortic valve implantation during a same procedure (from the FRANCE2 Registry).

Analysis of the causes, outcomes, and mortality of patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis requiring the implantation of 2 valves during transcatheter aortic valve implantation was conducted from the French Aortic National CoreValve and Edwards 2 (FRANCE2) registry. Pre- and postprocedural data from 3,919 patients from January 2010 to December 2011 (CoreValve or Edwards) were collated and analyzed. Characteristics of patients requiring immediate second valve procedures were compared with those of the other patients.

Reduced levels of mesenchymal stem cells at the tendon-bone interface tuberosity in patients with symptomatic rotator cuff tear.

Purpose: While the use of bone marrow concentrate (BMC) has been described in the treatment of rotator cuff tears, the impact of a rotator cuff injury on the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) content present in the human shoulder has not been determined, especially with regard to changes in the levels of MSCs at the tendon-bone interface. With the hypothesis that there was a decreased level of MSCs at the tendon-bone interface tuberosity in patients with rotator cuff tear, we assessed the level of MSCs in the tuberosity of the shoulder of patients undergoing a rotator cuff repair.

Methods: We analysed the data of 125 patients with symptomatic rotator cuff tears and of 75 control patients without rotator cuff injury.

Cardiac findings and events observed in an open-label clinical trial of tafamidis in patients with non-Val30Met and non-Val122Ile hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis.

A phase 2, open-label study in 21 patients with non-Val30Met and non-Val122Ile hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis showed that tafamidis (20 mg daily for 12 months) stabilized these transthyretin variants. We assessed cardiac amyloid infiltration and cardiac abnormalities in this same study population. At baseline, median age was 64.

Determinants of improved one-year survival in non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients: insights from the French FAST-MI program over 15 years.

Background: Improved early outcome in non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients has been mainly attributed to a broader use of invasive strategies. Little is known about the impact of other changes in early management.

Methods: We aimed to assess 15-year trends in one-year mortality and their determinants in NSTEMI patients.

The serotonin-N-acetylserotonin-melatonin pathway as a biomarker for autism spectrum disorders.

Elevated whole-blood serotonin and decreased plasma melatonin (a circadian synchronizer hormone that derives from serotonin) have been reported independently in patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Here, we explored, in parallel, serotonin, melatonin and the intermediate N-acetylserotonin (NAS) in a large cohort of patients with ASD and their relatives. We then investigated the clinical correlates of these biochemical parameters.

The effect of defasciculating doses of pancuronium and atracurium on succinylcholine neuromuscular blockade.

Background: A defasciculating dose of non-depolarizing muscle relaxant administered prior succinylcholine decrease its side effects including fasciculations and postoperative myalgias; however it is believed that the dosage of succinylcholine should be increased when such a pre-treatment is used.

Objectives: We hypothesized that a defasciculating dose of pancuronium as a pre-treatment could prolong its duration of effect.

Patients And Methods: Forty patients scheduled for elective orthopaedic surgery were consecutively assigned into 5 groups, a first group without pre-treatment (succinylcholine 1 mg/kg) and 4 subsequent groups of pretreatment with atracurium 0.

Recurrent RAS and PIK3CA mutations in Erdheim-Chester disease.

Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare histiocytic disorder that is challenging to diagnose and treat. We performed molecular analysis of BRAF in the largest cohort of ECD patients studied to date followed by N/KRAS, PIK3CA, and AKT1 mutational analysis in BRAF wild-type patients. Forty-six of 80 (57.

Hemodynamic effects of Ivabradine in addition to dobutamine in patients with severe systolic dysfunction.

Background: Dobutamine induced tachycardia increases myocardial oxygen consumption and impairs ventricular filling. We hypothesized that Ivabradine may be efficient to control dobutamine induced tachycardia.

Methods: We assessed the effects of Ivabradine in addition to dobutamine in stable heart failure (HF) patients (LVEF < 35%, n = 22, test population) and validated its effects in refractory cardiogenic shock patients (n = 9, validation population) with contraindication to cardiac assistance or transplant.

A prospective observational study assessing home parenteral nutrition in patients with gastrointestinal cancer: benefits for quality of life.

Context: Patients with gastrointestinal cancer are at high risk for deterioration of nutrition. Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) could improve nutritional status and quality of life (QoL).

Objectives: The purpose of this study was 1) to evaluate the impact of HPN on QoL, 2) to assess changes in nutritional status, and 3) to assess proxy perception of patient well-being.

Update in the diagnosis and management of transthyretin familial amyloid polyneuropathy.

Transthyretin familial amyloid polyneuropathy (TTR-FAP) is a progressive neurodegenerative and systemic genetic disease first identified in Portugal, now reported worldwide. During the past few years our knowledge on the phenotypic presentation of this devastating condition has remarkably expanded including a wide variation in age of onset, different neuropathic patterns and patients presenting with isolated or predominant cardiac involvement. Liver transplantation, the first therapeutic approach, although invasive, has been shown to halt the progression of the neuropathy in young onset patients.

Results and factors affecting early outcome of fenestrated and/or branched stent grafts for aortic aneurysms: a multicenter prospective study.

Objective: To present results and to identify predictive factors of early outcome after fenestrated and/or branched endovascular repair (f/b-EVAR) for complex aortic aneurysms, abdominal (AAA) and thoracoabdominal (TAAA).

Background: Feasibility of f/b-EVAR for complex aneurysms is now established, but little is known about which patients will benefit from this technique.

Methods: Univariate and multivariate analysis of preoperative and intraoperative factors on postoperative mortality and complications was performed on 268 patients (group 1: juxta- and pararenal AAA; group 2: suprarenal and TAAA IV; group 3: TAAA I, II, III) enrolled in a prospective multicenter trial of f/b-EVAR.