Which and How Many Patients Should Be Included in Randomised Controlled Trials to Demonstrate the Efficacy of Biologics in Primary Sjögren's Syndrome?

Objective: The goal of this study was to determine how the choice of the primary endpoint influenced sample size estimates in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of treatments for primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS).

Methods: We reviewed all studies evaluating biotechnological therapies in pSS to identify their inclusion criteria and primary endpoints. Then, in a large cohort (ASSESS), we determined the proportion of patients who would be included in RCTs using various inclusion criteria sets.

Development of a risk stratification algorithm to improve patient-centered care and decision making for incident elderly patients with end-stage renal disease.

A significant number of elderly patients die during their first 3 months of dialysis. Because dialysis can impair the quality of both life and death, a personalized care plan based on both early prognosis and patient choices is required. We developed a prognostic screening tool to identify older patients in need of specific care based on a multidisciplinary approach.

Registration on the renal transplantation waiting list and mortality on dialysis: an analysis of the French REIN registry using a multi-state model.

Background: Access to the renal transplantation (RT) waiting list depends on factors related to lower mortality rates and often occurs after dialysis initiation. The aim of the study was to use a flexible regression model to determine if registration on the RT waiting list is associated with mortality on dialysis, independent of the comorbidities associated with such registration.

Methods: Data from the French REIN registry on 7138 incident hemodialysis (HD) patients were analyzed.

Anti-sRAGE autoimmunity in obesity: downturn after bariatric surgery is independent of previous diabetic status.

Aim: Morbid obesity increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) is implicated in proinflammatory processes that underlie CVD. Its soluble form (sRAGE) has been proposed as a vascular biomarker.

Increased expression of Aquaporin 4 in the rat hippocampus and cortex during trimethyltin-induced neurodegeneration.

Trimethyltin chloride (TMT) is a neurotoxicant producing neuronal degeneration and reactive astrogliosis in the mammalian central nervous system, especially the hippocampus. A previous magnetic resonance imaging investigation in TMT-treated rats evidenced dilation of lateral ventricles, also suggesting alterations in blood-brain barrier permeability and brain edema. Aquaporin 4 (AQP4), a glial water channel protein expressed mainly in the nervous system, is considered a specific marker of vascular permeability and thought to play an important role in brain edema (conditions).

Extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 5 modulates the antioxidant response by transcriptionally controlling Sirtuin 1 expression in leukemic cells.

Cancer cell metabolism differs from that of non-transformed cells in the same tissue. This specific metabolism gives tumor cells growing advantages besides the effect in increasing anabolism. One of these advantages is immune evasion mediated by a lower expression of the mayor histocompatibility complex class I molecules.

Glycation: the angiogenic paradox in aging and age-related disorders and diseases.

Angiogenesis is generally a quiescent process which, however, may be modified by different physiological and pathological conditions. The "angiogenic paradox" has been described in diabetes because this disease impairs the angiogenic response in a manner that differs depending on the organs involved and disease evolution. Aging is also associated with pro- and antiangiogenic processes.

Association of breakfast consumption with objectively measured and self-reported physical activity, sedentary time and physical fitness in European adolescents: the HELENA (Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence) Study.

Objective: To examine the association of breakfast consumption with objectively measured and self-reported physical activity, sedentary time and physical fitness.

Design: The HELENA (Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence) Cross-Sectional Study. Breakfast consumption was assessed by two non-consecutive 24 h recalls and by a 'Food Choices and Preferences' questionnaire.

Soluble form of receptor for advanced glycation end-products (sRAGE): do sRAGE ligands or anti-sRAGE auto-antibodies interfere with sRAGE quantification?

Background: The soluble form of the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (sRAGE) has been studied in various diseases. It is not clear why sRAGE levels vary between studies, with controversial results. What also remains to be determined is whether receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) ligands could affect sRAGE assessment by epitope masking.

PPARgamma-dependent and -independent effects of rosiglitazone on lipotoxic human pancreatic islets.

We explored the in vitro effects of Rosiglitazone (RZG), a PPARgamma agonist, on human pancreatic islet dysfunctions induced by chronic free fatty acid exposure. We demonstrated that RZG beneficial effects on insulin secretion and apoptosis did not imply PDX-1 or insulin gene modulation. It rather involved, through a PPARgamma-dependent mechanism, a reduction of iNOS overexpressed in lipotoxic islets.

E-learning for students in their first year: a French experimentation at the medical school of Grenoble.

A local study carried out in the Medical School of Grenoble shows that teaching in the first year in medicine studies satisfies neither the students, nor the teachers. The Faculty of Medicine of Grenoble decided to set up a reform in order to offer a high quality education. This reform leads to a complete reorganization of the curriculum and to the intensive use of new information and communication technologies of information, in particular, the use of multimedia documents.

The farnesoid X receptor modulates hepatic carbohydrate metabolism during the fasting-refeeding transition.

The liver plays a central role in the control of blood glucose homeostasis by maintaining a balance between glucose production and utilization. The farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a bile acid-activated nuclear receptor. Hepatic FXR expression is regulated by glucose and insulin.

Glucose regulates the expression of the farnesoid X receptor in liver.

An increased prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia and gallbladder disease occurs in patients with diabetes or insulin resistance. Hypertriglyceridemia is positively associated to gall bladder disease risk. The farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a bile acid-activated nuclear receptor that plays a key role in bile acid and triglyceride homeostasis.