A 12-year follow-up of intestinal schistosomiasis in pre-school-aged children in Assoni Village, Eastern Senegal.

Background: To monitor the prevalence of schistosomiasis in school-aged children (SAC), the National Bilharzia Control Program (PNLB) was set up by the Senegalese authorities; however, geographically isolated Bedik ethnic groups that did not benefit from this program were found to be heavily infected with Schistosoma mansoni. This observation led us to implement a new schistosomiasis control program in 2008 under the aegis of the non-governmental organization "Le Kaïcedrat" and in partnership with the PNLB/WHO to monitor the prevalence of schistosomiasis in this area. In the village of Assoni, where 100% of SAC were infected, analysis of the stools of pre-school-aged children (PSAC) showed that they were massively infected, so we decided to focus our program on them.

Leiomyosarcoma of the superior vena cava.

Leiomyosarcoma of the superior vena cava is a very rare tumor and only a few cases have been reported, with various techniques of vascular reconstruction. We describe a new case of leiomyosarcoma of the superior vena cava in a 61-year-old woman with extension to the brachiocephalic arterial trunk. Resection and vascular reconstruction were performed using, respectively, polytetrafluoroethylene and polyethylene terephtalate vascular grafts.

Management and decision-making process leading to coronary angiography and revascularization in octogenarians with coronary artery disease: Insights from a large single-center registry.

Aims: Cardiovascular diseases remain the most common cause of death in older adults. Guidelines state that advanced age alone should not limit the use of invasive therapy. However, coronary angiograms and subsequent revascularization are often not carried out in octogenarians.

A simulator-based study of in-flight auscultation.

Introduction: The use of a stethoscope is essential to the delivery of continuous, supportive en route care during aeromedical evacuations. We compared the capability of 2 stethoscopes (electronic, Litmann 3000; conventional, Litmann Cardiology III) at detecting pathologic heart and lung sounds, aboard a C135, a medical transport aircraft.

Methods: Sounds were mimicked using a mannequin-based simulator SimMan.

Vascular complications following total hip arthroplasty: a case study and a review of the literature.

Vascular complications after total hip arthroplasty (THA) are rare but represent a real risk. The diversity of clinical presentations can make diagnosis difficult. They could manifest as an immediate and acute hemorrhage or subsequent ischemia.

Total thyroidectomy for amiodarone-associated thyrotoxicosis: should surgery always be delayed for pre-operative medical preparation?

Objective: Amiodarone can induce severe hyperthyroidism that justifies its withdrawal and the introduction of antithyroid drugs. Continuing amiodarone use, failure to control hyperthyroidism and poor clinical progress may require thyroidectomy. This study aimed to evaluate patients' post-operative development and mid-term outcome after thyroidectomy for amiodarone-associated thyrotoxicosis.

Multiple tuberculous aneurysms of the aorta.

Tuberculous aneurysms of the aorta are quite rare, but are exceptional when found in multiple locations. We report the case of multiple tuberculous aortic aneurysms of the thoracic and abdominal aorta in a 19-year-old female discovered when she consulted for thrombocytopenic purpura. The treatment for both locations included prolonged antituberculous therapy and surgical resection with cryopreserved aortic allograft patch for the reconstruction.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome: performance of ventilator at simulated altitude.

Background: Ventilation of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a challenge, and there is definitely a need for lack of variations between delivered and set tidal volume (Vt). We have assessed the ability of the ventilator T-birdVS02 and LTV-1000 to deliver to a lung model with ARDS a set Vt at different simulated altitudes.

Methods: We used a decompression chamber to mimic the hypobaric environment at a range of simulated cabin altitudes of 1,500, 2,500, and 3,000 m (4,000, 6,670, and 8,000 feet, respectively).

Audit of protocols for treatment of paediatric burns in emergency departments in the Île de France.

Introduction: The main purpose of this study was to establish the existence and accuracy of protocols for treatment of children with burns in emergency departments (EDs) across the Île de France. In addition, we also analysed the incidence of paediatric burns.

Methods: A postal questionnaire was sent to 91 EDs in the Île de France.

Acute severe asthma: performance of ventilator at simulated altitude.

Objective: Exacerbation of asthma can be seen during air transport. Severe patients, not responding to conventional therapy, require ventilator support. We evaluated the performance of two transport ventilators, built with turbine technology, the T-birdVSO2 and the LTV-1000, for use during aeromedical evacuation of acute severe asthma.

In flight auscultation: comparison of electronic and conventional stethoscopes.

Objectives: The ability to auscultate during air medical transport is compromised by high ambient noise levels. The aim of this study was to assess the capabilities of a traditional and an amplified stethoscope (which is expected to reduce background and ambient noise) to assess heart and breath sounds during medical transport in a Falcon 50 plane.

Methods: A prospective, double-blind, randomized study was performed.

High and typical 18F-FDG bowel uptake in patients treated with metformin.

Purpose: This prospective and bi-centric study was conducted in order to determine the impact of antidiabetic treatments (AD) on (18)F-FDG bowel uptake in type 2 diabetic patients.

Methods: Fifty-five patients with previously diagnosed and treated type 2 diabetes mellitus (group 1) were divided in two subgroups: AD treatment including metformin (n=32; group 1a) and AD treatment excluding metformin (n=23; group 1b). The 95 patients without diabetes mellitus made up controls (group 2).

Validation of single real-time TaqMan PCR assay for the detection and quantitation of four major genotypes of hepatitis E virus in clinical specimens.

Since the characterization of the genome of the hepatitis E virus (HEV) in 1990, a large genetic diversity has been described. A single real-time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR assay with TaqMan technology has been validated which uses only one set of primers and probe within the ORF2 HEV region (nt 5207-5292) for the detection and quantification of the four major genotypes of HEV. This assay proved to be as efficient as the conventional RT-PCR methodology for the detection of HEV in clinical samples testing positive previously.

Genetic heterogeneity of hepatitis E virus in Darfur, Sudan, and neighboring Chad.

The within-outbreak diversity of hepatitis E virus (HEV) was studied during the outbreak of hepatitis E that occurred in Sudan in 2004. Specimens were collected from internally displaced persons living in a Sudanese refugee camp and two camps implanted in Chad. A comparison of the sequences in the ORF2 region of 23 Sudanese isolates and five HEV samples from the two Chadian camps displayed a high similarity (>99.