Baclofen in the management of cannabis dependence syndrome.

Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug in the world. However, only few studies have shown the efficacy of pharmacologic agents in targeting cannabis withdrawal symptoms or reducing the reinforcing effects of cannabis. Baclofen has been shown to reduce cannabis withdrawal symptoms and the subjective effects of cannabis.

Structural and functional reorganization of working memory system during the first decade in schizophrenia. A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Progressive atrophy occurs in brain regions involved in the working memory network along the schizophrenia's course, but without parallel evolution of working memory impairment. We investigated the functional organization inside this network at different stages of the disease.

Methods: Twenty-eight patients with schizophrenia (16 with long disease duration (>60 months) and 12 with short disease duration (<60 months)) and eleven healthy controls underwent structural and functional MRI during an n-back task to determine atrophy and activation patterns.

Hormonal therapy is associated with better self-esteem, mood, and quality of life in transsexuals.

Few studies have assessed the role of cross-sex hormones on psychological outcomes during the period of hormonal therapy preceding sex reassignment surgery in transsexuals. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between hormonal therapy, self-esteem, depression, quality of life (QoL), and global functioning. This study incorporated a cross-sectional design.

Telemedicine and type 1 diabetes: is technology per se sufficient to improve glycaemic control?

Aim: In the TELEDIAB-1 study, the Diabeo system (a smartphone coupled to a website) improved HbA1c by 0.9% vs controls in patients with chronic, poorly controlled type 1 diabetes. The system provided two main functions: automated advice on the insulin doses required; and remote monitoring by teleconsultation.

Maintenance transcranial magnetic stimulation reduces depression relapse: a propensity-adjusted analysis.

Background: The effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is well established while studies of maintenance TMS are lacking. We aim here to determine whether maintenance is associated to a decrease in the relapse rate of depression, following successful acute treatment.

Methods: We enrolled 59 consecutive patients with pharmacoresistant depression who have responded (>50% decrease in symptom severity) up to 6 weeks of acute TMS treatment.

Patient satisfaction with psychotropic drugs: Validation of the PAtient SAtisfaction with Psychotropic (PASAP) scale in patients with bipolar disorder.

Purpose: The PAtient SAtisfaction with Psychotropic (PASAP) scale is a self-completed questionnaire measuring satisfaction with psychotropic medication. The aim of the study was to describe its development in French and its psychometric properties.

Materials And Methods: Scale construction was based on an extensive search of the literature.

High levels of psychopathic traits alters moral choice but not moral judgment.

Psychopathy is a personality disorder frequently associated with immoral behaviors. Previous behavioral studies on the influence of psychopathy on moral decision have yielded contradictory results, possibly because they focused either on judgment (abstract evaluation) or on choice of hypothetical action, two processes that may rely on different mechanisms. In this study, we explored the influence of the level of psychopathic traits on judgment and choice of hypothetical action during moral dilemma evaluation.

Discrepancies between Judgment and Choice of Action in Moral Dilemmas.

Everyone has experienced the potential discrepancy between what one judges as morally acceptable and what one actually does when a choice between alternative behaviors is to be made. The present study explores empirically whether judgment and choice of action differ when people make decisions on dilemmas involving moral issues. Two hundred and forty participants evaluated 24 moral and non-moral dilemmas either by judging ("Is it acceptable to…") or reporting the choice of action they would make ("Would you do…").

Self-reported quality of life measure is reliable and valid in adult patients suffering from schizophrenia with executive impairment.

Background: Impaired executive functions are among the most widely observed in patients suffering from schizophrenia. The use of self-reported outcomes for evaluating treatment and managing care of these patients has been questioned. The aim of this study was to provide new evidence about the suitability of self-reported outcome for use in this specific population by exploring the internal structure, reliability and external validity of a specific quality of life (QoL) instrument, the Schizophrenia Quality of Life questionnaire (SQoL18).

Intentional weight loss in older adults: useful or wasting disease generating strategy?

Purpose Of Review: Strategies for weight management in older adults remain controversial as overweight may protect them against mortality whereas weight loss may have harmful effects by promoting sarcopenia and bone loss. It has been suggested that weight management for obese older adults should focus more on maintaining weight and improving physical function than promoting weight loss. This review aims to specify whether intentional weight loss in older adults is a useful or a wasting disease generating strategy.

Left temporopolar impairment in a case of posttraumatic hypersomnia.

We report a focal morphofunctional brain impairment within the left temporopolar cortex in a patient with a posttraumatic hypersomnia. This case may contribute to better understanding the possible pathophysiological mechanism for posttraumatic hypersomnia.

Are cardiovascular risk factors associated with verbal learning and memory impairment in patients with schizophrenia? A cross-sectional study.

Objective. The aim of this study is to assess the relationships of cardiovascular risk factors with verbal learning and memory in patients with schizophrenia. Methods and Design.

Is hormonal therapy associated with better quality of life in transsexuals? A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Although the impact of sex reassignment surgery on the self-reported outcomes of transsexuals has been largely described, the data available regarding the impact of hormone therapy on the daily lives of these individuals are scarce.

Aims: The objectives of this study were to assess the relationship between hormonal therapy and the self-reported quality of life (QoL) in transsexuals while taking into account the key confounding factors and to compare the QoL levels between transsexuals who have, vs. those who have not, undergone cross-sex hormone therapy as well as between transsexuals and the general population (French age- and sex-matched controls).

Predictive value of brain perfusion SPECT for rTMS response in pharmacoresistant depression.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the predictive value of whole-brain voxel-based regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) for repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) response in patients with pharmacoresistant depression.

Methods: Thirty-three right-handed patients who met DSM-IV criteria for major depressive disorder (unipolar or bipolar depression) were included before rTMS. rTMS response was defined as at least 50% reduction in the baseline Beck Depression Inventory scores.

The Schizophrenia Caregiver Quality of Life questionnaire (S-CGQoL): development and validation of an instrument to measure quality of life of caregivers of individuals with schizophrenia.

Objective: This study aims to validate a self-administered, multidimensional QoL instrument based on the point of view of caregivers of individuals with schizophrenia.

Methods: Data were collected through the departments of six psychiatric hospitals in France (n=246). The item reduction and validation processes were based on both item response theory and classical test theory.

The integrated place of tracheobronchial stents in the multidisciplinary management of large post-pneumonectomy fistulas: our experience using a novel customised conical self-expandable metallic stent.

Background: Stump dehiscence after pneumonectomy is a cause of morbidity and mortality in patients treated for non-small-cell lung carcinoma. Surgical repair remains the treatment of choice but can be postponed or contraindicated. Bronchoscopic techniques may be an option with curative intent or as a bridge towards definitive surgery.

Massive hemoptysis: an update on the role of bronchoscopy in diagnosis and management.

Hemoptysis is frequently encountered in clinical practice, and may be the presenting symptom of a number of diseases. Although massive hemoptysis accounts for only 5-15% of episodes, it should always be considered as a life-threatening condition that warrants effective assessment and management. In this article, we review the literature with regard to the definition, etiology, epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of massive hemoptysis, with special emphasis on the role of bronchoscopy as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool.

Extracapsular lymph node involvement is a negative prognostic factor after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced esophageal cancer.

Introduction: To assess prognosis depending on whether lymph node involvement (LNI) is intracapsular or with extracapsular breakthrough in patients with a locally advanced esophageal cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation and surgery.

Methods: Ninety-four consecutive patients with an esophageal cancer staged IIB (n = 17) and III (n = 77) received neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by transthoracic esophagectomy with two-field lymphadenectomy. Histology was squamous cell carcinoma (n = 46) and adenocarcinoma (n = 48).

On-site customization of silicone stents: towards optimal palliation of complex airway conditions.

Background: Stents may be indicated as treatment of benign and malignant conditions of the central airways. Occasionally, aberrant and/or distorted airways secondary to therapy or surgery may preclude the use of commercially manufactured stents. The customization of stents is well described for nonpulmonary diseases, but to date there are only limited data in the literature on prosthesis customization for airway disease.

Long-term results of redo gastro-esophageal reflux disease surgery.

Objective: To review the long-term results of redo gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) surgery with special emphasis on residual acid-suppressing medications, pH monitoring results, and quality of life.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of 52 patients (24 males) who underwent redo GERD surgery between 1986 and 2006 through a transthoracic (n=14), or a transabdominal (n=38) approach. Indications were recurrent GERD in 41 patients, and complication of the initial surgery in 11.

Airway colonisation and postoperative pulmonary complications after neoadjuvant therapy for oesophageal cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical relevance of preoperative airway colonisation in patients undergoing oesophagectomy for cancer after a neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

Methods: From 1998 to 2005, 117 patients received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for advanced stage oesophageal cancer. Among them, 45 non-randomised patients underwent a bronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL group) prior to surgery to assess airways colonisation.

Management of invasive juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas: the role of a multimodality approach.

Objective: Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas involving the cranial base and intracranial compartment are challenging tumors. We reviewed our experience of these tumors and analyzed the efficacy of a multimodality management.

Methods: Between 1981 and 2000, 15 extensive juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas (Fisch Grade III or IV) were treated at our institution.