Should We Transplant Candidates With a Positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR Test?

Background: It remains unclear whether physicians should accept transplantation offers for candidates with a positive SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction test due to the potential risk of severe infection after initiating immunosuppressive therapy.

Methods: A multicenter observational study was conducted in 19 French solid organ transplantation units. Patients on the waiting list for liver or kidney transplants who had a positive SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction nasopharyngeal swab at the time of transplantation were recorded.

Olaparib, temozolomide and concomitant radiotherapy for partially or biopsy-only glioblastoma first-line treatment: results from the OLA-TMZ-RTE-01 phase 1 study.

Background: Radio-chemotherapy remains the mainstay of glioblastoma first-line treatment after extended surgery, but the prognosis is still poor. PARP inhibitors like olaparib may improve glioblastoma outcomes. We implemented a phase 1-2a trial to assess the safety and efficacy of olaparib combined with standard radio-chemotherapy as a first-line treatment in unresected glioblastoma patients.

MemScreen: A smartphone application for detection of mild cognitive impairment: A validation study: Smartphone App for MCI Detection.

Background And Objectives: Primary care is often the first point of contact for patients with cognitive complaints, making initial cognitive screening an essential step to avoid delays in diagnosing Alzheimer's disease (AD) at an early stage. We developed MemScreen, a self-administered smartphone application that assesses overall cognition and verbal memory, and evaluated its ability to detect mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in both general and clinical populations.

Methods: We conducted two validation cohort studies: (1) UK-based Whitehall II cohort study (13th wave, 2018-2022) involving a general population (MCI defined by poor performance on a global cognitive score), and (2) five French memory clinics involving patients without dementia (amnestic MCI defined by the Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test).

Contribution of rat insular cortex to stimulus-guided action.

Anticipating rewards is fundamental for decision-making. Animals often use cues to assess reward availability and to make predictions about future outcomes. The gustatory region of the insular cortex (IC), the so-called gustatory cortex, has a well-established role in the representation of predictive cues, such that IC neurons encode both a general form of outcome expectation as well as anticipatory outcome-specific knowledge.

Interactions between PEI and biological polyanions and the ability of glycosaminoglycans in destabilizing PEI/peGFP-C3 polyplexes for genetic material release.

The lack of understanding of polyplexes stability and their dissociation mechanisms, allowing the release of DNA, is currently a major limitation in non-viral gene delivery. One proposed mechanism for DNA-based polyplexes dissociation is based on the electrostatic interactions between polycations and biological polyanions, such as glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). This work aimed at investigating whether GAGs such as heparin, chondroitin sulphate and hyaluronic acid promote the dissociation of PEI/DNA polyplexes.

A comparative analysis of risk stratification tools in systemic sclerosis-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension: a EUSTAR analysis.

Objectives: The 2022 European Society of Cardiology and European Respiratory Society (ESC/ERS) Guidelines for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) recommend risk stratification to optimize management. However, the performance of generic PAH risk stratification tools in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc)-associated PAH remains unclear. Our objective was to identify the most accurate approach for risk stratification at SSc-PAH diagnosis.

Initial Results of the Québec Resilience Project (QRP): a Longitudinal and Representative Population-Based Study of Children's Development Prior to and During the COVID-19 Pandemic (2017-2022).

The COVID-19 pandemic instigated changes in almost all aspects of youth's life. While numerous studies have been implemented to understand how these changes are related to youth's development, few concerned large representative samples. This study introduces the methodology and initial results of the Quebec (Canada) Resilience Project (QRP), a representative longitudinal study.

Ejaculation-sparing enucleation of the prostate with Thulium: Yag laser (ES-ThuLEP) versus Thulium Fiber laser (ES-ThuFLEP): outcomes on sexual function.

Purpose: To compare the effect on sexual function of ejaculation-sparing enucleation of the prostate using Thulium: YAG laser (ES-ThuLEP) versus continuous-wave Thulium Fiber Laser (ES-ThuFLEP).

Methods: 112 patients with lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia who wished to preserve ejaculation were treated. 58 patients underwent ES-ThuLEP (Group A) using the Cyber TM generator.

Minimally invasive compared to open surgery in patients with low-risk cervical cancer following simple hysterectomy: An exploratory analysis from the Gynegologic Cancer Intergroup/Canadian Cancer Trials Group CX.5/SHAPE trial.

Objective: The Laparoscopic Approach to Cervical Cancer trial demonstrated that minimally invasive radical hysterectomy was associated with worse disease-free survival and overall survival among women with early-stage cervical cancer. It is unknown whether this applies to patients with low-risk disease following simple hysterectomy.

Methods: Among patients who underwent simple hysterectomy in the Simple Hysterectomy And PElvic node assessment trial, univariate and multivariate Cox models were used to assess the association of minimally invasive versus open surgery with clinical outcomes, including pelvic and extra-pelvic recurrence-free survival, overall recurrence-free survival, and overall survival.

Relapsed Philadelphia chromosome-positive B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia responds well to a combination of modified hyper-CVAD, blinatumomab and tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Introduction: Adults with relapsed or refractory Philadelphia chromosome-positive B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (R/R Ph+ BCP-ALL) have a dismal outcome. Blinatumomab as a single agent has shown activity in R/R Ph- BCP-ALL, and second or third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) can produce high remission rates in Ph+ leukaemias. We aimed to assess the activity of blinatumomab and TKI in combination with intensive chemotherapy in the relapsed or refractory setting.

Does the transfer of knowledge from the pioneer generation to the second-generation speed-up the learning curve of robot-assisted partial nephrectomies? TRANSFER trial (UroCCR n°83).

Objectives: The objective is to compare the learning curves between two pioneer and three second-generation surgeons for RAPN in terms of WIT, CD and positive surgical margins.

Materials And Methods: The charts of consecutive RAPNs of three centres were reviewed from the UroCCR prospective database. The experience was assessed by a regression model for each group.

Evaluation of professional practices in the use of mexiletine for the management of childhood myotonia in French pediatric neuromuscular centers (MEXI-PEDI survey).

Background: Myotonia is the main feature of both myotonic dystrophy (DM) and non-dystrophic myotonia (NDM). It is felt as stiffness, pain, fatigue, and weakness. In France, mexiletine, a non-selective voltage-gated sodium channel blocker, is approved for the treatment of myotonia in adults with NDM, and it has a temporary recommendation for use in the symptomatic treatment of DM in adults.

Antibiotics use decreases survival in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Introduction: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have become the first-line therapy in patients with advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). Antibiotics (ATB) have been reported to reduce ICI response in cancers, but this has not been evaluated in cSCC.

Aim: To evaluate ATB exposure at the onset of ICI in cSCC patients and to analyze its impact on outcome.

Outcome of high-grade B-cell lymphoma compared to other large B-cell lymphoma after CAR-T rescue. A DESCAR-T LYSA study.

High-grade-B-cell lymphoma (HGBL) with MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 rearrangements (double hit [HGBL-DH] or triple hit [HGBL-TH]), or not otherwise specified (HGBL-NOS), are considered to be more aggressive diseases among large B-cell lymphomas (LBCL). CD19-targeting Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cells have changed the prognosis of chemoresistant LBCL. Clinical and pathological data of patients treated for relapsed/refractory LBCL or HGBL in third line or more, all characterized by FISH, were collected from the French DESCAR-T registry.

Comparison of two strategies of glucocorticoid withdrawal in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in low disease activity (STAR): a randomised, placebo- controlled, double-blind trial.

Objectives: To compare two strategies-a hydrocortisone replacement strategy and a prednisone tapering strategy-for their success in glucocorticoid discontinuation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with low disease activity (LDA).

Methods: The Strategies for glucocorticoid TApering in Rheumatoid arthritis (STAR) study was a double- blind, double-placebo randomised controlled trial including patients with RA receiving a stable dose of glucocorticoid 5 mg/day for ≥3 months and were in LDA for ≥3 months. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either replace prednisone with 20 mg/day of hydrocortisone for 3 months, then reduce to 10 mg/day for 3 months before discontinuation or to taper prednisone by 1 mg/day every month until complete discontinuation, contingent on maintaining LDA.

First report of privet leaf blotch-associated virus (PLBaV) infecting lilac ( L.) in France.

Privet leaf blotch-associated virus (PLBaV) is an Idaeovirus discovered by high-throughput sequencing (HTS) in privet (Ligustrum japonicum L) in southern Italy in 2017 (Navarro et al., 2017). In privet, it causes a leaf blotch disease with yellowish or whitish chlorotic blotches or ringspots.

Using DIMet for Differential Analysis of Labeled Metabolomics Data: A Step-by-step Guide Showcasing the Glioblastoma Metabolism.

Stable-isotope resolved metabolomics (SIRM) is a powerful approach for characterizing metabolic states in cells and organisms. By incorporating isotopes, such as C, into substrates, researchers can trace reaction rates across specific metabolic pathways. Integrating metabolomics data with gene expression profiles further enriches the analysis, as we demonstrated in our prior study on glioblastoma metabolic symbiosis.

Real-world usage and effectiveness of recombinant factor IX Fc in haemophilia B from the B-SURE study in France.

Background: More real-world data are needed to complement existing phase III studies on the efficacy and safety of recombinant factor IX Fc fusion protein (rFIXFc) in people with haemophilia B.

Objectives: We report final data from the B-SURE study, evaluating the real-world usage and effectiveness of rFIXFc in France.

Methods: Previously treated patients (all ages/severities) received on-demand or prophylactic rFIXFc during B-SURE.

How Do Computational Models in the Cognitive and Brain Sciences Explain?

The nature of explanation is an important area of inquiry in philosophy of science. Consensus has been that explanation in the cognitive and brain sciences is typically a special case of causal explanation, specifically, mechanistic explanation. But recently there has been increased attention to computational explanation in the brain sciences and to whether that can be understood as a variety of mechanistic explanation.

The oral and maxillofacial manifestations of Stickler syndrome: a systematic review.

Introduction: Stickler syndrome is a rare genetic collagen disorder known for its ophthalmological abnormalities. However, there are several other associated facial features. The aim of this study is to review the literature on the various oral and maxillofacial manifestations of Stickler syndrome.

Acute Nonsustained Mitral Isthmus Block Obtained With Sphere-9 Lattice-Tip Catheter Completed With Vein of Marshall Ethanol Infusion.

Background: Achieving a durable mitral line block using radiofrequency as a part of an anatomical approach for ablation in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation or for treating peri-mitral flutter has always been challenging due to the complex anatomy of the mitral isthmus. Epicardial ablation via the coronary sinus and the vein of Marshall has been proposed to help create durable lesions. Recently, a novel lattice-tip catheter using pulsed field ablation has shown promising results for creating mitral lines, despite limited data.