The ribonucleotide reductase large subunit (RRM1) as a predictive factor in patients with cancer.

The large subunit of human ribonucleotide reductase, RRM1, is involved in the regulation of cell proliferation, cell migration, tumour and metastasis development, and the synthesis of deoxyribonucleotides for DNA synthesis. It is also a cellular target for the chemotherapeutic agent, gemcitabine. RRM1 has been studied in a large number of patients with different types of cancer, such as non-small-cell lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, and biliary tract cancer, to establish its prognostic or predictive value when patients were treated with gemcitabine, and mRNA expression and genetic variants as determined by genotyping have in some cases been associated with clinical outcome of patients with cancer.

Focused visual attention distorts distance perception away from the attentional locus.

Several lines of evidence show that visual perception is altered at the locus of visual attention: detection is faster, performance better and spatial resolution increased. It is however not known whether attention can affect visual perception further away from its locus. In the present study, we specifically question whether and how visual attention influences spatial perception away from its locus, independently from any saccadic preparation.

[Endogenous bacterial endophthalmitis].

Endogenous bacterial endophthalmitis, also called metastatic bacterial endophthalmitis, remains a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. It is a rare and potentially sight-threatening ocular infection that occurs when bacteria reach the eye via the bloodstream, cross the blood-ocular barrier, and multiply within the eye. It usually affects immunocompromised patients and those suffering from diabetes mellitus, malignancy, or cardiac disease, but has also been reported after invasive procedures or in previously healthy people.

Application of cardiac autonomous indices in the study of neurogenic erectile dysfunction.

A research area of increasing interest consists of studying the benefits of using spectral analysis to screen neurogenic erectile dysfunctions. Our hypothesis is that spectral analysis consists of a non-invasive and simple procedure to investigate such patients. Subjects were allocated into two groups: control, no erectile dysfunction (n = 17), and patients with erectile dysfunction (n = 15).

Antidepressant monotherapy: A claims database analysis of treatment changes and treatment duration.

Background: The basic principles of pharmacotherapy for depression are consistent among most US and western European guidelines. All recommend ≥6 months of antidepressant therapy and propose several alternatives in cases of inappropriate response.

Objectives: The aims of this analysis were to describe antidepressant treatment changes and treatment duration in patients undergoing treatment for a new episode of depression and to identify risk factors for treatment changes and treatment discontinuation.

[Scan acquisition parameter optimization for the treatment of moving tumors in radiotherapy].

Aim Of The Study: In the case of lung tumor treatment, to adjust 3D helical computed tomography (CT) acquisition parameters using a dynamic phantom and compare to the theory the volumes of a moving object.

Materials And Methods: Three helical CT acquisitions were compared using a Big Bore CT scan : an "initial" 3D CT scan (constructor parameters), an "optimized" 3D CT scan which parameters are chosen to obtain an axial slow scan like acquisition and a 4D CT scan. We used a phantom composed by a ball filled with water set on a dynamic platform moving in the antero-posterior or cranio-caudal direction with a 14 mm amplitude and a 4s period.

[Cytomegalovirus research using polymerase chain reaction in Posner-Schlossman syndrome].

Purpose: To investigate the possible association between cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and Posner-Schlossman syndrome using PCR. To evaluate the clinical effect of valganciclovir treatment.

Patients And Methods: Patients with anterior uveitis associated with suspected Posner-Schlossman syndrome had their aqueous humor prospectively analyzed for viral deoxyribonucleic acid by HXFL4 gene detection using quantitative real-time PCR.

Novel mutations in EPM2A and NHLRC1 widen the spectrum of Lafora disease.

Purpose: Lafora disease (LD) is an autosomal recessive form of progressive myoclonus epilepsy with onset in childhood or adolescence and with fatal outcome caused by mutations in two genes: EPM2A and NHLRC1. The aim of this study was to characterize the mutation spectrum in a cohort of unrelated patients with presumed LD.

Methods: Sequencing of the two genes and search for large rearrangements was performed in 46 unrelated patients with suspected LD, 33 originating from France and the others from different countries.

Nonconventional papillary thyroid carcinomas with pleomorphic tumor giant cells: a diagnostic pitfall with anaplastic carcinoma.

The presence of pleomorphic tumor giant cells in thyroid carcinomas of follicular cell origin is always worrisome for the pathologist as they first of all refer to anaplastic carcinoma, one of the most aggressive human malignancies. However, non-anaplastic pleomorphic giant cells are well described in other thyroid diseases, most often benign. In this paper, we describe four cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma displaying pleomorphic tumor giant cells with features that differ from those of anaplastic carcinoma.

In vivo MRI assessment of permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion by electrocoagulation: pitfalls of procedure.

Permanent middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion (pMCAO) by electrocoagulation is a commonly used model but with potential traumatic lesions. Early MRI monitoring may assess pMCAO for non-specific brain damage. The surgical steps of pMCAO were evaluated for traumatic cerebral injury in 22 Swiss mice using diffusion and T2-weighted MRI (7T) performed within 1 h and 24 h after surgery.

Mineral and bone disease pattern in elderly haemodialysis patients.

Background: Although many studies have recently addressed the mineral and bone disorder of chronic kidney disease (CKD-MBD), only limited information is available for elderly dialysis patients.

Methods: We prospectively collected serum phosphorus, calcium, parathyroid hormone (PTH), 25(OH) vitamin D, albumin, C-reactive protein, protein intake and CKD-MBD treatments in 9169 maintenance haemodialysis patients in France in June 2008. We then compared biological and treatment patterns in 3403 patients aged 75 or over to their younger counterparts.

[Physiologic basis for fetal heart rate analysis during labour].

Fetal monitoring during labour aims to identify fetal acidosis responsible for brain lesions or perpartum death. In France, continuous recording of fetal heart rate (FHR) is largely used during labour. However, FHR interpretation remains difficult, as no specific sign for fetal hypoxia or acidosis have been described.

Growth disturbances without growth arrest after ACL reconstruction in children.

Growth arrest is a major concern after ACL reconstruction in children. It usually occurs in patients near to closure of the growth plates. Growth disturbances without growth arrest are also possible and more vicious; the authors analyse the mechanism of two patients with growth disturbance due to overgrowth following ACL reconstruction.

Reactive hemophagocytic syndrome in adult-onset Still disease: clinical features and long-term outcome: a case-control study of 8 patients.

Reactive hemophagocytic syndrome (RHS) is a rare, life-threatening, and little-known complication of rheumatic diseases. This disorder is characterized by fever, pancytopenia, liver failure, coagulopathy, and neurologic symptoms. RHS may develop in patents who have lymphoma, organ transplantation, serious infection, and rheumatic diseases, most notably systemic lupus erythematosus and adult-onset Still disease (AOSD).

Sleep contribution to motor memory consolidation: a motor imagery study.

Study Objectives: Sleep is known to enhance performance following physical practice (PP) of a new sequence of movements. Apart from a pilot study, it is still unknown whether a similar sleep-dependent consolidation effect can be observed following motor imagery (MI) and whether this mnemonic process is related to MI speed.

Design: Counterbalanced within-subject design.

[Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells)].

There is less than three years, the reprogramming of adult cells in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) has been added to the techniques producing natural or manufactured embryonic cells. Easier to obtain than these last, the human iPS cells are ethically irreproachable. They allow the study of many disorders at the cellular level and put at the disposal of pharmacologists a material of an exceptional interest.