Comparison of atrial septal defect and patent foramen ovale in cryptogenic strokes.

Objectives: Paradoxical embolism from right-to-left shunt through atrial septal defect (ASD) and patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a well-accepted cause of "cryptogenic" strokes (CS). To better understand the pathogenic role of ASD, we compared ASD patients with CS having a high and low likelihood of being PFO-related.

Methods: In the Acute Stroke Registry and Analysis of Lausanne, we calculated prevalence of PFO and ASD in CS patients undergoing echocardiography, and calculated odds ratios (OR) when compared to non-CS.

Glomerular diseases in pregnancy: pragmatic recommendations for clinical management.

Our understanding of the various aspects of pregnancy in women with kidney diseases has significantly improved in the last decades. Nevertheless, little is known about specific kidney diseases. Glomerular diseases are not only a frequent cause of chronic kidney disease in young women, but combine many challenges in pregnancy: immunologic diseases, hypertension, proteinuria, and kidney tissue damage.

Safety and Efficacy of an Atraumatic Uterine Cervical Traction Device: A Pilot Study.

Alignment of the uterine cervix with the vaginal canal is often required during insertion of an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD). Currently available instruments are traumatic tenacula, which can cause pain and bleeding and represent an obstacle for certain patients to pursue their medical follow-up. A novel investigational cervical vacuum tenaculum, enables atraumatic traction of the cervix using a semi-circular suction pad, designed to conform to the anatomical shape of the external cervical os.

Recurrence of disease activity after fingolimod discontinuation in older patients previously stable on treatment.

Background: Discontinuing fingolimod (FTY) in older patients is a growing concern with little evidence supporting the decision to pursue treatment and reasonable doubt for disease reactivation after withdrawal.

Objective: To estimate the incidence of recurrence of disease activity (RDA) and rebound after FTY withdrawal in patients older than 50 years.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of all MS patients in our clinic who discontinued FTY after at least 6 months of treatment, according to disease activity on FTY and age at discontinuation.

Obese but Fit: The Benefits of Fitness on Cognition in Obese Older Adults.

Background: Obesity is associated with an accelerated cognitive decline. Aerobic fitness has a protective effect on cognition in older adults, but no study has investigated this effect in obese individuals. The present study aimed to 1) compare cognitive function in lower-fit (LoFit) and higher-fit (HiFit) obese individuals compared with nonobese individuals, and 2) examine the association between exercise variables (including hemodynamic variables) and cognitive function in obese individuals.

Prevalence of and in ticks in Switzerland: an underestimated epidemiologic risk.

Ticks are vectors of several microorganisms responsible for infectious diseases in human and animals, such as and In this study, we investigated the prevalence of these two bacteria in 62 889 ticks in selected regions covering all Switzerland. A high prevalence of 11.9% of DNA was observed by real-time PCR on 8534 pools of ticks.

Differences in Ischemic Anterior and Posterior Circulation Strokes: A Clinico-Radiological and Outcome Analysis.

Background: There are limited data comparing posterior (PC) and anterior (AC) circulation acute ischemic strokes (AIS). We aimed to identify specific features of PC and AC strokes regarding clinical, etiological, radiological, and outcome factors.

Methods: Patients from the Acute STroke Registry and Analysis of Lausanne, a prospective cohort of consecutive AIS, from years 2003 to 2008 were included.

Developing and evaluating rare disease educational materials co-created by expert clinicians and patients: the paradigm of congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.

Background: Patients with rare diseases face health disparities and are often challenged to find accurate information about their condition. We aimed to use the best available evidence and community partnerships to produce patient education materials for congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH) and the olfacto-genital (Kallmann) syndrome (i.e.

Identification of Propionibacterium avidum from a breast abscess: an overlooked etiology of clinically significant infections.

We report the case of a 37-year-old previously healthy woman diagnosed with a breast abscess due to Propionibacterium avidum after breast reduction surgery. This case emphasizes the potential pathogenicity and morbidity associated with this commensal skin organism.