Using non-invasive neuroimaging to enhance the care, well-being and experimental outcomes of laboratory non-human primates (monkeys).

Over the past 10-20 years, neuroscience witnessed an explosion in the use of non-invasive imaging methods, particularly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to study brain structure and function. Simultaneously, with access to MRI in many research institutions, MRI has become an indispensable tool for researchers and veterinarians to guide improvements in surgical procedures and implants and thus, experimental as well as clinical outcomes, given that access to MRI also allows for improved diagnosis and monitoring for brain disease. As part of the PRIMEatE Data Exchange, we gathered expert scientists, veterinarians, and clinicians who treat humans, to provide an overview of the use of non-invasive imaging tools, primarily MRI, to enhance experimental and welfare outcomes for laboratory non-human primates engaged in neuroscientific experiments. We aimed to provide guidance for other researchers, scientists and veterinarians in the use of this powerful imaging technology as well as to foster a larger conversation and community of scientists and veterinarians with a shared goal of improving the well-being and experimental outcomes for laboratory animals.

Prevention of urinary tract infections by antibiotic cycling in spinal cord injury patients and low emergence of multidrug resistant bacteria.

BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a major recurrent problem for spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. Repeated antibiotic treatments contribute to the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDRB). We evaluated the use of weekly oral cycling antibiotics (WOCA) in the prevention of UTIs over a mean follow-up period of 53 months (median follow-up period: 57 months) and analyzed the risk of MDRB emergence. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of adult SCI patients with neurogenic bladder who were receiving the WOCA regimen. RESULTS: We included 50 patients, mainly men (60%), with a mean age of 51±13.5 years. Overall, 66% of patients had been paraplegic or tetraplegic for 19.4±14.3 years; 92% underwent intermittent catheterization; and 36% had no postvoid residual. The number of febrile and non-febrile UTIs significantly reduced after WOCA initiation (9.45 non-febrile UTIs before WOCA initiation vs. 1.57 after; 2.25 febrile UTIs before WOCA initiation vs. 0.18 after; P=0.0001). Only one adverse event was reported during the follow-up period. The number of MDRB-colonized patients decreased from 9/50 to 4/50 during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: WOCA is an effective and safe strategy to prevent UTIs in SCI patients with neurogenic bladder. WOCA does not lead to the emergence of MDRB resistance and even seems to reduce MDRB carriage.

Rapid HIV test in family practice.

BACKGROUND: The 2010-2014 HIV/AIDS French program recommends using HIV rapid diagnostic tests in family practice. Our aim was to assess the acceptability and feasibility of the RDT in family practice in France. METHODS: The first part of this study was to determine the opinions of family practitioners (FPs) concerning the news guidelines for screening and the possible use of rapid HIV tests in their practice. The second part was a feasibility study of the actual use of rapid HIV tests given to FPs during six months. The third part was a qualitative analysis of experience feedback to determine the impediments to using rapid HIV tests. RESULTS: Seventy-seven percent of the 352 FPs interviewed were favorable to rapid HIV tests use. The three main impediments were: misinterpretation of test result, complexity of quality control, and lack of training: 23 of the 112 FPs having volunteered to evaluate the rapid HIV tests followed the required training session. Sixty-nine tests were handed out, and three rapid HIV tests were used; the qualitative study involved 12 FPs. The participants all agreed on the difficult use of rapid HIV tests in daily practice. The main reasons were: too few opportunities or requests for use, complex handling, difficulties in proposing the test, fear of having to announce seropositivity, significantly longer consultation. CONCLUSION: Although FPs are generally favorable to rapid HIV tests use in daily practice, the feasibility and contribution of rapid HIV tests are limited in family practice.

Gluten contamination in the Canadian commercial oat supply.

A growing body of evidence suggests that a majority of people with celiac disease and on a gluten-free diet can safely consume pure oats in moderate amounts; however, previous studies have indicated that the commercial oat supply in other countries, and in Canada to some extent, is contaminated with other grains. This study has confirmed that the commercial oat supply in Canada is heavily contaminated with gluten from other grains. Approximately 88% of the oat samples (n = 133) were contaminated above 20 mg kg(-1) and there were no differences between the oat types tested. Only one gluten-free variety of oats was analysed and it consistently provided negative results in all analyses. It is difficult to determine where the contamination originates, but there are possibilities for cross-contamination in the field, in the transport of the grain, in the storage of the grain, and in the milling and packaging facilities. It is clear from this study that only those products that have been certified 'pure' oats would be appropriate for a gluten-free diet.

Review: laser soft tissue treatments for paediatric dental patients.

BACKGROUND: Many soft tissue pathologies in children can be treated by paediatric dentists. New technologies such as laser surgery enable simpler treatments to be carried out than with conventional techniques. REVIEW: This paper reviews soft tissue lasers and discusses their use in paediatric patients. The laser is a good tool for soft tissue management in children and is well accepted by patients and their relatives. Laser treatment involves a reduction in the use of medication (anaesthetics, analgesics and antibiotics) and in intra-operative and post-operative bleeding. It eliminates the need sutures and produces faster wound healing and less scarring. CONCLUSION: It is essential to have a good knowledge of laser operation and of which type of laser is most appropriate for each lesion.

Case series: laser treatments for soft tissue problems in children.

BACKGROUND: Many soft tissue pathologies in children can be treated by paediatric dentists. New technologies such as laser surgery enable simpler treatments to be carried out than with conventional techniques. CASE REPORTS: A case series of 7 children aged 6 to 14 years old were treated for various soft tissue problems including crown lengthening, exposure of an unerupted molar, lingual and maxillary fraenectomies, gingivectomy, excision of a pyogenic granuloma and for a pulpotomy. TREATMENTS: All children were treated using a Er,Cr:YSGG laser for removal of appropriate soft tissues. FOLLOWUP: All cases healed satisfactorily and were followed up for 3 to 4 years. CONCLUSION: It is essential to have a good knowledge of laser operation and of which type of laser is most appropriate for each lesion.

[Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis management in three French hospitals]. / Prise en charge de la tuberculose multirésistante dans trois hôpitaux français.

INTRODUCTION: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) management is based on specific WHO guidelines. OBJECTIVES: The authors report MDR-TB management, in three French hospitals. METHOD: The authors retrospectively included patients with positive sample for multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (isoniazid+rifampicin) from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2005. The management was compared to the French and international prevalent guidelines. RESULTS: Sixteen patients were initially managed for MDR-TB by eight different medical teams over 6 successive years: 12 (75%) presented with primary MDR-TB. Management advice from the national referee center (NRC) for tuberculosis was reported in seven out of 14 treated cases. The median length of the intensive treatment was 2 months (IQR: 1-3). Eight patients (58%) had an overall treatment length of 18 months. The median number of effective drugs prescribed was 4 (IQR: 4-5). Nine patients (64%) were also managed in a sanatorium. Only eight patients (57%) completed the prescribed treatment. Nine patients were clinically cured and still followed-up, six of whom were bacteriologically cured. CONCLUSION: TB-MDR management was not conform to WHO guidelines in our study. Management in a sanatorium, NRC involvement, ambulatory DOT were highly beneficial.

[Tuberculosis among healthcare workers in Northern France (2002-2007): descriptive analysis of notified cases and contact tracing]. / Tuberculose pulmonaire chez les personnels de santé de l'inter-région Nord (2002-2007): description des cas signalés et des campagnes de dépistage des sujets contacts.

UNLABELLED: The regional centre for infection control in northern France (CCLIN Nord) has received 28 notifications of pulmonary tuberculosis cases (PTC) in healthcare workers (HCWs), in 30 healthcare institutions, since the implementation of the French notification system for nosocomial infections. METHOD: A descriptive analysis of PTC investigations in healthcare workers was performed over a five-year period using a standardized form. RESULTS: Smear and culture of bronchial samples were positive for 22 PTC and 15 presented radiological cavities. Overall, 7730 contact patients were selected (91.6 % informed) and 4000 healthcare workers (100 % informed). Eighteen percent of adult contact patients, 75 % of children and 50 % of HCWs were investigated. Latent infection was identified in 34 HCWs, 80 adult patients, and ten children. A prophylactic treatment was prescribed for 692 newborns. Tuberculous disease was identified in one adult patient and two HCWs. CONCLUSION: Few cases of tuberculosis infection or disease were diagnosed around HCWs presenting with contagious tuberculosis. The effectiveness of broad information campaigns on exposed HCWs remains hard to assess because of the complexity of tuberculosis infection diagnosis, the high number of lost to follow-up, and the lack of adequate targeting. The role of health care management and occupational medicine remains crucial.

The evolution of kidney function after lung transplantation: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Little information exists regarding the rate of kidney functional loss after lung transplantation. The aim of this study was to assess the evolution of kidney function after lung transplantation, seeking to identify a pretransplant glomerular filtration rate (GFR) threshold under which dual lung-kidney transplantation should be considered. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a single-center, retrospective cohort study among patients who received a first lung transplant. GFR was measured with the MDRD7 equation immediately before and up to 10 years after transplantation. A hierarchical model of linear regression was used to determine the evolution of GFR over time. RESULTS: We studied 241 subjects whose mean GFR was 92 +/- 33 mL/min/1.73 m(2) immediately before transplantation. The GFR declined quickly during the first posttransplant month (-24 mL/min/1.73 m(2) vs baseline; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -27, -21 mL/min/1.73 m(2)). It decreased slightly between 1 and 12 months (-34 mL/min/1.73 m(2) at 12 months vs baseline; 95% CI: -37, -31 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) and then stabilized up to 10 years after transplantation. GFR loss varied according to the baseline GFR. In patients with baseline GFR < or = 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2), the GFR declined by 9 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (95% CI = 6-15) at 1 year and was stable there after. CONCLUSION: GFR declines rapidly in the first month and at 1 year after lung transplantation, stabilizing thereafter. Because they are likely to develop eligibility for kidney transplantation in the 1 to 2 years following lung transplantation, we believe that dual lung-kidney transplantation should definitely be considered for subjects with a baseline GFR < or = 35 mL/min/1.73 m(2).

Specific adsorption of functionalized colloids at the surface of living cells: a quantitative kinetic analysis of the receptor-mediated binding.

This paper presents a statistical experimental study of the adsorption of colloids onto the plasma membrane of living cells mediated by specific ligand-receptor interactions. The colloids consist of lipid multilamellar liposomes (spherulites) functionalized by Shiga toxin B-subunit (STxB), while cells are cervix carcinoma epithelial cells expressing the Shiga toxin receptor, the glycolipid globotriaosyl ceramide (Gb3). The specificity of the colloid adsorption is demonstrated using both confocal microscopy and flow cytometry, while a thorough cytometry study on living cells allows characterizing the kinetics of this specific adsorption. The final number of bound colloids and the characteristic adsorption time are shown to depend on bulk concentration, as expected for a thermodynamic equilibrium. However, the colloids appear to be irreversibly attached to the membrane. We interpret this apparent irreversibility as the result of a progressive recruitment of receptors. The methodology used here, whereby microscopic mechanisms are deduced from direct quantitative measurements on living cells, might allow the optimization of drug delivery systems or the quantification of virus infectivity.

Pattern recognition using a device substituting audition for vision in blindfolded sighted subjects.

A major question in the field of sensory substitution concerns the nature of the perception generated by sensory substitution devices. In the present fMRI study, we investigated the neural substrates of pattern recognition through a device substituting audition for vision in blindfolded sighted subjects, before and after a short training period. Before training, pattern recognition recruited dorsal and ventral extra-striate areas. After training, the recruitment of these visual areas was found to have increased. These results suggest that visual imagery processes could be involved in pattern recognition and that perception through the substitution device could be visual-like.

An evaluation of data quality in a network for surveillance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistance to antituberculosis drugs in Ile-de-France region-2001-2002.

We evaluated the French Azay-Mycobacteria network for surveillance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis drug resistance by matching data with those collected through the mandatory notification (MNTB). Sensitivity of Azay was 96% by capture-recapture analysis. Cases reported to MNTB were more often smear-positive than non-reported cases. Concordance of data collected for common cases was excellent for a majority of variables (k > 0.79), excepted for tuberculosis site (k = 0.52). These results suggest a good quality of the network.

Eruption cyst treated with a laser powered hydrokinetic system.

Eruption cysts are benign cysts that appear on the mucosa of a tooth shortly before its eruption. The majority disappear on their own. If they hurt, bleed or are infected they may require surgical treatment to expose the tooth and drain the content. Here we present a clinical case of a six-year-old child with an eruption cyst on the permanent maxillary central left incisor, which was handled using treatment with an Er,Cr-YSGG laser. It did not require suture, there was no haemorrhage, swelling, infection or postoperative pain. The treatment of eruption cysts with this technique facilitates obtaining the cooperation of pediatric patients and makes behavior management by the pediatric dentist easier.

Auditory motion perception activates visual motion areas in early blind subjects.

We have previously shown that some visual motion areas can be specifically recruited by auditory motion processing in blindfolded sighted subjects [Poirier, C., Collignon, O., De Volder, A.G., Renier, L., Vanlierde, A., Tranduy, D., Scheiber, C., 2005. Specific activation of V5 brain area by auditory motion processing: an fMRI study. Brain Res. Cogn. Brain Res. 25, 650-658]. The present fMRI study investigated whether auditory motion processing may recruit the same brain areas in early blind subjects. The task consisted of simultaneously determining both the nature of a sound stimulus (pure tone or complex sound) and the presence or absence of its movement. When a movement was present, blind subjects had to identify its direction. Auditory motion processing, as compared to static sound processing, activated the brain network of auditory and visual motion processing classically observed in sighted subjects. Accordingly, brain areas previously considered as specific to visual motion processing could be specifically recruited in blind people by motion stimuli presented through the auditory modality. This indicates that the occipital cortex of blind people could be organized in a modular way, as in sighted people. The similarity of these results with those we previously observed in sighted subjects suggests that occipital recruitment in blind people could be mediated by the same anatomical connections as in sighted subjects.

[Epidemiological survey of a suspected nosocomial case of tuberculosis by spoligotyping]. / Place du spoligotypage lors d'une enquête épidémiologique devant un cas de suspicion de tuberculose pulmonaire nosocomiale.

Transmission of tuberculosis within hospitals has been increasingly recognized as a hazard for patients and health care workers. A case of pulmonary tuberculosis was detected in September 2003 in a nursing auxiliary working at Avicenne's Hospital. This 49 year-old woman was considered infected since April 2003. During this 6 months period, she worked in 23 distinct hospital units and could have contaminated patients and hospital staffs. The epidemiological survey was comprised for 1735 individuals (701 hospital staffs and 1034 patients). It encompassed clinical, para-clinical investigations and bacteriological investigations. Furthermore, between January 2003 and September 2004, a systematic comparison of 62 Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains isolated in the hospital was conducted by spoligotyping, a molecular typing method in order to access an eventual transmission. The nursing auxiliary's strain clearly showed a distinct spoligotype from the other investigated strains. This spoligotype was unique in the international spoligotype database. In this large epidemiological survey of a case of suspected nosocomial of tuberculosis, spoligotyping appeared as an interesting, easy and rapid method of molecular typing. It allowed to demonstrate that the nursing auxiliary tuberculosis case was unrelated to the others cases of tuberculosis diagnosed in the hospital during this period.

Investigation of patient contacts of heath care workers with infectious tuberculosis: 6 cases in the Paris area.

SETTING: From June to October 2003, six cases of infectious tuberculosis were reported in health care workers (HCWs) working in hospitals in the Paris area. OBJECTIVE: To describe a method of investigation to identify tuberculosis infection in patient contacts. DESIGN: To define the cohort of patient contacts, the risk of contamination was evaluated based on 1) the degree of infectiousness of the HCW, 2) patient characteristics, and 3) the proximity and length of exposure. RESULTS: The number of patient contacts selected was very variable. A small proportion was investigated in consultation, except for a paediatric service in which 43 patient contacts were identified and where the information was managed within the service. In this cohort, two patient contacts presented tuberculous infection with an unclear link with the infectious HCW. In adults, the analysis of the information gathered was difficult due to the different screening practices used. CONCLUSION: These results show the importance of better targeting screening of patient contacts and of improving the detection of tuberculosis cases among HCWs.

A novel high temperature 1H NMR imaging probe for combustion studies: the behaviour of both a lit and unlit methane gas jet.

The design of a NMR probe suitable for very high temperature samples is described. The loop gap resonator is water cooled and tuned to 100 MHz for use in a 2.4 T horizontal bore magnet. The probe has been specifically designed for imaging of the combustion process. An experiment is described in this paper which shows the behaviour of a methane gas jet when both lit and unlit. The jet of gas may be observed in its unlit state flowing at up to 2 ms(-1) from a 1 mm diameter orifice using a Single Point Imaging technique. Images of the lit gas show loss of nuclear polarisation within 3 mm of the orifice. A residual amount of un-decomposed gas is visible in the first few millimetres of the flame neck. A computational fluid dynamics model is used to verify the distribution of molecular methane, as well as the temperature of the flame.

Spatial variability of trends in hydrological extremes induced by orographically enhanced rainfall events due to westerly atmospheric circulations.

Since the mid 1970s, the number of days with westerly atmospheric circulations has strongly increased during winter months. As a consequence, rainfall totals, rainfall event duration and intensity have been subject to significant positive trends throughout the Mosel river basin. However, the trends identified through the non-parametrical test named Kendall's tau have shown to be spatially varying. The intensity of the trends appears to be directly linked to orographic obstacles that are well known to have a strong influence on average rainfall totals. A direct consequence of the changes having affected winter rainfall under westerly atmospheric circulations on the one hand and the spatial variability of these changes on the other hand, is a spatially varying positive trend in maximum winter streamflow. Thus, even though a clear large-scale change has affected winter rainfall over the past decades, its intensity is either strongly moderated or enhanced by orographic obstacles. The related changes in streamflow are directly dependent on the spatial variability of the changed rainfall characteristics.

Effect of sodium butyrate on doxorubicin resistance and expression of multidrug resistance genes in thyroid carcinoma cells.

ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters [P-glycoprotein and multidrug resistance (MDR)-associated proteins (MRPs)] confer MDR to tumor cells. In this work, we investigated doxorubicin resistance in three thyroid carcinoma cell lines. The effects of sodium butyrate (NaB) on doxorubicin-induced cytotoxicity and on transcription of three MDR genes were also studied. Thyroid cell lines established from anaplastic (8505C) and two poorly differentiated follicular (FTC 238 and FTC 133) cancers were cultured for 24 or 48 h in the presence of NaB (0, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mM) alone or combined with increased doses of doxorubicin. Cytotoxicity was assessed using the MTT test. MDR1, MRP1 and MRP2 mRNA expression was studied by RT-PCR. After a 24- or 48-h incubation, doxorubicin alone induced cytotoxicity in the three cell lines. NaB significantly (p<0.0001) increased the doxorubicin-induced cytotoxicity. MRP1 transcripts were expressed in the three non-treated cell lines. MDR1 and MRP2 mRNAs were both present in 8505C, but absent in FTC 133 or FTC 238 cell lines, respectively. Treatment with NaB for 24 or 48 h induced no change in MRP1 and MRP2 levels, but increased MDR1 expression in 8505C and FTC 238 cell lines comparably to alkaline phosphatase activity. In conclusion, MRP1 and sometimes MDR1 and MRP2 are expressed in the tested cell lines. NaB potentiates doxorubicin-induced cytotoxicity independently of the ABC transporters. The combination of doxorubicin and NaB might have clinical implications for thyroid cancer therapy.