Knowledge of HIV and hepatitis B and C status among people living in extreme poverty in France, in 2012.

OBJECTIVE: "Médecins du Monde" healthcare centers receive individuals living in extremely precarious conditions for primary health care; 94% of these are foreigners. These medical consultations are an opportunity to discuss their serological status and to offer them screening tests. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Two standardized questionnaires were implemented in all healthcare centers in 2000. The medical record covers knowledge of HIV and hepatitis B and C status. RESULTS: 41,033 consultations were given in 2012 in the 20 healthcare centers, for 23,181 patients. Only 29% of the patients knew their hepatitis status and 35% their HIV status. 42% of French patients were unaware of their HIV status compared to 67% of foreign patients. The lack of knowledge of foreign patients' HIV status was more frequent among men and in age classes<20 and>60 years of age. Patients from non-EU Europe, the Middle East, and Asia were significantly more likely to be unaware of their HIV status compared to people from Sub-Saharan Africa and Oceania/America. The rate of foreigners not having undergone screening remained stable, regardless of the duration of residence in France. CONCLUSION: These results highlight the need to develop specific prevention projects among immigrant populations in precarious situations.

Wideband THz time domain spectroscopy based on optical rectification and electro-optic sampling.

We present an analytical model describing the full electromagnetic propagation in a THz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) system, from the THz pulses via Optical Rectification to the detection via Electro Optic-Sampling. While several investigations deal singularly with the many elements that constitute a THz-TDS, in our work we pay particular attention to the modelling of the time-frequency behaviour of all the stages which compose the experimental set-up. Therefore, our model considers the following main aspects: (i) pump beam focusing into the generation crystal; (ii) phase-matching inside both the generation and detection crystals; (iii) chromatic dispersion and absorption inside the crystals; (iv) Fabry-Perot effect; (v) diffraction outside, i.e. along the propagation, (vi) focalization and overlapping between THz and probe beams, (vii) electro-optic sampling. In order to validate our model, we report on the comparison between the simulations and the experimental data obtained from the same set-up, showing their good agreement.

Neuronavigation in the minimally invasive presacral approach for lumbosacral fusion.

INTRODUCTION: Intraoperative 3D navigation (3D NAV) is gaining importance in spinal surgery, especially with the advancement of minimally invasive techniques in this field. We hypothesized that 3D NAV may be of benefit in the recently described minimally invasive presacral approach for L4-S1 fusion (AxiaLIF). METHODS: Five patients with refractory low back pain and L5-S1 degenerative disease underwent 3D NAV-assisted placement of a presacral L5-S1 screw. Additionally, a patient recently underwent a two-level AxiaLIF procedure (L4-S1) which was also performed with 3D NAV. Navigation was performed by acquiring intraoperative images via isocentric fluoroscopy and utilizing frameless stereotaxy. Accuracy of 3D NAV was confirmed by overlapping intraoperative images, navigation screenshots, and postoperative CT scans. Outcome was determined by pre- and postoperative VAS (back and leg pain) and ODI. RESULTS: Operative results were reviewed for all six patients and clinical outcomes were retrospectively reviewed for the five L5-S1 procedure patients. Postoperative imaging demonstrated accurate screw placement in comparison to intraoperative C-arm imaging and navigation imaging in all patients. No perioperative complications were encountered. In the five one-level patients, mean VAS (for back and leg pain) and ODI improved significantly at most recent follow-up. CONCLUSION: The minimally invasive presacral approach to L4-L5-S1 fusion can be performed safely and accurately with intraoperative 3D NAV. This is especially the case in two-level AxiaLIF procedures, where computer guidance can provide better planning possibilities for optimal screw trajectory.

[Chronic renal insufficiency of single kidney associated with genital, bone, and palpebral malformations]. / Insufficienza renale cronica da rene unico pelvico associato a malformazioni genitali, ossee e palpebrali.

Authors describe renal failure in a young woman with solitary pelvic kidney. Renal malformation was associated with genital and bone malformations that can be accounted for by the close relationship linking the genito-urinary and vertebral apparatuses during the first weeks of intrauterine life. Palpebral malformation which occurs very rarely in cases with renal malformations as reported in the literature was ascribed to hereditary factors. Changes of some indexes (serum and urine electrolytes, plasma renin and aldosterone) observed during the evolution of renal failure appear to confirm the role played by potassium in hormone balance and suggest repeated tests and dietary adjustments.

[A case of voluminous serous cystadenoma of the ovary. Clinico-social considerations]. / Su un caso di voluminoso cistoadenoma sieroso dell'ovaio. Considerazioni clinico-sociali.

The case of a voluminous serous cystadenoma of the ovary in a young woman is reported. At a time when health education and diagnostic progress have significantly modified the evolution of such neoplastic growths, the remarkable size of the tumour (28 litres of serous liquid), the absence of any complications whatsoever and the youth of the patient make the case particularly interesting and trigger a number of remarks on social factors.