Ability of Turbine-Based Ventilators to Maintain Tidal Volume Following Transient Conditions.

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and reliability of maintaining a constant tidal volume (V) using a square-wave flow pattern in currently available turbine-based ventilators (TBVs) compared with a bellows-based ventilator (BBV), under conditions of abrupt changes in ventilator load. Such changes frequently occur in ventilator-dependent patients during mouthpiece ventilation and sleep with a mask, including events such as air stacking (AS), leakage, disconnection for speaking or eating/drinking, and complete obstruction. Five TBVs and one BBV were assessed in a bench test simulating 4 distinct transient events (AS, leakage, disconnection, and complete obstruction) across 3 consecutive cycles.

Normalization of eosinophil count is predictive of oxygen weaning over the course of COVID-19 infection among hospitalized adults during the first wave of 2020 pandemic.

Background: Understanding COVID-19 outcomes remains a challenge. While numerous biomarkers have been proposed for severity at admission, limited exploration exists for markers during the infection course, especially for the requirement of oxygen therapy. This study investigates the potential of eosinophil count normalization as a predictor for oxygen weaning during the initial wave of the pandemic.

Adherence to continuous positive airway pressure therapy in patients with spinal cord injury and obstructive sleep apnea: trajectories and predictors.

Purpose: To identify specific determinants of non-adherence or cessation of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy in a population of patients with spinal cord injuries (SCI).

Methods: Retrospective analysis of data from patients with SCI who underwent a full night supervised polysomnography between 2015 and 2021 and presented with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and for whom CPAP was indicated. Adherence was studied at 1, 6, and 12 months.

Long-term effectiveness of a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in the management of fatigue in patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS): a multicentre, randomised, open-label, controlled trial versus standard care.

Background: Fatigue is a disabling symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS). The lack of effective therapeutics has promoted the development of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)-based fatigue management programmes. However, their efficacy does not sustain over time.

Effects of compression garments on balance in hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: To evaluate the immediate and 4-week effects of compression garments (CG) on balance using a force platform during 8 different visual, static, and dynamic conditions in hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) patients.

Methods: Thirty-six participants were randomly assigned to a group: physiotherapy alone (PT,  = 19) or physiotherapy and daily CG wearing for 4 weeks (PT + CG,  = 17). Both attended 12 physiotherapy sessions (strengthening, proprioception, and balance exercises) for 4 weeks.

Comparison of Four Mechanical Insufflation-Exsufflation Devices: Effect of Simulated Airway Collapse on Cough Peak Flow.

Background: Mechanical insufflation-exsufflation (MI-E) devices are used to improve airway clearance in individuals with acute respiratory failure. Some MI-E devices measure cough peak flow (CPF) during MI-E to optimize pressure adjustments. The aim was to compare CPF and effective cough volume (ECV: volume expired/coughed > 3 L/s) measurements between 4 MI-E devices under simulated conditions of stable versus collapsed airway.

Efficacy of ceftazidime-avibactam in various combinations for the treatment of experimental osteomyelitis due to Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Background: Optimal treatment of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) bone infections is poorly defined. This study evaluated the efficacy of the novel beta-lactam-beta-lactamase inhibitor-ceftazidime-avibactam (CAZ-AVI)-with different antibiotic combinations in an experimental model of CPE osteomyelitis.

Methods: KPC-99YC is a clinical strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae with intermediate susceptibility to meropenem (MIC 4 mg/L), gentamicin (MIC 0.

Effect of power-assistance on upper limb biomechanical and physiological variables during a 6-minute, manual wheelchair propulsion test: a randomised, cross-over study.

Purpose: Use of a power-assistance wheelchair could reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), however, a comprehensive biomechanical evaluation of these systems has not been carried out. This study aimed to evaluate and compare biomechanical UL propulsion variables, and physiological exercise-related variables during the use of a wheelchair with rear drive power assist device (RD-PAD) and a standard manual wheelchair (MW).

Materials And Methods: Twenty-two adults with spinal cord injury were recruited.

Impact of a medication reconciliation care bundle at hospital discharge on continuity of care: A randomised controlled trial.

Objective: To compare the impact of a care bundle including medication reconciliation at discharge by a pharmacist versus standard of care, on continuity of therapeutic changes between hospital and primary care and outcome of patients, within 1 month after discharge.

Methods: Randomised controlled trial in 120 adult patients with at least one chronic disease and three current medications before admission, hospitalised in an infectious disease department of a tertiary hospital and discharged home. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive a discharge care bundle including medication reconciliation, counselling session and documentation transfer to primary care physician (PCP) (intervention group) or standard of care (control group).

Pediatric Acute Alcohol Intoxication Admitted to the ICU: A Review of 102 Cases in France.

Objectives: To describe the profile and clinical outcomes of children (<18 yr) admitted to intensive care for acute alcohol intoxication, with special attention to complications and to the subgroup that required intubation.

Design: Retrospective observational study.

Setting: Seven pediatric and three adult ICUs in France.

Impact of medical care, including use of anti-infective agents, on prognosis of COVID-19 hospitalized patients over time.

Introduction: The effect of anti-infective agents in COVID-19 is unclear. The impact of changes in practice on prognosis over time has not been evaluated.

Methods: Single center, retrospective study in adults hospitalized in a medicine ward for COVID-19 from March 5 to April 25 2020.

Impact of Combined Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Speech-language Therapy on Spontaneous Speech in Aphasia: A Randomized Controlled Double-blind Study.

Objective: Aphasia recovery depends on neural reorganization, which can be enhanced by speech-language therapy and noninvasive brain stimulation. Several studies suggested that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) associated with speech-language therapy may improve verbal performance evaluated by analytic tests, but none focused on spontaneous speech. We explored the effect of bihemispheric tDCS on spontaneous speech in patients with poststroke aphasia.

Blue-Enriched White Light Therapy Reduces Fatigue in Survivors of Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: Fatigue is one of the disabling sequelae of traumatic brain injury (TBI), with repercussions on quality of life, rehabilitation, and professional reintegration. Research is needed on effective interventions. We evaluated efficacy of blue-enriched white light (BWL) therapy on fatigue of patients with severe TBI.

Risk factors for respiratory tract bacterial colonization in adults with neuromuscular or neurological disorders and chronic tracheostomy.

The aim of this study was to describe the endotracheal respiratory flora in a population of adults suffering from neuromuscular or neurological disorders requiring a long-term tracheostomy and to identify risk factors for colonization. We conducted a prospective and single-center observational study among patients with chronic tracheostomy admitted for planned respiratory assessment between February 2015 and December 2016. Data were collected from patient interview and medical charts with a standardized questionnaire.

Effect of Smoked Cannabis on Vigilance and Accident Risk Using Simulated Driving in Occasional and Chronic Users and the Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic Relationship.

Background: The pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationship between whole blood δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and driving risk is poorly understood.

Methods: Fifteen chronic cannabis consumers (1-2 joints/day; CC) and 15 occasional cannabis consumers (1-2 joints/week; OC) of 18 to 34 years of age were included. A pharmacokinetic study was conducted with 12 blood samplings over a 24-h period before and after controlled random inhalation of placebo or 10 mg or 30 mg of THC.

Comparison of Two Cough-Augmentation Techniques Delivered by a Home Ventilator in Subjects With Neuromuscular Disease.

Background: Breath-stacking, which consists of taking 2 or more consecutive ventilator insufflations without exhaling, is a noninvasive and inexpensive cough-assistance technique for patients with neuromuscular disease. Volumetric cough mode (VCM) is a recently introduced ventilator mode consisting of a programmable intermittent deep breath equal to a set percentage of the baseline tidal volume. Here, our objective was to compare VCM to breath-stacking during volume-control continuous mandatory ventilation in subjects on long-term noninvasive mechanical ventilation at home.

Long-term outcomes and risks factors for failure of intradetrusor onabotulinumtoxin A injections for the treatment of refractory neurogenic detrusor overactivity.

Aims: Aims of this study were to assess the long-term outcomes of Intradetrusor injection of OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox® injection) associated with clean intermittent-catheterization (CIC) for the treatment of neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) and to identify risk factors for failure.

Methods: Neurological patients with NDO using CIC who had received Botox® injections between January 2001 and September 2013 were included. Clinical, urodynamic and radiological data were recorded.

Bench evaluation of commercially available and newly developed interfaces for mouthpiece ventilation.

Introduction: Mouthpiece ventilation represents a valuable treatment for patients needing daytime non-invasive ventilation. This modality is however underused, in part because of limitations in the available equipment.

Objective: To develop a new flexible and moldable mouthpiece, aiming to address some of the issues of the currently available interfaces.

Orthopedic Management of Scoliosis by Garches Brace and Spinal Fusion in SMA Type 2 Children.

Background: Scoliosis is the most debilitating issue in SMA type 2 patients. No evidence confirms the efficacy of Garches braces (GB) to delay definitive spinal fusion.

Objective: Compare orthopedic and pulmonary outcomes in children with SMA type 2 function to management.

[ECRIN standard requirements for good clinical practices-compliant data management in multinational clinical trials].

Context: Clinical studies involve an increasing amount of data collection and management. However, there is no specific quality standard sufficiently practical, in free access, and open for data management and the underlying IT-infrastructure in academic units. European Clinical Research Infrastructures Network (ECRIN) published standard requirements for certified data management units.