Impact of Corticosteroid-Free Regimen on Interstitial Fibrosis Following Kidney Transplantation.

Introduction: In kidney transplantation, concerns remain about whether corticosteroids (CS) avoidance could favor interstitial fibrosis (IF) and its progression. We conducted a multicenter randomized noninferiority clinical trial to evaluate the histopathological progression of IF using an innovative automated method in patients receiving CS or not.

Methods: Low immunological risk recipients of a kidney allograft for whom an analyzable biopsy was available at implantation were randomly assigned to receive a CS-free regimen (CS-) or a standard CS tapering regimen (CS+).

3D imaging cone beam computed tomography versus orthopantomogram to improve the oral health status of patients hospitalized for infective endocarditis (3D STARS): study protocol of a randomized superiority controlled trial.

Background: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a serious and costly infectious disease associated with high morbidity and mortality. The oral cavity is the second most common source of IE accounting for approximately 30% of cases. Detection and management of oral infectious foci (OIF) are therefore critical to reduce IE incidence, relapse or recurrence.

Etiologic Diagnosis of Neuropathies Based on First-Line Screening of TTR Gene Mutations.

Background: Hereditary amyloid transthyretin (ATTRv) is caused by TTR gene mutations, which lead to multisystem amyloid deposits. A misdiagnosis is common, which delays treatment. We assessed the prevalence of TTR mutations in patients with neuropathy of unknown cause at the first stage of assessment.

Post-mortem lung biopsies in fatal Covid-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome: a prospective cohort study of 169 patients (HISTOCOVID).

Background: Refractory acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is the leading cause of death in patients with Covid-19. Large studies of lung pathology in patients who died of Covid-19-ARDS may help to understand the mechanisms of death and to guide further research.

Methods: This prospective multicentre cohort study included 338 post-mortem, percutaneous, lung biopsies from 169 patients who died of Covid-19-ARDS between 22/04/2020 and 08/03/2021 in 26 intensive care units in France.

Ovarian Torsion in Prepubertal Girls: Clinical Characteristics, Biological and Radiological Features, Reccurency Rate.

Introduction: The diagnosis of ovarian torsion is made with delay among pre-pubertal girls and the management after the surgical detorsion is poorly codified. We interested in the French experience during the last two decades.

Methods: Retrospective study in French pediatric surgery centers from January 2000 to December 2022 concerning girls who presented with at least 1 episode of ovarian torsion in the prepubertal period.

Development of a Predictive Tool for Midterm Success of Sacral Neuromodulation in Non-Neurogenic Overactive Bladder Syndrome.

Objectives: To identify factors that can predict both test phase and midterm success of sacral neuromodulation (SNM) in refractory non-neurogenic overactive bladder syndrome (nnOAB) based on preoperative clinical and urodynamic data.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a two-center retrospective study and included all individuals with nnOAB who underwent a test phase between 2005 and 2021, with or without subsequent implantation of an SNM device. Only those with preoperative urodynamic assessment data were included.

Long-term outcomes of "clam" bladder augmentation in a pediatric population with neurogenic refractory bladder dysfunction: A 20-year follow-up experience at single center.

Purpose: Bladder augmentation (BA) is the gold standard treatment to increase compliance and treat neurological detrusor overactivity (DO) in children with neurological bladder refractory to medical treatment. In pediatrics, bivalve cystoplasty (Clam) is preferred to supratrigonal cystectomy. Our initial aim was to evaluate the re-intervention rate and long-term outcomes of BA in relation to Clam in children.

Similar risks of complications and reoperation rates in proximal femur megaprostheses for oncological and non-oncological indications.

Purpose: Proximal femur megaprostheses (PFMPs) are used to manage large bone defects in both non-oncological indications (NOI) and oncological indications (OI). However, little is known about the comparative risks of reoperation and functional outcomes between these groups. This study aimed to evaluate the cumulative incidences of reoperation and functional results of PFMPs between NOI and OI.

Spinal muscular atrophy is also a disorder of spermatogenesis.

Background: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) patients benefit from pre-mRNA splicing modifiers targeting the SMN2 gene, which aims to increase functional SMN production. The animal toxicity affecting spermatogenesis associated with one such treatment raised questions about male SMA patients' spermatogenesis.

Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2022 to July 2023.

Oral citrulline supplementation in pregnancies with preeclampsia: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind clinical trial.

Background: Preeclampsia (PE) contributes to maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity. Supplementation with L-arginine, the precursor of nitric oxide, has not proven effective, possibly due to extensive arginine catabolism in the splanchnic bed. Citrulline is converted by the kidney to L-arginine.

Does the VWF:CB Assay Help to Diagnose von Willebrand Factor Deficiency in Patients With a Bleeding Disorder of Unknown Cause?

Introduction: The entity entitled bleeding disorder of unknown cause (BDUC) qualifies individuals displaying a mild haemorrhagic profile but normal routine coagulation tests. This study was designed to evaluate whether collagen-binding assay for von Willebrand Factor (VWF) measurement (VWF:CB) could allow to diagnose VW disease in such patients.

Methods: A large screening was conducted prospectively in two University Hospitals, using the bleeding assessment tool (BAT) recommended by the International Society of Thrombosis and Hemostasis.

Optimization of cerebral oxygenation based on regional cerebral oxygen saturation monitoring during carotid endarterectomy: a Phase III multicenter, double-blind randomized controlled trial.

Background: Whether the optimization of cerebral oxygenation based on regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO) monitoring reduces the occurrence of cerebral ischemic lesions is unknown.

Methods: This multicenter, randomized, controlled trial recruited adults admitted for scheduled carotid endarterectomy. Patients were randomized between the standard of care or optimization of cerebral oxygenation based on rSO monitoring using near-infrared spectroscopy.

Psychomotor retardation: What about the partial responders to magnetic transcranial stimulation in treatment resistant depression ?

Objective: Psychomotor retardation is a core clinical component of Major Depressive Disorder responsible for disability and is known as a treatment response marker of biological treatments for depression. Our objective was to describe cognitive and motoric measures changes during a treatment by repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) within the THETAD-DEP trial for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), and compare those performances at the end of treatment and one month after between responders (>50% improvement on MADRS score), partial responders (25-50%) and non-reponders (no clinically relevant improvement). Our secondary aim was to investigate baseline psychomotor performances associated with non-response and response even partial.

Features and outcomes of patients admitted to the ICU for chimeric antigen receptor T cell-related toxicity: a French multicentre cohort.

Background: Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy is increasingly used in patients with refractory haematological malignancies but can induce severe adverse events. We aimed to describe the clinical features and outcomes of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) after CAR-T therapy.

Methods: This retrospective observational cohort study included consecutive adults admitted to either of two French ICUs in 2018-2022 within 3 months after CAR-T therapy.

Ketamine Compared With Morphine for Out-of-Hospital Analgesia for Patients With Traumatic Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Pain is a common out-of-hospital symptom among patients, and opioids are often prescribed. Research suggests that overprescribing for acute traumatic pain is still prevalent, even when limits restricting opioid prescriptions have been implemented. Ketamine hydrochloride is an alternative to opioids in adults with out-of-hospital traumatic pain.

Cost effectiveness and long-term outcomes of dexamethasone administration in major non-cardiac surgery.

Study Objectives: Postoperative administration of dexamethasone has been proposed to reduce morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing major non-cardiac surgery. In this ancillary study of the PACMAN trial, we aimed to evaluate the cost effectiveness of dexamethasone in patients undergoing major non-cardiac surgery.

Methods: Patients included in the multicentric randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled PACMAN trial were followed up for 12 months after their surgical procedure.

Impact of response shift effects in the assessment of self-reported depression during treatment: Insights from a rTMS versus Venlafaxine randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: Patient-Reported Outcomes are essential to properly assess treatment effectiveness in randomized clinical trial (RCT) for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). MDD self-assessment may vary over time depending on change in the meaning of patients' self-evaluation of depression, i.e.

Association Between Periodontitis and Preterm Birth in a Cohort of Pregnant Women in Ivory Coast.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the possible association between periodontitis and preterm birth in Ivory Coast.

Materials And Methods: A cohort study including 446 volunteers (pregnant women) aged 15-50 years was performed in the Gynecology-Obstetrics Department of the University Hospital Center of Cocody-Abidjan in Ivory Coast. Socioeconomic and periodontal status was obtained during pregnancy.

Migration is associated with baseline severity and progress over time in autism spectrum disorder: Evidence from a French prospective longitudinal study.

Background: The prevalence of autism-spectrum disorder (ASD) has been shown to be higher in migrant families, but it is also a challenge for health care professionals to offer adequate services to families that face multiple challenges. In the context of the EPIGRAM study (a French prospective, multisite, longitudinal observational study implementing integrative care practices (ICPs) for children with ASD), we aimed to assess the impact of migration on children with ASD.

Method And Findings: 89 children with ASD aged 3 to 6 years old (92% males) were recruited and followed up for 12 months.

Early steroids and ventilator-associated pneumonia in COVID-19-related ARDS.

Rationale: Early corticosteroid treatment is used to treat COVID-19-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Infection is a well-documented adverse effect of corticosteroid therapy.

Objectives: To determine whether early corticosteroid therapy to treat COVID-19 ARDS was associated with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).

Infected pancreatic necrosis complicating severe acute pancreatitis in critically ill patients: predicting catheter drainage failure and need for necrosectomy.

Background: Recent guidelines advocate a step-up approach for managing suspected infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN) during acute pancreatitis. Nearly half the patients require secondary necrosectomy after catheter drainage. Our primary objective was to assess the external validity of a previously reported nomogram for catheter drainage, based on four predictors of failure.

Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) versus 10 Hz high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to alleviate treatment-resistant unipolar depression: A randomized controlled trial (THETA-DEP).

Background: Recently intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) proved to be non-inferior to conventional repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (10 Hz rTMS) in unipolar depression after failure of one antidepressant trial, but to date no randomized control trial assessed the ability of iTBS to improve depression level and quality of life in more resistant features of depression with a long-term (6 month) follow-up in comparison to 10 Hz rTMS.

Objectives/hypothesis: The aim of our study was to compare the efficacy of 10 Hz rTMS and iTBS in treatment-resistant unipolar depression on response rates (50% decrease of MADRS scores at one month from baseline) and change in quality of life during a 6-month follow-up. In addition, we investigated whether some clinical features at baseline were associated with the response in the different groups.

Impact of targeted hypothermia in expanded-criteria organ donors on recipient kidney-graft function: study protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial (HYPOREME).

Introduction: Expanded-criteria donors (ECDs) are used to reduce the shortage of kidneys for transplantation. However, kidneys from ECDs are associated with an increased risk of delayed graft function (DGF), a risk factor for allograft loss and mortality. HYPOREME will be a multicentre randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparing targeted hypothermia to normothermia in ECDs, in a country where the use of machine perfusion for organ storage is the standard of care.

Feasibility of Combining Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Active Fully Embodied Virtual Reality for Visual Height Intolerance: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Study.

Background: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) are individually increasingly used in psychiatric research.

Objective/hypothesis: Our study aimed to investigate the feasibility of combining tDCS and wireless 360° full immersive active and embodied VRET to reduce height-induced anxiety.

Methods: We carried out a pilot randomized, double-blind, controlled study associating VRET (two 20 min sessions with a 48 h interval, during which, participants had to cross a plank at rising heights in a building in construction) with online tDCS (targeting the ventromedial prefrontal cortex) in 28 participants.