Mitochondrial activities in human cultured skin fibroblasts contaminated by Mycoplasma hyorhinis

BACKGROUND: Mycoplasma contaminations are a recurrent problem in the use of cultured cells, including human cells, especially as it has been shown to impede cell cycle, triggering cell death under various conditions. More specific consequences on cell metabolism are poorly known. RESULTS: Here we report the lack of significant consequence of a heavy contamination by the frequently encountered mycoplasma strain, M. hyorhinis, on the determination of respiratory chain activities, but the potential interference when assaying citrate synthase. Contamination by M. hyorhinis was detected by fluorescent imaging and further quantified by the determination of the mycoplasma-specific phosphate acetyltransferase activity. Noticeably, this latter activity was not found equally distributed in various mycoplasma types, being exceptionally high in M. hyorhinis. CONCLUSION: While we observed a trend for respiration reduction in heavily contaminated cells, no significant and specific targeting of any respiratory chain components could be identified. This suggested a potential interference with cell metabolism rather than direct interaction with respiratory chain components

Multicenter evaluation of Neurelec Digisonic Ò SP cochlear implant reliability

Abstract Over the past decade, the adoption of universal hearing screening in newborns has led to earlier detection of hearing problems and significant lowering of the age of first cochlear implantation. As a consequence, recipients are now expected to keep their cochlear implants (CIs) for a longer period of time. Comprehensive longitudinal information on CI reliability is essential for device choice. The aim of this study was to assess the reliability (in children and adults) of the latest generation of the Digisonic Ò SP CI launched in 2006 by Neurelec. Failure rate (FR) and cumulative survival rate (CSR) for a 5-year period were calculated. This survey is a multicenter retrospective study. A questionnaire was sent to nine CI centers requesting information about patients implanted with Neurelec Digisonic Ò SP CIs. FR and CSR over a 5-year period were calculated on this group. Collaborating centers collected data on 672 patients (362 children and 310 adults) implanted between March 2006 and March 2011. The overall rate of explantation was 2.23 % (15 cases): six devices were explanted due to device failure (0.89 %) and nine were explanted for medical reasons (1.34 %). Four patients were lost to follow-up. The CSR at 5 years was 98.51 % on all patients, 98.48 % for children and 98.57 % for adults. FR was 0.97 % for adults and 0.83 % for children. This first independent study that assesses FR and CSR on the current generation of Digisonic Ò SP CI represents an important resource that can help clinicians and patients during their device choice

Speech Performance and Sound Localization Abilities in Neurelec Digisonic® SP Binaural Cochlear Implant Users

In this prospective study the outcome of the Digisonic® SP Binaural cochlear implant (CI), a device enabling electric stimulation of both cochleae by a single receiver, was evaluated in 14 postlingually deafened adults after 12 months of use. Speech perception was tested using French disyllabic words in quiet and in speech-shaped noise at +10 dB signal-to-noise ratio. Horizontal sound localization in quiet was tested using pink noise coming from 5 loudspeakers, from -90 to +90° along the azimuth. Speech scores in quiet were 76% (±19.5 SD) in the bilateral condition, 62% (±24 SD) for the better ear alone and 43.5% (±27 SD) for the poorer ear alone. Speech scores in noise were 60% (±27.5 SD), 46% (±28 SD) and 28% (±25 SD), respectively, in the same conditions. Statistical analysis showed a significant advantage of the bilateral use in quiet and in noise (p < 0.05 compared to the better ear). Significant spatial perception benefits such as summation effect (p < 0.05), head shadow effect (p < 0.0001) and squelch effect (p < 0.0005) were noted. Sound localization accuracy improved significantly when using the device in the bilateral condition with an average root mean square of 35°. Compared with published outcomes of usual bilateral cochlear implantation, this device could be a valuable alternative to two CIs. Prospective controlled trials, comparing the Digisonic SP Binaural CI with a standard bilateral cochlear implantation are mandatory to evaluate their respective advantages and cost-effectiveness.status: publishe

Update on French recommendations for the treatment of uncomplicated Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections

International audienc

Post-exposure prophylaxis with doxycycline to prevent sexually transmitted infections in men who have sex with men: an open-label randomised substudy of the ANRS IPERGAY trial

International audienceBACKGROUND:Increased rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have been reported among men who have sex with men. We aimed to assess whether post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with doxycycline could reduce the incidence of STIs.METHODS:All participants attending their scheduled visit in the open-label extension of the ANRS IPERGAY trial in France (men aged 18 years or older having condomless sex with men and using pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate plus emtricitabine) were eligible for inclusion in this open-label randomised study. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) at a central site to take a single oral dose of 200 mg doxycycline PEP within 24 h after sex or no prophylaxis. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of a first STI (gonorrhoea, chlamydia, or syphilis) during the 10-month follow-up. The cumulative probability of occurrence of the primary endpoint was estimated in each group with the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with the log-rank test. The primary efficacy analysis was done on the intention-to-treat population, comprising all randomised participants. All participants received risk-reduction counselling and condoms, and were tested regularly for HIV. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01473472.FINDINGS:Between July 20, 2015, and Jan 21, 2016, we randomly assigned 232 participants (n=116 in the doxycycline PEP group and n=116 in the no-PEP group) who were followed up for a median of 8·7 months (IQR 7·8-9·7). Participants in the PEP group used a median of 680 mg doxycycline per month (IQR 280-1450). 73 participants presented with a new STI during follow-up, 28 in the PEP group (9-month probability 22%, 95% CI 15-32) and 45 in the no-PEP group (42%, 33-53; log-rank test p=0·007). The occurrence of a first STI in participants taking PEP was lower than in those not taking PEP (hazard ratio [HR] 0·53; 95% CI 0·33-0·85; p=0·008). Similar results were observed for the occurrence of a first episode of chlamydia (HR 0·30; 95% CI 0·13-0·70; p=0·006) and of syphilis (0·27; 0·07-0·98; p=0·047); for a first episode of gonorrhoea the results did not differ significantly (HR 0·83; 0·47-1·47; p=0·52). No HIV seroconversion was observed, and 72 (71%) of all 102 STIs were asymptomatic. Rates of serious adverse events were similar in the two study groups. Gastrointestinal adverse events were reported in 62 (53%) participants in the PEP group and 47 (41%) in the no-PEP group (p=0·05).INTERPRETATION:Doxycycline PEP reduced the occurrence of a first episode of bacterial STI in high-risk men who have sex with men.FUNDING:France Recherche Nord & Sud Sida-HIV Hépatites (ANRS) and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation