MR imaging of the metacarpophalangeal joints of the fingers: evaluation of 38 patients with chronic joint disability

Objective: To report the MR imaging findings of painful injured metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints of the fingers. Design and patients: MR imaging of 39 injured MCP joints in 38 patients was performed after a mean delay of 8.8months. The MR images were obtained with the fingers in extended and flexed positions using T2-weighted and T1-weighted sequences before and after intravenous injection of a gadolinium compound. Ten patients were treated surgically. Mean clinical follow-up was 1.8years. Results: Tears of the collateral ligaments were the most common lesion (30/39), most being radial in location. Contrast-enhanced axial T1-weighted images with the MCP joint in a flexed position showed these lesions optimally. Ten tears were partial and 20 were complete. In 13 patients, MR images showed 17 associated lesions including injuries of the extensor hood (10/17), interosseous tendon (3/17), palmar plate (3/17), and an osteochondral lesion (1/17). Sagittal MR images were essential to highlight palmar plate tears. Conclusion: Partial or complete tears of the collateral ligaments are prevalent MR imaging findings in patients with chronic disability resulting from injuries to the MCP joints. Although conservative treatment generally is sufficient for isolated injuries of the collateral ligaments, surgical repair is often required in cases of more extensive injuries. MR imaging may clearly delineate associated lesions of and about the MCP joint

Quorum Sensing Signaling Molecules Produced by Reference and Emerging Soft-Rot Bacteria (Dickeya and Pectobacterium spp.)

International audienceBACKGROUND: Several small diffusible molecules are involved in bacterial quorum sensing and virulence. The production of autoinducers-1 and -2, quinolone, indole and γ-amino butyrate signaling molecules was investigated in a set of soft-rot bacteria belonging to six Dickeya or Pectobacterium species including recent or emerging potato isolates. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Using bacterial biosensors, immunoassay, and chromatographic analysis, we showed that soft-rot bacteria have the common ability to produce transiently during their exponential phase of growth the N-3-oxo-hexanoyl- or the N-3-oxo-octanoyl-l-homoserine lactones and a molecule of the autoinducer-2 family. Dickeya spp. produced in addition the indole-3-acetic acid in tryptophan-rich conditions. All these signaling molecules have been identified for the first time in the novel Dickeya solani species. In contrast, quinolone and γ-amino butyrate signals were not identified and the corresponding synthases are not present in the available genomes of soft-rot bacteria. To determine if the variations of signal production according to growth phase could result from expression modifications of the corresponding synthase gene, the respective mRNA levels were estimated by reverse transcriptase-PCR. While the N-acyl-homoserine lactone production is systematically correlated to the synthase expression, that of the autoinducer-2 follows the expression of an enzyme upstream in the activated methyl cycle and providing its precursor, rather than the expression of its own synthase. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Despite sharing the S-adenosylmethionine precursor, no strong link was detected between the production kinetics or metabolic pathways of autoinducers-1 and -2. In contrast, the signaling pathway of autoinducer-2 seems to be switched off by the indole-3-acetic acid pathway under tryptophan control. It therefore appears that the two genera of soft-rot bacteria have similarities but also differences in the mechanisms of communication via the diffusible molecules. Our results designate autoinducer-1 lactones as the main targets for a global biocontrol of soft-rot bacteria communications, including those of emerging isolates

Le genou en l'an 2000 Paris, 24-25 fevrier 2000

SIGLEAvailable from INIST (FR), Document Supply Service, under shelf-number : Y 32533 / INIST-CNRS - Institut de l'Information Scientifique et TechniqueHopital Cochin, 75 - Paris (France). Service de Radiologie BFRFranc

De l’imagerie diagnostique à la radiologie opérationnelle

Raust Jean, Bonnin André, Broussouloux Claude, Chevrot Alain. De l’imagerie diagnostique à la radiologie opérationnelle. In: Bulletin d'histoire de l'électricité, n°9, juin 1987. Médecine et électricité. pp. 57-70

Urinary Incontinence, Patient Satisfaction, and Decisional Regret after Prostate Cancer Treatment: A French National Study

International audienceBACKGROUND: Complications of prostate cancer treatments have a substantial impact on the patient's quality of life. We evaluated the prevalence of urinary consequences and factors affecting patient satisfaction and decisional regret after treatment. METHODS: A retrospective self-administered questionnaire was sent to all members of the National Association of Prostate Cancer Patients in France. RESULTS: From the 226 completed questionnaires received, the following information was obtained: 110 patients underwent surgery only, 29 received radiotherapy plus hormone therapy, 28 received radiotherapy only, and 49 received other combination treatments. The median follow-up period was 58.1 months. After treatment, the presence of urinary incontinence was reported by 34.5% of patients treated by radical prostatectomy, by 10.3% treated by radiotherapy plus hormone therapy, by 17.8% treated by curitherapy or radiotherapy only, and by 38.7% treated by other combination therapy (p~= 0.01). The main reasons for decisional regret were the fact that patients received incomplete information about prostate cancer (40%) and consequences of treatment that affected the urinary system (34%). The information received about cancer was considered complete in 32.3% of the satisfied group and 14.3% of the decisional regret group (p~= 0.003) and with regard to urinary incontinence the information received was considered complete in 41.4 and 17.4% respectively (p~\textless 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Urinary consequences of prostate cancer treatment are common and impact the quality of life. Patients need clear information to be able to participate in therapeutic decision-making and to avoid subsequent decisional regret