Efficacy of transcranial direct-current stimulation in women with provoked vestibulodynia

Abstract: Background: Provoked vestibulodynia (PVD) is a highly prevalent condition characterized by acute recurrent pain located at the vaginal entrance in response to pressure application or attempt of vaginal penetration. Despite a wide variety of treatments offered to women with PVD, a high proportion of women are refractory to conventional treatment. Transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that has been shown effective for improving various chronic pain conditions. Growing evidence suggests that the central nervous system (CNS) could play a key role in PVD. Targeting the CNS could be a promising treatment avenue for women suffering from PVD. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of active and sham tDCS in reducing pain intensity during intercourse in women with PVD. Study design: We conducted a triple-blind, parallel group, randomized controlled trial (RCT). Women, aged between 17-45 years and diagnosed with PVD by a gynecologist using a validated protocol were randomized to 10 sessions of either active tDCS (intensity = 2mA) or 10 sessions of sham tDCS, over a 2-week period. Both active and sham tDCS were applied for 20 minutes, with the anode positioned over the primary motor cortex (M1), and the cathode, over the contralateral supraorbital area. Outcome measures were collected at baseline, 2 weeks after treatment and at 3-month follow-up by an evaluator blinded to group assignation. The primary objective was pain intensity during intercourse, as assessed with a numerical rating scale. Secondary outcomes focused on sexual function and distress, vestibular sensitivity, psychological distress, treatment ,satisfaction and patient impression of change. Statistical analyses were conducted on the intention-to-treat basis, and treatment effects were evaluated using a mixed linear model for repeated measures. Results: A total of 40 women were randomly assigned to received either active (n=20) or sham (n=20) tDCS treatments between November 2014 and February 2016. Baseline characteristics were similar between active and sham tDCS groups. Active tDCS did not significantly reduced pain during sexual intercourse compared to sham tDCS 2 weeks after treatment (p=0.84) and at follow-up (p=0.09). Mean [95% CI] baseline and 2-week assessment pain intensity were respectively 6.8 [5.9 - 7.7] and 5.6 [4.7 - 6.5] for active tDCS (p=0.03) versus 7.5 [6.6 - 8.4] and 5.7 [4.8 - 6.6] for sham tDCS (p=0.001). Non-significant differences between the two groups were also found in regards to sexual function and distress after treatment (p>0.20) and at follow-up (p>0.10). Overall, at 2-week assessment 68% women assigned to active tDCS reported being very much, much or slightly improved compared to 65% of women assigned to sham tDCS (p=0.82), and still comparable at follow-up 42% versus 65%, respectively (p=0.15). Conclusion: Findings suggest that active tDCS is not more effective than sham tDCS for reducing pain in women with PVD. Likewise, no significant effects were found on sexual function, vestibular sensitivity or psychological distress

Efflux pump induction by quaternary ammonium compounds and fluoroquinolone resistance in bacteria.

International audienceBiocides, primarily those containing quaternary ammonium compounds (QAC), are heavily used in hospital environments and various industries (e.g., food, water, cosmetic). To date, little attention has been paid to potential implications of QAC use in the emergence of antibiotic resistance, especially fluoroquinolone-resistant bacteria in patients and in the environment. QAC-induced overexpression of efflux pumps can lead to: cross resistance with fluoroquinolones mediated by multidrug efflux pumps; stress response facilitating mutation in the Quinolone Resistance Determining Region; and biofilm formation increasing the risk of transfer of mobile genetic elements carrying fluoroquinolone or QAC resistance determinants. By following the European Biocidal Product Regulation, manufacturers of QAC are required to ensure that their QAC-based biocidal products are safe and will not contribute to emerging bacterial resistance

Multiple Brain Abscesses Caused by Pseudomonas luteola.

Published in "Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal" vol.28 n°12Letter to the Edito

Cholesterol Is Required for Efficient Endoplasmic Reticulum-to-Golgi Transport of Secretory Membrane Proteins

Although cholesterol is synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), compared with other cellular membranes, ER membrane has low cholesterol (3–6%). Most of the molecular machinery that regulates cellular cholesterol homeostasis also resides in the ER. Little is known about how cholesterol itself affects the ER membrane. Here, we demonstrate that acute cholesterol depletion in ER membranes impairs ER-to-Golgi transport of secretory membrane proteins. Cholesterol depletion is achieved by a brief inhibition of cholesterol synthesis with statins in cells grown in cholesterol-depleted medium. We provide evidence that secretory membrane proteins vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein and scavenger receptor A failed to be efficiently transported from the ER upon cholesterol depletion. Fluorescence photobleaching recovery experiments indicated that cholesterol depletion by statins leads to a severe loss of lateral mobility on the ER membrane of these transmembrane proteins, but not loss of mobility of proteins in the ER lumen. This impaired lateral mobility is correlated with impaired ER-to-Golgi transport. These results provide evidence for the first time that cholesterol is required in the ER membrane to maintain mobility of membrane proteins and thus protein secretion

Études sur l’EPS du Second Vingtième Siècle (1945-2005)

Les textes réunis dans cet ouvrage reprennent une série de conférences réalisées dans le cadre des journées « Yves Gougeon », sous l’égide de l’IUFM Nord-Pas-de-Calais. Ces journées s’adressaient aux étudiants de l’Académie de Lille préparant la première épreuve écrite d’admissibilité du concours externe du CAPEPS. Portant sur l’histoire de l’enseignement de l’Éducation Physique et Sportive de 1945 à nos jours, à travers ses enjeux éducatifs, ses conceptions et pratiques pédagogiques, la question du programme s’est enrichie d’une réflexion portant sur l’organisation de cette même discipline dans les États de l’Union Européenne. Si la première partie de la question a déjà fait l’objet d’une littérature conséquente, la seconde partie de la proposition n’a pas encore été suffisamment explorée. L’objectif de cet ouvrage est donc double : il s’agit tout d’abord de revisiter l’histoire de la discipline, à partir de son identité et de son environnement. Dans une première partie (« réflexions autour de l’identité de la discipline »), les auteurs se proposent de réinterroger le statut scolaire de cette matière d’enseignement pour le temps contemporain. La deuxième partie de l’ouvrage (« réflexions sur les aspects idéologiques de l’EPS ») cherche à montrer que les évolutions de l’EPS, quelles qu’en soient les dimensions (aspects historiographiques, institutionnels et pédagogiques), demeurent liées aux mutations politiques des périodes considérées. L’idée directrice de ces deux parties est bien de faire une synthèse de connaissances stabilisées, dont les étudiants sauront tirer profit. Il s’agira ensuite de s’aventurer sur des terres encore en friche, en observant, compte tenu des matériaux disponibles, la manière dont l’éducation physique s’enseigne en Europe : cette dernière partie (« réflexions sur les changements d’échelle de l’EPS ») interroge ainsi les singularités d’une « EPS à la française » dans une perspective comparatiste

Émergence du clone de <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> ST398 sensible à la méticilline dans les infections humaines : situation au CHU de Rennes en 2014

National audienc

Integrative study of pandemic A/H1N1 influenza infections: design and methods of the CoPanFlu-France cohort

Abstract Background The risk of influenza infection depends on biological characteristics, individual or collective behaviors and the environmental context. The Cohorts for Pandemic Influenza (CoPanFlu) France study was set up in 2009 after the identification of the novel swine-origin A/H1N1 pandemic influenza virus. This cohort of 601 households (1450 subjects) representative for the general population aims at using an integrative approach to study the risk and characteristics of influenza infection as a complex combination of data collected from questionnaires regarding sociodemographic, medical, behavioral characteristics of subjects and indoor environment, using biological samples or environmental databases. Methods/Design Households were included between December 2009 and July 2010. The design of this study relies on systematic follow-up visits between influenza seasons and additional visits during influenza seasons, when an influenza-like illness is detected in a household via an active surveillance system. During systematic visits, a nurse collects individual and environmental data on questionnaires and obtains blood samples from all members of the household. When an influenza-like-illness is detected, a nurse visits the household three times during the 12 following days, and collects data on questionnaires regarding exposure and symptoms, and biological samples (including nasal swabs) from all subjects in the household. The end of the follow-up period is expected in fall 2012. Discussion The large amount of data collected throughout the follow-up will permit a multidisciplinary study of influenza infections. Additional data is being collected and analyzed in this ongoing cohort. The longitudinal analysis of these households will permit integrative analyses of complex phenomena such as individual, collective and environmental risk factors of infection, routes of transmission, or determinants of the immune response to infection or vaccination.</p

MOOC : "Open Wine University 2"

LANCEMENT : Open Wine University 2Dès le 23 mai et durant cinq semaines vous découvrirez, grâce à une approche pluridisciplinaire, les différentes facettes du vin : le vignoble, le terroir, les vinifications, le vieillissement, l'économie, l'histoire, la communication autour du vin...Plan du cours Semaine 1 : Introduction Entre sol et climat Micro-organismes du vin Premiers pas en dégustation + support sur la vinification des vins blancs et des vins rouges Semaine 2 : Le vin en danger ? Climat et viticulture Principales maladies et ravageurs de la vigne Economie mondiale du vin après la crise du phylloxéra Semaine 3 : Façonner le vin Géologie et sols des terroirs bourguignons Vin et diversité microbienne Marchés du vin Semaine 4 : Maîtriser son terroir Construction du terroir de la vigne Vinification des vins spéciaux : l'exemple de la production de vins jaunes du Jura Défauts du vin Semaine 5 : Mettre le vin à table Mise en bouteille du vin Vieillissement du vin Le vin, territoire de communicatio

Integrative study of pandemic A/H1N1 influenza infections: design and methods of the CoPanFlu-France cohort

BACKGROUND: The risk of influenza infection depends on biological characteristics, individual or collective behaviors and the environmental context. The Cohorts for Pandemic Influenza (CoPanFlu) France study was set up in 2009 after the identification of the novel swine-origin A/H1N1 pandemic influenza virus. This cohort of 601 households (1450 subjects) representative for the general population aims at using an integrative approach to study the risk and characteristics of influenza infection as a complex combination of data collected from questionnaires regarding sociodemographic, medical, behavioral characteristics of subjects and indoor environment, using biological samples or environmental databases. METHODS/DESIGN: Households were included between December 2009 and July 2010. The design of this study relies on systematic follow-up visits between influenza seasons and additional visits during influenza seasons, when an influenza-like illness is detected in a household via an active surveillance system. During systematic visits, a nurse collects individual and environmental data on questionnaires and obtains blood samples from all members of the household. When an influenza-like-illness is detected, a nurse visits the household three times during the 12 following days, and collects data on questionnaires regarding exposure and symptoms, and biological samples (including nasal swabs) from all subjects in the household. The end of the follow-up period is expected in fall 2012. DISCUSSION: The large amount of data collected throughout the follow-up will permit a multidisciplinary study of influenza infections. Additional data is being collected and analyzed in this ongoing cohort. The longitudinal analysis of these households will permit integrative analyses of complex phenomena such as individual, collective and environmental risk factors of infection, routes of transmission, or determinants of the immune response to infection or vaccination