Health problems most commonly diagnosed among young female patients during visits to general practitioners and gynecologists in France before the initiation of the human papillomavirus vaccination program

Background rates for common health problems have seldom been estimated to facilitate interpretation of signals that may occur after a new public health intervention. Background rates of diagnoses from general practitioners (GPs) and gynecologists (GYNs) were assessed before the implementation of human papillomavirus (HPV) immunization program

Epidemiological and economic burden of potentially HPV-related cancers in France.

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) infection is now known to be responsible for almost all cervical cancers, and for a substantial fraction of Head and Neck cancers (HNCs). However, comprehensive epidemiological and economic data is lacking in France, especially for rarer potentially HPV-related cancers, which include anal, vulvar and vaginal cancers. Using the national comprehensive database of French public and private hospital information (PMSI), we assessed prevalence and incidence of patients with in-hospital diagnosis for potentially HPV-related cancers in 2013, and estimated costs related to their management over a 3-year period after diagnosis in France. Concerning female genital cancers, 7,597, 1,491 and 748 women were hospitalized for cervical, vulvar and vaginal cancer in 2013, respectively, with 3,120, 522 and 323 of them being new cases. A total of 4,153 patients were hospitalized for anal cancer in 2013, including 1,661 new cases. For HNCs, 8,794 and 14,730 patients were hospitalized for oral and oropharyngeal cancer in 2013, respectively; 3,619 and 6,808 were new cases. Within the 3 years after cancer diagnosis, the average cost of hospital care per patient varied from €28 K for anal cancer to €41 K for oral cancer. Most expenditures were related to hospital care, before outpatient care and disability allowance; they were concentrated in the first year of care. The total economic burden associated with HPV-potentially related cancers was about €511 M for the French National Health Insurance over a 3 years period (2011 to 2013), ranging from €8 M for vaginal cancer to €222 M for oropharyngeal cancer. This study reported the most up-to-date epidemiological and economic data on potentially HPV-related cancers in France. These results may be used to evaluate the potential impact of new preventive strategies, namely the generalized organized screening of cervical cancer and the nine-valent HPV vaccine, indicated in the prevention of cervical, vaginal, vulvar and anal cancers

Cervical cancer screening coverage, management of squamous intraepithelial lesions and related costs in France

International audienceUntil 2018, cervical cancer screening in France was an unorganized individual screening, with the exception of some pilot programs in some territories. We aimed to assess, before the implementation of organized cervical cancer screening and human papillomavirus (HPV) nonavalent vaccine introduction in the vaccination schedule in 2018, (i) the individual cervical cancer screening coverage, (ii) the management of squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) and (iii) the related costs. We used the Système National des Données de Santé (SNDS) (Echantillon Généraliste de Bénéficiaires [EGB] and Programme de Médicalisation des systèmes d'information [PMSI]) to assess the cervical screening coverage rate in France between January 1st, 2012 and December 31st, 2014, and to describe diagnostic investigations and therapeutic management of SIL in 2013. After extrapolation to the general population, a total of 10,847,814 women underwent at least one smear test over the 3-year study period, corresponding to a coverage rate of 52.4% of the women aged 25 to 64 included. In 2013, 126,095 women underwent HPV test, 327,444 women underwent colposcopy, and 9,653 underwent endocervical curettage; 31,863 had conization and 12,162 had laser ablation. Besides, 34,067 women experienced hospital stays related to management of SIL; 25,368 (74.5%) had high-grade lesions (HSIL) and 7,388 (21.7%) low-grade lesions (LSIL). Conization was the most frequent in-hospital therapeutic procedure: 89.5% (22,704) of women with an in-hospital procedure for HSIL and 64.7% (4,781) for LSIL. Mean cost of smear test, colposcopy and HPV tests were around 50€. Total cost for hospital stays in 2013 was estimated at M41€, or a mean cost of 1,211€ per woman; 76% were due to stays with HSIL. This study highlights the low coverage rate of individual cervical cancer screening and a high burden related to SIL management

Cord blood transplantation for AML:Comparable LFS in patients with de novo versus secondary AML in CR1, an ALWP/EBMT study

We investigated whether secondary versus de novo acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) would be associated with poor outcomes in adult acute AML patients in first complete remission (CR1) receiving unrelated cord blood transplantation (CBT). This is a retrospective study from the acute leukaemia working party of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. Inclusion criteria included adult at first allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation between 2000 and 2021, unrelated single or double unit CBT, AML in CR1, no ex vivo T-cell depletion and no post-transplant cyclophosphamide. The primary end-point of the study was leukaemia-free survival (LFS). A total of 879 patients with de novo (n = 696) or secondary (n = 183) AML met the inclusion criteria. In multivariable analyses, sAML patients had non-significantly different LFS (HR = 0.98, p = 0.86), overall survival (HR = 1.07, p = 0.58), relapse incidence (HR = 0.74, p = 0.09) and non-relapse mortality (HR = 1.26, p = 0.13) than those with de novo AML. Our results demonstrate non-significantly different LFS following CBT in adult patients with secondary versus de novo AML.</p

Bronquiectasias : tratamento cirúrgico : análise de 437 casos

-Introdução: Este trabalho apresenta a experiência cirúrgica em 437 pacientes submetidos à ressecção pulmonar para tratamento de bronquiectasias, avaliando evolução pós-operatória e o impacto quanto à melhora dos sintomas. -Métodos: Foram analisados retrospectivamente os prontuários médicos de 437 pacientes submetidos à ressecção pulmonar para tratamento de bronquiectasias em uma única instituição, entre Janeiro de 1978 e Dezembro de 2010. Os pacientes tinham 16 ou mais anos de idade, e as bronquiectasias foram diagnosticadas pelas manifestações clínicas e por tomografia computadorizada do tórax. Pacientes portadores de fibrose cística e os submetidos a transplante pulmonar foram excluídos. -Resultados: A amostra incluiu 437 pacientes (249 do sexo feminino; 188 do masculino). A idade média dos pacientes na época da cirurgia era de 38,45 anos (variando de 16 a 80 anos). O sintoma mais comum na apresentação era tosse produtiva (79,4%). A causa identificada como mais comum das bronquiectasias foi infecção respiratória na infância (49,2%). Cirurgia unilateral foi realizada em 415 pacientes (95,0%), e em 344 toda a área com bronquiectasias foi ressecada. Dentre os procedimentos cirúrgicos utilizados, o principal foi lobectomia média em 147 pacientes (33,6%) e segmentectomia (32,3%). Após a cirurgia, 94,4% de 267 pacientes questionados referiram melhora de seus sintomas, 68,9% deles considerando-se assintomáticos. Ocorreu 1 (um) óbito no pós operatório. -Conclusões: O tratamento cirúrgico das bronquiectasias mostrou-se altamente eficiente, em termos de melhora dos sintomas dos indivíduos acometidos, sendo realizado com taxas de morbidade aceitáveis, mortalidade praticamente nula, e com excelentes resultados em termos de melhora dos sintomas.Background. This work presents the surgical experience of 437 patients undergoing to lung resection for the treatment of bronchiectasis, evaluating both the impact on postoperative clinical improvement and complications of the surgical procedure. Methods It was retrospectively analyzed the medical charts of 437 consecutive patients who underwent a surgical lung resection for treatment of bronchiectasis in a single institution, between January 1978 and December 2010. Patients were 16 years or older and bronchiectasis was diagnosed by symptoms and computed tomography. Patients with cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis the ones that underwent to lung transplantation were excluded. Results The study sample included 437 patients (249 females; 188 males). Mean age at time of surgery was 38.45 years old (range: 16 to 80). The most common presenting symptoms were cough (79.4%). The most common etiology of bronchiectais was childhood infections (49.2%). Unilateral approach was performed in 415 (95.0%) and in 344 the total bronchiectasic site were resected. Several surgical procedures were used, the majority was medium lobectomy in 147 (33.6%) and segmentectomy (32.3%). After surgery, 94.4% of the patients improved their symptoms, 68,9% following practically assymptomatic. One postoperative death occurred. Conclusions Bronchiectasis may be treated by surgical management, particularly in developing countries where it is very prevalent. It can be performed with acceptable morbidity rates, practically without mortality, and with excelent results in terms of symptoms improvement

Apelin prevents cardiac fibroblast activation and collagen production through inhibition of sphingosine kinase 1

Activation of cardiac fibroblasts and their differentiation into myofibroblasts is a key event in the progression of cardiac fibrosis that leads to end-stage heart failure. Apelin, an adipocyte-derived factor, exhibits a number of cardioprotective properties; however, whether apelin is involved in cardiac fibroblast activation and myofibroblast formation remains unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of apelin in activated cardiac fibroblasts, the potential related mechanisms and impact on cardiac fibrotic remodelling process

Cyclogenesis in the Tropical Atlantic: First Scientific Highlights from the Clouds–Atmospheric Dynamics–Dust Interactions in West Africa (CADDIWA) Field Campaign

International audienceDuring the boreal summer, mesoscale convective systems generated over West Africa propagate westward and interact with African easterly waves, and dust plumes transported from the Sahel and Sahara by the African easterly jet. Once off West Africa, the vortices in the wake of these mesoscale convective systems evolve in a complex environment sometimes leading to the development of tropical storms and hurricanes, especially in September when sea surface temperatures are high. Numerical weather predictions of cyclogenesis downstream of West Africa remains a key challenge due to the incomplete understanding of the clouds–atmospheric dynamics–dust interactions that limit predictability. The primary objective of the Clouds–Atmospheric Dynamics–Dust Interactions in West Africa (CADDIWA) project is to improve our understanding of the relative contributions of the direct, semidirect, and indirect radiative effects of dust on the dynamics of tropical waves as well as the intensification of vortices in the wake of offshore mesoscale convective systems and their evolution into tropical storms over the North Atlantic. Airborne observations relevant to the assessment of such interactions (active remote sensing, in situ microphysics probes, among others) were made from 8 to 21 September 2021 in the tropical environment of Sal Island, Cape Verde. The environments of several tropical cyclones, including Tropical Storm Rose, were monitored and probed. The airborne measurements also serve the purpose of regional model evaluation and the validation of spaceborne wind, aerosol and cloud products pertaining to satellite missions of the European Space Agency and EUMETSAT (including the Aeolus, EarthCARE, and IASI missions)

Influence of invasive aspergillosis during acute leukaemia treatment on survival after allogeneic stem cell transplantation: a prospective study of the EBMT Infectious Diseases Working PartyResearch in context

Summary: Background: Infections are the main reason for mortality during acute leukaemia treatment and invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a major concern. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT) is a standard therapy and often is the only live-saving procedure in leukaemia patients. The profound immunodeficiency occurring after alloSCT led to high IA-associated mortality in the past. Therefore, patients with IA were historically considered transplant-ineligible. Recently, there has been improvement of anti-fungal management including novel anti-fungal agents. As a result, more leukaemia patients with IA are undergoing alloSCT. Outcome has not been prospectively assessed. Methods: We performed a prospective study in acute leukaemia patients undergoing alloSCT to analyse the impact of a prior history of probable or proven IA (pre-SCT IA). The primary endpoint was 1-year non-relapse mortality (NRM). Relapse free survival and overall survival were analysed as secondary endpoints. Findings: 1439 patients were included between 2016 and 2021. The incidence of probable or proven pre-SCT IA was 6.0% (n = 87). The cumulative incidence of 1-year NRM was 17.3% (95% CI 10.2–26.0) and 11.2% (9.6–13.0) for patients with and without pre-SCT IA. In multivariate analyses the hazard ratio (HR) for 1-year NRM was 2.1 (1.2–3.6; p = 0.009) for patients with pre-SCT IA. One-year relapse-free survival was inferior in patients with pre-SCT IA (59.4% [48.3–68.9] vs. 70.4 [67.9–72.8]; multivariate HR 1.5 [1.1–2.1]; p = 0.02). Consequently, 1-year overall survival was lower in patients with pre-SCT IA: (68.8% [57.8–77.4] vs. 79.0% [76.7–81.1]; multivariate HR 1.7 [1.1–2.5]; p = 0.01). Interpretation: Pre-SCT IA remains to be significantly associated with impaired alloSCT outcome. On the other hand, more than two thirds of patients with pre-SCT IA were alive at one year after alloSCT. IA is not anymore an absolute contraindication for alloSCT because the majority of patients with IA who undergo alloSCT benefit from this procedure. Funding: There was no external funding source for this study