Probing New Physics Models of Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay with SuperNEMO

The possibility to probe new physics scenarios of light Majorana neutrino exchange and right-handed currents at the planned next generation neutrinoless double beta decay experiment SuperNEMO is discussed. Its ability to study different isotopes and track the outgoing electrons provides the means to discriminate different underlying mechanisms for the neutrinoless double beta decay by measuring the decay half-life and the electron angular and energy distributions.Comment: 17 pages, 14 figures, to be published in E.P.J.

Pharmacoperones for misfolded gonadotropin receptors

The gonadotropin receptors (luteinising hormone receptor; LHR and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor; FSHR) are G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that play an important role in the endocrine control of reproduction. Thus genetic mutations that cause impaired function of these receptors have been implicated in a number of reproductive disorders. Disease-causing genetic mutations in GPCRs frequently result in intracellular retention and degradation of the nascent protein through misfolding and subsequent recognition by cellular quality control machinery. The discovery and development of novel compounds termed pharmacological chaperones (pharmacoperones) that can stabilise misfolded receptors and restore trafficking and plasma membrane expression are therefore of great interest clinically, and promising in vitro data describing the pharmacoperone rescue of a number of intracellularly retained mutant GPCRs has provided a platform for taking these compounds into in vivo trials. Thienopyrimidine small molecule allosteric gonadotropin receptor agonists (Org 42599 and Org 41841) have been demonstrated to have pharmacoperone activity. These compounds can rescue cell surface expression and in many cases, hormone responsiveness, of a range of retained mutant gonadotropin receptors. Should gonadotropin receptor selectivity of these compounds be improved, they could offer therapeutic benefit to subsets of patients suffering from reproductive disorders attributed to defective gonadotropin receptor trafficking.https://www.springer.com/series/1642018-12-01hj2018Immunolog

Apprentissage de l’examen gynécologique sur simulateur : impact sur le ressenti des étudiants en médecine

International audienceObjectivesThe use of anatomic model is particularly suitable for teaching gynecological examination. Although simulation training was proved to be effective in improving medical students’ technical skills, its interest in reducing their apprehension about pelvic examination was poorly evaluated. The aim of the present study was to evaluate low-fidelity simulation sessions to reduce the discomfort and apprehension of medical students towards gynecological examination. The secondary objective was to appreciate student satisfaction with these sessions.MethodsDescriptive analysis of simulation-based teaching of breast and pelvic examination on Ilumens platform at the university Paris 5 among 3rd and 4th year medical students. It consisted in a before/after evaluation, using an anonymous questionnaire of self-evaluation and satisfaction at the beginning and at the end of the session.ResultsFour hundred and thirty-two students answered both questionnaires. Seventy-two percent apprehended the pelvic examination initially and 62% were uncomfortable with the idea of performing it. Among the students who had never performed pelvic examination, more than 80% felt less uncomfortable with the idea of performing pelvic examination and were less apprehensive about it at the end of the simulation session.ConclusionThe benefits of low-fidelity simulation in gynecology extend to the well-being of medical students who are less apprehensive about performing gynecological examination.ObjectifsL’apprentissage de l’examen gynécologique se prête particulièrement bien à un apprentissage sur simulateur. Si la simulation s’est révélée efficace pour améliorer les compétences techniques des étudiants, son intérêt pour diminuer leur appréhension vis-à-vis de cet examen reste peu étudié. L’objectif de cette étude était d’évaluer l’intérêt des séances de simulation basse fidélité pour réduire la gêne et l’appréhension des étudiants en médecine quant à l’examen gynécologique. L’objectif secondaire était d’apprécier la satisfaction des étudiants quant à ces séances.MéthodesAnalyse descriptive de l’enseignement par simulation des gestes médicaux en gynécologie auprès d’étudiants en DFGSM3 et en DFASM2 en formation initiale sur la plateforme Ilumens à l’université Paris 5. Il s’agissait d’une étude avant/après avec un 1er questionnaire anonyme d’autoévaluation et de satisfaction distribué en début de séance, puis un 2e en fin de séance.RésultatQuatre-cent-trente-deux étudiants ont répondu aux questionnaires avant et après la séance de simulation. Soixante-douze pour cent des étudiants appréhendaient l’examen pelvien initialement et 62 % étaient gênés à l’idée de le réaliser. Parmi les étudiants n’ayant jamais examiné de patientes, plus de 80 % se sentaient moins gênés à l’idée de réaliser un examen pelvien et appréhendaient moins le geste à l’issu de la séance de simulation.ConclusionLes bénéfices de la simulation basse fidélité en gynécologie s’étendent au bien-être des étudiants en médecine qui appréhendent moins la réalisation de l’examen gynécologique

Les femmes ménopausées : recommandations pour la pratique clinique du CNGOF et du GEMVi (Texte court)

International audienc

Management of postmenopausal women: Collège National des Gynécologues et Obstétriciens Français (CNGOF) and Groupe d'Etude sur la Ménopause et le Vieillissement (GEMVi) Clinical Practice Guidelines

International audienceAim: The aim of these recommendations is to set forth an individualized approach to the management of early postmenopausal women (i.e., within the first 10 years after natural menopause) covering all aspects of lifestyle and therapeutic management, with or without menopause hormone therapy (MHT). Materials and methods: Literature review and consensus of French expert opinion. Recommendations were graded according to the HAS methodology and levels of evidence derived from the international literature, except when there was no good-quality evidence. Summary recommendations: The beginning of menopause is an ideal time for each woman to evaluate her health status by assessing her bone, cardiovascular, and cancer-related risk factors that may be amplified by postmenopausal estrogen deficiency and by reviewing her lifestyle habits. Improving lifestyle, including nutrition and physical activity, and avoiding risk factors (notably smoking), should be recommended to all women. MHT remains the most effective treatment for vasomotor symptoms but it could be also recommended as first-line treatment for the prevention of osteoporosis in early postmenopausal women at low to moderate risk for fracture. The risks of MHT differ depending on its type, dose, duration of use, route of administration, timing of initiation, and whether a progestogen is used. There is reasonable evidence that using transdermal estradiol in association with micronized progesterone or dydrogesterone may limit both the venous thromboembolic risk associated with oral estrogens and the risk of breast cancer associated with synthetic progestins. Treatment should be individualized to each woman, by using the best available evidence to maximize benefits and minimize risks, with periodic reevaluation of its benefit-risk balance. For bothersome genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) symptoms, vaginal treatment with lubricants and moisturizers is recommended as first-line treatment together with low-dose vaginal estrogen therapy, depending on the clinical course. No recommendation of an optimal duration of MHT can be made, but it must take into consideration the initial indication for MHT as well as each woman's benefit-risk balance. Management of gynecological side-effects of MHT is also examined. These recommendations are endorsed by the Groupe d'Etude sur la Me ' nopause et le Vieillissement hormonal (GEMVI) and the Colle`ge National des Gyne ' cologues-Obste ' triciens Francais (CNGOF)

Hormone-Dependent Changes in Female Urinary Proteome

Human urine represents a good source for proteomic research for clinically related studies as it can be collected and processed easily and can give information about kidney-related mechanisms. Little is known about the urinary proteomic changes resulting from physiological (normal), pathological, or environmental variations, and there are few reports on hormone-related modifications of urine proteome. In our study, we highlighted the variations of urinary proteins associated with menstrual cycle or estro-progestin pill in females. We also described an association between some urinary proteins and the renin\u2013angiotensin\u2013aldosterone system, which might help to improve the understanding of physiological and pathological processes when a gender-specific pattern such as the menopause-related hypertension or eclampsia is evident. We therefore support the usefulness of urinary proteomics as a valuable tool for clinically related study as it can provide information on candidate biomarkers which, in turn, need to be confirmed by multiple approaches before the use in a clinical setting