La thérapie par observation d’action (TOA) dans la maladie de Parkinson

Travail d'intégration réalisé dans le cadre du cours PHT-6113.Problématique: La maladie de Parkinson (MP) est une pathologie neurodégénérative affectant les noyaux gris centraux et est caractérisée par quatre signes moteurs cardinaux: tremblements au repos, bradykinésie/akinésie, rigidité et instabilité posturale. Les symptômes limitent la performance aux tâches fonctionnelles et augmentent le risque de chutes. Actuellement, les interventions en physiothérapie avec les personnes parkinsoniennes sont limitées. La thérapie par observation d’action (TOA) est une approche de rééducation prometteuse. Objectifs: Décrire la physiopathologie de la MP, les outils cliniques pour évaluer les parkinsoniens, les particularités liées aux tâches fonctionnelles et les bases neurophysiologiques sous-tendant la TOA dans le but de déterminer les lignes directrices de cette thérapie auprès des parkinsoniens. Stratégie méthodologique: Les bases EMBASE, MEDLINE, PubMed et Cochrane ont été consultées pour la recension d’articles en lien avec les objectifs. Résultats: Aucun principe d’application de la TOA n’est décrit précisément et aucun consensus n’est établi sur les meilleurs outils d’évaluation à utiliser avec la clientèle parkinsonienne pour mesurer l’effet de la TOA. L’analyse de la littérature permet de suggérer trois tâches fonctionnelles à pratiquer avec la TOA, soit l’atteinte d’une cible avec iii le membre supérieur, le transfert assis-debout et la marche. Il est aussi possible de proposer certaines lignes directrices pour l’évaluation clinique et la mise en pratique de la TOA. Conclusion: Le projet a permis de proposer certaines lignes directrices pour l’utilisation de la TOA chez les parkinsoniens. Ces recommandations seront présentées aux cliniciens afin de les outiller pour appliquer la TOA et étudier ses effets avec cette clientèle

Moderate to severe acute pain disturbs motor cortex intracortical inhibition and facilitation in orthopedic trauma patients : a TMS study

Objective Primary motor (M1) cortical excitability alterations are involved in the development and maintenance of chronic pain. Less is known about M1-cortical excitability implications in the acute phase of an orthopedic trauma. This study aims to assess acute M1-cortical excitability in patients with an isolated upper limb fracture (IULF) in relation to pain intensity. Methods Eighty-four (56 IULF patients <14 days post-trauma and 28 healthy controls). IULF patients were divided into two subgroups according to pain intensity (mild versus moderate to severe pain). A single transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) session was performed over M1 to compare groups on resting motor threshold (rMT), short-intracortical inhibition (SICI), intracortical facilitation (ICF), and long-interval cortical inhibition (LICI). Results Reduced SICI and ICF were found in IULF patients with moderate to severe pain, whereas mild pain was not associated with M1 alterations. Age, sex, and time since the accident had no influence on TMS measures. Discussion These findings show altered M1 in the context of acute moderate to severe pain, suggesting early signs of altered GABAergic inhibitory and glutamatergic facilitatory activities

Assessing the evolution of primary healthcare organizations and their performance (2005-2010) in two regions of Québec province: Montréal and Montérégie

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Canadian healthcare system is currently experiencing important organizational transformations through the reform of primary healthcare (PHC). These reforms vary in scope but share a common feature of proposing the transformation of PHC organizations by implementing new models of PHC organization. These models vary in their performance with respect to client affiliation, utilization of services, experience of care and perceived outcomes of care.</p> <p>Objectives</p> <p>In early 2005 we conducted a study in the two most populous regions of Quebec province (Montreal and Montérégie) which assessed the association between prevailing models of primary healthcare (PHC) and population-level experience of care. The <b>goal </b>of the present research project is to track the <it>evolution </it>of PHC organizational models and their relative performance through the reform process (from 2005 until 2010) and to assess factors at the organizational and contextual levels that are associated with the transformation of PHC organizations and their performance.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>This study will consist of three interrelated surveys, hierarchically nested. The first survey is a population-based survey of randomly-selected adults from two populous regions in the province of Quebec. This survey will assess the current affiliation of people with PHC organizations, their level of utilization of healthcare services, attributes of their experience of care, reception of preventive and curative services and perception of unmet needs for care. The second survey is an organizational survey of PHC organizations assessing aspects related to their vision, organizational structure, level of resources, and clinical practice characteristics. This information will serve to develop a taxonomy of organizations using a mixed methods approach of factorial analysis and principal component analysis. The third survey is an assessment of the organizational context in which PHC organizations are evolving. The five year prospective period will serve as a natural experiment to assess contextual and organizational factors (in 2005) associated with migration of PHC organizational models into new forms or models (in 2010) and assess the impact of this evolution on the performance of PHC.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>The results of this study will shed light on changes brought about in the organization of PHC and on factors associated with these changes.</p

Thermostable DNA Polymerase from a Viral Metagenome Is a Potent RT-PCR Enzyme

Viral metagenomic libraries are a promising but previously untapped source of new reagent enzymes. Deep sequencing and functional screening of viral metagenomic DNA from a near-boiling thermal pool identified clones expressing thermostable DNA polymerase (Pol) activity. Among these, 3173 Pol demonstrated both high thermostability and innate reverse transcriptase (RT) activity. We describe the biochemistry of 3173 Pol and report its use in single-enzyme reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). Wild-type 3173 Pol contains a proofreading 3′-5′ exonuclease domain that confers high fidelity in PCR. An easier-to-use exonuclease-deficient derivative was incorporated into a PyroScript RT-PCR master mix and compared to one-enzyme (Tth) and two-enzyme (MMLV RT/Taq) RT-PCR systems for quantitative detection of MS2 RNA, influenza A RNA, and mRNA targets. Specificity and sensitivity of 3173 Pol-based RT-PCR were higher than Tth Pol and comparable to three common two-enzyme systems. The performance and simplified set-up make this enzyme a potential alternative for research and molecular diagnostics

Ecological re-creation of wet grassland for agricultural use by filling a gravel pit : first results of floristic survey

International audienc

Ecological re-creation of wet grassland for agricultural use by filling a gravel pit : first results of floristic survey

International audienc

Effects of waterlogging levels on Holcus lanatus response traits in different created topsoils

International audienc

Impact of acute-on-chronic liver failure on 90-day mortality following a first liver transplantation

International audienceBACKGROUND:Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is associated with a significant short-term mortality rate (23%-74%), depending on the number of organ failures. Some patients present with ACLF at the time of liver transplantation (LT). The aim of this study was to assess whether ACLF was also a prognostic factor after LT and, if applicable, to construct a score that could predict 90-day mortality.METHODS:Three hundred and fifty cirrhotic patients, who underwent LT between January 2008 and December 2013, were enrolled. We used ACLF grades according to EASL-CLIF consortium criteria to categorize the cirrhotic patients. A propensity score was applied with an Inverse Probability Treatment Weighting in a Cox model. A predictive score of early mortality after LT was generated.RESULTS:One hundred and forty patients (40%) met the criteria for ACLF. The overall mortality rate at 90 days post-transplant was 10.6% (37/350 patients). ACLF at the time of LT (HR: 5.78 [3.42-9.77], P<.001) was an independent predictor of 90-day mortality. Infection occurring during the month before LT, high recipient age and male recipient, the reason for LT and a female donor were also independent risk factors for early mortality. Using these factors, we have proposed a model to predict 90-day mortality after LT.CONCLUSIONS:LT is feasible in cirrhotic patients with ACLF. However, we have shown that ACLF is a significant and independent predictor of 90-day mortality. We propose a score that can identify candidate cirrhotic patients in whom LT might be associated with futile LT