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Seed transmitted Neotyphodium endophytes are widespread in grasses. These fungi may modify agronomic plant traits and induce synthesis of mycotoxins that lead to possible cattle toxicoses. For these reasons, the Technical Permanent Committee for Breeding recommends the grass varieties submitted to the French Official List to contain less than 20% of seeds with living Neotyphodium. Several fungicides were tested as seed treatments on perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and tall rescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreber). Phytotoxic effects were measured. Their efficacy was evaluated in greenhouse and in field conditions of seed production. Trificonazole [(RS)-(E)-5-(4-chlorobenzylidene)-2,2-dimethyl-1- (1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)cyclo-pentanol] was effective but much too phytotoxic. The tested doses of bitertanol [1-(biphenyl-4-yloxy)-3,3-dimethyl-1- (1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol] and fluqninconazole [3-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-6-fluoro-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl) quinazolin-4(3H)-one] have few negative effects on germination but very few effects on endophytes. Prochloraz [N-propyI-N-[2-(2,4,6-trichlorophenoxy)ethyl]-1H-imidazole-1-carboxamide] (0.75 g [kg.sup.-1]) represents the best balance between high efficacy and low phytotoxicity on perennial ryegrass and tall fescue seeds. No difference among varieties and species was detected in their response to prochloraz treatment. In greenhouse trials, less than 10% of living endophyte remained in perennial ryegrass and tall fescue seed lots, even in highly infected ones (66% of E+ seeds), when treated with prochloraz. This seed treatment was also efficient in field conditions where the level of endophyte was reduced by more than 60% in highly endophyte-infected ryegrass seed lots. This study shows that, even if seed germination is a little decreased, prochloraz could be used during grass breeding so that subsequent generations of seed will be free from endophyte with good germination rate., NEOTYPHODIUM spp. endophytes are widespread in numerous grass species and particularly in the genera Lolium and Festuca, in which they grow in aerial parts and are disseminated by seed (Ravel [...]

Faire le point sur la prise en charge chirurgicale des calculs rénaux et/ou urétéraux bilatéraux. Rapporter les critères d'analyse intervenant dans le choix entre un traitement simultané en un temps et un traitement différé en deux temps. Discuter, préciser les arguments pour défendre l'une ou l'autre des deux stratégies. Analyse de la littérature (Pubmed, Medline, langue anglaise et française) portant sur les traitements chirurgicaux des calculs bilatéraux chez l'adulte. Les critères décisionnels reposent sur le nombre et la taille des calculs, la présence ou non d'anomalies sur la voie excrétrice urinaire supérieure, le terrain et les facteurs de comorbidité, l'environnement et l'expérience du chirurgien. Plusieurs séries (rétrospectives) rapportent les résultats et les complications d'un traitement simultané en un temps des calculs bilatéraux. Il existe peu d'études prospectives comparatives. La LEC bilatérale en un temps n'a plus d'indication, l'URS(S) et la NLPC en un temps donnent des bons résultats (SF), en respectant certaines conditions, avec un taux de complications qui reste significatif (fièvre, douleur, hémorragie) sans être significativement supérieur à un traitement différé en deux temps. Les deux techniques (URSS et NLPC) sont parfois combinées (centre expérimenté à deux équipes). Le traitement simultané en un temps apparaît, en termes de résultats et de morbidité, équivalent à un traitement différé en deux temps sous réserve d'une sélection rigoureuse des patients et de l'exécution de l'acte par des équipes expérimentées. Le traitement différé en deux temps des calculs rénaux et/ou urétéraux bilatéraux reste une approche prudente et sûre, encore d'actualité, à privilégier dans les situations de calculs de gros volumes, d'anatomie difficile de la VEUS, de comorbidité importante et en début d'expérience. Le traitement simultané en un temps apparaît équivalent pour certaines équipes, en termes de résultat et de morbidité, à un traitement différé en deux temps sous réserve d'une sélection des patients (calculs de faible à moyen volume, anatomie simple de la VEUS, sans comorbidité importante) et de sa réalisation dans un centre expérimenté. Au cours d'un traitement simultané en un temps, l'équivalent d'une « check-list » intégrant des critères cliniques et biologiques pourrait être recommandée avant de débuter le traitement de la deuxième unité rénale. Review the surgical management of bilateral renal and/or ureteral stones. Report the analysis criteria involved in the choice between a simultaneous or a sequential delayed treatment. Discuss and specify the arguments for defending the first or the second strategies. Analysis of the literature (Pubmed, Medline, English and French language) of surgical management of bilateral urinary stones in adults. The decision criteria are based on the number and size of the stones, the presence or absence of abnormalities of the upper urinary excretory tract, the comorbidity factors, the environment and the surgeon's experience. Several series (retrospective) report the results and complications of simultaneous treatment of bilateral stones during the same procedure. There are few comparative prospective studies. Simultaneous bilateral LEC has no indication. Simultaneous bilateral URS (S) or PCNL give good results (SF) under certain conditions with a significant rate of complications (fever, pain, bleeding) but not significantly superior to sequential delayed treatment. Both techniques (USSR and PCNL) are sometimes combined (experienced center with two teams). The outcome and the morbidity of the simultaneous treatments appears equivalent to the delayed treatment in two stages when performed by experienced surgeons on selected patients. The sequential delayed treatment of bilateral renal and/or ureteral stones remains a safe approach, which has to be favored in case of large volume stones, difficult anatomy of the upper urinary tract, significant comorbidity and at the beginning of a learning curve. In experienced centers on high selected patients (low to medium volume stones, simple anatomy, without significant comorbidity), the outcome and morbidity of the simultaneous treatment appears equivalent to a sequential delayed procedure. In this case, a checklist incorporating clinical and laboratory criteria may be recommended before starting treatment of the second renal unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to improve the production, under controlled conditions, of Sclerotinia trifoliorum ascospores to be used for selection tests on forage legumes. Sclerotia of this fungus, produced in the laboratory, were buried 1-2 cm deep in permanently soaked vermiculite, at T = 15°C, 12/24 h of fluorescent light, air moisture > 80% in order to differentiate apothecia. The ascospores were harvested by aspiration and collected on a membrane filter. Various types of apparatus containing sclerotia have been tested for their ability to maintain live apothecia and for the facility of spore catching. The aspiration method has been found to be much more efficient than the previous method of cutting off apothecia. Moreover, it was observed that using this harvesting technique the best apparatus presented small and independent compartments (truncated plastic bottles). The ascospores can be stored, on the membrane filter at 5°C and in dry conditions in order to preserve their germinating ability for a period of 3 months at least. This spore harvesting method permits availability of large quantities of a cheap inoculum for S. trifolioum resistance test on forage legumes all year round. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 4-year survey of seed-producing lucerne fields in the three main production regions of France, representing 10,000 ha and three types of climates, confirmed the presence of the foliar pathogens Pseudopeziza medicaginis, Ascochyta imperfecta, Stemphylium spp., Leptosphaerulina briosiana, and Uromyces striatus. Surprisingly, A. imperfecta often was found in association with Stemphylium-like symptoms. Further investigation revealed the presence of fungi until now only rarely found or unreported in France, such as Leptotrochila medicaginis, Cercospora medicaginis, and Stagonospora meliloti. The results showed that P. medicaginis and A. imperfecta were present on more than 50% of the samples. U. striatus and C. medicaginis also commonly were found and infected about 25% of the samples. L. medicaginis occurred primarily in the Southwest region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Little is known about the burden of urogenital schistosomiasis (UGS) outside endemic areas. This study was aimed at describing urinary complications of UGS detected among African migrants in French primary care facilities., Patients and Methods: A retrospective cohort study included patients with UGS diagnosed from 2004 to 2018 in 5 primary health centers in Paris. Cases were defined by the presence of typical Schistosoma haematobium eggs at urine microscopy. Demographic, clinical, biological and imaging data were collected. Ultrasonography (U-S) findings were classified in accordance with the WHO guidelines., Results: U-S was prescribed for all patients and performed in 100/118. Sex ratio (F/M) was 2/98, and mean age 24.4 years. Patients were from West Africa (73% from Mali) and consulted 8 months (median) after their arrival. Among the 95 patients with interpretable findings, 32 (33.7%) had abnormalities related to UGS, considered as major in 6 cases (6.3%), and mostly localized at the bladder (31/32) without detection of cancer. No sociodemographic, clinical, or biological factors were found to be associated with U-S abnormalities. All 100 patients were treated by praziquantel (PZQ). Among those with abnormalities, 20/32 received two to four doses at various time intervals. Post-cure imaging control performed in 19/32 showed persistent abnormalities in 6 patients, on average 5 months after the last PZQ uptake., Conclusion: Urinary tract abnormalities associated with UGS were common and predominated at the bladder. U-S should be prescribed to any patient with positive urine microscopy. Schedules for PZQ uptake and U-S monitoring for patients with complications remain to be determined., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Background: The management of older cancer patients has been highly challenging for clinicians in a health-care system operating at maximum capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic., Patients and Methods: We analyzed data from 9 different institutions. The primary endpoint was to assess the prevalence of adapted patient care during the pandemic for elderly cancer patients. The secondary endpoint was to assess the incidence of hospitalization and mortality due to COVID-19. All patients were older than 65years of age., Results: We analyzed data from 332 outpatients' case files between 9th of March and 30th of April 2020. The median age was 75years (range: 65-101) and 53% were male. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, more than half of the outpatients received modified patient care, defined as postponement or cancellation of surgery, irradiation scheme adapted, systemic treatment or the use of telemedicine. Among patients with localized cancer, 60% had a change in management strategy due to the pandemic. Changes in management strategy were made for 53% of patients at the metastatic stage. GCSF was used , in 83% of patients, increasing considerably in the context of the pandemic. Sixty-nine percent of physicians used telemedicine. In the final analysis, only one patient was hospitalized for COVID-19 infection. No deaths due to COVID-19 were reported in elderly cancer patients during this time period., Conclusion: Our study is the first to assess modification of patient care in elderly cancer outpatients during an epidemic. With this unprecedented crisis, our objective is to protect our patients from infection via protective barrier measures and social distancing, but also to guarantee the continuity of cancer care without overexposing this fragile population. Physicians were able to adapt their practice and used new forms of management, like telemedicine., (Copyright © 2021 Société Française du Cancer. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

The cancer population seems to be more susceptible to COVID-19 infection and have worse outcomes. We had to adapt our medical practice to protect our patients without compromising their cancer prognosis. The national PRATICOVID study aims to describe the adaptation of cancer patient care for this population. We analyzed data from nine different institutions. The primary endpoint was to assess the prevalence of adapted patient care during the pandemic. The secondary endpoints were to describe the point of view of clinicians and patients during and after the pandemic. We analyzed 435 medical procedures between 9 th of March and 30 th of April. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, 47.6% of the outpatients received modified patient care. Twenty-four percent of scheduled surgeries were postponed, or were performed without perioperative chemotherapy, 18.4% followed a hypofractioned schedule, and 57% had an adaptive systemic protocol (stopped, oral protocol, and spacing between treatments). Seventy percent of physicians used telemedicine. During this period, 67% of the physicians did not feel distressed taking care of their patients. However, 70% of physicians are worried about the aftermath of the lockdown, as regards future patient care. The PRATICOVID study is the first to assess modification of patient care in cancer outpatients during an epidemic. With this unprecedented crisis, physicians were able to adapt their practice in order to protect their patients against the virus while ensuring continuity of patient care. But physicians are worried about the aftereffects of the lockdown specifically in regard to care pathway issues., (© 2020 The Authors. Cancer Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

We evaluated the value of combining noncontrast helical computerized tomography (NCHCT) and color Doppler ultrasound in the assessment of the composition of urinary stones. In vitro, we studied 120 stones of known composition, that separate into the five main types: 18 calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) stones, 41 calcium oxalate dihydrate (COD) stones, 24 uric acid stones, 25 calcium phosphate stones and 12 cystine calculi. Stones were characterized in terms of their Hounsfield density (HU) in NCHCT and the presence of a twinkling artifact (TA) in color Doppler ultrasound. There were statistically significant HU differences between calcium and non-calcium stones (p < 0.001), calcium oxalate stones and calcium phosphate stones (p < 0.001) and uric acid stones and cystine calculi (p < 0.001) but not between COM and COD stones (p = 0.786). Hence, the HU was a predictive factor of the composition of all types of stones, other than for COM and COD stones within the calcium oxalate class (p > 0.05). We found that the TA does not enable differentiation between calcium and non-calcium stones (p > 0.999), calcium oxalate stones and calcium phosphate stones (p = 0.15), or uric acid stones and cystine calculi (p = 0.079). However, it did reveal a significant difference between COM and COD stones (p = 0.002). The absence of a TA is a predictive factor for the presence of COM stones (p = 0.008). Hence, the association of NCHCT and Doppler enables the accurate classification of the five types of stones in vitro., (Copyright © 2012 World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A quantitative automated immunoturbidimetric procedure for the analysis of apolipoprotein A-II (Apo A-II) in human serum is described. Dilution of antibody with a 5% solution of PEG 6000 enhanced the quantification. The within- and between-assay coefficients of variation were less than 5%. Results correlated well with those obtained by classic electroimmunodiffusion and immunonephelometry. No extraction of samples with organic solvent was necessary, whatever the triglyceride concentration. Large lipoproteins such as VLDL and immunocomplexes did not affect the method, nor was there interference from icteric or hemolyzed serum or from serum with excessive hyperlipemia. Physiological values of Apo A-II were determined in a normal population. Concentrations were found to be age-dependent, and higher in women than in men. The procedure is very suitable for the rapid, precise, reproducible and inexpensive assay of Apo A-II.

Serum concentrations of lipids and apolipoprotein A-I, A-II and B were determined in patients with hepatic metastases of colorectal cancer, with primary liver cancer and with cirrhosis. In all three liver diseases, the HDL fraction and apolipoproteins A-I and A-II showed significantly low values, while apolipoprotein B was only increased in hepatic metastases. The decrease of apolipoprotein A-II levels was more prominent in cirrhosis, thereby enhancing the A-I/A-II ratio. This ratio is decreased in metastasis and normal in hepatomas. In patients with hepatic metastases a correlation was observed between alkaline phosphatase and apolipoprotein A-II (p less than 0.05), and between gamma-glutamyltransferase and the A-I/A-II ratio (p less than 0.05). The present work suggests that determination of apolipoproteins and lipids of the HDL fraction offers a new approach to the study of liver diseases.