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Gene editing is an ever-evolving field and Prime editing technology is among the latest ones. It makes it possible to modify a gene using a Cas9 nickase that cuts a single strand of DNA. This Cas9 nickase is fused with a reverse transcriptase that copies a single guide RNA synthetized by the researcher. This technique is used on one hand to create pathogenic mutations to obtain cell or animal models with a specific mutation. On the other hand, Prime editing is also used in research to treat hereditary diseases by correcting mutations associated with a pathogenic effect. The mode of delivery of the treatment to the affected cells in living organisms constitutes a main challenge. Different methods are studied to reach the organs specific to each disease. This review article presents the latest results in the field as well as the challenges to solve to optimize the possible uses of Prime editing., (© 2024 médecine/sciences – Inserm.)

A total of 27 gay and bisexual men were interviewed about how they perceived the criminal prosecution of persons living with HIV who do not disclose their HIV status. The stories that emerged from the interviews raise questions about the nature of the gay community. The findings centre on the participants' descriptions of (1) the heterosexual meta-culture, (2) the locales of gay life, and (3) unsupportive elements in the gay community. Analysis of the interview data situates the gay community as a place of both inclusion and exclusion and as a heterogeneous environment., (Copyright© by Ingram School of Nursing, McGill University.)

Objective: Our objective was to assess the short-term effect of an estrogen cream on symptoms associated with provoked vestibulodynia., Methods: We undertook a double-blind randomized trial in women who had experienced dyspareunia satisfying the Friedrichcriteria for at least three months. We compared the daily application of 3 g of vaginal cream containing 1.875 g of conjugated estrogens for six weeks (estrogen group) with the application of a comparable cream without estrogens (placebo group). The main outcome was modification of dyspareunia,determined by a visual analogue scale of pain from the pretreatment period to the post-treatment period. Secondary outcomes were colposcopic evaluation of the vulva and pain reported during the swab test., Results: Of 69 women randomized, 61 participated for the full duration of the trial. Dyspareunia was significantly lessened in both groups (estrogen group: 7.4 ± 1.9 pre-treatment vs. 4.8 ± 3.0 post-treatment, P < 0. 01; placebo group:7.1 ± 1.9 vs. 4.9 ± 2. 7, P < 0.01), but the difference observed in terms of decrease between the two groups was not found to be significant (P = 0.5). Alternatively, the group treated with estrogen cream showed (1) a more substantial decrease of the pain reported at the orifices of the Bartholin’s glands when palpated with a swab (P < 0.01), and (2) a decrease of the inflammation observed at the orifices of the Bartholin’s glands orifices and the posterior fourchette (P < 0.01)., Conclusion: Applying a vaginal cream, whether it contains estrogens or not, for six weeks lessens dyspareunia. Adding estrogens to such a cream could facilitate a decrease of the inflammation observed at the orifices of the Bartholin’s glands and the vestibule.

Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia and a major contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the general population. Morbidity and mortality are essentially related to stroke and heart failure. Despite a long history of medical exploration of AFib, many aspects deserve to be considered including AFib definitions, epidemiologic stakes and economic burden posed by AFib. Such aspects are integral part of the evaluation, and accordingly both clinical and therapeutic AFib patients approach. Through this article these various aspects were raised in order to help the clinician to better understand this arrhythmia which is generally easy to identify but often delicate and complex to treat.

The amniotic membrane, the most internal placental membrane, has various properties useful in ophthalmology. Collected on delivery by elective Caesarean section, the amnion is prepared under sterile conditions, and, usually, cryopreserved until its use as a biological bandage or as a substrate for epithelial growth in the management of various ocular surface conditions. Specifically, the amnion is used to : (1) limit formation of adhesive bands between eyelids and eyeball (symblepharon) or the progression of a fibrovascular outgrowth towards the cornea (pterygium) or to (2) facilitate the healing of corneal ulcers, bullous keratopathy, and corneal stem cell deficiency. In this last condition, either hereditary or acquired after a thermal or a chemical burn, corneal stem cells, located at a transitional zone between the cornea and conjunctiva, are lost. These cells are essential for renewal of corneal epithelium in normal and in diseased states. The loss of these cells leaves the corneal surface free for invasion by conjunctival epithelium. Not only, does conjunctival epithelium support the development of vascularisation on the normally avascular cornea, but some conjunctival cells differentiate into mucus secreting goblet cells. Such a change in phenotype leads to loss of corneal transparency and visual disability. The removal of this fibro-vascular outgrowth in combination with transplantation of both amniotic membrane and corneal stem cells are used to treat this condition. The amnion stimulates the proliferation of less differentiated cells which have the potential to reconstruct the cornea. This potential is at the origin of the hypothesis that the amnion may provide an alternative niche for limbal stem cells of the corneal epithelium. It abounds in cytokines and has antalgic, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-immunogenic properties, in addition to allowing, like fetal skin does, wound healing with minimal scar formation. These desirable properties are responsible for the increasing use of amniotic membrane in ophthalmology. The complete understanding of the mechanisms of action of amniotic membrane for ocular surface diseases has yet to be understood. Once revealed by research, they may provide new pharmacological avenues to treat ocular surface diseases.

The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator became in some years the reference treatment of ventricular arrhythmias in association with heart disease. Recently, this technique showed its efficiency in primary prevention for patients at high risk of sudden death. The follow-up of patients with automatic defibrillator requires a detailed knowledge of both electrophysiology and stimulation. This training is based on a practical and theoretical formation. In France, a specific diploma validation is necessary and centres organisation is required. The purpose of this general review is to supply a set of updated data necessary for the coverage and the follow-up of patients with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.

Background: The results of a study on weight loss products and services were released during a press conference organized by the Association pour la santé publique du Québec (ASPQ). The media widely covered this press conference. The purpose of this article is to answer the question: "How are messages emitted by public health institutions transmitted by the media and received by the population?", Method: The transcripts of the press conference, the press release as well as 43 documents from the print and broadcast media were evaluated according to a press analysis method. The analysis of these documents was based on the concept of the information unit. The compilation of these information units was used to produce charts which include data such as the frequency, partiality, weight tendency ("poids-tendance") and tendency-impact ("tendance-impact"). Furthermore, two focus groups of persons using weight loss products and services were conducted., Results: In this article, we compare the emitted message with the one transmitted. The analysis of the message emitted by the ASPQ and that conveyed by the media revealed that for almost all subjects dealt with during the press conference, the media have been more partial than the ASPQ. The media not only expanded on the emitted message but also gave a negative image of weight loss products and services. Furthermore, the message transmitted by the media was very similar to the initial message. The focus groups on how the message was received by persons using weight loss products and services also revealed that the message was lost in the flow of information on weight loss products and services., Conclusion: This analysis of the emitted, transmitted and received messages has given us some indications on how to readjust the initial message and on what to emphasize in future press conferences.

Thirty fathers of preschoolers living in disadvantaged urban neighbourhoods described their conceptions of children's mental health. Interviews were submitted to a qualitative content analysis. These fathers hold two opposing views: the first centres on learning to comply with norms and social integration; the other is based on encouraging the child's expression of individuality and autonomy. The second conception is similar to formal definitions of children's mental health proposed by professionals, while the first bears little relation to these definitions. The results raise important questions about the effectiveness of messages promoting children's mental health and well-being to this significant audience.

Objective: To support the practitioner in the diagnosis of vaginal atrophy and in the management of the related symptoms., Options: The modalities of evaluation range from basic pelvic examination, examination of the vulva, and laboratory tests., Outcomes: A comprehensive approach to the detection of vaginal atrophy and a discussion of available therapeutic and nontherapeutic options., Evidence: Published opinions of experts, supplemented by evidence from clinical trials, where appropriate., Values: The quality of the evidence is rated using the criteria described by the Canadian Task Force on the Periodic Health Examination., Benefits, Harms, and Costs: Diagnosis of vaginal atrophy is often a challenge because women are unwilling to report symptoms, which have the potential to significantly decrease their quality of life. Increased clinical suspicion is the first step in the diagnosis of vaginal atrophy, which will prompt the initiation of safe therapies with proven efficacy., Recommendations: 1. Health-care providers should routinely assess postmenopausal women for the symptoms and signs of vaginal atrophy, a common condition that exerts significant negative effects on quality of life. (III-C) 2. Regular sexual activity should be encouraged to maintain vaginal health. (II-2B)3. Women experiencing recurrent urinary tract infections should be instructed that consumption of pure cranberry-lingonberry juice, rather than cranberry drink, will decrease their risk of urinary tract infections. (I-A) 4. Vaginal moisturizers applied on a regular basis have an efficacy equivalent to local hormone replacement for the treatment of local urogenital symptoms such as vaginal itching, irritation, and dyspareunia, and should be offered to women wishing to avoid use of hormone replacement therapy. (I-A) 5. Women experiencing vaginal atrophy can be offered any of the following effective vaginal estrogen replacement therapies: conjugated equine estrogen cream (I-A), a sustained-release intravaginal estradiol ring (I-A), or a low-dose estradiol tablet (I-A). 6. Although systemic absorption of estrogen can occur with local preparations, there is insufficient data to recommend annual endometrial surveillance in asymptomatic women using local estrogens. (III-C) 7. For menopausal women experiencing recurrent urinary tract infections and who have no contraindication to local hormone replacement, vaginal estrogen therapy should be offered. (I-A).

Considerable progress has been accomplished over the past 10 years in the understanding of the genetic basis of obesity and its related metabolic complications. It is now well established that obesity aggregates within families and that genes are partly responsible for this familial aggregation. The number of genes potentially involved in obesity continues to grow. This review summarizes the evidence accumulated so for regarding the contribution of genetic factors in obesity and the number of gene and loci linked to obesity in the Quebec Family Study.

The aim of the study was to compare control subjects and consultant patients with the SCID II (interview and questionnaire), then to compare clinical diagnosis with the SCID II (interview and questionnaire). The preliminary study was carried out to assess the feasibility of the procedure. This appraisal was conducted with a group of patients (n = 26) and a control group (n = 16). Only the patients were diagnosed according to DSM IV criteria. The patients and the control group completed the Mini-Mult and the SCID II (questionnaire and interview). The two groups were matched on sex, age and educational level. The two groups were discriminated on all Mini-Mult scales but one: the internalization index. The results showed that the SCID questionnaire and the SCID interview differentiate the two groups. The SCID questionnaire showed high sensitivity in the group of patients. It is a more efficient instrument to screen control subjects except one personality disorder (obsessive-compulsive). The diagnostic agreement between the clinical diagnosis and the structured interview was poor. However our results are comparable to the other studies.

Introduction: Acute gout arthritis and tophaceous gout of the spine is rare., Exegesis: We report the case of a 54-year-old man with chronic low back pain. Physical examination and myelography showing neurological compression on L4 laminectomy evidenced tophaceous gout., Conclusion: Gout arthritis should always be suspected and investigated in patients with either chronic low back pain or non-specific spinal cord compression.

Objective: An evaluation study was conducted in order to evaluate the impact of the treatment program for sexually abused children., Method: Forty-one (41) children (aged 6-17 years), victims of a sexual abuse by a family member, were assessed at pre- and post-treatment (16 months following the pre-test). The evolution of children's psychological well-being was measured by the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), the Picturial Scale of Perceived Competence and Acceptance for Young Children (PSPCA), the Children's Nowicki-Strickland Internal-External control scale (CNS-IE), the Children's Action Tendency Scale (CATS), the Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS), and the Pediatric Behavior Scale (PBS). A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to assess the strength of the relationship between the level of participation in both individual (including dyadic and family therapy) and group therapy and the evolution of Ss' psychological well-being., Results: Results indicate that the child's mental health was generally positively related to the level of participation in individual therapy but not related or negatively related with the level of participation in group sessions except for the PBS., Conclusions: These results indicate the need: (a) to consider the adoption of a dose measurement in the appreciation of the therapeutic impact; (b) to have a better grasp of the nature and the effects of specific therapeutic activities included in a program; (c) to have a better understanding of the disparities observed between parents' and children's evaluation of the psychological status of the child.