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Air quality biomonitoring has been successfully assessed using mosses for decades in Europe, particularly regarding heavy metals (HM). Assessing robust temporal variations of HM concentrations in mosses requires to better understand to what extent they are affected by the sampling protocol and the moss species. This study used the concentrations of 14 elements measured during four surveys over 15 years in France. Analyses of variance (ANOVA) and a modeling approach were used to decipher temporal variations for each element and adjust them with parameters known to affect concentrations. ANOVA followed by post hoc analyses did not allow to estimate clear trends. A generalized additive mixed modeling approach including the sampling period, the collector and the moss species, plus quadratic effects, was used to analyze temporal variations on repeated sampling sites. This approach highlighted the importance of accounting for non-linear temporal variations in HM, and adjusting for confounding factors such as moss species, species-specific differences between sampling periods, collector and methodological differences in sampling campaigns. For instance, lead concentrations in mosses decreased between 1996 and 2011 following quadratic functions, with faster declines for the most contaminated sites in 1996. On the other hand, other HM showed double trends with U-shaped or hill-shaped curves. The effect of the moss was complex to handle and our results advocate for using one moss species by repeated site to better analyze temporal variations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Le corticosurrénalome (CS) de l’enfant est rare, de pronostic médiocre. Sa prise en charge actuelle est hétérogène. Objectif: Étudier l’épidémiologie, évaluer les traitements utilisés et mettre en évidence des facteurs pronostiques. Matériels et méthodes: Nous avons recueilli rétrospectivement les données d’enfants traités dans les centres français d’oncologie pédiatrique entre 1993 et 2008. Résultats: Nous avons recensé 37 CS, 86% étaient des formes sécrétantes, 35% associés à un syndrome génétique prédisposant. La prise en charge comprenait une exérèse chirurgicale pour 85% des cas, une chimiothérapie pour 46%, un traitement par op’DDD pour 46% et une irradiation pour 5%. Les chimiothérapies ayant entraîné une réponse tumorale étaient à base de sels de platine, étoposide, doxorubicine, ± op’DDD. Le facteur pronostique majeur était l’exérèse chirurgicale complète. L’OS et l’EFS étaient respectivement de 43 et 30% à 5 ans. Le score histologique de Weiss et le stade tumoral avaient un rôle pronostique. Le traitement des formes métastatiques et des récidives demeure un challenge. Conclusion: La rareté des CS rend nécessaire un enregistrement systématiquement des malades et une harmonisation de la prise en charge sur le plan national. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Modern approach for the treatment of posterior fossa medulloblastomas remains a challenge for pediatric neurosurgeons and pediatric oncologists and requires a multidisciplinary approach to optimize survival and clinical results., Material and Methods: We report the surgical principles of the treatment of posterior fossa medulloblastomas in children and how to avoid technical mistakes especially in very young patients. We also report our experience in a series of 64 patients operated from a medulloblastoma between 2000 and 2018 in Lyon., Results: All patients had a craniospinal MRI. Eighty-one percent of the patients (n=50) had strictly midline tumor while 19% (n=14) had lateralized one. Eleven percent (n=7) had metastasis at diagnosis on the initial MRI. Forty-one percent (n=29) had an emergency ETV to treat hydrocephaly and the intracranial hypertension. All patient underwent a direct approach and a complete removal was achieved in 78% (n=58) of the cases on the postoperative MRI realized within 48h postsurgery. Histological findings revealed classical medulloblastoma in 73% (n=46), desmoplastic medulloblastoma in 17% (n=11) and anaplastic/large cell medulloblastoma in 10% (n=7). Patients were classified as low risk in 7 cases, standard risk in 30 cases and high risk in 27 cases. Ninety-six percent (n=61) of the patient received radiotherapy. Seventy-six percent (n=48) received pre-irradiation or adjuvant chemotherapy. At last follow-up in December 2018, 65% (n=41) of the patient were in complete remission, 12% (n=8) were in relapse and 27% (n=15) had died from their disease. The overall survival at five , ten and fifteen years for all the series was of 76%, 73% and 65.7% respectively., Conclusions: Medulloblastomas remain a chimiosensible and radiosensible disease and the complete surgical removal represents a favorable prognostic factor. The extension of surgery has also to be weighted in consideration of the new biomolecular and genetic knowledge that have to be integrated by surgeons to improve quality of life of patients., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.)

Bioaerosols emitted in waste sorting plants (WSP) can induce some adverse health effects on the workers such as rhinitis, asthma and hypersensitivity pneumonitis. The composition of these bioaerosols is scarcely known and most of the time assessed using culture-dependent methods. Due to the well-known limitations of cultural methods, these biodiversity measurements underestimate the actual microbial taxon richness. The aim of the study was to assess the airborne microbial biodiversity by using a sequencing method in a French waste sorting plant (WSP) for one year and to investigate the main factors of variability of this biodiversity. Static sampling was performed in five areas in the plant and compared to an indoor reference (IR), using closed-face cassettes (10 L.min -1 ) with polycarbonate membranes, every month for one year. Environmental data was measured (temperature, relative humidity). After DNA extraction, microbial biodiversity was assessed by means of sequencing. Bacterial genera Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Prevotella, Lactococcus, Lactobacillus, Pseudomonas and fungal genera Wallemia, Cladosporium, Debaryomyces, Penicillium, Alternaria were the most predominant airborne microorganisms. Microbial biodiversity was different in the plant compared to the IR and seemed to be influenced by the season., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declared that there is no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Although some specific genetic syndromes such as neurofibromatosis (NF) have been identified as risk factor of childhood brain tumors (CBT), the potential role of inherited susceptibility in CBT has yet to be elucidated., Methods: To further investigate this, we conducted a pooled analysis of two nationwide case-control studies ESCALE and ESTELLE. The mothers of 509 CBT cases and 3,102 controls aged under 15 years who resided in France at diagnosis/interview, frequency-matched by age and gender, responded to a telephone interview conducted by trained interviewers. Pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated using unconditional logistic regression., Results: CBT was significantly associated with the family history of cancer in relatives (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.0-1.5). The OR was slightly higher for maternal relatives than for paternal relatives, and when at least two relatives had a history of cancer. CBT was significantly associated with a family history of brain tumor (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.3-3.7). This association seemed stronger for first-degree relatives (mother, father, and siblings), for whom, by contrast, no association was seen for cancers other than CBT. No specificity by CBT subtypes or by age of the children were found for any of these findings., Conclusion: Our findings support the hypothesis of a familial susceptibility of CBT, not due to being a known NF carrier.

Background: Few studies have investigated whether early infections and factors potentially related to early immune stimulation might be involved in the aetiology of childhood brain tumours (CBT). In this study, we investigated the associations between CBT with early day-care attendance, history of early common infections, atopic conditions (asthma/wheezing, eczema, allergic rhinitis), early farm residence/visits and contact with animals., Methods: We pooled data from two nationwide French case-control studies, the ESCALE and ESTELLE studies. Children with a CBT diagnosed between 1 and 14 years of age were identified directly from the French National Registry of Childhood Cancers, while population controls were recruited from telephone subscribers. Odds-ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using logistic regression adjusted for potential confounders., Results: The analyses included 469 cases and 2719 controls. We found no association between attending a day-care centre (OR: 0.9, 95%CI: 0.7-1.2) or having had repeated common infections (OR: 0.9, 95%CI: 0.7-1.2) in the first year of life and the risk of CBT. There was also no association with a history of asthma/wheezing (OR: 0.8, 95%CI: 0.56-1.1). Farm visits (OR: 0.6, 95%CI: 0.5-0.8) as well as contact with pets (OR: 0.8, 95%CI: 0.6-1.0) in the first year of life were inversely associated with CBT., Conclusions: Our findings suggest a protective effect of early farm visits and contact with pets, but not with other markers of early immune stimulation. This might be related to immune stimulation but needs further investigation., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

To distinguish children with chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia (FN) at low risk of severe infection, the variables that are significant risk factors must be identified. Our objective was to identify them by applying evidence-based standards. This retrospective 2-center cohort study included all episodes of chemotherapy-induced FN in children in 2005 and 2006. The medical history, clinical, and laboratory data available at admission were collected. Severe infection was defined by bacteremia, a positive culture of a normally sterile body fluid, invasive fungal infection, or localized infection at high risk of extension. Univariate analysis identified potential predictive variables. A generalized mixed model was used to determine the adjusted variables that predict severe infection. We analyzed 372 FN episodes. Severe infections occurred in 16.1% of them. Variables predictive of severe infection at admission were: disease with high risk of prolonged neutropenia (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=2.5), blood cancer (aOR=1.9), fever ≥38.5°C (aOR=3.7), and C-reactive protein level ≥90 mg/L (aOR=4.5). Now that we have identified these variables significantly associated with the risk of severe infection, they must be validated prospectively before combining the best predictive variables in a decision rule that can be used to distinguish children at low risk.

Vestibular schwannoma (VS) growth in neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) can be responsible for brainstem compression and hearing loss. Surgical removal remains the standard therapy despite potential morbidity. Previous studies suggested that the inhibition of the VEGF-pathway with bevacizumab could result in hearing improvement, reduction of the tumor volume or both in adults. We retrospectively describe the French experience of bevacizumab treatment delivered for progressive VS in pediatric NF2 patients. Patients received Bevacizumab 5 or 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks according to the physician's choice. Follow-up included clinical assessment, audiometry and volumetric MRI every 3-6 months. Seven patients harboring 11 VS were included. The median age at inclusion was 15 years (11.4-18.8), and the median treatment duration was 11.3 months (3.2-55.6). At baseline, the median tumor volume was 1.2 cm(3) (0.52-13.5) and the median word recognition score was 90 % (0-100). We observed one major response, two minor responses and a decrease in the rate of tumor growth for the 4 other patients. The median annual growth rate before treatment was significantly higher than after 1 year of treatment (138 vs. 36 %, n = 5, p = 0.043). We noted one hearing improvement over the course of 1 year under treatment (hearing response rate was 14 %). Overall, the treatment was well tolerated. Our study supports that bevacizumab is an attractive therapeutic option for pediatric NF2 patients with growing VS. Thorough multidisciplinary evaluation is necessary to identify the best candidates prior to treatment. It is likely that a better functional outcome would be expected if targeted therapies were discussed early in the management of the disease.

Background: In terms of overall survival (OS), limited data are available for the very long-term outcomes of children treated for optic pathway glioma (OPG) with up-front chemotherapy. Therefore, we undertook this study with the aim of clarifying long-term OS and causes of death in these patients., Methods: We initiated and analyzed a historical cohort study of 180 children with OPG treated in France with BB-SFOP chemotherapy between 1990 and 2004. The survival distributions were estimated using Kaplan-Meier method. The effect of potential risk factors on the risk of death was described using Cox regression analysis., Results: The OS was 95% [95% CI: 90.6-97.3] 5 years after diagnosis and significantly decreased over time without ever stabilizing: 91.6% at 10 years [95% CI: 86.5-94.8], 80.7% at 15 years [95% CI: 72.7-86.8] and 75.5% [95% CI: 65.6-83] at 18 years. Tumor progression was the most common cause of death (65%). Age and intracranial hypertension at diagnosis were significantly associated with a worse prognosis. Risk of death was increased by 3.1[95% CI: 1.5-6.2] (p=0.002) for patients less than 1 year old at diagnosis and by 5.2[95% CI: 1.5-17.6] (p=0.007) for patients with initial intracranial hypertension. Boys without diencephalic syndrome had a better prognosis (HR: 0.3 [95% CI: 0.1-0.8], p=0.007)., Conclusions: This study shows that i) in children with OPG, OS is not as favorable as previously described and ii) patients can be classified into 2 groups depending on risk factors (age, intracranial hypertension, sex and diencephalic syndrome) with an OS rate of 50.4% at 18 years [95% CI: 31.4-66.6] in children with the worst prognosis. These findings could justify, depending on the initial risk, a different therapeutic approach to this tumor with more aggressive treatment (especially chemotherapy) in patients with high risk factors.

In this work we report the isolation and the characterization of 79 Streptomyces isolates from a French forest soil. The 16S rRNA gene phylogeny indicated that a great diversity of Streptomyces was present in this soil, with at least nine different and potentially new species. Growth plate assays showed that most Streptomyces lineages exhibit cellulolytic and hemicellulolytic capacities and potentially participate in wood decomposition. Molecular screening for a specific hydrogenase also indicated a widespread potential for atmospheric H2 uptake. Co-culture experiments with representative strains showed antagonistic effects between Streptomyces of the same population and between Streptomyces and various fungi. Interestingly, in certain conditions, growth promotion of some fungi also occurred. We conclude that in forest soil, Streptomyces populations exhibit many important functions involved in different biogeochemical cycles and also influence the structure of soil microbial communities., (© 2013 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Blackwell Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To assess the impact of guidelines of the consensus conference in September 2000 on the ambulatory management of acute bronchiolitis in infants., Methods: Prospective multicenter study, in four hospitals in the North department in France, during three epidemic periods: the winter preceding the consensus conference and the two following winters. All the infants between 30 days and 2 years of age, admitted to an emergency care unit for a first or second episode of bronchiolitis were included. The infants' characteristics and ambulatory treatments prescribed were collected., Results: Six hundred thirty-eight infants were included: 169 before the conference and 469 after. Seventy-seven percent had consulted previously and a prescription had been drawn-up for 77%. There was no difference in the frequency of drug prescriptions or physiotherapy between the three periods. After the conferences, inhaled beta(2) agonists were still prescribed in 21% of cases, inhaled corticosteroids in 15%, oral corticosteroids in 34%, antibiotics in 53% and mucolytics in 54%. Physiotherapy was prescribed for 58% of the infants., Conclusion: Two years after the consensus conference, the ambulatory treatment of bronchiolitis has no changed, corticosteroids, beta(2) agonists, antibiotics and mucolytics are still prescribed in excess. Further studies, within a few years, are required to reassess the application of the guidelines, not only in outpatient but also in inpatient management.