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Focused ion beam sources have recently been commercialized and are increasingly utilized for applications in nanotechnology. There is a desire to pattern large designs, millimeter in scale, while still achieving sub-nanometer resolution in the smallest features. However, focused helium ion beams are restricted to fields of view of roughly 100 micrometers. Recently, we have developed an automated process for layout designs with feature sizes from sub-nanometer to millimeter scales, using Raith lithography software in a Zeiss Orion Plus helium ion microscope. The technique relies on stitching writefields together and incorporating automated focusing algorithms in the Raith software. This procedure was demonstrated by scaling and automating the process of producing ion-damaged Josephson junctions in arrays in the high-temperature superconducting material YB $_2$ C $_3$ O $_{7-\delta }$ . We demonstrate that the automated process reduces operator input while maintaining consistency at the smallest resolutions.

We report the fabrication and measurement of an ab -plane Josephson junction created in an 80-nm thick thin-film-like exfoliated Bi $_{2}$ Sr $_{2}$ CaCu $_{2}$ O $_{8+x}$ single crystal flake. The junctions are formed using ion irradiation from a focused helium ion beam which locally converts the material from a superconductor to an insulator. Current-voltage characteristics show the device to be a weak link with I $_\text{C}$ R $_\text{N}$ product of 40 $\mu$ A. The critical current exhibits a well-behaved Fraunhofer pattern with magnetic field applied perpendicular to the film confirming the DC Josephson effect. Simulations reveal a large amount of ion straggle deep into the film which is likely influencing the electrical properties. Combination of these devices with the intrinsic junctions could provide a method for multi-dimensional Josephson devices.

Superconducting logic circuits based on low transition temperature ( $T_c$ ) are attractive due to their intrinsic low power consumption and high operating frequency. They have a wide variety of applications (particularly in future computing), but are difficult to use because they require cooling with liquid helium to operate. The current high $T_c$ logic circuit based on YBa $_{2}$ Cu $_{3}$ O $_{7-\delta }$ (YBCO) already has the ability to operate at a temperature above 4 K. However, this material is difficult to integrate into large-scale circuits by the traditional YBCO junction fabrication process. The limits of fabrication methods are the bottleneck stifling this material's potential for integration into logic circuits. As such, in this paper we aim to advance the state of the art in junction fabrication technology. Here we report the demonstration of a high $T_c$ superconducting single flux quantum (SFQ) circuit made by a focused helium ion beam that is easily fabricated and can readily be incorporated into a large-scale integration with nano-scale junctions for future applications. An inductively coupled readout superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) is employed to reduce the circuit complexity. The circuit parameters and performance are discussed.

This paper reports results from a search for single and multinucleon disappearance from the O16 nucleus in water within the SNO+ detector using all of the available data. These so-called “invisible” decays do not directly deposit energy within the detector but are instead detected through their subsequent nuclear deexcitation and gamma-ray emission. New limits are given for the partial lifetimes: τ(n→inv)>9.0×1029 years, τ(p→inv)>9.6×1029 years, τ(nn→inv)>1.5×1028 years, τ(np→inv)>6.0×1028 years, and τ(pp→inv)>1.1×1029 years at 90% Bayesian credibility level (with a prior uniform in rate). All but the (nn→inv) results improve on existing limits by a factor of about 3.

In superconductors, magnetic fields are quantized into discrete fluxons (flux quanta Φ0), made of microscopic circulating supercurrents. We introduce a multiterminal synapse network comprising a disordered array of superconducting loops with Josephson junctions. The loops can trap fluxons defining memory, while the junctions allow their movement between loops. Dynamics of fluxons through such a disordered system through a complex reconfigurable energy landscape represents brain-like spiking information flow. In this work, we experimentally demonstrate a three-loop network using YBa2Cu3O7 − δ-based superconducting loops and Josephson junctions, which exhibit stable memory configurations of trapped flux in loops that determine the rate of flow of fluxons through synaptic connections. The memory states are, in turn, affected by the applied input signals but can also be externally configured electrically through control current/feedback terminals. These results establish a previously unexplored, biologically similar architectural approach to neuromorphic computing that is scalable while dissipating energy of atto Joules/spike.

Karyotype complexity has major prognostic value in many malignancies. There is no consensus on the definition of a complex karyotype, and the prognostic impact of karyotype complexity differs from one disease to another. Due to the importance of the complex karyotype in the prognosis and treatment of several hematological diseases, the Francophone Group of Hematological Cytogenetics (Groupe Francophone de Cytogénétique Hématologique, GFCH) has developed an up-to-date, practical document for helping cytogeneticists to assess complex karyotypes in these hematological disorders. The evaluation of karyotype complexity is challenging, and it would be useful to have a consensus method for counting the number of chromosomal abnormalities (CAs). Although it is not possible to establish a single prognostic threshold for the number of CAs in all malignancies, a specific consensus prognostic cut-off must be defined for each individual disease. In order to standardize current cytogenetic practices and apply a single denomination, we suggest defining a low complex karyotype as having 3 CAs, an intermediate complex karyotype as having 4 CAs, and a highly complex karyotype as having 5 or more CAs.

In this article, we present a miniature solid nitrogen cooling system designed for high-transition temperature (high- ${T_\mathrm{C}}$ ) superconductor Josephson devices operating in the temperature range of 40–55 K. The system utilizes a small fiberglass Dewar and an external pump to solidify nitrogen in thermal contact with a circuit board insert. Our cooling tests of two different Dewars with 100 mL and 200 mL capacity reveal that the systems can hold at their lowest base temperature of 42 K for 1.2 hours and 45 K for 4.7 hours for the 100 mL and 200 mL Dewars, respectively. This can provide a low power, low weight cooling solution for ultra-portable superconductive electronics and other cryogenic sensors.

We present the fabrication and testing of microarrays of superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) fabricated from the high-transition temperature superconductor YBa $_2$ Cu $_3$ O $_{7-\delta }$ (YBCO). The arrays consisted of 84 SQUIDs, each with loop area 25 $\mu \text{m}^{2}$ , connected electrically in series with a meander line structure. The entire array was contained in an area of just $\text{100}\,\mu \text{m}\times \text{100}\,\mu \text{m}$ . The Josephson junctions in the arrays were directly written into YBCO thin films with ion irradiation from a focused helium ion beam. We found that the electrical properties can be controlled by changing the diameter of the ion beam through selection of either a 20 or 5 $\mu \text{m}$ beam aperture. In particular, larger aperture or beam size results in a weaker link junction with higher operating temperature and smaller critical voltage. The voltages across the dc-biased arrays were measured as a function of magnetic field. The data exhibited maximum voltage modulations of 300 $\mu \text{V}$ at 65 K and 1 mV at 52 K for the 20 and 5 $\mu \text{m}$ beam aperture, respectively. The magnetic field periodicity for both arrays was approximately 30 $\mu$ T per flux quantum.

High-T C superconductor thin film heterostructures were deposited using reactive co-evaporation for dual layer electronic applications. The epitaxial structure consisted of 35-nm YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-δ (YBCO), 75-nm CeO 2 , 150-nm YBCO, and 20-nm CeO 2 on r-plane sapphire wafers. The critical temperature was measured to be 83.6 K and 84.8 K for the bottom and top YBCO layers, respectively. Atomic force microscopy reveals smooth surfaces with RMS roughness of the top YBCO layer to be 4.7 nm. The CeO 2 insulating layer exhibited hopping conduction that freezes out at low temperature, making these structures suitable for electrical circuits with isolated ground planes.

Introduction The management of posterior deep endometriosis is not consensual. This is due to a great heterogeneity of data from the literature. Many series were small and overall, predictors of pregnancy were not all included and analyzed by multivariate analysis. We conducted this study to evaluate the factors associated with pregnancy during the first two in vitro fertilization (IVF) attempts in infertile women with posterior deep endometriosis. Material and methods 230 women were included in this retrospective observational study, between January 1st, 2007 and September 30th, 2013, at the University Hospital of Lille. A large set of variables were recorded and their association with the chance of pregnancy was analyzed by multivariate analysis (MVA), including patients’ features, endometriosis items, surgery procedures and IVF data. Results After 2 IVF attempts, 48.7% of the 230 women achieved a pregnancy, including 39.1% of ongoing pregnancies. Logistic regression analysis retained five variables significantly associated to the chance of pregnancy: oocyte retrieval number (OR = 0.468 (0.296–0.739) p = 0.001), age (OR = 0.888 (0.811–0.974) p = 0.011), single embryo transfer number (OR = 1.494 (1.036–2.153) p = 0.031), presence of a recto-uterine nodule (OR = 0.454 (0.235–0.877) p = 0.019) and IVF technique (OR = 0.509 (0.272–0.951) p = 0.034). Conclusion The presence of a recto uterine nodule is associated with a lower chance of pregnancy after IVF. It has to be checked by prospective studies whether the finding of a recto-uterine nodule whose pejorative effect has not been reported so far should encourage to perform surgery before IVF in patients with deep endometriosis.

In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field.

In this article, we will review major therapeutic advances in neonatology over the past ten years. We will discuss the antenatal administration of magnesium sulfate, the interest of hypothermia in the context of hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy, the benefits and modalities of placental transfusion, less invasive techniques for ventilation and administration of the surfactant, possibilities to fortify breast milk and the concept of developmental care. These therapeutic advances are sometimes based on new therapeutics, sometimes on new concepts and, sometimes, on new less invasive techniques. They have made it possible to optimize the care of premature babies but also of term newborns.Dans cet article, nous allons passer en revue les grandes avancées thérapeutiques dans le domaine de la néonatologie au cours des dix dernières années. Nous traiterons de l’administration anténatale du sulfate de magnésium, de l’intérêt de l’hypothermie contrôlée dans le cadre de l’encéphalopathie d’origine hypoxo-ischémique, des bénéfices et modalités de la transfusion placentaire, des techniques moins invasives pour la ventilation et pour l’administration du surfactant, de la fortification du lait maternel et du concept de soins de développement. Ces avancées thérapeutiques reposent tantôt sur des nouveautés thérapeutiques, tantôt sur de nouveaux concepts et, parfois, sur de nouvelles techniques moins invasives. Elles ont permis d’optimiser la prise en charge des prématurés, mais aussi des nouveau-nés à terme.

The principal objective of our study was to assess women's quality of life (QoL) after surgery for Deep Endometriosis (DE), according to the surgical technique used.Qualitative single-center survey in the department of obstetrics and gynecology, Angers University Hospital Center, France. All women who underwent surgery for DE from January 2011 to December 2015 were contacted by phone. The Endometriosis Health Profile-5 score was used to assess QoL before and after the surgery. Fifty-two women (response rate=86%) were included and classified into 3 groups according to the surgical technique used: simple shaving, shaving exclusively or in part by plasma vaporization (plasma), and resection.The 3 groups were comparable for surgical history, preoperative QoL score, and characteristics of endometriotic lesions (size and site). All DE symptoms and QoL scores improved significantly after the surgery, all techniques combined (P0.01). QoL scores for women who had plasma shaving or complete resection were significantly higher than those for women with simple shaving (respectively, 375 [225-800] and 450 [-50 to 725] vs 275 [-100 to 600]; P=0.04). Self-image significantly improved only in the plasma group (P=0.03). The complete resection group had longer hospitals stays than the other groups (P=0.001), as well as a higher surgical revision rate (23% vs 0%; P=0.02).Plasma and complete resection improved QoL similarly for women with DE, both more than shaving alone. The advantage of plasma vaporization lies in the lesser morbidity and better self-image, both better than in women with resection.

Le clampage retarde du cordon apres la naissance permet la transfusion d’une partie du volume de sang placentaire vers le nouveau-ne. La transfusion placentaire peut etre realisee par le clampage retarde du cordon ou par la traite du cordon ombilical. Les benefices de la transfusion placentaire sont actuellement bien demontres : elle reduit la mortalite et le recours aux transfusions de globules rouges chez l’enfant premature (

Flaxseed and guar gums were studied for their potential to produce in water stable viscous fluids loaded with poly(styrene sulfonate) PSSNa and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT):PSS as hydrogels or viscous ink composite materials. In case of the composite hydrogels, their contents and mechanical behaviors were analyzed by FT-IR spectroscopy and rheology respectively. Once dried on a glassy carbon electrode, for a sample containing PEDOT:PSS, the morphology of the thin layer was observed by FE-SEM for monitoring the quality of the coating. Later, for further practical reasons, performant working electrodes were also prepared from these hydrogels simply by casting on a small piece of carbon paper. PEDOT electropolymerization were tried using a coating made of PSSNa in mixture with one of the polysaccharides. This step showed some difficulties due to the enhancement of the hydrophilic character of the carbon paper surface. Then, a definitive improvement of a direct electropolymerization of PEDOT was permitted by using another type of coating material always involving the previous guar gum-PSSNa composite reinforced with 4 wt% of exfoliated graphite powder in order to enhance both hydrophobicity and adhesion of the electropolymerized PEDOT. Finally, additional cyclic voltammetry experiences such as Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy were carried out to identify two of our most promising candidates of PEDOT:PSS based electroconductive materials.

Radiation-induced lung disease (RILD) is common after radiation therapy and represents cornerstone toxicities after treatment of thoracic malignancies. From a review of literature, the objective of this article was to summarize clinical and non-clinical parameters associated with the risk of RILD in the settings of normo-fractionated radiotherapy and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). For the treatment of lung cancers with a normo-fractionated treatment, the mean lung dose (MLD) should be below 15-20Gy. For a thoracic SBRT, V20Gy

The empirical and clinical study of the relationship between emotions and pain has a long history. In the current study, participants rated pain intensity and worry about pain during noxious stimulation before and after they were asked to recall past events associated with worry, happiness, or pain. Participants in the worry condition evidenced increases in both pain intensity and worry about pain, and those in the happiness condition evidenced decreases in pain intensity and worry about pain, in response to the noxious stimulation. Asking participants to recall a physically painful episode had no significant effect on either pain intensity or pain-related worry. The effects of the emotion manipulation on pain were eliminated when the changes in worry about pain were controlled. The results are discussed in reference to the two-factor theory of pain and how the findings could inform clinical decisions.

Late preterm infants are born between 34 weeks of amenorrhea and 36 weeks 6 days. Late preterms represent the largest proportion of premature infants (about 75 %). Late prematurity is increasing in recent decades. While studies initially focused on mortality and morbidity related to very preterm birth, the late preterms have been the subject of increased attention over the past 15 years. Late preterm infants have an increased risk of respiratory complications, infections, feeding problems, hypothermia and hypoglycemia. Neonatal, infant and during adulthood mortalities are significantly higher in late preterm than in term infants. In addition, late preterm infants carry an increased risk of long-term morbidities, such as neurodevelopmental delay, cerebral palsy, chronic respiratory or metabolic diseases. This review highlights the evidence that late preterm infants are high risk newborns and require adapted follow-up.Les enfants nés entre 34 semaines d’aménorrhée et 36 semaines 6 jours sont dans la période de prématurité tardive. Ils sont également appelés «late-preterm». Ces enfants représentent près de 75 % des naissances prématurées dans les pays industrialisés. Cette prématurité tardive est en augmentation croissante sur les dernières décennies. Alors qu’initialement les études se concentraient essentiellement sur la mortalité et les morbidités liées à la grande prématurité, la population des prématurés tardifs a fait l’objet d’une attention accrue ces 15 dernières années. Il est ainsi démontré que ces enfants présentent un risque accru de complications respiratoires, d’infections, de problèmes d’alimentation, d’hypothermie et d’hypoglycémie. La mortalité néonatale, infantile et jusqu’à l’âge adulte des late-preterm est significativement plus élevée que chez les nouveau-nés à terme. De plus, les morbidités à long terme, tels que le retard neurodéveloppemental, l’infirmité motrice cérébrale, les pathologies respiratoires chroniques ou métaboliques, sont significativement plus élevées. A travers cette revue de la littérature, nous revoyons ces risques, qui contribuent à faire des «late preterm» une population fragile et nécessitant un suivi adapté.

Background: In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared Europe as the new epicentre of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic Chatacterist

BACKGROUND Glioblastoma (GBM) are very heterogeneous, organized in a hierarchical pattern, including cancer stem cells (CSC), and are responsible for development, maintenance, and cancer relapse. Therefore, it is relevant to establish new GBM cell lines with CSC characteristics to develop new treatments. MATERIAL AND METHODS A new human GBM cell line, named R2J, was established from the cerebro-spinal fluid of a patient affected by GBM with leptomeningeal metastasis. Cells were cultured both in monolayer and in spheres in a medium without serum and characterized before being implanted into the striatum of nude mice. The tumor progression was followed by MRI and brains were collected to perform IHC analyses. Sodium selenite (SS), previously described for its anticancer potential in GBM cell lines, was tested in the R2J cells prior to delimitate its toxicity and absorption in Balb/c mice. To be achieved, we tested different doses of SS (2.25, 4.5, 6.75 and 10.125 mg/kg-dissolve in water-) given orally for 5 days followed by a wash-out of 2 days followed by 5 supplementary days. At the end of this protocol, mice were sacrificed to collect blood, brain, kidney, liver and lungs. We evaluated the behavior and the weight of the mice along the study and we performed biochemical measurements including the dosage of selenium (Se) in blood and organs by ICP-MS. RESULTS R2J cells displays an abnormal karyotype and about 2% of the population is able to form self-renewable spheres in a define medium. Original tumor, R2J cells cultured in monolayer (2D) and in spheres showed a persistence expression of CD44, CD56 (except in monolayer), EGFR, Ki67, Nestin, and vimentin. The R2J cell line is tumorigenic and possesses CSC properties. We tested in vitro the anticancer effects of sodium selenite (SS) compared to temozolomide (TMZ). SS was absorbed by R2J cells, was cytotoxic, induced an oxidative stress, and arrested cell growth in G2M before inducing both necrosis and apoptosis via caspase-3. SS also changed dimethyl-histone-3-lysine-9 (H3K9m2) levels and reduced histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity, suggesting anti-invasiveness potential. Mouse orthotopic xenografts of R2J cells were able to form tumor within 14 days, even when implanted at 1000 cells as spheres. IHC revealed a persistent CD56 and nestin expression as in the parental tumor. After the period of treatment with SS, mice lost about 5% of their weight at 6.75 mg/kg. Se concentration significantly increased in plasma in a dose dependent manner, in kidney (at 2.25 mg/kg), in liver (at 4.5mg/kg), in brain and lung (at 6.75 mg/kg). CONCLUSION This study highlights the value of this new GBM cell line for preclinical modeling and allowed us to test SS as a potential anticancer agent. All these data plus the fact that Se crosses the blood brain barrier are the first step to further investigations in orthotopic patient-derived glioblastoma xenografts in mice.

Background Recent literature highlights the alarming prevalence of burnout, depression, and illness during residency training; a trend that is also linked to suboptimal patient care. Dedicated wellness curricula may be one solution to this concerning issue. Purpose To determine the effect of a multi-faceted wellness curriculum during emergency medicine residency training on wellness scores and to assess resident satisfaction with the program. Methods This study was conducted via a longitudinal survey. In 2009, a faculty-derived resident wellness curriculum (F-RWC) was initiated. This program was then bolstered with a parallel resident-derived curriculum (R-RWC) one year later, in 2010. Emergency medicine residents were surveyed in 2009, 2010, and 2011 to assess wellness at baseline, after one year of the F-RWC, and after one year of combined RWCs, respectively. Surveys included two validated assessment instruments (the Brief Resident Wellness Profile (BRWP) and the SF-8TM Health Survey), a satisfaction Likert scale, and a demographics information sheet. Results The survey response rates were 89% (n=17), 100% (n=17), and 83% (n=24) from 2009, 2010, and 2011, respectively, for a total of 58 participants. From baseline in 2009, there was a significant improvement in resident wellness, with the addition of parallel RWC by 2011, as measured by the BRWP (p=0.024). The faces scale, a subset of the BRWP, showed a trend toward benefit but did not reach statistical significance (p=0.085). There was no evidence of a statistically significant change in SF-8TM scores over time. Participants consistently reported positive satisfaction scores with RWC initiatives. Conclusions Dedicated RWC, with input from both faculty and resident physicians, improved wellness during residency training with a high degree of participant satisfaction. Such programs are needed to support resident physicians during their training.

The performance of Josephson based devices strongly depend on the inductance properties associated with the material and circuit design. Here we compare the inductance of $\mathbf{YBa}_{2}\mathbf{Cu}_{3}\mathbf{O}_{7-\delta}$ films with and without superconducting ground planes grown by reactive coevaporation. Specifically, we fabricated several superconducting quantum interference devices from single and multi-layer films with different geometries using a focused helium ion beam. Measurements of device electrical transport properties were analyzed to experimentally determine the sheet inductance. Additionally, measurements of the temperature dependence of the inductance was used to separate the contributions from geometric and kinetic inductance. We find that the presence of the ground plane in the multi-layer structure reduces the contribution of geometric inductance with no detectable change in the kinetic inductance.

We investigated series arrays of closely spaced, planar long Josephson junctions for magnetic flux transduction with a linear response and high dynamic range. The devices were fabricated from 30-nm thick high-temperature superconducting YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7- δ (YBCO) thin films, using focused helium ion beam irradiation to create the Josephson barriers. Series arrays consisting of 600 long junctions, were fabricated and electrically tested. From fits of the current-voltage characteristics we estimate the standard deviation in critical current to be around 25%. Voltage-magnetic field measurements exhibit a sharp transfer function with a modulation depth of 11 mV over a range of 135μ $T$ at 71 K.

Background Worry can be conceptualized as a cognitive–affective automatic process initiated in order to address uncertainty and potential personal inadequacies that could result in negative outcomes. The purpose of the current study was to develop a measure of pain-specific worry – the Worry About Pain Questionnaire (WAPQ). Method In study 1, responses of 335 pain-free participants were used to complete an item analysis and exploratory factors analysis to develop and assess the internal structure of the WAPQ. Study 2 included 224 pain-free participants who completed the WAPQ in order to confirm its factor structure, and to examine its relation to the experience of acute experimental pain. In study 3, 137 individuals with persistent pain were asked to complete the WAPQ as well as measures of pain and depressive symptoms. Results The resulting 15-item measure assesses uncertainties and potential negative outcomes related to the experience of pain. The results of the exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses showed a two-factor structure. Across all studies, the WAPQ was found to be related to measures of pain in clinical and non-clinical samples, acute experimental pain stimuli, as well as pain anxiety, pain catastrophizing, fear of pain, rumination and depressive symptomatology. Conclusions The results suggest that the WAPQ is a reliable and valid measure for the assessment of worry about pain that can be used to understand how pain-specific worries are related to the experience and impact of pain across different populations. Significance Worry has been assessed in pain populations using measures that assess worry in general. The current study shows a relationship between pain-specific worry and the experience of pain. Further, worry about pain is related to but not synonymous with pain catastrophizing.

Resume But de l’etude Les depressions postnatales (DPN) concernent 10 a 15 % des accouchees. Le groupe « depression postnatale » est un outil de prise en charge mis en place dans l’unite de perinatalite du service de pedopsychiatrie du CHU de Reims. L’objectif de l’etude est d’evaluer le ressenti de l’experience groupale chez les meres ayant presente une DPN, afin d’en evaluer les resultats et d’en ameliorer sa delivrance et sa qualite. Patients et methode La population etudiee est de 9 meres ayant participe au groupe DPN ces dernieres annees. Il s’agit d’une etude qualitative basee sur un entretien semi-dirige avec questionnaire. Resultats L’ensemble des meres interrogees a ete tres satisfait de la prise en charge groupale avec un ressenti global « tres positif ». L’amelioration symptomatique est marquee notamment par une deculpabilisation, une resocialisation et une renarcissisation. Les resultats soulignent l’importance du dialogue au sein du couple, permettant une amelioration relationnelle avec le conjoint. La psychotherapie groupale permet d’elaborer autour d’un vecu emotionnellement intense avec la construction progressive d’un recit dans un espace contenant et etayant ou la mise en mots est possible. Conclusion Tenant compte des caracteristiques et limites methodologiques de l’etude (faible panel d’etude, entretien realise dans des delais differents), les resultats de cette etude preliminaire sont encourageants et meriteraient d’etre reconduits a plus large echelle. La prise en compte de la souffrance paternelle reste a developper. Les benefices de l’abord groupal se confirment et une generalisation de cette prise en charge singuliere nous semble pertinente.

Resume But Les recommandations pour la prise en charge des patientes porteuses d’un endometriome sont nombreuses au niveau national et international. Cette etude vise a evaluer l’etat des connaissances sur la prise en charge des endometriomes et l’impact des recommandations sur le sujet. Materiels et methodes Les chirurgiens gynecologues francais adherents a la Societe de chirurgie gynecologique et pelvienne (SCGP) ont ete interroges au cours du mois de mai 2015 par auto-questionnaire evaluant leurs connaissances theoriques et leur pratique courante sur la prise en charge des endometriomes. Resultats Cent quarante-quatre chirurgiens adherents de la SCGP (36 %) ont participe a l’enquete. Les recommandations les plus suivies etaient celles du College national des gynecologues obstetriciens (CNGOF) a 71 %, suivies de celles l’European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) a 38 %. Cent pour cent des chirurgiens pratiquaient une cœlioscopie lorsqu‘ils jugeaient l’exerese chirurgicale de l’endometriome indiquee. Au cours d’un traitement par analogue de la GnRH, 38 % des praticiens instauraient une add-back therapy immediatement, 43 % a 3 mois et 14 % n’en prescrivaient jamais. Conclusions Les chirurgiens francais trouvent un interet aux recommandations dans leur pratique clinique et appliquent majoritairement les recommandations du CNGOF.

Aim The main aim of this study is to evaluate the interest of three-dimensional ultrasound perineal in the measurement of the levator hiatus area as an objective reflection of the surgical correction of pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Our hypothesis is that POP surgery decreases the size of the levator hiatus area. Materials and methods A longitudinal and prospective study was conducted between April and July 2017 in the Department of Gynaecology & Obstetrics at University Hospital of Angers. Surgery was performed either by laparoscopy (sacrocolpopexy) or vaginal surgery (with or without the use of mesh). All patients were handed an information letter and signed an informed consent before being included in the study. A questionnaire was fullfilled before and one month after surgery. A clinical evaluation using the simplified POP-Q classification and a perineal 3D ultrasound were carried out before and after surgery by the same professional. The levator hiatus area was assessed before and after surgery in order to evaluate the impact of surgery on the levator hiatus area. Simplified POP-Q measurements and responses to PFDI-20 and PFDI-7 questionnaires were also collected. Results A total of 18 patients were included in the study and four were excluded. Seven underwent laparoscopic surgery and seven underwent vaginal surgery. The levator hiatus area decreased substantially from 20.87 to 16.55 cm2 on mean (p = 0.0001) at rest. Regarding patient satisfaction, the PFDI-20 score improved after surgery from 89.36 to 37.87 on mean (p = 0.006), but the PFIQ-7 score did not reveal any significant changes (p = 0.096). For the clinical examination, we used the simplified POP-Q with Ba measurement from 2.3 to -1.92 cm (p = 0.005) or Bp from -1.5 to -2.46 cm, which is not a significant change (p = 0.14). Points C (or D in cases with a history of hysterectomy) changed from -3.1 to -6.15 cm (p = 0.03). Conclusion The levator hiatus area seems to decrease after POP surgery. 3D ultrasound seems a new and complementary procedure that allowed to evaluate objectively the levator hiatus area and thus the clinical findings of the surgery.

© 2018 Author(s). Direct write patterning of high-transition temperature (high-TC) superconducting oxide thin films with a focused helium ion beam is a formidable approach for the scaling of high-TC circuit feature sizes down to the nanoscale. In this letter, we report using this technique to create a sensitive micro superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer with a sensing area of about 100 × 100 μm2. The device is fabricated from a single 35-nm thick YBa2Cu3O7-δ film. A flux concentrating pick-up loop is directly coupled to a 10 nm × 20 μm nano-slit SQUID. The SQUID is defined entirely by helium ion irradiation from a gas field ion source. The irradiation converts the superconductor to an insulator, and no material is milled away or etched. In this manner, a very narrow non-superconducting nano-slit is created entirely within the plane of the film. The narrow slit dimension allows for maximization of the coupling to the field concentrator. Electrical measurements reveal a large 0.35 mV modulation with a magnetic field. We measure a white noise level of 2 μΦ0/Hz12. The field noise of the magnetometer is 4 pT/Hz12 at 4.2 K.

BACKGROUND The current study aimed to (a) evaluate the effects of an experimental manipulation of worry and happiness on pain perception and measures of worry about pain and pain catastrophizing and (b) determine if changes in situation-specific worry about pain and pain catastrophizing would be related to changes in acute pain. METHODS The study included 120 healthy, pain-free volunteers. Participants were exposed to four levels of noxious stimulation and asked to report on the pain intensity, worry about pain and pain catastrophizing they experienced during the stimulation procedures. They were then randomly assigned to either a Happy or a Worry condition, where they were exposed to emotion induction procedures. The noxious exposure procedures and measures of pain, pain-related worry and pain catastrophizing were then repeated. RESULTS Participants in the Worry condition reported significant increases in pain intensity, and those in the Happy condition reported significant decreases in pain intensity. Further, the Worry condition participants reported significant increases in both pain-related worry and pain catastrophizing, while the Happy condition showed the opposite effects. Finally, changes in worry about pain and pain catastrophizing were found to mediate the impact of the affect induction procedure on pain intensity. CONCLUSIONS The findings demonstrate that pain intensity, worry about pain and pain catastrophizing are all sensitive to changes in mood. The results have potential clinical implications. SIGNIFICANCE The current study shows that manipulation-induced changes in pain-related worry, pain catastrophizing, and affect have direct effects on the experience of acute pain. More broadly, the overlap of these three variables provides with anxiety and mood disorders offers the promise of new vistas for research and treatment of pain conditions by assessing and targeting the cognitions and behaviors that are common to worry and catastrophizing.

Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) still remain frequent. The procedure for announcing the diagnosis (PAD) was an emblematic measure of the first French Plan Cancer aiming at providing patients with time to listen, information after cancer diagnosis, and discussion on treatments and their side effects. We aimed at assessing the risk factors of CINV, focusing on patients’ satisfaction with the PAD. This prospective multicentre study assessed the frequency and intensity of CINV among chemonaive patients during the first cycle of treatment. CINV was defined by ≥1 emetic episode or reported nausea intensity ≥3 on a 0–10 scale. Multivariate analysis was used to identify factors related to global CINV onset including satisfaction with the PAD (satisfaction score ≥the median on a 0–10 scale). Data from 291 patients (women, 85.2 %; mean age, 57 years) were analyzed. Most patients (69.4 %) received highly emetogenic chemotherapy regimens and 77.7 % received antiemetic drugs consistent with international guidelines. Acute, delayed and overall CINV were experienced by 40.4, 34.8 and 52.4 % of patients, respectively. Sixty-seven per cent of patients were satisfied with the PAD. No relation was noted between PAD satisfaction and CINV onset. The nausea and vomiting dimension of the QLQ-C30 questionnaire before chemotherapy (OR 3.62), motion sickness history (OR 2.73), highly emetogenic CT (OR 2.73), anxiety (OR 1.99) and younger age (OR 1.96) were independent predictive factors. Although patients were mostly satisfied with the PAD, half of them experienced CINV. A state of anxiety could be identified during the PAD to be managed.

This article reports a case of cervico-isthmic disjunction unnoticed during childhood, diagnosed in a context of primary infertility and endometriosis, and surgically treated. It is an uncommon condition. The diagnosis is most often made as part of an assessment of primary amenorrhea in a young woman with a history of severe pelvic trauma. It is suspected after imaging assessment and confirmed intraoperatively. The treatment consists in an anastomosis between the cervix and the uterine body, after individualizing these two structures, around a drain guiding healing. After this surgery, multiple pregnancies have been successfully carried out.