Université de Bretagne Occidentale

In this paper, we present the design of a new automatic fluorescence monitoring system (AUTOFLUO) for real-time control of pesticide contamination in natural waters. This system was used to analyse two fluorescent pyrethroid insecticides, phenothrin (PHE) and permethrin (PER), currently used in the Niayes agricultural district in Senegal. The results were then compared with those obtained using the classical fluorescence method (FLUO). The analytical parameters (λex, λem, and pH) were optimised. Phenothrin exhibits maximum excitation and emission wavelengths of 221 and 321 nm, respectively, whereas permethrin has these values at 210 and 297 nm. The optimum pH value was determined to be 7 for PHE and 8 for PER. The linearity of both the calibration and standard addition curves was validated through variance analysis. A Student's t-test demonstrated that the intercept values of the calibration curves were not significantly different from zero (p > 5 %). The limit of detection (LOD) ranges from 0.02 to 5.16 ng mL^-1, while the limit of quantification ranges from 0.07 to 17.18 ng mL^-1. Comparing these LOD values with those reported in the literature demonstrates the high sensitivity of the AUTOFLUO method. Both insecticides were analysed in spiked natural waters using the standard addition procedure. Satisfactory recovery rates were obtained by the FLUO (88.9 % to 97.6 %) and the AUTOFLUO (95.7 % to 102.8 %) methods. The low intraday and interday relative standard deviations (< 2 % and < 4 % respectively) attest to the repeatability and reproducibility of the measurements. The satisfactory tolerance limits of the interfering species validate the method's selectivity. These results demonstrate that the AUTOFLUO system is suitable for reliably monitoring pesticides in natural waters.

To assess the prevalence of giant cell arteritis (GCA) or cancer detected via 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) without clinical signs suggestive of GCA.

This monocentric retrospective cohort study analyzed PET-CT scans performed for clinical suspicion of PMR since 2018. Patients meeting the 2012 ACR/EULAR criteria for PMR without clinical indications of GCA or cancer were included. Observations were divided into two groups: new-onset PMR and treatment failure. A nuclear medicine physician evaluated qualitative liver uptake scores at articular/periarticular sites and large vessels typically involved in PMR. Increased 18F-FDG uptake suggesting cancer was also assessed.

Of 1223 PET-CT scans screened, 94 met the inclusion criteria: 38 for new-onset PMR and 56 for treatment failure. Subclinical GCA was identified in 10 (10.6%) patients, with a prevalence of 5.3% in the new-onset group and 14.2% in the treatment failure group. Aortic uptake was present in 90% of subclinical GCA cases. Sites with increased 18F-FDG uptake included hips (90%), shoulders, lumbar interspinous bursa (80%), and ischial tuberosity (60%). PET-CT identified eight (8.5%) cancer cases, equally distributed between the two groups.

PET-CT detects subclinical GCA in approximately 10% of PMR patients without suggestive symptoms, three times more frequently in the treatment failure group. Aortitis is present in 90% of subclinical GCA cases. Cancer prevalence is 4.7%, with a heterogeneous spectrum and unclear association with PMR symptoms.

To describe the health care use of patients with symptomatic knee or hip OA and to identify factors associated with health care use trajectories over a 10-year period.

This study used longitudinal data from the multicentre "Knee-and-Hip-OsteoArthritis-Long-term-Assessment" cohort, which comprised 878 patients with OA diagnoses confirmed by both a physician and radiographic evidence. We identified homogeneous subgroups of trajectories based on individual health care consumption over time via latent class growth analysis. Logistic regression analysis determined baseline factors associated with these trajectories.

A minority of patients consulted a specialist. Impaired mental health was associated with moderate- and high-probability trajectories of consulting a primary care physician (PCP), a physical therapist and a rheumatologist (ORs 0.7 [0.6-0.9] to 0.9 [0.8-0.96]). High pain levels were associated only with high probability of consulting an orthopaedic surgeon (OS) (OR 0.8 [0.7-0.9]). Rheumatologist consultations were more likely in large cities (OR 2.3 [1.3-4.1]), and OS consultations were associated with a high level of education (OR 3.6 [1.3-7.4]).

PCPs play a central role in OA care. High pain levels were associated mainly with a high probability of consulting an OS, whereas mental health status was a major predictive factor of other health care professional consultations. Mental health state is probably insufficiently accounted for. Social inequalities persist and must be considered in public health policies.