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The problem of gender discrimination and sexual harassment in medicine is long-standing and widespread. This project aims to document and understand how gendered experiences encountered by final-year medical students in Switzerland are experienced by these individuals and how they influence their career choice. It also aims to identify representations and stereotypes linked to the different specialties. The project will take place at all Swiss universities offering a master's degree in human medicine, for a total of 9 programs. Around 36 participants will be recruited. Semi-structured qualitative individual interviews will be conducted. Analysis will be based on Grounded Theory principles.

BackgroundA medical student’s career choice directly influences the physician workforce shortage and the misdistribution of resources. First, individual and contextual factors related to career choice have been evaluated separately, but their interaction over time is unclear. Second, actual career choice, reasons for this choice, and the influence of national political strategies are currently unknown in Switzerland. ObjectiveThe overall objective of this study is to better understand the process of Swiss medical students’ career choice and to predict this choice. Our specific aims will be to examine the predominately static (ie, sociodemographic and personality traits) and predominately dynamic (ie, learning context perceptions, anxiety state, motivation, and motives for career choice) variables that predict the career choice of Swiss medical school students, as well as their interaction, and to examine the evolution of Swiss medical students’ career choice and their ultimate career path, including an international comparison with French medical students. MethodsThe Swiss Medical Career Choice study is a national, multi-institution, and longitudinal study in which all medical students at all medical schools in Switzerland are eligible to participate. Data will be collected over 4 years for 4 cohorts of medical students using questionnaires in years 4 and 6. We will perform a follow-up during postgraduate training year 2 for medical graduates between 2018 and 2022. We will compare the different Swiss medical schools and a French medical school (the University of Strasbourg Faculty of Medicine). We will also examine the effect of new medical master’s programs in terms of career choice and location of practice. For aim 2, in collaboration with the Swiss Institute for Medical Education, we will implement a national career choice tracking system and identify the final career choice of 2 cohorts of medical students who graduated from 4 Swiss medical schools from 2010 to 2012. We will also develop a model to predict their final career choice. Data analysis will be conducted using inferential statistics, and machine learning approaches will be used to refine the predictive model. ResultsThis study was funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation in January 2023. Recruitment began in May 2023. Data analysis will begin after the completion of the first cohort data collection. ConclusionsOur research will inform national stakeholders and medical schools on the prediction of students’ future career choice and on key aspects of physician workforce planning. We will identify targeted actions that may be implemented during medical school and may ultimately influence career choice and encourage the correct number of physicians in the right specialties to fulfill the needs of currently underserved regions. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/53138

Following the neutral results of the dal-OUTCOMES trial, a genome-wide study identified the rs1967309 variant in the adenylate cyclase type 9 (ADCY9) gene on chromosome 16 as being associated with the risk of future cardiovascular events only in subjects taking dalcetrapib, a CETP (cholesterol ester transfer protein) modulator. Homozygotes for the minor A allele (AA) were protected from recurrent cardiovascular events when treated with dalcetrapib, while homozygotes for the major G allele (GG) had increased risk. Here, we present the current state of knowledge regarding the impact of rs1967309 in ADCY9 on clinical observations and biomarkers in dalcetrapib trials and the effects of mouse ADCY9 gene inactivation on cardiovascular physiology. Finally, we present our current model of the interaction between dalcetrapib and ADCY9 gene variants in the arterial wall macrophage, based on the intracellular role of CETP in the transfer of complex lipids from endoplasmic reticulum membranes to lipid droplets. Briefly, the concept is that dalcetrapib would inhibit CETP-mediated transfer of cholesteryl esters, resulting in a progressive inhibition of cholesteryl ester synthesis and free cholesterol accumulation in the endoplasmic reticulum. Reduced ADCY9 activity, by paradoxically leading to higher cyclic AMP levels and in turn increased cellular cholesterol efflux, could impart cardiovascular protection in rs1967309 AA patients. The ongoing dal-GenE trial recruited 6145 patients with the protective AA genotype and will provide a definitive answer to whether dalcetrapib will be protective in this population.

Le Comité de cancérologie de l'Association française d'urologie propose une mise à jour des recommandations dans la prise en charge du cancer de la prostate (CaP) récidivé et/ou métastatique. Une revue systématique de la littérature de 2022 à 2024 a été conduite par le CCAFU concernant les éléments de prise en charge thérapeutique du CaP en récidive après traitement local ou métastatique, en évaluant les références avec leur niveau de preuve. L'imagerie moléculaire est le bilan standard de la récidive après traitement local. Sa réalisation ne doit pas retarder le traitement de rattrapage précoce. La suppression androgénique (SAd) est le pilier du traitement du CaP métastatique. L'intensification de la SAd est désormais un standard dans la prise en charge du CaP métastatique, associant au moins une hormonothérapie de nouvelle génération (HTNG). Pour les patients d'emblée métastatiques au diagnostic de haut volume, un traitement par docétaxel en plus de l'association SAd + HTNG peut être discuté pour les patients éligibles. Chez les patients avec un CaP résistant à la castration (CPRC), les inhibiteurs de PARP et radiothérapie interne vectorisée par ligands du PSMA sont de nouvelles options thérapeutiques. La combinaison et le séquençage des traitements dépendent de nombreux facteurs (caractéristiques du patient et de la maladie, lignes précédentes, statut génomique, imagerie moléculaire). Cette actualisation des recommandations françaises doit contribuer à améliorer la prise en charge des patients porteurs d'un CaP en récidive ou métastatique. The Oncology Committee of the French Urology Association is proposing updated recommendations for the management of recurrent and/or metastatic prostate cancer (PCa). A systematic review of the literature from 2022 to 2024 was conducted by the CCAFU on the elements of therapeutic management of PCa in recurrence after local or metastatic treatment, evaluating the references with their level of evidence. Molecular imaging is the standard assessment of recurrence after local treatment. It should not delay early remedial treatment. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the main stay of treatment for metastatic PCa. Intensification of ADT is now the standard treatment for metastatic PCa, involving at least one new-generation hormone therapy (ARPI). For patients with high-volume metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis, treatment with docetaxel in addition to ADT + ARPI may be discussed for eligible patients. In patients with castration-resistant PCa (CRPC), PARP inhibitors and PSMA radioligand therapy are new treatment options. The combination and sequencing of treatments depend on many factors (patient and disease characteristics, previous lines, genomic status, molecular imaging). This update of French recommendations should help to improve the management of patients with recurrent or metastatic PCa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Le but du comité de cancérologie de l'Association française d'urologie est de proposer une mise à jour des recommandations dans le diagnostic et la prise en charge du cancer de la prostate (CaP) localisé. Une revue systématique de la littérature de 2022 à 2024 a été conduite par le CCAFU concernant les éléments de diagnostic et de prise en charge thérapeutique du CaP localisé, en évaluant les références avec leur niveau de preuve. Les recommandations précisent la génétique, l'épidémiologie et les moyens diagnostiques du CaP, les notions de dépistage et de détection précoce. L'IRM, examen d'imagerie de référence du cancer localisé, est recommandée avant la réalisation de biopsies prostatiques. L'imagerie moléculaire est une option pour la réalisation du bilan d'extension. La voie transpérinéale permet de réduire les risques infectieux. La surveillance active est le traitement de référence pour les tumeurs de faible risque évolutif. Les moyens thérapeutiques sont détaillés, et recommandés en fonction des situations cliniques. Cette actualisation des recommandations françaises doit contribuer à améliorer la prise en charge du CaP localisé. The aim of the Oncology Committee of the French Urology Association is to propose updated recommendations for the diagnosis and management of localised prostate cancer (PCa). A systematic review of the literature from 2022 to 2024 was conducted by the CCAFU on the elements of diagnosis and therapeutic management of localised PCa, evaluating references with their level of evidence. The recommendations set out the genetics, epidemiology and diagnostic methods of PCa, as well as the concepts of screening and early detection. MRI, the reference imaging test for localised cancer, is recommended before prostate biopsies are performed. Molecular imaging is an option for extension assessment. The transperineal route reduces the risk of infection. Active surveillance is the standard treatment for tumours with a low risk of progression. Therapeutic methods are described in detail, and recommended according to the clinical situation. This update of French recommendations should help to improve the management of localised PCa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundEffective collaboration is the foundation for delivering safe, high quality patient care. Health sciences curricula often include interprofessional collaboration training but may neglect conflicts that occur within a profession (intraprofessional). We describe the development of and validity evidence for an assessment of intraprofessional conflict management.Methods and findingsWe designed a 22-item assessment, the Intraprofessional Conflict Exercise, to evaluate skills in managing intraprofessional conflicts based on a literature review of conflict management. Using Messick's validity framework, we collected evidence for content, response process, and internal structure during a simulated intraprofessional conflict from 2018 to 2019. We performed descriptive statistics, inter-rater reliability, Cronbach's alpha, generalizability theory, and factor analysis to gather validity evidence. Two trained faculty examiners rated 82 trainees resulting in 164 observations. Inter-rater reliability was fair, weighted kappa of 0.33 (SE = 0.03). Cronbach's alpha was 0.87. The generalizability study showed differentiation among trainees (19.7% person variance) and was highly reliable, G-coefficient 0.88, Phi-coefficient 0.88. The decision study predicted that using one rater would have high reliability, G-coefficient 0.80. Exploratory factor analysis demonstrated three factors: communication skills, recognition of limits, and demonstration of respect for others. Based on qualitative observations, we found all items to be applicable, highly relevant, and helpful in identifying how trainees managed intraprofessional conflict.ConclusionsThe Intraprofessional Conflict Exercise provides a useful and reliable way to evaluate intraprofessional conflict management skills. It provides meaningful and actionable feedback to trainees and may help health educators in preparing trainees to manage intraprofessional conflict.

The large HDL particles generated by administration of cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibitors (CETPi) remain poorly characterized, despite their potential importance in the routing of cholesterol to the liver for excretion, which is the last step of the reverse cholesterol transport. Thus, the effects of the CETPi dalcetrapib and anacetrapib on HDL particle composition were studied in rabbits and humans. The association of rabbit HDL to the LDL receptor (LDLr) in vitro was also evaluated. New Zealand White rabbits receiving atorvastatin were treated with dalcetrapib or anacetrapib. A subset of patients from the dal-PLAQUE-2 study treated with dalcetrapib or placebo were also studied. In rabbits, dalcetrapib and anacetrapib increased HDL-C by more than 58% (P < 0.01) and in turn raised large apo E-containing HDL by 66% (P < 0.001) and 59% (P < 0.01), respectively. Additionally, HDL from CETPi-treated rabbits competed with human LDL for binding to the LDLr on HepG2 cells more than control HDL (P < 0.01). In humans, dalcetrapib increased concentrations of large HDL particles (+69%, P < 0.001) and apo B-depleted plasma apo E (+24%, P < 0.001), leading to the formation of apo E-containing HDL (+47%, P < 0.001) devoid of apo A-I. Overall, in rabbits and humans, CETPi increased large apo E-containing HDL particle concentration, which can interact with hepatic LDLr. The catabolism of these particles may depend on an adequate level of LDLr to contribute to reverse cholesterol transport.

Remanence magnetization plots (e.g., Henkel or δM plots) have been extensively used as a straightforward way to determine the presence and intensity of dipolar and exchange interactions in assemblies of magnetic nanoparticles or single domain grains. Their evaluation is particularly important in functional materials whose performance is strongly affected by the intensity of interparticle interactions, such as patterned recording media and nanostructured permanent magnets, as well as in applications such as hyperthermia and magnetic resonance imaging. Here, we demonstrate that δM plots may be misleading when the nanoparticles do not have a homogeneous internal magnetic configuration. Substantial dips in the M plots of γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles isolated by thick SiO2 shells indicate the presence of demagnetizing interactions, usually identified as dipolar interactions. Our results, however, demonstrate that it is the inhomogeneous spin structure of the nanoparticles, as most clearly evidenced by Mössbauer measurements, that has a pronounced effect on the δM plots, leading to features remarkably similar to those produced by dipolar interactions. X-ray diffraction results combined with magnetic characterization indicate that this inhomogeneity is due to the presence of surface structural (and spin) disorder. Monte Carlo simulations unambiguously corroborate the critical role of the internal magnetic structure in the δM plots. Our findings constitute a cautionary tale on the widespread use of remanence plots to assess interparticle interactions as well as offer new perspectives in the use of Henkel and δM plots to quantify the rather elusive inhomogeneous magnetization states in nanoparticles.