Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2/1 signalling is linked to autophagy through transcriptional actions of the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3)-vitamin D receptor (VDR) complex. Population-specific effects have been reported for TLR2/1-VDR signalling. We hypothesized that population effects extend to autophagy and are influenced by vitamin D status. Serum 25(OH)D3 of healthy South Africans (Black individuals n = 10, White individuals n = 10) was quantified by LC-MS/MS. Primary monocytes-macrophages were supplemented in vitro with 1,25(OH)2D3 and stimulated with the lipoprotein Pam3CysSerLys4. TLR2, VDR, hCAP18, Beclin1, LC3-IIB, cytokines and CYP24A1 mRNA were quantified by flow cytometry and RT-qPCR, respectively. Black individuals showed significantly lower overall cumulative LC3-IIB (P  less then  0.010), but higher Beclin1, VDR, IL6 and TNFA (P  less then  0.050) than White individuals. 1,25(OH)2D3 enhanced autophagic flux in monocytes-macrophages from Black individuals upon TLR2/1 stimulation and strengthened autophagy in 25(OH)D3 deficient individuals (independent cohort, n = 20). These findings support population-directed vitamin D supplementation. BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer in the general population. BCC is managed in a variety of ways, and available international guidelines are difficult to put into practice in Spain. This guideline aims to improve the management of BCC based on current evidence and provide a point of reference for Spanish dermatologists. MATERIAL AND METHODS Members of the Spanish Oncologic Dermatology and Surgery Group (GEDOC) with experience treating BCC were invited to participate in drafting this guideline. selleck inhibitor The drafters used the ADAPTE collaboration process to develop the new guideline based on existing ones, first summarizing the care pathway and posing relevant clinical questions. They then searched for guidelines, assessed them with the AGREEII (Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation) tool, and searched the selected guidelines for answers to the clinical questions. Finally, the recommendations were drafted and submitted for external review. RESULTS The highest-scoring guidelines were from the Association of Dermatologists, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, the European Dermatology Forum, and the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. A total of 11 clinical questions were answered. CONCLUSIONS This new guideline answers the working group’s clinical questions about the routine management of BCC in Spain. It provides dermatologists with a tool they can use for decision-making while taking into consideration the resources available and patient preferences. BACKGROUND Hybrid ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation is a single combined procedure consisting in a minimally thoracoscopic surgical ablation followed by a catheter ablation. This promising technique is recommended in persistent atrial fibrillation according to the current guidelines but is not routinely performed in France, mainly due to the absence of reimbursement by the French National Health Insurance. AIMS The aim of this prospective and single-centre study was to analyse, for the first time in France, the feasibility, efficacy and complication rates of hybrid ablation in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation. METHODS Hybrid ablation was performed in 15 consecutive patients (13 men, mean age 61±6 years) with persistent (7 patients) or long standing persistent (8 patients) atrial fibrillation. RESULTS Hybrid ablation was completed in 14/15 patients. Eleven patients returned in sinus rhythm during the procedure. Two patients (13%) had major per-procedural complications and 2 had minor complications. During an average follow-up of 25±6 months, 6 patients (40%) underwent a redo catheter ablation because of atrial tachycardia, mainly peri-mitral atrial flutter. At 1 year follow up, 14/15 patients were in sinus rhythm, including 11 free of antiarrhythmic drugs. INTRODUCTION Peripheral artery disease of lower limbs (PAD) can be discovered at an asymptomatic stage by the realization of systolic pressure indices. The 2006 recommendations of the French National Authority for Health on AOMI encourage the systematic prescription of antiplatelet agents; the 2012 recommendations on the proper use of antiplatelet agents no longer encourage it in the case of asymptomatic PAD. These two recommendations still coexist. Our objective was to determine the management of an asymptomatic PAD by general practitioners. METHODS Descriptive and analytical epidemiological study, with analysis of practices, prospectively addressed by postal questionnaire to a randomized sample of 220 GPs practicing in the European Metropolis of Lille between December 15, 2016 and February 15, 2017. The question was “if an asymptomatic PAD is discovered in a 50-year-old patient who is otherwise in good general condition, what do you generally do?” RESULTS Our sample was 92 general practitioners (42% participation). Of these, only 6 were practicing HPIs. Before an asymptomatic PAD, management included an opinion from an angiologist (84%) and/or a cardiologist (75%) before the drug was prescribed (antiplatelet agent for 57%, statin for 33% and ACE inhibitor for 14%). CONCLUSION The extension assessment was carried out in more than 8 out of 10 cases. The use of antiplatelet antiaggregants was significant, which can be explained by the coexistence of divergent recommendations. The rapid clarification of recommendations is essential with the evolution of scientific data. Salted-dried goose is a traditional Turkish product with specific flavor that is produced by dry salting, post-salting, and subsequently air-drying of the goose carcass. In this study, the leg and breast parts of salted-dried goose carcasses were analyzed in terms of microbiological properties and volatile compounds. Lactic acid bacteria and Micrococcus-Staphylococcus bacteria constituted a significant part of microbiota in both leg and breast samples. The Enterobacteriaceae count was below the detectable level ( less then 2 log cfu g-1) in 60% of the leg samples and in 47% of the breast samples. The yeast-mold count was less than 5 log cfu g-1 in 80% of both leg and breast samples. Many volatile compounds belonging to different chemical groups, including aldehydes, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, esters, alcohols, terpenes, ketones, sulfur compounds, and furans, were identified from samples. The breast samples showed a higher mean amount of hexanal than the leg samples. No significant difference was found between the breast and leg samples in terms of ketones and sulfur compounds.