Treatment of Sleep, Motor and Sensory Symptoms with the Orexin Antagonist Suvorexant in Adults with Idiopathic Restless Legs Syndrome: A Randomized Double-Blind Crossover Proof-of-Concept Study.

Background And Objectives: Current treatment guidelines for restless legs syndrome (RLS) recommend treatment be initiated with non-dopaminergic drugs. Given the potential role of orexins in the pathophysiology of RLS, we performed a pilot, proof-of-concept study to investigate the therapeutic effects of suvorexant, a dual orexin receptor antagonist (DORA), on sleep and sensory/motor symptoms in individuals with idiopathic RLS.

Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, crossover and placebo-controlled study.

A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Study with Dipyridamole for Restless Legs Syndrome.

Background: New pharmacological targets are needed for restless legs syndrome. Preclinical data suggest that a hypoadenosinergic state plays an important pathogenetic role.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether inhibitors of equilibrative nucleoside transporters, for example, dipyridamole, could provide effective symptomatic treatment.

A safe protocol to identify low-risk patients with COVID-19 pneumonia for outpatient management.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has made it necessary to rationalize health-care resources, but there is little published data at this moment regarding ambulatory management of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. The objective of the study is to evaluate the performance of a protocol for ambulatory management of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia regarding readmissions, admission into the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and deaths. Also, to identify unfavorable prognostic factors that increase the risk of readmission.

Quantitative transcranial sonography of the substantia nigra as a predictor of therapeutic response to intravenous iron therapy in restless legs syndrome.

Objective: To analyze changes in substantia nigra (SN) iron deposits, assessed by quantitative transcranial sonography (TCS), to obtain and compare substantia nigra echogenicity indices (SNEI) at baseline and after intravenous (IV) iron therapy in patients with restless legs syndrome (RLS)/Willis-Ekbom disease (WED).

Methods: A total of 30 consecutive subjects diagnosed with RLS/WED were recruited and underwent IV iron treatment. The SNEI, total daily dose of dopamine equivalents, and International Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale (IRLS) scores were obtained at baseline and following IV iron administration.

Reduced response to gabapentin enacarbil in restless legs syndrome following long-term dopaminergic treatment.

Objectives: To determine whether long-term treatment with dopaminergic agents (DAs) might dampen the response to a non-dopaminergic agent, such as gabapentin enacarbil.

Methods: We performed a two-week randomized, double-blind, crossover, and placebo-controlled study in a single, referral center in dopamine treatment-naive patients and non-augmented patients continuously treated with dopaminergics for the last five consecutive years. Following washout from any previous CNS-active drugs, patients were randomized into one of two groups for two consecutive two-week treatment periods with gabapentin enacarbil (GBPen) and placebo.

Revisiting cefditoren for the treatment of community-acquired infections caused by human-adapted respiratory pathogens in adults.

Fifteen years after its licensure, this revision assesses the role of cefditoren facing the current pharmacoepidemiology of resistances in respiratory human-adapted pathogens (, , and ). In the era of post- pneumococcal conjugate vaccines and in an environment of increasing diffusion of the I gene among isolates, published studies on the cefditoren in vitro microbiological activity, pharmacokinetic/pharmcodynamic (PK/PD) activity and clinical efficacy are reviewed. Based on published data, an overall analysis is performed for PK/PD susceptibility interpretation.

Treatment of restless legs syndrome/Willis-Ekbom disease with the non-selective ENT1/ENT2 inhibitor dipyridamole: testing the adenosine hypothesis.

Objectives: Recent animal models of restless legs syndrome (RLS) suggest that brain iron deficiency is associated with a hypoadenosinergic state, with downregulation of adenosine A receptors (A1R) in the striatum and cortex. We hypothesized that an increase in extracellular adenosine induced by inhibitors of adenosine transporters, such as the non-selective ENT1/ENT2 inhibitor dipyridamole, would result in an improvement in RLS symptoms.

Methods: In a prospective two-month open-label, non-placebo controlled clinical trial, 15 untreated idiopathic RLS patients began treatment with 100 mg dipyridamole (with uptitration to 400 mg if necessary).

Treatment of restless legs syndrome with the selective AMPA receptor antagonist perampanel.

Objectives: Perampanel is a selective, noncompetitive α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPA) antagonist that has been approved for the treatment of partial seizures. Here we report on the first open study evaluating its efficacy in idiopathic restless legs syndrome (RLS).

Methods: The study was designed as a prospective two-month open trial.

Development of Aspergillosis in a cohort of non-neutropenic, non-transplant patients colonised by Aspergillus spp.

Background: A previous study explored factors discriminating colonization and true infection among non-transplant, non-neutropenic patients with repeated Aspergillus spp. isolation from lower respiratory samples. The present study explored the evolution of patients with Aspergillus colonization in that study to determine the percentage of cases progressing to aspergillosis and time to development.

Protective effect of polyphenols on presbycusis via oxidative/nitrosative stress suppression in rats.

Unlabelled: Age-related hearing loss (AHL) -presbycusis- is the number one neurodegenerative disorder and top communication deficit of our aged population. Experimental evidence suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays a central role in the aging process of cochlear cells. Dietary antioxidants, in particular polyphenols, have been found to be beneficial in protecting against the generation of ROS in various diseases associated with oxidative stress, such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and aging.

Risk factors for colonization by carbapenemase-producing enterobacteria at admission to a Surgical ICU: A retrospective study.

Introduction: In 2011, a hospital-wide outbreak of OXA-48 producing Klebsiella pneumoniae occurred in our hospital, an epidemiological setting of high ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae rates. This study identifies risk factors for colonization with carbapenemase-producing enterobacteria (CPE) at Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) admission.

Intraabdominal candidiasis in surgical ICU patients treated with anidulafungin: A multicenter retrospective study.

Objective: Patients with recent intraabdominal events are at uniquely risk for intraabdominal candidiasis (IAC). Candida peritonitis is a frequent and life-threatening complication in surgically ill patients. International guidelines do not specifically address IAC.

Evaluation in a Dog Model of Three Antimicrobial Glassy Coatings: Prevention of Bone Loss around Implants and Microbial Assessments.

Objectives: The aim of the present study is to evaluate, in a ligature-induced peri-implantitis model, the efficacy of three antimicrobial glassy coatings in the prevention of biofilm formation, intrasulcular bacterial growth and the resulting peri-implant bone loss.

Methods: Mandibular premolars were bilaterally extracted from five beagle dogs. Four dental implants were inserted on each hemiarch.

Secular trends (1990-2013) in serotypes and associated non-susceptibility of S. pneumoniae isolates causing invasive disease in the pre-/post-era of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines in Spanish regions without universal paediatric pneumococcal vaccination.

This study analyzed temporal trends of non-susceptibility/serotypes in invasive pneumococci from Spanish regions where pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) were not included in paediatric immunization programmes. All invasive pneumococcal isolates voluntarily sent to the Spanish Reference Laboratory for Pneumococci (January 1990-December 2013) from hospitals located in target study regions were analyzed by age group. The PCV estimated coverage in children <24 months was correlated with 13-valent PCV (PCV13) serotypes trends.

Biomarkers (Procalcitonin, C Reactive Protein, and Lactate) as Predictors of Mortality in Surgical Patients with Complicated Intra-Abdominal Infection.

Background: An accurate and readily available biomarker for identifying patients with complicated intra-abdominal infection needing special attention in critical care units because of their greater risk of dying would be of value for intensivists.

Methods: A multi-center, observational, retrospective study explored blood lactate, C-reactive protein (CRP), and procalcitonin (PCT) concentrations, and also Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) and Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS II) as mortality predictors in all adult patients with complicated intra-abdominal infection (cIAI) admitted to Surgical Critical Care Units (SCCUs) for ≥48 h in four Spanish hospitals (June 2012-June 2013). Logistic regression models (step-wise procedure) were constructed using as dependent variables "intra-SCCU mortality" or "overall mortality," and variables showing differences (p≤0.

A practice-based observational study on the use of micafungin in Surgical Critical Care Units.

Introduction: Echinocandins are first-line therapy in critically ill patients with invasive Candida infection (ICI). This study describes our experience with micafungin at Surgical Critical Care Units (SCCUs).

Methods: A multicenter, observational, retrospective study was performed (12 SCCUs) by reviewing all adult patients receiving 100 mg/24h micafungin for ≥72h during ad-mission (April 2011-July 2013).

A practice-based observational study identifying factors associated with the use of high-dose tigecycline in the treatment of secondary peritonitis in severely ill patients.

Introduction: Based on tigecycline linear pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamics, dose increases have been advocated to maximise activity especially when severe infections with high bacterial load and/or multidrug resistance are suspected. This practice-based observational study explored factors associated with tigecycline administration (100 mg/12h, 200 mg loading dose) in severely ill patients with complicated intra-abdominal infection (cIAI) admitted to four Surgical Critical Care Units (SCCUs).

Methods: Medical records of all consecutive adult patients with cIAI and controlled infection source requiring surgery and admission for ≥ 48 h to SCCU were reviewed and divided into patients treated with a regimen including tigecycline (tigecycline group) and those that not (control group).

Procalcitonin-guided therapy may reduce length of antibiotic treatment in intensive care unit patients with secondary peritonitis: A multicenter retrospective study.

Purpose: Because procalcitonin (PCT) might be surrogate for antimicrobial discontinuation in general intensive care units (ICUs), this study explored its use for secondary peritonitis in 4 surgical ICUs (SICUs).

Methods: A retrospective study including all consecutive patients with secondary peritonitis, controlled infection source, requiring surgery, and at least 48-hour SICU admission was performed (June 2012-June 2013). Patients were divided following notations in medical records into PCT-guided (notation of PCT-based antibiotic discontinuation) and non-PCT-guided (no notation) groups.

Clinical experience with ertapenem in the treatment of infections of the biliary tract in daily practice in five Spanish hospitals.

Efficacy of ertapenem in biliary tract infections in daily practice was retrospectively analyzed. Records of patients admitted to five Spanish hospitals (January 2007/February 2011) with biliary infections (cholecystitis/cholangitis) treated with ertapenem for ≥72 hours were reviewed. A total of 187 patients (mean 63.

Repeated Aspergillus isolation in respiratory samples from non-immunocompromised patients not selected based on clinical diagnoses: colonisation or infection?

Background: Isolation of Aspergillus from lower respiratory samples is associated with colonisation in high percentage of cases, making it of unclear significance. This study explored factors associated with diagnosis (infection vs. colonisation), treatment (administration or not of antifungals) and prognosis (mortality) in non-transplant/non-neutropenic patients showing repeated isolation of Aspergillus from lower respiratory samples.

Clinical features of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis vs. colonization in COPD patients distributed by gold stage.

Objective: To explore clinical features of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) vs. colonization among hospitalized COPD patients.

Methods: Records of COPD patients with two respiratory cultures yielding Aspergillus were retrospectively reviewed.

Variations in serotypes and susceptibility of adult non-invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates between the periods before (May 2000-May 2001) and 10 years after (May 2010-May 2011) introduction of conjugate vaccines for child immunisation in Spain.

This study explored the serotype distribution and antibiotic susceptibility of adult non-invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates received in the Spanish Reference Laboratory for Pneumococci immediately prior to introduction of the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) in June 2001 (May 2000-May 2001) and 10 years afterwards (May 2010-May 2011). Serotyping was performed by Quellung reaction and/or dot-blot assay, and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined by agar dilution. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) breakpoints were used for susceptibility interpretation.

Correlation between clinical parameters characterising peri-implant and periodontal health: a practice-based research in Spain in a series of patients with implants installed 4-5 years ago.

Objectives: To explore peri-implant health (and relation with periodontal status) 4-5 years after implant insertion.

Study Design: A practice-based dental research network multicentre study was performed in 11 Spanish centres. The first patient/month with implant insertion in 2004 was considered.

In vitro interference of tigecycline at subinhibitory concentrations on biofilm development by Enterococcus faecalis.

Objectives: Since biofilm formation is the hallmark of Enterococcus faecalis isolates, the aim of this study was to quantify biofilm formation in the presence of subinhibitory concentrations of tigecycline.

Methods: Interference of tigecycline on biofilm formation was spectrophotometrically quantified using 20 biofilm-producing E. faecalis isolates with tigecycline MICs of 0.