A Phase III Randomized Controlled Trial of Plitidepsin, a Marine-Derived Compound, in Hospitalized Adults With Moderate COVID-19.

Background: Plitidepsin has shown potent preclinical activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and was generally well tolerated in a phase I trial of hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). NEPTUNO, a phase III, multicenter, randomized, controlled trial, was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of plitidepsin in the management of moderate COVID-19 in hospitalized adult patients.

Methods: Included patients had documented severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, required oxygen therapy, and had adequate organ function.

Alcohol consumption in elderly people. What is the real magnitude of the problem?

The harmful effects of alcohol consumption have been well studied in the general population, but in the group of people over 80 years of age there is not much information regarding its relevance. It is estimated than 30%-40% of this population consumes alcohol regularly and around 10% engage in high-risk consumption. Furthermore, potential interactions between this substance and commonly consumed drugs in this age group, like oral antidiabetics, anticoagulants and antibiotics, may pose a risk of serious complications.

Meta-analysis of the rs243865 MMP-2 polymorphism and age-related macular degeneration risk.

Purpose: Several researchers have suggested that the rs243865 (16q13-q21) polymorphism in the promoter region of the metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) gene could be associated with an increased risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD). However, previous results remain inconclusive. To clarify this controversy, we conducted a meta-analysis of the relationship between rs243865 of MMP-2 and AMD.

[Wernicke encephalopathy in alcoholic patients].

A 67-year old male was brought to the hospital by his family because he had been suffering from somnolence, bradypsychia and gait disturbance for one week. He lived alone, reported an ethanol intake higher than 100-120 g/day. His diet was limited in quality and amount.