Use of stool molecular panel in hospitalized patients with diarrhea. Experience in a tertiary care center.

Infectious diarrhea is a common health issue that affects a large number of individuals each year. It causes significant morbidity and mortality, greatly impacting healthcare system costs. Rapid detection of the causative organism and timely treatment alters the management and outcome of the condition.

The Use and Effectiveness of Ceftazidime-Avibactam in Real-World Clinical Practice: EZTEAM Study.

Introduction: Ceftazidime-avibactam has proven activity against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in clinical trials and real-world studies. This study was conducted to describe the patterns of use of ceftazidime-avibactam (including indications and associated antibiotics), and the effectiveness and safety of ceftazidime-avibactam in real-world clinical practice.

Methods: This non-interventional medical chart review study was conducted in 11 countries across the European and Latin American (LATAM) regions.

[Recommendations for the diagnosis of prosthetic joint infections].

Prosthetic joint infection is the most feared complication of implant surgeries. Its diagnosis continues to be a challenge since its clinical presentation is usually not very evident and overlapping. A high clinical suspicion is needed to make a timely diagnosis.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection in a Latin American country: Results from the ECCOVID multicenter prospective study.

Background: Clinical features and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infections diverge in different countries. The aim of this study was to describe clinical characteristics and outcomes in a cohort of patients hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2 in Argentina.

Methods: Multicenter prospective cohort study of ≥18 years-old patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection consecutively admitted to 19 hospitals in Argentina.

Mucormycosis osteomyelitis after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: treatment and outcomes of 21 reported cases.

Aims: Our purpose was to describe an unusual series of 21 patients with fungal osteomyelitis after an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R).

Methods: We present a case-series of consecutive patients treated at our institution due to a severe fungal osteomyelitis after an arthroscopic ACL-R from November 2005 to March 2015. Patients were referred to our institution from different areas of our country.

Structure-Acid Lability Relationship of -Alkylated α,α-Dialkylglycine Obtained via a Ugi Multicomponent Reaction.

Using the classical Ugi four-component reaction to fuse an amine, ketone, carboxylic acid, and isocyanide, here we prepared a short library of -alkylated α,α-dialkylglycine derivatives. Due to the polyfunctionality of the dipeptidic scaffold, this highly steric hindered system shows an interesting acidolytic cleavage of the C-terminal amide. In this regard, we studied the structure-acid lability relationship of the C-terminal amide bond (cyclohexylamide) of -alkylated α,α-dialkylglycine amides in acidic media and, afterward, it was established that the most important structural features related to its cleavage.

A Randomized Trial of Convalescent Plasma in Covid-19 Severe Pneumonia.

Background: Convalescent plasma is frequently administered to patients with Covid-19 and has been reported, largely on the basis of observational data, to improve clinical outcomes. Minimal data are available from adequately powered randomized, controlled trials.

Methods: We randomly assigned hospitalized adult patients with severe Covid-19 pneumonia in a 2:1 ratio to receive convalescent plasma or placebo.

Depth-dependent functional MRI responses to chromatic and achromatic stimuli throughout V1 and V2.

In the primate visual system, form (shape, location) and color information are processed in separate but interacting pathways. Recent access to high-resolution neuroimaging has facilitated the exploration of the structure of these pathways at the mesoscopic level in the human visual cortex. We used 7T fMRI to observe selective activation of the primary visual cortex to chromatic versus achromatic stimuli in five participants across two scanning sessions.

Genetic diversity and phylogeographic analysis of human herpesvirus type 8 (HHV-8) in two distant regions of Argentina: Association with the genetic ancestry of the population.

Background: The genetic diversity of persistent infectious agents, such as HHV-8, correlates closely with the migration of modern humans out of East Africa which makes them useful to trace human migrations. However, there is scarce data about the evolutionary history of HHV-8 particularly in multiethnic Latin American populations.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to characterize the genetic diversity and the phylogeography of HHV-8 in two distant geographic regions of Argentina, and to establish potential associations with pathogenic conditions and the genetic ancestry of the population.

Cross Talk between eIF2α and eEF2 Phosphorylation Pathways Optimizes Translational Arrest in Response to Oxidative Stress.

The cellular stress response triggers a cascade of events leading to transcriptional reprogramming and a transient inhibition of global protein synthesis, which is thought to be mediated by phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor-2α (eIF2α). Using mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and the fission yeast S. pombe, we report that rapid translational arrest and cell survival in response to hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress do not rely on eIF2α kinases and eIF2α phosphorylation.

Unusual hematogenous infection in total knee replacement treated with one-stage revision surgery.

Septic arthritis due to (LM) is extremely rare and most infections due to this organism are seen in immunocompromised patients. We describe a patient without immunological compromise, with a late total knee arthroplasty infection caused by LM treated with one-stage revision surgery. She had an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (79 mm/h) and C-reactive protein (13 mg/dL).

What Prophylactic Antibiotic (Type, Dose and Route of Administration) Should Be Administered Perioperatively for Patients Undergoing Total Ankle Arthroplasty (TAA)?

Recommendation: The administration of prophylactic antibiotics before total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) potentially reduces the incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) and/or periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). Weight-based (of at least 2 g) cefazolin administered intravenously within 60 minutes before the procedure can be an adequate choice for antibiotic prophylaxis. If the patient has a beta-lactam anaphylaxis, we recommend an appropriate alternative antibiotic effective against Staphylococcus.

Timing of implant-removal in late acute periprosthetic joint infection: A multicenter observational study.

Objectives: We evaluated the treatment outcome in late acute (LA) periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) treated with debridement and implant retention (DAIR) versus implant removal.

Methods: In a large multicenter study, LA PJIs of the hip and knee were retrospectively evaluated. Failure was defined as: PJI related death, prosthesis removal or the need for suppressive antibiotic therapy.

State-of-the-art diagnosis and surgical treatment of acute peri-prosthetic joint infection following primary total hip arthroplasty.

Acute peri-prosthetic joint infection (PJI) following total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a potentially devastating and undesired complication, with a prevalence of 0.3% to 2.9%.

Clinical outcome and risk factors for failure in late acute prosthetic joint infections treated with debridement and implant retention.

Objectives: Debridement, antibiotics and implant retention (DAIR) is the recommended treatment for all acute prosthetic joint infections (PJI), but its efficacy in patients with late acute (LA) PJI is not well described.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with LA PJI between 2005 and 2015 were retrospectively evaluated. LA PJI was defined as the development of acute symptoms (≤ 3 weeks) occurring ≥ 3 months after arthroplasty.

Oxidized analogs of Di(1-indol-3-yl)methyl-4-substituted benzenes are NR4A1-dependent UPR inducers with potent and safe anti-cancer activity.

Di(1-indol-3-yl)(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)methane (DIM-Ph-4-CF) is an analog of orphan nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1) ligand cytosporone B. We have synthesized several oxidation products of DIM-Ph-4-CF, focusing on analogs with electron-withdrawing or donating groups at their phenyl ring 4-positions, and examined their anti-cancer activity and mechanism-of-action. Mesylates (DIM-Ph-4-X OMss) having CF, COMe and Cl groups were more effective inhibitors of cancer cell viability than their precursors.

[Recommendations for prevention of surgical site infection in adult elective arthroplasty].

Surgical site infections complicating orthopedic implant surgeries prolong hospital stay and increase risk of readmission, hospitalization costs and mortality. These recommendations are aimed at: (i) optimizing compliance and incorporating habits in all surgery phases by detecting risk factors for surgical site infections which are potentially correctable or modifiable; and (ii) optimizing preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis as well as intraoperative and postoperative care.

Microalgae as a safe food source for animals: nutritional characteristics of the acidophilic microalga .

Background: Edible microalgae are marine or fresh water mesophilic species. Although the harvesting of microalgae offers an abundance of opportunities to the food and pharmaceutical industries, the possibility to use extremophilic microalgae as a food source for animals is not well-documented.

Objective: We studied the effects of dietary supplementation of a powdered form of the acidophilic microalga on growth and health parameters of laboratory rats.

CD8+ T Cells Can Mediate Short-Term Protection against Heterotypic Dengue Virus Reinfection in Mice.

Unlabelled: Dengue virus (DENV) is a major public health threat worldwide. Infection with one of the four serotypes of DENV results in a transient period of protection against reinfection with all serotypes (cross-protection), followed by lifelong immunity to the infecting serotype. While a protective role for neutralizing antibody responses is well established, the contribution of T cells to reinfection is less clear, especially during heterotypic reinfection.

Dengue Virus Evolution under a Host-Targeted Antiviral.

Unlabelled: The host-targeted antiviral drug UV-4B reduces viral replication and promotes survival in a mouse model of experimental dengue virus (DENV) infection. UV-4B is an iminosugar that inhibits the α-glucosidase family of enzymes and subsequently the folding of glycosylated proteins, both viral and host. Here, we utilized next-generation sequencing to investigate evolution of a flavivirus under selective pressure by a host-targeted antiviral in vivo.

Impaired Urine Dilution Capability in HIV Stable Patients.

Renal disease is a well-recognized complication among patients with HIV infection. Viral infection itself and the use of some antiretroviral drugs contribute to this condition. The thick ascending limb of Henle's loop (TALH) is the tubule segment where free water clearance is generated, determining along with glomerular filtration rate the kidney's ability to dilute urine.

The roles of IRF-3 and IRF-7 in innate antiviral immunity against dengue virus.

We investigated the roles of IFN regulatory factor (IRF)-3 and IRF-7 in innate antiviral immunity against dengue virus (DENV). Double-deficient Irf-3(-/-)7(-/-) mice infected with the DENV2 strain S221 possessed 1,000-150,000 fold higher levels of viral RNA than wild-type and single-deficient mice 24 h postinfection (hpi); however, they remained resistant to lethal infection. IFN-α/β was induced similarly in wild-type and Irf-3(-/-) mice post-DENV infection, whereas in the Irf-7(-/-) and Irf-3(-/-)7(-/-) mice, significantly low levels of IFN-α/β expression was observed within 24 hpi.