Untangling the mess of CGRP levels as a migraine biomarker: an in-depth literature review and analysis of our experimental experience.

Background: Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is the most promising candidate to become the first migraine biomarker. However, literature shows clashing results and suggests a methodological source for such discrepancies. We aimed to investigate some of these methodological factors to evaluate the actual role of CGRP as biomarker.

Simplified risk stratification based on cardiopulmonary exercise test: A Spanish two-center experience.

A simplified 4-strata risk stratification approach based on three variables is widespread in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) at follow-up. This study aimed to assess the impact of replacing the 6-min walk test (6MWT) with the peak 0 uptake evaluated by the cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) on risk stratification by this scale. We included 180 prevalent patients with PAH from two reference hospitals in Spain, followed up between 2006 and 2022.

[Peripheral stimulation of the trigeminal nerve by nasopharyngeal swabbing as a possible trigger of migraine attacks].

Introduction: The role of the central and peripheral nervous system in the generation of migraine is not well understood. Our aim was to determine whether peripheral trigeminal nerve stimuli, such as nasopharyngeal swabs, could trigger migraine attacks.

Subjects And Methods: A survey was sent to 658 doctors, nurses and medical students, asking about the presence of headache suggestive of migraine after carrying out a SARS-CoV-2 swab test, their previous history of migraine, and demographic and headache-related characteristics.

TNF Inhibitors Exert a "Hidden" Beneficial Effect in the Cardiovascular Lipoprotein Profile of RA Patients.

Purpose: A high cardiovascular risk has been described in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA); the effects of different biological agents have also been described in these patients. The aim of the present study is to examine the effects of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) in the lipoprotein profile of RA patients using a broad laboratory assessment including a large number of non-routine tests.

Patients And Methods: RA patients treated with and without TNFi (70 patients in each group) were cross-sectionally compared regarding a broad spectrum of lipoprotein parameters including serum levels of total and HDL, LDL and VLDL cholesterol triglycerides, lipoprotein A (LpA), apolipoprotein A1 (Apo A), B100 (Apo B) and paroxonase.

Clinical experience of cefiderocol.

Infections by antibiotic-resistant microorganisms could be considered a "stealth pandemic" that we fight daily in most hospitals. Some estimates suggest that today 700,000 deaths per year can be attributed to antimicrobial resistance. By the year 2050, it is estimated that this will increase to ten million deaths per year as a result of infections by multidrug-resistant microorganisms.

Safety and preliminary efficacy on cognitive performance and adaptive functionality of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in children with Down syndrome. A randomized phase Ib clinical trial (PERSEUS study).

Purpose: Although some caregivers are using epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) off label in hopes of improving cognition in young adults with Down syndrome (DS), nothing is known about its safety, tolerability, and efficacy in the DS pediatric population. We aimed to evaluate safety and tolerability of a dietary supplement containing EGCG and if EGCG improves cognitive and functional performance.

Methods: A total of 73 children with DS (aged 6-12 years) were randomized.

Linezolid for infective endocarditis: A structured approach based on a national database experience.

Current data on the frequency and efficacy of linezolid (LNZ) in infective endocarditis (IE) are based on small retrospective series. We used a national database to evaluate the effectiveness of LNZ in IE.This is a retrospective study of IE patients in the Spanish GAMES database who received LNZ.

Comparison of COVID-19 and Non-COVID-19 Pneumonia in Down Syndrome.

Whether the increased risk for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hospitalization and death observed in Down syndrome (DS) are disease specific or also occur in individuals with DS and non-COVID-19 pneumonias is unknown. This retrospective cohort study compared COVID-19 cases in persons with DS hospitalized in Spain reported to the Trisomy 21 Research Society COVID-19 survey ( = 86) with admissions for non-COVID-19 pneumonias from a retrospective clinical database of the Spanish Ministry of Health ( = 2832 patients). In-hospital mortality rates were significantly higher for COVID-19 patients (26.

Rehydration during exercise prevents the increase of homocysteine concentrations.

This study aimed to assess the effect of rehydration during and after acute aerobic submaximal exercise on total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations and related parameters in physically active adult males. Twenty trained males (29.4 ± 7.

[Role of bacteriobilia in postoperative complications].

Objective: At present there is a controversy regarding the impact of positive bile cultures on morbidity and mortality rates, and on the incidence of readmissions in patients with biliar disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of bacteriobilia in postoperatory infections, mortality or readmissions in these patients.

Methods: The information was obtained from all patients with bile cultures admitted to Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla (Santander, Spain) from January to December 2011.

[Bacteriobilia: a non-resolved problem].

Bile duct is usually sterile, and the isolating of microorganisms (bacteriobilia) has been related to some factors, such as age, biliary drainage before pancreatic surgery or bile duct stones. Gramnegative strains remain the most frequent pathogens, especially Escherichia coli. Among grampositives Enterococcus spp should be mentioned.

[Hydatidosis: epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects].

Hydatidosis or cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a parasitic zoonosis caused by Echinococcus granulosus. Its life cycle involves dogs, sheep and sometimes other animals. CE has a worldwide distribution, with greater prevalence in temperate zones.

Double treatment with paricalcitol-associated calcifediol and cardiovascular risk biomarkers in haemodialysis.

Background: The deficit of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) associated with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is a frequent finding in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients on haemodialysis (HD). These events are associated with increased morbidity and mortality rates of cardiovascular (CV) origin. Adequate 25OHD serum levels as well as the use of selective vitamin D receptor activators (VDRA) have been shown to have beneficial and independent effects on bone mineral metabolism and cardiovascular risk.

[Assessment of cerebral blood flow in patients with eating disorders in the acute clinical phase using Tc99m-HMPAO spect].

Objective: To assess the status of cerebral perfusion in patients with eating disorders (ED) in the acute phase of the disease.

Materials And Methods: Seventeen patients, with a mean age of 22 years, diagnosed with ED according to DSM-III-R (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) criteria and under close clinical monitoring were studied in the initial acute phase of their disease. Brain SPECT with 15 mCi of Tc99m HMPAO was performed on all patients and assessed using visual and semi-quantitative analysis.

[Osteoporosis in cancer survivors].

The detection of late sequelae in survivors of cancer has become increasingly important as developments in diagnostic and therapeutic methods have led to a more and long-term survival rates in tumoral patients. Osteoporosis is one of such problem that has been increasingly identified in patients with cancer. Significant bone loss and increased risk of fractures have been described in these patients.

[Levetiracetam in children and adolescents with epilepsy].

Aims: The aim of this paper is to report on the clinical experiences that have been published concerning the association of levetiracetam (LEV) in children and adolescents with refractory epilepsies.

Development: Although LEV has been approved for use in polytherapy in patients over the age of 16, some short works (communications and posters in international congresses) and three open studies have already dealt largely with the fact that the drug has been associated in children and in adolescents under the age of 16, with all types of refractory seizures, especially focal seizures. Half the patients can be considered to be responders, since the seizure rate is reduced by more than 50% when LEV is associated, and were completely eradicated in 16% of cases.

[Severe myoclonic epilepsy in infancy (Dravet's syndrome). Some genetic aspects].

Aims: The purpose of this study is to survey the data from the literature on the subject of the possible genetic origin of severe myoclonic epilepsy in infancy (SMEI).

Development: SMEI must inevitably be included within the phenotype of febrile seizures, which is made up of febrile seizures, febrile seizures plus, generalized epilepsy with febrile seizures plus, myoclonic astatic epilepsy and SMEI itself. We describe the five gene loci localized in children with febrile seizures (FEB 1 5), the three genes identified in patients with generalized epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+ 1 3) and the de novo mutations of gene SCN1A that have been identified to date in children with SMEI.

[Bone scintigraphy in Erdheim-Chester disease].

Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare disorder with fewer than 80 cases reported in the world. It consists of a non-Langerhans' cell histiocytosis that usually presents as pain due to bone involvement; however, the prognosis is marked by extraskeletal involvement. Although the final diagnosis needs an anatomophatologic study (normally through a bone biopsy), radiologic and scintigraphic findings are quasi pathognomonic.

[Gabapentin: its mechanisms of action in the year 2003].

Aims: The purpose of our study was to survey the data from the main research work published about the mechanisms of action of gabapentin.

Development: In addition to an unquestionable Gabaergic effect, gabapentin is the first antiepileptic that has been shown to have an effect on the a2d subunit of the voltage dependent calcium channels and on hyperpolarization activated cationic (Ih) currents. Gabapentin also exerts an indirect effect on the voltage dependent sodium channels, slightly inhibits glutamate and reduces the excretion of certain neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, dopamine and noradrenalin.