A simple combination of biomarkers for risk stratification in octogenarians with acute myocardial infarction.

The aim of this observational study was to assess long-term prognosis of a contemporary octogenarian population admitted to an Intensive Cardiac Care Unit with acute myocardial infarction (MI), and the prognostic value of two simple biomarkers obtained at admission: glucose blood level (ABG) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). A total of 293 consecutive patients were included (202 with ST elevation MI and 91 with non-ST elevation MI) with median age 83.9 years, 172 (58.7%) male. The optimal cut-off points for all-cause death defined by ROC curves were ABG >186 mg/dL and eGFR <50 mL/min/1.73 m2. The cohort was segregated into 3 groups according to these values: no biomarker present (group 1), either of the two biomarkers present (group 2) or both biomarkers present (group 3). Patients in group 3 were more frequently female, with worse Charlson index, Killip class and ventricular function, and higher GRACE scores. PCI was performed in 248 patients (84.6%). The highest in-hospital and long-term mortality, and composite MACE was observed in groups 2 and 3. All-cause mortality (median follow-up 2.2 years) was 44%. In multivariate analysis, ABG >186 mg/dL and eGFR <50 mL/min/1.73 m2 were associated with a 4.2 odds ratio (OR) (Model 1: medical history variables) and 2.6 OR (Model 2: admission event variables) of mortality. The addition of these variables to ROC curves improved long-term risk prediction for Model 1 (C-statistics 0.718 versus 0.780, p = 0.006) and reclassification and discrimination in both models.

Antimicrobial susceptibility of bacterial isolates from urinary tract infections in companion animals in Spain.

BACKGROUND: The increasing emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria, causing urinary tract infections (UTI) in dogs and cats, represents a great therapeutic challenge and a public health concern. METHODS: Laboratory records of 4943 urinary microbiological diagnosis results and antimicrobial resistance profiles of suspected UTI cases in dogs and cats were analysed from 2016 to 2018 in Spain. RESULTS: This study showed a higher percentage of positive microbiological diagnoses in dogs (42%, 1368/3270) than in cats (27%, 457/1673). Although Escherichia coli was the most frequently isolated bacterium, the frequency of antimicrobial susceptibility of E. coli isolates was lower compared to other bacterial species like Enterococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp., Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter (E. cloacae), and Proteus mirabilis. The antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Gram-positive cocci showed higher levels of resistance in cats to common beta-lactams used for the treatment of complicated UTIs, as well as to fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, and carbapenems. Moreover, enterobacteria (E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and P. mirabilis) from cats presented high resistance frequencies to beta-lactams, including third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones. CONCLUSION: This study updates data on the current antimicrobial resistance in UTI bacteria from companion animals in Spain, which may help to guide clinicians for the appropriate use of antimicrobials.

Measurement and correlation of solubility of ethylparaben in pure and binary solvents and thermodynamic properties of solution / Determinación y correlación de la solubilidad del etilparabeno en disolventes puros y binarios y propiedades termodinámicas de solución

SUMMARY Solubility data of bioactive compound such as ethylparaben (EtP) are important for the scientific and community. Therefore, in present study, solubility, solution thermodynamics and solute-solvent interactions (at molecular level) of EtP in nine cosolvent mixtures (1-propanol {n-PrOH) (1) + methanol (MeOH) (2)} including pure solvent (methanol and 1-propanol) at three different temperatures, i.e. (T = 283.2 K, 298.2 K, and 313.2 K) and constant pressure (p = 0.1 MPa) were studied. Experimental solubility of EtP (expressed in mole fraction) was observed highest in n-PrOH at 313.2 K, so, mole fraction solubility of EtP (x3) increases when temperature arises and increases with n-PrOH proportion increasing. Ideal solubilities of EtP were estimated using their thermal parameters at three different temperatures. Ideal solubilities of EtP were observed similar to experimental solubilities of EtP at each temperature. With the help of ideal solubilities of EtP, activity coefficients were estimated. Based on estimated values of activity coefficients, highest interactions at molecular level were observed in rich-MeOH mixtures. Apparent thermodynamic analysis data showed endothermic and enthalpy-driven dissolution of EtP in each solvent and mixture studied. Solubility behavior was adequately correlated by means of the van't Hoff and Yalkowsky-Roseman models combined.

RESUMEN La solubilidad de compuestos bioactivos como el etilparabeno (EtP) es importante para la comunidad científica. Por lo tanto, en el presente estudio se reportan la solubilidad, termodinámica de solución e interacciones soluto-solvente (a nivel molecular) del EtP en nueve mezclas de cosolventes {1-propanol (n-PrOH) (1) + metanol (MeOH) (2)} incluyendo los solventes puros (metanol y 1-propanol) a tres temperaturas diferentes, (T = 283,2 K, 298,15 K y 313,2 K) y a presión constante ( p = 0,1 MPa). La solubilidad experimental más alta del EtP (expresadas en fracción molar) se registró en n-PrOH a 313,15 K, así, la solubilidad en fracción molar de EtP aumenta cuando la temperatura aumenta y la proporción de n-PrOH aumentan. Las solubilidades ideales de EtP se estimaron utilizando los parámetros térmicos a tres temperaturas diferentes. Las solubilidades ideales de EtPa son similares a las solubilidades experimentales de EtP a cada temperatura. A partir de las solubilidades ideales de EtP se estimaron los coeficientes de actividad y sobre la base de los valores estimados de los coeficientes de actividad, se define que las interacciones más altas a nivel molecular se registraron en mezclas ricas en MeOH. Los datos aparentes del análisis termodinámico mostraron un proceso endotérmico con conducción entálpica para el EtP cada uno de los solventes y mezclas de solventes estudiados. El comportamiento de solubilidad se correlacionó adecuadamente mediante los modelos de van't Hoff y Yalkowsky-Roseman combinados.

Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance: challenges and opportunities from 18 years' experience, Spain, 1998 to 2015.

Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance is key for global polio eradication. It allows detecting poliovirus (PV) reintroductions from endemic countries. This study describes AFP surveillance in Spain from 1998 to 2015. During this time, 678 AFP cases were reported to the Spanish National Surveillance Network. The mean notification rate was 0.58 AFP cases/100,000 population under 15 years old (range: 0.45/100,000-0.78/100,000). Two periods (P) are described: P1 (1998-2006) with the AFP notification rate ranging from 0.66/100,000 to 0.78/100,000, peaking in 2001 (0.84/100,000); and P2 (2007-2015) when the AFP rate ranged from 0.43/100,000 to 0.57/100,000, with the lowest rate in 2009 (0.31/100,000). No poliomyelitis cases were caused by wild PV infections, although two Sabin-like PVs and one imported vaccine-derived PV-2 were detected. Overall, 23 (3.4%) cases met the hot case definition. Most cases were clinically diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome (76.9%; 504/655). The adequate stool collection rate ranged from 33.3% (7/21) to 72.5% (29/40). The annual proportion of AFP cases with non-polio enterovirus findings varied widely across the study period. AFP surveillance with laboratory testing for non-polio enteroviruses must be maintained and enhanced both to monitor polio eradication and to establish sensitive surveillance for prompt detection of other enteroviruses causing serious symptoms.