Anidulafungin for the treatment of candidaemia/invasive candidiasis in selected critically ill patients.

A prospective, multicentre, phase IIIb study with an exploratory, open-label design was conducted to evaluate efficacy and safety of anidulafungin for the treatment of candidaemia/invasive candidiasis (C/IC) in specific ICU patient populations. Adult ICU patients with confirmed C/IC meeting ≥ 1 of the following criteria were enrolled: post-abdominal surgery, solid tumour, renal/hepatic insufficiency, solid organ transplant, neutropaenia, and age ≥ 65 years. Patients received anidulafungin (200 mg on day 1, 100 mg/day thereafter) for 10-42 days, optionally followed by oral voriconazole/fluconazole. The primary efficacy endpoint was global (clinical and microbiological) response at the end of all therapy (EOT). Secondary endpoints included global response at the end of intravenous therapy (EOIVT) and at 2 and 6 weeks post-EOT, survival at day 90, and incidence of adverse events (AEs). The primary efficacy analysis was performed in the modified intent-to-treat (MITT) population, excluding unknown/missing responses. The safety and MITT populations consisted of 216 and 170 patients, respectively. The most common pathogens were Candida albicans (55.9%), C. glabrata (14.7%) and C. parapsilosis (10.0%). Global success was 69.5% (107/154; 95% CI, 61.6-76.6) at EOT, 70.7% (111/157) at EOIVT, 60.2% (77/128) at 2 weeks post-EOT, and 50.5% (55/109) at 6 weeks post-EOT. When unknown/missing responses were included as failures, the respective success rates were 62.9%, 65.3%, 45.3% and 32.4%. Survival at day 90 was 53.8%. Treatment-related AEs occurred in 33/216 (15.3%) patients, four (1.9%) of whom had serious AEs. Anidulafungin was effective, safe and well tolerated for the treatment of C/IC in selected groups of ICU patients.

Real-life experiences in migraine therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of eletriptan for acute migraine treatment and patient satisfaction with the drug in usual clinical practice settings. METHODS: Male and female patients of practicing neurologists, aged 18 to 65 years, were eligible for inclusion in the study if they met International Headache Society criteria for migraine. RESULTS: Of 637 patients enrolled, 611 completed the study. At 1 hour post-dose headache response was 59.5% (average from three attacks), pain-free 13%, absence of vomiting 86.3%, and improvement in functioning 55%. Headache recurrence occurred in 12%, second dose was used by 12.6% patients, and rescue medication by 6.4%. Patient preference for eletriptan versus any other triptan used in the past was 97%. CONCLUSION: In this real-life setting, eletriptan displayed high efficacy, consistency of response over three attacks and was preferred by 97% patients (Tab. 2, Fig. 5, Ref. 16). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.

Specialities of assessment of endurance capabilities in sport active children.

Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) belongs to most important functional parameters of physical fitness testing and consideration of endurance capabilities. The value of VO2 max depends on age, gender, genetic disposition, body dimensions and physical fitness. Spiroergometric examination was done on cycle ergometer (ramp 25-35 W per minute) at vita maxima. One hundred and seventy children (129 boys and 41 girls) at the age of 8 to 17 were examined. The obtained results showed that absolute values of maximal oxygen uptake progressively rise during the course of childhood and gender differences between boys and girls started at the age 12-13 years.

[Somatic and functional profiles of members of the Slovak karate team]. / Somatický a funkcný profil reprezentantov SR v karate.

The exercise load in karate is prevailingly of anaerobic character, the fact of which is evident by the increase in heart frequency and the levels of blood lactate. During competition, the heart frequency achieved the values of 180-199 beats per minute and the level of blood lactate following the competition was 4.5-6.5 mmol/l. The values of lactate were substantially higher during the training unit (at the time of chronometric measurement) when exercise was more intensive 5.8-12.5 mmo/l at the heart frequency of 180-200 or even more beats per minute, than during competition. The aim of this work was to find out the basic morphologic and functional profiles in the representatives of the National Karate Team on the basis of laboratory methods.

[Present trends in sports medicine]. / Súcasné trendy v telovýchovnom lekárstve.

Knowledge on the response and adaptation of the human organism to motor activity in dependence on age and sex is presented. In organizing substitute motor activities for the population, two lines have to be differentiated, i.e. programs of exercises for the maintenance of health and training for increasing physical fitness. Recent methods of functional diagnosis of aerobic and anaerobic abilities in the laboratory and in sports premises are described. Echocardiographic examination presents a contribution as it enables to study dynamically the adaptation of the heart to different motor activities. The authors formulate their standpoint concerning selection of locomotively talented youth as well as some specific health problems of top performance sports (immunological resistance, doping).