Technology-based balance performance assessment can eliminate floor and ceiling effects.

Many clinical measurement tools for balance have ceiling effects. Technology-based assessments using virtual reality systems such as the Computer-Assisted Rehabilitation Environment (CAREN) may provide a way to develop objective, quantitative measures that scale from low to high levels of difficulty. Our objective was to: (1) develop a performance assessment tool (PAT) for the CAREN; (2) quantify the reliability of the tool; (3) validate the scores against clinical balance measures; and (4) compare the scores from a population with balance impairments to those from able-bodied individuals in a cross-sectional validation study. Three games were developed on the CAREN and tested on 49 participants (36 able-bodied and 13 with impaired mobility). For each module, the corresponding measures were transformed into scores using a series of functions such that ceiling and flooring effects would be minimized. The results showed an association between scores and age, an overlap in scores from impaired high-performance individuals and able-bodied low performance individuals, and a correlation of PAT scores with other clinical tests. Several of the limitations of current clinical tools, including floor and ceiling effects, were overcome by the PAT, suggesting that the PAT can be used to monitor the effect of rehabilitation and training.

Use of Chitosan from Southern King Crab to Develop Films Functionalized with RGD Peptides for Potential Tissue Engineering Applications.

Southern King Crab (SKC) represents an important fishery resource that has the potential to be a natural source of chitosan (CS) production. In tissue engineering, CS is very useful to generate biomaterials. However, CS has a lack of signaling molecules that facilitate cell-substrate interaction. Therefore, RGD (arginine-glycine-aspartic acid) peptides corresponding to the main integrin recognition site in extracellular matrix proteins have been used to improve the CS surface. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro cell adhesion and proliferation of CS films synthesized from SKC shell wastes functionalized with RGD peptides. The FTIR spectrum of CS isolated from SKC shells (SKC-CS) was comparable to commercial CS. Thermal properties of films showed similar endothermic peaks at 53.4 and 53.0 °C in commercial CS and SKC-CS, respectively. The purification and molecular masses of the synthesized RGD peptides were confirmed using HPLC and ESI-MS mass spectrometry, respectively. Mouse embryonic fibroblast cells showed higher adhesion on SKC-CS (1% w/v) film when it was functionalized with linear RGD peptides. In contrast, a cyclic RGD peptide showed similar adhesion to control peptide (RDG), but the highest cell proliferation was after 48 h of culture. This study shows that functionalization of SKC-CS films with linear or cyclic RGD peptides are useful to improve effects on cell adhesion or cell proliferation. Furthermore, our work contributes to knowledge of a new source of CS to synthesize constructs for tissue engineering applications.

Wettability of Amino Acid-Functionalized PSMA Electrospun Fibers for the Modulated Release of Active Agents and Its Effect on Their Bioactivity.

The ideal treatment for chronic wounds is based on the use of bioactive dressings capable of releasing active agents. However, the control of the rate at which these active agents are released is still a challenge. Bioactive polymeric fiber mats of poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride) [PSMA] functionalized with amino acids of different hydropathic indices and L-glutamine, L-phenylalanine and L-tyrosine levels allowed obtaining derivatives of the copolymers named PSMA@Gln, PSMA@Phe and PSMA@Tyr, respectively, with the aim of modulating the wettability of the mats. The bioactive characteristics of mats were obtained by the incorporation of the active agents Calendula officinalis (Cal) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). A higher wettability for PSMA@Gln was observed, which is in accordance with the hydropathic index value of the amino acid. However, the release of AgNPs was higher for PSMA and more controlled for functionalized PSMA (PSMAf), while the release curves of Cal did not show behavior related to the wettability of the mats due to the apolar character of the active agent. Finally, the differences in the wettability of the mats also affected their bioactivity, which was evaluated in bacterial cultures of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 33592, an NIH/3T3 fibroblast cell line and red blood cells.

Patients on Buprenorphine Formulations Undergoing Surgery.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review the pharmacology of buprenorphine, the evolution of buprenorphine dosing recommendations, and the current literature regarding its recommendations for the perioperative period. RECENT FINDINGS: There is a consensus that for all surgeries, buprenorphine should be continued throughout the perioperative period. If the surgery is a minimal to mild pain surgery, no dose adjustment is needed. There is no clear consensus regarding moderate to severe pain. With all surgeries, multimodal analgesia should be utilized, with regional anesthesia when possible. Patients taking buprenorphine should continue their buprenorphine perioperatively; whether to decrease or maintain dosing is up for debate. Multimodal analgesia should also be used throughout the perioperative period, and communication between the patient and all provider teams is of the utmost importance to provide adequate analgesia during the perioperative period, as well as to arrange safe analgesia upon discharge.

A prospective observational study evaluating the use of remote patient monitoring in ED discharged COVID-19 patients in NYC.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether continuous remote patient monitoring (RPM) could significantly reduce return Emergency Department (ED) revisits among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients discharged from the emergency Department. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted from a total of 2833 COVID-19 diagnosed patients who presented to the Montefiore Medical Center ED between September 2020-March 2021. Study patients were remotely monitored through a digital platform that was supervised 24/7 by licensed healthcare professionals. Age and time-period matched controls were randomly sampled through retrospective review. The primary outcome was ED revisit rates among the two groups. RESULTS: In our study, 150 patients enrolled in the RPM program and 150 controls were sampled for a total of 300 patients. Overall, 59.1% of the patients identified as Hispanic/Latino. The RPM group had higher body mass index (BMI) (29 (25-35) vs. 27 (25-31) p-value 0.020) and rates of hypertension (50.7% (76) vs. 35.8% (54) p-value 0.009). There were no statistically significant differences in rates of ED revisit between the RPM group (8% (12)) and control group (9.3% (14)) (OR: 0.863; 95% CI:0.413-1. 803; p- 0.695). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Our study explored the impact of continuous monitoring versus intermittent monitoring for reducing ED revisits in a largely underrepresented population of the Bronx. Our study demonstrated that continuous remote patient monitoring showed no significant difference in preventing ED revisits compared to non-standardized intermittent monitoring. However, potential other acute care settings where RPM may be useful for identifying high-risk patients for early interventions warrant further study.

Coaxial fibers of poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride)@poly(vinyl alcohol) for wound dressing applications: Dual and sustained delivery of bioactive agents promoting fibroblast proliferation with reduced cell adherence.

The prevalence of chronic and acute wounds, as well as the complexity of their treatment represent a great challenge for health systems around the world. In this context, the development of bioactive wound dressings that release active agents to prevent infections and promote wound healing, appears as the most promising solution. In this work, we develop an antibacterial and biocompatible wound dressing material made from coaxial electrospun fibers of poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PSMA@PVA). The coaxial configuration of the fibers consists of a shell of poly (styrene-co-maleic anhydride) containing a variable concentration of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) 0.1-0.6 wt% as antibacterial agent, and a core of PVA containing 1 wt% allantoin as healing agent. The fibers present diameters between 0.72 and 1.7 µm. The release of Ag+ in a physiological medium was studied for 72 h, observing a burst release during the first 14 h and then a sustained and controlled release during the remaining 58 h. Allantoin release curves showed significant release only after 14 h. The meshes showed an antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis that correlates with the amount of AgNPs incorporated and the release rate of Ag+. Indeed, meshes containing 0.3 and 0.6 wt% of AgNPs showed a 99.99% inhibition against both bacteria. The adherence and cell viability of the meshes were evaluated in mouse embryonic fibroblasts NIH/3T3, observing a significant increase in cell viability after 72 h of incubation accompanied by a reduced adhesion of fibroblasts that decreased in the presence of the active agents. These results show that the material prepared here is capable of significantly promoting fibroblast cell proliferation but without strong adherence, which makes it an ideal material for wound dressings with non-adherent characteristics and with potential for wound healing.

Bipolar Disorder and Cardiovascular Risk in Rural versus Urban Populations in Colombia: A Comparative Clinical and Epidemiological Evaluation.

Background: Various multifactorial elements may contribute toward the urban and rural disparities in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, particularly among patients with psychiatric diseases. Objective: To investigate whether rural patients diagnosed and treated for Bipolar Disorder (BD) have different risk profiles and outcomes of CVD compared to urban (BD) patients. Methods: We conducted a case-control study that included 125 BD patients (cases) from rural Filadelfia, Colombia and 250 BD patients (controls) treated in Bogotá, Colombia. Cases and controls were 2:1, matched by age and sex. We applied the Framingham Heart Study (FHS) risk calculator to assess risk. Differences by rural/urban status (i.e., case-control status) were assessed by chi-square, paired t-tests, and logistic regression. Findings: Rural BD patients were found to have lower education (p = 1.0 × 10-4), alcohol consumption (p = 3.0 × 10-4), smoking (p = 0.015), psychiatric (p = 1.0 × 10-4) and CV family history (p = 0.0042) compared to urban BD patients. Rural BD patients were 81% more likely to have a more favorable CVD risk profile (OR: 0.19, 95% CI [0.06-0.62]) than urban BD patients, despite rural BD patients having increased CVD morbidity (p = 1.0 × 10-2). Conclusion: Based on increase in morbidity but lower predictive risk in the rural population, our study suggests that the FHS-CVD calculator may not be optimal to assess CVD risk in this population.

The burden of skeletal-related events in four Latin American countries: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico.

AIM: Skeletal-related events (SREs) are major bone complications that frequently occur in patients with solid tumors (ST) and bone metastases, and in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). SREs include pathological fracture, spinal cord compression, radiation to bone, and surgery to bone. Limited data are available regarding the burden of SREs in Latin America. We built an economic model to quantify the current and future economic burden of SREs among adults in four Latin American countries: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico. METHODS: A comprehensive literature review with a systematic search strategy was conducted to parameterize the economic burden of illness (BOI) model. Economic analyses were conducted using a prevalence-based model. Aggregate SRE costs obtained from country-specific sources were used. We also included patient productivity losses. Costs were expressed in 2020 USD for the total annual burden, annual burden per 1,000 at risk, and projected five-year burden. RESULTS: The estimated total number of SREs was 251,503 in 2020, amounting to a total annual cost of USD 1.4 billion. The total projected five-year cost was USD 6.9 billion. Annual costs were highest in Brazil (USD 779.1 million), followed by Mexico (USD 281.8 million), Argentina (USD 174.6 million), and Colombia (USD 120.1 million). The average financial burden per 1,000 at risk was greatest in Brazil (USD 3.6 million), followed by Mexico (USD 3.4 million), Colombia (USD 2.9 million), and Argentina (USD 2.7 million). CONCLUSION: Despite recommendations by medical societies for the use of bone-targeted agents in patients with solid tumors and bone metastasis or with multiple myeloma and bone lesions, a large proportion of patients at risk of experiencing SREs are not treated. Early detection of bone metastases and SREs and the use of the most effective preventative treatments are needed to decrease the clinical and economic burden of SREs in Latin America.

Effects of elderflower extract enriched with polyphenols on antioxidant defense of salmon leukocytes

BACKGROUND: In fish farming, the plant extracts containing antioxidant compounds have been added to the diet for enhancing pathogen resistance. In vitro studies evaluating the antioxidant effect of herbal extracts on fish cell models have focused on ROS production and the respiratory burst mechanism. However, the effects on enzymatic antioxidant defense on salmon leukocytes have not been evaluated. This study aims to evaluate the enzymatic antioxidant defense and ROS-induced cell damage in Salmon Head Kidney-1 (SHK-1) cell line exposed to polyphenol-enriched extract from Sambucus nigra flowers. RESULTS: Firstly, the Total Reactive Antioxidant Power (TRAP) assay of elderflower polyphenol (EP) was evaluated, showing 459 and 489 times more active than gallic acid and butyl hydroxy toluene (BHT), respectively. The toxic effect of EP on salmon cells was not significant at concentrations below 120 mg/ mL and no hemolysis activity was observed between 20 and 400 mg/mL. The treatment of SHK-1 cell line with EP decreased both the lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation induced by H2O2, which could be associated with decreasing oxidative stress in the SHK-1 cells since the GSH/GSSG ratio increased when only EP was added. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that plant extracts enriched with polyphenols could improve the enzymatic antioxidant defense of salmon leukocytes and protect the cells against ROS-induced cell damage

Immunodetection of rainbow trout IL-8 cleaved-peptide: Tissue bioavailability and potential antibacterial activity in a bacterial infection context.

Chemokines such as IL-8 are part of an important group of proinflammatory response molecules, as well as cell recruitment. However, it has been described in both higher vertebrates and fish that IL-8 has an additional functional role by acting as an antimicrobial effector, either directly or by cleavage of a peptide derived from its C-terminal end. Nevertheless, it is still unknown whether this fragment is released in the context of infection by bacterial pathogens and if it could be immunodetected in tissues of infected salmonids. Therefore, the objective of this research was to demonstrate that the C-terminal end of IL-8 from Oncorhynchus mykiss is cleaved, retaining its antibacterial properties, and that is detectable in tissues of infected rainbow trout. SDS-PAGE and mass spectrometry demonstrated the cleavage of a fragment of about 2 kDa when the recombinant IL-8 was subjected to acidic conditions. By chemical synthesis, it was possible to synthesize this fragment called omIL-8α80-97 peptide, which has antibacterial activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria at concentrations over 10 µM. Besides, by fluorescence microscopy, it was possible to locate the omIL-8α80-97 peptide both on the cell surface and in the cytoplasm of the bacteria, as well as inside the monocyte/macrophage-like cell. Finally, by indirect ELISA, Western blot, and mass spectrometry, the presence of the fragment derived from the C-terminal end of IL-8 was detected in the spleen of trout infected with Piscirickettsia salmonis. The results reported in this work present the first evidence about the immunodetection of an antibacterial, and probably cell-penetrating peptide cleaved from the C-terminal end of IL-8 in monocyte/macrophage-like cell and tissue of infected rainbow trout.

Use of the extended feasible stability region for assessing stability of perturbed walking.

Walking stability has been assessed through gait variability or existing biomechanical measures. However, such measures are unable to quantify the instantaneous risk of loss-of-balance as a function of gait parameters, body sway, and physiological and perturbation conditions. This study aimed to introduce and evaluate novel biomechanical measures for loss-of-balance under various perturbed walking conditions. We introduced the concept of 'Extended Feasible Stability Region (ExFSR)' that characterizes walking stability for the duration of an entire step. We proposed novel stability measures based on the proximity of the body's centre of mass (COM) position and velocity to the ExFSR limits. We quantified perturbed walking of fifteen non-disabled individuals and three individuals with a disability, and calculated our proposed ExFSR-based measures. 17.2% (32.5%) and 26.3% (34.0%) of the measured trajectories of the COM position and velocity during low (high) perturbations went outside the ExFSR limits, for non-disabled and disabled individuals, respectively. Besides, our proposed measures significantly correlated with measures previously suggested in the literature to assess gait stability, indicating a similar trend in gait stability revealed by them. The ExFSR-based measures facilitate our understanding on the biomechanical mechanisms of loss-of-balance and can contribute to the development of strategies for balance assessment.

Quality of Life After Ministernotomy Versus Full Sternotomy Aortic Valve Replacement.

Quality of life and patient satisfaction after ministernotomy have never been compared to conventional full sternotomy in randomized trials. The QUALITY-AVR trial is a single-blind, single-center, independent, randomized clinical trial comparing ministernotomy to full sternotomy in patients with isolated severe aortic stenosis scheduled for elective aortic valve replacement. One hundred patients were randomized in a 1:1 computational fashion. The primary endpoint was a difference between intervention groups of ≥0.10 points in change from baseline quality of life Questionnaire EuroQOL-index, measured at 1, 6, or 12 months. Secondary endpoints were differences in change from other baseline EuroQOL-index utilities, cardiac surgery-specific satisfaction questionnaire (SATISCORE), a combined safety endpoint of 4 major adverse complications at 1 month (all-cause mortality, acute myocardial infarction, neurologic events, and acute renal failure), bleeding through drains within the first 24 hours, intubation time, and other minor endpoints. Clinical follow-up was scheduled at baseline, 1, 6, and 12 months after randomization. Change from baseline mean difference EQ-5D-index was +0.20 points (95% confidence interval 0.10-0.30, P < 0.001) and median difference +0.14 (95% confidence interval 0.06-0.22, P < 0.001), favoring the ministernotomy group at 1 month. Patient satisfaction was also better at 1 month (Satiscore 83 ± 9 vs 77 ± 13 points; P = 0.010). The ministernotomy group had significantly less bleeding in the first 24 hours (299 ± 140 vs 509 ± 251 mL, P = 0.001). Ministernotomy provides a faster recovery with improved quality of life and satisfaction at 1 month compared to full sternotomy.

Outcomes of Isolated Tricuspid Valve Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Isolated tricuspid valve surgery is a rarely performed procedure and traditionally is associated with a bad prognosis, although its clinical outcomes still are little known. The aim of this study was to assess the short- and long-term clinical outcomes obtained at our center after isolated tricuspid valve surgery as treatment for severe tricuspid regurgitation. METHODS: This retrospective study included 71 consecutive patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation who underwent isolated tricuspid valve surgery between December 1996 and December 2017. Perioperative and long-term mortality, tricuspid valve reoperation, and functional class were analyzed after follow up. RESULTS: Regarding surgery, 7% of patients received a De Vega annuloplasty, 14.1% an annuloplasty ring, 11.3% a mechanical prosthesis, and 67.6% a biological prosthesis. Perioperative mortality was 12.7% and no variable was shown to be predictive of this event. After a median follow up of 45.5 months, long-term mortality was 36.6%, and the multivariate analysis identified atrial fibrillation as the only predictor (Hazard Ratio 3.014, 95% confidence interval 1.06-8.566; P = 0.038). At the end of follow up, 63.6% of survivors had functional class I. CONCLUSIONS: Isolated tricuspid valve surgery was infrequent in our center. Perioperative mortality was high, as was long-term mortality. However, a high percentage of survivors were barely symptomatic after follow up.

Glass Transition in Crosslinked Nanocomposite Scaffolds of Gelatin/Chitosan/Hydroxyapatite.

The development of biopolymeric scaffolds crosslinked with nanoparticles is an emerging field. Gelatin/chitosan scaffolds are gaining interest in medical areas, e.g., bone tissue engineering, given their suitability for nano-hydroxyapatite incorporation. The glass transition temperature is a thermodynamic property of polymer scaffolds that changes with crosslinker or nanofiller concentration. Here, we report the experimental change in glass transition temperature of gelatin/chitosan scaffolds modified by hydroxyapatite nanoparticles and crosslinker concentration. Our results show synergic effects between nanoparticles and crosslinking, which leads to a non-linear behavior of the glass transition temperature. Furthermore, a theoretical model to predict glass transition is proposed. This model can be used as a mathematical tool for the design of future scaffolds used in bone tissue engineering.

Design of a biodegradable UV-irradiated gelatin-chitosan/nanocomposed membrane with osteogenic ability for application in bone regeneration.

Guided bone regeneration membranes are used in oral surgery to protect the site of a lesion exposed to connective tissue invasion which, in turn, prevents new bone formation. Although non-degradable and degradable materials have been applied in clinical treatments, biodegradable membranes have the advantage that they do not require a secondary surgical procedure to be removed. However, they have a very low mechanical strength. As biodegradable membranes, biomaterials based on gelatin-chitosan have gained importance in clinical applications due to their unique properties. Gelatin contains RGD-like sequences, promoting cell adhesion/migration, and it can be blended with chitosan, which allows the immobilization of nanoparticles. In this work, we designed a new gelatin-chitosan polymeric membrane which contains hydroxyapatite and titania nanoparticles as two very well-documented osteoconductive materials. UV radiation was used as a non-toxic cross-linking agent to improve the thermophysical/mechanical characteristics and to control the biodegradability of the nanocomposed membrane. The microstructure, thermophysical and mechanical properties of the UV-irradiated material were studied by scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and Young's modulus, respectively. The in vitro biocompatibility of the new nanocomposite was evaluated by cell adhesion and proliferation assays. The osteoconductive ability was determined by an alkaline phosphatase production assay using mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cells. The results show a homogeneous material with an appropriate distribution of nanoparticles. Cross-linking by UV radiation improved the mechanical and biological performance of the membrane. The presence of two osteoconductive nanoparticles, such as titania and hydroxyapatite, increased the osteogenic potential of the gelatin-based material in vitro, which confers a biological function, in addition to functioning as a physical barrier. The material obtained herein represents a good alternative to current guided bone regeneration membranes, with high potential for use in oral/orthopaedic applications in patients.

Eliciting inflammation enables successful rehabilitative training in chronic spinal cord injury.

Rehabilitative training is one of the most successful therapies to promote motor recovery after spinal cord injury, especially when applied early after injury. Polytrauma and management of other medical complications in the acute post-injury setting often preclude or complicate early rehabilitation. Therefore, interventions that reopen a window of opportunity for effective motor training after chronic injury would have significant therapeutic value. Here, we tested whether this could be achieved in rats with chronic (8 weeks) dorsolateral quadrant sections of the cervical spinal cord (C4) by inducing mild neuroinflammation. We found that systemic injection of a low dose of lipopolysaccharide improved the efficacy of rehabilitative training on forelimb function, as assessed using a single pellet reaching and grasping task. This enhanced recovery was found to be dependent on the training intensity, where a high-intensity paradigm induced the biggest improvements. Importantly, in contrast to training alone, the combination of systemic lipopolysaccharide and high-intensity training restored original function (reparative plasticity) rather than enhancing new motor strategies (compensatory plasticity). Accordingly, electrophysiological and tract-tracing studies demonstrated a recovery in the cortical drive to the affected forelimb muscles and a restructuration of the corticospinal innervation of the cervical spinal cord. Thus, we propose that techniques that can elicit mild neuroinflammation may be used to enhance the efficacy of rehabilitative training after chronic spinal cord injury.

Características clínicas, epidemiológicas y manejo terapéutico de la meningitis pediátrica en dos instituciones de Medellín, Colombia / Clinical, epidemiological characteristics and therapeutic management of pediatric meningitis in two institutions of Medellin, Colombia

Resumen Introducción: La meningitis es una emergencia médica que requiere diagnóstico y tratamiento oportuno para evitar complicaciones. Objetivo: Determinar las características clínicas, epidemiológicas y el manejo terapéutico de meningitis en la primera infancia. Materiales y métodos: Estudio transversal que evaluó menores hasta los seis años de edad con meningitis bacteriana o aséptica en dos centros de Medellín, 2010 - 2013. Se recolectaron características clínicas, paraclínicas y terapéuticas. Las variables cualitativas se describieron mediante frecuencias absolutas y relativas y las cuantitativas con mediana y rango intercuartílico. Se exploró diferencias en las características de los pacientes según grupo de edad, mediante la prueba Chi-cuadrado o Fisher. Resultados: De 56 pacientes, 33 (58,9%) eran del sexo masculino; 26 (46,4%) presentaron meningitis bacteriana, 20 (35,7%) aséptica y 10 (17,9%) indeterminada; 36 (64,3%) fueron mayores de dos meses, con manifestaciones clínicas inespecíficas (fiebre e irritabilidad). Se aislaron principalmente microorganismos Gram negativos en hemocultivos y Gram positivos en líquido cefalorraquídeo. El tratamiento antibiótico más frecuente fue cefalosporinas de tercera-generación en 13 (65%) menores de 2 meses y 28 (77,8%) mayores. Fallecieron dos pacientes y seis presentaron complicaciones. Conclusiones: la meningitis bacteriana fue la más frecuente en menores de un año. El tratamiento combinado es ideal para garantizar un adecuado cubrimiento y evitar complicaciones.

Abstract Introduction: Meningitis is a medical emergency that requires early diagnosis and treatment to avoid complications. Objective: To determine the clinical, epidemiological characteristics and therapeutic management of meningitis in early childhood. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study, which evaluated children up to six years old with bacterial or aseptic meningitis from 2010 to 2013, was conducted in two centers in Medellin. Clinical, paraclinical and therapeutic characteristics were collected. The qualitative variables were described by absolute and relative frequencies, and the quantitative ones with median and interquartile range. Differences in patient characteristics according to age group were explored, using the Chi-square or Fisher test. Results: From the 56 patients studied, 33 (58.9%) were male; 26 (46.4%) showed bacterial meningitis, 20 (35.7%) aseptic one and 10 (17.9%) indeterminate one; 36 (64.3%) were older than two months, with non-specific clinical manifestations (fever and irritability). Gram-negative microorganisms were mainly isolated in blood cultures and Gram positive in cerebrospinal fluid. The most common antibiotic treatment was third-generation cephalosporins in 13 (65%) children who were less than 2 months and 28 (77.8%) in older ones. Two patients died and six children presented complications. Conclusions: Bacterial meningitis was the most frequent in children under one year old. Combined treatment is ideal to ensure adequate coverage and avoid complications.

Quality of life, satisfaction and outcomes after ministernotomy versus full sternotomy isolated aortic valve replacement (QUALITY-AVR): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: During the last decade, the use of ministernotomy in cardiac surgery has increased. Quality of life and patient satisfaction after ministernotomy have never been compared to conventional full sternotomy in randomised trials. The aim of the study is to determine if this minimally invasive approach improves quality of life, satisfaction and clinical morbimortality outcomes. METHODS/DESIGN: The QUALITY-AVR trial is a single-blind, single-centre, independent, and pragmatic randomised clinical trial comparing ministernotomy ("J" shaped upper hemisternotomy toward right 4th intercostal space) to full sternotomy in patients with isolated severe aortic stenosis scheduled for elective aortic valve replacement. One hundred patients will be randomised in a 1:1 computational fashion. Sample size was determined for the primary end point with alpha error of 0.05 and with power of 90% in detecting differences between intervention groups of ≥ 0.10 points in change from baseline quality of life Questionnaire EuroQOL-index (EQ-5D-5 L®), measured at 1, 6 or 12 months. Secondary endpoints are: the differences in change from other baseline EQ-5D-5 L® utilities (visual analogue scale, Health Index and Severity Index), cardiac surgery specific satisfaction questionnaire (SATISCORE®), a combined safety endpoint of four major adverse complications at 1 month (all-cause mortality, acute myocardial infarction, neurologic events and acute renal failure), bleeding through drains within the first 24 h, intubation time, postoperative hospital and intensive care unit length of stay, transfusion needs during the first 72 h and 1-year survival rates. Clinical follow up is scheduled at baseline, 1, 6, and 12 months after randomization. All clinical outcomes are recorded following the Valve Academic Research Consortium 2 criteria. DISCUSSION: The QUALITY-AVR trial aims to test the hypothesis that ministernotomy improves quality of life, satisfaction and clinical outcomes in patients referred for isolated aortic valve replacement. Statistically significant differences favouring ministernotomy could modify the surgical "gold standard" for aortic stenosis surgery, and subsequently the need to change the control group in transcatheter aortic valve implantation trials. Recruitment started on 18 March 2016. In November 2017, 75 patients were enrolled. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT02726087 . Registered on 13 March 2016.

A motorized pellet dispenser to deliver high intensity training of the single pellet reaching and grasping task in rats.

The single pellet reaching and grasping (SPG) task is widely used to study forelimb motor performance in rodents and to provide rehabilitation after neurological disorders. Nonetheless, the time necessary to train animals precludes its use in settings where high-intensity training is required. In the current study, we developed a novel high-intensity training protocol for the SPG task based on a motorized pellet dispenser and a dual-window enclosure. We tested the protocol in naive adult rats and found 1) an increase in the intensity of training without increasing the task time and without affecting the overall performance of the animals, 2) a reduction in the variability within and between experiments in comparison to manual SPG training, and 3) a reduction in the time required to conduct experiments. In summary, we developed and tested a novel protocol for SPG training that provides higher-intensity training while reducing the variability of results observed with other protocols.

Cortical electrical stimulation in female rats with a cervical spinal cord injury to promote axonal outgrowth.

Electrical stimulation (ES) to promote corticospinal tract (CST) repair after spinal cord injury (SCI) is underinvestigated. This study is the first to detail intracortical ES of the injured CST. We hypothesize that cortical ES will promote CST collateralization and regeneration, prevent dieback, and improve recovery in an SCI rat model. The CST was transected at the the fourth cervical level in adult female Lewis rats trained in a stairwell grasping task. Animal groups included (a) ES333 (n = 14; 333 Hz, biphasic pulse for 0.2-ms duration every 500 ms, 30 pulses per train); (b) ES20 (n = 14; 20 Hz, biphasic pulse for 0.2-ms duration every 1 s, 60 pulses per train); (c) SCI only (n = 10); and (d) sham (n = 10). ES of the injured forelimb's motor cortex was performed for 30 min immediately prior to SCI. Comparisons between histological data were performed with a 1-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis test, and grasping scores were compared using repeated-measures 2-way ANOVA. Significantly more axonal collateralization was found in ES333 animals compared with controls (p < .01). Axonal dieback analysis revealed ES20 rats to have consistently more dieback than the other groups at all points measured (p < .05). No difference in axonal regeneration was found between groups, nor was there any difference in functional recovery. Cortical ES of the injured CST results in increased collateral sprouting and influences neuroplasticity depending on the ES parameters used. Further investigation regarding optimal parameters and its functional effects is required.