Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Incidence and Epidemiology of Catheter-Related Bacteremia, Spain.

We compared hospital-acquired catheter-related bacteremia (CRB) episodes diagnosed at acute care hospitals in Catalonia, Spain, during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 with those detected during 2007-2019. We compared the annual observed and predicted CRB rates by using the negative binomial regression model and calculated stratified annual root mean squared errors. A total of 10,030 episodes were diagnosed during 2007-2020. During 2020, the observed CRB incidence rate was 0.29/103 patient-days, whereas the predicted CRB rate was 0.14/103 patient-days. The root mean squared error was 0.153. Thus, a substantial increase in hospital-acquired CRB cases was observed during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 compared with the rate predicted from 2007-2019. The incidence rate was expected to increase by 1.07 (95% CI 1-1.15) for every 1,000 COVID-19-related hospital admissions. We recommend maintaining all CRB prevention efforts regardless of the coexistence of other challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Trends in the epidemiology of catheter-related bloodstream infections; towards a paradigm shift, Spain, 2007 to 2019.

BackgroundCatheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) are frequent healthcare-associated infections and an important cause of death.AimTo analyse changes in CRBSI epidemiology observed by the Infection Control Catalan Programme (VINCat).MethodsA cohort study including all hospital-acquired CRBSI episodes diagnosed at 55 hospitals (2007-2019) in Catalonia, Spain, was prospectively conducted. CRBSI incidence rates were adjusted per 1,000 patient days. To assess the CRBSI rate trend per year, negative binomial models were used, with the number of events as the dependent variable, and the year as the main independent variable. From each model, the annual rate of CRBSI diagnosed per 1,000 patient days and the incidence rate ratio (IRR) with its 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported.ResultsDuring the study, 9,290 CRBSI episodes were diagnosed (mean annual incidence rate: 0.20 episodes/1,000 patient days). Patients' median age was 64.1 years; 36.6% (3,403/9,290) were female. In total, 73.7% (n = 6,845) of CRBSI occurred in non-intensive care unit (ICU) wards, 62.7% (n = 5,822) were related to central venous catheter (CVC), 24.1% (n = 2,236) to peripheral venous catheters (PVC) and 13.3% (n = 1,232) to peripherally-inserted central venous catheters (PICVC). Incidence rate fell over the study period (IRR: 0.94; 95%CI: 0.93-0.96), especially in the ICU (IRR: 0.88; 95%CI: 0.87-0.89). As a whole, while episodes of CVC CRBSI fell significantly (IRR: 0.88; 95%CI: 0.87-0.91), peripherally-inserted catheter CRBSI (PVC and PICVC) rose, especially in medical wards (IRR PICVC: 1.08; 95%CI: 1.05-1.11; IRR PVC: 1.03; 95% 1.00-1.05).ConclusionsOver the study, CRBSIs associated with CVC and diagnosed in ICUs decreased while episodes in conventional wards involving peripherally-inserted catheters increased. Hospitals should implement preventive measures in conventional wards.

A complementary diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)-histological study in a model of Huntington's disease.

In vivo diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was performed on the quinolinic acid (QUIN) rat model of Huntington's disease, together with behavioral assessment of motor deficits and histopathological characterization. DTI and histology revealed the presence of a cortical lesion in 53% of the QUIN animals (QUIN(+ctx)). Histologically, QUIN(+ctx) were distinguished from QUIN(-ctx) animals by increased astroglial reaction within a subregion of the caudate putamen and loss of white matter in the external capsula. Although both techniques are complementary, the quantitative character of DTI makes it possible to pick up subtle differences in tissue microstructure that are not identified with histology. DTI demonstrated differential changes of fractional anisotropy (FA), axial diffusivity (AD), radial diffusivity (RD), and mean diffusivity (MD) in the internal and external capsula, and within a subregion of the caudate putamen. It was suggested that FA increased due to a selective loss of the subcortical connections targeted by degenerative processes at the early stage of the disease, which might turn the striatum into a seemingly more organized structure. When tissue degeneration becomes more severe, FA decreased while AD, RD and MD increased.

Type 1 cannabinoid receptor mapping with [18F]MK-9470 PET in the rat brain after quinolinic acid lesion: a comparison to dopamine receptors and glucose metabolism.

PURPOSE: Several lines of evidence imply early alterations in metabolic, dopaminergic and endocannabinoid neurotransmission in Huntington's disease (HD). Using [18F]MK-9470 and small animal PET, we investigated cerebral changes in type 1 cannabinoid (CB1) receptor binding in the quinolinic acid (QA) rat model of HD in relation to glucose metabolism, dopamine D2 receptor availability and amphetamine-induced turning behaviour. METHODS: Twenty-one Wistar rats (11 QA and 10 shams) were investigated. Small animal PET acquisitions were conducted on a Focus 220 with approximately 18 MBq of [18F]MK-9470, [18F]FDG and [11C]raclopride. Relative glucose metabolism and parametric CB1 receptor and D2 binding images were anatomically standardized to Paxinos space and analysed voxel-wise using Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM2). RESULTS: In the QA model, [18F]MK-9470 uptake, glucose metabolism and D2 receptor binding were reduced in the ipsilateral caudate-putamen by 7, 35 and 77%, respectively (all p<2.10(-5)), while an increase for these markers was observed on the contralateral side (>5%, all p<7.10(-4)). [18F]MK-9470 binding was also increased in the cerebellum (p=2.10(-5)), where it was inversely correlated to the number of ipsiversive turnings (p=7.10(-6)), suggesting that CB1 receptor upregulation in the cerebellum is related to a better functional outcome. Additionally, glucose metabolism was relatively increased in the contralateral hippocampus, thalamus and sensorimotor cortex (p=1.10(-6)). CONCLUSION: These data point to in vivo changes in endocannabinoid transmission, specifically for CB1 receptors in the QA model, with involvement of the caudate-putamen, but also distant regions of the motor circuitry, including the cerebellum. These data also indicate the occurrence of functional plasticity on metabolism, D2 and CB1 neurotransmission in the contralateral hemisphere.

Antioxidant CR-6 protects against reperfusion injury after a transient episode of focal brain ischemia in rats.

Oxidative and nitrosative stress are targets for intervention after ischemia/reperfusion. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of CR-6, a vitamin-E analogue that is antioxidant and scavenger of nitrogen-reactive species. Sprague-Dawley rats had the middle cerebral artery (MCA) occluded either for 90 mins or permanently. Cortical perfusion was continuously monitored by laser-Doppler flowmetry. CR-6 (100 mg/kg) was administered orally either at 2 and 8 h after MCA occlusion, or at 2 h only. Infarct volume, neurological deficit, and signs of reperfusion injury were evaluated. CR-6 was detected in plasma and brain by HPLC. CR-6 reduced glutathione consumption in the ischemic brain and superoxide generation in the isolated MCA. CR-6 decreased infarct volume and attenuated the neurological deficit at 1 and 7 days after ischemia/reperfusion, but not after permanent ischemia. Immediately after reperfusion, cortical blood flow values returned to their baseline (+/-20%) in several animals, whereas others showed hyper-perfusion (>20% of baseline). Reactive hyperemia was associated with adverse events such as increased cortical BBB leakage, edema, protein nitrotyrosination, COX-2 expression, and neutrophil accumulation; and with a poorer outcome, and CR-6 attenuated these effects. In conclusion, oral CR-6 administration after transient ischemia protects the brain from reperfusion injury.

Spermine induces cell death in cultured human embryonic cerebral cortical neurons through N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor activation.

The polyamines putrescine, spermidine, and spermine play important roles in cell proliferation, differentiation, and modulation of ion channel receptors. However, the function of increased concentrations of these compounds in brain injury and disease is unclear, in that they have been proposed as being both neuroprotective and neurotoxic. The effects of spermine and putrescine were studied in human primary cerebral cortical cultures containing both neurons and glia. No toxic effects were induced at 8 days in vitro (DIV) by either of the two polyamines at concentrations ranging from 0.3 microM to 2 mM. However, when the oxidative metabolism of spermine that generates toxic byproducts was induced by the presence of fetal calf serum, spermine caused cellular death with an LC(50) of approximately 50 microM. At 14 DIV, the coapplication of spermine 2 mM and glutamate 5 mM induced neuron cell death, but the effect of applying both components separately was null. Both spermine and glutamate were toxic to older neurons (26-42 DIV cultures), and here the coapplication of glutamate was found always to intensify the effect of spermine. Spermine showed greater toxicity than glutamate in neurons. Another effect observed is that glutamate, but not spermine, induced astrocyte swelling. Spermine toxicity was inhibited by both MK801 and ifenprodil, indicating a mechanism involving N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor activation. Moreover, a strong spermine modulation of the NMDA receptor was demonstrated by the inhibition of glutamate toxicity by ifenprodil. Putrescine induced minor effects also as a neurotoxic agent. In conclusion, neuronal death by spermine can be induced by its toxic byproducts as well as through NMDA receptor action. The present results confirm the potentially harmful role of the polyamines in excitotoxicity-related human disorders.

Differential distribution of PDE4B splice variant mRNAs in rat brain and the effects of systemic administration of LPS in their expression.

Phosphodiesterases (PDE) control intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels, which appear to play an important role in the regulation of inflammation. PDE4B is especially important in this process. Using in situ hybridization histochemistry we first mapped the expression sites of the four PDE4B splicing forms in rat brain. Using the systemic administration of the bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as an inflammation model in rats, we found an increase in PDEB2 mRNA expression in choroid plexus. The differential expression of PDE4B spliced forms and the differential regulation of PDE4B2 in an inflammatory model further supports an involvement of this splicing variant in the inflammatory response.

Working memory deficits in transgenic rats overexpressing human adenosine A2A receptors in the brain.

Adenosine receptors in the central nervous system have been implicated in the modulation of different behavioural patterns and cognitive functions although the specific role of A(2A) receptor (A(2A)R) subtype in learning and memory is still unclear. In the present work we establish a novel transgenic rat strain, TGR(NSEhA2A), overexpressing adenosine A(2A)Rs mainly in the cerebral cortex, the hippocampal formation, and the cerebellum. Thereafter, we explore the relevance of this A(2A)Rs overexpression for learning and memory function. Animals were behaviourally assessed in several learning and memory tasks (6-arms radial tunnel maze, T-maze, object recognition, and several Morris water maze paradigms) and other tests for spontaneous motor activity (open field, hexagonal tunnel maze) and anxiety (plus maze) as modification of these behaviours may interfere with the assessment of cognitive function. Neither motor performance and emotional/anxious-like behaviours were altered by overexpression of A(2A)Rs. TGR(NSEhA2A) showed normal hippocampal-dependent learning of spatial reference memory. However, they presented working memory deficits as detected by performance of constant errors in the blind arms of the 6 arm radial tunnel maze, reduced recognition of a novel object and a lack of learning improvement over four trials on the same day which was not observed over consecutive days in a repeated acquisition paradigm in the Morris water maze. Given the interdependence between adenosinic and dopaminergic function, the present results render the novel TGR(NSEhA2A) as a putative animal model for the working memory deficits and cognitive disruptions related to overstimulation of cortical A(2A)Rs or to dopaminergic prefrontal dysfunction as seen in schizophrenic or Parkinson's disease patients.

Neuroprotective effect of L-DOPA co-administered with the adenosine A2A receptor agonist CGS 21680 in an animal model of Parkinson's disease.

Adenosine A2A receptors are a new target for drug development in Parkinson's disease. Some experimental and clinical data suggest that A2A receptor antagonists can provide symptomatic improvement by potentiating the effects of L-DOPA as well as a decrease in secondary effects such as L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia. L-DOPA-induced behavioral sensitization in unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats is frequently used as an experimental model of L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia. In the present work this model was used to evaluate the effect of the A2A receptor agonist CGS 21680 and the A2A receptor antagonist MSX-3 on L-DOPA-induced behavioral sensitization and 6-hydroxydopamine-induced striatal dopamine denervation. L-DOPA-induced behavioral sensitization was determined as an increase in L-DOPA-induced abnormal involuntary movements and enhancement of apomorphine-induced turning behavior. Striatal dopamine innervation was determined by measuring tyrosine-hydroxylase immunoreactivity. Chronic administration of MSX-3 was not found to be effective at counteracting L-DOPA-induced behavioral sensitization. On the other hand, CGS 21680 completely avoided the development of L-DOPA-induced behavioral sensitization. The analysis of the striatal dopamine innervation showed that L-DOPA-CGS 21680 co-treatment conferred neuroprotection to the toxic effects of 6-hydroxydopamine. This neuroprotective effect was dependent on A2A and D2 receptor stimulation, since it was counteracted by MSX-3 and by the D2 receptor antagonist haloperidol. These results open new therapeutic avenues in early events in Parkinson's disease.

Putrescine as a marker of the effects of 2-chloropropionic acid in the rat brain.

The neurotoxin 2-chloropropionic acid (2CPA, 750 mg/kg, per os) induces ataxia in rats causing neuropathological changes (necrosis and edema) localized mainly in the cerebellum (CB). It has been described that putrescine (PUT) is a good marker of severe brain damage. We measured the concentration of PUT (by HPLC) in ataxic rat brains 3 days after 2CPA dosing. PUT was 9-fold higher than normal values in CB, 5-fold higher in midbrain (MB) and medulla oblongata + pons (MO) and 3-fold higher in the remaining areas studied. Treatment with glycerol, a reducer of brain edema, lowered the concentration of PUT only in CB, MB and MO. Histological damage was found in CB and the spinal trigeminal nucleus (located in the pontomedullar brainstem). We suggest that PUT can act as a marker of both neuronal necrosis and brain edema.

Lesion of substantia nigra pars compacta by the GluR5 agonist ATPA.

UNLABELLED: Dopamine (DA) released by substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) neurons is a key regulator of motor activity. A deficiency in the striatum DA content due to SNc degeneration is a characteristic of Parkinson's disease. The involvement of excitotoxic mechanisms in this pathology has been suggested. The kainate receptor subunit GluR5 has been identified in a few basal ganglia but it is strongly expressed in SNc. Here we examine whether (RS)-2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-tbutylisoxazol-4-yl) propanoic acid (ATPA), a selective agonist of GluR5, induces damage in dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons. ATPA (13 nmol) was administered to rat SNc. Immediately after recovery from surgery, the rats displayed ipsilateral turning. This behavior disappeared in subsequent days. The administration of the D1/D2 agonist, apomorphine (1 mg/kg, s.c.) 1 and 2 weeks after ATPA-infusion also induced ipsilateral turning. Histological studies-performed 21 days after ATPA-infusion-showed a lesion of the lateral and central part of the SNc, where a significant loss (36%) of DAergic cells was detected by tyrosine hydroxylase immunohistochemistry. The lesion was restricted to the SNc, since no damage or glial reaction was observed in the substantia nigra pars reticulata as assessed by Nissl staining, tomato lectin staining for microglial cells and GFAP immunohistochemistry for astrocytes. IN CONCLUSION: (1). ATPA-infusion induces neuronal damage in the SNc in the rat and (2). the behavioral effects of unilateral infusion of ATPA are consistent with DAergic alterations in basal ganglia.

Extracellular putrescine content after acute excitotoxic brain damage in the rat.

We examined the effects of the local infusion of kainic acid (KA), by reverse dialysis in the rat striatum, on the concentration of polyamines in the extracellular striatal compartment and in tissue. KA infusion markedly increased (3-fold) extracellular putrescine (PUT) concentration, which reached its maximum at the end of the dialysis experiments (6 h). Tissue PUT concentration was also increased (2-fold) in the striatum perfused with KA but not in the contralateral side. Extracellular spermidine (SD) concentration but not tissue SD concentration was affected by KA. The increase in PUT was accompanied by histological damage around the probe and by an increase in ornithine decarboxylase content, as assessed by immunohistochemistry. These results indicate that in the first stages of the excitotoxic lesion, there is an increase in the extracellular concentrations of PUT and SD.

Cerebral distribution of polyamines in kainic acid-induced models of status epilepticus and ataxia in rats. Overproduction of putrescine and histological damage.

We study the brain regional distribution of putrescine after excitotoxic damage. After status epilepticus induced by kainic acid (9 mg/kg, i.p.) we found an increase of putrescine in all the regions analyzed. Three kind of regions can be identified according to the magnitude and persistence of the abnormal concentration of putrescine: hippocampus and cortex (9-fold 1 day, still increased 2-fold 2 weeks after injection), cerebellum and medulla oblongata+pons (2-fold 1 day after injection) and the other regions (7-8-fold 1 day, still increased 2-3-fold 1 week after injection). The histological damage was: severe, absent and moderate or low, respectively. After ataxia induced by kainic acid injection (2.34 nmols) into the cerebellum, putrescine also rises in all regions; a high concentration (9-fold) and severe damage was found in the injected cerebellar hemisphere. In conclusion, in the models studied, putrescine increases in all the regions analyzed. However, the highest concentrations and the most severe damage were found in the target regions.

Metabotropic glutamate mGlu5 receptor-mediated modulation of the ventral striopallidal GABA pathway in rats. Interactions with adenosine A(2A) and dopamine D(2) receptors.

Interactions between subtypes of dopamine, glutamate and adenosine receptors seem to play an important integrative role in the function of striatal gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic efferent neurons. Recent behavioral and biochemical studies suggest the existence of specific interactions between adenosine A2A receptors (A(2A)R), dopamine D2 receptors (D2R) and the group I metabotropic mGlu5 receptors (mGlu5R) in the dorsal striatum. The dual-probe approach in vivo microdialysis technique in freely moving rats was used to study the role of mGlu5R/A2AR/D2R interactions in the modulation of the ventral striopallidal GABA pathway. Perfusion of a selective mGlu5R agonist (CHPG) in the nucleus accumbens facilitated GABA release in the ipsilateral ventral pallidum. This effect was strongly potentiated by co-perfusion with the A2AR agonist CGS 21680. Co-perfusion with the D2R agonist quinpirole counteracted the increase in pallidal GABA levels induced by CGS 21680 and by CGS 21680 plus CHPG. These results demonstrate that mGlu5R/A2AR/D2R interactions play an important modulatory role in the function of the ventral striopallidal GABA pathway, which might have implications for the treatment of schizophrenia and drug addiction.