Rationale and study design of the RESERVOIR trial: a randomized trial comparing reservoir-based polymer-free amphilimus-eluting stents versus everolimus-eluting stents with durable polymer in patients with diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) remain at high risk for stent restenosis and adverse cardiovascular events in the drug-eluting stent era. The amphilimus-eluting stent (AES) is a third generation reservoir-based polymer-free drug-eluting stent that has shown promising preliminary results in patients with DM. It has been suggested that the formulation of the drug with fatty acids could not only modulate the drug release in a timely manner but also achieve convenient levels of drug concentration in diabetic cardiac cells. The aim of this trial is to assess the efficacy of the AES in patients with DM compared with the cobalt chromium everolimus-eluting stent with non-erodible polymer (EES). STUDY DESIGN: This is an investigator-initiated, multicenter, randomized clinical trial, performed in patients with DM. A total of 112 diabetic patients receiving glucose-lowering agents and requiring percutaneous revascularization of a de novo lesion will be randomized in a 1:1 fashion to receive AES or EES. The primary endpoint is the neointimal volume obstruction at 9 months, evaluated by optical coherence tomography. Secondary endpoints will include strut coverage, angiographic in-stent late loss and clinical endpoints such as target vessel revascularization or probable/definite stent thrombosis. This study completed the inclusion in October 2013. CONCLUSIONS: The RESERVOIR trial is an investigator-initiated trial that will evaluate whether the polymer-free AES is not inferior to the EES inhibiting the neointimal hyperplasia in patients with DM. These results are also expected to improve our knowledge of the neointimal healing process in this population (Clinicaltrials.gov number NCT01710748).

Fast itch relief in an experimental model for methylprednisolone aceponate topical corticosteroid activity, based on allergic contact eczema to nickel sulphate.

BACKGROUND: Topical corticosteroids (TC) consistently show effectiveness against itch, a paradigmatic symptom, in various eczemas. Rapid itch relief is a therapeutic goal. The early response of itch to TC has not been adequately studied. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect on itch of a TC, methylprednisolone aceponate 0.1% ointment (MPA), in induced eczema in volunteers sensitized to nickel sulphate. METHODS: Sixteen volunteers with a late positive patch-test reaction to nickel sulphate entered the study. Eczema was treated once daily with » fingertip unit of MPA for 5 days. Pruritus intensity was assessed with a 10 cm visual analogue scale (VAS). Mean time to itch relief (TR ) defined as the time to reach a 30% decrease in the highest VAS value recorded was assessed, as well as TR-baseline, colorimetry and planimetric morphometry of the reaction. RESULTS: Mean TR was 1.0 days [standard deviation (SD) = 1.1] and mean TR -baseline was 1.6 days (SD = 1.4). Five volunteers reached 100% decrease from itch baseline-VAS in 2.0 ± 1.2 days, whereas a 75% decrease was obtained in 1.7 ± 1.6 days by 16 volunteers. A clinical improvement of patch-test reaction was apparent at day 11, although erythema was still present. CONCLUSION: We present a valid model to assess the efficacy and speed of action of TC treatment to alleviate pruritus and the signs of eczema. The fast effect of MPA against pruritus supports the appropriateness of treating allergic contact eczema with TC.

[Diagnosis from urine culture in 4 hours using the DIRAMIC-03 system]. / Diagnóstico del urocultivo en 4 horas por el sistema DIRAMIC-03.

The results obtained with DIRAMIC-03 System for its application of detection of urinary infection by utilization of simulated samples and real samples from hospital service, are shown. It was possible to establish a methodology based on conductimetry which perform a diagnostic in four hours with a global effectivity of 86% in relation with the traditional methods.

Determinación de la susceptibilidad antimicrobiana por el sistema DIRAMIC-02: resultados preliminares / Antimicrobial susceptibility determination by DIRAMIC-02 system: preliminary results

Habitualmente el patrón de susceptibilidad a los antibióticos (antibiograma) de los microorganismos se determina a partir de colonias purificadas en un período mínimo de 72 horas utilizando el método clásico de Bauer et al. (1966), basado en la técnica de difusión en gel. Recientemente se ha desarrollado el sistema DIRAMIC-02 para detectar el antibiograma en cuatro horas, empleando las modificaciones conductimétricas del medio de cultivo que genera el crecimiento bacteriano. En el presente trabajo se analizan 28 cepas de microorganismos por el método rápido, estableciéndose el coeficiente de correspondencia con el método clásico

Determinación de la susceptibilidad antimicrobiana por el sistema DIRAMIC-02:resultados preliminares / Antimicrobial susceptibility determination by DIRAMIC-02 system: preliminary results

Habitualmente el patrón de susceptibilidad a los antibióticos (antibiograma) de los microorganismos se determina a partir de colonias purificadas en un período mínimo de 72 horas utilizando el método clásico de Bauer et al. (1966), basado en la técnica de difusión en gel. Recientemente se ha desarrollado el sistema DIRAMIC-02 para detectar el antibiograma en cuatro horas, empleando las modificaciones conductimétricas del medio de cultivo que genera el crecimiento bacteriano. En el presente trabajo se analizan 28 cepas de microorganismos por el método rápido, estableciéndose el coeficiente de correspondencia con el método clásico (AU)