Articles Related to RLS
Effects of Gabapentin Enacarbil on Cortical Arousals, Heart Rate, Blood Pressure and Anterior Tibialis EMG Responses Associated with PLMs in Restless Legs Syndrome
Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of gabapentin enacarbil (GEn) on sleep EEG, heart rate (HR), blood presssure, anterior tibialis EMG activity (PLMs power) and subjective complaints in subjects with moderate to severe RLS and disturbed sleep.
Methods: This was a single site, single-blind, placebo run-in, fixed dose single group polysomnography (PSG) study. Eligible subjects (age 24-66 years) were treated with placebo for one week and GEn (600 mg/day) for 4 weeks. Two in-laboratory PSGs were collected for adaptation and baseline at the end of the placebo run-in period and for re-adaptation and efficacy assessment at the end of the 4-week treatment period. The primary endpoint was the difference in PSG derived cortical arousal intensity (arousal scale, 0-9) associated with PLMs between 4 weeks of treatment with GEn and placebo. Secondary endpoints included changes in HR responses (ΔHR), nocturnal systolic blood pressure (SBP) changes (>10 mmHg) secondary to PLMs and PLMs power. Other PSG and subjective measures were assessed.
Results: Of 20 subjects enrolled, 18 completed the study. Subjects treated with GEn did not show significant improvements in cortical arousal intensity and ΔHR. However, subjects showed reduced PLMs power (p= 0.013) and associated reductions in nocturnal SBP per hour of sleep (p= 0.041) GEn showed significant improvement in other PSG parameters and subjective endpoints.
Conclusion: The data suggests that GEn reduces the frequency and power of PLMs and the corresponding SBP changes in subjects with RLS. Despite reducing the total number of PLM associated arousals and nocturnal HR, the study did not demonstrate consistent effects of GEn on cortical arousal intensity and corresponding HR changes associated with PLMs.
Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02424695
Positive Efficiency of Combine Immunotherapy in Immunocompromised Girls with Recurrent Nonspecific Chronic Vulvovaginitis
Nonspecific chronic vulvovaginites (NCVV) are a frequent clinical sign of immune deficiency, especially in young girls. The established problems with the functioning of various parts of the immune system (IS) in this pathology dictate the need to include immunomodulatory therapy into the complex. The developed program of combined immunotherapy for immunocompromised girls allows reducing the severity and duration of exacerbation of NCVV, their frequency against the background of a significant reduction in ARVI incidence. Positive clinical effects were observed with underlying restoration in IS functioning. A protective effect was obtained (observation in a catamnesis for 1 year): the duration of a clinically safe period increased from 6 to 11-11.5 months per year.
Veterinary Considerations for the Theoretical Resurrection of Extinct Species
The de-extinction of the dinosaur is a dubious possibility but its consideration brings forth some issues that are at least worthy of scientific discussion. In this review, we discuss two distinct issues that have implications for a de-extinct species such as a dinosaur: the ability, or lack thereof, to safely sedate a rare and potentially fractious animal capable of harming the veterinary staff tasked with its care; and, disease risks associated with a species that has been extinct for millions of years. To identify potential sedatives, comparative pharmacology will be needed to uncover the links between receptor pharmacology and the desired clinical outcomes of activating established alpha-2 adrenergic, opioid, and benzodiazepine receptors. Specific to disease control, it will be necessary to understand the unique susceptibility of the new species to current diseases as well as predicting their reservoir capacity for potential human and veterinary pandemic diseases. While the topics presented herein are not exhaustive, this review highlights some of the foremost research that should be conducted in order to serve the unique veterinary needs of a de-extinct species using the dinosaur as a paradigm. Addressing these issues should be considered if an intact dinosaur genome becomes available, regardless of the feasibility of dinosaur resurrection.
Age Adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index: Predictor of 90-Day Mortality after Radical Cystectomy
To evaluate the impact of age adjusted Charlson’s comorbidity index (ACCI) in predicting 90-day mortality in patients undergoing radical cystectomy for Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (MIBC) in a low volume center.
Editorial Board Members Related to RLS
Filippo Giarratana
Researcher
Department of Veterinary Sciences
University of Messina
Italy
Department of Veterinary Sciences
University of Messina
Italy