A study to assess changes in myocardial perfusion after treatment with spinal cord stimulation and percutaneous myocardial laser revascularisation; data from a randomised trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) and percutaneous myocardial laser revascularisation (PMR) are treatment modalities used to treat refractory angina pectoris, with the major aim of such treatment being the relief of disabling symptoms. This study compared the change in myocardial perfusion following SCS and PMR treatment.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Subjects with Canadian Cardiovascular Society class 3/4 angina and reversible perfusion defects as assessed by single-photon emission computed tomographic myocardial perfusion scintigraphy were randomised to SCS (34) or PMR (34). 28 subjects in each group underwent repeat myocardial perfusion imaging 12 months post intervention. Visual scoring of perfusion images was performed using a 20-segment model and a scale of 0 to 4.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The mean (standard deviation) baseline summed rest score (SRS) and stress scores (SSS) were 4.6 (5.7) and 13.6 (9.0) in the PMR group and 6.1 (7.4) and 16.8 (11.6) in the SCS group. At 12 months, SRS was 5.5 (6.0) and SSS 15.3 (11.3) in the PMR group and 6.9 (8.2) and 15.1 (10.9) in the SCS group. There was no significant difference between the two treatment groups adjusted for baseline (p = 1.0 for SRS, p = 0.29 for SSS).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>There was no significant difference in myocardial perfusion one year post treatment with SCS or PMR.</p

Vaginal Dysbiosis and Partial Bacterial Vaginosis: The Interpretation of the "Grey Zones" of Clinical Practice

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) affects one-third of reproductive age women, increasing the risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and posing a risk for reproductive health. The current diagnosis with Gram stain (Nugent Score) identifies a transitional stage named partial BV or intermediate microbiota, raising the problem of how to clinically handle it. We retrospectively analyzed cervicovaginal swabs from 985 immunocompetent non-pregnant symptomaticspp. women (vaginal discharge, burning, itching) by Nugent score and qPCR for BV, aerobic or fungal vaginitis, and STIs (Mycoplasmas spp., Chlamydia t., Trichomonas v., and Neisseria g.). Nugent scores 0-3 and 7-10 were confirmed in 99.3% and 89.7% cases, respectively, by qPCR. Among Nugent scores 4-6 (partial BV), qPCR identified 46.1% of BV cases, with 37.3% of cases negative for BV, and only 16.7% of partial BV. Gram staining and qPCR were discordant (p value = 0.0001) mainly in the partial BV. Among the qPCR BV cases, the presence of aerobic vaginitis and STIs was identified, with a significant association (p < 0.0001) between the STIs and partial BV/overt BV. qPCR is more informative and accurate, and its use as an alternative or in combination with Gram staining could help clinicians in having an overview of the complex vaginal microbiota and in the interpretation of partial BV that can correspond to vaginitis and/or STIs

Vaginal microbiota dysmicrobism and role of biofilm-forming bacteria

Bacterial vaginosis involves the presence of a polymicrobial biofilm on the vaginal epithelium, guaranteeing immune escape and spread of antibiotic resistance. To spot known biofilm-forming bacteria, we profiled the vaginal microbiome of sixty-four symptomatic women suffering from a different grade of vaginal disorders and sixty asymptomatic healthy women. Specific microbial profiles distinguished symptomatic from asymptomatic women and characterized the grade of dysmicrobism within the symptomatic group. Lactobacillus crispatus and iners predominated on the healthy vaginal mucosa, while Lactobacillus gasseri predominated in the intermediate dysmicrobism. Furthermore, the intermediate grade of dysmicrobism was characterized by other lactic acid-producers species than Lactobacilli, able to rescue the microbial imbalance, and Ureaplasma parvum-serovar 3. The vaginosis group exhibited the overgrowth of Prevotella bivia, which is known to enhance the biofilm formation by Gardnerella vaginalis, and the presence of Streptococcus anginosus, which is emerging as a new cooperating player of the vaginal biofilm. Identifying specific microorganisms promoting or preventing the biofilm formation could increase the accuracy for a better definition of the vaginal dysmicrobism concept and therapeutic intervention

Neisseria gonorrhoeae ciprofloxacin-resistant strains were associated with Chlamydia trachomatis coinfection

Aim: This study aims to characterize circulating strains to predict their relationship with sexually transmitted microorganisms, Chlamydia trachomatis, HIV, HCV, Treponema pallidum, HPV, Mycoplasmas, in an Italian multiethnic area, which has revealed a recent increase of Neisseria gonorrhoeae first-line antibiotic resistance. Materials & methods: We performed N. gonorrhoeae multiantigen sequence typing and the N. gonorrhoeae sequence typing for antimicrobial resistance. Results: We identified mutations in genes conferring resistance to cephalosporins, macrolides, fluoroquinolones through por and tbpB loci, and we reported new combinations of already known alleles. N. gonorrhoeae resistance to ciprofloxacin was associated with C. trachomatis coinfection. Conclusion: This study's data proved the utility of a routine N. gonorrhoeae molecular characterization to monitor the evolution of antibiotic resistance and to detect the most effective clinical treatment

The additive prognostic value of perfusion and functional data assessed by quantitative gated SPECT in women

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of technetium-99m tetrofosmin gated SPECT imaging in women using quantitative gated single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging. Methods: We followed 453 consecutive female patients. Average follow-up was 1.33 years (max. 2.55). Hard endpoints were cardiac death, acute myocardial infarction, or documented ventricular fibrillation. Event-free survival curves were obtained. Optimal cutoff values for left ventricular (LV) volumes, LV ejection fraction (LVEF), and perfusion data to predict outcome were determined by ROC curve analysis. Results: A total of 236 patients had an abnormal study, of whom 27 patients experienced hard events (16 deaths) and 47 patients soft events. For hard events summed stress score (SSS) and LVEF, and for any cardiac event SSS showed independent incremental prognostic value. The survival curves were maximally separated when using cutoff values for SSS of ≥ 22 and LVEF < 52% (P < 0.001, HR 4.61 and P < 0.001 HR 5.24 for SSS and LVEF resp.), and SSS ≥ 14 (P < 0.001 HR 3.76) for any cardiac event. Conclusion: In women, perfusion and functional parameters derived from quantitative gated technetium-99m tetrofosmin SPECT imaging can adequately be used for cardiac risk assessment. Using quantitative gated SPECT, female patients with an LVEF < 52% or an SSS ≥ 22 are at increased risk for subsequent hard events. Furthermore, patients with an SSS ≥ 14 are at increased risk for any cardiac events