Intrahospital transmission and infection control of Candida auris originating from a severely infected COVID-19 patient transferred abroad

BACKGROUND

Intrahospital spread of Candida auris, which survives tenaciously in many environments, can cause sustained colonization and infection. A large outbreak of C. auris was experienced in the intensive care units (ICUs) at the study hospital during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

METHODS

The index patient with severe COVID-19, who was transferred from Vietnam in January 2022, developed C. auris candidaemia 10 days after hospitalization. From mid-June 2022 to January 2023, strengthened infection prevention and control (IPC) measures were implemented in three ICUs: (1) contact precautions and isolation (CPI) for C. auris-positive cases; (2) surveillance cultures including point-prevalence (N=718) for patients or close contacts or ICU-resident healthcare workers (HCWs); (3) intensive environmental disinfection with 10-fold diluted bleach; and (4) 2% chlorhexidine bathing for all ICU patients. Environmental cultures (ECx) on surfaces and shared objects (N=276) were conducted until early September 2022, when all ECx were negative.

RESULTS

Among 53 C. auris-positive patients between February 2022 and January 2023, invasive infections resulted in seven cases of candidaemia and one case of pneumonia. C. auris was isolated from reusable tympanic thermometers (TTMs) contaminated with earwax. The isolation rate of C. auris in ECx decreased from 6.8% in June 2022 to 2.0% in August 2022, and was no longer detected in TTMs. Colonization in HCWs was remarkably rare (0.5%). The number of C. auris-positive patients peaked in July (N=10) then decreased gradually. By January 2023, no C. auris were isolated in the ICU.

CONCLUSION

Aggressive IPC measures with CPI, ECx and surveillance, decontamination of TTMs, and bathing were effective in successfully controlling this C. auris outbreak.

Association between Fiber Intake and Risk of Incident Chronic Kidney Disease: The UK Biobank Study

OBJECTIVES

Dietary fiber intake is associated with a lower risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. However, it is unknown whether dietary fiber has a beneficial effect on preventing the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD).

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND MEASUREMENTS

Using the UK Biobank prospective cohort, 110,412 participants who completed at least one dietary questionnaire and had an estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2, urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio <30 mg/g, and no history of CKD were included. The primary exposure was total dietary fiber density, calculated by dividing the absolute amount of daily total fiber intake by total energy intake (g/1,000 kcal). We separately examined soluble and insoluble fiber densities as additional predictors. The primary outcome was incident CKD based on diagnosis codes.

RESULTS

A total of 3,507 (3.2%) participants developed incident CKD during a median follow-up of 9.9 years. In a multivariable cause-specific model, the adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs; 95% confidence intervals [CIs]) for incident CKD were 0.85 (0.77-0.94), 0.78 (0.70-0.86), and 0.76 (0.68-0.86), respectively, for the second, third, and highest quartiles of dietary fiber density (reference: lowest quartile). In a continuous model, the aHR for each +∆1.0g/1,000 kcal increase in dietary fiber density was 0.97 (95% CI, 0.95-0.99). This pattern of associations was similar for both soluble and insoluble fiber densities and did not differ across subgroups of sex, age, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and inflammation.

CONCLUSION

Increased fiber intake was associated with a lower risk of CKD in this large well-characterized cohort.

Surprisingly good thermoelectric performance of monolayer C3N

The rapid emergence of graphene has attracted numerous efforts to explore other two-dimensional materials. Here, we combine first-principles calculations and Boltzmann theory to investigate the structural, electronic, and thermoelectric transport properties of monolayer C₃N, which exhibits a honeycomb structure very similar to graphene. It is found that the system is both dynamically and thermally stable even at high temperature. Unlike graphene, the monolayer has an indirect band gap of 0.38 eV and much lower lattice thermal conductivity. Moreover, the system exhibits obviously larger electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficients for the hole carriers. Consequently, theZTvalue ofp-type C₃N can reach 1.4 at 1200 K when a constant relaxation time is predicted by the simple deformation potential theory. However, such a largerZTis reduced to 0.6 if we fully consider the electron-phonon coupling. Even so, the thermoelectric performance of monolayer C₃N is still significantly enhanced compared with that of graphene, and is surprisingly good for low-dimensional thermoelectric materials consisting of very light elements.

[Effect of occupational stress on depression in gas field workers]

Objective: To explore the occurrence level of depressive symptoms and it's influencing factors among gas field workers. Methods: In October 2018, a cross-sectional study was conducted in 1726 gas field workers from a gas field by using cluster sampling method. Questionaire was used to evaluate the individual factors, depressive symptoms, occupational stress factors and stress regulatory factors. The correlation between depressive symptoms and occupational stress was analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of depressive symptoms. Results: The depressive symptoms score of gas field workers was 12.00 (7.00, 19.00) point. Correlation analysis revealed that depressive symptoms score was positively related to sleep disorders (r=0.598) , effort (r=0.186) , daily tension (r=0.478) , negative affectivity (r=0.565) , social support (r=0.446) and monotony of work (r=0.484) (P<0.01) . And it was negatively related to reward (r=-0.386) , work stability (r=-0.294) , promotion opportunities (r=-0.258) , positive affectivity (r= -0.310) , self-efficacy (r=-0.312) , contral strategy (r=-0.268) , support strategy (r=-0.209) and job satisfaction (r=-0.398) (P<0.01) . Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that sleep disorder, high negative affectivity, low support from colleagues, low support from family, high monotony of work and high daily tension were the risk factors for depressive symptoms of gas field worker (OR=3.423, 95%CI: 2.644-4.397; OR=2.847, 95%CI: 2.200-3.683; OR=1.646, 95%CI: 1.215-2.116; OR=1.496, 95%CI: 1.164-1.923; OR=1.578, 95%CI: 1.227-2.303; OR=1.903, 95%CI: 1.480-2.440; P<0.01) . High work stability, high self-efficacy and high job satisfaction were protective factors for depressive symptoms of gas field workers (OR=0.752, 95%CI: 0.591-0.958; OR=0.590, 95%CI: 0.465-0.749; OR=0.718, 95%CI: 0.516-0.999; P<0.05) . Conclusion: Occupational stress factors have a great influence on the depressive symptoms of gas field workers. Increased work stability, self-efficacy and job satisfaction could reduce the risk of depressive symptoms.

Strong interlayer coupling in two-dimensional PbSe with high thermoelectric performance

It was generally believed that weak van der Waals interactions exist between neighboring layers in the two-dimensional group-IV chalcogenides. Using PbSe as a prototypal example, we find additional strong coupling between the Pb-Pb layers, as evidenced by detailed analysis of the differential charge density plot. The coupling is covalent-like and can be fine-tuned to obviously reduce the phonon thermal conductivity but slightly change the electronic transport of PbSe layer. As a consequence, a maximumZTvalue of 2.5 can be realized at 900 K for thep-type system. Our work also offers an effective and feasible design strategy to enhance the thermoelectric performance of similar layered structures.

[Correlation between social support and occupational stress among gas production workers in the field]

Objective: To investigate the level of social support and its correlation with occupational stress among gas production workers in the field. Methods: In October 2018, the cluster sampling method was used to perform a cross-sectional survey for 1726 gas production workers in the field, and related data of these workers were collected, including age, education level, marital status, level of social support, and related factors for occupational stress. A Spearman's rank correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between social support and occupational stress, and the levels of occupational stress-related factors were compared between the groups with different social support scores. Results: The gas production workers in the field had a median (25th percentile, 75th percentile) social support score of 24.00 (19.00, 28.00) , and there was a significant difference in social support score between the workers with different posts or work shifts (P<0.01) . Social support score was positively correlated with effort, daily stress, negative emotion, and job routinization (P<0.05) and was negatively correlated with job satisfaction, reward, working stability, and promotion opportunity (P<0.05) . The group with a high social support score had significantly higher scores of effort, job routinization, sleep disorders, and daily stress than the other two groups (P<0.01) , and the group with a low social support score had significantly higher scores of reward, self-efficacy, positive affection, and job satisfaction than the other two groups (P<0.01) . Conclusion: High-level social support plays an important role in alleviating occupational stress and protecting mental health among gas production workers in the field.

Risk factors and renal outcomes of low bone mineral density in patients with non-dialysis chronic kidney disease

Bone disorder is a common complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The clinical usefulness of bone mineral density (BMD) in CKD is not well known. Our study shows that low BMD is associated with physical activity and dietary Na/K intake ratio and can predict poor renal outcome in non-dialysis CKD.

PURPOSE

Despite evidence of a link between bone mineral disorders and chronic kidney disease (CKD), the clinical implications of bone mineral density (BMD) in CKD are not well established. We investigated risk factors and renal outcomes of low BMD in CKD.

METHODS

We analyzed data from the KNOW-CKD. BMD measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry was classified by T score: normal (T score ≥ - 1.0), osteopenia (- 1.0 > T score > - 2.5), and osteoporosis (T score ≤ - 2.5) of the lumbar spine, hip, or femoral neck. Logistic regression analysis to assess risk factors of low BMD (T score < - 1.0) and Cox proportional hazards models to estimate risk of incident end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

RESULTS

Low BMD was prevalent (osteopenia 33%; osteoporosis 8%) in 2128 adults with CKD (age 54 ± 12 years; male 61%). Over a median follow-up of 4.3 years, there were 521 cases of incident ESRD. Lower BMD was associated with female sex, older age, low eGFR, low BMI, and lifestyle factors of physical activity (odds ratio (OR) = 0.62, 95% confidence interval (0.49-0.77)) and spot urine Na/K ratio (1.07 (1.00-1.15)). In adjusted Cox models, low BMD was associated with increased incident ESRD (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.14 (0.92-1.41) for osteopenia; 1.43 (1.01-2.04) for osteoporosis, P for trend < 0.05) compared with the reference of normal BMD. The association between low BMD and ESRD was similar according to T score discordance classification.

CONCLUSIONS

Low BMD was associated with modifiable lifestyle factors including low physical activity and high dietary Na/K intake ratio. The presence of low BMD is associated with poor renal outcomes in non-dialysis CKD.

High thermoelectric performance of half-Heusler compound BiBaK with intrinsically low lattice thermal conductivity

Half-Heusler compounds usually exhibit relatively higher lattice thermal conductivity that is undesirable for thermoelectric applications. Here we demonstrate by first-principles calculations and Boltzmann transport theory that the BiBaK system is an exception, which has rather low thermal conductivity as evidenced by very small phonon group velocity and relaxation time. Detailed analysis indicates that the heavy Bi and Ba atoms form a cage-like structure, inside which the light K atom rattles with larger atomic displacement parameters. In combination with its good electronic transport properties, the BiBaK shows a maximum n-typeZTvalue of 1.9 at 900 K, which outperforms most half-Heusler thermoelectric materials.

Effects of BET inhibitor JQ1 on neurotoxicity in rat primary cortical neurons: A potential therapeutic approach in Alzheimer's disease

Introduction

The neuropathological features of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are deposition of amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles and neuro-inflammation. Among these, neuro-inflammation is a common pathological substrate of neurodegenerative disease, such as AD, and Parkinson disease.

Aims

Herein, we tested whether the inhibition of bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) protein, a critical regulators of transcription in neurons, could attenuate the neuronal cell death and amyloid beta aggregation using rat primary cortical neurons. We also investigated whether a BET inhibitor could prevent the inflammatory processes and cognitive decline in an animal model of AD.

Methods

The effects of BET inhibition on neuronal cell death were assessed in the followings:

– cell viability and reactive oxygen species generation;

– enzyme activity of tPA/PAI-1 measured by casein zymography;

– the signal pathways including BDNF/CREB and MAPKs using western blotting;

– the effects on inflammatory responses in an animal model of AD using immunohistochemistry.

Results

JQ1, an inhibitor of Brd2/4 protein, significantly decreased the neuronal cell death in mixed cortical neurons in concentration-dependent manner but not in pure neurons. JQ1 increased the enzyme activity of tPA, which decreased the expression of Brd2 protein. JQ1 also decreased the ROS generation and decreased cleaved caspase-3 expression. Moreover, Brd2 inhibition by transfection of Brd2 siRNA reduced amyloid beta aggregation.

Conclusion

Our results suggested that BET inhibition might have therapeutic potential for AD. That is, Brd2 inhibition by JQ1 can prevent the neuronal cell death and neuroinflammation as well as amyloid beta aggregation through regulation of tPA/PAI-1 system.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Impact of ethanol and ultrasound treatment on mesophilic aerobic bacteria, coliforms, and Salmonella Typhimurium on chicken skin

The present study evaluated the efficacy of ethanol treatment (0, 30, 50, or 70%) alone or in combination with ultrasound (37 kHz, 380 W) for the reduction of natural indigenous mesophilic aerobic bacteria (MAB), coliforms, and inoculated Salmonella Typhimurium on chicken skin. Bacterial cells with loose, intermediate, or tight attachment to chicken skin were recovered by shaking in an incubator (200 rpm) for 5 min, stomaching for 1 min, or blending for 1 min, respectively. Chicken skins were inoculated with a suspension (7 log CFU/mL) of S. Typhimurium. Ethanol reduced the number of MAB, coliforms, and S. Typhimurium on the chicken skin in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas ultrasound treatment without ethanol was ineffective. A combination of 70% ethanol with ultrasound treatment was the most effective in reducing S. Typhimurium populations with loose, intermediate, and tight attachment (reduction by 2.86 log CFU/g, 2.49 log CFU/g, and 1.63 log CFU/g, respectively). However, chicken skin treated with 50% ethanol alone or with a combination of >50% ethanol and ultrasound showed significant changes in Hunter color values (a* and b*) and texture (shear force) (P > 0.05). On the other hand, a combination of 30% ethanol and ultrasound yielded the best results, leading to a reduction of S. Typhimurium by a >1.0 log CFU/g, but did not alter the color or texture of chicken skin. Thus, a combination of 30% ethanol and ultrasound appears to be the optimum treatment for reduction of microbial contamination in production and distribution of skin-on chicken products, and enhance poultry safety without decreasing food quality.

Acquisition of Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae in Solid Organ Transplantation Recipients

BACKGROUND

Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) can lead to life-threatening outcomes with rapid spread of the carbapenemase gene in solid organ transplantation (SOT) recipients because of limitations of available antibiotics. We examined the characteristics and importance of CPE acquisition in SOT recipients with large numbers of CPE isolates.

METHODS

Between November 2015 and October 2016, 584 CPE isolates were found in 37 recipients and verified by carbapenemase gene multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). One hundred recipients with at least 2 negative results in carbapenemase PCR for stool surveillance and no CPE isolates in clinical samples were retrospectively included.

RESULTS

Most CPE isolates were Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-producing K. pneumoniae (546, 93.5%). The most frequent transplantation organ was lung (43.3%), and the most common sample with CPE isolates other than stool was respiratory tract (22.6%). The median time between SOT and first CPE acquisition was 7 days. All-cause mortality was significantly higher in recipients with CPE than in those without CPE (24.3% vs 10.0%; P = .03). In multivariate regression analysis, stool colonization of vancomycin-resistant Enterococci and/or Clostridium difficile during 30 days before SOT (odds ratio [OR], 3.28; 95% CI, 1.24-8.68; P = .02), lung transplantation (OR, 4.50; 95% CI, 1.19-17.03; P = .03), and intensive care unit stay ≥2 weeks (OR, 6.21; 95% CI, 1.72-22.45; P = .005) were associated with acquisition of CPE.

CONCLUSIONS

Early posttransplantation CPE acquisition may affect the clinical outcome of SOT recipients. Careful screening for CPE during the early posttransplantation period would be meaningful in recipients with risk factors.

Devising negative pressure within intercuff space reduces microaspiration

Background

Microaspiration past the tracheal tube cuffs causes ventilator-associated pneumonia. The objective of the current study was to evaluate whether creating negative pressure between the tracheal double cuffs could block the fluid passage past the tracheal tube cuffs.

Methods

A new negative pressure system was devised between the double cuffs through a suction hole in the intercuff space. Blue-dyed water was instilled above the cuff at negative suction pressures of − 54, − 68, − 82, − 95, − 109, − 122, and − 136 cmH₂O, and the volume leaked was measured in an underlying water trap after 10 min. Leakage tests were also performed during positive pressure ventilation, and using higher-viscosity materials. The actual negative pressures delivered at the hole of double cuffs were obtained by placing microcatheter tip between the intercuff space and the artificial trachea.

Results

No leakage occurred past the double cuff at − 136 cmH₂O suction pressure at all tracheal tube cuff pressures. The volume leaked decreased significantly as suction pressure increased. When connected to a mechanical ventilator, no leakage was found at − 54 cmH₂suction pressure. Volume of the higher-viscosity materials (dynamic viscosity of 63–108 cP <cP> and 370–430 cP) leaked was small compared to that of normal saline (0.9–1.1 cP). The pressures measured in the intercuff space corresponded to 3.8–5.9% of those applied.

Conclusions

A new prototype double cuff with negative pressure in the intercuff space completely prevented water leakage. The negative pressure transmitted to the tracheal inner wall was a small percentage of that applied.

Effect of Irradiance and Exposure Duration on Temperature and Degree of Conversion of Dual-Cure Resin Cement for Ceramic Restorations

This study investigated the effects of irradiance and exposure duration on dual-cured resin cements irradiated through ceramic restorative materials. A single light-curing unit was calibrated to three different irradiances (500, 1000, and 1500 mW/cm²) and irradiated to three different attenuating materials (transparent acryl, lithium disilicate, zirconia) with 1-mm thicknesses for 20 or 60 seconds. The changes in irradiance and temperature were measured with a radiometer (or digital thermometer) under the attenuating materials. The degree of conversion (DC) of dual-cure resin cement after irradiation at different irradiances and exposure durations was measured with Fourier transform near infrared spectroscopy. Two-way analysis of variance revealed that irradiance ( p<0.001) and exposure duration ( p<0.001) significantly affected temperature and DC. All groups showed higher DCs with increased exposure times ( p<0.05), but there were no statistically significant differences between the groups irradiated with 1000 mW/cm² and 1500 mW/cm² ( p>0.05). Higher-intensity irradiances yielded higher temperatures ( p<0.05), but exposure time did not affect temperature when materials were irradiated at 500 mW/cm² ( p>0.05).

Microscopic hematuria is a risk factor of incident chronic kidney disease in the Korean general population: a community-based prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Although asymptomatic microscopic hematuria (MH) is a common finding in clinical practice, its long-term outcome remains unknown.

AIM

This study evaluated the clinical implication of MH in the general population using a large-scale long-term longitudinal cohort database.

METHODS

This study included 8719 participants from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study between 2001 and 2014. MH was defined as ≥5 red blood cells per high-power field in random urinalysis without evidence of pyuria. The primary study outcome measure was incident chronic kidney disease (CKD), defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 ml min-1⋅1.73⋅m-2.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 11.7 years, CKD occurred in 677 (7.8%) subjects. In Cox regression after adjustment for multiple confounders, subjects with MH had a significantly higher risk of incident CKD than those without [hazard ratio (HR) 1.45, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12-1.87; P = 0.005]. Isolated MH without proteinuria was also a risk factor of incident CKD (HR 1.37, 95% CI 1.04-1.79; P = 0.023) and the risk was further increased in MH with concomitant proteinuria (HR 5.41, 95% CI 2.54-11.49; P < 0.001). In propensity score matching analysis after excluding subjects with proteinuria, multi-variable stratified Cox regression analysis revealed that subjects with isolated MH had a significantly higher risk of incident CKD than those without (HR 1.83, 95% CI 1.14-2.94; P = 0.012).

CONCLUSION

The presence of MH is associated with an increased risk of incident CKD in the general population. Therefore, attentive follow-up is warranted in persons with MH for early detection of CKD.

Current-induced magnetic switching with spin-orbit torque in an interlayer-coupled junction with a Ta spacer layer

Spin-orbit torque has attracted considerable attention as a means to overcome limits of devices based on spin-transfer torque. However, a small magnetic field that is collinear to the current flow must be applied to break symmetry and induce deterministic current-induced magnetization switching. Recently, a junction utilizing interlayer coupling mediated by a Ru spacer layer between two CoFe layers was designed for symmetry breaking and exhibited current-induced magnetization switching without a magnetic field. Here, we demonstrate zero-field current-induced switching of the perpendicular magnetization of a Co layer that is indirectly coupled with a CoFe layer via a Ta spacer. The weak interlayer coupling exhibited by Ta allows the layer thickness to be relatively small (≈0.5 nm), enabling appropriate interlayer coupling to induce spin-orbit torque for current-induced magnetic switching. External magnetic field effects on switching characteristics show that the current switching process is quite stable against external environments.

Trends in device utilization ratios in intensive care units over 10-year period in South Korea: device utilization ratio as a new aspect of surveillance

BACKGROUND

Device-associated infection (DAI) is an important issue related to patient safety. It is important to reduce unnecessary device utilization in order to decrease DAI rates.

AIM

To investigate the time trend of device utilization ratios (DURs) of voluntarily participating hospitals, collected over a 10-year period through the Korean National Healthcare-associated Infections Surveillance System (KONIS).

METHODS

DURs from 2006 to 2015 in 190 intensive care units (ICUs) participating in KONIS were included in this study. DURs were calculated as the ratio of device-days to patient-days. The pooled incidences of DAIs and DURs were calculated for each year of participation, and the year-wise trends were analysed.

FINDINGS

Year-wise ventilator utilization ratio (V-DUR) increased significantly from 0.40 to 0.41 (F = 6.27, P < 0.01), urinary catheter utilization ratio (U-DUR) increased non-significantly from 0.83 to 0.84 (F = 1.66, P = 0.10), and C-line utilization ratio (CL-DUR) decreased non-significantly from 0.55 to 0.51 (F = 1.62, P = 0.11). In the subgroup analysis, 'medical ICU' (F = 2.79, P < 0.01) and 'hospital with >900 beds' (F = 3.07, P < 0.01) were associated with the significant increase in V-DUR.

CONCLUSION

In Korea, V-DUR showed a significant, year-wise increasing trend. The trends for U-DUR and CL-DUR showed no significant decrease. Efforts are required to ensure the reduction of DURs.

Field-driven dynamics and time-resolved measurement of Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya torque in canted antiferromagnet YFeO3

Electrical spin switching in an antiferromagnet is one of the key issues for both academic interest and industrial demand in new-type spin devices because an antiferromagnetic system has a negligible stray field due to an alternating sign between sub-lattices, in contrast to a ferromagnetic system. Naturally, questions arise regarding how fast and, simultaneously, how robustly the magnetization can be switched by external stimuli, e.g., magnetic field and spin current. First, the exploitation of ultrafast precessional motion of magnetization in antiferromagnetic oxide has been studied intensively. Regarding robustness, the so-called inertia-driven switching scenario has been generally accepted as the switching mechanism in antiferromagnet system. However, in order to understand the switching dynamics in a canted antiferromagnet, excited by magnetic field, accurate equation of motion and corresponding interpretation are necessary. Here, we re-investigate the inertia-driven switching process, triggered by the strict phase matching between effective driving field, dh/dt, and antiferromagnetic order parameters, l. Such theoretical approaches make it possible to observe the static parameters of an antiferromagnet, hosting Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya (DM) interaction. Indeed, we estimate successfully static parameters, such as DM, exchange, and anisotropy energies, from dynamical behaviour in YFeO₃, studied using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy.

Ex vivo magnetic resonance imaging using hyaluronic acid fillers: Differences between monophasic and biphasic fillers

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is an anionic, non-sulfated glycosaminoglycan distributed throughout the human skin and injectable HA fillers are the most commonly used in aesthetic field. This study aimed to determine if differences in physical characteristics of HA products (monophasic or biphasic fillers) affect the patterns of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

METHODS

Twenty biphasic fillers and nine monophasic fillers were obtained from a commercial source, and examined with a 3.0 Tesla MRI scanner. Visual assessments and measurements of signal intensity for region of interest (ROI) were performed. A non-parametric Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to compare the ROI values.

RESULTS

Visual assessments by a radiologist did not show significant differences between the two types of fillers. While the signal intensity between the two types of filler did not differ significantly for T1-weighted images, the signal intensity of the biphasic filler was lower than that of the monophasic filler for T2-weighted images (P<.01).

CONCLUSION

Monophasic and biphasic HA fillers exhibited different MRI properties. Our findings may provide better insights into the use of in vivo MRI to evaluate aesthetic, procedure-related complications.

Cobll1 is linked to drug resistance and blastic transformation in chronic myeloid leukemia

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/leu.2017.107.

Validation of the Korean National Healthcare-associated Infections Surveillance System (KONIS): an intensive care unit module report

BACKGROUND

National surveillance data should be validated to identify methodological problems within the surveillance programme and data quality issues.

AIM

To test the validity of healthcare-associated infection (HAI) rate data from the Korean National Healthcare-associated Infections Surveillance System (KONIS).

METHODS

Records from intensive care units of 12 (14.8%) of 81 participating hospitals for January-March 2014 were examined. The validation team reviewed 406 medical records of 110 patients with 114 reported HAIs - including 34 urinary tract infections (UTIs), 57 bloodstream infections (BSIs) and 23 cases of pneumonia (PNEU) - and 296 patients with no reported HAIs during one-day visits conducted in August and September 2014. The reviewers' diagnosis of HAI was regarded as the reference standard; in ambiguous cases, the KONIS Steering Committee confirmed the diagnosis of HAI.

FINDINGS

Sensitivity values for UTIs, BSIs and PNEU were 85.3%, 74.0% and 66.7%, and specificity values were 98.7%, 99.1% and 98.7%, respectively. Positive predictive values were 85.3%, 94.7% and 78.3%, and negative predictive values were 98.7%, 94.6% and 97.7%, respectively. Sensitivity for PNEU was lower than that for UTIs and BSIs. The hospitals participating in KONIS infrequently reported conditions that were not HAIs. Sensitivity for BSIs was lower in this study than in KONIS validation studies conducted in 2008 and 2010.

CONCLUSIONS

KONIS data are generally reliable; however, sensitivity for BSIs exhibited a decrease. This study shows the need for ongoing validation and continuous training of surveillance personnel to maintain the accuracy of surveillance data.

[Causes and management of pediatric spontaneous tonsillar haemorrhage]

Objective: To analyze the causes and management plan of pediatric spontaneous tonsillar haemorrhage(STH). Methods: According to the criteria of STH difined by Griffies, patients with STH from December 2013 to January 2016 were included in this retrospective study. Results: A total of 11 patients were reviewed. The etiological diagnosis included 3 pediatric Epstein-Barr virus associated infectious mononucleosis(EBV-IM), 3 suspected pediatric EBV-IM to 3 acute suppurative tonsillitis, 1 acute viral tonsillitis and 1 hemophilia A. The management strategies included antiviral, antibacteria, transfusion, surgical examination followed with bipolar coagulation hemostasis under general anesthesia. No patient treated with tosillectomy. Conclusions: STH is now a rare condition, the causes of which in child are more or less different from adult.This emergency can be treated in time if a detailed management plan for pediatric STH is formulated.

Donepezil 23 mg in Asian patients with moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease

BACKGROUND

Ethnic diversity between different populations may affect treatment safety and efficacy.

AIMS AND METHODS

A subanalysis to a global trial (study 326) was carried out to ascertain the safety and efficacy of donepezil 23 mg/day compared with donepezil 10 mg/day in Asian patients with moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease. Changes in cognition and global functioning were measured by the Severe Impairment Battery (SIB) and Clinician's Interview-Based Impression of Change Plus Caregiver Input (CIBIC-Plus), respectively, at week 24.

RESULTS

Cognitive improvement measured by SIB score was greater with donepezil 23 mg than with donepezil 10 mg (+1.36 vs -1.56]; difference, 2.92). There was no difference between the groups in global function measured by the CIBIC-Plus (3.94 and 3.95, respectively). Overall, 119 patients (82.1%) receiving donepezil 23 mg and 56 (71.8%) receiving donepezil 10 mg experienced ≥1 treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs). In the donepezil 23 mg group, the incidence of TEAEs was higher among patients of lower weight (<55 kg) at baseline than in those of higher weight (64 of 75 patients [85.3%] vs 55 of 70 patients [78.5%]).

CONCLUSIONS

The benefits and risks associated with donepezil 23 mg in Asian patients are comparable to those of the global study population.

Non-structural cancellous bone graft and headless compression screw fixation for treatment of scaphoid waist non-union

PURPOSE

Scaphoid fracture commonly occurs around the mid-third of the scaphoid, and non-union of this fracture has several treatment options. The authors performed autologous cancellous bone graft from the iliac crest and headless compression screw fixation for the treatment of Mack-Lichtman type II scaphoid waist non-union. The purpose of this study was to determine whether this procedure was effective in achieving bony union and restoration of alignment.

METHODS

Medical records and radiographs of 30 patients who underwent cancellous bone graft and headless compression screw fixation for non-union of scaphoid waist fracture were retrospectively reviewed. There were 28 men and 2 women, with a mean age of 32.8 years (range: 21-63). The mean time to surgery was 10 months (range: 3-25) and mean follow-up was 37.5 months (range: 15-52). The authors analyzed bony union, lateral intrascaphoid angle, scapholunate angle, radiolunate angle and scaphoid length on radiographs and evaluated the Modified Mayo wrist score (MMWS) as a functional outcome.

RESULTS

Bony union was achieved in all cases. The lateral intrascaphoid angle improved from 40° to 32° (P<0.001). The scapholunate angle also improved from 61° to 56° (P=0.009). The radiolunate angle decreased from 8° to 4° (P=0.048) and scaphoid length increased from 22mm to 26mm (P<0.001) postoperatively. Wrist motion and MMWS improved significantly at last follow-up. However, there were no significant differences between scaphoid deformity correction angle and pre- to post-operative difference in MMWS.

CONCLUSIONS

Non-structural autologous cancellous bone graft from the iliac crest and headless screw fixation provided reliable results and can be one of the effective treatment options for patients with symptomatic Mack-Lichtman type II non-union in the mid-third of the scaphoid.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Comparison of Internal Adaptation in Class II Bulk-fill Composite Restorations Using Micro-CT

PURPOSE

This study compared the internal adaptation of bulk-fill composite restorations in class II cavities and explored the relationship between internal adaptation and polymerization shrinkage or stress.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Standardized mesio-occluso-distal cavities were prepared in 40 extracted human third molars and randomly divided into five groups (n=8). After having been applied by total-etch XP bond (Dentsply Caulk, Milford, DE, USA) and light curing, the teeth were restored with the following resin composites: group 1, Filtek Z350 (3M ESPE, St. Paul, MN, USA); group 2, SDR (Dentsply Caulk, Milford, DE, USA) + Z350; group 3, Venus Bulk Fill (Heraeus Kulzer, Dormagen, Germany) + Z350; group 4, Tetric N-Ceram Bulk Fill (Ivoclar Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein); and group 5, SonicFill (Kerr, West Collins, Orange, CA, USA). After thermo-mechanical load cycling, cross-sectional microcomputerized tomography (micro-CT) images were taken. Internal adaptation was measured as imperfect margin percentage (IM%), which was the percentage of defective margin length relative to whole margin length. On the micro-CT images, IM% was measured at five interfaces. Linear polymerization shrinkage (LS) and polymerization shrinkage stress (PS) were measured on each composite with a custom linometer and universal testing machine. To explore the correlation of IM% and LS or PS, the Pearson correlation test was used.

RESULTS

The IM% of the gingival and pulpal cavity floors were inferior to those of the cavity walls. The IM% values of the groups were found to be as follows: group 5 ≤ groups 1 and 4 ≤ group 2 ≤ group 3. The correlation analysis showed that the p value was 0.006 between LS and IM% and 0.003 between PS and IM%, indicating significant correlations (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Flowable bulk-fill composites had a higher IM% and polymerization shrinkage stress than did packable bulk-fill and hybrid composites. In class II composite restoration, the gingival floor of the proximal box and pulpal floor of the cavity had higher IM% than did the buccal and lingual walls of the proximal box. LS and PS, which were measured under compliance-allowed conditions, were significantly related to internal adaptation.

Polymorphic microsatellite markers for the endangered fish, the slender shiner Pseudopungtungia tenuicorpa and cross-species amplification across five related species

The slender shiner Pseudopungtungia tenuicorpa (Cypriniformes; Cyprinidae; Gobioninae) is an endangered freshwater fish species endemic to Korea. The current strategies for its conservation involve the study of population genetic characters and identification of management units. These strategies require suitable molecular markers to study genetic diversity and genetic structure. Here, we developed nine polymorphic microsatellite markers for P. tenuicorpa for the first time by applying an enrichment method from a size-selected genomic library. The developed microsatellite markers produced a total of 101 alleles (average 11.2). The observed and expected heterozygosities averaged 0.805 and 0.835, respectively. Among the nine identified markers, five markers showed successful amplification across five related Korean Gobioninae species. Thus, the microsatellite markers developed in this study will be useful to establish conservation strategies for both P. tenuicorpa and other related species.

UTE-ΔR2 -ΔR2 * combined MR whole-brain angiogram using dual-contrast superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles

The ability to visualize whole-brain vasculature is important for quantitative in vivo investigation of vascular malfunctions in cerebral small vessel diseases, including cancer, stroke and neurodegeneration. Transverse relaxation-based ΔR2 and ΔR2 * MR angiography (MRA) provides improved vessel-tissue contrast in animal deep brain with the aid of intravascular contrast agents; however, it is susceptible to orientation dependence, air-tissue interface artifacts and vessel size overestimation. Dual-mode MRA acquisition with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) provides a unique opportunity to systematically compare and synergistically combine both longitudinal (R1 ) and transverse (ΔR2 and ΔR2 *) relaxation-based MRA. Through Monte Carlo (MC) simulation and MRA experiments in normal and tumor-bearing animals with intravascular SPION, we show that ultrashort TE (UTE) MRA acquires well-defined vascularization on the brain surface, minimizing air-tissue artifacts, and combined ΔR2 and ΔR2 * MRA simultaneously improves the sensitivity to intracortical penetrating vessels and reduces vessel size overestimation. Consequently, UTE-ΔR2 -ΔR2 * combined MRA complements the shortcomings of individual angiograms and provides a strategy to synergistically merge longitudinal and transverse relaxation effects to generate more robust in vivo whole-brain micro-MRA. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Posttraumatic myositis ossificans of the hand : A locally aggressive malignancy-mimicking tumor

Posttraumatic myositis ossificans (PTMO) is the most common form of myositis ossificans, but it rarely affects the hand. Due to the aggressive behavior of this unusual tumor, it is commonly misdiagnosed as malignancy or local infection. This report describes a case of PTMO of the hand in a 25-year-old women, and reviews the clinical, radiologic, and histologic characteristics. By understanding the disease characteristics and maturation process, physicians can avoid a misdiagnosis that may lead to functional impairment or improper treatment.

Effects of intraoperative protective lung ventilation on postoperative pulmonary complications in patients with laparoscopic surgery: prospective, randomized and controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Respiratory functions are usually impaired during pneumoperitoneum for laparoscopic surgery. This randomized, controlled and single-blinded study was performed to evaluate whether intraoperative protective lung ventilation influences postoperative pulmonary complications after laparoscopic hepatobiliary surgery.

METHODS

Sixty-two patients were randomized to receive either conventional ventilation with alveolar recruitment maneuver (tidal volume of 10 ml/kg with inspiratory pressure of 40 cmH2O for 30 s after the end of pneumoperitoneum, group R), or protective lung ventilation (low tidal volume of 6 ml/kg with positive end-expiratory pressure [PEEP] of 5 cmH2O, group P). Induction and maintenance of anesthesia were done with balanced anesthesia. Respiratory complications such as atelectasis, pneumonia or desaturation were observed postoperatively. The length of hospital stay, arterial blood gas analysis, peak inspiratory pressure and hemodynamic variables were also recorded. Results are presented as mean ± SD or number of patients (%).

RESULTS

Postoperative pulmonary complications (P = 0.023) and desaturation below 90 % (P = 0.016) occurred less frequently in group P than in group R. Eight patients of group R and 3 patients of group P showed atelectasis. Pneumonia was diagnosed in 1 patient of group R. No differences were observed in the length of hospital stay, arterial blood gas analysis (pH, PaO2, PaCO2 and PAO2) and hemodynamic variables except PAO2, AaDO2 and peak inspiratory pressure between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Protective lung ventilation (low tidal volume with PEEP) during pneumoperitoneum was associated with less incidences of pulmonary complications than conventional ventilation with alveolar recruitment maneuver after laparoscopic hepatobiliary surgery.

Five-year decreased incidence of surgical site infections following gastrectomy and prosthetic joint replacement surgery through active surveillance by the Korean Nosocomial Infection Surveillance System

BACKGROUND

Surveillance of healthcare-associated infection has been associated with a reduction in surgical site infection (SSI).

AIM

To evaluate the Korean Nosocomial Infection Surveillance System (KONIS) in order to assess its effects on SSI since it was introduced.

METHODS

SSI data after gastrectomy, total hip arthroplasty (THA), and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) between 2008 and 2012 were analysed. The pooled incidence of SSI was calculated for each year; the same analyses were also conducted from hospitals that had participated in KONIS for at least three consecutive years. Standardized SSI rates for each year were calculated by adjusting for SSI risk factors. SSI trends were analysed using the Cochran-Armitage test.

FINDINGS

The SSI rate following gastrectomy was 3.12% (522/16,918). There was a significant trend of decreased crude SSI rates over five years. This trend was also evident in analysis of hospitals that had participated for more than three years. The SSI rate for THA was 2.05% (157/7656), which decreased significantly from 2008 to 2012. The risk factors for SSI after THA included the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance risk index, trauma, reoperation, and age (60-69 years). The SSI rate for TKA was 1.90% (152/7648), which also decreased significantly during a period of five years. However, the risk-adjusted analysis of SSI did not show a significant decrease for all surgical procedures.

CONCLUSION

The SSI incidence of gastrectomy and prosthetic joint replacement declined over five years as a result of active surveillance by KONIS.

Trends in the distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility of causative pathogens of device-associated infection in Korean intensive care units from 2006 to 2013: results from the Korean Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System (KONIS)

BACKGROUND

For all countries, information on pathogens causing healthcare-associated infections is important in order to develop proper strategies for preventing and treating nosocomial infections.

AIM

To assess the change in frequencies and antimicrobial resistance of pathogens causing device-associated infections (DAIs) in intensive care units (ICUs) in South Korea between July 2006 and June 2014.

METHODS

Data from the Korean Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System (KONIS) were analysed, including three major DAI types in ICUs.

FINDINGS

The frequency of Gram-negative bacteria gradually increased for central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) (from 24.6% to 32.6% and from 52.8% to 73.5%, respectively). By contrast, the frequency of Gram-positive bacteria decreased from 58.6% to 49.2% for CLABSI, and from 44.3% to 23.8% for VAP (P < 0.001). Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequent causative pathogen in CLABSI throughout the surveillance period, but for VAP was replaced as the most frequent pathogen by Acinetobacter baumannii as of 2010. Candida albicans was the most frequent pathogen for catheter-associated urinary tract infection. The meticillin resistance rate in S. aureus decreased from 95% to 90.2% (P < 0.001); amikacin resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli decreased from 43.8% to 14.7% and from 15.0% to 1.8%, respectively (P < 0.001); imipenem resistance in A. baumannii increased from 52.9% to 89.8% (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The proportion of Gram-negative bacteria as nosocomial pathogens for CLABSI and VAP has increased. The prevalence of A. baumannii causing DAIs in Korean ICUs has increased rapidly, as has the rate of carbapenem resistance in these bacteria.

Trends in the incidence rate of device-associated infections in intensive care units after the establishment of the Korean Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System

BACKGROUND

The effectiveness of continuous nationwide surveillance on healthcare-associated infections should be investigated in each country.

AIM

To assess the rate of device-associated infections (DAIs) in intensive care units (ICUs) since the establishment of the Korean Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System (KONIS).

METHODS

Nationwide data were obtained on the incidence rate of DAI in ICUs reported to KONIS by all participating hospitals. The three major DAIs were studied: ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), central line-associated bloodstream infection (CABSI), and catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI). The pooled and year-wise incidence rates (cases per 1000 device-days) of these DAIs were determined for the period 2006 and 2012. In addition, data from institutions that had participated in KONIS for at least three consecutive years were analysed separately.

FINDINGS

The number of ICUs participating in KONIS gradually increased from 76 in 2006 to 162 in 2012. Between 2006 and 2012, the incidence rate per 1000 device-days for VAP decreased significantly from 3.48 to 1.64 (F = 11, P < 0.01), for CAUTI the rate decreased non-significantly from 1.85 to 1.26 (F = 2.02, P = 0.07), and for CABSI the rate also decreased non-significantly from 3.4 to 2.57 (F = 1.73, P = 0.12). In the 132 ICUs that had participated in KONIS for at least three consecutive years, the VAP rate significantly decreased from the first year to third year (F = 20.57, P < 0.01), but the rates of CAUTI (F = 1.06, P = 0.35) and CABSI (F = 1.39, P = 0.25) did not change significantly.

CONCLUSION

The decreased incidence rate of VAP in ICUs in Korea might be associated with the continuous prospective surveillance provided by KONIS.