A comprehensive evaluation of risk factors for mortality, infection and colonization associated with CRGNB in adult solid organ transplant recipients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The burden of carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria (CRGNB) among solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients has not been systematically explored. Here, we discern the risk factors associated with CRGNB infection and colonization in SOT recipients. METHODS: This study included observational studies conducted among CRGNB-infected SOT patients, which reported risk factors associated with mortality, infection or colonization. Relevant records will be searched in PubMed, Embase and Web of Science for the period from the time of database construction to 1 March 2023. RESULTS: A total of 23 studies with 13,511 participants were included, enabling the assessment of 27 potential risk factors. The pooled prevalence of 1-year mortality among SOT recipients with CRGNB was 44.5%. Prolonged mechanical ventilation, combined transplantation, reoperation and pre-transplantation CRGNB colonization are salient contributors to the occurrence of CRGNB infections in SOT recipients. Renal replacement therapy, post-LT CRGNB colonization, pre-LT liver disease and model for end-stage liver disease score increased the risk of infection. Re-transplantation, carbapenem use before transplantation and ureteral stent utilization increaesd risk of CRGNB colonization. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that SOT recipients with CRGNB infections had a higher mortality risk. Invasive procedure may be the main factor contribute to CRGNB infection.

Fatal Rickettsia Japonica Infection Complicating Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation in Yichang, China.

Background: Severe complications may cause a fatal or disabling outcome in patients with Rickettsia japonica infection but are poorly understood. Methods: We identified 11 patients with only Rickettsia japonica infection with metagenomics next generation sequencing (mNGS) during April to November 2021 at Yichang Central People's Hospital, China. Clinical data were obtained through review of medical records. Results: Most patients realized that they had symptoms about one or two days after being bitten. Fever (91%), pulmonary effusion (91%), rash or erythema (100%), abnormal urine (100%), neutropenia (100%), lymphopenia (100%), and thrombocytopenia (100%) were the most common clinical signs. Six severely ill patients were admitted to the intensive care unit and five had mild symptoms. Systemic manifestations such as vomiting (83%), neurological manifestations (100%), and disseminated intravascular coagulation (100%) were more frequently observed in the severe cases, 33.3% of whom developed purpura fulminans requiring amputation or skin graft, and 16.6% died two days after admission. Some patients experienced sequelae. Conclusion: Our study found that patients with critical Rickettsia japonica infection complicating disseminated intravascular coagulation had high risk of poor outcome.

Primary Cutaneous Nocardiosis Due to Nocardia Farcinica: A Case Report of an Often Overlooked Infection.

Primary cutaneous nocardiosis by Nocardia farcinica is exceedingly rare. Only six cases have been reported from PubMed in the past 15 years. We encounter such a case in a 55-year-old man receiving long-term steroid and cyclophosphamide. Owing to no characteristic symptoms, the disease can be so easily overlooked and causes fatal consequences. Therefore, we herein discuss common features of primary cutaneous nocardiosis by Nocardia farcinica that remind clinicians considering it.

Comparison of TACE combined with and without iodine-125 seeds implantation therapy for advanced stage hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has the second-highest cancer-related mortality in patients worldwide. Recently, TACE plus Iodine-125 (125I) seed strand endovascular implantation (ISEI) was shown to be feasible in advanced HCC patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this combined therapy for the treatment of advanced stage HCC by meta-analysis. METHODS: A systematic search in PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library Databases was conducted until April 1st 2018. Outcomes included overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR) of primary liver tumor, and procedure-related complications. All statistical analyses were performed using Review Manager 5.3 and Stata 12.0. RESULTS: Nine eligible studies on 1059 advanced HCC patients were included. The results showed that TACE plus ISEI had significantly improved the 6-month OS (OR, 5.01: 95%CI, 3.19~7.86: P<0. 01) and 1-year OS (OR, 4.97: 95%CI, 3.12~7.92: P<0.01) compared to TACE alone. CONCLUSION: The safety and efficacy of TACE plus ISEI is superior to TACE alone for advanced HCC.

Highly ordered Pd nanowire array by template fabrication for propanol electrooxidation.

Highly ordered Pd nanowire arrays (NWAs) prepared by electrodeposition method using the fresh prepared anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) as the template have been characterized by X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electrochemical measurements. SEM results revealed that the brush-shaped Pd NWAs are dispersed uniformly. The diameter and length of the obtained Pd NWAs are about 50 nm and 850 nm, respectively. Furthermore, the electrocatalytic activity of Pd NWAs electrode for propanol oxidation in alkaline media has also been studied. It is found that the obtained nanostructurs exhibit excellent electrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of propanol, demonstrating the potential application in portable direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs).