Phylogenetic diversity, distribution, and gene structure of the pyruvic oxime dioxygenase involved in heterotrophic nitrification.

Some heterotrophic microorganisms carry out nitrification to produce nitrite and nitrate from pyruvic oxime. Pyruvic oxime dioxygenase (POD) is an enzyme that catalyzes the degradation of pyruvic oxime to pyruvate and nitrite from the heterotrophic nitrifying bacterium Alcaligenes faecalis. Sequence similarity searches revealed the presence of genes encoding proteins homologous to A. faecalis POD in bacteria of the phyla Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria and in fungi of the phylum Ascomycota, and their gene products were confirmed to have POD activity in recombinant experiments. Phylogenetic analysis further classified these POD homologs into three groups. Group 1 POD is mainly found in heterotrophic nitrifying Betaproteobacteria and fungi, and is assumed to be involved in heterotrophic nitrification. It is not clear whether group 2 POD, found mainly in species of the Gammaproteobacteria and Actinobacteria, and group 3 POD, found simultaneously with group 1 POD, are involved in heterotrophic nitrification. The genes of bacterial group 1 POD comprised a single transcription unit with the genes related to the metabolism of aromatic compounds, and many of the genes group 2 POD consisted of a single transcription unit with the gene encoding the protein homologous to 4-hydroxy-tetrahydrodipicolinate synthase (DapA). LysR- or Cro/CI-type regulatory genes were present adjacent to or in the vicinity of these POD gene clusters. POD may be involved not only in nitrification, but also in certain metabolic processes whose functions are currently unknown, in coordination with members of gene clusters.

Sedation/agitation monitoring using a wearable device for ventilated children.

BACKGROUND: Developing continuous and labor-saving sedation/agitation monitoring methods in ventilated children is important to avoid undesirable events such as unplanned extubation. The existing scales are often challenging to use. We therefore aimed to evaluate the feasibility of sedation/agitation monitoring using a wearable device with a built-in accelerometer for ventilated children. METHODS: This prospective observational pilot study included children aged 15 years or less, admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit on mechanical ventilation after cardiac catheterization between December 2021 and April 2022. The wearable device with a built-in accelerometer was attached to either of the upper limbs, and accelerations due to upper limb movements were measured for 2 h after admission or until extubation, whichever was earliest. Accelerations were measured at 0.02 s intervals, with the mean acceleration calculated for each 1 min interval. The State Behavioral Scale (SBS) was completed at 1 min intervals, with the SBS score (-1, 0, 1, or 2) compared with the mean acceleration. RESULTS: The study included 20 children with a median age of 12 months. The mean accelerations and SBS scores were positively correlated (Kendall's τ, 0.22; p < 0.001), with an increase in the median (interquartile range) acceleration from an SBS score of -1 through 2, as follows: SBS -1, 0.200 (0.151-0.232) m/s2 ; SBS 0, 0.202 (0.190-0.235) m/s2 ; SBS, 1, 0.312 (0.236-0.427) m/s2 ; SBS 2, 0.455 (0.332-0.517) m/s2 . No adverse events were observed. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that continuous, labor-saving sedation/agitation monitoring of ventilated children was feasible using a wearable device with a built-in accelerometer.

Application of Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction for Pathogen Identification and Antibiotic Use in Children With Respiratory Infections in a PICU.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the pathogen identification rate and use of antibiotics before and after the implementation of multiplex polymerase chain reaction testing in children with respiratory infections in a PICU. DESIGN: Single-center, pre-post study. SETTING: PICU of Osaka Women's and Children's Hospital, Osaka, Japan. PATIENTS: Consecutive children with respiratory infections who were admitted to the PICU between December 2017 and November 2018 (premultiplex polymerase chain reaction period) and between March 2019 and February 2020 (postmultiplex polymerase chain reaction period). INTERVENTIONS: Conventional rapid antigen tests and bacterial culture tests were performed throughout the study period. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction testing using the FilmArray respiratory panel (BioFire Diagnostics, Salt Lake City, UT) was conducted to detect 17 viruses and three bacterial pathogens. During the postmultiplex polymerase chain reaction period, we did not recommend prescribing antibiotics for stable children, depending on the virus species and laboratory test results. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Ninety-six and 85 children were enrolled during the pre- and postmultiplex polymerase chain reaction periods, respectively. Rapid antigen tests identified pathogens in 22% of the children (n = 21) during the premultiplex polymerase chain reaction period, whereas rapid antigen tests and/or multiplex polymerase chain reaction testing identified pathogens in 67% of the children (n = 57) during the postmultiplex polymerase chain reaction period (p < 0.001). The most commonly identified pathogen using multiplex polymerase chain reaction testing was human rhino/enterovirus. Bacterial pathogens were identified in 50% of the children (n = 48) and 60% of the children (n = 51) during the pre- and postmultiplex polymerase chain reaction periods (p = 0.18). There were no differences in antibiotic use (84% vs 75%; p = 0.14), broad-spectrum antibiotic use (33% vs 34%; p = 0.91), or the duration of antibiotic use within 14 days of admission (6.0 vs 7.0 d; p = 0.45) between the pre- and postmultiplex polymerase chain reaction periods. CONCLUSIONS: Although the pathogen identification rate, especially for viral pathogens, increased using multiplex polymerase chain reaction testing, antibiotic use did not reduce in children with respiratory infections in the PICU. Definitive identification of bacterial pathogens and implementation of evidence-based antimicrobial stewardship programs employing multiplex polymerase chain reaction testing are warranted.

Occurrence and Risk Factors for Unplanned Catheter Removal in a PICU: Central Venous Catheters Versus Peripherally Inserted Central Venous Catheters.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to identify the occurrence and risk factors for unplanned catheter removal due to catheter-associated complications and the effects on catheter survival probability in a PICU. DESIGN: Retrospective, single-center, observational study of cases involving conventional central venous catheters or peripherally inserted central venous catheters. SETTING: The PICU of a tertiary children's hospital. PATIENTS: Consecutive PICU patients with central venous catheters between April 2016 and February 2019. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We identified unplanned catheter removals that were related to central line-associated bloodstream infection, thrombosis, and mechanical complications. During the study period, 582 central venous catheters and 474 peripherally inserted central venous catheters were identified. The median durations of catheter placement were 4.0 days for central venous catheters and 13.0 days for peripherally inserted central venous catheters (p < 0.001), and unplanned catheter removals due to catheter-associated complications were in 52 (8.9%) central venous catheter cases and 132 (27.8%) peripherally inserted central venous catheter cases (p < 0.001) (15.0 and 16.0 per 1,000 catheter-days, respectively [p = 0.75]). Unplanned catheter removal was associated with a peripheral catheter tip position among both central venous catheters and peripherally inserted central venous catheters (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001), and it was associated with surgical patient status among peripherally inserted central venous catheters (p = 0.009). In contrast, the use of ultrasound-guided insertion was associated with a lower occurrence of unplanned catheter removal among peripherally inserted central venous catheters (p = 0.01). With regard to catheter survival probability, there was no significant difference between central venous catheters and peripherally inserted central venous catheters (p = 0.23). However, peripherally inserted central venous catheters had a lower occurrence of central line-associated bloodstream infection than central venous catheters (p = 0.03), whereas there was no significant difference in the rates of thrombosis (p = 0.29) and mechanical complications (p = 0.84) between central venous catheters and peripherally inserted central venous catheters. CONCLUSIONS: In a PICU, peripherally inserted central venous catheters had lower occurrence of central line-associated bloodstream infection than central venous catheters; however, similar catheter survival probabilities were observed between both catheters. A central catheter tip position for both catheters and ultrasound-guided insertion for peripherally inserted central venous catheters may help limit unplanned catheter removal due to catheter-associated complications.

Dynamic Needle Tip Positioning for Ultrasound-Guided Placement of a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter in Pediatric Patients.

OBJECTIVE: Although a few studies have reported the efficacy of ultrasound-guided peripherally inserted central catheter placement for pediatric patients, the procedure still is challenging. Ultrasound-guided dynamic needle tip positioning technique is useful for vascular catheterization. There have been no reports on using dynamic needle tip positioning for peripherally inserted central catheter placement. The authors assessed the rate of successful peripherally inserted central catheter placement with dynamic needle tip positioning. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: Single tertiary institution. PARTICIPANTS: Forty patients <5 years old who were admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit after cardiac surgeries and required peripherally inserted central catheter placement. INTERVENTIONS: Peripherally inserted central catheter placement was performed under ultrasound guidance with dynamic needle tip positioning. The authors recorded the first attempt and overall success rates of peripherally inserted central catheter and outer cannula placement, time needed for outer cannula and peripherally inserted central catheter placement, and number of attempts. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The first attempt and overall success rates of peripherally inserted central catheter placement were 85% (n = 34) and 97.5% (n = 39), respectively. The first attempt and overall success rates of outer cannula placement were 87.5% (n = 35) and 100% (n = 40), respectively. Time needed for outer cannula placement was 59.5 (interquartile range 40.5-80.5) seconds and for peripherally inserted central catheter placement was 112.5 (interquartile range 91.5-159.5) seconds. The number of attempts was 1 (interquartile range 1-1 [range 1-5]). CONCLUSIONS: In pediatric patients, ultrasound-guided peripherally inserted central catheter placement using dynamic needle tip positioning attained a high success rate.

A novel method for transpulmonary pressure estimation using fluctuation of central venous pressure.

The objective of the study is to develop a correction method for estimating the change in pleural pressure (ΔPpl) and plateau transpulmonary pressure (PL) by using the change in central venous pressure (ΔCVP). Seven children (aged < 15 years) with acute respiratory failure (PaO2/FIO2 < 300 mmHg), who were paralyzed and mechanically ventilated with a PEEP of < 10 cmH2O and had central venous catheters and esophageal balloon catheters placed for clinical purposes, were enrolled prospectively. We compared change in esophageal pressure (ΔPes), ΔCVP, and ΔPpl calculated using a corrected ΔCVP (cΔCVP-derived ΔPpl). cΔCVP-derived ΔPpl was calculated as κ × ΔCVP, where κ was the ratio of the change in airway pressure (ΔPaw) to ΔCVP during the occlusion test. cΔCVP-derived ΔPpl correlated better than ΔCVP with ΔPes (R2 = 0.48, p = 0.08 vs. R2 = 0.14, p = 0.4) with lesser bias and precision in Bland-Altman analysis. The plateau PL calculated using the cΔCVP-derived ΔPpl (17.6 ± 2.6 cmH2O) correlated well with the ΔPes-derived plateau PL (18.1 ± 2.3 cmH2O) (R2 = 0.90, p = 0.001). Our correction method can estimate ΔPpl and plateau PL from ΔCVP with a reasonable accuracy in paralyzed and mechanically ventilated pediatric patients with respiratory failure.

Ultrasonographic Detection of Micro-Bubbles in the Right Atrium to Confirm Peripheral Venous Catheter Position in Children.

OBJECTIVES: In pediatric patients, indwelling peripheral venous catheters are sometimes displaced to extravascular positions, causing infiltration or extravasation. No reliable techniques are available to confirm accurate IV catheterization. However, ultrasonographic detection of micro-bubble turbulence in the right atrium after saline injection has been reported to be useful in confirming central venous catheter positions in both adults and children. This study evaluated whether this micro-bubble detection test can offer better confirmation of peripheral venous catheter positions compared with the smooth saline injection technique in pediatric patients. DESIGN: Randomized controlled study. SETTING: Single tertiary PICU. PATIENTS: Pediatric patients (weighing < 15 kg) who already had or required a peripheral venous catheter. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly allocated to either of the two groups (150 patients per group): undergoing either the micro-bubble detection test (M group) or the smooth saline injection test (S group). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The peripheral venous catheters were confirmed to be IV located in the final position in 137 and 139 patients in the M and S groups, respectively. In properly located catheters, the tests were positive in 100% (n = 137/137; sensitivity, 100%; 95% CI, 97.8-100), and in 89% (n = 124/139; 95% CI, 82.8-93.8) of the M and S groups, respectively (p = 0.0001). Among the catheters located in extravascular positions, the tests were negative in 100% (n = 13/13; specificity, 100%; 95% CI, 79.4-100), and in 64% (n = 7/11; 95% CI, 30.8-89.1) of the M and S groups, respectively (p = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: The micro-bubble detection test is a useful technique for detecting extravasation and confirming proper positioning of peripheral IV catheters in pediatric patients.

Long-term mortality and functional outcome after prolonged paediatric intensive care unit stay.

We performed a retrospective, observational study of patients who had spent > 14 days in the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of our hospital from 2011 to 2013. Specifically, long-term mortality, functional outcome, and PICU resource occupancy were examined. All prolonged-stay patients in our study were < 15 years of age. Favourable outcomes were defined as a Pediatric Overall Performance Category (POPC) score of 1-2, and unfavourable outcomes as a POPC score of 3-6 or death. During the study period, there were 1082 PICU admissions involving 805 patients, 111 (13.8%) of whom had one or more prolonged PICU stays. Among these patients, 100 (90%) survived to PICU discharge and 92 (83%) survived to hospital discharge. At the 3-year follow-up, the survival rate was 75% (77/102; nine patients were lost to follow-up) and the favourable outcome rate was 43% (44/102) (57% among survivors). Prolonged PICU-stay patients accounted for 50.5% of the PICU patient-days. Extremely prolonged stays (≥ 28 days) correlate with low favourable outcome rates (P = 0.03), but did not correlate with mortality rates (P = 0.16).Conclusion: Although prolonged PICU-stay patients utilized many PICU resources, most survived at least 3 years, and > 50% of the survivors had a favourable functional outcome (POPC score). What is Known: • The number of patients with prolonged paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) stays is increasing. • These patients utilize many resources and are at high risk for mortality and disabilities. What is New: • Although prolonged-stay patients accounted for 50% of PICU patient-days, their 3-year survival rate and favourable functional outcome rate (based on Pediatric Overall Performance Category scores) were relatively high. • Extremely prolonged stays (≥ 28 days) correlate with low favourable functional outcomes but not with mortality.

Superiority of Dynamic Needle Tip Positioning for Ultrasound-Guided Peripheral Venous Catheterization in Patients Younger Than 2 Years Old: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated whether the dynamic needle tip positioning technique increased the success rate of ultrasound-guided peripheral venous catheterization in pediatric patients with a small-diameter vein compared with the static ultrasound-guided technique. DESIGN: Randomized controlled study. SETTING: Single institution, Osaka Women's and Children's Hospital. PATIENTS: The study population included 60 pediatric patients less than 2 years old who required peripheral venous catheterization in the PICU. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly divided into the dynamic needle tip positioning (n = 30) or static group (n = 30). Each group received ultrasound-guided peripheral venous catheterization with or without dynamic needle tip positioning, respectively. The Fisher exact test, Kaplan-Meier curve plots, log-rank tests, and Mann-Whitney U test were used in the statistical analysis. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The first-attempt success rate was higher in the dynamic needle tip positioning group than in the static group (86.7% vs 60%; p = 0.039; relative risk = 1.44; 95% CI, 1.05-2.0). The overall success rate within 10 minutes was higher in the dynamic needle tip positioning group than in the static group (90% vs 63.3%; p = 0.03; relative risk = 1.42; 95% CI, 1.06-1.91). Significantly fewer attempts were made in the dynamic needle tip positioning group than in the static group (median [interquartile range, range] = 1 [1-1, 1-2] vs 1 [1-2, 1-3]; p = 0.013]). The median (interquartile range) catheterization times were 51.5 seconds (43-63 s) and 71.5 seconds (45-600 s) in the dynamic needle tip positioning and static groups, respectively (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Dynamic needle tip positioning increased the first-attempt and overall success rates of ultrasound-guided peripheral venous catheterization in pediatric patients less than 2 years old.

Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Open Chest Management After Pediatric Cardiac Surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Although open chest management optimizes hemodynamics after cardiac surgery, it increases postoperative infections and leads to increased mortality. Despite the importance of antibiotic prophylaxis during open chest management, no specific recommendations exist. We aimed to compare the occurrence rates of bloodstream infection and surgical site infection between the different prophylactic antibiotic regimens for open chest management after pediatric cardiac surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective, single-center, observational study. SETTING: PICU at a tertiary children's hospital. PATIENTS: Consecutive patients younger than or equal to 18 years old with open chest management after cardiac surgery followed by delayed sternal closure, between January 2012 and June 2018. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We compared the composite occurrence rate of postoperative bloodstream infection and surgical site infection within 30 days after cardiac surgery between three prophylactic antibiotic regimens: 1) cefazolin, 2) cefazolin + vancomycin, and 3) vancomycin + meropenem. In 63 pediatric cardiac surgeries with open chest management, 17 bloodstream infections, and 12 surgical site infections were identified postoperatively. The composite occurrence rates of bloodstream infection and surgical site infection were 10 of 15 (67%), 10 of 19 (53%), and nine of 29 (31%) in the cefazolin, cefazolin + vancomycin, and vancomycin + meropenem regimens, respectively (p = 0.07). After adjusting for age, open chest management duration, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use, and nasal methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization in multivariable analysis, there was no significant difference between the cefazolin and the cefazolin + vancomycin regimens (p = 0.19), while the vancomycin + meropenem regimen had a lower occurrence rate of bloodstream infection and surgical site infection than the cefazolin regimen (odds ratio, 0.0885; 95% CI, 0.0176-0.446; p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, a lower occurrence rate of postoperative bloodstream infection and surgical site infection was observed among patients with broad-spectrum antibiotic regimen after pediatric cardiac surgery with open chest management. Further studies, ideally randomized controlled studies investigating the efficacy of broad-spectrum antibiotics and their complications, are warranted before routine implementation of broad-spectrum prophylactic antibiotic regimen.

Effects of Healthcare-Associated Infections on Length of PICU Stay and Mortality.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the effects of healthcare-associated infections on length of PICU stay and mortality. DESIGN: Retrospective, single-center, observational study. SETTING: PICU of a tertiary children's hospital. PATIENTS: Consecutive patients who stayed greater than 48 hours in the PICU between January 2013 and December 2017. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Data were retrospectively collected from medical records. We identified occurrences of common healthcare-associated infections, including bloodstream infection, pneumonia, and urinary tract infection, defined according to the 2008 definitions of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Healthcare Safety Network. We assessed the effects of each healthcare-associated infection on length of PICU stay and PICU mortality using multivariable analysis. Among 1,622 admissions with a PICU stay greater than 48 hours, the median age was 299 days and male patients comprised 51% of admissions. The primary diagnostic categories were cardiovascular (58% of admissions), respiratory (21%), gastrointestinal (8%), and neurologic/muscular (6%). The median length of PICU stay was 6 days, and the PICU mortality rate was 2.5%. A total of 167 healthcare-associated infections were identified, including 67 bloodstream infections (40%), 43 pneumonias (26%), and 57 urinary tract infections (34%). There were 152 admissions with at least one healthcare-associated infection (9.4% of admissions with a stay > 48 hr). On multivariable analysis, although each healthcare-associated infection was not significantly associated with mortality, bloodstream infection was associated with an extra length of PICU stay of 10.2 days (95% CI, 7.9-12.6 d), pneumonia 14.2 days (11.3-17.2 d), and urinary tract infection 6.5 days (4.0-9.0 d). Accordingly, 9.7% of patient-days were due to these three healthcare-associated infections among patients with a stay greater than 48 hours. CONCLUSIONS: Although healthcare-associated infections were not associated with PICU mortality, they were associated with extra length of PICU stay. As 9.7% of patient-days were due to healthcare-associated infections, robust prevention efforts are warranted.

Outcomes of 'unrecognised situation awareness failures events' in intensive care unit transfer of children in a Japanese children's hospital.

AIM: To demonstrate that unrecognised situation awareness failures events (UNSAFE) transfers are associated with poorer outcomes in the intensive care unit (ICU) at a Japanese children's hospital lacking a rapid response system. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted between January 2013 and February 2016. UNSAFE transfers were defined as unplanned in-hospital ward-to-ICU transfers requiring tracheal intubation, vasoactive medications or ≥3 fluid boluses before arrival or in the first 60 min of ICU care. We compared ICU stay duration and mortality between UNSAFE and non-UNSAFE transfers. RESULTS: There were 2126 admissions to the paediatric ICU during the study period, and 244 cases met the definition of an unscheduled in-hospital transfer (11.5%). Of these, the number of patients transferred following cardiopulmonary resuscitation, in the UNSAFE group and in the non-UNSAFE group were 9 (3.7%), 68 (28%) and 167 (68%), respectively. In the UNSAFE group, the number of patients who required tracheal intubation, initiation of vasoactive medications or ≥ 3 fluid boluses in the first 60 min of ICU care or before arrival in the ICU was 61 (90%), 38 (56%) and 9 (13%), respectively. ICU stay duration and mortality were significantly poorer in the UNSAFE group than in the non-UNSAFE group (9 vs. 4 days, P < 0.0001; 13 vs. 4.2%, odds ratio = 3.5, 95% confidence interval = 1.2-9.8, P = 0.020, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who experienced UNSAFE transfers had longer ICU stays and higher mortality, and it may be used as a metric of evaluation of effects of rapid response system implementation.

Dynamic Needle Tip Positioning for Ultrasound-Guided Arterial Catheterization in Infants and Small Children With Deep Arteries: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: Arterial catheterization for infants and small children is technically challenging. This study evaluated whether the dynamic needle tip positioning (DNTP) technique improved the success rate of ultrasound-guided radial artery catheterization in patients with a radial artery depth ≥4 mm compared with the conventional ultrasound-guided technique. DESIGN: Randomized controlled study. SETTING: Single institution, Osaka Women's and Children's Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients (n = 40; age <3 years) with artery depth ≥4 mm. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were divided randomly into 2 groups. The DNTP group received ultrasound-guided radial artery catheterization with DNTP; the conventional group received catheterization without DNTP. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: First-attempt success rates were 85% and 50% in the DNTP and conventional groups, respectively (p = 0.018; relative risk = 1.7; 95% CI: 1.06-2.73). Overall success rates within 10 minutes were 95% and 60% in the DNTP and conventional groups, respectively (p = 0.008; relative risk = 1.58; 95% CI: 1.09-2.3). Posterior wall puncture rates were 5% and 50% in the DNTP and conventional groups, respectively (p = 0.0014; relative risk = 0.1; 95% CI: 0.014-0.71). Significantly fewer attempts were made in the DNTP group (median = 1 v 1.5; p = 0.01). The median catheterization times were 38 seconds (34-55.5) and 149 seconds (49.5-600) in the DNTP and conventional groups, respectively (p = 0.0003). CONCLUSION: Dynamic needle tip positioning improved first-attempt and overall success rates of ultrasound-guided radial artery catheterization in pediatric patients with a radial artery depth ≥4 mm.

Risk Factors for Healthcare-Associated Infections After Pediatric Cardiac Surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Healthcare-associated infections after pediatric cardiac surgery are significant causes of morbidity and mortality. We aimed to identify the risk factors for the occurrence of healthcare-associated infections after pediatric cardiac surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective, single-center observational study. SETTING: PICU at a tertiary children's hospital. PATIENTS: Consecutive pediatric patients less than or equal to 18 years old admitted to the PICU after cardiac surgery, between January 2013 and December 2015. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: All the data were retrospectively collected from the medical records of patients. We assessed the first surgery during a single PICU stay and identified four common healthcare-associated infections, including bloodstream infection, surgical site infection, pneumonia, and urinary tract infection, according to the definitions of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Healthcare Safety Network. We assessed the pre-, intra-, and early postoperative potential risk factors for these healthcare-associated infections via multivariable analysis. In total, 526 cardiac surgeries (394 patients) were included. We identified 81 cases of healthcare-associated infections, including, bloodstream infections (n = 30), surgical site infections (n = 30), urinary tract infections (n = 13), and pneumonia (n = 8). In the case of 71 of the surgeries (13.5%), at least one healthcare-associated infection was reported. Multivariable analysis indicated the following risk factors for postoperative healthcare-associated infections: mechanical ventilation greater than or equal to 3 days (odds ratio, 4.81; 95% CI, 1.89-12.8), dopamine use (odds ratio, 3.87; 95% CI, 1.53-10.3), genetic abnormality (odds ratio, 2.53; 95% CI, 1.17-5.45), and delayed sternal closure (odds ratio, 3.78; 95% CI, 1.16-12.8). CONCLUSIONS: Mechanical ventilation greater than or equal to 3 days, dopamine use, genetic abnormality, and delayed sternal closure were associated with healthcare-associated infections after pediatric cardiac surgery. Since the use of dopamine is an easily modifiable risk factor, and may serve as a potential target to reduce healthcare-associated infections, further studies are needed to establish whether dopamine negatively impacts the development of healthcare-associated infections.

Inter-shift variation in unscheduled intensive care unit transfers at a children's hospital.

BACKGROUND: The early detection of clinical deterioration and the prompt escalation of care is important but may be limited in the general ward, especially at night. Identifying variations between work shifts in the number of unscheduled in-hospital intensive care unit (ICU) transfers and emergency transfers involving life-threatening conditions may help implement targeted interventions to reduce delayed transfers and improve patient safety and outcomes. METHODS: All unscheduled ICU transfers in a tertiary children's hospital, from January 2013 to December 2016, were reviewed retrospectively. The transfers were categorized into safe transfers and adverse safety events (ASE). The 4 year cumulative numbers for each transfer category in each work shift (day, evening, and night) were assessed for comparison. An ASE was defined as transfer after cardiopulmonary resuscitation or tracheal intubation in the ward, or an unrecognized situation awareness failure event transfer, which was defined as previously reported. RESULTS: Of 244 unscheduled in-hospital ICU transfers, 167 were safe transfers and 77 were ASE. The number of unscheduled transfers and of ASE was highest during the day shift (n = 133 and 40, respectively) and lowest during the night shift (n = 25 and 12, respectively). In contrast, the proportion of ASE in the unscheduled transfers was higher during the night shift (48%) compared with the day and evening shifts (30% and 31%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of unscheduled ICU transfers was disproportionately low during the night shift, whereas the majority of ASE happened during the day shift. Future studies focusing on unravelling the reasons for such variations are warranted.

Development of ghrelin transgenic mice for elucidation of clinical implication of ghrelin.

To elucidate the clinical implication of ghrelin, we have been trying to generate variable models of transgenic (Tg) mice overexpressing ghrelin. We generated Tg mice overexpressing des-acyl ghrelin in a wide variety of tissues under the control of ß-actin promoter. While plasma des-acyl ghrelin level in the Tg mice was 44-fold greater than that of control mice, there was no differences in the plasma ghrelin level between des-acyl ghrelin Tg and the control mice. The des-acyl ghrelin Tg mice exhibited the lower body weight and the shorter body length due to modulation of GH-IGF-1 axis. We tried to generate Tg mice expressing a ghrelin analog, which possessed ghrelin-like activity (Trp3-ghrelin Tg mice). The plasma Trp3-ghrelin concentration in Trp3-ghrelin Tg mice was approximately 85-fold higher than plasma ghrelin (acylated ghrelin) concentration seen in the control mice. Because Trp3-ghrelin is approximately 24-fold less potent than ghrelin, the plasma Trp3-ghrelin concentration in Trp3-ghrelin Tg mice was calculated to have approximately 3.5-fold biological activity greater than that of ghrelin (acylated ghrelin) in the control mice. Trp3-ghrelin Tg mice did not show any phenotypes except for reduced insulin sensitivity in 1-year old. After the identification of ghrelin O-acyltransferase (GOAT), we generated doubly Tg mice overexpressing both mouse des-acyl ghrelin and mouse GOAT in the liver by cross-mating the two kinds of Tg mice. The plasma ghrelin concentration of doubly Tg mice was approximately 2-fold higher than that of the control mice. No apparent phenotypic changes in body weight and food intake were observed in doubly Tg mice. Further studies are ongoing in our laboratory to generate Tg mice with the increased plasma ghrelin level to a greater extent. The better understanding of physiological and pathophysiological significance of ghrelin from experiments using an excellent animal model may provide a new therapeutic approach for human diseases.

[A case of bone metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma presenting with erythrocytosis after hepatectomy].

A 57-year-old man was admitted for careful examination of lower limb edema. Abdominal computed tomography(CT) showed hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC), 2 cm in diameter, arising in liver segment S6. Posterior segmentectomy was performed, and histological examination of the specimen revealed poorly differentiated HCC. Nine months after surgery, a metastatic tumor was detected in the left scapula, and the patient gradually began to show a high blood concentration of hemoglobin and erythropoietin(Epo). Sorafenib was started but was discontinued because of intractable diarrhea. The patient died of the metastatictumor 15 months after surgery. This is the first case report of a patient with metastaticHCC developing erythrocytosis associated with a high concentration of Epo.

Importance of nutrient balance in severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia: A retrospective case-control study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Growth retardation is a common morbidity in infants with severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). This study aimed to investigate the appropriate amount of nutrition and nutrient balance in early infants with severe CDH. METHODS: This was a retrospective case-control study. Isolated CDH patients with more than half of the chest wall devoid of diaphragmatic tissue and treated between 2006 and 2022 were included. The patients were divided into positive (n = 16) or negative (n = 8) weight gain velocity groups in early infancy (from 1 to 3 months of age). Clinical variables and amount of nutrition were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The earlier start of enteral nutrition (EN) and higher replacement rate of the naso-duodenal (ND) tube were observed more frequently in the positive group than in the negative group. Regarding daily intake by both EN and parenteral nutrition (PN), total caloric intake and caloric intake of proteins and lipids were significantly higher in the positive group than in the negative group at 1 month of age. At 2 months, total caloric intake and caloric intake of lipids were significantly higher in the positive group than in the negative group. At 3 months of age, only caloric intake of lipid was significantly higher in the positive group than in the negative group. CONCLUSIONS: The early replacement of the ND tube may contribute to the early start of EN, which may subsequently lead to appropriate nutrient supplementation including adequate lipid administration, resulting in early catch-up growth.

Acute effect of sodium nitroprusside on microvascular dysfunction in patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention for acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Even in the era of thrombus aspiration and distal protection for ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI), microvascular dysfunction does exist and improvement of microvascular dysfunction can improve the prognosis and/or left ventricular dysfunction. We evaluated the acute effects of nitroprusside (NTP) on coronary microvascular injury that occurred after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for STEMI in 18 patients. The final Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction trial (TIMI) flow grade after PCI was 3 in 17 patients and 2 in 1 patient. The index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) was improved significantly from 76 ± 42 to 45 ± 37 (P = 0.0006) by intracoronary NTP administration. IMR improved to the normal range (IMR < 30) in 9 patients (50%). Higher TIMI flow grade and lower IMR at baseline were observed more frequently in patients whose IMR recovered to normal range after NTP administration. NTP improved the microcirculatory dysfunction at the acute phase in patients who underwent PCI for STEMI and had final TIMI 3 flow in almost all cases.