Single-photon quantum regime of artificial radiation pressure on a surface acoustic wave resonator.

Electromagnetic fields carry momentum, which upon reflection on matter gives rise to the radiation pressure of photons. The radiation pressure has recently been utilized in cavity optomechanics for controlling mechanical motions of macroscopic objects at the quantum limit. However, because of the weakness of the interaction, attempts so far had to use a strong coherent drive to reach the quantum limit. Therefore, the single-photon quantum regime, where even the presence of a totally off-resonant single photon alters the quantum state of the mechanical mode significantly, is one of the next milestones in cavity optomechanics. Here we demonstrate an artificial realization of the radiation pressure of microwave photons acting on phonons in a surface acoustic wave resonator. The order-of-magnitude enhancement of the interaction strength originates in the well-tailored, strong, second-order nonlinearity of a superconducting Josephson junction circuit. The synthetic radiation pressure interaction adds a key element to the quantum optomechanical toolbox and can be applied to quantum information interfaces between electromagnetic and mechanical degrees of freedom.

Intravenous to oral switch therapy in cancer patients with catheter-related bloodstream infection due to methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus: A single-center retrospective observational study.

The most common complication in cancer patients is catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI), of which Staphylococcus aureus is a common pathogen. Although S. aureus CRBSI patients are recommended for prolonged intravenous therapy, this is often not feasible. We assessed the effectiveness of switching from intravenous to oral antimicrobial therapy in cancer patients with CRBSI due to methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA). We conducted a retrospective observational study of 60 patients at one tertiary-care cancer center between April 2005 and March 2016. Patients who received effective intravenous (IV) antibiotics for at least 10 days (IV group) were compared to the IV group of patients who had switched to effective oral (PO) antibiotics after IV treatment for at least 10 days (IV + PO group). The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality within 90 days. Univariate and propensity score-adjusted multivariate logistic regression analyses using variables likely to influence the outcomes were performed. Of the 60 patients, 32 (53.3%) and 28 (46.7%) were in the IV and IV + PO groups, respectively. The median antibiotic treatment durations in the IV and IV + PO groups were 17 (13-31) and 33 (26-52) days, respectively (p<0.001). The 90-day mortality in the IV and IV + PO groups were 53.1% (17/32) and 10.7% (3/28), respectively (p = 0.001). Univariate logistic regression model showed that the odds ratios of oral switch therapy for 90-day mortality was 0.106 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.027-0.423; p = 0.001). The propensity score-adjusted multivariate logistic regression model estimated the odds ratios of oral switched therapy for 90-day mortality as 0.377 (95% CI: 0.037-3.884; p = 0.413). Our results suggest that oral switch therapy was not associated with mortality in cancer patients with CRBSI due to MSSA compared with no oral switch therapy. Oral switch therapy may be a reasonable option for patients with CRBSI due to MSSA.

[Transoral Penetrating Cranial Injury by a Chopstick:A Case Report].

Intracranial injury resultant from a chopstick penetrating the oral cavity is often fatal in children, and only 5 clinical cases have been reported. If the depth of penetration is indeterminable, due to the chopstick being removed or the remaining piece not being located, then injury management is challenging; here, we report such a case. A 26-month-old girl fell over with a plastic chopstick in her mouth. The chopstick was removed immediately and without breakage by her father. He noted that around 3 cm of the pointed end had pierced the palate. CT revealed air bubbles in the retropharyngeal space but no abnormality in the cranium. Subsequent complications included bacterial meningitis and right hemiparesis but neither MRI nor any alternative imaging modality could aid in locating the intracranial lesion that induced the weakness. Neurological findings suggested injury of the right lateral corticospinal tract at the lower end of the medulla oblongata. An axial T2-weighted MRI showed a 30-mm high signal path of penetration from the posterior nasopharyngeal wall to the dura at the craniocervical junction. When the route is extended 36 mm intracranially from the wound orifice, the path makes superficial contact with the right lateral portion of the medulla oblongata, which corresponds with the lateral corticospinal tract. We therefore hypothesize that this was the lesion location but that it was too small to be detected using MRI.