A single session of sensorimotor rhythm neurofeedback enhances long-game performance in professional golfers.

Enhanced Sensorimotor Rhythm activity has been linked to increased automation in motor execution. Although existing research demonstrates the positive effects of SMR neurofeedback training on improving golf putting performance, its influence on golf long-game performance remains unexplored. This study sought to address this gap by involving seventeen professional female golfers (Age =24.63 ± 3.24 years, Handicap＝2.06 ± 1.18) in a crossover-designed experiment incorporating both NFT and a no-training control condition. During the study, participants executed 40 150-yard swings while receiving continuous SMR neurofeedback. Pre- and post-testing included visual analog scales to assess psychological processes associated with SMR activities, including attention engagement, conscious motor control, and physical relaxation levels. The results revealed that a single session of NFT effectively heightened SMR power irrespective of T1 (p = .02) or T2 (p = .03), which was observed with improved swing accuracy compared to the control conditions, particularly in "To Pin" (p = .04, the absolute distance to the hole after the ball comes to a stop). Subjective assessments further indicated that SMR NFT contributed to a sense of ease and tranquility during motor preparation for the golf swing (attention engagement: p = .01, conscious motor control: p = .033, physical relaxation: p = .013), and which offered valuable insights into the potential mechanisms underlying the impact of SMR NFT on long-game performance. Additionally, in such practical applications professional athletes can utilize our single-session neurofeedback protocol to train efficiently and cost-effectively before competitions, thereby enhancing their opportunity to achieve a higher rank.

In vitro activity of imipenem/relebactam, meropenem/vaborbactam and comparators against Enterobacterales causing urinary tract infection in Taiwan: results from the Study for Monitoring Antimicrobial Resistance Trends (SMART), 2020.

OBJECTIVES: Antimicrobial resistance due to ß-lactamase production is a worldwide issue, and ß-lactamase inhibitors have been developed to overcome the growing problem. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro activities of two recently introduced carbapenem/ß-lactamase inhibitor combinations - imipenem/relebactam and meropenem/vaborbactam - and their comparators against Enterobacterales from patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs). METHODS: Enterobacterales isolates from patients with UTIs in Taiwan and participating in the Study for Monitoring Antimicrobial Resistance Trends (SMART) in 2020 were included. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for various antibiotics were determined using the broth microdilution method. Susceptibility was interpreted based on the MIC breakpoints of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute 2022. Genes encoding common ß-lactamases, including extended-spectrum ß-lactamases, AmpC ß-lactamases and carbapenemases, were detected using multiplex polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: A total of 309 Enterobacterales isolates were included, against which both imipenem/relebactam and meropenem/vaborbactam exerted excellent efficacy (275 of 309, 95% and 288 of 309, 99.3%, respectively). Among imipenem non-susceptible isolates, 17 of 43 (39.5%) and 39 of 43 (90.7%) were susceptible to imipenem/relebactam and meropenem/vaborbactam, respectively. CONCLUSION: Imipenem/relebactam and meropenem/vaborbactam may be appropriate choices for treating UTIs due to Enterobacterales resistant to commonly used antibiotics. Continuous monitoring of antimicrobial resistance is crucial.

Brain plasticity of structural connectivity networks and topological properties in baseball players with different levels of expertise.

Brain plasticity in structural connectivity networks along the development of expertise has remained largely unknown. To address this, we recruited individuals with three different levels of baseball-playing experience: skilled batters (SB), intermediate batters (IB), and healthy controls (HC). We constructed their structural connectivity networks using diffusion tractography and compared their region-to-region structural connections and the topological characteristics of the constructed networks using graph-theoretical analysis. The group differences were detected in 35 connections predominantly involving sensorimotor and visual systems; the intergroup changes could be depicted either in a stepwise (HC < / = IB < / = SB) or a U-/inverted U-shaped manner as experience increased (IB < SB and/or HC, or opposite). All groups showed small-world topology in their constructed networks, but SB had increased global and local network efficiency than IB and/or HC. Furthermore, although the number and cortical regions identified as hubs of the networks in the three groups were highly similar, SB exhibited higher nodal global efficiency in both the dorsolateral and medial parts of the bilateral superior frontal gyri than IB. Our findings add new evidence of topological reorganization in brain networks associated with sensorimotor experience in sports. Interestingly, these changes do not necessarily increase as a function of experience as previously suggested in literature.

Strike or ball? Batters know it better: an fMRI study of action anticipation in baseball players.

To assess whether the brain processes of action anticipation are modulated differently by perceptual and motor experiences, baseball batters, pitchers, and non-players were asked to predict the fate of pitching actions (strike or ball) while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging. Results showed both batters (perceptual experts of pitching action) and pitchers (motor experts) were more accurate than non-players. Furthermore, batters demonstrated higher perceptual sensitivity in discriminating strikes than non-players. All groups engaged the action observation network, putamen, and cerebellum during anticipation, while pitchers showed higher activity than non-players in the left premotor cortex, which has been implicated in the internal simulation of observed action. Only batters exhibited differences in strike versus ball pitches in their left ventral extrastriate cortex, which might be associated with the processing of relevant visual information conveyed by the observed pitcher's movement kinematics and pitch trajectory. Moreover, all groups showed higher activity selectively in the striatum, thalamus, sensorimotor cortices, and cerebellum during correct predictions than during incorrect ones, with most widespread activation in batters, reinforcing the greater involvement of the sensorimotor system in perceptual experience. Our findings demonstrate that perceptual experience might enhance action anticipation ability to a greater extent than motor experience, with overlapping but specific neural underpinnings.

The Relationship between Clinic Visit Accompanied by Family and Dementia Severity in Taiwan.

INTRODUCTION: This study analyzes the severity of dementia status with clinical dementia rating (CDR) score distribution among patients according to various family functional and sociodemographic issues. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in a regional hospital in Central Taiwan. The sample consisted of 318 patients who came to the clinic from May 2018 to April 2019, and who were diagnosed by the physicians with CDR scores ≧ 0.5. The Chi-Square test and binary logistic regression analyses were performed for inferential statistical analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of the sample was 78.7 ± 8.51 years, and 61.6% of the samples' CDR scores were equal or less than 1.0. Patients visiting the clinic were accompanied by spouses (21.7%), sons or daughters-in-law (40.6%), daughters (23.6%). Of the sample, 142 (44.3%) patients live with sons. Patients with a lower educational level had higher CDR scores. Compared to the patients who went to the clinic by themselves, the higher OR values of CDR scores ≧ 2 are found in patients who were accompanied by other relatives (OR = 18.871, 95% C.I. = 3.117-114.237, p = 0.001), or spouse (OR = 10.783, 95% C.I. = 1.996-58.245, p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: The family member who accompanied the patient to a clinic visit and the patient's educational level are both significant issues relating to the severity of dementia.

An artificial immune system with bootstrap sampling for the diagnosis of recurrent endometrial cancers.

Endometrial cancer is one of the most common gynecological malignancies in developed countries. The prevention of the recurrence of endometrial cancer has always been a clinical challenge. Endometrial cancer is asymptomatic in the early stage, and there remains a lack of time-series correlation patterns of clinical pathway transfer, recurrence, and treatment. In this study, the artificial immune system (AIS) combined with bootstrap sampling was compared with other machine learning techniques, which included both supervised and unsupervised learning categories. The back propagation neural network, support vector machine (SVM) with a radial basis function kernel, fuzzy c-means, and ant k-means were compared with the proposed method to verify the sensitivity and specificity of the datasets, and the important factors of recurrent endometrial cancer were predicted. In the unsupervised learning algorithms, the AIS algorithm had the highest accuracy (83.35%), sensitivity (77.35%), and specificity (92.31%); in supervised learning algorithms, the SVM algorithm had the highest accuracy (97.51%), sensitivity (95.02%), and specificity (99.29%). The results of our study showed that histology and chemotherapy are important factors affecting the prediction of recurrence. Finally, behavior code and radiotherapy for recurrent endometrial cancer are important factors for future adjuvant treatment.

Using percutaneous parapedicle screw vertebroplasty to treat transpedicle screw loosening.

BACKGROUND: Pedicle screw loosening (PSL) is a postsurgical complication of spinal fusion surgery that can result in morbidity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous parapedicle screw vertebroplasty (PPSV) for pain reduction and motility improvement in patients with PSL. METHODS: The postsurgical solid inter-body fusion with inter-body bone mass formation of 32 patients who underwent lumbar-sacrum spinal fusion surgery was confirmed with plain films and CT scans. Each patient had one or two screws with symptomatic PSL and was treated with PPSV. All the patients were then followed up for 12 to 24 months. The visual analog scale (VAS) and Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) were used to evaluate each patient before the operation, after the operation, and during the follow-up period. RESULTS: A total of 32 patients with a total of 47 screws with PSL were treated with PPSV and experienced different results in terms of pain reduction (with the mean VAS score dropping from 7.97 ± 0.74 to 2.34 ± 1.59, p < 0.001) and motility improvement (with the mean RMDQ score dropping from 16.75 ± 1.84 to 7.21 ± 4.08, p < 0.001). The motility improvement was significantly correlated with pain reduction (r = 0.42, p = 0.018), with the mean follow-up period being 19.3 ± 6.2 months (range: 8-36 months). However, five patients who experienced moderate improvements had eventually received a revision operation after undergoing PPSV. CONCLUSION: The PPSV procedure is effective and safe for the reduction of pain and improvement of life quality in patients with PSL. It can thus be considered as a possible option for the revision of spinal fusion surgery.

Nonlinear engagement of action observation network underlying action anticipation in players with different levels of expertise.

The goal of this study was to reconcile inconsistency of neural engagement underlying action anticipation between experts and nonexperts, as well as between correct and incorrect anticipations. Therefore, we asked novice, intermediate, and skilled baseball batters (N, IB, and SB) to anticipate their swing decisions in response to pitching videos of a strike or ball, using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Behavioral results confirmed the effect of expertise that is generally shown in a linear fashion. Imaging results instead revealed a nonlinear relationship between expertise level and the evoked response amplitude of nodes within the action observation network. The relationship was best captured by an inverted U-shaped quadratic response profile across the three groups such that IB exhibited higher activation than did both SB and N. These empirical findings extend the framework of predictive coding as well as of neural efficiency in anticipating the action of others, and they might be associated with the underlying process to interpret the goal of the observed action and prepare one's own response. Furthermore, the right anterior cerebellum showed different levels of activation for correct and incorrect anticipations in all groups, adding novel evidence of its subtle involvement in anticipation processes irrespective of expertise status.

Mucoadhesive Bletilla striata Polysaccharide-Based Artificial Tears to Relieve Symptoms and Inflammation in Rabbit with Dry Eyes Syndrome.

Dry eye syndrome (DES) is a multifactorial disorder of the ocular surface affecting many people all over the world. However, there have been many therapeutic advancements for the treatment of DES, substantial long-term treatment remains a challenge. Natural plant-based polysaccharides have gained much importance in the field of tissue engineering for their excellent biocompatibility and unique physical properties. In this study, polysaccharides from a Chinese ground orchid, Bletilla striata, were successfully extracted and incorporated into the artificial tears for DES treatment due to its anti-inflammatory and mucoadhesive properties. The examination for physical properties such as refractive index, pH, viscosity and osmolality of the Bletilla striata polysaccharide (BSP) artificial tears fabricated in this study showed that it was in close association with that of the natural human tears. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and inflammatory gene expression tested in human corneal epithelium cells (HCECs) indicated that the low BSP concentrations (0.01-0.1% v/v) could effectively reduce inflammatory cytokines (TNF, IL8) and ROS levels in HCECs, respectively. Longer retention of the BSP-formulated artificial tears on the ocular surface is due to the mucoadhesive nature of BSP allowing lasting lubrication. Additionally, a rabbit's DES model was created to evaluate the effect of BSP for treating dry eye. Schirmer test results exhibited the effectiveness of 0.1% (v/v) BSP-containing artificial tears in enhancing the tear volume in DES rabbits. This work combines the effectiveness of artificial tears and anti-inflammatory herb extract (BSP) to moisturize ocular surface and to relieve the inflammatory condition in DES rabbit, which further shows great potential of BSP in treating ocular surface diseases like DES in clinics in the future.

Continuous versus intermittent infusions of antibiotics for the treatment of infectious diseases: Meta-analysis and systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Severe sepsis and pneumonia are common problems in the intensive care units (ICUs) and cause high morbidity and mortality. Optimal doses and appropriate routes of antibiotics are critical to improve their efficacy, but their appropriate routes remain controversial. OBJECTIVE: The efficacy of antibiotic administration among critically ill patient populations remains controversial. Therefore, the present meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effectiveness of antibiotic administration in patients with infection and to assess whether the effect differs between the two antibiotic administration types. METHODS: A systematic search of studies on continuous infusions of intravenous antibiotics and traditional intermittent infusions of antibiotics for patients with infection was performed mainly in PubMed. The odds ratios (ORs) of the microbiological results as primary outcome and mortality rate, length of stay, and duration of antibiotic treatment as secondary outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: The meta-analysis comprised 9 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 4 retrospective studies comprising 1957 participants. Current analysis showed that the overall OR of clinical success between the continuous and intermittent groups was 0.675 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.523-0.870). Comparing continuous and intermittent groups, the subgroup analysis showed a lower ICU stay (OR 0.834, 95% CI: 0.542-1.282), a higher mortality (OR 1.433, 95% CI: 1.139-1.801), and a longer antibiotic duration (OR 1.055, 95% CI: 0.659-1.689), but the results of present meta-analysis were not significant because of the limited number of enrolled trials. LIMITATIONS: Heterogeneity of included trials and studies. CONCLUSIONS: The results of present meta-analysis were insufficient to recommend continuous infusion of intravenous antibiotics better than traditional intermittent infusions of antibiotics at routine clinical care. Hope large-scale RCT to provide more rebuts evidence for making recommendations to warrant continuous infusions of intravenous antibiotics at clinical practice.

Altered Central Autonomic Network in Baseball Players: A Resting-state fMRI Study.

The physiological adaptive regulation of healthy population with a high fitness level is associated with enhanced cognitive control in brain. This study further investigated the effects of different levels of sporting experience on intrinsic brain networks involved in central autonomic processing using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. We explored functional connectivity of four core regions within central autonomic network (CAN), namely posterior midcingulate cortex (pMCC), left amygdala (AMYG), and right anterior (aINS) and left posterior insular cortices, in advanced and intermediate baseball players, and compared their strength of connectivity with individuals without baseball-playing experience. Functional connectivity maps across three groups confirmed a close relationship between CAN and large-scale brain networks in sensory, motor and cognitive domains. Crucially, both advanced and intermediate batters demonstrated enhanced connectivity between pMCC and sensorimotor network, between right aINS and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, and between left AMYG and right putamen, than controls. These results reflected a stronger interregional coupling in sensorimotor and cognitive control, and in motor skill consolidation. In conclusion, we provided evidence that different levels of sporting experience could reorganize/enhance intrinsic functional connectivity for central autonomic processing.

Nonlinear neuroplasticity corresponding to sports experience: A voxel-based morphometry and resting-state functional connectivity study.

We aimed to investigate the structural neuroplasticity associated with different levels of sports experience and its effect on the corresponding resting-state functional circuitry. We recruited 18 skilled baseball batters (SB), 19 intermediate baseball batters (IB), and 17 healthy controls (HC), and used magnetic resonance imaging methods to compare their regional gray-matter volume (GMV) and seed-based resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC). Our results revealed that a quadratic function could better depict intergroup differences in regional GMV than a linear function. In particular, the IB showed lower or higher regional GMV than the other two groups. The difference in GMV in the supplementary motor area and areas belonging to the ventral stream, including the middle temporal gyrus and middle temporal pole, might be possibly related to baseball-specific motor and perceptual experience, such as inhibitory action control and pitch identification. On the other hand, the stronger rsFC seeded from the right middle temporal pole to the default mode network, particularly in the precuneus, in the SB and IB relative to that in the HC might be possibly associated with the theory of mind, such as deciding whether to swing or not against the pitcher by detecting the spatial information of pitches. In conclusion, our three-group design enabled the capture of the unique and transient changes that occur during the intermediate phase of expertise development. Our findings indicated that structural and functional brain changes do not necessarily linearly increase as a function of experience as previously suggested by the literature.

Thermosensitive Injectable Hydrogel for Simultaneous Intraperitoneal Delivery of Doxorubicin and Prevention of Peritoneal Adhesion.

To improve intraperitoneal chemotherapy and to prevent postsurgical peritoneal adhesion, we aimed to develop a drug delivery strategy for controlled release of a chemotherapeutic drug from the intraperitoneally injected thermosensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-based hydrogel (HACPN), which is also endowed with peritoneal anti-adhesion properties. Anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) was loaded into the hydrogel (HACPN-DOX) to investigate the chemotherapeutic and adhesion barrier effects in vivo. A burst release followed by sustained release of DOX from HACPN-DOX was found due to gradual degradation of the hydrogel. Cell culture studies demonstrated the cytotoxicity of released DOX toward CT-26 mouse colon carcinoma cells in vitro. Using peritoneal carcinomatosis animal model in BALB/c mice with intraperitoneally injected CT-26 cells, animals treated with HACPN-DOX revealed the best antitumor efficacy judging from tumor weight and volume, survival rate, and bioluminescence signal intensity when compared with treatment with free DOX at the same drug dosage. HACPN (or HACPN-DOX) also significantly reduced the risk of postoperative peritoneal adhesion, which was generated by sidewall defect-cecum abrasion in tumor-bearing BALB/c mice, from gross and histology analyses. This study could create a paradigm to combine controlled drug release with barrier function in a single drug-loaded injectable hydrogel to enhance the intraperitoneal chemotherapeutic efficacy while simultaneously preventing postsurgical adhesion.

Clinical and microbiological characteristics of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium bloodstream infection in Central Taiwan.

Bloodstream infections (BSIs) due to vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfae) remain a therapeutic challenge. This study aimed to evaluate mortality from BSIs due to VREfae in Central Taiwan.We retrospectively analyzed patients with significant VREfae BSIs in the Changhua Christian Hospital System between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2014.Of the 152 patients with Enterococcal BSI, 56 patients (36.8%) were admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) at the onset of BSI and 20 (13.2%) patients were associated with polymicrobial bacteremia. VREfae BSI was observed in 36 (23.7%) patients. Van A (100%) is the prevalence genotype, and ST 17 (41.7%) is the predominant ST type among 36 VREfae isolates during the study period. The 30-day mortality rate was 13.2% (20/152). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the onset of VREfae BSI in the ICU (odds ratio [OR] = 4.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.7-10.0, P = .002) was a significant risk factor for 30-day mortality, whereas an appropriate antimicrobial therapy was a protective factor for 30-day mortality (OR = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.14-0.79, P = .013).Our results underscore the need to assist patients who are admitted to ICUs with VREfae BSIs. We emphasize the use of an appropriate antimicrobial therapy for VREfae BSI with the aim to treat more patients with these infections.

The experience of intramuscular benzathine penicillin for prophylaxis of recurrent cellulitis: A cohort study.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Recurrent cellulitis is an important clinical issue but the optimal strategy for prophylaxis is not determined. Intramuscular benzathine penicillin at a 4-week interval had been adopted in our hospital and the study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy. METHODS: From January 1, 2009 to May 31, 2013, all patients aged ≥ 18 year, with a history of recurrent cellulitis and having received at least three shots of intramuscular benzathine penicillin for prophylaxis were retrospectively recruited for analysis. Two treatment periods (prophylaxis period and nonprophylaxis period) were defined. The effects of benzathine penicillin prophylaxis and patient characteristics on the incidence rate of recurrent cellulitis were analyzed using Poisson regression model. RESULTS: A total of 72 patients were enrolled, including 26 (36.1%) men. The most common underlying conditions were past surgery at the proximal side of the affected limb (38, 52.8%), malignancy (31, 43.1%), and diabetes mellitus (24, 33.3%). The incidence rate of recurrent cellulitis in the prophylaxis period was 0.73 episode/patient-year, significantly lower than that of 1.25 episodes/patient-year in the nonprophylaxis period (p < 0.001). Tinea pedis was a significant factor associated with increasing incidence of recurrent cellulitis in our cohort. CONCLUSION: Intramuscular benzathine penicillin at a 4-week interval may be an effective prophylactic strategy to reduce the incidence of cellulitis. Further studies are necessary to determine the factors associated with failure of prophylaxis as well as optimal individualized dosage and dosing interval of the prophylactic agent.

Risk factors associated with postcraniotomy meningitis: A retrospective study.

Postcraniotomy meningitis (PCM) is a major challenge in neurosurgery, and changing patterns of infectious agents in PCM have been noted. The limited epidemiological data and urgent clinical needs motivated this research. We conducted this study to determine a risk assessment for PCM and the current pattern of infectious agents.We performed a retrospective case-control study of significant cases of postcraniotomy meningitis in the Changhua Christian Hospital System between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2012. Postcraniotomy meningitis was diagnosed in 22 out of 4392 surgical patients; this data was reviewed for risk assessment.This study assessed the risk factors for postcraniotomy meningitis and found that it was more frequently seen in patients who were elderly (OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.32-2.98, P = 0.013), underwent emergency procedures (OR = 4.82, 95% CI = 1.50-14.53, P = 0.008), had leak of cerebrospinal fluid (OR = 4.62, 95% CI = 2.03-10.50, P = 0.012), had external ventricular drainage (OR = 4.68, 95% CI = 2.46-8.87, P = 0.006), were admitted to the intensive care unit (OR = 2.41, 95% CI = 1.53-8.08, P = 0.012), had used drain placement >72 hours (OR = 2.66, 95% CI = 1.04-4.29, P = 0.007), had surgery >4.5 hours (OR = 2.38, 95% CI = 1.39-4.05, P = 0.005), had repeat operations (OR = 2.74, 95% CI = 1.31-5.73, P = 0.018), endured trauma (OR = 5.97, 95% CI = 1.57-17.61, P = 0.007), or had 30-days mortality (OR = 5.07, 95% CI = 2.20-11.48, P = 0.001). The predominant pathogens isolated from cerebrospinal fluid were Staphylococcus aureus in 8 patients (36.7%) and Acinetobacter baumannii in 7 patients (31.8%). In our study, the mortality rate was 5.1% among all postcraniotomy patients.Accurate risk assessment, early diagnosis, and choice of appropriate antibiotics in accordance with epidemiologic information are the cornerstones of reducing mortality and morbidity in PCM. The changing pattern of infectious agents in PCM over time suggests the necessity of further studies to provide the most up-to-date insight to physicians.

Clinical manifestations, course, and outcome of patients with neutralizing anti-interferon-γ autoantibodies and disseminated nontuberculous mycobacterial infections.

Neutralizing anti-interferon-γ autoantibody (nAIGA)-associated immunodeficiency is an emerging medical issue worldwide. In the present study, we describe and discuss the clinical features and outcomes of patients with nAIGAs and disseminated infections by nontuberculous mycobacteria (dNTM).We thoroughly reviewed the medical records of all patients. Microorganisms and nAIGAs were identified using previously described methods with modifications. All data were calculated and analyzed using SPSS software.Among 46 adult patients with dNTM infections, we identified 45 cases (97.8%) with nAIGAs. The average patient age was 58.6 years, and there was no sex predominance. Cervical lymphadenitis (81.8%) was the most common clinical manifestation. Endocrine disorder was the leading comorbidity (7 cases). Malignancies were found in 4 patients, and all of the malignancies originated from the T-cell/macrophage lineage. More than half of the identifiable isolates were slow-growing NTMs. Twenty-eight (62.2%) and 18 (40.0%) patients had a history of zoster and salmonellosis, respectively. A high proportion of patients with recurrent episodes of NTM infection or a history of zoster and dNTM infection had initial nAIGA titers ≥10 dilution (P < 0.05). Twenty-seven patients (60.0%) required long-term antimycobacterial therapy and had at least 1 episode of recurrent NTM disease. No mortality was related to dNTM infection.In Taiwan, nAIGAs are a recently recognized mechanism of dNTM infection. Long term of antibiotic treatment and adherence to medical advice are necessary to improve the clinical outcome of patients with nAIGAs.

Changing epidemiology of candidemia in a medical center in middle Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Candidemia remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the health care setting, and the epidemiology of Candida infection is changing. METHODS: Clinical and laboratory data from patients with candidemia were collected retrospectively at a tertiary medical center in Taiwan from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2012 (a 36-month period). Demographics, clinical characteristics, and drug susceptibility of the invading Candida species of patients at the onset of candidemia were analyzed and compared with previous study from January 1, 2001 to June 30, 2003 (a 30-month period). RESULTS: A total of 209 episodes of candidemia in 205 patients were identified in this study period. When compared with the previous study period, more patients were admitted for medical conditions at percentages ranging from 49.5% to 69.8%; the incidence rate of health care-associated candidemia increased from 0.76 to 1.14 per 1000 discharges; the proportion of Candida albicans in patients with candidemia decreased from 64.8% to 43.6% whereas the proportion of Candida glabrata increased greatly from 1.1% to 21.6% and the proportions of Candida tropicalis and Candida parapsilosis were slightly elevated (19.8-22.0% and 2.2-7.3%, respectively). All of the C. albicans isolates remained susceptible to fluconazole, whereas 66.7% of C. glabrata isolates were dose-dependent susceptible, and 4.4% of C. glabrata isolates and 11.6% C. tropicalis isolates were resistant. There was one C. glabrata and one Candida guilliermondii resistant to echinocandin. The predictors for 30-day mortality included the high Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score, use of parenteral nutrition, underlying malignancy, liver cirrhosis, and neutropenia whereas candidemia by C. parapsilosis or C. glabrata is a favorable predictor when compared with C. albicans. CONCLUSION: The distribution of Candida species in candidemia was changed. Although C. albicans remained the major species, the isolation of non-C. albicans spp., especially C. glabrata, increased. Patients with candidemia still had high mortalities due to severity of illness and underlying conditions.

Cobra bite wound infection caused by Shewanella algae.

Shewanella wound infections after snake bites are rare. We report the case of a Shewanella algae wound infection associated with a cobra bite in a 27-year-old woman. The isolate was confirmed by sequencing of the 16S ribosomal DNA gene. This case expands the reported spectrum of infection caused by S. algae and raises the possibility that S. algae could be a causative pathogen in wound infections resulting from snake bites.

Decreasing catheter-related bloodstream infections in the intensive care unit: interventions in a medical center in central Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: A high catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) rate, in comparison with that in the National Healthcare Safety Network report, is an important concern in our hospital. Therefore, evidence-based interventions have been introduced to reduce the rate of CRBSI. METHODS: A surveillance study conducted from March 2008 to May 2010 to observe the reduction of infection rate after interventions in two intensive care units (ICUs). The major intervention, introduced in November 2009, was the standardization of the process of central venous catheter (CVC) implantation, including hand hygiene and maximal sterile barrier precautions. RESULTS: The utilization ratios of CVC changed little during the study. The median CRBSI infection rates decreased from 1.95 (mean 1.58) infections per 1000 catheter-days at baseline to 0 (mean 1.06) after interventions (p = 0.310 by the Wilcoxon signed ranks test). The rate of CRBSI in one ICU showed 0 infections per 1000 catheter-days, which was sustained for 6 months after interventions. CONCLUSION: The reduction of infection rates could be possible by standardizing the CVC implantation procedure. However, more interventions, such as cleaning the skin with chlorhexidine, avoiding the femoral site when possible, and removing unnecessary catheters, should also be considered to reduce the rate of CRBSI.