Clonal spread of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae among patients at admission and discharge at a Vietnamese neonatal intensive care unit

Background The increasing prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) is a growing problem globally, particularly in low- to middle-income countries (LMICs). Previous studies have shown high rates of CRE colonisation among patients at hospitals in LMICs, with increased risk of hospital-acquired infections. Methods We isolated carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) from faecal samples collected in 2017 from patients at admission and discharge at a Vietnamese neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). 126 CRKP were whole-genome sequenced. The phylogenetic relationship between the isolates and between clinical CRKP isolates collected in 2012-2018 at the same hospital were investigated. Results NDM-type carbapenemase-(61%) and KPC-2-encoding genes (41%) were the most common carbapenem resistance genes observed among the admission and discharge isolates. Most isolates (56%) belonged to three distinct clonal clusters of ST15, carrying bla(KPC-2), bla(NDM-1) and bla(NDM-4), respectively. Each cluster also comprised clinical isolates from blood collected at the study hospital. The most dominant ST15 clone was shown to be related to isolates collected from the same hospital as far back as in 2012. Conclusions Highly resistant CRKP were found colonising admission and discharge patients at a Vietnamese NICU, emphasising the importance of continued monitoring. Whole-genome sequencing revealed a population of CRKP consisting mostly of ST15 isolates in three clonally related clusters, each related to blood isolates collected from the same hospital. Furthermore, clinical isolates collected from previous years (dating back to 2012) were shown to likely be clonally descended from ST15 isolates in the largest cluster, suggesting a successful hospital strain which can colonise inpatients

Mathematically Modeling a Nonlinear, Passive Acoustic Filter

This project focuses on developing a mathematical model for a nonlinear, passive sound filter, which uses a drum-head-like membrane disc and magnets to dampen high-amplitude input signals while having little effect on low-amplitude input signals. Hypothetical applications of such a filter include installation in construction workers’ headphones to allow them to hear each other speak while dampening dangerously loud noises from nearby machinery. The project has been ongoing since the summer of 2021, with a combination of analytical and numerical methods used to develop and test the model. The analytical methods of this project fall under the realm of differential equations. The project also included numerical comparisons on MATLAB and experimental testing using COMSOL Multiphysics, with a focus on refining the model and ensuring agreement between analytical and numerical data. Future work entails testing the theoretical and numerical results on an apparatus in a physical laboratory

The ESPAD validity study in four countries in 2013.

The first data collection of the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) was conducted in 1995 among 16-year-old students in 26 countries. Since then, data have been gathered every fourth year in an increasing number of countries. The latest ESPAD survey was conducted in 2011 when 39 countries took part. Data were collected for the sixth time in the winter and spring of 2015, and it is anticipated that the report will be published in summer 2016. This first ESPAD validity study was an attempt to assess the validity of the answers about different substances, without going into details about individual questions. However, some questions might be considered more important than others in the sense that they are often used as key indicators when looking at trends in substance use among European school students

Summary 2011 ESPAD report. Substance use among students in 36 European countries

The main purpose of the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) is to collect comparable data on substance use among 15- to 16-year-old European students in order to monitor trends within as well as between countries. So far, five data-collection waves have been conducted in the framework of the project. The first study was carried out in 26 countries in 1995, while data collection in 2011 was performed in 37 countries. However, results for 2011 are available only for 36 countries, since the Isle of Man collected data but unfortunately did not have the possibility to deliver any results. This summary presents key results from the 2011 survey in the ESPAD countries as well as findings regarding the long-term trends. An initial section gives a short overview of the methodology

The 2007 ESPAD report. Substance use among students in 35 countries.

Use of illicit drugs among 15–16-year-old school students, appears to have stabilised or slightly fallen, according to the latest European study of this group published today by ESPAD. The report, which follows a 2007 survey conducted in 35 European countries, also reveals a decrease in last-month rates of cigarette smoking among school students. However, it sounds the alarm over clear rises in the group’s ‘heavy episodic drinking’, and the narrowing gender gap in this behaviour

The 2011 ESPAD report: substance use among students in 36 European countries.

The overall aim of ESPAD is to collect comparable data on substance use among 15–16 year old students in as many European countries as possible. The most important objectives in the long run are to monitor trends, and to compare trends between countries and groups of countries. In order to do so, the surveys are repeated every four years, with 1995 as the starting point. Results from the fifth data collection wave is presented in The 2011 ESPAD Report and the next data collection is planned to be carried out in 2015

Clinical outcomes of cases with missing lateral incisors treated with the 'T'-Mesialslider

The objective of this article is to review the fabrication and activation procedures of the 'T'-Mesialslider and to present the clinical outcomes in cases where canine substitution is the treatment of choice for missing maxillary lateral incisors. The 'T'-Mesialslider allows for effective mesial translation of the canines and the posterior dentition, without significant loss of anterior anchorage and with good vertical control. Possible adverse effects of the appliance and clinical recommendations for their management are also discussed. In canine substitution cases with high anchorage demands, the 'T'-Mesialslider provides an effective treatment option

Anterior segment optical coherence tomography for the diagnosis of corneal dystrophies according to the IC3D classification

Corneal dystrophies are categorized according to the International Committee for Classification of Corneal Dystrophies (IC3D) classification, and their treatment depends on the affected structures and layer of the cornea. Therefore, estimating the depth and extent of the morphological changes due to the specific dystrophy is crucial when deciding between different treatment options. Besides superficial laser treatments and penetrating keratoplasty, minimal invasive lamellar keratoplasties such as Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty, deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty, or Descemet stripping automated keratoplasty have become increasingly popular to exchange the specific opaque layers in dystrophic eyes. To determine the morphological changes of the cornea in the different dystrophies, in addition to slit-lamp examination, anterior segment optical coherence tomography has become an important tool with nearly histological resolution. Nonetheless, only a few case series describe the characteristics of changes seen on anterior segment optical coherence tomography. Therefore, we summarize anterior segment optical coherence tomography signs and correlate with slit-lamp examination, as well as the histopathological findings, of corneal dystrophies according to the IC3D classification. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved