Prevalence of the NTEKPC-I on IncF Plasmids Among Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolates in Jiangxi Province, South China

Infection caused by carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (CR-hvKP) has become a tricky health care threat in China and KPC-2 enzyme is a main factor mediating resistance to carbapenems of K. pneumoniae. Here, we report the characterization of the genetic environment of the blaKPC-2 gene in CR-hvKP clinical isolates from South China. Forty-five non-duplicated CR-hvKP isolates collected in Jiangxi Province from 2018 to 2019 were analyzed. Each of them were multidrug-resistant due to the presence not only of blaKPC-2 gene but also of other resistance determinants, including Metallo-β-lactamases (NDM-1), extended-spectrum β-lactamases (TEM-1, CTX-M-14, SHV-1), and plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance determinants (qnrS, aac(6′)-Ib-cr). After plasmid analyses of PCR-based replicon typing (PBRT), mapping PCR, amplicon sequencing, and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) were used to analyze the genetic environment of the blaKPC-2 gene. PCR analysis of pLVPK-like plasmids, Southern Blot, and mouse lethality assay were used to characterize the virulence phenotype of K. pneumoniae. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) analysis showed ST11 CR-hvKP was the predominant clone. In conclusion, this is the first analysis of diverse genetic structures blaKPC-2 gene in CR-hvKP isolates from south China. Both the NTEKPC-I on the IncF plasmids and pLVPK-like virulence plasmids make contributions to the formation of CR-hvKP especially ST11 which need more attention

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake

Providing termite and fungal protection to waferboard using novel termiticides and fungicide

The compatibility of eight liquid PF resins and one pMDI-resin with three termiticides and two fungicides, provided by Dr. Wolman GmbH, was evaluated by measuring changes in gelation time and viscosity. The results indicate that the termiticides are generally compatible with the phenolic resins and the pMDI-resin. The fungicides were only compatible with two phenolic resins and neither was compatible with the pMDI-resin. Based on these results it was concluded that the three termiticides would be fully compatible with the two liquid phenolic based resins, BB7028, and GP70CR66, and the pMDI-resin and can be incorporated into these resins as a glue-line additive during waferboard manufacture. The fungicides were found not to be compatible in the resins and thus would have to be applied onto the strands separately from the resins. Even then they may cause some interference with the glue curing. The fungicide, formulated with both K H D O and fenpropimorph, were sprayed onto strands during the manufacture of the waferboard at the same time as the resin but using a separate spray line, enhanced the waferboard durability against both brown and white rot fungi. The mass losses of the test blocks cut from the boards manufactured with different concentrations of fungicide and exposed to four decay fungi, suggested that, 0.44 % KHDO and fenpropimorph (based on the oven dry weight of the strands) provided the same protection from two white rot (T. versicolor and P. ostreatus) and two brown rot fungi (G. trabeum and P. placenta) attacks as waferboard which incorporated 0.83 % zinc borate. The fungicide was most effective against the brown rot fungi, while a toxic threshold of 0.29 % KHDO and fenpropimorph was observed. For the two white rot fungi the toxic threshold was determined to be 0.44 % KHDO and fenpropimorph. At all concentrations the fungicide had no adverse effect on the static bending strength of the waferboard, but caused a slight (17 %) loss in internal bond strength. The mechanical strength loss of samples heeded in this way was much lower than the mechanical strength loss of commercial 1 % zinc borate treated boards tested tested in the same manner. Based on data generated in this study and commercial information on untreated waferboard, 0.83 % zinc borate caused a 7.13 % loss in MOE, a 14.98 % loss in MOR and a 21 % loss in IB strength. Based on all of the results of decay testing and mechanical strength evaluation, it may be concluded that the fungicide, at 0.44 % active ingredient, could be sprayed onto furnish simultaneously for the GP70CR66 and GP265C54 PF-resins for manufacturing waferboard to improve its fungal resistance without causing significant reduction in strength. The three termiticides, LP 15406A, LP 15406B, and LP 15447, were sprayed onto the furnish as an additive by dissolving in the BB7028, and GP70CR66 liquid PF-resins. None of the three termiticides had any significant effect on IB strength. However, static bending strength was affected. LP 15406A did not negatively affect MOE, but did cause a slight reduction in the mean value of the MOR. However, this change was not statistically significant. LP 15406B had no affect on the waferboard MOR, but significantly increased the MOE; a similar trend was also noted for the LP 15447. These results suggest that all three termiticides can be considered as suitable additives to liquid resins during the manufacture of termite resistant boards, over the range of concentrations evaluated in this research. Based on the results for the pMDI-resin waferboard which incorporated the three termiticides, the mechanical strength data indicates that, LP 15406B, with 0.0073 % chlorfenapyr content in waferboard is the most promising termiticide because it had no effect on the mechanical properties of the waferboard. LP 15406A, with 0.0052 % bifenthrin content in waferboard, could be added to pMDI-resin. However, more research is needed since it did cause a 12 % mean reduction in the internal bond strength, although this reduction was found to be not statistically significant. LP 15447, with 0.0052 % 5-amino-l-[2,6-dichloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-4-[(lR,S)-(trifluoromethyl)sulfinyl]- lH-pyrazol-3-carbonitrile caused a 37 % reduction in the mean internal bond strength and therefore is not suitable for addition to pMDI in waferboard manufacture.Forestry, Faculty ofGraduat

A Study of the Ping An Health App Based on User Reviews with Sentiment Analysis

By mining the dimensional sentiment and dimension weight of the Ping An Health App reviews, this paper explores the changing trend of the influence of dimensions on user satisfaction and provides suggestions for the Ping An Health App operators to improve user satisfaction. Firstly, the topic model is used to identify the topic of user comments, and then the fine-grained sentiment analysis method is used to calculate the sentiment and weight of each dimension. Finally, the changing trend of the weight of each dimension and the changing trend of user satisfaction of each dimension are drawn. Based on the reviews of the Ping An Health App in the Apple App Store, users’ concerns about Ping An Health App can be summarized into seven main dimensions: Usage, Bug report, Reliability, Feature information, Services, Other apps, and User Background. The “Feature information” dimension and “Reliability” dimension have a great impact on user satisfaction with the Ping An Health App, while the “Bug report” dimension has the lowest user satisfaction

A Method for Rapid Prediction of Edge Defects in Cold Roll Forming Process

In order to implement rapid prediction of edge defects in the cold roll forming process, a new analytical method based on the mean longitudinal strain of the racks is presented. A cubic spline curve with the parameters of the cumulative chord length is applied to fit the corresponding points and center points of different passes, and fitting curves are obtained. As the cold roll forming is micro-tension forming, the tensions between racks are ignored. Then the mean longitudinal strains between racks are obtained. By comparing the mean longitudinal strain between racks and the yield strain of the material, we can judge whether there are defects at the edges. Finally, the reasonableness of this method is illustrated and validated by an example. With this method, the roll forming effect can be quickly predicted, and the position where a greater longitudinal strain occurred can be determined. In order to prevent the defects, the deformation angles need to be modified when the result is beyond the yield strain. To further prove the correctness of the theory, the results of the analytical method are compared with the ones of the non-linear finite element software ABAQUS. The analytical results have the same trend as the finite element results. This method can provide useful guidance to the actual design process

Can Ivermectin kill Sarcoptes scabiei during the molting process?

BackgroundSarcoptes scabiei is a permanent obligate ectoparasite that lives and reproduces in the epidermis of humans and other mammals worldwide. There is a lack of information on the molting process of Sarcoptes scabiei. Ivermectin is widely used to treat Sarcoptes infection in humans and animals, while the survival of molting Sarcoptes mites in the presence of ivermectin is unknown. The aim of the present study is to investigate the molting process of Sarcoptes mites and assess the activity of ivermectin during the molting process of Sarcoptes mites.Methodology/principal findingsmolting Sarcoptes mites were incubated at 35°C and 80% relative humidity and observed hourly until complete molt. Of the 192 molting mites recorded, the longest molt periods for larvae and nymphs were 23 and 30 h, respectively. The activity of ivermectin on molting Sarcoptes mites was also assessed using two concentrations of the drug (0.1 and 0.05 mg/ml). The exposure time for molting mites was determined by 100% mortality of female mites exposed to the solution of ivermectin. While all female mites were killed after exposure to 0.1 mg/ml ivermectin for 2 h and and 0.05 mg/ml for 7 h, 32% and 36% of molting mites survived and successfully molted, respectively.Conclusions/significanceThe present study demonstrated that molting Sarcoptes mites are less susceptible to ivermectin than active mites. As a consequence, mites may survive after two doses of ivermectin given 7 days apart due not only to hatching eggs but also to the resistance of mites during their molting process. Our results provide insight into the optimal therapeutic regimens for scabies and highlight the need for further research on the molting process of Sarcoptes mites

Facile Synthesis Hyper-Crosslinked PdFe Bimetallic Polymer as Highly Active Catalyst for Ullmann Coupling Reaction of Chlorobenzene

The synthesis of efficient and sustainable heterogeneous Pd-based catalysts has been an active field of research due to their crucial role in carbon–carbon coupling reactions. In this study, we developed a facile and eco-friendly in situ assembly technique to produce a PdFe bimetallic hyper-crosslinked polymer (HCP@Pd/Fe) to use as a highly active and durable catalyst in the Ullmann reaction. The HCP@Pd/Fe catalyst exhibits a hierarchical pore structure, high specific surface area, and uniform distribution of active sites, which promote catalytic activity and stability. Under mild conditions, the HCP@Pd/Fe catalyst is capable of efficiently catalyzing the Ullmann reaction of aryl chlorides in aqueous media. The exceptional catalytic performance of HCP@Pd/Fe is attributed to its robust absorption capability, high dispersion, and strong interaction between Fe and Pd, as confirmed by various material characterizations and control experiments. Furthermore, the coated structure of a hyper-crosslinked polymer enables easy recycling and reuse of the catalyst for at least 10 cycles without any significant loss of activity