Deciphering the impact of contaminating microbiota in DNA extraction reagents on metagenomic next-generation sequencing workflows.

Unlabelled: The widespread adoption of metagenomic next-generation sequencing has revolutionized microbial detection, yet contaminating DNA in laboratory reagents poses significant challenges for result interpretation. This study investigated microbial contamination profiles across four commercial DNA extraction reagent brands (M, Q, R, and Z) and assessed batch-to-batch variability. Extraction blanks were generated using molecular-grade water or ZymoBIOMICS Spike-in Control I as input materials.

Efficacy of cefoperazone-sulbactam as a component of combination therapy for carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii bloodstream infection in intensive care units: a multicenter retrospective propensity score-matched study.

Background: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of cefoperazone-sulbactam-containing (CSC) combination therapy for carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) bloodstream infections (BSI) patients in intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods: This multicenter, retrospective cohort study initially included 407 patients with CRAB BSI in the ICU between 2015 and 2019. Patients were divided into the CSC- and non-cefoperazone-sulbactam-containing (NCSC) groups.

Simultaneous determination of voriconazole and its metabolites in human plasma by capillary electrophoresis with cation-selective exhaustive injection and sweeping micellar electrokinetic chromatography.

This study presents a highly efficient analytical approach combining cation-selective exhaustive injection and sweeping micellar electrokinetic chromatography with photodiode array detection for the simultaneous determination of voriconazole (VRC) and its key metabolites, voriconazole -oxide (VNO) and hydroxy-voriconazole (V-OH), in human plasma. The method utilizes a precisely optimized capillary electrophoresis system with the following conditions: an uncoated fused-silica capillary (30 cm, 50 μm I.D.

Space weathering on the lunar nearside and farside constrained from Si isotopes.

Over long timescales, space weathering processes can modify the compositions of surface materials on the Moon. To assess the effects of space weathering of lunar soils, we study Si isotopes of Chang'E-5 (CE-5) and Chang'E-6 (CE-6) returned samples, and lunar meteorites. Here we show that both bulk soils from CE-5 and CE-6 exhibit heavier Si isotopic compositions than the basalt clasts within the soils and lunar meteorites, indicating that the space weathering obviously increase δSi of lunar soils.

High bacterial coinfection rates and associated mortality among hospitalized older adults with laboratory-confirmed respiratory syncytial virus infection.

Background: Emerging evidence highlights that respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) poses a significant risk to older adults. However, detailed clinical data on elderly patients hospitalized with RSV remains limited. This study investigates the clinical characteristics and outcomes of older adults (aged ≥50 years) hospitalized with RSV infection.

Reduced mortality with antimicrobial stewardship guided by BioFire FilmArray Blood Culture Identification 2 panel in critically ill patients with bloodstream infection: A retrospective propensity score-matched study.

Objectives: To investigate whether using the BioFire® FilmArray® Blood Culture Identification 2 panel (BCID2) leads to timely antimicrobial therapy and improves patient outcomes in critically ill patients with bloodstream infections (BSIs).

Methods: This retrospective observational study included patients with BSIs admitted to the intensive care unit from July 1, 2021, to August 31, 2023. Patients were divided into groups receiving appropriate or inappropriate antimicrobial therapy.

Clinical outcomes of carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacterial bloodstream infection in patients with end-stage renal disease in intensive care units: a multicenter retrospective observational study.

Background: Carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria (CRGNB) present a considerable global threat due to their challenging treatment and increased mortality rates, with bloodstream infection (BSI) having the highest mortality rate. Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing renal replacement therapy (RRT) face an increased risk of BSI. Limited data are available regarding the prognosis and treatment outcomes of CRGNB-BSI in patients with ESRD in intensive care units (ICUs).

The real-world impact of the BioFire FilmArray blood culture identification 2 panel on antimicrobial stewardship among patients with bloodstream infections in intensive care units with a high burden of drug-resistant pathogens.

Background: The increasing prevalence of drug-resistant pathogens leads to delays in adequate antimicrobial treatment in intensive care units (ICU). The real-world influence of the BioFire FilmArray Blood Culture Identification 2 (BCID2) panel on pathogen identification, diagnostic concordance with conventional culture methods, and antimicrobial stewardship in the ICU remains unexplored.

Methods: This retrospective observational study, conducted from July 2021 to August 2023, involved adult ICU patients with positive blood cultures who underwent BCID2 testing.

Application of a multiplex molecular pneumonia panel and real-world impact on antimicrobial stewardship among patients with hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated pneumonia in intensive care units.

Background: The optimal timing for applying the BioFire FilmArray Pneumonia Panel (FAPP) in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) or ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) remains undefined, and there are limited data on its impact on antimicrobial stewardship.

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at a referral hospital in Taiwan from November 2019 to October 2022. Adult ICU patients with HAP/VAP who underwent FAPP testing were enrolled.

High mortality of patients with severe pneumonia caused by respiratory syncytial virus, August 2021-June 2023, Taiwan.

Among the 14 patients with respiratory syncytial virus pneumonia, the majority (n = 8, 57.1 %) were older than 65 years and had health care-associated pneumonia (57.1 %).

Efficacy of combination therapy with standard-dose carbapenem for treating nosocomial pneumonia caused by carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in intensive care units: A multicentre retrospective propensity score-matched study.

Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) infection is common worldwide. Despite carbapenem resistance, standard-dose carbapenems are still used in clinical practice. Hence in this study, we aimed to compare the efficacy and outcomes of a regimen containing standard-dose carbapenems with those of a regimen lacking carbapenems during the treatment of critically ill patients with CRAB nosocomial pneumonia in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Method Development for Determination of Doripenem in Human Plasma via Capillary Electrophoresis Coupled with Field-Enhanced Sample Stacking and Sweeping.

In this study, we established a novel capillary electrophoresis method for monitoring the concentration of doripenem in human plasma. As a time-dependent antibiotic, doripenem maximizes its antibacterial effects and minimizes the potential for antibiotic resistance through careful therapeutic drug monitoring. Two online preconcentration techniques, field-enhanced sample stacking (FESS) and sweeping, were coupled to enhance the detection sensitivity.

Comparative efficacy and safety of non-polymyxin antibiotics against nosocomial pneumonia, complicated intra-abdominal infection, or complicated urinary tract infection: A network meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials.

Objectives: The increasing epidemic of infections caused by drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria has led to the development of several antibiotic therapies. Owing to the scarcity of head-to-head comparisons of current and emerging antibiotics, the present network meta-analysis aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of antibiotics in patients with nosocomial pneumonia, complicated intra-abdominal infection, or complicated urinary tract infection.

Methods: Two independent researchers systematically searched databases up to August 2022 and included 26 randomised controlled trials that fulfilled the inclusion criteria.

Mortality and ventilator dependence in critically ill patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.

Background: Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) is a key pathogen associated with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Research on treatment outcomes, especially ventilator dependence, in patients with VAP caused by CRAB remains limited.

Methods: This retrospective multicenter study included ICU-admitted patients with VAP caused by CRAB.

The prevalence, presentation and outcome of colistin susceptible-only Acinetobacter Baumannii-associated pneumonia in intensive care unit: a multicenter observational study.

Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) caused by carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) are both associated with significant morbidity and mortality in daily clinical practice, as well as in a critical care setting. It is unclear whether colistin susceptible-only Acinetobacter baumannii (CSO AB) is a unique phenotype separate from or a subset of CRAB-associated pneumonia. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of CSO AB pneumonia and compare the presentation and outcome between CSO AB and CRAB-associated pneumonia in critically ill patients.

Using real-time visualization system for data-driven decision support to achieve lung protective strategy: a retrospective observational study.

Background: Although lung protective strategy and adjunctive intervention are associated with improved survival in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), the implementation of effective therapies remains low. This study aimed to evaluate whether the use of business intelligence (BI) for real-time data visualization is associated with an improvement in lung protective strategy and adjunctive therapy.

Methods: A retrospective observational cohort study was conducted on patients with ARDS admitted between September 2020 and June 2021 at two intensive care units (ICUs) of a tertiary referral hospital in Taiwan.

In-Silico Selection of Aptamer Targeting SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein.

Aptamers are single-stranded, short DNA or RNA oligonucleotides that can specifically bind to various target molecules. To diagnose the infected cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in time, numerous conventional methods are applied for viral detection via the amplification and quantification of DNA or antibodies specific to antigens on the virus. Herein, we generated a large number of mutated aptamer sequences, derived from a known sequence of receptor-binding domain (RBD)-1C aptamer, specific to the RBD of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S protein).

Atractylodin Suppresses TGF-β-Mediated Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Alveolar Epithelial Cells and Attenuates Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis in Mice.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterized by fibrotic change in alveolar epithelial cells and leads to the irreversible deterioration of pulmonary function. Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in type 2 lung epithelial cells contributes to excessive collagen deposition and plays an important role in IPF. Atractylodin (ATL) is a kind of herbal medicine that has been proven to protect intestinal inflammation and attenuate acute lung injury.