Screening for Metallo-Beta-Lactamases Using Non-Carbapenem Agents: Effective Detection of MBL-Producing and Differentiation of Carbapenem-Resistant .

Metallo-beta-lactamases (MBLs) are enzymes that break down carbapenem antibiotics, leading to carbapenem-resistant organisms. Carbapenemase-resistant (CRE) is one of them. Outbreaks of CRE infection can occur in healthcare facilities and lead to increased deaths, illness, and medical costs.

Successful Treatment of a Case of Necrotizing Fasciitis due to Vibrio vulnificus in a Cold Climate in Japan.

Vibrio vulnificus infection often occurs in warm regions, frequently leading to necrotizing fasciitis, sepsis, and death. We herein report a rare case presenting in a cold climate region in northern Japan, Aomori district, of a V. vulnificus infection complicated by necrotizing fasciitis and septic shock.

A randomized phase II trial of gemcitabine plus carboplatin: biweekly versus standard schedules in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Objective: Gemcitabine combined with carboplatin (GC) is a widely used regimen for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but clinical outcome is still hampered by its toxicity. We conducted a randomized phase II study of GC and compared biweekly versus standard schedules in patients with advanced NSCLC with respect to toxicity and outcome.

Methods: Forty patients with stage IIIB or IV NSCLC were randomized to receive either a biweekly regimen of GC [gemcitabine (1,000 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 14) and carboplatin (area under the concentration-time curve, AUC = 3 on days 1 and 14)] every 28 days or a standard regimen of GC [gemcitabine (1,000 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 8) and carboplatin (AUC = 5 on day 1)] every 21 days.