Kelvin Probe Microscopy Investigation of Poly-Octylthiophene Aggregates.

Conductive polymers have fundamental relevance as well as novel technological applications in the organic optoelectronics field. Their photophysical and transport properties strongly depend on the molecular arrangement, and nanoscale characterization is needed to fully understand the optoelectronic processes taking place in organic devices. In this work, we study the electrostatic properties of poly-3-octylthiophene isolated structures: disordered low-packed polymer chains and crystalline layered lamellar assemblies.

Comparison of Predictors and Mortality Between Bloodstream Infections Caused by ESBL-Producing Escherichia coli and ESBL-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae.

OBJECTIVETo compare the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and mortality of patients with bloodstream infections (BSI) caused by extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-EC) versus ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL-KP) and to examine the differences in clinical characteristics and outcome between BSIs caused by isolates with CTX-M versus other ESBL genotypesMETHODSAs part of the INCREMENT project, 33 tertiary hospitals in 12 countries retrospectively collected data on adult patients diagnosed with ESBL-EC BSI or ESBL-KP BSI between 2004 and 2013. Risk factors for ESBL-EC versus ESBL-KP BSI and for 30-day mortality were examined by bivariate analysis followed by multivariable logistic regression.RESULTSThe study included 909 patients: 687 with ESBL-EC BSI and 222 with ESBL-KP BSI.

Empiric Therapy With Carbapenem-Sparing Regimens for Bloodstream Infections due to Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae: Results From the INCREMENT Cohort.

Background: There is little information about the efficacy of active alternative drugs to carbapenems except β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitors for the treatment of bloodstream infections (BSIs) due to extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E). The objective of this study was to assess the outcomes of patients with BSI due to ESBL-E who received empiric therapy with such drugs (other active drugs [OADs]) or carbapenems.

Methods: A multinational retrospective cohort study of patients with BSI due to ESBL-E who received empiric treatment with OADs or carbapenems was performed.

Effect of appropriate combination therapy on mortality of patients with bloodstream infections due to carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (INCREMENT): a retrospective cohort study.

Background: The best available treatment against carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) is unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of appropriate therapy and of appropriate combination therapy on mortality of patients with bloodstream infections (BSIs) due to CPE.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we included patients with clinically significant monomicrobial BSIs due to CPE from the INCREMENT cohort, recruited from 26 tertiary hospitals in ten countries.

Development and validation of the INCREMENT-ESBL predictive score for mortality in patients with bloodstream infections due to extended-spectrum-β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae.

Background: Bloodstream infections (BSIs) due to ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) are frequent yet outcome prediction rules for clinical use have not been developed. The objective was to define and validate a predictive risk score for 30 day mortality.

Methods: A multinational retrospective cohort study including consecutive episodes of BSI due to ESBL-E was performed; cases were randomly assigned to a derivation cohort (DC) or a validation cohort (VC).

A Predictive Model of Mortality in Patients With Bloodstream Infections due to Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae.

Objective: To develop a score to predict mortality in patients with bloodstream infections (BSIs) due to carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE).

Patients And Methods: A multinational retrospective cohort study (INCREMENT project) was performed from January 1, 2004, through December 31, 2013. Patients with clinically relevant monomicrobial BSIs due to CPE were included and randomly assigned to either a derivation cohort (DC) or a validation cohort (VC).

A Multinational, Preregistered Cohort Study of β-Lactam/β-Lactamase Inhibitor Combinations for Treatment of Bloodstream Infections Due to Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae.

The spread of extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) is leading to increased carbapenem consumption. Alternatives to carbapenems need to be investigated. We investigated whether β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor (BLBLI) combinations are as effective as carbapenems in the treatment of bloodstream infections (BSI) due to ESBL-E.

Ertapenem for the treatment of bloodstream infections due to ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae: a multinational pre-registered cohort study.

Objectives: Data about the efficacy of ertapenem for the treatment of bloodstream infections (BSI) due to ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) are limited. We compared the clinical efficacy of ertapenem and other carbapenems in monomicrobial BSI due to ESBL-E.

Methods: A multinational retrospective cohort study (INCREMENT project) was performed (ClinicalTrials.

[Clinical significance of Staphylococcus aureus in urine].

Introduction: To evaluate the clinical significance of the isolation of Staphylococcus aureus in urine samples.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed on adult patients identified from a microbiology database in a 200-bed general hospital between the years 2000 and 2009. The demographic data, comorbidities, and risk factors, were reviewed, particularly those associated with the concomitant isolation of S.

[Mycobacterium fortuitum: two patients and the same surgeon].

We describe two cases of surgical site infections due to Mycobacterium fortuitum after plastic surgery. Both patients were assisted by the same surgeon on differents hospitals. Both patients received combined antibiotic treatment and surgical debridement or multiple aspirative punctures.

[Quinolone resistant Campylobacter jejuni strains isolated from humans and from poultry].

Eight quinolone resistant Campylobacter jejuni strains isolated from humans with diarrheal disease were compared with 23 isolates from chicken and from laying hens. Samples were cultured on selective agar in microaerophilia, identified by conventional tests, and conserved in 17% glycerol at -70 C. Clones were determined by RAPD-PCR employing the 1254 primer (Stern NJ).

[High relationship between ciprofloxacin use and prevalence of ESBL Klebsiella pneumoniae].

Background: To assess the relationship between ciprofloxacin use and the prevalence of extended spectrum betalactamases (ESBL) Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Patients And Methods: Semestral mean values regarding use of antibiotic and prevalence of ESBL Kp were compared during 9 semesters using linear regression and coefficient of correlation.

Results: The only statistically significant correlation was ciprofloxacin use and ESBL(+) K.

[Effect of alcohol-gel hand hygiene on nosocomial infections due to multi-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae].

Handwashing is considered the most important and effective infection control measure to prevent transmission of nosocomial pathogens. However, compliance with handwashing by health care workers is low. A new modality for hand hygiene is alcohol gel rub, which reduces time required, does not damage the skin and increases health care workers compliance.

[Risk factors associated with ceftazidime-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae infection].

Introduction: Risk factors associated with ceftazidime-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CAZ-R Kp) infection may vary among hospitals and in the same hospital at different time points. Knowledge of these factors is required to establish suitable infection control programs.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted to assess risk factors for CAZ-R Kp infection.

Spontaneous pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis in nondrug users.

Objective: To analyze the clinical, microbiological, and radiologic features of patients without drug addiction suffering from spontaneous pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis.

Methods: We collected all microbiologically proved cases of pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis seen between January 1980 and December 1999 in a teaching hospital. Patients with prior spinal instrumentation or surgery and injection drug users were excluded.