Occurrence, Typing, and Resistance Genes of ESBL/AmpC-Producing in Fresh Vegetables Purchased in Central Israel.

Beta-lactam resistance can lead to increased mortality, higher healthcare expenses, and limited therapeutic options. The primary mechanism of beta-lactam resistance is the production of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) and AmpC beta-lactamases. The spread of beta-lactamase-producing via the food chain may create a resistance reservoir.

T-Cell Response and Antibody Production Induced by the COVID-19 Booster Vaccine in Japanese Chronic Kidney Disease Patients Treated with Hemodialysis.

Humoral and cellular responses are critical in understanding immune responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination. Here, we evaluated these responses in hemodialysis (HD) patients after the booster vaccination. SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin (IgG) levels, neutralizing antibody titers, and the T-SPOT.

Newly-established in vitro inner BRB spheroids to elucidate retinal Ang2-linked substance transfer.

Conjugation of angiopep-2 (Ang2) with drugs/compounds is known to increase plasma membrane permeability across endothelial barriers. The inner blood-retinal barrier (BRB) regulates retinal drug distribution and is formed by retinal capillary endothelial cells, supported by Müller cells and retinal pericytes. To elucidate the potential of Ang2 conjugation in promoting retinal drug distribution after peripheral administration across the inner BRB, an in vivo administration study and in vitro transport experiments using newly developed multicellular inner BRB spheroids were performed.

Investigation for the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccine in Japanese CKD patients treated with hemodialysis.

Background: Dialysis patients are predisposed to severe disease and have a high mortality rate in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to their comorbidities and immunocompromised conditions. Therefore, dialysis patients should be prioritized for vaccination. This study aimed to examine how long the effects of the vaccine are maintained and what factors affect antibody titers.

The incidence of cardiovascular thrombotic complications after laparoscopic resection in colorectal cancer in Japanese hospitals: A large-scale clinical study.

Aim: The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the incidence of cardiovascular thrombotic complications after laparoscopic resection in colorectal cancer.

Methods: This study involved 2017 patients with stages 0-III colorectal cancer who underwent laparoscopic surgery at 17 Japanese hospitals between January 2010 and December 2013. We assessed the incidence of postoperative cardiovascular thrombotic and haemorrhagic complications.

Analysis of four carbapenem-resistant outbreaks using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy.

We used Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to analyze 4 carbapenem-resistant outbreaks. FTIR distinguished between isolates from different hospitals and uncovered the relatedness between isolates from acute-care hospitals and a post-acute-care hospital. Using higher cutoffs reveals more distant relationships and lower cutoffs support analyses of recent events.

Effects of 1,5-anhydro-D-glucitol on insulin secretion both in in vitro and ex vivo pancreatic preparations.

Organ bath experiments are conventionally used to investigate the physiological actions and effects of hormones and drugs on organ responses. We developed an experimental method to reproduce insulin secretion from isolated rat pancreas preparations, to investigate substances that promote insulin secretion ex vivo. 1,5-anhydro-D-glucitol (1,5-AG) is found in foods, and exists in humans and rodents; however, whether 1,5-AG stimulates insulin secretion remains unclear.

Committee report: Questionnaire survey on the treatment of COVID-19 in patients receiving dialysis therapy.

Background: Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who receive dialysis therapy develop more severe disease and have a poorer prognosis than patients who do not. Although various data on the treatment of patients not receiving dialysis therapy have been reported, clinical practice for patients on dialysis is challenging as data is limited. The Infection Control Committee of the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy decided to clarify the status of treatment in COVID-19 patients on dialysis.

Colistin Dependency among Colistin-Heteroresistant Isolates.

Colistin dependent (CD) isolates are dependent on colistin for optimal growth. Here we aimed to systematically determine the emergence of CD among colistin-heteroresistant carbapenem-resistant (CRAB) isolates. We also examined the phenotypic characteristics of CD and the evolution of CD strains to overt resistance.

The survival impact of preoperative FOLFOX for resectable locally advanced rectal cancer: the R-NAC-01 study.

Purpose: In this follow-up of the R-NAC-01 study, we assessed the long-term oncological benefit of four courses of modified leucovorin, 5-fluorouracil (FU), and oxaliplatin (mFOLFOX6) chemotherapy before rectal surgery.

Methods: In this prospective, multicenter study (UMIN 000012559) involving 11 hospitals in Japan, patients with lower rectal cancer underwent four cycles of mFOLFOX6 chemotherapy and subsequent surgery within four to six weeks. The 3-year recurrence-free survival and local recurrence rates were then reported.

OXA-900, a Novel OXA Sub-Family Carbapenemase Identified in , Evades Detection by Commercial Molecular Diagnostics Tests.

Using whole-genome sequencing and cloning of the target gene, we identified carbapenemase, a novel belonging to a distant and distinct sub-family of . The plasmid-mediated gene was identified in a isolate with elevated carbapenem MICs that evaded detection by commercial DNA-based methods. The novel gene, an OXA-48 family carbapenem-hydrolyzing class D β-lactamase, OXA-900, likely originates from marine environmental .

Increased Capsule Thickness and Hypermotility Are Traits of Carbapenem-Resistant ST3 Strains Causing Fulminant Infection.

Background: is a successful nosocomial pathogen, causing severe, life-threatening infections in hospitalized patients, including pneumonia and bloodstream infections. The spread of carbapenem-resistant (CRAB) strains is a major health threat worldwide. The successful spread of CRAB is mostly due to its highly plastic genome.

Multiplex lateral flow immunochromatographic assay is an effective method to detect carbapenemases without risk of OXA-48-like cross reactivity.

Background: It is essential to detect carriers of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales in order to implement infection control measures. The objectives of this study was to evaluate the NG-Test CARBA 5 (CARBA 5) assay for detection of five carbapenemases and to assess the cross reactivity of other OXA-type carbapenemases with the OXA-48-like specific antibodies.

Methods: A total of 197 Enterobacterales isolates were tested.

The Effects of Trypsin Inhibitor on Insulin Secretion Using Rat Pancreas in an Organ Bath.

Background/aim: We developed an experimental method to reproduce insulin secretion from isolated rat pancreas preparations using an organ bath system. However, secretion of trypsin, another pancreatic enzyme, interferes with insulin production in such systems. We aimed to ascertain the minimum trypsin inhibitor (TI), dose for obtaining a sustained, stable rate of insulin secretion.

Evaluation of the MICRONAUT MIC-strip colistin assay for colistin susceptibility testing of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and Enterobacterales.

We sought to evaluate the MICRONAUT MIC-Strip colistin (MMS) assay, a commercial broth microdilution (BMD) panel, using 273 carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and Enterobacterales isolates. BMD was used as gold standard. MMS had 98.

Oviductal high concentration of K suppresses hyperpolarization but does not prevent hyperactivation, acrosome reaction and fertilization in hamsters.

Mammalian sperm have to undergo capacitation to be fertilization competent. Capacitated sperm in vitro show hyperpolarization of the membrane potential. It has been reported that in mouse membrane hyperpolarization is necessary for the acrosome reaction.

Rapid identification of capsulated Acinetobacter baumannii using a density-dependent gradient test.

Background: Gram-negative bacterial capsules are associated with production of carbohydrates, frequently resulting in a mucoid phenotype. Infections caused by capsulated or mucoid A. baumannii are associated with increased clinical severity.

Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy Is a New Option for Outbreak Investigation: a Retrospective Analysis of an Extended-Spectrum-Beta-Lactamase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae Outbreak in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

The IR Biotyper is a new automated typing system based on Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy that gives results within 4 h. We aimed (i) to use the IR Biotyper to retrospectively analyze an outbreak of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing (ESBL-KP) in a neonatal intensive care unit and to compare results to BOX-PCR and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) results as the gold standard and (ii) to assess how the cutoff values used to define clusters affect the discriminatory power of the IR Biotyper. The sample consisted of 18 isolates from 14 patients.

Performance of Rapid Polymyxin™ NP and Rapid Polymyxin™ Acinetobacter for the detection of polymyxin resistance in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and Enterobacterales.

Background: The global spread of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) and Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) has prompted the reintroduction of colistin as a last-resort treatment. Although the recommended method for colistin susceptibility testing is broth microdilution (BMD), methods that are more rapid and easy to use are needed.

Objectives: To evaluate the performance of two commercial kits for colistin susceptibility testing: Rapid Polymyxin™ NP (RP-NP) for CRE and Rapid Polymyxin™ Acinetobacter (RP-AB) for CRAB.

Development of an organ bath technique for isolated rat pancreas preparations to assess the effect of 1,5-AG on insulin secretion.

To investigate substances related to insulin secretion, we reported a convenient experimental method to reproduce insulin secretion from isolated rat pancreas preparations using an organ bath. While the method has experimental utility for investigating insulin secretion, optimization of the experimental design is still needed. The level of insulin outflow in the control decreased over time in our previous study.