Outbreak investigation of Serratia marcescens neurosurgical site infections associated with a contaminated shaving razors.

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is the most common healthcare-associated infection. We report an outbreak of neurosurgical site infections caused by Serratia marcescens after craniotomy in a tertiary care hospital.

Methods: Between August 6 and 21, 2018, five cases of early-onset SSI caused by S.

Using autofluorescence to detect bacterial contamination in root fractures.

Objectives: Conventional methods for detecting root fractures cannot assess their depth or bacterial contamination. This study was designed to measure the autofluorescence emitted from a root fracture, with the aim of determining whether this is a suitable method for quantifying the depth and bacterial invasion of a fracture.

Methods: This in vitro study investigated 33 mandibular second molars with periapical lesions that had been extracted after finding root fractures in endodontically treated teeth during intentional replantation or diagnostic surgery.

Experience of clinical skills assessment in the Busan-Gyeongnam Consortium.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to judge the quality of clinical skills assessment in Busan-Gyeongnam Consortium.

Methods: Fourth grade medical school students (n=350 in 2012 and n=419 in 2013) in the Busan-Gyeongnam Consortium were included in the study. The examination was consisted of 6 clinical performance examination (CPX) and 6 objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) stations.

Up-regulation of inhibitors of DNA binding/differentiation gene during alendronate-induced osteoblast differentiation.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of alendronate on the expression of Id genes in osteoblast differentiation.

Methods: C2C12 cells were treated with alendronate for various concentrations and time periods. For evaluation of alendronate-induced osteoblast differentiation in C2C12 cells, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was measured.

Elevated expression of thymosin β4, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α in early-stage cervical cancers.

Recent studies have shown that thymosin β4 (TB-4) is highly related with tumor metastasis and angiogenesis. In addition, TB-4 induced the expression of VEGF in melanoma cells. We investigated the expression patterns of TB-4 and related angiogenic proteins, VEGF, and HIF-1α, at various stages of cervical cancers and also identified the expression pattern of these proteins in metastatic cervical cancers.

Levofloxacin-induced autoimmune hemolytic anemia.

Objective: To report a case of autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) secondary to levofloxacin.

Case Summary: An 82-year-old white man was treated with levofloxacin 500 mg/d for cellulitis. Three days following completion of levofloxacin therapy, the patient presented to the emergency department with severe jaundice, dizziness, and loss of vision.

Adenocarcinoma of unknown primary site.

Background: Metastatic cancer of unknown primary site occupies 0.5-10% of all diagnosed cancer patients and includes various tumors with diverse responses to systemic chemotherapy. Adenocarcinoma of unknown primary site (ACUPS), the most common subtype, has no standard treatment, rarely responds to conventional treatment and has a poor survival rate.