Switching from intravenous to oral antibiotics in hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia: A real-world analysis 2010–2018

The Japanese Respiratory Society 2017 guidelines strongly recommend switching from intravenous (IV) to oral antibiotics in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), following improvement in clinical symptoms and laboratory findings. Here, we retrospectively investigated the real-world, nationwide treatment and switching patterns for hospitalized patients with CAP in Japan using administrative data from 372 Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination hospitals from April 2010 to December 2018. Hospitalizations for CAP (patient age ≥20 years) with an A-DROP classification for CAP severity and IV antibiotics initiated on the admission date were included. Overall, 210,314 hospitalizations (moderate CAP: 61.7%) in 183,607 patients were analyzed. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) age at admission was 79 (70–86) years. Penicillin (51.9%) and cephalosporin (38.9%) were the most common IV antibiotic classes used and the median (IQR) duration of IV use was 8 (6–11) days. Switching to oral antibiotics during a hospitalization occurred in 30.1% (n = 63,311) of patients after a median (IQR) of 7 (5–10) days of IV treatment. The most frequently used oral antibiotic classes after a switch were fluoroquinolone (45.9%) and penicillin (24.8%). The switch rate was higher among hospitalizations with milder CAP, in respiratory medicine ward and in larger hospitals. The overall switch rates did not change over the study period. The findings from this analysis suggest that early switch from IV to oral antibiotics was not widely implemented during the 8 years of the study period. Further observation will be needed to see the potential impact of the guidelines update in 2017 in Japan.     

Applied cerebral physiology

This article reviews cerebral metabolism and blood flow, and the pressure dynamics within the cranial cavity. The brain functions within the confines of the cranial cavity and it is important to understand the dynamics of the parenchyma, cerebrospinal fluid and blood in relation to intracranial pressure (ICP) and metabolic needs. It requires an uninterrupted supply of oxygen and glucose to maintain its basal energy requirements and these are increased during periods of enhanced activity. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) is therefore critical for normal cerebral function. Its control is dictated by local intrinsic metabolic needs as well as extraneous factors such as arterial blood pressure, arterial carbon dioxide and oxygen tension, temperature and neural factors; all of which can be measured to guide therapy.     

Study on enhanced lymphatic exposure of polyamidoamin-alkali blue dendrimer for paclitaxel delivery and influence of the osmotic pressure on the lymphatic targeting

In this study, paclitaxel (PTX)-loaded polyamidoamin-alkali blue (PTX-P-AB) was prepared in order to investigate the intralymphatic targeting ability and anti-cancer effect after subcutaneous (s.c.) administration. The physicochemical properties and in vitro drug release were evaluated. The lymphatic drainage and lymph nodes (LNs) uptake were examined by pharmacokinetics and distribution recovery of PTX in plasma, LNs, injection site (IS) and tissues after s.c. injection in healthy mice and in tumor-bearing mice. The osmotic pressure of PTX-P-AB affecting the lymphatic targeting was studied. The anti-tumor activity of PTX-P-AB was investigated in mice bearing S180 metastatic tumors. Results showed that PTX-P-AB with suitable and stable physicochemical properties could be used for in vivo lymphatic studies, and displayed the more rapid lymphatic absorption, the higher AUC value in LNs, the longer LNs residence time and the higher metastasis-inhibiting rate compared with Taxol®. Enhanced lymphatic drainage from the IS and uptake into lymph by increasing the osmotic pressure of PTX-P-AB indicated that PTX-P-AB possesses the double function of lymphatic tracing and lymphatic targeting, and suggested the potential for the development of lymphatic targeting vectors and the lymphatic tracer for treatment and diagnosis.     

A Phantom-Based Method to Assess X-Ray Table Mattress Interface Pressures

BackgroundPressure redistribution performance of x-ray table mattresses can influence the development of pressure ulcers in at-risk populations. Interface pressure analysis, with human participants, is a common method to assess mattresses. This approach has limitations that relate to the lack of standardisation between and within humans.AimThis study aimed to develop and validate an anthropomorphic phantom-based method to assess x-ray table mattress interface pressures as an index of mattress performance.MethodsA three dimensional phantom simulating an adult’s head, pelvis, and heels was printed from x-ray computed tomography image data and attached to a metal frame 175 cm in length. Dry sand was added to the phantom head, pelvis, and heels to represent a range of human weights. Pressure distribution was assessed using XSensor. Phantom validation was achieved by comparing phantom mattress interface pressure characteristics, for five human equivalent weights, against 27 sets of human mattress interface pressure data.ResultsUsing the correlation coefficient R, phantom and human pressure data showed good correlation for the five phantom weights (R values: head = 0.993, pelvis = 0.997, and heels = 0.996).ConclusionA novel method to test x-ray mattresses for interface pressure was developed and validated. The method could have utility in the testing of x-ray mattresses that are in routine use and for new mattress development. Phantom interface pressure data could be provided by manufacturers to help inform procurement decisions when matching mattress characteristics to medical imaging demands and the underlying patient populations.     

负压引流装置在小耳畸形患者皮肤扩张法耳郭再造二期手术中的应用

目的 探讨一种负压引流装置在皮肤扩张法耳郭再造二期手术中的临床应用效果。 方法 收集420例需要外耳再造的小耳畸形患者,应用皮肤扩张器植入法加自体肋软骨移植行耳郭再造术。按照术后引流方式随机分为两组:实验组(290例)采用专用负压引流装置;对照组(130例)常规放置一根负压引流管。比较两组患者皮下血肿的发生率并作统计学分析。 结果 与对照组相比,应用专用负压引流装置组皮下血肿发生率较低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。 结论 在小耳畸形皮肤扩张法耳郭再造二期手术中,应用此负压引流装置可以有效防止术腔血肿,值得临床推广应用。     

The effect of a chin-down maneuver after esophagectomy on oropharyngeal swallowing pressure measured using high-resolution manometry

ObjectiveTo elucidate the effects of a chin-down maneuver using high-resolution manometry (HRM) to measure pharyngeal swallowing pressure (SP) after esophagectomy.MethodsWe evaluated 9 of 16 patients who underwent esophagectomy featuring gastric tube reconstruction and three-field lymph node dissection (3FL) in our Department of Gastroenterological Surgery from September 2015 to June 2016. We compared all parameters of the neutral and chin-down positions using HRM to measure the maximum SP at the velopharynx, meso-hypopharynx, and upper esophageal sphincter (UES) and the duration of lowered SP at the UES, the distance from nostrils to the boundary between hypopharynx and UES and to derive SP and SP propagation curves at various distances from the nostrils.ResultsCompared to that at the neutral position, the maximum SP at the velopharynx was significantly lower in the chin-down position (p < 0.05); however, SP at the meso-hypopharynx and UES did not differ significantly. The duration of lowered SP at the UES was significantly prolonged in the chin-down position and the distance from nostrils to the boundary between hypopharynx and UES was significantly shortened representing the elevation of the larynx, respectively (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). On the SP propagation curve for males, the times to SP peaks at 13, 16, 17, and 18 cm from the nostrils were significantly prolonged (all p < 0.05) in the chin-down position.ConclusionChin-down positioning after esophagectomy/3FL may improve bolus passage by prolonging the duration of lowered SP at the UES, possibly by enhancing laryngeal elevation.     

Novel insights into negative pressure wound healing from an in situ porcine perspective

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is used clinically to promote tissue formation and wound closure. In this study, a porcine wound model was used to further investigate the mechanisms as to how NPWT modulates wound healing via utilization of a form of NPWT called the vacuum-assisted closure. To observe the effect of NPWT more accurately, non-NPWT control wounds containing GranuFoam? dressings, without vacuum exposure, were utilized. In situ histological analysis revealed that NPWT enhanced plasma protein adsorption throughout the GranuFoam?, resulting in increased cellular colonization and tissue ingrowth. Gram staining revealed that NPWT decreased bacterial dissemination to adjacent tissue with greater bacterial localization within the GranuFoam?. Genomic analysis demonstrated the significant changes in gene expression across a number of genes between wounds treated with non-NPWT and NPWT when compared against baseline tissue. However, minimal differences were noted between non-NPWT and NPWT wounds, including no significant differences in expression of collagen, angiogenic, or key inflammatory genes. Similarly, significant increases in immune cell populations were observed from day 0 to day 9 for both non-NPWT and NPWT wounds, though no differences were noted between non-NPWT and NPWT wounds. Furthermore, histological analysis demonstrated the presence of a foreign body response (FBR), with giant cell formation and encapsulation of GranuFoam? particles. The unique in situ histological evaluation and genomic comparison of non-NPWT and NPWT wounds in this pilot study provided a never-before-shown perspective, offering novel insights into the physiological processes of NPWT and the potential role of a FBR in NPWT clinical outcomes.     

Functionally navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation to evoke lingual pressure in stroke survivors with dysphagia and healthy adults: a proof of concept trial

ABSTRACT

Background

Post-stroke dysphagia is characterized by reduced corticolingual excitability and lingual pressure; however, it remains unknown if transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) directly facilitates lingual pressure generation.