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This study aimed to reveal the prevalence of heat‐labile enterotoxin (LT) gene‐positive Escherichia fergusonii in retail chicken meat and genetically characterize these strains. E. fergusonii harboring LT gene was isolated from 6 out of 60 (10%) retail chicken samples in Okinawa, Japan. Whole‐genome sequencing analysis revealed that LT gene‐positive E. fergusonii from chicken meat and feces contain an IncFII plasmid harboring elt1AB, and suggested to spread clonally to retail chicken through fecal contamination. Additionally, it was found that these strains harbor multidrug‐resistant genes on their plasmids. Their pathogenicity and continuous monitoring are required for confirmation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID‐19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS‐CoV‐2), has rapidly spread globally. Potentially infected individuals travel on commercial aircraft. Thus, this study aimed to investigate and test the association between the use of face masks, physical distance, and COVID‐19 among passengers and flight attendants exposed to a COVID‐19 passenger in a domestic flight. Methods: This observational study investigated passengers and flight attendants exposed to COVID‐19 on March 23, 2020, on board a flight to Naha City, Japan. Secondary attack rates were calculated. Whole‐genome sequencing of SARS‐CoV‐2 was used to identify the infectious linkage between confirmed cases in this clustering. The association between confirmed COVID‐19 and proximity of passengers' seats to the index case and/or the use of face masks was estimated using logistic regression. Results: Fourteen confirmed and six probable cases were identified among passengers and flight attendants. The secondary attack rate was 9.7%. Twelve of 14 SARS‐CoV‐2 genome sequences in confirmed cases were identical to that of the index case or showed only one nucleotide mutation. Risk factors for infection included not using a face mask (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 7.29, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.86‐28.6), partial face mask use (aOR: 3.0, 95% CI: 0.83‐10.8), and being seated within two rows from the index patient (aOR: 7.47, 95% CI: 2.06‐27.2). Conclusion: SARS‐CoV‐2 was transmitted on the airplane. Nonuse of face masks was identified as an independent risk factor for contracting COVID‐19 on the airplane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Endoscopic decompression using the self‐expandable metallic colonic stent (SEMS) or transanal decompression tube (TDT) can convert emergency surgery into elective one‐stage surgery for obstructive colorectal cancer (OCRC). The aim of the present study was to clarify the effect of SEMS and TDT on long‐term oncological outcomes. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 76 consecutive pathological stage II and III OCRC patients who were inserted with SEMS or TDT as a bridge to curative surgery between 2009 and 2018. Results: There were 53 SEMS cases and 23 TDT cases. The tumor was located in the left colon in 58 cases and in the right colon in 18 cases. The interval between the decompression and the surgery was 16.5 days in the SEMS group and 13.0 days in the TDT group (P = 0.09). Technical and clinical success rates were 100% and 100% for SEMS, and 95% and 91% for TDT, respectively. Stoma was created in four patients in the SEMS group, and in five in the TDT group (P = 0.08). Three‐year overall survival rates of the SEMS and TDT groups were 82% and 86% (P = 0.94), and disease‐free survival rates were 68% and 62% (P = 0.79), respectively. The recurrence pattern was not significantly different. Conclusion: This study found no statistically significant differences between the effects of SEMS and TDT for OCRC as a bridge to surgery on long‐term outcomes. We retrospectively analyzed 76 consecutive pathological stage II and III obstructive colorectal cancer patients who were inserted with self‐expandable metallic colonic stent (SEMS) or transanal decompression tube (TDT) as a bridge to curative surgery. Three‐year overall survival rates of the SEMS and TDT groups were 82% and 86% (P = 0.94), and disease‐free survival rates were 68% and 62% (P = 0.79), respectively. The recurrence pattern was not significantly different. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]