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Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a critical hospital-acquired infection following non-cardiac surgeries, leading to poor outcomes. This study identifies VAP risk factors in non-cardiac surgical patients and determines the causative pathogens. A retrospective analysis with 1:4 propensity-score matching was conducted on patients in a surgical intensive care unit (ICU) from 2010 to 2020 at a private tertiary medical center. Among 99 VAP patients, the mortality rate was 64.7%. VAP risk factors included prolonged mechanical ventilation (odds ratio [OR] 6.435; p < 0.001), repeat intubation (OR 6.438; p < 0.001), lower oxygenation levels upon ICU admission (OR 0.950; p < 0.001), and undergoing gastrointestinal surgery (OR 2.257; p = 0.021). The 30-day mortality risk factors in the VAP group were late-onset VAP (OR 3.450; p = 0.022), inappropriate antibiotic treatment (OR 4.083; p = 0.041), and undergoing gastrointestinal surgeries (OR 4.776; p = 0.019). Nearly half of the Gram-negative infections were resistant strains, and a third were polymicrobial infections. Non-cardiac surgical patients with VAP face adverse hospital outcomes. Identifying high-risk patients and understanding VAP's resistant and microbial nature are crucial for appropriate treatment and improved health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The White‐barred Goby Amblygobius phalaena is a popular ornamental fish in the marine aquarium market. To achieve successful commercial production, efficient larval rearing techniques are crucial. Previous studies have achieved successful cultivation of White‐barred Goby larvae by using a combination of three live feed organisms—the ciliate Euplotes sp., the rotifer Brachionus rotundiformis, and the copepod Apocyclops royi nauplii—during the first feeding stage. However, the specific contributions of these live feed organisms to larval survival and growth remain unclear. Moreover, the optimal feeding density for the critical initial live feed organism has not been determined experimentally. In this study, we aimed to enhance the larviculture protocol for White‐barred Goby by introducing Portuguese oyster Crassostrea angulata trochophores and by addressing these knowledge gaps. Methods: Larvae were initially cultured through individual and combined feeding with four live feed organisms: Euplotes sp., Portuguese oyster trochophores, B. rotundiformis, and A. royi nauplii. The objective was to identify the optimal initial live feed organism during the first feeding stage by assessing the survival and growth performance of larvae. Subsequently, using this optimal live feed organism, larvae were cultured at four feeding densities (2, 5, 10, and 20 individuals/mL). Through evaluating feeding incidence, feeding intensity, survival, and growth performance, the aim was to determine the optimal feeding density for the selected live prey. Result: Our experiments revealed that White‐barred Goby larvae could consume both oyster trochophores and Euplotes sp. during the first feeding stage. However, larvae exhibited superior survival and growth performance when fed oyster trochophores. The optimal feeding density of oyster trochophores was determined to be 10 individuals/mL, while a feeding density as high as 20 individuals/mL resulted in decreased larval feeding incidence. Conclusion: These findings have significant implications for enhancing larval production programs for marine ornamental gobies and promoting their sustainable commercialization. Impact statementOur study enhances the larval rearing of the popular marine ornamental fish, the White‐barred Goby. Feeding them with oyster trochophores at appropriate densities improves their survival and growth. This leads to more efficient commercial production, alleviating fishing pressure on wild populations. It marks a significant stride in preserving the diversity of coral reef fish and fostering a sustainable aquarium industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

White-barred goby Amblygobius phalaena is a highly valued marine ornamental fish, but its captive reproduction and early life history are poorly understood. In this study, the captive reproductive behavior, early development, and optimal temperature and salinity for the larval survival and viability of A. phalaena were investigated for the first time. Spawning occurred between 11:00 and 13:00, with the breeding pairs naturally spawning 24 times from 1 June 2021 to 30 June 2022. The fecundity ranged from 11,022 to 95,858 eggs per spawning event. Hatching occurred approximately 81 h and 26 min after fertilization at a temperature of 27.0 ± 0.9 °C. Newly hatched larvae had a total length (TL) of 1.91–2.03 mm with 24–26 somites. The larvae transformed into juveniles at 30 days post-hatch. Experiments were conducted at different temperatures (21, 24, 27, 30, and 33 °C) and salinities (18, 24, 30, and 36 ppt) to determine the optimal conditions for larval survival and viability. The results indicate that the most suitable conditions in terms of temperature were in the range of 21–27 °C and 30 ppt for salinity. These findings provide valuable insights for the future development of captive-breeding techniques and the commercial production of other marine ornamental gobies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]