Al8 Cluster-Based Metal Halide Frameworks: Balancing Singlet-Triplet Excited States to Achieve White Light and Multicolor Luminescence.

Luminescent metal clusters have attracted great interest in current research; however, the design synthesis of Al clusters with color-tunable luminescence remains challenging. Herein, an [Al8 (OH)8 (NA)16 ] (Al8 , HNA = nicotinic acid) molecular cluster with dual luminescence properties of fluorescence and room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) is synthesized by choosing HNA ligand as phosphor. Its prompt photoluminescence (PL) spectrum exhibits approximately white light emission at room temperature. Considering that halogen atoms can be used to regulate the RTP property by balancing the singlet and triplet excitons, different CdX2 (X- = Cl- , Br- , I- ) are introduced into the reactive system of the Al8 cluster, and three new Al8 cluster-based metal-organic frameworks, {[Al8 Cd3 Cl5 (OH)8 (NA)17 H2 O]·2HNA}n (CdCl2 -Al8 ), {[Al8 Cd4 Br7 (OH)8 (NA)16 CH3 CN]·NA·HNA}n (CdBr2 -Al8 ) and {[Al8 Cd8 I16 (OH)8 (NA)16 ]}n (CdI2 -Al8 ) are successfully obtained. They realize the color tunability from blue to yellow at room temperature. The origination of fluorescence and phosphorescence has also been illustrated by structure-property analysis and theoretical calculation. This work provides new insights into the design of multicolor luminescent metal cluster-based materials and develops advanced photo-functional materials for multicolor display, anti-counterfeiting, and encryption applications.

Genomic island type IV secretion system and transposons in genomic islands involved in antimicrobial resistance in Trueperella pyogenes.

Trueperella pyogenes (T. pyogenes) is a well-known opportunistic pathogen of many animal species. It can cause a variety of suppurative infections. The objective of this research was to get insight into the gene context and the location of the antimicrobial resistance determinants in the two multi-resistant T. pyogenes isolates TP3 and TP4. Comparative analysis of key factors leading to antimicrobial resistance was performed. Both isolates were resistant to erythromycin, azithromycin and tetracycline, and susceptible to ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin, cefazolin and florfenicol. In addition, TP4 was resistant to amikacin and gentamicin. Whole-genome analyses revealed that both TP3 and TP4 contained two different genomic islands (TP3-GI1, TP3-GI5, TP4-GI5 and TP4-GI8) involved in multi-drug resistance. There is a common region in TP3-GI1 and TP4-GI5, containing the tetracycline resistance gene tet(W) and a series of genes involved in type IV secretion systems. Several genes located on TP3-GI5 and TP4-GI8 are highly homologous. Tetracycline-resistance gene tet(33) was potentially acquired by horizontal gene transfer via IS6100 located on 57,936 bp TP3-GI5. The macrolide resistance gene erm(X) was located near the end of the TP3-GI5. The sequence analysis of TP4-GI8 showed that two copies of erm(X) and two IS1634 elements located in the same orientation may have formed a composite transposon. GI-type T4SS, transposons and multiple resistance genes located on GIs play a key role in multiple drug resistance of TP3 and TP4.

Ulinastatin ameliorates acute kidney injury induced by crush syndrome inflammation by modulating Th17/Treg cells.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is the main complication of crush syndrome (CS), and it is also a cause of lethality in CS. However, effective treatments for AKI are still lacking. Ulinastatin (UTI) is a broad-spectrum serine protease inhibitor extracted from human urine that reportedly modulates innate immunity and pro-inflammatory responses in sepsis. Here, we explored the effect and the potential mechanism of ulinastatin on crush syndrome-induced acute kidney injury (CSAKI). METHODS: A CSAKI rat model was established by using a digital crush injury device platform. Forty-six male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: the normal control (n = 6), CSAKI model (n = 10), CSAKI plus UTI1 (50,000 U/kg) (n = 10), CSAKI plus UTI2 (100,000 U/kg) (n = 10) and CSAKI plus UTI3 (200,000 U/kg) (n = 10) groups. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to investigate the reliability of the CSAKI model. The percentage of Th17/Treg lymphocytes in peripheral blood was measured by flow cytometry, and the expression of transcription factors associated with Th17/Treg cells was evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In addition, specific cytokines released by Th17/Treg cells in serum and kidney tissues were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Treatment with ulinastatin could significantly decrease serum BUN, CK, Scr, Mb and K+ levels compared with CSAKI group. HE staining results showed that ulinastatin could inhibit inflammatory cells infiltration, decrease sarcomere rupture in muscle tissues induced by extrusion, and alleviate the glomerular congestion and edema, as well as decrease myoglobin cast in kidney tissues. The proportion of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells and Foxp3 expression levels were decreased in the CSAKI animals, while IL-17 expression levels were significantly increased, compared with those of the normal control group. Treatment with ulinastatin upregulated the proportion of Treg cells in CD4+ T cells and downregulated the expression of IL-17 compared with those of the CSAKI group. CONCLUSION: The findings of our study indicate that UTI attenuates CS-induced AKI and alleviate the inflammatory response during the early stage. The mechanism of UTI may be due to regulating the balance between Th17/Treg cells. Our study provides a new mechanism for the beneficial effect of ulinastatin on CSAKI.

Multidrug resistance genes are associated with a 42-kb island TGI1 carrying a complex class 1 integron in Trueperella pyogenes.

OBJECTIVES: This research was conducted to ascertain the context and location of the antibiotic resistance determinants in a multiple antibiotic-resistant Trueperella pyogenes isolate TP1. METHODS: The genome was sequenced using PacBio RS II, and the filtered data were assembled using Canu. Sequences were annotated on the basis of those in GenBank, and the genomic island (GI) of the TP1 was predicted by IslandPath-DIMOB. RESULTS: TP1 as a multiple antibiotic-resistant isolate was recovered at Jilin Province (China) in 2017 from a dairy cow with pneumonia. TP1 exhibited resistance to aminoglycosides (gentamicin and amikacin), macrolides (erythromycin), lincosamides (clindamycin), sulfonamides (sulfamonomethoxine), tetracyclines (tetracycline and doxycycline) and chloramphenicols (chloramphenicol and florfenicol). An antibiotic resistance gene clustered together with the aadB, aadA1, cmlA5 and cmlA6 resistance genes located on a 7-kilobase (kb) multidrug-resistant (MDR) region, constituting a complex class 1 integron. The MDR region was located at one end of a 42-kb GI, and IS6100Δ1 mediated a genetic rearrangement with the complex class 1 integron-like SGI1 and formed a composite transposon. Furthermore, the tetW gene was located outside the four GIs consistent with tetracycline and doxycycline resistance. The ermD gene positioned in the front end of the 42-kb GI played an important role in mediating acquired erythromycin and clindamycin resistance. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple resistance genes are located in a complex class 1 integron within a 42-kb T. pyogenes genomic island (TGI1), leading to TP1 multiple drug resistance. In comparison with SG1 families, TGI1 possesses versatile gene distribution and specific gene context for it upstream and downstream, and it represents a new lineage of genomic resistance islands.

Transcriptome Analysis Reveals AI-2 Relevant Genes of Multi-Drug Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in Response to Eugenol at Sub-MIC.

Eugenol, the major active essential oil component of clove, was reported to possess QS (quorum sensing) inhibitory activity. A previous study found that eugenol could bind to quorum sensing receptors of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and down-regulate the expression of Streptococcus mutans virulence genes at sub-MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) without affecting the bacterial growth. However, the alterations of QS signal molecules at transcription levels was not well understood. To better understand interactions of Klebsiella pneumoniae in response to eugenol and explore molecular regulations, transcriptome sequencing was performed. A total of 5779 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) enriched in a variety of biological processes and pathways were identified. The transcriptional data was validated by qPCR and the results showed that the expression profiles of 4 major genes involved in autoinducers-2 (AI-2) synthesis, including luxS, pfs, and lsrK were consistent with transcriptome analysis except for lsrR, a transcriptional repressor gene of lsr operon, which may repress the expression of following genes responsible for AI-2 signal transmission in vivo. In vitro AI-2 synthesis assay also revealed that eugenol could inhibit AI-2 generation. The results of our study offer insights into the mechanisms of QS inhibitory activity and K. pneumoniae AI-2 alterations after eugenol treatment.

Antimicrobial resistance and presence of virulence factor genes in Trueperella pyogenes isolated from pig lungs with pneumonia.

Trueperella pyogenes (T. pyogenes) is a worldwide known pathogen of domestic ruminants and pigs causing a wide variety of infections. The objective of this study was to report the presence of major virulence genes in T. pyogenes isolated from pigs with respiratory clinical signs and determine their resistance to antibiotics at the same time. A total of 27 T. pyogenes strains were obtained from Jilin Province, and the nanH, nanP, cbpA, fimC, and fimE virulence genes were detected in 7 (25.9%), 14 (51.9%), 18 (66.7%), 8 (29.6%), and 16 (59.3%) isolates, respectively. All isolates were observed to harbor plo and fimA genes. However, 27 T. pyogenes strains tested negative for fimG gene. Antibiotic susceptibility tests revealed that the isolated strains had extensive drug resistance, all isolates were sensitive to fluoroquinolones and penicillins antibiotics, and high levels of resistance were found to gentamicin (77.8%), amikacin (74.1%), erythromycin (85.2%), and azithromycin (85.2%). These results highlights the need for prudent use of specific antimicrobial agents in veterinary clinical treatment.

Antimicrobial susceptibility and molecular typing of Pasteurella multocida isolated from six provinces in China.

Pasteurella multocida (P. multocida) is an important pathogen that causes bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in China and other countries. To investigate the antimicrobial susceptibility of P. multocida isolated from different provinces in China, we analyzed antimicrobial susceptibility phenotypes and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) types of P. multocida; then, we sequenced the complete genome of strain found to be multidrug-resistant. The isolates exhibited resistance to many antimicrobial agents, especially amikacin, sulfamethoxazole, sulfachloropyridazinesodium, macrolides, and fluoroquinolones. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis showed that a clonal spread of multidrug-resistant isolates occurred in various provinces. All of the isolates carried class I integron.

Dynamic Changes in Clinical Characteristics During an Outbreak of Human Adenovirus Serotype 55 in China.

OBJECTIVE: To determine dynamic changes in clinical characteristics by examining an outbreak of adenovirus infection that occurred from December 20, 2012, to February 25, 2013, in Tianjin, China. METHODS: Active surveillance for febrile respiratory illnesses was conducted, and medical records of patients were collected. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and sequencing were used for pathogen identification and viral genome study, respectively. Student's t-test was used to compare the mean values of normally distributed continuous variables. Mann-Whitney U or Kruskal-Wallis tests were used if continuous variables were not normally distributed. Pearson's chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was used to compare categorical variables. RESULTS: The outbreak was sourced from the index case diagnosed as the common cold on December 20, 2012; a total of 856 cases were reported in the following 66 days. The pathogen was identified as human adenovirus (HAdV) 55. The symptoms manifested differently in severe and mild cases. Routine blood examinations, liver function indexes, and heart function indexes showed different dynamic patterns over time in hospitalized patients. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical characteristics and laboratory examinations may reveal unique patterns over the course of HAdV-55 infection. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:464-469).

Aminoglycoside resistance of Trueperella pyogenes isolated from pigs in China.

We aimed to determine the resistance mechanisms of 27 T. pyogenes isolates from swine in the Jilin province of China. Drug sensitivity analysis indicated that most of the isolated strains were resistant to aminoglycosides. We investigated the genes involved in target alteration, drug inactivation, and increased efflux as potential resistance mechanisms. Two known aminoglycoside resistance genes (aphA1 and strB) were not found in the genomic DNA of any isolate. A 3-bp (CCC) deletion in one 16S rRNA operon was detected in all isolates, and efflux pumps were not active in the resistant group. Ultimately, genes encoding aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes carried by class 1 integrons were identified as the main cause of resistance to aminoglycosides in T. pyogenes.

Infectious Disease Information Collection System at the Scene of Disaster Relief Based on a Personal Digital Assistant.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to build a database to collect infectious disease information at the scene of a disaster through the use of 128 epidemiological questionnaires and 47 types of options, with rapid acquisition of information regarding infectious disease and rapid questionnaire customization at the scene of disaster relief by use of a personal digital assistant (PDA). METHODS: SQL Server 2005 (Microsoft Corp, Redmond, WA) was used to create the option database for the infectious disease investigation, to develop a client application for the PDA, and to deploy the application on the server side. The users accessed the server for data collection and questionnaire customization with the PDA. RESULTS: A database with a set of comprehensive options was created and an application system was developed for the Android operating system (Google Inc, Mountain View, CA). On this basis, an infectious disease information collection system was built for use at the scene of disaster relief. The creation of an infectious disease information collection system and rapid questionnaire customization through the use of a PDA was achieved. CONCLUSIONS: This system integrated computer technology and mobile communication technology to develop an infectious disease information collection system and to allow for rapid questionnaire customization at the scene of disaster relief. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:668-673).

Canine model of crush syndrome established by a digital crush injury device platform.

OBJECTIVE: To establish a canine model of crush syndrome (CS). METHODS: A total of 16 healthy adult female Beagle dogs were randomly divided into the control group (n=8) and the experimental group (n=8). The crush injury was created in the left hind leg of each dog in the experimental group. RESULTS: The biochemical indexes in the experimental group changed significantly compared to the values before extrusion. And they were also significantly different from the values of the control group. The glomerular capillary dilation, renal tubular epithelial cell degeneration, and renal interstitial lymphocytic infiltration were found in the kidneys. CONCLUSION: The canine CS model established by the digital crush injury device platform was successful according with the diagnosis of CS. It is good for the investigation of the CS mechanism and treatment using this model.