Inkjet-printed flexible V2CTx film electrodes with excellent photoelectric properties and high capacities for energy storage device.

Energy storage devices are progressively advancing in the light-weight, flexible, and wearable direction. Ti3C2Tx flexible film electrodes fabricated via a non-contact, cost-effective, high-efficiency, and large-scale inkjet printing technology were capable of satisfying these demands in our previous report. However, other MXenes that can be employed in flexible energy storage devices remain undiscovered. Herein, flexible V2CTx film electrodes (with the low formula weight vs Ti3C2Tx film electrodes) with both high capacities and excellent photoelectric properties were first fabricated. The area capacitances of V2CTx film electrodes reached 531.3-5787.0 µF⋅cm-2 at 5 mV⋅s-1, corresponding to the figure of merits (FoMs) of 0.07-0.15. Noteworthy, V2CTx film electrode exhibited excellent cyclic stability with the capacitance retention of 83 % after 7,000 consecutive charge-discharge cycles. Furthermore, flexible all solid-state symmetric V2CTx supercapacitor was assembled with the area capacitance of 23.4 µF⋅cm-2 at 5 mV⋅s-1. Inkjet printing technology reaches the combination of excellent photoelectric properties and high capacities of flexible V2CTx film electrodes, which provides a new strategy for manufacturing MXene film electrodes, broadening the application prospect of flexible energy storage devices.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of ß-Lactamase Genes of Extended-Spectrum ß-Lactamases-Producing Escherichia coli From Dairy Farm Environments of Haryana, India.

Presence of extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae in the dairy farm environment and food chain could be a possible interface for the exchange of antimicrobial resistance genes between humans and animals. A total of 600 samples comprised of raw bovine milk, faeces, feed, environmental swabs and water samples from 20 different bovine dairy farms in and around Hisar city, Haryana, India were analysed for presence of ESBL encoding genes. Out of 240 isolates of Escherichia coli obtained, 74 isolates were found to be ESBL producers. Maximum number of ESBL isolates were found from faeces (40.5%) followed by raw milk (37.8%) and environmental swabs (17.5%). Most of the ESBL E. coli isolates were sensitive to chloramphenicol (82.4%) and gentamicin (77.0%) antibiotics. The bla CTX-M gene was found to be most prevalent (52.0%) followed by bla TEM (9.45%) while bla SHV gene alone was not detected in any sample by simplex PCR. However, the co-expression of blaCTX-M + blaTEM (21.6%) and blaCTX-M + blaSHV (4.05%) genes were also observed. The housing system, milking method and the hygienic mangement practices followed at farm level are found to be significant risk factors of ESBL-producing E. coli in dairy farms of Haryana.

MXene/WO3 Sensor Array with Improved SNN Algorithm for Accurate Identification of Toxic Gases.

Gas sensing is pivotal in critical areas such as industrial production and food safety. This study explores the gas classification capabilities of MXene-based gas sensors. Pure V2CTx MXene and an MXene/WO3 nanocomposite were synthesized, and MXene-based gas sensors were integrated into a 2 × 2 rudimentary electronic nose array. The tests on gas sensitivity revealed that the inclusion of WO3 nanoparticles (NPs) boosted the sensor's response to 10 ppm of NO2 from 2.82 to 3.45 at room temperature. Moreover, the sensor showcased a rapid response/recovery duration of 74.5/149.0 s, excellent environmental stability, and long-term reliable sensing performance. Furthermore, we have improved the method of accurately identifying four toxic gases detected by an MXene-based sensor array using a spiking neural network (SNN) based on the memristive system. Also, the performance of this identification method revealed that the method achieved 95.83% accuracy in the identification of the four gases. Notably, the improved SNN demonstrated approximately 5% higher accuracy than the other gas recognition algorithm. These results highlight the potential of SNN as a powerful tool to accurately and reliably identify toxic gases based on the gas sensor array.

A novel chicken-origin colistin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae ST5982 Co-harboring mcr-3.11 and CTX-M-27.

Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) is an important zoonotic opportunistic pathogen of Enterobacteriaceae that has become one of the most common infectious diseases causing Enterobacteriaceae after Escherichia coli. In this study, we identified a colistin-resistant, multidrug-resistant ST5982 K. pneumoniae strain of broiler origin. The isolate carried 35 resistance genes of 10 antibiotics classes, detected by whole genome sequencing (WGS); 11.4 % (4/35) of the resistance genes were distributed in the chromosome, and 88.6 % (31/35) of the resistance genes were located in four different resistance plasmids. Among the four plasmids, we found for the first time that CTX-M-27 and mcr-3.11 simultaneously coexisted in K. pneumoniae, and a resistance plasmid of IncI1 carrying a combination of mcr-3.11 and qnrS1 was identified. We successfully transferred mcr-3.11, qnrS1 and CTX-M-27 genes into E. coli J53 through conjugation experiments. In the present study, the co-occurrence of CTX-M-27 and mcr-3.11 in multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae strain ST5982 was detected for the first time; its drug resistance was evaluated, and the risk of its transmission was assessed to provide a reference for further prevention and treatment of K. pneumoniae.

Low T3 Syndrome is Associated with Imbalance of Bone Turnover Biomarker in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

Objectives: To investigate the variation in bone turnover biomarkers among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and low triiodothyronine levels (Low T3 syndrome). Materials and Methods: This retrospective analytic study included 418 inpatient records from Shanghai Pudong Hospital covering the years 2021 to 2023. Laboratory data related to metabolic and bone turnover biomarkers in patients were analyzed with T2D and the low T3 syndrome. Results: The results indicated that patients with reduced serum T3 levels exhibited statistically significant variations in thyroid function, age, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and the proportion of medication history associated with diabetes in comparison to euthyroid patients. In addition to parathyroid hormones, bone turnover biomarkers including N-terminal middle molecular fragment of osteocalcin (NMID), plasma calcium (Ca2+), ß C-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type 1 collagen (ß-CTX), and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25 OH VitD3) exhibited significant changes in patients with decreased T3 levels. Evident irregularities were observed in patients with a decreased T3 level, including elevated serum creatinine (SCr), decreased concentrations of albumin and total protein, and a decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), as assessed through hepatic and renal testing, respectively. Significant associations between bone turnover biomarkers and the subsequent variables (gender, adiposity, hepatic, renal, and thyroid function) were revealed through the correlational analysis. Further investigation utilized multivariate linear regression to determine that, in addition to thyroid function, several other factors such as age, gender, bodyweight, pancreatic, hepatic, and renal function, affected the variability in bone turnover biomarkers among patients demonstrating a low serum T3 level. Conclusions: This comparative study demonstrated that despite age, gender, bodyweight, hepatic, renal function, thyroid hormone and pancreatic function were significant factors associated with bone metabolism in patients with T2D and Low T3 syndrome, which may increase the risk of osteoporosis.

Auricularia auricula polysaccharide alleviates cyclophosphamide-induced liver injury in mice involving remodeling of the gut bacteriome, mycobiome, and metabolome.

In this study, a novel polysaccharide (AHP) from Auricularia auricula was isolated and purified, showing protective effects against CTX-induced liver injury in mice. To study the action mechanism of AHP, a liver injury model was established by intraperitoneally injection 80 mg/kg of CTX for 3 consecutive days. The focus was on how AHP regulated the gut bacteriome and mycobiome to help alleviate metabolic disorders associated with liver injury. Results showed that AHP amended liver injury by improving liver function, stabilizing oxidative stress homeostasis, reducing inflammatory invasion and activating Akt/GSK3ß/Nrf-2/HO-1 signaling pathway. The 16S ribosomal DNA (16S rDNA) and Internal Transcribed Spacer-1 (ITS1) sequencing results demonstrated that AHP supplementation significantly restored the gut bacteriome and mycobiome composition in CTX-induced liver injury mice, by enriching the abundance of beneficial bacteriome (unclassified_Muribaculaceae, Faecalibaculum and Alloprevotella) and mycobiome (Fusarium), reducing the abundance of harmful bacteriome (Akkermanisa) and mycobiome (Fusicolla and Cladosporium). Analysis of untargeted metabolomics indicated that AHP altered the levels of metabolites associated with both bile acid and arachidonic acid metabolism, showing a significant connection to the AHP-regulated bacteriome and mycobiome. To conclude, the findings suggested that AHP was a viable and secure candidate for use as a hepatoprotective medication.

The association between the triglyceride-glucose index and bone turnover markers in osteoporotic fractures patients aged 50 and above who are hospitalized for surgical intervention: a retrospective cross-sectional study.

Objective: To evaluate the correlation between the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and bone turnover markers (BTMs) in osteoporotic fractures (OPFs) patients hospitalized for surgical intervention. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 3558 OPFs patients hospitalized for surgical intervention between January 2017 and July 2022. The study obtained baseline values for various biomarkers and covariates, including fasting blood glucose, ß-C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ß-CTX), procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (P1NP), triglycerides, age, sex, body mass index, smoking, drinking, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, aspartate aminotransferase, uric acid, the score of American society of anesthesiologists, homocysteine, parathyroid hormone, apolipoprotein B, apolipoprotein A, magnesium, phosphorus and calcium. Multiple linear regression, curve fitting, threshold effects, and subgroup analyses were also applied. Results: After adjusting for covariates in the regression analysis, the results revealed a negative correlation between ß-CTX and P1NP levels and the baseline TyG index. Specifically, a one-unit increase in the TyG index was associated with a reduction in ß-CTX levels of -0.06 (95% CI: -0.10, -0.01; P-value = 0.012) and a reduction in P1NP levels of -4.70 (95% CI: -9.30, -0.09; P-value = 0.046). Additionally, the inflection points for the nonlinear correlation between the TyG index and ß-CTX and P1NP were found to be K = 6.31 and K = 6.63, respectively. Conclusion: The study demonstrated a negative, non-linear relationship among the TyG index, ß-CTX and P1NP in OPFs patients hospitalized for surgical intervention. These findings suggest that elevated TyG index levels may adversely affect bone turnover, potentially contributing to the progression of OP.

Population pharmacokinetic model of ABL001/CTX-009 (anti-VEGF/DLL4) in adult cancer patients with solid tumor.

ABL001/CTX-009 is a bispecific antibody targeting delta-like ligand-4 and vascular endothelial growth factor A. In this study, we developed a population pharmacokinetic (PK) model of ABL001/CTX-009 in patients with solid tumors. A total of 712 plasma concentrations from 30 patients with relapsed or refractory solid tumors were collected from a phase 1 study (NCT03292783). A population PK model was developed using a nonlinear mixed-effect method and was evaluated by graphical and numerical methods. Using the model, the steady-state concentrations were simulated to compare weight-based and fixed-dose regimens and to find optimal dosing intervals. The PK of ABL001/CTX-009 was well described by a two-compartment model with a parallel first-order and Michaelis-Menten elimination kinetics. Body weight was selected as a significant covariate on V1. Model evaluation results suggested that the model was adequate and robust with good precision. Simulations after administrations of fixed or weight-based doses showed similar plasma concentrations. Additionally, 10 mg/kg for every other week and 15 mg/kg for every three-week administration showed comparable plasma concentrations. In conclusion, the model well described the plasma concentrations of ABL001/CTX-009 in patients with solid tumors. The simulation suggested that weight-based dose and fixed dose can provide equivalent systemic exposure.

Characterization of Trivalently Crosslinked C-Terminal Telopeptide of Type I Collagen (CTX) Species in Human Plasma and Serum Using High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry.

With an aging population, the increased interest in the monitoring of skeletal diseases such as osteoporosis led to significant progress in the discovery and measurement of bone turnover biomarkers since the 2000s. Multiple markers derived from type I collagen, such as CTX, NTX, PINP, and ICTP, have been developed. Extensive efforts have been devoted to characterizing these molecules; however, their complex crosslinked structures have posed significant analytical challenges, and to date, these biomarkers remain poorly characterized. Previous attempts at characterization involved gel-based separation methods and MALDI-TOF analysis on collagen peptides directly extracted from bone. However, using bone powder, which is rich in collagen, does not represent the true structure of the peptides in the biofluids as it was cleaved. In this study, our goal was to characterize plasma and serum CTX for subsequent LC-MS/MS method development. We extracted and characterized type I collagen peptides directly from human plasma and serum using a proteomics workflow that integrates preparative LC, affinity chromatography, and HR-MS. Subsequently, we successfully identified numerous CTX species, providing valuable insights into the characterization of these crucial biomarkers.

Diversity and Complexity of CTXΦ and Pre-CTXΦ Families in Vibrio cholerae from Seventh Pandemic.

CTXΦ is a lysogenic filamentous phage that carries the genes encoding cholera toxin (ctxAB), the main virulence factor of Vibrio cholerae. The toxigenic conversion of environmental V. cholerae strains through CTXΦ lysogenic infection is crucial for the emergence of new pathogenic clones. A special allelic form of CTXΦ, called pre-CTXΦ, is a precursor of CTXΦ and without ctxAB. Different members of the pre-CTXΦ and CTXΦ families are distinguished by the sequence of the transcriptional repressor-coding gene rstR. Multiple rstR alleles can coexist within a single strain, demonstrating the diverse structure and complex genomic integration patterns of CTXΦ/pre-CTXΦ prophage on the chromosome. Exploration of the diversity and co-integration patterns of CTXΦ/pre-CTXΦ prophages in V. cholerae can help to understand the evolution of this phage family. In this study, 21 V. cholerae strains, which were shown to carry the CTXΦ/pre-CTXΦ prophages as opposed to typical CTXETΦ-RS1 structure, were selected from approximately 1000 strains with diverse genomes. We identified two CTXΦ members and six pre-CTXΦ members with distinct rstR alleles, revealing complex chromosomal DNA integration patterns and arrangements of different prophages in these strains. Promoter activity assays showed that the transcriptional repressor RstR protected against CTXΦ superinfection by preventing the replication and integration of CTXΦ/pre-CTXΦ phages containing the same rstR allele, supporting the co-integration of the diverse CTXΦ/pre-CTXΦ members observed. The numbers and types of prophages and their co-integration arrangements in serogroup O139 strains were more complex than those in serogroup O1 strains. Also, these CTXΦ/pre-CTXΦ members were shown to present the bloom period of the CTXΦ/pre-CTXΦ family during wave 2 of the seventh cholera pandemic. Together, these analyses deepen our comprehension of the genetic variation of CTXΦ and pre-CTXΦ and provide insights into the evolution of the CTXΦ/pre-CTXΦ family in the seventh cholera pandemic.

Immunomodulatory Effects of a Prebiotic Formula with 2'-Fucosyllactose and Galacto- and Fructo-Oligosaccharides on Cyclophosphamide (CTX)-Induced Immunosuppressed BALB/c Mice via the Gut-Immune Axis.

Obejectives: This study explored the immunomodulatory effects of a prebiotic formula consisting of 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL), galacto-oligosaccharides (GOSs), and fructo-oligosaccharides (FOSs) (hereinafter referred to as 2FGF) in cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced immunosuppressed BALB/c mice and its underlying mechanisms. Methods: Sixty healthy female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the following groups: normal control (NC) group; CTX treatment (CTX) group; 2FGF low-dose (2FGF-L) group; 2FGF medium-dose (2FGF-M) group; and 2FGF high-dose (2FGF-H) group. An immunosuppressed model was established in the 2FGF-H group by intraperitoneal injection of 80 mg/kg CTX. After 30 days of 2FGF intervention, peripheral blood, spleen tissue, thymus tissue, and intestinal tissue from the mice were collected and analyzed. The changes in weight and food intake of the mice were recorded weekly. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the histological change of the spleen tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to detect cytokine levels in peripheral blood. Flow cytometry was used to analyze T lymphocyte subgroup ratio of splenic lymphocytes. Western blot analysis was conducted on intestinal tissues to assess the expression of proteins involved in the tight junction, toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cell (NF-κB) signaling pathways. Additionally, molecular techniques were used to analyze the intestinal microbiota. Results: The results showed that 2FGF restored CTX-induced splenic injury, increased the number of splenic T lymphocytes, and elevated serum cytokines such as interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-10. In the intestine, 2FGF upregulated the expression of intestinal epithelial tight junction proteins such as Claudin-1 and zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1), thereby enhancing intestinal barrier function and activating the MAPK and NF-κB pathways via TLR4. Furthermore, 2FGF elevated the α-diversity (Shannon and Simpson indices) of the gut microbiota in CTX-induced immunosuppressed mice, enriching bacteria species positively correlated with anti-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-4) such as g_Streptomyces and g_Bacillus and negatively correlated with pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-1ß) such as g_Saccharomyces. The results suggest that 2FGF may enhance immunity via the gut-immune axis. Conclusions: The 2FGF prebiotic formula showed an immunomodulatory effect in CTX-induced immunosuppressed mice, and the mechanism of which might involve optimizing the gut flora, enhancing intestinal homeostasis, strengthening the intestinal barrier, and promoting the expression of immune factors by regulating the TLR-4/MAPK/NF-κB pathway.

Nur77 ameliorates cyclophosphamide-induced ovarian insufficiency in mice by inhibiting oxidative damage and cell senescence.

Premature ovarian failure (POF) is among the primary causes of ovarian dysfunction that severely affects women's physical and mental health. The main purpose of this study was to explore the expression level of Nerve growth factor-induced protein B (Nur77/NR4A1) in cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced POF. We then tested whether Nur77 can exert a protective effect after CTX treatment and investigated the mechanism of Nur77's role during ovarian injury. CTX promotes follicular atresia by inducing redox imbalance, apoptosis, and senescence, thereby causing direct toxicity to gonads. Additionally, CTX decreases ovarian reserve consumption by stimulating the excessive activation of primordial follicles. Nur77 can be stimulated by oxidative stress, DNA damage, metabolism, inflammation, etc. However, its relationship with POF remains unelucidated. We here found that Nur77 is expressed at low levels in POF ovaries. Therefore, Nur77 was identified as a regulator of ovarian injury and follicular development. According to the results, Nur77 overexpression alleviated redox imbalances, reduced cell senescence and apoptosis, and improved follicular reserve. Nur77 protects ovarian function by restoring disordered sex hormone levels and estrus cycles and promoting follicle growth and development at all levels. Moreover, the rapamycin protein kinase (AKT)/mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) is a crucial regulator of the primordial follicle pool and follicular development. A relationship was observed between Nur77 and AKT through string and molecular docking. Experiments confirmed the involvement of the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in the regulatory role of Nur77 in ovarian function. Thus, Nur77 is a critical target for POF prevention and treatment.

Colistin, doxycycline and Labetalol-meropenem combination are the most active against XDR-Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii: Role of a novel transferrable plasmid conferring carbapenem resistance.

This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility and combination of a beta-blocker, labetalol (LAB) and meropenem (MEM) on Carbapenem-resistant (CR) A. baumannii clinical isolates. A total of 43 CR- A. baumannii were isolated of which 37 (86.6 %) and 28 (65 %) exhibited MDR and XDR phenotypes, respectively. Colistin and doxycycline still retain their activities in 93.1 % and 72.1 % of the isolates, respectively. Combining MEM with LAB at 0.25 mg /mL, decreased MIC values in 91.4 % (32/35) however, at 0.5 mg /mL, it decreased MIC value and restored susceptibility to MEM in 100 % and 91.4 % of the tested isolates, respectively. A novel transferable plasmid pAcbGIM3 harboring aph-3', blaoxa-58,blaGIM3 and blaCTX-M3 and eight mobile genetic elements were successfully isolated from a pan-drug resistant (PDR) isolate. In conclusion, LAB-MEM is a promising combination and should be clinically examined. This is the first report of a transmissible plasmid harboring blaGIM3 gene in Egypt.

Tn4661-mediated transfer of bla CTX-M-15 from Klebsiella michiganensis to an outbreak clone of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Carriage of CTX-M-type extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL) is rare in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. During routine surveillance of an endemic ST-621 P. aeruginosa at a large hospital, isolate MRSN 100690 carrying bla CTX-M-15 was cultured from a patient (P2). This was the first detection of this ESBL in the endemic ST-621 lineage. All 1 488 bacterial isolates collected from the same facility in the 12 months prior to the incidence of 100 690 were screened for the presence of bla CTX-M-15. A set of 183 isolates was identified, in which corresponding patient metadata was evaluated for spatiotemporal overlaps with P2. The resulting three isolates, along with 100 690, were long-read sequenced using the Oxford Nanopore MinION platform to determine a potential donor of bla CTX-M-15. The screen revealed a single Klebsiella michiganensis isolate, MRSN 895358, which carried an IncA/C2 plasmid harbouring bla CTX-M-15. Notably, the patient harbouring 895358, P1, occupied the same hospital room as P2 9 months prior. Genomic alignment revealed that both isolates shared an identical 80.8 kb region containing the IncA/C2 plasmid replicon and bla CTX-M-15. This region was plasmid bound in 895 358, but chromosomally bound in 100 690 due to Tn4661-mediated transposition. ESBL bla CTX-M-15 was acquired and subsequently integrated into the chromosome of a ST-621 P. aeruginosa, likely initiated by plasmid transfer from a K. michiganensis strain.

Divergent associations of inflammatory markers with bone turnover markers in elderly patients with osteoporotic fractures.

The association between inflammatory markers (IMs) and bone turnover markers (BTMs) in osteoporotic fracture patients has not been comprehensively studied. Therefore, this study examined the correlation between the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), or Monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) and BTMs in osteoporosis (OP) fracture patients. This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed 740 OP fracture patients admitted to the hospital from January 2017 to July 2022. MLR, NLR, and PLR were calculated based on each patient's complete blood count. The relationship between IMs and BTMs was assessed using three models by adjusting variables. Furthermore, the potential curve relationship between IMs and BTMs was also determined via the threshold effect analysis and curve fittings. In addition, stratified analysis was performed on each adjusted variable to confirm the stability of the results. After adjusting the variables, the results showed that NLR was negatively correlated with procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (P1NP) (ß = -1.1788, 95% CI: -1.7230 to -0.6345, P-value < 0.0001) and ß-C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ß-CTX) (ß = -0.0104, 95% CI: -0.0145 to -0.0062, P-value < 0.0001), Furthermore, MLR was negatively correlated with P1NP (ß = -17.4523, 95% CI: -27.7335 to -7.1710, P-value = 0.0009) and ß-CTX (ß = -0.1327, 95% CI: -0.2211 to -0.0443, P-value = 0.0034). However, PLR indicated a positive correlation with P1NP (ß = 0.0326, 95% CI: 0.0007 to 0.0645, P-value = 0.0458) and ß-CTX (ß = 0.0003, 95% CI: 0.0001 to 0.0006, P-value = 0.0204). The threshold effect analysis and curve fittings revealed the presence of a turning point between NLR, MLR, and P1NP, ß-CTX. In addition, the stratified analysis validated the result's stability. In conclusion, this study indicates a negative correlation between NLR and MLR with P1NP, while PLR shows a positive correlation with P1NP. Additionally, NLR and MLR exhibit a negative correlation with ß-CTX, whereas PLR demonstrates a positive correlation with ß-CTX. Further research is required to assess the intricate mechanisms linking IM with bone metabolism.

Prevalence and molecular characterization of ESBL/pAmpC producing faecal Escherichia coli strains with widespread detection of CTX-M-15 isolated from healthy poultry flocks in Eastern Algeria.

The intensification of livestock farming has led to the widespread use of massive amounts of antibiotics worldwide. Poultry production, including white meat, eggs and the use of their manure as fertiliser, has been identified as one of the most crucial reservoirs for the emergence and spread of resistant bacteria, including E. coli in poultry as an important opportunistic pathogen representing the greatest biological hazard to human and wildlife health. Thus, this study aimed to analyse E. coli in the faecal carriage of healthy poultry flocks and to investigate the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of antimicrobial resistance, including integrons genes and phylogenetic groups. A total of 431 cloacal swabs from apparently healthy poultry from four regions in Eastern Algeria from December 2021 to October 2022. 360 E. coli were isolated; from broilers (n = 151), broiler breeders (n = 91), laying hens (n = 72), and breeding hens (n = 46). Among this, 281 isolates exhibited multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype, 17 of the 360 E. coli isolates exhibited ESBL, and one isolate exhibited both ESBL/pAmpC. A representative collection of 183 among 281 MDR E. coli was selected for further analysis by PCR to detect genes encoding resistance to different antibiotics, and sequencing was performed on all positive PCR products of blaCTX-M and blaCMY-2 genes. Phylogenetic groups were determined in 80 E. coli isolates (20 from each of the four kinds of poultry). The blaCTX-M gene was found in 16 (94.11 %) ESBL-producing E. coli isolates within 11 strains co-expressing the blaSHV gene and 8 strains co-expressing the blaTEM gene. Sequence analysis showed frequent diversity in CTX-M-group-1, with blaCTX-M-15 being the most predominant (n = 11), followed by blaCTX-M-1 (n = 5). The blaCMY-2 gene was detected only in one ESBL/pAmpC isolate. Among the 183 tested isolates, various antimicrobial resistance genes were found (number of strains) blaTEM (n = 121), blaSHV (n = 12), tetA (n = 100), tetB (n = 29), sul1(n = 67), sul2 (n = 32), qnrS (n = 45), qnrB (n = 10), qnrA (n = 1), catA1(n = 13), aac-(6')-Ib (n = 3). Furthermore, class 1 and class 2 integrons were found in 113 and 2 E. coli, respectively. The isolates were classified into multiple phylogroups, including A (35 %), B1 (27.5 %), B2 and D each (18.75 %). The detection of integrons and different classes of resistance genes in the faecal carriage of healthy poultry production indicates that commensal E. coli could potentially act as a reservoir for antimicrobial resistance, posing a significant One Health challenge encompassing the interconnected domains of human, animal health and the environment. Here, we present the first investigation to describe the diversity of blaCTX-M producing E. coli isolates with widespread detection of CTX-M-15 and CTX-M-1 in healthy breeders (Broiler and breeding hens) in Eastern Algeria.

Spin Manipulation of Co sites in Co9S8/Nb2CTx Mott-Schottky Heterojunction for Boosting the Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction Reaction.

Regulating the adsorption of an intermediate on an electrocatalyst by manipulating the electron spin state of the transition metal is of great significance for promoting the activation of inert nitrogen molecules (N2) during the electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (eNRR). However, achieving this remains challenging. Herein, a novel 2D/2D Mott-Schottky heterojunction, Co9S8/Nb2CTx-P, is developed as an eNRR catalyst. This is achieved through the in situ growth of cobalt sulfide (Co9S8) nanosheets over a Nb2CTx MXene using a solution plasma modification method. Transformation of the Co spin state from low (t2g 6eg 1) to high (t2g 5eg 2) is achieved by adjusting the interface electronic structure and sulfur vacancy of Co9S8/Nb2CTx-P. The adsorption ability of N2 is optimized through high spin Co(II) with more unpaired electrons, significantly accelerating the *N2→*NNH kinetic process. The Co9S8/Nb2CTx-P exhibits a high NH3 yield of 62.62 µg h-1 mgcat. -1 and a Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 30.33% at -0.40 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) in 0.1 m HCl. Additionally, it achieves an NH3 yield of 41.47 µg h-1 mgcat. -1 and FE of 23.19% at -0.60 V versus RHE in 0.1 m Na2SO4. This work demonstrates a promising strategy for constructing heterojunction electrocatalysts for efficient eNRR.

Prevalence of streptomycin and tetracycline resistance and increased transmissible third-generation cephalosporin resistance in Salmonella enterica isolates derived from food handlers in Japan from 2006 to 2021.

AIMS: The increasing prevalence of AmpC ß-lactamase (AmpC)- and extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)- producing food pathogens is a serious public health concern. AmpC- and ESBL-producing Salmonella species pose a high risk of food contamination. This study aimed to investigate changes in the prevalence of Salmonella among food handlers in Japan from 2006 to 2021 using 100 randomly selected isolates from 2006, 2012, 2018, and 2021 with different serotypes and antimicrobial resistance patterns. METHODS AND RESULTS: The average Salmonella isolation rate was 0.070% (19 602/27 848 713). Serotyping revealed that the most common serotypes were Enteritidis in 2006, Infantis in 2012, Agoueve/Cubana in 2018, and Schwarzengrund in 2021. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed that Salmonella isolates exhibited the highest resistance to streptomycin (<40%), followed by tetracycline (<20%-40%). Moreover, 6% of the Salmonella isolates produced cephalosporinases with the blaCMY-2, blaCTX-M-14, and blaTEM genes. The annual incidence of cephalosporin resistance has increased. Plasmid conjugation assays revealed that cephalosporin-resistant Salmonella spp. transmitted their resistance to Escherichia coli. Additionally, plasmid genome analysis showed that the insertion sequence IS26 was encoded in the upstream and downstream regions of blaCTX-M-14 and qnrS1 in the IncHI1 plasmid, which could be transmitted to other bacteria. CONCLUSIONS: The tested Salmonella isolates showed high resistance to specific antibiotics, with differences in resistance depending on the serotype. Further increase and spread of transmissible cephalosporin-resistant strains should be noted.

Establishment of Reference Intervals for Bone Turnover Biomarkers in Healthy Populations in Northern China.

Aim: This study was intended to establish the reference intervals of bone turnover markers (BTMs) for healthy populations. Methods: According to the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) EP28-A3c, we recruited 774 healthy Chinese and investigated their clinical characteristics and relationships among gender, age, season and BTMs. The reference intervals of BTMs for healthy populations in Hebei of China were established through defining the central 95% range of all observations. Results: We found that gender were associated with 25(OH)D, OC, ß-CTX, and P1NP (P < 0.05), but not PTH1-84 (P=0.138). All serum BTMs showed differences among different age groups (P < 0.01). The level of 25 (OH) D in winter showed statistical differences with spring, summer, and autumn (P<0.05). The OC level showed statistical difference between summer and winter (P=0.000). The P1NP levels showed statistical difference between spring and winter (P=0.019), summer and winter (P=0.000), and summer and autumn (P=0.012), respectively. The PTH1-84 levels in winter showed statistical differences with spring, and summer (all P=0.000), while there was no statistically significant difference in ß- CTX levels between seasons. Conclusion: We have established the reference intervals of several BTMs for healthy individuals in Hebei of China, which have statistical significance across different age groups and genders, and there are also significant differences between different seasons. Therefore, the Chinese medical laboratories in different locations should group individuals according to gender and age groups in different seasons, and establish corresponding biological reference intervals.

Transmission dynamics of ESBL/AmpC and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales between companion animals and humans.

Antimicrobial resistance mediated by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)- and plasmid-mediated cephalosporinase (AmpC)-producing Enterobacterales, as well as carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales have globally increased among companion animals, posing a potential health risk to humans in contact with them. This prospective longitudinal study investigates the transfer of ESBL/AmpC- and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales between companion animals and their cohabitant humans in Portugal (PT) and the United Kingdom (UK) during animal infection. Fecal samples and nasal swabs collected from dogs and cats with urinary tract infection (UTI) or skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI), and their cohabitant humans were screened for resistant strains. Relatedness between animal and human strains was established by whole-genome sequencing (WGS). ESBL/AmpC-producing Enterobacterales were detected in companion animals (PT = 55.8%; UK = 36.4%) and humans (PT = 35.9%; UK = 12.5%). Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales carriage was observed in one dog from Portugal (2.6%) and another dog from the UK (4.5%). Transmission of index clinical ESBL-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae strains to cohabitant humans was observed in three Portuguese households (6.9%, n = 43), with repeated isolation of the index strains on fecal samples from the animals and their cohabiting humans. In addition, longitudinal sharing of E. coli strains carried by companion animals and their owners was observed in other two Portuguese households and two households from the UK. Furthermore, a multidrug-resistant ACT-24-producing Enterobacter hormaechei subsp. hoffmannii strains were also shared within another Portuguese household. These results highlight the importance of the household as an epidemiological unit in the efforts to mitigate the spread of antimicrobial resistance, further emphasizing the need for antimicrobial surveillance in this context, capable of producing data that can inform and evaluate public health actions.