Whole genome sequencing analysis of seven unknown resistance mechanisms of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strains resistance to ceftazidime-avibactam.

AIMS: To investigate alternative resistance mechanisms among seven ceftazidime-avibactam (CZA)-resistant carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) strains lacking common antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) using whole genome sequencing. METHODS AND RESULTS: ARG and virulence factors (VFs) were screened using the ARG database CARD and the VF database, respectively, and identified using genomic annotation data with BLAST+. Six strains were ST11 sequence types (STs), and one was ST2123. ST11 strains harbored more ARGs than the ST2123 strains. All seven strains carried multiple ARGs with efflux-mediated antibiotic resistance, including oqxA, oqxB, tet (A), qacEdltal, CRP, H-NS, Kpn-E, F, G, H, acrA, LptD, acrB, acrD, cpxA, mdtB, and mdtC. These efflux-mediated ARGs were identified in most strains and even all strains. Whole genome sequencing revealed that the ST11 strain carried multiple potential prophages, genomic islands, and integrative and conjugative elements, while the ST2123 strain carried an independent potential prophages and a genomic island. CONCLUSIONS: Whole genome sequencing analysis revealed that these seven CZA-resistant CRKP strains lacking common ARGs exhibited efflux-mediated antibiotic resistance-associated ARGs. The main mechanism by which CRKP resists CZA is antibiotic inactivation. Except for tet (A), no ARGs and validation experiments related to efflux were found. This study's results provide a new possibility for the resistance mechanism of CRKP to CZA, and we will verify this conclusion through experiments in the future.

The diagnostic and prognostic value of pseudogene SIGLEC17P in lung adenocarcinoma and a preliminary functional study.

Among malignant tumors, lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. This study explored the diagnostic, prognostic value, and preliminary functional verification of sialic acid binding Ig like lectin 17, pseudogene (SIGLEC17P) in LUAD. Prognostic lncRNAs for LUAD were identified by The Cancer Genome Atlas and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of SIGLEC17P in LUAD and paracarcinoma tissues. Subsequently, lentiviral vectors were used to overexpress SIGLEC17P in A549 and H1299 cells. The effects of SIGLEC17P overexpression on the proliferation, migration, and invasiveness of LUAD cells (A549 and H1299) were evaluated by Cell Counting Kit-8, wound healing, and transwell migration assays, respectively. Bioinformatics analyses were performed to reveal the potential pathways in which SIGLEC17P is involved in LUAD. qRT-PCR results revealed low SIGLEC17P expression in LUAD tissues and a significant association with the N stage, T stage, and tumor node metastasis stage. Furthermore, the receiver operating characteristic curve demonstrated a reliable diagnostic value. The proliferation, migration, and invasion of LUAD cells were inhibited by overexpression of SIGLEC17P. Bioinformatics analyses suggested that SIGLEC17P might exert antioncogenic effects in LUAD through the mir-20-3p/ADH1B or mir-4476-5p/DPYSL axis. In summary, our results revealed that SIGLEC17P acts as a prognostic biomarker, independent prognostic factor, and potential therapeutic target for patients with LUAD.

Four Low Expression LncRNAs are Associated with Prognosis of Human Lung Adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is the most prevalent and deadliest cancer worldwide. The present study aims to determine the prognosis value of low expression long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in LUAD. METHODS: RNA-seq data and clinical information were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data-base. Dysregulated genes between LUAD and paracancerous tissue were screened by GeneSpringGX. Prognostic lncRNAs which were low expressed in LUAD were filtrated by Ualcan, then further verified through the TCGA database. The association between clinicopathological features and the expression level of these lncRNAs was tested by chi-square test. Cox regression analysis was performed to test independent prognosis risk factors. Diagnostic efficiency was predicted by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Gene Ontology (GO) functional and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed to explore potential functions of these prognostic signatures. RESULTS: Nine prognostic lncRNAs (LINC00092, LINC00908, WWC2-AS2, RPL13AP17, CHIAP2, SFTA1P, SIGLEC17P, CYP2B7P1, CYP4Z2P) were screened out through Ualcan and further verified by TCGA. Among them, six lncRNAs (RPL13AP17, CHIAP2, SFTA1P, SIGLEC17P, CYP2B7P1, CYP4Z2P) were pseudogene transcripts. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that three lnRNAs (LINC00908, WWC2-AS2 CYP2B7P) were independent prognostic risk factors for OS and two lncRNAs (WWC2-AS2, SIGLEC17P) were independent prognostic risk factors for RFS in LUAD patients. Meanwhile, they showed powerful diagnostic value by ROC curve analysis. GO analysis revealed correlation genes of prognostic signatures were mainly enriched in plasma membrane, plasma membrane part, purine nucleotide binding, cytoskeleton and ribonucleotide binding and KEGG pathway analysis showed mainly enriched in cell adhesion molecules. CONCLUSIONS: The results illuminated that four lncRNAs (LINC00908, WWC2-AS2, CYP2B7P, SIGLEC17P) may be a powerful diagnostic and prognostic assessment tool for human LUAD.

Does the establishment of Pilot Free Trade Zones promote international expansion of enterprises? Quasi-natural experimental evidence from China.

Pilot Free Trade Zones (PFTZs) are a crucial new platform for China to build a more open economic system. Existing literature primarily focuses on the 'Bring In' effect of PFTZs, often overlooking the importance of 'Going Out' aspects. To bridge this gap, this paper uses data from China's Shanghai and Shenzhen A-share listed enterprises from 2007 to 2021 and constructs a time-varying difference-in-differences (DID) model to test the impact of establishment of PFTZs on international expansion of enterprises. The study finds that establishment of PFTZs can significantly promote international expansion of enterprises, with a more pronounced effect on the scope of international expansion than on its depth. Mechanism analysis reveals that PFTZs can facilitate international expansion of enterprises by driving digital transformation, enhancing total factor productivity and management efficiency, and alleviating financing constraints. Notably, senior managers with overseas work experience play a crucial role in enhancing this relationship. Further, PFTZs not only have a linkage effect with the Belt and Road Initiative but also a radiation effect on neighboring cities. This study provides an analytical perspective and empirical evidence for evaluating policy effects of PFTZs and offers valuable insights that will enable PFTZ policies to be refined and facilitate successful implementation of the 'Going Out' strategy.

Multiple systemic infections caused by Rhodococcus equi: a case report.

Background: Rhodococcus equi is one of the most important causes of zoonotic infections from grazing animals. It poses a particular risk to immunocompromised individuals, including those who are undergoing long-term immunosuppressive therapy. Case presentation: We report a case of Rhodococcus equi infection in a 65-year-old man with a medical history of diabetes, hypertension, and Adult Still's Disease, currently taking long-term hormone therapy. The non-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patient had blood, lung tissue, and sputum samples infected with Rhodococcus equi. His condition initially failed to improve despite multiple therapies, including vancomycin and meropenem. Although his symptoms improved after shifting his antibiotics to cover for the causative agent, he did not completely recover upon hospital discharge. Conclusions: In recent years, the number of Rhodococcus equi cases has increased. This report describes a lethal case of Rhodococcus equi infection in a patient without HIV.

Scalable and Sensitive Humidity-Responsive Polymer Photonic Crystal Films for Anticounterfeiting Application.

In this study, we fabricate a new kind of ultrasensitive humidity-responsive photonic crystal (HPC) films based on emulsion polymerization and the open mill and bending-induced ordering technique (OM-BIOT) method, which is simple and scalable. The HPC film senses relative humidity (RH) from 9 to 98% for the polymer matrix swells up in high RH and shrinks in low RH, leading to a large reflectance shift (81 nm) and distinct color change. Based on the double-peak reflective spectra of the HPC film, we confirm the gradient swelling hypothesis and find that the thickness is another important factor for controlling the sensitivity and response rate of the HPC film. Except for static humidity, the HPC film can also respond to the dynamic humid flow of blowing and polar solvents, which broadens its application potential. This kind of HPC film shows a vivid structural color, and the humidity-responsive behavior is quick, distinct, energy-free, and reversible, having a great prospect for anticounterfeiting application.

Magneto-sensitive photonic crystal ink for quick printing of smart devices with structural colors.

In this paper, we report a facile strategy to combine magneto-responsive photonic crystal (MRPC) ink with 3D printing technology. The building blocks of MRPC are based on Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticle clusters (MNCs) with uniform and tunable size. The MNC dispersion is able to change its photonic band gap from red to blue as the external magnetic field strength is increased. The magneto-responsive photonic crystal ink can be readily obtained by taking advantage of an ethylene glycol (EG)-in-oil emulsion with a reinforced silicone rubber prepolymer as the outer phase. Using the well-designed formula, the MNC dispersion can be well-preserved inside the emulsion droplets of the ink, maintaining its original contactless magnetic field response. As a proof of concept, custom quick response code and butterfly patterns were successfully printed and showed vivid and tunable color as a function of the external magnetic field strength with good repeatability.

Transparent and UV Blocking Structural Colored Hydrogel for Contact Lenses.

Usually, materials with perfect structures possess excellent properties, but it is not always the case. Here, a new approach is reported to construct structural colored hydrogel films with excellent ultraviolet (UV) blocking performance for contact lenses. The theoretical simulation predicts that with perfect periodic structures, the hydrogel films can strongly reflect incident light in a narrow visible wavelength range and thus exhibit extraordinarily brilliant colors. However, such hydrogel films cannot effectively block UV light. By slightly breaking the structural periodicity (quasi-periodic structure), strong diffuse scattering or pseudoabsorption of light can occur for all of the wavelengths shorter than a structural characteristic length, leading to perfect UV blocking. According to the theoretical prediction, a structural colored hydrogel film with nearly periodic polystyrene sphere arrays in poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) hydrogel matrix is fabricated; this hydrogel film possesses brilliant colors and perfect UV blocking, and the core particle composition and size have been investigated in detail for the optimized properties of contact lenses. Meanwhile, the cell proliferation assay proves the cytocompatibility of the hydrogel for real application. Regarding its unique optical characteristics, the as-prepared structural colored hydrogel shows great promise in the fields of UV-protective equipment, medical device, soft robot, sensor, and so on.

Mechanochromic and thermochromic shape memory photonic crystal films based on core/shell nanoparticles for smart monitoring.

Shape memory photonic crystals (SMPCs) combining the main characteristics of shape memory materials and photonic crystals have drawn increasing research interest. In sharp contrast to traditional responsive photonic crystals, the temporary shape of SMPCs can be "frozen" and photonic configurations can be modulated by temperature. However, the large-scale fabrication of SMPCs still remains a big challenge, making the practical application difficult. Herein novel scalable SMPC films with both mechanochromic and thermochromic properties are reported. Unlike traditional template-based methods resulting in only a small size, SMPC films are fabricated by a facile hot-pressing method and post-photocuring technology to give large-area freestanding polymer films. The films are mechanically robust and flexible, featuring an excellent structural color which can be changed upon stretching, similar to the color change process of chameleons in response to the environment. The blue-shift of the reflection peak up to 120 nm can be observed when the film is stretched. The films can be reversibly stretched and recovered in 25 cycles without obvious changes in reflection spectra. The temporary shape accompanied by tremendous color changes in the corresponding SMPC films after mechanical stress induced hot programming could be simply fixed by cooling the structure below the glass transition temperature of the polymer matrix. Incorporated programmed optical properties could afterwards be erased by temperature, and initial optical properties could be fully restored. Based on the fully reversible programmable shape as well as optical properties, the investigated SMPC films are expected to be promising candidates for various potential applications, such as smart monitoring, sensors, anti-counterfeiting, and displays.

Ultrafast assembly of nanoparticles to form smart polymeric photonic crystal films: a new platform for quick detection of solution compositions.

Photonic crystals (PCs) are an important subset of photonic materials with specific optical properties, which can be utilized for structural color printing, anti-counterfeiting technologies, chemical sensors and so on. However, the fabrication of scalable, high-quality and uniform photonic crystal films at room temperature still remains a big challenge. Herein, a fast, energy efficient and scalable process is reported for the first time. A high-quality polymeric photonic crystal film can be fabricated from the uniform core/shell particle slurry within several seconds by a calendering process. The obtained crystalline structure can be rapidly captured by photo-curing, and the resultant PC films show extremely strong iridescent tunable structural colors. Because the as-designed PC film matrix is sensitive to solutions with different solubility parameters, a prototype demo sensor is firstly set up for quick detection of the composition of the alcohol/H2O mixture as a model of white spirits, which has the feature of reversible and linear quantitative sensing performance. In addition, the as-prepared PC film is further developed as an inexpensive test strip showing quick detection of ethanol/octane mixtures (possessing different solubility parameters) as a model of ethanol gasoline. This facile, scalable and energy efficient fabrication procedure is exceedingly promising for high-throughput production, showing great potential for industrialization of PC sensors and detectors. The combination of uniform particles and a dispersion medium can be potentially designed for different stimuli responsive systems, which is beneficial for applications ranging from sensing, anti-counterfeiting, to some special optical devices.