Pathogenicity of invasive and non-invasive CC4821 Neisseria meningitidis.

Neisseria meningitidis (N. meningitidis) is an opportunistic pathogen that typically colonizes the mucosal surfaces of the nasopharynx. Under certain conditions, N.

Origin of clonal complex 4821.

() is the causative agent of human invasive meningococcal disease (IMD). Clonal complex (CC) 4821 is a unique genetic cluster of that emerged two decades ago in Anhui Province, China and became the predominant cluster. However, the evolutionary origin of CC4821 remains unclear.

Population-based active surveillance of pertussis hospitalization rates in two cities of China.

Purpose: Hospitalization is most common for severe pertussis cases and those with serious complications caused by pertussis. In mainland China, the immunization program consists of primary vaccinations at 3, 4, and 5 months, followed by a booster at 18 months with DTaP. It remains uncertain whether the first dose at 3 months, rather than 6 weeks as WHO recommended, may increase disease burden, as delayed immunization may lead to lagged protection.

Prevalence of serotypes causing pneumococcal diseases in the Chinese Mainland: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Pneumococcal disease (PD) caused by () continues to be a global public health concern. Monitoring the prevalence and shift of serotypes causing PD is critical for vaccination and local policies for PD management. A systematic review of published work on pneumococcal serotype distribution in the Chinese Mainland from January 1997 to July 2023 was conducted.

Explainable machine learning model for predicting the risk of significant liver fibrosis in patients with diabetic retinopathy.

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a prevalent complication in patients with type 2 diabetes, has attracted increasing attention. Recent studies have explored a plausible association between retinopathy and significant liver fibrosis. The aim of this investigation was to develop a sophisticated machine learning (ML) model, leveraging comprehensive clinical datasets, to forecast the likelihood of significant liver fibrosis in patients with retinopathy and to interpret the ML model by applying the SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) method.

3D-printed brachytherapy in patients with cervical cancer: improving efficacy and safety outcomes.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 3D printing technology in brachytherapy for cervical cancer, comparing its outcomes with conventional free hand implantation brachytherapy.

Methods: A total of 50 cervical cancer patients treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical College from January 2019 to July 2023 were included in this study. Patients were divided into two groups: 25 patients received intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) combined with 3D-printed brachytherapy, and 25 patients underwent IMRT combined with free hand brachytherapy implantation.

Defect detection of printed circuit board assembly based on YOLOv5.

Detection of printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) defects is crucial for improving the efficiency of PCBA manufacturing. This paper proposes PCBA-YOLO, a YOLOv5-based method that can effectively increase the accuracy of PCBA defect detection. First, the spatial pyramid pooling module with cross-stage partial structure is replaced in the neck network of YOLOv5 to capture the resolution features at multiple scales.

Extensive Genetic Diversity and Epidemiological Patterns of Factor H-Binding Protein Variants among in China.

Factor H-binding protein (fHbp) is a virulence factor expressed by (), the primary causative agent of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in humans. fHbp is utilized as the main component in vaccines to provide protection against IMD caused by serogroup B . In order to comprehensively investigate the genetic diversity and epidemiological patterns of fHbp variants within isolates of Chinese , we utilized the NEIS0349 locus, which encompasses the complete coding sequences of fHbp.

Deciphering the pivotal role of people with high-frequency occupational animal exposure in antibiotic resistance transmission between humans and animals.

Background: The spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) among humans and food-producing animals has been widely reported. However, the transmission routes and associated risk factors remain incompletely understood.

Methods: Here, we used commensal Escherichia coli bacteria strains from faeces of pigs and local citizens [HEG: high exposure group (pig breeders, butchers or restaurant chefs) and LEG: low exposure group (other occupations)] to explore the dynamics of ARB and ARG transmission between animals and humans.

Identification of pneumococcal serotypes with individual recognition of vaccine types by a highly multiplexed real-time PCR-based MeltArray approach.

Background: Pneumococcus serotyping is important for monitoring serotype epidemiology, vaccine-induced serotypes replacement and emerging pathogenic serotypes. However, the lack of high-resolution serotyping tools has hindered its widespread implementation.

Methods: We devised a single-step, multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based MeltArray approach termed PneumoSero that can identify 92 serotypes with individual recognition of 54 serotypes, including all 24 currently available vaccine types.

Establishment and Modification of Ninety-seven Pneumococcal Serotyping Assays Based on Quantitative Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction.

Objective: To establish and modify quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)-based serotyping assays to distinguish 97 pneumococcal serotypes.

Methods: A database of capsular polysaccharide ( ) loci sequences was generated, covering 97 pneumococcal serotypes. Bioinformatics analyses were performed to identify the loci structure and target genes related to different pneumococcal serotypes with specific SNPs.

Emergence of - and -Producing Enterobacter asburiae in the Aquaculture Environment of Jiangsu, China.

Carbapenem-resistant strains have emerged as a serious threat to global public health. In recent years, , a carbapenemase gene that drew less attention before, has been increasingly detected in both clinical and environmental settings. However, the environmental distribution and transmission of , especially in aquaculture, require systematic investigation.

A Novel Dual-Emission Fluorescence Probe Based on CDs and Eu Functionalized UiO-66-(COOH) Hybrid for Visual Monitoring of Cu.

In this work, CDs@Eu-UiO-66(COOH) (denoted as CDs-F2), a fluorescent material made up of carbon dots (CDs) and a Eu functionalized metal-organic framework, has been designed and prepared via a post-synthetic modification method. The synthesized CDs-F2 presents dual emissions at 410 nm and 615 nm, which can effectively avoid environmental interference. CDs-F2 exhibits outstanding selectivity, great sensitivity, and good anti-interference for ratiometric sensing Cu in water.

A Ratiometric Fluorescent Sensor Based on Dye/Tb (III) Functionalized UiO-66 for Highly Sensitive Detection of TDGA.

Thiodiglycolic acid (TDGA) is a biomarker for monitoring vinyl chloride exposure. Exploring a facile, rapid and precise analysis technology to quantify TDGA is of great significance. In this research, we demonstrate a fluorescent sensor based on dual-emissive UiO-66 for TDGA detection.

A Novel Turn-On Fluorescence Probe Based on Cu(II) Functionalized Metal-Organic Frameworks for Visual Detection of Uric Acid.

As an important biomarker in urine, the level of uric acid is of importance for human health. In this work, a Cu(II) functionalized metal-organic framework (Cu@Tb-MOFs) is designed and developed as a novel fluorescence probe for wide-range uric acid detection in human urine. The study shows that this fluorescence platform demonstrated excellent pH-independent stability, high water tolerance, and good thermal stability.

Characterization of -Carrying Plasmid pR31-KPC from a Strain Isolated in China.

This work aimed to characterize a 29-kb -carrying plasmid, pR31-KPC, from a multidrug resistant strain of isolated from the sputum of an elderly patient with multiple chronic conditions in China. The backbone of pR31-KPC is closely related to four other -carrying plasmids, YLH6_p3, p1011-KPC2, p14057A, and pP23-KPC, none of which have been assigned to any of the known incompatibility groups. Two accessory modules, the IS--IS unit and IS-ΔTn-IS region, separated by a 5.

A Nosocomial Respiratory Infection Outbreak of Carbapenem-Resistant ST131 With Multiple Transmissible Carrying Plasmids.

sequence type 131 (ST131) is well known for its multidrug resistance profile. Carbapenems have been considered the treatment of choice for ST131 infections, and resistance to carbapenems is emerging due to the acquisition of carbapenemase-encoding genes. In this study, 45 carbapenem-resistant strains were collected in a hospital.

Changes in colistin resistance and mcr-1 abundance in Escherichia coli of animal and human origins following the ban of colistin-positive additives in China: an epidemiological comparative study.

Background: Following the discovery and emergence of the plasmid-mediated colistin resistance gene, mcr-1, the Chinese government formally banned colistin as an animal growth promoter on April 30, 2017. Herein, we report patterns in colistin resistance and mcr-1 abundance in Escherichia coli from animals and humans between 2015 and 2019, to evaluate the effects of the colistin withdrawal.

Methods: We did an epidemiology comparative study to investigate: annual production and sales of colistin in agriculture across mainland China according to data from the China Veterinary Drug Association from 2015 to 2018; the prevalence of colistin-resistant E coli (CREC) in pigs and chickens in 23 Chinese provinces and municipalities as reported in the China Surveillance on Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Origin database from Jan 1, 2015, to Dec 31, 2016, and Jan 1, 2017, to Dec 31, 2018; the presence of residual colistin and mcr-1 in faeces from 118 animal farms (60 pig, 29 chicken, and 29 cattle) across four provinces over July 1, 2017, to August 31, 2017, and July 1, 2018 to August 31, 2018; the prevalence of mcr-1-positive E coli (MCRPEC) carriage in healthy individuals attending routine hospital examinations across 24 provinces and municipalities from June 1 to July 30, 2019, comparing with equivalent 2016 data (June 1 to September 30) from our previous study in the same hospitals; and the patterns in CREC prevalence among hospital E coli infections across 26 provinces and municipalities from Jan 1, 2015, to Dec 31, 2016, and Jan 1, 2018, to Dec 31, 2019, reported on the China Antimicrobial Surveillance Network.

A New High-throughput Real-time PCR Assay for the Screening of Multiple Antimicrobial Resistance Genes in Broiler Fecal Samples from China.

Objective: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a global concern and is especially severe in China. To effectively and reliably provide AMR data, we developed a new high-throughput real-time PCR assay based on microfluidic dynamic technology, and screened multiple AMR genes in broiler fecal samples.

Methods: A high-throughput real-time PCR system with an new designed integrated fluidic circuit assay were performed AMR gene detection.

Multiple Cross Displacement Amplification Coupled With Gold Nanoparticles-Based Lateral Flow Biosensor for Detection of the Mobilized Colistin Resistance Gene .

Fast dissemination of the mobilized colistin resistance () gene in causes a huge threat to the treatment of severe infection. In the current report, a multiple cross displacement amplification (MCDA) coupled with the detection of amplified products by gold nanoparticles-based lateral flow biosensor (LFB) assay (MCDA-LFB) was established to identify the gene with simpleness, rapidity, specificity, and sensitivity. The MCDA-LFB assay was performed at a isothermal temperature (63°C) for only 30 min during the amplification stage, and the reaction products were directly identified by using LFB which obtained the result within 2 min.

Gut microbiota community characteristics and disease-related microorganism pattern in a population of healthy Chinese people.

China's population accounts for about 1/5 of the world's total population. Owing to differences in environment, race, living habits, and other factors, the structure of the intestinal flora of Chinese individuals is expected to have unique features; however, this has not been thoroughly examined. Here, we collected faecal samples from healthy adults living in three cities of China and investigated their gut microbiome using metagenomics and bioinformatics technology.

Extreme diversity and multiple SCCmec elements in coagulase-negative Staphylococcus found in the Clinic and Community in Beijing, China.

Background: Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are recognized as a large reservoir of staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) harboured by Staphylococcus aureus. However, data of SCCmec in CoNS are relatively absent particularly in China.

Methods: Seventy-eight CoNS clinical and 47 community isolates were collected in Beijing.

The Activities of Adhesion and Biofilm Formation by Candida tropicalis Clinical Isolates Display Significant Correlation with Its Multilocus Sequence Typing.

Adhesion and biofilm formation, which can occur on abiotic and biotic surfaces, are key components in Candida pathogenicity. The aims of this study were to infer about the C. tropicalis clinical isolates ability to adhere and form biofilm on abiotic and biotic surfaces and to correlate that with the multilocus sequence typing and other virulence factors.

Detection and dissemination of the colistin resistance gene, mcr-1, from isolates and faecal samples in China.

Purpose: A recently identified colistin resistance gene, mcr-1, has been reported in many countries. In this study, we established a new real-time PCR method to detect it.

Methodology: We used a real-time PCR method to detect the mcr-1 gene in a variety of isolates and faecal samples from 20 provinces and municipal cities in China.

Distinct Expression Levels of ALS, LIP, and SAP Genes in Candida tropicalis with Diverse Virulent Activities.

Candia tropicalis is an increasingly important human pathogen, causing nosocomial fungemia among patients with neutropenia or malignancy. However, limited research has been published concerning its pathogenicity. Based on the phenotypes of C.