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This article discusses the detection of the cfr gene in Citrobacter braakii and the characterization of two cfr-carrying plasmids from a chicken farm in Jiangxi, China. The cfr gene is a multidrug resistance gene that has spread globally in Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The study identified three cfr-positive strains, including one C. braakii and two E. coli strains, and found that the cfr gene was located on different plasmids in these strains. The article highlights the widespread distribution and rapid dissemination of cfr in animal-derived bacteria and emphasizes the need for monitoring and control of cfr plasmids. [Extracted from the article]

(1) Many patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in endoscopic remission have persistent histologic activity, which is associated with worse outcomes. There are limited data on the association between adalimumab drug concentrations and histologic outcomes using validated histologic indices. We aimed to assess the relationship between adalimumab concentrations and the Robarts Histopathology Index (RHI). (2) Patients from a tertiary IBD center from 2013 to 2020 with serum adalimumab (ADA) trough concentrations measured during maintenance therapy (≥14 weeks) and a colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy with biopsies performed within 90 days of drug level were included. Blinded histologic scoring using the RHI was performed. Primary analysis assessed the relationship between adalimumab drug concentrations and histologic remission using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. (3) In 36 patients (26 Crohn's Disease, 9 ulcerative colitis, 1 indeterminate), median adalimumab concentrations were higher (17.3 ug/mL, 12.2–24.0) in patients with histologic remission compared to those without (10.3 ug/mL, 6.8–13.9, p = 0.008). The optimal ADA concentration identified using the Youden threshold was ≥16.3 ug/mL (sensitivity 70%, specificity 90%). Patients with ADA ≥ 16.3 ug/mL had higher histologic remission rates (78%) compared to lower ADA concentrations (14%, p= 0.002), as well as higher mucosal healing rates (86%) compared to lower levels (12%, p = 0.001). Symptoms correlated weakly and non-significantly with both histologic (RHI) scores (r = 0.25, p = 0.2) and adalimumab concentrations (r = 0.05, p = 0.8). (4) The current study demonstrated that higher serum adalimumab concentrations (≥16.3 ug/mL) are needed for histologic remission and mucosal healing assessed using the RHI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports a multiple case study of a training center collaboration with three offshore companies and a coastline authority. Through a qualitative inquiry, we utilized the actor-network theory to analyze the common understanding of simulator use in these organizations. The paper argues that the simulator itself is an actor that can integrate shared interests with other actors to establish an actor-network. Such an actor-network expands simulator use beyond purely training purposes. It advocates that the simulator is a medium between maritime academia and industry and aligns it with the same actor-network to facilitate the process of "meaning construction." Such a meaning construction process offers simulator-based training with a valuable definition of the learning outcomes. It helps clarifying who will gain the benefits from simulator use in the future, as well as when and on what basis. The paper also reflects on the benefits and limitations of utilizing a multiple case study in the maritime domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To characterize a novel tigecycline resistance gene, tet(X6), and a novel SXT-related integrative and conjugative element (ICE), ICEPgs6Chn1, found in a tigecycline-resistant Proteus genomospecies 6 strain, T60.Methods: Strain T60 was identified by the VITEK 2 system, biochemical reactions and an SNP-based approach. The genetic profile of strain T60 was determined by WGS analysis. ICEPgs6Chn1 was analysed by PCR, conjugation experiments and bioinformatics tools. tet(X6) was characterized by cloning and protein structure prediction.Results: Strain T60 was resistant to ampicillin, tetracycline, tigecycline, florfenicol, colistin and kanamycin, but susceptible to cefotaxime; it also exhibited high MICs of eravacycline (32 mg/L) and omadacycline (>64 mg/L). Only one chromosome was identified and tet(X6) was located in chromosomal ICEPgs6Chn1, a member of the SXT/R391 ICE family, of 114 368 bp and encoding the antimicrobial resistance genes floR, strB, strA, aph(3')-Ia, aac(3)-IV, aph(4)-Ia, tet(X6) and sul2. The circular intermediate of ICEPgs6Chn1 was detected by PCR and sequencing, but conjugation experiments showed that it was not self-transmissible. Cloning of the novel gene tet(X6) and protein structure prediction revealed that Tet(X6) confers tigecycline resistance.Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first report of a novel SXT/R391 ICE in a Proteus genomospecies 6 strain. Importantly, a novel high-level tigecycline resistance gene, tet(X6), emerged for the first time in the SXT/R391 element of Proteus genomospecies 6, revealing that ICEs may serve as an important platform for the accumulation of antibiotic resistance genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To characterize the complete sequences of four plasmids in MCR-1-producing clinical Escherichia coli strain D72, and to depict the formation mechanism and characteristics of the cointegrate plasmid derived from the pD72-mcr1 and pD72-F33 plasmids.Methods: The genetic profiles of plasmids in strain D72 and its transconjugant were determined by conjugation, S1-PFGE, Southern hybridization, WGS analysis and PCR. Plasmid sequences were analysed with bioinformatic tools. The traits of the fusion plasmid were characterized by cointegration, stability and conjugation assays.Results: Strain D72, belonging to ST1114, contained four plasmids, including mcr-1-carrying pD72-mcr1, blaCTX-M-55-carrying pD72-F33, blaTEM-238-bearing pD72-IncP and pD72-IncX1 carrying aph(3')-Ia, qnrS2 and floR. A single plasmid, pD72C, in the transconjugant was found to be larger than any plasmid in the original strain D72. Sequence analysis showed that pD72C was the fusion product of pD72-mcr1 and pD72-F33, and the recombinant event involved an intermolecular replicative mechanism. Plasmid fusion occurred at a frequency of 1.75 × 10-4 cointegrates per transconjugant. The fusion plasmid presented a high stability and conjugation frequency of 8.00 × 10-3.Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first report of the IS26-mediated fusion of an IncN1-F33:A-:B- plasmid and an mcr-1-carrying phage-like plasmid, providing evidence for the important role of IS26 in the recombination of plasmids. The biological advantages of the fusion plasmid indicated that the fusion event presumably plays a potential role in the dissemination of mcr-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the process of translating insights from a Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW)-based study, conducted on a vessel at sea, into a model that can assist systems developers working with simulators, which are used by vessel operators for training purposes on land. That is, the empirical study at sea brought about rich insights into cooperation, which is important for systems developers to know about and consider in their designs. In the paper, we establish a model that primarily consists of a 'computational artifact'. The model is designed to support researchers working with systems developers. Drawing on marine examples, we focus on the translation process and investigate how the model serves to visualize work activities; how it addresses relations between technical and computational artifacts, as well as between functions in technical systems and functionalities in cooperative systems. In turn, we link design back to fieldwork studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern operating systems are increasingly complex and require a large number of individual subsystems and procedures; operators also must cooperate to make them function. In this paper the authors consider usability from a broad perspective based on this understanding, recognizing the challenges a team of operators, complex subsystems, and other technical aspects pose as they work together. It seeks to expand usability by adding insights from Computer- Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW)-based fieldwork in offshore operations. To contribute to the current usability literature, we investigated and analyzed through a network-based approach how operators, ship bridge hardware and software, and other physical environments work together. We propose a process for evaluating the usability of complex systems: field observation and interviews to determine how work is organized and executed by human and nonhuman actors and to identify whether additional artifacts are being used to supplement the nonhuman components. The use of those artifacts often identifies usability issues in complex systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Streptococcus pluranimalium is a new member of the Streptococcus genus isolated from multiple different animal hosts. It has been identified as a pathogen associated with subclinical mastitis, valvular endocarditis and septicaemia in animals. Moreover, this bacterium has emerged as a new pathogen for human infective endocarditis and brain abscess. However, the patho-biological properties of S. pluranimalium remain virtually unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the complete genome sequence of S. pluranimalium strain TH11417 isolated from a cattle with mastitis, and to characterize its antimicrobial resistance, virulence, and carbon catabolism. Results: The genome of S. pluranimalium TH11417, determined by single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing, consists of 2,065,522 base pair (bp) with a G + C content of 38.65%, 2,007 predicted coding sequence (CDS), 58 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes and five ribosome RNA (rRNA) operons. It contains a novel ISSpl1 element (a memeber of the IS3 family) and a Ф11417.1 prophage that carries the mef(A), msr(D) and lnu(C) genes. Consistently, our antimicrobial susceptibility test confirmed that S. pluranimalium TH11417 was resistant to erythromycin and lincomycin. However, this strain did not show virulence in murine pneumonia (intranasal inoculation, 107 colony forming unit – CFU) and sepsis (intraperitoneal inoculation, 107 CFU) models. Additionally, this strain is able to grow with glucose, lactose or galactose as the sole carbon source, and possesses a lactose-specific phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphotransferase system (PTS). Conclusions: We reported the first whole genome sequence of S. pluranimalium isolated from a cattle with mastitis. It harbors a prophage carrying the mef(A), msr(D) and lnu(C) genes, and is avirulent in the murine infection model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most prevalent pathogens and a causative agent of a variety of infections in humans and animals. A total of 640 samples were collected from healthy animals and patients from 2013 to 2014 in Henan Province, China, to investigate the prevalence and perform molecular characterization of S. aureus. Antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes were determined and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCC mec ) typing were performed. Results: Overall, 22.3% (n = 143) of the samples were positive for S. aureus. The prevalence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) was 5.59%. Capsular polysaccharide locus type 5 ( Cap 5; 56.64%) was the dominant serotype. S. aureus strains showed high resistance to penicillin (96.50%), ciprofloxacin (52.45%), amikacin (67.83%), erythromycin (96.50%), lincomycin (97.20%), and tetracycline (68.53%) and 109 (76.2%) isolates harbored six or more tested resistance genes. The most predominant resistance genes were aphA (52.45%), ermC (53.15%), and tetM (52.45%). Eighty-seven (60.8%) isolates harbored six or more tested virulence genes. The most predominant enterotoxin genes were sed (20.28%), sej (20.98%), sep (14.69%), and set (37.76%). The prevalence of lukED gene was (57.34%), and a small number of isolates carried pvl (5.59%) and TSST - 1 (2.80%). A total of 130 (82.52%) isolates could be typed by PFGE with SmaI digestion. PFGE demonstrated that 45 different patterns (P) that were grouped into 17 pulsotypes and 28 separate pulsotypes using a 90% cut-off value. A total of 118 (82.52%) isolates were successfully typed by spa , and 26 spa types were identified, t15075 (14.00%) and t189 (12.59%) were the most common types. SCC mec types were detected from eight MRSA isolates, with the most prevalent type being SCC mec IVa. MRSA-SCC mec Iva- t437 was observed in human isolates. Conclusion: This study revealed a high prevalence of S. aureus in healthy animals and patients from Henan Province, China. Resistant S. aureus exhibited varying degrees of multidrug resistance. The presence of antibiotic resistance and virulence genes may facilitate the spread of S. aureus strains and pose a potential threat to public health, highlighting the need for vigilant monitoring of these isolates at the human–animal interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The plasmid-encoded multidrug efflux pump oqxAB confers bacterial resistance primarily to olaquindox, quinolones, and chloramphenicol. The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of oqxAB among Escherichia coli isolates from dogs, cats, and humans in Henan, China and the susceptibilities of E. coli isolates to common antibiotics. Methods: From 2012 to 2014, a total of 600 samples which included 400 rectal samples and 200 clinical human specimens were tested for the presence of E. coli. All isolates were screened for oqxAB genes by PCR and sequencing. The MICs of 11 antimicrobial agents were determined by the broth microdilution method. A total of 30 representative oqxAB-positive isolates were subjected to ERIC-PCR and MLST. Additionally, conjugation experiments and southern hybridizations were performed. Results: Of 270 isolates, 58.5% (62/106) of the isolates from dogs, 56.25% (36/64) of the isolates from cats, and 42.0% (42/100) of the isolates from humans were positive for the oqxAB. Olaquindox resistance was found for 85.7%-100% of oqxAB-positive isolates. Of oqxAB-positive isolates from dogs, cats, and humans, ciprofloxacin resistance was inspected for 85.8%, 59.1%, and 93.8%, respectively. Several oqxAB-positive isolates were demonstrated by ERIC-PCR and MLST, and have high similarity. Phylogenetic analysis showed that oqxAB-positive isolates could be divided into 7 major clusters. OqxAB-positive conjugants were obtained, southern hybridization verified that the oqxAB gene complex was primarily located on plasmids. Conclusion: In conclusion, oqxAB-positive isolates were widespread in animals and humans in Henan, China. Carriage of oqxAB on plasmids of E. coli isolates may facilitate the emergence of multidrug resistant and its transmission via horizontal transfer, and might pose a potential threat to public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]