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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]

In order to investigate the characteristics of soil structural stability and the factors influencing it under typical land use types in the karst region of western Hubei, soil samples were collected from five land use types (natural mixed forest [NF], cypress forest [CF], stone dike terrace [ST], stone dike forest [SF], and abandoned land [AL]) in Xialaoxi to analyze the particle size distribution of aggregates, structural stability, and the distribution characteristics of carbon, nitrogen, and extracellular enzyme contents. The results showed that the aggregates of NF, CF, SF, and AL were dominated by >2‐mm aggregates, while ST showed mostly 2–0.25‐mm aggregates. The mean weight diameter (EMWD) and the geometric mean diameter (EGMD) of mechanical aggregates showed a trend of CF > NF > SF > AL > ST, whereas the erodibility factor K showed an opposite trend. The total organic carbon (TOC), labile organic carbon (LOC), and total nitrogen (TN) contents of aggregates of each particle size were significantly higher in NF and CF than in ST and AL under the five land types. The content of available nitrogen (AN) was highest in NF and ST. The content of carbon and nitrogen and extracellular hydrolases (β‐glucosidase [BG], cellulose disaccharide hydrolase [CBH], β‐N‐acetyl‐aminoglucosidase [NAG], and leucine aminopeptidase [LAP]) in soil aggregates were mainly concentrated in <0.25–0.053‐mm aggregates. The variation in carbon and nitrogen abundance of each particle size agglomerate mainly originated from the LAP content of that particle size agglomerate and showed significant correlation. The partial least squares path models (PLS‐PM) showed that the main influences on the stability of soil aggregates in small watersheds were land use types, soil physical properties, carbon and nitrogen abundance, and extracellular enzyme activity. In conclusion, the structural stability of soil aggregates in Xialaoxi watershed is the result of the interaction between human disturbance and soil nutrient self‐cycling. In general, NF and CF have better soil aggregate stability and are conducive to soil carbon and nitrogen accumulation, whereas for later development and management of SF, ST, and AL sample plots, scientific cultivation means should be adopted, and attention should be paid to long‐term carbon and nitrogen accumulation and conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A transmission circuit of transient electromagnetic instrument based on FPGA was designed in order to improve measurement accuracy of transient electromagnetic instrument. Drive circuit of the transmission circuit was designed with module EXB841 to drive MOSFET located at up-down side of H-bridge, innovative H-bridge and control strategy realized very short turn-off time for MOSFET, and peak voltage interference was reduced by use of RCD protect circuit to improve output signal waves of the transmission circuit. The experiment results show that overvoltage of emission signal of the transient electromagnetic transmission circuit is only 1.33 times of the normal voltage, and the time for oscillating and falling edge are 500 ns and 700 ns, separately, which can realize fast turn-off and has good stability.

The goal of this research is to investigate strategies to increase the erosion resistance of the slope surface during the early stages of vegetation concrete construction, as well as to offer a scientific foundation for improving vegetation concrete formulation. Simulated rainfall experiments were carried out at 2 different slope gradients (50° and 60°), 2 different rainfall intensities (60 and 120 mm·h−1), and 4 treatments (CK-no additive, 0.4% P-polyacrylamide, 4% C-biochar, and 0.4% F-palm fiber). PAM, palm fiber, and biochar significantly reduced the initial runoff time of the vegetation concrete slope by an average of 47.03%, 46.41%, and 22.67%, respectively (p < 0.05). The runoff rate of each slope under different conditions increased with the expansion of rainfall duration and then fluctuated and stabilized, whereas the erosion rate decreased and then fluctuated and stabilized. PAM and palm fiber both increased runoff rates while decreasing erosion rates, but biochar increased both runoff rates and erosion rates. The runoff reduction benefits of PAM, palm fiber, and biochar were −69.84~−1.97%, −68.82~−14.28% and −63.70~−6.80%, respectively, while the sediment reduction benefits were 69.21~94.07%, −96.81~−50.35%, and 36.20~60.47%, respectively. PAM and palm fiber both have obvious sediment reduction benefits and can be used in the ecological restoration of high and steep slopes in areas with heavy rainfall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Content characteristics such as content size can bring significant benefits for both network management and improving quality of experience. However, the current Internet architecture does not have a direct mechanism to know content characteristics. In this article, we argue that it is necessary to integrate content characteristics into the future Internet architecture. We present the design challenges, propose a framework for implementation, and build a prototype to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed framework. To show the benefits of integrating content characteristics into the Internet architecture, we also present numerical results obtained from running experiments on the prototype by using real data traces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to depict prevalence and antimicrobial resistance characteristics of Proteus mirabilis ( P. mirabilis ) strains in 4 chicken farms and to probe the transfer mechanism of resistance genes. A total of 187 P. mirabilis isolates were isolated from 4 chicken farms. The susceptibility testing of these isolates to 14 antimicrobials showed that the multidrug resistance (MDR) rate was as high as 100%. The β-lactamase resistance genes bla OXA-1 , bla CTX-M-1G , bla CTX-M-9G and colistin resistance gene mcr-1 were highly carried in the P. mirabilis isolates. An MDR strain W47 was selected for whole genome sequencing (WGS) and conjugation experiment. The results showed that W47 carried 23 resistance genes and 64 virulence genes, and an SXT/R391 integrated conjugative elements (ICEs) named ICE Pmi Chn5 carrying 17 genes was identified in chromosome. ICE Pmi Chn5 was able to be excised from the chromosome of W47 forming a circular intermediate, but repeated conjugation experiments were unsuccessful. Among 187 P. mirabilis isolates, 144 (77.01%, 144/187) isolates carried ICE Pmi Chn5-like ICEs, suggesting that ICEs may be the major vector for the transmission of resistance genes among MDR chicken P. mirabilis strains in this study. The findings were conducive to insight into the resistance mechanism of chicken P. mirabilis strains and provide a theoretical basis for the use of antibiotics for the treatment of MDR P. mirabilis infections in veterinary clinic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ordered nanostructural arrays on conductive matrix and oxygen vacancies for improving the electrochemical performance of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are attracted considerable attention. In this work, the ordered ultrathin NiMoO 4-x S x nanosheets with oxygen vacancies on N-doped carbon nanosheets (NC@NiMoO 4-x S x) are designed and synthesized through a facile hydrothermal procedure. The resulting nanostructures with strong Mo–N chemical bonding combined with the oxygen vacancies can enhance the electroactive surface sites, maintain the structural integrity, and facilitate the electron and lithium ion transfer across the interface. The electrochemical studies demonstrate that the as-developed NC@NiMoO 4-x S x displays the reversible capacity of 980 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at 100 mA g−1 and a reversible capacity of 644 mAh g−1 after 500 cycles even at high rate of 5000 mA g−1. The proposed cooperation of oxygen vacancies and the ordered nanostructural arrays on carbon nanosheets may pave the way for designing the high performance electrodes for LIBs. Image 1 • NC@NiMoO 4-x S x are designed and synthesized through a facile hydrothermal procedure. • The strong Mo–N chemical bonding and the oxygen vacancies facilitate Li+ ion diffusion. • NC@NiMoO 4-x S x delivers excellent electrochemical performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the differences and outcomes of surgical procedures, clinical effect, complications and patients' satisfaction between disposable oval-shaped circumcision device (Modified Chinese ShangRing series, Kiddie love ® ) and conventional circumcision in the treatment of children with phimosis or redundant prepuce., Methods: The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed in 114 children with phimosis or redundant foreskin undergone circumcision using a disposable oval-shaped circumcision device, a modified Chinese ShangRing series, Kiddie Love ® (Kiddie Love group) in our hospital between January 2018 and February 2020, and another 114 children with similar conditions circumcised by conventional surgical procedure before January 2018 (conventional group). The two groups were compared regarding the operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative pain scores, healing time, the incidence of complications and guardian's satisfaction., Results: Circumcision was successfully completed in children in both groups. The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative pain scoring in 24 h by VAS, pain at the removal of the device or stitches and wound healing were (6.4 ± 1.6) min, (34.1 ± 6.4) min; (0.7 ± 0.2) ml, (2.6 ± 0.6) ml; (2.2 ± 1.0) points, (1.3 ± 0.5) points; (23.7 ± 3.9)day, (15.9 ± 2.8)day, respectively for Kiddie Love group and conventional group(either P < 0.05 or P > 0.05). The two groups were significantly different in the incidence of hematoma, edema and incision dehiscenceyet were insignificant in incision infection. Children in both groups were followed up from 6 to 31 months (mean: 23 months), and the satisfaction rate was 94.7% (108/114) in parents of the children circumcised by the ShangRing and 83.3% (95/114) in those of children treated by conventional circumcision (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: Modified Chinese ShangRing, Kiddie Love ® , has superiorities, including simpler procedure, shorter operative time, less blood loss, fewer complications, better cosmetic results and higher satisfaction of patients over conventional circumcision in the treatment of children with phimosis or redundant foreskin, and worthy of wider clinical recommendation., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

SIRT5 belongs to a family of NAD + -dependent lysine deacetylases called sirtuins. Although accumulating evidence indicates SIRT5 upregulation in cancers, including liver cancer, the detailed roles and mechanisms remain to be revealed. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men worldwide, and finding effective targets for HCC treatment and prevention is urgently needed. In the present study, we confirmed that mitochondrial sirtuins, particularly SIRT5, are more highly expressed in HCC cell lines than in normal liver cell lines. Moreover, SIRT5 knockdown suppresses HCC cell proliferation and SIRT5 overexpression promotes HCC cell proliferation. Furthermore, we verified that SIRT5 knockdown increases HCC cell apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway. By co-IP and western blotting, we illustrated that SIRT5 deacetylates cytochrome c thus regulating HCC cell apoptosis. Taken together, our findings suggest that SIRT5 may function as a prognostic factor and drug target for HCC treatment., Competing Interests: Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interest exists.