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Carbapenemase-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains present a specific geographical distribution regarding the type of carbapenemase-encoding genes that they harbor. For more than twenty years, VIM-type enzymes were the only major carbapenemases that were detected among P. aeruginosa isolates in Greece until the emergence of NDM-1-encoding P. aeruginosa in early 2023. In the present study, we present the rapid reversal of the carbapenemase-producing P. aeruginosa epidemiology from blaVIM- to blaNDM-harbouring isolates that occurred in our hospital since then. Between January 2023 and February 2024, 139 isolates tested positive for carbapenemase production with the NG-Test CARBA 5 immunochromatographic assay. Eight isolates were processed with the Hybrispot antimicrobial resistance direct flow chip molecular assay, and the first NDM-producing isolate was further analyzed through whole genome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. Multiple resistance genes were detected by molecular techniques in accordance with the extensively drug-resistant phenotype. The isolate that was subjected to whole-genome sequencing belonged to the P. aeruginosa high-risk clone ST308, and the blaNDM was located in the chromosome in accordance with previously reported data. During the study period, NDM-producing isolates were increasingly detected, and only five months after their emergence, they overcame VIM producers. Our results indicate the potential of this new clone to spread rapidly and predominate within healthcare institutions, further restricting the already limited treatment options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Function of thyroid gland is regulated by the axis hypothalamic- pituitarythyroid through these hormones: Thyrotrophin releasing hormone (TRH), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), tetraiodothyronine hormone (T4) and triiodothyronine hormone (T3). Thyroid disorders(hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism) are common around the world and are common diseases in Iraq. Thyroid disorders are states that initially affect on amount of hormones that produced by the thyroid, and affects on all physiological systems including central nervous system, cardiovascular system, blood, and others. Afamin (AFM) is an 87 Kilodalton (kDa) glycoprotein that shares 55% of the amino acid sequence of albumin and contains 15% of carbohydrates. Vimentin (VIM) is a protein among 70 types of intermediate filaments, including Vimentin, Keratin, Desmin and Lamin. Vimentin is a cytoskeleton is an intermediate filament protein that makes up the nucleus and muscle cells. Aimes of study: We aimed to evaluate levels of Afamin, Vimentin and number of biochemical variables (TRH,TSH,T3 and T4) with Body mass index (BMI) in females patients with thyroid disorders. Methods: The study groups include 30 women with hyperthyroidism, 30 women with hypothyroidism and a control group of 30 healthy women with ages between(18-45) years, From September 2023 until March 2024. Protein assays include Afamin, Vimentin levels and number of biochemical variables( TRH,TSH,T3 and T4) in females patients with thyroid disorders . Results: The results of current study showed a significant increase at (P≤ 0.05) in AFM (227.67 ± 32.31), VIM(40.00 ± 4.39) levels with TRH(225.04± 57.08), TSH (11.71 ± 2.77) and BMI (29.70 ± 2.86) in patients with hypothyroidism group compared to (hyperthyroidism and healthy) groups. Levels of T3 (0.76 ± 0.14) and T4 (3.33 ± 0.79) showed a significant decrease at (P≤0.05) in hypothyroidism group compared to hyperthyroidism and healthy groups, While TSH (0.25 ± 0.08) levels showed a significant decrease at (P≤ 0.05) in hyperthyroidism group compared to hypothyroidism group and healthy group. Concentrations of T4 (13.42 ± 1.36) with T3 (2.16 ± 0.42) showed a significant increase at (P≤ 0.05) in hyperthyroidism group compared to hypothyroidism and healthy groups. Conclusions: We conclude from results of current study that high levels of AFM and VIM are associated with high levels of TRH,TSH and BMI in hypothyroidism group . Serum levels of AFM and VIM may be a new biomarkers for detecting and monitoring thyroid disorders, and may be an important useful clinical tools for detecting and monitoring thyroid disturbances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we will present an effective simulation to study the solution behavior of a high dimensional chaos by considering the nine-dimensional Lorenz system through the Rabotnov fractional-exponential (RFE) kernel fractional derivative. First, we derive an approximate formula of the fractional-order derivative of a polynomial function $t^{p}$ in terms of the RFE kernel. In this work, we use the spectral collocation method based on the properties of the shifted Vieta-Lucas polynomials. This procedure converts the given model to a system of algebraic equations. We satisfy the efficiency and the accuracy of the given procedure by evaluating the residual error function. The results obtained are compared with the results obtained by using the fourth-order Runge-Kutta method. The results show that the implemented technique is easy and efficient tool to simulate the solution of such models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Co-infection with carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) is associated with poor outcomes and historically relied on combination therapy with toxic agents for management. However, several novel β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combination agents have been developed, offering potential monotherapy options. Here, we compare the in vitro activity of ceftazidime-avibactam (CZA), imipenem-relebactam (IRL), and meropenem-vaborbactam (MVB) against both CRKP and CRPA clinical isolates. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for each agent were determined using broth microdilution. Carbapenemase gene detection was performed for representative isolates of varying carbapenem resistance phenotypes. IRL demonstrated excellent activity against CRKP and CRPA with susceptibility rates at 95.8% and 91.7%, respectively. While CZA and MVB showed comparable susceptibility to IRL against CRKP (93.8%), susceptibility of CRPA to CZA was modest at 79.2%, whereas most CRPA strains were resistant to MVB. Of the 35 CRKP isolates tested, 91.4% (32/35) carried a blaKPC gene. Only 1 of 37 (2.7%) CRPA isolates tested carried a blaVIM gene, which conferred phenotypic resistance to all three agents. None of the CRKP strains were cross-resistant to all three agents. Source of infection and co-infection did not significantly influence antimicrobial activity for IRL and CZA; none of the CRPA isolates from co-infected patients were susceptible to MVB. Our results suggest that novel β-lactam agents with antipseudomonal activity and stability against carbapenemases, such as IRL and CZA, offer potential monotherapy options for the treatment of co-infection involving both CRKP and CRPA, but not MVB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we employ the Mikhailov–Novikov–Wang integrable equation (MNWIE) appearing by means of the perturbatives symmetry approach to the rating of integrable non‐evolutionary PDEs. The new exact soliton solutions of this equation which were not achieved before have been realized for the first time in the framework of the (G′/G)‐expansion method. In the same vein and parallel, the corresponding numerical solutions of this equation have been established using the variational iteration method (VIM). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) plastic is one of the most common types of plastic used in Indonesia. Its existence has contributed significantly to various sectors, including the food and beverage, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and other consumer product packaging industries. However, the use of PET plastic also creates a number of impacts that need to be considered. PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) plastic has become an attractive alternative in the construction industry in Indonesia, particularly in its use as an asphalt mixture in road construction. This study aimed to determine the effect of the addition of PET waste to the asphalt on the value of Marshall characteristics as well as the optimum asphalt content and plastic content in the AC-WC mixture. Basic testing of 4 %, 5 %, and 6 % (by weight of asphalt) PET plastic mixture with wet mixing method where PET plastic is put into hot asphalt and stirred until homogeneous. Marshall test data will go through Formality Test, Homogeneity Test, Two-Way ANOVA, Duncan Test, and Correlation Regression Analysis to get the 3D graph equation. The result is that PET plastic affects the asphalt mixture by increasing the stability value and MQ value, for flow, VFB, and VMA values have decreased. VIM value increased at 4 % level and decreased at 6 % level. From the ribbon graph, the optimum asphalt content for each percentage of PET content is obtained, namely 4 % PET KAO value of 6.2 %, 5 % PET KAO 6.25 %, and 6 % KAO 6.28 %. It can be concluded that the mixing of PET with asphalt in AC-WC mixtures can be maximum if the right percentage combination of asphalt and PET content. From the 3D Graphic Method, it results that the maximum use of plastic PET is at a content of 5.40 %, and an asphalt content of 6.35 %, will produce an asphalt stability of 1714.232 kN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Essential tremor (ET) is a common neurological disease. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) to the thalamic ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) or the adjacent structures, such as caudal zona incerta/ posterior subthalamic area (cZi/PSA), can be effective in treating medication refractory tremor. However, it is not clear whether DBS can cause cognitive changes, in which domain, and to what extent if so. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed and the Web of Science for available publications reporting on cognitive outcomes in patients with ET who underwent DBS following the PICO (population, intervention, comparators, and outcomes) concept. The PRISMA guideline for systematic reviews was applied. Results: Twenty relevant articles were finally identified and included for review, thirteen of which were prospective (one also randomized) studies and seven were retrospective. Cognitive outcomes included attention, memory, executive function, language, visuospatial function, and mood-related variables. VIM and cZi/PSA DBS were generally well tolerated, although verbal fluency and language production were affected in some patients. Additionally, left-sided VIM DBS was associated with negative effects on verbal abstraction, word recall, and verbal memory performance in some patients. Conclusion: Significant cognitive decline after VIM or cZi/PSA DBS in ET patients appears to be rare. Future prospective randomized controlled trials are needed to meticulously study the effect of the location, laterality, and stimulation parameters of the active contacts on cognitive outcomes while considering possible medication change post-DBS, timing, standard neuropsychological battery, practice effects, the timing of assessment, and effect size as potential confounders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this article is to present the Laplace variational iteration method, which combines the VIM with the Laplace transform approach (LVIM). This combination will result in a better and more quickly convergent sequence since nonlinear fractional differential equations (FDEs) cannot be solved using the Laplace transform. With the use of the fixed point theory, the stability analysis is specifically discussed and examined. The blood ethanol concentration system is solved numerically by using the suggested scheme. This model can be represented by a system of FDEs. The investigation will employ the Caputo-Fabrizio fractional derivative. To provide a more in-depth study of this model, we have taken it in its fractional form so that we can more accurately follow the behavior of the solution in the future and history based on the memory effect of fractional derivatives. We determine the accuracy and efficiency of the provided process by evaluating the absolute errors, and a comparison with the existing published work. The results show that the approach is a useful tool for simulating this model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To elucidate the role of the Klebsiella oxytoca species complex (KoSC) in epidemiology of VIM-type MBL-producing Enterobacterales in Poland. Methods: The study comprised all 106 VIM-positive KoSC isolates collected by the Polish National Reference Centre for Susceptibility Testing during 2009–2019 from 60 institutions in 35 towns. All isolates were sequenced by Illumina MiSeq, followed by MinION sequencing of selected organisms. Genomes were subjected to bioinformatic analysis, addressing taxonomy, clonality, phylogeny and structural characterisation of key resistance determinants within their chromosomal and plasmidic loci. Results: Among five species identified, K. oxytoca was predominant (n = 92), followed by Klebsiella michiganensis (n = 11). MLST distinguished 18 STs, with the most prevalent Klebsiella oxytoca ST145 (n = 83). The clone segregated a lineage with the In237-like integron [blaVIM-1–aacA4 genes; n = 78], recorded in 28 cities almost all over the country. The integron was located in a ~ 49–50 kb chromosomal mosaic region with multiple other resistance genes, linked to a ~ 51 kb phage-like element. The organism might have originated from Greece, and its evolution in Poland included several events of chromosomal ~ 54–258 kb deletions, comprising the natural β-lactamase blaOXY gene. A group of other isolates of various species and clones (n = 12) carried the integron In916 on self-transmissible IncA-type plasmids, effectively spreading in Italy, France and Poland. Conclusion: KoSC has been one of the major VIM producers in Poland, owing largely to clonal expansion of the specific K. oxytoca–In237-like lineage. Its apparently enhanced epidemic potential may create a danger on international scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rotavirus (RV) is one of the most significant pathogens in humans and animals with diarrhea worldwide. Cell entry is the first step in viral infection, and the outer capsid protein VP4 is crucial for RV attachment and internalization. In order to discover novel candidate host factors involved in RV cell entry, a proximity labeling method was applied to systematically investigate the VP4 and host protein interactions. A total of 174 high-confidence host proteins were identified using proximity labeling. Further analysis showed that 88 proteins were located in the cytoskeleton, plasma membrane, and extracellular region, which could be involved in RV entry. Importantly, vimentin (VIM) and actin-related protein 2 (ACTR2) were identified to promote RV infection at an early step. The results of co-immunoprecipitation assay showed that VIM or ACTR2 physically interacted with VP4. Blocking VIM or ACTR2 function by silencing with small interfering RNA or inhibition by specific antibodies significantly restricted RV infection. Furthermore, increasing the amounts of VIM or ACTR2 by overexpression from transfected recombinant proteins or incubation with recombinant proteins promoted RV infection. Collectively, this study revealed that RV VP4 interacted with host proteins and demonstrated that interaction with VIM and ACTR2 promoted RV replication, providing valuable resources and potential drug targets for better understanding and treating this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, we analyzed the genome of two S. enterica strains TS1 and TS2 from stool and blood cultures, respectively, and one strain of C. freundii TS3, isolated from a single hospitalized patient with acute myeloid leukemia. The S. enterica Goldcoast ST358 (O:8 (C2-C3) serogroup), sequenced by the MiSeq Illumina system, showed the presence of β-lactamase genes (blaVIM-1, blaSHV-12 and blaOXA-10), aadA1, ant(2″)-Ia, aac(6′)-Iaa, aac(6′)-Ib3, aac(6′)-Ib-cr, qnrVC6, parC(T57S), and several incompatibility plasmids. A wide variety of insertion sequences (ISs) and transposon elements were identified. In C. freundii TS3, these were the blaVIM-1, blaCMY-150, and blaSHV-12, aadA1, aac(6′)-Ib3, aac(6′)-Ib-cr, mph(A), sul1, dfrA14, ARR-2, qnrVC6, and qnrB38. IncA plasmid isolated from E.coli/K12 transconjugant and C. freundii exhibited a sequence identity >99.9%. The transfer of IncA plasmid was evaluated by conjugation experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our objective in this paper is to investigate the sinh-Gordon equation’s generalization using a q-calculus. This equation explains systems with broken symmetries. The q-deformed sinh-Gordon equation adds noncommutativity and non-linearity, expanding on its original form. We compare two methods for solving this equation: RqDTM and VIM. RqDTM is a modified differential transform technique for q-deformed equations, whereas VIM utilizes an iterative approach. We give numerical results and compare the accuracy and efficiency of the solutions achieved using these approaches. This analysis evaluates the merits and disadvantages of each strategy for solving the q-deformed sinh-Gordon equation, offering insights into their applicability and performance.

Carbapenemase-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains present a specific geographical distribution regarding the type of carbapenemase-encoding genes that they harbor. For more than twenty years, VIM-type enzymes were the only major carbapenemases that were detected among P. aeruginosa isolates in Greece until the emergence of NDM-1-encoding P. aeruginosa in early 2023. In the present study, we present the rapid reversal of the carbapenemase-producing P. aeruginosa epidemiology from blaVIM- to blaNDM-harbouring isolates that occurred in our hospital since then. Between January 2023 and February 2024, 139 isolates tested positive for carbapenemase production with the NG-Test CARBA 5 immunochromatographic assay. Eight isolates were processed with the Hybrispot antimicrobial resistance direct flow chip molecular assay, and the first NDM-producing isolate was further analyzed through whole genome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. Multiple resistance genes were detected by molecular techniques in accordance with the extensively drug-resistant phenotype. The isolate that was subjected to whole-genome sequencing belonged to the P. aeruginosa high-risk clone ST308, and the blaNDM was located in the chromosome in accordance with previously reported data. During the study period, NDM-producing isolates were increasingly detected, and only five months after their emergence, they overcame VIM producers. Our results indicate the potential of this new clone to spread rapidly and predominate within healthcare institutions, further restricting the already limited treatment options.

We sequenced all nonduplicate 934 VIM/IMP carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) reported in Poland during 2006–2019 and found ≈40% of the isolates (n = 375) were Enterobacter spp. During the study period, incidence of those bacteria gradually grew in nearly the entire country. The major factor affecting the increase was clonal spread of several E. hormaechei lineages responsible for multiregional and interregional outbreaks (≈64% of all isolates), representing mainly the pandemic sequence type (ST) 90 or the internationally rare ST89 and ST121 clones. Three main VIM-encoding integron types efficiently disseminated across the clone variants (subclones) with various molecular platforms. Those variants were predominantly Pseudomonas aeruginosa–derived In238-like elements, present with IncHI2+HI2A, IncFII+FIA, IncFIB, or IncN3 plasmids, or chromosomal genomic islands in 30 Enterobacter STs. Another prevalent type, found in 34 STs, were In916-like elements, spreading in Europe recently with a lineage of IncA-like plasmids.

This study examined the steady, two-dimensional, incompressible, and laminar viscous fluid flow between two porous disks in an external magnetic field. The main objective of this article is to propose a novel model that utilizes the numerical and analytical method (VIM) to solve the coupled differential equations of temperature and velocity while considering repeated changes. Furthermore, the finite element method is employed to analyze the pressure and temperature gradient variations for aluminum oxide and ethylene glycol nanoparticles flowing over two parallel discs. The finite element method has been used in both FlexPDE and CFD software to analyze these parameters. The results show that the velocity in the center of the space between the discs decreases as the Reynolds number increases. In simpler terms, the shape of the radial velocity patterns resembles a parabola. As it approaches the lower disc, the velocity gradually increases. The gradient of average velocity in the r-direction for ethylene glycol nanotubes around parallel disks is approximately 18.32 % greater than that of aluminum oxide nanotubes.

IntroductionEssential tremor (ET) is a common neurological disease. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) to the thalamic ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) or the adjacent structures, such as caudal zona incerta/ posterior subthalamic area (cZi/PSA), can be effective in treating medication refractory tremor. However, it is not clear whether DBS can cause cognitive changes, in which domain, and to what extent if so.MethodsWe systematically searched PubMed and the Web of Science for available publications reporting on cognitive outcomes in patients with ET who underwent DBS following the PICO (population, intervention, comparators, and outcomes) concept. The PRISMA guideline for systematic reviews was applied.ResultsTwenty relevant articles were finally identified and included for review, thirteen of which were prospective (one also randomized) studies and seven were retrospective. Cognitive outcomes included attention, memory, executive function, language, visuospatial function, and mood-related variables. VIM and cZi/PSA DBS were generally well tolerated, although verbal fluency and language production were affected in some patients. Additionally, left-sided VIM DBS was associated with negative effects on verbal abstraction, word recall, and verbal memory performance in some patients.ConclusionSignificant cognitive decline after VIM or cZi/PSA DBS in ET patients appears to be rare. Future prospective randomized controlled trials are needed to meticulously study the effect of the location, laterality, and stimulation parameters of the active contacts on cognitive outcomes while considering possible medication change post-DBS, timing, standard neuropsychological battery, practice effects, the timing of assessment, and effect size as potential confounders.

This article discusses a semi-analytical method for solving modelling equations for blood flow through compliant vessels. He's method, also called the variational iteration method (VIM), is used to find an approach to a solution in an explicit form. The chosen problem has been handled by an asymptotic reduction of the associated incompressible Navier–Stokes equations, to obtain a one-dimensional nonlocal blood flow model with source terms. Numerical examples were chosen based on experimentally valued parameters and were used to highlight and illustrate the benefits of VIM. The results obtained from the blood flow model were compared to a numerical reference method.

Background: Although ET is a phenomenologically heterogeneous condition, thalamic DBS appears to be equally effective across subtypes. We hypothesized stimulation sites optimized for individuals with essential tremor (ET) would differ from individuals with essential tremor plus syndrome (ET-plus). We examined group differences in optimal stimulation sites within the ventral thalamus and their overlap of with relevant white matter tracts. By capturing these differences, we sought to determine whether ET subtypes are associated with anatomically distinct neural pathways. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on ET patients undergoing VIM DBS at MUSC between 01/2012 and 02/2022. Clinical, demographic, neuroimaging, and DBS stimulation parameter data were collected. Clinical characteristics and pre-DBS videos were reviewed to classify ET and ET-plus cohorts. Patients in ET-plus cohorts were further divided into ET with dystonia, ET with ataxia, and ET with others. DBS leads were reconstructed using Lead-DBS1 and the volume of tissue activated (VTA) overlap was performed using normative connectomes. Tremor improvement was measured by reduction in a subscore of tremor rating scale (TRS) post-DBS lateralized to the more affected limb. Results: Sixty-eight ET patients were enrolled after initial screening, of these 10 ET and 24 ET-plus patients were included in the final analyses. ET group had an earlier age at onset (p = 0.185) and underwent surgery at a younger age (p = 0.096). Both groups achieved effective tremor control. No significant differences were found in lead placement or VTA overlap within ventral thalamus. The VTA center of gravity (COG) in the ET-plus cohort was located dorsal to that of the ET cohort. No significant differences were found in VTA overlap with the dentato-rubralthalamic (DRTT) tracts or the ansa lenticularis. Dystonia was more prevalent than ataxia in the ET-plus subgroups (n = 18 and n = 5, respectively). ET-plus with dystonia subgroup had a more medial COG compared to ET-plus with ataxia. Conclusion: VIM DBS therapy is efficacious in patients with ET and ET-plus. There were no significant differences in optimal stimulation site or VTA overlap with white-matter tracts between ET, ET-plus and ET-plus subgroups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uncovering mechanisms underlying epileptogenesis aids in preventing further epilepsy progression and to lessen seizure severity and frequency. The purpose of this study is to explore the antiepileptogenic and neuroprotective mechanisms of EGR1 in neuron injuries encountered in epilepsy. Bioinformatics analysis was conducted to identify the key genes related to epilepsy. The mice were rendered epileptic using the kainic acid protocol, followed by measurement of seizure severity, high amplitude and frequency, pathological changes of hippocampal tissues and neuron apoptosis. Furthermore, an in vitro epilepsy model was constructed in the neurons isolated from newborn mice, which was then subjected to loss- and gain-of-function investigations, followed by neuron injury and apoptosis assessment. Interactions among EGR1, METTL3, and VIM were analyzed by a series of mechanistic experiments. In the mouse and cell models of epilepsy, VIM was robustly induced. However, its knockdown reduced hippocampal neuron injury and apoptosis. Meanwhile, VIM knockdown decreased inflammatory response and neuron apoptosis in vivo. Mechanistic investigations indicated that EGR1 transcriptionally activated METTL3, which in turn downregulated VIM expression through m6A modification. EGR1 activated METTL3 and reduced VIM expression, thereby impairing hippocampal neuron injury and apoptosis, preventing epilepsy progression. Taken together, this study demonstrates that EGR1 alleviates neuron injuries in epilepsy by inducing METTL3-mediated inhibition of VIM, which provides clues for the development of novel antiepileptic treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Klebsiella pneumoniae is increasingly developing resistance to last-resort antibiotics such as carbapenems. This study aimed to investigate the dissemination of common carbapenemase encoding genes among 48 clinical isolates of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP). Materials and Methods: Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by broth dilution and disc diffusion methods. The phenotypic evaluation of carbapenemase production was performed by using Modified Carbapenem Inactivation Method. Presence of carbapenemase encoding genes blaKPC, blaNDM, blaOXA-48-like, blaIMP, and blaVIM was screened by PCR. Results: Overall, carbapenemases were produced in all CRKP isolates. The blaOXA-48-like and blaNDM were the most prevalent genes detected among all and 66.6% (n=32) of CRKP isolates respectively. The blaVIM was detected in only one isolate co-harboring NDM and OXA-48-like carbapenemases. The bla KPC and blaIMP genes were not identified in any of the isolates. While tigecycline was the most active agent against CRKP isolates with low resistance rate (4.1%), high rate of resistance was observed to colistin (66.6%), amikacin (79%) and most of other tested antimicrobials. Conclusion: Our results revealed predominant prevalence of OXA-48-like and NDM carbapenemases among CRKP clinical isolates. High rate of resistance to last-resort agents such as colistin among CRKP isolates is a source of great concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article's goal is to implement a semi-analytical technique named, the Laplace variational iteration method (LVIM), which is the combination of VIM and Laplace transform method. Although both the Laplace transform method and VIM cannot be applied to some nonlinear fractional differential equations (FDEs) individually, this combination will give a fast-convergent solution to the problem under study. The proposed scheme is used to numerically solve a biodynamic system called the Lotka-Volterra system, i.e. Predator-Prey Equations (PPEs). The system of FDEs can be used to represent this scenario, as well as the Caputo-Fabrizio fractional derivative will be used throughout the study. By assessing the residual error function, we can confirm that the given procedure is effective and accurate. The outcomes demonstrate that the technique used is an effective tool for simulating such models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative bacterium with several intrinsic and acquired antimicrobial resistance mechanisms. The spread of carbapenemase-encoding genes, an acquired mechanism, enables carbapenem resistance in clinical settings. Detection of the carbapenemase-producer strains is urgent. Therefore, we aimed to characterize carbapenemase production in the clinical strains of P. aeruginosa at a tertiary-care center. (2) Methods: We included clinical strains of P. aeruginosa (from August 2011 to December 2018) with resistance towards at least one carbapenem. Strains were isolated in a tertiary-care center in Mexico City. Antimicrobial susceptibility profiles were determined by broth microdilution. Screening for carbapenemase-encoding genes was performed in all strains. Phenotypic assays (CarbaNP and mCIM) were conducted. Additional modifications to mCIM were also tested. (3) Results: One-hundred seventy-one P. aeruginosa strains out of 192 included in this study were resistant towards at least one of the carbapenems tested. Forty-seven of these strains harbored a carbapenemase-encoding gene. VIM (59.6%) and GES (23.4%) were the most frequently found carbapenemases in our study, followed by IMP (14.9%). (4) Among the most frequent carbapenemase genes identified, metallo-ß-lactamases were the most prevalent, which impair new treatment options. Searching for carbapenemase genes should be performed in resistant isolates to stop transmission and guide antimicrobial treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thalamotomy alleviates medication-refractory tremors in patients with movement disorders such as Parkinson's Disease (PD), Essential tremor (ET), and Holmes tremor (HT). However, limited data are available on tremor intensity during different thalamotomy stages. Also, the predictive value of the intraoperative tremor status for treatment outcomes remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to quantify tremor status during thalamotomy and postoperatively. Data were gathered between January 2020 and June 2023 during consecutive unilateral thalamotomy procedures in patients with PD (n = 13), ET (n = 8), and HT (n = 3). MDS-UPDRS scores and tri-axial accelerometry data were obtained during rest, postural, and intention tremor tests. Measurements were performed intraoperatively (1) before lesioning-probe insertion, (2) directly after lesioning-probe insertion, (3) during coagulation, (4) directly after coagulation, and (5) 4–6 months post-surgery. Accelerometric data were recorded continuously during the coagulation process. Outcome measures included MDS-UPDRS tremor scores and accelerometric parameters (peak frequency, tremor amplitude, and area under the curve of power (AUCP)). Tremor intensity was assessed for the insertion effect (1–2), during coagulation (3), post-coagulation effect (1–4), and postoperative effect (1–5). Following insertion and coagulation, tremor intensity improved significantly compared to baseline (p < 0.001). The insertion effect clearly correlated with the postoperative effect (ρ = 0.863, p < 0.001). Both tremor amplitude and AUCP declined gradually during coagulation. Peak frequency did not change significantly intraoperatively. In conclusion, the study data show that both the intraoperative insertion effect and the post-coagulation effect are good predictors for thalamotomy outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the major infectious agents in burn patients. Globally, high rates of antimicrobial resistance in P. aeruginosa have been reported, which is a cause of concern. The objective of this study was to determine the rate of resistance to carbapenems in P. aeruginosa isolates recovered from burn patients in Tunisia, to search genes encoding for carbapenemases and to determine their epidemiological markers (serotypes). A retrospective study was conducted in the Burn Intensive Care Unit (BICU) of the Trauma and Burn Centre of Ben Arous, Tunisia, and P. aeruginosa isolates collected from burn patients, from January to December 2018 were investigated. Carbapenemase screening was performed by Carbapenem Inactivation Method (CIM) and by EDTA-disk test for all carbapenem resistant isolates. Genes encoding carbapenemases (bla VIM, bla IMP, bla GES, bla NDM, and bla KPC) were investigated by PCR and selected carbapenemase genes were sequenced. During the study period, 104 non duplicated P. aeruginosa isolates were recovered. Most of them were isolated from skin samples (45.1%) and blood culture (22.1%) and belonged to O:11 (19.2%), O:12, and O:5 (12.5%, each) serotypes. High rates of resistance were observed for carbapenems (64.4%). Among the 67 carbapenem resistant isolates, 58 (86.5%) harbored bla VIM gene and 55 (82%) bla GES gene; in addition, 48 (71.6%) co-harbored bla VIM and bla GES genes. After sequencing, the bla VIM-2 and bla GES-5 gene variants were identified in seven randomly selected isolates. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of P. aeruginosa simultaneously harboring bla VIM-2 and bla GES-5 genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Klebsiella pneumoniae is increasingly developing resistance to last-resort antibiotics such as carbapenems. This study aimed to investigate the dissemination of common carbapenemase encoding genes among 48 clinical isolates of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP). Materials and Methods: Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by broth dilution and disc diffusion methods. The phenotypic evaluation of carbapenemase production was performed by using Modified Carbapenem Inactivation Method. Presence of carbapenemase encoding genes blaKPC, blaNDM, blaOXA-48-like, blaIMP, and blaVIM was screened by PCR. Results: Overall, carbapenemases were produced in all CRKP isolates. The blaOXA-48-like and blaNDM were the most prevalent genes detected among all and 66.6% (n=32) of CRKP isolates respectively. The blaVIM was detected in only one isolate co-harboring NDM and OXA-48-like carbapenemases. The blaKPC and blaIMP genes were not identified in any of the isolates. While tigecycline was the most active agent against CRKP isolates with low resistance rate (4.1%), high rate of resistance was observed to colistin (66.6%), amikacin (79%) and most of other tested antimicrobials. Conclusion: Our results revealed predominant prevalence of OXA-48-like and NDM carbapenemases among CRKP clinical isolates. High rate of resistance to last-resort agents such as colistin among CRKP isolates is a source of great concern.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to characterize two novel VIM-type metallo-β-lactamases, VIM-84 and VIM-85, and reveal the important role of the IncP-2 type megaplasmids in the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes. VIM-84 and VIM-85 were encoded by two novel genes bla VIM-84 and bla VIM-85 which showed similarity to bla VIM-24. Both bla VIM-84 and bla VIM-85 are harbored into class 1 integrons embedded into the Tn1403 transposon. The bla VIM-85 gene was identified in a megaplasmid, which was related to 17 megaplasmid sequences with sizes larger than 430 kb, deposited previously in Genbank. A comparative analysis of complete plasmid sequences showed highly similar backbone regions and various AMR genes. A phylogenetic tree revealed that these megaplasmids, which were widely distributed globally, were vehicles for the spread of AMR genes. The bla VIM-24, bla VIM-84, and bla VIM-85 genes were cloned into pGK1900, and the recombinant vectors were further transformed into Escherichia coli DH5α and Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. The antimicrobial susceptibility test of the cloning strains showed high levels of resistance to β-lactams while they remained susceptible to aztreonam. Enzymatic tests revealed that both, VIM-84 and VIM-85, exhibited higher activity in hydrolyzing β-lactams compared to VIM-24. A D117N mutation found in VIM-24 affected binding to the antibiotics. IMPORTANCE The metallo-β-lactamases-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains play an important role in hospital outbreaks and the VIM-type enzyme is the most prevalent in European countries. Two novel VIM-type enzymes in our study, VIM-84 and VIM-85, have higher levels of resistance to β-lactams and greater hydrolytic activities for most β-lactams compared with VIM-24. Both bla VIM-84 and bla VIM-85 are harbored into class 1 integrons embedded into the Tn1403 transposon. Notably, the genes bla VIM-85 are carried by three different IncP-2-type megaplasmids which are distributed locally and appear responsible for the spread of antimicrobial resistance genes in hospital settings.

Background: Acinetobacter baumannii is regarded as a significant cause of death in hospitals. The WHO recently added carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) to its global pathogen priority list. There is a dearth of information on CRAB from our region. Methods: Fifty CRAB isolates were collected from four main hospitals in Bahrain for this study. Bacterial identification and antibiotic susceptibility tests were carried out using the BD PhoenixTM and VITEK-2 compact, respectively. Using conventional PCR, these isolates were further screened for carbapenem resistance markers (blaOXA-51, blaOXA-23, blaOXA-24, blaOXA-40, blaIMP, blaNDM, blaVIM, and blaKPC). Results: All of the isolates were resistant to imipenem (100%), meropenem (98%), and cephalosporins (96–98%), followed by other commonly used antibiotics. All these isolates were least resistant to gentamicin (64%). The detection of resistance determinants showed that the majority harbored blaOXA-51 (100%) and blaIMP (94%), followed by blaOXA-23 (82%), blaOXA-24 (46%), blaOXA-40 (14%), blaNDM (6%), blaVIM (2%), and blaKPC (2%). Conclusion: The study isolates showed a high level of antibiotic resistance. Class D carbapenemases were more prevalent in our CRAB isolate collection. The resistance genes were found in various combinations. This study emphasizes the importance of strengthening surveillance and stringent infection control measures in clinical settings to prevent the emergence and further spread of such isolates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immortalized cell lines with many advantages are widely used in various experimental contexts by many different labs. However, the absence of available cell lines poses difficulties for research in some species, such as camels. To establish an immortalized Bactrian camel fibroblast (iBCF) cell line and understand its biological characteristics, primary fibroblast cells from Bactrian camels were isolated and purified using enzymatic digestion in this study, and telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) vectors were introduced into primary BCF (pBCF) for continuous passage to 80 generations after screening with G418. The cell morphology of different generations was examined under a microscope. Cell cycle and viability were evaluated by flow cytometry and CCK-8 assay, respectively. Cellular genes expression was monitored by qPCR, immunofluorescence, and Western blot, respectively. Chromosomes were determined by karyotyping. The results showed that like most other cells, both pBCF and iBCF were sensitive to nutrient concentrations and adapted to culture in the medium with 4.5 g/L glucose and 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) concentration. hTERT gene was introduced and stably expressed in iBCF cells, which promoted BCF cell immortalization. The fibroblast specific marker vimentin (VIM) is expressed in both pBCF and iBCF, but epithelial marker cytokeratin18 (CK18) expression is weak in BCF cells. Proliferation and viability detection showed that hTERT-induced iBCF exhibits faster growth rates and higher viability than pBCF. Karyotyping showed that iBCF maintained the same number and morphology of chromosomes as the pBCF. This study demonstrated that we have successfully constructed an immortalized Bactrian camel fibroblast cell line, which was named BCF23. The establishment of the BCF23 cell line provides a foundation for expanding camel-related research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial resistance has emerged as a major danger to contemporary medicine around the world. Carbapenems are the highest class of B-lactam drugs which are considered as the most effective and safest antibiotics available. Increasing spread of carbapenemases has been noted across the world which restricts treatment options. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of carbapenem resistant genotypic pathways in a tertiary care hospital. 130 clinical strains of Enterobacteriaceae were subjected to Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion tests and genotypic methods (PCR) for the identification of the genes NDM, VIM, and OXA-48. Carbapenem resistance was detected in 30% of the isolates by phenotypic methods. These 37 isolates on being subject to PCR showed OXA-48 followed by VIM and NDM as the most frequently isolated genotypes. All isolates had multiple genes encoding carbapenem resistance. Carbapenemases resistance is on the rise and is associated with multi drug resistance pattern. To minimize spread and initiate early appropriate therapy, early detection of carbapenem resistance is essential. Molecular methods remain gold standard for detection.

Background & aim: The use of broad-spectrum cephalosporins in the treatment of infections has led to the emergence of a new class of beta-lactamases called metallobetalactamase, these enzymes belong to Ambler's class B beta-lactamases. Group A and B metallobetalactamases in Enterobacteriaceae cause problems in treatment. The present study was conducted with the aim of phenotypic investigation of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae metallobetalactamase producing strains, as well as molecular investigation of SPM, VIM, SIM, IMP and GIM genes. Methods: The present descriptive-quantitative study was conducted on 185 patients hospitalized in the special care units of Milad Hospital in Tehran from March to May 2018-2019, and 45 strains of Escherichia coli and 62 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae were selected. In order to check the antibiotic resistance of the strains, diffusion test in agar was used and also to check the phenotypic of the metallobetalactamase producing strains, the combined disc method was used. Molecular investigation of metallobetalactamase producing genes was done by PCR method. The collected data were analyzed using Fisher's test. Results: In the present study, the highest antibiotic resistance of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae strains was observed to cotrimoxazole and cefepime antibiotics, respectively. 14.5% of Klebsiella pneumoniae strains and 15.5% of Escherichia coli strains produced metallobetalactamase enzyme in the phenotypic method. Also, 88.9% of the studied Escherichia coli strains carried the SPM gene, 40% carried the VIM gene, 66.7% carried the SIM gene, and 15.6% carried the IMP gene. SPM, VIM, SIM, IMP and GIM genes were found to be 54.8, 41.9, 58.1, 3.2 and 8.1% in Klebsiella pneumoniae strains, respectively. Conclusion: In the present study, there was a high percentage of genes producing metallobetalactamase enzyme in bacteria, while 14.5% of Klebsiella pneumoniae strains and 15.5% of Escherichia coli strains were producing metallobetalactamase enzyme in the phenotypic method. that genes producing enzymes exist in bacteria and are not expressed in high amounts. There waS also the possibility that these genes were expressed, but could not be checked with the usual phenotypic methods, so efforts should be made to find reliable, cheap and easy phenotypic methods for phenotypic examination.

Background & aim: The use of broad-spectrum cephalosporins in the treatment of infections has led to the emergence of a new class of beta-lactamases called metallobetalactamase, these enzymes belong to Ambler's class B beta-lactamases. Group A and B metallobetalactamases in Enterobacteriaceae cause problems in treatment. The present study was conducted with the aim of phenotypic investigation of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae metallobetalactamase producing strains, as well as molecular investigation of SPM, VIM, SIM, IMP and GIM genes. Methods: The present descriptive-quantitative study was conducted on 185 patients hospitalized in the special care units of Milad Hospital in Tehran from March to May 2018-2019, and 45 strains of Escherichia coli and 62 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae were selected. In order to check the antibiotic resistance of the strains, diffusion test in agar was used and also to check the phenotypic of the metallobetalactamase producing strains, the combined disc method was used. Molecular investigation of metallobetalactamase producing genes was done by PCR method. The collected data were analyzed using Fisher's test. Results: In the present study, the highest antibiotic resistance of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae strains was observed to cotrimoxazole and cefepime antibiotics, respectively. 14.5% of Klebsiella pneumoniae strains and 15.5% of Escherichia coli strains produced metallobetalactamase enzyme in the phenotypic method. Also, 88.9% of the studied Escherichia coli strains carried the SPM gene, 40% carried the VIM gene, 66.7% carried the SIM gene, and 15.6% carried the IMP gene. SPM, VIM, SIM, IMP and GIM genes were found to be 54.8, 41.9, 58.1, 3.2 and 8.1% in Klebsiella pneumoniae strains, respectively. Conclusion: In the present study, there was a high percentage of genes producing metallobetalactamase enzyme in bacteria, while 14.5% of Klebsiella pneumoniae strains and 15.5% of Escherichia coli strains were producing metallobetalactamase enzyme in the phenotypic method. that genes producing enzymes exist in bacteria and are not expressed in high amounts. There waS also the possibility that these genes were expressed, but could not be checked with the usual phenotypic methods, so efforts should be made to find reliable, cheap and easy phenotypic methods for phenotypic examination.

Objectives: Magnetic resonance-guided focussed ultrasound (MRgFUS) is an incisionless ablative procedure, widely used for treatment of Parkinsonian and Essential Tremor (ET). Enhanced understanding of the patient- and treatment-specific factors that influence sustained long-term tremor suppression could help clinicians achieve superior outcomes via improved patient screening and treatment strategy. Methods: We retrospectively analysed data from 31 subjects with ET, treated with MRgFUS at a single centre. Tremor severity was assessed with parts A, B and C of the Clinical Rating Scale for Tremor (CRST) as well as the combined CRST. Tremor in the dominant and non-dominant hand was assessed with Hand Tremor Scores (HTS), derived from the CRST. Pre- and post-treatment imaging data were analysed to determine ablation volume overlap with automated thalamic segmentations, and the dentatorubrothalamic tract (DRTT) and compared with percentage change in CRST and HTS following treatment. Results: Tremor symptoms were significantly reduced following treatment. Combined pre-treatment CRST (mean: 60.7± 17.3) and HTS (mean: 19.2± 5.7) improved by an average of 45.5 and 62.6%, respectively. Percentage change in CRST was found to be significantly negatively associated with age (ß = -0.375, p = 0.015), and SDR standard deviation (SDRSD; ß = -0.324, p = 0.006), and positively associated with ablation overlap with the posterior DRTT (ß = 0.535, p < 0.001). Percentage HTS improvement in the dominant hand decreased significantly with older age (ß = -0.576, p < 0.01). Conclusion: Our results suggest that increased lesioning of the posterior region of the DRTT could result in greater improvements in combined CRST and non-dominant hand HTS, and that subjects with lower SDR standard deviation tended to experience greater improvement in combined CRST. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resistance to carbapenems in Enterobacterales has become a matter of the highest concern in the last decade. Recently, Enterobacterales harboring multiple carbapenemases were detected in three hospital centers in Croatia and in the outpatient setting, posing a serious therapeutic challenge for clinicians. In this study, we analyzed eight Klebsiella pneumoniae and two Enterobacter cloacae complex isolates with multiple carbapenemases, with regard to antibiotic susceptibility, β-lactamase production and plasmid content. The isolates demonstrated uniform resistance to amoxicillin/clavulanate, piperacillin/tazobactam, cefuroxime, ceftazidime, cefotaxime, ceftriaxone and ertapenem. Among novel β-lactam/inhibitor combinations, ceftazidime/avibactam exhibited moderate activity, with 50% of isolates susceptible. All isolates demonstrated resistance to imipenem/cilastatin/relebactam, and all but one to ceftolozane/tazobactam. Four isolates exhibited a multidrug-resistant phenotype (MDR), whereas six were allocated to an extensively drug-resistant phenotype (XDR). OKNV detected three combinations of carbapenemases: OXA-48+NDM (five isolates), OXA-48+VIM (three isolates) and OXA-48+KPC (two isolates). Inter-array testing identified a wide variety of resistance genes for β-lactam antibiotics: blaCTX-M-15, blaTEM, blaSHV, blaOXA-1, blaOXA-2, blaOXA-9, aminoglycosides: aac6, aad, rmt, arm and aph, fluoroquinolones: qnrA, qnrB and qnrS, sulphonamides: sul1 and sul2 and trimethoprim: dfrA5, dfrA7, dfrA14, dfrA17 and dfrA19. mcr genes were reported for the first time in Croatia. This study demonstrated the ability of K. pneumoniae and E. cloacae to acquire various resistance determinants under the selection pressure of antibiotics widely used during the COVID-19 pandemic. The novel inter-array method showed good correlation with OKNV and PCR, although some discrepancies were found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prompt detection of carbapenemases among Gram-negative bacteria isolated from patients' clinical infection samples and surveillance cultures is important for the implementation of infection control measures. In this context, we evaluated the effectiveness of replacing phenotypic tests for the detection of carbapenemase producers with the immunochromatographic Carbapenem-Resistant K.N.I.V.O. Detection K-Set lateral flow assay (LFA). In total, 178 carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales and 32 carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated in our hospital were tested with both our established phenotypic and molecular testing procedures and the LFA. The Kappa coefficient of agreement for Enterobacterales was 0.85 (p < 0.001) and 0.6 (p < 0.001) for P. aeruginosa. No major disagreements were observed and notably, in many cases, the LFA detected more carbapenemases than the double meropenem disc test, especially regarding OXA-48 in Enterobacterales and VIM in P. aeruginosa. Overall, the Carbapenem-Resistant K.N.I.V.O. Detection K-Set was very effective and at least equivalent to the standard procedures used in our lab. However, it was much faster as it provided results in 15 min compared to a minimum of 18–24 h for the phenotypic tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectivesMagnetic resonance-guided focussed ultrasound (MRgFUS) is an incisionless ablative procedure, widely used for treatment of Parkinsonian and Essential Tremor (ET). Enhanced understanding of the patient- and treatment-specific factors that influence sustained long-term tremor suppression could help clinicians achieve superior outcomes via improved patient screening and treatment strategy.MethodsWe retrospectively analysed data from 31 subjects with ET, treated with MRgFUS at a single centre. Tremor severity was assessed with parts A, B and C of the Clinical Rating Scale for Tremor (CRST) as well as the combined CRST. Tremor in the dominant and non-dominant hand was assessed with Hand Tremor Scores (HTS), derived from the CRST. Pre- and post-treatment imaging data were analysed to determine ablation volume overlap with automated thalamic segmentations, and the dentatorubrothalamic tract (DRTT) and compared with percentage change in CRST and HTS following treatment.ResultsTremor symptoms were significantly reduced following treatment. Combined pre-treatment CRST (mean: 60.7 ± 17.3) and HTS (mean: 19.2 ± 5.7) improved by an average of 45.5 and 62.6%, respectively. Percentage change in CRST was found to be significantly negatively associated with age (β = −0.375, p = 0.015), and SDR standard deviation (SDRSD; β = −0.324, p = 0.006), and positively associated with ablation overlap with the posterior DRTT (β = 0.535, p

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an established treatment for movement disorders, including Holmes tremor (HT). HT is a rest and action tremor that occurs as a late symptom of brainstem lesions such as stroke. Unfortunately, it is frequently refractory to medical treatment, hence DBS surgery may be a good option. Due to variable results, the ideal target for DBS in HT still remains to be established, ranging from the thalamus to the globus pallidus internus, to the subthalamic nucleus. Pre-operative imaging also is very challenging, as the complexity of brain fiber architecture may prevent the correct positioning of the directional lead. Herein, we describe the case of a patient affected by a rubral tremor secondary to a brain hemorrhage, who had advanced pre-operative neuroimaging with constrained spherical deconvolution (CSD)–based tractography obtained from diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) to identify the dentato-rubro-thalamic tract, involved in the pathophysiology of HT. The patient was then addressed to an awake DBS surgery, and with the help of intraoperative microelectrode recordings, a tailored DRTT-targeted procedure was performed. The stimulation determined an almost complete tremor suppression, with no significant side effects at a follow-up of 6 months, paving the way towards new effective techniques for the planning, i.e., CSD-based tractography and the treatment of refractory tremors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses a semi-analytical method for solving modelling equations for blood flow through compliant vessels. He's method, also called the variational iteration method (VIM), is used to find an approach to a solution in an explicit form. The chosen problem has been handled by an asymptotic reduction of the associated incompressible Navier–Stokes equations, to obtain a one-dimensional nonlocal blood flow model with source terms. Numerical examples were chosen based on experimentally valued parameters and were used to highlight and illustrate the benefits of VIM. The results obtained from the blood flow model were compared to a numerical reference method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we describe the isolation of a strain of the genus Pantoea encoding a VIM carbapenemase, the first to our knowledge. The strain, isolated from a rectal swab of a 10-day-old newborn admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), was identified through whole-genome sequencing analyses as Pantoea brenneri. The strain harbored the carbapenemases gene blaVIM-1. The prompt application of contact measures and the isolation of the newborn prevented the dissemination of VIM-producing P. brenneri and of the plasmid carrying the VIM-1 gene to other newborns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to our prior findings, ARID1A expression is decreased in colon cancer, which has a poor prognosis. In this study, we investigated the ARID1A‐VIM/CDH1 signalling axis's role in colon cancer proliferation and migration. The differentially expressed genes in cells that might be controlled by ARID1A were discovered by a database screening for ARID1A knockout. qPCR was used to analyse ARID1A and EMT markers expression levels in colon cancer. We utilized siRNA RID1A to explore the influence of ARID1A silencing on EMT in CRC cells. The function of ARID1A in the colon was investigated utilizing the wound healing, transwell and CCK‐8 WST‐ assays. The molecular mechanism by which ARID1A regulates VIM and CDH1 was elucidated using chip‐qPCR. Numerous genes involved in EMT were dysregulated in the absence of ARID1A. VIM expression increased in cells lacking ARID1A expression and vice versa. Many COAD samples with high ARID1A mRNA expression had low VIM mRNA expression, despite the relevance. CDH1 gene was positively correlated with ARID1A. Moreover, siRNA‐ARID1A‐transfected cells accelerated cell migration and invasion and increased cell proliferation rate in vitro. Chip‐qPCR analysis showed that ARID1A binds to the promoters of both genes and changes their expression in colon cancer. ARID1A inactivation is associated with VIM activation and CDH1 suppression, which might serve as crucial molecules influencing COAD prognosis, accelerate tumour progression, and shorten patients' survival time, and promote metastases of COAD. Thus, depletion of ARID1A can be therapeutically exploited by targeting downstream effects to improve cancer treatment‐related outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial resistance has emerged as a major danger to contemporary medicine around the world. Carbapenems are the highest class of B-lactam drugs which are considered as the most effective and safest antibiotics available. increasing spread of carbapenemases has been noted across the world which restricts treatment options. the aim of this study was to determine the incidence of carbapenem resistant genotypic pathways in a tertiary care hospital. 130 clinical strains of Enterobacteriaceae were subjected to Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion tests and genotypic methods (PCR) for the identification of the genes NDM, ViM, and OXA-48. Carbapenem resistance was detected in 30% of the isolates by phenotypic methods. these 37 isolates on being subject to PCR showed OXA-48 followed by ViM and NDM as the most frequently isolated genotypes. All isolates had multiple genes encoding carbapenem resistance. Carbapenemases resistance is on the rise and is associated with multi drug resistance pattern. to minimize spread and initiate early appropriate therapy, early detection of carbapenem resistance is essential. Molecular methods remain gold standard for detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, we analyzed the genome of two S. enterica strains TS1 and TS2 from stool and blood cultures, respectively, and one strain of C. freundii TS3, isolated from a single hospitalized patient with acute myeloid leukemia. The S. enterica Goldcoast ST358 (O:8 (C2-C3) serogroup), sequenced by the MiSeq Illumina system, showed the presence of β-lactamase genes (blaVIM-1, blaSHV-12 and blaOXA-10), aadA1, ant(2″)-Ia, aac(6′)-Iaa, aac(6′)-Ib3, aac(6′)-Ib-cr, qnrVC6, parC(T57S), and several incompatibility plasmids. A wide variety of insertion sequences (ISs) and transposon elements were identified. In C. freundii TS3, these were the blaVIM-1, blaCMY-150, and blaSHV-12, aadA1, aac(6′)-Ib3, aac(6′)-Ib-cr, mph(A), sul1, dfrA14, ARR-2, qnrVC6, and qnrB38. IncA plasmid isolated from E.coli/K12 transconjugant and C. freundii exhibited a sequence identity >99.9%. The transfer of IncA plasmid was evaluated by conjugation experiments.

(1) Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative bacterium with several intrinsic and acquired antimicrobial resistance mechanisms. The spread of carbapenemase-encoding genes, an acquired mechanism, enables carbapenem resistance in clinical settings. Detection of the carbapenemase-producer strains is urgent. Therefore, we aimed to characterize carbapenemase production in the clinical strains of P. aeruginosa at a tertiary-care center. (2) Methods: We included clinical strains of P. aeruginosa (from August 2011 to December 2018) with resistance towards at least one carbapenem. Strains were isolated in a tertiary-care center in Mexico City. Antimicrobial susceptibility profiles were determined by broth microdilution. Screening for carbapenemase-encoding genes was performed in all strains. Phenotypic assays (CarbaNP and mCIM) were conducted. Additional modifications to mCIM were also tested. (3) Results: One-hundred seventy-one P. aeruginosa strains out of 192 included in this study were resistant towards at least one of the carbapenems tested. Forty-seven of these strains harbored a carbapenemase-encoding gene. VIM (59.6%) and GES (23.4%) were the most frequently found carbapenemases in our study, followed by IMP (14.9%). (4) Among the most frequent carbapenemase genes identified, metallo-ß-lactamases were the most prevalent, which impair new treatment options. Searching for carbapenemase genes should be performed in resistant isolates to stop transmission and guide antimicrobial treatment.

In this paper, we apply the homotopy perturbation method (HPM), modified homotopy perturbation method (MHPM), variational iteration method (VIM), Adomian decomposition method (ADM), and modified Adomian decomposition method (MADM) to solve nonlinear mixed Volterra-Fredholm integral equations and its system. We investigate the approximate solution of this equation and its system via proposed methods. The validity and efficiency of these methods are demonstrated through various numerical examples that illustrate the efficiency, accuracy, and simplicity of the proposed methods. Moreover, the convergence and uniqueness of the solution of the suggested methods are confirmed and compared with the exact solutions.

African swine fever (ASF) is a contagious and lethal hemorrhagic disease in pigs; its spread results in huge economic losses to the global pig industry. ASF virus (ASFV) is a large double-stranded DNA virus encoding >150 open reading frames. Among them, ASFV-encoded D1133L was predicted to be a helicase but its specific function remains unknown. Since virus-host protein interactions are key to understanding viral protein function, we used co-immunoprecipitation combined with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to investigate D1133L. This study describes the interaction network of ASFV D1133L protein in porcine kidney PK-15 cells. Overall, 1,471 host proteins that potentially interact with D1133L are identified. Based on these host proteins, a protein-protein network was constructed. Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses showed that cellular D1133L-interacted proteins are involved in the ribosome, spliceosome, RNA transport, oxidative phosphorylation, proteasome, and DNA replication. Vimentin (VIM), tripartite motif-containing protein 21 (TRIM21), and Tu translation elongation factor (TUFM) were confirmed to interact with D1133L in vitro. VIM or TRIM21 overexpression significantly promoted ASFV replication, but TUFM overexpression significantly inhibited ASFV replication. These results help elucidate the specific functions of D1133L and the potential mechanisms underlying ASFV replication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Magnetic resonance–guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) thalamotomy is a safe and effective procedure for drug‐resistant tremor in Parkinson's disease (PD). Objective: The aim of this study was to demonstrate that MRgFUS ventralis intermedius thalamotomy in early‐stage tremor‐dominant PD may prevent an increase in dopaminergic medication 6 months after treatment compared with matched PD control subjects on standard medical therapy. Methods: We prospectively enrolled patients with early‐stage PD who underwent MRgFUS ventralis intermedius thalamotomy (PD‐FUS) and patients treated with oral dopaminergic therapy (PD‐ODT) with a 1:2 ratio. We collected demographic and clinical data at baseline and 6 and 12 months after thalamotomy. Results: We included 10 patients in the PD‐FUS group and 20 patients in the PD‐ODT group. We found a significant increase in total levodopa equivalent daily dose and levodopa plus monoamine oxidase B inhibitors dose in the PD‐ODT group 6 months after thalamotomy. Conclusions: In early‐stage tremor‐dominant PD, MRgFUS thalamotomy may be useful to reduce tremor and avoid the need to increase dopaminergic medications. © 2022 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the authors study the comparison of the generalization differential transform method (DTM) and fuzzy variational iteration method (VIM) applied to determining the approximate analytic solutions of fuzzy fractional KdV, K(2,2) and mKdV equations. Furthermore, we establish the approximation solution two-and three-dimensional fuzzy time-fractional telegraphic equations via the fuzzy reduced differential transform method (RDTM). Finding an exact or closed-approximation solution to a differential equation is possible via fuzzy RDTM. Finally, we present the fuzzy fractional variational homotopy perturbation iteration method (VHPIM) with a modified Riemann-Liouville derivative to solve the fuzzy fractional diffusion equation (FDE). Using this approach achieves a rapidly convergent sequence that approaches the exact solution of the equation. The proposed methods are investigated based on fuzzy fractional derivatives with some illustrative examples. The results reveal that the schemes are highly effective for obtaining the solutions to fuzzy fractional partial differential equations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]